Thursday 5th February 2026
 

_{VENUE:The Castle, 20, Grattan Road BD1 2LU. Parking info below.}

_{Singers' and Musicians' Night}

_{A chance to sing a song or play a tune or just listen.}

_{Entry £1}

_{Doors open 7pm}

 

_{VENUE The Castle, 20, Grattan Road,  Bradford BD1 2LU.} 

_{There are 2 entrances to the pub, one with steps, the top one at ground floor level, so it's easily accessible from there.}

_{Parking: there's on street parking on Barry St which is the road along the side of The Castle pub on a hill, and a couple of spots on Grattan Road outside the top door - check signs for parking charges - also Fulton St, a turning off Grattan Road which is very close.}
 

<sub>Songs with a Bradford Accent

To mark Bradford City of Culture in 2025 the Topic Folk Club gathered together a collection of folk songs about people, groups and special places in Bradford District. See the 62 songs uploaded at SWABA-LYRICS-FINAL.pdf . It's a PDF file you can download and open.</sub>
 

_{facebook.com/TopicFCBradford}

_{You can see The Topic's Safeguarding Policy here}

Coming Soon

12 Feb

_{Venue: The Wallers Bar, Sunbridge Wells Complex}

_{Serious Sam Barrett, Dave Broad & Lewis Pugh}

_{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, Sam 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.}

_{David Broad’s playing is steeped in the tradition of American folk and blues guitar, from the rags of Blind Blake and Reverend Gary Davis to the delta blues of Robert Johnson and Charley Patton. He is also an accomplished harmonica player in the country blues tradition of Sonny Boy Williamson I and Sonny Terry.}

_{His involvement with the Lindy Hop scene nudged him in the direction of early jazz and swing, but the standards Louis Armstrong may have sung still posses a rural quality. He cut his teeth playing in country and folk bands and will still play the odd bluegrass number if the feeling takes him.}

_{His reworking of traditional songs breathes new life into well-worn standards and his original compositions the give a nod to the rootsy side of Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen and Townes Van Zandt.} 

_{Lewis Pugh is a prolific songwriter with influences ranging from bluegrass, country, folk through to skiffle and punk.}

_{Brought up going to bluegrass and folk festivals with his family, who were often performing, such as Cambridge Folk Festival and Edale Bluegrass Festival, Lewis' appreciation of roots music came at a young age. After playing in countless punk and metal bands from age of 12 until 26, Lewis gradually shifted back to the music of his upbringing. Self-releasing his first solo album in 2017, he has since released Dark Wheels Turn Above Our Heads in 2020 and Bullets for Bread in 2024, finding a sound between country, folk and bluegrass with a distinct political slant. In between albums there have been countless singles & EP's, often raising money for homeless outreaches or food banks.}

_{Note: We are very grateful to Serious Sam, Dave and Lewis for stepping in to replace Pete Coe, who was originally booked to appear on this date but is unwell and unable to fulfil the booking. We wish him a speedy recovery.}

_{Entry £9 (£6 members)}

_{Doors open 7pm}

_{https://wegottickets.com/event/691350}

19 Feb

<sub>Venue: The Castle, 20, Grattan Road BD1 2LU

Singers and Musicians</sub>

_{A chance to sing a song or play a tune or just listen.}

_{Entry £1}

_{Doors open 7pm}

26 Feb


 

_{Venue: The Castle, 20, Grattan Road BD1 2LU}

<sub>Dales Music and Dance Collective

'Muppett’s Part in Reviving the Buck Inn Music Sessions’</sub>

_{The launch of the Yorkshire Dales Folk Dance and Tunes Project at the Dales Country Museum in Hawes and the publication in 2020 of Bob Ellis’ book There was None of this Lazy Dancing!, a collection of folk tunes and dances from the Yorkshire Dales, sparked a lot of interest in traditions of music making in the Dales which were in danger of slipping away. The revival is continuing with a series of dances, workshops and other events, including this themed performance at the Topic Folk Club.}

_{Muppett had a big hand in reviving music in Buckden, for many years the home of traditional music & dance in the Dales. Dales Music and Dance Collective will perform songs from the Dales interspersed with traditional local dance tunes plus a set of Muppett’s own songs.}

_{Nigel Broadbent and Jim Jarratt will set the scene with songs, tales and tunes from Upper Wharfedale that will cover well over 50 years of music and dancing. Colin Speakman, writer and very active promoter of the Yorkshire Dales and of Yorkshire Heritage, who has walked the tracks and pathways of Upper Wharfedale for over 60 years, will add his poetic insights. Musicians Richard Hargreaves and Joy Leach will add a note or two to the dance numbers.}

