Club Programme

One of our favourite artists who has played the Black Swan Folk Club many times Jez Lowe is a fitting guest to start things off after our August break. Last seen in York on the Radio Ballads tour alongside Bob Fox and Julie Matthews this is a solo show. A double nomination a few years ago in the 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.

A few years ago Flossie Malavialle was one of our most popular artists at The Black Swan Folk Club. After nearly 20 years of driving up and down the country between 2002 and 2019, she decided to take a year off in 2020, amd go back to France to concentrate on other projects. Since then she has re-settled in the south of France. This September Flossie is back for a short UK tour and we're happy to have her as a guest at the club again with her inimitable mix of French and English folk and popular song.

Featuring Vocalist Eilidh Grant, Fiona Cuthill on Fiddle and Stevie Lawrence on Acoustic Guitar and Bouzouki, The Eilidh Grant Trio bring a wide range of musical influences together to create their unique sound. With a love for traditional and contemporary folk alike, underpinned by a passion for the works of Robert Burns, Eilidh’s voice beautifully renders both classic folk songs and original material and she has made a considerable impression with her performances throughout Scotland and abroad. Fiona Cuthill was classically trained in violin by Bill Baxter, who played in the renowned Halley Orchestra. After leaving school, she studied more traditional styles of playing and spent the next 10 years playing in ceilidh bands and sessions all over the country. She is in demand as a session musician and arranger and has appeared on many CDs. A Tutor at Glasgow Fiddle Workshop, she is also a prolific composer and one of her tunes has been recorded by renowned Quebecois band Le Vent du Nord. The third member of the trio Stevie Lawrence joined the ranks of the group Iron Horse and recorded 3 albums with them(including the soundtrack to BBC networked series, “The GameKeeper”), as well as touring worldwide. After leaving Iron Horse, Stevie carved a career as session musician, arranger and producer and has worked with a diverse range of artists. He was also a member “The Red Hot Chilli Pipers” from 2007 – 2014 again touring worldwide.

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

A Black Swan Folk Club debut for this Americana singer and songwriter on tour from the USA. "Whatever magic potion the troubadours in Laurel Canyon were sipping on in 1971, Jesse Terry managed to track it down and take a deep gulp. Now on his seventh album, 'When We Wander', Terry performs his beautifully crafted songs to around 150 audiences a year from Bonnaroo to Americana Fest. Berklee College of Music shaped his talent, propelling him to a five-year staff writer role on Nashville's Music Row. Awarded in 'The John Lennon Songwriting Contest' and 'The CMT/NSAI Song Contest,' his music has appeared in Netflix , PBS and ABC shows. Spring 2023 welcomed his book, 'If I Were the Moon,' via Schiffer Publishing, inspired by his eponymous song.”

An eagerly awaited return to the Black Swan Folk Club for The Brothers Gillespie. Described by Folk Radio UK as ‘weaving an especially compelling magic’, and 'showing British acoustic music in its best possible light’, this Northumbrian duo make music that is animated by lyrical songwriting, fine fingerstyle guitar playing, multi-instrumental musicianship and ‘the glorious tones of their blood harmony’ (Sam Lee).

Innovative modern and quirky. If you saw this Dublin based singer and musician at The Crescent a couple of years ago you'll know that he's at the forefont of the new wave of Irish folk music. The release of his second album Look Over the Wall, See the Sky made a big impression and was a huge start to 2024. John masterfully unpicks traditional songs and rearranges them with an emotional force. They float in a surreal space between the past and the present, the analog and the digital, between love and tragedy..The unconventional use of instruments and jagged arrangements gives the work a magnetism by drawing you into its curious orbit of experimental folk. Look Over The Wall, See The Sky is a re-imagining of traditional Irish music: powerful, hopeful and free. John Francis Flynn is a singer and multi-instrumentalist who creates contemporary music using traditional and folk material. His debut album “I Would Not Live Always” was released on Rough Trade imprint River Lea Records in 2020, earning rave reviews and winning 2 awards at the RTE Folk Awards.

