Chess Night
2025-03-03 20:00 - 23:00, 2025-03-10 20:00 - 23:00, 2025-03-17 20:00 - 23:00, 2025-03-24 20:00 - 23:00, 2025-03-31 20:00 - 23:00 (Europe/London)
All welcome for this casual but serious evening of chess.

Technical Difficulties
2025-03-05 19:30 - 22:00
Technical Difficulties is Sowerby Bridge’s original experimental & electronic music open mic held on the first Wednesday of Each Month
FREE ENTRY
Please send us a message if you want a slot!
We have a PA installed, two tables and somebody to plug you in…
Whether you’re into alternative hip hop, dark ambient, free jazz, freak folk, beat poetry or drone rock come on down, plug yourself in and let your freak flag fly!

Folk Night with Duotor
2025-03-06 20:00 - 23:00
This month we welcome – Duotor
Duotor is two groovy medieval knights with a hypnotic sound incorporating hurdy-gurdy, drum, bagpipes, chants, songs, and throat singing. They do unholy things to the holiest of medieval tunes influenced by trance, folk, and glam rock and roll. They were headliners at Hepfest 2024, rocked the tent at Medieval Music in the Dales 2024, supported Mes Levres at Nan Moor’s in Todmorden, played the New Year in at the White Lion in Heptonstall, and now entrancing the Puzzle Hall Inn.
Free entry, donations toward events and artists always welcome.
For those who may be unsure of the public transport situations, here are some useful details…
Trains: If you’re travelling towards Halifax / Bradford / Leeds, the last train leaves Sowerby Bridge at 00:05If you’re travelling up the Calder Valley, and onwards to Manchester, the last train leaves Sowerby Bridge at 23:22
Please allow 15 minutes to walk from the pub to the station, and please check, on the day of travel that the times have not changed, or that strike actions are being planned.
Bus: There’s a 579 bus to Halifax that leaves Station Road at 23.48, just a few minutes’ walk from the Pub, however, give yourself plenty of time, as it’s the last bus, it can be pretty sharp in setting off.

French Fridays
2025-03-07 17:30 - 18:30, 2025-03-14 17:30 - 18:30, 2025-03-21 17:30 - 18:30, 2025-03-28 17:30 - 18:30, 2025-04-04 17:30 - 18:30
An informal group to practice your conversational French – Everyone welcome!

Mayshe Mayshe + Calluna Sun
2025-03-07 20:00 - 22:00
Mayshe Mayshe
Yorkshire based Mayshe-Mayshe blends dreamy art-pop and electronica with rich storytelling, skittering percussion and infectious melodies. Her deceptively simple songwriting – at once universal and deeply personal – incorporates choral vocals, vintage synths and the occasional hairdryer. Mayshe-Mayshe’s live performance is a dynamic live-looping set of soft, spare rhythms and intimate vocal harmonies that build into deep oceans of sound.
A unique and inventive talent’ – Louder Than War‘Perfect pop dichotomy’ – God is in the TV Zine‘Immaculately minimal DIY gems’ – Narc Magazine
https://www.mayshemayshe.com/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StNxyexxi3I
Calluna Sun
Multi-instrumentalists Calluna Sun interweave their mellifluous tones & combine their sweet-sounding sibling harmonies & love of nature, to bring their audiences a rare mix of folk & world. Drawing on their experience as classically trained musicians with added experience in Georgian polyphonic singing, Swiss folk yodelling & Cuban/Brazilian their evocative music takes listeners on a spellbinding, harmonious journey.
https://callunasun.bandcamp.com https://www.youtube.com/@callunasun

Electroni Kongo
2025-03-08 21:00 - 23:00
Electroni Kongo are a Kongolese Techno band comprising arranger, bassist and guitarist Mulele Matondo and electronic musician Ben Eyes.Mulele fled a war torn Kongo to West Yorkshire and met Ben in an attic studio in Leeds. The pair formed a strong bond based on an appreciation of each other’s musical heritage. Mulele’s experience of playing guitar and bass in top AfroBeat bands across Nigeria and Kongo met with Ben’s love of the rhythms and fluid synths of acid techno and avant bleep of the North of England. The pair made music together along with singer Tipo. Fast forward twenty years and whilst Ben was on tour the two met in London and decided to create Electroni Kongo in memory of their friend Tipo who had sadly passed away.The resulting music combines the energy, melody and rhythmic intensity of Mulele’s Kongolese music combined with the future-facing sound of Ben’s driving electronics.Their live show does not disappoint, bringing live guitars, percussion, vocals, analogue synths, drum machine and sampler to destroy any dance floor. They have played at Not A Cult Festival and Northern Green Gathering.
https://www.electronikongo.co.uk/
https://electroni-kongo.bandcamp.com/album/fire
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mNsErkBxw0

