E-Newsletter 272

Hello everyone,

Autumn is in full swing, and with so much happening right now, here’s our latest list.

Only a few days away legendary Scottish band THE TANNAHILL WEAVERS are at the club this Thursday Nov 6. This’ll be a fantastic night of Traditional music from Scotland in the club room with an award-winning band who’ve been playing the folk club circuit for over 50 years.

Thursday November 13 is an Open Mic evening everyone welcome to perform or just to listen.

RILEY BAUGUS (USA) Thurs Nov 20

Riley Baugus is a leading figure in traditional American banjo and song, known for his strong voice and skilled musicianship. Raised in North Carolina's Blue Ridge mountains, he learned music and storytelling from local mentors. His solo shows highlight banjos, ballads, stories, and songs. Riley has toured the UK with Ira Bernstein as Appalachian Roots, performed at Celtic Connections with Dirk Powell, toured with Tim Eriksen for the Cold Mountain film, and recorded with artists like Robert Plant, Alison Krauss, and Willie Nelson.

STEPHANIE COLEMAN and NORA BROWN (USA) Sun Nov 23 at The Crescent York this show has now completely SOLD OUT!

JUDE BROTHERS and CLARKE CAMILLERI Mon Nov 24 (Monday special) at The Black Swan Inn York. 'THE ROLLING HILLS OF HOME, THAT WAS NEVER MY HOME AT ALL' Two Americana and Folk performers combine for what promises to be an interesting evening of song. Jude Brothers is a freak folk singer-songwriter from Northwest Arkansas, inspired by the regional folk music of the Ozarks always reaching for the roots therein and branches thereout. Offering a new take on the music Brothers offers old school folk heads a taste of timelessness, evocative lyricism, and unparalleled vocal stylings over a bed of whirling harp & guitar melodies. On this tour Jude combines with Clarke Camilleri a folk singer-songwriter from Nottinghamshire, whose music blends folk traditions with a life of discovery. With his banjo in tow, he’s journeyed across countries, gathering stories that deeply influence his sound. Shaped by roles as a fisherman, construction worker, plasterer, and busker, his music is rich with authenticity and depth. These experiences have provided him with a wealth of stories, further enriching his songwriting.

Thurs Nov 27 is an Open Mic at the club.

Mon December 1st marks the return of ST AGNES FOUNTAIN at the NCEM York. Since forming in 2001, the group—now a trio after David Hughes' passing—has delighted audiences with inventive music and festive spirit. Their new live album, recorded during their 2023 Christmas tour, highlights their enduring appeal. Known for captivating performances, St Agnes Fountain (Chris Leslie from Fairport Convention, Julie Matthews and Chris While) return for their third appearance at the National Centre for Early Music to kick off the holiday season.

Thurs Dec 4 is an Open Mic at the club.

DONNELLY & SOUTH’S CHRISTMAS CRACKER is at the club on Thurs Dec 11. Keith Donnelly and Lauren South return to the folk club with their Christmas Cracker—a festive show featuring singalong songs, comic anecdotes, ghost stories, and Lauren’s smooth vocals. Enjoy lively guitars, fiddles, and plenty of holiday cheer.

The BLACK SWAN FOLK CLUB XMAS PARTY is on Thurs Dec 18. The party will take the usual format with Christmas songs and tunes in the form of a Come All Ye session and they’ll be food and prizes.

BLONDE ON BOB ‘NOTHIN’ BUT DYLAN’ Mon Dec 29. The annual tribute to the singer-songwriter legend from 6 piece band Blonde on Bob with support from Billy Bills and Graham Metcalf. As usual this is at The Black Swan Inn York and as happens every year they’ll be a Dylan themed quiz plus some seasonal festivities.

Into 2026 now and our line-up reads as follows:-

Thurs Jan 8 the opening club night of the New Year with long time club favourite JEZ LOWE

Thurs Jan 15 Open Mic

Thurs Jan 22 REG MEUROSS

Sun Jan 25 WINTER FOLK DAY 2026

Mon Jan 26 Le VENT du NORD at The Crescent Club

Thurs Jan 29 Open Mic

Thurs Feb 5 Open Mic

Thurs Feb 12 The JON PALMER BAND

Thurs Feb 19 TONY McMANUS and JULIA TOASPERN

Sun Feb 22 McGOLDRICK, McCUSKER and DOYLE at The Crescent Club

Thurs Feb 26 BELLA HARDY

Thurs March 5 DANA ROBINSON (USA)

Thurs March 12 Open Mic

Thurs March 19 Open Mic

Thurs March 26 ‘4 in the ROUND’ with TONI BUNNELL, SARAH DEAN, JUDITH HASWELL and PAULA RYAN.

Thurs April 2 MIKEY KENNEY and AWEN BLANDFORD

Thurs April 9 JIM CAUSLEY

Thurs April 16 BRIAN WILLOUGHBY and CATHRYN CRAIG

Thurs April 23 HUNTER MUSKETT

Thurs April 30 DAN McKINNON

Thurs May 7 Open Mic

Thurs May 14 TOM BLISS and DEN MILLER

Thurs May 21 Open Mic

Thurs May 28 THE HUNCH

Thurs June 4-7 CITY of YORK ‘Roland Wall’s’ FOLK WEEKEND 2026.

We’re at The Black Swan Inn every Thursday except Thurs Dec 25 and Thurs Jan 1 when we’re not running because of the holidays plus the extra concerts and special nights noted above.

Ticket links for all our concerts and club nights are on the Black Swan Folk Club website: www.blackswanfolkclub.org.uk. Follow our Facebook and X pages for updates.

Other folkie gigs around in York include renown singer and songwriter Chris Wood at the NCEM on Sunday November 16 and O’Hooley and Tidow also at the NCEM on Wed 26 November.

There are regular open sessions for tunes held at The Corner Pin, Tanner Row every Monday evening around 7-30pm onwards and likewise on Tuesdays at The Museum Tavern on Museum St. Every Friday night a tunes and singing session is held at The Three Legged Mare on High Petergate.  

Finally some important news. One of our favourite local venues where we’ve been co-promoting many concerts over the years has a problem with a planning application for a new housing build right next door. This of course could prove problematic for a live music venue. Read more about the situation and raise an objection to the planning application by following this link https://thecrescentyork.com/we-need-your-help/   

Thanks for reading this and we look forward to seeing you soon at The Black Swan Folk Club or at any of our concerts.