Baldock and Letchworth Folk Club

Neil Nayer is presently Musician in Residence at Church Farm in Ardeley. He’s a deep thinking absurdist singer-songwriter. His debut album ‘Pencil Songs‘, “is clever, quirky, funny, and challenges the system like only a man with his guitar can.”

John Devine is a traditional Irish musician, Uilleann piper and multi-instrumentalist with a dry sense of humour, very entertaining.

Ragged Staff, whose musical arrangements cover a broad spectrum of songs and tunes, from the traditional jigs and reels of Ireland, to morris tunes of England, to classic numbers from such greats as Lindisfarne and that woman from Yorkshire...

A songwriter and performer with a wealth of great songs and stage presence, his show is dynamic and intense as well as approachable and fun loving. Starting out as a busker on the streets of Europe, he has entertained all over the globe with his unique and involving style of song-writing and traditional singing. Pete sings from the heart, delivering songs that tell compelling stories that speak of the human condition from a very unique perspective. Traditional songs often rub shoulders with Pete's current writing; his songs are an unruly mix of humour, politics, love and social comment, wrapping their way around the folk tradition.

Maybe a Scottish song or tune? Come along and join us - everybody welcome, whether you want to play, sing, or just listen!

The first of two concerts for club regular Alan Osborne, who died in December. Featuring Hamish Currie, Chris Sissons, Anne Howard, Moses & The Ref, Nic Barltrop, The Central Methodist Church Band, and Greg James.

We are delighted to welcome back Joe Topping, a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist (guitar, mandolin, bouzouki, harmonica, dobro & banjo); he always been surrounded by diverse music styles, their influences filtered down to Joe who is playing anything from traditional British folk music to delta blues slide guitar.
“Joe has a gift to write songs that will last and that others will want to sing” John Wright
“one of the most beautiful voices I have heard” Chris While

The second of two concerts for club regular Alan Osborne, who died in December. Featuring Life & Times, Adrian Hall, Greg Rose, Ragged Staff, Ross Scrivener, Dave Stacey and Pat Crilly.

Loads of fun, a huge talent and a thoroughly nice young man… so we booked him before he left his last gig with us! Touted as the finest banjo player in the UK, Dan is described as 'taking the banjo into the stratosphere' (Froots) with a unique and eclectic style taking in folk, bluegrass, jazz, rock and even Arabic. Also a singer and guitarist, he has performed throughout the UK at festivals, theatres and folk clubs; performed live on BBC Radio 2 and attracted excellent reviews in the UK and US for debut CD 'Tomorrow's Still To Come'.

Winner of the PRS Composer of the Year award at the 2009 MG Alba Scots Music Awards and renowned for her deft and lyrical accordion style, Mairearad is one of Scotland’s finest musical exports. In great demand as a performer and composer, Mairearad can often be seen on stage with Anna Massie, Box Club, The Poozies and The Unusual Suspects and she has also toured with Karine Polwart and Eddi Reader.

Equally at home as accompanist or melody player, Anna Massie is one of Scotland’s foremost guitarists. A skilled multi-instrumentalist, she also excels on the fiddle, mandolin and banjo and is a member of Blazin’ Fiddles and The Unusual Suspects. The past few years have seen her perform with her own band, Kate Rusby, Karen Matheson, Capercaillie and Eddi Reader. Nominated three times for Best Instrumentalist at the Scots Trad Music Awards (2005, 2008 and 2010), she is a talented musician and “another wonderful example of how youth embraces and refreshes traditional culture. Excellent."

Come along and join us - everybody welcome, whether you want to play, sing, or just listen!

Borrowing a theme from the BBC, Malcolm, Garry and Alan take the floor to perform a song in turn, each then supporting the others as the mood takes them, and as seems appropriate. Expect lots of audience participation. Much heckling and good natured banter between the performers and you the audience is to be expected!

Garry Smith is an entertaining player of the Resophonic guitar, Garry sings the blues with a big rich voice, and has written some great songs. He has a great stage presence and sense of humour

Malcolm Hobbs is a local legend, multi-instrumentalist, a fine singer, wit, actor, director and teller of tall tales.

Al Hewson will be known to most as the club M/C. He has sung and toured with Tam Lin, and in certain circles is John E Cash.

Wendy wowed us all with her appearance at a showcase last spring and we are delighted to have her back for a full evening. Wendy has sung many different styles of music, but with folk music she has found songs that come from the heart and allow great emotional expression and social commentary. Originally from Glasgow, Wendy performs a mixture of British folk songs including a generous helping of Scottish material plus songs of her own. She generally accompanies herself on guitar, but whistles, bodhran, mandolin and accordion have also been known to appear.

Winner of several awards, including the 2011 BBC Radio 2 Horizon Award, Ewan is an emerging folk artist who has been making headlines. His music combines traditional folk, with an inevitable focus on the music of Scotland, with his own self-penned songs that are receiving critical acclaim in their own right. His guitar playing, which has been described as 'stunning', is influenced by the rigour and technique from his years of studying classical guitar, while retaining a unique and compelling sound in which his immersion in folk music is evident.
‘he sings beautifully, with great sincerity and great empathy, he's terrific!’ Mike Harding

Come along and join us - everybody welcome, whether you want to play, sing, or just listen!

Many people sing, play guitar and tell stories - but not many have supported Steve Martin and Robin Williams, or played a guitar duet with Brian May of Queen. Richard Digance has. Richard is also a BAFTA nominated entertainer; he received The Gold Award from The British Academy of Composers and Songwriters in 2003 and is featured in The Virgin Anthology of Songwriters. It was Dennis Norden on the ITV programme '30 years of Comedy' who said that Richard Digance trod a unique and dangerous path, telling stories like no other without taking the obvious tried and tested gag route.