Black Swan Folk Club

Archive Programme

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LYNNE HANSON + Blair Hogan
5th October 2023
£14.30(inc bf more otd)
Too tough for folk and too blues influenced for country, Lynne Hanson’s brand of ‘porch music with a little red dirt’ can turn on a dime from a sunshine, blue sky ballad to a full-on thunderstorm of gritty Americana swamp from one song to the next. She's known for her high-energy, roots guitar driven live performances, whether playing solo or with her band the Good Intentions. A closet stand-up comedian, Lynne often leaves the audience howling with laughter with her between-song-banter. Lynne is a two-time Canadian Folk Music Award winner (2018 English Songwriter, Ensemble of the Year with The LYNNeS), a two-time Indie Acoustic Project Alt-Country album of the year winner (River of Sand 2014, Uneven Ground 2017), a past winner of the Colleen Peterson Songwriting Award, and a two-time finalist in the prestigious Kerrville New Folk competition in Texas. Lynne has toured Canada, the US, Europe and the UK. She's toured the UK in support of Grammy nominated songwriters (Gretchen Peters, Steve Forbert), as well opening for guitar legend Albert Lee in the UK and Canada. She will be accompanied on this tour by ace Ottawan guitarist, Blair Hogan. ‘Somewhere in the heartlands, in a town called 'Americana USA,' nestles a particular variety of singer-songwriter. Someone who views a melodic sensibility through the bottom of a whiskey glass. Canadian songstress Lynne Hanson could run for mayor of that town.’ - Trevor Raggatt - R2 Magazine (5 stars) ‘A mesmeric collection of seven dark pieces, splendidly assembled ... the album in its recorded format is tantalizingly sitting there for you to make a valuable addition to your collection.’ - Three Chords and the Truth (UK)
(Wednesday Extra) CLIVE CARROLL & DARIUSH KANANI play Renbourn & Jansch
11th October 2023
£15.40 (inc bf) more otd
CLIVE CARROLL plays the music of JOHN RENBOURN + special guest DARIUSH KANANI For those who followed the folk revival of the 1960’s and the music of the cult band Pentangle, John Renbourn’s music needs little introduction. Spanning musical genres from blues and jazz through to folk, early music and original compositions he left behind a sumptuous catalogue of recordings which demonstrated not only his extraordinary talent as a guitar player but also his great musical depth. Any boundaries which may have existed previously were blurred by John’s eclectic taste, alongside a level of artistry and delicacy which led the way in the evolution of the steel-strung guitar. Here is a rare, one-off opportunity to hear some of John’s greatest compositions performed live by one of the World’s finest guitarists who regularly shared the same stage. Clive Carroll was recently described by Total Guitar Magazine as “...arguably the most accomplished fingerstylist in the world today…” and like John, he is equally at home playing Mississippi Blues as he is playing the Elizabethan lute music of John Dowland. On stage, Clive’s entertaining performance transfixes audiences whether they are guitar enthusiasts or not. Coupled with Dariush Kanani’s stunningly good technique inspired by his heroes John Renbourn and Bert Jansch, this one-time show is not to be missed! This tour coincides with the release of Clive’s new album which features the music of John Renbourn.
CLIVE CARROLL & DARIUSH KANANI play Renbourn & Jansch
12th October 2023
£15.40 (inc bf) more otd
CLIVE CARROLL plays the music of JOHN RENBOURN + special guest DARIUSH KANANI For those who followed the folk revival of the 1960’s and the music of the cult band Pentangle, John Renbourn’s music needs little introduction. Spanning musical genres from blues and jazz through to folk, early music and original compositions he left behind a sumptuous catalogue of recordings which demonstrated not only his extraordinary talent as a guitar player but also his great musical depth. Any boundaries which may have existed previously were blurred by John’s eclectic taste, alongside a level of artistry and delicacy which led the way in the evolution of the steel-strung guitar. Here is a rare, one-off opportunity to hear some of John’s greatest compositions performed live by one of the World’s finest guitarists who regularly shared the same stage. Clive Carroll was recently described by Total Guitar Magazine as “...arguably the most accomplished fingerstylist in the world today…” and like John, he is equally at home playing Mississippi Blues as he is playing the Elizabethan lute music of John Dowland. On stage, Clive’s entertaining performance transfixes audiences whether they are guitar enthusiasts or not. Coupled with Dariush Kanani’s stunningly good technique inspired by his heroes John Renbourn and Bert Jansch, this one-time show is not to be missed! This tour coincides with the release of Clive’s new album which features the music of John Renbourn.
OPEN MIC
19th October 2023
No advance tickets min £3 donation otd
All performers, singers, musicians and listeners welcome. Using the mic optional.
MARTIN SIMPSON (NCEM Concert)
25th October 2023
£22(inc bf more otd)
This concert takes place at the National Centre for Early Music, Walmgate, YO1 9TL.
