Liverpool Acoustic news and reviews

T-J & Murphy's Guitar Festival gig tonight

2009-11-10T00:01:00.000Z

Liverpool's finest acoustic guitar duo Thomas-Joseph & Murphy
are playing tonight - Tuesday 10th November - at the Pacific Road Arts Centre as part of the International Guitar Festival of Great Britain.

T-J & Murphy have been winning fans everywhere they play with their delicate finger-picking, top-class songwriting, and sublime harmonies.

myspace.com/thomasjosephandmurphy

T-J & Murphy are joined by Robert Brown from Suffolk. Robert plays 'anything with strings, except the violin', has supported Lulu on tour, and received a rave review from Classic Rock Magazine earlier in the year.

myspace.com/robertbrownmusic1

Also appearing is local favourite John O'Connell, formally of local band Groundpig.

myspace.com/johnpig2

Tickets are £10 (£8 concession) and the gig starts at 8.00pm

Full details can be found at www.bestguitarfest.com

Events for weekend 6th to 8th November 2009

2009-11-06T00:01:00.000Z

Lots on this weekend, including the following musical treats!

Friday 6th November - Tones of Home
8.00pm @ Studio 2 at Parr Street

Tones of Home is an evening of Folk and Alternative music taking place once a month in the wonderful atmosphere of Studio2 Parr Street. The night is still in its infancy but is going from strength to strength and they have had some stunning performances so far from Alyssa Bonagura, Jessica Stavely-Taylor, Fables, Brendan Fahey, Lee Broderick, Blind Dog Moon, Dave O'Grady, Ronan Boyle, My Albatros, Homestead and James Munro...to name but a few....

They are fortunate to be hosting an event during the Liverpool Music Week Festival. Friday 6th November will see appearances from Joe Kenny, Anna Lena and the Orchids, Zoe Nicol, Sihka & Arthur Shelton Jones. A fantastic night of folk, Bluegrass & Soulful songwriting.

As always Tones of Home is a free night of music at one of Liverpool's finest and fastest growing live music venues.

facebook group

Friday 6th November - Liverpool Acoustic Blues Lounge
8.00pm @ The View Two Gallery, Mathew Street

Liverpool Acoustic Blues Lounge takes place on the first Friday of the month. Tonight sees Blue C host special guest Bill Hackney at one of the best acoustic venues in the city.

Tickets £5 on the door - All enquiries to Raphael on 0151 709 5484 myspace.com/bluecblues

Saturday 7th November - The Company Store first birthday bash
8.00pm @ The Zanzibar, Seel Street

Joining The Sixteen Tonnes for The Company Store's first birthday bash will be Blue Demon, Barbieshop, and The See See

Tickets £6 from Probe, The Zanzibar, and ticketline.co.uk

myspace.com/liverpoolcompanystore

Sunday 8th November - Blues on the Rock
1.00pm to 4.00pm @ Fort Perch Rock, New Brighton

Monthly second-Sunday-of-the-month afternoon blues gig hosted by Liverpool blues duo Blue C, who will be opening and closing the event. In between will be Barramacca, a great guitar/harmonica blues duo. As always there will be CDs to be won, a blues disco and Talkin' Blues, where the guest will be quizzed about their own slice of blues history by Raphael Callaghan. There is a cafe and bottle bar.

Admission is £3. All enquiries to Raphael on 0151 709 5484. myspace.com/bluecblues

Sunday 8th November - Richard Digance
8.00pm @ Baby Blue, Albert Dock

Tickets £15 from accliverpool.com - info from babybluelivelounge.co.uk

Richard Digance is an evergreen performer who appeals to all ages, making him still one of Britain's top comedy and music attractions.

He is a rare performer in that he's respected by comedians for his original material and by musicians for being one of Britain's top acoustic guitarists. He has appeared to an audience of 8 in The Falklands, half a million at Knebworth and done thousands of shows in between as well as finding 9 letter words on Countdown.

He gained a BAFTA Nomination for TV Entertainer Of The Year in the late 1980s and in 2003 received the Gold Award from The British Academy of Composers and Songwriters for his services to live music.

He has worked with a multitude of world-class artists; Steve Martin, Robin Williams, Roy Orbison, The Beach Boys, Elton John, Steeleye Span, David Essex, Jim Davidson, Supertramp, Elkie Brooks and Tom Jones. His TV specials for ITV ran for a record 11 years and on these shows he played guitar with Brian May, Status Quo, The Moody Blues, Buffy St Marie, Juan Martin, Marc Cohn who wrote Walking in Memphis and Chris de Burgh.

Ogo's album launch tonight

2009-11-05T00:01:00.001Z

The silky-voiced Ogo Nzeakor is launching his brand new CD tonight - Thursday 5th November - at Rococo, Modo's basement lounge. So if you've already had enough of fireworks over the past two weeks then why not go along and enjoy a great night of music instead.

Supporting Ogo will be Ragz and Ben Blance, two fantastic performers in their own right.

The event starts at 8pm and it's £5 entry.

Liverpool Acoustic Newsletter - November 2009

2009-11-02T00:01:00.004Z

November sees not two, but three festivals - two old and one new.

Liverpool Music Week is the UK's largest indoor winter music festival. Despite the name, the festival runs for two weeks from 29th October to 16th November at a large number of Liverpool venues. With over 390 acts playing at 80 events there's bound to be something for everyone, and as usual, there are plenty of acoustic treats amongst the indie, rock and pop. All the acoustic gigs are in the Liverpool Acoustic diary and full details of the festival can be found at liverpoolmusicweek.com

The International Guitar Festival of Great Britain takes place across Wirral from 3rd to 28th November. There's plenty of variety and choice for guitar lovers everywhere, and enough acoustic events to keep us all happy. Full details can be found at bestguitarfest.com Highlights of the Guitar Festival include Thomas-Joseph & Murphy (10th), Ralph McTell, John Williams, four chances to catch Ghost Stories A Night Opera performed at Birkenhead Priory (18th & 19th), Martyn Joseph, Peter Price, and Nick Harper.

