Everyman Folk Club

30/05/2026

The Everyman Folk Club season ended last night with an enthralling appearance by squeezebox virtuoso, John Kirkpatrick. We were treated to a celebration of folk music at its best. The huge variety of tunes was exhilarating as John’s fingers flew across the keys of his button accordion, Anglo concertina, and single row melodeon (in D!). His understanding and love of the Morris tradition shone through, and his recently composed Double Dream Waltz was astonishing. A certain gravitas was brought to songs such as Fare Ye Well, Lovely Nancy and The Gown So Green, whilst zest and enthusiasm were directed at The Handling of Your Sword and Riding Down to Portsmouth. This performance of traditional, contemporary, and original songs and tunes showed the remarkable versatility of this folk titan.

The evening included entertaining songs from Bill Johnston & Sheila Darling, Louise Forster, and Tracey Wisdom, with MC Charlie Haylock ending the floor spots with two moving poems by the late Suffolk poet, Elizabeth Davey (1919–2019). Well done one and all.

Thank you to our amazing audience for your support over the last year – and, indeed, the last 30-years! It was brilliant to end the season with a sell-out crowd; your stunning singing was truly overwhelming. Have a lovely Summer, and we’ll see you on Friday 25 September 2026 when friendly ghost, Sailor Swift (aka Pete Morton), will take our breath away.

28/05/2026

Thank you 🙏- tonight’s event with John Kirkpatrick is sold out. 🎶
Please don’t attend if you don’t have a ticket, as we will have to turn you away.

28/05/2026

21/05/2026

🌟 UPDATE - This event is sold out 🌟
Please do not attend if you do not have a ticket, as we will have to turn you away at the door. Thank you all for your support. ❤️

🎶 John Kirkpatrick is not only one of the country’s best button accordion, melodeon and Anglo concertina players, but is also a fine singer and a terrific songwriter. One of the great solo acts on the folk scene, John is a leading interpreter of English folk music. He has been a member of the Albion Country Band, Magic Lantern, The Richard Thompson Band, Umps and Dumps, Steeleye Span, Brass Monkey, Trans-Europe Diatonique, and Band of Hope, as well as numerous ceilidh bands. As songwriter, composer, choreographer, and musical director, John he has contributed to more than sixty plays in the theatre and on radio and, as featured artiste, band member, or session player, his music can be heard on over 200 different commercial recordings.

“The inventiveness and dynamism of John's playing are just as top-notch as one has come to expect of such a perfectionist.” - Mike Greenwood, Taplas

🎟 https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/everyman-folk-club (£10) and - subject to availability - on the door £12
ⓕ https://www.facebook.com/events/1309483344658656
🔗 http://www.everymanfolkclub.co.uk
🐑 Community non-profit organisation

🎼 Venue: The Riverside Centre, Gt Glemham Road, Stratford St Andrew, Saxmundham, Suffolk IP17 1LL
🗺 https://w3w.co/laughs.informal.tickling
Doors and bar open at 7.00pm for a 7.30pm start

All are welcome at this friendly and traditional folk club. With Residents, Floor Singers and a Booked Guest Artist on every occasion, expect traditional and contemporary songs and tunes performed acoustically, stupendous chorus singing, and entertaining introductions.

25/04/2026

An entertaining evening with Anthony John Clarke at the Everyman Folk Club last night. AJ’s performing expertise enabled him to move smoothly between serious and subtle to amusing and highly comical songs, including classics such as what has become his anthem - The Broken Years. Amid the banter and anecdotes were well-crafted songs showcasing his talent as an observer, a commentator, and an ingenious wordsmith. Each was accompanied masterfully on guitar, with which AJ complemented and enhanced his voice without overshadowing it. Thank you, AJ for a thought-provoking and engaging performance.

Very well done to all the evening’s floor singers - Dave Tricker, Graham Schofield, Chris King, Teresa Booth & Stella Day, and Terence Blacker. Thank you all, and MC Charlie Haylock, for your contributions to the evening.

Any concerns about being heard without amplification vanished as soon as the music started. Our attentive audience focused on AJ’s every word and nuance and – of course – participated in each chorus and refrain with delight, and some glorious harmonies too. We’re excited to see and hear you all again on Friday 29 May 2026, when John Kirkpatrick is our final guest of this season.

24/04/2026

🎶 Tonight at the Everyman - folk singer and raconteur, Anthony John Clarke is our booked guest. An integral part of the UK music scene for 30-years, AJ is much loved by those who know him and hugely respected by his peers.

