Club Singaround/Session Night

November 6, 2024

7:30 pm Free entry

The floor is open this evening for all of our members, followers, friends and occasional visitors to come along and play, sing, dance, watch and listen. Should be a smashing night!

Brian Burke’s album launch + Adam Cooney

October 23, 2024

Baldock Folk Club joint organiser Brian Burke will launch three CDs at a special night for the club on Wednesday October 23rd from 7pm.

Brian, who is known as the Baldock Balladeer and indeed has written 30 songs about the North Herts town, has been busy writing two new CDs over the past year and also producing a live CD from his traditional Irish Band Gor Jus Wrex which features the popular singer Dorrie Randall who passed away two years ago.

Brian said “The live double CD was recorded a few years ago in a local hostelry and is a warts and all sound that you might expect at a real Hooley night with some great musicians and singers who will be there on the night and give the second half of the set a real party feel.“

The other two CDs are very much a solo effort and encapsulate two themes close to the writer’s heart:
“Legends All“ features sixteen songs on people who have left a real mark on life and society and includes national names such as Nelson and Shackleton, sporting icons Rob Burrow Kevin Sinfield and Lily Parr and local legends such as the aforementioned Dorrie and Letchworth rugby player David “Copper“ Brown.

The final work is “The Sower“ and other religious rhymings which is a take on concepts and stories in Christianity and includes ballads on characters such as Moses , Barrabas and the Good Samaritan as well as a humorous Stanley Holloway type monologue on the Feeding of the 5000. It is basically a shout out for all who aim to lead caring lives in or out of Christian churches or chapels.

There will be a charitable aspect to the evening as raffle and collection will go to the Garden House Hospice and there is a special launch price of £5 per CD or all three for £12 .
With a host of great musicians it will hopefully be a night to remember at the Orange tree 🌳

Further Info from Brian 07768274037

Brian will be supported this evening by young troubadour Adam Cooney. Adam is an Oxfordshire based folk musician who sings songs that are honest, melodic, and often melancholic. He is sometimes compared to James Taylor, Donovan and Ralph McTell. Adam’s most recent EP “Sun in The Sky” was recorded at L Sound London and has had radio play on various outlets including Acoustic Routes, The Acoustic Café Radio Show and The Folk Club.

Camus / Tennessee Twin

October 9, 2024

7:30 pm Free entry

(Note: due to family bereavement, Tennessee Twin were unable to join us this evening. We hope to have them back soon)

We have a double header this evening with two top-class local bands for your delectation:

We’re pleased to welcome English folk band Camus to Baldock Folk Club for the first time. Camus consists of virtuoso fiddler Greg Smith, Northumbrian piper David Somerville, melodeon player and songwriter Andew Burn, and master of the bouzouki and singer songwriter Brian Cleary. Camus was founded by Greg Smith in the 1980s, and named after a village in County Galway, Ireland. They play an exciting mix of traditional folk music and their own songs and tunes, with particular influences from England, Shetland, Northumberland and Ireland. They’re noted for beautiful harmonies, inventive arrangements, moving songs and unusual compositions, and have entertained audiences in clubs, concerts, ceilidhs and festivals. They’ve also operated as a ceilidh band under the name of The Great Eastern Ceilidh Company.

Cambridge-based Tennessee Twin are a multi-award winning country music duo. Victoria and Geoff met in a recording studio in 1997. From that moment on, their musical journey took an upward trajectory, connecting them on a personal level and captivating audiences around the world.

In 2018 their song ‘Wings Of Red White & Blue’ won the British Airways/Nashville Music City song-writing competition, taking them to record in Nashville, Tennessee and their debut EP ‘Tips In A Jar’ went straight into the iTunes UK Country Chart at No.1 the following year.

Today, celebrated as a well-loved singer-songwriter duo in the UK Country and Americana world, they are driven by shared interests, inspiration, determination, and a love of performance & storytelling through music.

Performances include: C2C Country Festival at London’s O2, the British Country Music Festival at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, Cambridge Folk Festival, The West Country Music Festival, various Foodies festivals, Country on the Coast & Nashville Calling and overseas (Nashville, Denver, and Amsterdam).

Friction Farm + Twitchy Fingers

Events

September 25, 2024

7:30 pm Free entry

Modern-folk duo Friction Farm is a husband and wife team of internationally traveling troubadours. Aidan Quinn and Christine Stay combine storytelling, social commentary and humor to create songs of everyday life, local heroes, and quirky observations. From ballads to anthems each song is filled with harmony and hope.

Friction Farm’s lyrically rich, harmony-driven songs have earned them spots as Kerrville New Folk Finalists and Falcon Ridge Emerging Artists. They are winners of the South Florida Folk Festival songwriter competition, have performed as official showcase artists at Regional Folk Alliance Conferences. Friction Farm feels at home on the road and on stage. Audiences lean into their stories, laugh at their humor, are inspired to do a little good in the world, and sing along once in a while. Aidan and Christine read. A lot. Friction Farm released a CD of songs inspired by books and, although they don’t plan another, they continue to use books as a source of inspiration. In order to help promote a love of reading and promote literacy among children under age ten, Friction Farm has also written and recorded a collection of songs inspired by children’s books.

He’s from Berkeley CA, she’s from Woodstock NY. When not touring Aidan does some woodworking and Christine bakes. They have a big garden and a small orchard at the sustainable home they designed and built in South Carolina. That they bother to garden though away from home half the year tells you all you really need to know about these two. Once upon a time they had the sort of careers their parents could brag about. Aidan has a degree in geology and managed to put people first in his corporate career. Christine was once a materials engineer but much prefers studying the molecular bonds of words and music.

Twitchy Fingers are acoustic guitarists John Young and Tony Gammage. You are guaranteed a lively set of good-time country blues mixed with bluegrass and Irish tunes. John and Tony don’t believe in the word “slow” when it comes to their choice of songs and tunes, so expect a fast-paced performance with some blistering finger picking.

Harv’Fest at Wimpole Hall

September 21, 2024

The Stable Block, Wimpole Hall Estate, Cambridgeshire. SG8 0BW

11:00am Free Entry

Come and join some of Baldock Folk Club’s favourite performers at the beautiful Wimpole Hall Estate in Cambridgeshire this Saturday. We’ll be playing and singing at The Stable Block where you can sit out in the sunshine (yes, it’s going to be a lovely day!) enjoying your drinks and snacks at the coffee shop, wandering round the shops, and listening to some fine folk music. What could be lovelier? We have Greg Rose on at 11:00, Tony Clark and Karen Johnson at 11:30, Shelagh McConnell at 13:30 and Karen Macwhinnie at 14:00. Look forward to seeing you there!

Claude Bourbon + Viv Lucas

September 11, 2024

7:30 pm Free Entry

“A breathtaking acoustic fusion of blues, jazz, classical and Spanish guitar from a stunning guitar virtuoso…” Altadena News, USA”

Ready for a unique and talented take on a wide range of musical traditions? Claude Bourbon is known throughout Europe and America for amazing guitar performances that take blues, Spanish, and Middle Eastern stylings into uncharted territories.

Claude’s inimitable style incorporates all five digits on each hand dancing independently but in unison, plucking, picking and strumming at such speed and precision that his fingers often seem to melt into a blur. Thousands of people in the UK, Europe and USA have enjoyed listening to this virtuoso and for the majority of his audience it is an experience that compels them to return again and again to hear and watch him play, as his fingers lightly dance over the strings of his guitar and create a unique sound that we are greatly looking forward to hearing.

Some of this guitarists’ influences allow us a fascinating insight into this remarkable musician; Paco De Lucia: Deep Purple’s Richie Blackmore; Joaquin Rodrigo; JJ Cale; JS Bach….

Claude has played countless venues, including Glastonbury Festival, Isle of Wight Festival, Colne Great British & Blues Festival, Rock O’Z Arene, Avenches, Switzerland, among others. He has shared the stage in Europe and the USA with countless musicians, Calvin Russel, Charlie Morgan (Elton John, Gary Moore), Jan Akkerman (Focus), Steve Grossman (Miles Davis), Herbie Armstrong ( Van Morisson), Jose barrense Dias and many more.

Supporting Claude this evening is club favourite Viv Lucas. Viv always enchants with great songs, fine voice and lovely guitar playing. He performs many songs from the Neil Young song book and even Viv’s self-written songs often sound more like Neil Young than Neil Young! Viv has performed many times at the club and is also an accomplished songwriter in his own right and has produced a beautiful album of ten self-penned songs, entitled Edgelands. He has recently released a fabulous new album, Nowhere In Between.

Folk At The Tree

25th August from 2:00pm til 9pm

Folk At The Tree takes place this year at the fabulous Orange Tree, Norton Road, Baldock on bank holiday Sunday, 25th August. Come along and help us raise lots of money for the wonderful Garden House Hospice at this annual fun family day. Music from The String Section, The Tangler’s Irregulars, Kelvin Davies and Chloe Turner, and lots more to be announced. From 2pm until late. Splendid marquee, great food and the best selection of beers in Hertfordshire.

Cambridge Champagne Fringe ’24

Three morning sessions of great music accompany the iconic Cambridge Champagne Breakfast. Artists include Kelvin Davies, Beans and Biscuits, Chris Wright, Orphean Sprig and lot more. Free entry with donations to charity welcome. See the full lineup and read the full story here:

LUKE JAMES WILLIAMS / STEVE WARNER

July 17, 2024

7:30 pm Free entry

Luke James Williams is an indie-folk singer-songwriter from Cambridgeshire. After releasing his debut EP, Luke gained the support of BBC6 Music’s Tom Robinson who made ‘Still In Bed’ his 6 Music Recommends Track Of The Week. The song was also played by Lauren Laverne, Steve Lamacq & Tom Ravenscroft.

In 2022, Luke released his “outstanding” (Folk Radio) debut LP, ‘Our Blood Is Red’. As well as picking up rave reviews from publications on the indie & folk scenes, Bandcamp made the album one of their ‘New & Notable’ releases which attracted new followers around the world.

Luke has received glowing reviews for his captivating & emotive live performances & has supported artists such as Charlie Dore, Thea Gilmore and Megson. After performing at Cambridge Folk Festival, Autumn ’22 saw him head out on his first UK headline tour. He is currently working on a new album due for release in late 2024. Drawing on a wide range of musical influences Luke has crafted a unique sound, painting pictures with words & singing them in his own distinctly English voice.

Friend of the club Steve Warner plays for us this evening as part of his tour called ‘Lend us a Tenor’ – and he’ll no doubt be bringing along copious copies of the accompanying live EP called ‘frail’. This will be an evening of songs written entirely on the tenor guitar (4 strings but not a Uke). It will be a concert of story telling and songwriting that will appeal to an acoustic/folk/roots audience such as our lovely members.

USA Tribute Night with Kelly & Woolley, Chris Wright and Jim Watts

July 3, 2024

7:30 pm Free entry

Matt Kelly and Gary Woolley have been playing music together for thirteen years, their first gig being a set of Cajun songs at Ely Folk Festival. The duo have now released three CDs and played at all the major regional festivals. An evening with Matt and Gary will take you on a journey to and fro across the Atlantic with self-penned songs and well-chosen covers. Their own songs are influenced by the great wealth of songwriters drawn from USA and UK over the last fifty years, but tonight they’ll be concentrating on their American repertoire.
Matt is a multi-instrumentalist, playing viola, violin and mandolin and Gary plays guitar. They both contribute to the song writing and vocals.

Young bluegrass guitar maestro Chris Wright is one of our most booked performers at the club and has a great repertoire of songs from different eras and areas of the US. Expect Bluegrass, Dylan, Country and more. Chris has appeared at the club many times in the last few years since we first discovered his amazing talent. He’s played at clubs in Royston and Southern Maltings to name but two.

Jim Watts sings in a rich deep voice accompanied by smooth picking on his vintage Gibson and Levin Guitars. Jim has performed extensively around the UK and in France, playing at all kinds of venues and festivals, and we’re lucky enough to have heard him play here at Baldock Folk Club several times before.
He has a wide eclectic repertoire of Blues ,Folk and Country with songs drawn from Robert Johnson through to Townes Van Zandt.

