FESTIVAL PROGRAMME AVAILABLE HERE
Friday 6th June 7.30pm – Black Horse Function Room
HANNAH SCOTT supported by REUBEN & THE BRIDGE plus local singer/songwriters Chris Manners and Tim Marshall.
Ticketed gig (£10 plus £1 booking fee) from:
https://wegottickets.com/event/655667
The function room at the Black Horse plays host to an evening of the very best in acoustic music. Hannah Scott is a long established contemporary folk artist and songwriter endowed with a wonderful voice. She draws audiences in with her powerful and poignant lyrics and exceptional storytelling.
Reuben and the Bridge are a fabulous and very dynamic folk duo who perform a mixture of well known covers as well as songs of their own.
Chris Manners is a brilliant and entertaining singer, songwriter and wordsmith. Tim Marshall is arguably one of Otley’s best kept secrets, as well as a fine singer/songwriter. He’s also part of the better known “We Three Things” trio.
Timings are approximate:
Tim Marshall – 7.30pm
Chris Manners – 8.20pm
Reuben and the Bridge – 9.10pm
Hannah Scott – 10.05pm
Saturday 7th June from 12.30pm – Black Horse Stables
LUIGI ANA DA BOYS plus support from 9 local acts
“Pay as you feel” at the venue.
We are delighted to feature once again this fabulous prog rock band, formed in 1976 by Duncan McFarlane and championed by John Peel on his radio show!! They specialise in twin-lead, harmony guitar work. Luigi are Duncan McFarlane, Sam Hirst, Steve Foster and Berni Gilmore with all four on vocals! If you love harmony guitars, don’t miss this rare opportunity – they rock! All-in-all an unmissable afternoon of live music…… and remember, it’s “pay as you feel”!
Timings are approximate:
Alwyn Herbert – 12.30pm
Pam Johnson – 1.05pm
Andy Cook – 1.40pm
Butcher & Bramall – 2.15pm
Neil Garratt & Pete Earl – 2.50pm
West of the Border – 3.30pm
The Broomies – 4.05pm
Lost Embers – 4.50pm
Ben Greenwell – 5.25pm
Luigi ana da Boys – 6.00pm
Saturday 7th June from 7.45pm – Black Horse Function Room
WE THREE THINGS plus support from Karl Robins & Amanda Martin, Stiofan O’Treabhair and C.C. Easy
“Pay as you feel” at the venue.
We Three Things is a highly respected collaborative project featuring 3 of Otley’s finest singer/songwriters – Nick Wood , The Silver Reserve (Matthew Sturgess) and Tim Marshall. Their performances are notable for brilliant vocals, great guitar playing and 3 part harmonies – not to be missed!
Karl Robins now lives in the Scottish Borders with his wife Amanda Martin, but Karl is no stranger to Otley, having lived here in the past and performed with John Carey and Dave Rees in the ‘Fine Artistes’ and with Richard Currie, John Carey and Phil Atkin as ‘Clanjamfrie’. (Watch for a reunion here in Otley). Karl and Amanda perform a range of original, traditional and contemporary folk songs, with excellent harmonies and an engaging presence.
Stiofan O’Treabhair is a brilliant Leeds-based fusion vocalist and guitarist who reinterprets Irish and Scottish folk traditions. Tradfolk described him as “an absolute guitar wizard”. With the fabulous C.C. Easy also in the line-up, it promises to be another wonderful evening……… and it’s “pay as you feel”!
Timings are approximate:
C.C. Easy – 7.45pm
Stiofan O’Treabhair – 8.30pm
Karl Robins & Amanda Martin – 9.15pm
We Three Things – 10.00pm
Sunday 8th June 12.30pm – Black Horse Stables
COALTRAIN, SEAN HARRINGTON plus support from 11 local acts.
“Pay as you feel” at the venue.
Singer/songwriter Dave Vermond has been a stalwart of the Otley music scene for longer than many of us can remember, but in recent times he has tended to perform as a solo act. We are delighted that, for this year’s festival, he has once again brought together his highly regarded band “Coaltrain“, also featuring the fabulous musical talents of Johnny Hardcastle (lead guitar), Chris Swindells (bass/vocals) and Andy Thornton (drums/percussion).
