Now resident in Scotland, the respected Geordie songwriter performs with his band The Daintees. For Martin Stephenson, it’s not a career, it’s a lifetime calling, and his restless troubadour spirit has now amassed an extraordinary catalogue of 40 albums.

Nick Harper is one the UK's best kept musical secrets. Those who have witnessed the spellbinding, one-man show will tell you this. A childhood growing up surrounded by the musical prowess of some of the 60's most revered songwriters & musicians, not to mention being son of Roy Harper, along with 20 years of crafting songs & touring the land has spawned a truly one-off, original guitarist & songwriter who stands alone as a UK great, to be cherished & revered. For over two decades, he has been dazzling audiences, reviewers & fellow artists alike with his heady mix of virtuosity, boyish charm, showmanship & sheer bravado. An imagination bursting with ideas has seen Nick release 11 solo albums to critical acclaim, earning a Number 1 spot in the charts with the seminal hit 'Blue Sky Thinking'.

The singer-songwriter performs his original material. Rolling Stone once declared Peter Bruntnell to be, “one of England's best kept musical secrets”. England has successfully managed to keep Peter Bruntnell a secret for all this time, even from itself. “Maybe this will be the album to finally give him the worldwide superstar recognition he deserves!”, enthused every other Peter Bruntnell album review from the last 20+ years, with an admirably unwavering optimism. “If we lived in a just world, Peter Bruntnell would by now be in the middle of his third or fourth global arena tour, his biggest worry working out how to courier his latest armful of Grammy awards back to the UK so his butler could have them installed in the west wing of mansion by the time he got home,” said a feature in The Guardian in 2016, intent on letting the cat out of the bag, but failing miserably. Needless to say, we don’t live in a just world and Peter Bruntnell is still having to get by without a butler. Rolling Stone once declared Peter Bruntnell to be, “one of England's best kept musical secrets”. England has successfully managed to keep Peter Bruntnell a secret for all this time, even from itself. “Maybe this will be the album to finally give him the worldwide superstar recognition he deserves!”, enthused every other Peter Bruntnell album review from the last 20+ years, with an admirably unwavering optimism. “If we lived in a just world, Peter Bruntnell would by now be in the middle of his third or fourth global arena tour, his biggest worry working out how to courier his latest armful of Grammy awards back to the UK so his butler could have them installed in the west wing of mansion by the time he got home,” said a feature in The Guardian in 2016, intent on letting the cat out of the bag, but failing miserably. Needless to say, we don’t live in a just world and Peter Bruntnell is still having to get by without a butler. Not even 2021’s primarily solo, slightly synthy lockdown album Journey To The Sun succeeded in putting an end to Peter's non-success, despite Mojo echoing the plea that, “Somehow, some way, this cult and infinitely class songwriter must get his due wider recognition”. The Scottish Daily Express with its 5 star review, slightly frustrated, said, or perhaps yelled, “I’m getting tired of saying this: He’s brilliant”. The Irish Times thoughtfully combined two quotes into one, saving us the trouble of going back and getting crushed under the sheer weight of Peter’s archive of press quotes: “With Journey To The Sun, the man whose songs NME once noted should be placed on school curriculums has done it again.” And he continues to do so. Peter’s forthcoming new album, Houdini And The Sucker Punch will do little to dispel this fantasy of world domination, but it remains unlikely to become in any way a reality. He will remain the secret singer-songwriter, lauded by the likes of Rumer, Son Volt/Uncle Tupelo's Jay Farrar, Kathleen Edwards, Richmond Fontaine/The Delines' Willy Vlautin, Kurt Wagner of Lampchop and various members of R.E.M.

Niall McNamee is an Irish singer-songwriter and actor known for his own passionate, thoughtful and full-blooded songs. He has starred opposite Pierce Brosnan, fought with Jackie Chan and now is starring as the leading role in numerous feature films. Niall moved to London at 17 years old working on building sites whilst growing a devoted fan base playing gigs in pubs and music venues across London. He began his acting career on London’s West End as Romeo in ‘Romeo and Juliet’ before moving into film and tv and even having a major fight scene with Jackie Chan in ‘The Foreigner’.

