RUNNYMEDE FOLK CLUB
Great news! We are thrilled to announce that we have secured some of the finest contemporary and traditional folk acts from the UK and beyond.
Get ready to experience the best of the best in folk music!
Thursday 1st February 2024
Paul Johnson
At the age of 19, Paul tortured his parents for a year as they endured his daily banjo practice.
For over 50 years, Paul was part of the band "Peter, Paul & Mary’s Brother," showcasing a blend of folk, bluegrass, comedy, scrumpy, Western tunes (primarily Adge Cutler), '60s pop, and Irish folk music.
Unfortunately, the band disbanded in 2019 when their guitarist retired due to health reasons.
Faced with a choice, Paul decided to embark on a solo career.
Initiating his 'Star Trek Tour' in October 2021, a five-year mission, he aimed to perform at every folk club and open mic within a 50-mile radius.
Paul's appearance at Runnymede Folk Club will his 81st performance on this remarkable journey.
Locks
LOCKS are a 'Waits infused' alt-folk quartet based in London.
Purveyors of the macabre their music rumbles from gin-soaked shanties to death march-esque ballads joining the sheer enjoyment of words, meanings and sound with a wonderful playfulness.
Here’s what everyone else is saying about them!
𝗗𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝘆𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗯𝗹𝘂𝗲𝘀" - 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀 𝗛𝗮𝘄𝗸𝗶𝗻𝘀, 𝗕𝗕𝗖 𝟲 𝗠𝗨𝗦𝗜𝗖
“𝗛𝘆𝗽𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗰, 𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲…𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗲𝘄 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀” - 𝗙𝗢𝗟𝗞 𝗥𝗔𝗗𝗜𝗢 𝗨𝗞
"𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗰 𝗿𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗸-𝗯𝗹𝘂𝗲𝘀" ★★★★ (𝟰/𝟱) - 𝗥𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗡𝗘
“𝗘𝘅𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴…𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗱” (𝟵/𝟭𝟬) - 𝗟𝗢𝗨𝗗𝗘𝗥 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡 𝗪𝗔𝗥
𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗲𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘀 𝗟𝗢𝗖𝗞𝗦…𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴...𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲!” ★★★★ (𝟰/𝟱) - 𝗥𝗡𝗥 𝗠𝗔𝗚𝗔𝗭𝗜𝗡𝗘
𝗥𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝘄𝗮𝘃𝗲𝘀…𝗿𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗴𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀...𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝗼𝘃𝗲…𝗴𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝗺𝗽𝘀...” ✭✭✭✭ (𝟰/𝟱) - 𝗠𝗢𝗝𝗢
- 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗸 𝗽𝘂𝗻𝗸𝘀…𝗮 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗽𝘂𝗻𝗸 𝗮𝗹𝗯𝘂𝗺…𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁...”- 𝗩𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗟𝗘 𝗥𝗢𝗖𝗞
Thursday 7th March 2024
Jeanne Marie
Jeanne Marie is a talented young musician who lives and breathes music. Born and raised in Surrey, England, she was drawn to music from a very young age, appreciating melodies, lyrics, and rhythms of various genres, from classical to rock and everything in between.
At the tender age of 7, she won first prize in the singers’ category (Music of the twentieth century) in the international “Great Composers Competition”.
Jeanne Marie was awarded two music scholarships for secondary schools and sings in the National Youth Choir of Great Britain.
She was also in the Top 30 finalist for Young Songwriter Competition 2023 UK/Ireland.
As she grew older, she began to explore the world of music more deeply, and this passion for music only intensified, leading to an insatiable desire to learn more and create original music. Jeanne Marie's unique voice has a rich, captivating sound that is both haunting and uplifting.
With Jeanne Marie's original music, the lyrics, often inspired by personal experiences, tell stories that are relatable, and speaks to the heart. Her music is not just about entertainment, but also about making an impact in the world. Jeanne Marie believes that music can heal, inspire, and bring people together. Through her music, listeners can expect to be taken on a journey, experiencing a range of emotions, and coming out feeling both moved and empowered.