Sean Harrington is an incredible artist with an effortless and exciting alternative rock sound. We’re delighted to include him in the festival line-up for 2025. With a further 11 excellent local acts, this promises to be another unmissable session……… and it’s “pay as you feel”!
Timings are approximate:
Utun Pribados – 12.30pm
Atlantic Highway – 1.00pm
Ullalele – 1.45pm
C.C. Acoustic – 2.25pm
COALTRAIN – 3.00pm
Graeme Matthews – 3.45pm
Chevin Sisters – 4.15pm
Them Dolphins – 5.00pm
The Scott O’Brien Attempt – 5.30pm
Andy Buncall – 6.15pm
Mariner’s Star – 6.45pm
One Foot in the Groove – 7.30pm
SEAN HARRINGTON – 8.15pm
Friday 13th June 7.00pm – Otley Parish Church
JON DORAN & THE NORTHERN ASSEMBLY, supported by LOUISE & CHRIS ROGAN plus Hazjak, CJ Smith and Malcolm Connell.
Ticketed gig (£10 plus £1 booking fee) from:
https://wegottickets.com/event/655666
Jon Doran & The Northern Assembly are a groundbreaking new collaboration who seek to capture the excitement that lies within traditional song. With striking vocals from Jon Doran (BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award Finalist 2019), combined with the virtuosic whistle playing of Jordan Aikin and accordion of Heather Ferrier, the trio breathe new life into old stories from across the British Isles, injecting the energy they feel these narratives deserve.
Louise & Chris Rogan are an award winning daughter and father Folk Duo. Described as having a “pure and soaring voice”, Louise plays the piano and is a singer of the highest quality. Chris adds tastefully gentle and subtle guitar and backing vocals. They’re certain to sound very special in the church setting!
Timings are approximate:
Malcolm Connell – 7.00pm
CJ Smith – 7.35pm
Hazjak – 8.20pm
Louise & Chris Rogan – 9.05pm
Jon Doran & the Northern Assembly – 9.55pm
Tickets £10 at: or £11 on the door
Saturday 14th June 11.30am – Otley Parish Church
SOLOMAN SMITH with MARK TUNNICLIFFE, supported by Tyan, Florence Glen and 5 local acts.
“Pay as you feel” at the venue.
Soloman Smith writes and performs memorable and thought-provoking songs laced with a wry intelligence. Songs that are of the moment. His musical influences include: folk, roots, country, blues, soul, funk, and more. He has recorded a number of albums that are available on all major platforms/physical format. He has over 40 years of experience playing shows and festivals throughout the UK, appearing alongside some great acts (past and present). Soloman is a contemporary singer-songwriter with “a soulful voice and a heart of conscience.” He has lots of friends in Otley and here is joined on mandolin and violin by Mark Tunnicliffe.
Tyan is an acoustic duo comprising Peter Michael Rowan and June Swift who will be remembered here in Otley as half of the excellent Cumbrian-based Errant Thieves. Singing together now for 7 years, June and Peter bring you close harmonies, a double bass, a fiddle, a guitar, and songs that lean towards Americana whilst nodding at closer songwriters and big-screen musicals. Expect boats (of course!), small-town record stores, Chinese horoscopes, convict ship figureheads and dancing as an alternative to capitalism.
Florence Glen is a brilliant singer/songwriter from North Yorkshire who stunned us all with her performance at the Horse & Farrier open mic a few months ago. Don’t miss her!!
Timings are approximate:
Paul Briscoe – 11.30am
The Curries – 12.05pm
Anna Howells – 12.40pm
Mick Starkings & Nick Wood – 1.20pm
Trash Panda – 2.00pm
Florence Glen – 2.40pm
Tyan – 3.20pm
Soloman Smith & Mark Tunnicliffe – 4.00pm
Saturday 14th June 7.00pm – Otley Parish Church
RACHAEL McSHANE & THE CARTOGRAPHERS, supported by The Fabulous Mustard Brothers, The Silver Reserve and Jon Budworth & Hill View.
