Showcasing some of London’s finest new comedy talent JESTER JESTERS is an intimate night of
COMEDY, JOKES & REFLECTIVE TOMFOOLERY in our upstairs venue on Mondays.

Come down, invite your mates & enjoy or even try some open-mic comedy!

8pm UPSTAIRS

More info and tickets: www.facebook.com/jjesters

We ❤️ LA - a benefit show for those affected by the recent devastating fires in Los Angeles.

Here at the Betsey we have a long standing tradition of cultural exchange with bands and musicians from Los Angeles, California. Many LA artists have played at the Betsey over the years and many a friendship has been formed. Now some of these friends and their extended family have been badly affected by those recent fires.

Homes have been lost, livelihoods taken away…we’d really like to help, so we are calling on you, our faithful, and hosting a fundraising show at the Betsey starring our friends DANNY GEORGE WILSON, BIRDIE and THE HANGING STARS.

Tickets are free, but a donation will be required upon entry (we recommend £10, but please give as much or little as you can). All proceeds will go to the MusicCares and Sweet Relief charities - both helping musicians and making sure the money goes where it’s needed the most. It’s all happening on Sunday 2nd March. 2pm doors, music starts from 3pm.

Tickets are very limited, so book a space now!

Tickets here: www.wegottickets.com

Album launch gig for post punk supremos supported by the folk rock meets Krautrock beats of the Othyrs.

Tickets here: www.wegottickets.com

The Morris Folk Club runs on the last Tuesday of most months (excepting December and some other holiday months). Entry is free, and all are warmly welcome. 

Morris Folk Club runs 7.30pm-10.30pm-ish.

Check Twitter and Facebook for information on what's happening this month, not least in case of cancellations or special themes, or sign up to the Morris emailing list.

Our Folk Club runs from 7.30pm till about 10.30pm, and generally follows an open, floor performers/singers night format. You can just listen, and sing along, if you like, or you can perform. Let the MC know if you'd like to sing or play something - it's typically up to one item per half, time permitting. It's always a very appreciative audience - and, if you're worried about that kind of thing (which you shouldn't be), a supportive and forgiving one too.

A unique part of Morris Folk Club is that it incorporates elements of 'open choir rehearsal', when anyone can get a taste of singing with the choir, as during the evening we all together learn a song or two or go over an old favourite. 

Showcasing some of London’s finest new comedy talent JESTER JESTERS is an intimate night of
COMEDY, JOKES & REFLECTIVE TOMFOOLERY in our upstairs venue on Mondays.

Come down, invite your mates & enjoy or even try some open-mic comedy!

8pm UPSTAIRS

More info and tickets: www.facebook.com/jjesters

Alan’s book, How To Never Have A Hit, is published on 24 February. This is the gig that goes with the book! Two sets of songs from Alan’s entire career; not just The Rockingbirds, Lost Sons and solo stuff, but the 80s ersatz jazz as well, all interspersed with short readings from the book to musical accompaniment.

The band on Sunday features folks co-host Patrick Ralla, Fiddlin’ Jim Morrison (Lost Sons of Littlefield), Rick Batey on bass, Dave Morgan on drums (Yaay!) and Maddy Read-Clark on vocals. There will also be some surprise guests. 

The book will be on sale at the venue and signed copies are also available to buy NOW on Alan’s Bandcamp. 

If you can’t make this one, the band will also be putting on the show at What’s Cookin’ (30 April) and Red Rooster Festival (31 May). But do come to this premiere How To Never Have A Hit show if you can!

And yes, there will be tap dancing, so don’t miss the beginning!

Doors 5pm
First set 5.45pm
Second set 7pm

Richie Philips & Rob Corcoran welcome you to an enchanting and charming musical evening in our upstairs acoustic room featuring the finest new and established folk influenced talent playing round the camp fire (but without the fire). And it's like a real society too, you know.

£5 entry (cash only)

More info here

London's only monthly book quiz! Doors 6.30pm, quiz starts 7.30pm. £4 entry, maximum team size = 5. Prizes to be won

To book a table, please contact Gary via gpwigglesworth.co.uk

Showcasing some of London’s finest new comedy talent JESTER JESTERS is an intimate night of
COMEDY, JOKES & REFLECTIVE TOMFOOLERY in our upstairs venue on Mondays.

Come down, invite your mates & enjoy or even try some open-mic comedy!

