22^nd August 2022

(Update 8th September 2022 – MotoFest postponed. This was announced following the news of the death of HRH Queen Elizabeth II. No news yet of revised date.)

Rack & Ruin to headline packed weekend of folk

Coventry celebrates cars and folk music when CVFolk comes to MotoFest – AND starts new season of ‘2^nd Sunday’ events.

From folk-rock to unaccompanied harmony singing, CVFolk packs three major events into the second weekend of September – two daytime shows for Motofest and a new season launch of events in the Albany Theatre Studio.

Coventry’s acclaimed folk-rock and ceilidh band, Rack & Ruin Acoustic will headline the ‘2^nd Sunday’ show at the Albany Theatre on the evening of September 11^th. Fronted by singer-songwriter-guitarist, Mick Bisiker, they will also be the final act for CVFolk’s Sunday afternoon open-air concert in Coventry’s Upper Precinct as part of the entertainment for the MotoFest weekend.

Their set will wind up a weekend of first-rate folk talent with top-line artists from the Coventry and Warwickshire folk scene, including Kevin Dempsey, Firedaze, The Redhills, and Craig Sunderland with irrepressible folk singer and comedian Keith Donnelly opening the show on Saturday, September 10th at midday. Click here  and here for the full line-up and provisional performance times for CVFolk at each day at MotoFest.

The Sunday evening Albany Theatre show kicks off a busy new season of home-grown acts in the Studio and sees Rack & Ruin supported by KC Jones and The Stationary Wilburys. The music starts at 7.30pm at the venue on Coventry’s Albany Road (CV5 6JQ) and admission is free – but please give generously to the ‘caddy’ banknote collection!

Pushing the Right Button for George Eliot Festival

Polly Button returns to the scene of her debut performance.

The highly acclaimed folk opera, The Undoing of Polly Button is to be staged again in Nuneaton’s Abbey Theatre for two nights as part of this year’s George Eliot Fellowship’s Festival.

Created by local singer and songwriter Katherine Fear and featuring some top names from the local folk scene, the production narrates the tragic true story of a shocking murder that took place in Nuneaton almost 200 years ago. The story is narrated by the character of George Eliot (played by singer Anya Faye) who was twelve years old when the murder took place.

The show runs from 7.30pm on Wednesday and Thursday, 31 August and 1^st September and tickets  are available from this link.

Warwickshire stars in Warwickshire clubs

Folk clubs in the CVFolk area don’t have to look too far to identify big attractions to launch their new season of guest nights.

Latest act to emerge as the county’s super talented duo, Donnelly and South are lined up for a crowd-pleasing night at Lighthorne Folk‘s September get-together in the marquee by the village’s Antelope pub. With support from teenage folk sensation Abi Rowberry, plus a set of James Taylor songs from the excellent Stephen Boyer, the music begins at 7pm on Monday 5th September. More details here.

Two days later, Nuneaton Folk Club lays on another great evening of entertainment in the Queen’s Hall, with the ever-popular trio The Paper Circus as main guest. The evening also features some hearty singing from local landlocked shanty crew The Hawkesbury Trawlermen and a blend of sings, humour and magical trickery from John Mosedale.

The music starts at 8pm – more details here. Admission for both events is free but generous donations to the collection bucket will help ensure the clubs’ continued survival.

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20th April 2022

Be tempted by Dempsey’s delights

Coventry’s global star brings wow-factor folk back to home territory

Guitar maestro, Kevin Dempsey headlines CVFolk’s next ‘Second Sunday’ event in June with his much anticipated solo performance.

Following the acclaimed debut appearance of the Kevin Dempsey Trio – with Joe Broughton and Urban Folk Quartet’s Tom Chapman – at the CVFolk4Ukraine event in March, the man is back with just voice and acoustic guitar on Sunday, May 8^th for CVFolk’s monthly show in the Albany Theatre Studio.

A founder member of influential acoustic rock innovators in the 60s, Dando Shaft, Kevin has worked with many of the leading names in soul, folk and jazz from Percy Sledge to Alice Coltrane, and from Mary Black to Jacqui McShee. Also a founder member of 80s folk supergroup Whippersnapper – alongside Chris Leslie and the late Dave Swarbrick and Martin Jenkins – Kevin also toured widely as a duo with the legendary ‘Swarb’.

Hatstand’s duo line-up of Keith Nickless and Kate Vassalos (pictured below right – photos by John B.Smith) will also make an appearance with a repertoire that draws largely on the more obscure regions of ‘dark Americana’.

And as an added bonus, folk and roots singer-songwriter Paul Handyside (pictured above left) is on the billing. His fourth album, Loveless Town was released last year and features songs with an ever-closer resonance  with country and Americana, although one track, Hartley Pit Catastrophe – a true story from his native North East – reflects more  English folk sensibilities. Also featured on the album – and its producer – Rob Tickell will join Paul on stage with added guitar.

The music starts at the slightly later time of 7.30pm in the Albany Theatre Studio on Coventry’s Albany Road (CV5 6JQ) and admission is free – but please give generously to the ‘caddy’ banknote collection!

Looking ahead to June 12, CVFolk’s next advance ticket show features the exceptional blues guitarist and songwriter, Jack Blackman.

He’ll be making up for his disappointment that Covid prevented him from taking part in CVFolk4Ukraine, Support acts lined up so far include authentic trad. American arrangements from father-and-son duo Clive & Mat Ryder plus a welcome return performance of some stomping guitar and harmonica songs by Steven John Birks.

The music will start at 7pm and tickets are £11, bookable soon on the Albany Theatre website. Or call 02476 998964.

Ukraine cash where it’s needed

CVFolk has now transferred £2030 to the Emergency Appeal set up by the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain.

This is a culmination of ticket money from the CVFolk4Ukraine concert that took place in the Albany Theatre on March 27 and voluntary donations through cash collection and via PayPal. The money is being spent on food, hygiene and medical packs dispatched to where they are directly needed with the help of charity and church organisations on the ground in Ukraine.

The PayPal account remains open for more donations and you are encouraged to send more money (even ‘small change’) if you wish to download high resolution photographs of the event, or simply watch the main stage performances on YouTube.

Be of good shear – the Sheep Dip is back!

The Sheep Dip Sessions house concerts are coming back – at a new address in Harbury!

Session host, Michael Luntley will be announcing the precise new location shortly but he has already confirmed his first guests appearing this Autumn.

Memphis based acoustic bluesman Doug Macleod opens the new season on Friday 2 September and Scottish duo Eilidh Steal & Mark Neal appear on Friday 7 October. 

Keep in touch via the Sheep Dip Sessions. Click on the link and pat the sheep!

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23rd March 2022

Stand up and sing for Ukraine!

CVFolk’s rallying call as folk artists and fans join the resistance against aggression

25 acts, made up of 64 performers, will present nearly 10 hours of non-stop folk music at a fundraising event this Sunday (27^th March) for the people of Ukraine.

The all-star billing performing in Coventry’s Albany Theatre includes Meet On The Ledge, The Lost Notes, Jack Blackman, Wes Finch’s band The Silver Wye, Keith Donnelly & Lauren South and the first public appearance of The Kevin Dempsey Trio featuring Joe Broughton and Urban Folk Quartet percussionist Tom Chapman.

The evening concert also features a special acoustic appearance by CVFolk’s Patron Pauline Black OBE with former Selecter guitarist Nick Welsh. This may bring back memories for veteran Coventry folk fans of how Pauline began her musical career playing the folk clubs of the city, although the repertoire has changed a lot since then.

Organised in partnership with The Albany Theatre and NN1Audio, CVFolk 4 Ukraine kicks off at 1pm with an afternoon concert in the Theatre’s Main House, featuring 16 popular acts on the Coventry and Warwickshire folk circuit including Daisybell, The Paper Circus and – making her first public appearance onstage since becoming a Mum – singer-songwriter Kristy Gallacher.

The action moves to the bar and studio at 5.15pm when a music session and Singaround is hosted by Leamington singer Stephen Boyer.

The next main stage concert begins at 7pm with a set by Rob Halligan’s Homeward Hie. With Keith Donnelly as MC, the concert ends around 10.30pm with a grand finale song and tune set, featuring many of the artists who have appeared previously that day.

The event will be receiving a visit by Coventry’s Lord Mayor, Cllr John McNicholas who has agreed to give a short presentation at the end of the evening (we don’t think he’s bringing a banjo!).

Admission for the afternoon and evening concerts is a mere £5 per concert, or £9 for the full day, with all the money being used for aid for Ukraine. In addition, there will be collections throughout the day while a live stream of the concert will be available on CVFolk’s Facebook and YouTube pages with the opportunity for people to donate from across the world via PayPal.

Says CVFolk’s Chair, Pete Willow, ‘If an aggressive dictator chooses to invade and lay waste to a neighbouring country, what can a bunch of musicians and folk fans do about it? The answer is – do what we do best and play music! Music will always inspire, enhance solidarity, and rally support much more effectively than bombs and bullets.

‘And if, through our efforts, we can raise funds to support and aid the victims of aggression, then as music-makers we become part of the resistance.’

Click here for the day’s schedule of acts and timings.

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3rd March 2022

Time to get stuck in

New folk all-star line-up, Cellar Tapes to be launched in Coventry’s Albany Theatre

Three leading Midlands musicians, Andrew Sharpe, Wes Finch and Carol Whitworth turn a creative project into a live show this month.

Originally conceived as a songwriting project, developed over lockdown, they have formed The Cellar Tapes as an outlet for ‘a set of English whimsy’, making its first public appearance on Sunday, March 13^th for CVFolk’s next ‘2^nd Sunday’ event in the Albany Theatre Studio.

Guitarist and bass-player, Carol Whitworth, member of world dance band Jabba Cartel performs her songs based on characters she observed growing up in rural Oxfordshire. Piano-player for Steamchicken, Andrew Sharpe has found the project an excellent opportunity to produce some ‘twisted morality fables’, while acclaimed and prolific singer songwriter and guitarist Wes Finch adds his wry observational folk-blues input.

For this premiere show, they will be joined on stage by woodwind musician Beccy Bernamont plus Ben Haines, percussionist with Wes’s band The Silver Wye.

Support will be provided by popular and recently-formed Warwickshire duo, Steve 2 (Stephen Boyer and Steve Redshaw) and – following her superb performance with Coventry Singer Songwriters last month – a widely participated return appearance by singer and guitarist, Corinne Lucy.

The music starts 7pm in the Albany Theatre Studio on Coventry’s Albany Road (CV5 6JQ) and admission is free – but please give generously to the ‘caddy’ banknote collection!.

Not only a musician but also playwright, ex-lawyer, Andrew Craig Sharpe has certainly waived any right to be unproductive this year. The Cellar Tapes project comes hot on the heels of the launch of his new play The Spiral Path which was premiered last month at the Maltings Arts Theatre, St Albans and will be showing again later this month at The White Bear Theatre, Kennington, London SE11 4DJ.

Five years in the making, the production weaves together tragic but hilariously dysfunctional narratives of five characters, to provide a deeply personal examination of life, love and loss. Directed by Kat Rogers, the suite of playlets can be seen on March 22^nd-26^th – click here for details and tickets.

And looking ahead to April…

Looking ahead to April and Coventry’s gifted singer-songwriter Kristy Gallacher returns from maternity leave to join the ‘2^nd Sunday’ billing with Willow and Tool Band, and Michael Luntley’s trio, Tricaorach. Armed with guitars, fiddle and double bass, the trio will be performing their widely-praised production of From This Ground – an inspired collection of stories, poems and songs that draw on the experiences of 19^th century farmworkers.

The free-admission/caddy-collection evening runs from 7pm in the Albany Theatre Studio on Sunday April 10^th.

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5th February 2022

More than the sum of two talents

Warwickshire’s latest super duo, Keith and Lauren step in for last-minute change of billing

World-renowned singer, songwriter and comedian KEITH DONNELLY and rising-star singer and multi-instrumentalist LAUREN SOUTH are this month’s star attraction for CVFolk’s 2^nd Sunday concert

Says Keith – ‘This is probably the most important new duo since Steve Beer teamed up with that Phil Knightley!’

Says Lauren – ‘Oh for heaven’s sake!’

The recently formed duo gave an acclaimed premiere show at Warwick Folk Club last November. That was impromptu with Keith rising to the challenge of performing a hastily rehearsed set with Lauren to cover a last-minute change of guest. Their combination of voices, guitar styles and personalities plus Lauren’s skill on fiddle and Shruti box won them a fabulous reception.

And history is repeating itself in the Albany Theatre Studio, Coventry on Sunday 13th February as the tuneful twosome have agreed to cover the February guest spot. This followed the eleventh-hour cancellation of the advertised act, Bisiker and Romanov due to an unforeseen double-booking for fiddle-player Ralph Allin.

Singer, guitarist and bouzouki-player Mick Bisiker will be performing a solo set that evening which also features Coventry singer-songwriter Andi Wolf, whose music has been described as ‘deeply introspective, disarmingly honest, lyrically artful and musically potent – a musical first aid kit’.

The music starts 7pm and should finish around 9.30pm. Admission is £11 – tickets can be booked at the Albany Theatre Box office. Call 024 7699 8964 or book online. – click here.

And looking ahead to March…

The full line-up has now been confirmed for CV Folk’s 2^nd Sunday event on Sunday 13^th March. Headline act Cellar Tapes comprises Carol Whitworth (guitar, bass, vocals), of world dance band Jabba Cartel,  Andrew Sharpe (piano, vocals) of Steamchicken, and singer songwriter Wes Finch (electric guitar, vocals). For this gig, their arrangements are augmented by percussion from Ben Haines and woodwind from Beccy Bernamont.

Support will be provided by popular Leamington duo, Steve 2 (Stephen Boyer and Steve Redshaw), and – following her superb performance with Coventry Singer Songwriters last month – a welcome return appearance by Corinne Lucy.

And news from the Wurzel Bush telegraph…

Another change of guest has been announced by Rugby’s Wurzel Bush Folk Club. Former Dubliners singer, Sean Cannon was due to appear on Tuesday 15^th February but has had to postpone again because of other commitments. Instead, the talented young Birmingham duo Thorpe and Morrison are appearing that night.

Originally with Joe Broughton’s Conservatoire Folk Ensemble, David Thorpe and Ivan Morrison play lively and energetic arrangements of English and Scottish traditional music on guitar and fiddle. Take a listen!

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18th January 2022

Things to do in ‘22

A few changes on the CV club circuit
but lots of good stuff happening

by Pete Willow

A new club, a new venue, a new date and, sadly, a temporary closure are among the changes to the local folk circuit in the first month of this new year.

Leamington Folk Club is the new name on the listings although the monthly event kicks off in a familiar folk venue, the Temperance Café n Bath Street, Leamington.

Meeting on the second Thursday of each month, it opens February 10^th with some impressive home-grown names performing 15-minute spots, including The Silver Wye (Wes Finch and John Parker), Lauren South, Tyburn and Chessi O’Dowd. Hosted by Nik Draycott, the music starts 7pm and tickets are £3 – details here.

Atherstone Folk Club has announced its move to a new home for its monthly get-togethers.  Meeting on the third Wednesday of most months, the club is now located at the Atherstone Red Lion Hotel, 99 Long Street, Atherstone. The first meeting there takes place this Wednesday (January 19) with a New Year Singaround, starting 8pm. Future guests include The Paper Circus (Feb 16), Bernard Hoskin (March 16) and Becky Mills (April 20), with resident act Finger In The Jar on all these dates. Details of this week’s event.

Some changes too for the venue of Warwick Folk Club which still meets at the Racehorse on Warwick’s Stratford Road, although the venue is about to change its name to No34 Garden and Grill, part of the Caviar and Chips group, who also own the Virgins and Castle, Kenilworth.

As a result of the necessary rebranding work to the venue (!), Meet On The Ledge’s guest appearance is now moved from Feb 28 to Monday March 14, although other scheduled shows are unchanged: Martyn Oram (January 31), Performers Night with Dave Fry (February 14) and possibly – if the refurbishment has finished – an informal Singaround (March 7^th). Local multi-instrumentalist annA rydeR is their guest on March 28.

A change of date has been announced for Sean Cannon’s appearance in Rugby’s Wurzel Bush Folk Club, from January 18 to Tuesday February 15. Details here. The club also presents 4-piece folk-rockers, Rack and Ruin as guests on February 2.

And Rack and Ruin’s band leader, Mick Bisiker appears for an extended concert with fiddle genius Al Romanov (aka Ralph Allin) for CVFolk’s 2nd Sunday show on Sunday February 13 at the Albany Theatre Studio, Coventry. Starting 7pm, the concert also features local singer-songwriter Andi Wolf and a short set by Pete Willow.  Details here.

