Medina Book Shop

Lucy Kitchen (BYOB)
2024-03-28 19:00 (Europe/London) | Medina Bookshop, 50 High Street, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 7RR, United Kingdom
Lucy has something of the pre-raphaelite about her, a wistful poise, a classical grace, a serene delicacy in her voice and delivery. Her songs are similarly ethereal, haunting paeans to love, longing, loss, the moon and the stars. Performed with an assured guitar style and a leisurely pace, her live shows are to be cherished.

SOLD OUT!! Shades Of Ellington (BYOB)
2024-04-02 19:00 - 21:00 | Medina Bookshop, 50 High Street, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 7RR, United Kingdom
Chris Jones: Drums
Tom Barker: Keyboards
Jon Thorne: Double Bass
Please bring your own refreshments

Christina Alden & Alex Patterson (BYOB)
2024-04-20 19:00 - 21:00 | Medina Bookshop, 50 High Street, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 7RR, United Kingdom
Rich with intertwining harmony, sensitive accomplished musicianship and a creative song-writing style that is both delicate and moving, their music is deeply inspired by the world around them, with a keen environmental eye, crafting stories with the natural world at its heart, reflecting on the relationship between humans and the wild.
They have toured extensively in the UK and Europe; including a twenty-three-date concert hall tour with Show of Hands (including Union Chapel and St David’s Hall Cardiff), a show at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall for Celtic Connections, headline and main stage performances at some of the UK’s most prestigious folk festivals and performances in Norway, Belgium, France and Ireland. They have written and self-released four albums, composed music for a BBC Radio 4 documentary series and have had over a million streams on Spotify.
‘A bright, lively collection of songs that plays so sweetly it evokes the sensation of a summer folk festival’ – The Guardian
‘A milestone for contemporary folk songwriting’ – Bright Young Folk
‘Gorgeous harmonies and lush melodies’ – BBC Countryfile

Winter Wilson (BYOB)
2024-06-10 19:00 - 21:00 | Medina Bookshop, 50 High Street, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 7RR, United Kingdom
When Mike Harding dubbed Winter Wilson as one of the hardest working duos on the circuit, he’d clearly done his homewor​k. UK based, Kip Winter and Dave Wilson have performed in Germany, Australia, Spain, Canada, Belgium and New Zealand. They’ve released a string of critically acclaimed albums, one of the highlights being Live & Unconventional. The live album, recorded on tour and at Cropredy Festival ​(video here) ​ with folk rock icons Fairport Convention. The reviews were exceptional:-
“If you need evidence of just how special the duo Winter Wilson is, then Live & Unconventional delivers in abundance.” ​Steve Caseman, RnR magazine
“This is a brilliant, exceptionally well-recorded live album that really does convince that Kip and Dave are well and truly at the top of their game.” D​avid Kidman, Living Tradition Magazine.
It is in live performance where these two really excel. Kip Winter and Dave Wilson bring a sense of intimacy to every venue, blending superb, often hard-hitting original songs, stunning harmonies and musicianship with sometimes hilarious humour and tales of life on the road. Kip (vocals, accordion, guitar, flute) ​”simply has a voice to die for” (​ John Roffey, Maverick Magazine), whilst Dave (vocals, guitar and banjo) is now rightly recognized as being amongst the top tier of British songwriters, with his songs sung in folk clubs across the UK and beyond. Together, their voices are sublime.
​“In 30 years of listening to folk music, I have never heard two voices blend so perfectly.” ​(David Aird, Chairman, Glenfarg Folk Club)
You will laugh; you may cry. You will certainly want to see them again!

Teilhard Frost (BYOB)
2024-07-21 19:00 - 21:00 | Medina Bookshop, 50 High Street, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 7RR, United Kingdom
“Teilhard Frost is a multi-instrumentalist, specializing in traditional fiddle tunes, with a particular interest in the Appalachian Mountains.
He has spent the last eighteen years touring with critically acclaimed band Sheesham, Lotus and ‘Son. This trio is currently working with Hezekiah Proctor and the Hash House Serenaders.
In 2018, Teilhard joined forces with musician and engineer Jason Mercer. Together they have created award winning soundtracks for film and advertising. Frost Mercer released The Os Project, an EP of quasi AfroBeat style dance music based on early banjo tunes and Baritone Saxophone riffs. In the spring of 2024 Frost Mercer opened for Béla Fleck and Abigail Washburn.
Teilhard’s next solo album is scheduled for release this June 2024. ‘Four and Twenty Blackbirds Dancing on a Deer Skin’, an album of traditional fiddle and banjo tunes, harmonica bits and ballads.
Living on Wolfe Island, he makes banjos, supper, and his bed.“
“An accomplished singer and multi-instrumentalist, Teilhard captures the spirit of the old-time music better than anyone I know. He is a natural born entertainer who’s stage presence is a joyful experience!”
–Rick Ceballos, Artistic Director, Champlain Valley Folk Festival, Vermont, USA