THURSDAY’S BAND + AMERICANO

June 19, 2024

7:30 pm Free entry

There’s a bit of folk, a dash of country, a touch of Spanish, a cajun flourish, even a whisper of rock with Cambridge-based Thursday’s Band. And a healthy dose of classical, when virtuoso strings start to soar over locked-down guitars. The songs are mostly written by the various band members, but the band also has a repertoire of tunes, set against occasional covers of favourite songs.

The band consists of: Mark Gamon – guitar, voice; Matt Kelly – fiddle, mandolin, viola, voice; Rhys Wilson – guitar, voice; David Cammish – bass.

We are delighted to welcome back to the club acoustic duo, Americano. Consisting of local musicians Viv Lucas and Al Hewson, they perform tributes to the songs of Neil Young and Johnny Cash.

Viv Lucas, has been performing his Southern Man homage to Neil Young since 2007 and club members may know him as the inspiration behind our annual Folk round the Tree summer festival, being a tireless fundraiser for MND. Viv is a singer-songwriter with two albums of his own songs under his belt. vivlucas.com

Al Hewson’s varied musical career has seen him found and front a string of hard-working concert bands and collaborate with many award winning national and international musicians. He has performed on national radio and at festivals up and down the country, and he’s been singing standards and lesser-known numbers from the Man In Black’s extensive back catalogue for almost 50 years, performing both solo as John E Cash and with Americano.

CHRISTINA ALDEN & ALEX PATTERSON + THE STRING SECTION

June 5, 2024

7:30 pm Free entry

Christina Alden & Alex Patterson are multi-instrumentalists and songwriters from East Anglia. Their music is rich with intertwining harmony, sensitive accomplished musicianship and a creative song-writing style that is both delicate and moving. Deeply inspired by the world around them, they have a keen environmental eye to craft stories with the natural world at its heart, reflecting on the relationship between humans and the wild.

They have toured extensively in the UK and Europe, including a twenty-three-date concert hall tour with Show of Hands (including Union Chapel and St David’s Hall Cardiff), a show at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall for Celtic Connections, headline and main stage performances at some of the UK’s most prestigious folk festivals, and performances in Norway, Belgium, France and Ireland. They have written and self-released four albums, composed music for a BBC Radio 4 documentary series and have had over a million streams on Spotify.

‘A bright, lively collection of songs that plays so sweetly it evokes the sensation of a summer folk festival’ – The Guardian
‘A milestone for contemporary folk songwriting’ – Bright Young Folk
‘Gorgeous harmonies and lush melodies’ – BBC Countryfile

The String Section are a toe-tappin’ trio from Cambridge who blend violin, mandolin, guitar and vocals in a genuinely trans-Atlantic style. Regulars on the acoustic scene, their skill on their respective instruments is infectious. The trio play a lively mix of traditional, modern and self-penned fiddle tunes, folk, country, blues and Americana. They performed at the 2019 Cambridge Folk Festival, the 2021 Ely Folk Festival and have been featured on BBC radio and Cambridge 105.

BOO HEWERDINE + RHYS WILSON

May 22, 2024

7:30 pm £14.00

Boo Hewerdine is an English singer-songwriter and record producer. His work includes lead singer and creative force behind The Bible, formed in the 1980s, and reformed in 1994, as well as solo recordings and work for film. He has also produced records by several artists, and has been described as “one of Britain’s most consistently accomplished songwriters”. Indeed, one of his most famous songs, “Patience of Angels” earned him a nomination for the Ivor Novello Award in 1995.

Brit Award winning, former Fairground Attraction singer (and Scottish national treasure) Eddi Reader (MBE) is perhaps the artist Boo Hewerdine is most regularly associated with, as a songwriter, musician and producer. As well as the international success they enjoyed together with “Patience of Angels”, Boo also produced Reader’s “Sings the Songs of Robert Burns” in 2003, an album now viewed as a folk classic.

In a 2009 review of his album God Bless the Pretty Things, the BBC described Hewerdine as “one of Britain’s most consistently accomplished songwriters”. Nick Coleman of The Independent on Sunday described him as “one of the best songwriters we have”, and The Birmingham Evening Mail called him “one of the country’s finest lyricists”.

Rhys Wilson has been writing songs and playing guitar since his teens and currently plays at many venues in and around the Cambridge area. Rhys has played at the club on his own and also as part of the popular Thursday’s Band and we’re delighted to welcome him back.

Tickets, £14 each, can be reserved by emailing baldockfolkclub@gmail.com.

ODETTE MICHELL + JOHN WARD TRIO

May 15, 2024

7:30 pm

Odette Michell is an award-winning British singer-songwriter, guitarist and bouzouki player with rich foothold in the folk tradition. A dynamic live performer, Odette has performed alongside the likes of Show of Hands and Seth Lakeman, and has opened for folk legends Martin Carthy, Phil Beer, Boo Hewerdine, Nancy Kerr, Reg Meuross and BBC R2 Folk Award nominees Ninebarrow amongst others.

Born in Yorkshire with an Irish heritage, Odette grew up in a musical household and first picked up the guitar at fifteen. Inspired by the resurgence of folk and acoustic songwriters at the time, she began writing her own songs when she was just sixteen years old. Growing up in the vibrant city of Cambridge allowed Odette to take advantage of the many stages and performance venues there, including two early club stage appearances at the Cambridge Folk Festival – her first appearance there being when she was just 22 years old. Having been recently based on a rural 18th century dairy farm in the English countryside, Odette draws on these rich influences and life experience and weaves them together to form the basis of many of her songs.

In January 2020 Odette won Female Artist Of The Year at the FATEA Awards, following in the footsteps of previous winners Kitty Macfarlane and Cara Dillon; and in May 2020 Odette was nominated for a Rising Star Award at the 2020 Folking Awards. In January 2021 Odette was invited to perform at Celtic Connections as part of the legendary Danny Kyle Open Stage.

John Ward has achieved an excellent reputation as a writer of powerful, thought-provoking and witty songs that draw upon his life in a gritty port town, his wider travels in the world, and often capture the spirit of the times.

John performs in folk clubs, festivals and theatres across the UK and beyond, mainly with wife, Lynne, and band mate, Les Woodley, as the imaginatively titled John Ward Trio! This line-up delivers powerful 3-part harmonies, with acoustic guitar, bodhran, harmonica, double bass, mandolin, accordion and recorder to bring a fuller sound to John’s excellent songs.

The Trio also draws on its wider repertoire of traditional and contemporary folk tunes and songs, many of them suited to communal singing. The Trio’s performances are authentic and heartfelt, engaging audiences with their choice of material, thoughtful arrangements, versatility and humour, not to mention John’s blistering bodhran solos, which all blend to delight and entertain folk audiences in intimate venues and bigger stages alike.

BASS & TAYLOR, PETER CROSSLEY, CLARK & JOHNSON, PETER AND JANE

May 8, 2024

7:30 pm Free entry.

We have a jam-packed session this evening with four outstanding local acts – the very best of folk music from Hertfordshire, Essex and Suffolk. We welcome three duos who are playing at Baldock Folk Club for the first time, and one of our favourite solo performers who is fast becoming a stalwart of the club:

Bass & Taylor consists of duo Anna Bass and Ray Taylor.

The couple have been together both romantically and musically since 2009, and live in the North Essex village of Great Bardfield. Both have dabbled in music for most of their lives and most recently were part of the touring folk band Two Coats Colder. From the end of 2020 the couple reverted back to being a duo and now perform at folk clubs, festivals and house concerts up and down the country.

Bass & Taylor perform a good mix of self penned songs plus some better known favourites by artists such as Karine Polwart, Joan Baez, Mike Silver, Anthony John Clarke and Kate Rusby. In their spare time Anna rides horses and they both build and exhibit model railways (well someone has to).

Peter Crossley is Hertford-based and displays impressive skills in singing, playing guitar and fiddle, and songwriting. His debut album, Rags to Riches, has been warmly-received with several radio plays. Peter has a powerful voice and a commanding presence – he wowed us all when he played at the club last year – and we’re looking forward to welcoming him back to Baldock.

Clark & Johnson entertain audiences in Hertfordshire and surrounding counties at festivals, clubs, and open gardens with an eclectic mix of covers and originals. Their highly entertaining and relaxed on-stage presence draws you into the beauty of Karen’s voice and the skill of Tony’s string-plucking. They convey warmth and humour in contemporary folk and country songs about life and death, family and love. Their covers are imaginatively arranged, and their original songs are catchy, poetic, and highly singable.

Peter and Jane are a folk duo from Suffolk playing original and traditional songs and tunes on a range of instruments, including Scottish small pipes. They’ve played as support act for Jackie Oates at Ely Folk Club and often perform within the Bury St Edmunds folk community including the Bury Folk Festival, Folk Collective and Milkmaid.

ST GEORGE’S DAY SPECIAL WITH BARRY GOODMAN, PHIL HEWETT & SEDBUSKERS

April 24, 2024

7:30 pm

Free entry

Barry Goodman is a quintessentially English folk singer and performer, with a wealth of beautiful old traditional songs and some great stories to match! A long-time friend of the club, Barry has been involved in the folk music scene for the past fifty years! Expect dramatic, melodic, lyrical and funny songs from the English tradition as well as some of his own compositions and songs from other writers, accompanied by melodeon, concertina or guitar, and sometimes not accompanied at all!

Another artist well-known to club regulars is Phil Hewett. Phil has played at folk clubs and events for over 50 years. His music is an eclectic mix of English folk and American blues, traditional and self penned often inspired by local stories and legends. He is a superb guitarist and songwriter and has been a regular and very popular performer at Baldock Folk Club for many years.

Sedbuskers, sometimes known as the Bullenbush Band duo, are songwriters Ian and Sue Bembridge. “The Lady in the Lake” is their first album as the Sedbuskers, with the pair contributing to Bullenbush Band albums since 1987 and Ian launching a solo album in 2006.

Sedbuskers have performed all over the UK, from the ‘Old Profanity Showboat’ in Bristol Harbour to the main stage for the launch of the ‘Tour de France 2014’ in Hawes, North Yorkshire. They are equally at home in small folk clubs or performing on open-air festival stages.

Please note, in the event Sheri Kershaw was unable to attend and Lizzie Hardingham took her place.

SHERI KERSHAW / LINDA MOYLAN

April 10, 2024

7:30 pm

Free entry

Hailing originally from Canada, Sheri Kershaw has lived and worked in England for all of her professional life, achieving fame in the ‘Eighties singing and playing alongside her then-husband Nik Kershaw. Sheri is a prolific songwriter in her own right and her styles have varied over the years, spanning the musical styles of jazz and blues and Americana.

She was influenced strongly by songwriters such as Joni Mitchel and James Taylor and jazz greats Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan. Working through the years with some of the most eminent and talented professional musicians in the country such as Robbie Gladwell and Mick Hansen, Sheri has been playing for many years now with her well-established trio comprising electric guitarist Martyn Hewitt and bassist Chris Brimley. Sheri has three albums under her belt and a fourth on the way and we are greatly looking forward to her debut appearance at the club.

Co-headlining this evening is London-Irish folk singer Linda Moylan who returns for a third visit to the club. A natural songwriter and storyteller, Linda’s earthy and beautiful voice intertwines with moving, relatable narratives. Drawing comparisons to Kirsty MacColl and Natalie Merchant, her unique musical blend adds an enchanting Irish troubadour twist. Dive into her evocative sound and let your spirit be stirred.

In 2020 Linda released a duet with the late, great folk legend Julie Felix – recorded and released just before the sad loss of Julie. Linda’s second full album ‘The Merchant’, released in 2021, has a distinctly folk flavour and was produced by English folk royalty in the form of Show Of Hands’ Phil Beer. The album is a reflection of folk life today from the working class streets of London – a perspective that Linda is at home in and an authentic narrator of. It garnered some great reviews and plenty of airplay – including from several BBC shows.

