What’s On

PROMOTERS, VENUES AND BANDS SEND US YOUR EVENTS. WE CAN’T ADD THEM IF WE DON’T KNOW IT’S GOING ON!

we’ll try and update this page as often as possible but sometimes we’ll need a kick up the arse so feel free to do so!

please let us know of anything coming up by using the ‘Contact Us’ page above

nearest date’s at the top and scroll down…

UPDATED 13th MARCH 2020

THE BIBLE CODE SUNDAYS as the most prolific band in the scene you’re never far from a BCS show! just click here for their latest up-to-date gig list. Their latest residency is at Vince Power’s new venue The Fiddler, 229 Kilburn High Road, NW6 7JG every Sunday from 4:30pm.

THE CRAICHEADS are another fantastic London Irish band who play regular gigs around town so look them up here to find out their next one!

THE REELS also regulars on the London Irish pub circuit here

London Irish ‘Psycho-Ceilidh’ band NECK are one of the original crowd of Celtic-Punk bands and still gigging regularly’ here

London Irish Celtic Punk band THE LAGAN gig every so often and in case i missed something here

Celtic-Americana band FOLLOW THE CROWS are often found treading the boards in London somewhere  here

One of the brightest and best new bands on the scene are CROCK OF BONES who are starting to really make a name for themselves and beginning to gig regularly too here

What’s Cookin’ host weekly (sometimes more!) shows of alternative-folk and country and all sorts of other stuff we heartily approve of. Worth checking out here

As well as these it is always worth checking the web-sites of the London Irish Centre in Camden here and the newly re-opened and re-furbished Irish Cultural Centre in Hammersmith here and of course the London Welsh Centre in Kings Cross here

PLEASE CHECK BEFORE ATTENDING ANY OF THESE EVENTS

GIG DATES

Sunday’s

Traditional Irish music Session on Sundays from 6:30pm at the Boston Arms, 178 Junction Road, N19 5QQ opposite Tufnell Park tube station. Details here.

Try to patronise Irish venues over the celebrations as much as possible and support the Irish community rather than those that would seek to only make money out of us. 

SAINT PATRICK’S WEEK

Friday 13th March 2020

The ultimate Pogues tribute act THE POGUE TRADERS play The Half Moon, 93 Lower Richmond Road, London SW15 1EU. “The Best Pogues tribute band I’ve ever seen” – Andrew Ranken no less!

Progressive Celtic music / Celtic medieval speed folk  band PERKELT play live at The Slaughtered Lamb on Friday The 13th!!!! Details here.

Saturday 14th March 2020

The first of the St. Patrick’s weekend gigs to be announced sees DAMO returning to London. The venues are becoming more intimate (small) but nevertheless he still packs a punch and guarantees a fantastic night. Live at The Electric Ballroom in Camden just a couple of minutes walk around the corner from Camden Tube station. Tickets here. Facebook event here.

The favourite band of the London-Irish THE BIBLE CODE SUNDAYS as usual have a very busy St. Pats and they start off with a gig at Under The Bridge in Fulham where the Six Nations France v Ireland rugby match will be screened live from 8pm and BCS will be on stage straight after the match followed by a DJ until 2am! Check their web-site for other dates.

One of THEE most innovative Irish trad bands around KILA play Camden Irish Centre. Details here.

A quick word for my local St. Patrick’s event in Hersham, kind of South-West London. Always a cracking night spent with a real authentic working class Irish community. You can pay on the door £10 and bring yer own beer but there will be a plentiful supply as well as food and entertainment is from Irish Folk-Rock band BRICKWORKS. Its going to be at Cardinal Newman Catholic Primary School, Arch Road,  Hersham, KT12 4QT as All Saints double booked the hall!!! Nearest station is Hersham BR.

Sunday 15th March 2020

It’s the St. Patricks Parade in London. Starting at mid-day at Hyde Park and winding its way up to Trafalgar Square for a live music fest till 6pm. This use to be just about the best day in the London Irish calendar then they hired in some right scumbags as security and banned you bringing in drinks and the quality of the music went really downhill. This year KILA and IMELDA MAY are among them playing so that’s a improvement but bring a flask and hide some tins on you before you go in as per usual everything is extortionate prices once you’re in there. Don’t get ripped off by them who think sticking a Shamrock on their food van gives them the right.

