Puzzle Hall Inn

The Lores + Carps
2025-10-03 20:00 - 22:00 (Europe/London)
Remember the 90’s? The fashion. The haircuts. The vibe. And above all else: the music. A cavalcade of guitar-soaked pop that evoked the best of the 60’s, laced with the party vibe of the Mediterranean and the acidic wit ofyouthful ambition. Oasis. Charlatans. Stone Roses. Blur. Pulp. Supergrass andmore. The sound of a tubthumping era. Now imagine that without the hair and you have…. The Lores. Six of the finest, most handsome and musically skilful men that Yorkshire has to offer, bringing the best of British indie directly to yourears. You know it makes sense.
With amazing support from Carps:
If you like bald, paunchy men with an acoustic guitar and a bag full of hand crafted songs about sex, death, erectiledisfunction and growing updisgracefully, then you’re in for a treat. Once described as a cross between Lennon, McCartney and a Fray Bentos pie, Carpenter is here to gently shake your tree with melodies and lyrics that he’s 75% certain he wrote himself, stirring a hearty broth of folk, pop, rock,psychedelia and indie.
Step back into the 90s, on the 3rd of October at Puzzle Hall

French Fridays
2025-10-03 17:30 - 18:30, 2025-09-26 17:30 - 18:30, 2025-09-19 17:30 - 18:30, 2025-09-12 17:30 - 18:30, 2025-09-05 17:30 - 18:30
An informal group to practice your conversational French – Everyone welcome!

Folk Night with Cat's Cradle
2025-10-02 20:00 - 23:00
First Thursday of the month, LORE is our Folk and Roots music Night hosted by Gareth Scott with special guests each month.
Cat’s Cradle are an acoustic 4-piece folk band playing inventive, intricately constructed original songs and tunes, by turns atmospheric, rhythmically driving and gentle. Using voice, mandolin, tenor banjo, bodhran, whistle, piano and cello, several traditions get woven in, from the UK to eastern Europe, prog and chamber music, all wetted down with a bit of northern rain. They are based in the lumpy South Pennines.
Free entry, donations toward events and artists always welcome.

Chess Night
2025-09-29 20:00 - 23:00, 2025-09-22 20:00 - 23:00, 2025-09-15 20:00 - 23:00, 2025-09-08 20:00 - 23:00, 2025-09-01 20:00 - 23:00
All welcome for this casual but serious evening of chess.

Improv @ The Puzzle
2025-09-28 13:00 - 15:00
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.

