Puzzle Hall Inn

Technical Difficulties
2025-04-02 19:00 - 23:00 (Europe/London)
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.

French Fridays
2025-04-04 17:30 - 18:30, 2025-04-11 17:30 - 18:30, 2025-04-18 17:30 - 18:30, 2025-04-25 17:30 - 18:30, 2025-05-02 17:30 - 18:30
An informal group to practice your conversational French – Everyone welcome!

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, 2025-05-04 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.

Chess Night
2025-04-07 20:00 - 23:00, 2025-04-14 20:00 - 23:00, 2025-04-21 20:00 - 23:00, 2025-04-28 20:00 - 23:00, 2025-05-05 20:00 - 23:00
All welcome for this casual but serious evening of chess.

Open Mic Night with Maddy Brooks
2025-04-10 20:30 - 23:00
Open mic & Jam hosted by Maddy Brooks at the Puzzle Hall Inn – Sowerby Bridge 8.30pm onwards and upwards…
This night is an Open Mic with Jam session capabilities where everyone is pretty much guaranteed a chance to play & are peppered with moments of absolute joy & magic!
Everyone and anyone welcome, get yourselves down to play, sing, say and listen!
We have a PA installed, plus mics, stands and DI boxes available to use.

Hit The Decks
2025-04-11 20:00 - 23:00
An open decks night for any aspiring DJs who want to share their skills on the wheels of steel with the rest of us. Bring along your records and we’ll provide the decks.

Brigantes + The First Ones
2025-04-12 21:00 - 23:00
Brigantes are a five piece band from Halifax, West Yorkshire. Heavily influenced by ska, reggae, dub and punk – coming from the underground to play a new sound!

“I got to see them live tonight (29/11/24) and they are insane live! an awesome vibe and a great set. They are truly lovely down to earth peeps. i would 100% recommend them! and if you can see them live then i would 100% recommend that too!

please come to London again soon! “

Improv@The Puzzle
2025-04-13 13:30 - 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.

Dorr + Untitled Woman
2025-04-18 20:00 - 22:00
Minimalist analogue electronics, warm waves of noisy shimmering drones and cold industrial clangs are meshed with skittering intricate microbeats, dense layers of bold expressive experimental guitar, performed with a variety of effects and implements (electric razors, vibrators, wooden bows). Forming a textural cocoon for the deep and intimate voice, framing the songs with a distinctive atmosphere that is simultaneously delicate and bombastic, full of glittering darkness and luminescent emotion.
Entry free – donations welcome

Des Horsfall's Kuschty Rye
2025-04-19 21:00 - 23:00
Working with various roots-rock band line-ups from his Yorkshire base since the late seventies – Des Horsfall has had, in his own words – “A few skirmishes with fame.” In the eighties he fronted the blues-rock band Raw Deal who were managed by the legendary Alexis Korner. During the nineteen nineties he could be seen in hit videos on CMT and as the opening act for Joe Ely and Steve Earle along with many others. He also released two studio albums; ‘Easy Road’ (Southbound Records 1996) and ‘Mixed Grill’ (Outback Music 1998). Des formed the four-piece country rock band Fallen Horses in 2000 who recorded a live album at Hebden Bridge Trades Club entitled, ‘Breathing The Same Air’.
In 2010, following a decade of studio work at his own analogue recording facility Valve Studios, Horsfall re-emerged with a brand new “Rustic Rock and Roll’ outfit; Des Horsfall’s Kuschty Rye.

Lewis Pugh + Serious Sam Barrett
2025-04-20 16:00 - 18:00
Leeds musician Lewis Pugh is one of UK music’s prime, and proud, proponents of Celtic punk. Brought up on bluegrass and folk music, he plays traditional music with a vibrant passion and uplifting force with his early influences filtered through his love of skiffle, rockabilly and punk.
“Tragically Beautiful Left of Centre Insurgent Folk From the Wild West of the People’s Republic of Yorkshire.” Rocking Magpie
“Pugh has an appreciation for the full breadth of American roots music, a talent for exorcising his personal demons through his craft, and a knack for a memorable melody” -On the radar
“the cowpunk Billy Bragg!” – At the Barrier
https://lewispugh.bandcamp.com/music
https://www.instagram.com/lewispugh777/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuce7TfmQkjEykVfwS0BPFA

Serious Sam Barrett is a hard touring, folk and country singer/songwriter from Otley, West Yorkshire. Playing honest, heartfelt self penned and traditional songs on 12 string guitar and banjo. Raised in the Dales village of Addingham, Serious Sam Barrett began performing in and around Leeds in 2004, with word spreading further afield with the release of his 2009 debut album Close To Home. Performing at SXSW in Austin, Texas in 2010, he has toured the US widely, usually in the company of friends and fellow skaters The Pine Hill Haints. Along the way, Sam has shared stages with the likes of Martin Carthy, Dave Burland, Katherine Tickell, Lucero, The Young Un’s, Frank Fairfield, Deer Tick and Karine Polwart, and received airplay and praise plaudits from the BBC’s Bob Harris, Marc Riley and Mark Radcliffe as well as Mike Harding.
“A skater boy, slide guitar whizz and fine solo singer” 4/5 MOJO
“With alluring vocals and instrumental prowess the continued health of the British folk tradition is safe in the hands of exponents such as Serious Sam Barrett.” – The Hobbledehoy
https://www.instagram.com/serioussam1980yadig/
https://www.serioussambarrett.co.uk/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGKpMjCrfHcb4iqETCvnV5A

Poetry & Spoken Word Evening
2025-04-22 20:00 - 23:00
On the fourth Tuesday of the month the music stops and we pay attention to the spoken word. There has been poetry at the Puzzle Hall since the Nineties, with breaks when the pub was closed.