"full of emotion, the songs are gently delivered with truth and honesty" - Folk North West

“He storms it every night he gets on stage. Brilliant!!!" - Fairport Convention

🎟 https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/everyman-folk-club (£10) and after the online box office closes, on the door (£12)
ⓕ https://www.facebook.com/events/1591909148772947
🔗 http://www.everymanfolkclub.co.uk
🐑 Community non-profit organisation

🎼 Venue: The Riverside Centre, Gt Glemham Road, Stratford St Andrew, Saxmundham, Suffolk IP17 1LL
🗺 https://w3w.co/laughs.informal.tickling
Doors and bar open at 7.00pm for a 7.30pm start

All are welcome at this friendly and traditional folk club. With Residents, Floor Singers and a Booked Guest Artist on every occasion, expect traditional and contemporary songs and tunes performed acoustically, stupendous chorus singing, and entertaining introductions.

Tickets are available now for this event and for John Kirkpatrick on Friday 29 May 2026. 🗓

28/03/2026

On the 30th anniversary of the club’s relaunch, we had an exhilarating evening with George Sansome and Matt Quinn at the Everyman Folk Club last night. The new partnership of these two highly regarded performers, as Sansome Quinn, is thrilling. Their selection of timeless material - chorus songs, broadsides, and traditional ballads – benefitted from their remarkable synchronicity. George’s beautiful baritone and Matt’s tender tenor voices were underpinned by solid driving rhythms and expressive accompaniments on guitar and mandolin in magnificent reworkings of mainly traditional songs. Matt’s own tunes were an added bonus, and their distinctive phrasing when singing unaccompanied in close harmony was exceptional. Top notch!

The evening included wonderful performances from the floor. Thanks to Mike Acott (duet concertina), Angela Collins (first time singing at the club 👏), Robin Pooley, Shirley Harry, Alan Day (Anglo concertina), and Ian (guitar) & Michelle Wright (English concertina). Thanks too to MC Charlie Haylock for his engaging introductions throughout, and also to Mike Norris – our first MC in 1996 – who found himself introducing Sansome Quinn for their final set!

Bravo to our superb audience who filled the room in body and in voice. Thank you all for your support, dedication, and friendship last night and throughout the years – you’re remarkable! Let’s do it again soon – on Friday 24 April 2026 with Anthony John Clarke, and at the last event of this season with John Kirkpatrick on Friday 29 May 2026.

01/03/2026

🎶 George Sansome and Matt Quinn - two stalwarts of the English folk scene - will combine their remarkable skills in this inspiring duo at the Everyman Folk Club on Friday 27 March 2026. Don't miss your chance to witness the excellent collaboration of these two accomplished folk musicians performing mainly traditional songs accompanied by George's guitar and Matt's mandolin.

"a thrill to hear them live - the chemistry is as natural and affecting as the sound of their combined voices." - Jon Wilks

“Supremely skilled, stylish, nimble and highly musical” – Living Tradition

“Quintessential traditional folk” – Bright Young Folk

🎟 https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/everyman-folk-club (£10) and on the door (£12)
ⓕ https://www.facebook.com/events/1246399046918950
🔗 http://www.everymanfolkclub.co.uk
🐑 Community non-profit organisation

🎼 Venue: The Riverside Centre, Gt Glemham Road, Stratford St Andrew, Saxmundham, Suffolk IP17 1LL
🗺 https://w3w.co/laughs.informal.tickling
Doors and bar open at 7.00pm for a 7.30pm start

⭐️ https://www.georgesansome.co.uk/projects/

All are welcome at this friendly and traditional folk club. With Residents, Floor Singers and a Booked Guest Artist on every occasion, expect traditional and contemporary songs and tunes performed acoustically, stupendous chorus singing, and entertaining introductions.

Tickets are available now for this event and for April and May
27 Mar 2026 - George Sansome & Matt Quinn
24 Apr 2026 - Anthony John Clarke
29 May 2026 - John Kirkpatrick

28/02/2026

Steve Turner made a welcome return to the Everyman Folk Club last night. A master of the English concertina, Steve’s imaginative and creative accompaniments enhanced his robust, distinctive voice as he performed a huge variety of traditional and contemporary songs, mainly from the UK but including America and Australia. Each was preceded by an enlightening introduction about its source and story, exhibiting why Steve is a true Tradition Bearer. With the inclusion of sophisticated jigs and Shetland tunes performed on his tenor banjo, Steve gave us an exquisite evening of masterful musicianship.

(Steve’s unusual concertina is a 1929 Wheatstone English system 64-key bass-baritone-tenor [‘cello] Aeola, with Anglo action on the bottom 4-keys, tuned in old pitch).

Enjoyable floor spots as always, this time from Bill Johnston & Sheila Darling, Steve Shipley, Terence Blacker, Ruth Gitsham, Graham Schofield, and Charlie Haylock (MC), whose performances included songs, tunes, and monologues. Thank you all.

Thanks too to our amazing audience for being so welcoming to our guest and visitors, and for singing your hearts out. You’re simply the best, and we can’t wait to see and hear you again next time - on Friday 27 March 2026 – when we’ll enjoy the combined talents of George Sansome and Matt Quinn.

27/02/2026

⭐️ Tonight at the Everyman Folk Club ⭐️