Ruckus Rocks: Festival Of Indie Punk
2025-09-27 17:00 - 23:00
Get your stomping boots on and be ready to pogo the night away at Ruckus Rocks a festival of the finest indie punk. The following artists will be taking part :
SHAKE RAG are a four-piece Punk Blues group from Manchester. Drawing on influences from the best of Blues, Rockabilly, 60’s Garage and Punk.Having formed in April 2021 they have since regularly gigged in pubs and clubs around the country bringing their unique and gnarly update of the delta blues tradition to enthusiastic crowds from Manchester to Chelmsford. The band consists of Richard J. Moses (vocals, second guitar), Garry Parvin (first guitar), Heath Evdemon (Bass), Archie ‘Lemon’s’ Bremner (Drums).
https://www.facebook.com/ShakeRag2021/
https://www.instagram.com/shake__rag/
https://soundcloud.com/user-229897902-2279798
“Shake Rag are also an amazing live band” – RGR
“Shake Rag deliver a snarling live show, bristling with tunes and raw energy” – Louder Than War
INDIGNATION MEETING are train-mad punks from Leeds who have the scrappy melodic charm and wit of Half Man- Half Biscuit and the raw and ragged power of The Mekons. Lead by teenage drummer/singer Peter who is ably assisted by the rest of the crew including his Dad Michael on guitar, Hugo on bass, and Keith, Heather and Sally often along for the ride. It’s time to get off the rails!
https://indignationmeeting.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/IndignationMeeting/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCkGXqBGAYxdNt3PFGadE1w
“Old school punk which is clever,catchy and really quite unlike anything you’ll have heard by anyone else.” – Devolution
“a refreshing, total joy” – God is in the TV
Lean into the alt rock psych sound of Hebden Bridge’s 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.
https://www.facebook.com/BENTHEADtheband/
https://www.youtube.com/@bentheadtheband
“Quirky, bonkers and fun” – Happening Next
THE LIGHT SHOW from Leeds are lively, energetic performers and purveyors of riff-driven, sing-a-long indie-punk with catchy melodies, massive guitar and bass hooks and relatable lyrics.
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2AN5K8mqn1mcd5DuI7VdXa…
https://www.instagram.com/thelight.show?igsh=MW1sd2Mxb2ZjaDBycg==
https://x.com/thelightshow2
https://www.facebook.com/share/165nQgwtoE/?mibextid=wwXIfr
“A punky, menacing mashup of pop-rock and indie” – RGM
FADS from Hebden Bridge create box fresh boisterous indie bangers for your discerning ears.
https://fads.bandcamp.com/album/hot-goss
https://www.facebook.com/FADS.2K19
THE BURGERS is not a band; it’s an idea that originated in Beijing, China, starting as Zac Burger’s bedroom project. Now based in Glasgow this one man band creates a tornado of catchy punk rock melodies and lyrical indignation. Unapologetic, angry and looking to build a community around his music you can think of Zac’s songs as beautiful missing person ads or fists raised towards the sky. Come join his crusade!
https://theburgers.bandcamp.com/
“energetic, urgent, and angry punk” – The Scotsman
“Punk with a punchy twist The Burgers have got an edge that’s sharp and witty” – The Brig Newspaper
SWEET GENE are a new band of energetic indie upstarts from Manchester who play with a skill and verve which belies their tender years.
https://www.instagram.com/sweetgeneband/
“A high energy band with strong vocals, great drumming and guitar work who can bring impressive shifts in style and stunningly groovy breakdowns” – The Mancunion
61 FLINTLOCK are Huddersfield’s premier example of why not to give your kids musical instruments, blending alt punk and indie to produce their own invigorating signature noise.
https://www.instagram.com/61_flintlock/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/13LXIjeSQ8bocTWUhiE0S8
Joining us to play a selection of punk rock classics, post-punk bangers and tunes from weirder shores we will be finishing the night with the fabulous DJ SNAKE HIPS on the wheels of steel.

Rail Replacement Bus Service + The Luca
2025-09-26 20:00 - 23:00
Rail Replacement Bus Service are a Leeds-based songwriting collective founded by Tom Hammond after his former band, Heir, came to an end. Joined by Lily Sturt-Bolshaw (Sunflower Thieves) and George Harris (Askies), the group blends alternative and folk influences into heartfelt, engaging stories. Debuting with Volume I in April 2025, they follow a unique “new song every month” approach, building a growing catalogue of reflective, collaborative music. This autumn, they’re taking their debut LP, Volumes 1+2, on tour across some of the UK’s less-visited towns, bringing their music to audiences often overlooked by bigger tours.
Instagram: @railreplacementbusservice / www.instagram.com/railreplacementbusservice
Tiktok: @railreplacementbusmusic / https://www.tiktok.com/@railreplacementbusmusic
Bandcamp: https://railreplacementbusservice.bandcamp.com/
Everyone’s Business Live: https://youtu.be/kWMED-mARR0?si=KsMtbxXsEvHMT3-z
“RRBS have crafted a sound that is rich, heartfelt, and layered with emotional depth.” – Wipe Out Music

The Luca is songwriter Sam Perry’s experiment in bringing introspective indie-folk and 80s glazed pop/rock under one roof. Having learned his craft across 20 years of songwriting and performance (retreats with Ray Davies, a performance at the Royal Albert Hall, 10+ years co-leading/managing the band Heir) the band is the culmination of Sam’s lifelong friendship with song.
Based in the heart of a blossoming music scene in Leeds The Luca has received local support from nationally recognised music establishments such as the Brudenell Social Club and BBC Introducing in West Yorkshire.

