Sponsored by The Orange Tree, Baldock

Coming up next…

Claude Bourbon + Viv Lucas

September 11, 2024

7:30 pm Free Entry

A breathtaking acoustic fusion of blues, jazz, classical and Spanish guitar from a stunning guitar virtuoso…” Altadena News, USA”

Ready for a unique and talented take on a wide range of musical traditions? Claude Bourbon is known throughout Europe and America for amazing guitar performances that take blues, Spanish, and Middle Eastern stylings into uncharted territories.

Claude’s inimitable style incorporates all five digits on each hand dancing independently but in unison, plucking, picking and strumming at such speed and precision that his fingers often seem to melt into a blur. Thousands of people in the UK, Europe and USA have enjoyed listening to this virtuoso and for the majority of his audience it is an experience that compels them to return again and again to hear and watch him play, as his fingers lightly dance over the strings of his guitar and create a unique sound that we are greatly looking forward to hearing.

Some of this guitarists’ influences allow us a fascinating insight into this remarkable musician; Paco De Lucia: Deep Purple’s Richie Blackmore; Joaquin Rodrigo; JJ Cale; JS Bach….

Claude has played countless venues, including Glastonbury Festival, Isle of Wight Festival, Colne Great British & Blues Festival, Rock O’Z Arene, Avenches, Switzerland, among others. He has shared the stage in Europe and the USA with countless musicians, Calvin Russel, Charlie Morgan (Elton John, Gary Moore), Jan Akkerman (Focus), Steve Grossman (Miles Davis), Herbie Armstrong ( Van Morisson), Jose barrense Dias and many more.

Supporting Claude this evening is club favourite Viv Lucas. Viv always enchants with great songs, fine voice and lovely guitar playing. He performs many songs from the Neil Young song book and even Viv’s self-written songs often sound more like Neil Young than Neil Young! Viv has performed many times at the club and is also an accomplished songwriter in his own right and has produced a beautiful album of ten self-penned songs, entitled Edgelands. He has recently released a fabulous new album, Nowhere In Between.


Friction Farm + Twitchy Fingers

September 25, 2024

7:30 pm Free entry

Modern-folk duo Friction Farm is a husband and wife team of internationally traveling troubadours. Aidan Quinn and Christine Stay combine storytelling, social commentary and humor to create songs of everyday life, local heroes, and quirky observations. From ballads to anthems each song is filled with harmony and hope.

Friction Farm’s lyrically rich, harmony-driven songs have earned them spots as Kerrville New Folk Finalists and Falcon Ridge Emerging Artists. They are winners of the South Florida Folk Festival songwriter competition, have performed as official showcase artists at Regional Folk Alliance Conferences. Friction Farm feels at home on the road and on stage. Audiences lean into their stories, laugh at their humor, are inspired to do a little good in the world, and sing along once in a while. Aidan and Christine read. A lot. Friction Farm released a CD of songs inspired by books and, although they don’t plan another, they continue to use books as a source of inspiration. In order to help promote a love of reading and promote literacy among children under age ten, Friction Farm has also written and recorded a collection of songs inspired by children’s books.

He’s from Berkeley CA, she’s from Woodstock NY. When not touring Aidan does some woodworking and Christine bakes. They have a big garden and a small orchard at the sustainable home they designed and built in South Carolina. That they bother to garden though away from home half the year tells you all you really need to know about these two. Once upon a time they had the sort of careers their parents could brag about. Aidan has a degree in geology and managed to put people first in his corporate career. Christine was once a materials engineer but much prefers studying the molecular bonds of words and music.

Twitchy Fingers are acoustic guitarists John Young and club organiser Tony Gammage. You are guaranteed a lively set of good-time country blues mixed with bluegrass and Irish tunes. John and Tony don’t believe in the word “slow” when it comes to their choice of songs and tunes, so expect a fast-paced performance with some blistering finger picking.



The Tangler’s Irregulars Session

The Tangler’s Irregulars will be back at the Cock Pub on Sunday, 8th September from 2:30pm.  Why not come and join us at this lovely, friendly pub and hear some great music? Irish Traditional Music, Americana, Old Time and Country, Irish and Scottish songs, with the odd popular classic thrown in. Musicians welcome to join in but please let Brian know you’re coming 07768 274037. Everyone else welcome to come along and listen. Free entry, and a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon! The Cock, High Street, Baldock. SG7 6BG.


Our regular club nights take place at The Orange Tree, Norton Road, Baldock, SG7 5AW every other Wednesday and are free unless otherwise stated. However do please bring some cash for the whip round for the performers – they’ve had a hard time recently and need our support! Doors open at 7:00pm, music starts at 7:30pm.

Check out our full programme of events here


Watch our previous Round-Up shows here