As Jeanne Marie continues to grow and evolve as a musician, she remains committed to sharing her love for music with the world, one song at a time.
Paula Ryan
Paula is an award-winning Singer/Songwriter & Gaelic "Funkstress" from Tipperary, is "a unique voice in the contemporary folk world" (Classic Rock Society Magazine).
Paula's music is a wonderful blend of Celtic lyricism and passion with truly original songwriting and a fascinating array of instruments (Marimba, Guitar, Bodhran, Bazouki).
Paula's original songs have been successful in a number of high profile songwriting contests (e.g. Great American Song Contest, Shrewsbury Folk Festival Peace Song Competition, Pan Celtic Song Contest) and received airplay on RTE Radio 1, BBC Radio, Tipp FM, KCLR, WLR, Clare FM, Shannonside Radio, Princeton TV (USA), Blues & Roots Radio (Canada), Radio Rennes (France).
Paula has shared stages with leading figures in Irish acoustic music including Lankum, Liam O'Maonlaí, Paul Brady, Mary Coughlan, Andy Irvine, Daoirí Farrell. Paula performs at venues and festivals nationally and internationally and her performances, laced with the warmth, wit, musicality and "craic" of her Irish roots, are "well worth seeking out" (Irish Music Magazine).
Roswell
'A folk duo whose voices combine to create a seamless flow of rich, harmonic beauty' ~ Americana UK
Roswell are Zoë Wren and Jasmine Watkiss, two harmony-obsessed multi-instrumentalists who formed Folk-Americana duo Roswell after an impromptu open mic night in Cambridgeshire in 2018. Within a few months, they had won Purbeck Rising 2018 and released their debut EP ‘Remedy’, which won Fatea's EP of the Year 2019.
They have supported incredible musicians like John Smith, Calan and Gilmore & Roberts, and played main stage shows at Purbeck Valley Folk Festival, Wimborne Minster Folk Festival and Fête de la Musique in Geneva.
Their second EP, ‘Come Home’, was produced by Dan Wilde and released in February 2020, with a tour including sold-out shows at the Green Note in London, The Stables in Milton Keynes and The Shelley Theatre in Bournemouth.
Thursday 4th April 2024
The Sepia Tone Folk Collective
The Sepia Tone Folk Collective is a folk duo who sings all original music. Richie Knight writes and composes all the music, playing guitar, piano and harmonica, whilst also singing harmonised vocals. Lucy Amos sings lead vocals and plays a variety of percussion instruments. The band are influenced by the folk, blues, and rock n roll scenes from 1920s to the present day.
The band began in August 2021 after an impromptu gig at 'Lane End Live' and Richie and Lucy have played at a variety of venues ever since, writing and performing all original music.
Nick Hart
Nick Hart is an award-winning singer and multi-instrumentalist whose work with English folk song is rapidly gaining him a reputation as one of the most acclaimed performers of his generation. His considered approach to accompaniment is informed by a deep respect for the nuances of traditional song and his his captivating live performances are a testament to the importance he places on story-telling.
Nick has released two solo albums, 'Nick Hart Sings Eight English Folk Songs' (2017) and Nick Hart Sings Nine English Folk Songs (2019), both to critical acclaim. His predictably titled third album is due for release in April 2022.
Nick has performed as an actor/musician, has worked as a composer/musical director for theatre, and is a sought after teacher and workshop leader.
Thursday 2nd May 2024
Eirra
Eirra is a singer-songwriter from Hertfordshire whose heartfelt, personal lyrics and memorable songs are inspiring a steadily growing following.
Discovering song writing initially as an outlet during a difficult time in her early 20's, she taught herself to play instruments and self-produce, taking songs she wrote in her bedroom to sold out venues such as Manchester's Bridgewater Hall, Newcastle's O2 City Hall and festivals under headliners such as The Proclaimers and The Levellers.