Nominated ‘Musician of the Year’ – BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2018 ‘Martin Simpson has transcended borders and oceans to quietly become a superb storyteller and musician of great depth and unquestionable taste.’ Stephen Fearing The remarkable intimate solo performances Martin gives go from strength to strength – every gig is a masterclass. He travels the length and breadth of the UK and beyond, giving rapt audiences passion, sorrow, love, beauty, tragedy and majesty through his playing. “What’s it like being the best guitar player in the world…?” Martin’s modesty and grace prevented him from answering this BBC Radio 4 interviewer’s question recently, but the facts speak for themselves. 40 years after he recorded his first album, Golden Vanity, in 1976, Martin is known as a guitarist of formidable talent. Equally at home playing English traditional folk, American folk and blues and his own compositions, he is consistently named as one of the very finest fingerstyle guitar players in the world. He is listed in Gibson Guitars’ Top 30 Acoustic Guitarists of all time, and Acoustic Guitar readers voted him number 12 guitarist in the world in 2005. Universally acclaimed as one of the finest ever acoustic and slide guitar players, and a fine banjo-picker to boot, his solo shows bear witness to an artist at the very top of his game. Whether interpreting material from tradition or singing his own potent self-penned songs, Simpson is a remarkable storyteller: captivating and profoundly moving. His own songwriting produced the poignant ‘Never Any Good’, from Prodigal Son, 2007’s Folk Album of the Year. Martin continues to collaborate with a dazzling array of people from across the musical spectrum: Jackson Browne, Martin Taylor, June Tabor, Richard Hawley, Bonnie Raitt, Danny Thompson, David Hidalgo, Danú, Richard Thompson and Dom Flemons are among the great musicians he has worked with. In recent years, he has been a lynchpin in the award-winning Full English, The Elizabethan Sessions and, in 2015, recorded Murmurs, an exciting new album with Andy Cutting and Nancy Kerr. Martin’s most recent album was released in November last year to the usual critical acclaim. ‘Home Recordings’ was recorded at his home by his regular producer, now neighbour, Andy Bell, and finds Martin singing and playing, literally amongst his beloved guitar and banjo collection and out on his Peak District-facing porch. Martin is planning a new solo album for release next March on Topic Records. Always prolific, and never one to rest long without a guitar in his hands and a song in his head, Martin is genuinely thrilled to be back out on the road now – back where he loves to be – playing live. He has had the most nominations of any performer in the 18 years of the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, an astonishing 32 times, 13 of those as Musician of the Year, winning that particular accolade twice. A virtuoso player without question, but above all Martin Simpson conveys his diverse treasure trove of material from the heart, performing with rare subtlety, intensity and honesty. A true master of his art. Press: ‘Martin is in a class of his own. He is such an expressive player; he is ingenious in his use of the guitar. You can listen to one of his songs and three or four minutes in, he has only used the top four strings and not even played a bass note yet, and when he does, it feels like an orchestra coming in. His clarity of playing is just amazing.’ Jackson Browne ‘One of the virtuoso instrumentalists of the English music scene. Sounds better than ever’ **** 4 Stars The Guardian ‘Simpson has become a fine interpreter of traditional and other songs, as well as a notable writer of his own.’ The Times ‘Simpson’s latest is a potent blend of the highest calibre…Simpson has never sung or played better’ Acoustic Magazine ‘One of our finest traditional musicians, Simpson’s latest album offers a roving overview of his talents’ **** 4 Stars Uncut ‘An excellent collection of material drawn from both sides of the Atlantic handled with loving care by Simpson and aided by some of the biggest names in folk’ **** 4 Stars Maverick
RORY McLEOD
26th October 2023
£15.40 (inc bf more otd)
Rory McLeod, an ex-circus clown and fire eater, is a one-man-soul-band, and poet. He has a natural troubadour’s talent for weaving magical, musical, storytelling spells accompanied by his own bizarre solo orchestra of distinctive instruments. The spoons, finger-cymbals, bandorea, Djembe-drum, harmonica, guitar, trombone and-tap-dancing shoes accompany the “rich, raw, deep and resonant” voice of this “singular and liberating performer.” “Expect the unexpected.” Rory has worked as a circus clown and fire eater with 'Circo Ideal' a small Azteca family, Mexican circus, touring campesinos, pueblitos and tobacco plantations on the Pacific coast and in mountain villages. “Rory Mcleod must be the musical equivalent of a six or seven ball juggler… ” - The Guardian (UK) He says “I also got shot from a cannon. I got paid 3 pesos a mile and travelling expenses!” ” I wasn’t the lion-tamer,… I only combed the lion's hair and cleaned his teeth!” He is a musical Gypsy, his eccentric melodies are infused with influences from Flamenco to Country blues, through to Celtic, East European and Calypso rhythms creating a style of music and songwriting that has been described as:- “Intimate, revealing, political and powerful.” “Poetry and dance-stories with verve, sharpness, humour and warmth about people and for people.” “Great songs to dance to, infectious rhythms, flying harmonica!” “(Rory McLeod is a)…Rhythmic storyteller-Soul-Singing-Tap-dancing-Poet,Guitar-Picking,One-Man-Dance-Band” Rory has travelled the globe for different reasons at different times, from Asia to the Middle East from Gambia to Cuba, Afghanistan, China, Zimbabwe, Central America, Australia, North America, Canada, Europe and other nooks and crannies of the earth. He was voted Best Live Act at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2002. The award was presented by singer and songwriter Vin Garbutt. His other awards include:-Texas Harmonica Champion 1981 and Edinburgh Festival Street Busket of the Year in 1985.
OPEN MIC
2nd November 2023
No advance tickets. Min donation of £3 otd.
All performers, singers, musicians and listeners welcome. UsIng the mic optional.
OPEN MIC
9th November 2023
No advance tickets a donation of at least £3 on the door.
All performers, singers, musicians and listeners welcome. UsIng the mic optional.
HEIDI TALBOT & BOO HEWERDINE
12th November 2023
£16.50(inc bf more otd)
Although this event has now sold out there is a 'waiting list' re any returns at wegottickets.com. Please follow the box office link. This show was originally planned for Thurs Nov 9 but due to circumstances beyond our control we had to change the date to Sun Nov 12 with a slightly earlier start time of 7-30pm. If you've already purchased tickets they are valid for the new date, or you can get a refund from wegottickets.com Boo and Heidi have recorded and toured together extensively going all the way back to Heidi’s first solo tour of the UK in 2005. Born in Ireland, Heidi became a folk star in the USA as a member of the Irish American band Cherish the Ladies, and now lives in Edinburgh. With a background like that, it's hardly surprising she should develop a style that switches easily between Celtic and Americana, but subtlety is Talbot’s magic ingredient. From her gossamer voice to the delicate re-working of traditional and contemporary material that has earned her rave reviews for her records and live performances. Hailing originally from Co. Kildare, Heidi spent several years in New York and slips effortlessly between musical worlds but retains a personal modesty rooted in traditional folk. Over the past ten years Heidi has performed all over North and South America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Europe, Japan, Australia and New Zealand performing in the finest Concert Halls and International Festivals. She is equally at home in front of a Symphony Orchestra, a Performing Arts Center, a Folk Festival or even at the White House. Her tour with Boo, one of England's most celebrated singer-songwriters celebrates their long-standing musical relationship spanning over 18 years.