It’s Celtic V Ra***rs at mid-day so check out the Celtic Pubs, Clubs & CSC’s In London page for the best venues around London to watch the game.

After the football at The Cock Tavern, 23 Phoenix Rd, Somers Town, London NW1 1HB Irish ballad singer WAYNE BRENNAN will be raising funds for  Prisoners from 2pm to 5pm.  

Monday 16th March 2020

THE BLACKSTAIRS REBELS live 8pm at Frostys Bar, 404 Kenton Road, Kenton, Harrow HA3 9DW.

Tuesday 17th March 2020- St. Patrick’s Day

AISLING the new band featuring Paul ‘Mad Dog’ McGuinness of Shane MacGownas auld band The Popes are playing a free gig from 7 till 8pm at Cuber Community Garden, Cloudesley Rd, Angel, London N1 0EJ.

HOTHOUSE FLOWERS live at The Subterania, 12 Acklam Road, Portobello, London W10 5QZ. At £5 a ticket its a bit pricey but theres you go. Tickets here.

Irish folk legends CLANNAD play The London Palladium, Argyll Street, London W1F 7TF. The nearest underground stations are Oxford Circus and Bond Street.

NECK London Irish Psycho Ceilidh stay in Camden again this year with a headline show at the iconic Dubin Castle, 94 Parkway, Camden Town, London NW1 7AN. Just a short walk from Camden station.

THE BLACKSTAIRS REBELS live 8pm at Frostys Bar, 404 Kenton Road, Kenton, Harrow HA3 9DW.

THE THIRD POLICEMAN… featuring Stefan Cush at The Fiddler, 229 Kilburn High Road, London NW6 7JG!  A guaranteed raucous evening with singer, songwriter and guitarist from ferocious indie / folk combo THE MEN THEY COULDN’T HANG. Accompanied by salubrious associates, Ricky McGuire & Bobby Valentino + special guest!  They’ll be performing a veritable soupcon of songs ranging from The Men collection to bar room ballads and all stations in between! Tickets.

Tuesday 17th- Wednesday 18th March 2019

THE DUBLIN LEGENDS (Formerly of The Dubliners) Pplay 2 dates at Nells, 3 North End Crescent, London W14 8TG. Sean Cannon, Gerry O’Connor, Paul Watchorn & Shay Kavanagh are all true legends of the Irish Folk music scene. Sean & Eamonn were members of iconic Folk Group ‘The Dubliners’ for close to 30 years while Gerry joined them for the final part of their 50th Anniversary Tour. He was a member of the famous Irish Folk Rock band, Four Men & A Dog and has played with everyone from Sharon Shannon to Shane MacGowan and has also toured with Blues Rock guitar legend Joe Bonamassa. Paul Watchorn, one of the best 5 string banjo players in Ireland, toured the world as a member of Derek Warfield’s Sons Of Erin for many years. During the bands 2017 tour of Holland Eamonn took ill and died a short while after the tour. Shay Kavanagh who had been filling in for Eamonn during previous tours came in to help out. Shay has worked with Mary Black, The Dublin City Ramblers & The Furey Brothers. Facebook here  Tickets here.

Thursday, 19 March 2020

They did a one off gig in Brighton years back that we all missed so dead excitement to see MR. IRISH BASTARD are coming back to these shores for a series of gigs around St. Patrick’s Day. Bristol, Plymouth, London so get on your dancing shoes and get hot and sweaty!

Mr. Irish Bastard are one of Germany’s #1 Celtic-Punk and believe me the competition over there is massive! They blend the drink infused energy of pure Irish folk with punk rock guitars and a bottle full of attitude. They have toured excessively, played with the Pogues and have graced stages from Tokyo to Kiev and soon now North London.

Coming to Ireland’s 33rd county- County Holloway to play at the Nambucca, 596 Holloway Road, London N7 6LB. Facebook event here so join to keep up with tickets and support acts.

