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.

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. Dont 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.

Holiday's end - the last gasp of Mischief! Welcome to our third alternative end-of-season celebration of Twelfth Night and Old Christmas: packed with live folk music, spoken word and a nod to the pagan and the impish. All at York's unique ancient Black Swan Inn @blackswanyork! Performers & more details to follow. PLEASE GET IN TOUCH IF YOU'D LIKE TO PLAY AT A FUTURE EVENT! [email protected]

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.

It's a pleasure to welcome one of the great folk and acoustic guitarists Clive Carroll back to The Black Swan Folk Club Widely known for his unmistakable sound, compositions, and versatility he has toured across Europe, North America, the Middle East, and China, bringing his signature blend of warmth and humour to breathtaking, genre-bending live performances. Carroll made his musical debut at age two as a banjo- strumming cowboy singing nursery rhymes, and went on to earn a 1st Class Honours Degree in Composition and Guitar from the famed Trinity College of Music in London. Upon graduation, he was taken on the road by the legendary folk-baroque pioneer, guitarist-composer John Renbourn, with whom he also collaborated over many years. He has also worked with other guitar greats such as John Williams, D'Gary, Tommy Emmanuel, Xuefei Yang, Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, and Ralph Towner. With influences mined from the delicate cadences of Elizabethan lute classics, the imaginative eccentricity of Frank Zappa, visionary classical composers such as Bartok and Ligeti, and hints of jazz and Delta blues, Carroll has created a sound world all his own. 2000 - Probably the best and most original young acoustic guitarist/composer in Britain. - Acoustic Guitar Magazine USA 2009 - Clive Carroll looks set to become the latest acoustic guitar hero - The Guardian, UK 2021 - ...arguably the most accomplished fingerstylist in the world today... - Total Guitar Magazine 2024 - one of the finest fingerstyle guitarists and instructors working today. His knowledge, technique, and passion for the art form are unparalleled - Acoustic Guitar Magazine USA

This one is a double bill with 2 locally based artists who certainly require more attention. LEWIS PUGH was brought to our notice when he made an impressive debut at one of our Open Mic evenings earlier this year. He is a prolific songwriter influenced by everything from bluegrass, country, folk through to skiffle and punk. Through his family his appreciation of roots music came at a young age. Self-releasing his first solo album in 2017, he has since released 'Dark Wheels Turn Above Our Heads' in 2020 and 'Bullets for Bread' in 2024, finding a sound between country, folk and bluegrass with a distinct political slant. In between albums there have been singles & EPs raising money for homeless outreaches or food banks. 'Featherstone Massacre', Lewis' song about a tragedy which happened in West Yorkshire in 1893, has recently appeared on a documentary film by Ian Clayton about the events. CARAMBA have appeared at the annual City of York Roland Walls Folk Weekend many times but this is their first appearance as guests on a club night. Founded in 2002 they are a multi-instrumental group (fiddle, charango, guitars, mandolin, African thumb piano, whistles, and percussion) and they sing in 3-part harmony. They specialise in music from Africa and Latin-America, and also cover other styles including Cajun and bluegrass.

A one-off Monday special in the folk club room at The Black Swan with American singer-songwriter JOHN FRINZI. This evening is going to be a little different. John blends folk and country, delivering a sunny, laid-back beach vibe. A gifted singer and songwriter he's built an audience through craft and originality. An early demo caught the ear of legendary pedal steel guitarist Doyle Grisham, a longtime member of Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer Band, and their working relationship led to John's first album, Into The Dawn. His second release, Shoreline, showcases Frinzi's versatility as a songwriter and vocalist with many of the songs co-written by Tom Corcoran, co-writer of the Buffett classics,Fins, and Cuban Crime of Passion". Most recently, John teamed up with multi-platinum songwriter and producer Aaron Scherz to release the EP "Blue Sky View" and several singles including Florida Man. A seasoned live performer, Frinzi has toured the USA performed in the Caribbean and Europe and has been featured at major festivals and shared the stage with acclaimed artists including Jesse Winchester, The Coral Reefer Band, Todd Snider and Maria Muldaur.

t's a real coup to get this fantastic 5-piece band to play the club room. The band's distinctive Scottish West Coast sound and dedication to their craft earned them a prestigious Folk Band of the Year nomination in the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards 2022. Although they all come from different backgrounds and places, each member was immersed in traditional music, and their collective passion for their craft is evident in every song and performance. The band are well travelled already showcasing their talents at World Music Asia in Shanghai and performing at various shows in the US. With their third album currently in progress they are eagerly anticipating their next chapter elevating traditional music to new heights.