January also sees a few temporary closures. While uncertainties remain with public health rules, Tump Folk in Coventry and Folk at the Lounge sessions in Monks Kirby are taking a rain check for this month but will hopefully be back in action soon. Willow and Tool’s Music Parlour is taking a longer break as its intimate room in the Harvester, Long Itchington is not conducive to social distancing. With host band member commitments thrown in, the earliest reopening date is looking like October 2022!

Click here for News Extra – Steve Knightley at Lighthorne

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24th December 2021

Predictions, possibilities and
best-laid plans

Lighthorne launches the 2022 CVFolk Club scene with an all-star New Year’s bash – we hope!

by Rod Chaytor & Pete Willow

If folk clubs across the CV postcode area have their way, 2022 promises to be a fabulous year of folk entertainment. But of course, it’s a big ‘IF’.

Most clubs in Coventry and Warwickshire have kept their doors open through December, despite the looming Omicron spectre and the increasing concerns of more vulnerable audience regulars. Some venues, such as the Wurzel Bush and Bedworth folk clubs have requested audiences to take lateral flow tests before attending and others have kept the air flowing in well-ventilated rooms or moved the stage outdoors, like Lighthorne Folk Club.

So, as positive-minded as ever, CVFolk News offers a summary of what will be happening in the local guest-booking clubs from January onwards if we escape the imposition of further government restrictions.

First off the starting line – The Antelope Inn, Lighthorne, home of Lighthorne Folk Club

Warwickshire’s newest ‘Folk Pub’ is pressing ahead with plans for a four-hour folk extravaganza on New Year’s Eve.

The Antelope in Lighthorne has arranged a two-hour opening session outside in its open-sided Marquee, followed by another two-hour set inside in its upper room.

Local favourites Firedaze, Hatstand and Rack & Ruin will perform in the tent from 8pm to 10pm followed by Rob Halligan’s Homeward Hie line-up from 10pm to midnight inside, featuring Ewan Cameron (whistles), Chris Hunt (guitar) and Aiden O’Hare (fiddle). 

‘Pub landlord and member of the Lighthorne Folk Committee, Tom Lilley says ‘We’re keeping a very close eye on conditions and possible restrictions but, as matters stand, the New Year’s Eve programme goes ahead as planned.

‘We have continued to run our monthly Folk Club outside in the Marquee through to December, when everyone wrapped up warm and it was really comfortable with the space heaters under the tent.’

Lighthorne Folk launched in 2018 with the aim of attracting big-name acts to its South Warwickshire Village Hall. Appearances by Siobhan Miller and Olivia Chaney followed and – in a format trialled with folk patriarch Geoff Lakeman – it launched a monthly Folk Club across the road in the Antelope in February last year.

In late 2020 it ran a benefit for popular local performer Keith Donnelly outside in the newly-acquired Marquee. The vibe and magical atmosphere was an instant hit with performers and audience alike and, when COVID restrictions have permitted it to run, the Club has continued outside under canvas ever since.

Apart from most of the New Year line-up, Coventry and Warwickshire acts including Willow and Tool Band, Craig Sunderland, Greengrass, and Mick Bisiker and Al Romanov have all since appeared in Lighthorne and Craig is due to return supporting fellow-guitarist Dom Prag when the regular first-Monday-in-the-month Folk Club resumes on Monday February 7 (there is no Lighthorne Folk Club meeting in January).

The Antelope has enhanced its ‘Folk Pub’ reputation as individual musicians have gathered together on Thursdays for informal sessions in the bar throughout the Autumn.

And with cautious optimism across all the county’s folk clubs …

Brighton singer and guitarist Dom Prag is also the first 2022 guest for Nuneaton Folk Club which resumes its monthly programme on Wednesday January 5. Other attractions lined up at its venue, The Crew & Queens Hall, Nuneaton are Bird In The Belly plus Glyn Finch (February 2), Kevin Dempsey (March 2) and Keith Donnelly (April 6). With resident band Nunc and a good selection of local musicians playing support, the club has established itself as one of the most popular in the area, providing a high standard of entertainment.

Warwick Folk Club kicks off with informal Singarounds on Monday January 3 and 24 at The Racehorse, Stratford Road, Warwick. Their first new year guest is Martyn Oram on January 31 followed by Meet On The Ledge on February 28, part of the band’s year-long celebration of 30 years playing superb folk-rock.   

On to Tuesday January 4 and the Wurzel Bush Folk Club presents a Come All Ye at the Rugby West Indian Club.  Their first 2022 guest is former Dubliner singer and guitarist Sean Cannon on January 18.

CVFolk’s  ‘2nd Sunday’ event takes place in the Albany Theatre Studio, Coventry on January 9 with Coventry Singer Songwriters featuring performances by Dave Taylor, John Neal, Corinne Stratton, and Bob Wilkinson. Also a member of the songwriters’ group, Katherine Fear plays a set with her acclaimed band Daisybell, making their only public appearance before her Polly Button folk opera is staged at the Abbey Theatre, Nuneaton on February 19 and 20.  

Back at the Albany Theatre and CVFolk presents two evenings featuring Coventry singer-songwriter Wes Finch. He appears as part of the recently formed Cellar Tapes line-up on February 13 with Andrew Sharp and Carol Whitworth plus support from singer-songwriter Andi Wolf.

Wes is back with his own band Silver Wye for an advanced ticket event on Sunday March 13 with support from  Steve2 (Stephen Boyer and Steve Redshaw).  Postponed from the last lockdown, Michael Luntley’s Tricaorach performs its popular collection of Warwickshire rural songs From This Ground on April 10.

Following CVFolk’s first night is Bedworth Folk Club which meets at the Trent Valley Club, Bedworth on January 12 with guests The Paper Circus. The club also presents Martyn Oram (February 9), Caffrey-McGurk-Madge (March 9) and Paul Walker & Karen Pfeiffer (April 13), with acoustic folk nights on the last Wednesdays of each month hosted by residents Malc Gurnham and Gill Gilsenan.

Next to launch its 2022 programme is Atherstone Folk Club which meets (usually) on the third Wednesday of each month but starting this year in a new venue – to be announced. Resident band Finger In The Jar host the club’s ‘New Year Sing’ on January 19 and future guests lined up include Bernard Hoskin (March 16), Becky Mills (April 20) and Linde Nijland singing songs of Sandy Denny (May 18). We’ll announce the club’s new home and other guests as soon as we know ourselves!

On to February, and Willow & Tool’s Music Parlour has another post-lockdown relaunch attempt at The Harvester, Long Itchington. Their forthcoming guests include Bisiker and Romanov (February 6), The Harvesters (March 6), annA rydeR (April 3) and As the Heron (July 1). Dates are currently being negotiated for Somerville Gents and Belzebub.

And some news to ice the optimistic cake for the new year – February 10 sees the launch of the new Leamington Folk Club. Currently billing Performers Nights on the second Thursday of each month, local guests may be featured before long. Hosted by Nik Draycott the club will meet in the town’s popular music venue, Temperance on Bath Street, from 7pm to 10pm.

Click here for full details of who is playing where in the new year – we’ll do all we can to keep this site up-to-date with information on dates, guests, support, admission, contact details – all you need to know to make the most of a year of fabulous folk music.

And so far 2022 is looking very promising. Happy New Year from CVFolk – here’s hoping!

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16th December 2021

NEWS UPDATE – MUMMERS CHRISTMAS TOUR HAS NOW BEEN CANCELLED IN RESPONSE TO CONCERNS OVER INCREASING COVID19 INFECTIONS.

14th December 2021

Festive tradition?
Mummers know best!

by Ian Pearson & Pete Willow

The Coventry Mummers are back touring traditional Christmas plays in Warwickshire this festive season.

Established 55 years ago, the guardians and performers of ‘English ritual drama’ are all set and ready to tour villages in the Revel area (between Rugby and Coventry) plus locations in and around Stoneleigh.

The tour starts this Friday (17th December) when the Harborough Magna Mummers Play is once again unleashed on the drinkers and diners of four Warwickshire pubs. The play was collected by two members of the Coventry Mummers in 1978 from one Arthur Steet.

• • 7:45 pm The Raven, Brinklow, CV23 0LN.
  • 8:15 pm. Golden Lion, Easenhall, CV23 0JA.
  • 9:00 pm The Old Lion, Harborough Magna, CV23 0HQ.
  • 9:45 pm Denbigh Arms, Monks Kirby, CV23 0QX.

The following Sunday morning and lunchtime sees the team in the village of Newbold-on-Avon, performing the Newbold Mummers Play. The text for this play was published in 1899 in the journal of the folk lore society. Revived by the Coventry Mummers in 1976, the play has been performed every year since then at both private and public houses – apart from last year when it was cancelled because of the lockdown regulations in place. The schedule for this year is:

• • 10:30 am Pantolf Place, Newbold on Avon, CV21 1HR.
  • 11:00 am Newbold Road, Newbold on Avon, CV21 1EF.
  • 11:35 am St Botolph’s Church, Newbold on Avon, CV21 1HH.
  • 12:15 pm Manor House Close, Newbold on Avon, CV21 1HB.
  • 1:00 pm The Barley Mow, Main Street, Newbold on Avon, CV21 1HW.

One tradition that survived the lockdown was last year’s Stoneleigh Mummers Play. This was first published in 1926 by Mary Dormer Harris, a prominent local historian and former village resident. She collected the play from a man who played the part of the Doctor. Revived by the Coventry Mummers in 1975, the play has been performed every year year since then, although last year was a very small and socially distanced affair – as shown here. Hopefully, the performers return to the more traditional and orthodox format this year:

• • 10:15 am and 10:30 am Ashow, CV8 2LE.
  • 11:00 am Stoneleigh Close, CV8 3DE.
  • 11:30 am ‘The Bank’, CV8 3DA.
  • 12 noon Church Lane, CV8 3DN.
  • 12:45 pm Walkers Orchard, CV8 3JG.
  • 1:15 pm Stoneleigh Village Club, CV8 3DH.

All are most welcome to come along and support the revival of these ancient plays and if you would like to host a performance next year and bring some traditional English Christmastide character to your immediate neighbourhood, please contact the Mummers by email at sing@dickdixon.co.uk or through their website

Click here for more Coventry & Warks folk news stories

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7th December 2021

Polly’s tragic but true tale will be told!

Daisybell and friends gearing up once again to present their folk opera account of Nuneaton’s notorious murder

It was thwarted earlier this year by the pandemic, but local folksinger and composer Katherine Fear is confident that her folk opera, The Undoing of Polly Button will be staged in February 2022.

Based on the tragic but true events of an horrific murder in Nuneaton almost 200 years ago, Katherine’s musical narrative draws from the factual story related by Stephen Moore in his 2019 book, also entitled The Undoing of Polly Button.

The folk opera tells the story of how Polly – the nickname of ribbon weaver Mary Green – met her end at the hands of her one-time lover John Danks near Abbey Green, Nuneaton, on 18 February 1832.

The show will be presented in the town’s Abbey Theatre on Saturday and Sunday, February 19^th (evening) and 20^th (afternoon). Performing songs written by Katherine, the cast comprises her own band Daisybell, also featuring singers and musicians Anya Fay and Charlie Adams, plus Jennian King (singer with The Paper Circus) as Polly, Keith Donnelly as Danks and Gary Painting (of As The Heron) performing as several of Polly’s romantic partners!

Following its premiere at the Abbey Theatre, the cast hopes to tour the show at festivals and other events and it’s already scheduled to appear at the Warwick Folk Festival in July 2022. But the practicalities of rehearsal and team availability have made it necessary to cut back on the show’s format envisaged last year.

Says Katherine, ‘Obviously circumstances have changed since I first met with the cast. Last year, we were three weeks away from the premiere when the country was locked down.  They showed fantastic commitment but it was necessary to slim the whole production down, both in length and numbers on stage. If we’re going to tour festivals then eight performers is the maximum we can work with. 

‘We will retain a choir of adults and children for the premiere, but they will only be on stage for a couple of numbers.  It was a really difficult decision to make, but in the current circumstances it had to be done.’

Joining the cast for the revised version of the show, Karen Killeen-Jones of KC Jones will play keyboards and Katherine is about to announce the recruitment of a new bass player. (Watch this space!)

Tickets for the Saturday night premiere are already selling quickly, although there are still plenty available for the Sunday matinee – book online via the Abbey Theatre Box Office.

UPDATE

Katherine Fear has now just announced that the bass-player will be Merlin Walter (pictured below).

Merlin is already familiar to many local folk music fans as a member of The Paper Circus. He has been working on the songs remotely, and has now joined Katherine and Karen Killeen for rehearsals.

Meanwhile some acoustic awesomeness at the Albany Theatre…

Daisybell are making only one more public appearance before Polly Button is launched. They will be the featured act for CVFolk’s ‘2^nd Sunday’ event in the Albany Theatre Studio on Sunday 9^th January, as part of an evening of original material performed by members of the Coventry Singer-Songwriters group.

Karen Killeen-Jones and her husband/singing partner Colin ‘Ceejay’ Jones are armed with guitars when they perform a mix of new and old material in the Albany Theatre Studio for this month’s ‘2nd Sunday’ (December 12). They’re part of the ‘Awesome Foursome’ line-up which also includes fellow Nuneatonian, impressive rootsy Americana singer Steven John Birks, and Nuneaton Folk Club’s resident band Nunc.

The fourth slot sees the return of three-part harmony trio Thrup’nny Bits (themselves Nuneaton FC regulars) offering some uplifting festive tradition. Their set will include a fine rendition of The Cherry Tree with Coventry connections going back to the 1300s and featured in part in the Coventry Mystery Plays.

The music starts at 7pm and the show finishes around 9.30pm. Admission is free but generous donations are requested for their usual ‘caddy collection’.   

(13 Dec) Click here for photos of the event

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29th November 2021

No cute arrangements – just hardcore tradition

Greenman Rising back at Queens Hall after a roaring Ragged Bear Fest

With the echoes of last month’s acclaimed Ragged Bear Folk Festival still ringing round the venue, host band Greenman Rising returns as guests of Nuneaton Folk Club this Wednesday.

Describing their music as ‘no cute arrangements, just hardcore tradition for modern audiences’, the Warwickshire concert and ceilidh band specialises in ‘driving dance tunes and songs about love, war, murder and betrayal’.

With headliners Fairport Convention and performances by Benji Kirkpatrick, Leatherat and Man The Lifeboats, they organised and hosted a packed programme of lively music for the 2-day Ragged Bear event in Nuneaton’s Queen’s Hall, which also picked up a large online following.

Their line-up comprises Steve Bentley (vocals, bodhran, percussion(, Andrew Wigglesworth (melodeons, whistles), Rebecca Park (fiddle, bassoon, recorder), Jen Waghorn (vocals, fiddle, mandolin), Richard Sullivan (guitar, mandolin, mandola), Izzy MacLachlan (vocals, whistles, cittern, guitar, flute) and Fruzina Rakoczy (concertina, recorders, bagpipes, whistles, vocals, cittern, guitar, flutes.).

The venue is the regular home for Nuneaton Folk Club on the first Wednesday of each month, and Greenman Rising are back as guests as part of an excellent home-grown line-up that features singer-songwriter Sam Shemmell, Tyburn (Jan Richardson on guitar and vocals, and Hedley Stone on fiddle), plus a temporarily revised line-up of resident band Nunc –  putting together a new repertoire while lead  singer Flossie McDougall recovers from an operation.

The show kicks off at 8pm this Wednesday, 1^st December – admission is free but give generously to the jug!

Nunc’s current all-male line-up heads down the A444 on Sunday 12^th December to headline the ‘Awesome foursome’ concert in Coventry’s Albany Theatre Studio, this month’s event staged by CVFolk.

The evening starts at 7pm and also features music from popular Nuneaton duo, KC Jones, guitarist and harmonica bluesman Steven John Birks and a festive vocal harmony set from Thrup’nny Bits. Admission is free but once again – give generously to the jug!

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14th November 2021 – News extra

No bones about it –
you’re in for a treat with Track Dogs

by Rod Chaytor

Folk festival favourites Track Dogs swap the big open-air stage for the intimacy of Lighthorne Village Hall this week.

The foursome stop off in South-Warwickshire this Friday (November 19) as part of a Winter tour which will culminate with them playing alongside Folk giants such as Show of Hands and Skerryvore in Aviemore.

The Madrid-based band – two Irishmen, an Englishman and an American – are multi-instrumentalists whose repertoire includes self-penned numbers which also feature their close four-part harmonies.