The Liverpool Folk and Roots Festival is brought to you by the guys behind the successful Family Folk-up nights. It's running from 21st to 28th November at various venues throughout the city, and the events that have been confirmed so far are in the Liverpool Acoustic diary. Artists due to appear include The Unthanks, and Martin Simpson. There will be a news item later in the month with the full line-up of events and artists.

There are also three artists launching albums this month. Ogo (5th), Maxi Dunne (20th), and Stuart Todd (23rd). They're all in the diary, and get a mention in the diary selection box below.

LIVERPOOL ACOUSTIC LIVE

The last Liverpool Acoustic Live was a great success. The appreciative audience enjoyed sets from Zoe Nicol performing with her full band for the first time, and Daniela Bove who came up from London especially to play, and was amazing. Daneila was joined by Gareth Warren on guitar and Nicole Collarbone on cello. A huge thank you to Rosie Jones who stepped in at the last minute and did a great solo set for us when Tony Cosgrove from The Complete Unknown came down with laryngitis. Thanks also to Stuart Todd and Tony Kehoe who helped fill in with a couple of songs each to cover for Mark Wilson who is going to be out of action for a number of months. We wish both Tony Cosgrove and Mark Wilson all the best, and hope to re-book them some time next year.

Liverpool Acoustic Live this month is taking place on Friday 27th November at the View Two Gallery on Mathew Street. The doors open at 8.00pm and the music starts at 8.30pm. Tickets are £4 on the door, or £3 in advance from contact[at]liverpoolacoustic.co.uk

This month we've got sets from Stuart Todd, Kaya, Paul McDowell, and Matt Swift.

Full details are in the poster on the main website at liverpoolacoustic.co.uk and all four performers will be featuring on this month's Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight audio show.

DIARY NEWS

So here are this month's movers and shakers. Take it away, Fluff.

You say goodbye...

Goodbye to Acoustic Slice... again! The weekly event that's had more comebacks than Bobby Ewing has finally closed its doors for good. Thanks to everyone who has been involved over the years, especially Alun and Shaz. They've made a massive contribution to the local music scene, and have helped many acoustic musicians by giving them an outlet for their music.

Jean Finney tells us that Folk at the Norton on Wednesday nights has finished due to dwindling numbers. That's a real shame, though we wish Jean all the best in her future ventures.

And I say hello...

Acoustic Slice has been replaced by the inventively named 'Acoustic Live Lounge @ 3345' and is being overseen by local musician Barry Briercliffe. Each night will have two booked acts and plent of open mic. It starts each week at 8.30pm and is free. myspace.com/acousticlivelounge

River View Open Mic is an open floor poetry and acoustic music event taking place in Wirral on the first Monday of every month (sounds familiar!). It starts at 8.00pm at the River View pub in Woodside, with hot pot and crusty bread available until 9pm. Full details on the Wirral Alliance of Poets website at wap.writers-forum.co.uk/RVOM.htm

There is a new open mic night on the first Tuesday of every month at Leaf Tea Shop and Bar. It starts at 8pm and is hosted by Johnny Sands. Subtitiled 'Out of the bedroom' this really is your chance to transfer your musical talent from bedroom to bar - just don't forget your instrument!

The Thursday open mic session at Pogue Mahones at the top of Seel Street is now being run by Mark Whitby. It's 9.30pm every week and is totally free.

As always, if there's anything we've missed from the diary then drop us a line and we'll add it.

NOVEMBER DIARY SELECTION BOX

Here's a selection of some of the acoustic events taking place in November. Click on the event in the diary for full details and links. If you'd like your event to get a special mention in a future newsletter then let us know.

Monday 2nd - Come Strut Your Stuff @ The Egg Cafe. Open floor poetry and acoustic music takes place once a month in Liverpool's best vegetarian bistro. The event starts at 8pm but if you want to perform you'll need to be there before 7.20pm to get your name on the list. comestrutyourstuff.co.uk

Thursday 5th - Ogo's album launch party at Rococo (Modo's basement lounge). 8pm start and £5 entry. With support from Ragz and Ben Blance.

Friday 6th - Liverpool Acoustic Blues Lounge @ The View Two Gallery. Blue C hosts special guest Bill Hackney at one of the best acoustic venues in the city. 8pm doors, and £5 in. myspace.com/bluecblues

Saturday 7th - The Company Store @ The Zanzibar celebrates its first birthday with a bit of a bash. 8pm at The Zanzibar sees Sixteen Tonnes, Blue Demon, Barbieshop, and The See See. Tickets £6 from Probe, The Zanzibar, and ticketline.co.uk

Tuesday 10th - T-J & Murphy perform as part of the International Guitar Festival of Great Britain at the Pacific Road Arts Centre. Also on the bill is Robert Brown. myspace.com/thomasjosephandmurphy

Saturday 14th - Tomas J Speight and Sean Francis Butler are playing at the newly re-located Korova Bar (in the old Roadkill building on Hope Street) as part of Liverpool Music Week. 8pm doors, £5 in. www.liverpoolmusicweek.com/

Friday 20th - Maxi Dunn CD release party is part of The Folk Upstairs Club organised by Sick. 7.30pm and £4 entry gets you in to downstairs as well. Also performing are The Big I Am, Carrie Hayden, and special guests.

Saturday 21st - Family Folk-up presents the first event in the week long Liverpool Folk and Roots Festival. Joining the Random Family at St Bride's will be The Unthanks, Jonny Kearney, and Lucy Farrell. £10 in, 7pm doors, 8pm music, 11pm finish. Bring your own drink.

Sunday 22nd - Liverpool Folk Day @ The Bluecoat. From 12pm to 6pm - An afternoon of live acoustic music and events featuring some of Liverpool's finest unsigned folk acts. Plus special guest speakers, workshops and demonstrations celebrating the history, significance and abiding of presence of folk music in Liverpool.

