Jon us for the usual mix of comedy, music, poetry and much else besides (and we may have a special Brucie Bonus...).

£3 in (£2 advance tickets) plus free cake!

May showcase...

Amber States
http://amberstates.tumblr.com/
Amber States play euphoric-melancholic pastoral-rock with soul and musicality. They have a vintage ensemble sound - strong vocal harmonies feature prominently over lyrical cello passages, piano and organ washes and rhythms, soaring electric guitar countermelodies - enveloping the classic core of acoustic guitar and warm, bluesy lead vocal.
If you had to pin down some influences, you could start with the folk rock of the likes of CSN, Neil Young, The Band, and current artists such as Fleet Foxes, Grizzly Bear and Villagers. They also can’t resist Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones and the song-writing skills of other English acts like Fairport Convention and Fleetwood Mac. Sometimes they dream about Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound. You should really see them live.

Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog
www.crhb.net
Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog play a blend of folk, country and rock music. As well as their own material, they often perform adaptations of traditional songs.

Formed by Iwan, Dafydd and Aled Hughes - three brothers from the Llyn Peninsula, north-west Wales, and since 2005 have three albums under their belts.

Their first album, ‘Dawns y Trychfilod’ topped the BBC C2 chart for Welsh-language releases. The band received the ‘Best New Band’ award at the BBC RAP Awards the same year.

Second album 'Dyddiau Du, Dyddiau Gwyn' brought wide attention to the band, including airplay on BBC 6Music and positive reviews in publications and website in Wales and England. This was followed by live performances at many festivals over the summer of 2011, including the Green Man Festival, SWN festival in Cardiff and as one of the headlining acts of ‘Maes B’ it also received the Album of the Year award from Welsh music magazine ‘Y Selar’.

'Draw Dros y Mynydd', was released in 2012 & nominated for the annual Welsh Music Prize and garnered BBC Radio 2, Radio 3 and 6 Music airplay. The same year saw the band playing nearly 100 live shows with appearances at Union Chapel, London, at the regular 'What's Cookin' nights in east London and the first 'No Direction Home' festival in Sherwood Forest. In September the band left for Buenos Aires and the Chubut region of Patagonia, Argentina for a month to play a few shows and to run workshops for the Welsh language community there.

Taken from their biog for this years Greenman Festival... http://www.greenman.net/artist/cowbois-rhos-botwnnog

Georgia Ruth Williams
http://www.georgiaruthmusic.co.uk/
Raised bilingually in Aberystwyth, Wales, Georgia’s haunting voice has earned her favourable comparisons with the melancholy folk sirens of the late 60s. Her unusual harp playing was inspired more by the guitar on Bert Jansch, Meic Stevens and old folk revivalist records than by the classical method she was taught as a child.
She has performed at Glastonbury, Green Man Festival, SWN and several other festivals. She has been selected as an ‘MPFree of the day’ on the 6 Music Breakfast Show. BBC Radio Wales’ Adam Walton described her as “one of the most prodigious talents ever to grace my airwaves” whilst Huw Stephens deemed her In Luna EP (released on limited 10″ vinyl in 2012) “exquisite” on his Radio 1 show.

This Spring, she will be releasing her debut album - Week of Pines - on Gwymon Records. Recorded and produced by David Wrench over six days last August at Snowdonia’s Bryn Derwen studios, the record features members of acclaimed country-folk outfit Cowbois Rhos Botwnnog, and a very special contribution from Lleuwen Steffan. From the motorik drive of the title track, to the darker Eno-like string arrangements, the stark joyfulness of a Welsh sea shanty accompanied by wheezing reed organ, or the more wistful folk ballads: this is a varied and intriguing collection of songs.

Georgia regularly plays in Richard James’ band and appears alongside the ex-Gorky’s member in his new project Pen Pastwn. She will also be appearing on the Guillemots’ forthcoming album, having recorded parts for it in the Summer of 2012. She also presents a weekly music show on BBC Radio Cymru.

Hayley Gaftarnick
http://www.hayleygaftarnick.co.uk/
With a voice which can melt the hardest heart to piercing solid granite rock without ever losing control or technique, the Leeds-based singer-songwriter has established a fan-base far beyond her home city. Having been recognised as one of Leeds’ favourite solo performers, she has now hand-picked a group of musicians, who allow her the freedom to express her rich talent, and stretch her musical boundaries further and further with all genres included, from acoustic, soul/blues, jazz, folk, country, pop and rock, all are given the special Hayley Gaftarnick sound.

Joseph Francis
http://soundcloud.com/josephfrancispage
Leeds based singer songwriter drawing on folk, rock & world music. Wise and talented beyond his meager 18 years we expect great things from another exciting part of the new folk scene in our great city.