Alaistair Gordon + Steve Greekshire
2025-03-12 20:00 - 22:00
Alastair Gordon started performing original material on the Berlin open mic scene in his late teens. Since then, his voice has been shaped into a rich baritone through years of busking and a creative approach to guitar and harmonica shaped by adventurous listening habits. The clearest influences include John Martyn, Charlie Parr and The Felice Brothers. Lyrical content often tackles unconventional subject matter and reflects a life split between South Yorkshire and North Saxony. He has performed alongside some of the most exciting artists on the contemporary folk scene including Fern Maddie, Brown Horse, Jim Ghedi, Alabaster de Plume, Gwenifer Raymond and The Brothers Gillespie.
“Rich baritone and creative musical approach” Narc Magazine
“Off kilter quirky baritone – that’s a very difficult style to pull off. Alastair absolutely nails it.” Christian Carlisle, BBC Sheffield.
https://www.alastairgordon-music.com/
https://alastairgordon.bandcamp.com/
Steve Greekshire, a denizen of the Leeds Delta has been amusing, entertaining and confounding it’s citizens with his unique surrealist take on dark folk and blues for many years. Expect to be both enchanted and bemused by the man’s singular talent and flair for the theatrical.
https://soundcloud.com/steve-greekshire
https://stevegreekshire1.bandcamp.com/

Amusia
2025-03-14 19:00 - 23:00
Amusia will be conducting a Listening Test Site Installation Interface Trial and Safety Assessment at The Puzzle Hall Inn in Sowerby Bridge (HX6 2RF) from 7pm – 11pm on Friday 14th March 2025. Normal music club operations may be disrupted during this time. Amusia wishes to thank the patrons and staff of The Puzzle Hall Inn for their patience and understanding while we conduct these important safety trials with these experimental materials. This trial will utilise experimental auditory materials to create conjecture between conflicting auditory trends. Volunteers will be needed to ensure the safety of future Listening Test subjects. We must stress that that we cannot guarantee the safety and future well-being of those who take part in this trial, and as such we wish to thank those volunteers in advance for their bravery.
The following stimuli are to be utilised for this interface trial:
Jesus Knievel (21:30) Quirky and eccentric 3 piece rock sourced from Tameside.
John Haycock (20:30) Todmorden based Kora player using loops and effects to create ambient soundscapes.
Jacky’s Fantastic (19:30) Energetic power-folk 4-piece sourced from Hebden Bridge.

Wadcutter Blues
2025-03-15 21:00 - 23:00
Top quality musicians with deeply soulful, rocking vibe. Guaranteed to get you on the dance floor and blow away the cobwebs. Proper soul-aligning stuff- unmissable!

Kal Marks + Thank
2025-03-18 20:00 - 22:00
Kal Marks (USA – Exploding In Sound)Heavy indie/noise rock from Boston like Trumans Water / Pissed Jeans / Pixieshttps://kalmarks.bandcamp.com/
Thank (Big Scary Monsters)Witty and danceable noise rock like Chinese Stars / The Fall / Joeyfat (ex-Nose).https://thankleeds.bandcamp.com/

FREE ENTRY with donations for bands gratefully accepted. Live music done in time for trains back to Leeds / Manc.
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Kal Marks
Formed out of the Boston music scene (now located in Providence & Brooklyn), Kal Marks has been pushing themselves and their sound for over a decade. Known for their explosive live show and cathartic aggression, Kal Marks has been met with critical acclaim from outlets like NPR, Pitchfork, Fader, and Stereogum. Their tireless work ethic keeps them out on the road, throughout the US and most recently their first tour of Europe and the UK. Known for being one of the loudest and heaviest “indie rock” bands out there, they’ve shared bills with Gilla Band, Meat Wave, Gouge Away, Black Midi, METZ and Cave In. The band released “My Name is Hell” in 2022 and “Wasteland Baby” in 2024 both recorded at Machines With Magnets with Seth Manchester (Battles, Model/Actriiz, Big Brave). “Wasteland Baby” is the bands master stroke and first attempt at a concept album, divulging Shane’s fears of parenthood in a decaying world. https://youtu.be/OQQ8hG8Ujp4?feature=shared
ThankThe Rock Band Thank From Leeds’ concoction of anxious disco grooves, harsh noise freakouts and inscrutable sprechgesang bluster was borne out of their hometown’s notorious – and now sadly defunct – DIY collective CHUNK. After the release of their debut full length ‘Thoughtless Cruelty’ in 2022 and a smattering of EPs and split releases, the band is back with their sophomore album ‘I Have A Physical Body That Can Be Harmed’, a volatile yet joyously cathartic post-punk record.
In 2024 Thank signed to independent record label Big Scary Monsters, armed with a new album on the horizon and a smattering of upcoming shows in the UK and Europe to boot. ‘I Have A Physical Body That Can Be Harmed’ is a brash, satirical and downright stomping full length that combines the raw ferocity of the band’s early work with the ambitious arrangements and electronic experimentation of their more recent output. The end result combines hardware techno squelch, jungle-inspired drumming, synth pop bombast and anarcho-punk spartan aggression, acid-fried and internet-poisoned with a shit-eating grin on its face, landing somewhere akin to The Cure’s ‘The Head On The Door’ if it was remixed by ‘Jenny Death’-era Death Grips.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CM79cm4LeCQ