Monday 23rd - Stuart Todd's album launch party @ Studio 2 at Parr Street. 7pm start, £5 in (includes a copy of the CD), and support from The Freebies, Neil Campbell, Tap UK, and Rae Clark. myspace.com/stuarttodd

Thursday 26th - Almanac Folk present Twilight Garden Party @ Sefton Park Palm House - part of the Liverpool Folk and Roots Festival. Following the success of their run of shows at Mello Mello, Almanac Folk present a night of song, storytelling, spoken word, live illustration and some very exciting collaborations. All in the atmospheric surroundings of the beautiful Sefton Park Palm House. 7.30pm, tickets on sale soon.

Friday 27th - Liverpool Acoustic Live @ The View Two Gallery, Mathew Street. This is the last one of the year because we're taking a break in December. To see out the year with a bang we've got music from Paul McDowell, Matt Swift, and Kaya. Stuart Todd will be performing with his band, and will be playing songs from his new album.

Saturday 28th - The Violent Playground with Fabian Rothschilde @ Tabac. A one-off acoustic/experimental show in the intimate surroundings of Cafe Tabac. Over the last two years the band have played with many names including, The Coral, Iggy Pop, Echo and the Bunnymen, Reverend and the Makers, Supergrass, The Hives, Kate Nash. 7.30pm start, and free entry.

AND FINALLY...

It's great to see Gemma and Gill, the two new members of the Liverpool Acoustic Team, reviewing gigs and albums for the News and Reviews page. Stuart Todd, the co-organiser and co-host of Liverpool Acoustic Live, has also agreed to review some albums and live events for us. If you would like to contribute, either on a regular basis or just as a one-off, then drop us a line and let us know.

In addition to the Liverpool Acoustic facebook group at groups.to/liverpoolacoustic there's also a MySpace page at myspace.com/liverpoolacoustic

If you've got any comments or suggestions you can leave a message in our Guestbook, or drop us a line using the Contact Us form or by emailing contact[at]liverpoolacoustic.co.uk

Graham (on behalf of the Liverpool Acoustic team)

Candlelight Vigil @ Stanley Street, 8pm Sunday

2009-10-31T00:01:00.002Z

Back in June here on the News and Reviews blog we posted our support for the Hope Not Hate campaign ahead of the European Elections. Liverpool Acoustic continues to stand firm alongside those who take positive action to combat fascism, hatred, bigotry, violence and discrimination in any form.

Liverpool Acoustic fully supports the Candlelight Vigil that's taking place in Stanley Street in Liverpool City Centre on Sunday 1st November at 8pm. It is hoped that thousands of people will congregate in support of James Parkes, the 22 year old trainee police officer, who was savagely beaten by a gang of brainless young thugs last Sunday.

I'll be there. Will you join me?

Graham

The following is taken from the facebook group that can be found here

CANDLELIGHT VIGIL AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA

Sunday 1st November at 8 pm on Stanley St, Liverpool.

This event has been organized by "friends of the liverpool gay scene" following the shocking homophobic attack that has recently taken place on Stanley St, the heart of Liverpool's gay quarter.

United by our cause, the assault of James Parkes and let us not forget the tragic loss of Michael Causer, many within the Gay community are confused, angry and at a loss over how we can make a positive lasting difference, sooner rather than later, against homophobia in such dark times.

We hear many calls for 'real action' to be taken both peacefully and with great anger, however it would be unwise for us to be overly passive and counterproductive of us to fight with fire but we can take that burning desire for change and turn into to something that will unite us in a positive and peaceful way.

This event is not a march or a chance to vent our anger but it is a chance to reflect, debate, comfort and bring our community together to show Liverpool that we have light at the end of the dark tunnel in the ongoing struggle against homophobia.

We can no longer tolerate brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, family and friends being denied the basic human right to feel safe in Liverpool Gay quarter so please bring a candle and join your friends, family and community in Stanley St this coming Sunday to light up these dark times.

This event has been arranged quite quickly and although many "friends of Liverpool gay scene" are involved anyone willing to help with the organization or promotion of this event please feel free to get involved as this is a community gathering,not a political, group or self promotional event.

The next Liverpool Acoustic monthly newsletter will follow on Monday 2nd November.

Events for weekend 30th October - 1st November 2009

2009-10-30T00:01:00.003Z

Friday 30th October - Mochacoustic
8.00pm @ The Mocha Lounge, Sir Thomas Street

One of those rare occasions when Mochacoustic doesn't clash with Liverpool Acoustic Live, so get along and enjoy Gary Maginnis, Vinny T Spen, The Hang Project, spoken word, and open mic.

myspace.com/mochacoustic2

Friday 30th October - Hungry Wolf Band Night
8.00pm @ Heebie Jeebies, Seel Street

Two bands (The Scoundrels, and The Targets) and one acoustic act (Andy Pink), plus free entry, and £2 bottle offers. Sounds like a great night!

myspace.com/hungrywolfbandnight

Friday 30th October - Battle of the Bands final
8.00pm @ Osqa's Piano Bar, Oldham Street

Three weeks of heats have been building up to this. Who will be crowned champions of the Liverpool Irish Festival 2009? There's only one way to find out as it happens, and that's to be there! Free entry.

liverpoolirishfestival.com

Saturday 31st October - Liverpool Irish Festival All Star Concert
7pm doors @ St Bride's Church, Catharine Street

Now a mainstay of the Irish Festival, this year the Family Folk-up presents Sam Proctor and Chris O'Malley, supported by Des Hurley, Stevie Byrne and Tad Sargent.
Also featuring Chris Boland, John Murphy, Fiona McConnell, Liam Muphy, hosts The Random Family, and Lizzie Nunnery. myspace.com/therandomfamily1 Tickets £5 from liverpoolphil.com (Bring your own drink)

liverpoolirishfestival.com

Sunday 1st November - All Dayer
3pm to 11pm @ The Zanzibar

Basement Live launch party tonight

2009-10-28T00:01:00.001Z

Tonight - Wednesday 28th October - is the official launch party for Basement Live. It takes place at Rococo, which is the basement lounge at Modo on Concert Square (off Bold Street).

The night starts at 9pm, and for the launch there will be champagne, plus the regular 2-4-1 cocktail offer, and £2 on selected bottles. And did we mention it's free to get it?