Friday 20th March 2020

St Patrick’s celebrations continues with Irish drinking songs and Celtic boot stompers from MICK O’TOOLE – A five piece southern cider swilling folk band from the deepest darkest Shire! Guaranteed to make any night go down a storm this band will have you foot tapping and tankard slamming along to a number of Irish classics and original belters. SINFUL MAGGIE – Punk Rock ‘n’ Roll accordion led bangers and LIAM LYNOTT – The Irish bard of Wainscott brings his celtic folk and Irish trad classic drinking songs for you to have a jig and a swig to. At the New Cross Inn, 323 New Cross Road, Deptford, London SE14 6AS. Doors at 6pm and they’re opening early for this one so you can enjoy happy hour before the bands start. Tickets: £5 on the door. FB event here.

Saturday 21st March 2019

BLACK WATER COUNTY continue their quest to cover every inch of the country with their most extensive tour to date taking in The Black Heart across the road from Camden tube station. With their new album ‘Comedies and Tragedies’ due for release in March. What better time than for a full UK tour!
All tickets available from here

Check out the date in Guildford too as its easily accessible from London.

as is typical in London things ggod things tend to happen on the same night so also playing on the 21st are SAOR a Scottish folk-metal band who make a rare appearance in the capital supported by TERRA and CAIRISS. Caledonian Metal from Scotland inspired by history and nature they say and describes them fairly good. Go check their music out on Bandcamp and hear what they are like. The gig is at the Boston Music Room, 178 Junction Road, London N19 5QO. Opposite Tufnell Park tube station. Tickets are £16 in advance from here.

Sunday 22nd March 2020

Over 40 years of Rock ‘n’ Roll Outlaws – and still not enough!

Aussie working class rockers ROSE TATTOO play the Electric Ballroom, 184 Camden High Street, Lonodn NW1 8QP. Nearest tube Camden. FB event here. Tickets £30.

Saturday 28th March 2020

Legendary Northern Irish punk rock act STIFF LITTLE FINGERS have a full UK tour in March – The 2020 Tour. The Roundhouse show only will also feature TV Smith, The Professionals and the Neville Staples Band. At the Roundhouse, Chalk Farm Road, London NW1 8EH. Nearest tube is Chalk Farm. Tickerts are £23.50 from here.

Thursday 2nd April 2020

FEROCIOUS DOG return for another London date this time at a venue new to them but not the London Celtic Punk scene. At Nells, 3 North End Crescent, London W14 8TG.

They’ve been hailed as “a representation of our gut feeling, savage and merciless” and at the same time, called “folk in the grand tradition of it being the peoples sound.”

Tickets are £20 + £2 legalised theft from here.

Saturday 11th April 2020

With the Borderline knocked down in pursuit of building another fecking coffee shop or something equally worthless THE MEN THEY COULDN’T HANG have moved up the road to proper West London to the Subterania. Based near Ladbroke Grove and Westbourne Park stations and accessible from plenty of buses too. Formed in 1984 these legends of Folk-Punk are second only to The Pogues in terms of how influential they have been and I can honestly say that despite the few odd grey hairs they have lost none of their passion and urgency for their music.Address is 12 Acklam Rd, Ladbroke Grove, London, W10 5QZ. It’s a over 18’s venue and tickets are £20 from here.

Sunday 12th April 2020

THE GREAT MALARKEY are a riotous mix of musical styles and genres delivered in a “multicultural train of fast beats and trembling slams of punk-folk spirit” plus CALICO STREET RIOTS with their epic melodies, hollered singalongs and memorable-as hell riffs, CALICO STREET RIOTS will have you dancing like your life depended on it with their beer-fuelled, riotous and frenzied, folk-punk. Live at The New Cross Inn, 323 New Cross Road, London SE14 6AS. Tickets and stuff here.

Saturday 18th April 2020

THE NOBLE JACKS play Camden Assembly, 49 Chalk Farm Rd, Chalk Farm, London NW1 8AN. With the fiddle leading the charge, Noble Jacks are out to take no prisoners with their high-energy foot stompin’ rhythms, which have taken crowds by storm across the UK. Tickets.

