Folk Events

Paul Galloway started to learn to play the guitar when he was 13. After graduating from university in Sheffield and drama college in London his guitar skills often came in handy in plays he performed as a professional actor touring the U.K. and Europe. He then taught Speech and Drama in Stamford for many years before retiring and contenting himself with performing regularly in a number of local venues. Paul sings self-penned and traditional folk songs amongst an array of wonderful music.

Live band playing toe-tapping tunes from around the British Isles with dance instruction from irrepressible caller Chris Sanders. Entrance by ticket £12 - available from: http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/oundle-fringe-festival

Wonderful live music including original compositions and covers from singer/songwriter/guitarist Matt Carter and folk singer Lottie.

Wansford Ukulele Folk are a group of happy strummers who get together once a week. Having started just over 6 years ago with 6 players they have grown to 24! They are led by Lin Griffiths and play an eclectic mix of music, having fun at all kinds of events from festivals to weddings, birthdays and parties. Come along and join in the fun!

Pennyless will fire up fiddle and banjo, guitar and bass, to bring a bright mix of roots instrumentals from America, Ireland and England alongside songs from their back catalogue of albums and tasty covers! We have been here before but expect a high wire live performance with a difference with Ray Duffy on banjo, mandolin and guitar, Les Mad Dog Woods on guitar, Penny Stevens on violin and Colin Benton on bass.

The Big Folk Session is certainly large - in fact, huge on fun! Bring your instrument and join in or simply take a seat, make yourself comfortable and listen to some excellent music!

Traditional folk songs telling tales of land and sea, past and present, from local singer and guitarist Chris Sanders.

A massive double bass rescued from a cellar under a bar in Spain, a tiny mandolin with just one careless owner, two voices with the rich warm patina that comes from lives well lived - all in perfect harmony (yes really)! crafted over many mornings in a shed with an awesome view over Bulwick. Hilary Caley and Geoff Brown offer high-energy, traditional and original songs peppered with bittersweet humour and the occasional sensitive parts! Don't miss this opportunity to hear some wonderfully engaging sing-along music!

A great lunchtime opportunity to hear the very talented BirchwoodKnight covering old standards, jazz and toe-tapping instrumental folk tunes from the British Isles and America.

Crosskey Clog and Peterborough Morris join with Five String Thing for a lively evening of traditional dance and music.

Kites Collective are a bunch of old musical friends from Leicestershire and Buckinghamshire, playing a mixture of pop, folk and original songs in a relaxed and entertaining manner. Audience participation is welcome!

Phil Riley, guitar and vocals, cut his musical teeth in the Midlands folk clubs of the early 70s. Neil Mercer, guitar, mandolin, vocals and pipes, did likewise in the clubs of Cumbria.

You can find their CD, ‘Lost Legions’, on all of the main media platforms, Spotify, Apple etc by searching for ‘Phil Riley’ and examples of some of their material on their collaborative YouTube channel.

Tim Smith, bass and vocals, and Deborah Seabrook, vocals, ukulele and percussion will be joining them at Dexters.

https://youtu.be/KILfJMT35JQ

https://youtu.be/K-sPg_UxbAQ?si=CJAeoX-N7EypNMBz

 

Kevin McNally…AKA Doc Lesyeux! Kevin has been doing this for a little while now! Starting in the 70s with local rock bands, through the 80s and 90s as singer guitarist with his own blues bands, and depping in countless covers bands, more recently playing steel guitar with bluegrass bands, and currently the trio Living Proof and country band The Western Earls. He plays an eclectic mix of songs, some covers, some his own, with the odd steel guitar instrumental thrown in. From folk, jazz and blues through new wave to country and rock, from Fats Waller to the Georgia Satellites, Dylan to Gallagher (Rory not Liam!) and many stops in-between. All linked with a stream of consciousness and humour, but no miserable introspection! Kevin has played countless clubs, pubs and venues across the UK and Europe, including The Stables, Wavendon, the Water Rats, London, The Robin Hood, Great British Blues Festival, Burnley Blues Festival, Coventry Music Festival, Moira Folk Festival and many Bluegrass festivals. Also most of the clubs on Beale Street in Memphis, as well as across Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi and Texas, as well as UK television and radio shows. ​​​https://youtu.be/6EAcl44uFus?si=XsGJ3fxUc4VxS1NK

Spodo Komodo, a new collaboration bringing the talents and creativity of 3 Lincolnshire musicians together; Graham Starkie, Les Woods and Penny Stevens. Spodo Komodo's mission is to explore the related sound worlds of folk and early music with some convivial banter thrown in. Expect genteel musical forms with beautiful melodies on guitars, violin, viola and bass, with a journey from medieval European music, through John Dowland, to Turlogh o' Carolan's Irish tunes and some original material!

Chris Brown and Ross Alexander II - aka hazeyjane II - formed as a result of their mutual love of the music of English singer-songwriter Nick Drake. Ross's tender vocals lend a soulful edge to Chris's gentle guitar in a blend of carefully chosen Drakeian covers and their own cross-pollinated compositions.

Velvet Engine is the brainchild of Chilean Northamptonian San-D Godoy-Messenger. Velvet Engine offer up a stripped-back alt-folk set for Oundle Fringe Festival, weaving honest and heartfelt stories through soft, soulful melodies — the kind of music that pairs best with a brew and a bit of reflection. Fronted by San-d Godoy-Messenger, their wistful melodies and honest lyricism recently earned them Best Folk and Acoustic Act at the 2025 Radio Wigwam Awards.