Events

The Ropemakers is a popular local venue offering regular live music, open mic nights, a monthly chese club, a weekly quiz, a meat draw, and various events throughout the year.

Ropemakers Open Mic Night

Wed 1st MAy - 8:30pm

Pack your talent and leave the safety of the bedroom and come on down and strut your inner rock star so that all can enjoy. All types of musician and poet welcomed. Better come early to book yer space. Hosted by the talented Nick and Si from Behind Closed Doors

Behind Closed Doors

Fri 3rd MAy - 9:15pm

Behind Closed Doors, (consisting of one Cajon player/vocalist - Si Dew and one guitarist/vocalist - Nick Randall) formed in 2014 and have been entertaining the locals of Bridport ever since. They perform up-tempo acoustic covers with a slight heavy metal undertone with, at times, a comical edge

The Curst Sons

Sat 4th MAy - 9:15pm

The Curst Sons have been playing their powerful stripped back take on early American traditional music since 1998. Performing mainly original material with a few distinctive arrangements of traditional songs they have released six CDs -and one 10” vinyl EP on their own Curst Mountain label. Over the years they have played venues ranging from tiny country pubs to festival main stages, appeared on several local radio shows and recorded two live sessions on the much missed Mark Lamarr BBC Radio 2 show. They were runners up in the 2013 International Song Writing Competition, nominated for Best Alt Country Album in the 10th Independent Music Awards 2011 and for Best Americana Act in the British Country Music Awards 2010. Tim Dunkerley (slide guitar, mandolin, vocals). Tim’s interest in music was first awakened by his father’s tales of wild living in a harmonica band on the minesweeper HMS Hound. Loath to leave his nautical background Tim coast hopped east from his Portsmouth home and soon washed up on the beach at Brighton. He is also a teacher/ facilitator with Unified Rhythm, a samba/fusion marching band for young adults, including those with learning difficulties. Willi Kerr (vocals, percussion). Born on Mersea Island on the marshy fringes of Essex, Willi abandoned his agricultural roots and took to the sinful ways of the city. Diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma (an incurable cancer of the bone marrow) in 1998 he was given 6 days to live. Being a cantankerous old cuss he decided that this was the perfect time to re-launch his musical career, and The Curst Sons were born. Thanks to the healing power of hillbilly music he is now in the rudest of health. Dave (Specky) Simner (banjo, lead guitar, vocals). Raised in the Black Country on a diet of heavy metal and motorbikes Dave fled south till he hit the coast. He lost the long hair and leather jacket and soon became entangled in the Brighton music scene. He has played in more bands than he can remember and somehow took up the banjo. He also plays with his own 60’s R&B outfit The Spectones, and in his day job leads music sessions for adults with learning disabilities

Jim Reynolds

Sun 5th May - 4:00pm

Jim Reynolds is a guitarist and singer who writes and plays an eclectic mix of music. The individual pieces tap into blues, ragtime, rhythm and blues, music hall and folk traditions. Some are extremely sensitive songs about life, people and relationships, while others are tongue in cheek. His albums are also sprinkled with classics from the likes of J.J. Cale, Nick Drake, John Martyn, Roy Orbison, the Inkspots, Jelly Roll Morton and Jimmy Rogers. Having played abroad and in the U.K., especially in Bristol, the South West, Wales, the Midlands and recently the South East, at clubs, pubs and festivals, he has honed his singing and playing, creating a rich and cohesive sound. His finely crafted songs and guitar are a pleasure to listen to and live performances are always memorable. Despite the rarity of 'happy' tunes, the wry observations and descriptions of peoples' experience are somehow uplifting, delivering a sense of humanity and intimacy. Jim has chosen to play his own particular style of music producing albums appreciated and bought by listeners at live performances.

Ropemakers Cheese Club

Wed 8th May - 7:30pm

Six superb cheeses from the West Midland, all served with a selection of crackers and accompaniments. Tickets are available from the bar at £7.00 each. Get your tickets early for this popular night as we have limited spaces. Booking for this event is essential

The Mutter Slater Band

Fri 10th May - 9:15pm

Mutter Slater was the front man and flute player for the 70s cult band Stackridge (produced by George Martin, signed by Elton John): a group that established itself as a firm favourite on countless stages throughout the land and appeared regularly on BBC TV’s The Old Grey Whistle Test and John Peel’s radio programmes. After Stackridge, Mutter returned to a life of quiet domesticity in the South West of England. The songwriting and performing bug eventually got the better of him, leading to the formation of his band and a return to the recording studios – Love & Hate in 2006; Riding A Hurricane in 2008 (produced by Billy Bragg) and 2014’s Absobloodylutely.