'The Story of 2-Tone' with author Daniel Rachel
2024-07-23 19:30 - 20:30 | Isle of Wight
Author Daniel Rachel discusses his definitive book about a label and musical movement that shaped British culture. Developed in Coventry in the late 70’s, 2 Tone was black and white: a multi-racial mix of British and Caribbean musicians singing about social issues, racism, class and gender struggles. One for all Rudies out there!
With book signing, and DJ’s spinning your favourite ska, rocksteady, dub and reggae tunes.
Tickets available here The Story of Two Tone with author Daniel Rachel (littleboxoffice.com)

The Bookshop Band (BYOB) SOLD OUT
2024-07-25 19:00 - 21:00 | Medina Bookshop, 50 High Street, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 7RR, United Kingdom
The award winning Bookshop Band came to life as an artistic collaboration with their local bookshop Mr B’s Emporium of Reading Delights in 2010. They write and perform songs inspired by books and released 13 book-inspired albums sharing a stage with over 150 authors, including Philip Pullman, Margaret Atwood and Robert Macfarlane. This summer they will be releasing their 14th studio album EMERGE, RETURN produced by and featuring Pete Townshend, supported with a full UK tour.
“I am enchanted, such variation and delicacy… such latent power, really great work. It reminded me of my days listening to Sandy Denny and Fairport [Convention] and The Incredible String Band… – a great discovery and inspiration.” Pete Townshend
Between them Ben Please and Beth Porter (Lost Wordds Spell Songs) bring the books to the stage along with a multitude of instruments, including cello, harmonium, glockenspiel, guitars and ukuleles which, along with their distinct voices, create a cinematic sound that draws the audience right in to a highly intimate performance, at once touching and mesmerizing, heart wrenching and funny. No previous knowledge of the books is required as the band guide the audience through the stories behind each song’s inspiration. They are equally at stage on a festival main stage as they are in a bookshop, having toured the UK, Europe and North America many times. Their work has been recognised with nominations from the Ivor Novello Awards, the Oscars and BAFTA’s.

The Shackleton Trio (BYOB)
2024-09-12 19:00 - 21:00 | Medina Bookshop, 50 High Street, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 7RR, United Kingdom
Captivating songwriting and fiery tunes that combine mandolin, fiddle, guitar and banjo with powerful three part harmonies. The unmistakable sound of The Shackleton Trio brings to life the stories of their native East Anglia, and beyond.
September 2024 sees the band touring a brand new album, as they look ahead to celebrating their 10 year anniversary in 2025. The trio features Georgia Shackleton (fiddle, vocals), Aaren Bennett (guitar) and Nic Zuppardi (mandolin and banjo). Collectively the band draw influence from British, American and Scandinavian folk traditions, whilst Georgia’s flair for sourcing largely unsung material from East Anglia keeps the band firmly rooted in their local tradition.
Almost a decade performing together has seen the band played on BBC Radio 2, Radio 3 and Radio 4, BBC 6 Music, RTE 1, BBC Countryfile, press coverage gleaming ★★★★★ reviews, an appearance on Cambridge Folk Festival’s prestigious main stage, a host of UK and European festivals and international tours, and many miles in the Mondeo. This is a band that clearly enjoys playing together, and are not to be missed.

SOLD OUT

JOHN BLEK (BYOB)
2024-09-21 19:00 - 21:00 | Medina Bookshop, 50 High Street, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 7RR, United Kingdom
Cork-based songwriter/musician John Blek is clearly a creative multihyphenate kind of guy. For the past 10 years, he has steered a steady course from one classy music style to another, be it the folksy ruminations of his debut, Leave Your Love at the Door, or the alt.country tunes of Borders (with his occasional band, The Rats).
Blek’s latest album swaps a spry sparseness for the musical equivalent of luxury. Recorded a year ago, the album’s 10 tracks are textbook examples of how to imbue songs with elegance without losing sight of the often strong-minded intent that inspired them in the first place.
The underlying music themes for Until the Rivers Run Dry, Blek writes in the PR blurb, brim with “Paul McCartney moments and Scott Walker swagger”, and while these influences are imperceptibly filtered throughout, alongside hints of classic pop songs by other notable artists, the most obvious reference points belong to Blek’s casual yet singular artistic grace.
Indeed, listening to gems of songs such as Once in a While, Restless Sea, Raven’s Cry, Lyric & Air, Come Undone, the sublime closing track, Floating Aimlessly, and the rest (most of which feature featherlight strings by Colm Mac Con Iomaire and backing/co-vocals by Cathy Davey) you might wonder why on earth Blek remains one of Ireland’s best-kept secrets.

