Now that the debut EP “Selkie Child” is on general release, my thoughts are on getting out and about and playing in front of folks. Without going into any detail, my health condition has kept me home since October 2022. I wouldn’t say I’m fully recovered, but what I would say is if I don’t get out and about and see people again, I might end up being utterly lost to cabin fever. If you are local to Derbyshire or even on holiday, you can often catch me for free playing in the open session scene. I’ll try to update my social media channels where I am. I’m on holiday this year in Scotland – so I’ll be packing a guitar and hunting out their open mics and sessions, too.

I’m always on the lookout for support work, and I think my quality has been shown by both supporting Tom Robinson and Martin Stephenson – so if you are a headliner looking for someone – I’d be more than happy to travel for the gig. If you want to book me for solo gigs, that would be great as well. You can contact me at michelle @ michellelaverick.com. For now, I’m handling my own bookings, but as time goes on, I hope to engage the services of an agent.

As for dates in the diary, here’s my current list. I’ve got a just flat list of dates as well as some highlights for special projects such as supporting people who you know, like Tom & Martin, LP/EP Launch Events and regular gigs… sometimes I’m just doing support slots and other times, I’m the “headline” act (a presumptuous term for being the last person who plays…)

Events 2025:
Jan 18th, Queens Head Pub, Belper – Contact Michael Jones (mjones572@hotmail.co.uk) to reserve a ticket or pay on the door based on availability

Events 2024:
Dec 5th, Sheffield, Samuel Worth Chapel (Supporting Martin Stephenson)

Nov 16th, Wirksworth, Derbyshire, Coach House Studios (EP Launch Event)
Oct 27th, Southwell, Nottinghamshire, The Old Whistle Test (3pm, 30mins slot)
Oct 10th, Sheffield, Nether Edge Bowling Green Club (EP Launch Event)
Oct 6th, Manchester, Band on the Wall. (Supporting Martin Stephenson)
Sept 7th, London, Half Moon Pub (Supporting Martin Stephenson)
Jul 6th, Southwell, Nottinghamshire (Gateway to Southwell Festival – Invite Only, Open-mic)
Jul 21st, Belper, Derbyshire, The Railway Arms (Supporting Soapbox Preacher)
May 18th, Wirksworth, The Old Lockup (Supporting Tom Robinson)
Apr 11th, Sheffield, The Samuel Worth Chapel (Folk at the Chapel, 1 of 3 performers)
Mar 9th, Belper, Derbyshire Queens Head (International Women’s Day Event)
Feb 29th,  Derby, Insomnia Cafe (Beeches Fundraising Event)
Jan 24th, Derby Theatre, Derbion (Beat the Blues Event)

Events 2025

Jan 18th, Queens Head Pub, Belper – Contact Michael Jones to reserve a ticket or pay on the door based on availability

Events 2024

Supporting Martin Stephenson and The Dainties

I’m delighted to say I will be supporting one of my music heroes of the 30+ years, Martin Stephenson.

London, Half Moon Putney – Sat, Sep 7 – 2pm – AFTERNOON MATINEE
https://tickets.halfmoon.co.uk/events/2024-09-07-martin-stephenson-afternoon-show-half-moon-putney 

Manchester, Band on the Wall – Sun, 6th Oct – 7.30pm
https://bandonthewall.org/events/martin-stephenson-the-daintees/ 

Sheffield, Samuel Worth Chapel – Thu, 5th Dec – 8.00pm
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/sheffield-general-cemetery/the-samuel-worth-chapel/martin-stephenson-and-michelle-laverick/e-kbezkd

Selkie Child (EP) and Dear Music (LP) Gigs

Myself and Bex Fawn Johnstone (Fawn Music) have teamed up to do a couple of gigs to celebrate my new EP and her long-awaited LP “Dear Music”. Bex’s LP has been a two-year labour of love, and on her behalf – and I’m thrilled that we will be sharing the same bill.  In case you don’t know, Bex’s is from a sheep farm on the Scottish inner Hebridean island of Islay, now living in Derby and working as a Music Therapist. Growing up singing Gaelic, she now sings folk, classical and indie songs with a deeply emotional and Celtic twist. With an album coming out on October 18th you can now hear the title track, “Dear Music” on all streaming platforms.