The Wessex Pistols

Sat 11th May - 9:15pm

All the Punk Hits (and more) Hillbilly Style ....guitar/mandolin/squeeze-box/double-bass/fiddle/stand-up drums

Danny Adams

Sun 12th May - 4:00pm

At the age of 27 Danny's art of performance and production has already helped him achieve some of his dreams and aspirations including making his first EP with Tribal Law at Abbey Road Studios with living legend Eddie Kramer in 2010, to being 1 of only one hundred singers chosen out of 180,000 to Audition For the first Series of BBC's The Voice UK 2012. Performing to live to audiences ranging from hundreds to thousands since the age of 6 and cutting his teeth gigging from age 13, Music and the love of music is as much a part of Danny as the love he has for his family and friends. With the release of his first album with "The Black Mariahs" in 2013 and constant work live and in the studio with up and coming talent of all genres, Danny hopes to make an impression on the world of music and its listeners with his unique style, performance, sound design, and song writing

Bridport Folk Festival Music Quiz

Thu 16th May - 8:00pm

Fundraising quiz for Bridport Folk Festival held every third Thursday of the month until summer. Come and enjoy the music

The Skarlatans

Fri 17th May - 9:15pm

Bridport based Rocksteady band with a little Latin infusion

Hobo Jones and the Junkyard Dogs

Sat May 18th - 9:15pm

Hobo Jones & The Junkyard Dogs are one of the most original bands that you will find on the pub and festival circuit today. They are 3 guys Wino Tyrone, Miser Bill, and Davey Malone who are from Maidstone in Kent, who at first sight look like three dusty old tramps busking on a stage. These three guys are all very rich with talent and skills in entertaining any crowd young or old, with their skiffle style of reworking old classics. Their story starts when they bunked over then fence at the Levellers Beautiful Days festival in Devon where they busked their way around entertaining all onlookers. They impressed Levellers front man Mark Chadwick so much he invited them to support his band on tour. Their popularity has just grown and grown with lots of performances at large prestigious festivals, such as Cambridge Folk Festival, Bearded Theory and Glastonbury, as well as invitations back to Beautiful Days.

Ben Morgan-Brown

Sun 19th MAy - 4:00pm

Ben Morgan-Brown is a singer/songwriter and accomplished finger style guitarist – named by FATEA magazine as one of the ‘Rising Stars of 2018’ and described by Tom Robinson of BBC6 Music as ‘the brilliant Ben Morgan-Brown’, his intimate and often highly personal songs and performances have drawn comparisons to Bert Jansch, John Smith, Nick Drake & Ryley Walker. Since the release of his debut E.P. ‘Cold Rooms’ in December 2017 Ben has been performing extensively across the South West and beyond, with appearances at ‘How The Light Gets In’, ‘Bridport Folk Festival’ and ‘Cornwall Folk Festival’ amongst others, and has opened for established and upcoming artists including John Bramwell (I Am Kloot), Harbottle & Jonas, Daria Kulesh, Hannah Sanders & Ben Savage and Tim Jones & The Dark Lanterns.

Sunset Cafe Stompers

Mon 20th May - 8:15pm

The Sunset Cafe was a top night-spot on Chicago’s infamous South Side. Al Capone owned it, Louis Armstrong starred there. The Sunset Cafe Stompers do play the music of that period... great tunes from Scott Joplin, Irving Berlin, Jelly Roll Morton, Duke Ellington, Fats Waller... but the band’s wide repertoire also features songs made famous by artists as diverse as Patsy Cline, Marilyn Monroe, the Inkspots, Fats Domino... even Elvis. Beneath it all, one can sense the elusive, shifting, pulse which defines the sound of New Orleans. In that city, ever since the 1900s, bands have been hired to attract a crowd, or to add spirit and generate excitement for all kinds of occasion. Throughout the last twenty years we have followed in that tradition: playing jazz clubs, concerts for churches, arts centres, village dances, weddings, festivals, funerals, garden parties..

The Spirit of Ziggy Stardust ShowTBC

Fri 24th May

The Spirit of Ziggy Stardust Show 2019 comes to The Ropemakers, always an exciting, high energy evening of excellent songs from the Ziggy era and beyond, performed by the Dogz. Bowie turned us on. Ziggy broke the mould. The Dogz play songs from the Ziggy era and beyond, without being a tribute. This is a rock band with a front man who was there ... in a band with David Bowie or should we say ZIGGY STARDUST’S original drummer Spider From Mars - Woody Woodmansey called U-Boat. With a mind of his own he leads the Dogz into his interpretations of some of the finest songs ever written as a performer, Phil rocks-out with the Dogz

