A typical evening...

The evening includes two 45 minute sets by the advertised professional artist and two by a number of singers and musicians providing floor spots.

More recently, the floor spots are arranged ahead of the evening and their main purpose is to engage the audience and ensure a good atmosphere for the main artist. The first fifteen minutes of the evening is music provided by the house band – made up from anyone who comes in the door carrying an instrument. They play a selection of tunes whilst the audience is coming in and getting seated.

There is a well-stocked bar run by Charlie and Jane. The large room is filled with candle-lit tables to make a friendly atmosphere. Les is the compere for the evening and he encourages audience participation. Our audiences are as varied as our guests. There are families, couples of all ages and people who come by themselves. We are proud of our audiences as they make the club as much as the artists

We are a non-profit club and just hope to cover expenses in the ticket price. Sometimes we do and sometimes we don’t, but over the years we have done well, thanks to our large audiences.

History

Now in its tenth year, Sutton Folk Club was formed by Jan and Phil Lane, Charlie Couchman and Les Ivall.

Phil and Jan found themselves at a loose end on Saturday evenings and so, with the help of Les and Charlie, they formed the club which has met on a monthly basis in the village hall.

Originally artists were only booked for three months to see if it would run. The response was overwhelming and the club grew from there. Because Sutton is a small village, the club had to attract people from the surrounding area. Thus we developed a policy of booking only nationally and internationally-known artists. This ensures that people drive to Sutton from far and wide to enjoy evenings in the company of well-known singers and musicians.

We also attracted many talented floor singers, some performing for the first time to a large audience. The variety of their singing and playing, along with a wide range of styles and instruments, has made many good evenings. Their contribution has always been greatly valued and appreciated.

Artists

Over the course of a season we aim to present a very wide spectrum of music and song rather than be all traditional or all singer-songwriter.

Artists have included:

Pete Coe
James Fagan and Nancy Kerr
The Tannahill Weavers
John Tams & Barry Coope
Isla St Clair
The Yetties
Martin Carthy
The Wrigley Sisters
Rattle on the Stovepipe
Alan Reid & Rob Van Sante
Dereck Brimstone

Roy Bailey
Johnny Silvo
Flossie Malavialle
Cloudstreet
Ben & Joe Broughton
Quick Silver
John Spiers & Jon Boden
Artisan
Bram Taylor Band
Back of the Moon
Vicki Clayton
Bob Fox
Lau

The Pierre Schryer Band
Joe Broughton & Kevin Dempsey
Jimmy Crowley
Vin Garbutt
Harvey Andrews
John Kirkpatrick
Cathy Ryan Band
Dangerous Curves
Becky McClatchy with The Gathering
Jez Lowe & The Bad PenniesCasey Neil Trio