8pm UPSTAIRS

More info and tickets: www.facebook.com/jjesters

Three of our finest experimental left-field folk guitarists on one bill.

The Horse Loom
'Northumberland's best kept secret' The Wire
'Unique marriage between British folk music, avant garde guitar-playing and punk rock spirit' Supersonic Festival

Nick Jonah Davis
‘Excellent’ Kitty Empire, The Guardian
‘Just beautiful’ Cerys Matthews, BBC6 Music

C Joynes
'An inheritor to Davy Graham; a lone operator prone to unexpected collaborations, with a repertoire that crosses continents and timezones with consummate ease.' The Wire

Tickets here: www.wegottickets.com

Tim Keegan & The Personals are out playing live in 2025, promoting the brand new album, 'Vide Grenier', which means 'Emptying the Attic' in French and is released on February 7th on Meek Giant.

This is a special full band Album Launch show and features all the players in the core live band which played on the album: Bernd Rest, Jimmy Count, Ginny Clee and Simon Edwards.

Tickets here: www.ents24.com

The new album was produced by Simon (Fairground Attraction, Billy Bragg, Kathryn Williams) and follows on from Tim's previous solo LPs The Long Game (2015) and Foreign Domestic (2007). It features the singles ‘Pomme de Terre’, ‘Intensive Care Unit’ and ‘Jamie’s Going Snowboarding’. 

Tim is perhaps best known for his work with Robyn Hitchcock, Kid Loco and his band Departure Lounge (Bella Union), whose album ’Too Late To Die Young’ was an early Album Of The Week on BBC6 Music and whose most recent release, ‘Transmeridian’ featured Peter Buck of R.E.M. as special guest.

 Reviews of Tim’s work:

“One of the best songwriters we’ve got”. (Paul Heaton)

“Casebook studies in flawless songwriting. This is great pop music, unadorned by spin, resolutely free of pretence” (NME)

“A voice somewhere between Lou Reed and Edwyn Collins - made to sing of love and truth" (les Inrockuptibles)

“Combines an understanding of the songwriter’s art and a love of cracking tunes. An album to return to again and again” (Music Week)

“Some of the most wonderful, eclectic, optimistic pop music being created at the moment” (The Sunday Times)

ClerknWell ARTslab makes the unlikeliest of returns, swaddled in the gold thread of song, poetry and cake with a wit filling. Have we got a line up to start you up? You bet bet bet we have.

Electric songs, pianotastic song, hipswaying songs and trumpet-adjacent business.

Kid Kirby

Archie Shuttler

Jonny Blamey

Chris Dowding

All wrapped up in Diego Brown and the Good Fairy's self-aggrandising interloping.

Wednesday 5 February 2025. Doors 8:15pm. £8 on da door.

Get stuck in.

Showcasing some of London’s finest new comedy talent JESTER JESTERS is an intimate night of
COMEDY, JOKES & REFLECTIVE TOMFOOLERY in our upstairs venue on Mondays.

Come down, invite your mates & enjoy or even try some open-mic comedy!

8pm UPSTAIRS

More info and tickets: www.facebook.com/jjesters

Join singer songwriters Jeremy Tuplin and Jon Hess for an evening of witty, otherworldly songs, hazy guitars and intricate lyricism.

Tickets here: www.wegottickets.com

Clerkenville East-West is delighted to welcome back three friends who have been absent from the capital's stages for far too long.
Just £8 + booking fee in advance, £10 on the door.

Singer-songwriter Martin Dowsing aka HUNGRY DOG BRAND returns with a new line-up for his first band gigs in 15 years, featuring Alan Boyd (Little Sparta/Movieland) on bass, Matthew Karas (Glassglue) on keys, and Ean Ravenscroft (Dexter Bentley/Joss Cope/Gerry Mitchell Allstars) on drums.
“The UK’s Martin Dowsing is a kindred spirit to the estimable lineage of confessional, punk poets before him. Vic Godard, Ian Dury, Wreckless Eric, Bitter Springs, Band of Holy Joy… If you like honest types bearing their English souls, this is the shit.” Michael Pearlstein, Big Takeover magazine
“Hungry Dog’s lyrics have a brilliant authenticity to them; they’re quirky, smart, and very English. He’s funny, a great storyteller, snarky as hell, and when he wants to be, a total heartbreaker. Listen to 'The Lake'. You’ll never forget the song. It’s like a Nick Cave murder ballad performed by Public Image Limited. Or 'The Red Scarf'. It’s like Talking With The Taxman-era Billy Bragg delivered by a Replacements covers band from Croydon. Dowsing has been described as a punk poet, and that’s exactly right.” Christopher ‘Preacher Boy’ Watkins
https://hungrydogbrand.bandcamp.com/