The special launch night will be gosted by Ogo Nzeakor, and feature:-

Indie pop singer/songwriter Rich Addis

R&B pop singer sonwriter Jay Norton

Flamenco guitarist and singer Jay and Felix

1920's French Jazz duo the amazing Nouveau Django

New event - Acoustic Live Lounge

2009-10-26T00:01:00.000Z

New tonight - Acoustic Live Lounge!

That's right, the legend that was Acoustic Slice is no more, and has been replaced by a brand new event in the same venue, at the same time, with the same successful format.

Hosted by Liverpool's own Barry Briercliffe, every Monday night Acoustic Live Lounge will feature two booked acts and a varied selection of open mic performers. It all kicks off at 8.30pm, and it's free.

Monday 26th October - Vinny T Spen, and Stuart Todd

Monday 2nd November - Avant Gardner, and Rachael Dunn

Monday 9th November - The Lees, and Karen Cleary

Monday 16th November - The Good Intentions, and The Rachel James Band

Monday 23rd November - Suzanne Jones, and Miles Carrington

myspace.com/acousticlivelounge

Review: Acoustic Strawbs @ Live Lounge at Baby Blue

2009-10-25T00:01:00.000+01:00

Review: Acoustic Strawbs @ Live Lounge at Baby Blue
Sunday 6th September 2009

The gig was part of the ‘Live Lounge’ series of concerts at Baby Blue, “an intimate night of live music in stylish surroundings, featuring an eclectic mix of live bands and acts of both national and international status”.

The venue is a basement club beneath the Blue Bar and Grill in the heart of the Albert Dock which is both stylish and cosy and has great acoustics with its exposed brick walls and arches.

Acoustic Strawbs took to the stage with no introduction and went straight into their first track ‘Bless the Daytime’. I was immediately struck by their tight harmonies and energy. The intro of their opener was sung acapella and the combination of their three powerful vocals made for an impressive and engaging start. The three-piece perched on top of stools and had a laid back style, exuding a confidence and ease that comes with years of performing. Each of them wore a flowered print shirt, a nod towards the hippy-style of their formative days.

The Strawbs formed in 1964 and were the first UK signing to A&M records. They recorded their first single ‘Oh How She Changed’ in 1968 and released their debut album Strawbs in 1969. Since 2007 The Strawbs have been recording and touring in two formats. There is the acoustic format which performed tonight featuring Dave Cousins on guitar and lead vocals, Dave Lambert on guitar and vocals and Chas Cronk on bass and vocals. There is also the electric format of the band which in addition to Cousins, Lambert and Cronk features Rod Coombes on drums and Oliver Wakeman on keyboards.

Tonight’s gig was peppered with interesting anecdotes from the band’s four decade spanning career. Half way through the set Cousins quipped that he has to pinch himself when he thinks that it is forty years since the band released their first album. The band performed their debut single ‘Oh How She Changed’, a song which instantly takes you to a swirly, misty morning in the sixties. Cousins told of a festival the band appeared at in Norway last year in a town with a population of 127 where they played a 2am gig to a crowd of “Norwegian hippies”. This gig inspired the next track of the set, ‘Midnight Sun’.

Cousins introduced the song ‘Copenhagen’ as a tribute to their friend the late Sandy Denny. The Strawbs recorded an album with Sandy Denny in 1967 entitled Sandy Denny and the Strawbs. The recording took place in an old cinema in Copenhagen and was completed in a day. Cousins spoke of how Sandy Denny - who he referred to as a “skylark” and as having “the voice of an angel” – was a big part of the band’s history. The tribute to her was tender with soothing guitars and gentle vocals. The band clearly have a huge amount of affection for her and this was evident in their emotional performance of the track.

Lead singer Cousins was demonstrative and theatrical throughout the set and belted out song after song with flourishes of his hands. The sound the band created with just three guitars and three voices was impressive and filled the cavern-like room. They are certainly masters of their instruments and the guitars and vocal harmonies complemented each other perfectly. Whilst watching the gig it occurred to me that they would be perfect for the Cambridge Folk Festival. I have since discovered that they in fact headlined the festival in 1983 having been invited to reform for it after disbanding in the early eighties (they also played the first Cambridge Folk Festival in one of their earliest incarnations in 1965). I hope to see them perform at the festival at some point in the future.

The band seemed to really enjoy playing the venue with Cousins commenting on the “nice room” with its “brickwork and echoes”. Their final track ‘Lay Down’ reflected the opening track of the set with its acapella intro and strong harmonies. The band ended the gig with as much energy as they opened it with and left the stage with the parting words “See you again in another thirty years!” The appreciative crowd called for more and the band obliged by returning to the stage for an encore. A woman I spoke to at the end of the gig enthused that The Strawbs sounded the same tonight as they did forty years ago when the band provided the soundtrack to her and her husband’s courting days. You get the impression that this is a band that will play until they drop and judging from the reaction of the crowd their fans hope to see a good few years out of them yet (even if thirty may be slightly on the ambitious side!).

Details of upcoming Live Lounge gigs can be found at babybluelivelounge.co.uk and include, this Wednesday 28th October, Adrian Edmonson & The Bad Shepherds, with special guest Ella Edmonson.

Liverpool Acoustic Live preview - October 2009

2009-10-20T00:01:00.000+01:00

Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight #19
Preview of Liverpool Acoustic Live 23/10/09

1. The Complete Unknown - Shoulda Known Better

2. Daniela Bove, with Nicole Collarbone - Sunset (live)

3. Zoe Nicol - Watching Trains

4. Graham Holland - The Greens

Download the show for free
(right-click to download)

Or listen online below

(not available for email subscribers)

The next Liverpool Acoustic Live gig is taking place on Friday 23rd October 2009 at the View Two Gallery on Mathew Street. The doors open at 8.00pm and the music starts at 8.30pm.

Entrance is £4 on the door, or £3 in advance from contact[at]liverpoolacoustic.co.uk

STOP PRESS - TUESDAY 20th OCTOBER

Unfortunately both Mark Wilson and Tony from The Complete Unknown have had to pull out of this gig due to personal reasons and illness respectively. We wish Mark and Tony all the best and hope to re-book them for a future Liverpool Acoustic Live.