THE RICHMOND HILLBILLIES
16th November 2023
£9.90 (inc bf more otd)
That’s Richmond, North Yorkshire , not Richmond, Virginia : you could call it Americana from Swaledale. The Richmond Hillbillies - Paul Stokes and Lindsay Leonard - sing and play guitars, dobro and banjo, digging into a hundred and more years of songs from the States , culturally appropriating the Americana tradition from old vaudeville and 1920’s blues , to Jimmi Rodgers, Doc Watson, Norman Blake, Gillian Welch , with a nod towards some more recent songs from the folk country canon. The twang is less Jed Clampett, more Fred Trueman ; the drink of choice less moonshine, more Timothy Taylor. There are songs and tunes with upbeat guitar flat picking, a bit of dobro, banjo and vocal harmonies , plus some clear-eyed reflections on some of the bleaker aspects of modern life in Appalachia. They’ve played guest spots in the Black Swan car park for the Roland Walls City of York folk day and a concert at the Crescent supporting Andy Irvine - and they’re looking forward to being allowed upstairs for a night in the Black Swan club room .
TALISK (Concert at the Crescent Club)
20th November 2023
£19.80 (inc bf more otd)
This concert takes place at the Crescent Club. 8 The Crescent, York, YO24 1AW.
Back again at The Crescent Ground-breaking, chart-topping, genre-bending, globetrotting, instantly enthralling… it’s little wonder that Talisk rank highly amongst the most in-demand folk-based groups to emerge from Scotland in the last decade and more. Mohsen Amini (BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards’ Musician of the Year 2018), Graeme Armstrong and Benedict Morris (BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2019) fuse concertina, guitar and fiddle to produce a truly innovative, multi-layered signature that has captivated audiences around the globe. At its core, three seemingly acoustic instruments – but in the hands of three master craftsmen; one unmistakable, bold sound and a captivating live show.
ROGER DAVIES
23rd November 2023
£11 (inc bf more otd)
A long awaited return for Roger Davies whose quirky self-penned songs and affable attitude were a big hit with us last time he played the club in 2015. He’s since continued to hone his painting and musical skills and continues to be recognised as a highly talented artist and one of the most exciting singer-songwriters to emerge from the Yorkshire folk scene in many years. A gentle Yorkshire humour, subtly woven into several of his self-penned songs ensure that the audience are treated to an all-round entertaining evening of humour, music and song. Roger has opened for names such as Cara Dillon, Alex Lloyd, Harvey Andrews the poet laureate Simon Armitage and John Tamms among many others. His albums have been released to a flurry of good reviews He’s a thoroughly professional, endearing and engaging live performer. Look forward to another top night at The Black Swan Folk Club.
RAMSHACKLE and friends
30th November 2023
No advance tickets, a minimum donation of £3 otd
Another night with the Black Swan Folk Club house band RAMSHACKLE (Eddie Affleck, Phil Cerny, Chris Euesden and Stan Graham),entertaining with a variety of material, encouraging everyone to join in enjoy the evening and throwing the floor open for anyone who might want to perform a few songs or tunes themselves.
ST AGNES FOUNTAIN (NCEM Concert)
1st December 2023
£20 adv (plus bf more otd)
This concert takes place at the National Centre for Early Music, Walmgate, YO1 9TL.
Christmas, as they say, starts with St. Agnes Fountain. Carols with a curve. Since their first get together, to record the eponymous St Agnes Fountain album in 2001, the quartet; David Hughes, Fairport Convention's Chris Leslie and multi award winning duo Chris While and Julie Matthews, have brought musical invention and laughter to the star-dust atmosphere of the season. In 2020, David decided to leave the band to concentrate on solo pursuits and whilst his presence will be missed, Chris, Chris and Julie will be keeping the Christmas Aggie spirit alive and touring as a trio celebrating 23 years together with a tour of new material and those old Aggie classics. 'The Aggie's' latest album, Night Of A Million Stars was released in December 2021 tour with 9 brand new songs from the band. Although the albums accompany the putting up of a thousand Christmas trees throughout Britain and around the globe as their reputation reaches further afield, it is, without question, their magical live performances that have endeared them to an ever-growing audience (tickets were again being sold for this year's tour as the curtain fell last year). Chris While and Julie Matthews Chris While vocals, guitar, bodhran, dulcimer, banjo, darbuka and percussion. Julie Matthews vocals, piano, guitar, accordion and gazouki The duo have been nominated ten times in the BBC Folk Awards in the 'Best Song' 'Best Duo' and 'Best Live Act' categories and winning Best Duo in 2009. In 2019 year they celebrated 25 years the longest lasting female duo in the country with a brand new album and an extensive tour of the UK to celebrate as well as numerous summer festival performances including the Pengwern Stage 'Whie and Matthews Take Over' where they curated the stage in August of that year to celebrate their anniversary. Chris and Julie are more powerful and popular than ever in their 27th year as a duo and remain at the very top of their game. Chris Leslie Chris Leslie is a multi instrumentalist, singer and songwriter from Oxfordshire UK. Primarily known for the past 20 years for his work with Fairport Convention, he has toured and recorded with, amongst others: Steve Ashley, the Albion Band, Jez Lowe, Ian Anderson, Chris While and Julie Matthews, Whippersnapper, Alan Stivell, Feast of Fiddles and St. Agnes Fountain. Chris has also provided music for a number of Radio Four plays and classic serials. His fiddle playing has also been heard on the TV series Heartbeat, Midsommer Murders and Billy Connolly’s World Tour of Scotland. Chris plays: Fiddle, Mandolin, Tenor Guitar, Bouzouki, Ukulele, Banjo, Oud, Whistle and Native American Flute and anything else he can lay his hands on!!
OPEN MIC
7th December 2023
No advance tickets min £3 donation otd.
Everyone welcome, singers, musicians, performers and listeners. Using the mic is optional.