KELVIN DAVIES AND CHLOE TURNER + DnA

March 27, 2024

7:30 pm

Free entry

After many visits to Baldock Folk Club, Blues guitar maestro Kelvin Davies returns with a new collaboration: Kelvin has paired up with singer guitarist Chloe Turner and we’re delighted to have them come play at the club on what will be one of their first outings as a duo.

Kelvin and Chloe play fabulous duets of country blues and Appalachian standards – think Carter Family among other Old Time/Bluegrass classics. We can’t wait to hear their arrangements!

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Dave Oxley and Ali Cossor played an impromptu set at the club last year and totally captivated the audience with their gorgeous harmonies. Now they’ve given themselves a proper name, “DnA” and are returning with an expanded repertoire and we can’t wait to hear what they’ve got in store for us! Dave (vocals) & Ali (vocals and keyboard) began their musical collaboration as members of local five-piece band, Sky West. As a duo they focus on the duet, relishing the opportunity to develop a more subtle and intimate blend of two voices. Expect some well-loved but re-imagined covers, with a sprinkling of original songs – and lots of harmonies!

ST PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATION

March 13, 2024

As you would expect, we’ll have a full complement of top-class Irish music to celebrate St Patrick’s Day. Come and join us for a belting night of songs and tunes from the Emerald Isle.

NORTH SEA GAS + ORPHEAN SPRIG

February 28, 2024

7:30 pm

We are delighted to welcome the renowned “North Sea Gas” to Baldock Folk Club!

Over thirty-nine years and stronger than ever, North Sea Gas is one of Scotland’s most popular folk bands with great vocals and tremendous three part harmonies. Guitars, Mandolin, Fiddle, Bouzouki, Harmonica, Whistles, Bodhrans, Banjo and good humour are all part of the entertainment. They have received Gold and Silver Disc awards from the Scottish Music Industry Association and regularly have sold out shows at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and around the world!

They have released 22 albums with “Hearth & Homeland” being the most recent and are constantly adding new material to their shows. One of their previous albums, “The Fire and the Passion of Scotland, was “Album of the Year” at Celtic Radio in the U.S., winning first place in the “Jigs and Reels” category as well for the set of tunes on the album. All of their previous albums continue to be very popular with fans all over the world evidenced by the Scottish Music Industry Association gold and silver awards for: “Dark Island,” “Lochanside,” “Glencoe Massacre,” “Edinburgh Toon,” “Rosslyn,” “Tak A Dram Afore Ye Go,” and “The Fire and the Passion of Scotland.”

Their show, and their albums, consist of traditional, contemporary and self-penned material put together, in a style all their own, along with their humor and story-telling. This proves popular during their regular tours of Scotland, America, Canada, Germany, Austria, Estonia, Turkey, and many other destinations both in and outside of their home in Scotland. Every year there are appearances on TV and Radio on both sides of the Atlantic including “Late Night Saturday,” “Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour,” and “Song of the Mountains” shown on select PBS (Public Broadcasting Service) TV stations in the U.S.

Originally crossing paths in the session scene of Cambridge, Orphean Sprig are an instrumental folk band with a shared passion for the traditional music of Scotland. Comprising a guitar, three fiddles, and occasional viola, they explore arrangements of traditional, contemporary, and self-penned tunes, creating a rich texture and original sound. As a nod to their beginnings, they like to include an element of spontaneity in performances, a characteristic of the sessions in which they met. Their debut EP ‘Wandering’ was released in summer 2023.

DARIA KULESH + ALL MY TRIALS

February 14, 2024

Daria Kulesh has been described by Mike Harding as “one of the finest voices and one of the most intriguing and interesting songwriters on the present folk scene”. Her debut release Eternal Child was described as “phenomenal”, her second album Long Lost Home has enjoyed rave reviews and multiple awards, including LCM Album of the Year, the third album Earthly Delights was named “one of the year’s finest albums” by Folk Radio UK, and her latest studio release EVE is “a terrific collection from the heart that reminds what a singular talent she is”, according to FATEA Magazine.

Daria has toured extensively in the UK and Europe, sharing stories and songs that are deeply personal but feel universal and timeless. Every performance is an “emotional, compelling and uplifiting experience”, leaving the audiences “completely spellbound”. Born in Russia but based in the UK for the last 15 years, she fearlessly explores her heritage and turbulent family history in Ingushetia (North Caucasus) with songs that “aren’t just sung, but lived”.

All My Trials is a collaboration led by Joe Hillman (vocals & guitar) and Michael Matthews (double bass).

Their 14-year musical relationship has spawned indie-folk songs and gentle ballads telling tall tales about rivers and seas, horses and butterflies, smuggling and poorly-designed civil engineering projects…

They have spent 2023 writing and recording new material, introducing themselves to the folk clubs of Hertfordshire, and ending the year with a headline show at Four Rivers in Hertford. They start 2024 newly signed to Tonotopic Records.

ELIZABETH AND JAMESON + ADAM COONEY

January 31, 2024

Hannah Elizabeth and Griff Jameson have joined forces to create a stunning indie folk-roots sound which encompasses both their individual musical backgrounds of traditional folk and folk pop/rock. Together, Elizabeth & Jameson offer original songs rich in emotive storytelling and a harmony-driven sound with guitar, violin and exquisite vocals.

Previous festival and concert highlights for the duo include performances at Cambridge Folk Festival and the Great British Folk Festival where they won the Audience Choice Award, they were also proud to support Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra as part of their 2019 Autumn/Winter tour. This year the duo have a busy festival season, including return visits to Milton Keynes International Festival, Ventnor Fringe Festival and The Willow Festival. They will also make their debut performance at The British Country Music Festival at Blackpool Winter Gardens this autumn!

Elizabeth & Jameson released their debut album Northern Shores & Stories in 2020, and their newest EP Dead Ends & Hand Me Downs was released in Autumn 2022 alongside a tour of live dates around the UK. Plans for 2023-4 include the writing and recording of new material for their second studio album, and a busy schedule of live dates to showcase their new music far and wide.

Adam Cooney is an Oxfordshire based folk musician who sings songs that are honest, melodic, and often melancholic. He is sometimes compared to James Taylor, Donovan and Ralph McTell. Adam’s most recent EP “Sun in The Sky” was recorded at L Sound London and has had radio play on various outlets including Acoustic Routes, The Acoustic Café Radio Show and The Folk Club.

Gigs in 2023 include Alvechurch Acoustic Routes, Red Lion Folk Club (supporting The Lost Trades), Banbury Folk Club (supporting Milton Hide), Birch and Stock Folk Club (supporting Lauren South) and The Unicorn Theatre (supporting Charlie Dore).

“Music fuelled by kindling and balls of scrunched up newspaper” (The Folkroom)
“…the sound of a true songwriter” (Tony Birch – Fatea)
“Beguiling vocals, intricate guitar & sweetly melancholic songs” (Kontra Roots)

Doors open at 7:00pm; Music kicks off at 7:30; Free entry; please bring cash for the hat and the raffle.

TONY’S BIG BIRTHDAY PARTY

January 17, 2024

We kick off our 2024 programme tonight with a birthday party! Our club co-organiser Tony Gammage will be celebrating his “significant” birthday with some great guest musicians. Everyone welcome, and there will be nibbles and cake too!

Joining Tony this evening will be Americana-influenced finger-picker extraordinaire Chris Wright, and wonderful acoustic folk/blues performer and club favourite Phil Hewett. Returning to the club after a long absence, we welcome country blues trio ‘8 til Late’ (Richard Journet, Martin May and our very own Tony Gammage). We also have John Young and Frank Corr with some fine Irish-influenced ballads, and our co-organiser and brilliant sound man Greg Rose will be performing a couple of well-chosen songs.

Last but not least, ‘Twitchy Fingers’ (John Young and Tony Gammage) will be giving it their all with some lively bluegrass numbers.

All proceeds tonight from the hat and raffle will be donated to The Stroke Association, so do bring some cash for both.

CHRISTMAS PARTY WITH ROBIN CAMPBELL’S CELTIC MASHUP

December 20, 2023

Our legendary Christmas Party takes place on December 20th and features the amazing Robin Campbell’s Celtic MashUp, among other festive singers and players and lots of party fun! Everyone welcome to come and join us. Free entry.

Robin Campbell – Scottish singer, guitarist, songwriter born Glasgow 20th May 1948 has been on a long and winding road via different genres, but Robin has always stayed true to his Celtic roots.

“Robin Campbell’s Celtic MashUp was formed in 2020 during the covid pandemic. There are hard core members in the band but, like the songs, we creatively introduce different players from a basic Celtic MashUp duo, Robin and Matt Waters on fiddle, to the full MashUp band. Now add a few musical friends and it’s a MashUp / JamUp as we call it. You suddenly become a Masher if you ever play with Celtic MashUp.

Our mashups are creative blends of songs or feats with instrumental traditional music producing high energy rhythms of various genres with jigs and reels from the Celtic Nations.

Don’t be surprised to find Lady Madonna with The Atholl Highlanders or Dennis Murphy riding Shotgun with George Ezra and we also do keep to the traditional originals on many songs !

Expect the unexpected at our gigs and we promise you a real shindig – Slàinte!”

ST ANDREW’S DAY SPECIAL WITH HAMISH CURRIE + PAT CRILLY + KEVIN JOHNSON

December 6, 2023

7:30 pm

Free entry

Hurray! The infectiously fun and talented Hamish Currie is returning to play for us in this special Scottish night to celebrate St Andrew’s day. Here’s Hamish in his own words:

“Hamish loves the folk scene in all its variety – ‘cos it’s fun. The participation, the interaction, the spontaneity: the total “live” performance thing.

Having appeared as the guest artist at clubs from Cumbria to Sussex and featured at festivals from Yorkshire to Dorset, he is equally at home in a small, intimate acoustic setting with whites-of-the-eyes contact right up to bigger stages with audiences in hundreds and thousands. “Seeing them floundering about in all those little coloured sugary balls is such a hoot” he says. (Okay, so he’s never actually played to thousands. But that’s not going to stand in the way of a fantastic joke about cake decorations.) Meanwhile, back at the profile… communication is what it’s all about. Whether it’s putting over the drama of a traditional ballad or setting up a rousing chorus, the audience is always an integral part of the performance.

He doesn’t like to mention his self-deprecating sense of humour. “Because”, he says, “it’s not very good.”

Originally from the east coast of Scotland, folk music was always part of the landscape. But it was on moving south half a lifetime ago and discovering English folk music that his performing really took off. His repertoire is now taken from the traditions on both sides of the border, laced with some original and contemporary material. And fun. And cake decorations.”

And there’s more Scottish music to add even more warmth and excitement to the evening. In a late addition to this awesome all-Scottish line-up we have the mighty Pat Crilly who’ll be giving us a few well-chosen songs from north of the border, along with maybe one or two of his own compositions in the Scottish vernacular. Plus, we’ll have our Shetland-born-and-raised friend, Kevin Johnson, whose wonderful voice and playing you’ll remember from when he played at this same event last year.

You really won’t want to miss this night as we have everything you could possibly want, all primed and ready to go. Hoots Maun! Free entry, but please bring some cash (Scottish notes accepted!) for the hat and the raffle.

BRIAN’S BIRTHDAY HOOLEY

November 22, 2023

7:30 pm

Free entry – RSVP

Brian Burke’s Birthday Hooley Nov 22nd …Hosted by himself ( what could possibly go wrong lol ) … when I asked him he said birthdays should be a surprise so this will certainly be one for all our audience and organisers but it will include top class musicians, singers, dancers and a night of Craic and fun ..,, O yes and also launching not one but four CDs!

Everybody welcome with free entry. Please let us know you’re coming so that we can organise things accordingly. Call or text Tony on 07990 530778.

JOE TOPPING + Vic Lennard

November 8, 2023

7:30 pm

Free entry

Joe Topping is a singer-songwriter and multi instrumentalist from Merseyside whose literate songwriting and accomplished guitar playing regularly moves listeners to tears and whose charismatic stage presence and engaging stories have entertained audiences all over the country and abroad, including live sessions on Radio 2, ITV television, The National Film Awards, a showcase at SXSW in Texas and touring all across Europe.