Jazz Night with ORB
2025-09-25 20:00 - 23:00
ORB features original trio members: saxophonist, (plus various things to shake, rattle & blow!), Richard Ormrod & bassist / dog walker Paul Baxter, alongside special guests drummer John Arnesen and pianist Richard Wetherall. Melodies inspired by Charles Mingus, Ornette Coleman and Hermeto Pascoal, rub shoulders with original arrangements influenced by Charlie Haden & Mike Westbrook.
New world folk and blues, sacred and profane, absurd, abstract and on point.
8.15 Start, Free admission, collection towards the band taken, please be generous if you can.

Poetry & Spoken Word Evening
2025-09-23 20:00 - 22:30
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.

Andrew Metheven + Ben McElroy
2025-09-21 16:00 - 19:00
Andrew Metheven is a lofi/alt-folk songwriter. He released his first EP, A Quiet Life, in March 2022, and his first album – Sister Winter – in June 2024, and has since performed at grassroots venues and festivals across Yorkshire.Still living in his native Bradford, his songs are about births, hills, loss, birds, daydreams. His live performances – characterised by his melodic guitar finger-picking – are unapologetically raw and unfiltered.
https://andrewmetheven.co.uk/
https://andrewmetheven.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/AndrewMetheven/
“His melodic voice and raw, unpolished recordings evoke a vivid, bittersweet story and capture a nostalgic longing” – Wigan Today

Ben McElroy is an ambient/folk musician originally from The Wirral but now residing in Nottingham. He combines acoustic instruments with computer processing to create folk inspired soundscapes. Ben has been writing music since his teens, with just a basic grasp of guitar and even more basic recording equipment. Over the years he’s picked up more instruments and slightly better recording gear and has been venturing out to perform live since 2022.
https://www.benmcelroy.co.uk/
https://benmcelroy.bandcamp.com/
https://soundcloud.com/benjaminmcelroy
“McElroy serves up an evocative, folksy psychedelia with strong earthy vibes – an enticing, intoxicating listen.” – Songlines
“Reengaging with the old, he has created something truly unique.” – Folk Radio UK
“Experimental lo-fi folk music at its very best.” – LeftLion Magazine

Fishing4Compliments
2025-09-20 21:00 - 23:00
Huddersfield’s indie-folksters Fishing 4 Compliments make their return to the Puzzle Hall Inn as part of their local mini tour celebration to mark the release of ‘Lost In Good Intentions,’ their second album of songs recording their journey together.
The band evolved organically around lead singer-songwriters Eileen’s songs close to 14 years ago, which have been described as quirky, intriguing, impassioned and emotive. Drawing on a eclectic mix of influences including The Beatles, XTC, Tom Petty, Mark Knopfler, The Cure, The Smiths, The Sundays and The Cranberries they have developed their unique harmony-rich sound and a reputation for crafting catchy, uplifting folk-pop songs.
“Beautiful folk music, with sounds of Fleetwood Mac, The Cranberries and The Cardigans. Dreamy Melodies and harmonies, weaved together with great musicianship and songs that take you away from everyday life. Great band who love playing live and the audience can’t do anything but enjoy it and want to hear more” (Mark Richardson-Owner of Loafers Vinyl & Coffee, The Piece Hall)
To find out more about Fishing 4 Compliments and for a pre gig listen to their music you can head over to:
https://www.fishing4compliments.co.uk/

Sarram (Sardinia) + A-Sun Amissa
2025-09-19 20:00 - 23:00
S A R R A M is the instrumental avant-garde solo project of the Sardinian based Valerio Marras. He creates crushing yet graceful compositions where electro-doom,heavy ambient, drone-jazz and minimal post-rock blend to invite the listener on an intense sound journey.
www.facebook.com/sarramproject
https://sarram.bandcamp.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwWomUqOyPA&t=1107s
“A sonic adventure filled with highs and lows that will challenge your very subconscious.” – The Sleeping Shaman
“Sarram is not just engaging, but intense, emotionally vulnerable, and beautiful, such that it pulls the listener back, to pay attention” – Angry Metal Guy
A-SUN AMISSA are a group in a permanent state of metamorphosis, existing on the fringes of some kind of avant-rock, relentlessly pushing forward, shapeshifting and presenting their unique noise in new ways and on their own terms. A sound underpinned and overlaid with drones, moving in and around a diverse chasm of post-rock, melancholic drone, noise, doom and ambient sounds.

