Club Programme

Another regular open mic or singers and musicians session as we used to call them. Everyone welcome to perform or just come along and be a member of the audience. If you want to sing or play, using the mic is entirely optional. Doors open 7pm and you can put your name on the list if you want to perform. Music from 7-30pm.

After a popular appearance at this years Folk Festival, we are very pleased to welcome Phil Cockerham and Dickie Dixon, Janglebuddies to the Black Swan for a full gig. Phil and Dickie perform original and traditional songs and tunes in a variety of styles and moods. For many years they have performed around the north of England, delighting audiences wherever they appear. Armed with guitar, Irish bouzouki, harmonium and percussion, they accompany themselves and their well-crafted harmonies to perform songs ranging from thoughtful to exuberant. Previously, they have played in large and small venues as part of the Philip Cockerham Trio in clubs and theatres, for festivals and on trains (!) and they have regularly appeared on radio, including on the BBC. Now joined by their friend Helena and her delightful Cello with music for all who wish to join in. Guaranteed to be a great night.

Chris (Concertina) and Denny (Vocals and Guitar) have brought their unique sound to audiences across the globe since 1993. In 2016, they joined forces with Emily (Fiddle and Vocals) blending vocal harmonies and strings to their unique sound. Now, their soul-stirring songs, exhilarating tunes and quick-witted banter ensures that no two concerts are ever the same. From festival stages to intimate venues, their performances are filled with warmth, laughter, and exceptional musicianship. Don’t miss the chance to experience their magic live

PLUMHALL are the critically acclaimed UK duo of Michelle Plum (Chumbawamba, The Chris Norman Band) and Nick B Hall (Magna Carta, Ian Prowse & Amsterdam, The Hall Brothers). Their mesmerising blend of acoustic and electric instruments, exquisite vocal harmonies, and exceptional musicianship have earned them numerous accolades and wowed audiences worldwide. Few who were there will forget the memorable evening at The Black Swan when they were joined by former Bob Dylan guitarist and Levon Helm producer Larry Campbell for a cover of the Dylan classic ‘Senor’. They are back again for another guest spot at the club to kick off our Autumn season. Expect a highly polished set of acoustic and contemporary folk.

Janice Burns & Jon Doran are an award-winning Anglo-Scottish duo who came together after discovering a shared love of traditional music and songs that tell vivid stories about the nature of life and our place in the world. Janice & Jon’s ‘clever and uncluttered musical storytelling’ [Songlines] comes alive through tight vocal harmonies and sensitive interplay between mandolin, bouzouki, and guitar. Their arrangements have a spellbinding presence and an understated energy that transports their songs from the pages of books and manuscripts into the imagination of the listener.

Back for us again in York. Michael McGoldrick and Tim Edey are celebrated musicians in the realm of Celtic folk music, renowned for their exceptional skills and innovative approaches. Former BBC Folk Awards Musician of the Year Michael McGoldrick is a gifted multi-instrumentalist and composer. Born in Manchester to Irish parents, he is a master of the wooden flute, low whistles and uilleann pipes, making him a go-to contributor for many artists. Mike has collaborated with Mark Knopfler since 2009 and been a core member of the Transatlantic Sessions since 2007. Steeped in Irish traditional music, he has, from his ground-breaking 2000 solo album Fused onwards, assimilated a wide range of musical styles into his work including jazz, funk, African and Indian rhythms. Mike has made an immense contribution to the Irish and UK folk scenes through his many solo and collaborative projects including being a founder member of the supergroup Lúnasa and later through his work with Capercaillie. Recently nominated as Best Folk Instrumentalist at the 2024 RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards, Mike's reputation as one of the leading musicians of his generation is undeniable. Tim Edey is a guitarist & melodeon player, a BBC musician of the year & BBC Scotland best traditional musician winner. Having spent years touring with acts like The Chieftains, Seamus Begley, Brendan Power, Natalie MacMaster to name a few, Tim is now an accomplished solo artist and joins Mike, a huge musical influence, having first met him at Rochester Sweeps Festival in 1996. The duo is a special meeting of old friends bringing together virtuosity and sheer musical magic.

"The Quiggs” is a Scottish/Danish duo consisting of the married couple Stephen and Pernille Quigg. Stephen Quigg is a well-established folksinger who has made a living playing music for over 40 years. He grew up on the west-coast of Scotland where music played an important part of his formative years. Stephen has through all the years performed solo but for 10 years he was also part of the legendary folk group The McCalmans until they finished up in 2010. The Quiggs tour regularly with great success in Denmark, Germany and The Netherlands and of course there are many concerts on Scottish soil. Stephen and Pernille share a common feeling for the tradition of folksong. It is a close partnership which thrives on a strong connection to the audience reaching far beyond the front row. This has given the duo a very loyal and ever-increasing fan base. The combination of the two voices in close harmony in songs whether traditional or contemporary interspersed with anecdotes and a touch of humour has received much praise from both audiences and organisers. A concert with The Quiggs is a chance to hear folksong in its original form - simple, yet highly expressive, beautiful harmonies and songs that seek the audience's participation.