Georgian + The Black Hills String Band
2025-03-21 20:00 - 22:00
Georgian is a spooky, psychedelic western artist based in Manchester. lead singer Georgia’s haunting vocals and gripping writing style is the perfect accompaniment to the soulful organ, driving drums, groovy bass, tasty sax, and trio of harmonic guitars which make up her band. With sold out shows and a recent spot at Manchester Psychfest it’ll be a treat to see them in such intimate surroundings
“Georgian create a distinctive sound that merges the psychedelic elements of the 1960s with a Western flair, creating a modern yet nostalgically rich auditory experience.” – Oculate
“Balancing vulnerability, longing and playfulness Georgian create a moody and haunting atmosphere.” – Broadway World
https://georgian.bandcamp.com/
https://soundcloud.com/georgianbackstage
The Black Hills String Band are a new group from the lonesome hills of Calderdale made up of seasoned local players making their own unique twist on classic blues, folk and country

Featherteeth
2025-03-22 21:00 - 23:00
Featherteeth are sonic alchemists, blending the mind-expanding essence of psychedelia, the rhythmic pulse of electronica, the raw energy of post-punk, and countless other influences into a seamless, genre-defying experience. With hypnotic grooves, shimmering etherial vocals and electrifying live performances, the band crafts a soundscape that takes listeners on a journey through both space and time.
“There are many different featherteeth, everyone has their own……a creature that lives in your mind and puts your dreams together”.

Phil Tyler + Henry Parker
2025-03-23 16:00 - 18:00
Phil TylerSolo set of ‘folky stuff’ from Newcastle’s premier primitive banjoist, guitarist, sacred harp singer and collaborator with/of/in Cath Tyler, Sarah Hill, Yakka Doon, The Last Path, and Spraydog.https://cathandphiltyler.bandcamp.com/
Henry ParkerContemporary progressive folk guitar and songs from the Yorkshire valley’s ever rising star. https://henryparkermusic.co.uk/

Phil Tyler
Cath & Phil Tyler play Anglo-American folk music using guitar, banjo, voice and fiddle. Cath was a member of the band Cordelia’s Dad in the 1990s when she lived in Massachusetts, USA. Phil, from Newcastle upon Tyne has played in various folk, rock and ceilidh bands for many years. Coming together musically through a shared love of traditional narrative song, full voiced sacred harp singing and sparse mountain banjo, they have performed on stages as diverse as the Royal Opera House in London and a dank tower in the old city walls of Newcastle. Taking a more minimal approach to their material than some, they have been described as ‘one of the most compelling musical partnerships on the scene’, their music being ‘a highly concentrated and intimate musical experience that penetrates to the very rawest essence of folktradition’.
‘Exceptional in every sense of the word…certainly one of the best albums of 2022. The variety on offer.. is exceptional; the balance of pace makes it engaging, while the selection of songs makes it intriguing. Each song and tune is impeccably performed; I can’t recommend it enough.’Folk Radio on What We Thought Was A Lake Was A Field Of Flax by Phil Tyler & Sarah Hill
Henry ParkerHenry Parker’s contemporary take on folk, which he explores via thoughtful yet deeply accomplished guitar playing, unfurls and moves much like the landscape itself – mirroring the unpredictable, yet beautifully flowing, rolling hills and valleys of his native county of West Yorkshire.
Parker’s musical roots go back to a self appointed upbringing in prog-rock and metal. However, enthralled at the age of 20 by the ethereal playing of Bert Jansch and Nick Drake, finger-picking and open tunings rapidly became the essence of his sound. The result is a strain of informed, progressive folk music found nowhere else.
Henry has recorded 2 albums: the eco-conscious ‘Silent Spring’ (2019) and ‘Lammas Fair’ (2021), bringing him to the forefront of the progressive folk music world. In 2023 he curated and recorded for American label Tompkins Square Records, bringing together a tribute album to Michael Chapman, one of his most important musical influences.
“His relaxed vocals and songwriting are as warm and open as his tunings” 8/10 Uncut Magazine
“What Parker does so effectively is to blend ancient with early-70’s and modern styles” Mojo ★★★★
“Original material and traditional songs create an immersive and mellifluous world in which both the peace and isolation of nature are unfurled evoked through subtle arrangements” Prog Magazine
“Focussing on the seasons is an eternal feature of English folk music and the tradition is well tended here.” Shindig! ★★★★
“Channelling the ghosts of Jansch and Renbourn through his fingertips, the fluid playing and emotive singing of Yorkshire-born Henry Parker evokes the spirit of the early-60’s folk revival as if it were yesterday.” RnR Magazine ★★★★★
“We can look forward to more from this impressive young talent who is both steeped in and helping to continue the English Folk Revival” Folk London
“Precision guitar playing…effortless use of loop pedals, nice to see an unsigned folk musician playing to such a high level” FATEA
“A really excellent young guitarist/ songwriter” Steve Tilston