He has played on stage and in the studio with many legends of the British folk scene including members of Fairport Convention, While and Matthews, Andy Irvine and toured as stand in lead vocalist in the BBC2 award winning “Best live Act” Home Service.

Joe was also a member of the legendary Ashley Hutching’s Rainbow Chasers and guitarist for British Country Music Hall of Fame inductee, Charlie Landsborough’s touring band and is a member of festival favourites Elbow Jane.

Joe’s adventurous spirit has also seen him living in a pickup truck for the best part of a year in North America and also walking 1400 miles from Chicago to New Orleans with a guitar on his back! Joe reached the Semifinals of ITV’s The Voice in 2021 and was described by Sir Tom Jones as “a Weaver of Dreams!”.

Vic Lennard writes with a passion about everyday topics that listeners relate to, with playing styles that have been compared to a number of classic acoustic guitarists such as Paul Simon, James Taylor and John Martyn. He covers songs by artists as diverse as Marc Cohn and Coldplay, with intriguing back stories accompanying each song.

JEZ LOWE + THAT BLUE PATCH

October 25, 2023

7:30 pm

Tickets

£ 12.00

A double nomination in the 2015 BBC Folk Awards – for best singer and best new song – was a timely reminder of Jez Lowe’s standing in the UK folk and acoustic music scene. Not only he is one of the busiest live performers in the country, but his songs are among the most widely sung by other performers, whether by long-established acts like Fairport Convention, The Dubliners and Bob Fox, or by the new breed of stars like The Unthanks, The Young Uns, Megson and The Duhks.

Jez’s own long-established band The Bad Pennies (featuring Kate Bramley, Andy May and David De La Haye) continue to attract a huge following, and his other collaborations with The Pitmen Poets (with Billy Mitchell, Bob Fox and Benny Graham), The Broonzies (alongside fellow-veterans Maggie Holland, Chris Parkinson and Roger Wilson), Men at Words (with James Keelaghan and Archie Fisher) and with fellow-songwriter Steve Tilston, show a willingness to push boundaries and venture boldly into pastures new.

Meanwhile, his involvement in the award-winning BBC series The Radio Ballads continues, with his song The Wrong Bus singled out for inclusion on Radio 4’s Pick of the Year in 2018, and five more of his contributions included in the BBC Radio broadcast featuring the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra in November 2019. Many of these songs also featured on his 2016 solo album, The Ballad Beyond, the success of which prompted a feature in fRoots magazine and glowing reviews the world over.

Jez’s latest solo album, “Crazy Pagan”, is his first for six years, and was recorded during the lockdown of 2020. Twelve new songs, with Jez playing all the instruments and doing all the vocal work, this new CD is a solo album in every sense. Hopefully, we’ll get to hear some of the album when he comes to play for us, and no doubt there will be an opportunity to get your hands on some CDs. Email baldockfolkclub@gmail.com for tickets.

That Blue Patch is an entertaining semi-acoustic duo featuring Guitar, Ukulele, Irish Bouzouki, Banjo, Voice, Saxophone, Melodica, Accordion and Percussion – not all played at the same time! They play cover versions of a real variety of songs from the 1920s to the present day, and also write and perform their own songs.

“Two people, a lot of instruments and a quirky take on songs old and new”.

STELLA HENSLEY’S MAGICAL AMIGOS feat. CHRIS NEWMAN + CHRIS WRIGHT

October 11, 2023

7:30 pm

Free entry

We are delighted to have Stella Hensley’s amazing five-piece band playing for us tonight! Bluesy songstress Stella brings her Magical Amigos to Baldock. Heartfelt original songs with a twist of folk, jazz and blues featuring some truly outstanding musicians: guitarist Chris Newman, Myke Clifford on Sax, flute and vocals, keyboard wizard Art Toper and Malek Hyde Smith on percussion.

Stella Hensley is a powerful singer songwriter with a smoky, sultry, velvet voice and an engaging stage presence. Often compared to Stevie Nicks and Alison Moyet, she trained at the Academy Of Live and Recorded Arts in Wandsworth, studying Acting, Film and Radio. Stella has worked with Mark Shaw (Then Jericho), and with Ricki Wilde, and has also worked as a session singer. She was the opening artist for Uriah Heep at The Shepherds Bush Empire at the Magicians Birthday Party Tour.

Chris Newman has an extensive musical CV having worked with The Climax Blues Band and then going on to form The Mississippi Houndogs with Climax front man Colin Cooper and featuring Pick Withers (Dire Straits) and Roger Innis (Chaka Khan) and Terry Butters (Sutherland Bros). Chris composes music for Film, TV and Radio and is the UK demonstrator for Collings Guitars and Kudos Mimesis pickups by Mike Vanden.

Stella and Chris have toured extensively for many years and between them have recorded eight albums and guested on many others. Their live performances are regularly enhanced with the addition of some truly outstanding musicians, and tonight will be no exception!

We also welcome the return of one of our favourite guitar players, Chris Wright. If you haven’t already seen Chris at one of our festivals or our club nights at The Orange Tree, you’ll be astounded by his

CHRIS FOX + KAREN MACWHINNIE & FRIENDS

September 27, 2023

7:30 pm

Free entry

A genre-defying Folk troubadour, Chris made rapid progress through the UK folk and roots scene with his song writing, with a variety of styles across the roots lexicon of traditional & contemporary folk, Americana, Country and Blues. Chris is no stranger to Baldock Folk Club, having played here many times and our audience is always enthralled by his rich vocals, complex guitar playing, and loop pedal alchemy. His naturally laid back, unostentatious style creates the perfect ambience for an intimate and inclusive live experience drawing listeners in with tales of both the everyday and the unexpected.

Born and raised in Cambridgeshire, Chris cut his teeth playing for pints in local drinking establishments along the river Great Ouse in 2014. Fast forward to an award-winning singer songwriter, Chris has performed at Folk Festivals, Clubs and Theatres in the UK as a Headliner, in Double Bills and as support for major acts on the UK Folk Scene. Runner up in the Bury St Edmunds song competition he went on to win the Sheringham Showcase to open for Fairport Convention at Folk on The Pier 2018 and the Lichfield Folk Festival song writing competition 2019. Chris has played Cambridge Folk festival 3 times including a packed out set in The Den.

Now playing headline gigs, Chris supports some of the greats including Peter Knights Gigspanner Trio, Peter Knight & John Spiers, Jim Moray, Trials of Cato, Boo Hewerdine, Lucy Ward, Grannies Attic, Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman, Edwina Hayes and Ange Hardy. Chris released his first studio album ‘From the Shadows’ and the single ‘Bird of Paradise’ in 2019. Both were well received. In September of 2022 Chris released his second studio album ‘In Plain Sight’ to critical acclaim.

We are delighted to welcome back to the club Karen Macwhinnie, who wowed the audience with her incredible voice when she and the band played here last year. Originally from Scotland, but long-based in Cambridgeshire, Karen has spent years singing Americana Country, jazz, folk and blues, and has a love of songs with a heartfelt narrative which she delivers in a powerful and sensitive vocal style. As luck would have it, Karen’s favourite songs are shared with Matt Kelly and Gary Woolley who have played together as duo Kelly and Woolley for twelve years. Singer songwriter Gary Woolley draws inspiration from the English folk tradition and the wealth of North American singer songwriters. Matt Kelly is a multi-instrumentalist and song writer who plays in several orchestras and bands, including Thursday’s Band.
Together the trio deliver fine renditions of well-known songs with beautiful arrangements and fine harmonies.

HARV’FEST AT WIMPOLE HALL

September 16, 2023

10:30 am

Wimpole Hall

Free entry – see conditions

Wimpole Hall, Cambridgeshire.

Baldock Folk Club is hosting a day of live music at the Wimpole Estate Harv’Fest Festival. Free entry.

Organised by Greg Rose, the BFC Harv’Fest session includes:

Morning session – 11-12 – Kelly & Woolley and Greg Rose
Afternoon session – 1.30-2.30. – Kaszak & Afifi and Phil Hewett

The music will be held in the Stables Block on the Wimpole Estate which has a café, and toilets.

FREE ENTRY – Anyone wishing to come along to Harv’Fest on 16th can get free entry to the Wimpole Hall estate as long as they give their names to Greg by emailing greg_fieldfare@hotmail.com or texting 07785328097 by Thursday 14th September.

STEVE WARNER + LAURA DANNAN + ABBEY THOMAS

September 13, 2023

7:30 pm

Free entry

With a musical heritage of playing bass guitar in 90’s rock bands, Steve discovered folk music later in life and by stumbling into a folk session at his local pub (Kimpton), he felt immediately at home with this community. The storytelling song writing and the energy and passion of fellow musicians playing together was something that lit a spark within that has never left him.

Doing the hard yards of folk sessions, floor spots, open mics, support slots, busking, pub gigs, coffee shops, wine bars and playing on London underground, Steve slowly developed his song writing skills and learned how to play in front of crowd (who rarely listened) but always clapped politely. Eventually the gigs got bigger and crowd less rowdy with support slots at Cambridge folk club, Hitchin folk club, Redbourn folk club, Watford folk club, Royston folk club and appearances at Ely folk festival, Balstock, Kimpton Folk Festival and the Great British folk festival.

Working closely with producer Dan Wilde at Gladeside Recordings and multi musician/arranger Phil Sheldrake at Vicarage studios on two EP’s and recently released album ‘The Corran Ferry’ Steve has had radio play on BBC Cambridge, BBC Essex, BBC 3Counties, Cambridge 105 and a host of internet based international stations (America, Australia, Canada) with the Invisible Folk club, Blues and Roots. Short listed two years in a row for Folk and Roots International song writing contest, as well as Watford Folk club song writing competition.

Laura Dannan is a singer songwriter from St Albans. She loves writing songs and her unique style & quirky insights into subjects such as having a midlife crisis, being addicted to chocolate, and a love of romantic stories, makes for entertaining listening. When she’s not writing songs Laura enjoys playing the drums and has a highly regarded drummer series on YouTube called Drum Quest where she chats to top players in the industry. She has interviewed some of the best, including Steve Gadd, Simon Philips, Steve White, Richard Bailey & Andy Gangadeen to name a few. She is also founder and host of The Flying Squirrels Club that promotes local singer songwriters & original artists.

Growing up in the far corner of Cornwall, Abbey Thomas had to travel far and wide to
find the music she loved. She soon bought a mandolin and began to focus on American
folk genres including bluegrass and old-time music, and now her mandolin playing is
confident with a rich tone, and a style heavily inspired by the likes of John Reischman
and Joe K Walsh. Mandolin in hand, she performs regularly with multiple bluegrass
bands including Blue Lass, Old Baby Mackerel, and Flats and Sharps. Abbey also loves
exploring British folk music, enjoying learning new tunes on the mandolin and
melodeon, singing unaccompanied traditional ballads, and drawing attention to
feminism through traditional music. Abbey’s performances are dynamic and varied,
including a mixture of traditional and contemporary music alongside original pieces
often inspired by the nature where she grew up.

FOLK ROUND THE TREE FOR MND

August 27, 2023

at The Orange Tree, Baldock. SG7 5AW. 1:30 pm til late

Free entry – donations welcome

Yes, we’re doing it all again this year on Sunday, 27th August, to raise as much as we can for the Motor Neuron Disease Association which supports those afflicted by this terrible scourge. We’ll start outdoors at 1:30pm with great music all afternoon finishing at around 7:30pm. Appearing will be Chris Wright, A Fin, Phil Hewett, the Tangler’s Irregulars. More performers to be confirmed. And in the evening, the great riotous sound of Skimmington Ride will be playing inside. So get the date in your diary, and don’t even think of doing anything else on this August Bank Holiday Sunday!

Here’s a taster of what to expect – last year’s event!