THE MAGPIES (Concert at the Crescent Club)
12th December 2023
£16.50(inc bf more otd)
This concert takes place at the Crescent Club. 8 The Crescent, York, YO24 1AW.
Locally based and now becoming a national name transatlantic folk band The Magpies are one of the most exciting and innovative acts on the contemporary roots scene. Combining sublime harmonies with exquisite musicianship and impressive songwriting, The Magpies traverse Anglo and American roots, drawing inspiration from traditional Celtic folk, bluegrass and Appalachian trails, to create an effortless melting pot of music. Accomplished musicians in their own right, founding members Bella Gaffney (award winning singer-songwriter, guitarist and banjoist) and Holly Brandon (acclaimed fiddle player and tunesmith) perform alongside some of the UK’s finest roots musicians. Following the release of theirncritically acclaimed debut album in 2020, they released their second album Undertow in October 2022. It's a rich and varied showcase of their live sound, flawless instrumentation providing an elegant canvas for intricate harmonies and engaging storytelling. With a sound that pushes boundaries and brings a fresh voice to the current milieu, the album’s success comes as no surprise, with a quarter of a million streams on Spotify, a place in the Official Folk Albums Chart Top 40 and a live session on BBC Radio 2.
EDWINA HAYES
14th December 2023
£13.20 (inc bf more otd)
One of our favourite performers at The Black Swan Folk Club and one of the finest female singer/songwriters this country has produced in years. Edwina brings together English folk, Americana and the rich Northern singer/songwriter tradition to create a sound that’s truly her own. Highly accomplished she’s toured with such notable performers as Jools Holland, Van Morrison, Nanci Griffith and Loudon Wainwright III to name just a few. Edwina numbers Michael Parkinson and Mike Harding among her fans and the title track of her album Pour Me A Drink was covered by Nanci Griffith who calls her 'the sweetest voice in England'. Her cover of the Randy Newman song Feels Like Home was featured in the Cameron Diaz film My Sister's Keeper and has since had over ten million plays on Spotify and over thirty million plays on You Tube. Edwina's 4th album Ruby Rose was released in 2022. 'The sweetest voice in England. A wonderful young woman, so gifted and full of song.' Nanci Griffith 'Haunting, honeyed, solo songwriter.' The Guardian
BLACK SWAN FOLK CLUB Christmas Party
21st December 2023
free admission
Our annual Christmas Party where everyone's invited. Free admission but we'll be having a raffle with loads of prizes. Christmas songs from our regulars and anybody who cares to drop by and join in.
BLONDE on BOB and FREEWHEELIN 'Nothin' But Dylan'
28th December 2023
£11(inc bf more otd)
It's the annual MILLION DOLLAR XMAS BASH. Back again for their Christmas celebration of the music of Bob Dylan, BLONDE on BOB present an evening dedicated to the music of the world's greatest singer-songwriter. More than ably supported by Billy Bills and Graham Metcalf (FREEWHEELIN') plus the usual festive fun and games.
PETE QUINN Memorial Night
4th January 2024
no advance tickets donations on the door
A special tribute night for one of our most popular and longest serving resident performers who sadly passed away recently. Music from a variety of his friends and fellow performers with all monies raised being donated to the British Heart Foundation.
LEE COLLINSON
11th January 2024
£13.20 (inc bf more otd)
'Blessed with fingers capable of guitar-playing beyond mere mortals!' Lee's initial impact was immediate, captivating audiences at folk clubs and festivals and touring in a trio with Keith Hancock and Clive Gregson. He has since forged a successful solo career with his eclectic repertoire comprising folk and blues in all of its forms. His albums feature guest appearances from the likes of Christine Collister, Barb Jungr and Tom McConville and his career has taken him all over the world. A performer who can switch from contemporary and traditional folk, to 50s style, blues and jazz, Lee currently performs as front man for punk shanty band The Salts. His solo career has included being a finalist in BBC Radio’s Young Tradition Award twice. The subsequent broadcast, and a chance meeting with Spiv Records at a folk festival, resulted in his debut release, Limbo, followed by the much lauded song Slip the Driver a Fiver.
OPEN MIC
18th January 2024
no advance tickets £3 min donation otd
Everyone welcome, singers, musicians, performers and listeners. Using the mic is optional.
GORDIE TENTREES and JAXON HALDANE
25th January 2024
£13.20 (inc bf more otd)
From Canada, a debut at The Black Swan Folk Club for this exciting duo. International touring award winning Canadians Gordie Tentrees & Jaxon Haldane have performed 950 concerts together since their Texas stage debut in 2014. Armed with 10 instruments (banjo, mando, cigar box guitars, fiddle- saw, harmonica, resonator, acoustic, porch bass, snare) never repeating themselves onstage with brotherly harmonies & masterful storytelling . From headlining Celtic Connections (Glasgow) to the Woody Guthrie Festival (Oklahoma) they never repeat, juggling the dark with the light, brotherly harmonies & masterful storytelling. Gordie Tentrees is also a 2023 International Acoustic Award Winner! "Organic & holistic folk, this is the wild sound of freedom and the freedom to fly" Midwest Record USA "Majestic songwriting, incredible insight, genuine authenticity ” Americana UK
YORK WINTER FOLK DAY
28th January 2024
Free admission
Our annual day of folk music with sets from local musicians. Afternoon session starts 2pm, evening session starts 7-30pm. Here's the line up:- Mick O'Kelly 2pm, David Hardy 2-20pm, Paul Culkin 2-40pm, White Sail 3-30pm, Toni Bunnell 4-20pm, Leathero' 5-05pm, Old Humpy Band 7-30pm, Judith Haswell 8-15pm, Soundsphere 8-50pm, Ramshackle 9-45pm
OPEN MIC
1st February 2024
No advance tickets £3 min donation otd
Everyone welcome, singers, musicians, performers and listeners. Using the mic is optional.
