The Roaring Trowmen

Without the aid of instruments, the Trowmen’s repertoire encompasses shanties and maritime songs, both traditional and modern, including some self-written material. The four hearty men from Bristol take their name from the flat-bottomed barges that carried cargo as far up the Severn as Shrewsbury. Arrangements are undoubtedly helped by the fact that Bryn Stephens, unrepentant Welshman, studied music at Bristol University.

Since the Trowmen’s first visit to Shammick as featured artists on an Open Night a couple of years ago, the group have gone from strength to strength within the maritime and folk scenes, delighting audiences with their passion, power, humour and glorious harmonies. Lisa Samuel, organiser of the Bradford Roots Festival said of The Roaring Trowmen that they “produced a set of songs of such authenticity, you could smell the seaweed. Rollicking, rumbustious and ruddy marvellous.” Indeed.