So you’re in for a real treat to hear one of Scotland’s next generation of songsmiths.

Sheffield, Nether Edge Bowling Green Club – 10th Oct, 7.30pm
Book Ticket

Wirksworth, Coach House Studios – Saturday, 16th Nov, 7.00pm
Book Ticket

Gateway to Southwell Festival

I really stoked to say I made the cut to be placed in the open-mic slot at this year’s “Gateway to Southwell Festival”. This is a lovely long weekend festival in North Nottinghamshire in the beautiful picturesque town of Southwell. It’s cathedral is absolutely stunning and worth a visit in its own right. I doubt very much anyone will buy a ticket on the strength of my presence – but there’s a whole host of big-name musicians and activities that I will be indulging in just like everyone else

Date: 6th July, 2024, 6 pm
Location:  Southwell, Nottinghamshire
Tickets: https://www.gtsf.uk/tickets

Supporting Soap Box Preacher

I am pleased to say I will be supporting Soap Box Preacher at their gig at the Railway Arms, Belper.

Date: 21st July, 2024, 6pm
Location: The Railway Arms, Belper
Tickets: IT’S FREE!

Supporting Tom Robinson

Date: 18th May, 2024
Location: Old Lockup, Wirksworth
Ticket Link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tom-robinson-up-close-and-personal-tickets-749649099637

Folk at the Chapel, Sheffield

  

Date: Thu 11th April 2024, 7.30pm
Location: The Samuel Worth Chapel, Sheffield, S11 8NT
Ticket Link: 

International Women’s Day

I’ll just be one of these many crazily talented women playing at the International Women’s Day is one day late at The Queens Head, Belper on March 9th featuring an evening of music and mirth, verse and worse.
So far lined up are Annette Oakes, Sarah Newby, Sophie Sparham and Sarah Hinds with more to come. What better way to celebrate than through the finest local music and poetry?
£6 suggested.

Date: 9th March, 2024
Location: Queens Head, Belper, Doors at 7.30pm
Ticket Link: For more information or to reserve a place contact mjones572@hotmail.co.uk

Beeches Fundraising Event

Date: 29th Feb, 2024, 6.30pm
Location: Insomnia Cafe. Littleover, Derby
Ticket Link: FREE CHARITY EVENT

Beat the blues

Date: 24th Jan, 2024
Location: Derby Theatre/Derbion
Tickets: FREE!

Events 2023

Derbyshire Session Tour

June 21st          – Hollybush, Belper
June 23rd         – Free Folk Friday, Drone Valley Brewery, Unstone, Dronfield
June 27th         – The Old Bank, Matlock

AWAY

July 13th           – King William, Belper
w/c 17h.              – TBA
w/c 24th.              – TBA

Aug 2nd            – Sitwell Arms, Morton
Aug 3rd            – Fishpond, Matlock
Aug 7th            – The Sheaf, Sheffield
Aug 8th             – South Wingfield Social Club, South Wingfield

AWAY

Aug 21st           – TBA
Aug 28th          – Anglers Rest, Bamford
Sept 5th            – Black Swan, Ashover

Album Launch

  • Wirksworth, Matlock – 28th May 2023:
    Album Launch Party – SOLD OUT
    Coach House Studios, Wirksworth, Matlock, DE4 4ET.
    Doors: 7pm
    On Stage: 8pm
  • Nether Edge, Sheffield – 8th June 2023:
    Break-a-Leg & Friends Fundraising Event – with my friends Break-a-leg and Lapwing
    Nether Edge Bowling Club, 8 Nether Edge Rd, Sheffield S7 1RU
    Doors:  7.30pm
    On Stage: 8pm
  • Belper, Inside Out @ Reunion – 9th June, 2023:
    23 Strutt Street, Belper, DE56 1UN
    Doors: 7pm
    On Stage: 7.30pm (Two Sets & interval)
    Ticket Link: FREE!  LIMITED SEATING VENUE – 20-25 SEATS ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVED BASIS