The Tamworth Tap is officially the best pub in the country
https://whatpub.com/pubs/TAM/3311/tamworth-tap-tamworth
That’s according to CAMRA, in 2023 and 2024!
Click above for more details
“Thank you and the club for supporting us from the word go and watching us grow and develop! We enjoyed the night in Tamworth immensely, loved the banter, song responses and singers!”
(Paul Walker & Karen Pfeiffer)
“I really enjoyed the atmosphere that everyone created. It was witty and welcoming. I will come along as regularly as possible because it is so enjoyable. The organisation of the whole evening is excellent and fits in with all my values. Tamworth Folk Club is a winner in all categories. Thank you for your kind welcome.”
Patch
“We had an absolutely fabulous time on Friday. What a wonderful, inclusive, friendly club. One of the best nights out I’ve had in a long time”
Paul (visitor from Coventry)
“We had a lovely night and will certainly be back”
Karen (visitor from Nuneaton)
Thanks so much for having me as a guest at the Folk Club. It’s an exceptional club and it was such a pleasure to play there. It was a great night – one of my very favourites of the whole 28 gigs I did! Bruce Watson (Australia)
All club nights are free to enter, even if we have guest performers. All we ask is that you buy a raffle ticket or two.
Floor spots are how we operate, on a first come first served basis – so DON’T BE LATE! We always have floor spots, even when we have guests.
Remember we start at 7.30pm and it can get busy!
Future Guests
We have a fantastic line-up of guests and it’s always FREE ENTRY (and exit)
2026
16th January – The Cartwheel Pennies
The Cartwheel Pennies formed in 2024 and originate from Leicestershire. Band members include Liz Wall, Amanda Berry and Julie Holland, three singer songwriters and multi-instrumentalists. The Cartwheel Pennies perform their own original material, weaving powerful three-part harmonies into their varied repertoire.
In case you weren’t aware…
A ‘cartwheel penny’ is the common name for the George III cartwheel penny of 1797. It was the first British copper coin minted using a steam powered press, at Matthew Boulton’s Birmingham foundry, and featured the king on the obverse and Britannia on the reverse. Its large size and weight, however, made it unpopular and impracticable. Absolutely the opposite of the above guests, as you’ll find out if you come along on the night.
20th March – Band on the Rum
L to R – Graham Hewitt, Bob Bull, Dave Standen, Bob Blake, Richard Radek
Founded by the late, great, Pete Backen, Band on the Rum continue to persuade you into a party mood with much floor tapping and banter. Band on the Rum are acknowledged performers of traditional shanties and other songs of the sea. Usually unaccompanied, this band knows how to belt out stirring shanties or soothe with easy-on-the-ear nautical songs. Occasional humorous or moving songs on other subjects are also in Band on the Rum’s repertoire to provide an engaging mix for a variety of audiences.
Here’s a short sample from that extensive repertoire…
1st May – Kevin Dempsey
Kevin Dempsey is one of the most sought-after musicians on the UK folk scene and beyond. A master performer on the guitar, an arranger, a singer, and a top-quality live entertainer. He is an expert in guitar styles and will dazzle you with his dexterity, haunt you, with soulful melody, or simply play you a song you will never forget.
He has played and recorded with many of the most famous names in acoustic and folk music: Dave Swarbrick, Joe Broughton, Chris Leslie, Peter Knight, Dando Shaft, Uiscedwr, Whippersnapper, Mary Black, and Jacqui McShee.
Whether in an intimate acoustic environment, or a large festival stage where he fills the air with spellbinding music, Kevin puts his audience at ease and takes them on a varied and wonderful musical journey.
Quotes about Kevin Dempsey…
“The beautiful voice of Kevin Dempsey” – Mike Harding
“Kevin’s guitar playing is inspired and inspiring; the strings bending to Kevin’s will as he insists on getting the sound he wants. Kev is the best guitarist on the planet.” Joe Broughton
“I’ve played with them all, Kev’s the best.” Dave Swarbrick
“One of the UK’s most admired and charismatic guitarists.” Colin Irwin
“Kevin Dempsey is a master of tricky rhythms and effortlessly complicated guitar parts and spreads a wonderfully dignified calm through the turbulent and muddied waters of my outpourings.” John Kirkpatrick
“A beautiful guitarist.” Martin Carthy
17th July – Bruce Watson
On tour from Australia, Bruce will be making his second visit to TFC, three years after his very much appreciated, first. He is a long-time favourite of the Australian folk scene, having appeared at over 200 folk festivals as well as innumerable folk clubs and other venues across Australia and New Zealand. His performances are joyful and thoroughly engaging, with witty lyrics and energetic presentation. He is a masterful craftsman of songs, be they evocative and heart wrenching, or side-splittingly funny, and he loves nothing more than having people sing along with him. Eric Bogle has described him as “the best songwriter I have seen in a long time.” Melbourne folk institution The Boite says he is “an Australian folk hero!”
