We are The Motley Crew

Singing shanties and sea songs

Out of Brightlingsea in Essex

Long, long ago (26 years to be precise), a group of like minded chaps hit on the idea of singing sea shanties for fun. Despite it being a late night at the yacht club, most of us remembered the idea the day after and thus The Motley Crew was born.
Over the last quarter of a century we’ve sung at fetes, smack and barge matches, regattas, dinners, weddings, parties, shop openings and numerous other events. 

Highlights include performing at the London Marathon, the Cutty Sark, the Colchester Oyster Feast, Brightlingsea's Blessing of the Waters and shanty festivals at Harwich, Brancaster and Leigh on Sea. 

In 2021 we worked with the NHS to produce a shanty promoting Covid vaccinations, performing the result live on BBC and ITV breakfast programmes.

We've supported lots of charities over the years, but our main charity is the RNLI (as most of us sail, we figure it's a good investment). We've raised nearly £50,000 for the RNLI and others. 

Now with 12 crew members, we're busier than ever, entertaining audiences with our unique harmonies, wide repertoire and more than a little humour. We like to leave our audiences smiling!
If you'd like us to sing for you, click the button below to get in touch.

Meet the crew

Chris (Shantyman)

Bob (Junior)

Colin

  • The Screechers
Otherwise known as the tenors, the screechers claim to reach impossibly high notes without artificial aids.
  • The tunesmiths
The tunes sing the bits everybody knows and think everyone else in the crew is just showing off.

Bob (McBob)

Mike

Rob

Bob (Pencil)

Iain

Richard (YTS)

David (Bosun)

Richard

Robin

  • The growlers
The bass section labours down in the engine room, occasionally rattling windows and scaring dogs. 

Where to see us

We're looking forward to a busy 25th year of shantying.
 Not all our gigs are open to the public, but if you're thinking of booking us, the list below will help you to avoid a clash of dates.
  • Westleton Village Hall Fundraiser
  • 15/03/2025
  • 7:00 pm
  • Westleton Village Hall, Saxmundham
  • More new ground for us as we help this village hall raise funds.

  • Frinton Summer Theatre
  • 22/03/2025
  • 7:30 pm
  • McGrigor Hall, Frinton
  • Our first gig for the famous Frinton Theatre. We’re looking forward to treading the boards! Tickets available online from the link below

  • Frinton Summer Theatre Website
  • Motley Crew Matinee Special
  • 26/04/2025
  • 12:30 pm
  • Witham Public Hall
  • We’re looking forward to our first concert in Witham.

  • Witham Public Hall Box Office -0345 017 8717
  • Friends of St Mary’s, Tollesbury
  • 03/05/2025
  • 7:00 pm
  • Church Street, Elysian Gardens, Tollesbury, Maldon, CM9 8QJ
  • A return visit to the Friends and a hall with one of the best accoustics we’ve found anywhere!

  • Felixstowe Shanty Café
  • 10/05/2025
  • Levington Marina, Suffolk
  • We’ll be back with our friends, the Felix Stowaways and other crews for relaxed afternoon of shanties and catching up.

  • Birthday Party
  • 15/05/2025
  • 7:00 pm
  • My Big Fat Greek Taverna, Clacton
  • A private party for one of our biggest fans!

  • Old Leigh Shanty Festival
  • 17/05/2025
  • 12:00 pm
  • Strand Wharf, Leigh-on-Sea
  • Join us and some of the best shanty crews in the East of England in Old Leigh for a rollicking afternoon of shanties along the quay. See us at:

    Strand Wharf – noon
    Billet Wharf – 13:30
    The Old Smack – 15:00

  • Together – Chorus Iceni and The Motley Crew
  • 07/06/2025
  • 7:30 pm
  • St James' Church, High Street, Brightlingsea CO7 0EB
  • Our first joint concert with the amazing all-female Chorus Iceni, raising funds for the Friends of All Saints’. It’s sure to be a great night of acapella singing!

    Tickets TBA

  • Chelmsford Male Voice Choir
  • 05/07/2025
  • 7:30 pm
  • Trinity Church, Rainsford Road, Chelmsford
  • A first for us – a joint concert with the long-standing and highly-respected choir. Should be fun for both of us!

  • Weeley WI Garden Party
  • 16/07/2025
  • 2:15 pm
  • A return visit to our favourite WI.

  • Brightlingsea Free Music Festival
  • 02/08/2025
  • Hurst Green, Brightlingsea
  • We’re back at this great little festival for another year – performance time TBC. One of our favourites!

  • Brancaster Shanty Festival
  • 13/09/2025
  • 12:00 pm
  • Brancaster Staithe, Norfolk
  • Back for a third year to this friendly festival! Make a weekend of it and see the best of North Norfolk (and one of the best shanty crews)!

    Event runs from from Friday afternoon on Spetember 12 to early Sunday evening on September 14.

Motleys on Tour

Testimonials

I was delighted when informed of the consistent fundraising the Motley Crew has done to raise vital funds for the RNLI. Thank you for your loyalty in helping the RNLI to continue to save lives at sea.
Jon Knight
Head of Community Engagement, RNLI
Speaking with our staff, they felt that the shanties really brought the ship to life. It goes without saying that you are welcome to come back and perform again in the future
Aaron Hewett
General Manager, Cutty Sark
I would just like to write to say thank you so much for organising a fundraising event for our Raise the Roof appeal. It is really touching when someone organises an independent event of their own volition, especially one that is so different.
Lia Smith
Secretary, Porridge & Pens
Just to say thank you to you and the ‘Crew’ for making our WI Centenary Evening such fun. Without exception every one said how much they had enjoyed the evening, such a great atmosphere!
Jo Barnes
Weeley WI
I’ve just paid good money for a CD of yours , and I want you to know that I’m appalled. I’m appalled that you haven’t yet got a golden disc – it’s absolutely brilliant! I do so love to hear you sing and I applaud your objective
Mike Fletcher
© The Motley Crew 2025 |
Illustrations by Pencil Bob Hollis |
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