SONGDOG (BYOB)
2024-09-26 19:00 - 21:00 | Medina Bookshop, 50 High Street, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 7RR, United Kingdom
Songdog are a folk noir trio based around Welsh songwriter Lyndon Morgans, whose most recent album ‘Of Gods And Men’ received glowing reviews in Uncut, Mojo, RnR, Goldmine and Americana UK amongst others. Previous albums were released to equally great reviews. Lyndon’s tracks have been featured on BBC Radio 2 and BBC 6Music plus other regional and international shows, he has recorded a session for Tom Robinson’s show and had his music praised by the likes of Bruce Springsteen and Robert Wyatt.

Previous live dates have included headline shows at London’s St Pancras Church, Bloomsbury Theatre, Kings Place, the Roundhouse Studio, Union Chapel and the ICA, plus high profile supports and appearances at various festivals in the UK, France, Netherlands, Japan, Canada, Spain, Sweden and Russia.

What they’ve said about the music:
“Lo-fi and alluring, like a heady mix of Eels and Lambchop. A fully qualified peer of such droll, self- deprecating Americans as Kurt Wagner, Stephin Merritt and Mark Everett.” UNCUT (Andrew Mueller)
“Soaring, Mellotron-inflected arrangements enhance Morgans’ acutely observed lyrics.” MOJO (John Aizlewood)
“They create stark word snapshots and capture moments in a life of music, love, mistake, and regret. You only write these songs if you paid attention while living.” AMERICANA UK (Michael Macy)
“If he were a Wainwright, he’d be Loudon III, not Rufus. I’d give a body part to write poetry like this.” RnR (Andrew Darlington)
“He has a brilliant way of investing despair and dysfunction with romance. Stellar stuff indeed.” FATEA (Mike Davies)
“Bejewelled lyrics of wit, woe & wonder” MIRROR (Gavin Martin)
“Terrific stuff!” Robert Wyatt
“Intense & sensual collection of baroque, last chance lives…supremely evocative imagery that lesser poets can only aspire to” MAVERICK
Current album:https://tinyurl.com/LyndonMorgans-OfGodsAndMen
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/SongdogSpotify
Video link: www.youtube.com/bravetales
Songdog site:www.songdog.co.uk

CHRIS CLEVERLEY (BYOB)
2024-10-19 19:00 - 21:00 | Medina Bookshop, 50 High Street, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 7RR, United Kingdom
Cleverley’s boundary-shattering ‘Dream-Folk’ songwriting sits on the cutting edge of modern folk. A true guitar-man, his elaborate alternate tunings, percussive rhythms and ambient sound design flow beneath a visceral lyrical style inspired by the Lo-fi American Greats, Elliott Smith & Sufjan Stevens; a curious tapestry weaved from the hazy psychedelia of the 60s folk revival and the soulful oblivion of 90s Pacific Northwest.
Described as ‘impressive’ (The Telegraph), and ‘haunting’ (The Sunday Times) his collection of award-winning independent releases have earned him a robust and loyal, grassroots following throughout his seven years touring the New British Folk Scene. From the fairy-light intimacy of concert venues, to the stages of world-renowned festivals, his outstanding musicianship and warm delivery combine to underpin the infectious draw of his unique song-writing prowess. With a visceral lyrical style explores the place of acoustic-driven music within the 21st Century emotional landscape. Shining an honest light on diverse, arresting themes from pervasive artificial intelligence to disquieting climate emergency, it is no wonder Folk Radio UK have called him “One of the most vital voices of his generation.” Powered by a strong social conscience, his music serves as a vehicle for exploring constructive, meaningful change.

Jason McNiff £15 (BYOB)
2024-11-03 19:00 - 21:30 | Medina Bookshop, 50 High Street, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 7RR, United Kingdom
Born in Bradford, following studying in Nottingham for his first degree, where he developed an interest in the folk and blues guitar playing of the likes of Wizz Jones and Davey Graham; from 1995 Jason lived for some 20-odd years in London, where, as has been well-documented, his finger-picking apprenticeship was honed thanks to regular exposure to Bert Jansch at Soho’s 12 Bar Club, together with also undertaking support slots for the guitar maestro. Since moving to Hastings in 2019, where he has established regular Friday Sundowner Sessions at The Jenny Lind pub, he has continued to play live extensively, including shows with ‘poetry in music’ paying homage to another of his significant influences, Leonard Cohen.
Jason is described as Americana/Folk, but he does something with the Americana side a lot of other artists would do well to follow; he doesn’t pretend he’s American. He’s taken the style but moved it back across the pond.

