Gigs

Come and join in an afternoon of fun. A feast of folk music from around the world and around the corner. Barn Dances and hopscotch, Carrom and Punch and Judy, Donkey and Cart, Fire Engine, Wire Workshop, Clay-play, - and the unfurling of the fabulous Bagaan wall-hanging.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have had to move this night to a different venue (it's just as nice we promise you, just a bit different). It's to be held at CAFE OTO in Dalston, Ashwin Street. Same time, different place, still the same top quality music! see www.cafeoto.co.uk for directions.

The Magpie's Nest, in association with Continental Drifts and EFDSS present the Global Local Village Green at Lewisham People's Day.

Geoff Berner pioneers a unique blend of music: Punk Klezmer. It's anarcho-pop-folk-comedy, a historic sound revamped from one man and he accordion.

Melou first visited us out of a packed tour bus driving all over Europe and onto our open mic stage, and wowed us with a beautiful sound, such that we had to invite them back for a featured slot

John Dowling is one of Britain's top Banjo players. He's the only European to have won first prize awards in the USA. He here performs as a duo, joined by Rex Preston on the Mandolin. John will be performing and showcasing material from his forthcoming album, recorded in a Cornish Tin Mine!

The Magpie's Nest is contributing to Stoke Newington Festival by scheduling acts for StokeFest 2008!

Due to high demand for this show, we expect it to be a standing room only event. Please bear this in mind when choosing to come. We will be removing most furniture from the room for this show, as we expect to sell out, and really want as many club regulars to attend as possible to witness Peggy.

An action packed night at the nest with a vast assortment of different and wonderful acts!

For more than 40 years Martin Carthy has been one of folk music's greatest innovators, one of its best loved, most enthusiastic and, at times, most quietly controversial of figures. His skill, stage presence and natural charm have won him many admirers, not only from within the folk scene, but also far beyond it.  

Mother and Son Duo who are two of the greatest singers and musicians of old time american and English Trad music. They capture the grace and soul of the old songs having both been brought up surrounded by the sounds and songs of the land. Sara and Keiron will be joined by the Nest's favourite - Ben Paley

A night of Female/Male duos! and quite by accident, we assure you! First off, The Dealers - now with two albums under their belts, enchanting stuff. Next up Kirsty McGee and Mat Martin - banjos, guitars and vocals, pioneering a new blend of music - Hobopop! great stuff...

The Local and The Magpie's Nest present:

 Two for Joy:

 A three room rip roaring extravaganza under one roof!

  On March 29th we inhabit Camden’s shamefully underused Cecil Sharp House for a one night only festival of dance, song and mayhem.

The Cedars like their Blues flavoured with a big dose of bluegrass, steel guitars and banjos, toiling away under Chantal Hill’s vocals. This London band certainly know how to play and they do a cracking job of evoking the spirit of the south - so good these songs would sit happily with period recordings. 

Up from Brighton via the Appalachian mountains on the Thameslink, these guys are going raise a dust bowl and tear up the nest with their lively and forthright old timey sounds. Stalwarts of many a summer festival, where they are to be found giggin on stage or pickin' round a fire. Old Time All The Time! 

Due to demand, this has to be a standing room only event! There will be some seats, but it's going to be real busy so be warned! Please arrive early as it's going to be a busy one, with some great music.

North London's top session tenor banjo player, joined by Collete O'Leary and Jamie Smith. Foot stampin Irish music to ward off the winter blues!... Support from a double bill of Mara Carlyle and Sam Lewis, both hailing from North London. Here they collaborate for a special slot showcasing material from their own solo projects and together.

Solidly representing the Old Folk in our club mantra, Bob Davenport is, at 70, one of the stalwarts of the tradition. It don't get more authentic than this. This mans character is as firey as his stage act and singing style. He's done it all. Sung with all the greatest and biggest names, run folk clubs in London (gulp!), you name it.

As spicy as the name suggests, Paprika Balkanicus are the new, cool face of traditional Eastern European music.

Seeing in the year in true americana style, a show from raising alt-country experimental folk performer Emit Bloch, in support of Ben Paley and Tab Hunter. Shun the January blues, and come hear some nice music with us at the nest

Lisa Knapp, fast rising star of the new folk scene, has spent a busy summer playing at key festivals throughout the UK including Green Man and Cambridge.

Two Master songwriters coming from very different perspectives plus Edey, Randall and Power - lightening celtic band guest appearance

second installment of the Lisa Knapp residency at the Magpie's Nest. Joined by speical guests DJ Nick Luscombe and Bishi

Winners of Mojo Magazine Folk Album of the Year 2005 for their debut Cruel Sister, Rachel Unthank & The Winterset defy the logic that staunch tradition and sonic adventure are surely virtues polls apart. Now on tour following the release of their second album, The Bairns

Haloween Special! Lady's Special: Witches of Elswick are 4 parts a capella one part soul. Singing to send a shiver down your spine PLUS Forest Brook the coolest thing from Archway

The first in our series of Lisa Knapp residencies. Lisa is joined by friends and other performers for a night of the best acoustic and folk music in London

The Cedars unfortunately had to cancel, but we had the honour of a performance from Mamy Hampton, and of course Robin Gillan. This was also the night of the sell out Bellowhead gig at the Shephards bush empire...!

Rattle On The Stovepipe are Dave Arthur (5-string banjo, melodeon, guitar, vocals), Pete Cooper (fiddle and vocals) and Dan Stewart (5-string banjo, guitar and vocals). They’ve gained an huge following with their mix of traditional songs, ballads and storming dance tunes from the British Isles and the Appalachian Mountains region of America.