Sometimes we are a small seminar group bringing work we love, and want to discuss, including our own writings. If we get bigger numbers we can get out the microphone and make it an open mic. Everyone is welcome.

There are many kinds of poetry nights: poetry slams, formal invited poets with an audience, open mics, spoken word events. We are often another kind of gathering: talking about poetry, why we write, what we read, themes and differences.

Jazz Night with The Jamil Sheriff Trio with Nadim Teimoori
2025-04-24 20:00 - 23:00
Performing brand new music from his upcoming album, Jamil brings together this exquisite group of musicians featuring long time collaborators:
Nadim Teimoori – Saxophone
Dave Walsh – Drums
Sam Quintana – Double Bass
For this new project Jamil has written a collection of music that stands out amongst his impressive back catalogue, drawing from African and Latin American influences as well as pieces that feel more connected to classical composers such as John Ireland. Expect to be pulled in by his immersive writing and as always, space and freedom for this group of world-class soloists.

Goo + Benthead
2025-04-25 20:00 - 22:30
Goo are a poppy, fuzzy indie rock band from Keighley, West Yorkshire who combine tunes the milkman could whistle with a raucous live energy. After releasing their debut 10″ ep ‘Chomp’ in 2023, the band began touring around the UK and mainland Europe behind the 7″ singles ‘You’re In Mono’ and ‘Tiny Dinosaur That Only I Can See’ in 2024.In 2025, the band will tour the UK in May with Pup (Toronto, CA) and Illuminati Hotties (LA, US) and appear at Rebellion Punk Festival in August.
“Wonderful,fuzzy, sunshine-saturated indie-punk from Keighley” – – Shout Loud
“Clever, provocative and inventive. Blending fun lyricism with crowd-pleasing melodies” – Give it a spin
www.whoaregoo.bandcamp.com
www.instagram.com/whoaregoo
Lean into the alt-rock psych sound of Benthead with your good ear… Like a 5-legged packhorse dancing on gritstone, flying high above the northern sky and wading doggedly through the thick, bubbling swamps of the Vale of Calder.

Legs On Wheels
2025-04-26 21:00 - 23:00
Explosive art rock from Manchester, likened to Black Midi, Cardiacs, and Frank Zappa. Blazing a trail of intricate, expressive and irreverent music and live shows bursting with energy, Legs On Wheels have garnered a dedicated following.

Website:
https://legsonwheelsband.com/

Bandcamp:
https://legsonwheels.bandcamp.com/

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/legsonwheelsband/

TiTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@Legsonwheelsband

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/LegsOnWheelsBand/

The Uncle Bucket Club
2025-04-27 16:30 - 19:00
The Uncle Bucket Club are some of Calderdale’s finest young folk musicians, bringing creative and lively new arrangements of traditional and modern tunes from the British Isles and beyond. Gabriel (fiddle), George (guitar/whistle/vocals), Clem (clarinet/vocals), Meg (guitar/vocals), Andrea (fiddle/vocals), Niamh (fiddle) & Lizzie (ukulele) have been dazzling audiences since 2019 and are guaranteed to get your toes tapping and your hands clapping!

Folk Night with Kimber's Men
2025-05-01 20:00 - 23:00
Audiences everywhere, rave over the harmonies of Kimber’s Men. They have appeared at Festivals in Ostende, Appingedam, Portmagee, Portsoy, Fano in Denmark, and all over the UK. Featured twice on Sunday brunch for Channel 4 ,they also starred in the BBC2 and BBC4 production of Sea Songs, with Gareth Malone; the latter being the most viewed programme of the year, on BBC 4.
Expect to laugh, sing and be generally entertained.
Free entry, artist donations welcome.

Plantfood
2025-05-03 21:00 - 23:00
Plantfood are a 6 piece blood-pumping jazz force summoning an intricate mix of electronic and acoustic layers with influences all the way from spiritual jazz to contemporary club music. Plantfood’s sound takes inspiration from artists such as The Prodigy, John Coltrane and Nubiyan Twist. From the mosh pit to serene soundscapes and back again, the journey Plantfood takes you on is an unforgettable one.Plantfood’s debut album Carnivores, OUT NOW via BridgeTheGap, has featured all over radio via the likes of Craig Charles, Jamz supernova and Sian Eleri on stations such as BBC 6Music, Selector radio and WWFM, as well as hitting track of the week on BBC introducing. “Carnivores” envisions an apocalyptic future where the plants rise to power, taking over and consuming all around them. The music paints these chaotic and contrasting scenes with a heavy and cataclysmic sound palette.Last year at Glastonbury festival, Plantfood headlined the Croissant Neuf stage on Saturday night, credited as Gabriel Francis aka Papaoul’s “favourite discovery of Glastonbury 2023”. With festival appearances including We Out Here, Beat-Herder, Shambala and Wilderness, Plantfood have toured all over the UK; supporting renowned artists such as, Dele Sosimi, BCUC and TC and the Groove Family; and selling out headline shows in London, Leeds, York, Falmouth, Todmorden and Hebden Bridge. Support for Plantfood extends beyond live shows, as successful Help Musicians applicants and winners of the 2023 Drake Yolanda award.