David Ian Roberts & Henry Parker
2024-11-16 19:00 - 21:00 | Medina Bookshop, 50 High Street, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 7RR, United Kingdom
Henry Parker & David Ian Roberts – Chasing Light [2024]
Yorkshire and Cardiff based guitarists Henry Parker and David Ian Roberts met in 2019 when their respective folk-influenced albums ‘Silent Spring’ and ‘Travelling Bright’ were finding their way to new audiences via a series of co-headline tours across England and Wales. A shared appreciation of Nick Drake, Ryley Walker, Genesis and John Martyn naturally led the pair of musicians to sit down, guitars in hand, to improvise and compose during their free time on the road. The result of this collaboration is an album of all-original, steel-string instrumentals which blur the lines between traditional folk, psychedelia, and progressive music, bound by the beautiful simplicity of two acoustic guitars, panned left [Roberts] and right [Parker] in the stereo field.
‘Chasing Light’ was largely written and was entirely recorded in the Dales village of Malham, North Yorkshire over the course of three weekend sessions in 2023. These intense periods of creativity produced eleven focussed compositions which reflect David’s long journeys north in the winter, Chasing Light, the limestone landscapes of rural Craven, Wedber Wood, and the nature themed artwork of the Pre-Raphaelite period, The English Dreamers. The album was self-recorded,over three long days, utilising two microphones and requiring no overdubs; the energy of these freshly written songs being deservedly laid down in a pure, simplistic form.
With Mark Radcliffe of the Radio 2 Folk Show calling Robert’s 2020 solo album ‘From The Harbour’ “a quiet masterpiece” and Prog Magazine describing Parker’s 2021 ‘Lammas Fair’ recordas “an immersive and mellifluous world” it is surely the case that ‘Chasing Light’ will capture the imaginations of folk and progressive music fans long into the future.
Henry Parker & David Ian Roberts –
Influenced by the acoustic guitar artistry of the 1960’s and 70’s, Henry Parker and David Ian Roberts play a style of folk-guitar music originally pioneered by artists such as Bert Jansch & John Renbourn and more recently Ryley Walker & Bill MacKay. Established singer-songwriters in their own right; the pair of musicians now present intricate instrumental duets from their highly anticipated debut album alongside original, lyrical song-writing.
Henry Parker –
“Channelling the ghosts of Jansch and Renbourn through his fingertips, the fluid playing and emotive singing of Yorkshire-born Henry Parker evokes the spirit of the early-60’s folk revival as ifit were yesterday.”RnR★★★★★“
Original material and traditional songs create an immersive and mellifluous world in which both the peace and isolation of nature are unfurled evoked through subtle arrangements” Prog Magazine
David Ian Roberts –
“A contemplative and understated classic already…I recommend this record to you unreservedly”. MARK RADCLIFFE – BBC Radio 2
“An intimate performance of astounding artistry. Lyrically his songs draw a line from Dylan Thomas to Elliott Smith, with hypnotic melodies and guitar patterns that match even the legacies of a Nick Drake or Sufjan Stevens.” -RnR

The Triple Crones Presents...Performance & Book Launch (new date 19th November)
2024-11-19 19:00 - 21:00 | Medina Bookshop, 50 High Street, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 7RR, United Kingdom
Ajeana, Crone of Rural Spaces welcomes you to her Cronewood lairwith tales of big bad wolves and arachnophobic women. In her other guise, Jean G-Owen is a writer and publisher at Naked Figleaf Press. Her poetry collection Bites of Love: Poems & Images was published in 2023.
Cass, Crone of the Sea, surges from the great sea swell with tales of oyster festivals and warnings to maidens. In her other guise, Sandy Kealty had been writing and performing on IOW for over twenty years. She has published The Mermaid is Unimpressed and The Mermaid Rides Again.
Flamenco, Crone of Urban Spaces, rises phoenix-like to bring colour, carnival and comedy to the Cronedom. In her other guise, Cheryl May writes comedy scripts published by Lazy Bee Scripts. She has recently published her debut poetry collection, Not Just Desserts.
Holly Medland Lees is a storyteller from IOW with a keen interest in medieval and local history. She loves stories of the sea and tales with a twist. She’ll be telling two tales of Middle Age wily women who both have a point to prove.
Tina Goode started her musical life in early childhood. In recent years she sings and plays with IOW folk trio Second Time Around. On rare occasions, Tina enjoys solo performances, and will be bringing her beautiful sounds to the Cronedom.

Em & The Asteroid & Friends £10 BYOB
2024-11-29 19:00 - 21:30 | Medina Bookshop, 50 High Street, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 7RR, United Kingdom
Noah of Em & the Asteroid will be joined by Emma of Mouth, Tom of Fleeper and Lisa of Neon for a relaxed acoustic show featuring a mixture of originals and covers. Expect plenty of harmonies and relaxing music.
Having recently played Ventnor Fringe and Isle of Wight Festival, Em & the Asteroid have invited some of their musician friends to play a one off show.
Emma from Mouth and Sheer Pink will be joining Noah, having also played Isle of Wight Festival and Ventnor Fringe with Mouth. She also joined Plastic Mermaids for their extraordinary performance at Wight Proms this year.
Tom will be supporting by bringing his expertise on the keys. Having played for so many bands and often being in high demand, we are excited to have him join us for this show.
Noah and Lisa have been singing together for years in many music projects, notably TriAmi and Charming. Lisa is known for her effortless harmonies in TriAmi and her incredible lead vocals and stage presence in Neon.
We hope you come and enjoy us for some relaxing music and awkward stage conversations.