Jazz Night with Ed Kainyek
2025-03-27 20:00 - 23:00
Kainyek, originally from Sierra Leone, has long been an established and respected figure on the UK jazz scene.
Kainyek is a highly skilled saxophonist with an earthy and expressive style, will be delivering a healthy chunk of mainstream, hard swinging jazz with a hint of the contemporary, but always with a good tune. He will be accompanied by the Puzzle Jazz House Band.

Tiger Island + Drella
2025-03-28 20:00 - 22:00
Tiger Island are a ferociously loud, punked-up garagey power-pop band from Leeds/Wakefield, fuelled by massive riffs, pounding drums, and tunes you can actually dance to. Think PJ Harvey Vs Hot Snakes via the B52s. But faster and catchier than measles.They’ve been sleazing their way around the basement venues of West Yorkshire since 2022 and their latest 5-track EP “Looka Looka Looka” is a right nice time.
“Tiger Island have an explosive sound built around blistering guitars, cool synth lines and an utterly riotous rhythm section. They create ragged garage-punk drenched in sweat and delivered straight from the heart” – Louder than war
“it’s punk, but at its core, it’s rock’n’roll. Super tight and catchy as all hell” Maximum Rock and roll
https://www.instagram.com/tigerislandband/
https://tigerisland.bandcamp.com/

Using both music and activism to fight against the economic struggles facing their hometown of Bradford, Drella combine politicised lyrics with gritty guitar riffs, catchy bass lines and thunderous drums to deliver their brand of politically charged alternative rock. In a short period, they’ve made a name for themselves across England through rapturous live shows and BBC spotlights.
“With energy, pace and angst Drella are a carnage-inducing live band” _ Telegraph & Argus
“With an uncompromising hellraiser attitude Drella fully embody the aggressive anarchist spirit of punk” – Grimy Goods
https://drellaband.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/drellaband/

Owter Zeds
2025-03-29 21:00 - 23:00
Owter Zeds – Hebden Bridge’s ska legends! Come and see us…

Improv@The Puzzle
2025-03-30 14:00 - 16:00
Audience and players VERY WELCOME. These are open playing sessions where weird and wonderful pieces are improvised by the group using some light direction and guidance on the playing.
Donations welcomed: Bring Instruments and if needed little amplifiers and come down and join in with the improvisations. Arrive by 1.30pm to be ready to play at 2.00pm.
No previous experience needed. Any questions? Feel free to message.

Technical Difficulties
2025-04-02 19:00 - 23:00
Technical Difficulties is Sowerby Bridge’s original experimental music open mic night. Please note that from May Technical Difficulties will be held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month.
FREE ENTRY
Please send us a message if you want a slot!
We have a PA installed, two tables and somebody to plug you in…
Whether you’re into alternative hip hop, dark ambient, free jazz, freak folk, beat poetry or drone rock come on down, plug yourself in and let your freak flag fly!

