The Pulpit

MAY

20th Canutes Plastic Army You could probably start calling Canute’s Plastic Army local legends these days. This seasoned crew of musical maestros have been collectively treading the boards in Swindon for longer than they would care to remember.

Initially a mainly acoustic duo but now expanded to a 4 piece band, they bring together the soaring, passionate vocals of Anish Harrison and the intricate and dynamic guitar playing of Neil Mercer. Songs range from dark, almost gothic-tinged folk to more bluesy, pop-roots tunes, taking in sparsely picked guitars and looped effects, anthemic vocals and whispered voices.

26th Swindon Folk Club Present The Ivy Green A unique project by SFC’s own Chantelle Smith and Jessie Thompson. They focus on songs collected by by Swindon’s own folk song collector, Alfred Williams, playing a range of instruments including harp, accordion, guitar and whistle to support their gorgeous harmonies.

27th Poetry in the Pub New to The Pulpit, following the success of Januarys’ Swinterfest Poetry evening. We are delighted to host Maurice Spillane and Tony Hillier in an evening filled with the delights of the spoken word. Join us 7:30-9:30 for selected readings from our hosts and open spots. Present your own words, or read a favourite, or even ask our hosts to present a poem for you. A fun evening of poetry, and celebration of the spoken word. 

JUNE

2nd Old Town Comedy Festival New to The Pulpit, we are proud to be part of Old Towns’ first comedy festival !! The smallest venue on the circuit be sure to get tickets early for this, our first double-header comedy night. Hosted by Swindon Old Town Comedy Club. More details to follow…..

3rd Ferbrache and Fry

We are excited to be able to again bring the uber-talented frontman of British Blues legends The Achievers, Steve Ferbrache, back to Swindon once again with his pals (it will be a bit of a squeeze!)

Steve Ferbrache (guitar & vocals) and Rufus Fry (Harmonica) are founding members of the award winning Blues/Roots band The Achievers, together at last doing a ‘bit on the side’. Gritty Blues, Swinging Roots, Country, Gospel. Americana, Bluegrass and plenty more Folksy Gubbins. They’ll be joined on double bass by Jack Thomas.

Saved from a route to ruin in his teens by the folk clubs of North Wales and later taken around the world by his award winning Americana/Roots band The Achievers, Steve Ferbrache has some stories to tell.

Poetically articulate songwriting and highly-accomplished, unobtrusive finger-style guitar Seve draws influences from both traditional British folk music and American roots & old-time styles. His songs are driven by message and melody and are often disarmingly open. Steve Ferbrache is committed to leaving audiences better than he found them – even after they’ve explored some of the toughest aspects of life together.

“An incredible songwriter, and one hell of a voice!” – Seasick Steve

“Definitely a class above – his easy charm and twinkling humour would win over the most battle weary” – Music Riot

“A very fine guitar picker, reminds me of early Paul Simon” – Wizz Jones

7th Cheese Club

9th Old Town Comedy Festival 

New to The Pulpit, we are proud to be part of Old Towns’ first comedy festival !! The smallest venue on the circuit be sure to get tickets early for this, our first double-header comedy night. Hosted by Swindon Old Town Comedy Club. More details to follow…..

10th Harrison Rimmer

We are pleased to be able to welcome the most excellent Harrison Rimmer back to Swindon, this time for his Pulpit bow.

Harrison is a singer songwriter hailing from Fleetwood & grown in York with a sound that is a blend of Bruce Springsteen with a flavouring of Nirvana.

He has toured around the UK, Australia, Germany, Ireland, The Netherlands, France & parts of Asia playing to anyone, anywhere at anytime. In the course of his travels he has played with the likes of Frank Turner, Mark Chadwick (The Levellers), Boston, Manor, Martin Simpson, PET NEEDS, John Power (The LA’s/CAST), Ryan McCombs (Drowning Pool/SOiL) , Rick Witter (from Shed Seven), Tom Hingley (from Inspiral Carpets), Tony Wright (from TerrorVision), Ben Ottewell (from Gomez), Gaz Brookfield, and many more.

Support from Bath based Indie/soft rock/Alt/Rock and Roll/Whatever artist Jess Chivers.

17th Paul McClure

Absolutely stoked to once again be able to welcome the brilliant music of Paul McClure to Swindon for his Pupit debut.

Paul McClure is a singer songwriter from Rutland, England. Known for his intimate, storytelling concerts, Paul’ characters and story lines – in particular the loves, laughs and losses that have come his way – though lyrically often brutally honest, nearly always allow the humorous side of any situation to come forward.

McClure writes songs about the people and things that enter his life; friends, family, good times and bad, with plenty of lost love and death to keep things interesting. Clocking up the miles finding no shortage of places willing to have him play his songs either solo or in one of the many incarnations his band The Local Heroes take; last count was 15 fully capped members though 9 is the most to play on stage at any one time. “t depends who’ available and who lives nearest the gig! ”Imagine the same meal every night but cooked by a different chef…

He plays shows at folk clubs, venues, village halls and front rooms – finding himself sharing the stage with many of the Folk and Americana artists that have influenced his work such as Justin Townes Earle, Ian Felice, Mark Olson and The Young ‘Uns – with acclaimed performances at Festivals including Cambridge Folk, Glastonbury, Ramblin’Roots, Maverick and Truck – Extensively touring not just venues but also a large number of house concerts hosted by fans in his attempt to both connect with his audience in a close and intimate setting and bring the sound of live music back into the home.

24th Poetry in the Pub

30th Swindon Folk Club Present. Wings and Whispers

JULY

1st Tom Corneill (Young Martyrs) solo

5th Cheese Club

8th Joe Kelly solo

15th Jamie R Hawkins

22nd Phil Cooper

29th Poetry in the Pub

AUGUST

2nd Cheese Club

SEPTEMBER

6th Cheese Club

7th-13th SWINDON SHUFFLE 

16th Phil Maguire

23rd Joe McCorriston

OCTOBER

4th  Cheese Club

14th Bluebeard and the Desperate Hours (duo)

NOVEMBER

1st Cheese Club

4th Sian and Rob Colquhoun