Described by Sir Tom Jones as “a Weaver of Dreams”, Joe Topping is a folk singer and multi instrumentalist from Liverpool whose singing and guitar playing regularly moves listeners to tears. His charismatic stage presence and engaging stories have entertained audiences all over the country and all across Europe, including live sessions on BBC Radio 2, ITV television, The National Film Awards and a showcase at SXSW in Texas. “Joe had our capacity audience in the palm of his hand before the end of the first number. Great songs, fab voice and a very engaging manner

A live celebration of Nic Jones’ music, performed by BBC Folk Award winner Sam Carter There are few folk singers as revered as the great Nic Jones. A towering figure of the English folk revival, his emotive singing and groundbreaking guitar style continue to inspire generations of musicians and listeners. His masterpiece Penguin Eggs remains a touchstone album, treasured more than forty years on. In 1982, just two years after the album’s release, Nic’s career was cut short by a devastating car accident. Yet his influence endures, shaping generations of folk musicians too young to have seen him perform in his prime. Among them is BBC Folk Award-winning singer and guitarist Sam Carter. Hailed by Jon Boden (Bellowhead) as “the finest English-style fingerpicking guitarist of his generation,” Sam first immersed himself in Nic’s recordings as a young player. His faithful rendition of Canadee-i-o went on to attract over 115,000 views on YouTube and led to an unforgettable invitation to perform alongside Nic himself at Sidmouth Folk Festival in 2010 — Nic’s first public performance in 28 years. Sam has since recorded Nic’s Ruins By The Shore and was chosen as Nic’s guitar double in the BBC4 documentary The Enigma of Nic Jones.

Jon Wilks is a folk singer, songwriter and acclaimed fingerpicking guitarist rooted in English folk traditions, memory and place. Described by The Quietus as “one of the driving forces of the London folk scene,” he is known for a deeply personal approach to both traditional and original material. A former editor at Time Out, Wilks brings a strong storytelling instinct to his songs and performances. His fourth album was named Folk Album of the Month by The Guardian, and his fifth, Needless Alley (2025), marked a shift toward autobiographical songwriting. He performs solo and with his occasional band, The Grizzly Folk

The best stories make us feel deeply and in the 15 years she has been writing and performing, Hannah has become an exceptional storyteller. Her music is shaped by human connections, with family, in all its chaos and glory, sitting at the heart of her work. Her lyrics are powerful and poignant, and her voice feels strangely familiar, though you can’t quite put your finger on why. Her writing may be deeply personal but her music has a universal appeal that goes beyond the melodies you catch yourself humming in the days after listening to her songs. Career highlights include having her song No Gravity featured on the hit international TV series Grey’s Anatomy, recording a live session on BBC Radio 2 with Dermot O’Leary and opening for Madeleine Peyroux, performing to an audience of two thousand. She has also shared the stage with folk luminaries such as Seth Lakeman, Cara Dillon and Fairport Convention and has performed at festivals including Cambridge, Sidmouth and Manchester Folk. Equally at home in small venues, she thrives on the intimacy of performing in spaces where she can look audience members in the eye.

Make sure you don't miss the class act, we were blown away by Reuben and The Bridge who are a Yorkshire based acoustic folk duo, paired both in life and in music. Comprising Reuben Wilkinson on guitar and vocals and Annie Bridget on vocals and fiddle. Both live and on record, they play a mix of self-penned songs and covers of classics to which they put their folk inspired interpretations to. They have a personal and musical warmth which is very evident in their live performances and carries over to this delightful, if rather short, new album. Both have excellent voices and are masters of their instruments. Reuben's guitar work is subtle and skilful whilst Bridget's fiddle playing is quite simply outstanding.

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 Sisters Keeper and has since had over twenty million plays on Spotify and over fifty million plays on YouTube.

One of our most popular guests, Holly's distinctive yet ever-evolving sound has been described as 'measured and beautiful' by BBC6Music's Tom Robinson. With silky smooth vocals and a mesmerising intensity, Holly possesses the ability to interpret complex ideas and emotions purely through the texture and skilful use of her voice and guitar. Holly has devoted her life to sharing music with others. Her creative, melodic vocal lines, innate musicality and storytelling prowess, combined with a repertoire of haunting original compositions, never fails to captivate listeners. The strength of her sublime performances and the quality of her self-penned material have earned recognition from BBC Radio 2's Steve Lamacq and Sir Bob Harris, song placements in TV and film, as well as a devoted online following.

For almost 50 years, Bob Fox has been regarded as one of “the iconic voices” of British folk song. His career began during the vibrant “folk revival” of the 60s and 70s, and he has become one of the most highly rated and best-loved singer/guitarists both in the UK and beyond. Masterful interpretation of traditional and contemporary song, combined with an outstanding guitar technique, has earned him countless nominations in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards over the years. Bob played the role of Songman for over 4 years in The National Theatre’s West End production of War Horse and in two subsequent touring versions. Don’t miss the chance to see and hear one of our finest exponents of storytelling through song, expect to hear of love, joy, work and humour all accompanied by a wonderful guitar style that can both drive or embellish his supreme singing.

traditional music and songs that tell vivid stories about the nature of life and our place in the world. Janice & Jon’s ‘clever and uncluttered musical storytelling’ [Songlines] comes alive through tight vocal harmonies and sensitive interplay between mandolin, bouzouki, and guitar. Their arrangements have a spellbinding presence and an understated energy that transports their songs from the pages of books and manuscripts into the imagination of the listener.