The Weatherkings unplugged
2025-02-21 19:00 - 21:30 | Medina Bookshop, 50 High Street, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 7RR, United Kingdom
Join us for an evening of joyous and irreverent musical noodlings with Mike Rodrigues and friends.
Mike’s paintings currently grace the walls of the bookshop so this will be a truly immersive experience inside the head of one of the Island’s best loved eccentric musical talents, a playful frontman with charisma, wit and wisdom in equal measure and a wonderful band who respond to his every whim. Expect the unexpected.
Bring your own refreshments

Polly Paulusma
2025-03-22 19:00 - 21:30 | Medina Bookshop, 50 High Street, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 7RR, United Kingdom
Together Paulusma and Thorne will bring you songs from across Paulusma’s repertoire of six studio albums to date released since 2004 on Bjork’s label One Little Independent.
Her latest, ‘Wildfires’, is an extraordinary extended piece of work containing two hours of breathtakingly emotional songs interlaced with spoken word poetry. A truly immersive experience, the album has been produced by acclaimed record producer Ethan Johns (Laura Marling, Ray Lamontagne, Ryan Adams).
The musical connection between Paulusma and Thorne is something to behold; together they swoop and glide through songs from all of Paulusma’s albums, but especially ‘Wildfires’ which Thorne also recorded with Paulusma — combining their trademark bawdy humour and anecdotes with deep songs that touch on love, loss, grief and philsophical enquiry.

TRIANGULUM
2025-04-01 19:00 - 21:30 | Medina Bookshop, 50 High Street, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 7RR, United Kingdom
A contemporary piano trio playing a range of original compositions, the music of Duke Ellington, and reimagined arrangements of modern rock, pop and folk in a jazz style.
Jon Thorne is the bassist in Lamb and has performed and recorded with world renowned artists across many genres including Robert Plant, Jon Hopkins, Donovan and Laura Mvula.
Tom Barker is the leading young jazz pianist on the Isle of Wight.
Chris Jones is the versatile and exciting drummer and founder member of The Plastic Mermaids.

An Evening Of Conversation And Music With Ian A Anderson
2025-04-11 19:00 | Medina Bookshop, 50 High Street, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 7RR, United Kingdom
Ian A. Anderson – no, not that one! – began his solo musical career in the mid 1960s, heavily influenced by old country blues players, before taking a left-swerve in the early ’70s into what nowadays gets called ‘psych folk’, with a trio of songwriter/ guitarist albums for the pioneering and now highly collectable independent label Village Thing.
He eventually settled into a personal – and notably English – style, drawing from traditional folk, blues, old-time and world roots musics, making some dozen albums by the end of the 1980s with groups Hot Vultures (with Maggie Holland), the English Country Blues Band and Tiger Moth. Then after a break from live performances in the 1990s he returned to stages and recording this century, with the trio Blue Blokes 3 (with PiL’s Lu Edmonds and 3 Mustaphas 3’s Ben Mandelson), the duo The False Beards (again with Mandelson), a re-union tour by Hot Vultures in 2016 and a very effective double-header partnership with Northumbrian traditional music master Alistair Anderson as Not The Anderson Twins.
Over the years he’s appeared in multiple guises at most of the UK’s important folk/roots venues and festivals (from the very first Glastonbury to Cambridge, Sidmouth, Shrewsbury, WOMAD and many more). Since 2017, he’s been enjoying performing and recording solo again, with repertoire and tales drawn from across those sixty years of experience.
Two recent well-received compilation CDs – Onwards! and Onwards Vol 2: A Crown Of Crows (on Ghosts From The Basement) – range over his entire recording career, and all his early solo albums were re-issued as the 4-CD boxed set Please Re-adjust Your Time by Cherry Red in 2021.
He now lives in Cambridge, from where he also produces and presents the long-running Podwireless podcast – covering “the world of folk, roots music and associated weirdos.”
Ian received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Folk Alliance International in 2019, the Gold Badge Award of the English Folk Dance & Song Society in 2015 and the Womex Award in 2010.
His long-awaited book ALIEN WATER: Six Decades Paddling In Unpopular Music is published by Ghosts From The Basement in 2025.

Harry Diplock
2025-07-17 19:00 - 22:30 | Medina Bookshop, 50 High Street, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 7RR, United Kingdom
Originally starting his journey from Devon to London in 2012 as a guitar builder, Harry soon became part of the jazz scene where his love of improvisation took over.
Now at the forefront of the jazz scene in the UK and co-founder of the London Django Collective, Harry has played all over Europe at venues such as Ronnie Scott’s, Pizza Express Jazz Club, Torino Jazz Club, 606 and The Green Note as well as being regularly played on TSF Jazz Radio, BBC 3 and Jamie Cullum’s Radio show.
Harry is also an educator in the style and regularly teaches as well as hosting various workshops at jazz festivals.