Never fear, though. We've still got Daniela Bove and Nicole Collarbone, and Zoe Nicol. Also giving us a full solo set will be Rosie Jones, plus there will be a couple of songs each from Graham Holland, Tony Kehoe, and Stuart Todd.

Daniela Bove
myspace.com/danielabove
facebook group

Daniela Bove is a singer-songwriter from Buckinghamshire. At University she formed a trip hop band which she describes as being great fun. In 1997 she went solo, and two years later came across Stephan Altman on a tube station platform and discovered a shared love of folk and electronica.

Steph and Daniela worked together for a few years, with Steph becoming Daiela's guitarist, producer and friend. Daniela explains "the musical chemistry was immense.. we still fight like kids, cuss and shout at each other like brother and sister.. but come up with a beautifully ambient sound, unreflective of either of our feisty characters."

Daniela's debut album - Deep Blue - can be downloaded as an album or by track from daniela.dloadshop.com

Songs from the forthcoming live Take Three EP - featuring Daniela and her band The Belongings - can be listened to on her MySpace profile. The EP will be available as a limited edition CD soon.

Performing with Daniela Bove will be cellist Nicole Collarbone. Nicole studied in Liverpool before moving to her new job in Milton Keynes. She says that the best thing about playing the cello is that it works with so many styles and genres of music, so there is always something new to get involved in.

Over the years Nicole has collaborated with Paul McDowell, Kaya, Alister Said, Sonnenberg, MK-based Garry Murphy (as Speeding Mellow and the Crying Coach), and The Neil Campbell Collective.

In 2006 Nicole released a CD of music for guitar and cello with Neil Campbell called Fall (details here) and on 30th October this year she'll be performing with the Neil Campbell Collective at the small concert room at St George's Hall for the world premier of Frankenstein, a new multimedia work written by Neil and based on the famous Mary Shelley novel.

Zoe Nicol
zoenicol.com
myspace.com/zoenicolmusic

Singer Songwriter Zoe Nicol is a maverick in the world of folk music - a storyteller with a lyrical twist, but more than that, Zoe is an artist who possesses the rare ability to leave an audience breathless. Music promoter Paul Dunton writes “I recall the moment I first heard Zoe sing I felt completely moved and inspired, you could hear a pin drop as the audience listened intently, everyone present was totally absorbed by her performance.Her songs are beautifully crafted, rich in both melody and creative edge.”

Zoe grew up with the influence of Joni Mitchell and Eva Cassidy who inspired her to become the sincere and heartfelt artist her fans have come to love. Her captivating stage presence is embellished further by her modest and enchanting persona, she is able to reach out and connect to an audience through her live performances and recordings.

Zoe hails from Tunbridge Wells in Kent and is currently attending Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts studying performance and song writing. Her debut EP entitled ‘Walk Against The Wind’ was released in the summer of 2008 and sold out by the winter of that same year. Zoe's full-length debut album is due to be released in June 2010.

Graham Holland
itsafrogslife.net
grahamholland.co.uk
myspace.com/grahamhollandmusic

Graham Holland is a local singer-songwriter with a silly sense of humour inspired by the likes of Flanders and Swann, Tom Lehrer, Jake Thackray, and Noel Coward. Better known as the host of the monthly Come Strut Your Stuff poetry and acoustic music event at Liverpool's Egg Cafe, and latterly as the face behind the Liverpool Acoustic website and live gigs, Graham has decided to dust off his guitar strap and inflict a handful of his songs on a helpless, captive audience. Don't worry, it'll be over with before you know it.

Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight #19

If you get the chance, please support your local artists by emailing them, joining their mailing lists, leaving them comments, going to their gigs, and buying their music direct from them where possible.

The Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight is produced and presented by Graham Holland on behalf of the Liverpool Acoustic website. It is also available on the Internet courtesy of Art In Liverpool FM (Defnet Media), and is a proud member of the Association of Music Podcasting - supported by Libsyn

The theme music is King of the Faeries by Andrew Ellis from his CD Midnight On The Water.

Help required for Liverpool Acoustic Live

2009-10-19T00:01:00.000+01:00

Liverpool Acoustic Live needs your help.

Unfortunately the person who used to look after the door for the Liverpool Acoustic Live event at the View Two Gallery can no longer make it due to changing work committments.

This means that we're looking for one or two people who would be willing and able to help out. It's nothing too taxing - all you need to do is to open the door to let people in, take their payment, and direct them up to the top floor. Nothing to it really.

We need someone from 8.00pm to 10.15pm once a month. The successful person will get a free drink or two, and can come up and enjoy the second half of the gig for free. The person will also be paid.

If you can help, or know someone else who might want to do this for us, please get in touch. You can use the Contact Us form, or email contact@liverpoolacoustic.co.uk

The next Liverpool Acoustic Live is this coming Friday 23rd October - more details to follow.

Liverpool Irish Festival 2009

2009-10-16T00:01:00.000+01:00

Did you know that Guinness is celebrating its 250th anniversary this year? Well if you'd read October's newsletter you would. What you wouldn't know, however, is that this is the 200th Liverpool Acoustic News and Reviews blog post since we started back in April 2008, so we've got together with Guinness (not officially, you understand) to mark this double celebration.

And we thought we'd celebrate the occasion by telling you all about this year's Liverpool Irish Festival!

The festival runs from today, Friday 16th October, to Sunday 1st November.

This year's festival is as broad as ever, with heritage walks, photography, a book launch, a ceili, Gaelic Football matches, drama, cinema, and lots and lots of music.

And as far as the music goes, there are free concerts, ticketed concerts, and traditional music sessions in venues across the city and beyond - far too many to list here. Several of the music sessions have an entry charge (notably those at The Casa and in The Rodewald Suite at the Phil) which is to cover PA costs and also because these are 'super sessions' where the musicians leading the event will also get up and do some numbers on stage. However (and here's the good news!) the festival organisers want to support our local musicians so if you turn up with an instrument you will get in for free!

Most of the acoustic music events are in the Liverpool Acoustic diary liverpoolacoustic.co.uk/diary

You can also get full details from the Liverpool Irish Festival website liverpoolirishfestival.com

And you can download a pdf of the festival brochure here.