Led by Richard Knox since 2011 and now existing as a trio with Luke Bhatia and Claire Knox, A-Sun Amissa have a fiercely DIY approach to music that takes in recording, tour booking, artwork and putting out their own records such as the widely lauded “Ruins Era”
https://slowsecret.bandcamp.com/music
https://www.slowsecret.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVwwdae_a2E&t=3s
“One of the most intriguing, creative musical projects in the underground, crossing genres as if they didn’t exist” The Sound Not the Word
“This is Drone Jazz of the highest level, one that can rival Zorn and Sunn O))), Earth and Nadja!” – Veil of Sound
“A cry into the void, a distillation of modern anxiety and a warning of things to come.” – A Closer Listen

Technical Difficulties
2025-09-17 19:00 - 22:30
Technical Difficulties is Sowerby Bridge’s original experimental music open mic held on the third 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!

Jazz Extra with Led Bib
2025-09-15 20:00 - 23:00
Led Bib
Mark Holub, drums
Liron Donin, bass
Chris Williams, sax / effects
Pete Grogan, sax

We’re really, really chuffed to announce that we’ve landed the magnificent Led Bib during their UK tour, managing to snare one of only two gigs in the north. Oh, yes, be aware that the gig is on a Monday,
not our usual Thursday. (I can’t wait, Geoff)
Led Bib are one of the UK’s most daring and acclaimed bands, smashing through genre boundaries with a sound that fuses jazz, rock and stabs of improve here and there, into something entirely their own.
Formed in 2003 by drummer and composer Mark Holub, the group have released 11 albums, toured internationally, and picked up many major accolades – including a Mercury Prize nomination for their break-out record:
“Sensible Shoes.” Led Bib have consistently earned critical acclaim for their restless creativity and explosive live shows. Over 22 years in, Led Bib are still making music that’s impossible to pin down – and impossible to ignore.
“Led Bib are back as a lean and mean four-piece for their first new album in several years. It’s a riotously melodic set, with saxophonists Chris Williams and Pete Grogan going toe-to-toe with maverick drummer/bandleader Mark Holub and wildly creative bassist Liran Donan. While they “continue to make the world safe for dangerous music,” the sound of the group has matured and become deeper and more melodic, incorporating influences from other cultures and weaving them into their Motorik, prog and punky DNA.” – JazzWise (UK)
8.15 Free admission, collection towards the band taken, please be generous if you can.

Cactusville
2025-09-14 16:00 - 19:00
Cactusville are a gypsy jazz band from the heart of industrial West Yorkshire formed of renowned seasoned players. With their welcoming mix of Parisian Swing and the kind of classic melodic gypsy jazz Django Rhienhardt would be proud of they’ll get you tapping a toe and maybe even shaking a leg in appreciation.
https://www.facebook.com/cactusvillejazz/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvYYf1juxZ4

Northlight
2025-09-13 21:00 - 23:00
Northlight are a new 5 piece band playing a mix of original and cover songs. With grooves carefully chosen from the last 50 years of music from Americana to Jazz via Blues and RnB.
Fronted by Ruth Gardziel (ex Fevertrees, ZEFR) on vocals, the rest of the band are players from bands as diverse as the Owter Zeds, Red Hippo and the 844s.

Tashi Delay (USA) + Jimmy Andrex
2025-09-12 20:00 - 23:00
TASHI DELAY is British-born, New Orleans-based artist Emily Seabroke. Inspired by everything from Bjork and PJ Harvey to Joy Division and classic Motown her music is a melting pot of post-punk electronica. Live she creates a multimedia experience in which each song boasts a full-length video blending real life with animation. Her debut single, Meltdown became an underground hit and her debut album was chosen to represent the New Orleans Library as one of the year’s best albums.
https://tashidelaymusic.com/
https://www.instagram.com/TASHI_DELAY
Facebook/Twitter https://www.facebook.com/seabroke
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrQCYI3IygLht__AOL0u3DQ
“Tashi Delay balances infectious production and stylistic intrigue with poignant reflections on our place in a digital world.” – Obscure Sound.
“From staccato electronica to brooding trip hop and pulsating psych rock Tashi Delay is a rulebreaker who sets herself apart from her comtemporaries” York Calling

