Shipshape and Bristol Fashion

About Shipshape and Bristol Fashion

Welcome aboard Shipshape and Bristol Fashion — the podcast exploring the people, stories, music and adventures behind the world of sea shanties and maritime music. Hosted by Justin “Oggie” Blackett, we go beyond the songs to discover the characters and stories that make the shanty community so special. From the Port of Bristol Shanty Crew and fellow crews around the country, to musicians, festival organisers, historians and fascinating guests, we meet the people keeping maritime music alive. Expect entertaining conversations, live music, shanties, maritime history, festival stories, behind-the-scenes adventures and plenty of laughter along the way. Whether you're a lifelong shanty enthusiast, a performer, a maritime history fan, or you've simply discovered sea shanties and wondered what all the fuss is about — there's a place for you aboard. So grab a pint, haul on a rope and join us for the next adventure. Shipshape and Bristol Fashion — where the people behind the shanties have a story to tell.

Publisher

Justin Blackett

Category

arts · history · music

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

17 Feb 2024

Latest episode

5 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

38 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   5 Oct 2026

   Bristol Shanty Shout: Beer Panic, £30k for Charity & the Secrets to a Bangin' Shanty Weekend

   We kick off season two live from the Bristol Shanty Shout, right in the thick of the singing, with loads of live tracks, crew banter and proper behind‑the‑scenes chat about what keeps shanty life ticking. I’m Oggy and we give a quick primer for anyone new — shanties are old maritime work songs, usually sung a cappella to sync the crew and lift the mood, and you’ll hear how they sound when the whole pub (or dockyard) joins in. We’ve got Chilli’s Signaler roundup — all our recent gigs and where we’ll be next — plus extended chats with crews like Stunsels, Beaufort Scale, Missing Tackle and High and Dry, who share tour tales from mine shafts to the SS Great Britain. I also sit down with Phil, the festival organiser, who walks us through the festival’s history, logistics, and the charities we support (yes, proper good causes like RNLI and local prostate support). Expect a lively mix of songs from stages and ships, sticky‑voiced humour, salty anecdotes and a big focus on community — why we do this, who we meet, and how the scene keeps growing. If you love maritime music, or fancy a whistle and a laugh, come sail with us — winds and following seas, and we’ll see you next time. For the music nerds and the curious alike, we serve up a deep-dive into the songs, styles and stages. I narrate our live recordings from the Bristol Shanty Shout — everything from rollicking “South Australia” and “Farewell to Nova Scotia” to more local, Cornwall-flavoured numbers — and explain the basics: shanties are work songs, often call-and-response, designed to set a rhythm for hauling, heaving and other shipboard tasks. You’ll hear the difference between a pub sing (fast, punchy, foot-stompy) and a church-set (slow, harmony-rich, goosebump-inducing). We spotlight crews like Stunsels (rowing roots), Beaufort Scale (close-harmony fellas), High and Dry (who’ve morphed from garden-fete starters into full-on festival regulars), and Missing Tackle (theatre-to-shanty storytellers), each bringing their own flavour to the same old sea-tales. Beyond performances, I chat about arranging a cappella harmonies, how crews adapt songs for different venues (from the echoey Underfall Yard to the cosy Nova Scotia Hotel), and why singing together literally helps with breath and community — yes, it’s wholesome and slightly muscular. We wrap with invites to upcoming gigs, a call for listener feedback (take our survey if you fancy), and a tease for Dean Callan’s new maritime-music segment. If you love music that’s raw, human and full of history — and you like your storytelling served with banter and a beer — this summary’s for you. Links referenced in this episode: www.shipshapepodcast.co.uk/survey (https://www.shipshapepodcast.co.uk/survey) Sponsored by Nova Scotia https://novascotiabristol.com/ (https://novascotiabristol.com/) Port of Bristol Shanty Crew Merchandise Shop https://pobshantycrew.co.uk/merch (https://pobshantycrew.co.uk/merch) Subscribe to our newsletter www.shipshapepodcast.co.uk/newsletter (https://www.shipshapepodcast.co.uk/newsletter) Join our Facebook crew https://www.facebook.com/groups/www.pobshantycrew.co.uk/ (https://www.facebook.com/groups/www.pobshantycrew.co.uk/) Donate to Teenage Cancer Trust https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/POBShantyCrew (https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/POBShantyCrew) Theme song provided by Kale A. Dean (https://www.youtube.com/@flintlock2575) Cover composite illustration - Clifton Suspension Bridge; Shanty Crewmates © Matt Jeanes Professional Artist (https://matthewjeanes.co.uk/home/) Copyright © 2026 Port of Bristol Shanty Crew (https://portofbristolshantycrew/) - All Rights Reserved

2. 

   5 Sept 2026

   Drop Anchor and Share Your Feedback for Season Two of Ship Shape!

   Hey there, shipmates! This episode is all about taking a breather and having a little chinwag about what we’ve been doing on *Ship Shape and Bristol Fashion*. We’re hitting pause this month to soak up the summer vibes and get our creative juices flowing for season two. We’re asking you, our loyal listeners, to drop us some feedback—like what floats your boat and what sinks it! Your thoughts are gonna help us steer this ship in the right direction, so head over to our website and fill out a quick survey, will ya? Plus, mark your calendars for September 30th—it’s International Podcasting Day, and we’re gonna celebrate all things pod-tastic! So, sit back, relax, and let’s make this next season even more awesome together!

3. 

   5 Aug 2026

   Shanty Fest Vibes: Singing for a Cause and Having a Blast!

   We're diving into the heart of the summer festival scene, folks! This episode is all about the magic of community and music, as we recount our recent adventures at various shanty festivals, including the unforgettable Woodfest, where we helped raise funds for the Teenage Cancer Trust. We’ve got tales about belting out shanties, wrangling crowds, and the camaraderie that comes with performing together. It’s not just about the tunes; it's about making memories, supporting causes close to our hearts, and sharing some good ol' banter along the way! So grab your grog, settle in, and let’s ride the waves of joy and laughter as we recount our shanty escapades! Takeaways: This episode dives deep into the vibrant world of sea shanties, showcasing how these spirited songs bring people together in an unforgettable way. We learned about the heartwarming connection between the Port of Bristol Shanty Crew and the Teenage Cancer Trust, highlighting the importance of charity in their performances. The crew reminisced about their summer gigs, including the Bristol Harbour Festival, which was packed with laughter, camaraderie, and a ton of singing. Listeners got a sneak peek into the behind-the-scenes of organizing events like Woodfest and how much effort goes into making them successful. Ollie Shanty Boy shared his excitement about performing in Holland, emphasizing the joy of traveling and singing with friends. The episode wrapped up with a promise of more fun adventures to come, reminding everyone to keep their spirits high and enjoy the music. Companies mentioned in this episode: Teenage Cancer Trust Port of Bristol Shanty Crew Woodfest Harbour Festival Falmouth International Shanty Festival RNLI DZ Boys Kilkenny Bay Tawny Shanty Men Lower Deckers Cleveland Cassenion Mentioned in this episode: Nova Scotia

Who has been a guest on Shipshape and Bristol Fashion

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Tom Lewis
• Press Gang Mutiny
• Harry Glasson
• Will Keating
• The Barnacle Boys

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

2,553

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Spotify

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 61 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

71

Social presence

0

YouTube

68

Engagement

60

Contact Shipshape and Bristol Fashion

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.