2nd October – KC Jones
Guesting for their second time, KC Jones are Karen Killeen-Jones and Colin (CJ) Jones, a husband and wife duo from Warwickshire who perform mostly original songs. “Beautifully written songs, powerful vocals and great harmonies”.
20th November – Joe & The Purple Banned
Joe Beard started his musical career forming The Young Contemporaries Jug Band in Stockport in the 1965/66 era of folk clubs in the NW. They signed to Transatlantic Records in 1966 and became The Purple Gang with USA folk blues mover and shaker Joe Boyd as their manager and producer.Their famous single was banned by the BBC ( Granny Takes A Trip) Yet it has endured and still receives National and international airplay.It was covered by Ralph McTell in 1968 on his debut album.
Later Joe spent a couple of years partnering folk legend Trevor Crozier,touring and recording in the folk scene.He reformed PG in 1999 with new members and had an unlikely 2 No 1 hits in Budapest. Until Joe moved to North Warwickshire as a solo he partnered PG stalwart Gerry Robinson. He now fronts “Joe Beard and The Purple Banned” trio playing old time jugband folk, Purple Gang favourites and his original songs.
Ian Castle is the band’s bass player, playing both bass guitar and upright bass to add the appropriate timbre to each song. He has over 40 years of musical experience in a stupidly large number of different musical genres, ranging from theatrical productions to rock bands, but is probably best known for making deep boomy noises in the folk genre.
Nigel Elcoat plays acoustic and electric guitar and sometimes even the kazoo. He has 50 years experience of playing from folk to rock, and almost everything in between.
A LOOK BACK IN TIME
| 2025 | Guests |
| 17th January | DryWood |
| 7th March | Mountain Hares |
| 16th May | Terry Hiscock |
| 4th July | Daisybell |
| 3rd October | Joe and The Purple Banned |
| 21st November | Brenig |
| 2024 | Guests |
| 19 January | Sence Valley |
| 15th March | Scarecrow |
| 5th July | Christopher Crompton |
| 4th October | Den Miller |
| 6th December | Pete Kelly |
| 2023 | Guests |
| 20 January | Strumtastic |
| 17th March | Pistol Pete Wearn & Olly Parry |
| 19th May | Yonderland |
| 15th September | Bruce Watson (Australia) |
| 20th October | Joe Beard’s ‘Legends Of The Edge’ suite Joe Beard, Karen Pfeiffer, Paul Walker & Malcolm Robinson |
| 17th November | K C Jones |
| 2022 | Guests |
| 01 April | Chris Joe Beard |
| 06 May | Chris Elliot & Caitlin Jones |
| 15 July | The Alicats Trio |
| 16 Sep | Mitre’s Well Originals |
| 18 Nov | Paul Walker & Karen Pfeiffer |
| 2020 | Guests |
| 17 Jan | Looma |
| 14 Feb | Clive Brooks & Tom Perry |
| 6 Mar | The Olde Castle Band Reunion Concert |
| COVID 19 Closes club down until 1st October 2021 |
| 2019 | Guests |
| 11 Jan | The Veaseys |
| 15 Feb | Paul Walker & Karen Pfeiffer |
| 22 Mar | Steve and Julie Wigley |
| 5 Apr | Kilderkin |
| 10 May | Scarecrow |
| 14 Jun | Thrup’nny Bits |
| 12 Jul | Vincent Cross (USA) |
| 4 Oct | Daisybell |
| 2018 | Guests |
| 26 Jan | Scarecrow |
| 16 Feb | Michelle and Bonz |
| 9 Mar | Thrup’nny Bits |
| 27 Apr | Ann Duggan & Rob Hines |
| 25 May | The Squirrel Hillbillies (USA) |
| 15 Jun | Paul Walker & Karen Pfeiffer |
| 5 Oct | Kilderkin |
| 9 Nov | Sweet Molly |
| 30 Nov | Chase Mist |
| 2017 | Guests |
| 27 Jan | The Veaseys |
| Feb 10 | Comharsa Irish folk Band |
| 3 Mar | Ed Conway & The Unlawful Men |
| 7 Apr | Michelle and Bonz |
| 5 May | Paul Walker & Karen Pfeiffer |
| 9 Jun | The Laners |
| 13 Oct | Daisybell |
| 10 Nov | Claret |
| 1 Dec | Sweet Molly |
| 2014 | Guests |
| 21 Feb | Pete Kelly / Support: Andy Dwyer – |
