Abigail Lapell

Mon 26 OctDoors 19:30

Maddie Morris: Songs and Stories Tour

Kitchen Garden Cafe · Birmingham

What are the stories you thought you’d never tell? Join BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award winner Maddie Morris, described by Jim Moray as “leading the next generation of socially conscious songwriters” on their autumn tour for an intimate and thought-provoking live experience. Maddie’s music explores how personal narratives in song can hold deep political importance. Folk songs have always told stories, but Maddie makes their mark by turning storytelling into action, creating work that is both deeply personal and quietly transformative. In this new show, Maddie invites you on a journey through stories of their life, while opening space for you to explore your own. Blending folk traditions and protest song with their perspective as a queer autistic person, this show examines identity, gender, disability, survival, and joy in community with warmth, humour, and honesty. This is more than a gig. Through optional interactive zines filled with playful doodles and reflective prompts, audience members can engage with the themes in their own way, contributing (if they wish) to a larger collaborative piece. A hopeful and generous storyteller, Maddie creates a welcoming and inclusive space...

GigsFolkBlues

Wed 28 OctDoors 19:30

Shy Face Troubadour

Kitchen Garden Cafe · Birmingham

Shy Face Troubadour is an ongoing project for Tony Willé’s songs. Former bands include The Day, Parma Violets and indie outfit, Felt. His writing is inspired by songwriting greats such as Brian Wilson, Nick Drake and Elvis Costello. Tom Robinson (BBC introducing) said: ‘’… a beautifully crafted piece of topical songwriting’’ - He’s been ‘’honing his craft as a songwriter for 30 years, and it shows’’. This is Tony’s favourite venue and tonight he’ll be joined by ace musicians Richard Sames, Hank Hastings and Paul Carroll with special guest Fiona Lenton on violin. Expect a bag full of beautiful folksy pop tunes including the life affirming ‘DIY for Butterfly’ and the achingly beautiful ‘The Train’, a tribute to his brother.

Gigs

Thu 29 OctDoors 19:30

A Different Thread

Kitchen Garden Cafe · Birmingham

“One road is ending, another road begins, come on let’s do it over again” (A Different Thread). Some things are just meant to be. Alicia Best (US) and Robert Jackson (UK) met while busking on the cobbled streets of Ireland and discovered both a musical and personal harmony that was serendipitous. In the decade since forming A Different Thread, Best and Jackson have taken their act on the road, touring over a dozen countries, supporting artists such as Milk Carton Kids and Jody Stephens (Big Star), and garnering critical praise from the likes of Folk Radio UK, which hailed the duo as “warm, deep songwriters that have drank from the well of 20th century tradition”. Their new album, Over Again (out May 1st 2026), was written during a period of transition, marked by their arrival stateside and a solar eclipse. Recording began in their tiny home studio, continued in Sylvan Esso's Betty's (The Mountain Goats, Watchhouse), and finished at Alma Vale Studio (Phantom Limb/Yola, Elles Bailey) in the UK. Their sound is transcontinental, blending Jackson's British folk rock background with Best's North Carolina-bred alt-country melodies. Informed by their life experiences (navigating...

GigsFolkBlues

Sun 1 NovDoors 19:30

Luke Jackson

Kitchen Garden Cafe · Birmingham

"Blessed with one of those soulful, heaven-sent voices that soars with emotion or plunges into brooding intensity" (The Musician Magazine). It’s impossible to not be totally amazed by Luke Jackson, the way he commands such a presence up there on the stage. It may well just be one man and his guitar but the exuberance with which he plays and sings opens the listener’s mind up wide. When his voice is belting out a song it’s like the force of a hundred folk, all concentrated through his captivating solo vocal. Right from the off he shows he means business. The power packed behind his voice grabs your complete attention as soon as it begins. "He is one of the most distinctive voices, both literally and figuratively, on the contemporary folk scene" (Folk Radio UK). So you’ve had a terrible day and think your mind may not be in the right place to relax and enjoy a night of live music? Wrong! There’s no chance of that with Luke on the case. Whatever troubles you might have had are smashed to smithereens. The throttle is opened fully and even early on he cements in your mind the cast iron certainty you’ll be leaving the place having been well and truly awed. Put simply, Luke Ja...

GigsFolkBlues

Sun 15 NovDoors 14:30

Singalong Bingalong - BINGO SINGO! (Sunday afternoon special)

Claptrap The Venue · Stourbridge

Get ya Bingo card on entry. The songs will be played live on piano by Tom Kelly. Singalong to the songs and dab it off as soon as you get a matching song. Prizes for getting a line and a full house. Don't forget to shout BINGO! £8 in advance (no on the door sales for this event) Doors 2.30pm Eyes down for an 3pm start. *Please note that due to our seating layout, it is impossible to reserve seating or to seat large groups together. The earlier you get here the better the option for getting seats together. Seats are mostly grouped into 2's, 4's and 6's*

Gigs

Sun 15 NovDoors 15:00

Sweet and Sour

The Robin · Wolverhampton

GigsTribute

Sun 15 NovDoors 19:00

Bleak Squad

Hare And Hounds Kings Heath · Birmingham

Supergroup comprised of Australian art-rock royalty, fting members of Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, PJ Harvey, Dirty Three, The Birthday Party & more.

GigsAlternativeRock

Sun 15 NovDoors 19:00

The Commoners

The Castle And Falcon · Birmingham

Possessing a sound tapped from the oaken belly of a whiskey barrel, The Commoners are a 5 piece Roots/Rock outfit from Toronto, Canada.

GigsBluesRock