The Freeborn Brothers

Sat 25th May - 9:15pm

We bring this band all the way from Poland just for your delight. Live music performance connected with crazy theatre and weird circus, those things are dragging everybody into it, if you think thats it... NO! add insane gypsy dancing, endless energy and fun than you will get just a draft of FBB live show. Every show is different from the other, never doing the same routine, you can see them hundreds of times and you not gonna be bored. Freeborn Brothers are Niko Soszynski, Mateusz Plesniak and Pawel Kus. Love to music and need to be on stage and entertain people put them together to hit the road and create this amazing orchestra! Everytime when you wonder how to describe the band or what label put on it and you don't know how to do it cause variety of music is so wide and different that means you've got something unique and special

Andrew Hurst

Sun 26th May - 4:00pm

Andrew’s varied musicality includes composing and performing music for theatre, presenting solo recitals in a variety of venues – with music including mediaeval and renaissance lutes, archlute, classical guitar, and steel-strung 12 string guitar, reaching out to wide audiences by giving bar, pub and street performances of classical guitar repertoire and arrangements,

The Jimmy Hillbillies

Fri 31st May - 9:15pm

Dorset's finest Rockabilly Stomp outfit. They specialise in a heady mix of old time Hillbilly and well known tunes mashed up with a driving beat.

Dorset Day - The Feast of St. Wite

Sat 1st Jun - 8:30pm

Featuring music from Dorset Phil and Sinful Maggie plus the Dorset Knob Gobbling competition this is the inaugural celebration of Dorset Day. Solo Scrumpy and Western from Dorset Phil singer songwriter plays guitar and sings songs about drinking and Dorset. Followed by the mighty Sinful Maggie. Formed in 2015, SINFUL MAGGIE set out to show people that you could have a punk band with an accordion and not play Folk, Gypsy or Celtic Punk. Brothers Charlie and Russ Draper had been writing together for years, but without a band the songs remained unheard. With the addition of Briony Ireland, a rose between two thorns, and Ollie Beaton, the bloke who holds two sticks, the band was ready to take their fast and furious punk rock on the road. Based in Dorset, the band built their fan base in the Bournemouth punk scene, playing along side bands like The Mistakes and Self Abuse, but have since shared bills with Maid of Ace, The Real McKenzies, Buzzcocks and Slaves. The band makes no bones about wearing their influences on their sleeves, often being likened to early Rancid with a bit of The Clash and some Dropkick Murphys to boot, but that doesn’t mean they don’t bring something fresh to the scene.

Reefs of Moonshine

Sun 2nd Jun - 4:00pm

Enjoy an afternoon of very chilled music in the company of acoustic duo Reefs of Moonshine. Lisa’s angelic voice is beautifully complemented by Nick’s intricate guitar playing to create a very polished sound. The duo will perform their own arrangements of popular melodic songs....drawn from the worlds of folk, country and soul music.

Open Mic Night

Wed 5th Jun - 8:30pm

Thin Wire Fence

Fri 7th Jun - 9:15pm

TWF's music is inspired by the grittier side of the alternative rock/ country movement and their mission is to write good songs to make people feel something. The lyrics are mostly dark and cynical social commentary (DC Smith isn't known for his cheer), the songs prove pedal steel can be a rock instrument (a distortion pedal helps) and they also include a healthy dose of fuzz. The band's eclectic musical influences make for a unique sound that's not so easy to describe ('Fuzzicana' and 'Crunge' are some top suggestions), and there's a lot of energy at their live shows.

The Wing Faced Earth Figs

Sat 8th Jun - 9:15pm

The Wing Faced Earth Figs were freshly formed in the past few years festival circuit. Combining the musical experience of Jake on folk fiddle, Ollie playing incredible jazzy flute and Jolly with his off the wall lyrics, guitar and clarinet, creating an infectiously dance-able delight that still seeks an accurate definition-”bounding campfire jazz”? you won’t be disappointed.

Fly Yeti Fly

Sun 9th Jun - 4:00pm

Fly Yeti Fly are the Wiltshire-based acoustic duo Lorna Somerville and Darren Fisher. Blending sensitive vocal harmonies with intricate guitar arrangements, mandolin and harmonica, the duo weave songs and stories from their travels together, with a sound that is reminiscent of the late-’60s folk scene. Now living on their canal boat on the Kennet & Avon canal, their music is heavily influenced by the natural world and life on the water. Their debut album ‘Shine a Light in the Dark’, released March 2017, has since received critical acclaim.

Cheese Club

Wed 12th Jun - 7:30pm

Six superb and superb different variations of Cheddar Cheese for you to compare, all served with a selection of crackers and accompaniments. Tickets are available from the bar at £7.00 each. Get your tickets early for this popular night as we have limited spaces. Booking for this event is essential.

Uphill and Still

Fri 14th Jun - 9:15pm

Jon and Maddy form a powerful duo of commanding Vocals, Mandolin, Guitar and Washboard, as well as influences of home drawn from opposite sides of the Atlantic. Since their EP release (2016), they have spent 18 months busking and performing across Canada; from PEI fishing bars, to Prairie porches; from West-Coast surf towns, to festival stages in Yukon Territory, absorbing life into their sound.