Eirra has captivated audiences across the country and beyond, receiving radio play on BBC Introducing and hitting the papers with singles such as her first release "Alive", released to support various charities.
Good Habits
At the beginning of their journey, the pair spent 2 years happily stranded on tour in New Zealand by the pandemic where they performed at some of NZ’s largest festivals. Their debut album, "Going For Broke", received glowing press in Songlines and The New Zealand Herald, and they were endorsed by Amanda Palmer, Neil Gaiman and the New Zealand Police.
Since returning home as Purbeck Rising winners, they have had a jam-packed first year back in the UK, which saw the release of their 2nd album, "Antipody", as well as performances at many of the UK's top folk festivals.
They can now be found touring relentlessly around the UK and Germany in their red van, Laurie Vanderson, combining their love of collaboration, performing and workshop leading.
Thursday 6th June 2024
Gerry Revie
The inspiration behind Runnymede Folk Club and Colin's father!
What connects Billy Connelly, Gerry Rafferty, and The Corries to Runnymede Folk Club?
Colin is frequently asked where his love of folk music comes from.
The answer is simple — it comes from his father, Gerry Revie. In the 1960s, Colin's father, along with brother Billy and their friends, formed a folk group, as well as a beat group, in Fort William. They subsequently established the Four Winds Folk Club at the Milton Hotel in Fort William.
Amongst the many acts that graced the stage of the Four Winds Folk Club was the Humblebums, consisting of Billy Connelly, Gerry Rafferty, and Tam Harvey.
Over time, the group's performances increasingly featured longer stories from Billy Connelly and less music, leading to their eventual split and pursuit of their own highly successful endeavors.
Another act who made numerous appearances at the club was The Corries, one of Scotland’s most successful ever folk acts. Roy Williamson and Ronnie Browne captivated audiences from 1962 until Roy Williamson's untimely death in 1990. Roy Williamson is perhaps best known for writing "Flower of Scotland," which has become Scotland’s unofficial national anthem. Gerry can often be heard reminiscing about The Corries' sold-out three-night shows at the folk club.
Gerry's wonderful performance at Runnymede Folk Club in 2023 was his first live performance in 50 years and his first ever solo performance, Gerry had of course always been part of a band!
We're delighted to have Gerry back again in 2024.
'Daviid B'
Bio to follow
Louise Rogan
Louise is a performer of the highest quality. Described as having a “pure and soaring voice”, she is regularly asked back.
Audiences large and small enjoy her arrangements of traditional favourites as well as her self-penned songs, often requesting ‘Evie’s Lullaby’ a song written to to the tune of Jessica’s Lullaby written by John McCusker. In January 2024, she headlined the UK West Coast Folk Festival replacing an unavailable Cara Dillon and was followed onstage by Richard Thompson.
She was also selected to play on the Danny Kyle Open Stage at Celtic Connections. Previously in 2023, Louise won the Audience Vote of the Great British Folk Festival. In March 2023, she was invited to join McCusker, McGoldrick and Doyle as part of their UK Tour at The Waterside, Sale and The Crescent, York.
Whether in the intimate surroundings of a Folk Club or the grand setting of a Festival’s main stage, Louise has a warm and engaging manner with her audiences and is regularly invited back - the greatest of all compliments.
Currently performing as a duo with her Dad, Chris Rogan, the pair are proving to be popular and busy. With his guitar and vocals added to Louise’s piano and wonderful vocal, the pairing is one which sits so easily with one another.
As a duo, they released their début album “Things That Matter”. The album is a mix of traditional and original songs which Bob Leslie of FATEA Magazine described as “one of the best début releases in the tradition genre I have heard”.
Currently touring, “look out for Louise and ‘that voice’ if it comes near you”, Damian Liptrot, At The Barrier.
