The SKEPTICS

Renewed, revived, reborn from the original, that "force of nature" The SKEPTICS will be at the wonderful BUNKFEST in Wallingford for Summer 2023.

We are delighted to be doing another A-Cappella Singing Workshop plus a couple of Fringe gigs over the 2023 BunkFest weekend - see our CONFIRMED appearances below:

SATURDAY 2nd SEPTEMBER
1pm - A Capella Singing Workshop @ Centre 70, Kinecroft
4pm - - Singing Bunk Train @ Cholsey & Wallingford Station

SUNDAY 3rd September
am TBC - Workshop Showcase
12pm - Mollie's Café
54 St Martin's Street

We look forward to seeing you there

So sad that Nicola will be leaving the Bell Inn soon, but The SKEPTICS are looking forward to their gig there with Nicola and her team THIS EVENING starting at 8pm.

Entry is free, so why not come along and join us for 2 rousing 30 minute sets of SKEPTICS new material mixed in with some old favourites!

You know it makes sense ...

It’s all change again for the SKEPTICS Song Sessions!

With some changes planned by Nicola at the Bell Inn, we have decided to find a new home for our 2nd Monday of the month Song Sessions …although you can still catch our full live gigs at the Bell Inn on 8th July and on New Year’s Eve 2023!

We are delighted to announce that we will moving our Song Sessions to the historic venue where The SKEPTICS debut live album was recorded back in 2012 … yes, it’s the GLOBE ROOM at YE OLDE REINE DEER in Parsons Street, Banbury.

Our first Song Session there will be on Monday 12th June, and we are hoping you will find this to be venue with easier motorway access, and with plenty of nearby free evening parking in both Horse Fair West and behind Parsons Street (accessed via Castle Street).

So, as we look forward to a new chapter for our SKEPTICS Song Sessions at a favourite old venue, we hope you will join us on Monday 12th June … and every 2nd Monday of the month whenever you can make it.

Best wishes
The SKEPTICS

The SKEPTICS are delighted to be back LIVE at Folk Weekend Oxford 2023 this coming weekend.

Our weekend includes a Harmony Singing Workshop at the Pitt Rivers Museum, plus a live gig at the Old Fire Station.

The SKEPTICS schedule @ FWO 2023:

Saturday 15th April
11am - workshop Pitt Rivers Museum

Sunday 16th April
7pm - live gig at the Old Fire Station

We look forward to seeing you there

Just to let you know that The SKEPTICS monthly Song Session will now be on WEDNESDAY 12th April 2023 instead of Monday 10th due a clash with Easter Monday.

This will be a one-off, and our Song Sessions will return to their regular slot of the 2nd MONDAY every month from May 2023.

Hope to see you there!

Hi Everyone, The Skeptics Song Session is Moving Back To Adderbury.

March’s Session, on the 13th, will be the first of our return to the Music Room of The Bell Inn, High Street, Adderbury. OX17 3LS.

All are welcome to come along to our free evening of music and, often, mayhem, and our usual “Chips for Charity Supper” at “halftime”.

The Skeptics are a male “a Capella” trio(just voices). We’re joined by friends who sing, play, or read, often material they have written themselves, but we also have Terry Wogan/Janet & John readings!

So, if you have a song to sing, verse or prose you’d like to read, we’d love to hear it. But of course, not everyone’s a performer, so feel free to come along anyway and enjoy a low-key evening out.

Please bring suitable equipment if you require backing or amplification, as we usually perform acoustically.

More info? – Badger - 07800992415 or The Bell Inn 01295 810653

Regards,

Peter West (Badger).

After a great couple of years with Wayne & Karen at the Butchers Arms, The SKEPTICS SONG SESSIONS are returning to their original home at the BELL INN, ADDERBURY starting on Monday 13th March 2023.

Our SKEPTICS Song Sessions kick off as ever at 8pm on the 2nd Monday of every month, and The SKEPTICS look forward to welcoming our regulars and newcomers back to the the Music Room at the Bell Inn, where new landlords Nicola & Andy look forward to serving you a few pints of well-kept Hooky Beer!

We're sure you will remember the format, with a fun packed evening of acoustic vocals & music, interrupted only by a short break for the Bell's tasty chips.

