LEWIS PUGH is prolific songwriter influenced by everything from bluegrass, country and folk through to skiffle and punk.
Brought up going to bluegrass and folk festivals with his family who were often performing, such as Cambridge Folk Festival and Edale Bluegrass Festival, Lewis' appreciation of roots music came at a young age. After playing in countless punk and metal bands from age of 12 until 26, Lewis gradually shifted back to the music of his upbringing. Self-releasing his first solo album in 2017, he has since released 'Dark Wheels turn Above Our Heads' in 2020 and 'Bullets for Bread' in 2024, finding a sound between country, folk and bluegrass with a distinct political slant. In between albums there have been countless singles & EP's, often raising money for homeless outreaches or food banks.
He has performed at the legendary Topic Folk Club in Bradford, Otley Folk Club and Black Swan Folk Club. He has appeared at Maverick Festival, Orwell Bluegrass Festival, Hexham Bluegrass Festival and Strummer Camp.
Previous albums have received rave reviews Saving Country Music, FATEA Magazine, Celtic Punks and the Rocking Magpie.
Recently in 2025, Lewis played to packed houses at Leeds Folk Club and Cafe9 in Sheffield.
Lewis's third solo album 'Bullets for Bread' was released on vinyl in March 2024 on Leeds based indie label 'Shed Load Records' and it has recently been issued on CD.
Find out more on Lewis's website:
https://lewispughmusic.com/
"Tragically Beautiful Left of Centre Insurgent Folk From the Wild West of the People’s Republic of Yorkshire." Rocking Magpie
“Lewis Pugh is an instinctive country music and rock & roll natural. Authentic & effortless.” Andy Kershaw
JIMMY ANDREX is a Wakefield poet who performs all over the UK.
Co-founder of Red Shed Readings, he is a presenter on ELFM’s Love the Words, where he writes and produces the Jimmy Andrex Outside Broadcast,
as well as co-curating their Writing on Air Festival.
Poetry you can dance to? Laurie Anderson meets Sylvia Plath?
Phillip Larkin joins Kraftwerk?
Tom Robinson on BBC6 Music said it’s “superb” and “life-affirming.”
Poet Ian McMillan said Alec Clegg Still Dreams made him cry.
Kingsley Chapman from Benefits heard Directions to the Sunlit Uplands and said we’re “kindred spirits.”
Radio Albatross made Breakfast on the Beach their 2024 album of the year.
He’s even been on The Verb.
In the battle against obviousness, a live show might feature Orville the Duck in a dinghy, the Poetry Dad Dance Troupe, a ventriloquist dummy as a metaphor or impromptu stage invasions from either Johnny Halliday or the Editor of the Daily Mail, despite the obvious practical difficulties.
Hear Jimmy on YouTube: Alec Clegg Still Dreams
Also check out other Festivals in Ilkley, Arts events in Ilkley, Literary Art events in Ilkley.
