Helen McCookerybook & Special Guests

Here?s a January 2026 winter warmer in Stoke Newington! In early 2025 Helen McCookerybook launched her album ?Showtunes from the Shadows? with a sold-out gig at The Betsey Trotwood attended by the Radio 6 DJ Gideon Coe, and a host of other luminaries from far and wide. Her songs at that gig were augmented by artists who had guested on the album: Robert Rotifer on guitar and vocals, Terry Edwards on Trumpet, and Jack Hayter on lap steel guitar. The addition of Ruth Tidmarsh (bass and vocals) and Karina Townsend (melodica and vocals) filled out the songs and added a whole layer of vocal harmonies that couldn?t be reproduced at Helen?s solo gigs. It was a unique event, and this gig will be another unusual one-off. Lester Square (ex Monochrome Set) will be joining the same line-up to play guitar, and there will be a mystery guest to be announced later. More songs from the album will be added to the set, and some of Helen?s older songs will be re-vamped with the chance for audience participation (mp3s of the parts will be sent out to ticket holders so you can sing along). As another special feature, support will be from the guest artists: expect musical saw, poignant and funny songs debuted specially for the night, trumpet shenanigans, and who knows what else. There will be vinyl albums and more for sale (please bring cash- it?s easier) Come along, join the throng? and sing along.