Nikki Rous + Quantum Penguin + Two Blank Pages

Kicking off at 8:30 PM, the night features the soulful tunes of solo singer-songwriter Nikki Rous, whose acoustic guitar melodies will tug at your heartstrings, the melodic sounds of Quantum Penguin, a multi-instrumentalist folk artist weaving magic with every note, and an exciting three-piece alternative folk band that promises to captivate your senses.

Best of all, entry to this incredible live music experience is completely free—don’t miss this chance to discover new favourites in a welcoming intimate setting!

Nikki Rous
Nikki Rous is no stranger to performing. She first stepped onto a stage at the age of 5 and trained as a dancer for many years. Over the course of her childhood and teenage years she travelled the dance festivals and performed at countless shows around the UK. When she turned 17 Nikki won a place at one of the UK’s most prestigious stage schools and around the same time she bought herself a guitar and started teaching herself to play. She discovered artists such as Nick Drake, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Tori Amos, Sinead O’ Connor, Skunk Anansie, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Bob Marley, Radiohead, PJ Harvey, Portishead, Bjork, Alanis Morissette and many more musicians that inspire her still to this day.

Nikki was born with a rare genetic connective tissue disease called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) which causes a whole host of physical and mental challenges. She is an advocate for disabilities, invisible illnesses and mental health. For the content of her song writing, she draws on relatable experiences as well as the emotional challenges of living with a disability which produces some very honest and heartfelt songs. What she crafts is emotive, passionate and moving. Over the years Nikki has developed a connected and buoyant rapport with her audiences which makes her performance both scintillating and a genuinely memorable experience.

Nikki has hosted our weekly Songwriters Showcase for since it began nearly 7 years ago so it only seems appropriate that she open our first showcase of 2025.

Nikki has performed alongside and opened up shows for artists such as Jamiroquai, Level 42, Kaiser Chiefs, James, Supergrass, Miles Hunt, Nick Harper and many more. She has graced the stages of venues and festivals up and down the country such as The Wolves Civic Halls, The Jamhouse, The Glee Club, The Robin 2, Tamworth Assembly Rooms, Solfest, Nozstock, Lakefest, Sistafest, Farmer Phil’s Fest and Sunrise Celebration to name a few.

Two Blank Pages
Two Blank Pages are a UK-based alt-folk band formed in 2012 by lifelong friends Antony Titley, Jamie Rushworth, and Fergus McKeown. Drawing on each member’s diverse favourite genres, their music blends folk and country with a unique contemporary twist.

Quantum Penguin
Matt Woolley is a multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter from Shropshire who plays under the name of Quantum Penguin.

His love of storytelling through song blended with driving instrumentals means his set is one minute lilting and filled with emotion and the next joyfully energetic with soaring Fiddle, Guitar or Bouzouki.

Matt is a founding member of the Folk music group String Workshop and enjoys collaborating with fellow musicians and artists on various projects and art installations from Cornwall to Shropshire.

Past performances include Chippenham Folk Festival, the Shrewsbury LoopFest Music Festival, Folk In The Orchard Festival, Lichfield Festival of Folk and Brimfield and Dreamers Folk Clubs.

He was nominated for “Folk Musician of The Year” at the Shropshire Music Awards in both 2023 and 2024. His song This Gift, about the importance of the countryside and preserving it for future generations, was also awarded 3rd place at Lichfield Festival of Folk.

He recently released his second album Adélie, which won “Album of The Series” on the Salopian Mixtape podcast. In the album, Matt takes advantage of being able to layer-up instruments to his songs that he otherwise wouldn’t be able to in his live performances, featuring his collection of instruments that include Fiddle, Guitar, Bouzouki, Vocals and Chin-Cello. The album includes several of his songs covering a wide range of topics, from shipwrecks to homelessness to songs about musicians’ woes.

From songs that make you cry to rip-roaring Fiddle tunes that will make you stomp your foot, Matt will guide you through the full spectrum of emotions while you sing along!

“Matthew Woolley played an incredible set at Chippenham 2023 so much so that we invited him back in 2024. Matthew’s love for the folk tradition shines through his soulful singing and exceptional multi instrumental accompaniments.” (Debra Hannis – Chippenham Folk Festival)

“It was a joy to see an artist play in a finger picked style, it’s not a style usually adopted by bouzouki players, but Matt did a wonderful job, and it very much complimented the songs he chose to sing… He rounded off the performance with a set of tunes on the fiddle and it was very apparent that this was his forte… A rising star indeed.” (Will Sartin – Patakas)

“A talented multi-instrumentalist, switching effortlessly from bouzouki to guitar to fiddle, Matthew’s song and tune writing abilities are truly impressive. His songs, though based in the time-honoured folk tradition, sound fresh and contemporary and pursue arresting and intricate narratives. His violin compositions provide welcome additions to the established canon of fiddle tunes and he sings with a rich mature voice which belie his years.” (Fergus Reid – Wheatsheaf Open Mic Shrewsbury)

“Matthew approaches folk music with such a refreshing exuberance… The multi-instrumentalist is a delight to watch and hear. This is a new generation of Folk Singer, and it is exciting, he leaves one with no doubt that our traditional music will be left in safe hands if all performers were to apply themselves as Matthew has… With a clarity of vocal akin to crystal, Matthew is undoubtedly on the right end of a very busy and active career. (Sofia Lewis – Sound of Shrewsbury Folk)