Firm favourites on the blues and jump-jive scenes, The Cadillac Kings features five of the UK's top blues and roots musicians.

Their latest album, Crash and Burn, shot straight to #2 in the UK IBBA blues chart and #5 in the Australian Blues & Roots chart, and it has been selected as the album of the week at over twenty radio stations on both sides of the Atlantic.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

Originally from Saskatchewan and now based on the east coast of Canada, The Deep Dark Woods' Ryan Boldt takes up a deep tradition of forlorn storytelling, drawing lines from Celtic folksongs to country blues, John Fahey to Shirley Collins. Lush and devastating, Boldt’s gothic surrealism is stark in detail and full of emotion, a murder balladeer for our time.

Support will be from Simon Gutteridge, aka Sunsinger, a Bedfordshire-based songwriter. Expect alt-country, folk and Americana-tinged songs with a hint of pop, packed full of catchy melodies and soaring choruses, sung with a whole lot of heart.

Doors 7pm / Music 7.45pm

Back at The Bear by popular demand, award-winning, multi-horn-playing, and internationally recognised saxophonist Tony Kofi teams up with The Organisation, featuring Liam Dunachie on Hammond organ, Pete Cater on drums, and Simon Fernsby on guitar.

The band performs a hard-hitting selection of tunes in blues, jazz, and funk idioms, including tracks from their highly acclaimed 2018 album Point Blank.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

An overdue but welcome return to The Bear Club for Greg Coulson and his band.

Greg is an English soul, blues, and jazz singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He is also a session musician and producer, having played for artists and bands such as Burt Bacharach, Spiritualized, Morcheeba, The Blockheads, The Selecter, Dani Wilde, King Pleasure, Lilly Moore, Tom Grennan, Sway, and Big Daddy Wilson.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

We are thrilled to welcome internationally renowned solo artist Sarah McQuaid to The Bear for the first time.

An accomplished singer-songwriter, Sarah McQuaid's lush, chocolatey voice combines with her engaging personality and brilliant musicianship on acoustic and electric guitars, piano, and occasionally drums, creating a truly immersive experience.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

It’s Happy Shark’s last night at The Bear, and it’s an incredible line up to go out on!

With Seann Walsh, a secret comedy legend, Sean McLoughlin and Russell Hicks (MC).

Doors 7pm / Start time 8pm

Ma Polaine’s Great Decline is an award-winning band praised by Mojo Magazine for their unique blend of pop, folk, blues, and Americana. Ma Polaine’s music resonates as both comfortably familiar and refreshingly innovative, creating a truly engaging experience.

With airplay on BBC 6 Music and BBC Radio 2, and the support of Cerys Matthews, the band's genre-defying charm unfolds through songs that explore the intricacies of human connections, weaving tales of light and dark with uplifting melodies and heartfelt storytelling.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

Internationally acclaimed saxophonist Sam Braysher’s new project explores the work of Kurt Weill, a fascinating composer who lies at the intersection of European classical music, jazz, opera, and American musical theatre.

The London-based jazz saxophonist, a regular performer at jazz clubs across Europe, is known for his warm, delicate sound and deep knowledge of the standard repertoire and the American Songbook.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

Steve Warner is a Hertfordshire-based singer-songwriter touring and promoting his new live EP Frail. All these songs were written on and performed on the Tenor guitar (four steel string guitar... not a uke), and every song has a story. Join Steve for an intimate evening of storytelling and songwriting.

Steve’s music has been played across various BBC radio stations and a host of internet-based international stations, and he was shortlisted for the Folks and Roots International Songwriting Contest two years in a row.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

Drink & Draw is a space to share ideas, create art, and enjoy a drink or two! There are no rules, no boundaries, just a full blown explosion of creative energy.

Hosted by local illustrator, comic book artist and Bear manager, Karl Brown, with a warm and welcoming atmosphere guaranteed.

Doors 7.30pm

Led by saxophonist Rob Mach, Jazz Jam welcomes musicians, vocalists, dancers, and music lovers who like to spend an afternoon listening to or creating great music, supported by DJ Mr Jazzy Vibes.

Doors 1pm / Music 2pm

We are delighted to welcome Clark Tracey back to The Bear. This evening, in a change to the advertised line-up, he will be joined by not one but two leading saxophonists - Art Themen and Simon Allen.

The quintet also features the award-winning pianist Cameron Sheehey and up-and-coming virtuoso bassist Josh Vadiveloo.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

“These guys are the rock fans favourite blues band, and the blues fans favourite rock band”. So read a review of Thr3e’s debut album, 30 Day Hop, and the band could not have put it any better themselves.

Bringing powerhouse blues and rock with a hint of Southern boogie, Thr3e’s songs are full of hot riffs and performed with energy, feeling, and passion. Their style is firmly rooted in 60s and 70s British blues, drawing influences from Americana, hard rock, and the old blues originals.  

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

Luton locals easydread return to The Bear Club, playing from a broad selection of their catalogue across two sets with an unplugged vibe.

easydread are a sixteen-legged, Bedfordshire-based conscious-rock-reggae band. They combine sounds drawn from a wide range of influences; from ska to rap, soul, and punk.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

Discover the enchanting melodies of award-winning folk singer Aoife Scott. Hailing from Dublin and born into the legendary Black Family, Aoife is steadily rising to the top of the traditional and folk music scene, and has long enjoyed success as an established artist in her own right.

Fragile and ethereal one minute and strong and vibrant the next, her dynamic and profound vocals explore the emotional depths of her lyrics, leaving the audience entranced.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

We’re excited to welcome Michele Stodart to The Bear Club for the first time. Michele is a singer-songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, who was recently announced as the winner of the Americana UK award for UK Artist of the Year and UK Album of the Year 2024.