BBC Radio Young Folk Awards Nominee, UKE Magazine Best Newcomer winner and now English Folk Expo Mentor Scheme participant, Amelia Coburn is a truly stunning solo performer who bears comparisons to Kate Bush and Nick Drake with beguiling original folk and jazz influenced songs (many of which have received national airplay on 6music, BBC Radio 2 and RTE1 in Ireland - she can count Mark Radcliffe and Tom Robinson as big fans) who has performed at Cambridge Folk Festival, Costa Del Folk in Ibiza and numerous other national and international events including sell out solo shows in her native North East and elsewhere as well as supporting a diverse range of artists including The Wedding Present, Steve Harley and the late folk legend Vin Garbutt.

An idiosyncratic, challenging and richly lyrical singer/ songwriter, Junior Brother is the pseudonym of Co. Kerry, Ireland singer Ronan Kealy. Chosen as The Irish Times’ Best Irish Act of 2019 and nominated for the 2019 Choice Music Prize for Album of the Year, Junior Brother has built a rabid following thanks to unmissable live shows, and music both excitingly forward-looking and anciently evocative. His strange stories unfold with reckless abandon upon a distinctive guitar and foot tambourine accompaniment, influenced as much by the avant-garde as music from the Middle Ages and his home place in rural Ireland.

Award-winning British songwriters, composers and multi-instrumentalists Chrissy Mostyn and Rick Pilkington are The Blackheart Orchestra. One of the must-see bands pioneering folktronica duo blend musical styles seamlessly sidestepping boundaries to create music huge enough to fill a cathedral. Always producing something beyond all easily marketed genres, their multi-instrumental sonic landscapes have always been too unpredictable and adventurous for the mainstream. Fusing acoustic fragility and pulsing electronica, The Blackheart Orchestra bring together stringed instrument dexterity with 80's synthesisers and clear classical influences. Often mistaken for an eight-piece band on first listen, they are found on stage continuously changing from electric and acoustic guitars, bowed guitar, piano, organ, bass and electronic percussion to vintage synthesisers, omnichord and melodica in a complex choreographed weave of musical moods and textures. One moment their sound is minimal and molecular, the next a mountain-like wall of sound with vast symphonic climaxes. Their four critically acclaimed albums and mesmerising live shows have won them obsessive worldwide fans, plaudits from musical giants and placements on TV commercials and films. Chrissy Mostyn's haunting vocals, the Mike Oldfield-like multi-instrumental playing of Rick Pilkington plus their fearless combination of conventional and unconventional all reflect their self-created universe where art meets sound and words paint pictures that take you with them on their deep musical journey into the human psyche.

Psychedelic Aussies Bananagun.

Felipe Baldomir Presented by Greyline Live Ltd. This is an 18+ event

Index for Working Musik emerged from the depths of an East End bunker in 2023 with Dragging the Needlework for the Kids at Uphole (Tough Love), a ‘Heroin Country’ affair, followed by the experimental Indexe’e.

Good Sad Happy Bad are CJ Calderwood, Marc Pell, Mica Levi and Raisa Khan. 
 Previously known as the moniker Micachu & The Shapes, Good Sad Happy Bad named themselves aftern their last album, Good Sad Happy Bad. 
 Things changed a bit, Raisa Khan is leading the bands vocals and songs, and they now have the addition of CJ Calderwood contributing a minimum of vocals, saxophone and recorder.

Join us for a solo piano performance from world-renowned multi-instrumentalist Elijah Fox. Elijah Fox is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, and producer based in Los Angeles, CA. He grew up in Durham, NC and began playing piano at age 11 and was mentored early on by Yusuf Salim, a pianist who had played with Charlie Parker and began performing in local jazz clubs. Fox studied piano at Oberlin Conservatory with Sullivan Fortner, Billy Hart, Dan Wall, and Gary Bartz and graduated in 2017 before moving to New York City. His piano composition East Village was sampled by Drake and 21 Savage on Major Distribution reaching number 3 on the Billboard Charts. Fox has also recorded/produced for SZA, Masego, YG, ScHoolboy Q, Denzel Curry, Tate McCrae, Musiq Soulchild, Childish Gambino, Kali Uchis, J Cole, and many others as well as releasing his own original compositions and sample packs. He is also the touring keyboardist for UK drummer Yussef Dayes and has performed throughout the world. Fox has also performed his original music at sold out shows across the US and Europe at the legendary Ronnie Scotts (London), Biko (Milan), Monk (Rome), and many other venues. His sound blends elements of jazz, Impressionism, and psychedelic soul. Fox also releases instrumental music under the alias Soren Sostrom.

