Check back here regularly and check your emails – it costs you nothing to sign up (just email [email protected]) and means you can be sure to catch last minute changes. Every Thursday there is a traditional music session in the Saddlers’ Bar at the Cross Keys, and every Friday an acoustic singaround (tunes equally welcome) on the Oak Room of the Cross Keys, followed by music with mics hosted by the variable line-up of The Cobbles Band at The Cobbles Inn from 10pm to midnight – visiting singers/players are welcomed at all of these.
Alan Reid and Christine Kydd
Friday April 17th, Cross Keys Oak Room, doors open 7.15 for 7.30pm, seated – £15
Book here: https://www.trybooking.com/uk/GETY
Co-founder of Battlefield Band Alan Reid was in the vanguard of the exciting new Scottish folk bands that emerged around 1970 (including Silly Wizard, Tannahill Weavers and Ossian). His groundbreaking keyboard work helped cement the Battie’s reputation as one of the most innovative and influential folk bands of its generation. As well as driving instrumental sets the group was noted for fostering songwriting with Brian McNeill, Davy Steele, Karine Polwart and Alan all contributing. His songs have been lauded for being rooted in the Scots tradition, rich in storytelling and strong on melody .
One of Scottish Folk Music’s timeless treasures, Christine Kydd, multi-award-winning singer and twice-nominated MG AlbaScots Singer of the Year, Christine was inducted in 2018 to the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame. She first appeared in a duo with Janet Russell in the 80s and began exploring groundbreaking harmony work inspired by Le Mystre des Voix Bulgares and introduced Joni Mitchell guitar tunings to traditional song. Since then she has toured in North America, Europe and beyond and supported major artistes including Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Guy Clark, Richard Thompson, Tannahill Weavers, Capercaillie and Christy Moore. Over the years she has also collaborated with top musicians, some of whom have featured in groups like Jock Tamson’s Bairns, Blazin Fiddles, and Shooglenifty.
With years of experience delighting audiences worldwide, Alan and Christine bring in this new collaboration a beautifully curated repertoire of old and new songs, irresistible harmonies and a warmth of enjoyment.
Reg Meuross
Friday May 29th, Cross Keys Oak Room, doors open 7.15 for 7.30pm, seated – £15
Book here: https://www.trybooking.com/uk/GEYJ
Reg Meuross @Rachel Snowdon
The breadth and depth of Reg Meuross’s material is unparalleled in contemporary folk: songs about forgotten heroes, famous names, folk legends, the climate emergency, tales from the kitchen sink and newsfrom the world stage; if something needs to be sung about then Reg
Meuross has a song for it. Reg is currently touring songs from his extensive back catalogue alongside Fire and Dust, the narrated song-cycle commissioned by Pete Townshend, which explores the life of Woody Guthrie and shines a light on racism, corruption and inequality.
A new solo album is due this year.
We first saw Reg locally in Coldstream in 2024 and he’s been on our agenda for a booking ever since.
Martha Spencer Wonderland Trio
Sun 9th August £15 (marthaspencermusic.com)
Tickets will be available in May, please check back
Heidi Talbot & Boo Hewerdine
Fri 13th Nov £15
And of course our festival 4th to 6th September – save the date!
Keep an eye out for more free concert sets featured as part of our regular weekly Friday evening Oak Room music. We hope to have dates for the Small Hall Band and Sue Conroy very soon.
Other Local Events – check regularly. We do try to ensure there are no clashes
https://www.horncliffeevents.co.uk for HORNCLIFFE
https://eckfordvillagehall.co.uk/whatson for ECKFORD