Jessicas Ghost seeking new members

2009-10-14T00:01:00.002+01:00

Here's a question for you. Do you know of any good musicians who are looking to join a band at the moment? If so, Jessicas Ghost might be the answer.

Mart and Sarah from the band have decided now is the time to disembark from the Jessicas Ghost train so they need some more people to come on board. They are looking for people who can play one, two or more of the following instruments - guitar, keyboards, mandolin, ukelele, harmonica - or anything else that's interesting!

There are sample tunes at myspace.com/jessicasghost so have a listen and see if you, or someone you know, would like to help shape the future musical direction of the band. Those interested can email jessicasghost@hotmail.co.uk and tell them what you can do!!

Three upcoming charity gigs

2009-10-12T00:01:00.000+01:00

The good people of Liverpool have never been shy in coming forward to support worthy causes, particularly when there's a good night involved. It just so happens that there are three fundraising events in the next two weeks which have chosen the universal medium of acoustic music to help spread the word and hopefully raise a bit of dosh at the same time.

Tuesday 13th October - World Challenge Charity Night
8.00pm @ 3345 Parr Street
Tickets £5 in advance

Kit Cooney, who some of you may have seen playing at Acoustic Slice, is attempting to raise £3500 before next summer so that he can take part in a trip to Ladakh in North India. You can check out the website here - www.world-challenge.co.uk - Basically the idea is that a group of students raise the money and travel to a third world destination to spend it on a variety of community projects doing all the work themselves.

The concert will feature sets from Kit playing as KC & The Moonshine Band, Karen Cleary, Barry Briercliffe, and Rosie Jones. It's taking place at one of Liverpool's main acoustic music venues, 3345 Parr Street.

Tickets are available from Eddie Cooney or Kit. The facebook event is here, and you can find them on myspace on at myspace.com/bronzebell or email Eddie at eddie1@waitrose.com

Friday 16th October - Fundraising gig for James Bulger House
8.00pm @ Studio 2 at Parr Street
Tickets £6 in advance from 3b records in Slater Street (next to Probe Records)

This event is a fundraiser for James Bulger House which will be a rehabilitation centre for bullied schoolkids in Liverpool City Centre.

This acoustic event features Ian McNabb, T-J & Murphy, Kaya, and Black 'n' Blues plus special guests. We can't tell you who the special guests are at the moment (the old 'sworn to secrecy under pain of something unpleasant happening' routine) but negotiations are under way at the moment and they are really well known.

myspace.com/nadalpromotions

Saturday 24th October - Fundraiser for Clatterbridge Cancer Research
7.30pm to 10.30pm @ The View Two Gallery, Mathew Street
Entrance £3 on the door

The Kevin Critchley Outfit present an evening of the finest quality music to raise funds for local Cancer Research charity - Clatterbridge Cancer Research.
They are very proud to announce that we will be joined by the award-winning songstress Natalile McCool myspace.com/nataliemccool and Pixieland's very own Kai Lena myspace.com/kailenamusic. Freshly baked cakes and a raffle will also feature - a bottle of champagne and other goodies could be yours, including free entry for a year to all Liverpool Acoustic Live gigs for two people!

Luke Moore from the KCO adds "The research done at the laboratories continues to provide breakthrough knowledge that has practical applications in understanding and treating different types of cancer. Clatterbridge Cancer Research receives no government funding- making your support and ours even more essential!"

You can find out more information from the facebook events page here.

One thing that's missing is a poster for the event, so in it's place here's a photo of the Kevin Critchley Outfit on one of their recent charity skydives.

Events for weekend 24th - 26th July 2009

2009-10-09T00:01:00.002+01:00

Friday 9th October - Tones of Home
8.00pm @ Studio 2 at Parr Street

Ronan Boyle's monthly night of alternative songwriting returns to Studio 2 and features Homestead, My Albatros, Anne Grete Helgheim, and Blind Dog Moon. Free entry.

Friday 9th October - Ragz
8.00pm @ The Victoria Hotel, Promenade, Southport

Those of you living in the Sefton neck of the woods might want to wander along the Promonade at Southport and pop into the Victoria Hotel to experience the wonder that is Ragz. myspace.com/ragzmusic

Saturday 10th October - Battle of the Bands
8.00pm @ The Pilgrim

Although the Liverpool Irish Festival doesn't officially start until 16th, one of the mainstays of the festival kicks off tonight. Last year's competition was a Battle of the Acoustic Bands, with local outfit Letters in Red being the deserving winners. This year anything goes - electric or acoustic, rock or roots. If you want to take part you need to ring 07804 286145 to book a slot.

The heats are on 10th, 17th, 24th at The Pilgrim, with the final on 30th at Osqa's Piano Bar. liverpoolirishfestival.com

Saturday 10th October - The Red Deltas
8.30pm to 12.00am @ Studio 2 at Parr Street

Top local band The Red Deltas - Mats, Will, Alex, and Ralph - perform a rare acoustic set at Studio 2 tonight, with support from 15 Storeys.
myspace.com/thereddeltas

For up-to-date information join the Studio 2 facebook group

Sunday 11th October - Blues on the Rock
1.00pm - 4.00pm @ Fort Perch Rock

Monthly second-Sunday-of-the-month afternoon blues gig hosted by Liverpool blues duo Blue C, who will be starting and finishing the afternoon. Craftily sandwiched in between will be this month's special guest, acoustic ragtime and blues picker Graham Robinson. There will be CDs to be won, a blues disco and Talkin' Blues, where Graham will be quizzed about his own slice of blues history by Raphael Callaghan.

