Events

We are blown away to receive the award for CAMRA East Cheshire, Pub Of The Year. Join us for a beer and a chat, and maybe a little music.

A bit of a treat. I’ll let the quotes do the talking…

“Rooted in Bluegrass and UK Folk Music, they're a wonderful bridge across the Atlantic. ”
Whispering Bob Harris, OBE
BBC Radio2

"The Orange Circus Band appear to have been lifted from another time. They've attracted favourable attention from the likes of Bob Harris and Roger Daltrey, and on this showing, the plaudits from such greats of the music world are wholly justified."
8/10
Americana UK

"So much of country music misses the mark, but 'I Miss You' blindsided me...I loved it"
Adam Walton
BBC Music Introducing

"Glorious slice of ‘O Brother Where Art Thou’ style Bluegrass from the UK. Great fiddle action and harmonies take you right to the Appalachians. The circle is still unbroken"
LYRIC MAGAZINE

"They're a brilliant mash-up of old-time Appalachia and British folk traditions, and just a good time party vibe. And they're spectacular live"
Ralph McLean
BBC Radio Ulster

Anyone who has seen Tom Blackwell perform in one of the small, forgotten venues across the North of England he has haunted for over a decade will have witnessed a truly sublime singer-songwriter distilling his blues, folk, soul and gospel influences into what Bob Harris has rightly described as, 'Wonderful, heartfelt music'.

The essence of everything Blackwell does is in his singing voice - as plaintive and soulful an instrument as you could hope to hear. On stage he may punctuate with mournful harmonica and emphasise with expressive guitar, but it is the vocal that is the heart-rending centre of his art.

Blackwell sings his songs as if he is living them. Authentic songs that feel as if they are coming to you rolling across the plains and through dusty mid-Western streets. Songs that present all the emotional texture and depth of classic Americana - telling stories of bruised hopes, and fragmented settlements between yearning and loss - yet in a distinct, English voice.

Honest, without artifice, Blackwell's music just is what it is, and that is something genuinely remarkable.

Know, you all remember a little blues duo from Maryland, Swampcandy… well the bass player, Joey Mitchell, joined up with an amazing musician just before Covid, Joey Harkum.
Mr Harkum is a legend in the NE USofA, making beautiful songs of love, loss, and laughter. With Joey Mitchell on bass, we are sure to have a wonderful gig!

Check out Joey Harkum live https://youtu.be/dsbOFPNgWW8