Bonus Night! July 26th at The Orange Tree. 7:30pm

This one’s for those who just can’t get through the summer without an extra dose of Baldock Folk Club medicine! We’ve added a bonus night on Wednesday, July 26th which we’re sure you’ll enjoy.

As with all our evenings, this will be full of variety and fun. Most of the first half will be dedicated to floor sports from our regular performers and anyone wishing to perform please contact us as soon as possible so we can book you a slot. email us now.

Our showcase act for the evening features legendary button accordion player Eugene Teevan, well known in trad circles of Luton, London and the Emerald Isle for his great dexterity and passionate performances. Eugene will be joined by London fiddler Sophie McIlwain. And Brian Burke will be there to accompany them and sing the odd song. There may be a few others dropping in on their way to the Cambridge Folk Festival so expect a different and very special night!

Hope to see you there. 7:00pm for 7:30pm. Admission free. Bring cash for raffle and hat collection.

JACK BLACKMAN + LINDA MOYLAN

July 19, 2023

7:30 pm

Free entry

Jack has established himself in the UK touring scene over the last couple of years as a solo artist, and has been praised and supported by the likes of ‘Whispering’ Bob Harris. As well as constantly working live shows around the UK, he has performed in the Mississippi Delta in the USA after being spun by Bob Harris. He has supported artists as diverse as Tony Joe White, Martin Simpson, Paul Jones and the Blues Band and Dave Swarbrick (Fairport Convention).

He also helps run and support “Street Arts Project” with Nigel Clark (singer/songwriter with Dodgy), supporting the homeless and vulnerable of Stratford-upon-Avon through songwriting and recording music projects.

Gigs last year include: The Electric Picnic Festival in West Ireland, Edge of the World Festival in Wales, Moseley Folk Festival, Lakefest, Moira Furnace Folk Festival and supports with Ginger Wildheart, Martin Carthy and Willy Porter. And now, he’s adding Baldock Folk Club to this illustrious list!

Regulars will remember seeing Linda play a marvellous set at the club last year. We are so pleased to welcome her back. Irish-born, London-raised Linda Moylan is a singer, songwriter, poet and story finder who skilfully blends the traditions of Celtic narrative, smoky folk and contemporary blues. Her songs speak hauntingly of life experienced and truly felt. Linda cites an eclectic mix of musical influences such as Sandy Denny, Nina Simone and Leonard Cohen. Linda will be singing songs from her second album ‘The Merchant’ which has been produced by Phil Beer (Show Of Hands / Albion Band etc) and has been getting plenty of airplay (including several from the BBC) and has had some great reviews.

July 5, 2023

Canada Night with Viv Lucas and Rhys Wilson

7:30 pm

Free entry

Tonight is dedicated to Canada and features many of the songs of two of her most famous songwriters. Viv Lucas performs many songs by Neil Young and even his self-written songs often sound more like Neil Young than Neil Young!

Master Canadian songwriter Gordon Lightfoot is represented this evening by Rhys Wilson, who has been writing songs and playing guitar since his teens and currently plays at many venues in and around the Cambridge area. Rhys recently played at the club as part of the popular Thursday’s Band and we’re delighted to welcome him back.

We’ll also have a couple of floor spots from our own Greg Rose and Tony Gammage. Sure to be a great night so do come along!

AMERICANA SPECIAL WITH TWITCHY FINGERS AND THE SHAWNEE MOUNTAIN BOYS

June 21, 2023

7:30 pm

Free entry

The Shawnee Mountain Boys are Brian Burke and Dave Stacey. Brian (bazouki and Mandolin) and Dave (banjo) will be performing a mix of old-timey American influenced songs as well as some of Brian’s self-penned ballads.

And there’s more! Irishmen Frank Corr and John Young are joining forces for the first time to play a few Irish-influenced ballads and tunes.

And there’s even more! “For one night only”, Shelagh McConnell will join Frank, John and Tony, combining their musical talents to perform a set of classic Old Time and Country songs.

And that’s not all! Brian, Dave, Frank, Shelagh, John and Tony will take to the stage at the end of the night to bring the show to a rousing finale.

Never before has there been a night like this. Come along and join in with this foot-tappin’, thigh-slappin’ extravaganza! Yeah ha!

Emily Slade + Kelly & Woolley

June 7, 2023

Emily Slade is one of Britain’s foremost female fingerstyle guitarists. Emily took up the acoustic guitar at the age of nine, making her stage debut that same year. At eighteen, Emily studied English and Education at Cambridge University. During her final year she launched her record label ‘Rustic Thorn Records’ to release a limited edition EP called ‘Small Talk’. Her debut album, ‘Shire Boy’, followed, gaining a BBC Radio 2 Horizon Award nomination for best newcomer. Emily took to the road, promoting the album by travelling internationally, carving out a staggering reputation amongst fellow musicians and support at grassroots level from the audiences at her concerts.

The partnership between her intricate guitar playing and enchanting vocals are rarely found in one person, making Emily an enthralling performer. She is a woman quite clearly at ease with her audience. Her winning personality and presence have endeared her to audiences on both sides of the Atlantic.

Kelly and Woolley are an acoustic duo who hail from Bury St Edmunds and Cambridge respectively. They sing songs and play tunes from a wide variety of styles, but particularly Cajun, folk, bluegrass and country. They have been playing together for ten years and perform regularly in venues and at Festivals across the region. They will be opening at The Ely Folk Festival this year, having won the festival’s Best Band competion.
Matt Kelly is a multi instrumentalist and plays in a number of orchestras as well as Thursday’s Band.
Gary Woolley co-ran Salisbury Folk Club in the 90s and since moving to Cambridge to work at The Junction in 1994 he has played regularly at the Mayflower and Cambridge folk clubs. Their recently-released album, The Cuckoo Tree, has been receiving hugely positive reviews.

Drywood + A Fin + Bunyan’s Oak

May 24, 2023

7:30 pm

Free entry

Phil Underwood and Denise Dryburgh are DryWood, a husband and wife duo singing lively and heartfelt original and traditional songs. They operate a pair of traditional canal boats and their songs celebrate the heritage of the English Canals, the English Folk Tradition and are spiced up with a pinch of Americana, Blues and Cajun.

Phil is a highly experienced International award winning musician and singer/songwriter with many music, CD, TV and theatre credits to his name. He has performed in the British Isles, Europe, the Middle East and the US. He trained for the stage with the National Theatre’s War Horse production and performed at Wembley with musician and comedian Bill Bailey, plus folk music appearances on BBC Songs of Praise, Breakfast TV and Robson Green’s Tales of the Coast. He was a member of the famous Fishwives shanty ensemble.

Denise started singing as a teenager in a successful all girl group DeLorelei and subsequently made her name on the folk circuit as a fine and powerful folk singer and session leader. She toured folk clubs and festivals with harmony group The Morning After.

À Fin are Joe, Mike and Troy, an indie-folk trio (guitar, upright bass and percussion) featuring Joe Hillman who, in various guises, has played nearly every pub in Baldock, mainly thanks to the Balstock Festival. The band tell tales about rivers and seas, horses and butterflies, smuggling and poorly designed civil engineering projects…

As A Fin, they played the Royston Music Festival in 2021 and 2022, and they recently played at Pat Crilly’s Four Rivers Folk Club.

Expect floor spots including some songs from our friends Bunyan’s Oak.

BALDOCK FESTIVAL WITH PAT CRILLY + BRIAN BURKE

May 17, 2023

7:30 pm

Free entry

We are delighted to welcome Pat Crilly back to the club. One of the best live performers on the local scene, Pat is a superb songwriter and a talented singer and instrumentalist. Born in Ireland, raised in Scotland, living in England, Pat spent 12 years in Norway and writes songs about places and folks he’s met in his life from Cork to the Congo and Norway to Nova Scotia. Playing his original brand of bluesy folk, mostly in DADGAD tuning, he loves performing and songwriting, and it shows.

“A great live act , Pat reminds me of Roger Chapman and Feargal Sharkey mixed with Peter Gabriel , songs in that vein too. Quirky, bluesy, and deep as Loch water”, Get Rhythm Magazine.

Seasick Steve commented “This guy’s good!” after hearing Pat at London’s 12 Bar Club.

Our own Brian Burke will be fleshing out the evening with his infectious singing and playing. Another highly prolific and talented songwriter, Brian plays bazouki, mandolin and harmonica, and is a gifted all-round entertainer.

BALDOCK FESTIVAL WITH BROOKS WILLIAMS + CHRIS WRIGHT

May 10, 2023

7:30 pm

£ 10.00

Cambridge, UK-based, Statesboro, Georgia US-born guitarist singer and songwriter Brooks Williams is admired by both listeners and fellow musicians, and has been a leading light on the acoustic music scene for three decades. “He was playing Americana before it had been given the name” (CMP).

Brooks Williams’ guitar skills are evident as he effortlessly slides in and out of folk, blues and country with a jazz player’s adroitness. It comes as no surprise he is listed in the Top 100 Acoustic Guitarists. But he wraps that guitar playing around songs with rich narratives about gold prospectors, guitar players, motorcycle riders, golden palominos and ne’er-do-wells, and sings them with a voice you ‘melt into.’

Brooks has released a staggering 31 recordings in 32 years for labels like Green Linnet Records, Solid Air Records, Signature Sounds and Reveal, including Work My Claim, which Blues Matters calls “a career-defining statement, an important legacy, and a lifetime achievement.”

Never one to shy away from the road, the list of venues and festivals Brooks Williams has played is staggering: Newport, Winnipeg. Cropredy. Cambridge, Philadelphia, are but a few of many. Alongside his solo shows, Brooks Williams regularly performs with a host of fellow-musicians. One such collaboration is with fiddler Aaron Catlow. Their critically acclaimed 2021 instrumental album, Ghost Owl, was short-listed Instrumental Album Of The Year by Fatea. Their new project is a recording of songs and is called Ready For The Times (2022).

Brooks Williams is “quite simply one of the most unassuming, natural performers on the circuit, and his easy, relaxed manner conceals the greatest level of true expertise.” (Fatea)

Supporting Brooks this evening is one of our favourite guitar players, Chris Wright. If you haven’t already seen Chris at one of our festivals throughout the summer, or our club nights at The Orange Tree, you’ll be astounded by his prowess, but equally charmed by his choice of bluegrass, country and blues numbers. He also has a fine singing voice and is fast becoming a great all-round entertainer.

Tickets are £10.00 each. Available on the door, or, to be sure of your place, in advance from Tony 07990 530778 or email baldockfolkclub@gmail.com

ST GEORGE’S DAY SPECIAL WITH ODETTE MICHELL + THE STRING SECTION

April 26, 2023

7:30 pm

Free entry

Odette Michell is an award-winning British singer-songwriter, guitarist and bouzouki player with rich foothold in the folk tradition.

A dynamic live performer, Odette has performed alongside the likes of Show of Hands and Seth Lakeman, and has opened for folk legends Martin Carthy, Phil Beer, Boo Hewerdine, Nancy Kerr, Reg Meuross and BBC R2 Folk Award nominees Ninebarrow amongst others. Odette’s highly anticipated second studio album is due for release in early 2023.

The String Section is a Cambridge based trio of musicians – Denise Neapolitan, fiddle and vocals; Mike Thompson, guitar and vocals; and Philip Rundall, mandolin, guitar and vocals. They play traditional and bluegrass fiddle tunes and songs from the country, blues, and Americana genres. Recently the trio has begun to include several original fiddle tunes, written by both Denise and Philip.

Denise is a US born classically trained violinist who fell in love with folk music and eventually caught the bluegrass bug. Mike, also originally from the US, is an ‘old rocker’ who now mostly plays acoustic guitar. Philip was a founder member and lead guitarist of two popular Cambridge bands from the last century, The Backyard Band and Free Agents. In 2012 he began to study acoustic bluegrass flatpicking guitar and this led him to the mandolin, which is now his main instrument. The trio performs regularly, mainly in folk clubs and in 2019 played at the Cambridge Folk Festival and the Ely Folk Festival in 2021.