There is a cafe and bottle bar. Admission is £3, and all enquires should be directed to Raphael on 0151 709 5484 myspace.com/bluecblues

Review: Come Strut Your Stuff @ The Egg Cafe

2009-10-05T00:01:00.000+01:00

Review: Come Strut Your Stuff open floor poetry and acoustic music event
Monday 7th September 2009 @ The Egg Cafe, Newington

Come Strut Your Stuff is a well established and popular open floor night which takes place on the first Monday of each month at the Egg Café on Newington. Upon climbing the three flights of stairs to The Egg you are greeted by the soothing sounds of Stan the Harper (Stan Ambrose – Radio Merseyside presenter and all round local legend) and the hustle and bustle of the busy café with the sound of clattering cutlery and lively chatter. The best way to describe the look of the café is ‘shabby chic’. I love its mis-matching furniture, purple beams and French windows which on warm nights such as this are left open, giving an airy feel to the place and allowing the sounds of the city to provide a backdrop to the evening with great views across the city’s rooftops. The café serves only veggie and vegan food which is wholesome and delicious, offers plenty of choice and is very reasonably priced. The Egg does not have a licence to serve alcohol but you can take along your own booze provided you order a main meal and pay a corkage of £1 per bottle.

Organiser and regular host Graham Holland
Photo © 2009 Keith Ainsworth

The event is hosted by Liverpool Acoustic’s Graham Holland and he does an admirable job of keeping things running smoothly throughout the night. It can get pretty noisy in the café due to the number of people packed into its relatively small space. The host occasionally encourages the audience to ‘boo’ any particularly rowdy groups in order to try to keep the noise levels to a minimum once performers take to the floor, which is essential as there is no microphone.

Tony and Lily Kehoe perform at the Egg Cafe
Photo © 2009 Keith Ainsworth

The night is divided into three sets with the first beginning at 8pm. Performers are advised to arrive early to book their spots as due to the popularity of the night the slots tend to have been filled by around 7.30pm. Graham’s co-host on this particular night Tony Kehoe takes the bookings and introduced some of the acts as well as performing some of his own songs from his albums It’s No Coincidence and Not Everything Must Lead to Nothing and accompanying his daughter, lovely little Lily, in her regular performance of The Zutons’ ‘Valerie’.

All kinds of performance are encouraged and welcomed from acoustic musicians, poets, storytellers and (on this occasion) magicians! Musicians are limited to two songs and poets to five minutes to ensure that as many artists as possible are able to perform and also that each performer knows exactly how much time they have so they don’t need to feel rushed. The slots are booked on a first come first served basis which means that there is no favouritism of artists and each night is different. There is no set ratio of poets to musicians, meaning that some nights may lean slightly more towards music and vice versa but generally, and particularly on this night, there is an even and varied spread of entertainment. The format works very well, with 10-15 minute intervals in between sets allowing the audience time to grab a coffee/cake and enjoy more of Stan’s harp playing.

Open floor poetry and acoustic music
Photo © 2009 Keith Ainsworth

I have a lot of respect for all of the performers but to name a few who I particularly enjoyed on this occasion there were brothers Tom and Ed who performed a witty reworking of the Cole Porter song ‘Let’s do it, Let’s Fall In Love’. Warrington based poet Terry Caffrey performed three poems: the first about the excitement of waiting to catch a train to travel to a first date, the second about the wonder of watching his pregnant wife’s stomach grow whilst she was carrying their first child and the third about losing a friend to Aids. All three were powerfully written and confidently performed with myself, and from what I could tell, the rest of the crowd being completely engaged by his style and delivery. He certainly made an impression on me and I hope to hear more from him at future nights. There was singer James, a first time performer from South Africa who sang two self-penned songs with a sweet yet powerful voice reminiscent of Jeff Buckley, accompanied by his rather battered looking acoustic guitar and a notebook containing scribbled reminders of his lyrics. Regular poet and acoustic performer Tom George treated us to three of his poems. He is a confident and entertaining performer and tells tales of coffee shop waitresses he admires from afar, flailing September flies he pities and cups he buys in the hope that they will be used as a precursor to ‘shagging’ but which regrettably go unused. Another regular poet is Liam whose poems I look forward to as they are always imaginative and often quite surreal. The topics of this month’s offerings were his sniper-toting granny who takes out neighbours from a vantage point on her roof and a bored man who met his untimely demise whilst carrying out his pointless and thankless day job of measuring an unnamed road!

The event has become a monthly treat for me and I would highly recommend it as a night of varied entertainment in a great venue and to any budding performers I would entreat you to “come strut your stuff’!

The next Come Strut Your Stuff is on Monday 5th October, starting at 8pm prompt. If you want to perform you need to be there before 7.30pm to put your name down on the set list and to grab a chair.

Full details from comestrutyourstuff.co.uk

Liverpool Acoustic Newsletter - October 2009

2009-10-01T00:01:00.003+01:00

Most people know that the city of Liverpool turns an Irish shade of green on St Patrick's Day each year, but that's nothing compared with the 17 days of Irish-inspired music, art, sport, politics, history, literature and craic that is the Liverpool Irish Festival. This year the main sponsor is Guinness, celebrating its 250th anniversary, so no better excuse is really needed to get down to one of the many events throughout the festival and to raise a glass to the Emerald Isle.

LIVERPOOL ACOUSTIC LIVE

The next Liverpool Acoustic Live is taking place on Friday 23rd October at the View Two Gallery on Mathew Street. The doors open at 8.00pm and the music starts at 8.30pm. Tickets are £4 on the door, or £3 in advance from contact[at]liverpoolacoustic.co.uk

This month we've got sets from the fantastic Mark Wilson, Daniela Bove and Nicole Collarbone, the lovely Zoe Nicol, and The Complete Unknown. The night will also feature a handful of songs from Liverpool Acoustic's Graham Holland.

Full details are in the poster on the main website at liverpoolacoustic.co.uk and all four performers will be featuring on this month's Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight audio show.

DIARY NEWS

So here are this month's movers and shakers. Take it away, Fluff.

You say goodbye...

It is with great pleasure (and no little smugness!) that we can announce that no acoustic events have stopped running since our last monthly newsletter. At least none that we've heard of!

And I say hello...

Liverpool's Acoustic Blues Club kicks off this month in the View Two Gallery (see blog post). Hosted by local blues duo Blue C, the event is due to take place on the first Friday of every month. The opening night features music from Tom Doughty, a lap slide guitar player now of international renown. There's also music from Blue C and guests. Full details from myspace.com/bluecblues

Acoustic Sundays at Tabac on Bold Street make a welcome return this month. It now starts at the earlier time of 7pm and still features some of the best local performers, plus open mic. Don't forget those 2 for 1 offers on bottled beers!