_{In the 1980s Muppett’s stepson Matt Palmer was dragged kicking and screaming around the folk clubs of Yorkshire. Something clearly sank in as Matt is now an avid lover of folk music and has been playing in various outfits on the circuit for over 30 years. He'll be performing some of the much-loved and missed Muppett’s songs as a tribute to this unique character who touched so many lives.}

_{Entry £9 (£6 members)}

_{Doors open 7pm}

_{https://wegottickets.com/event/689745}

05 Mar

<sub>Venue: The Castle, 20, Grattan Road BD1 2LU

Singers and Musicians</sub>

_{A chance to sing a song or play a tune or just listen.}

_{Entry £1}

_{Doors open 7pm}

12 Mar

 

<sub>Venue: The Wallers Bar, Sunbridge Wells Complex

Paul Walker & Karen Pfeiffer + support: Working On It</sub>

_{Paul Walker & Karen Pfeiffer}

_{With glowing reviews from Edinburgh Fringe and beyond, Paul Walker & Karen Pfeiffer bring a unique Anglo-German flair to the folk scene. Their new show Cheaper Than Therapy blends wit, warmth, harmony, entertainment and deeply engaging songs that connect with audiences from start to finish.}

_{With just two voices, guitar and Irish flute/recorders, Paul and Karen let their folk-inspired arrangements and imaginative song-writing sparkle and combined with their playful cultural banter (Stoke-on-Trent meets Stuttgart), an unforgettable experience blending musical excellence with theatrical presence emerges. They’ve performed across the UK, Ireland, Germany, Australia and New Zealand, and are known for captivating performances that draw people in – and leave them singing after.}

_{This cultural fusion brings not just songs and stories full of humour and depth – but connection, laughter, and those little moments that turn a good evening into a highlight.}

<sub>“Eclectic, performed with passion” – Folk & Honey

“A first-class experience” – Bietigheimer Zeitung

“Great show!” – Graham Norton“</sub>

_{“Karen has a seriously impressive voice.” — Folk Monthly}
 

_{Support: Working On It}

_{The Bradford based trio Working On It are Andy (vocals and guitar), Jon (guitar, banjo and dobro), and Wendy (vocals, mandolin and guitar). Working on It have a distinctive acoustic-based sound and style.}

_{Their music integrates influences from folk, rock, pop, and Americana, featuring lyrics and melodies creatively composed by Andy, with riffs, solos and harmonies from Jon and Wendy.}

_{Taking inspiration from a wide range of music, a unique sound and style has been created with songs both upbeat and catchy, and some edging more towards the introspective and melancholy. There’s also glimpses of classic pop that shine through.}

_{Entry £9 (£6 members)}

_{Doors open 7pm}

_{https://wegottickets.com/689747}

19 Mar

<sub>Venue: The Castle, 20, Grattan Road BD1 2LU

Singers and Musicians</sub>

_{A chance to sing a song or play a tune or just listen.}

_{Entry £1}

_{Doors open 7pm}

26 Mar

_{Venue: The Wallers Bar, Sunbridge Wells Complex}

_{Lonan + support Leo Brazil}

_Lonan

_{Yorkshire-based folk trio Lonan weave together compelling narrative tales and driving instrumental tunes. Often drawing upon contemporary issues as well as traditional song, the band explores the eclectic musical palettes of Evan Davies (mandolin, fiddle, guitar, vocals), Katy Ryder (flute, whistles, guitar, vocals) and Robin Timmis (guitar, fiddle, vocals). Their other projects include award-winning bluegrass outfit, The Often Herd, Lisbon-based Casa De Klezmer and the British Library-backed project Living with Machines.}

_{Having met through the lively Leeds music scene, the trio’s strong friendship and musical foundations were solidified when, after hearing the likelihood of an upcoming lockdown in late March 2020, they quickly moved in together and decided to use the time to do some recording in Timmis’ basement studio. This resulted in their first single, 'Following Orders’, released in April 2021 (which, in keeping with the story of the song, raised money for the Leeds homeless charity St George's Crypt) and their debut album Forever Has Flown, released in August 2021 to a sold-out show at Seven Arts in Leeds and followed by a UK tour.}