RICHARD WARREN came to prominence in the mid 1990s as singer, songwriter and guitarist for The Hybirds. In 1998 he went on to form Echoboy.
Both acts had limited commercial but reasonable critical success, most notably recording a number of John Peel radio sessions.
Between 2004 and 2018, Richard worked with artists including Spiritualized, Starsailor, Soulsavers, Kings of the South Seas and Jon Boden.
During this time he also issued his first four acclaimed solo albums.
In 2019 he began a new phase of writing and recording, claiming it was "a new beginning, breaking the composition and production processes down to their most elemental form". As of 2024 this large catalogue of new material is still unreleased and this will be the first time he has played the songs live.
https://www.youtube.com/user/richardwarrenchannel
https://richardwarren.bandcamp.com/album/rich-black-earth-2

MALCOLM KAKSOIS - gruff-voiced eccentric with darkly humorous songs of failure and disaster. Big in Finland, he was also a popular favourite at the legendary lost 12 Bar Club of Denmark Street.
"Malcolm Kaksois lives in a strange world. A world filled with empty beer cans, Radishes, and slugs. No wonder he has a lot to say, and his way of expressing himself is by writing songs. He's written quite a few. His sound can only be described as Low-Fi. His guitar, his voice - a kind of screaming mixture of an early David Bowie, and David Essex, with a slight North London twang, some simple drum loops reverberated to the extent that they sound like they are played in a distant church hall, very distant, plus any other sound effects created using the aforementioned empty beer cans, Radishes, and slugs. But that was all up until he brought himself a synthesiser. Now added in to the mix are the kind of swirls and beeps any of the 80s synth pioneers would be proud of on their greatest opuses." Amazon review!
https://malcolmkaksois.bandcamp.com/

The Morris Folk Club runs on the last Tuesday of most months (excepting December and some other holiday months). Entry is free, and all are warmly welcome. 

Morris Folk Club runs 7.30pm-10.30pm-ish.

Check Twitter and Facebook for information on what's happening this month, not least in case of cancellations or special themes, or sign up to the Morris emailing list.

Our Folk Club runs from 7.30pm till about 10.30pm, and generally follows an open, floor performers/singers night format. You can just listen, and sing along, if you like, or you can perform. Let the MC know if you'd like to sing or play something - it's typically up to one item per half, time permitting. It's always a very appreciative audience - and, if you're worried about that kind of thing (which you shouldn't be), a supportive and forgiving one too.

A unique part of Morris Folk Club is that it incorporates elements of 'open choir rehearsal', when anyone can get a taste of singing with the choir, as during the evening we all together learn a song or two or go over an old favourite. 

This is Henning's unbiased look at climate change. The drift will presumably be something along the lines of "The sooner mankind is finished the better". Or it might be a more upbeat "Let the younger generation sort it out."

If you want to have dinner I recommend being at the Betsey no later than 5.30pm. And it's probably a good idea to reserve a table. 02072534285. Hearty vegan options available, too.

Tickets here!

Showcasing some of London’s finest new comedy talent JESTER JESTERS is an intimate night of
COMEDY, JOKES & REFLECTIVE TOMFOOLERY in our upstairs venue on Mondays.

Come down, invite your mates & enjoy or even try some open-mic comedy!

8pm UPSTAIRS

More info and tickets: www.facebook.com/jjesters

This is Henning's unbiased look at climate change. The drift will presumably be something along the lines of "The sooner mankind is finished the better". Or it might be a more upbeat "Let the younger generation sort it out."

If you want to have dinner I recommend being at the Betsey no later than 5.30pm. And it's probably a good idea to reserve a table. 02072534285. Hearty vegan options available, too.

Tickets here!

Happy New Year all!

Bringing influence from Buck Owens, Gram Parsons & Bob Wills, Laurence Kingston & his backing band blend old school Honky tonk & Western swing with high octane Country.