You know it makes sense, so why not come along?

The SKEPTICS are delighted to be back LIVE at FOLK WEEKEND OXFORD 2023.

Our weekend includes a Harmony Singing Workshop at the Pitt Rivers Museum, plus a live gig at the Old Fire Station.

The SKEPTICS schedule @ FWO 2023 is:

Saturday 15th April
11am - harmony workshop the Pitt Rivers Museum

Sunday 16th April
7pm - live gig at the Old Fire Station

We look forward to seeing you there

The Skeptics”, 2nd Monday, Song Session.
All are welcome to come along to our free evening of music and, often, mayhem, at The Butchers Arms, 8 - 10 Whittall Street, Kings Sutton, OX17 3RD, from 7.30 pm ‘til late, for “The Skeptics”, 2nd Monday Song Session – February ‘23 – on Monday the 13th, there will be our usual “Chips Supper”(order on the night) at “half time”.
The Skeptics are a male “a Capella” trio(just voices). We’re joined by friends who sing, play, or read, often material they have written themselves. So, if you have a song to sing, verse or prose you’d like to read, we’d love to hear it. Of course, not everyone’s a performer, but feel free to come along anyway and enjoy a low-key evening out.
If you require backing or amplification, please bring suitable equipment, as none are provided.
More info? – Badger - 07800992415 or The Butchers Arms 01295 810898

Badger.

All are welcome to come along to our free evening of music and, often, mayhem.

We hope to see you at The Butchers Arms, 8 - 10 Whittall Street, Kings Sutton, OX17 3RD, from 7.30 pm 'til late for "The Skeptics", 2nd Monday Song Session – January '23 – on Monday, the 9th, our First Edition of The New Year & there will be our usual "Chips Supper" (order on night) at "half time".

The Skeptics are a male "a Capella" trio(no music, just voices), joined by a few of our friends who sing, play, or read, often material they have written themselves. So, if you have a song to sing, we'd love to hear it. But why not come along and enjoy the evening out even if you're not a singer?

If you require backing or amplification, please bring suitable equipment.

More info? – Badger - 07800992415 or The Butchers Arms 01295 810898

Peter West/Badger.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

So, why not start your Christmas weekend off with some Christmas Carols & Winter Songs with The SKEPTICS at the Bell Inn, Adderbury starting at 7:30pm on Thursday 22nd December.

We look forward to seeing you there ... and perhaps hearing join in on the choruses!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

So, why not start your Christmas weekend off with some Christmas Carols & Winter Songs with The SKEPTICS at the Rose & Crown, Ratley starting at 8:30pm on Friday 23rd December.

We look forward to seeing you there ... and perhaps hearing join in on the choruses!

The SKEPTICS are looking forward to a busy December this year with lots of opportunities to come and see us perform songs from our "Winter Set".

We look forward to seeing you.

The SKEPTICS are looking forward to our upcoming gig at the BANBURY FOLK CLUB which kicks off at 8pm with support from the fabulous MELANCHOLY BROTHERS on Wednesday 14th September 2022 at the Coach & Horses pub in Banbury.

Hope to see you there ...

The SKEPTICS performances at BunkFest 2022 are now confirmed:

SATURDAY 3rd SEPTEMBER
11am - Singing Bunk Train @ Cholsey & Wallingford Station
1pm - A Capella Singing Workshop @ Centre 70, Kinecroft

SUNDAY 4th September
11:15am - Workshop Showcase @ Portcullis Stage, Kinecroft
1pm - Salters Musical Boat Trip @ Riverside Park moorings
2pm - Salters Musical Boat Trip @ Riverside Park moorings
6pm - Performance @ The Comrades Club, Hart Street

We look forward to seeing you there ... 😎

The excitement is rising in The SKEPTICS camp as we get closer to the Hook Norton Music at the Crossroads festival over this coming weekend (1st, 2nd, 3rd July) and as we prepare for our live spot on SUNDAY afternoon at 12noon.

There's a great lineup for this new ACOUSTIC SUNDAY session between 11am and 4pm (obviously including The SKEPTICS at 12noon), but why not just come along for the whole weekend with 19 hours of live music starting at 7pm on Friday 1st?