_{Lonan have since performed at festivals including Llangollen International Eisteddfod, Hebden Bridge Folk Festival and Northern Green Gathering, and their music has been played on shows such as Mark Radcliffe’s Radio 2 Folk Show, Mike Norris’ Classic Folk and Ian Anderson’s Podwireless, as well as a living room concert live on Chapel FM.}

_{They have three releases, most recent being Oddy Locks in October 2025.}

_{"True folk music by three young and talented artists" - Bright Young Folk.}
 

_{Support: Leo Brazil}

_{Before you ask, it's not a stage name! Leo Brazil has been writing and recording his own music since he was a child singing into a tape machine. As well as drawing on his love for classic pop, rock and roll and soul, Leo draws inspiration from animals with songs that connect personal emotions and experiences with stories from the natural world.}

_{Establishing his own label as an umbrella for diverse projects, Leo works out of his home studio and is developing a unique and colourful evolution of sound that mixes acoustic, folk, rock and psychedelia. After well-received first releases in 2024 - collaborations and previews from his acoustic-based solo record Alone - 2025 started with the debut single from his dinosaur-themed psych-rock quartet Bone Wars, described as "Forward-thinking, fresh and familiar" by The Big Takeover.}

_{Leo is a multi-instrumentalist and in the studio plays keyboards, drums and violin. Live he mostly sticks to guitars and banjo where he draws on his big repertoire of self-penned songs, equally comfortable with low key acoustic ballads or foot stomping energetic numbers.}

_{Leo has supported The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, Son of Dave, Floral Image, Trip Westerns, The Blow Monkeys, Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly, Chris Helme, Space, Miles Hunt, Romeo and Michele Stodart, Water Tower Band, Jake Vaadeland, The Blues Band, Seamus Fogerty, Liela Moss, The Rails.}

_{Entry £9 (£6 members)}

_{Doors open 7pm}

_{https://wegottickets.com/event/690530}

02 Apr


 

<sub>Venue: The Castle, 20, Grattan Road BD1 2LU

Singers and Musicians</sub>

_{A chance to sing a song or play a tune or just listen.}

_{Entry £1}

_{Doors open 7pm}

09 Apr

_{Venue: The Wallers Bar, Sunbridge Wells Complex}

<sub>The Heathen Kings

The Heathen Kings are a three-piece band from Yorkshire with their feet firmly rooted in British folk and traditional music scene. Performing traditional, borrowed and self-penned songs, their music ranges from intimate unaccompanied singing to high energy celebrations of this dynamic art form, with three voices, guitars, bouzouki and electric bass.</sub>

_{Now in their fifteenth year together, Mark, Rachael and Steve have performed nationally, playing headlining and support slots at some of the most regarded folk clubs and festivals up-and-down the country, plus a handful of live radio and television performances. They have recorded three albums and EPs - Good at the Bad Things, Not in Service and Bedlam to Babylon available on all streaming services - and are working on their fourth.}

_{Entry £9 (£6 members)}

_{Doors open 7pm}

_{https://wegottickets.com/event/689749}

16 Apr

<sub>Venue: The Castle, 20, Grattan Road BD1 2LU

Singers and Musicians</sub>

_{A chance to sing a song or play a tune or just listen.}

_{Entry £1}

_{Doors open 7pm}

23 Apr

_{Venue: The Wallers Bar, Sunbridge Wells Complex}

_{Painted Sky}

_{Painted Sky have only recently emerged onto the UK folk scene, but they have already made a lasting impression with their progressive acoustic sound.}

_{Siblings George Brandon (guitar/vocal) and Holly Brandon (fiddle/vocal) have been making music together for as long as they can remember. Both have worked on independent projects, with George performing solo and Holly perhaps best known as part of transatlantic folk band, The Magpies. But the siblings have always been drawn back to each other’s playing, and tight-knit instrumentals and harmonies reflect the bedrock of their lifelong musical history.}

_{Original material thoughtfully balances the duo’s roots in traditional English music. Their songs are characterised by honest vocals and timeless storytelling, underpinned by driving rhythms. Whilst their exquisite instrumentals weave delicate finger-picking guitar and soaring fiddle with a dynamic energy.}

_{​After making waves with their EP – Dawn – in 2020, Painted Sky released their debut album From The Blue in May 2024. Produced by award-winning singer-songwriter Blair Dunlop, the record stands as a testimony to the siblings’ 20 years of music making. It feeds on a rich pool of English songwriting, traditional songs and ideas to deliver an album with a refreshing mindset, where waves of contemporary textures and arrangements make it feel like an album truly from the blue.}

