Meet the artists
Profiles of the many artists who have graced our stage over the years
Aileen Carr, born in Coupar Angus, Perthshire, into a musical family, has been immersed in the world of singing from her earliest memories. Raised in a household where her father, proficient on the melodeon, possessed a fine Scots voice, and her mother sang and played the piano, Aileen’s interest in music was nurtured despite financial constraints that prevented piano lessons. In true folk singing style, she would joyfully entertain others as a little girl and later found encouragement to sing and perform with a local concert party during her teenage years.
Andy Popplestone is a singer, self-taught fingerstyle guitarist, and occasional banjo player who has performed for 55 years, including nearly as long in folk clubs. Influenced by artists from Ralph McTell to Martin Simpson, he brings his own touch to traditional and contemporary songs from North America and the British Isles.
Graham Bell is an unaccompanied singer/ songwriter whose songs are written in the tradition and inspired by the rich rural and industrial landscape of his native Northumbria.
Recently he has teamed up with Anne Lamb from Co. Durham and they are enjoying some success at festivals and folk clubs across the country. You can expect humor.
Arthur Watson was introduced to folk music at a young age, inspired by hostel stays and encounters with artists like Dave Goulder. His passion grew through summer jobs and school folk clubs, where he met mentor Peter Hall.
Barbara was brought up in Fife, learning Scottish and Irish songs from her grandparents . She was delighted to meet up with many other traditional singers and musicians when she left home to become a skint student at Dundee Uni and was persuaded to start singing for her supper.
Glasgow born and bred where I played, sang and listened to many of the stalwarts of the Glasgow folk scene during the 60’s Leaving Glasgow to join the RAF where I met and joined the band Steamfolk After the RAF I joined the Makarakit Ceilidh band for many successful years. I now perform at folk clubs and festivals around North East Scotland.
Chris Miles has been chanting away for most of her life, the first 40 years mostly at the kitchen sink and occasionally a gala performance at a family wedding or Saturday night hooch-up in the family home when the pub tipped out. Discovered at her very first folk club ‘floor spot’ by Sheena Wellington, who happened to be there that night, at the advanced age of 39, she answered Sheena’s question about where she had been for the past 20 years with ‘Hoovering’
The Cloughmor Ceili Band are an energetic band making waves in the Irish traditional music scene and are current 2025 Ulster Senior Ceili Band Champions.
Having each begun their musical journeys through Warrenpoint Comhaltas, the band has grown up playing music together and each member has flourished and achieved success in their own right
Dave Goulder is a contemporary of his friends Martin Carthy, Archie Fisher and Gordon Bok, all of whom have recorded his songs over the years
