These pages are a record of all the music events CVFolk has staged in the Albany Theatre Studio since our launch in October 2018
(Most recent event first)
Click here for CVFolk @ the Albany Theatre current page
Click here for 2023 Archive
Click here for 2020-21 Archive
Click here for 2018-19 Archive
Sunday December 11th 2022
With his natural authority spiced with sometimes barbed humour, plus ironically jolly Christmas songs, Nuneaton Folk Club’s Geoff Veasey (left) presided over a fabulous evening as guest MC. Willow & Tool Band were given a great reception for their first PA appearance as a 5-piece. Chris Coleman and Paul Sherlaw made an excellent impression as the highly entertaining duo Desperately Seeking Snow White. And The Paper Circus were an absolute delight, with first-rate guitar and double bass by Suraj Nagar and Merlin Walter providing the perfect accompaniment to the stunning vocals of Jennian King. Brilliant stuff!
Photos taken by Pete Willow, apart from photos of Willow & Tool Band, taken by Chris Coleman. Click on each to view or download. If you would like a higher resolution version of any of these images, email culture@cvfolk.com
The Paper Circus
Desperately Seeking Snow White
Willow & Tool Band
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Sunday November 13th 2022
A superb night of top quality music from Craig Sunderland and from the band itself. Special thanks to the Albany Theatre’s technician, Mike Molloy, for getting the sound just right. Slightly disappointing not to have sold more tickets than we did, considering MOTL had played to full houses un Stratford-upon-Avon the two nights before. But it was still a good-sized and appreciative crowd and the acts certainly seemed to enjoy performing for us. We especially enjoyed Meet On The Ledge‘s take on Pink Floyd‘s Comfortably Numb – a remarkable and superbly arranged final number that may have pushed the folk boundaries a little but went down a storm with all the folk fans who attended!
Photos taken by Pete Willow. Click on each to view or download. If you would like a higher resolution version of any of these images, email culture@cvfolk.com
Meet On The Ledge
Craig Sunderland
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Sunday October 9th 2022
The focus was on singer-songwriters and guest MC, Stephen Boyer shared his opening set with Steve Redshaw, each giving relaxed performances of well-crafted self-penned songs, inspired by events from personal experience. John Oswin, who previously appeared in the Studio as part of a scratch blues band formed by Stephen, now performed a classy set in his own right, with our sound system bringing out the best in his Bowie-style vocals and cracking guitar playing. First-time visitor Paul Gibson won great audience response for his set of original songs, performed with impressive vocals and guitarwork.
Kristy Gallacher’s set went down a storm! Judge the reaction from social media comments that appeared the following morning:
- Beautifully crafted songs, sensitive playing and her usual lovely voice. A real treat.
- Kristy is a rare songwriting talent; observant, sensitive & uplifting slices of life, expertly played & beautifully sung.
- It was a really cool set, great that you’ve been writing again, I loved the new songs.
- Splendid!
All-in-all a lovely and relaxed evening with fantastic music and again quite a decent-sized audience. Always room for more – keep coming back folks!
Photos taken by Pete Willow. Click on each to view or download. If you would like a higher resolution version of any of these images, email culture@cvfolk.com
Kristy Gallacher
Paul Gibson
John Oswin
Stephen Boyer / Steve Redshaw
Photos by Paul Gibson
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Sunday September 11th 2022
Fabulous start to the new season with quality music from start to finish. The evening was meant to wind up a busy weekend for CVFolk which had once again been allocated a City Centre stage for Coventry MotoFest and had planned two packed afternoons of entertainment. However, MotoFest was postponed at very short notice, following the news of the death of HRH Queen Elizabeth II. The Stationary Wilburys and KC Jones had been scheduled to appear on the Saturday, while Rack & Ruin had been billed as the final Sunday afternoon act.
Pete Willow, MC for the evening, started proceedings with a toast to The Queen (‘Gord bless you, Ma’am!) and then The Stationary Wilburys and KC Jones provided two superb, well-crafted and well-received first-half sets. After the interval, Rack & Ruin‘s 4-piece acoustic line-up played a stunning one-hour set that absolutely delighted the crowd. We had a reasonable turn out (although there was room for more) with one of the regulars declaring it was the best CVFolk night so far – a compliment indeed as we are getting accustomed to first-rate performances.
Here’s a selection of photos taken by Pete Willow. Click on each to view or download. If you would like a higher resolution version of any of these images, email culture@cvfolk.com
The Stationary Wilburys
KC Jones
Rack & Ruin
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Sunday July 10th 2022
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Sunday June 12th 2022
Jack Blackman was one of the acts lined up for our Ukraine fundraiser in March but had to pull out after testing positive for Covid. So we invited him to headline our next ticketed event and were blown away by his songs and amazing musicianship on acoustic and electric guitars, With a leaning towards blues and Americana that evening, we invited a packed support line-up – the foot-stomping sound of father and son duo, Clive and Mat Ryder playing guitar, fiddle, banjo and mandolin to produce authentic arrangements of traditional American songs; a return performance of fabulous up-tempo songs by Nuneaton’s singer-songwriter Steven John Birks in classic folksinger pose,accompanying himself on guitar and harmonica; and an unforgettable and highly entertaining set by The Blues Dues Band, one of the many (arguably impromptu) line-ups formed by Leamington’s Stephen Boyer, featuring John Oswin on guitar, Nathan on percussion and the soaring, bluesy vocals of Debbie Bee. The high spot of their set was a powerful arrangement of Led Zeppelin’s Rock and Roll, with Debbie’s young son, Louis on electric guitar, belting out the power chords on electric guitar while Mum gave it the full Robert Plant vocal treatment!