DEN MILLER + COLIN FRID & SIMON DENNIS

April 12, 2023

7:30 pm

Free entry

Strong melodies, catchy sing-along choruses and intelligent lyrics are the trademark of songs composed and performed by singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Den Miller. Den is an engaging and entertaining live performer, delivering his music and his message with clarity, energy and a good deal of humour.

His latest album “Join All The Dots” presents a quirky outlook on modern life’s issues and challenges, including relationships, parenting, war and terrorism. Den shares an unusual viewpoint that entertains and is thought-provoking, to make connections between situations and events that seem to be unconnected.

During his performances you can expect songs “from wildly comic to deeply poignant”, backed by guitar, keyboard, harmonica, autoharp and, often, the audience. “An experience not to be missed.”

Colin Frid and Simon Dennis join us for the first time as a duo. Their repertoire includes many iconic British pop songs of the ‘Sixties including some Beatles favourites. Whilst Colin and Simon are both great singers in their own right, their harmony singing is something to behold, and their guitar playing is no less impressive.

BOXWOOD CHESSMEN + BARRY GOODMAN

March 29, 2023

7:30 pm

Free Entry

The Boxwood Chessmen are a semi-acoustic, four piece band from East Anglia and Middlesex, raiding a fabulous musical pantry stocked with the finest roots ingredients – Folk, Americana, Angliana, hokum and a light dusting of swing all delivered with panache and fun ….. Pretty much anything goes into the pot. “We call it Gloriana.”

Barry Goodman is a great friend of the club and has been involved in the folk music scene for the past fifty years! Barry sings songs from the English tradition as well as some of his own compositions and songs from other writers, accompanied by melodeon, concertina or guitar, and sometimes not accompanied at all!

THE DEVINES + Pat Crilly & Peter Crossley + Brian Burke & Friends

March 15, 2023

7:30 pm

Free Entry

Come and celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day with the wonderful London Irish band The Devines.

John, Joe and Caz Devine are three members of the same musical Family, with roots firmly planted in the Irish musical tradition, playing traditional Irish dance music, mixed with original and contemporary arrangements of Irish songs, on an inspired mix of instruments, including Uilleann Pipes, Banjo and Saxophone.

The Devines have been touring since 2011 and made history when they were amongst the first musicians to ever perform Irish music at a Royal reception in Buckingham Palace. They have produced three studio albums and an EP since conception in 2009.

Pat Crilly is always in demand around Saint Patrick’s Day with his repertoire of classic Irish songs, deftly played and strongly sung! Get Rhythm Magazine stated “A great live act , Pat reminds me of Roger Chapman and Feargal Sharkey mixed with Peter Gabriel” and Seasick Steve commented “This guy’s good!” after hearing Pat at London’s 12 Bar Club.” (That last quote may have related to Pat’s other, non-Irish repertoire, but you can’t let an endorsement like that pass!)

Our own Brian Burke will be bringing his lively bazouki, mandolin and harmonica playing, not forgetting his enthusiastic singing to the party, and expect some more special guests adding to the Irish craic and great music!

LOCAL HEROES NIGHT WITH VIV LUCAS, PETER CROSSLEY, PHIL HEWETT AND JIM WATTS

March 1, 2023

7:30 pm

Free Entry

Sadly, we’ve had to cancel our St David’s Day show featuring Mair Thomas due to unforseen events. However, we’ve taken the opportunity to gather together some of the amazing local talent we’re blessed with here in the Hertfordshire area.

Four fabulous Hertfordshire performers will be entertaining us (clockwise from top left): Peter Crossley, Jim Watts, Viv Lucas, Phil Hewett.

Peter Crossley is Hertford-based and displays impressive skills in singing, playing guitar and fiddle, and songwriting. His debut album, Rags to Riches, has been well-received with several radio plays. Peter has a powerful voice and a commanding presence – he wowed us all when he played at the club last year – and we’re looking forward to welcoming him back to Baldock.

Viv Lucas has performed many times at the club and is one of our very favourite artists. He performs many songs by Neil Young in an eerily similar voice and some say he often sounds more like Neil Young than Neil Young! But Viv is also an accomplished songwriter in his own right and has produced a beautiful album of ten self-penned songs, entitled Edgelands.

Phil Hewett is a much loved and respected singer song writer in the eastern region. His work ranges from superb self penned local songs such as his lament for the River Beane, and blues and old time melodies superbly played on guitar with masterful dexterity with some English trad thrown in for good measure
Not to be missed!

ROSWELL + THE TANGLERS

Sadly, Roswell could not appear due to illness.

February 15, 2023

7:30 pm

Free Entry

Roswell are Zoe Wren and Jasmine Watkiss, two harmony-obsessed multi-instrumentalists who formed a duo after an impromptu open mic in Ely, Cambridgeshire in 2018. “We didn’t imagine that in less than two years we would have won Purbeck Rising 2018 and the Fatea EP of the Year Award 2019 with our debut EP ‘Remedy’. “

With their genre-mixing Indie, Folk and Americana music, they have supported John Smith and Gilmore & Roberts, and played main stage shows at many folk festivals including Purbeck Valley Folk Festival, Wimborne Minster, and Fête de la Musique in Geneva, Switzerland.

Their second EP ‘Come Home’, produced by Dan Wilde, was released in February 2020, with the tour including sold-out shows at Green Note, The Stables in Milton Keynes, The Big Comfy Bookshop in Coventry and The Shelley Theatre in Bournemouth.

The Tangler’s Irregulars, in the shape of Brian Burke, Frank Corr and Shelagh McConnell, will be supporting Roswell with an Americana-influenced set of great songs, including one or two singalongs to get the audience’s voices warmed up!

KELVIN DAVIES + CUT THE MUSTARD

February 1, 2023

7:30 pm

Free Entry

A traditional country blues and ragtime musician, with a British folk vibe. Keeping the style and music of some of the great bluesmen from the 1920’s – 1940’s alive and strong, by opening new and old ears to a style almost forgotten. Kelvin is an amazingly accomplished guitarist and writes many of the songs himself in the same country blues style. A great favourite of the club, we’re excited to welcome him back.

Cut the Mustard are Martin Kaszak and Dave Oxley. An eclectic, bluesy duo with their own distinctive style, including some vintage ragtime – infectious music that makes you want to tap your toes and shake that thing! Dave and Martin have rich, powerful voic

KEITH PEARSON BAND + VIC LENNARD

January 18, 2023

7:30 pm

Free Entry

Get ready for some Americana and Country Music coming to the club courtesy of The Keith Pearson band.

The band evolved from bluegrass ensemble Coup de Grass and it’s strength lies in its original material and beautiful harmonies. With Phil Milner on bass, J.B. on guitar/synth guitar, banjo/synth banjo, bouzouki; Nigel Fear on pedal steel and Andrew Martin on cajon they have an expanding repertoire of great material.

Vic Lennard writes with a passion about everyday topics that listeners relate to, with playing
styles that have been compared to a number of classic acoustic guitarists such as Paul Simon,
James Taylor and John Martyn. He covers songs by artists as diverse as Marc Cohn and
Coldplay, with intriguing back stories accompanying each song.

We also have an appearance by singer songwriter Laura Dannan who’ll be kicking the evening off. So a full programme of great music guaranteed!

NEW TALENT SHOWCASE

January 4, 2023

7:30 pm

Free Entry

The line-up on the night differed from that advertised due to illnesses. Here are pics of the artists who did appear: Chris Wright and David & Andrew.

We’re kicking off the new year by celebrating the myriad of fresh young talent on our doorstep. Tonight we’ve brought together three performers making their first appearance at the club. Adam Cooney is an Oxfordshire based singer-songwriter who describes what he does as “wholesome folk music high in antioxidants”! Mahogany Tales writes beautiful songs and sings with a passion. And David and Andrew from Cambridge entertain and entrance in equal measure with their banjo, guitar, great voices and songs, both raucous and tender. Also joining us this evening is young virtuoso guitarist and singer, Christ Wright, who has played at the club a number of times, and is becoming a firm favourite.

CHRISTMAS PARTY – AN EVENING OF MUSIC HALL AND COMEDY WITH MATTHEW CRAMPTON

December 21, 2022

7:30 pm

Free Entry

Come and join us for our famous Christmas Party! This year we welcome Matthew Crampton who’ll be entertaining us with his music hall themed show for the first half of the evening, and we’ll be having floor spots and singalongs with club regulars for the rest of the fun-packed festive shindig!

Matthew Crampton is a singer, storyteller and writer. Tonight he brings his lighter side, performing music hall, variety and comic songs, plus some traditional folk songs and monologues. Expect lots of chorus singalong and bad jokes. There will also be ‘festive elements’ and bizarre mash-ups. (You have been warned).

‘An enchanting evening of songs, monologues, and jokes. When blessed with the charm and personality of Matthew, one can get away with most things.’ Hector Gilchrist reviewing Matthew Crampton at Sidmouth Festival

Matthew’s more serious work includes co-adapting The Transports, which he toured twice with a folk supergroup including Faustus, The Young’uns and Nancy Kerr. He has played many festivals with words&music shows such as Human Cargo and Living By The Sea. Matthew has written books on subjects as diverse as Hebridean fishing, slavery and making sweets. Previous careers include being a speechwriter, dramaturg, masseur and finance director. matthewcrampton.com

Barry Goodman’s Barfront Guizers + Viv Lucas and Alan Hewson

December 14, 2022

7:30 pm

Free Entry

Barry Goodman returns to the club with his famous Mummers Play. Meet father Christmas as you have never seen him before! See St George fight the Turkish Knight! Marvel as the Doctor brings St George back to life! Barry and his Mummers return once again for this popular Xmas special.

Guesting with The Guizers tonight will be club favourites Viv Lucas and Alan Hewson. An evening not to be missed!

Robin Campbell’s Celtic MashUp + Tangler’s Irregulars

November 30, 2022

7:30 pm

Free Entry

An evening of Scotland-inspired music to celebrate Saint Andrew’s day. Featuring Robin Campbell’s Celtic MashUp. Along with other selected Scottish-themed artists celebrating the wonderful music from north of the border. It’s bound to be a cracking night!

Robin Campbell – Scottish singer, guitarist, songwriter born Glasgow 20th May 1948 has been on a long and winding road via different genres, but Robin has always stayed true to his Celtic roots. He is the vocal / guitarist in local group Celtic Krystal with Krystal Munn on Fiddle long established in 2009.

Our mashups are creative blends of songs or feats with instrumental traditional music producing high energy rhythms of various genres with jigs and reels from the Celtic Nations.

Don’t be surprised to find Lady Madonna with The Atholl Highlanders or Dennis Murphy riding Shotgun with George Ezra and we also do keep to the traditional originals on many songs !

Expect the unexpected at our gigs and we promise you a real shindig – Slàinte!”

In addition to Robin and his MashUp, we’ll be having more Scottish songs and tunes from The Tangler’s Irregulars (Brian Burke, Shelagh McConnell and Frank Corr) and we’re delighted to welcome newcomer to the club, hailing originally from Shetland, talented singer/songwriter, Kevin Johnson. So, altogether a right guid celebration of Scottish music and craic!

LIZZY HARDINGHAM + RHYS WILSON

Our next amazing club night, on November 16, features the wonderful Indomitable folk musician and ornate songstress, Lizzy Hardingham, who is paving her way as a powerhouse performer with “beautifully delivered songs that sing straight to the heart”. Lizzy will be playing songs from her acclaimed new album ‘How did we get here’.

Lizzy will be supported by Rhys Wilson who’s been writing songs and playing guitar since his teens and currently plays at many venues in and around the Cambridge area.

Janice Burns & Jon Doran

November 2nd, 2022

We’re thrilled to host, all the way from Newcastle, the amazing up-and-coming duo of Janice Burns and Jon Doran. Janice and Jon play beautiful original arrangements of traditional folk songs with rich and sweet harmonies and sensitive musical accompaniment on guitar, bazouki and mandolin.