As regulars on the UK Festival scene, in recent years they have played in front of 10,000 at the annual Towersey Festival near Thame in Oxfordshire and 7,000 at the Shrewsbury Folk Festival.

But guitarist Garrett Wall said: “We have also played in several village halls and love the atmosphere they generate. They’re very special places and are usually well supported by communities, which is vital.”

In other band news, he added: “We’re finishing our new album this week, just waiting for mates from Banter to send us some recordings to add to one of our new songs which will be sung by Cathy Jordan of Dervish fame. It’s one of the lead songs on the album, titled Donna Lola, about a 19th century historical figure from Sligo who made her mark around the world.

“We also this month re-release our Christmas song How Christmas Was Meant To Be with a new collaboration from our friends in the US, the bluegrass band The Barefoot Movement.”

Lighthorne Folk was launched in 2015 with the aim of attracting nationally-known music acts to the village and appearances by Olivia Chaney, Siobhan Miller and Geoff Lakeman soon followed.

In 2019, Lighthorne Folk further launched Lighthorne Folk Club, held on the first Monday of the month at the Antelope pub opposite the Village Hall, either inside in the Upper Room, or outside under the Marquee.

For the Track Dogs gig, there will be a real ale and wine bar (cash only) and the Antelope will be taking bookings for pre-concert suppers.

Tickets are £15 – book here by email

Click here to watch Track Dogs on YouTube – or search for them on Spotify and Apple Music.

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11th November 2021

Big Ron is Back – but Al’s Hair is
a Little Shorter

Meet On The Ledge’s 30 year folk-rock legacy on show this Sunday

CVFolk presents a one-off line-up of popular Warwickshire folk-rock band, Meet On The Ledge for a special Albany Theatre Studio concert this Sunday (Nov 14).

Founder members are guitarists Ron Holmes and Allen Maslen who decided to set themselves up as a ‘folksy duo’ in 1992 as a side project to their appearances with Stratford-based 5-piece rock band Thud And Blunder.

Al recalls ‘We didn’t bother with a name until we saw ourselves advertised on a pub blackboard as Big Ron & Al With the Long Hair. We chose the name Meet On The Ledge that very same day!’

Anyone assuming that this was a ‘Fairport tribute’ act was in for a big surprise with the impressive selection of original songs in their repertoire. The ‘side project’ became a powerful and internationally-acclaimed phenomenon that played such venues as Fairport’s Cropredy Convention and Birmingham’s Symphony Hall. Their line-ups over the years included the late fiddle ace Mick Shaylor, singer, violinist and member of Trad Arr and Iota, Marion Fleetwood,  bass supremo Phil Dipple, and Thud and Blunder drummer Paul Johnson who was also a member of Coventry’s chart-topping band, King.

This Sunday’s show features Ron, Al with keyboards-player Steve Bird who played in the 1960s and 70s for pop legends Eden Kane, Don Fardon and Marty Wilde. Steve first met Al Maslen during a theatrical production of Treasure Island in 1993; Steve was musical director and Al (with the long hair!) played Long John Silver.

The music starts at 7.30pm with a warm-up acoustic set from compere and popular singer and guitarist Dave Fry. Here’s the link for details on how to book tickets .

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4th November 2021

The pen is as mighty as the chord

Local clubs looking forward to nights of lyrical delight courtesy of top singer-songwriters AJ and Jez  

Since Woodie Guthrie, the singer-songwriter has remained a dominant force in contemporary folk music, and two of Britain’s finest are performing locally next week.

Tuesday November 9^th sees Anthony John Clarke taking up the guest spot in Rugby’s Wurzel Bush Folk Club. His ability to combine serious subjects with lively and humorous presentation has established this Northern Irish-born artist as a must-see performer at folk clubs and festivals across the country and beyond.

With 12 albums and three singles to his name, he also has close connections with Fairport Convention. AJ has compered the band’s Cropredy Convention festival for many years and often performs as a duo with Fairport’s bass man, Dave Pegg.

The free admission (jug collection) show starts 8pm in the West Indian Club, with an impressive collection of resident and support acts – click here for further details.

The following night – Wednesday 10^th November sees the long-awaited return of Co.Durham’s songwriting legend, Jez Lowe at Bedworth Folk Club.

If the mark of a successful songwriter is the number of top artists who perform their material, Jez scores highly indeed with such acts as The Dubliners, Fairport Convention, The McCalmans, Mary Black, The Duhks, Bob Fox, The Young Uns, Tom McConville, The Clancys and many others proud to include his songs in their repertoires.

Accompanying himself on guitar and cittern, Jez appears at the Trent Valley Club in Bedworth – again 8pm start with free admission / jug collection with the added bonus of a support set by the nationally-acclaimed local trio Daisybell, now making a big impression with their latest line-up. For further details click here.

Willow and Tool’s Music Parlour is the latest local venue to reopen its doors after a long lockdown break and they have a touch of magic and two great guests sharing this Sunday’s billing.

The magic is supplied by John Mosedale making a return appearance and showing a new sleight of hand that goes beyond the art of playing guitar chords and singing humorous songs.

With a few magic tricks up his sleeve, he conjures up a whole new dimension in folk entertainment. The club also features a second-half performance by the excellent Coventry-based guitarist and singer Craig Sunderland.

Resident act Willow and Tool Band makes its first public appearance in months and the evening also features a spot by songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Bob Brooker.

And guess what? Free admission – jug collection when the music kicks off at The Harvester pub, Long Itchington at 8pm – more details here.

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18th October 2021

For great music, follow the Ragged Bear

Fairport Convention headlines Festival that’s putting
North Warks firmly on the folk-rock map  

Fairport Convention are headline act for this year’s Ragged Bear Festival, taking place on Saturday 30^th October in Nuneaton.

Their appearance will be some consolation to fans of the folk-rock legends, following the cancellation yet again of their own Fairport Cropredy Convention because of the ongoing Covid uncertainty last August.

Fairport will be performing two sets from 8pm on the Saturday. The packed programme throughout the day also includes leading folk, folk-rock and grassroots acts from across the country including Warwickshire artists Greenman Rising, Greengrass, Thrup’nny Bits and Benji Kirkpatrick.

Prevailing public health concerns are still leaving their mark. The Festival has restricted itself to using the two stages in its main venue, the recently refurbished and well-ventilated The Crew and Queens Hall, with no fringe events planned in the town for this year. However, ticket prices have been pegged at £35 and organiser Steve Bentley has also announced the launch of Ragged Bear Online for those still concerned about attending public events. Tickets for online access are £10.

You can book tickets for actual attendance and online access here via Eventbrite. Click here for further details of the event itself.

And…  the Ragged Bear Festival also stages a lively free-admission Friday night show in Queens Hall featuring music from Worcester’s energetic, foot-stomping line-up The Whipjacks and Telford-based folk- and country-rock band The Endings.

All in all – exceptional value for an impressive programme cementing North Warwickshire’s reputation as the go-to place for first-rate folk music.

We can now confirm that fiddle and accordion duo, Peter Knight and John Spiers will be launching their new album tour with a concert in Binley, Coventry on Wednesday, February 23^rd.

Former Steeleye Span member, Knight appears with his own band, Gigspanner at the same venue – St. Bartholomew’s Church Hall on Friday, 29^th October but, as we announced recently, tickets for this have already sold out.

His appearance with ex-Bellowhead squeezebox star, Spiers is likely to create as much – if not more interest. Tickets are £17, available from the organiser, John Owen – call him on 07872 580450 or email jowen6@yahoo.co.uk.

Profits from the event go to the ongoing fundraising project for the Church Hall refurbishment. Look out for ore big names on the Church Hall stage later in 2022.

For further details on these and all forthcoming folk events in the CV postcode area,, click here or here.

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7th October 2021

The best things come in threes

CVFolk celebrates Autumn at the Albany Theatre
with a musical ‘Feast of Mellow Fruitiness’

Another evening of triple entertainment is lined up for the Albany Theatre Studio, Coventry when CVFolk presents three more local line-ups – all of them trios.

This Sunday (October 10^th) sees performances from North Warwickshire’s Poacher’s Pocket, East Warwickshire’s Greengrass and South Warwickshire’s The Harvesters – by happy coincidence all bearing names that reflect a rural spirit and post-summer produce. Or as the organisers call it ‘A feast of mellow fruitiness’.

The Harvesters consist of Harbury husband-and-wife duo, Ian and Sue Hartland plus Bob Powell, armed to the teeth with guitars, banjo, mandolin, dulcimer, slide guitar, steel guitar – in fact enough string instruments to stock an Appalachian orchestra.

To add to the authentic back-porch Americana experience, Sue will also be packing her dancing shoes and wooden board to provide some spectacular and percussive traditional step-dancing.

Keeping the sound crew on their toes, Greengrass will also fill the stage with a wide range of instruments – guitars, double bass, fiddle, banjo and shruti – skilfully played by Kate Vassalos, Keith Nickless and Lauren South with some captivating vocals and harmonies.

With more guitars plus mandolin, accordion and voices, Poacher’s Pocket (pictured below) launch the show with their accomplished, engaging and harmonious arrangements of traditional and contemporary songs courtesy of Carol Gillespie, Campbell Perry and Colin Squire. 

With Gary Painting as guest MC for the evening, the music starts 7pm and runs until around 9.30pm. Admission is free but organisers will hold the customary ‘caddy collection’ for generous donations.

Meanwhile, advance tickets are now available at the Box Office for CVFolk’s first main concert event since lockdown when Warwickshire’s famous folk-rock combo Meet On The Ledge takes over the Studio on Sunday November 14^th.

With descriptions ranging from ‘The world’s first stadium folk band’ to ‘Big Country in a bar brawl with Thin Lizzy’, the line-up sees founder members Ron Holmes (vocals and guitar) and Allen Maslen (electric and acoustic guitars) on stage with keyboards-player Steve Bird and Bo Davies on drums, performing from the band’s extensive catalogue of self-penned songs, traditional numbers and classic covers. Tickets are £11 – click here to book.

Back to this week and two solo guest singers make rare appearances on the local circuit.

Tuesday (12^th October) sees Paul Watchorn (pictured above) appearing ‘in real life’ at the Wurzel Bush Folk Club, Rugby.

This follows his well-received virtual guest spot when the club ran its Facebook concerts during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Acclaimed worldwide as one of the best 5-string banjo players in Ireland, Paul is also a fine singer and guitarist.

He will soon be embarking on a new major tour as a member of The Dublin Legends, formed when The Dubliners finally retired from their illustrious career bringing popular Irish songs and tunes to worldwide audiences.

News update – 12 Oct 2021

Wurzel Bush organisers learned today that Paul Watchorn is unable to appear tonight as a Covid test has come up positive. Here’s wishing him a speedy journey back to full health. Meanwhile, tonight’s guest spot will be filled by widely acclaimed Irish singer and bouzouki and accordion player Daniel Murphy.

And Wednesday (13^th October) offers first-rate performances of traditional and contemporary folksong and storytelling from Nick Dow (pictured above), this month’s guest at Bedworth Folk Club.

With material inspired by his deep knowledge of Romany life, Nick’s fascinating and enjoyable show is supported by talented and popular local singer and guitarist, Brian Phillips.

For further details on these and all forthcoming folk events in the CV postcode area,, click here or here.

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30th September 2021

Is panic buying fever hitting the folk scene?

Time to dust off the ‘House Full’ signs as advance tickets sell faster than Glastonbury for more local folk events.

Organisers of two more Warwickshire performances have announced sell-out bookings as the post-lockdown folk scene picks itself up with vengeance.

Following last week’s news that the Sheep Dip Session has sold all tickets for Benji Kirkpatrick’s show in Bubbenhall Village Hall, the same date – Friday October 29^th – also sees a full house as folk fans flock to the much-anticipated Peter Knight’s Gigspanner concert in St.Bartholomew’s Church, Binley, Coventry.

And tickets for Warwick Folk Club’s first guest night since reopening have sold like hot cakes for Keith Donnelly (pictured above) and Friends’ appearance at The Racehouse, Warwick on Monday October 11^th.

All three venues are running reserve lists and appealing to anyone who has booked but can’t make it to let organisers know so that seats can be reallocated.

Organiser of the Gigspanner evening, John Owen is hoping to get violinist Peter Knight back at the venue for a duo appearance with squeezebox expert John Spiers, February 23^rd next year. No tickets available yet – he’s just sounding out interest but is confident that this amazing meeting of two great musicians will go ahead.

It was through his efforts to raise money for the venue’s Church Hall refurbishment, that John came back out of retirement as a gig promoter. He’d organised previous sell-out shows for Gigspanner in Stratford-Upon-Avon plus two very well-received French evenings with Flossie Malavialle at St.Bartholomew’s.

Along came Covid, but John still wondered if could convince Gigspanner to venture to Coventry for a post-lockdown fundraising gig. He told us ‘This was agreed in super quick time, and here we are hosting the first night of their Autumn tour.

‘We’ve had great local support and now I’ve been offered the fantastic opportunity to host the opening night of the Knight & Spiers Album Launch Tour in February.’

Anyone interested in the fundraising gig, let John know by email – jowen6@yahoo.co.uk – or call him on 07872 580450.

The forthcoming first Monday of the month sees Lighthorne Folk Club back in action in their scenic marquee venue at the Antelope Inn, Lighthorne Village. This month’s guests is blues guitar maestro Jack Blackman with additional performances by Firedaze and Chessi O’Dowd.

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24th September 2021

The Sheep Dip moves out of the studio

Benji comes to Bubbenhall as county’s big-name house concert reaches end of era

Steeleye Span’s Benji Kirkpatrick is the next – and possibly the final – guest for the Sheep Dip Session when he appears in Bubbenhall Village Hall on Friday 29th October 2021.

Sadly, there will certainly be no more concerts in the Princethorpe home of Michael and Dee Luntley who are in the throes of moving house.

Based in Leamington and widely acknowledged as an extraordinary guitarist, bouzouki and banjo player, Benji was a key member of leading concert line-ups Bellowhead and Faustus, and led his own trio The Excess. He was invited to join Steeleye in 2017, forty years after his dad, John Kirkpatrick played with them.  His solo projects include his 2015, Hendrix Songs homage to his first musical icon, featuring a set of Jimi Hendrix covers played on bouzouki.  Click here for details and audio clips.

Says Michael, ‘This is our chance, for now, to say fare thee well to our lovely Sheepdippers. We’d love to host this in the normal way but with infection rates still prevalent, it is asking too much of our audience for them to be penned into the intimacy of the normal Sheep Dip space.   

‘Bubbenhall Village Hall has a capacity of 100, but we’re capping attendance at 60 to enable comfortable and Covid-sensitive seating spacing.’

Tickets are £10 and can be booked by emailing michael.luntley@gmail.com. Don’t delay if you plan to go – now the news is out, tickets are moving quickly and could well sell out, even with extra capacity available in the new temporary venue.

Singer, guitarist and member of acclaimed trio Tricaorach, Michael had previously staged around six Sheep Dip Sessions per year, with leading musicians, often on tour from the United States, to perform in an intimate setting to an audience of up to 40 people, sometimes followed by workshop events the following day.

House concerts are popular in the U.S. and Michael and Dee picked up the idea to host their own from American duo, Dana & Susan Robinson, themselves previous Sheep Dip guests on two occasions.

Stop Press – Update

Within a day of its announcements, the Sheep Dip Session with Benji Kirkpatrick at Bubbenhall Hall on 29th October is SOLD OUT.
There will be a reserve list.  People who have already booked and find they can’t make it, should email Michael Luntley immediately on michael.luntley@gmail.com so that he can reallocate tickets to others on the list.
Meanwhile, organisers will be reviewing seating arrangements, to see if a little more than 60 is possible while preserving social distancing.  But for now they’re working on 60 as full capacity.

A few miles further down the road and Long Itchington’s famous folk venue, Willow & Tool’s Music Parlour has announced its re-opening at The Harvester Inn, Church Road, on November 7^th at 8pm.

Resuming its popular first-Sunday-of-the-month programme of events, the club presents something a little different for its first post-lockdown show.

As well as Coventry’s highly regarded singer and guitarist Craig Sunderland as guest, the evening features a folk music and magic show by singer, songwriter and illusionist John Mosedale.

Intrigued? Watch this space for further news nearer the time!

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15th September 2021

Emmy and Lucy in the Box!

Coventry’s new Fargo venue features two leading lady songstresses

Highly acclaimed singer-songwriter Emmy the Great and talented Coventry-based singer Lucy Anne Sale share the billing for a special one-off show inside Coventry’s newest venue, The Box this Friday evening (17th September).

Born in Hong Kong to a Chinese mother and English father, and raised in the UK, Emmy – aka Emma-Lee Moss – is a London-based performer, composer and journalist. who sings in English, Mandarin and Cantonese.