Wednesday 29th May
7.30pm - 11pm (DJs 'til 2am)

Oporto, Call Lane, Leeds

£5 adv. from Crash, Jumbo & online
http://www.wegottickets.com/event/217866

 Show me the way, to the next whisky bar! Oporto has teamed up with Jonnie Walker and Jack Daniels to bring some of the finest blues bands ever assembled back for one more whisky soaked party...

The Dours

People are strange, as Jim Morrison once sang, in his honour we have assembled a fitting tribute band made up of members of Post War Glamour Girls and their talented friends. They're gonna light this fire baby! 

The Witch Stripes

Jack White is THE MAN in modern Rock & Roll and Blues, Witch Hunt know that and on NYE they caused quite a stir covering the duo at the Brudenell's annual shindig. Come fall in love with a girl (and boy) all over again.

The SSSSS

The Seven Sultans of the Setting Sun of Sacramento are a blues supergroup in their own right, members of Blacklisters, Spirit of John and Fat Les(!) getting us down to Big Black, Jonny Cash and the Felice Brothers. Pour some more Whisky in my Whisky!

Plus there will be £4.50 Scotch and Jack cocktails for all Leeds loves Cocktails wristband holders courtesy of our sponsors & Oporto's legendary DJs spinning tunes between the bands and 'til the very early hours!

Thursday 6th June

8pm - 11pm (DJs 'til 3am!)

Oporto, Call Lane, Leeds

Free entry!

CHINA RATS
www.facebook.com/chinarats
http://chinarats.co.uk/
Graeme, Jed, Luke & George are China Rats, a rock n roll band from Leeds, if you've not heard 'em you soon will. Following massive shows at the likes of Benicassim, London Calling and Leeds Festival the lads recently packed the main room of the Cockpit for Live at Leeds.
Come see them at this intimate hometown show before they jet off for the summers festivals & become huge.

With support from:

DRIVE BY NIGHT
www.facebook.com/drivebynight

SOULMATES NEVER DIE
www.facebook.com/soulmatesnvrdie

Tuesday 11th June
8-11 (bar till 2am)

£3 advance tickets from Jumbo/Crash and:
http://www.wegottickets.com/event/218153

Oporto, Call Lane, Leeds

Blue Rose Code
www.bluerosecode.com
London based /Edinburgh born Blue Rose Code is singer/songwriter Ross Wilson highly acclaimed folk,roots 'Caledonian Soul' act who's highly anticipated debut album, 'North Ten' was released Via Reveal Records (Home of Simon Felice, Joan As Police Woman, Roddy Woomble, LAU) on Monday 25th February 2013.

 Raised in a council high rise by his grandmother on the east side on Edinburgh, Wilson skipped school to endlessly listen to his records (Motown,Chet Baker, John Coltrane and the unholy trinity of Van Morrison, John Martyn and Tom Waits). Ross found solace in music, but soon became addicted to the drink and drugs he had been heavily consuming in an effort to escape a troubled upbringing. Following the death of his grandmother Ross escaped to London, dogged by alcoholism and addiction and despite his troubles, Blue Rose Code was formed and soon started to get rave reviews for early live performances. Through 2009 and 2010 Blue Rose Code shared the stage with many celebrated writers including Bert Jansch, Kris Drever, King Creosote, John Renbourn and James Yorkston. Unable to shake off his addictions, Ross gave up playing music altogether until sobriety and redemption came unexpectedly, in Brooklyn, NY. Having been persuaded by friends to once again pick up his guitar, Ross played to small but rapt audiences in Williamsburg before returning to the UK where Blue Rose Code has since enjoyed a steady snowballing of new fans and momentum.  

www.facebook.com/bluerosecode
www.soundcloud.com/bluerosecode.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Y6-e9BTbYg - 'Julie'

"A superb singer, songwriter and guitarist. Beautiful songs, a genuine pleasure to have been involved."
Danny Thompson

"Ross Wilson's mellifluous voice and fluid fingerpicking cast him as the natural successor to John Martyn."
The Evening Standard

"Delightful sound. Looking forward to the album."
Jim Gellatly, BBC Radio Scotland

“Gorgeous Celtic-inflected acoustic folk.”
Time Out

+ Special guest Harry Ridgway
http://soundcloud.com/harryridgway
Harry left college at 17 to move to London from sleepy Lincolnshire and pursue a career in music. Now residing in Leeds, gigging and working on new material. He recently self released Running To The North, a three track EP showcasing his vast talent belying his years he's also part of the team behind the great Communion music shows in Leeds furthering his footing in the fantastic Leeds acoustic team.

& Pip Mountjoy
www.pipmountjoy.com
18 year old unsigned singer songwriter from North Yorkshire.
"Really enjoyed the tunes I've heard, great style/that voice!" - Ryan Adams

Wednesday 12th June
8pm - 11pm

Oporto, Call Lane, Leeds

£5 adv. from Crash, Jumbo & online
http://www.wegottickets.com/event/215124