Esther Rose's Early Life and Background. Esther Rose was born and raised in Michigan, where her childhood was steeped in the sounds of folk and country music. Growing up in a supportive family that appreciated the arts, Esther found herself drawn to musical instruments at an early age.

At the frayed bottom-edge of Indiana just a moderate bike ride north of Louisville, Kentucky multi-instrumentalist, artist and songwriter Ryan Davis Americana-noir soundwaves have been emanating for years in a myriad of forms. As driving force for the lauded State Champion, long-running member of Tropical Trash, administrator of the esoteric and excellent Cropped Out festival, and lone proprietor of the Sophomore Lounge label, Davis lays down his first proper 'solo release with Dancing On The Edge a rich, two-LP tapestry of tunes that absolutely glows over seven expansive cuts. It's a pure collage of modernity and heritage. After a period of introspection spent re-immersing himself in his drawing and painting practice, as well as his newfound delvings into instrumental music, Davis sea change was imminent. I wasnt sure I would ever make another record of 'song songs, he says, but last year I started writing again and it eventually took the shape of the record at hand. I worked painstakingly hard on the material. It felt virtually impossible to complete for a bulk of the time I spent trying to enter into it, but the process pulled me out of a strange place. I was eventually able to live inside of the songs enough to understand the world within them to ultimately help shape them into what I understood them to be. Indeed, there's a load of inspiration captured in the grooves with Ryan's unfiltered, folk-traditioned approach to poetic twists-of-tongue meeting head on with sublime instrumentation. Recorded in early 2023 with help both in-studio and remotely from peers like Joan Shelley, Catherine Irwin (Freakwater), Will Lawrence (Felice Brothers, Gun Outfit, John Early), Jenny Rose (Giving Up), Christopher May (Mail the Horse), Elisabeth Fuchsia (Footings, Bonnie Prince Billy) and Aaron Rosenblum (Son of Earth, Sapat), Dancing on the Edge draws backup perhaps primarily from Davis tight-knit drinking buddies-cum-cast of collaborators in Equipment Pointed Ankh (records on Astral Editions, Bruit Direct Disques, Torn Light) a five-headed hive-mind from which he drew impetus for his own foray into more abstract and improvisational terrain these past few years under the Roadhouse alias. The results herein are melancholic, gentle, minimal yet colourful in mood: a lilting highway accompaniment of crisp instrumentation and a relaxed, amiable approach to vocals with rhapsodic wordsmithery. Fans of the aforementioned artists as well as those of Souled American, David Berman, Kurt Vile and Comes A Time-era Neil should all easily find bounty. While bare-boned and uncluttered in presentation, many of these pieces track over six minutes allowing a fair amount of expansiveness. Flashes of Orange percolates with synthetic and organic percussion while Davis ruminates on how a steady drip falls from the ceiling to my forehead / a pitter-patter of my past mistakes as a Cale-esque violin chatters through impressionistic fields of pedal steel. It's got an absence of recurring verses, replaced by an ever-unfolding story, words spotlighted by tasteful flanging synths and lovely key shifts as finally the titular hook lifts its proceedings up into the clouds. Other times the humour shines: tales of a jukebox that only plays Sultans of Swing in Junk Drawer Heart, ruminations like 'soon Ill be seen as a problem for the neighbours / soon Ill be seen as a trophy for the precinct in Free From the Guillotine, and of course the simple proclamation of A Suitable Exit being I never asked to be born / I was only wondering where the door went to. Tracked and mixed by Seth Manchester at Machines With Magnets (Pawtucket, RI) and mastered for vinyl by Tohru Kotetsu at Tokyo's legendary JVC Mastering Center, Dancing On The Edge stares down into the navel of the American Experience underbelly with a fair amount of outward reach. Besides the Kosmische-synth and violin stabs reaching into a European element, stately organ swells build a musical bridge between 1969 Southern California and Felt's latter era smooth moves, with layers of intelligent gesture taking this well beyond the realm of its archetypal indie troubadour/acoustic songwriter tag. Music and mint juleps never went down so well together.