Thursday 4th July 2024
It's Independence Day in the US so let's have an Americana inspired evening!
Play Misty
"Gorgeous" - BBC Radio Bristol
Play Misty is a folk / Americana trio based in Bristol, England and New Quay, Wales. Their sound is a modern take on these genres inspired by CSNY, John Prine, Bonnie Raitt and more.
StEm
Stem are a duo, formed at the beginning of lockdown, by Emma Baldwin and Steve Hollister. The band name St of Steve and Em of Emma, also relates to musical stems on notes, and means voice in South African.
In addition to this, Stem is also a group of similar sound sources when mixing; so many meanings for one band name. The duo met when Steve was Emma’s postman and asked her to join his function band, DisCover, who he drums for, as their lead singer.
Over time, they decided they wanted to learn guitar, and so have done together and have enjoyed writing multiple songs, which have had some amateur success, much to their surprise and joy.
Thursday 2nd August 2024
Edwina Hayes
Edwina’s beautifully written songs, charming stage presence and voice of an angel have won her a reputation as a true natural talent of gentle folk-Americana. She has opened numerous shows for Jools Holland and Van Morrison as well as her own gigs playing stages everywhere from Glastonbury Festival to The Royal Albert Hall. 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 Sister's Keeper and has since had nearly thirteen million plays on YouTube.
As well as her own gigs playing stages everywhere from Glastonbury to The Royal Albert Hall, Edwina is often invited to guest on studio albums and support major artists on tour. As well as touring extensively with Jools, Van and Nanci Griffith, Edwina has also toured with artists ranging from Loudon Wainwright and Roger McGuinn to KT Tunstall and Gretchen Peters.
Edwina was born in Dublin and grew up in Preston, Lancashire before moving to the East coast of Yorkshire as a teenager, where she has been based ever since. Dividing her time between the UK and America, Edwina's second home is Nashville where she is much loved as a songwriter and artist.
Thursday 5th September 2024
We Mavericks
Nominated “Best Contemporary Duo/Group/Ensemble” Australian Folk Music Awards 2023
“He has a familiar soft folk tenor. She has a strong ringing tone with muscle behind a clear crystalline voice… The violin cries for her and the harmony vocals are divine… We Mavericks are a serendipitous pairing…” * * * * * - 13th Floor, NZ
“… the glorious harmonies and touching melodies of We Mavericks…Together they craft exquisite folk music, evoking spirits originating from Appalachia to Alba”
* * * * * - Ambient Light, NZ
Musical twins and mavericks besides, they’re folk that resembles everything else: Bringing challenging originals, entertaining stories and incredible energy, this new duo packs emotional punches but have songs to heal the scars.
Lindsay Martin’s masterful strings and vocal meets songstress Victoria Vigenser’s magnificent voice and driving rhythms in a connection that is hard to describe. Originally from the NSW Riverina and NZ respectively, they're travelling troubadours with uniquely gritty, evocative songs and echoes of their love for Americana and Celtic traditional music amongst the harmonies.
Coming together for just a handful of performances in 2018, audiences gave the duo no choice but to continue. Their original collaboration has been making a bold mark on both sides of the Tasman after only a couple of years performing - a steep and fast rise to Australasian festivals and shows has seen the duo selected as a showcase artist for Folk Alliance International, twice nominated “Te Kaipuoro Taketake Toa | Best Folk Artist” in the Aotearoa (New Zealand) Music Awards, twice nominated “Best Contemporary Duo/Group/Ensemble” in the Australian Folk Music Awards and recipients of Australia’s Troubadour Foundation Award.
Thursday 3rd October 2024
Winter Wilson
When Mike Harding dubbed Winter Wilson as one of the hardest working duos on the circuit, he'd clearly done his homework.