She has four well-received albums to her name – First Love (2009), Virtue (2011), Second Love (2016) and April/ 月音 (2020). The Guardian described her as ‘one of the boldest young writers in pop’. And the Sunday Times hailed her latest release as ‘the most melodically joyous of her career’.

Noted for an approach that incorporates elements of folk, jazz, blues, pop and electronica. Lucy Anne will open the show both as a soloist and along with her trio when she’s joined by Euan Rodger on drums and Si Hayden on bass. 

Doors open at 7pm for an 8pm start and tickets are £16.50, bookable on https://tinyurl.com/csyy97u9 – further details from the venue on 02476 252434.

This is a seated restricted capacity show to support social distancing and facemasks are required (unless exempt). They are also inviting audience members can take a lateral flow test beforehand where possible. Full refunds are given to anyone testing positive with Covid-19.

Tuesday 21st sees the second public outing of the new line-up of Daisybell, guests at the Wurzel Bush Folk Club at the West Indian Club on Railway Terrace, Rugby

Locally-based but lauded at venues and festivals across the country, they are noted for their lively arrangements of self-penned and traditional songs, delivered with harmonies and engaging stage presence. Their first gig featuring latest recruit, Charlie Adams alongside founder members Katherine Fear and Anya Fay went down a storm at the Courtyard of Nuneaton Arts Centre last June.

With an impressive list of resident acts, this is also the club’s second event since the lockdown after a highly enjoyable re-opening night with guests Meet On The Ledge. The music starts at 8pm. Admission is free although audience members are invited to fill the club’s specially designated chamber pot with cash!

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1st September 2021

Spoilt for choice!

After the famine comes a feast of fantastic,
home-grown folk music.

If anyone needed convincing of the superlative standard of music to be heard by local acts at local folk venues – here’s a mini tour of Coventry and Warwickshire clubs that we strongly recommend for checking out over the next fortnight.

Monday 6^_th September…

…gives a chance to enjoy the irrepressible talent of Coventry singer-songwriter Rob Halligan when he makes his guest appearance at Lighthorne Folk at The Antelope, Lighthorne with fellow-musicians from his Homeward Hie band line-up, Ewan Cameron (whistles, flute), Aiden O’Hare (violin) and Chris Hunt (guitar).

The gig was arranged, hot on the heels of the band’s impressive debut performance at CVFolk’s post-lockdown relaunch concert at the Albany Theatre last June. Playing support are resident Peter Reynolds and popular Warwickshire duo Hatstand, comprising harmonies, guitar and double bass from Kate Vassalos and Keith Nickless.

The show starts 7pm and admission is £5 plus jug collection donations. For more details, email peterreynolds.pbr@gmail.com.

Tuesday 7^_th September

All roads lead to Rugby on that date for the long-overdue opportunity to see Warwickshire folk-rockers Meet On The Ledge in action. Founder members Ron Holmes (vocals, acoustic guitar) and Allen Maslen (lead guitar) team up with keyboards-player Steve Bird and Bo Davies on drums for their unique full-on sound.

Catch them at the Wurzel Bush Folk Club at Rugby West Indian Club on Railway Terrace from 8pm. Admission is free but audience members are invited to fill a chamber pot with cash!

Wednesday 8_^th September…

…sees Coventry’s internationally acclaimed guitarist Kevin Dempsey performing his amazing jazz-tinged arrangements of songs, self-penned and traditional. His set list often includes classics from the repertoires of his former world-shaking line-ups, Dando Shaft and Whippersnapper.

He appears solo at Bedworth Folk Club which meets at the Trent Valley Club in Bedworth town centre. Hosted by Malc Gurnham and Gill Gilsenan, the show starts 8pm and includes a support set from the recently extended line-up of Paper Circus (Jennian King on vocals, Suraj Nagar on guitar and Merlin on double bass) fresh from their success at Moira Folk Festival. The music kicks off at 8pm – again free admission with a jug collection.

Sunday 12^_th September

The new season of CVFolk’s own monthly schedule of ‘2^nd Sunday’ events commences when three more of the region’s finest folk acts take the stage in the Albany Theatre Studio in Coventry,

Highly acclaimed and creative singer-songwriter Wes Finch will be there for what was to be a solo set but we’ve now learned that he’ll be joined by percussionist Ben Haines, and double bass-player and former Nizlopi member John Parker.

With a repertoire that reflects the influences of folk, blues and Americana, this superb line-up would prove an impressive headline guest act in its own right. However, the evening also features the first public appearance in over 30 years of Mick Bisiker (guitar and bouzouki) and Al Romanov (gypsy fiddle)..

Front man for popular local folk-rock concert and ceilidh band Rack and Ruin, Mick made many well-received appearances on the club circuit with Al in the 1980s and their last album Bisiker and Romanov picked up the prestigious Music Retailers Best Folk Album award in 1989.

The show opens at 7pm with some splendid three-part harmony by popular local exponents of the art of unaccompanied singing, Thrup’nny Bits featuring the voices of Barbara and Gareth Wyatt and Des Patalong. Admission is free – yet another jug collection!

All proof, if needed, that the local folk circuit is back on track after the pandemic panic – here’s hoping for no further health-scare hiatus. Click here for more details and more things happening on the Coventry and Warwickshire folk circuit.

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15th August 2021

Leading local club under starter’s orders

New team puts Warwick Folk Club back on track
at The Racehorse

Warwick Folk Club launches its post-lockdown programme next month.

The fortnightly club reopens on Monday 13^th September at its regular venue, The Racehorse on the town’s Stratford Road.  The programme, as before, will feature a mixture of guest and performers nights but the main difference is the new nine-person team of organisers following the retirement of its long-time host Norman Wheatley.

There is now a cohort of three MCs – Laura Kisby, Dave Fry and Don Arthurson with club publicist Robin Kaye also stepping in as a reserve compere.

Other roles, including treasurer, organising the raffle, running the club website (http://warwickfolkclub.co.uk) and general help on the nights are taken on by club regulars Rob Watts, Mandy Watts, Sally Crompton, Dora Stoddard and Maggie Coleman.

As for guests, the club has already booked Leamington’s own singer-songwriter and world-renowned comic genius Keith Donnelly who appears on October 11^th ‘with friends’. November 22^nd sees a joint guest night of two awesome local acts, As The Heron and Craig Sunderland. And watch out for more details of the club’s Christmas Party on Monday December 20^th.

Robin tells us that they plan to re-book guests which had to be cancelled because of the lockdown and the club is also likely to continue its popular Theme Nights if attendances resume at their pre-COVID level. Among those staged before the outbreak were a ‘Top Twenty’ night and songs based on the theme of ‘Fool’.

For the rest of the programme leading up to Christmas, the club stages its Performers Nights, the first of which takes place for the Grand Reopening with singer, guitarist, experienced MC and teller of dubious jokes Dave Fry hosting the proceedings.

Robin explains, ‘Floor artists should book in advance to be assured of a spot during Performers Nights but, of course, they can come along on the night to see if there are any spaces. We do try to fit people in if we can.’

It looks like the club will continue its popularity as the place to play. At the time of writing – and with news of the club reopening only recently announced – over half of the available floor spots have already been booked for September 13^th.

Robin recognises the club’s strong reputation built up over the years when Norman Wheatley was in charge. ‘Warwick Folk Club was kept active thanks to Norman’s dedication and enthusiasm and all the club regulars and guests are very grateful to him.’

The Folk Club team is working with The Racehorse to ensure that they can operate in a COVID-safe environment. This means that audience numbers may have to be restricted but the team will issue some further information plus any guidelines nearer the re-start.

North Warwickshire is also enjoying the re-emergence of live folk clubs with highly successful nights of music enjoyed by Nuneaton and Bedworth Folk Clubs and a grand night in store when Atherstone Folk Club reopens this Wednesday (18^th August) at The Rose Inn, Baxterley, where resident band Finger In The Jar host a Singers Night.

For further details and updates on local club nights, check CVFolk’s ‘Cov & Warks Folk Diary’ on www.cvfolk.com/calendar.

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28th July 2021

Motor City Music

Wellerman singers and CVFolk add their voices
to new-look Coventry Motofest

New wave shanty group The Longest Johns, Americana duo Rosso, Nuneaton Folk Club residents Nunc, and Coventry singer-songwriter Rob Halligan are among the acts featured in a final musical flourish for this year’s new-style Motofest events.

CVFolk once again contributes to MotoFest Coventry which has switched to a new ‘MotoFest Month 2021’ programme, stretched out across three weekends and culminating in a display of motors and music on Saturday and Sunday, August 7-8.

The Saturday evening drive-in show takes place on the Nexus ICA Stage in Coventry’s Millennium Place from 7pm.

Headlined by ELO‘s Dave Scott-Morgan, the show includes a rousing performance by  internationally-acclaimed Bristol based harmony quartet The Longest Johns whose version of the classic Wellerman launched the surprising 2021 revival in the art of shanty singing.

The evening also features songs from Rob Halligan and a live interview with CVFolk’s Chair Pete Willow and Patron Pauline Black, world-famous 2 Tone singer whose musical career started out in the 1970s Coventry folk scene.

Tickets at £20 per vehicle can be booked on the Club MotoFest Portal here.

The free admission Saturday and Sunday daytime events also in Millennium Place, run from 10am to 5pm with Rosso and Nunc included in the Sunday afternoon programme.

Upcoming UK Americana-Country duo Rosso features voices and music of Emily Eglinton and Fiona Laycock who graduated from university straight into the gigging circuit and have already released three well-received singles.

Nunc’s 6-piece line-up is well-established on the Coventry and Warwickshire folk circuit through its performances at Nuneaton Folk Club, Ragged Bear Festival and CVFolk 2^nd Sunday events among other venues. Performers of great versions of blues and folk-rock classics, they have become veteran and popular performers at Motofest since CVFolk first became involved in the event.

They are certainly hitting the ground running after the long lockdown layoff, when they host the reopening of their club in its completely revamped venue, the Queens Hall, Nuneaton on Wednesday August 4th, 8pm. Nunc are joined that evening by Adam Wilson, Craig Sunderland, Nigel Ward and Greenman Rising’s Steve Bentley and Andrew Wrigglesworth. Admission is free

Details and timings are still being finalised at time of the writing this, so watch this site for updates. But it’s good to see the city’s celebration of its automotive heritage complemented by its strong foundations in folk music.

Stop press – update!

The show this Saturday evening (7th August) starts at 7.30pm in Millennium Place, Coventry by the Transport Museum. The Longest Johns perform their first set at 8pm, followed by the interview when BBC CWR’s Sandra Godley talks to Pete Willow and Pauline Black about the CVFolk project. The LJ’s are back on stage at 9pm.

Sunday afternoon (8th August) includes performances by Nunc at 2.30pm and a trio line-up of Rosso at 3.30pm.

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9th July 2021

Life after lockdown?

Folk is coming home.

The local folk scene is starting to get busier now that the government has decreed the – albeit delayed – end of lockdown and more local venues have announced reopening dates and guest lists.

First out of the trap was CVFolk’s Second Sunday monthly show in Coventry’s Albany Theatre Studio, when a delightful evening of live music took place on June 13^th, featuring Rob Halligan’s new band Homeward Hie and support acts As The Heron and Craig Sunderland.

The ticketed socially-distanced event ran smoothly producing many social media comments on the high standard of music played by all artists and the joy of live music in front of a real audience! The venue immediately gave the go-ahead for a full-programme of 2^nd Sunday events without the need for advance tickets, but keeping the social distancing and risk assessment procedures to remain Covid-compliant.

Ironically, the next event – this Sunday 11^th July – clashes with a certain major football match!

Undaunted by England’s success in reaching the Euro 2020 Final, organisers were not able to reschedule the date or start time so have decided to go ahead with the music, kicking off at 7pm in the Albany Theatre Studio, on the basis that there are bound to be fans of live music seeking refuge from the ubiquitous presence of football. Or who just think the return of live music is more important.

Billed as ‘Beyond the Festival Fringe’ the event was meant to give a foretaste to fringe events at Warwick Folk Festival, sadly a late victim of the pandemic. Hosted by singer and 12-string guitarist Dave Fry, CVFolk’s evening features the first public appearance in months by Nuneaton Folk Club’s talented and popular 6-piece line-up of Nunc.

They share the billing with two acts associated with tireless instigator of so-many line-ups and musical projects Steve Boyer. He performs with singing partner Mike Cox as Under The Influence and then finishes the evening playing percussion for The Hanksters which specialises in songs by the legendary Hank Williams.

Admission is free but audience members will be invited to place spare bank notes into the caddy collection.

Guests lined up for future 2^nd Sunday events at the Albany Theatre include the long-overdue reappearance on September 12^th of powerhouse duo, Mick Bisiker on guitar and bouzouki, and Al Romanov on violin. They share the billing with Coventry’s highly acclaimed singer, guitarist and songwriter Wes Finch. Warwickshire folk-rock trio Meet On The Ledge appears in November and Wes Finch is back in full band mode in March 2022.

Meet On The Ledge also appear as opening guests when live music returns to the Wurzel Bush Folk Club’s venue, the West Indian Club, Railway Terrace Rugby on Tuesday September 7^th.

Nuneaton Folk Club brings back live music hosted by Nunc to the recently refurbished Queens Club on Wednesday August 4^th. Their published guest list includes Winter Wilson (September 1^st), Pilgrim’s Way (October 6^th) and the powerful sound of Greenman Rising (December 1^st). Greenman Rising also host the popular Ragged Bear Festival at the same venue on Saturday October 30^th where this year’s headliners are Fairport Convention.

Bedworth Folk Club is back in action on Wednesday August 11^th in the town’s Trent Valley Club where ace songwriter John Richards appears with his quartet. Their guests also include Kevin Dempsey (September 8^th), Nick Dow (October 13^th) and Jez Lowe (November 10^th).

Lighthorne Folk Club has rescheduled its date for Rob Halligan who now appears on the Marquee stage at the Antelope Inn, Lighthorne on Monday September 6^th with support by Dave Faulkner and Hatstand. The club also meets on August 2^nd when Craig Sunderland appears with As The Heron and Martin Hainsworth.

The local session scene is starting to pick up, with the Monday night traditional music sessions resuming at the Humber Hotel in Coventry, hosted by Nigel Ward and Jack Shuttleworth, and the weekly Hairy Folkers get-togethers reverting from zoom mode to live sessions in the garden (weather permitting) at the Old Windmill pub, Spon Street, Coventry from this Sunday 2.30-5pm.

Make the most of it folks – enjoy the live music while it’s still legal to meet in public.

And don’t let a small matter of a football match get in the way of your enjoyment of real folk musaic performed in front of a live audience.

#Folkiscominghome

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17th June 2021

Warwick Folk Festival postponed.

Lockdown delay puts paid to plans for new venue launch

Organisers of this year’s Warwick Folk Festival have announced with regret that the event is to be put back yet another year.

The decision was reached, following the Prime Minister’s announcement last Monday that the planned end-of-lockdown date of June 21st is to be put back for another four weeks.

After an emergency Festival Board meeting, WFF Director, Dick Dixon has issued this statement:

“Following extensive planning and discussion in light of the most recent government guidelines, with huge regret it has been decided that Warwick Folk Festival, which was due to take place 15 – 18 July, will be postponed until 21 – 24 July 2022.

“This decision has not been taken lightly, but with the current situation, our absolute priority is the safety of our staff, artists, traders, audience and the local community. We will ensure that our website includes detailed updates as soon as possible.

“As previously, tickets can be transferred to next year’s festival. Thank you to everybody for your continued support and efforts during this difficult time – we miss you very much.”

The festival statement goes on to explain why the decision to postpone was made at this point in time:

“We’ve been waiting for government guidance to be published on how is best to proceed. This has become more important after many in the scientific community have expressed serious concerns over the new COVID-19 Delta variant and the next step of the roadmap proceedings.

“We take the safety of everyone involved at our festival very seriously and feel we have a duty of care to ensure that our festival is a safe place. We also want to ensure that we protect the local community as much as we can.

“Another major concern is that there may be even more changes to the guidelines at the last minute, and many festivals including ourselves have to pay huge sums of money in advance to artists and infrastructure providers. This jeopardises the future of our festival.”

Now postponed two years running, the festival was due to mark the retirement of Dick as Festival Director, having been involved in the running of the event since it was launched in 1980. This year’s main events were to be staged in Castle Park, a greenfield site adjacent to Warwick Castle and a short walk from the town centre.

This year’s guest list had included such big names as Seth Lakeman, Show of Hands, Spiers & Boden and The Young-Uns and organisers hope to roll over as much as this year’s programme as possible to run next year.