You know it makes sense!

... The SKEPTICS had a couple of great gigs over the Platinum Jubilee weekend ... huge thank you to revellers in Brailes and Sibford for their enthusiasm ...

Hi All, The next Skeptics Song Session will be on May 9th, at our usual location The Butchers Arms, Whittall Street, King’s Sutton,
Northants. OX17 3RD from 7.30 pm.
If you need to organise your evening meal before joining us then please consider giving them a call at +44 (0)1295 810898, they seem to have quite a good menu.

For this month only - Andy will be running our Session on his own! Unfortunately, David has to be away and I have to isolate myself prior to a medical procedure later in the week. But! We have Sharp & Blunt, Morris dancers from Adderbury to entertain you, in addition to all our regular guests, what a great night it'll be!

As ever, we're all acoustic but - don't be afraid to bring along a "device" if you need a backing track, after all, if you have a song to sing, we'd like to hear it!

More details? Give me a ring on 07800992415!

Badger.

It's next MONDAY 14th MARCH!
Don't miss out on our popular monthly SKEPTICS Song Sessions, back at the Butchers Arms, Kings Sutton for 2022.
Proceedings always start at 7:30pm on the 2nd Monday of every month, and we look forward to welcoming both our regulars and new faces to our relaxed and inclusive monthly sing-around.
We all need to let off some musical steam on a regular basis ... and how could you refuse a pint or few of Hooky!
You will never know unless you join us!

Hi All, The next 'Skeptics Song Session is only days away! My apologies, as ever, for this, being late going out but we thought things were busy, for a while.
We were all "rehearsed" for a Choir Festival, last weekend, but Covid got in the way and we had to "pull the plug"!

Any way - The next Song Session is next Monday, 14th March, at the usual time. 7.30 start, at The Butchers Arms, Whittall Street, King’s Sutton, Northants. OX17 3RD.
Please try to get there in good time, especially if you'd like to perform. We're all acoustic but by all means bring backing equipment, if you prefer to work that way.
Any queries please address to me, Badger, via 07800992415, or to The Butchers Arms on 01295 810898

'Hope to see you there!

Badger.

Wednesday evening was, as ever, rehearsal night for The Skeptics.
Parsons Street, Banbury, hides the secret location well, and we're rarely troubled by fans clamouring to find us!
Parsons Street, Banbury, hides the secret location well, and we're rarely troubled by fans clamouring to find us!
New Year, new songs! Yes, we're working on new, to all of us, songs,
so watch out for those. It'll be a while yet, but as spring evolves, we'll be bringing them onto our set-lists until they'll be there alongside the more established repertoire.
So watch out for those. It'll be a while yet, but as spring evolves, the new songs will be brought onto our set-lists until they're there alongside the more established repertoire by the summer.

Badger

'Sung at Warwick Folk Club on Monday, 17th. What a great bunch of people they are. We, obviously, hadn't been there for more than two years but they were as welcoming as ever.
"Two songs and, if there's time, maybe something in the second half". We closed the first-half with a, requested, third song and then closed the night with another, requested, third song!
They do seem to know what they like @ Warwick!

Badger.
PS. 'Good job we tend to overthink our setlists!

Hi All, 'Good Session last night, I think it best described as "select". Just a few of us but, when it happens that way, we get a broader selection of songs! Next Session, Monday, Feb' 14th. We'd love to see you there!

Peter/Badger.

The Skeptics, Song Session,
The Butcher’s Arms, King’s Sutton, Monday 10th January
from 7.30 pm ’til 10.30.
The Skeptics, we sing a Capella, but if you want to use accompaniment, and most people do, that’s ok too, there's no P.A; we’re generally acoustic, but feel free to bring your own.
Style, we don’t mind; if you have a song to sing, you’re welcome to come and sing it.
Chips for supper, "cheap at half the price", what could be more traditional? If you'd like to contact The Butchers Arms, to ask about something more substantial, you can contact them on 01295 810898
'See you on Monday!😃

🦡

T h e S K E P T I C S S o n g S e s s i o n s 2 0 2 2

Don't miss out on our popular monthly SKEPTICS Song Sessions, back at the Butchers Arms, Kings Sutton for 2022.

