The Old Road Tavern is a Chippenham institution just off the town centre on Old Road, and one of Wiltshire's most dependable homes for live folk music. Sunday is the pub's music night: general music sessions on the first and third Sundays, a French music session on the second, a song session on the fifth when there is one, and the long-running open mic on the last Sunday of the month, 7.30pm to 10pm.
The pub sits at the heart of the Chippenham Folk Festival each May and hosts the festival's Stick and Bucket dance. Expect an acoustic, session-led room where listeners and players mix, rather than a ticketed gig venue.
Described by locals as the most beloved pub in Chippenham, it is a proper freehouse with a garden, and comedy also features in the calendar.
The Old Road Tavern in Chippenham hosts a monthly open mic on the last Sunday of the month, 7.30pm to 10pm. Chippenham FM's Brian Reid has run the night since 2014, and it regularly draws thirty to forty people, with poetry and comedy welcome alongside the music.
Sign-up process
Turn up on the night, or follow the pub's Facebook page for session updates.
The venue
A much-loved Old Road freehouse at the heart of Chippenham's folk scene - the pub is central to the Chippenham Folk Festival and runs regular Sunday music sessions through the month alongside the open mic.
What's on stage — equipment and backline at this venue, verified regularly.
PA + monitors
Drum kit
Guitar amp
Bass amp
Keys / keyboard
2 vocal mics
In-house engineer
The Night at a Glance
How Old Road Tavern’s Sunday night runs.
19:30Sign-up
19:30Kick-off
22:00Last songs
23:00Venue closes
Every last Sunday of the month10-min slotsFree entry
Arrive by 19:30 to sign up for a slot. Entry is free and the open mic typically runs until 22:00. A PA is provided — bring your own instrument and amp.
What should you charge for paid gigs?Most open mic musicians are ready for paid work sooner than they think. Check live UK rates by role, city, and venue size.
Mostly fellow musicians, friends and Chippenham regulars across the Chippenham open mic scene. Chippenham open mic crowds tend to listen attentively.
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