What’s On

Your guide to folk events in Coventry and Warwickshire.

We’ve linked to a new calendar format which should make more local folk events accessible and easy to update. Just click on the maroon lettering below – or scroll down for individual listing of forthcoming events.

Cov & Warks Folk Events Listing

If you are planning any folk event in the CV postcode area – big concert, back-room singaround, online performance, dance display, or whatever, click here to email us, providing the following details:

  • Date, start-time and end-time
  • Name of venue
  • Type of event
  • Artists/performers appearing
  • Location including postcode
  • Description – including how to book tickets, web links, etc
Please note that information on this page is based on advertising and public announcements by the venues and/or events organisers.
While every effort is made to ensure that details provided here are correct, CVFolk cannot guarantee its accuracy which is why we include contact information for each event so that you can check and confirm if necessary,

Dec
7
Sat
TwoManTing @ Temperance Cafe
Dec 7 @ 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm

TwoManTing was formed in 2004 when Sierra Leonean drummer Jah-man Aggrey, and guitarist Jon Lewis were playing together as part of dance band, Le Cod Afrique, at venues such as Montreux Jazz Festival and WOMAD.

The duo immediately became a hit on the UK festival circuit with their brand of bouncy “Sunshine Afro-roots”. Shows have included Glastonbury, Secret Garden Party, Wilderness and Green Man Festivals to name but a few. Using guitar, live loops and percussion the duo creates a highly danceable full band sound and their reputation has earned them recent support slots with the likes of Tinariwen, The Oyster Band, Edward 2 and Dub Colossus. Their music is often featured on BBC Radio 3 and 6Music.

Shows feature palm-wine, acoustic dub and highlife grooves with thoughtful and thought-provoking lyrics on subjects ranging from childhood memories, political protest and er….duvets.

The latest album “Rhymes with Orange” draws on a range of sounds from 1970s Sierra Leone to 1980s UK punk through to the Soukous beats of the Congo.

Ainsley Hamill @ Tree House Bookshop
Dec 7 @ 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm

Mix Heather Small & Julie Fowlis and you’ve got singer songwriter Ainsley Hamill. One of the UK’s leading and most diverse singers, Ainsley has a long list of nods including the BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year Finalist and Gaelic Singer of the Year Finalist at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards. She represented Scotland at Eurovision in Gothenburg and has appeared at folk festivals the world over, including The Festival Interceltique de Lorient, Celtic Connections & du Bout du Monde for the last 10 years and has recently been included in The List’s 2024 Hot 100, of the most influential Scottish cultural contributors.

With the release of her debut feature album ‘Not Just Ship Land’. Produced by BBC composer Malcolm Lindsay, ‘Not Just Ship Land’, Ainsley showcases her songwriting ability, inspired by the surroundings and unsung heroes of Govan and Glasgow. Ainsley’s new album will be released in Summer 2024 and centred around trad Scottish Gaelic, Scots and self-penned songs that are inspired by the Scottish landscape and people. Hailing from the West Coast of Scotland, Ainsley specialises in song writing and songs in Scottish Gaelic and English. Her love of Gaelic song was nurtured whilst studying at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and Trad roots are close to her heart.

With this new album however, Ainsley is exploring new sounds and ideas as she pushes out from these roots to create personal material that encompasses big topics close to her heart, including feminism and equality, while unearthing forgotten stories and places that deserve a voice. For many years Ainsley performed and toured with folk bands Barluath and made appearances with The Unusual Suspects . During this time, her accomplished song writing skills were evident in Barluath’s two studio albums; ‘Source’ and ‘At Dawn of Day’ as well as various singles including ‘Touch the Gate’ and ‘At the Fair’.

Ainsley is a current member of folk band Fourth Moon, performing Gaelic, English and her own material, as well as step dancing.

Doors 7pm, music starts at 7.30pm.
BYOB

Ansley Christmas Concert: Jess & Richard Arrowsmith + Jo Maher @ St. Laurence's Church
Dec 7 @ 7:30 pm – 10:30 pm

Traditional songs and tunes mixed with seasonal material from folk artists Jess and Richard Arrowsmith (vocals, fiddle, melodeon) with special guest Jo Maher (oboe, cor anglais).
A chance to enjoy a festive evening in a beautiful 11th century church. Doors open at 7.30pm to allow you to view the village Christmas Tree festival display inside the church, concert starts at 8.00pm.