Says Dick ‘The new site presents a great opportunity and it’s really sad that we won’t be experiencing it just yet. However, we are looking forward to making the 2022 festival better than ever – do put the dates in your diaries!’

For further information and updates, please check here for the festival website.

27th March 2021 (updated 1st April)

Easter treat from Halligan and friends

Rob’s all-star Cathedral show augurs well for Coventry’s first post-lockdown folk concert 

Coventry singer-songwriter Rob Halligan has staged an Easter special concert video-recorded in Coventry Cathedral for release on April 1^st.

With guitarist Chris Hunt and whistle-player Ewan Cameron, the 45-minute concert was filmed in front of the Cathedral’s world-famous Baptistry Window.

Available on YouTube from 7.30pm, the show features songs from Rob’s most recent widely-acclaimed album, Always Heading Home. See it here: https://tinyurl.com/4dmbabyy  

It also gives a foretaste of CVFolk’s new season of Second Sunday concerts, to be relaunched in June, with Rob’s new band, Homeward Hie topping the bill.

Taking place in the Albany Theatre Studio, Coventry on Sunday June 13th, the socially-distanced event is believed to be the first live folk show to take place in the city since lockdown.

Rob organised the Cathedral gig as ‘something different for Easter’.

He explains ‘last September, the band teamed up to perform a streamed gig from my living room. We wanted to do it again but this wasn’t going to be possible in current conditions.

‘I had a word with the Dean at Coventry Cathedral. They’re very keen to have live music’.

Rob describes the performance as an awesome experience. ‘We had the whole building to ourselves and it was quite surreal. The ambience was great – not only did we get the huge reverb from the building itself but you can still hear the city sounds from outside in the background. It works really well on the recording’.

As social distancing rules will still apply on June 13^th, admission will be by advance ticket only with the room laid out to accommodate household ‘bubbles’.  Says Chair of CVFolk, Pete Willow, ‘the venue has been fantastic in supporting the event with an excellent plan in place to ensure an enjoyable and convivial evening of top-class live music – and the bar will be open!’

Tickets are £11 each and now available from the theatre. on https://www.albanytheatre.co.uk/shows/homeward/.

Looking ahead to July 11^th and assuming current restrictions are lifted as planned, CVFolk will host an informal ‘Warwick Fringe’ session as a prelude to Warwick Folk Festival which opens July 15^th.

5th March 2021

Memories of one magic night in Bergamo

UK release this week of live album
by Coventry’s Dando Shaft 

A one-off 1989 gig in Italy by Coventry progressive folk legends Dando Shaft is officially released in the UK as a live album on March 12.

Shadows Across The Moon features the band in concert in Bergamo Old Town. Formed in 1968 and named after a 1960s satirical novel, Dando’s initial line-up of Kevin Dempsey, Dave Cooper, Martin Jenkins, Roger Bullen and Ted Kay was regarded as a major influence on the progressive side of the folk revival but had never played outside the UK in their five years of touring, apart from a festival in Germany.

The gig was the result of the persistence of one Italian fan and music promoter, Gigi Bresciani who was determined to stage a reunion event and agreed to provide hotel accommodation for a week for the band to rehearse the one-off show. A recording of the event was released in Italy six years later, but it’s taken another 26 years for a high-quality mix to see light of day as a UK-released album, courtesy of the Talking Elephant label.

For singer and guitar wizard Kevin, the album recaptures a very special point in the history of the band: ‘There have been compilation releases of Dando tracks before but, thanks to Talking Elephant, this is the first time we’ve been directly involved in a release of our past music and have a say in the mix and cover design’.

The album has been remastered from the original tapes and by the original engineer, Dario Ravelli. Kevin is justifiably delighted with the package and the overall sound quality. The songs come from all of the band’s previous albums but the arrangements are unique, with additional violin-playing by Chris Leslie, now a member of Fairport Convention.

Kevin explains: ‘At the time, Chris was working with Mart and me in Whippersnapper and it made sense for him to join us during this break in our schedule’.

Two of the tracks, Railway and Riverboat – written by Kevin and originally sung by Polly Bolton on the band’s eponymous 1971 album – feature Kev’s vocals on this recording.

This release of Shadows Across The Moon is dedicated to the memory of three of the band who have since left us. Percussionist Ted Kay died in 2007 and bass-player Roger Bullen passed away three years ago. As for Martin Jenkins, whose rich vocals and distinctive brilliance on mando-cello, flute and violin are well featured in the mix, his death by heart attack in 2011 left a large hole in the British and Bulgarian folk scenes. 

For those who grew up with the music of Dando Shaft, listening to this album will reconjure happy memories of hope, creativity and discovery of a fresh new sound, fusing folk with the rhythms of jazz and rock.

For those who never had that privilege, close your eyes, listen to Shadows and share the audience experience in Bergamo. You won’t regret it.

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22nd January 2021

Warwick Folk Festival will
happen this year …

… with a little bit of positive thinking! 

Glastonbury may be closed again this year but it’s still ‘all systems go’ for the Warwick Folk Festival team.

Plans are well-established for four days of folk entertainment in mid-July and some world-class guests will be heading to the picturesque town in the heart of the country. Top of the bill on Thursday 15^thJuly is fiddle-maestro and songwriter Seth Lakeman, while Friday’s headliners are the irrepressible Show Of Hands.

Widely acclaimed line-up The Young’Uns lead the Saturday line-up and highlight of Sunday’s programme is a reunion performance for squeezebox, fiddle and stomp-box virtuosos John Spiers and Jon Boden.

Other attractions include Nancy Kerr and James Fagan, Steve Tilston and Hugh Bradbury, Reg Meuross, folk bard legend Les Barker,and the powerhouse duo of award-winning singer and musician Georgia Lewis and ace violinist Ross Grant, member of Inlay who are also appearing.

Festival patron and internationally renowned multi-instrumentalist Will Pound (above) appears in his own right to present a musical journey across the states of the European Union, A Day Will Come. And the locally written, performed and produced folk opera, The Undoing of Polly Button, featuring Daisybell and other local artists will get its long-awaited public airing after last year’s planned launch was cruelly cut short by the first lockdown. 

A year later than originally planned, the 41^st Warwick Folk Festival will take place on its new Castle Park site, adjacent to Warwick Castle. Organisers also hope to offer the famous selection of Festival Fringe events in the historic town centre but this will be subject to whatever rules are in place at the time related to social distancing and the availability of venues.

Dick was due to step back from his role as Director last year, having worked with the Festival throughout its entire 40-year history but agreed to stay on until this year to oversee the change of main site location.

His workload will be taken on by two new team members acting as Artistic Manager and Operational Manager. Says Dick, ‘We’ve already received some good applications for these volunteer roles but we’d be happy to receive more.’

For more information about scheduled artists, booking tickets and opportunities to join the Festival team, go to: warwickfolkfestival.co.uk 

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12th January 2021

Coventry singer-songwriter Wes Finch wins Arts Council support

Creative writer refocuses his innovative practice
as the gigs dry up

Already well-regarded for his onstage blend of folk, blues and Americana, Coventry’s Wes Finch has won Arts Council funding to produce a wider range of poetry and prose.

He has successfully applied for a Developing Your Creative Practice grant after the Council widened their funding remit as a response to the effects the pandemic is having on the arts. Wes impressed them with his case that the pandemic will provide an opportunity to write more, now that his chances of playing live music have been effectively wiped out for the moment.

He says that he long harboured a desire to write more and has been leaning towards it over recent years. ‘Now seems like the perfect time to refocus my energies with the opportunity that this funding provides’.

An avid reader, Wes has a strong background in studying literature, and the last few years have seen him engaging more in poetry while developing his acclaimed line-up, The Mechanicals Band.

As he describes, ‘This group led me to co-writing a theatre and music show called The Righteous Jazz, based on the life and loves of Coventry poet Philip Larkin. This also received Arts Council money, which allowed us to produce and perform the show in Hull and Coventry’. The stage show had been encouraged and nurtured by Coventry’s Shoot Festival, big supporters of the band having featured them often. The songs are now available on a newly-released 8-track album.

The Mechanicals Band project had started in 2016 when Wes wrote a set of Shakespearean songs for a competition set by The RSC in Stratford on Avon. The BBC invited him to perform them at The Other Place theatre as part of the #Shakespeare400 celebrations and he established the original line-up with violinist Jools Street and percussionist Ben Haines.

The group was later joined by Katrin Gilbert on viola and John Parker on double bass and released its debut Shakespearean themed album Exit, Pursued by Bear in 2017.

Now, inspired by his involvement in the City Voices writing course staged last year by Theatre Absolute in Coventry, Wes’s current project involves producing poetry, prose and possibly song lyrics, based on three significant UK locations – his mother’s home county of Pembrokeshire, Wes’s (and his father’s) home town of Coventry, and the North Lincolnshire coast, an area that Wes has come to know well in the last 15 years.

Work is well-established as Wes explains: ‘I’ve been in touch with a few writers and poets that I like and they’ve agreed to mentor me. I also engaged with a couple of historians so that I can learn from them to inspire my writing. Local history fascinates me.

‘I don’t know how pandemic restrictions are going to affect travel to these locations but I’m looking forward to conversations with some very interesting and talented people. I want to learn as much as I can and hopefully produce a different kind of work that will be enjoyed and appreciated by others.

‘It’s all quite open-ended at the moment but I guess the final result will reflect a common theme of identity’.

While excited about the new venture, Wes is adamant that it doesn’t mean a farewell to playing live gigs. As he says, ‘Music is always my first love, even though you won’t see or hear me playing much next year. But watch this space, I will be blogging about it all’.

Check out the Facebook pages for Wes – www.facebook.com/wesfinch – and The Mechanicals Band – www.facebook.com/WeAreTheMechanicals. And look out also for a new Wes Finch live album due for release next month.

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5th January 2021

Songwriter Nigel celebrates
all things Coventry

Histories and personal experiences of
City of Culture home

Coventry multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Nigel Ward has captured stories and personal memories of his home city in music and song.

The outcome of this year-long project is his latest CD album, Coventry Kid (and other stories), featuring 14 tracks recorded with fellow-musician Mick Bisiker.

With the City of Culture status in mind, Nigel set out to write and record an album of Coventry-related songs and include some tunes about local landmarks already part of his repertoire.

He says, ‘There have been many traditional songs collected from different English counties and I am aware of a few industrial songs from the Midlands. But as far as I know, there haven’t been any songs written about Coventry’s past in a traditional folk style’. 

After initial setbacks with project funding, Nigel spoke to Mick Bisiker, fellow member of folk-rock band, Rack and Ruin. Not only did Mick make his home studio available to record the material, he also added to arrangements with performances on piano, guitar, bass and harmony vocals.

Nigel explains, ‘The original plan was to include different local musicians, but ongoing restrictions made that impossible. We started recording in early March, but the lockdown forced us to postpone until July and we managed to complete by the end of the year’.

Tracks include reference to the city’s weaving industry, its role in the Civil War, the legend of Peeping Tom, the Blitz, the post-war boom times of the growing motor industry, and the disappearance of pubs that hosted music sessions around the city.

It’s an impressive collection of songs and tunes and a worthy tribute to the city from a key and popular figure in the local music session, folk club and ceilidh circuits.

Nigel’s own reaction to the end-product? ‘Thanks to Mick’s great contributions, I must say I’m rather chuffed with the outcome!’

Copies of the album are £10. To order, email Nigel on cosmicrhyme6@gmail.com.

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3rd November 2020

Total remix and relaunch for Joe O’Donnell’s celtic-rock masterpiece

The music of Rory Gallagher lives on in Gael’s Vision.

Coventry-based electric violinist Joe O’Donnell is celebrating the UK relaunch of his famous (and renamed) project, Gael’s Vision.

The 40th anniversary edition, complete with DVD of a live performance, is the remixed and enhanced version of Joe’s 1977 epic concept album Gaodhals’ Vision.  The new release features four additional tracks and previously unheard performances by Irish guitar maestro, the late Rory Gallagher, one of the guest musicians on the original album. 

The DVD presents a live performance of the complete opus at Coventry Belgrade Theatre in 2017 featuring Joe O’Donnell’s Shkayla, with guest musicians, and Irish and Indian dancers. The package also includes a 16-page full colour booklet.

Research on the original concept album was driven by Joe’s fascination with Irish history. It tells the story of the mythical migration of the Milesian people from Egypt to Spain and then to Ireland, providing the roots to Celtic culture.  The album embraces Indian and North African musical influences, blending orchestral music to driving progressive rock.

The original vinyl release was time-limited to ensure the best sound quality but Joe had written and recorded much more material at a 16-track studio on a Dutch barge in Little Venice in London run by Tom Newman, producer of Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells.

Thanks to digital technology, Joe was able to rescue the unused recordings. ‘I got them all transferred from the original tapes,’ he says. ‘I was told I could never play the tapes again as they were in such bad condition and they are! They’re in ribbons in the boxes’.

As a result, Joe was able to add 18 minutes of re-mastered material, including the rare contributions by Rory Gallagher on both electric and acoustic guitar.  

Joe recalls, ‘when Rory played at The Marquee in London, he’d invite me to get up and jam with him at the end of the night – a reasonably regular occurrence. I rang him up when I got the deal to record Gaodhal’s Vision and asked him if he’d play.

‘He arrived with his famous Strat and his equally famous Martin guitar. The Martin is only on six albums in the world, if that. It’s really rare. Anyway, I asked him what he’d like to get paid. And he said forget it. He wouldn’t take the money – he just really enjoyed doing it.’

Joe had built up an excellent reputation from his work on the Irish rock circuit in the 1970s and other musicians who joined him for the original recording included guitarist Steve Bolton (Atomic Rooster, The Who), keyboards-player David Lennox (Ginger Baker, Blodwyn Pig, The Equals), bass-player Bill Smith (Leo Sayer, Long John Baldry) and drummer Theodor Thunder (Alan Price Set, Leo Sayer).

As for the current line-up of Joe O’Donnell’s Shkayla, Joe is proud to say they are all over the new version. The band comprises acclaimed Coventry and Warwickshire musicians Si Hayden (guitar), Martin Barter (keyboards), Adrian Litvinoff (bass) and Karen Milne (drums).

Joe has found his adopted home of Coventry a good place to work musically. He had semi-retired in the Channel Islands when he received a call from Martin Jenkins, the late Coventry-based legend who had played mando-cello and flute for Dando Shaft, Whippersnapper and Hedgehog Pie.

Says Joe, ‘Martin had heard about me from Nina Szifris who I met at the Guernsey Folk Festival. She was instrumental in getting me back to England and raised some gigs for me.’  Joe formed the original version of Shkayla in 1998 with Martin and his guitarist son Ray Jenkins.

While Joe believes he has now done all he can with Gael’s Vision, he has been busy on other projects, including another historical piece The Long Sobs which has involved recordings in the natural ambience of  local locations, including Coventry Cathedral and the unique circular gyrus in the Lunt Roman fort in Baginton.

With the support and encouragement of the Coventry 2021 team, he is now preparing an Arts Council bid to enable a recording and live performance incorporating pre-recorded choir and orchestra to provide stage space for band and actors.

Current pandemic conditions have thwarted plans to launch the latest edition of Gael’s Vision in Coventry, although Joe and the band did play some shows in Ireland when it was released there before the emergency.  However the package can be downloaded here https://joeodonnellsshkayla.com and you can see part of the composition here https://youtu.be/ZEd7IR_UjNo recorded at Warwick Folk Festival.

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20th March 2020

Logging into virus-free folk

Has Covid-19 killed off folk as we know it?

This week saw Prime Minister Boris Johnson advising the British public that social venues, including pubs, should be avoided in the light of the current Coronavirus pandemic.

Large social gatherings, from the Grand National to the Boat Race have been cancelled along with football, rugby and hockey matches across the land. As for smaller social gatherings – like folk clubs – planned events have been dropping like flies.

Even though some of the usual homes for folk clubs, pubs, clubs and restaurants are still open (at this time of writing), the public in general – and folk fans in particular – are giving them a wide berth. Boris’s comments, combined with fears of inadvertent contamination and the likelihood of pre-existing ailments among the older demographic that tend to visit folk clubs, have resulted in a devastating and unprecedented collapse of this already beleaguered part of our culture.  At least for the next 3-4 months.

Virtually all the main folk clubs in the CV postcode area have let it be known that they are closing the doors against the virus. Some have announced cancellations, others that their events are merely postponed or suspended. Many club organisers, hosts and regulars are finding themselves incarcerated in enforced self-isolation – not just those older than 70. As for the guest artists, folk clubs may not offer much of a living but they do provide a stream of income which has now suddenly dried up.