Wakefield based JIMMY ANDREX has been described as creating poetry you can dance to. Part of the Northern Beats Poetry Collective he has regularly featured on BBC 6 Music, Resonance FM and BBC Introducing’s regional programmes and been championed by the likes of Ian McMillan and Tom Robinson.
https://soundcloud.com/jimmy-andrex
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0LphJa8_-w
https://northernbeatpoetsassociation.bandcamp.com/…/9-d…
“Laurie Anderson meets Sylvia Plath, Phillip Larkin joins Kraftwerk.” – Joyzine

Acoustic Singaround Session
2025-09-07 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 CalvertIn 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.

The All Night Chemist + RJ McCarty(USA)
2025-09-05 20:00 - 23:00
THE ALL NIGHT CHEMIST are the newest wannabe dad-rock folk band on the Sheffield music scene. Just a bit too earnest to be truly tongue and cheek, their songs celebrate and mock the mundane while stirring the soul. Anything from cheesy pop bangers about mobile phones, to moody trad folk exploring the modern-day fur industry, their music has storytelling at its heart.Taking inspiration from the likes of Neil Young, Flaming Lips and They Might Be Giants, expect a 70s inspired alt-country romp.
https://theallnightchemist.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/theallnightchemist/
https://www.instagram.com/the.all.night.chemist/
‘Daft and Irresistible’ – Tom Robinson, BBC 6 Music
“fascinating and impressive, often surreal, humourous and empathetic, The All Night Chemist are great fun” – Americana UK

Hailing from Northampton, Massachusetts R J MCCARTY creates intricate folk/americana-inspired songwriting.A diverse variety of instrumentation lays ground for gritty, authentic vocals to paint over; which brings to life a surreal-yet-familiar world that exists within us all.
https://www.facebook.com/rjmccartymusician
https://www.youtube.com/@rjmccarty
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/rjmccartymusician
BANDCAMP: https://rjmccarty.bandcamp.com/album/tear-back-the-sheets
“With powerful vocals and from-the-heart lyrics, RJ McCarty has quickly lit an intense fuse within the music scene. One of New England’s best talents!” – Wrong Side of the Tracks Radio

Folk Night with Jennifer Reid
2025-09-04 20:00 - 23:00
LORE is our Folk and Roots music Night hosted by Gareth Scott with special guests on the First Thursday of each month.
The Puzzle welcomes back Jennifer Reid.
With one foot in the mill and the other in modernity, Jennifer performs broadside ballads so audiences can reconnect with their heritage. Think rousing songs and passionate oratory. Her work has taken her to Venice, Croatia, New York and lately Bangladesh, where she tested the idea that the Industrial Revolution never stopped, it just moved to Dhaka. Jennifer spoke at the first ethnomusicography conference on the Indian sub-continent about her research into Bangladeshi and Mancunian weaving songs. Jennifer researches ballads and applies them to modern life.
https://www.jenniferballads.com/
Free entry, donations toward events and artists always welcome.

Les Gillon's Agents Of Karma
2025-08-31 16:00 - 19:00
Les Gillon & The Agents of Karma has a 5 piece acoustic line-up that features acoustic guitar, cello, piano, violin and hand percussion. Les Gillon is a singer, songwriter and guitarist whose long career has embraced jazz, folk and alternative rock. This line-up takes his music into a whole new context, by bringing together a group of great musicians from the worlds of jazz, classical and folk music. The result is a unique sound, sometimes intimate, sometimes cinematic, that defies categorisation and underpins the lyrical intensity of the songs. Their debut album The Underground Session is available on all platforms.
Featuring
Julia Farrants: cello
Jen Trott: violin and vocals
Dave Nelson: piano and vocals
Andrew Duncan: percussion

Jon Taylor's Blues Spectrum
2025-08-30 21:00 - 23:00
Details to follow.