 

Meet On The Ledge @ Ilmington Village hall
Dec 7 @ 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
We present an evening with Warwickshire-based folk rock legends MEET ON THE LEDGE. They appeared at the Village Hall in 2023 with their Pink Floyd tribute show DARK SIDE OF THE LEDGE, and we are delighted to welcome the band back for an evening of their own original and traditional folk rock music.

MOTL began in 1992 as a folk duo, and 32 years and five studio albums later they are still going strong as a five-piece band, widely acknowledged as one of the most exciting acts on the folk circuit. Founder members Ron Holmes (vocals and guitar) and Allen Maslen (guitar and accordion) are joined by keyboardist Steve Bird, drummer Bo Davies and bassist Craig Sunderland.

Critics and reviewers have tried to pigeonhole MOTL’s music over the years, with most unable to decide whether they are an acoustic rock band or an electric folk band. The band’s favourite description of their music is “Big Country in a bar brawl with Thin Lizzy.”

Meet On The Ledge have wowed folk festival audiences across the UK and as far away as Poland with their uplifting original songs and supercharged arrangements of traditional folk tunes, but they are perhaps best known for their gentler material, such as their original lifeboat epic “The Mary Stanford of Rye” which has become a folk classic in its own right.

More information at www.motl.co.uk

Event Details

Doors Open at 7:15PM
Starts at 8:00PM

Dec
8
Sun
Acoustic Music Session @ The Humber pub
Dec 8 @ 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm

As of November 2024, this acoustic music session at the Humber pub takes place every Sunday afternoon  at 2.00 in the lounge. It isn’t run by anyone in particular, but all are welcome to come and sing a song, play a tune or whatever (within reason!)

Tim Edey & The Swaps @ Temperance
Dec 8 @ 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm

We are delighted to welcome back Tim Edey, one of the finest multi-instrumentalists in the UK. Supporting and jamming with him will be Temperance favourites, The Swaps (James, Beth, Adam, Tomo and Ben).

Multiple award-winning Tim Edey talents were recognised as: BBC Musician of the year BBC ALBA/Scotland Best Traditional musician 2020, BBC Radio Two Musician of the year 2012 (BBC R2 FOLK AWARDS) Tim tours the world and records with major names in Celtic/Contemporary roots music, including; The Chieftains, Christy Moore, Sharon Shannon, Ross Ainslie, Natalie MacMaster, Donnell Leahy, Altan, Capercaillie, Brendan Power, Michael McGoldrick, Seamus Begley, Dougie Maclean, Kevin Burke, Liam O’Maonlai, The Barra MacNeills, JP Cormier, Shaun Davey, Session A9, Lunasa, Vinnie Kilduff , Mary Black, Session A9, Julie Fowlis, Frankie Gavin, to name but a few…

After seventeen years of hard work, Tim is now a name on the global stage in his own right. He is rated by many to be one of the world’s finest melodeon and guitar players in the folk & contemporary scene today!

Originally from Broadstairs in Kent and of Irish descent. Tim honed his style learning from his father Richard, himself a fine guitarist, and listening to Ed Boyd, Steve Cooney and Django Reinhardt. He has lived in Ireland and now resides in Perthshire, Scotland, where he is based with his family and from where he regularly tours all over the world.

Tim’s live solo shows are a stunning mix of world music, inspired instrumental virtuosity and passion, with a strong Celtic theme, and above all, a highly entertaining night of musical genius, all held together by his dynamic and infectious personality.

Dec
9
Mon
Singaround @ Warwick Folk Club
Dec 9 @ 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Fox Acoustic Sessions @ Fox Inn
Dec 9 @ 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm

Fox Acoustic is an intimate singaround.   Music of any style on any instrument.

Quigleys Music Session @ Quigleys
Dec 9 @ 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Monday and Saturday night sessions have been going on now for 30 years Featuring Eric, Bob and Leslie Robson, Phil Gregg, Robin, Joe Heckles, Terry Mc Hugh, and Trevor from the famous Daventry Boyz. Occasionally Dave Broadfield.

‘CovTrad’ traditional music session @ Humber Hotel
Dec 9 @ 8:30 pm – 11:00 pm

Free casual music session focused on traditional tunes from Britain and Ireland with bits of Americana, Skandi, etc.

If you are a beginner with only a few tunes, let us know and we’ll join in at a speed that works for you.