It’s all looking very bleak at the moment. But there is a glimmer of hope for the folk circuit thanks to social media. It is now possible to experience the repertoire of folk clubs vicariously, thanks to clubs themselves or individual artists posting images of performances in their kitchens or lounges, anywhere deemed safe by the government to be safe from the culture-sapping virus.

In some cases, you are invited to donate money in a virtual jug collection, or purchase CDs online. It’s a valiant effort to keep the folk flag flying even if it only scratches the surface of the genuine folk club experience where you can interact, applaud, heckle, or join in with choruses. In the absence of the ‘real thing’, online folk is doing its best to keep the scene together and offer some compensation in these difficult times. Check out the Covideo Folk Club for a taste of how such sites could work: https://www.facebook.com/groups/142692067094518/

CVFolk is willing to help spread the word and inform folk fans of any performance pages being set up by venues and/or artists in the CV postcode area. Just let us know.

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6th March 2020

20 titles, 100+ covers…

Coventry welcomes back the man whose song made history at the Old Dyers Arms

One of Ireland’s leading singer-songwriters, Pat Cooksey is back in Coventry this weekend to perform up the road from the pub where he made folk history.

His first public airing of the song – then called Paddy and the Barrel – took place in a music session at the Dyers Arms, Spon End in 1969. The Dyers Arms music sessions themselves became world-famous throughout the 70s and 80s, hosted by the late guitar-wizard Dave Bennett and often visited by the original line-up of The Fureys – but that’s another story!

Sung to the tune The Garden Where the Praties Grow, the song was adopted by Pat’s friend and Coventry-based singer Sean Cannon in 1972, many years before Sean became a member of The Dubliners and adding the song to their repertoire. By now the song had long taken on its more familiar title The Sick Note.

In fact the comedy classic has been recorded over 100 times worldwide under 20 alternative titles including Dear Boss by The Clancy Brothers, The Bricklayers Song by The Corries and Ray Stevens, and Murphy and the Bricks by Noel Murphy. Based on Gerard Hoffnung‘s address to the Oxford Union in 1958, the story dates back to the English music halls in the 1920s and appeared in the Readers Digest in 1937.

Also writer of The Fureys’ hit The Reason I Left Mullingar, Pat was born in Limerick and raised in Liverpool and Coventry. His introduction to Irish Music came via the late great singer Luke Kelly of The Dubliners, whom he first met in Ewan McColl‘s singers club in London. While living in Coventry, Pat wrote topical songs for BBC Radio Birmingham.

Now living in Germany, Pat describes himself as ‘very much at home amongst the towering mountains, fairy tale castles, and endless forests of Bavaria’, where he has become a considerable concert attraction. But he remains in close contact with Ireland and exchange visits of parties from Clare and Bavaria take place on a regular basis.

This month sees a mini-tour of local venues, including Bedworth Folk Club, the Wurzel Bush Folk Club and this weekend at CVFolk’s Second Sunday afternoon event on Sunday March 8^th.

The free admission concert kicks off at 4pm in the Albany Theatre Studio with an opening set by The Boys of Ball Hill featuring former members of The Oddsods, Simon Lapworth, Bob Brooker, Nigel Ward and Pete Willow. There is also a solo set by the talented Coventry singer and guitarist Craig Sunderland currently making a big impact on the local club and festival circuit.

There will be the usual ‘caddy’ collection and families are welcome. A bar plus soft drinks and hot drinks are available. This will be the last time that the CVFolk Second Sunday events run in the afternoon. The programme resumes after Easter with a series of music, song and hopefully dance performances starting at 7pm and running until 9.30pm.

Postponed after last month’s bad weather, Michael Luntley’s trio Tricaorach will be performing their celebrated set piece of songs and poetry From This Ground in September, while Warwickshire’s folk band Starley Road will be playing support to Rob Halligan‘s band in a special ticketed concert in the Studio on Sunday 14th.

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URGENT NEWS – 9TH FEB 2020

CVFolk show at the Albany Theatre with Tricaorach and Starley Road POSTPONED because of potentially dangerous weather conditions.

For safety reasons – and in view of Met Office advice on Storm Ciara – we will reschedule.

Watch our social media pages and this website for further news. Do please spread the word to anyone you know was thinking of going. Many thanks and apologies.

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1st February 2020

Good Golly Miss Polly

Folk opera breathes life into local legend

Hot news from Nuneaton. Local man, John Danks has been found guilty for the brutal murder of Mary Green (a.k.a. Polly Button).

The murder and Danks’s subsequent execution actually took place in the 1830s, but the tragic story has inspired a folk opera, written by folksinger (and CVFolk panel member) Katherine Fear and to be premiered on Easter Saturday.

Inspired by Stephen Moore‘s acclaimed book The Undoing of Polly Button, Katherine has spent the last 18 months working on the folk opera, which will have the same title, and she has written 16 songs for the production.

She has used the Polly Button Folk Opera Facebook group for weekly announcements of cast members. So far we’ve learned that the show features singer Emilie Rackham, Midlands musician, singer and member of Crybb, Gary Painting and talented musician and arranger Sally-Ann Veasey.

Performers taking on the roles of Polly and Danks will be announced on Sunday February 16th during a fund-raising afternoon in Nuneaton’s Abbey Theatre, Pool Bank Street. This features performances by Kevin Dempsey, Brian Phillips, The Paper Circus, Maria Barham, Alkevan, Bill Bates, Crybb, K C Jones, Jan Richardson and John Kearney. With an exhibition of local photos in the Foyer plus tea and cakes, the 3-hour ‘hootenanny’ kicks off at 2pm and tickets are £5 – book tickets here.

The Folk Opera itself is premiered at the Abbey Theatre with matinee and evening shows on Saturday 11th April. The performance includes a narration of the story by George Eliot who would have been living in Nuneaton at the time of the events.

More celebration of Warwickshire past and present

Michael Luntley’s trio Tricaorach and Warwickshire’s all-star line-up Starley Road are joint attractions for this month’s CVFolk Second Sunday event, which takes place in the Studio of Coventry’s Albany Theatre, during the evening (NOT afternoon) of Sunday 9th February.

Tricaorach (pronounced ‘tree-currig’) are joined by local poet Olga Dermott-Bond to present From this Ground – a fascinating collection of stories, poems and songs of belonging, identity and migration, drawing on experiences of agricultural workers in late 19th century Warwickshire and beyond.

Starting at 7pm, the show is rounded off with a lively set of high-quality music by Starley Road comprising four of the county’s finest folk musicians, Pete Grassby, Martin Trewinnard, Mick Bisiker and Ewan Cameron.

Formed out of the renowned Grasshoppers Ceilidh Band, Starley Road also play folk clubs and concerts. Their repertoire ranges from slow airs to a capella songs, from traditional to original and with plenty of choruses to get stuck into as well!

Admission is free but you’ll be encouraged to contribute generously to the caddy collection with some of the funds going to charity.

Former Coventry resident, Ireland’s world-famous singer-songwriter Pat Cooksey is CVFolk Second Sunday’s guest on the afternoon of Sunday March 8th with support by The Boys of Ball Hill.

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11th January 2020

Carole, Hank, Polly and Dave

Launching a year of changes at the Albany Theatre

Two Leamington line-ups celebrate the contrasting but equally influential songs of two great composers at the Albany Theatre tomorrow (Sunday 12th) afternoon.

Both founded by tireless musician, mover and shaker Steve Boyer, The Hanksters perform the classic and simply constructed songs of Hank Williams, while Oh Carole! perform the more complex and wonderfully crafted songs of Carole King.

On Carole’s line-up features vocals from Mia Tee and Bob Cooper plus soloists Bill Gibbon on tenor sax and Simon Clarkson (aka Mr Picky) on banjo.

Both bands perform from 4 to 6.30pm in the Albany Theatre Studio, Coventry for the first of this year’s programme of CVFolk’s Second Sunday events – and launches a year of changes.

2020 will be seeing more evening events for CVFolk at this popular city-centre venue including ticketed stat-attraction concerts.

Admission for tomorrow’s family show is free although there will be a bucket collection of (hopefully) folding cash to cover artist and venue expenses. The bar will be open and hot drinks are also available.

The afternoon is hosted by veteran singer and 12-string guitarist Dave Fry and the afternoon also features a preview of songs from the forthcoming Folk Opera, The Undoing of Polly Bolton, performed by Daisybell’s Katherine Fear. Based on a notorious murder that took place in Nuneaton in the 19th century, the show itself will be premiered on Saturday 11th April 2020 at Nuneaton’s Abbey Theatre, and several local folk names take part in a fundraiser event on Sunday February 16th – details on http://www.cvfolk.com/event/polly-button-folk-opera-fundraising-concert.

February 9th’s Second Sunday event kicks off at the later time of 7pm and presents a celebration of Warwickshire’s past and present. The evening features songs, stories and poetry based on Warwickshire agricultural life in the 19th century, performed by Michael Luntley’s trio Tricaorach, rounded off by a performance by Starley Street featuring four of the county’s finest musicians, Pete Grassby, Martin Trewinnard, Mick Bisiker and Ewan Cameron.

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15th December 2019

Christmas is a-Mumming

and the Boys are coming back

(Please put a fiver in the old man’s hat!)

It’s the season to be Mumming and there are three chances to enjoy the ancient and mysterious tradition of ‘English ritual drama’ in Warwickshire this Christmas.

Every year, the Coventry Mummers perform rediscovered Christmas Mummers Plays in and around the home villages where they were presented by the locals back in the mists of time. The plays of Harborough Magna, Newbold on Avon and Stoneleigh were originally performed by members of the village community in homes, halls, pubs or streets. While the plays evolved to be unique to each village, their common theme of death and resurrection is evident.

The Harborough Magna Christmas play was collected from Arthur Skeet, a former member of the Harborough Magna cast. It’s a short but lively play that’s been performed every year since 1978, usually on the Friday before Christmas in pubs in the Revel area of the county.

The play from Newbold on Avon (pictured below) was published in June 1899 in the journal of the Folk Lore Society and was revived by the Coventry Mummers in 1976 to be performed on the Sunday before Christmas in around private houses, the church and the village pub.

The local historian Mary Dormer Harris published the Stoneleigh Play in ‘Notes and Queries’, 1925. She collected the play from a man who had appeared in the play as the Doctor. The play was revived by the Coventry Mummers in 1975 and has been performed in the village ever since. It is also performed in Ashow followed by five venues in Stoneleigh on Boxing Day morning, culminating in grand lunchtime gathering of local folk fans outside the Stoneleigh Club.

Check out this year’s timetable of Christmas plays and take the opportunity to enjoy living history in your local community. (Times subject to last-minute changes)

Friday 20th, Harborough Magna Mummers Play

8:00 pm. The Raven, Brinklow, CV23 0LN.

8:30 pm. Golden Lion, Easenhall, CV23 0JA.

9:00 pm. The Old Lion, Harborough Magna, CV23 0HQ.

9:30 pm. Denbigh Arms, Monks Kirby, CV23 0QX followed by a music and song session.

Sunday 22nd, Newbold on Avon Mummers Play

10:30 am. Pantolf Place, Newbold on Avon, CV21 1HR.

11:00 am. Newbold Road, Newbold on Avon, CV21 1EF.

11:35 am. St Botolph’s Church, Newbold on Avon, CV21 1HH.

12:15 pm. Manor House Close, Newbold on Avon, CV21 1HB.

1.00 pm. The Barley Mow, Main Street, Newbold on Avon, CV21 1HW again followed by a music and song session

Thursday 26th, The Stoneleigh Mummers Play

10:15 am and 10:30 am. Ashow, CV8 2LE.

11:00 am. Stoneleigh Close, CV8 3DE.

11:30 am. ‘The Bank’, CV8 3DA.

12 noon Church Lane, CV8 3DN.

12:45 pm. Walkers Orchard, CV8 3JG.

1:15 pm. Stoneleigh Village Club, CV8 3DH.

For further details on the year-round activities of the Coventry Mummers, visit their website

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3rd November 2019

Awesome foursome celebrate the sounds of America

 

CVFolk’s ‘Second Sunday’ presents an afternoon of Americana with four home-grown acts

Four Coventry and Warwickshire acts are lined up for a lively afternoon of authentic American-inspired music when CVFolk hosts its November ‘Second Sunday’ event.

The music kicks off at 4pm on Sunday, 10 November in the Studio of the Albany Theatre, Albany Road, Coventry.

Two double-bass driven acts, Willow and Tool Band and Hatstand play the first half, followed by father-and-son duo Clive and Mat Ryder on slide guitar, fiddle, mandola and banjo, accompanied by ‘Cousin’ Pete Jackson on guitar.

Rounding off the afternoon, The Harvesters (pictured above) perform their acclaimed set of back-porch Americana, old time and good time songs and tunes, coupled with dynamic step-dancing.

Admission is free although you will be encouraged to give generously to a folding-money jug collection.

Plans are still being finalised for the December ‘Second Sunday’ event but it looks like an entertaining afternoon will be presented by organisers and regulars of Nuneaton Folk Club.

Last month saw the selection of winners for the CVFolk Prize Draw survey. All winners have been notified although one of the prizes – tickets for the Legends of Folk and Rock concert at the Belgrade Theatre – had to be held back as one of the performers, Pentangle’s Jacqui McShee was taken ill just before the performance.

Watch this space for news of a new date or alternative event. And for the survey analysis – some interesting and helpful comments and suggestions were offered by respondents for building up a strong future for folk music and dance in the CV postcode area.

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26th October

News just in – Belgrade gig cancelled

News just posted on Facebook by Joe O’Donnell:

Bad news about tonight’s gig. It’s off. Jacqui McShee has been taken ill with pleurisy and cannot perform tonight. We have therefore decided to cancel. Please contact the Box Office tor request a refund on 02476 553055. Thanks.

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18th October 2019

Two all-star line-ups in one day. Could this be a record for Coventry’s Kev Dempsey?

Afternoon appearance at Nuneaton’s Ragged Bear Festival and evening Belgrade Theatre appearance with Jacqui McShee.

Sometimes there aren’t enough hours in a day for top-flight musicians. Or even days in a year.

Saturday, 26 October sees Coventry’s guitar virtuoso, Kevin Dempsey wowing audiences on opposite ends of the A444 for major festival and concert appearances in Warwickshire and Coventry.

The afternoon features Kev Dempsey & Guests in the Queens Hall, Nuneaton, main stage venue for the recently established and rapidly growing Ragged Bear Festival. He’ll be joined for the mid-afternoon set by singer and former Dando Shaft colleague Polly Bolton, and fiddle maestro Joe Broughton whose performance with Kev stunned the CVFolk Presents… audience at the Albany Theatre last March.

Then it’s off to the Belgrade’s B2 venue where Kevin appears as part the acclaimed new band Circle, formed by Pentangle’s singer Jacqui McShee, and also accompanied by former Pentangle colleague Mike Piggott on violin and Urban Folk Quartet founder member Tom Chapman on percussion.

Billed as Legends of Folk and Rock, the concert also features the highly acclaimed Coventry-based Celtic-rock band, Joe O’Donnell’s Shkayla. Leading Irish electric violinist, Joe worked in progressive line-ups East Of Eden and Headstone and has performed and recorded with guitar legend Rory Gallagher plus Henry McCullough, guitarist for Wings and Joe Cocker. Shkayla’s highly talented line-up comprises Coventry musicians Si Hayden (guitar) and Martin Barter (keyboard), Leamington bass-player Adrian Litvinoff and Birmingham-based drummer Karen Milne.

This is the fourth year of the 2-day Ragged Bear event with a packed programme on both stages in the Queens Hall. Headliner guests include Mark Chadwick of The Levellers, Sweden’s Americana-folk specialists Baskery, The Magpies, The Trails of Cato and Man The Lifeboats alongside home-grown festival circuit stars Greenman Rising and Nuneaton Folk Club residents Drunk Monkey.

Friday 25 October is the Festival’s ‘Free Friday’ and includes a performance by popular Warwickshire trio Daisybell, performing songs from the forthcoming Polly Button Folk Opera, an exciting new musical project based on a true Nuneaton-based tale.

Organiser and Greenman Rising singer and percussionist Steve Bentley says the Festival is rapidly filling a gap left in the North Warwickshire festival scene with quality acts attracting audiences from across the country and boosting the local economy.

The Ragged Bear website is http://raggedbear.com/ and all-day tickets for the Saturday are £40. Or contact steve@raggedbear.com, tell him you read about the Festival on the CVFolk website and he’ll arrange a £5 discount!

