Paul Armfield is a singer, songwriter, bookseller and lifelong lover of words and songs. Based on the Isle of Wight, he has spent much of his life moving between music and books — a combination that perhaps explains the literary quality of his own songwriting and his fascination with the great storytellers of popular music.

With a strong nod to classic English and American songwriters, his songs also draw on the European chanson tradition, with Jacques Brel a particular influence. He has a rare ability to make a song feel like a short story: intimate, observant, sometimes funny and often quietly heartbreaking.

Paul has released a string of critically acclaimed albums and toured extensively throughout the UK and Europe, building a devoted following along the way. He is equally at home performing his own songs or reinterpreting the work of other writers, bringing the same curiosity and affection to both.

His music has attracted some impressive admirers. Guy Garvey, Chris Difford amongst them, with Caitlin Moran describing his music 'As toasty and lovely as Christmas morning' and Mark Radcliffe heaping praise on his 2020 album Domestic: 'I love this so much - sensitive, melodic, heartfelt, gentle, well-observed, beautifully sung' .

Expect an evening of beautifully crafted songs, stories, unexpected covers and the kind of intimate, unshowy performance that makes you feel you have discovered something rather special.



Concise biography from The Times 15/06/24:
'The seasoned folk singer Paul Armfield moved to the Isle of Wight at the age of ten, where he now runs a bookshop. His 2015 album 'Found' was inspired by a treasure trove of old photographs, while 2020's Domestic matched ten of Armfield's own meticulously wrought linocuts of native plants to each track. Mark Radcliffe is a big fan (as are Elbow's Guy Garvey, Lauren Laverne and our own Caitlin Moran).'

‘It’s a literary and literally gorgeous listen that deserves the musical equivalent of a Booker prize.’ KLOF Mag
'I love this so much - sensitive, melodic, heartfelt, gentle, well-observed, beautifully sung' Mark Radcliffe
‘A buried treasure...heir to deathless troubadours such as Tim Hardin’ Gavin Martin in The Mirror
‘Gorgeous..beautiful, positive and amazing. Ace!’ Lauren Laverne BBC 6 Music
‘Exquisite, extraordinary, almost unbearably beautiful’ James McNair in Mojo
'Best song I have heard in ages' Rolling Stones producer Chris Kimsey
'A lovely lyric, a spellbinding song. This is really beautiful' Guy Garvey
‘A voice that could make the Needles crumble’ The Word magazine
'As toasty and lovely as Christmas morning' Caitlin Moran
'A perfect example of English songwriting’ Maverick
‘Lovely, lovelorn songs’ Nigel Williamson in Uncut
‘An incredible collection of songs’ iD magazine
'Your album is the dogs!' Chris Difford

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Please note this ticket price DOES include a BYOB fee should you wish to bring alcohol to the venue.

All additional purchases of non alcoholic drinks and home baked sweet treats from the cafe counter are always very much appreciated.