One of the most lauded singer-songwriters of her generation, Dar Williams has been captivating audiences with her sheer elegance and honesty in her folk-pop songwriting since the early '90s. As documented on her last album, the 2012 In The Time Of Gods,, Williams’ growth as an individual over her almost two-decade-long career has gone hand-in-hand with her evolution as an artist. She has toured with such distinguished artists as Joan Baez, Patty Griffin, Ani DiFranco, and Shawn Colvin. Lucy Wainwright Roche opens the show. "Dar Williams, one of America's very best singer-songwriters… Her songs are beautiful. Some are like finely crafted short stories. They are, variously, devastatingly moving, tenderly funny, subtle without being in any way inaccessible, and utterly fresh—not a cliché or a clunker in her entire songbook." -The New Yorker "Known for her lyrical, evocative songwriting and singing…Ms. Williams has been a leading figure in the folk-rock world for nearly 20 years." -Wall Street Journal "Seasons change, but Williams remains both ambitious and pleasingly plainspoken." -Rolling Stone "A new generation of pop-folk enthusiasts lauds her as one of the genre's central figures." -Paste "One of our most thoughtful singer-songwriters." -New York Daily News

We have been working hard to reschedule this show and can confirm that this has been moved to WEDNESDAY 11TH JUNE 2025 AT 7.30PM. All tickets remain valid. Curlew, the solo project of Celtic alt-folk musician Gill Higgins, is known for her unique blend of looped vocals, harmonium, synth drones, and field recordings. Her work explores the intersection of nature and technology, creating ethereal, layered soundscapes that mesmerize audiences. Performing live, she uses loop pedals to build immersive textures, seamlessly transitioning between harmonium and keyboard. With her band CLR Theory, she has appeared on BBC Radio Scotland and Nan Gàidheal, selling out shows at Celtic Connections. As Curlew, she has supported acts like The Twilight Sad and Honeyblood, and her soundscapes have been exhibited at Glasgow Science Festival. Recently, she performed at Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2024, captivating audiences with her fusion of ancient and modern sounds. Curlew will be accompanied by her band for this special night of music and togetherness, the lineup will include incredible folk fiddle player Ray Aggs (Sacred Paws), Drummer and Percussionist Liam Chapman (C. Duncan, Andrew Wasylyk) and exquisite Step Dancer Kae Sakurai (Kelvingrove Dancers). Support comes from Aurora Engine (Deborah Shaw), an Edinburgh-based composer, harpist and pianist. Fusing real instruments, voice and progressive electronica, her work encapsulates a singular and striking sonic landscape. Using collected sounds and inspiration drawn from the natural world, such as birdsong, the tides and community voices, she sets out to create beguiling songs and compelling soundscapes.

An established guitarist and solo artist who has worked with everyone from Lambchop to Charlie Louvin.

CHRIS COHEN was always a quiet kid. In fact, this introversion was one reason he began playing music as a toddlerto communicate without speaking to identify with others without the direct representation of words. It has worked, too, with Cohen's terrific stint in the mighty Deerhoof and his own captivating art-rock act The Curtains, preceding production and session work for the likes of Weyes Blood, Kurt Vile, Le Ren, and Marina Allen. Somewhere along that long way, Cohen started writing lyrics. He found that, though it didnt come naturally, the process offered a new sense of self-discovery and reckoning, a way to see himself and the world from unexpected angles. His three twilit albums of casually complicated pop during the last decade radiated these epiphanies: handling family strife, navigating advancing age, and understanding social woes. But Cohen has never had as much to sing so directly as he does on Paint a Room, his first album in five years and his debut for Hardly Art. If Cohen's meanings have previously lurked inside the tessellated musical layers he built alone, they are newly clear and resonant here, animated and underscored for the first time by a band playing in real time. There is the endless miasma of state violence on the subversively melodious opener Damage, the existential exhaustion of modernity on the horn-traced jangle Laughing. With Paint a Room, Cohen's music feels like a warm spring breeze, easy to love and gentle to feel. But it's often carrying something heavy, as if blowing in from some unseen storm cloud.

Gaelynn Lea is an American folk singer, violinist, public speaker and disability advocate from Duluth, Minnesota. She is a classically trained violinist and songwriter who's been bewitching scores of fans with her haunting original songs and experimental takes on traditional fiddle music.

Buffet Lunch are a Scottish group who make it their mission to craft satisfyingly imperfect pop songs filled with imagery and humour. Their tracks are vigorous excursions, meandering into clattersome terrain as often as hiking up into the breezy, melodious foothills. This is an 18+ event .

Melbourne’s dream-pop outfit Hachiku return with their second album The Joys of Being Pure at Heart. Featuring contributions from members of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and collaborations with harpist Mary Lattimore, the record is Hachiku’s most expansive and collaborative work yet. Presented by Super Friendz. This is an 18+ event

John Otway and his hard hitting band attack his favourite set list with gusto, leaving plenty of room for anarchy, fun and acrobatics that are his trademark. The Big Band are Richard Holgarth (lead guitar), Seymour (bass guitar), Murray Torkildsen (guitar, songwriter), Adam Batterbee (drums).

