Please remember Covid hasn’t gone away just yet and give each other some space. But come on down and give your ears a treat.
Chris Brain emerged out of Leeds’ vibrant folk scene in 2022 with his debut, critically acclaimed and widely distributed album, Bound to Rise. He has since shared the stage with acts such as Robert Plant and Martin Simpson and is now embarking on his third UK wide tour.
His much-anticipated second album, Steady Away, moves inward and takes on a more self-reflective quality, whilst retaining glimmers of soaring figures and pastoral imagery.
Described by Mark Radcliffe on the BBC Radio 2 Folk Show -‘There are shades of the master Ralph Mctell here and I can think of no greater compliment than that…Love it!’
His commitment to folk is only deepened by the two folk clubs and folk festival in Leeds that Chris founded and runs, attracting a wide range of audiences and musicians alike.
‘Steady Away is everything a second album should be…. this is an excellent album by a musician really starting to bloom.’ – Folk Radio ‘There are shades of the master Ralph Mctell here and I can think of no greater compliment than that…Love it!’
Mark Radcliffe – BBC Radio 2 Folk Show
The Puzzle Hall welcomes Stuart Warburton; singer/songwriter
From Bury, Lancashire, Stuart cut his teeth with rockabilly outfit The Rhythmaires. After releasing three studio albums, numerous stand-alone EPs and touring extensively throughout Europe over the course of over two decades the band were placed in ‘suspended animation in the early 21st century.’ They do, however, still embark upon the occasional European excursion ‘for old times’ sake.’
During a year ‘in exile’ in San Antonio, Texas, Stuart decided to concentrate on pursuing a solo career. After a bumpy start, the solo album ‘Telemark’ finally saw the light-of-day in 2012. Musically, his influences are varied, Americana and Southern Soul being foremost. Lyrically though, his output is inescapably northern British.
Stuart continues to write, record and perform as a solo artist and, together with another former Rhythmaire, Jamie Fildes, also co-fronts the band Grain Electric.
Richard Royle is a Halifax based guitarist and vocalist specialising in bottle neck slide guitar, Richard is joined by Chris Booth on Bass and Graham on Drums to play a mix of folk, blues & soul
With inspiration coming from greats such as Ry Cooder, Sam Cooke, Robert Johnson and many more Richard’s music is raw, honest and genuine.
March sees the much anticipated return of the Puzzle House Band.
Paul Baxter – Bass
Ric Jones – keyboards
Steve Hanley – Drums
There’s a last-minute change to our original guest, Anna Chandler.
Anna will now be here later on in the year.
Now joining us on the 28th will be the legendary Leeds-based saxophonist
Brendan Duffy.
Duffy has been a highly regarded stalwart on the Northern jazz scene for
quite a few years now – although, I believe, that this will be his first-ever
gig here at the Puzzle.
Trains:
If you’re travelling towards Halifax / Bradford / Leeds, the last train leaves Sowerby Bridge at 00.05.
If you’re travelling up the Calder Valley, and onwards to Manchester, the last train leaves Sowerby Bridge at 23.23.
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.
Bradford Women Singers are an inspiring six-strong a capella group from the radical traditions of the North of England. Their songs weave together their voices, their hearts and a lot of common sense.
“Bradford Women Singers brings together music, politics and friendship. We sing about what is important to us: injustice and war, the earth, love and hope.
We are…
Suzanne Booth, Carol Hayward, Anahita Hayrabedian, Juliet Prager, Helen Blackwell, Mary Dowson
We learn songs by ear – we don’t have a leader and rarely use written music. As well as singing and developing new songs, we spend time talking, eating and drinking together – and go on the occasional demonstration. Bradford Women Singers has been together – in different formations – since 1984.”
http://bradfordwomensingers.org.uk/
Free entry with donations for acts gratefully received. Supported using public funds from Arts Council England.
Back at one of our favourite venues the legendary Puzzle Hall Inn, Sowerby Bridge, for an evening of wild ragtime, hellish hokum and a whole host of speakeasy madness. If you’ve not seen the Devil’s Jukebox you have missed an experience unlike any other, that will transport you right back to the heart of what 1920s music should be, scandalous, drunken, and stumbling from a New Orleans house of ill-repute at 4am. We are not your typical safe old fashioned vintage act… and we’re bloody proud of that!
An album and immersive concert based on Ovid’s Echo, with songs influenced by the parallels between the ancient myth and the modern world of digital communication.
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
Bramley Scott and Dave Rigg Join us Sunday from 4.00pm for a stunning blues performance.
Entry is free on the door, artist donations welcome.
Les Gillon & The Agents Of Karma return with their unique sound to this unique venue. Expect a very special night with some outstanding musicianship and the very first airing of some brand new songs.
Caja de Ordenación Número 4 (Spain) Post/space rock Spoken Word and Drums duo from Barcelona in an Enablers / Spacemen 3 style. https://con4.bandcamp.com/album/pla-especial
Stef Kett (London) Solo set from Reciprocate / Price Attack’s guitar antihero and vocal belter. https://romacpuncturerepairs.bandcamp.com/album/snouts
at Puzzle Hall Inn, 21 Hollins Mill Lane, Sowerby Bridge, HX6 2RF 8pm – 10pm
FREE ENTRY with donations for bands gratefully accepted.
Done in time for trains back to Leeds / Manc.
Supported using public funding from Arts Council England.
But …
If you’re one of those people who just loves christmas –
You can see Ghostschool wassailing and playing a selection of traditional Christmas songs here.