KATIE SPENCER !!!SOLD OUT!!!
2025-09-18 19:00 - 21:30 | Medina Bookshop, 50 High Street, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 7RR, United Kingdom
Raised in the East Yorkshire flatlands on the fringes of Hull (UK), Katie Spencer’s landscape has always been that of open skies and widening rivers. Industry still shapes the city here. The people, as with the land, are moulded by tides and stark horizons. Stand in the same place for long enough and you can watch the sun rise over the North Sea and then sink into crop fields, glowing auburn in late-summer sun. It is this sense of space and movement that flows through Katie Spencer’s music.
The songwriting, and most notably her guitar playing stems from a time when the steel-stringed instrument was truly finding its voice. Artists like Joni Mitchell, James Taylor and perhaps most evidently Michael Chapman, flow into her sound, carrying with them the warmth and idealism of the early 70’s folk and songwriter movements.
Katie Spencer’s widely celebrated new album, The Edge of the Land (2022), follows her debut release, Weather Beaten (2019) which was praised for its unique song-craft, spell-binding musicianship and crystal sonic clarity, as she brought together fans of music from all backgrounds and walks of life. Delicate and un-rushed, the ten songs on The Edge of the Land drift by like ships on the horizon, yet intimacy and introspection still remain. This record reached #14 in the Official Folk Charts upon release.
The inclusivity found in her recorded works is most apparent when on stage, with a personal connection and humour that allows the listener time to appreciate the emotion of the music. Her historical gig list is extensive, taking in festivals such as the world-renowned Celtic Connections and Cambridge Folk Festival. Her performances have left audiences in awe of her confidence and craftsmanship with tour dates including UK, Germany, The Netherlands, Denmark, Australia and Canada.
—
“Her articulate picking, with suggestions of folk and jazz, frames intelligently written songs and is the backbone to her music.” Guitarist Magazine
“One of the most satisfying and spellbinding singer-songwriter collections I’ve encountered in some time.” RnR Magazine ★★★★★
“Imaginative imagery supported by compelling music that summons up the best of early 70s folk, fluently delivered here with its own contemporary power. This is a fine collection of memorable songs by an outstanding writer and musician.” Record Collector
“A timeless English folk album, perfect for the still calm of a Sunday morning.” Shindig!
“Katie Spencer sits gracefully in a vocal nook between Sandy Denny, Linda Thompson and, to conjure a name we hear less often these days, Bridget St John.” Prog Magazine
“The way Katie plays is never contrived, showy or imitative; it sounds true … a world-class folk guitarist” – fRoots
“Katie’s guitar playing has echoes of my dear friend the late great Bert Jansch. Like a musical weaver she threads her poetic lyrics through the guitar’s strings and produces little tapestries of song” – Ralph McTell
www.katiespencer.net
https://www.facebook.com/katiespencermusic/
https://twitter.com/KRSpencerMusic
https://www.instagram.com/katiespencermusic/

An Evening with Esther Swift
2025-10-16 19:00 - 21:00 | Medina Bookshop, 50 High Street, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 7RR, United Kingdom
“a wondrous blend of folk and electronica in a sold-out amphitheatre … Björk-esque”
★★★★★
– Sound Effects review, The Edinburgh Reporter
​“mesmerising and … heavenly”
– The Light Gatherer review, jazzwise Magazine
“captivating”
– Rob Harbers, Ambient Light
“monster musician”
– Chris Wood, The Argus
Esther Swift explores ritual, connection, isolation, and the natural world in her performance with pedal harp and voice.
A prolific, boldly innovative harpist, composer and singer, Esther works across genres as diverse as classical chamber music and free improvisation, and writes for ensembles large and small. Having studied at Edinburgh’s St Mary’s Music School and the Royal Northern College of Music, as well as with harp pioneer Catriona McKay, she has received numerous prestigious commissions and featured in many international collaborations.
She has travelled to Vietnam, New Zealand, Malaysia, Mongolia, and beyond with her music, and shared international, music lead collaborations with musicians and other artists around the world.
She has recently been commissioned by Celtic Connections, Chamber Music Scotland, Manchester Jazz festival and The Edwin Morgan Trust and performed internationally with her band Emergence Ensemble.
Esther’s debut solo studio album, Expectations of a Lifetime, was released in June 2024.