The Transitions

Sat 16th Jun - 9:15pm

The Transitions are a band created by men old enough to know better but still young enough to care less. They make a bit of dosh mostly having fun covering great songs you had forgotten you liked, and playing them to poor unsuspecting folks in drinking establishments all over sunny Dorset, Hampshire and Somerset. They don't stick to any genres really so we do have a wide and varied arsenal which is perfect for entertaining varied audiences. When they don't have our primitive cave dweller Mr Listy tapping out beats on his ca’jon (a kind of drum), Karlos plays bass guitar and a bass drum whilst Fatt’s plays guitar and tambourine with his foot. As a result Karlos and Fatts will both need hip replacements in a few years time. Come and check them out and witness how a band with no real talent manages to trick drunk people into thinking like they do. Bare in mind in order to do this you will have to stay sober which may not be worth the prize. When you first hear The Transitions you will be amazed by the fact that there are actually only 2 members. They produce the sound of a 4 or 5 piece band. You will hear drums, bass, guitar, harmonica, melodica, keys, lead vocals and harmonies. All performed live by 2 guys standing right in front of you. The Transitions do not use backing tracks to achieve any of this.

Chris Webb

Sun 16th Jun - 4:00pm

Chris Webb is a solo acoustic performer of original contemporary folk songs with whimsical narrative and upbeat fingerstyle guitar playing. Guitarist for ‘Gaz Brookfield and the Company of Thieves’ and Lonely Tourist. Guitarist and co-writer with Plume Of Feathers

Shelby's Elbows

Fri 21st Jun - 9:15pm

Shelby’s Elbows are an acoustic duo, made up of Dorset musicians Martin P. Davies and Phil Jeffs. Formed after meeting in various Open Mic nights in 2008, Shelby’s Elbows have developed into a locally well known entertainment duo, playing a variety of instruments and producing an instantly recognisable sound that surprises people when they discover that there’s only two people making it. Starting out as a covers band, they are now writing and recording their own original music from a wide variety of influences gained from their covers set – from Nirvana to Neil Young, Seal to Skynyrd, Dire Straits to Turin Brakes and anything in between. Shelby’s Elbows are an exciting, dynamic duo, delivering a deep filled sound that punches well above the level which their numeric deficiency should allow. Inspirational lyrics and catchy conundrums for those who like to rock their fun but socially-aware world with guitars, exuberance and honesty, along with the misuse of inappropriate and inaccurate presidential quotes..

Robert Brown

Sun 23rd Jun - 4:00pm

Robert Brown is an emerging singer songwriter with obvious comparisons such as Nick Drake, Davy Graham and Jimmy Page, not only in his writing but with his remarkable finger style technique. “I was lucky as a kid. When I was 17 I got to tour with Dick Heckstall Smith, and later in my teens I toured the southern states for 6 months with the US funk rock outfit the Blast. It was a crazy learning curve in which I saw our promoter being shot and having Boy Georges producer chasing us all over Houston thinking we were the next big thing and had free coke to burn!” Whilst touring in New York last year, he was also approached by Alice Cooper’s Press agent and tour manager after they heard a particular track. Songs that are remembered the next day seem to be one of his main gifts. Extensive travelling in Europe, North Africa and North America have enabled Robert to absorb the music and culture, and this emerges in subtle rootsy nuances within his work. Some obvious, some hidden to all but the expert ear. “I’m flattered to have had artists use and want to cover my songs, but I won’t sell out for the privilege. I’ve met people who literally try to work out a plan for the fastest way they can sell their souls for a fast buck and 15 minutes of fame. Over the years the music business has come into and out of my life. To quote Roy Harper “It’s not important that I become a millionaire. I’m a sparrow in the gutter. I will always be able to make a living”

Stealing Whisky

Fri 28th Jun - 9:15pm

- Stealing Whiskey are a modern folk band from Dorset specialising in upbeat, hand-crafted, harmonic tunes that will please your ears and legs. Making a name for themselves around the county for the past few years, Fuelled By Cider are delighted to bring them to Bridport's music venue The Ropemakers

TBC

Sat 29th Jun - 9:15pm

Lil Jim

Sun 30th Jun - 4:00pm

Lil Jim is an award winning, multi-instrumentalist. Dynamic and irrepressible. Seamlessly tying the roots of traditional music with modern arrangements and hooks. Combining guitar, harmonica and accordion with vocals and foot percussion to create a fresh sound of unstoppable rhythm and unrelenting melody. From supporting Hayseed Dixie, Paul Jones, The Waterboys and Midge Ure, with standout performances at Leek Blues and Americana and Acoustic Festival of Britain, Lil Jim is fast becoming the must-see act on the festival and touring circuit.