Islington Folk Club

Forthcoming programme


Winter - Spring 2024

Date Venue Artist Note
4th January 2024 Brewhouse & Kitchen, 2a Corsica Street, London, N5 1JJ Tom Reid and friends Originally from Ireland but now based in Wales, Tom has also lived and worked in Australia. Always a singer finally, aged 60, he felt ready to put his life time of experience into song. A firm favourite at the club - who will he bring with him this time?
'Tom's powerful voice and impressive guitar are equally at home with love, loss, pain, nature and justice, whether on a personal or global level.' Folk London
11th January 2024 Brewhouse & Kitchen, 2a Corsica Street, London, N5 1JJ Pete Cooper and Richard Bolton Pete (fiddle, mandolin, vocals) and Richard (cello, guitar, vocals) play contemporary roots music mixing dance tunes from English and other fiddle traditions, British and American folk songs and pieces of their own. Consummate performers both, they have three highly acclaimed albums: Turning Point (2001), The Savage Hornpipe (2006) and Angel's Waltz (2014).
'two superbly innovative musicians.' English Dance & Song magazine
18th January 2024 Brewhouse & Kitchen, 2a Corsica Street, London, N5 1JJ Peggy Seeger in conversation A rare opportunity to hear one of the folk revival's most revered performers speaking about her long influential life in folk music and beyond. Singer and writer of international repute, feminist, activist ... Peggy Seeger is all of these.
'she has informed our appreciation of British and North American folk music like very, very few people have ... somebody worth getting amazed about.' Ken Hunt, fRoots.
25th January 2024 Brewhouse & Kitchen, 2a Corsica Street, London, N5 1JJ Burns Night with Amanda MacLean Songs from north of the border in a genuine Scots accent - and on the very night itself! Amanda, fine singer and acclaimed novelist, invites us to celebrate all things Scottish - including haggis naturally - and there will be prizes.
1st February 2024 Brewhouse & Kitchen, 2a Corsica Street, London, N5 1JJ Pete Morton We welcome back one of the best on the contemporary roots-music scene. Pete is an English singer song-writer with a strong emphasis on social commentary, but he is equally at home with traditional material.
'Not only impressive but a revelation.' The Guardian
'Skillful, talented and terminally unpredictable.' Mojo Magazine
'up there with Richard Thompson and Chris Wood.' Glasgow Herald
8th February 2024 Brewhouse & Kitchen, 2a Corsica Street, London, N5 1JJ Sally Ironmonger and Brian Carter Award-winning duo with 20 years on the road making a welcome first visit. Sally writes and sings the songs: poignant, thought-provoking, amusing. Brian, a professional musician all his life, accompanies.
'raw British lyrics with no frills ... great songs' Richard Digance
'Love it when you hear a great song for the first time' Jez Lowe (on Sally's No Ships)
15th February 2024 Brewhouse & Kitchen, 2a Corsica Street, London, N5 1JJ Abstract Truth Blues Band It's that time of the year when our resident bluesman Simon Hindley takes centre stage to blow our troubles away. Once again Simon's impeccable voice and guitar-work will be complemented by Francesca Shaw (double bass), and Little Paul (harmonica/mandolin). If you don't wake up in the morning at least get there for 8pm.
22nd February 2024 Brewhouse & Kitchen, 2a Corsica Street, London, N5 1JJ Richard Allen + Jude Bailey + Double-Barrel A three-way split in perfect harmony with our strap-line. Richard brings his edgy, hilarious verse, Jude her fine a cappella voice, meanwhile Maggie and Pete fire on both barrels with their whistles, strings, tunes and songs.
29th February 2024 Brewhouse & Kitchen, 2a Corsica Street, London, N5 1JJ Robb Johnson Bastion of the left and a fine writer of songs both political and personal. Robb is a witty, angry and passionate performer with one foot in 70's punk and the other in the chansonnier tradition of Jacques Brel. Ever popular - especially in Belgium.