PETE DAVIES
8th February 2024
£6.60 (inc bf more otd)
Pete Davies has been around a while but this will be his first appearance as a guest at The Black Swan Folk Club. He dropped in to give us a short set at an Open Mic a few months back and we've been keen to give him a guest slot ever since. Here are just a few accolades:- "Pete Davies is a great singer-songwriter!” The late, great, Vin Garbutt, Teesside Troubadour Pete Davies' song Long Way Home “……..disguises the iron fist of its messages in a velvet glove….” FolkWords "Skilfully constructed songs presented with panache and passion – Pete Davies played a barnstorming gig at the Edinburgh Fringe!" Paddy Bort, Edinburgh Fringe “I love his clear voice and thoughtful uplifting lyrics.” Jan Hall, Folk Roots Radio, Ontario, Canada .....excellent singing and superb guitar style. For me, his big appeal lies in the quality of his own melodies and lyrics. ........every line of a Pete Davies song radiates incredible warmth and humanity. You know he is one of us. Cherish him.” Leigh Sayers, The Studio Club, Middlesbrough
HARP and a MONKEY
15th February 2024
£14.30(inc bf more otd)
Last here at The Black Swan Folk Club in December 2015 and a return visit is long overdue. Songs about cuckolded molecatchers, a lone English oak tree that grows at Gallipoli, care in the community, medieval pilgrims and Victorian bare-knuckle boxers... We can only be talking about the acclaimed song and storytelling trio Harp & a Monkey.
KENNY SPEIRS
22nd February 2024
£11 (inc bf more otd)
Kenny Speirs has been a well-known figure on the national and international folk circuit for over twenty five years ever since the John Wright Band burst onto the scene in the early nineties. From his beloved homeland of the Scottish Borders the band propelled Kenny from the pubs and clubs of his local area to some of the biggest festival stages throughout the U.K. and Europe. In 2002 Kenny went on to form Real Time with his partner Judy Dinning. For the next eleven years they toured extensively all over Europe and in the U.S.A. until Judy’s untimely death in October 2013. Six albums from this intimate collaboration have been the highlight of his career to date. Since losing Judy, Kenny decided to carry on with Real Time, and continues to enjoy huge success with Eilidh Grant taking on the main singing duties. It is only now, after a very emotional period of reflection, that Kenny has been inspired to write and release his first CD of self-penned songs. “Sleepwalking” is a collection thirteen songs old and new marking a change of direction that moves him from highly accomplished bandsman to centre stage. Featuring guest musicians that include ex Strawbs guitarist Brian Willoughby, stellar uilleann piper Catherine Ashcroft and long-time collaborators Tommy Roseburgh, Fiona Cuthill and Stevie Lawrence, these songs form the basis of Kenny’s live shows, while there is always room for a few songs from the Border country that has always inspired him.
NORTH SEA GAS
29th February 2024
£15.40 (inc bf more otd)
North Sea Gas, are one of Scotland’s best-loved folk groups who have toured the world, They reveal that the most popular Scottish song after 40 years is probably “Caledonia”. The band, who have made 21 albums including over 270 songs and 70 Scottish and Irish tunes, are massively popular in the United States, Europe, and particularly Germany. ‘Fans expect us to play favourites like “Fear A’Bhata” and “Johnny Cope”’ said Dave Gilfillan, the band’s founder-member. But there's always a request for “Caledonia”. From humble beginnings at The White Hart Inn in Edinburgh’s Grassmarket the band’s career has taken them to every part of the world with a regular circuit in Europe and North America. Their experiences include hosting legendary late night shows in the early 80s at the Caley Cinema in Edinburgh with guests such as Hamish Imlach and Johnny Cunningham. They've appeared at many of the top folk festivals and shared stages with Dame Edna Everage, and Gene Pitney, and many more household names over the years. The band’s 21 albums have seen various personnel changes and their latest 22nd album will be a triple compilation album (featuring new material) to mark their 40th anniversary, Named appropriately “A Long Road” . The current North Sea Gas line-up has been the most stable with Gilfillan and fellow band member Ronnie MacDonald working together for twenty years and Grant Simpson joining them 16 years ago. 40 years down the road it's a Black Swan Folk Club debut for North Sea Gas.
KIT HAWES and AARON CATLOW
7th March 2024
£15.40 (inc bf more otd)
One of the most exciting duos to emerge from the UK in recent times, Kit Hawes & Aaron Catlow combine heartfelt musicality, unparalleled virtuosity and vocal harmony. Using the folk music of the British Isles as a catalyst, Kit and Aaron create dynamic and effervescent interpretations of centuries-old material as well as original songs and compositions, all the while celebrating the timeless aural quality of a guitar, fiddle and vocals duet. Studio albums The Fox (2016) and Pill Pilots (2019) have been met by wide critical acclaim, receiving five star reviews and local and national airplay. The duo tour extensively in the UK and internationally across Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. BBC 2’s Mark Radcliffe is a champion of their work, saying “Kit and Aaron are reminiscent of the late Dave Swarbrick and Martin Carthy… I can give them no higher accolade. They are at the top of their game”. “Fleet fingered and ingeniously arranged. .....deserve to be thought of as up there with the best of them" - Songlines “Such dexterity, energy and passion.....mightily impressive” - R2 Magazine “The pair demonstrate an eclectic approach that lifts them head and shoulders above the rest”-Acoustic Magazine “Never a dull moment, with imagination firing throughout and an abundance of creative energy” -Living Tradition
The SAM SWEENEY Band (Concert at the Crescent Club)
12th March 2024
£20.90 (inc bf more otd)
This concert takes place at the Crescent Club. 8 The Crescent, York, YO24 1AW.
Following the colossal success of supporting Bellowhead on their comeback tour in 2022, Sam is taking to the road to play his genre-defying landmark album, Escape That, with his all-star band. Featuring Louis Campbell on electric guitar, Ben Nicholls on double bass and Stuart McCallum on acoustic guitar, this will be a gig you don’t want to miss. Sam is one of England’s finest and most in demand traditional musicians, however Escape That is his first entirely self-composed record. It ties together all of Sam’s musical passions in an honest and fearless expression of himself. Sam and his band are putting something into English music that has never been there before and pressing the reset button on how folk music should sound. Combining Sam’s love for traditional music with strong pop hooks and aesthetics, this music is unashamed in its wide pool of influences. He is a veteran of the mighty Bellowhead, former artistic director of the National Folk Youth Ensemble, founder member of the acclaimed instrumental trio Leveret, and a genre defining instrumentalist at the forefront of the revival in English traditional music.