Chris Cleverley
2025-11-22 19:00 - 21:30 | Medina Bookshop, 50 High Street, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 7RR, United Kingdom
Chris Cleverley was born under a solstice moon, in the honeysuckle mysticism of a late 80s Midsummer, where the symbolic sounds of ‘Hunky Dory’, ‘Graceland’ and ‘Ladies of The Canyon’ echoed from the woodchip walls of the South Birmingham terrace where he was raised; quiet and curious, saturnine and shy. Here, the soul of a young artist was shaped.
And so this winter, Cleverley tours his brand new collection of alternative festive songs ‘Gods Of All Things’, the follow up to 2024’s critically acclaimed ‘In the Shadow of John the Divine’ (“Holiday Music that doesn’t suck!” – No Depression).
Come bask in the intricate fingerstyle and lush ambient soundscapes of this true guitar-man, inspired by the Lo-fi American Greats, Elliott Smith, Sufjan Stevens & Phoebe Bridgers; A curious tapestry weaved from the hazy psychedelia of the 60s folk revival and the soulful oblivion of the 90s Pacific Northwest.
In his characteristically unconventional style, Cleverley offers part 2 of a bittersweet Christmas compendium for the head-spinning modern age. A brand new selection of songs for the misfits, celebrating this curious, magical season, in all its joyful and melancholy contradictions.
Whether you love or loathe the festive period, this rare evening promises a welcome, serene and reflective space for all to unwind in their own way, as the year draws to a close. With replenishing calm and warm humour, his one-man live show occupies the space between a concert performance and a yoga nidra meditation; Jarringly raw, hauntingly serene and effortlessly 21st Century.

Ryan O'Reilly , Jadea Kelly and Tali Trow
2025-12-14 19:00 | Medina Bookshop, 50 High Street, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 7RR, United Kingdom
Ryan O’Reilly, an English-Irish songwriter known for his poetic, emotionally charged songs, has spent the past decade touring Europe and North America, building a dedicated fanbase through word-of-mouth and compelling live shows. His music, featured US Netflix shows, and ITV’s McDonald & Dodds and After the Flood, blends folk, indie, and literary influences, with writing credits alongside London indie favourites Flyte, Germany’s Amistat, and Prague’s Anna Vaverková. His latest album Other Plans explores connection, solitude, and modern life with quiet power.
‘Ryan O’Reilly is the perfect antidote to our era of production-line pop, to see him live is to be reminded of what music is all about: people, passion and poetry.’ – London Evening Standard
Jadea Kelly, hailed by CBC as “a shining jewel in the crown of Canadian songwriters,” brings a cinematic, heartfelt edge to contemporary Canadian-country-folk. Her latest release Roses earned millions of streams and ‘Single of the Year’ at the Oshawa Music Awards, while her voice has featured in acclaimed film and TV projects. Fans of Alternative Folk music and artists such as Kathleen Edwards and Lindi Ortega will immediately fall in love with Jadea Kelly.
‘If you can imagine Patsy Cline writing songs with Feist you kind of have an idea of where Jadea Kelly resides in the musical spectrum’ – The Pop Stereo USA
Tali Trow is a producer, musician, and writer with over 30 years of global performance experience. From his early days as a chorister singing for the Pope to sharing stages with legends like The Rolling Stones and, more recently, Bonnie Raitt. Recently, he has reconnected with his own artistic voice, supported by the musicians who first inspired him. His latest album has been praised as a “treasure trove of good songwriting and musicianship,” with listeners captivated by the “sublime clarity and warm timbre” of his voice. Trow’s storytelling, lyricism, and vocal skills continue to bring joy to audiences.

Christmas Carols Under The Tree.
2025-12-21 17:00 - 18:00 | Medina Bookshop, 50 High Street, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 7RR, United Kingdom
Medina bookshop invites you to join us for our annual Carols Under The Tree performed by the wonderful Medina Community Choir.
Gathering around the Christmas tree outside Rosalie’s at the bottom of Market Hill, we, along with some of the surrounding shops will be offering mince pies, mulled wine and other seasonal treats. A chance to really get in the spirit of Christmas and pick up a few last minute presents. There will also be a charity collection.

Second Time Around
2026-01-29 19:00 - 21:30 | Medina Bookshop, 50 High Street, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 7RR, United Kingdom
Following our sell out show at Ventnor Fringe Festival, the band can’t wait to bring you a repeat performance of ‘Across the Pond’, an exploration of the similarities and differences of English and American folk music in the wonderful, intimate atmosphere of Medina Books.
Their rich and varied soundscapes allow them to weave together many genres of music and song of not only traditional folk, but early jazz, Americana, gospel and World music that has kept their audiences entertained and guessing for over a decade.
Bring your own refreshments.
Doors just before 7pm, performance starts just after 7pm.

Lucy Kitchen
2026-02-26 19:00 - 21:30 | Medina Bookshop, 50 High Street, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 7RR, United Kingdom
Lucy Kitchen is a British folk singer-songwriter based in Romsey, Hampshire. She makes music spanning Folk, Americana, a little bit of Country, and infused with the feel of 70s singer-songwriters. Lucy’s songs explore concepts of grief and loss. She is inspired by lyrical poets, nature, the seasons and making beauty out of hard things.