After years of playing with Country rockers The McGuilty Brothers, Laurence Kingston is now playing his own original material with an ever changing backing band including the amazing Dobro player Noel Dashwood and virtuoso pianist Will Ferguson along with others.

Gig goers may have seen his set at Red Rooster Festival or multiple gigs across the country with this fabulous band last year. For fans of proper Country music this is one not to miss!

In support we have our two-hatted friend from Texas, Mike Stewart, accompanied on this visit by Dave Morgan (drums) and Ruth Tidmarsh (bass).

Times:

5pm - doors and DJ The Nine Stone Cowboy
5.30 - Alan, Patrick and guests
6.15 - The Mike Stewart Theory
7pm - Laurence Kingston
8pm - DJ

And Dave Morgan will be back at the Folks next month (23 Feb) as part of the Alan Tyler "How To Never Have A Hit" book show!

London's only monthly book quiz! Doors 6.30pm, quiz starts 7.30pm. £4 entry, maximum team size = 5. Prizes to be won

To book a table, please contact Gary via gpwigglesworth.co.uk

Showcasing some of London’s finest new comedy talent JESTER JESTERS is an intimate night of
COMEDY, JOKES & REFLECTIVE TOMFOOLERY in our upstairs venue on Mondays.

Come down, invite your mates & enjoy or even try some open-mic comedy!

8pm UPSTAIRS

More info and tickets: www.facebook.com/jjesters

An intimate afternoon gig to celebrate the release of The Gentle Spring's debut album. The Gentle Spring are a new band formed by Michael Hiscock (ex The Field Mice), Emlie Guillaumot and Jérémie Orsel. Based in Paris, this is a rare opportunity to see The Gentle Spring play their melodic, melancholy pop in London. Support is from Skep Wax label-mate Marlody, who will relate a new album of her own dark pop music later in the year.

Tickets here: www.wegottickets.com

Our monthly BLUEGRASS HOEDOWN ... keepin’ it pure and keepin’ it real with the finest pickers in the land totally unplugged and harmonising the hell out of the upstairs bar ... banjoes, mandolins and candles, it's a beautiful thing!

doors 8.15 pm UPSTAIRS / £10/£5 consc

Residents: FOGHORN LEGHORN

banjo, mandolin, dobro, fiddle, upright bass and guitar plus knockout Appalachian/NorthLondon harmonies! Speedgrass, Philosograss, and Lovegrass all the way from our resident heroes.

special guests: Barry and Uncle Kev of The Snakeoil Rattlers

FOGHORN'S MY GRASS IS BLUE FACEBOOK

After her phenomenal sold out show last week, Emma has decided to add an extra date. This time featuring Creation Records legend Pete Astor as special guest.

Tickets here: www.wegottickets.com

Showcasing some of London’s finest new comedy talent JESTER JESTERS is an intimate night of
COMEDY, JOKES & REFLECTIVE TOMFOOLERY in our upstairs venue on Mondays.

Come down, invite your mates & enjoy or even try some open-mic comedy!

8pm UPSTAIRS

More info and tickets: www.facebook.com/jjesters

'House Anthems’ - Adventures in suburban poetry and sonic shapeshifting with Ralph Dartford and Gary Clark.

House Anthems is a collection of poetry set to music. The themes concern themselves with a lost England and a family tragedy. Ralph Dartford and Gary Clark grew up together in the Badlands of the Essex Delta. They have been friends all their lives, but have not worked together in 40 years.

Ralph is a commentator, critic, educator and agitator. His books, ‘Recovery Songs’, ‘Hidden Music’ and now, ‘House Anthems’ are highly acclaimed.

Gary Clark is one of the pioneers of the ‘Basildon Electro Sound’. He has written songs for Alison Moyet and had worked with some of the most influential British artists of the last 30 years in many guises.

Supported by Betsey stalwart Lloyd Coombes - bringing his own new poetry to the party.

Tickets here: www.eventbrite.co.uk

We are excited to welcome back critically-acclaimed songwriter and guitarist Emma Tricca to the Betsey.

Tickets here: www.wegottickets.com

Live music and DJ on the last Sunday of each month at The Betsey Trotwood, 56 Farringdon Road, EC1R 3BL, 5pm to 9.30pm, last act on about 7 pm. $Free admission£ - donation requested during main act.

Country/Americana/Bluegrass/Folk/Blues/Pub Rock