DUNCAN McFARLANE and ANNE BRIVONESE
14th March 2024
£11(inc bf more otd)
Firm favourites at The Black Swan Folk Club, Duncan McFarlane is a highly regarded singer-guitarist who splits his sets equally between traditional fare and his own songs which are written, most definitely, in the trad idiom. Rated by Mike Harding as a 'fine showman', his intrinsic seriousness of intent and approach is laced with a healthy irreverence and humour that The Living Tradition magazine calls 'hugely entertaining'. Accompanying him on fiddle and harmony vocal duties will be Anne Brivonese. Together they've made several albums over the years, including 'All Rogues and Villains' which gained a five-star review from R2 magazine. Mike Harding also says: 'Duncan writes some great stuff and I love his lively versions of traditional folk songs; absolutely great; really powerful playing and singing.'
OPEN MIC
21st March 2024
£3 min donation otd no advance tickets
Everyone welcome, singers, musicians, performers and listeners. Using the mic is optional.
THE LANGAN BAND
28th March 2024
£16.50(inc bf more otd)
For nearly 15 years now, the three members of The Langan Band have been carving out their own lawlessly virtuosic path of sound; rampaging through the boundaries of conventional genre and cavorting into the territories of wild abandon, purest intimacy, and unconditional musical elation. The trio were initially brought together by a deep respect of traditional song and music, yet they discovered a mutual love of the evisceration and regeneration of these pieces into provocative and fascinating new compositions, as was recognised by the band winning the prestigious Danny Kyle Award at Glasgow’s Celtic Connections Festival at the start of their journey together. This sound and process went on to inform the band’s now mostly original repertoire, and has resulted in a musical experience quite unlike any other.
LIZ STRINGER
4th April 2024
£14.30(inc bf more otd)
Liz Stringer is one of Australia’s most admired and versatile songwriters and instrumentalists. A venerated guitarist and vocalist, her notoriously powerful live performances and melodically rich, story-based songs have earned her a unique place among the most important Australian songwriters of the modern era. Stringer’s sixth studio album First Time Really Feeling, recorded with producer Chris Stringer in Toronto, Canada debuted at #14 on the ARIA Charts, won an AIR Award for Best Blues and Roots Album 2022 and helped her to achieve a new level of industry and audience recognition after many years of being Melbourne’s ‘best kept secret’. Stringer was Port Fairy Folk Festival’s 2023 Artist of the year, following eighteen months performing in iconic Australian band Midnight Oil as backing vocalist and occasional instrumentalist and opening shows for the Oils across Australia, Aotearoa and North America. In 2019 Stringer was honoured at Woodford Folk Festival as an 'emerging legend of Australian song' with a performance of selections from her back catalogue by her musical peers. 2023 saw Stringer embark on her most ambitious recording project yet, promising another extraordinary chapter in the development of this singular artist. An exciting debut for this artisi and a chance to see her in the intimate setting of The Black Swan Folk Club
UFQ (Urban Folk Quartet) (Concert at the Crescent Club)
8th April 2024
£19.80 (inc bf more otd)
This concert takes place at the Crescent Club. 8 The Crescent, York, YO24 1AW.
Back with us in York once again. In an age where the word “folk” encompasses everything from acoustic pop to hardcore traditional music, the use of such labels to distinguish one musical experience from another has arguably been stretched farther than ever. The Urban Folk Quartet’s distinguishing features have much less to do with the traditional idea of genre. Yes, this is fiddle-led music that draws heavily from celtic dance forms and traditional song but from there on in it is unlike any folk band you have ever heard. Just as English country dance unassumingly met with big band jazz musicianship in the mid 20th century, The UFQ’s approach to the folk ethos is to embrace any and every influence that genuinely makes sense of their time and place and makes sense in their music. From funk grooves to middle-eastern melodies, afrobeat to north Indian rhythms.
BLONDE on BOB 'Nothin'But Dylan' (Concert at the Crescent Club)
9th April 2024
£11 (inc bf more otd)
This concert takes place at the Crescent Club. 8 The Crescent, York, YO24 1AW.
Blonde on Bob are back at the Crescent with their new six piece line up. As usual it's 'Nothin' but the songs of Bob Dylan'.
OPEN MIC
11th April 2024
£3 min donation otd no advance tickets
Everyone welcome, singers, musicians, performers and listeners. Using the mic is optional.
CATHRYN CRAIG and BRIAN WILLOUGHBY
18th April 2024
£15.40 (inc bf more otd))
One of our favourite duos at The Black Swan Folk Club, Craig and Willoughby make a welcome return, Cathryn Craig has sung with Chet Atkins, Shel Silverstein, The Righteous Brothers and Jorma Kaukonen. Her great-grandfather Jacob Sowder was recorded by Cecil Sharp and featured in his book English Folk Songs From The Southern Appalachians. Brian Willoughby is best known for his virtuoso performances on electric and acoustic guitar, with progressive folk/rock band Strawbs and also with Mary Hopkin, Joe Brown, Roger Whittaker, Bridget St.John, Jim Diamond and Monty Python. Both Cathryn and Brian have accompanied and recorded with Nanci Griffith. In 2019, Brian rejoined Strawbs for their 50th. Anniversary concerts in the USA and Cathryn was invited to sing with the band. The duo’s Alice’s Song was an Aled Jones Highlight of the Year on BBC Radio 2 and Strawbs’ recording of the song, was used by The National Autistic Society as its theme tune for Autism Awareness. Cathryn was Simon Mayo's star guest on BBC Radio 2Day, live from Nashville. The Telegraph’s Martin Chilton named the duo as his Folk Gig Pick of the year. Folking.com nominated Cathryn and Brian in their “Best Duo” category. Long live traditional music, even when it's only just been written (The Living Tradition) … sublime guitar work and one of the finest voices around (Folking.com) "I love that duo ... what a perfect combination ... great songs, great singing and of course, there’s Brian's spellbinding guitar work .. just magic." Noel Casey (Dublin City FM)
FARA (Concert at the Crescent Club)
28th April 2024
£19.25(inc bf more otd)
This concert takes place at the Crescent Club. 8 The Crescent, York, YO24 1AW.
