All events: Doors open at 7:15pm and music begins at 7:30pm.
Open stages: £4 on the door (cash)
Guest nights: Advance booking recommended, any remaining tickets available on the door for £10/£12.
Open stages: £4 on the door (cash)
Guest nights: Advance booking recommended, any remaining tickets available on the door for £10/£12.
8th Jan - Open Stage
15th Jan - Open Stage
22nd Jan - Open Stage - Guest MC - Hannah Sanders & Ben Savage
Following the success of a similar night in 2022, long-time friends of the Black Fen Hannah Sanders & Ben Savage return to MC our Open Stage. It's still an open stage so come along and sing/play/listen as you would usually, however there's more an emphasis on collaboration of these nights, so if you've always fancied an extra voice or another instrument on something you play (or want the whole room to sing with you!) then this could be the evening for you.
15th Jan - Open Stage
22nd Jan - Open Stage - Guest MC - Hannah Sanders & Ben Savage
Following the success of a similar night in 2022, long-time friends of the Black Fen Hannah Sanders & Ben Savage return to MC our Open Stage. It's still an open stage so come along and sing/play/listen as you would usually, however there's more an emphasis on collaboration of these nights, so if you've always fancied an extra voice or another instrument on something you play (or want the whole room to sing with you!) then this could be the evening for you.
29th Jan - Orphean Sprig + Sadie Comment
Two of the best new Cambridge Folk-Roots artists...
Originally crossing paths in the session scene of Cambridge, Orphean Sprig are an instrumental folk band with a shared passion for the traditional music of Scotland. Comprising a guitar, three fiddles, and occasional viola, they explore arrangements of traditional, contemporary, and self-penned tunes, creating a rich texture and original sound. As a nod to their beginnings, they like to include an element of spontaneity in performances, a characteristic of the sessions in which they met.
Two of the best new Cambridge Folk-Roots artists...
Originally crossing paths in the session scene of Cambridge, Orphean Sprig are an instrumental folk band with a shared passion for the traditional music of Scotland. Comprising a guitar, three fiddles, and occasional viola, they explore arrangements of traditional, contemporary, and self-penned tunes, creating a rich texture and original sound. As a nod to their beginnings, they like to include an element of spontaneity in performances, a characteristic of the sessions in which they met.
Not long ago Lucky Sadie Comment was driving alongside fields of sugar cane by day and soaking up the sweet sound of Cajun waltzes by night. It was during her time in Lafayette, Louisiana that Sadie was able to meet up with her contemporary fiddle heroes Louis Michot and Anya Burgess. As a teenager she was heavily influenced by the Alt-country music scene that was rocking Chicago in the 1990s. She remains inspired by artists such as Jeff Tweedy (Wilco), Rennie Sparks (The Handsome Family) and the ladies of Freakwater. When not scraping beans at the local Premier Inn, Sadie can be found teaching violin and guitar throughout Cambridge, working on her balanced actions and musicality with beloved violin teacher Simon Cartledge or singing Lucinda Williams songs with her children.
Tickets: £8/£10 in advance
5th Feb - Open Stage
12th Feb - Open Stage - Valentines Songs Special
19th Feb - Open Stage
Tickets: £8/£10 in advance
5th Feb - Open Stage
12th Feb - Open Stage - Valentines Songs Special
19th Feb - Open Stage
26th Feb - James Delarre & Saul Rose
James and Saul have been making music together for a long time now and re-launch their live act after time focusing energies on their young families. Born out of friendship, the duo intertwine seamlessly; dancing around the tunes between the notes, finding space and air breathing life into the music they create together.
Saul (Melodeon & Vocals) is well known for his work with the likes of Eliza Carthy, Faustus, Whapweasel & his role as the Songman in Warhorse. James (Fiddle) made a name for himself in bands like Markin, Topette!! & Mawkin:Causley. However this duo is truly greater than the sum of its parts - not to be missed.
Tickets: £8/£10 in advance
James and Saul have been making music together for a long time now and re-launch their live act after time focusing energies on their young families. Born out of friendship, the duo intertwine seamlessly; dancing around the tunes between the notes, finding space and air breathing life into the music they create together.
Saul (Melodeon & Vocals) is well known for his work with the likes of Eliza Carthy, Faustus, Whapweasel & his role as the Songman in Warhorse. James (Fiddle) made a name for himself in bands like Markin, Topette!! & Mawkin:Causley. However this duo is truly greater than the sum of its parts - not to be missed.
Tickets: £8/£10 in advance
5th, 12th 19th, 26th Mar - Open Stages
2nd, 16th April - Open Stages
23rd Apr - Old Spot
Joe Danks & Rowan Piggott were introduced in 2021 and bonded over a shared passion for Old-Time Appalachian music. An initial campsite session turned into living room jams, sharing lifts to sessions and ultimately the creation of a new old-time duo - ‘Old Spot’. Expect foot stomping old-time music on fiddle, banjo, gourd banjo & guitar. Influenced by contemporary musicians like Rayna Gellert and Jake Blount as well as first-wave recording artists like John Hartford and Bill Monroe, they create contemporary Appalachian music with modern audiences in mind. Old Spot sees two musicians from different traditions come together to explore a shared musical love, creating traditional music that is bursting with joy and imagination.
