Festival organiser Paul Briscoe is on a mission to bring to Otley some of the finest exponents of acoustic roots and folk music from across the country. In particular, he’s keen to give a stepping stone to younger and emerging talent. At his regular venue – the intimate and excellent-sounding upstairs room at the Horse & Farrier Public House – Paul has booked outstanding nationally-acclaimed acts: Hannah Sanders & Ben Savage, Jacob& Drinkwater, Ben Walker & Kirsty Merryn and Ellie Gowers. However, some events will take place in the rather larger function room at the Black Horse. Paul hopes to continue bringing the very best in acoustic music to North Leeds in the year ahead.
Upcoming acts – please scroll down the page for further details and ticket info for each gig:
Chris Cleverley – Friday 20th November 2026 – 7.30pm start – Horse & Farrier
Tickets available online (£12 plus processing fee) from : https://wegottickets.com/f/26715
We’re delighted to welcome the brilliant singer/songwriter and guitarist Chris Cleverley back to Otley for a solo gig.
Chris Cleverley was born under a solstice moon, in the honeysuckle mysticism of a late 80s Midsummer. As his fledgling days unfurled, the symbolic sounds of ‘Hunky Dory’, ‘Graceland’ and ‘Ladies of The Canyon’ echoed from the woodchip walls of the South Birmingham terrace where he was raised; quiet and curious, saturnine and shy. Here, the soul of a young artist was shaped.
Fast-forward three decades; With five nationally acclaimed records under his belt, and ringing endorsements from The Times, Telegraph and BBC6 Music, 2x FATEA ‘Male Artist of the Year’ Chris Cleverley is described as “One of the most vital voices of his Folk generation” (KLOF).
His boundary-shattering ‘Dream-Folk’ songwriting sits on the cutting edge of acoustic music. Exploring powerful, human themes from displaced people to the fragile beauty of our natural world, we travel with him from the arid deserts of Syria, to the rich Mediterranean sunsets of the Cretan coastline; a captivating voyage of place, landscape, season and self. With a compendium of songs for the misfits, steeped in love, joy, grief, anxiety and empathy, his truly immersive performance unites each individual in the room on their own journey towards finding a place in this head-spinning modern world.
From the fairy-light intimacy of concert venues, to the stages of world-renowned festivals, Chris has built a sturdy following in his 10 years touring the new British Folk Scene, including standout performances at prestigious events like Cambridge Folk Festival and The English Folk Expo.
A true guitar-man, his breathtaking fingerstyle technique dances above lush ambient soundscapes, drawing comparisons ranging from Lo-fi American Greats, Elliott Smith & Sufjan Stevens to UK guitar royalty John Martyn & Nic Jones; a curious tapestry weaved from the hazy psychedelia of the 60s folk revival and the soulful oblivion of the 90s Pacific Northwest.
With replenishing calm and warm humour, his unique one-man live show occupies the space between concert performance and yoga nidra meditation; plunging audiences head first into a revitalising journey that promises to leave them feeling that little bit more wholesome than when they arrived.
“As surreal as Fforde. As loaded as Ballard” – Time Passed and Time Passing
An Evening of Bluegrass – Black Horse Function Room – Now postponed to the New Year
Otley has more than its fair share of accomplished bluegrass musicians! To start the festive season we celebrate with an evening of music featuring some of the area’s finest exponents! With Dogwood Mountain Railroad, The Grove Band and more.
Further details to follow.