Since meeting in 2017, the duo have gone from strength to strength with recent performances at the likes of Sage Gateshead, Cambridge Folk Festival, and Edinburgh Tradfest. Their self-titled EP was released in 2020 to overwhelmingly positive feedback, including airplay on BBC Radio 2. Janice & Jon’s upcoming album, set for release on 28th October 2022, brings together songs that have survived through the ages, shapeshifting and adapting to changing environments as they’ve been passed from singer to singer. Exploring man’s relationship with nature, love and loss, these are songs with an enduring resonance.

“They play lovely strings, they have gorgeous harmony arrangements. Really well crafted, intimate, beautifully understated.” – Karine Polwart

We’re looking forward to hearing lots of material from their new album including their new single ‘False True Love’.

Supporting Jancie and Jon on the 2nd is one of our favourite guitar players, Chris Wright. If you haven’t already seen Chris at one of our festivals throughout the summer, you’ll be astounded by his prowess, but equally charmed by his choice of bluegrass, country and blues numbers.

Another wonderful night not to be missed. We recommend you book your seats in advance for this one. Email us at baldockfolkclub@gmail.com to reserve tickets, £10 each.

Chris Fox + Karen Macwhinnie & Friends

October 19, 2022

7:30 pm, Free Entry

Chris Fox is an award-winning singer songwriter who has played a variety of stages from Dorset to The Western Isles, and from intimate 10-seater venues to a packed out set in the Den at Cambridge Folk Festival 2019. Making rapid progress through the UK folk and roots scene with his songwriting, vocals and mastery of the loop pedal, he won the Lichfield Folk Festival song writing competition in 2019. Genre-defying and hard to pigeonhole, his perceptive lyrics reflect overlooked stories in everyday life. He underpins his lyrics with a variety of musical styles ranging the roots lexicon of folk, blues, country and Americana. A modern-day troubadour, his new album ‘In Plain Sight’ has recently been released and has already received rave reviews from all the major folk and roots writers.

‘A fresh new talent on the Cambridge scene. This guy is relentless: he just keeps writing songs and they are all great!’ – Sue Marchant, BBC Radio Cambridgeshire. Learn more about Chris here.

Karen Macwhinnie has spent years singing Americana Country, jazz, folk and blues, she has a love of songs with a heartfelt narrative which she delivers in a powerful and sensitive vocal style. As luck would have it, Karen’s favourite songs are shared with Matt Kelly and Gary Woolley who have played together as duo Kelly and Woolley for twelve years. Singer songwriter Gary Woolley draws inspiration from the English folk tradition and the wealth of North American singer songwriters. Matt Kelly is a multi-instrumentalist and song writer who plays in several orchestras and bands, including Thursday’s Band. He can also be found joining John Meed for gigs and recordings.
Together the trio deliver fine renditions of well-known songs with beautiful arrangements and stunning harmonies.

October 5, 2022

Sarah Munro + Steve Warner

7:30 pm

Free Entry

Sarah’sachievements include her latest single being featured on BBC 1’s Holby City, and her music being championed by Jo Whiley, Jamie Cullum and Don Black on their BBC Radio 2 shows. She’s performed headline sets at Cheltenham Jazz Festival, Cambridge Folk Festival and Cornbury Festival, following a 24-date UK tour supporting Paul Carrack at prestigious venues, including the London Palladium. Sarah has released 2 albums of original music ‘Say Hello To You’ and ‘Angel Road’ – her 3rd album ‘The Memory Book’ will be released in late 2022. Sarah’s pure, songbird-like voice (reminiscent of Eva Cassidy) paired with her soaring melodies and story-telling lyrics makes for a wonderful evening of music.“There’s some real raw talent here… Expecting big things from her in the future!”Jamie Cullum, BBC Radio 2

Writing, composing and performing in folk and acoustic venues across the country. Steve Warner is an accomplished singer and songwriter performing his own compositions as well as well chosen covers. Steve is a great favourite at the club and we’re delighted to welcome him back.

Elizabeth and Jameson + Colin Frid and Simon Dennis

(NOTE: Colin and Simon were unable to play due to illness. Stepping in on the night we had Brian Burke and Adrian Hall)

September 21, 2022

7:30 pm

Free Entry

We are delighted to welcome back to the club the award-winning duo, Elizabeth and Jameson. Hannah Elizabeth and Griff Jameson are two rising stars of the UK acoustic music scene who have joined forces to create an indie-folk sound which encompasses both their individual musical backgrounds. Hannah’s influences are firmly planted in traditional folk-roots, whilst Griff has formed his musical reputation within folk pop/rock genres. Together as a duo Elizabeth & Jameson offers the best of both backgrounds. www.elizabethandjemeson.co.uk

SAUL ROSE & MACLAINE COLSTON + BARRY GOODMAN

September 7, 2022

7:30 pm

Free Entry

Saul Rose and Maclaine Colston met while in the ground breaking Kings of Calicutt with Eliza Carthy. With their unusual combination of melodeon and hammered dulcimer, the duo released their acclaimed first album Sand and Soil in 2009. The album received several award nominations and one of its tracks ended up on the 2010 Folk Awards album due to Saul’s nomination for Musician of the Year.

https://maclainecolstonsaulrose.bandcamp.com/releases Click here to listen to the album.

Saul Rose continues to be a ubiquitous force on the folk scene (Faustus, Wayward, Transports, War Horse). Maclaine Colston’s performances include The Lord of the Rings soundtrack concerts with the LPO at the Royal Albert Hall and session work including the BBC Secret Life of Plants.

After all the postponements of the last 18 months Mac and Saul managed a mini-tour out in September 2021 culminating in a live broadcast on Radio 3’s In Tune with Katie Dereham before finishing at Cecil Sharp House. They are playing Chippenham and Whitby Folk Festivals in 2022.

Barry Goodman is a great friend of the club and has been involved in the folk music scene for the past fifty years! Barry sings songs from the English tradition as well as some of his own compositions and songs from other writers, accompanied by melodeon, concertina or guitar, and sometimes not accompanied at all!

Balstock 2022!

September 9th, 2022

We had a great time at the annual Balstock festival on Friday, 9th September when Baldock Folk Club provided the music for the Folk Stage at The Cock in the High Street. Featuring Brian Burke’s Baldock Ballads, Chris Wright, Viv Lucas, The Tanger’s Irregulars and Robin Campbell’s Celtic Mash Up. Stars of the show were the audience who sang and danced along and made it a wonderful evening.

Folk Round the Tree

August 28, 2022

1:30 pm

The Orange Tree, Norton Road, Baldock. SG7 5AW.

Free Entry

Over 8 great acts. Free admission. Serious raffle! A fun day for all the family in the lovely garden of The Orange Tree, Baldock. Last year we raised over £700 for MND (Motor Neuron Disease), so come along and help raise even more this year!

Joe Quinn + Guests

July 27, 2022

7:30 pm

Free Entry

An Extra Club Night which will headline our old friend singer songwriter Joe Quinn who is en route to appear at Cambridge Folk Festival. Joe is based around Loch Lomond where he runs a very successful weekly show on Facebook … The Doghouse Sessions … He has a wealth of great material both traditional and original with a great stage presence. There will be further support from seasoned songsmiths Stewart Murdoch and Brian Burke. Don’t miss this bonus evening! This will be our last club night of the season and we’ll be back in September.

July 13, 2022

SINGAROUND

7:30 pm

Free Entry

Our long-awaited club singaround night. Come all ye to watch or bring your instruments and sing a song or two. We look forward to a great night of music and banter. Everybody welcome!

PLUS!!! Everyone who comes to the club SINGAROUND will receive a free pass for the Sunday of Todd in the Hole festival! Don’t miss out on a FREE festival!

June 29, 2022 7:30 pm Free Entry

Tonight will be a veritable smorgasbord of musical styles with influences ranging from Doc Watson, Merle Travis, Steve Earl, Bob Dylan, Hank Williams, Randy Newman and many other iconic artists from the great American song book. Appearing tonight are: Chris Wright – a brilliant young finger-picking acoustic guitarist from Stevenage who amazed us with his stunning playing and fine voice on his last visit a couple of months ago; Twitchy Fingers – acoustic guitar duo John Young and Tony Gammage making a long awaited return, performing an eclectic mix of ragtime, hokum and country blues; The Shawnee Mountain Boys – Brian Burke on bazouki and mandolin, and banjo ace Dave Stacey playing some fine old-time and bluegrass material; CorrMcConnell – Frank Corr and Shelagh McConnell performing songs by some of the legends of Americana and country music.

June 15, 2022 7:30 pm Free Entry

Thursday’s Band + Vic Lennard

We are pleased to host the ever-popular Thursday’s Band on the 15th June. Playing at the club for the first time, the band have been entertaining audiences around the Cambridge area for many years with their varied musical sets. There’s a bit of folk, a dash of country, a touch of Spanish, a cajun flourish, even a whisper of rock. And a healthy dose of classical, when virtuoso strings start to soar over locked-down guitars. The songs are mostly written by the various band members, but the band also has a repertoire of tunes, set against occasional covers of favourite songs.

Mark Gamon – guitar, voice

Matt Kelly – fiddle, mandolin, viola, voice

Rhys Wilson – guitar, voice

David Cammish – bass

Vic Lennard writes with a passion about everyday topics that listeners relate to, with playing
styles that have been compared to a number of classic acoustic guitarists such as Paul Simon,
James Taylor and John Martyn. He covers songs by artists as diverse as Marc Cohn and
Coldplay, with intriguing back stories accompanying each song.

Try Fest, 12th June at The Letchworth Rugby Club

Try Fest is back! 12th June from Noon ‘til Nine at Letchworth Rugby Club. Free parking. Three stages including a Folk Music stage with 8 different acts. The final line up is: **Chris Wright** **Corr McConnell** **Twitchy Fingers** **The Devines** **Gor Jus Wrex and Dancers** **Kelvin Davies** **Skimmington Ride**

Entertainment for kids who get in for free under 12. Folk Club members (sign up for our newsletter for instant membership here http://eepurl.com/hWiyyT ) can purchase tickets for only £10! instead of normal price of £15. Contact Brian on 07768 274037.

June 1, 2022 7:30 pm Free Entry

Mair Thomas + Kaszak and Afifi

Mair was brought up in Montgomeryshire in a musical family. She sings both in English and Welsh, and has a special interest in traditional Welsh songs.

Mair started writing songs in 2003, and has featured on Radio 3’s Late Junction, and Radios Hereford, Worcestershire and Shropshire, where her song ‘Love Imperfect’ was a record of the week. Mair has also featured as a special guest on Radio Shropshire’s Sunday Folk, hosted by Genevieve Tudor.

Her sound has been favourably compared with the likes of Eva Cassidy, Janis Ian and Carole King and she has a large and loyal fanbase.

Martin Kaszak and Faradena Afifi are a duo performing a rich variety of acoustic music and original material from Folk to Country Blues and more modern songs . Martin is known for his warm vocals and finger-picking guitar and Fara is a talented singer and musician providing beautiful close harmonies and playing viola and cello with a touch of folk and jazz influences.

May 18, 2022 7:30pm Free entry

Baldock Festival – Skimmington Ride + Jim Watts

We are proud to present local legends Skimmington Ride for our Baldock Festival event. Rob, Paul, Joe and O’Clogger embody elements of Irish folk music legends such as The Dubliners, The Pogues and others in-between. From Kelly to MacGowan via Bogle and McColl and more! Come and join us for a rumbustious night of Righteous Ruaille Buaille! (Cheerful Mayhem!)

Jim Watts is a local singer with a rich deep voice and a laid-back guitar and a wide repertoire of country-influenced songs.

May 11, 2022 7:30pm Free entry

Eddie La Roche + Floor Spots

Sadly, our headliner for this evening, Steve Warner, had to cancel due to ill health. Steve apologises profusely for not being with us. We wish him a speedy recovery and hope to see him back singing and playing for us very soon.