We've hosted Jack Rutter at The Black Swan Folk Club on several occasions and are well aware of his great talent. This Is Something Constant is the outstanding third in a trilogy of albums of traditional songs. Joined by a swathe of exciting guest musicians including Patsy Reid and Mike McGoldrick, and produced by Joe Rusby, it is his best yet! Building on the momentum of the previous two albums, Jack is totally in his element, exploring rare trad songs – a combination of gripping story ballads and upbeat festival-stage firecrackers – stamping them with his trademark powerhouse guitar and bouzouki and soaring vocals treatment. Another chance to see Jack in an intimate club venue. ‘Singular and compelling; one of the finest singers in folk today’ – Songlines. “A fabulous album: Jack has a terrific voice and that rare thing – a total connect with the songs’ – Mike Harding ‘There can be no doubt that Jack Rutter is one of the finest interpreters of traditional song in the country’ – Folking.com

The radical East London duo are known for their intense live shows exploring the raw holler of folk, synths, spoken word and intricate rustic dobro guitar. Full-force reworkings of centuries-old work-songs speak to contemporary issues of class, using multi-layered sonic palettes to deeply reflect hidden histories, told with a razor-sharp authenticity. Stick In The Wheel have created their own London vernacular, a contemporary roots music that celebrates the collective stories and traditions of the city – conjuring the past to point toward the future.

After a sensational sold out gig at The Black Swan Folk Club last year we welcome back this incredible duo. For over 30 years Ivor Novello award winning Boo Hewerdine has been considered one of the UK’s finest singer-songwriters. As lead singer of seminal band, The Bible through to his subsequent solo work and long-time collaboration with the incredible Eddi Reader he has become something of a national treasure. He is in demand as a writer, producer and performer. Over a hundred of his songs have been covered by the likes of KD Lang, Kris Drever, Chris Difford, Duke Special and Hannah Rarity. Heidi has shared the stage and recorded with Mark Knopfler, Graham Coxon (Blur), Eddi Reader, Idlewild, Matt Rollings, King Creosote, Kris Drever, Tim O'Brien and Jerry Douglas. She is equally at home in front of a Symphony Orchestra, performing widely at Arts Centres, Festivals and even at the White House. Nominated for Folk singer of the year and Best Traditional Song by BBC Radio 2, Best Live Act by the Scottish Traditional Music Awards and Best Female Vocalist at The Irish Music Awards, 2023 saw Heidi win Composer of The Year at the Scots Trad Music Awards. On this tour Boo and Heidi will be singing songs new and old with a dash of humour and a good measure of storytelling. Their gigs are always a total joy.

Cherished and admired in equal measure by listeners and fellow musicians, award-winning guitarist, singer, songwriter and prolific collaborator Kris Drever has been a leading light on the UK roots scene for well over a decade. A highly skilled guitarist who adroitly blends traditional folk and flat picking with more contemporary influences – allied to a distinctively relaxed and poised vocal burr – Drever is an astonishingly fine interpreter of others’ songs, with an increasingly frequent knack for concocting seriously smart lyrical observations and earworm melodies of his own. Drever has played and recorded with an extensive range of artists including Mark Knopfler, Jack Bruce, Danny Thompson, Eddi Reader, Bela Fleck, Tim O’Brien, Jerry Douglas, Sarah Jarosz, Joan As Police Woman, Tinariwen, Karine Polwart and Julie Fowlis. Having grown up in Orkney, after leaving school and moving to Edinburgh he discovered the city’s thriving session scene in the early 2000s. After touring with numerous traditional acts his own profile flourished as part of revered folk experimental trio LAU and following the release of his much-loved debut solo LP Black Water in 2006. An album in collaboration with Idlewild frontman Roddy Woomble and fiddler John McCusker, Before the Ruin, and a second solo album, Mark the Hard Earth, came soon after along with a steady stream of collaborative releases including last year’s visionary, nature-focused Spell Songs project.

A legendary band return to the Black Swan Folk Club. Their long awaited debut last year was a great succes and so here they are again. Hunter Muskett are an acoustic/electric trio. They play distinctive original songs in a folky, bluesy sometimes Americana vein. Formed in 1968 the band played at home and abroad until 1974 producing two, now collectable, albums: Every Time You Move with bassist Danny Thompson and the Keith Relf produced Hunter Muskett. Doug Morter went on to carve out a career as the ‘go-to’ vocalist/guitarist of the folk-rock scene performing with the likes of: Magna Carta, Albion Band, Maddy Prior, Michael Chapman and Jerry Donahue.. Since resuming touring in 2010 they've released three further critically acclaimed albums of new material: That Was Then This Is Now, Unafraid and Sober and Roll On.