UK based, Kip Winter and Dave Wilson have performed in Germany, Australia, Spain, Canada, Belgium and New Zealand. They've released a string of critically acclaimed albums, one of the highlights being Live & Unconventional. The live album, recorded on tour and at Cropredy Festival with folk rock icons Fairport Convention.
The reviews were exceptional:-
"If you need evidence of just how special the duo Winter Wilson is, then Live & Unconventional delivers in abundance." Steve Caseman, RnR magazine
"This is a brilliant, exceptionally well-recorded live album that really does convince that Kip and Dave are well and truly at the top of their game." David Kidman, Living Tradition Magazine.
It is in live performance where these two really excel. Kip Winter and Dave Wilson bring a sense of intimacy to every venue, blending superb, often hard-hitting original songs, stunning harmonies and musicianship with sometimes hilarious humour and tales of life on the road. Kip (vocals, accordion, guitar, flute) "simply has a voice to die for” ( John Roffey, Maverick Magazine), whilst Dave (vocals, guitar and banjo) is now rightly recognized as being amongst the top tier of British songwriters, with his songs sung in folk clubs across the UK and beyond. Together, their voices are sublime.
“In 30 years of listening to folk music, I have never heard two voices blend so perfectly.” (David Aird, Chairman, Glenfarg Folk Club)
You will laugh; you may cry. You will certainly want to see them again!
Thursday 7th November 2024
Johnny Campbell
Johnny Campbell emerged onto the UK folk scene writing self-penned material and delving deep into Northern English folk song and story.
''A Modern-Day Billy Bragg'' - Tradfolk
The album From Hull & Halifax & Hell (2020) took him to The Faroe Islands where he recorded a live album on the island of Nolsoy. Since musical instruments hadn't arrived on the islands until the 19th century, this is perhaps the first time Northern English traditional song has been recorded on these islands.
''Nobody else seems to be doing what Campbell is doing right now, and his passion and determination deserve recognition'' - Jon Wilks
This album earned him album of the week with Blues and Roots radio
and reviews with British folk press:
-
''The spirit of the folk clubs in their heyday runs in his veins'' Folking.com
-
''I defy anyone not to be galvanised by the total integrity of his exceptional rendition of (Ewan MacColl's) Moving On Song'' The Living Tradition
-
''A truly entertaining work. Lose yourself in the true folk experience'' Fatea Magazine
Seb Stone
Having won the Future of Folk Award at Bromyard Folk Festival in 2022, Seb Stone is a name that has been quietly creeping on to folk festival and folk club lineups across the country.
He’s a traditional singer of mostly unaccompanied songs who also plays Uillean pipes and whistles. Seb has a fine voice (he had singing lessons at the Royal Academy of Music, dontchaknow?), clear as a bell, and engages his audience with the air of a storyteller far past his early twenties – we’ve heard him sing some of his local Sheffield and Derbyshire carols with great aplomb.
Thursday 5th December 2024
The Shackleton Trio
Captivating songwriting and fiery tunes that combine mandolin, fiddle, guitar and banjo with powerful three part harmonies. The unmistakable sound of The Shackleton Trio brings to life the stories of their native East Anglia, and beyond.
September 2024 sees the band touring a brand new album, as they look ahead to celebrating their 10 year anniversary in 2025. The trio features Georgia Shackleton (fiddle, vocals), Aaren Bennett (guitar) and Nic Zuppardi (mandolin and banjo). Collectively the band draw influence from British, American and Scandinavian folk traditions, whilst Georgia’s flair for sourcing largely unsung material from East Anglia keeps the band firmly rooted in their local tradition.
Almost a decade performing together has seen the band played on BBC Radio 2, Radio 3 and Radio 4, BBC 6 Music, RTE 1, BBC Countryfile, press coverage gleaming ★★★★★ reviews, an appearance on Cambridge Folk Festival’s prestigious main stage, a host of UK and European festivals and international tours, and many miles in the Mondeo. This is a band that clearly enjoys playing together, and are not to be missed.