All-day punk festival at the New Cross Inn, 323 New Cross Road, Deptford, London SE14 6AS. Kicks off at mid-day and goes on till 11pm unless you want to start for the after show as well! THE LAGAN are playing towards the end so check the FB event here nearer the time for exact details.

Saturday 18th- Sunday 19th April 2020

MERRY HELL play two shows at the iconic Full Moon in Putney. On the 18th they play an electric set supported by SWILL from The Men They Couldn’t Hang while the 19th is a afternoon show kicking off at 1pm and they are supported by FLEETWOOD CAVE – the wonderful combination of multi-instrumentalists and no mean singers Marion Fleetwood and Gregg Cave. Tickets here.

Wednesday 29th April 2020

To celebrate their new album Bhoy and Blade Paul Heaton of the wonderful Housemartins and Jacqui of the Beautiful South play the Palladium, 1-4 Argyll St, London W1F 7LD. Tickets have been kept down to £30 and go on sale at https://www.gigsandtours.com/tour/paul-heaton-jacqui-abbott/ soon. For further details of the tour check out the FB event here.

Friday 1st May 2020

THE RED HOT CHILLI PIPERS play Cadogan Hall, 5 Sloane Terrace, Belgravia, London SW1X 9DQ.

Tuesday 12th May 2020

JOHNNY MAC AND THE FAITHFUL present an energetic jamboree of celtic-folk and rock’n’roll at Dingwalls, 11 Middle Yard, Camden Lock, London NW1 8AB. Facebook event and Tickets.

Sunday 17th May 2020

THE UNDERTONES play the Electric Ballroom in Camden just a couple of minutes walk around the corner from Camden Tube station with special guest HUGH CORNWELL from The Stranglers. Tickets here.

Wednesday 20th May 2020

LONDON CELTIC PUNKS PRESENTS TC COSTELLO and TIM HOLEHOUSE

TC COSTELLO is over yet again from the United States with his trusty accordion and kicks off his UK tour with the London Celtic Punks. Support from his auld mate TIM HOLEHOUSE so expect a night full of sea shanties, Irish trad and folk and plenty of piratey tunes! YEEEHARRRRRRR!!!! The gig is at The Lamb one of the best pubs in South-West London. The Lamb, 73 Brighton Road, Surbiton KT6 5NF. The gig is free but donations to the artists are always welcome! Only 20 minutes by train from Waterloo and less from Clapham! Keep an eye on proceedings at the FB event here.

Thursday 28th May 2020

THE KILKENNYS play The Fiddler, 229 Kilburn High Road, London NW6 7JG. Details here.

Saturday 30th May 2020

SKIPINNISH encompasses the very best of contemporary Celtic music with a unique and sublime mix of chart-topping, self-penned songs and powerful bagpipe, fiddle and accordion-led tune sets. Islington Assembly Hall, Upper Street, Islington, London N1 2UD. FB event here.

Friday 17th July 2020

LONDON CELTIC PUNKS PRESENTS THE ROYAL SPUDS and PYROLYSIS

This will be one hell of a night!!! Two Dutch bands head to London to play their first ever gigs in England. THE ROYAL SPUDS play straight up old fashioned Celtic-Bloody-Punk music while PYROLYSIS are a bit more gentle playing acoustic style Irish folk but both will have you beating up the floor! The venue is the iconic Dubin Castle, 94 Parkway, Camden Town, London NW1 7AN. Just a short walk from Camden station. Support comes from  the amazing Irish-Trad-Folk band CROCK OF BONES and one man tour-de-force COMRADE X. PUT IT IN YER DIARY now!

Thursday 30th July 2020

Expect high level shenanigans from Florida based Celtic-Irish-Folkers CLOVER’S REVENGE. Still working on the venue so check back soon.

Sunday 23rd August 2020

WILLIAM WALLACE COMMEMORATION 2pm at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, East London EC1A 7BE. Organised by the Scottish Resistance to remember the great patriot William Wallace who was executed at Smithfield in London August 1305. FB event here.