It's high time I did another band show. Our new album will be out later in the year, but we couldn't wait till then. We'll be celebrating summer, the release of new singles, and the announcement of a new album at the Glad Cafe on June 26th

Flos Collective CIC invite you too... Pippa Blundell's listening party for her debut album 'common thread'! We are so pleased to announce this event celebrating our very own Pippa Blundell. It is gonna be your first chance to catch a listen to this very special album that is due to be released on June 6th. As well as introducing audiences to the album, all ticket profits will be going to Hear My Music - a Scottish charity promoting autonomy for people with complex needs though participant-led music making. There are limited tickets available for this event so grab them whilst you can. Pippa Blundell and James Mackay will play a special intimate live set to open the night, followed by a listening session of the debut album 'common thread' from start to finish with film screenings by Michiel Turner. Venue: The Glad Cafe Date: 4th June 2025 Time: 7:30pm - 10:30pm Tickets: 5 - 30 (All profit made on ticket sales will be donated to Hear My Music) This is a seated event and the venue is wheelchair accessible. There will be merch sales and a vinyl signing from Pippa and the band to end the night. Schedule: Doors - 7.30pm Pippa and James Live set - 8.00 - 8.40pm 'common thread' album listening and film screening - 9.00 - 9.40pm Vinyl Signing 9.45 - 10.30pm About Pippa Blundell: Drawing influence from the storytelling lineage of folk music, whilst also bringing in ambient sounds and classical vocal influences, Pippas music draws inspiration from the likes of Anna B Savage, Laura Marling, This Is The Kit and The Weather Station. Since releasing her debut EP sisters in 2023, she has supported the likes of Mercury prize - nominee corto.alto, Rachel Sermanni, Kaia Kater and Nubiyan Twist. Her debut album common thread is due to release on June 6th. About Hear my Music: Hear my Music is based in Cathcart in Glasgow and provide services across Scotland, primarily in the Central Belt. We work with people of all ages, from children to older adults with disabilities, and have 4 strands of delivery. After-school music sessions in Glasgow and Edinburgh for children and young people with autism and/or complex needs, Transitions Project for young adults with support needs moving from Childrens to Adult Services, Adult music sessions for care-supported older adults, Schools-based projects we are engaged by Local Authorities to deliver inclusive music projects to pupils of all ages. You can find out more about Hear my Music:here [https://hearmymusic.org.uk/]. About Flos Collective CIC: Flos Collective CIC is a Glasgow-based arts organisation aimed at connecting, promoting and uplifting women and people of marginalised genders in the arts. Our goal is to create an environment where collaborators can grow and artists can learn from one another. We offer opportunities for artists to present their practice in a curatorial environment, host workshops where makers can meet and are working to grow whilst growing a community both physically and online. Photography and videography will be taking place at this event and may be used for social media/marketing, if you do not wish to have your photo taken please let us know via email: [email protected] or when you arrive at the event. Donate to Flos Collective's Crowd Funder: Support Flos Collective to continue working with artists in Glasgow and across the UK. To find our more about the work we do and to donate to our Crowd Funder, visit the links below. Crowdfunder [https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/support-flos-collective-cic#start] Website [https://www.floscollective.com/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/floscollective /?utm source=ig web button share sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw%253D%253D#]

The trio plays folk/blues rock with rich harmonies, and a soulful sound in its rawest form.

The Secret Goldfish launch their new album Empty Holster at the Glad Cafe, Glasgow, on Saturday 21st June. The Cords will be appearing as special guests. James Kirk will be performing guitar with the Goldfish, the set will feature some of James' tunes.

nonclassical ventures north to present a mix of eclectic sounds coming from three Glasgow-based, Scottish artists. Harry Górski-Brown, Isa Gordon and Norman Willmore will each perform solo sets featuring electronics, bagpipes, saxophone, vocals and more from three of Scotland's leading experimental artists. As seen at the Southbank Centre, Unsound Kraków, Celtic Connections, Météo Festival, AB Brussels, and Centro Pecci. Heard on Optimo, GLARC, Wild Raver, and nonclassical.

Stick in the Wheel are a multi-award winning young five-piece folk band from London.