| 14 Mar | The Wives of Phylhelm (AKA Ashleigh & Shady) |
| 28 Mar | Bryan Williamson and Friends |
| 11 Apr | Nothing to Prove / Support: Band on the Rum |
| 23 May | Barbara & Michael Baden |
| 3 Oct | Claret |
| 31 Oct | Daniel Kirk |
| 14 Nov | Pennyless |
| 2013 | Guests |
| 15 Feb | Lichfield Lighthouse |
| 8 Mar | En Chanté |
| 19 Apr | Greg Russell & Ciaran Algar |
| 17 May | Tony Portlock & Rebecca Menear |
| 19 Jul | Sunjay Brayne |
| 27 Sep | Full House |
| 11 Oct | The Goat Roper Rodeo Band |
| 15 Nov | The Arthur Doherty Band |
| 2010 | Notable Visitors | Main Guests | Support |
| Jan 22nd | Dave Tighe & Nigel Bullock | Old Castle Band | |
| Feb 19th | Jez Lowe | Mitre’s Well | |
| March | |||
| April 16th | Mick Groves | Old Castle Band | |
| May | |||
| June 11th | Salmagundi | ||
| July 30th | Brassneck Ceilidh Band – Party Night | ||
| Oct 8th | John Richards Band |
| 2009 | Notable Visitors | Main Guests | Support |
| Jan 16th | Les Barker | Will Morgan | |
| Feb 20th | Sara Gray & Kieron Means | Harper’s | |
| March 20th | Tri | Old Castle Band | |
| April | Tom Doughty | ||
| Sep 18th | Hughie Jones | Neil Poynton | |
| Oct 9th | Mitre’s Well | ||
| Nov 13th | Broom Bezzums | Stephen Edkins |
| 2008 | Notable Visitors | Main Guests | Support |
| Jan 25th | Bissiker & Romanov | Old Castle Band | |
| Feb 22nd | Andrew Cadie | ||
| March 28th | Pete Coe | Stephen Edkins | |
| June 27th | Steve Tilston | Nigel Bullock | |
| Oct 17th | Les Barker |
| 2007 | Notable Visitors | Main Guests | Support |
| Oct 12th | Kelly’s Heroes | ||
| Nov 30th | Martin Curtis |
| 2005 | Notable Visitors | Main Guests | Support |
| Jan 28th | Kerfuffle | Nigel Bullock | |
| March 18th | Tom Lewis | ||
| June | Rhyzome | ||
| Sept | Last Night’s Fun | ||
| Nov 18th | Vin Garbutt | Ruffin’s Well |
| 2004 | Notable Visitors | Main Guests | Support |
| Jan 30th | Wild Irish | Old Castle Band | |
| Feb 13th | Pete Morton | ||
| March 5th | Mick Bisiker & Nigel Bird | ||
| March 26th | The Bluegrass Brothers | ||
| April | Cloudstreet | ||
| May 7th | Ian Bruce | ||
| June | |||
| July 9th | Shep Woolley | ||
| Sept 24th | William Pint & Felicia Dale | Old Castle Band | |
| Oct 15th | Cloudstreet | ||
| Nov 26th | Nancy Kerr & James Fagan | Steve Swoffer & Stephen Edkins |
| 2003 | Notable Visitors | Main Guests | Support |
| Jan 17th | Steve Ashcroft | ||
| Jan 31st | Mad Jocks & Englishman | Steve ‘n’ Robinson Band | |
| Feb 21st | Pete Morton | ||
| March 14th | Phil Bates | Steve Ashcroft Band | |
| April | |||
| May | Simon Barry & Rosalind Brady | ||
| June 6th | Jez Lowe & The Bad Pennies | Dave & Nigel | |
| July | – | – | |
| Sept | The Laners | Ukranian Band | |
| Oct | |||
| Nov 14th | Colum Sands | ? |
| 2002 | Notable Visitors | Main Guests | Support |
| Jan 26th | Visiting Ukranian Band | ||
| Feb 1st | Artisan | Juke Joint Jammers | |
| April 5th | Suntrap | ||
| April 26th | Hughie Jones | Old Castle Band | |
| May 17th | The Bluegrass Brothers | Dave Tighe & Nigel Bullock | |
| June | Claret | ||
| July | Black Diamond Folk Club | ||
| Sept 27th | Suntrap | Steve ‘n’ Robinson Band | |
| Oct | Pete Grasby | ||
| Nov 22nd | Kelly’s Heroes | Steve Swoffer |
| 2001 | Notable Visitors | Main Guests | Support |
| Jan 19th | Emily Slade | ||
| Jan 26th | Risky Business | Tony Portlock | |
| Feb 16th | Redstart | ||
| Mar 23rd | Steve & John | ||
| Apr 27th | Bernard Wrigley | Redstart | |
| May 18th | Fieldwork & Kathryn Fear Band | ||
| June 29th | His Worship and The Pig | Andrew Cadie | |
| July 6th | The Laners | ||
| Sept 28th | Bushburys | – | |
| Oct 19th | Stained Glass Bluegrass | ||
| Nov 23rd | Vin Garbut | Ann Adams |
Tamworth Folk Club - Folk At The Tap 