Saturday 3rd October 2020

It may not be fashionable to be fans of cover bands but sometimes it;s all you got and if its done well then f’ the begrudgers. CASH have been playing an authentic tribute to the man in black now for years, I’ve seen these guys before and they are top-notch and on their UK tour in the Autumn they will be performing the infamous Johnny Cash prison albums. NOT TO BE MISSED. The gig is at the Islington Academy opposite Angel tube. Tickets are under £20 from here.

LONDON CELTIC PUNKS PRESENTS

BENJAMINGS CLAN ON TOUR FROM CZECH REPUBLIC

BENJAMING’S CLAN is a band playing celtic rock from Petříkovice u Trutnova. The band started in 2013 as a continuation of family band Benjaming band consisting of a father and his three sons, which officially started playing around the year 2002. In the beginning of 2013 BENJAMING’S CLAN band stopped playing and recruited new musicians in addition to the original core members. Thus a new era begun which was marked by a change in the instrumentation and also in the whole musical style with more folk elements and bigger emphasis on the melodic lines.
Because the band was playing punk for ten years its songs are still characteristically ironic, emotional and filled with enormous positive energy which will appeal both to hardcore biker and music enthusiast.
The band still includes its punk hits such as Bohové na hrad, Americké popelníky or Švihák in their repertoire. Some members are also multi-instrumentalist, who play instruments such as Scottish bagpipes, banjo, trumpet, mandolin, accordion, tin whistle, violin, keyboards and of course drums, guitar and acoustic bass.

Support for both nights are CROCK OF BONES London’s newest and bestest Irtish folk-trad band and folky-punky tales from Kingson’s THE DISINCLINED.

Friday 23rd October 2020

BENJAMING’S CLAN start their tour begins on local turf. for me anyway. Live at The Oak, 98 Richmond Road, Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey KT2 5EN. Tel: 02085490074. Fast becoming Kingston’s #1 music venue both THE DISINCLINED and CROCK OF BONES played a successful gig here last November so expect more of the same BUT with a lot more. Free entry but bring money for merchandise and support bands on tour!! Just a very short walk from Kingston train station and easily accessible from London via Waterloo and Clapham.

Pub web-site here and Facebook event here. 

Saturday 24th October 2020

BENJAMING’S CLAN play the second date of their tour at the famous Birds Nest in Deptford. One of London’s coolest DIY venues for years now. The Birds Nest has evolved into a fantastic, international music and arts venue while retaining its original South London flavour. Located at the end of Creekside and on the borders of Greenwich and Deptford, the pub is a hub of artists and musicians. Live music varies from folk to hardcore punk, Blues to Ska, established well known bands, to up-and-coming local talent. You will also find a nice choice of food at affordable prices and served throughout the day with traditional roasts served all day Sunday with meat / vegan / vegetarian options.

The Birds Nest, 32 Deptford Church Street, London SE8 4RZ. Just a short walk from Deptford Mainline and Deptford Bridge BR. The venue is also a hostel if you want to stay over. Venue web-site here Facebook page here . Keep a eye out for the gig event on FB soon.

Friday 23rd – Monday 26th October 2020

London’s 22nd Festival of traditional Irish music, song and dance – Return to London Town Festival. Four days of the finest traditional Irish music, song and dance in Cricklewood. Concerts, Céilís, Workshops, Sessions, Album launches and more, based in the Clayton Crown Hotel, St Agnes’ Parish Centre, Windmill Hotel, St Gabriel’s Parish Hall, Ashford Place and more. (Also Friday ‘Night of Song’ at the Musical Traditions Club, Foley St W1W 6DL)
Line up tba soon at www.returntolondontown.org and www.irishmusicinlondon.org

Thursday 12th November 2020

New Scottish Folk-Punk sensations PEAT & DIESEL arrive in London to play the 100 Club, 100 Oxford S, London W1D 1LL in the West End. Sort of opposite Oxford Circus tube station. Tickets here. 

Saturday 28th November 2020

NEW MODEL ARMY 40th anniversary tour arrives in London at the Roundhouse, Chalk Farm Road, London NW18. Nearest tube Chalk Farm.

HARD LUCK BUT YOU’VE MISSED ALL THESE 

CHECK HERE REGULARLY!!!

these are all the events we have put on down the days. for a much more detailed version of this go our Past Gigs section here