The Belgrade Concert starts at 7.30pm and tickets are £14.50 with concessions available for group bookings. Contact the Box Office via www.belgrade.co.uk/event/legends-of-folk-and-rock.

And as a foretaste of this packed weekend, Kevin and Jacqui also make a duo appearance as guests of Rugby’s Wurzel Bush Folk Club on Tuesday 22 October, in the West Indian Club on Rugby’s Railway Terrace. Admission is free but you’ll be expected to make a generous contribution to the club’s famous ‘chamber pot’ collection. Details on www.wurzelbush.co.uk/

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19th September 2019

Basket of Delight at the Belgrade

Jacqui McShee and Joe O’Donnell to share one-off folk and rock concert billing

Former Pentangle singer Jacqui McShee and electric fiddle maestro Joe O’Donnell are to appear with their respective bands at Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre on Saturday 26th October.

With support by Arts Council England and help from CVFolk, the one-off concert features Jacqui McShee‘s recently formed band Circle and Joe O’Donnell‘s acclaimed line-up Shkayla

The concert highlights Coventry’s strong connections with international national folk and rock music. Limerick-born Joe O’Donnell now lives in Coventry while Circle’s all-star line-up includes highly acclaimed guitarist and Coventry resident, Kevin Dempsey.

Founder member of Coventry’s famous progressive folk band Dando Shaft, Kevin has worked with many of the world’s top artists including Alice Coltrane, Dave Swarbrick and Mary Black and has recently toured and recorded as a duo with Jacqui.

Formed last year, Circle also features Mike Piggott (violin) and Tom Chapman (percussion). Mike Piggott has a long engagement with folk music (Ralph McTell, Bert Jansch), and joined Pentangle for a while in the 1980s. Tom Chapman is a founder member of the Urban Folk Quartet and he has also worked with Joss Stone, Cerys Matthews and Fairport Convention.

Joe O’Donnell is renowned for his interpretation of Celtic folk and rock . His album, recently renamed Gael’s Vision blends original orchestral composition, traditional Celtic music and contemporary rock. Joe came to England in 1970, working with such big names as Rory Gallagher, East of Eden and Thin Lizzie.

The current line-up of Joe O’Donnell’s Shkayla comprises Coventry and Warwickshire musicians Si Hayden (guitar), Martin Barter (keyboard), Karen Milne (percussion) and Adrian Litvinoff (bass).

Says Adrian: ‘This will be a high-powered concert of the finest folk-related music from two veterans at the top of their game. We hope this will revive the profile of progressive folk music in Coventry.

‘This ties in with CVFolk’s campaign to promote the Coventry and Warwickshire folk music and dance scene as part of the City of Culture identity.’

The concert kicks off at 7.30pm and tickets (£16 – £14 concessions) can be booked at the Belgrade Box Office on 02476 553055 or on www.belgrade.co.uk/project/legends-of-folk-and-rock

Don’t forget the Prize Draw Survey…

Two tickets for the concert have been added to the prize list for CVFolk’s Prize Draw Survey. This remains open until early next month with other prizes including tickets for the 2020 Fairport Cropredy Convention and Warwick Folk Festival, Warwick Folk Club, Coventry Music Museum plus a signed copy of Pauline Black‘s autobiography Black By Design, and a band photo session with photographer John B.Smith.

Prize winners will be announced at the next CVFolk music event in the Albany Theatre Studio on Sunday 13th October – so there’s still a chance to win, just by providing your views and experiences of folk music and dance in the Coventry and Warwickshire area. Go to http://www.cvfolk.com/survey/ to take part.

The event itself is another chance to enjoy – or take part in – the Studio Mega-Music Session featuring many of the leading folk session musicians from across the county giving impromptu performances of lively tune seats in an informal and family-friendly setting. Musicians include members of Coventry Comhaltas and performers from regular and popular music sessions across the CV postcode area.

The free admission events runs from 4pm to 6.30pm and there will be the usual jug collection!

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4th June 2019

Going for a song!

Folk’s finest musical instrument, the human voice to raise the Albany Theatre rafters.

CVFolk celebrates the fine tradition of unaccompanied singing with an afternoon of shanties, ballads and chorus songs.

Sunday afternoon’s CVFolk Presents… turns the spotlight on rousing choruses with a maritime flavour, with Coventry’s answer to Fisherman’s Friends – and almost certainly the UK’s most landlocked shanty crew – The Hawkesbury Trawlermen! 

Hawkesbury is a junction on the Coventry and Oxford Canals. Few trawlers, whaling boats or three-masted schooners are ever seen there. You might see the occasional kayak and narrowboats still moor alongside the pub at Sutton Stop. There are no shoals of herring or mackerel in the immediate vicinity but in summer, the gudgeon and sticklebacks are mightily impressive.

The line-up was convened as a subsidiary of NADEGBDS. Nuneaton and District Elderly Gentlemen’s Binge Drinking Society (Folk Club Branch).

Highly organised, with their own badge, tour shirts and other corporate leisurewear, the Trawlermen meet twice monthly to dine, network, pick faults in each other’s solo performances or just work their way stolidly through the pump clips in The Felix Holt and Lord Hop hostelries. Despite living a long way from the sea, their repertoire is (predominantly) authentic versions of shanties, hollers and calls, sung unaccompanied, with crew members taking turns in lead and response. In addition, there may be a few other rousing maritime songs sprinkled in.

Membership is loose (sometimes very loose!), but can generally be liable to include Geoff Veasey, Malc Gurnham and Phil Benson who host Nuneaton, Bedworth and Atherstone Folk Clubs respectively. Other crew members include John Dacombe, Dave Webb, John Meechan, Bob Brooker and Wes Hall, all of whom perform locally – plus any additional crew members who can be clubbed on the head and dragged up the gangplank to add to the general noise.

Expect loud singing, many with enticing and irresistible choruses, missed cues, some shoving and jostling in the ranks and a great deal of hot air. They’re far too savvy to reveal their set list in advance but they promise a great deal of pushing hauling and heaving. After that they might even sing some shanties.

Starting at 4pm, the afternoon also features songs by talented harmony trio Thrup’nny Bits and the celebrated tenor voice of one of the finest singers in the area, John Morris. Admission as always is free although there will be the usual jug collection for spare banknotes!

Don’t forget…

CVFolk artist Kristy Gallacher makes another Coventry appearance the following weekend. She plays support in the main Albany Theatre on Saturday 8th June when Wet Wet Wet founding member Graeme Clarke and violinist Fiona Cuthill are in concert. Book your tickets here.

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1st June 2019

This is not just any Prize Draw Survey

Top Festival tickets, club tickets and even a photo session are among the fabulous prizes offered by CVFolk – just for telling us about you and folk

Weekend tickets and camping for next year’s Fairport’s Cropredy Convention and evening tickets for next year’s Warwick Folk Festival are among the amazing prizes on offer for respondents to CVFolk’s prize draw.

Officially launched today at CVFolk’s Motofest stage in Broadgate, Coventry, the questionnaire survey can be completed online or on paper. (Click here for details of the CVFolk Motofxest programme this weekend.)

Prizes on offer so far are:

► One family pack of tickets for Fairport’s Cropredy Convention festival 2020. This consists of a pair of adult tickets plus up to three under-12 child tickets with a camping pass for one vehicle and the entire group.

► Two tickets for any evening of the 2020 Warwick Folk Festival

► Admission for two at the Coventry Music Museum plus goody bags

► A signed copy of our Patron, Pauline Black’s fascinating autobiography, ‘Black By Design’ (which includes some great insights in to Coventry’s early folk scene including the famous Old Dyers Arms sessions!)

► Two tickets for any one evening at Warwick Folk Club – check out their superb programme on http://www.warwickfolkclub.co.uk

► A promotional photo session with celebrated music photographer, John B.Smith.

More prizes will be announced over the next few weeks.

The prize draw will take place in the Albany Theatre Studio on the afternoon of Sunday 13th October, 2019. To be eligible, just fill in the questionnaire survey and tell us about your views and perspectives of folk music and dance in Coventry and Warwickshire.

The survey can be accessed and completed online at www.cvfolk.com/survey, or if you prefer paper and pen, collect a form from CVFolk’s stand at Motofest this weekend, or at Warwick Folk Festival, or at any forthcoming Sunday afternoon shows at the Albany Theatre.

CVFolk Chair, Pete Willow is delighted with the prizes offered so far: ‘People have been very generous in showing their support for the CVFolk project and I’d like to say a big thank you on behalf of the CVFolk team.

‘There’s plenty of time if ‘people want to offer further prizes – do please get in touch by emailing culture@cvfolk.com’.

And a reminder…

CVFolk artist Kristy Gallacher makes another Coventry appearance the following weekend. She plays support in the main Albany Theatre on Saturday 8th June when Wet Wet Wet founding member Graeme Clarke and violinist Fiona Cuthill are in concert. Book your tickets here.

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28th May 2019

Home-grown folk in the heart of the city.

Packed programme of first-class folk on the Broadgatestage for this weekend’s Motofest

Local folk takes centre stage for this weekend’s Motofest with a great selection of Coventry and Warwickshire acts performing on the CVFolk/Global Care stage.

The music opens at 12 noon on Saturday June 1st with a short set from singer-songwriter Pete Willowwho will then MC the day’s entertainment supplied by Nuneaton Folk Club host band Nunc, followed by bouzouki and fiddle duo Mick Bisiker and Nigel Ward with fellow musicians from The Band of Rack and Ruin, Chris Radley on bass and Deb Gomme on sax.

Singer and fingerpick guitarist currently taking the local folk club scene by storm, Craig Sunderland is next, before Coventry’s highly acclaimed singer-songwriter and guitarist Kristy Gallacher plays her second Motofest set of the day.

There’s dancing on the street at 3.10pm when expert caller Jen Morgan invites the public to take part in some folk dancing to music by Ben Rowe on fiddle and Vic Smith on accordion.

Popular and talented Nuneaton duo KC Jones are next to perform before the afternoon is wound up with American traditional music and step-dancing from Ian and Sue Hartland of Warwickshire band The Harvesters.

Sunday kicks of with a lively set of songs from the day’s MC, Dave Fry. He then introduces the popular trio Greengrass, whose arrangements on fiddle, double bass and guitar have been making a fast impact on the folk circuit this year.

The Coventry Mummers present the first of two spectacular performances of English traditional drama on either side of two talented trios, purveyors of fine vocal harmonies Thrup’nny Bits and the recently expanded line-up of Poacher’s Pocket when guitarist Colin Squire and multi-instrumentalist Campbell Perry are complemented by the vocal talents of Carole Gillespie.

Powerful singer, songwriter and guitarist Rob Halligan takes the stage at 3.15pm and the afternoon is brought to a lively crescendo of traditional Irish and Scottish songs when former Oddsods members, The Boys of Blue Hill perform with fiddle, guitar, melodeon, banjo, bouzouki and bodhran.

Sponsored by the international children’s charity Global Care, the weekend also sees the launch of the CVFolk Prize Survey with tickets at next year’s Fairport’s Cropredy Convention and Warwick Folk Festival among the many prizes on offer. More on this later!

And a reminder…

CVFolk artist Kristy Gallacher makes another Coventry appearance the following weekend. She and Lucy May Walker are the support acts lined up in the main Albany Theatre on Saturday 8th Junewhen Wet Wet Wet founding member Graeme Clarke and violinist Fiona Cuthill are in concert. Book your tickets here.

The following afternoon sees a celebration of vocal harmony and shanty singing at the monthly CVFolk Presents… event in the Albany Theatre Studio. Performers include the Hawkesbury Trawlermen, Thrup’nny Bits and John Morris. Again – more later!

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6th May 2019

With a Little Help From Friends

Singer-songwriter Wes Finch brings all-star line-up to CVFolk’s Albany Theatre event

Acclaimed singer, songwriter and guitarist Wes Finch plays on home territory this Sunday afternoon (May 12) as featured artist for the monthly CVFolk presentation in the Albany Theatre Studio.

Performing his own country-influenced material plus songs from the repertoire of the Rude Mechanicals – lyrics by Shakespeare to music inspired by folk and classical – Wes shares the stage with three highly talented musicians.

Coventry classically-trained violinist Jools Street (pictured above) is known for his distinctive rock and bluegrass sound with the Doc Brown Trio and Tile Hill Billy and the Grass Monkeys.

Percussionist Ben Haines (pictured below) has an excellent reputation with Coventry and Warwickshire musicians and is sought after to appear in many line-ups

Innovative jazz-rock bass-player John Parker (pictured below) became widely known as half of the chart-topping duo Nizlopi. He is currently kicking up a storm as part of Ward & Parker, alongside founder member of The Willows, Cliff Ward.

The afternoon also features versatile songwriter and guitarist Dan Gascoigne who has built up a strong local following in his own right and as part of the duo Dr Bennett with whom he is representing Warwick Folk Festival later this year at its twin event Cork Folk Festival.

The music starts at 4pm with a lively set of songs from Under The Influence, comprising popular Leamington singers and guitarists Steve Boyer and Mike Cox.

As usual practice for these Studio events, admission is free although there will be a jug collection for banknotes! The monthly shows are designed to showcase the range of styles available in the Coventry and Warwickshire folk scene, a rich resource for the City of Culture celebrations coming up in 2021.

Next month (June 9th) sees the focus on unaccompanied singing, especially shanties with performances by Coventry’s landlocked answer to Fisherman’s friends, The Hawkesbury Trawlermen plus John Morris, Des Patalong and Thrup’nny Bits.

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25th March 2019

The Boys Are Back in Town

CVFolk stages a reunion ‘rare auld time’ for 4 former members of celebrated local folk band. 

Four ex-members of The Oddsods have joined forces under a new name to play a lively set of popular songs and tunes mainly from the Irish and Scots traditions.

The Boys of Ball Hill are to headline the forthcoming ‘CVFolk presents…’ afternoon concert in the Albany Theatre Studio on Sunday 14th April. Bob Brooker on bouzouki and banjo, Nigel Ward on fiddle, Pete Willow on guitar, and the voice of The Oddsods, Simon Lapworth on melodeon and bodhran all played a key part in establishing their old band’s reputation for performing ‘music for a rare auld time’.

The 20-year history of The Oddsods saw various line-up changes since it was formed in the early 1990s but this forthcoming appearance will only be the third time that this particular line-up has appeared in public.

Simon and Bob were founder members of the band, but Bob had left by the time Pete and Nigel joined. The Oddsods played their final gig in 2008, but a year later, Pete and Nigel teamed up with Bob to form Sly Old Dogs which still performs regularly and hosts monthly music sessions at The Barn in Willey, near Rugby.

In its lifetime, The Oddsods has featured several other multi-talented musicians including Richard ‘Doc’ Rider on guitar, euphonium and whistles, Paul Kenny on guitar, mandolin and bodhran, Michael Mahon on banjo, Louisa Davies on fiddle, and the late Mick Shaler on fiddle.

Members were approached by Rugby’s Wurzel Bush Folk Club to play an Oddsods reunion gig last February and Simon, Bob, Nigel and Pete agreed to form a ‘scratch’ version of the band but under a new name – The Boys of Ball Hill. They also played a few warm-up numbers together during the January Sly Old Dogs session and went down a storm at both events.

Also Chair of CVFolk, Pete Willow said ‘We had a great time at the Wurzel Bush and couldn’t resist the opportunity to play a home-town gig at the Albany Theatre. It’s basically a fund-raiser for CVFolk’s campaign to ensure that folk music has a high profile in the City of Culture celebrations.’

The concert also features one of the Wurzel Bush residents, singer-guitarist Craig Sunderland and a return appearance by local duo Poacher’s Pocket who got a great response when they performed at CVFolk’s debut Albany Theatre show last October.

The music starts at 4pm and admission is free although there will be a jug collection for banknotes!

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24th January 2019

Celebration concert for Kev and Joe

CVFolk presents an afternoon of first-class folk from top international stars  Dempsey and Broughton.

Coventry’s world-renowned guitarist Kevin Dempsey celebrates 20 years of collaboration with highly acclaimed fiddle and mandolin-player Joe Broughton with a free admission concert in Kevin’s home city at the Albany Theatre.

The two ace musicians appear in the theatre’s Studio, Albany Road, on the afternoon of Sunday 10^th March, winding up a storming tour of the UK. The music starts at 4pm. There’s no need to book tickets although the audience will be asked to contribute to a ‘jug collection’ during the show.

Since their first duo gig, Kevin and Joe have performed extensively together across 20 countries and released three albums. Their unrivalled musicianship, impromptu banter, and a spectacular high-energy stage shows never fail to impress. Their songs and instrumentals are rooted in ‘folk’ music but draw on sounds and styles from across the globe.

