Club Programme

Chris Brain renders songs embedded in folk tradition and the pastoral, with a contemporary resonance. Drawing inspiration from the outdoors and song writers such as John Martyn, Nick Drake and Joni Mitchell, Chris explores distinctive fingerpicking patterns and alternate tunings in his sound.

Christina Alden & Alex Patterson played the club only a few years ago and we're more than pleased to invite them back for another guest spot. They are multi-instrumentalists and songwriters from Norwich with music rich in intertwining harmonies, sensitive accomplished musicianship and a creative song-writing style that is 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. 'A bright, lively collection of songs that plays so sweetly it evokes the sensation of a summer folk festival' - The Guardian

A real friend of The Black Swan Folk Club and one of the finest fiddle players in the UK, Tom has been guesting at the club for many years and here he is again, this time accompanied by genius pianist Michael Biggins. Renowned for his musical accompaniments, Tom has played on hundreds of albums. The list includes: Barbara Dickson, Richard Thompson, Allan Taylor and Lindisfarne. Whilst he has shared stages throughout the world with Stephan Grappelli, Sean McGuire, Mark O’Connor, Paul Brady and The Chieftains, Tom has never forgotten his roots and is as happy in the intimate atmosphere of a small folk club as he is at the largest festivals. Tom McConville is certainly a .world class act.

Sorry everyone but only a few days after announcing we have had to cancel this one due to unforeseen circumstances. Tickets already bought will be refunded from the point of purchase.

White Sail - Alt-folk chroniclers of Love, Life, Land & Sea and old friends of the Black Swan Folk Club the York-based trio feature Sarah Dean, Jane Stockdale & Chris Bartram. With a glorious melding of harmony vocals & guitars, mandolin, Celtic harp, Appalachian dulcimer, shruti box, trumpet, flute, woodwinds & percussion, they weave unique magic on the contemporary & traditional. Taking inspiration from nature, history & heritage they write about love, life, the land and the sea. Their stories are told with passion and sublime musicality, set against soundscapes that are joyous, vibrant, gentle and mesmeric. They’ve recently toured twice with Liam O’Maonlai, charismatic frontman of Hothouse Flowers, acting as his support, and also taking on the role of ‘house band’. Another old friend of the club Paula Ryan is an award-winning Singer/Songwriter from Tipperary, Ireland she is "a unique voice in the contemporary folk world" (Classic Rock Society Magazine). Paula's music is infused with the Celtic lyricism and passion of her Irish Gaelic roots and she uses a range of instruments, some standard (Guitar, Bazouki) and some a bit more unusual (Bodhran, Marimba), to accompany original songs which are “really powerful.... what song-writing is all about, making you think” (Fatea Magazine). Paula's “storytelling” and her intros sometimes serious, sometimes amusing, sometimes reflective, sometimes lively, are always sensitive to the song and the music. She presents her own original material alongside folk favourites. The musicality of her Irish roots are "well worth seeking out" (Irish Music Magazine) "White Sail are rooted in the music of the people and the music of the land. There is a heart driven energy in the way they share their music and songs. I had the pleasure of touring with them two years in succession. We made a lot of music together venturing in to the unknown" Liam Ó Maonlaí ~ Hothouse Flowers

After a storming gig, just over a year ago, we couldn't wait to get these two back at The Black Swan Folk Club. They are simply one of the most exciting duos to emerge from the UK in recent times, and they 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. 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 deserve to be thought of as amongst the best”.

Another Black Swan favourite returns to the club. 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 outstand-ing 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 pro-duction of WarHorse and in two subsequent touring versions. He can also be heard singing extensively with John Tams and Barry Coope on the new Radio Ballads commissioned by the BBC, has completed several sell out UK tours as one of the Pitmen Poets and most recently has joined HOME SERVICE as lead singer. Don’t miss the chance to see and hear one of our finest exponents of story telling 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.

Back at The Black Swan an evening not to be missed. “Sam Carter is a brilliant guitarist and songwriter who combines the observational with social comment and personal reflection” — Songlines Midlands-born Sam Carter is a BBC Folk Award-winning singer-songwriter and guitarist renowned for his narrative-rich songwriting, which Uncut described as being “as penetrating as Richard Thompson’s best work”. For over 15 years, he has been stirring audiences from Camden to Canada, from major festivals to intimate clubs. Carter’s expressive fingerpicking led Jon Boden of Bellowhead to call him "the finest English-style fingerpicking guitarist of his generation," while Ivor Novello-winner Nitin Sawhney has praised his "killer voice." With a discography that spans six solo albums and two releases with the folk-rock band False Lights, Carter’s music reflects a blend of traditional English folk, shape-note singing, and rock. Notable highlights in his career include a spellbinding performance on Later… with Jools Holland, where he played songs from his shape-note-inspired album The No Testament alongside renowned fiddler Sam Sweeney.

Last seen at the Black Swan Folk Club in February 2016 not long before their founder member and inspiration Koady Chaisson unexpectedly passed away from a heart anneurysm at only 37 years old. The East Pointers have Koady to thank for being the kinetic force behind them. This JUNO-Award winning indie-folk trio combime to produce dancefloor-shaking electro-trad, a glorious combination of folk/pop' It has brought much joy to audiences around the world and now, even posthumously, Koady’s energetic fire continues to blaze their musical trail onward. They return to York to stir up a storm once again.

James Keelaghan returns to The Black Swan Folk Club. His return is long overdue and this concert is the final night of the extended City of York 'Roland Wall's' Folk Weekend 2025. Called Canada’s finest singer-songwriter by one of the most respected and lauded music journalists of the last 50 years, James Keelaghan is an artist who has proven to be a man for all seasons. As the calendar pages have turned, for almost a quarter of a century now, this poet laureate of the folk and roots music world has gone about his work with a combination of passion, intent and intensity, and curiosity. Fusing his insatiable appetite for finding the next unique storyline Keelaghan also forges his pieces with brilliantly defined craftsmanship and a monogrammed artistic vision, making him one of the most distinctive and readily identifiable voices of not only the Canadian scene, but as a member of the international singer-songwriter community

Stan Graham, David Swann and Anna Shannon all well known to the club as three fine North Yorkshire singer-songwriters with a wealth of great songs. They entertain with a mixture of their own compositions plus tales to tell about the songs. Three different styles held together by excellent musicianship, humour and great storytelling.

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. Founding member David Hughes sadly passed away in 2023 but the other original members Chris Leslie, Julie Matthews and Chris While continue as a trio. 2024 brought a new 'live' album from them, recorded all across the country during their 2023 Christmas tour. As usual the album accompanied the putting up of a thousand Christmas trees throughout Britain and around the globe as their reputation reached further afield. It is, without question, their magical live performances that have endeared them to an ever-growing audience. Christmas, as they say, starts with...... St Agnes Fountain... Fa la la la la la la la la! Here they are again for their third visit to the National Centre for Early Music.