_{‘Terribly splendid’ - RnR Magazine​}

_{​‘A quality act in our midst’ - Northern Sky}

_{‘International folk sound, lovely harmonies … really like that!’ - BBC Radio York}

_{Entry £9 (£6 members)}

_{Doors open 7pm}

_{https://wegottickets.com/event/689751}

30 Apr

_{Venue: The Wallers Bar, Sunbridge Wells Complex}

_{Becky Mills + Support: Anna Howells}

_{Becky Mills}

_{Hailing from the wild moorlands of North Yorkshire, singer-songwriter Becky Mills brings a uniquely personal and touching slant to the modern folk genre.}

_{With a foot in both contemporary & classic traditions, her evocative songs take the listener through topics encompassing love, loss, motherhood, emigration, the regrets of old age, the nature of heroism, grief during wartime - even the joy of running away to the circus! - a kaleidoscope of subjects, but always with wit, humour, charm and feeling.}

_{Described by listeners as "moving", "witty", sometimes "heart-rending", but always "uplifting", her acclaimed 2013 mainstream debut "Dandelion" led to comparisons with Sandy Denny - but this was no bolt from the blue. Becky spent the early 2000's recording solo albums locally, whilst gigging far and wide and supporting the likes of Pentangle, Fairport Convention and Barbara Dickson. She then joined Waking the Witch and co-wrote two successful albums. A unique all-girl modern folk ensemble, WtW acquired a loyal fanbase who followed them to major festivals such as Trowbridge, Cambridge and Glastonbury.}

_{In 2018 Becky signed with Talking Elephant records for the release of "Tall Tales and Home Truths", the long awaited follow-up to Dandelion, released in April 2019. In 2020 Becky released "A Midwinter Miscellany" as one third of a trio with Ashley Hutchings and Blair Dunlop.}

_{"Mills is a master storyteller. Shot through with wisdom, her bewitching songs imagine the mysterious lives of others with enormous sympathy" - The Musician magazine}

_{"A collection of warm humanity and emotional truth" - RnR magazine}

_{"A delightful album from start to finish, full of passion, life, great songs and stories” - House of Prog magazine (9/10)}

_{"Superb musicianship and a voice that will give you shivers" -FATEA magazine}
 

_{Support: Anna Howells}

_{anna’s Irish roots and time in Yorkshire orchestras and ensembles bring a unique quality to her work. Her songs are otherworldly and her clarinet brings a chamberesque flavour to her enchanting sense of melody.}

_{Most recently, anna was named one of the "Highly Recommended Artists" after being selected to perform on the Danny Kyle Open Stage at Celtic Connections in Glasgow.}

_{Since its release on 15th November 2024, anna’s debut EP Fall of a Leaf has been played on BBC Radio 2 The Folk Show, Iain Anderson BBC Radio Scotland and Celtic Heartbeat BBC Radio Wales among others. The EP, produced by Boo Hewerdine and Chris Pepper at Saltwell Studio, was featured as EP of the Year (Best of 2024) by the David Dee Moore Radio Show.}

_{In 2023, anna was selected for STAGES at Moniack Mhor (Scotland’s Creative Writing Centre) - an immersive songwriting development programme for emerging artists. Stages, the resulting 12-track collaborative album included anna's "Hope Flies With Swallow's Wings" which led to her being asked to record a Balcony Session for BBC Introducing.}

_{Entry £9 (£6 members)}

_{Doors open 7pm}
 

07 May

<sub>Venue: The Castle, 20, Grattan Road BD1 2LU

Singers and Musicians</sub>

_{A chance to sing a song or play a tune or just listen.}

_{Entry £1}

_{Doors open 7pm}

14 May

_{Venue: The Wallers Bar, Sunbridge Wells Complex}

_{Becky Taylor and Sam Lawrence}

_{Becky Taylor is a highly talented player (and teacher) of the Uilleann and Northumbrian pipes and many other instruments, and Sam Lawrence is a wizard on stringed instruments and brings a varied selection of songs to the table. He is also a pipemaker.}

_{At their first gig they deployed three sets of Uilleann pipes, four chanters, hurdy-gurdy, accordion, guitar, bouzouki, mandolin and four whistles}

_{Expect jigs, reels, songs and plenty of good natured chat.}

_{“Two of the finest musicians on the planet – seriously they don’t come any better… both are class performers individually, and together they make more than the sum of their parts -strings and pipes of all kinds…don’t miss it” – Mike Harding}