Nancy Kerr and James Fagan are winners of the 2003 BBC Radio 2 Folk Award for Best Duo. Rapid musical communication with one another and the audience makes their performance spectacular and unforgettable

The Official album launch of Megson's Second album ‘Smoke of Home’, which promises to be an impressive follow up to their debut album ‘On the Side’ released in 2005

The Baroness of Nu-folk, with her sizzling vocals and contemporary arrangements of the old songs. Lisa is making a fast name for herself with her independent approach and modern ear. A name to watch.

Martha's interest in song started at an early age. Her father Steve Tilston, acclaimed songwriter and performer and stepmother Maggie Boyle, folk singer, had a great influence on her musically. She spent parts of her childhood around the bright lights of the folk revival scene such as Bert Janch, John Renbourne and of course her parents.

The Magpie's Nest presents open mic and chorus folk songs from the Old Angel. Join us for an extended session showcasing the wonderful variety of people who have and can perform in London's trendiest folk club. 1-4pm Sing London is a festival to get the whole of London singing. All kinds of people, singing all kinds of music in all kinds of places. Join in and get singing!

Alone or with fellow musicians; guitar, fiddle, or banjo in hand, Bruce Molsky has been exploring traditional music from an astonishingly broad range of cultures over the past two decades – synthesizing them and refracting them through his own evolving sensibilities to the point where the sources of his inspiration transform themselves into a sound that is uniquely his.

***Special Event*** BANK HOLIDAY MAGPIE"S FEST- W/ Cut A Shine Barn Dance. In just eight months Tim and his new band Van Eyken have made a huge impact on the folk world.

The rogue darling of the folk underworld. Jim Moray is a 24 year old singer, multi-instrumentalist, arranger and producer who has created startlingly contemporary recordings of England’s traditional songs which have been described as the most significant development in folk music in the last 30 years.

Foot-tappin', Squash-bucklin', rip-roarin' English trio (Faustus) head to head with a foot-stompin', sweat drippin from the ceilin' accordion and banjo/guitar based American blues and folk duo (Groanbox Boys). Watch Out!

This duo has been together for three years since meeting at Ethno Sweden. Shona is 20 and hails from Hawthorn Co. Durham, while Damien, 27, is from Coleraine, Co. Derry in Northern Ireland. Shona is a student on the Folk & Traditional Music Degree which is run by the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, the first of its kind ever in the UK.

The Fake Awards - survivors party! Following on from the BBC Folk Awards the night before, The Magpie’s Nest will be holding the after party brunch for the winners and a second chance for the losers! Hosted by the indomitable Devil’s Interval.

Critically acclaimed duo from the west country. Matt Norman is gaining a well-deserved reputation as one of the leading lights of the new generation of Devon-based folk artists. He is an innovative and entertaining musician, exploring traditional and contemporary English music as a performer, arranger, composer and songwriter.

Magpie's Nest Special (mid-month that is!): The Launch Night of Sharron's new album of traditional tunes. In support will be Nancy Wallace and your hosts Sam Lee and Joe Buirski. Brought to you by Bo'Weavil Recordings and the Magpie's Nest.

Christene LeDoux - A recent Telluride Troubador Finalist, Rocky Mt. Folks Festival Finalist, Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Emerging Artist and recipient of numerous songwriting awards, including the Billboard Song Contest & Mid-Atlantic Song to name a few, Christene's down to earth approachability and heart-warming songs are quickly winning the hearts of both fan and industry alike.

Sid Kipper: Folk Singer, Folk Comedian, Story Teller, Player of many interesting instruments, and legend to those who know him. Not to be missed! Sid's show is unusual for the magpie's nest. He performs two 45 minute halves of his show "Vaughan Williams stole my folk song", a veritable mix of hilarious stroies, folk songs and jokes.

Hot young Folk trio, with a harmonic and melodious approach to reviving lost gems of the idiom, highly acclaimed and full of chutzpa. great stage rapor great singers and musicians******* The Mary Epworth Band - dark and chilling folk gems with the sounds of creaking ships

Young Folk Artists carrying the torch of folk cool. masters of the tradition, injecting youth and charisma into the music, multi bbc folk award winning duo, proud to have them.

Peta Webb, Ken Hall and Pete Cooper A powerful and respected singer of traditional songs, Peta Webb brings together her current singing partner, Liverpool-born Ken Hall, and one of her old musical associates, singer and fiddle player Pete Cooper. As a trio, Peta, Ken and Pete present a hand-picked selection of great songs and tunes from the English, Irish and American folk traditions.

CHRIS COE, Magnificent ballad and trad. singer accompanied with Hammer Dulcimer and concertina, hugely experienced charismatic performer This pioneer female musician has worked with some of the finest names in folk music in over thirty years of professional performance.

Jake Flowers – young talented singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist with a penchant for looping and humorous songs......Tom Paley – a living legend, of New Lost City Ramblers fame. He’ll be playing mostly American old timey tunes, with a hint of Swedish Polska on either the Banjo, Guitar or Fiddle

Mary Hampton and band: captivating young singer from Brighton Town. She’s worked with and supported such folk luminaries as Eliza Carthy and Boden & Spiers........Mary Humphries and Anahata: Traditional English folk songs beautifully sung and accompanied by concertina, cello, banjo, guitar and more!

This was our Launch Night! The first of many Magpie's Nests. It was with Tim Van Eyken: The talented, beautifully voiced, dashing bright young star of the revival, BBC folk award winner 1998!.....Pete Cooper: One of Britain's leading fiddle players with a superb feeling for the art. Pete has performed alongside most of folk's luminaries, a treat for the ears.