The Brothers Gillespie
2026-03-07 19:00 - 21:30 | Medina Bookshop, 50 High Street, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 7RR, United Kingdom
Described by Folk Radio UK as ‘weaving an especially compelling magic’, and ‘showing British acoustic music in its best possible light’, Northumbrian duo The Brothers Gillespie make music that is animated by lyrical songwriting, fine fingerstyle guitar playing, multi-instrumental musicianship and ‘the glorious tones of their blood harmony’ (Sam Lee).
Brothers James and Sam Gillespie found their sound growing up in the fells and valleys of Northumberland, their songs often describing relationships with wild places and the
experience of finding oneself in a world alive with soul. The music comes to them most strongly when walking in the borderlands with their packs and instruments which remains a
regular practice for them. This spirit is channeled into their live performances which have a rare and intimate energy, both ethereal and earthy, romantic and radical. The brothers have travelled far and wide with their music and have played at Cambridge and Sidmouth Folk Festivals and opened for Lankum and Sam Lee. In 2021 they featured in the English Heritage ‘Songs of England’ recording series that appeared on BBC Radio 4. The release of their new album ‘The Merciful Road’ (‘pure magic’, Living Tradition) in Spring 2022 saw them embark on their most extensive national tour to date.
‘The Merciful Road’ was recorded in a cottage by the banks of the river Tweed and like their previous album ‘The Fell’, it blends rootsy, acoustic elements to create a rich warm sound with a touch of vintage magic. In some ways it is an album about finding the thread of love
and belonging in a world that seems to be nonetheless unravelling.
The brothers emerge from the time of lockdowns with a yet greater reverence for the joy and privilege of being with an audience in real time and space.
‘Our music is inspired by the still wild soul of the land in which we live, a land alive withpresences, not owned by anyone. It is about seeing with the eye of the heart and recovering our imaginations. It is about finding home, belonging and each other in a world which is singing to us as we sing to it’.
“Anyone who has seen the brothers live will surely attest that it is an experience that will stay with you. There is a feeling of warmth that exudes from them and affects everyone in the room” – Folk London
“Not since the minimal chamber folk of Simon And Garfunkel has two voices and an acoustic guitar sounded so absolutely perfect.” FATEA
“Stunning songs beautifully sung and played. Without doubt a classic in the making from a duo potent with potential.” – Northern Sky
“Uncluttered, simply but intoxicatingly arranged and adorned by their magical harmonies, musically steeped in the earth, grass and leaves that mark the pathways, this is a road you really need to travel.” – Bright Young Folk
“The stars of the show were The Brother’s Gillespie – more than an hour of fantastic musicianship. Imagine the guitar work of the early Nic Jones, the close harmony work of
the Dransfields and the commitment and honesty of Bob Davenport rolled into two brothers and you’ll get some idea.” Mike Harding

Johnny Campbell
2026-03-18 19:00 - 21:30 | Medina Bookshop, 50 High Street, Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO31 7RR, United Kingdom
Johnny Campbell emerged onto the UK folk scene writing self-penned material and delving deep into Northern English folk song and story.
‘A Modern-Day Billy Bragg’ – Tradfolk
The album From Hull & Halifax & Hell (2020) took him to The Faroe Islands where he recorded a live album on the island of Nolsoy. Since musical instruments hadn’t arrived on the islands until the 19th century, this is perhaps the first time Northern English traditional song has been recorded on these islands.
This album earned him album of the week with Blues and Roots radio and reviews with British folk press:
‘The spirit of the folk clubs in their heyday runs in his veins’ Folking.com
‘I defy anyone not to be galvanised by the total integrity of his exceptional rendition of (Ewan MacColl’s) Moving On Song’ The Living Tradition
‘A truly entertaining work. Lose yourself in the true folk experience’ Fatea Magazine
Since March 2020, Campbell hasn’t relented, releasing three singles, Hard Times of Old England, Winter Hill Trespass & A Right to Roam. The former receiving play on Ian Lynch’s (Lankum) Fire Draw Near podcast, Winter Hill Trespass (2021) gained national press in Country Walking Magazine & The Guardian.
‘Nobody else seems to be doing what Campbell is doing right now, and his passion and determination deserve recognition’ – Jon Wilks
A Right to Roam (2022) is a collaboration with Commoners Choir & Skelmanthorpe Brass Band which received the accolade of ‘One of the Best Folk Songs of 2022’ alongside contemporaries such as Eliza Carthy, Jon Boden, Angeline Morrison & more, chosen by Tradfolk.
2024 sees Campbell releasing True North, an album of Northern English traditional songs recorded on their respective county summits, garnering press from Country Walking Magazine, Folk on Foot & BBC Radio 4 Open Country. Richard Thompson declared True North as one of his top five albums of the year in ‘My Year in Music’ in UNCUT Magazine.
‘I can’t think of another project quite like this!’ Richard Thompson
⭐⭐⭐⭐'(True North) is a psychogeography field trip’ MOJO
Through extensive touring in UK and Europe, Campbell finds time to write for Britian’s best selling walking magazine, Country Walking as well as being billed with BBC Folk award nominees & winners in recent years such as Stick In the Wheel, Martin Carthy, Ye Vagabonds, Lankum, Daoiri Farrell, Ewan McLennan, The Men They Couldn’t Hang and many more.
⭐⭐⭐⭐’Haunting, Evocative & Pure’ SONGLINES