Tickets: £8/£10 in advance
2nd, 16th April - Open Stages
23rd Apr - Old Spot
Joe Danks & Rowan Piggott were introduced in 2021 and bonded over a shared passion for Old-Time Appalachian music. An initial campsite session turned into living room jams, sharing lifts to sessions and ultimately the creation of a new old-time duo - ‘Old Spot’. Expect foot stomping old-time music on fiddle, banjo, gourd banjo & guitar. Influenced by contemporary musicians like Rayna Gellert and Jake Blount as well as first-wave recording artists like John Hartford and Bill Monroe, they create contemporary Appalachian music with modern audiences in mind. Old Spot sees two musicians from different traditions come together to explore a shared musical love, creating traditional music that is bursting with joy and imagination.
Tickets: £8/£10 in advance
14th May - Finn Collinson Band
Widely regarded as one of the foremost recorder players on the English folk circuit, Finn Collinson has been steadily gaining a strong reputation for his energetic and creative performances.
He'll be joined on stage by Archie Churchill-Moss (Melodeon) and Evan Carson (Bodhran). Tickets: £8/£10 in advance
4th June - Open Stage
Widely regarded as one of the foremost recorder players on the English folk circuit, Finn Collinson has been steadily gaining a strong reputation for his energetic and creative performances.
He'll be joined on stage by Archie Churchill-Moss (Melodeon) and Evan Carson (Bodhran). Tickets: £8/£10 in advance
4th June - Open Stage
11th June - Oliver Cross & Eleanor Servanté
Oliver Cross and Eleanor Servanté met through their love of collecting, arranging, and playing traditional music. They sing and play music from the North on fiddle, hurdy-gurdy, and harmonicas.
Their repertoire includes folk tunes and songs of historical events, or great tragedies, that still resonate today.
Tickets: £8/£10 in advance
18th & 25th June - Final Open Stages of the season!
As always, the club will take a break in July and August, retuning for open stages from 3rd September.
22nd July - Cambridge Folk Day
The Black Fen is collaborating with the Cambridge Folk Club for a "Cambridge Folk Day" on 22nd July, hosted by Cambridge Museum Of Technology. Performers include Robin Gillan, Cambridge & Walker, Saul Bailey, Martin Baxter, Sean Courtney and Brokedown Palace!
Tickets and information here
3rd September - Open Stage (Club Reopens)
Oliver Cross and Eleanor Servanté met through their love of collecting, arranging, and playing traditional music. They sing and play music from the North on fiddle, hurdy-gurdy, and harmonicas.
Their repertoire includes folk tunes and songs of historical events, or great tragedies, that still resonate today.
Tickets: £8/£10 in advance
18th & 25th June - Final Open Stages of the season!
As always, the club will take a break in July and August, retuning for open stages from 3rd September.
22nd July - Cambridge Folk Day
The Black Fen is collaborating with the Cambridge Folk Club for a "Cambridge Folk Day" on 22nd July, hosted by Cambridge Museum Of Technology. Performers include Robin Gillan, Cambridge & Walker, Saul Bailey, Martin Baxter, Sean Courtney and Brokedown Palace!
Tickets and information here
3rd September - Open Stage (Club Reopens)
8th Oct - Hannah Read & Michael Starkey
Fiddler and singer-songwriter Hannah Read met banjo player Michael Starkey at an Appalachian old time session in Edinburgh in late 2019. The moment they first struck up a tune together there was an immediate meeting of musical minds. They have since become a dynamic fiddle and banjo duo, playing repertoire deep from the old time tradition as well as newly self-composed tunes and songs.
Their compelling sound can be heard on the critically acclaimed debut album Cross the Rolling Water released on Hudson Records in June 2022.
Tickets: £8/£10 in advance
Fiddler and singer-songwriter Hannah Read met banjo player Michael Starkey at an Appalachian old time session in Edinburgh in late 2019. The moment they first struck up a tune together there was an immediate meeting of musical minds. They have since become a dynamic fiddle and banjo duo, playing repertoire deep from the old time tradition as well as newly self-composed tunes and songs.
Their compelling sound can be heard on the critically acclaimed debut album Cross the Rolling Water released on Hudson Records in June 2022.
Tickets: £8/£10 in advance
17th Mar 2024 - Angeline Morrison
Angeline Morrison is a singer, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter who explores traditional song with a deep love, respect and curiosity. Angeline mostly makes music
in the genres of wyrd folk and psych folk, her work infused with elements of soul music, literature, ‘60s beat pop sounds, folklore, myth and the supernatural.
With a feral approach, a handmade sonic aesthetic and a belief in the importance of tenderness, Angeline’s original compositions and re-stitchings of traditional songs focus on storytelling and the small things that often go unnoticed. Sounds like solitude, memory, nostalgia, a rainy walk amongst trees…
Tickets: £8/£10 in advance
Angeline Morrison is a singer, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter who explores traditional song with a deep love, respect and curiosity. Angeline mostly makes music
in the genres of wyrd folk and psych folk, her work infused with elements of soul music, literature, ‘60s beat pop sounds, folklore, myth and the supernatural.
With a feral approach, a handmade sonic aesthetic and a belief in the importance of tenderness, Angeline’s original compositions and re-stitchings of traditional songs focus on storytelling and the small things that often go unnoticed. Sounds like solitude, memory, nostalgia, a rainy walk amongst trees…
Tickets: £8/£10 in advance
