Upstairs at the Red Lion, Manningtree

29/03/2026

A reminder that internationally acclaimed and virtuoso guitarist Clive Carroll will be playing Upstairs at the Red Lion, Manningtree on Friday 10th April. A limited number of tickets, priced £16, are available from https://wegottickets.com/event/686860 and over the bar from the Red Lion. Popular local musician Ady Johnson will provide support. Doors open at 7.30pm.
We hope to see you there.

We are pleased to welcome Clive Carroll back to Upstairs at the Red Lion for another evening of virtuoso guitar music. Clive Carroll is recognised as one of the outstanding acoustic guitarists of his – or indeed any other – generation. He made his performing debut at the age of six, playing a ho...

04/03/2026

Only two nights to go now until a fantastic evening of blues and boogie featuring Ben Waters, Fran McGillivray and Mike Burke. There is a handful of tickets remaining so don't miss your chance if you want to go.

Tickets from https://wegottickets.com/event/688549 or over the bar at the Red Lion.

We hope to see you there.

We are pleased to present three of our favourite artists. Fran McGillivray and Mike Burke will open the evening with their bluesy vocals, bass and guitar. Ben will follow with his usual mix of sensational boogie woogie piano and entertaining stories. This promises to be a special evening featuring t...

20/02/2026

A reminder that in two weeks’ time on Friday 6th March we have a fantastic night of live music Upstairs at the Red Lion, Manningtree featuring Ben Waters, Fran McGillivray and Mike Burke. Ben is the king of boogie-woogie piano and plays all over the world but regards Upstairs at the Red Lion as one of his favourite venues.
Fran and Mike are also Red Lion Favourites with bluesy vocals, bass and guitar.

Expect a great night of live music and entertainment.

There are only a limited number of tickets remaining from https://wegottickets.com/event/688549 and over the bar from the Red Lion.

Please don’t leave it too late to book as Ben’s shows normally sell out.

Also coming up:

Friday April 10th – Clive Carroll and Ady Johnson – tickets from https://wegottickets.com/event/686860 and the Red Lion

Friday May 1st – Anna Pancaldi and Dan Raza (presented by BiGiAM) – further details and tickets from https://wegottickets.com/event/692892

Upstairs at the Red Lion, Manningtree – The Best in Acoustic and Roots Music Live on Stage

23/01/2026

We are pleased to announce that Ben Waters will be returning to play Upstairs at the Red Lion, Manningtree on Friday March 6th.

Ben needs no introduction to our regulars with his famed boogie-woogie piano playing and great entertainment. Despite playing all over the world Ben regards the Red Lion as one of his favourite places to perform and we are pleased that he has asked to play for us again this year.

And to make the show even better Fran McGillivray and Mike Burke will be opening the evening. Fran and Mike are also Red Lion favourites with Fran's bluesy vocals and bass guitar and Mike's highly regarded blues guitar.

Tickets priced £18 (plus booking fee) are now on sale from https://wegottickets.com/event/688549. Tickets will also be available to buy (without booking fee) over the bar at the Red Lion from Saturday 24th January.

Ben's shows normally sell out quickly so please book early.

We hope to see you there.

09/11/2025

We have just a few tickets left for the Spikedrivers Farewell Show Upstairs at the Red Lion Manningtree this coming Thursday, 13th November. Priced £18 in advance they are available from the Red Lion and online from www.wegottickets.com/event/676731.

Doors open at 7.30pm with the Spikedrivers performance starting at 8pm. We hope to see you there.

Upstairs at the Red Lion, Manningtree – The best in acoustic and roots music live on stage.

23/10/2025

A reminder that the Spikedrivers will be making their final appearance Upstairs at the Red Lion in Manningtree on Thursday 13th November. After 33 years the Spikedrivers are calling it a day and playing their favourite venues on a farewell tour. Join us for an evening to celebrate the wonderful music they have given us over the years.

As Blues in Britain has said :

“From the first note, Spikedrivers demand to be listened to. Ben Tyzack, Constance Redgrave, Maurice McElroy and Roger Nunn are four very talented musicians willing to experiment and evoke unusual contemporary sounds while they continue to keep diggin’ the blues by the roots.”

The Spikedrivers have made many appearances at the Red Lion over the last twenty years and their shows have usually sold out.

There are only a limited number of tickets remaining so please don’t leave it too late to book.

Tickets priced £18 in advance are available from the Red Lion and online from www.wegottickets.com/event/676731.

Doors will open at 7.30pm with the Spikedrivers performance starting at 8pm.

We hope to see you there.

Upstairs at the Red Lion in Manningtree – The best in acoustic and roots music live on stage

21/09/2025

We are pleased to announce a very special show Upstairs at the Red Lion in Manningtree on Thursday 13th November. For the Spikedrivers 2025 will be a celebration, an anniversary and a farewell. After 33 amazing years the time has come for the Spikedrivers to say goodbye. This year also marks the 25th anniversary of the longest running line up. Wanting to go out on a high and play at their favourite venues and festivals the band specifically requested to play one of their last shows at the Red Lion and have said that they are thrilled to be doing so.
Their music has been described as 'haunting', 'gutsy', 'tribal' and even psychedelic. Blues in Britain says, “From the first note, Spikedrivers demand to be listened to. Ben Tyzack, Constance Redgrave, Maurice McElroy and Roger Nunn are four very talented musicians willing to experiment and evoke unusual contemporary sounds while they continue to keep diggin’ the blues by the roots.”