'one of our best singer-song-writers ever.' Mike Harding
'An English original.' Robin Denselow, The Guardian
7th March 2024 Brewhouse & Kitchen, 2a Corsica Street, London, N5 1JJ Carol Burtt and Rick Hayter A double treat in store. We have Carol's beautiful voice and sensitive interpretation of songs drawn mainly from the English tradition. She may bring her oboe too.
Rick, in contrast, presents acutely observed original material with excellent guitar accompaniment. Perhaps a few collaborations and some guests too?
14th March 2024 Brewhouse & Kitchen, 2a Corsica Street, London, N5 1JJ Vera van Heeringen Former member of the acclaimed and hilarious New Rope String Band, Vera now concentrates on her seriously good flat-picking and reflective, perceptive songs. She's mighty fine on mandolin and fiddle too.
'This lady oozes class' John Atkins fRoots
'ace guitarist Vera van Heeringen delivering classy and effortlessly brilliant songs' Americana UK (reviewing The Cambridge Folk Festival 2018)
21st March 2024 Brewhouse & Kitchen, 2a Corsica Street, London, N5 1JJ Copper Viper Drawing inspiration from the British folk and American country/bluegrass traditions Copper Viper are: Robin Joel Sangster (guitar), Dana Immanuel (banjo) and Duncan Menzies (fiddle/mandolin). Expect intricate harmonies and searing instrumental breaks. A welcome first visit.
'Beautiful harmonies ... gorgeous, haunting melodies' Cerys Matthews, BBC Radio 6 Music
28th March 2024 Brewhouse & Kitchen, 2a Corsica Street, London, N5 1JJ Singaround A chance for floor-singers to shine. All welcome to come along and perform.
4th April 2024 Brewhouse & Kitchen, 2a Corsica Street, London, N5 1JJ Closed for Easter
11th April 2024 Brewhouse & Kitchen, 2a Corsica Street, London, N5 1JJ Wizz Jones The return of a legend. An early influence on Eric Clapton and Keith Richards, BBC Radio 2 Folk Lifetime Award winner, and still going strong after 60-odd years. The original and best. Unmissable.
18th April 2024 Brewhouse & Kitchen, 2a Corsica Street, London, N5 1JJ Paul Downes A welcome first visit from a man with world tours, radio and TV appearances and numerous recordings (Phil Beer, Pete Seeger, Arizona Smoke Review) under his belt. One of the most respected guitarist/singers on the acoustic music scene today.
25th April 2024 Brewhouse & Kitchen, 2a Corsica Street, London, N5 1JJ The Kimberleys Multi-instrumentalists Jim and Isobel perform traditional folk songs on voice, guitar, shruti box and harp. Fine harmonies and imaginative arrangements feature. Seasoned professionals both, welcome back
2nd May 2024 Brewhouse & Kitchen, 2a Corsica Street, London, N5 1JJ Rattle on the Stovepipe Mainly American Old-Time with a smattering of English music. Pete Cooper (fiddle, mandolin, vocals), Dave Arthur (guitar, banjo, melodeon, vocals), Dan Stewart (banjo, guitar, fiddle) are master musicians all. A class act, ever popular.
9th May 2024 Brewhouse & Kitchen, 2a Corsica Street, London, N5 1JJ Maggie Holland Bassist with Ian A Anderson in the 70's, solo performer on guitar, banjo and voice today. In between she has played in bands with Rod Clements and Jez Lowe, sung lead at The National Theatre and written 'A Place Called England' (BBC Folk Awards best song, 1999).
16th May 2024 Brewhouse & Kitchen, 2a Corsica Street, London, N5 1JJ James Delarre & Saul Rose James is a fiddler of the highest order and founding member of critically acclaimed bands: Topette!! And Mawkin. He has worked with Bellowhead, Eliza Carthy and played on Jools Holland and various TV and film scores. Compelling as a solo performer - as we discovered last year - but joined this year by Saul Rose vocalist and melodeon-player of the highest order - also a veteran of Eliza Carthy's band and a third of power-folk band Faustus.