Fired up and raring to go after a lockdown spent creating hugely popular film project, ‘The Orkney Series’, Scottish powerhouse quartet FARA unveiled their highly anticipated third studio album in 2022. Bursting with brand new self-penned instrumental tracks, and with songs adapted from the words of Orcadian poets, ‘Energy Islands’ is fuelled by their native Orkney’s revolutionary role in renewable energy. Immensely popular it enterted the UK folk charts at no 10! Fusing the talents of three fine Orcadian fiddlers and vocalists – Jeana Leslie, Catriona Price and Kristan Harvey – alongside stand-out Highland pianist and newest member Rory Matheson, FARA have firmly secured their foothold at the forefront of the Scottish folk scene since taking 2014’s Orkney Folk Festival by storm. Their unique mix of spell-binding vocals, intricately woven fiddle harmonies and energetic closers, combined with an obvious kinship born in childhood, is sure to delight and entertain audiences wherever they go. Shortlisted in 2015’s Scots Trad Music Awards for Up and Coming Act of the Year, the band performed a triumphant set at the 2017 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards at the Albert Hall as Horizon Award nominees and have gone on to win a German Critics’ Choice Award and a Live Act of the Year nomination at 2019’s Scots Trad Music Awards. They continue to tour internationally, with sell-out performances at festivals across Europe, Australia and North America, as well as a tour of China in 2023.
SOUND of the SIRENS (NCEM Concert)
4th May 2024
£18.15 (inc bf more otd)
This concert takes place at the National Centre for Early Music, Walmgate, YO1 9TL.
Sound of the Sirens are a singer-songwriting duo based in Exeter, Devon comprising of Abbe Martin & Hannah Wood. Honing their craft over the past decade, Martin & Wood have cemented themselves as firm favourites as “one of the UK’s finest folk acts” not only on the Westcountry scene, but nationally, and internationally too. Their status, and fast-growing fan-base is not only testament to the pair’s prowess as songwriters and musicians, but as people too. Martin & Wood are two of the hardest working musicians on the scene and wear their hearts very much on their sleeves in terms of their songwriting. The pair glide gracefully through laments of past relationships, and life experiences, as well as highlighting the important topics of the day, namely mental health awareness, and homelessness. Without being pigeonholed into any stereotypical genre, the instrumentation of the band is vast, and varied. Martin (stage right) plays acoustic and high-strung (Nashville tuning) guitar, mandolin, and bass drum, while partner in crime Wood (stage left) plays acoustic and electric guitar, tambourine, snare drum, and the piano. The pairs’ musical and vocal dexterity dovetail beautifully on the co-written songs, which range from beautiful, emotive ballads, to up-beat, foot stomping, hands in the air, sing-along anthems. The dynamic duo and their musical creations translate very well onto recorded media, but it is in the live arena where the pair truly excel. There is a certain majesty about their live performances that simply cannot be put into words. It is this “je ne sais quoi” that keeps their loyal fans returning from far and wide to see these two perform. It is not just nearly two hours of high-quality live music you get for the entrance fee, a Sound of the Sirens show is much more than that. The onstage chemistry, camaraderie, and banter is worth the ticket price alone. ‘Since their impressive 2013 debut, Sound of the Sirens has been expressing their musical masterpieces all around the world. Their majestic prowess on stage attracts fans from far and wide to witness their chemistry and camaraderie.‘ Ailovemusic
OPEN MIC
9th May 2024
£3 min donation otd no advance tickets
Everyone welcome, singers, musicians, performers and listeners. Using the mic is optional.
ALLAN TAYLOR 'The Road Well Travelled' (NCEM Concert)
10th May 2024
£19.50 (inc bf)
This concert takes place at the National Centre for Early Music, Walmgate, YO1 9TL.
Songs, stories and anecdotes of more than fifty years on the road Accompanied by his own songs and music Allan will talk about his life and times from the 60’s in London, through to the 70’s in America (New York, Los Angeles, Nashville) and then on to the 80’s in Europe and up until the present day. He will describe the experiences that led to the songs, the recordings, (more than 25 albums to date) and in excess of one hundred and fifty cover versions. ‘the most important songwriter of his generation’ Dr. Frederick Woods in the Oxford Book of Traditional Verse.
KATHERINE PRIDDY (Concert at the Crescent Club)
15th May 2024
£17.60(inc bf more otd))
This concert takes place at the Crescent Club. 8 The Crescent, York, YO24 1AW.
Since emerging with her debut EP ‘Wolf’, UK singer-songwriter Katherine Priddy has quickly become one of the most exciting names on the British music scene. Priddy’s haunting vocals and distinctive finger-picking guitar style have already seen her sell out a headline tour, perform at prestigious festivals around the UK and abroad, including Glastonbury where she featured on their BBC 2 coverage, and support a number of world class artists including Richard Thompson, Loudon Wainwright III and Vashti Bunyan, as well as a recent show with Guy Garvey at The Roundhouse. She also recently featured on a Double LP of Nick Drake covers released by Chrysalis Records with other artists such as Self Esteem, Aldous Harding and John Grant. Her debut album, ‘The Eternal Rocks Beneath’, was released in June 2021 to great acclaim. The album singles received 200+ plays across national radio including BBC Radio 6 Music and BBC Radio 2 and reached No.1 in the Official UK Folk Charts. Now, early 2024 sees the release of Priddy’s eagerly-awaited second album, The Pendulum Swing, on February 16th, via Cooking Vinyl. The LP explores themes of home, family, love and memory, as Priddy seeks to move forwards whilst acknowledging and honouring all that has gone before. Her live performances are engaging, moving and amusing by turn, delivering original songs with emotional maturity, depth and particularly noteworthy lyrics. Despite the delicate nuances of her sound, Katherine Priddy is not a fragile wallflower, but a determined young woman making her mark.