She is perhaps best known as the bassist, vocalist, and co-songwriter of the Mercury-nominated, double-platinum-selling band, The Magic Numbers. Alongside this, she has always pursued her own writing, and her most recent release, Invitation, has received outstanding critical acclaim.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

Drink & Draw is a space to share ideas, create art, and enjoy a drink or two! There are no rules, no boundaries, just a full blown explosion of creative energy.

Hosted by local illustrator, comic book artist and Bear manager, Karl Brown, with a warm and welcoming atmosphere guaranteed.

Doors 7.30pm

We’re delighted to welcome back to The Bear Club, Alina Bzhezhinska and Tony Kofi, a remarkable jazz duo seamlessly blending the ethereal sounds of the harp with the soulful melodies of the saxophone, creating a musical experience that transcends boundaries.

The duo expands to a trio with internationally renowned percussionist Joel Prime joining as a special guest.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

Connor Selby is a rising British star in the tradition of Eric Clapton and Peter Green, having already performed with his band at Wembley Stadium at the age of 22, at the behest of The Who.

Voted as The Young Artist of the Year in 2020, 2021, and 2022 at the UK Blues Awards, the young bandleader, guitarist, and vocalist draws on influences as diverse as B.B. King, Ray Charles, Free, and Van Morrison. He creates a soulful blend of hard-hitting blues and emotional, introspective songwriting that, at times, evokes a modern take on the best of the music that inspires him.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

Izzie Yardley is a truly gifted singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who has attracted widespread critical recognition.

Possessing a simply beautiful voice and crafting detailed songs laced with imagination, emotion, and beguiling complexity, she draws on the British folk tradition with clear nods to a childhood spent listening to classical, jazz, Nick Drake, and Kate Bush.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

Over his twenty-five-year career, Simon Spillett has worn almost as many hats as possible within jazz: a multi-award-winning instrumentalist, quartet and big band leader, recording artist, author, historian, record producer, archivist, magazine columnist, social media commentator, and, more recently, a blogger.

His quartet features pianist Rob Barron, bassist Alec Dankworth, and drummer Pete Cater, drawing unashamedly on the classic sounds of British modern jazz from the 1950s and 60s—particularly the repertoire of the iconic UK saxophone legend, Tubby Hayes.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

The Topcats are a British rockabilly trio, inspired by 50s rock 'n' roll legends such as Eddie Cochran, Vince Taylor, and Johnny Kidd, along with today’s best rockabilly bands like The Blasters, Restless, and The Stray Cats.

As well as red hot rockabilly classics, expect to hear some unusual rocked-up covers, like ‘Personal Jesus’, ‘She’s Electric’, Led Zep’s ‘Rock and Roll’ and Jake Bugg’s ‘Kingpin’, in The Topcats’ own rockin’ style.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

Almost a year to the day since they last played for us, and what a show that was. With a string bass, a cranked guitar played through a hot valve amp, and a wailing harp, The Untouchables turned The Bear Club into a rockin' juke joint.

The band are champions of raw blues and swinging soul, with a sound based on the great artists who recorded for Chess Records in the 1950s.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

Drink & Draw is a space to share ideas, create art, and enjoy a drink or two! There are no rules, no boundaries, just a full blown explosion of creative energy.

Hosted by local illustrator, comic book artist and Bear manager, Karl Brown, with a warm and welcoming atmosphere guaranteed.

Doors 7.30pm

Led by saxophonist Rob Mach, Jazz Jam welcomes musicians, vocalists, dancers, and music lovers who like to spend an afternoon listening to or creating great music, supported by DJ Mr Jazzy Vibes.

Doors 1pm / Music 2pm

Making a welcome return to The Bear Club, Jazz Dynamos are a five-piece band who take well known songs from the 70s and 80s and transform them with a mix of jazz, bossa and samba.

Their unique set of exuberant, entertaining and original contemporary jazz arrangements includes hits by Dolly Parton, Madonna, U2, The Police, A-ha, and Britney Spears.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

A first-time outing for these guys at The Bear Club; Big Wolf Band are an explosive, dynamic, raw, emotional, and hardworking blues outfit.

The band were finalists in the 2023 UK Blues Awards for Band of the Year (alongside Bear regulars Catfish and The Cinelli Brothers) and have gathered a very strong following, generated not just from their recorded output but also from their dynamic and energy-filled live sets.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

First time at The Bear for rising star blues guitarist Thomas Heppell and his band.

Known for their energetic live performances, the band is making a name on the blues circuit as one to watch. They were recently nominated as the 'Emerging Act of the Year' in the Blues UK Awards 2024 (after receiving three nominations in 2023). Dedicated not just to keeping the blues alive, but also to bringing the music right up to date and leading it into the future, the band is composed of super-talented musicians with a passion for creating a unique and unforgettable sound.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

No stranger to The Bear, having previously played for us in other bands (most recently with Alex Webb and Ineza in their “Women’s Words, Sisters’ Stories” show), we are delighted to welcome Charlie Pyne’s quartet to The Bear for the first time to celebrate the launch of their new album, Nature Is A Mother.

The album is a collection of original compositions that chart a course through magnetic contemporary jazz, featuring powerful vocals with bold lyrics. It incorporates elements of both Latin American and classical influence with folk undertones.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm

Gasoline & Matches is a high-energy, multi-award-winning, dual-fronted British country rock music band that seamlessly blends close harmonies, melodic guitar licks, and serious musicianship.

Fronted by Birmingham natives Sally Rea Morris and Stephen Marks, they are fierce entertainers renowned for their tongue-in-cheek and much-loved song "Never Have I Ever". They gained momentum after receiving multiple spins on BBC Radio 2 and never fail to get festival-goers on their feet, participating in the infamous drinking game that inspired the song.

Doors 7pm / Music 8.30pm