Ticketed gig (£10 plus £1 booking fee) from:
https://wegottickets.com/event/655665
Rachael McShane is a renowned folk singer, cellist, fiddle and viola player from the North East of England. She gained fame as an original member of the award-winning folk big band Bellowhead, touring with them extensively and making a number of television appearances. The band recorded five studio albums and, together, they won a staggering total of 8 BBC Folk Awards. Rachael is also the leader of The Cartographers, a band that features the exceptional talents of guitarist Ian Stephenson (Kan, Baltic Crossing), and melodeon player Julian Sutton (Kathryn Tickell, Sting). Their music is a powerful blend of traditional folk and contemporary sounds, with Rachael’s stunning voice and instrumental skills leading the line. The Cartographers have garnered a loyal following thanks to their impressive live performances and critically acclaimed debut album, “When All Is Still” (2018).
The evening also features performances by 3 of Otley’s finest musical acts. The Fabulous Mustard Brothers are Nick Wood, Richard Currie, Rory McLeish and Ryan Griffiths. They play original songs about the vicissitudes of modern life and the weather. The Silver Reserve is the stage name for brilliant singer/songwriter Matthew Sturgess, who writes “Beautiful, fragmentary songs which slowly dismantle you.” (Seamus Fogarty). Jon Budworth is a brilliant guitarist and singer/songwriter from Lancashire who has made Otley his home. Jon has a rock guitarist alter ego but Hill View is his outlet for folk-inspired songs.
Timings are approximate:
Jon Budworth & Hill View – 7.00pm
The Silver Reserve – 7.50pm
The Fabulous Mustard Brothers – 8.40pm
Rachael McShane & the Cartographers – 9.35pm
Sunday 15th June 12.30pm – Black Horse Stables
MR LOVE PANTS, THE ALE MARYS, JON PALMER ACOUSTIC BAND, with support from 8 local acts.
“Pay as you feel” at the venue.
We’ve really pulled all the stops out for the final full day of the festival, with lots of fabulous acts to send you all home happy – this really will be SUPER SUNDAY!
Mr Love Pants features several of the town’s finest musicians – Nick Wood, Rory McLeish and Jon Budworth. They’ll be playing well-known rock covers. The Ale Marys need no introduction to any seasoned Otley music fans, performing folky, poppy guitar-led songs with a smattering of accordion, flute, harmonica and whistles. Otley’s award-winning folk rock legends the Jon Palmer Acoustic Band perform “folk-rock at it’s finest, with insightful song-writing and top-class musicianship” – FATEA Magazine. With 8 other superb local acts, it simply doesn’t get any better……… and it’s “pay as you feel”!
Timings are approximate:
The Ale Marys – 1.00pm
Stephen Phillips – 1.50pm
Martin Heaton – 2.25pm
Jon Palmer Acoustic Band – 3.00pm
Rob Reid – 3.50pm
Gowan – 4.25pm
Another Planet – 5.00pm
Adrian Burns – 5.50pm
Strummash – 6.30pm
Wild Roses – 7.20pm
Mr Love Pants – 8.00pm
Saturday 21st June, 18.30pm – Horse & Farrier
COOLER KING
“Pay as you feel” at the venue.
Brian Tombs and Dave Cowgill are popular regulars at the Horse & Farrier open mics but, with their friend Tony, they’re also part of the brilliant and entertaining rock & roll covers band Cooler King. As an addition to this year’s festival, Cooler King will be peforming (hopefully outside!) at the Horse & Farrier to coincide with the end of Otley Carnival. Their gigs are always great fun – and it’s “pay as you feel” – don’t miss them!
Sunday 22nd June, 7.00pm – Horse & Farrier Function Room
SKINNER & T’WITCH
Ticketed gig (£10 plus £1 booking fee) from:
https://wegottickets.com/event/655669/
Skinner & T’witch are highly regarded and entertaining Leeds-based acoustic duo Steve Skinner and Sandra Twitchett. Steve is a fine guitarist and songwriter who took up flamenco around 10 years ago. Sandra has a classical training and a passion for British folk and rock music. She has an excellent ear for sound production and harmonies, which contributes to the distinctive Skinner & T’witch sound. Drawing on music-hall and vaudeville traditions, they combine original comedy and satire with folk, flamenco and theatre-style songs. Don’t miss their visit to Otley.
Every Thursday during June – Horse & Farrier Open Mic from 7.30pm
“Pay as You Feel” at the venue.
Featured acts:
Thursday 5th June – Dawson Rae
Thursday 12th June – The Wild Women of Wharfedale
Thursday 19th June – Cooler Chris
Thursday 26th June – Andy McDermott
Otley Music Festival 