A Mythical Musical Odyssey with CALAN. They emerge with a new, captivating narrative. Ancient tales of Welsh mythology are meticulously brought to life, transcending the pages of folklore to resonate through the enchanting melodies of harp, guitar, fiddle, accordion, and song. ‘Nefydd’ tells stories of murderous princes, thieving highwaymen and the triumphant resurgence of the heart of Welsh folklore. CALAN's versatility is legendary in itself. From intimate house concerts to the grandiose Royal Albert Hall, Calan have become modern day folk heroes themselves. They also notably graced operatic superstar Sir Bryn Terfel's most recent album, marking their triumphant return to the musical forefront.

Amy Hollinrake is a rising artist emerging from the South-East London folk scene. Her songs re-imagine the stories in folklore and mythology through a modern feminist lens, soundtracked by her hauntingly beautiful and earthy brand of contemporary alt-folk. Musical touchstones include Joanna Newsom, Sandy Denny, Adrienne Lenker, and the new era of feminist folk artists such as Paris Paloma.

A debut at The Black Swan Folk Club for this upcoming perform (although he did play here as a member of the John Wright Band some years ago). Described by Sir Tom Jones as “a Weaver of Dreams”, Joe Topping is a folk singer and multi instrumentalist from Liverpool. His charismatic stage presence and engaging stories have entertained audiences all over the country and across Europe, including live sessions on BBC Radio 2, ITV, The National Film Awards and a showcase at SXSW in Texas. He has played on stage and in the studio with Fairport Convention, An dy Irvine and Home Service. He was a member ofAshley Hutching’s Rainbow Chasers. “Joe is a charismatic and accomplished singer songwriter effortlessly switching between his own thoughtful, melodic compositions and raucous standards!” -Steve Knightley (Show of Hands)

‘......boundary breaking is routine for Collister and makes her one of the finest grown-up vocalists on the planet…’ – Q Touring for the first time in four years, Christine will be performing songs from the “Children of the Sea” project along with a selection of old favourites. 2024: Christine’s career now spans an incredible 40 years. Over that bridge of time she has released 24 albums, a DVD celebrating 20 years in the business and an acclaimed single with the BBC: the theme tune for “The Life and Loves of a She-Devil” in 1987. Throughout, she has mesmerized and astounded with her unique blend of soul, blues, pop, jazz, country and folk, and today she remains as powerful, subtle, effortless and relevant as ever. Collister grew up on the Isle of Man, and her professional recording career began after she moved to the UK in the mid 1980’s, when she came to national attention singing the theme for the BBC Television series The Life and Loves Of A She Devil. A period of great critical and commercial success when working with Clive Gregson was followed by a fruitful and enduring association with Richard Thompson. She is a magical live performer, with her gravity defying voice, assured and impressive live performances and great personal charm has become a familiar and popular name on the ‘live’ scene including major international festivals from Glastonbury to Cambridge, Winnipeg to Port Fairey. “ … a voice personally delivered by God.” The Times ‘Christine Collister has a killer voice. As full as Dusty Springfield or as blue as Alison Moyet’ – Froots To be released in 2024 - Children Of The Sea is a very special project of 9 original songs inspired by Manx Folklore and a magical sense of place. Part funded by the Isle Of Man Arts Council, Culture Vannin and Fledgling Records, The CD is accompanied by a beautiful book complete with lyrics, inspirations and stories with original illustrations by Manx artists. It promises to be Collister’s finest release and marks a turning point in her authentic artistic expression.

After such a successful concert last year at the National Centre for Early Music we immediately snapped up St Agnes Fountain once again to kick off our seasonal celebrations. The band includes Chris While (vocals, guitar, bodhran, dulcimer, banjo, darbuka and percussion), Julie Matthews (vocals, piano, guitar, accordion and gazouki) and Chris Leslie (fiddle, mandolin, tenor guitar, bouzouki, ukulele, banjo, oud, whistle, native American flute and anything else he can lay his hands on). Since their first get together, to record the eponymous St Agnes Fountain album in 2001, the then quartet; David Hughes, Fairport Convention’s Chris Leslie and multi award winning duo Chris While and Julie Matthews, brought musical invention and laughter to the star-dust atmosphere of the season. The band's founding member David Hughes passed away in 2021 but Chris, Chris and Julie have carried on to keep the Christmas Aggie spirit alive. They continue touring as a trio celebrating 24 years together with new material and those old Aggie classics. ‘The Aggie’s’ last album, Night Of A Million Stars included 9 brand new songs from the band and accompanied the putting up of a thousand Christmas trees throughout Britain and around the globe. As the reputation of the band reaches further afield, it is, without question, their magical live performances that has endeared them to an ever-growing audience.