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Sunday May 8th 2022
Top quality music as you might expect from Kev Dempsey and from the Hatstand duo – since renamed as The B Road although Hatstand is still the name of their full band. Very enjoyable and skilfully played set by Newcastle duo, Paul Handyside and Rob Tickell who gave us a stunning extended floor spot while passing through Coventry as part of a national tour.
Here’s a selection of photos taken by Pete Willow. Click on each to view or download. If you would like a higher resolution version of any of these images, email culture@cvfolk.com
Kevin Dempsey
The B Road (Hatstand)
Paul Handyside & Rob Tickell
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Sunday Apr 10th 2022
We had some last-minute changes. Kristy Gallacher was scheduled for this month but had to postpone because of a heavy cold. Daisybell stepped into the breach, but one of the three members, Charlie Adams has long Covid and wasn’t able to do the show. But Katherine Fear and Anya Fay put on a superb performance as a duo.The evening also featured the long overdue performance by Michael Luntley’s ‘Tricaorach’ and their set-piece of songs, From This Ground with poetry by Olga Dermott-Bond, encapsulating the life of Warwickshire agricultural workers in the 19th century but with powerful resonances to modern-day events. This had been originally booked three years ago to take place before lockdown! The evening started with the first post-lockdown performance of the full line-up of Willow and Tool Band. Overall, an enjoyable and well-attended evening.
Here’s a selection of photos taken by Colin Squire and Pete Willow. Click on each to view or download. If you would like a higher resolution version of any of these images, email culture@cvfolk.com
Daisybell (duo)
Michael Luntley’s ‘Tricaorach’ with Olga Dermott-Bond
Willow & Tool Band
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Sunday Mar 27th 2022
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Sunday Mar 13th 2022
First of a mini ‘world tour of Warwickshire’ for this amazing line-up. Superbly crafted songs and great arrangements. If you missed them, catch then as guests of Lighthorne Folk Club on May 2nd. .Fantastic support also from Corinne Lucy whose singing voice is simply gorgeous! And many thanks to Steve 2 for a great busking set, beautifully played and winning great audience response.
The Cellar Tapes
Corinne Lucy
Steve 2
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Sunday Feb 13th 2022
Sunday Feb 13th: 7pm-9.30pm: Keith Donnelly & Lauren South + Mick Bisiker, Andi Wolf, MC: Pete Willow (advance tickets £11)
Originally a special guest night for Bisiker & Romanov, we had a last minute change of programme when we heard that Al Romanov wouldn’t be available as he was booked to play on a cruise! Mick Bisiker was still happy to appear as support for our new headline duo, Keith Donnelly & Lauren South who are about to take the folk scene by storm with their superb arrangements of mainly original songs laced with Keith’s crazy sense of humour and Lauren’s ability to keep him in check. Result – a highly entertaining treat!
Mick Bisiker also delighted the audience with two rare solo sets featuring some ace guitar accompaniment for his selection of self-penned and traditional songs mixed with some enjoyable and unlikely tales. Local songwriter Andi Wolf turned out to be a fantastic discovery, winning a lot of new fans with his fine singing voice, well-crafted songs and warm stage personality. Apparently he used to sing covers of Barry Manilow songs, wearing a sparkly jacket, but had a ‘road-to-Damascus’ moment when he discovered folk clubs and an ability to write material far more interesting that Copacabana! Definitely a superb and memorable night of great music and entertainment.
Here’s a selection of photos taken by MC for the evening, Pete Willow. Click on each to view or download. If you would like a higher resolution version of any of these images, email culture@cvfolk.com
Keith Donnelly & Lauren South
Mick Bisiker
Andi Wolf
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Sunday Jan 9th 2022
7pm-9.30pm: Coventry Singer Songwriters + feature spot from Daisybell (free admission; caddy collection)
A fantastic start to the year and a good audience turn-out considering current public health concerns. Ill health prevented Bob Wilkinson and one of the Daisybell trio (Charlie Adams) from joining us but each act gave a powerful and enjoyable performance, demonstrating a wide range of styles and types that come under the ‘singer-songwriter’ heading. Each of the songwriters – Dave Taylor, Paul Monks & Jane Moss, and Corinne Lucy – presented their own unique sound and approach while performing with the skill of seasoned music professionals to provide first-class entertainment. Corinne set the bar high when she launched the all-female second half with some amazing songs and a vocal style that reflected ‘Joni Mitchellesque’ qualities. The icing on the cake was Daisybell, even though they were reduced to a duo, but nevertheless a highly talented duo with warm state presence – Katherine Fear and Anya Faye. They finished their set with a couple of songs from the much anticipated folk opera The Undoing of Polly Button, written by Katherine and due to be premiered on February 19th at the Abbey Theatre, Nuneaton, starring Jennian King and Keith Donnelly, respectively as victim and villain!
Thanks to all who played and listened and a special thankyou to our guest MC, Jon Harrington (pictured R) , founder of the Coventry Songwriters Group in 2010.
Under Jon’s regime of regular meetings, themed songs, friendly guidance and encouragement, the group is responsible for opening the floodgates for a veritable stream of creativity in Coventry, Warwickshire and beyond!
Here’s a selection of photos taken by Pete Willow. Click on each to view or download. If you would like a higher resolution version of any of these images, culture@cvfolk.com
Dave Taylor
Paul Monks & Jane Moss
Corinne Lucy
Daisybell
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Click here for CVFolk @ the Albany Theatre current page
Click here for 2023 Archive
Click here for 2020-21 Archive
Click here for 2018-19 Archive