Stepping deftly into the breach, we had extended floor spots from: Eddie La Roche whose virtuosity on the Spanish acoustic guitar has become legendary in the area; Adrian Hall with some fine, intricate guitar; Frank Corr who brings real life to his chosen Irish and Country ballads. And you can always expect a few lively bluesy and rag tunes from our own Tony Gammage. Finally, we had Dave Stacey and Brian Burke as the Shawnee Mountain Boys who provided some lively bluegrass and Appalachian music on banjo mandolin and bouzouki. So, a real mixed and talented bag for what was a great evening.

April 27, 2022 7:30 pm Free entry

A Night for Dorrie featuring Viv Lucas

Tonight’s show will be dedicated to the memory of Dorrie Randall, known and loved by all at the club for her vivacious personality and her wonderful singing alike. Viv Lucas will be headlining singing songs from the great American back catalogue along with some self-penned numbers. Viv will be supported by Phil Hewett, Brian Burke, and Greg Rose, and there will also be floor spots available and a few surprise guests …..

The collection will be for Dorrie’s favoured charity BALDOCK Community Centre .

It would be great to see a good crowd to honour the memory of this remarkable lady.

April 20, 2022 7:30 pm Free entry

Linda Moylan + Cut the Mustard

Irish-born, London-raised Linda Moylan is a singer, songwriter, poet and story finder who skilfully blends the traditions of Celtic narrative, smoky folk and contemporary blues. Her songs speak hauntingly of life experienced and truly felt. Linda cites an eclectic mix of musical influences such as Sandy Denny, Nina Simone and Leonard Cohen. Linda will be singing songs from her second album ‘The Merchant’ which has been produced by Phil Beer (Show Of Hands / Albion Band etc) and has been getting plenty of airplay (including several from the BBC) and has had some great reviews. http://lindamoylan.co.uk/

Cut the Mustard are Martin Kaszak and Dave Oxley. An eclectic, bluesy duo with their own distinctive style, including some vintage ragtime – infectious music that makes you want to tap your toes and shake that thing (shouldn’t that be ‘thang’? – Ed)! Dave and Martin have rich, powerful voices and are accompanied by a range of instruments, including National guitar, mandocello, stomp box and blues harps. https://www.facebook.com/Cut-the-Mustard-104476194351860/

April 6, 2022 7:30 pm Free entry

Den Miller + Kate Rice

Den Miller returns to the club for a headline slot, having impressed us on a flying visit last year. Strong melodies, catchy sing-along choruses and intelligent lyrics, are the trademark of songs composed and performed by this talented singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Den is an engaging and entertaining live performer, delivering his music and his message with clarity, energy and a good deal of humour.

Kate Rice is an up-and-coming young singer-songwriter who we are delighted to welcome back, following her engaging appearance at our Folk Round The Tree festival last year.

March 23, 2022 7:30 pm Free Entry

Blues night with Kelvin Davies plus Phil Hewett, Chris Wright and Tony Gammage

Local boy-made-good, Kelvin Davies is a great friend of the club and has appeared many times, always to a delighted audience. A traditional country blues and ragtime musician, he nevertheless displays a British folk vibe, while keeping the style and music of some of the great bluesmen and women alive and strong. Kelvin also writes his own material in the same style and has received plays on The Cerys Matthews Blues Show on BBC radio 2, as well as performing at festivals such as Ely Folk Festival and at venues such as Cambridge Junction and London’s Dingwalls. Kelvin has the perfect foil for his virtuoso guitar work in the pared-back but always complementary harmonica of Gary Jones.

Tonight’s support will be three fine guitarists with roots in country blues. Phil Hewett is a regular performer at our club and we are delighted to welcome Chris Wright for his first appearance, together with the wonderful Tony Gammage of this parish who will be adding his blues playing to the mix to complete what will be a great celebration of the blues guitar.

March 9, 2022 7:30 pm Free Entry

Sons of the Seisun plus CorrMcConnell

We are in for a real Irish treat the week before St Patrick’s Day with a rare appearance of Sons of the Seisun. After a break of several years this legendary band are re-forming for a very special appearance at our club. The band consists of Chris Sadler singer, guitarist and concertina, James O’Grady on Uillean pipes and fiddle, Richard Herrity on pipes, flutes, whistles and bodhran, and last but not least our very own Brian Burke, singer, songwriter, bouzouki and mandolin.

With several guests including Dave Stacey and Kevin Naughton also appearing, and great support from CorrMcConnell, this is a night not to be missed.

February 23rd, 2022 7:30pm free entry

The Devines + Colin Frid

John, Joe and Caz Devine are three members of the same musical Family, with roots firmly planted in the Irish musical tradition, playing traditional Irish dance music, mixed with original and contemporary arrangements of Irish songs, on an inspired mix of instruments, including Uilleann Pipes, Banjo and Saxophone.

Colin Frid is a popular and talented Hertfordshire-based singer/guitarist with a wonderful voice, great guitar work and brilliant songs. Colin has been around years and his style, experience and stage craft show through. His versions of some classic songs are often very different from the original,but still very recognisable.

Hamish Currie + Peter Crossley – 9th February, 2021

Hamish Currie has played at our club a number of times. He is much loved for his interaction with the audience as much as for his fine voice, sensitive guitar style and his love of traditional and contemporary songs.

He doesn’t like to mention his self-deprecating sense of humour. “Because”, he says, “it’s not very good.”

Originally from the east coast of Scotland, folk music was always part of the landscape for Hamish. But it was on moving south half a lifetime ago and discovering English folk music that his performing really took off. His repertoire is now taken from the traditions on both sides of the border, laced with some original and contemporary material. And fun.

A veteran of Towersey Folk Festival, Bude & Stratton Folk Festival, Holmfirth Festival of Folk and Cambridge Folk Festival no less, he is always welcome at our humble little club and we’re delighted to welcome him back.

Peter Crossley is Hertford-based and displays impressive skills in singing, playing guitar and fiddle, and songwriting. His debut album, Rags to Riches, has been well-received with several radio plays. He has a powerful voice and a commanding prescence – we’re looking forward to enjoying his set.

The Mummers Play with Barry Goodman’s Barfront Guizers – 15th December, 2021

We are delighted to welcome back Barry Goodman’s Barfront Guizers with their traditional Mummers Play. Barry and the Guizers have performed their play at Baldock Folk Club for many years and it is great to welcome them back after not being able to perform last year due to Covid restrictions. Expect the traditional Mummers play starring King George, the Turkish Knight, the Doctor and others with a few witty modern references and plenty of fun.Barry & The Guizers will be collecting donations for charity after their performance – don’t forget to bring some cash!

Stella Hensley & Chris Newman – 1st December, 2021

19:30. Plus support from “8 til Late”

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Blues, Slide, Ragtime Guitarist Chris Newman & Bluesy songstress Stella Hensley have toured extensively and between them have recorded eight albums and guested on many others. Chris has worked with the Climax Blues Band, later going on to form The Mississippi Houndogs with Climax front man Colin Cooper. Stella is a powerful singer-songwriter. often compared to Stevie Nicks and Alison Moyet. Support by local 3-piece band “8 til Late”.

Brian Burke’s Baldock Ballads – 17th November, 2021

at The Orange Tree, Baldock Free entry.

Launch of Brian Burke’s new book and CD of Baldock Ballads

plus The Tanglers Irregulars

plus support from CorrMcConnell

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We are delighted to present a very special event to celebrate the CD and book launch from our very own Bard of Baldock, Brian Burke. Brian will be singing a selection of ballads from the collection, accompanied by some great musicians from the The Tanglers Irregulars. Not to be missed!

Plus local duo CorrMcConnell play a mixture of American country styles, along with Irish and Scottish ballads.

Elizabeth and Jameson – 3rd November, 2021

support from Steve Warner

Hannah Elizabeth and Griff Jameson is an award-winning collaboration comprising two rising stars of the UK acoustic music scene. They have joined forces to create an indie-folk sound which encompasses both their individual musical backgrounds. Hannah’s influences are firmly planted in traditional folk-roots, whilst Griff has formed his musical reputation within folk pop/rock genres. Together as a duo Elizabeth & Jameson offers the best of both backgrounds. www.elizabethandjemeson.co.uk

Molly Armstrong/Viv Lucas – 20th October, 2021

Tonight is a special double headline gig by two great performers who regularly appear at the club. Molly engages the audience immediately with her pure, clear vocals and sincere delivery. https://molly-armstrong.com

Viv is a well-known, locally-based singer songwriter whose album Edgelands features ten original songs. www.vivlucas.com

Beans and Biscuits – 6th October, 2021

with support from Jim Watts

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A good time Rockabilly and Swing outfit from rural Hertfordshire. These guys play both kinds of music in their own inimitable fun style. Fronted by Martin (Fatman) Spencer, you will be entertained and amused by their personal take on the great British and American songbooks. They really get the crowd jumping and smiling with their colourful showmanship. You are guaranteed a great fun evening. www.beansandbiscuits.co.uk

Jim Watts plays evocative guitar and applies his rich voice to some great country songs, and tells some funny stories in between! We’re glad to have him back! https://www.facebook.com/jimwattssingerguitarist/

Daria Kulesh – 22nd September, 2021

with support from Stewart Murdoch

With her “extraordinary voice” and strong Russian and Ingush heritage, Daria Kulesh has been making a name for herself as a “bold, exotic, impressive” performer. Her debut release Eternal Child was described as “phenomenal”; her second album Long Lost Home has enjoyed rave reviews, national radio play and multiple awards in the UK & Russia. www.daria-kulesh.co.uk

Support on this occasion is provided by Scottish singer, guitarist and songwriter Stewart Murdoch.

Wildfire – 8th September, 2021

Kicking off the new season, we welcome Wildfire, an acoustic folk-rock duo from Bedford, previously playing as part of the Bedford-based band ‘Cheap Thrill$’.

Wildfire specialise in covering some great well known songs from artists as diverse as Simon and Garfunkel , Dylan and Springsteen and will provide the club with a lively start to the Autumn season .

Musical support on this ocassion will be provided by club stalwarts Brian Burke and Greg Rose, and we’ll also have some fascinating stories on the history of Baldock from the ever-entertaining Jane Havercroft.

Admission is FREE and doors open at 7:10 for a 7:30 start so we welcome all to come down for a great evening’s entertainment !

£700 raised for Motor Neuron Disease charity – 29th August, 2021

Our Folk ’round the Tree festival on 29th August was a great success with superb music throughout the afternoon and evening and a lovely holiday atmosphere. We are thrilled to have raised over £600 for the local branch of the Motor Neuron Disease association, a very worthy cause and one that is close to the hearts of many of us here at the club. Thanks to Brian Burke and Viv Lucas who organised the whole shebang, and to all the team at The Orange Tree and Baldock Folk Club for making it run so smoothly. Also huge thanks to all the musicians and bands who kept us entertained and to everyone who came along and made it such a special day.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is folk-round-the-tree-21.jpg — Skimmington Ride at Folk ’round the Tree

Folk ’round the Tree Festival – 29th August, 2021

This year’s one-day music festival takes place on the Bank Holiday Sunday, 29th August, at The Orange Tree Baldock. Starting at 1pm and continuing with non-stop great bands and performers until around 8pm.

Food and drinks available, beautiful pub garden setting, free entry (donations encouraged) and the famous Baldock Folk Club raffle, with proceeds going to the MND (motor neuron disease) Association. Live music comes from local legends Skimmington Ride, local hero Kelvin Davies, award-winning near-enough local singer/song-writing star Chris Fox, local treasure Viv Lucas, up-and-coming songstress Kate Rice, newly-named but eerily-familiar favourite duo Shawnee Mountain Boys (aka Brian and Dave), our own Baldock nightingale Dorrie, Club hero Greg Rose…..and more!

Running Order:
13:00 Baldock Folk Club
13:30 A and R Guitar
14:05 Americano
14:50 Chris Fox
15:40 Kate Rice
16:25 Brian and Viv introduce MND and raffle
16:45 Shawnee Mountain Boys
17:40 Kelvin Davies
18:30 Skimmington Ride

Come along and enjoy! (Phone John at The Orange Tree, 01462 892341, to book a table or take your chances on the day!)