Globe Open Mic Night at Chagford

01/10/2026

30-Sep-26. #181. A couple of no-shows meant we could accommodate a couple of walk-ups in a timely manner. Tech issues delayed the start until 8:10 and we kicked off with Dave Woolston and Phil Cribb, followed by Sarah-Jane Dobner, and then first-timer here, Conan (pictured), whose voice and songwriting greatly impressed. Pete Mathews followed, making good use of effects on his guitar accompaniments, then Pete Tansey, and then teenager Elijah, knocking out Hendrix licks on his electric set-up whilst Shaun Wilson sang and played rhythm guitar. Matt Tanner was back at the piano this month, singing two covers and playing an original instrumental. At this point we rather lost the audience, and Muzz Murray, who had gamely made way for others wanting to play early on, performed his intricately crafted songs to a small but appreciative crowd. Host Peter Shields settled for doing just one song at the piano, and we wrapped at 10:20 after 9 acts and 25 numbers.

27/08/2026

#180. 27-Aug-26. Not too busy, as sometimes happens in August. We had 7 performers plus a "drop-in", and a reasonably large audience to start with. Host Peter Shields kicked off at 8:00 with 3 covers and was followed by Sarah-Jane Dobner who did 3 covers plus "Jolene" in tribute to the late Dolly Parton. Muzz Murray did three of his originals, mixing 6-string and tenor guitars, and was followed by Pete Mathews with a cover and two strong originals, with a mix of guitars and effects. The schedule had slipped a bit and it was 9:15 when Axel van der Neut gave us three of his originals and Matt Tanner followed with 3 covers. We lost a few of the audience at this point, mainly due to an influx of locals into the bar which drew some of our audience out to join them. But we carried on and those who stayed enjoyed 3 atmospheric covers from 'Deacon' Martin taking us up to 10:00pm. We then had a welcome "drop-in" appearance from Henry Hassell who gave a solo rendition of one of the songs he wrote for his band, and Tim Matthews closed the evening for us with three covers, joined effectively by Johnny Young on violin, and we wrapped just before 10:30 having enjoyed 26 songs in all.
Pictured are: Pete, Matt, Martin, Henry, and Johnny + Tim.

30/07/2026

#179. 29-Jul-26. James Goodwin deputised as host for this one, and with an influx of summer visitors he had 13 acts to schedule, with a 14th not getting their own slot. So the evening kicked off early at 7:45 with duo Pauper's Fortune, followed by Matt Tanner. Next we welcomed back Alex Kumar who was a regular a decade ago, followed by Roger Ash Wheeler (acc. Alex), and then Jenny and the Bets. By now 9:00 pm, and the first summer visitor was Dutchman Mark van der Drift followed by local ensemble "Crossing Borders with Annie McGee", and then Wez Cutler who co-runs the open mic at North Tawton's Copper Key. Then we welcomed back singer Gaby, not seen at this open mic for a decade, visiting family in Chagford. She was accompanied on her third number by Aaron Custance and Johnny Young, and this was followed by a solo set from her partner Ollie as we went into the final hour. Jazzy guitarists Andy Metcalfe & Charlotte Tupman went next, and then it was good to welcome back Pete Mathews who runs the very popular Night Train Open Mic at Crediton's Elephant in the Green. Pete was joined by Wez on cajon and James on bass. The final act of this great evening was Muzz Murray, with Andy on bass, who kept it to two songs as we were at the end of our time. What a night! 13 acts and 38 songs.
Many thanks to Jenny for match report info and photos.

25/06/2026

#178. 24-Jun-26. A swelteringly hot evening at 35C that saw most of the pub's clientele on the pavement outside , rather than indoors. It being the night of the Brazil-Scotland match, Peter Shields and James Goodwin kicked off at 8:15 with the Brazilian bossa tune 'Wave', then for Scotland James played 'The Skye Boat Song' on concertina before the duo played one more. Next up were Jenny and the Bets with three originals, and then three originals from Axel Van der Neut, and three from Muzz Murray. The duo Skellum did three 1960s/1970s covers, very well received. Badger & Mole did three covers, as did both Adam Hartman and Barney Goodwin. The evening concluded with Aaron Custance doing 2 comedy pastiches with a theme of Saving the Dartmoor Pony, and a third number, joined by Alex on backing vocals. Steve Dooley provided cajòn support to many of the acts. We were all done by 10:30 having enjoyed 27 numbers from 9 acts, but the heat and/or the football meant thin numbers in the audience.

28/05/2026

#180. 27-May-26. James Goodwin hosted a busy night with 11 acts, kicking off at 8:00 with teenaged finger picker Perran followed by uke-player Niall MacLeod. First-timer here Rob Husband from Cheriton Bishop (pictured) did 3 originals, and was followed by Andy Metcalfe who did three guitar instrumentals. Into the second hour with two covers and an original from Axel Van der Neut, with second guitar support from James, and then duo Pauper's Fortune did 3 covers. Jenny Dooley sang three of her originals, backed by Steve on cajòn and James. Muzz Murray was joined by Andy on bass for his three originals. Into the third hour with another first-timer here, Adam Hartman from Meeth, who did 3 covers, as did Matt Tanner. It was left to Aaron Custance to close the show in his inimitable style with a scratch band of James on uke bass, Steve on cajòn and Johnny Young on fiddle. A great night of music although not many audience.
Thanks to Jenny D for info and photo.

30/04/2026

#179. 29-Apr-26. A very busy and high quality session with a couple of welcome guests who were visiting Chagford. First of these was Dominic (pictured), from Dorset, who brought his violin and played along with opening act Jenny Dooley on her 3 originals. Andy & Charlotte did 3 numbers from the Swing era both of them singing and playing jazz guitar, and Andy switched to bass to support Muzz Murray on his three originals. Duo 'Skellum' did 3 songs from the 60s, Dominic's violin being added to great effect on 'Eleanor Rigby'. Barry Hill from San Diego (pictured) delivered 3 originals, well received - check out www.barryhillmusic.com. Dominic then did his own set mixing folk song and fiddle playing, closing with a lilting Swedish polka. Axel Van der Neut gave us three of his cleverly constructed originals. We were running rather behind schedule and duo Pauper's Fortune breezed on and knocked out 3 country-tinged songs with perfect harmonies in short order to make up a bit of time. Hugh Clench commuted his set to two songs, an original and a cover, with deft fingerpicking, and Matt Tanner sang strongly on his three. Host Peter Shields, by request, sang 'Fisherman's Blues' to close the evening, with duelling fiddles support from Dominic and Johnny Young. 11 acts, 30 numbers, of which 13 were originals.

12/04/2026

Very sorry to learn of the death yesterday of Devon-based jazz legend Mike Westbrook OBE at the age of 90. He brought various line-ups to The Globe Sunday Jazz 3 times between 2017 and 2022, and a couple of his regular sidesmen have graced The Globe Open Mic, too. A local hero with a Europe-wide reputation.

https://www.facebook.com/Mike.J.D.Westbrook

Composer/Pianist/Bandleader Mike Westbrook has led and composed for a succession of big bands and sm