RACHEL NEWTON
16th May 2024
£15.40(inc bf more otd)
Singer, harpist and composer Rachel Newton draws on poems, ballads and stories that are hundreds of years old, working them into her contemporary compositional style to create a rich sound that is ambitious, original and unique. Rachel has worked and performed with artists from a range of disciplines including theatre, dance, storytelling and visual art. A skilled collaborator, Rachel is a founder member of The Furrow Collective and the Lost Words: Spell Songs, as well as the duo project Heal & Harrow with long time friend and colleague Lauren MacColl. Rachel was named Musician of the Year at both the Scots Trad Music Awards and the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. Her albums To The Awe and Here's My Heart Come Take It were shortlisted as one of Scotland's top 10 outstanding albums in the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award. She was awarded a Critics Award for Theatre in Scotland (CATS) for Best Music and Sound for her work with the Rowantree Theatre Company and PRS Composer of the Year in the Scots Trad Music Awards alongside Heal & Harrow collaborator Lauren MacColl. Co-founder of The Bit Collective, a group focusing on equality and diversity in folk and traditional music, Rachel has organised various campaigns and events, including the Trad. Reclaimed: Women in Folk festival at Kings Place, London in 2019. Rachel' previous solo releases are The Shadow Side (2012), Changeling (2014), Here's My Heart Come Take It (2016) and West (2018). November 2020 marked the release of her fifth solo album To The Awe, based particularly around women’s experience. 'A beauty' **** Observer 'Haunting and compelling' **** The Guardian 'Harp and strings blur the border between worlds' **** The Financial Times
MIRANDA SYKES
23rd May 2024
£14.30(inc bf more otd)
Miranda Sykes has visited the Black Swan Folk Club before but this is the first time she'll be performing in a solo capacity. Of her solo venture she says- 'It feels like a lifetime ago that the world was in lockdown and the hugs and closeness of family and friends seemed like a far off dream. Many still have to be careful, many bear scars of the Pandemic and the long term effects of this on us all is yet to be realised. My new album ‘Out of the woods’ is a collection of songs that have seen me through my own journey of isolation, illness and recovery and I hope they bring you as much comfort as they did me over the past few turbulent years.' Miranda started her career as a musician in 1996 at the age of 18, playing bass guitar in a country rock band. After 2 years touring and playing for line dancing in working mens clubs across Britain, folk-rock band Pressgang were looking for a bass player. Miranda spent the next 2 years touring internationally with them. After a few years of musical promiscuity playing with Firebrand, Little Johnny England, Robb Johnson, Bill Jones, Steafan Hannigan, Reg Meuross, Kirsty McGee, The Phil Beer Band, Martyn Joseph and The Scoville Units; Miranda depped for Pete Zorn in the 2004 Show Of Hands festival band line up. She worked with them for the next 20 years. Miranda also found time for a short tour and album with the Miranda Sykes Band in 2005, duo album tours with mandolin player Rex Preston and 2 solo albums. 2024 brings a second tour with Hannah Martin, a new Baring-Gould Centenary project with Jim Causley, summer festivals with vocal group Daphne’s Flight, a tour with The Phil Beer Trio and a new solo album and tour “Out Of The Woods”.
TONY McMANUS and JULIA TOASPERN
6th June 2024
£17.60 (inc bf more otd)
Undoubtedly one of the finest musical nights we've had at the Black Swan Folk Club was when Tony and Julia last played here in 2022. On the eve of our annual City of York 'Roland Walls' Folk Weekend we're delighted to welcome them back for another intimate concert in the club room. “Tony’s music is beyond beautiful, it’s perfect” – Tommy Emmanuel “Julia’s bell like voice and her filigrane fiddle playing are thrilling. She moves effortlessly from fiddle to guitar...” – Salon Festival Tony McManus is the leading celtic guitarist worldwide and has just been listed as one of the 50 transcendental guitarists of all time by Guitar Player Magazine. While Tony is known as a soloist his frequent collaborations with diverse musicians have always been a significant part of his work. Julia Toaspern is a multi-talented musician from Berlin who combines classical training on violin and voice with a wide interest in genres such as jazz, baroque and traditional music. She has released two albums of original songs and has performed in both classical and singer/songwriter modes on both sides of the Atlantic. On top of all this her skills as a guitarist are prodigious and make an exciting fit with Tony’s work. Their twin guitar treatment of traditional music is unique and each supports the other in exploring the harmonic possibilities of these old, and not so old, tunes. Each of the pair both flatpicks and fingerpicks at the highest level but always at the service of the tune rather than a display of technique. Her violin can effortlessly morph into a fiddle as she weaves from Italian madrigal to Scottish reel. Julia’s songs go to the heart of love and loss, hope and survival and are inflected with musical input from a wide and eclectic experience of musical life. Tony’s and Julia’s arrangements are rooted in deep musicality and heartfelt expression. Having met over a conversation in Berlin about JS Bach, together they play and sing music that speaks to them and hopefully through them to a wider audience.
CITY of YORK 'Roland Walls' Folk Weekend Day 1
7th June 2024
This is a free event
More details to be announced soon.
CITY of YORK 'Roland Walls' Folk Weekend Day 2
8th June 2024
This is a free event.
More details to be announced soon.
CITY of YORK 'Roland Walls' Folk Weekend Day 3
9th June 2024
This is a free event.
More details to be announced soon.
ROBB JOHNSON
26th September 2024
£13.20 (inc bf more otd)
Robb Johnson is a British musician and songwriter who has been called "one of the last genuinely political songwriters". He is known for his mix of political satire and wit. He's released more than 40 albums since 1985, either solo or in several collaborations. Robb Johnson says he’s just a bloke with a guitar. He is. But he’s one who has chronicled our times: painting the less-than-sunny political landscape in the moonlight of the personal. Just like a folk singer should. "Britain's finest songwriter since Richard Thompson"- Venue "An English original" - Robin Denselow, The Guardian