The Rusty Tubs Blog Sets Sail

Written By Rusty Tubs

Well, well, well… would you look at that. A blog.

If you’re reading this, congratulations: you’ve found yourself aboard The Rusty Tubs blog, a place for tall tales, salty songs, behind-the-scenes mischief, and the occasional bit of genuine maritime wisdom (we make no promises which bits are which).

We’ve been meaning to do this for a while. Somewhere between hauling pint glasses off pub tables, shouting harmonies over festival crowds, and trying to remember the second verse of that song (you know the one), it became obvious we had more stories than would ever fit into a setlist. So here we are, putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and setting sail on something new.

This blog will drop at the end of every month, like clockwork… or at least like a slightly dented brass ship’s bell. It’s our chance to talk about what we’ve been up to, what we love about the world of sea shanties and folk music, and what’s coming next for The Rusty Tubs. Think of it as pulling up a chair in the corner of the pub while we catch our breath and tell you how the night really went.

Who Are The Rusty Tubs (And Why Are They So Loud?)

For the uninitiated: hello, welcome, and sorry in advance.

The Rusty Tubs are a sea shanty band and folk group who firmly believe that songs are better when they’re sung loudly, together, and preferably with a pint in hand. If you’re looking for modern sea shanties with punk energy, punk attitude, and a healthy disregard for subtlety, you’re in the right place.

We are an impeccably dressed bunch of ugly mugs…

We sing shanties because they’re communal, unapologetic, occasionally rude, and rooted in real people doing real work: hauling ropes, scrubbing decks, and surviving long days at sea. This is working music, built to be shared.

We sing together because something magical happens when voices lock in, when a chorus hits just right, and when a room full of strangers suddenly becomes one boisterous crew. That moment when the audience stops watching and starts singing? That’s the good stuff.

This blog is an extension of that same energy: punk-hearted shanty singing, less polished stage banter, and more spilt beer and back-room laughter.

Live and Unleashed: Gigs, Festivals, and Questionable Decisions

If you’ve seen us live, you’ll know we don’t do things by halves.

The Rusty Tubs are a live sea shanty band first and foremost: built for pubs, folk clubs, and festival stages where voices matter more than polish. It’s where shanties truly come alive: sweaty taverns, echoing halls, festival tents packed to the rafters, and choruses roaring back from crowds who may or may not know the words (but sing them anyway).

And 2026? It’s shaping up to be a big one.

We’re especially proud to be making our first-ever appearance at Shrewsbury Folk Festival, it’s a proper milestone and one of the UK’s most respected folk gatherings. It’s been on our wish list for a long time, and we can’t wait to bring a bit of Rusty Tub chaos to it.

We’re also delighted to be returning to the continent with events like Oostende Voor Anker, one of our favourite international festivals and somewhere that already feels like a second home. Singing shanties beside a historic harbour, with tall ships creaking in the background, is hard to beat and we’re thrilled to be back.

When the crowd sings louder than the band, you know you’re in the right place.

2026 Live Dates (So Far)

Here’s what’s currently locked in, with more gigs, festivals, and late-night pub sessions still to come:

There’s plenty more in the works:  some confirmed, some nearly confirmed, and some still being scribbled on beer mats. As the year unfolds, we’ll be sharing where we’re heading next, who we’re singing with, and which pubs are brave enough to host us.

One Year of Rowdy Soul (And Already Plotting the Next One)

Just over a year ago, we unleashed our debut sea shanty album, Rowdy Soul, into the world.

It still feels slightly surreal to say that.

That album captured a moment in time for us. It’s songs we’d sung to death in pubs, harmonies refined through repetition, and a sound that blends traditional sea shanties, folk harmony, and a streak of punk energy you don’t always expect from maritime music. Seeing people discover it, sing along to it, and tell us they’ve played it on long drives or late nights has been genuinely humbling.

But here’s the thing about The Rusty Tubs: we’re not very good at standing still.

Even while Rowdy Soul is still finding new ears, we’re already laying the groundwork for our next album. New ideas are being kicked around, old songs are being twisted into new shapes, and there are more than a few half-finished arrangements rattling around our rehearsal space.

We’re not giving too much away just yet (where’s the fun in that?) but rest assured: more music is coming, and it’s very much cut from the same cloth. Loud, heartfelt, and built for singing together.

What This Blog Is (And What It Definitely Isn’t)

This blog won’t be a rigid tour diary or a dry history lecture. Plenty of people already do those brilliantly.

Instead, think of this as:

  • A wander through the wider world of sea shanties and folk music

  • A peek behind the scenes at rehearsals, gigs, and life on the road

  • A collection of stories that don’t quite fit on stage

  • A place for enthusiasm, curiosity, and the odd tangent

Some months, we’ll dive into shanty history. Other months, we’ll talk about vintage style, flat caps, beards, and why looking like you’ve stepped out of an old photograph somehow pairs perfectly with shouting choruses at full volume.

There will be practical bits, soulful bits, and more than a few laughs.

The Rusty Tubs Need You!

We’re always on the lookout for new voices to add weight to the chorus. If you enjoy singing, locking into harmonies, have a passion for sea shanties and folk singing, and don’t mind sharing a beer or two along the way, we’d love to hear from you. The Rusty Tubs are a welcoming male voice shanty band at heart, and the best way to find out if we’re your kind of chaos is reach out and join us at The Cross House for a practice, raise your voice, share a pint, and see if you've got what it takes to join the crew.

Pull Up a Chair, You’re Among Friends

If there’s one thing we hope this blog becomes, it’s welcoming.

Whether you’re a seasoned shanty singer, a folk festival regular, someone searching for a modern sea shanty band, or someone who’s just stumbled across a loud group of bearded men in vintage clothing and thought, “What on earth is going on there?” You’re very welcome here.

So check back at the end of each month. Bring a cuppa, or something stronger. Have a read, have a sing, and if you like what we do, come and see us live. That’s where the real magic happens.

Until then,

Fair winds and following seas,

The Rusty Tubs

Drunken revelry is a certainty!

Rusty Tubs
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