The Spikedrivers have made many appearances at the Red Lion over the last twenty years and their shows have usually sold out. Regulars will want to make sure that they don’t miss this opportunity to see them play together in Manningtree for the last time. If you haven’t seen them before this will be your last chance!

Folk roots magazine has said about them:

"Three musicians interweaving and compiementing each other perfectly”

And Blues in Britain Magazine has said:

"Full of innovation with strands of musical styles from Africa, Flamenco, country and a bucketful of delta blues"

Check www.spikedrivers.net for further information

Tickets priced £18 in advance are now available online from https://wegottickets.com/event/676731 and over the bar at the Red Lion.
Doors will open at 7.30pm with the Spikedrivers performance starting at 8pm.

We expect this event to sell out so please book early to avoid disappointment.

We hope to see you there.

Upstairs at the Red Lion in Manningtree – The best in acoustic and roots music live on stage

25/08/2025

Thank you to all of you who came to see Track Dogs Upstairs at the Red Lion a couple of weeks ago. Hope you enjoyed the show.

We thought that you may be interested to know that after the show they stayed on to record an interview with Black Deer Radio.

This will be broadcast tomorrow, Tuesday 26th August from 8pm to 9pm.

You can find Black Deer Radio at:

https://blackdeerlive.com/home/

We are told that Manningtree gets a mention!

Our next show will be on Thursday November 13th when the Spikedrivers will be playing for us as part of their farewell tour. Further details will follow soon. Save the date.

We hope to see you again soon.

Upstairs at the Red Lion - The best in acoustic and roots music live on stage.

If you love Americana music, you'll love Black Deer Live!

18/07/2025

A reminder that in 3 weeks, we have a special show Upstairs at the Red Lion on Friday 8th August when we will be featuring Track Dogs.
Track Dogs are building a large and loyal following as a result of festival appearances in the UK and Europe.
Track Dogs are two Irishmen, an Englishman and an American, (Garrett Wall, Dave Mooney, Howard Brown & Robbie K Jones)
Formed in 2006 in Madrid around the eclectic line-up of acoustic guitar, electric bass, trumpet and cajón, they have now added banjo, ukulele and mandolin as well as honing their four-part vocal harmonies, now very much an integral part of their sound.
Their sound is sometimes americana, sometimes latin, sometimes bluegrass, with a touch of Crosby, Stills and Nash and Shirley Ellis. They are always a joy to see and hear.
This is a great opportunity to see this entertaining and unique band in the intimate atmosphere of the music room Upstairs at the Red Lion.
Track Dogs are a truly special band – do not miss them.
Some tickets are still available priced £18 either online at www.wegottickets.com/event/661943 (booking fee applies to online sales) and from the Red Lion.
Doors open at 7.30pm
We hope to see you there.
Upstairs at the Red Lion, Manningtree - The best in acoustic and roots music live on stage

22/06/2025

We are pleased to announce a special show Upstairs at the Red Lion on Friday 8th August when we will be featuring Track Dogs.
Track Dogs are two Irishmen, an Englishman and an American, (Garrett Wall, Dave Mooney, Howard Brown & Robbie K Jones)
Formed in the Autumn of 2006 in Madrid around the eclectic line-up of acoustic guitar, electric bass, trumpet and cajón, over the following 18 years they have added banjo, ukulele and mandolin as well as honing their four-part vocal harmonies, now very much an integral part of their sound.
Their sound is unique with a mixture of americana, latin, and bluegrass with a touch of Crosby, Stills and Nash and Shirley Ellis.
They are building a large and loyal following as a result of festival appearances all over the UK and in Europe.
Well-established in Spain where they are based, they are now surprising music lovers further afield, with “Sun-shiny songs thriving on dark themes behind irresistible rhythms”. They released a double album earlier this year (their eleventh) featuring 20 tracks of their own and 20 covers.
This is a great opportunity to see this entertaining and unique band in the intimate atmosphere of the music room Upstairs at the Red Lion.
Track Dogs are a truly special band – do not miss them.
Tickets priced £18 are on sale as from Monday 9th June online at www.wegottickets.com/event/661943 (booking fee applies to online sales) and from the Red Lion.
Doors open at 7.30pm
We hope to see you there.
Upstairs at the Red Lion, Manningtree - The best in acoustic and roots music live on stage

15/03/2024

A reminder that next Saturday, 23rd March, we have a great night of live music Upstairs at the Red Lion, Manningtree featuring the Spikedrivers, Fran McGillivray and Mike Burke who will be joining forces to present their Saints and Sinners show. This will be a musical journey inspired by blues and gospel greats.

Six voices, a multitude of guitars, percussion and even some homemade instruments create a world of soul, stories and soundscapes.

Join us for a foot-stomping, gut-wrenching, heart-soaring journey from the cross to the crossroads and all points in between.

It will be a fantastic evening of music - don't miss it!

There are a few tickets remaining either from:

www.wegottickets.com/event/605013

or from the Red Lion.

Doors open at 7.30pm

We hope to see you there.

Upstairs at the Red Lion, Manningtree - the best in acoustic and roots music live on stage