When they first met, Kevin had already made a name for himself as a founder member of Whippersnapper and Dando Shaft, and his worldwide appearances with artists as diverse as Percy Sledge, The Marvelettes, Alice Coltrane, and more recently Dave Swarbrick and Mary Black. He is currently playing some gigs with former Pentangle singer Jacqui McShee.

Joe was a member of leading UK folk line-up The Albion Band and is now the driving force of The Urban Folk Quartet and the powerful Conservatoire Folk Ensemble based at Birmingham City University.

The duo continues to reunite for annual summer fiddle/ guitar workshops and, when their schedules allow, live shows. Their current spring tour features a broad mix of material from across their career, along with new songs (mooted for their fourth album), and a few last-minute surprises.

‘It really doesn’t seem 20 years since Kevin and I first began playing together! Time really flies when we’re on stage … and off stage too it seems,’ laughs Joe. ‘I always look forward to our annual reunions – Kevin is one of the UK’s best acoustic guitarists and the shows are a joy to play.’

Says Kevin: ‘I can still remember the day I was first introduced to Joe, then a young musician whose reputation was growing. We really hit it off. His reputation has grown further since those early days and playing together is always great fun – for us and the audience.’

The Albany Theatre concert also features two popular local line-ups, Willow & Tool Band and Paper Circus. Doors open at 3.30pm. The show is one of a series of monthly events at the Theatre organised by campaign group CVFolk, formed to raise awareness of the high standard of folk music and dance to be found in Coventry and Warwickshire and to ensure a strong profile for the local folk scene during Coventry’s City of Culture celebration in 2021.

Says CVFolk chairman Pete Willow, ‘our monthly Sunday afternoon shows in the Studio are proving very popular with audiences of all ages and it’s a very special treat for us to be able to present such a high-quality act.

‘It’s a fabulous friendly venue but early arrival is recommended for the best seats!’

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5th January 2019

Tune up and turn up – the Studio is in Session

CVFolk stages a Sunday afternoon ‘Mega-Session’ of authentic back-room folk music.

The backbone of the folk scene – the music session – takes centre stage at the Albany Theatre Studio on Sunday 13th January.

Armed with fiddles, flutes, squeezeboxes, guitars, mandolins, banjos, bodhrans, bouzoukis and anything else melodious, musicians aged from 8 to 80 are expected to take part in a couple of lively hours of impromptu tune sets, starting at 4pm.

Experienced session performers from across the county have been invited to take part and participants will include members of the talented promoters of Irish traditional music Coventry Comhaltas and former members of The Oddsods,  melodeon-player Simon Lapworth and multi-instrumentalist Bob Brooker.

Led by tin whistle expert, Jarlath Mulhern, Comhaltas hosts instrument workshops and sessions for children and adults every Tuesday evening at the Hearsall Inn, Craven Street, Coventry.

This won’t be the first gathering of session musicians at the Albany. A lively and enjoyable performance was given by an all-star group of musicians led by Bob Brooker, and recorder and whistle maestro Ewan Cameron to wind up CVFolk’s public consultation event last June – see pictures below. Participants included acclaimed Moscow-born singer-songwriter Daria Kulesh, Warwick University folk society musicians Alan Brunier and Rowan Kodratoff, and local artists Mick Bisiker, Nigel Ward, Dan Gascoigne, Sarah Bennett, Amelia Gascoigne-Roberts and Laurel McIntosh.

CVFolk presents an event on the second Sunday afternoon of each month, focusing on different aspects of folk and the wide range of folk activity in the area as part of its campaign to give prominence to the local folk scene during Coventry’s City of Culture celebrations. Admission is free but there is a jug collection (preferably for paper money!).

Forthcoming events include a focus on folk-blues with special guest Jack Blackman on February 10th, and a rare local duo performance by guitar and fiddle virtuosos Kevin Dempsey & Joe Broughton on March 10th.

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11th December 2018

In comes Christmas, courtesy of Coventry Mummers

Coventry’s guardians of three local mummers plays, bring them out for a festive airing.

This Friday 14^th December, sees the start of this year’s tour of Christmas Mummers plays when a motley group of car park and bar-room thespians perform the Harborough Magna play in various Warwickshire pubs.

Like most mummers plays, this was originally performed by members of the local community and includes the ritual elements of death and rebirth. The 10-minute performance features the characters of Father Christmas, Prince George, a Turkish Knight, the Knight’s mother Moll Finney, a Doctor, Humpty Jack and Beelzebub.

Collected from a former member of the Harborough Magna cast, Arthur Skeet, its current version has been toured every Christmas since 1978. You can witness the spectacle at The Raven, Broad Street, Brinklow (8pm), The Golden Lion, Easenhall (8.30pm), The Old Lion, Harborough Magna (9.30pm and the Denbigh Arms, Monks Kirby at 10pm, followed by a lively music session.

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The Doctor at the Stoneleigh Play calls on his assistant to administer the cure.

A similar but extended variation of the script is performed as the Newbold-on-Avon Christmas Play on Sunday 16th December. Residents of Pantolf Place, Newbold will be roused by the sound of Father Christmas’s bell at 10.30am, with follow-up performances in a front garden on Newbold Road (11am), St.Botolph’s Church (11.25am), Manor House Close (12.15pm) and the Barley Mow public house at 1pm.

Published in 1899 in the journal of the Folk Lore Society, the play is mentioned in the David Lodge novel, Small World and was revived by the Coventry Mummers in 1976.

Boxing Day sees another morning and lunchtime tour when the famous Stoneleigh Play does the rounds of Ashow and Stoneleigh villages. Published in 1925 by local historian Mary Dormer Harris, the play was revived by the Mummers in 1975 and has been performed in the village ever since.

Following six performances at local addresses throughout the morning, the play is staged in the middle of the road outside the Stoneleigh Village Club, at 1.15pm, where a large crowd gathers for this much-loved festive ritual.

More dramatic scenes from Stoneleigh.

For further information on the Coventry Mummers and their activities throughout the year, visit their website.

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1st December 2018

Meet some inspired songsmiths for an afternoon of lyrical entertainment.

Bill Bates and Daisybell form part of a local songwriters’ show of music and humour in Coventry’s Albany Theatre Studio.

On Sunday 9^th December, this month’s CVFolk get-together in the studio is hosted by the Coventry Singer-Songwriters group.

Writer and performer of excellent comic (and serious) songs, Bill Bates is performing alongside acclaimed three-piece line-up Daisybell whose repertoire includes material written by Coventry Singer-Songwriters member and guitarist Katherine Fear.

Bill Bates

Daisybell: L-R Ginny White, Katherine Fear, Anya Fay (photo John Wright)

The afternoon also features first-rate self-penned numbers from Mike Carter-Jones plus singer and guitarist Paul Monks, whose band The JPs also comprises Jane on ukulele and vocals plus Emily on violin.

The Coventry Singer-Songwriters group was launched in 2010 when like-minded musicians got together to give each other the inspiration and motivation to write songs. They set themselves the challenge of coming up with new compositions, based upon a set theme.

They have kept up the routine of meeting in each other’s houses (or a pub) one night a month and performing their newly-crafted songs to each other. At the end of the night they vote on a new theme for the following month – it’s as simple and demanding as that.

Not everyone attends the meetings in person. Some members email their songs to the group as MP3s from across the country and, in one case, the West Coast of the USA. The group regularly release CDs of their compositions and a good selection of their creativity can be heard on Soundclick.

Hosted by harmonica-player and group founder, Jon Harrington, Sunday’s CVFolk event starts at 4pm. Admission is free although there will be a ‘jug collection’ with recommended donations of £5.

Events lined up for CVFolk’s Sunday afternoons at the Albany Theatre for 2019 include appearances by Kevin Dempsey & Joe Broughton (March 10) and Wes Finch and the Rude Mechanicals (May 12). Organisers are also putting on a ‘super-session’ on January 13, featuring many of the top session musicians of the area performing lively and impromptu sets of tunes on a wide range of instruments including fiddles, guitars, squeezeboxes and whistles.

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15th November 2018

Heavy-duty Festival puts on a Pound

CVFolk team member and leading folk multi-instrumentalist WILL POUND is the new Patron for Warwick Folk Festival.

The Warwickshire-based musical wizard takes on the role in the year that the Festival prepares for its 40th year.

Born in Rugby, brought up in Whitnash and now living in Kenilworth, Will is best known as a world-class harmonica player but is also a fine melodeon exponent.

Member of leading folk band Inlay and founder of the Will Pound Ceilidh Band, Will was brought up in the Morris tradition and is also active with Warwickshire’s Chinewrde Morris and Earlsdon Morris. He had long held an ambition to record an album celebrating the music of Morris and folk dance and last May that came to fruition when he unveiled the CD Through the Seasons – A Year in Morris and Folk Dance, with a companion live show touring the UK, featuring Benji Kirkpatrick, Inlay colleague Ross Grant (pictured) and storyteller Debs Newbold.

Festival director Dick Dixon says: ‘Will was nurtured right here in the Warwickshire folk scene and continues to contribute fully to the local music and Morris dance circuit. As the county’s leading folk event, Warwick Folk Festival is delighted and proud that he has agreed to be our Patron.’

Will has been nominated for the coveted Musician of the Year title at BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards three times. He was named Best Newcomer by Songlines Magazine in 2014 and won FATEA Magazine’s Musician of the Year title in both 2014 and 2015. He has also appeared on BBC Breakfast TV and his music has been played on Radios 2, 3 and 6 and the BBC World Service. Will also played harmonica on the Hillsborough charity single, joining a line-up of pop and football stars, on He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother which became the Christmas No 1 in 2012.

Describing himself as ‘very honoured to have been asked to become Patron’, Will says ‘I haven’t missed a Warwick Folk Festival in my lifetime and look forward to many more years to come at this brilliant festival.’

Will is set to tour the Through the Seasons show again next spring and will also be gigging once more with accordion maestro Eddy Jay. But from July 25-28, 2019 there is only one place he will be – back in his home county as he takes up his patronship of Warwick Folk Festival.

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26th October 2018

Free for all folk at festival conference

Four genre-busting bands lined up for free concert during AFO Conference in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Four exciting contemporary folk bands will be onstage for an open door concert at the Stratford Manor Hotel on Saturday November 10.

The hotel is the venue for this year’s 3-day conference for the Association of Festival Organisers but you don’t need to be a delegate to enjoy an evening of music of folk fused with a wide range of other genres.

The line-up of artists consists of:

Hadrian’s Union – five piece folk rock band from across England and Scotland who combine folk with punk, rock, blues, Celtic and Ska into a highly infectious entertaining tapestry.

Hannah Sanders & Ben Savage – taking Americana to a new level with exquisite crystal clear vocals and masterful playing on mountain dulcimer, dobro and guitar.

PerKelt – blending Eastern European mediaeval and pagan influences to create a soundscape that moves from melancholy to fast, insanely fast! The Czech/UK four-piece combine rapid fire whistles, and recorders, tribal drums, guitar and frantic fiddle with haunting vocals.

Cut Throat Francis – only formed in the summer of 2017 but have already made a good impression on the festival scene and Bristol club scene with their blend of folk, swing and upbeat Eastern European flavours. Instruments include banjo, mandolin and melodica as well as rich four-part harmonies and a thumping beat from the cajon!

The free admission concert starts at 8.30pm – just turn up from 7.30pm at the Stratford Manor, Warwick Road, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 0PY.

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23rd October 2018

Memories of Hazel provide a snapshot of the Coventry folk scene in the 1980s

The late Derek Brimstone and Dave Bennett featured in resurrected BBC documentary

A 30-minute BBC1 documentary is proving to be a treasured archive of the Coventry folk scene in 1984.

A Song For Hazel reflects on the life of Hazel Lester, an active and popular member of the city’s folk circuit in the 1970s and 80s and who died of cancer in 1983 after giving birth to her son, Adam.  Her characteristic refusal to take any medical treatment for her own illness until she knew that Adam was safely born, attracted international attention with the tabloid press in particular making front-page stories of her ‘gift of life’. The documentary was produced to provide a more in-depth view of Hazel’s life, character and impact on the folk community.

Nationally acclaimed guitarist and singer Derek Brimstone, and Coventry’s own renowned ragtime guitarist Dave Bennett – both no longer with us – are among the interviewees and performers featured in the programme. Also included are Coventry-based musicians Kevin Dempsey, Margot Buchanan, Mick Cullen, Dennis Clarke, Pete Willow, Nigel Ward and Sue Ward performing at a one-day concert staged at the former Lanchester Polytechnic in Coventry. Under the heading ‘Come Together’, the concert was organised by Pete Willow, Graham Bradshaw and John Boocock to establish a trust fund for Adam’s future.

Fiddle-player, Nigel Ward rediscovered an old VHS recording of the programme and arranged for it to be transferred to a digital format and shared on Facebook. Its publication has prompted widespread interest with fond memories not only of Hazel herself but of the youthful faces (and hairstyles!) of many of the people who formed part of the Coventry folk scene in the 1980s!

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16^th October 2018 

Concert acclaimed as ‘Storming start’ to CVFolk’s Albany Theatre programme

‘The Coventry All-Stars Folk Show’ has already earned one excellent review and many positive social media comments.

The Coventry events website Elementary What’s On praised the ‘space and ambiance’ of the venue where ‘a good audience turn-out’ was ‘treated to some of Coventry’s finest home-grown talent’.

Music was provided in the first half by Willow & Tool Band and Poacher’s Pocket, and in the second half by by singer-songwriter-guitarists Kristy Gallacher and Rob Halligan, with an impressive display of clog dancing in the interval by Nancy Sylvester. The afternoon finished with a few words of thanks and support from CVFolk’s Patron Pauline Black.

Here is a selection of photographs by John B.Smith which captured the atmosphere of the event:

 

 

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6^th October 2018 

Top quality home-grown folk music launches new monthly CVFolk concerts at the Albany Theatre.

Coventry’s nationally-renowned stars Kristy Gallacher and Rob Halligan featured in informal Sunday afternoon show.

A cross-section of Coventry’s folk music talent shares the stage at the city’s Albany Theatre this weekend.

Singer-songwriters Kristy Gallacher and Rob Halligan, multi-instrumental duo Poacher’s Pocket, and Warwickshire 4-piece Willow & Tool Band are all taking part in an informal concert in the Albany’s Studio Theatre on the corner of The Butts and Albany Road to launch a series of monthly folk events in the city centre.

Billed as ‘The Coventry All-Stars Folk Show’, the concert runs from 4pm-7pm on Sunday 14^th October. The event is part of a campaign by CVFolk, a group of local folk artists and organisers determined that folk music and dance has a high profile in the 2021 City of Culture celebrations.

The concert not only features songs performed by each act in their own right, but also a conversation between artists and with the audience to give some insight into the stories behind their material and their approach to music generally.

In addition to her own shows, Kristy Gallacher (pictured below) is a Coventry University music graduate who has gone on to play support to Ed Sheeran, Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze and Show of Hands, among others. She won the LG Arena’s singer/songwriter competition and played before Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood and John Mayer on separate nights at the Birmingham venue.

         

Rob Halligan (pictured above) has appeared at festivals and folk clubs across the country and has also had airplay on BBC1 Television, BBC Radio 2 and a host of local TV and radio stations. With a conviction to use his music to make a difference, Rob has supported the children’s charity, Global Care, visiting Bangladesh, Ethiopia and Lebanon to raise awareness and money for some of the world’s most disadvantaged children.

Poacher’s Pocket (pictured below – photo by John B.Smith) consists of Warwickshire singers and musicians Colin Squire on guitar and Campbell Perry on accordions.

         Willow & Tool Band (pictured above – photo by John Wright) features Pete Willow on guitar, John ‘Tool’ McIntosh on double-bass, Keith Eardley on harmonica, ukulele and percussion and Tool’s daughter Laurel McIntosh on flute.

Pete Willow, who is also Chair of CVFolk, sees the concert as the first step to revitalise folk music in the centre of Coventry. He says, ‘With Coventry’s huge pool of musical talent and its strong history of artists making it big on the international folk scene, it’s surprising that we only have one regular folk club within the city boundaries.

‘The Albany Theatre hosted our successful public consultation event last June and has kindly offered use of their Studio Theatre on the second Sunday of each month for folk events with a difference’, says Pete. ‘Over the year, we will present concerts, workshops, dance displays and sessions in a friendly and informal environment.  We aim to show how folk in all its formats can be accessible to all communities and age groups.’

Admission for this show is free but there will be a ‘jug collection’ for banknote contributions.

Next month’s show features young award-winning folk singer and musician Rosie Hood in concert. This will be a ticketed event starting at 7pm on Sunday November 11^th.