An outstanding evening in prospect ... not to be missed.
23rd May 2024 Brewhouse & Kitchen, 2a Corsica Street, London, N5 1JJ Simon Prager & Wendy Lanchin Acoustic music from country blues to ragtime, through jazz and skiffle, to swing and humour. Simon (guitar, vocal) has been a name on the British blues scene since the 60's once accompanying harmonica legend Sonny Terry. Wendy Lanchin (vocal) worked in musical theatre, cabaret and jazz (appearing at Vortex and Pizza Express) before coming to folk music.
30th May 2024 Brewhouse & Kitchen, 2a Corsica Street, London, N5 1JJ Ben Paley & Dan Stewart Old time American music from Ben (fiddle, vocals) and Dan (guitar, banjo, fiddle). Two top instrumentalists and both club favourites with New Deal String Band and Rattle on the Stove-pipe respectively.
6th June 2024 Brewhouse & Kitchen, 2a Corsica Street, London, N5 1JJ Kath Tait A New Zealander of mild appearance and acid wit, and one of the cleverest singer-songwriters around. She covers ground others might fear to tread, somehow managing to be poignant, shocking and outrageously funny. She's a nifty guitarist too. A great talent criminally under-exposed.
13th June 2024 Brewhouse & Kitchen, 2a Corsica Street, London, N5 1JJ Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne A master of the melodeon and anglo-concertina and a highly regarded singer. Traditional songs and tunes of the British Isles form the basis of the repertoire, with a smattering of baroque, renaissance, ragtime, and music-hall thrown in for good measure. Usually found as part of the highly acclaimed trio Granny's Attic Cohen has also worked in numerous collaborations, most recently with Reg Meuross in the song cycle 'Stolen from God'. Nominated for best newcomer at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in 2018. The third visit for a club favourite.
20th June 2024 Brewhouse & Kitchen, 2a Corsica Street, London, N5 1JJ Suthering A welcome first visit for a duo who are becoming a fixture at clubs and festivals across the UK and beyond. Julu Irving and Heg Brignall perform traditional and self-penned material on piano, guitar and harmony vocal.
'Excellent musicians, beautiful harmonies and a fresh approach to traditional music. 5 stars' Tony Birch, FATEA Magazine
27th June 2024 Brewhouse & Kitchen, 2a Corsica Street, London, N5 1JJ End of Term Party This will be a sing-around evening so it's your turn now. Hope to see you there!
July to August 2024 Brewhouse & Kitchen, 2a Corsica Street, London, N5 1JJ Closed for summer holidays
5th September 2024 Brewhouse & Kitchen, 2a Corsica Street, London, N5 1JJ Jim Murray & The Too Good To Hurry Band. 80th Birthday party! Jim and co. back with an eclectic mix of Geordie humour, traditional and self-penned songs and the odd instrumental interlude - and he's promised to bring the cake!
12th September 2024 Brewhouse & Kitchen, 2a Corsica Street, London, N5 1JJ Nick Dow Nick is an engaging performer with a fine rich voice and a beautiful guitar style. Having lived an amazing life as traveller, artist, writer and broadcaster he knows what he is singing about.
19th September 2024 Brewhouse & Kitchen, 2a Corsica Street, London, N5 1JJ Reg Meuross Superior songs of social import from Reg.
'A mighty songwriter and an equally fine singer' Martin Carthy.
'Classic, with echoes of early Dylan, Tom Paxton and Leonard Cohen' The Guardian
A welcome return to the Club.
26th September 2024 Brewhouse & Kitchen, 2a Corsica Street, London, N5 1JJ Pauline Vallance Back from Ayrshire with songs from Burns, Tannahill and ... Stevie Wonder? Performing on clarsach (harp), flute and kazoo, Pauline is a perfect fit for our mission statement.