Proceedings always start at 7:30pm on the 2nd Monday of every month, and we look forward to welcoming both our regulars and new faces to our relaxed and inclusive monthly sing-around.

We all need to let off some musical steam on a regular basis ... and how could you refuse a pint or few of Hooky!

You will never know unless you join us!

The Skeptics, Song Session,
The Butcher’s Arms, King’s Sutton,
on Monday 13th December
from 7.30 pm ’til 10.30.

Christmas comes ‘round again, so this month it'll be an evening of Christmas Song, Carols and humorous readings, with as many friends, old and new, that care to join us.

The Skeptics, we sing a Capella, but if you want to use accompaniment, and most people do, that’s ok too, but there is no P.A; we’re generally acoustic.

Style, we don’t mind; if you have a song to sing, you’re welcome to come and sing it.

Instead of Chips for supper, that's for the rest of the year, we celebrate our Christmas Song Session with a Sausage and Mash supper, what could be more traditional? Some orders have already been placed but I'm sure, if you were to ask nicely, The Butchers Arms would be happy to cook more. You can contact them on 01295 810898

If you need more info about our Song Session please give me a ring, 07800992415 will find me. I’m Peter or Badger.

The SKEPTICS are looking forward to performing at the Holy Trinity Church in Sibford Gower, starting at 7pm on Friday 3rd December.

A mixture of carols, readings and some SKEPTICS a-cappella Christmas & Winter songs - we hope you can join us for this special free-entry charity event!

It's tomorrow at 4pm - don't miss this fabulous FREE ENTRY event!

... who says The SKEPTICS can't do a big night out ... not even the Stones could rack up a bar bill of £145k for a local pub gig ...

I think all would agree, last nights session went rather well.
Many thanks to all that attended, in no particular order - Laura, Dave, their friend who, I think, was a John, Chris & Gloria, Caroline & Nick, our old friend, and ex 'Skeptic, Kieran and his Mum Jose, who along with Chris and Elizibeth contributed readings and, of course, Andy's wife, Mrs Andy.
I felt it was good to be "indoors" again and that "The Butcher's" provided us a good performance space, I think given some time it can be a very good home to us, thank you to all at The Butcher's Arms.
Next months Session will be on November 8th and, if anybody'd like to bring a friend, performer, or not, we'll be happy to meet them. I've dropped Ray Burke a line or two asking if he'd join us again and it'd be lovely to think that Annabel might return, she was, rather well recieved last month, I thought.
Anyway, 'nough for now, on with the day!

Peter.

Don't forget - our monthly Song Session is next Monday, 11th October!
Songs from The Skeptics and friends, from 7.30 'til 10.30 pm @ The Butchers Arms, Kings Sutton.
'See you there!

Don't miss The SKEPTICS live gig at The George Inn, Brailes TONIGHT. We are delighted to be on a double bill with Helen Porter & Friends, and the music kicks off at 6:30pm on The George's fabulous covered garden terrace. Book a table now and we hope to see you there?

For those of you that missed us on BBC Radio Oxford here it is on iPlayer http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p051qd76

Don't forget to tune into BBC Radio Oxford on Friday May 19th to hear us chat and perform - we'll be on around 2:10pm. Listen here http://www.bbc.co.uk/radiooxford or here https://www.facebook.com/bbcoxford/

Hey Skeptics fans - we've got a busy weekend coming with a performance on BBC Radio Oxford this Friday at 2:10pm, a performance at Wittstock on Saturday and one on Sunday for Banbury Friendship Festival. Details to follow...

We're having a great time at Folk Weekend Oxford. Come and join us.

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Don't forget to come see us at Folk Weekend Oxford - we're performing twice on Saturday and once on Sunday. Further info can b found on the FWO website. http://www.folkweekendoxford.co.uk/

folkweekendoxford.co.uk Folk Arts Oxford is an organisation dealing in folk and traditional music and also hosts the Folk Weekend Oxford festival in April.

Check out BBC Radio Oxford at 3:45pm on Friday April 7th for a sneak peek at our Folk Weekend Oxford set. We'll be singing and chatting and having a thoroughly fun time!

We've got some big things planned for April - more details to follow soon!