Folk Night with Boba Swing
2025-04-03 20:00 - 23:00
This month we welcome – Boba Swing
‘Boba Swing (Bean Swing) are a trio made up of violin virtuoso,Susannah Simmons, jazz guitar maestro Vernon Bigsby and trad. singer and guitarist Gerard Paul Cavallari.Recently described by a fan as ‘a sublime three-way mixed marriage…..rising and falling in perfect symmetry’.Boba will lead you on a musical escapade influenced mostlyby the styles of Jazz manouche, Tango and Romani trad Think Bermuda, Rhubarb and the pyramids of Giza, sit backand lose yourself in the stringy, tangy, afterlife -like spectrum of the swinging beans !’
Free entry, donations toward events and artists always welcome.
For those who may be unsure of the public transport situations, here are some useful details…
Trains: If you’re travelling towards Halifax / Bradford / Leeds, the last train leaves Sowerby Bridge at 00:05If you’re travelling up the Calder Valley, and onwards to Manchester, the last train leaves Sowerby Bridge at 23:22
Please allow 15 minutes to walk from the pub to the station, and please check, on the day of travel that the times have not changed, or that strike actions are being planned.
Bus: There’s a 579 bus to Halifax that leaves Station Road at 23.48, just a few minutes’ walk from the Pub, however, give yourself plenty of time, as it’s the last bus, it can be pretty sharp in setting off.

DayRiders
2025-04-04 20:00 - 22:00
DayRiders are Dil, Sol & Ric. Front man, song-writer and guitar Lord, Sol has fronted some of Yorkshire’s best bands for over 25 years now; Bradford’s No1 band Water, solo as Sol Gravy, folk pop combo Galores, the two-piece power trio of Super Mofo, David Lynch inspired cowboy doom funk quintet TheRed Room, and now DayRiders.Dil & Ric, are the brothers who play bass and drums in the band. Legends of the Yorkshire dance music, reggae and ska scene, they and are the Sly and Robbie of the band. Sol has cherry-picked his favourite songs from his repertoire, and the guys have put in the hours getting tight, and we mean real t-i-g-h-t! Possibly only one of the only bands around who can confidently play to anyone. The guys don’t think twice about playing to crowds and venues best suited to cover bands. They always go down great! DayRiders are often compared to The Doors, and take that as a great compliment. However, the main inspiration in Sol’s style probably comes from his love of Ronnie Lane, Dr John, Van Morrison, Keith Floyd, Velvet Underground, Tony Wilson and John Lee Hooker. Dil & Ric simply love all things funky!!Of course, they might chuck in the odd cover, but in a set of 20-25 songs, you might get two or 3. Curtis Mayfield’s “Move On Up” is a current fave, or the Stones’ “Midnight Rambler” maybe? Whatever they choose to do, they make it their own anyway. They say you only get real good at something once you’ve put in 10,000 hours practice. These guys combined have reached a solid one million hours plus, and that shows.You will enjoy the DayRiders, and where better to catch them than the Puzzle Hall!

Casino Rockets + Slab
2025-04-05 21:00 - 23:00
CASINO ROCKETS deliver an expansive sound, perfectly made for the live setting. Dynamic shifts in rhythm and structure, combine effortlessly with soaring melodies and memorable hook lines to deliver compelling live performances, that captivate and entertain audiences. The band self-released their debut album, REALITY DISTORTION FIELD in 2021. Produced by Steve Whitfield (The Cure, The Mission, Jane Weaver). Influenced by bands like Depeche Mode, Radiohead and British Sea Power, the album was described as “Mature, developed and thought out…” – and as “A work of sublime intelligence, consistently entertaining and constantly engaging”. The band took some time out in late 2021 but regrouped in summer 2023 with new music written and soon to be released.
“Imagine if Pink Floyd and Depeche Mode had a child and you may come close to capturing the sound of Casino Rockets.” – Aah! magazine
“The strength of Casino Rockets is that they use the many and varied sonic possibilities of electronics to create mood and depth whilst retaining the earthy passion and warmth of good old fashioned bass, drums and guitar” – Punk in focus
Mancunian Post Rock three piece Slab create rich sonic landscapes full of dynamic shifts and texture but aren’t afraid to rock out in a satisfying fashion either.
“Slab create thrilling post punk/ post hardcore full of dynamics” – Louder than war

Acoustic Singaround Session
2025-04-06 13:00 - 16:00
Join us at the Puzzle Hall Inn, the 1st Sunday of each month for an acoustic afternoon informal singaround. All persons of all ages and skill levels welcome.
Hosting, will be the incredible Dave Calvert.In his own words: “Everyone is welcome to come along and sing, play, join in or just listen, the beer is great, as is the atmosphere. Its a lovingly restored, community owned pub which is continuing it’s long history of music events.”
Entry is free, hope to see you there.