_{Entry £9 (£6 members)}

_{Doors open 7pm}

21 May

<sub>Venue: The Castle, 20, Grattan Road BD1 2LU

Singers and Musicians</sub>

_{A chance to sing a song or play a tune or just listen.}

_{Entry £1}

_{Doors open 7pm}
 

_{28th May: Tom Bliss with Den Miller and Slide
Venue: The Wallers Bar, Sunbridge Wells Complex}

_{4th June: Singers and Musicians
Venue: The Castle, 20, Grattan Road BD1 2LU}

_{11th June: Damien Barber + support Pen and Stu
Venue: The Wallers Bar, Sunbridge Wells Complex}

<sub>18th June: Singers and Musicians
Venue: The Castle, 20, Grattan Road BD1 2LU

25th June: Double header: Paula Ryan and Roberta Smith
Venue: The Wallers Bar, Sunbridge Wells Complex</sub>

_{2nd July: Singers and Musicians
Venue: The Castle, 20, Grattan Road BD1 2LU}

_{9th July: The Hunch
Venue: The Wallers Bar, Sunbridge Wells Complex}

_{16th July: Singers and Musicians
Venue: The Castle, 20, Grattan Road BD1 2LU}

_{23rd July: Singers and Musicians
Venue: The Castle, 20, Grattan Road BD1 2LU}

_{30th July: Johnny Dyer and Vicki Swan
Venue: The Wallers Bar, Sunbridge Wells Complex}

_{August 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th: Singers and Musicians
Venue: The Castle, 20, Grattan Road BD1 2LU}

_{10th September: Cohen Braithwaite Kilcoyne
Venue: The Wallers Bar, Sunbridge Wells Complex}

_{17th September: Singers and Musicians
Venue: The Castle, 20, Grattan Road BD1 2LU}

_{24th September: Emily Slade
Venue: The Wallers Bar, Sunbridge Wells Complex}

_{1st October: Singers and Musicians
Venue: The Castle, 20, Grattan Road BD1 2LU}

_{8th October: Mossy Christian
Venue: The Wallers Bar, Sunbridge Wells Complex}

_{15th October: Singers and Musicians
Venue: The Castle, 20, Grattan Road BD1 2LU}

_{22nd October: Steve Jinski
Venue: The Wallers Bar, Sunbridge Wells Complex}

_{29th October: Mick Ryan
Venue: The Wallers Bar, Sunbridge Wells Complex}

_{5th November: Singers and Musicians
Venue: The Castle, 20, Grattan Road BD1 2LU}

_{12th November: Dana Robinson
Venue: The Wallers Bar, Sunbridge Wells Complex}

_{19th November: Singers and Musicians
Venue: The Castle, 20, Grattan Road BD1 2LU}

<sub>26th November: The Hooliemen
Venue: The Wallers Bar, Sunbridge Wells Complex

3rd December: Singers and Musicians
Venue: The Castle, 20, Grattan Road BD1 2LU</sub>

_{10th December: Bryony Griffith and Alice Jones
Venue: The Wallers Bar, Sunbridge Wells Complex}

_{17th December: Singers and Musicians
Venue: The Castle, 20, Grattan Road BD1 2LU}

_{24th December: Christmas Eve}

_{31st December: New Year's Eve}

_{At The Wallers Bar, Sunbridge Wells Complex, Upper Millergate BD1 1SX}

_{Guest nights are in the Wallers Bar, on the lower floor.}

_Parking

_{There are some parking spaces on Sunbridge Road, cost: £1 from 6pm to midnight.} 

_{Parking is free after 6 pm on Thornton Road, a few minutes walk from the venue, though temporarily suspended on the south side. There are small side roads off Thornton Road with no parking restrictions. Jacob's Well car park charges £1.50 per hour. There's also the car park behind the Media museum (Sharpe Street), but that's also £1.50 an hour, it's a bit further to walk than Jacobs Well.}

_{Bradford Interchange is about 6 minutes walk from the venue, Forster Square about 10 minutes.}

_{At The Castle, 20, Grattan Road,  Bradford BD1 2LU.} 

_{There are 2 entrances to the pub, one with steps, the top one at ground floor level, so it's easily accessible from there.}

_{Parking: there's on street parking on Barry St which is the road along the side of The Castle pub on a hill, and a couple of spots on Grattan Road outside the top door - check signs for parking charges - also Fulton St, a turning off Grattan Road which is very close.}

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