What is The Roots List?

The Roots List is a friendly directory for anyone who loves folk and roots music. Whether you’re an artist, venue, club, festival, promoter, service provider or just someone who loves a good live gig, you’ll find your place here. It’s all about helping people find venues, discover new artists, share ideas and grow the audience for real, live music. Looking for gigs? Planning events? Want to stay connected? Everyone’s welcome.

Hit the button below to join The Roots List.

Why do we need The Roots List?

Big-name concerts might be selling tickets for hundreds of pounds, but many grassroots venues, folk clubs, independent artists and promoters are working hard just to fill seats. In a world overflowing with mass-produced and computer-generated music, there’s still an audience hungry to hear real people making real music on real instruments, live and in the moment. Social media has made spreading the word easy – but unpredictable. It’s simple to create events and gain ‘followers‘ but we are at the mercy of algorithms.

The folk roots sector is special. It resists easy labels. Audiences and performers span generations. Amateurs and professionals share stages. And there’s a strong tradition of making things happen by pulling together.

That’s what The Roots List is here for: to help grow and strengthen the folk roots network. If we all pitch in – supporting, encouraging and promoting one another – we can keep the scene lively, diverse and thriving. Everyone wins: audiences, performers, clubs, agents, promoters, services – everyone.

What does it cost?

Currently it’s free but we would like to ask for a small donation of whatever you can afford to help us cover our costs and develop the site into a great tool for everyone to use. Just go to Milton Hide’s Tip jar. Going forward we aim to fund it with crowd funding, sponsorship and some paid advertising. We may look at including enhanced entries. We’re also very open to your suggestions.

Who are we?

The Roots List is the brain child of Milton Hide (Jo Church and Jim Tipler). As well as playing at some wonderful small venues we have curated festivals and promote a regular roots music event called Bluebell Roots, where we have hosted some incredible artists. 

We need you!

This is new territory for us and we could really do with your input. Add yourself to the list. Whether you’re a music lover, performer, promoter or offer a professional service, we would very much welcome you.