'... a delight ... a voice that has clearly benefitted from some classical training, also a fine clarsach player.' Edinburgh Music Review
'Hilarious and totally batshit...' Attila the Stockbroker
3rd October 2024 Brewhouse & Kitchen, 2a Corsica Street, London, N5 1JJ Tom McConville One of our greatest fiddle players and a former BBC Folk Musician of the Year - and he says we're his favourite club!
'Tom is a brilliant fiddler and a great singer; a wonderful ambassador' Aly Bain
10th October 2024 Brewhouse & Kitchen, 2a Corsica Street, London, N5 1JJ Clementine Lovell & band Clementine returns with her accordion, spectacular voice - and a new band. Happily Giffords Circus MD James Keay remains on piano and violin.
17th October 2024 Brewhouse & Kitchen, 2a Corsica Street, London, N5 1JJ The Embers London-based five-piece return to perform their brand of British folk music, Americana and bluegrass. Guitar, double bass, break-neck fiddle and sorrowful harmonies abound.
24th October 2024 Brewhouse & Kitchen, 2a Corsica Street, London, N5 1JJ Tamesas A welcome return for former Trad2Mad winner Emmie, fine fiddler, Kate and bodhran player extraordinaire Aimée. Harmony vocals, flute and ukulele complete the mix.
31st October 2024 Brewhouse & Kitchen, 2a Corsica Street, London, N5 1JJ Belinda Kempster & Fran Foote Fran (also of Stick in the Wheel) and mother Belinda sing songs from their Essex family tradition.
'... totally captivating and enormously powerful and resonant... ' RnR magazine
7th November 2024 Brewhouse & Kitchen, 2a Corsica Street, London, N5 1JJ Isabel InkCap & band A young, much travelled, Essex singer/songwriter currently making her mark in the clubs. Isabel writes, sings and plays banjo and guitar with lap-steel and double-bass from the band.
14th November 2024 Brewhouse & Kitchen, 2a Corsica Street, London, N5 1JJ Bob Fox Bob began in the northeast in the 70's with Tom McConville. He has played everywhere since - recently touring with Jez Lowe in 'The Pitman Poets' and taking the part of 'Songman' in The NT production of 'Warhorse'.
Perhaps the final tour of a glittering career.
21st November 2024 Brewhouse & Kitchen, 2a Corsica Street, London, N5 1JJ Carrivick Sisiters Top-class playing on guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin and dobro blended with fabulous close harmonies. Charlotte and Laura play mainly bluegrass and old-time American music to international acclaim.
28th November 2024 Brewhouse & Kitchen, 2a Corsica Street, London, N5 1JJ Nick Hart We've finally got him!
'Probably the finest interpreter of English folk-songs this generation has produced' Tradfolk.co
'Superb' The Guardian
Enough said?
5th December 2024 Brewhouse & Kitchen, 2a Corsica Street, London, N5 1JJ John Hegley The Bard of Luton returns with tales of Keats, bungalows and guillemots. Come early and get your Christmas presents from the merch table.
'Marvellous, joyful fun' The Daily Telegraph
'An incurable entertainer' The Guardian
12th December 2024 Brewhouse & Kitchen, 2a Corsica Street, London, N5 1JJ Christina Alden & Alex Patterson Multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriters from East Anglia make a first visit. They have toured Europe, guested at Celtic Connections and played across the road at Union Chapel - welcome to the Brewhouse!
19th December 2024 Brewhouse & Kitchen, 2a Corsica Street, London, N5 1JJ End of Term Christmas Party Time to make your own fun.
Happy Christmas!
26th December 2024 Brewhouse & Kitchen, 2a Corsica Street, London, N5 1JJ Club Closed for Christmas

If you're interested, here is a list of previous guests, since 1997.



Page created by Martin Nail. Last revised 1st March 2024