Cafe D'Art in Chapel Lane, Formby holds regular acoustic gigs. Thanks to Pat Wordley from the cafe for contacting us with the details. You can get more information from http://www.myspace.com/cafedart
The Kroaky Open Mic (great name!) takes place every Tuesday from 9.00pm(ish) at The Horse & Jockey in Melling. Thanks to Carla for the info.

As always, if there's anything we've missed from the diary then drop us a line and we'll add it.

OCTOBER DIARY SELECTION BOX

Here's a selection of some of the acoustic events taking place in October. Click on the event in the diary for full details and links. If your event doesn't seem to get mentioned then don't get miffed, get even. Drop us a line and we'll mention it next month.

Friday 2nd - Liverpool Acoustic Blues Club @ The View Two Gallery. Music from Tom Doughty, and Blue C. Doors open 8pm, music from 8.30pm, £5 admission.

Saturday 3rd - The Southbound Attic Band @ Cafe D'Art - 8.30pm start, and free entry

Saturday 3rd - Acoustic Dream makes a welcome return. Sue Cullen presents another great night of live music at The New Picket, with performances from The Kraize, The Jel, The Troubadours, Laney Murphy and the Hybrids, and Rain. As always, all money goes to Walton Neoro. 8pm start

Monday 7th - Come Strut Your Stuff @ The Egg Cafe. Open floor poetry and acoustic music takes place once a month in Liverpool's best vegetarian bistro. The event starts at 8pm but if you want to perform you'll need to be there before 7.30pm to get your name on the list. comestrutyourstuff.co.uk

Friday 9th - Tones of Home @ Studio 2 at Parr Street - Ronan Boyle returns with his Irish night featuring music from Blind Dog Moon plus special guests. 8pm start, and free entry.

Saturday 10th - Battle of the Bands heat 1 @ The Pilgrim - Won last year by Letters in Red. Who will win it this year? Part of the Liverpool Irish Festival.

Sunday 11th - Blues on the Rock @ Fort Perch Rock, New Brighton. Blue C host, with guest Graham Robinson. 1pm start, and £5 in.

Tuesday 13th - Charity event for World Challenge @ 3345 Parr Street - featuring 'KC & The Moonshine Band', 'Karen Cleary', 'Barry Briercliffe' and 'Rosie Jones'. Tickets £5 in advance from Eddie Cooney myspace.com/bronzebell eddie1@waitrose.com

Friday 16th - Fundraiser for James Bulger House @ Studio 2 at Parr Street - featuring Ian McNabb, T-J & Murphy, Kaya and Black 'n' Blues plus special guests.
Tickets £6 in advance from 3b records in Slater Street (next to Probe Records)

Friday 16th - Liverpool Irish Festival 2009 opens with a traditional Irish music session at Peter Kavanagh's starting at 10pm

Saturday 17th - Under the Influence VOL 12: Van the Man - Kaya's monthly showcase-cum-tribute night hooks up with the Liverpool Irish Festival, with creative covers and original songs inspired by Van Morrison and performed by Ronan Boyle, The Staves, Dave O'Grady, and Kaya.

Friday 23rd - Liverpool Acoustic Live @ The View Two Gallery, Mathew Street. Music from Mark Wilson, The Complete Unknown, Zoe Nicol, Daniela Bove and Nicole Collarbone, and featuring Graham Holland. Full details from liverpoolacoustic.co.uk

Sunday 25th - Sunday afternoon session @ The Casa - 2pm, free, and all welcome - part of the Liverpool Irish Festival

Wednesday 28th - the official launch party for Basement Live @ Rococo (Modo's basement lounge) - 9.00pm to 12.00am, this is set to be a great night with champagne, free shots, and amazing music. For more information visit the facebook events page. Further details as soon as they're announced.

Wednesday 28th - Adrian Edmonson and the Bad Shepherds @ Baby Blue Live Lounge - famous for Bottom and The Young Ones, Adrian takes to the stage with his folk punk group, with support from Ella Edmonson. 7.30pm start, £15 in advance, £18 on the door.

Friday 30th - Battle of the Bands final @ Osqa's Piano Bar - 8pm start, free

Saturday 31st - All Star Concert @ St Bride's Church - A Family Folk-up presentation, with Sam Proctor and Chris O'Malley, supported by Des Hurley, Stevie Byrne and Tad Sargent.
Also featuring Chris Boland, John Murphy, Fiona McConnell, Liam Muphy, hosts The Random Family, and Lizzie Nunnery. Doors 7pm - music 8 - 11. Bring your own drinks. Tickets £5 adv liverpoolphil.com

AND FINALLY...

After our appeal in last month's newsletter we now have two new team members here at Liverpool Acoustic HQ - Gill Newsham and Gemma Kelly contacted us to say they quite fancied having a go at this reviewing lark, so you can look forward to reading their thoughts in future News and Reviews postings.

While we're on the subject of appeals, we're actively looking for some reliable people who can look after the door at the Liverpool Acoustic Live gigs. Each month we need someone between 8.00pm and 10.15pm to let people in, greet them, take their money, and direct them upstairs. The person concerned will be paid. If you, or someone you know, is interested then drop us a line at contact[at]liverpoolacoustic.co.uk

We've now got a Digg entry, so if you'd like to 'digg' us then you can do that here - the more diggs we get the more visible the website. Don't forget you can also digg any news items you like from the News and Reviews page. "Hi" also to our followers on Twitter at twitter.com/lpoolacoustic and those who are members of the facebook group at groups.to/liverpoolacoustic

Graham (on behalf of the Liverpool Acoustic team)

New event - Liverpool's Acoustic Blues Lounge

2009-09-29T00:01:00.000+01:00

There's a brand new event starting this coming Friday 2nd October.

The Liverpool 'Acoustic Blues Lounge' is brought to you by local duo Blue C (Raphael Callaghan and Christine Purnell) and will take place on the first Friday of every month at the View Two Gallery on Mathew Street.

The doors open at 8pm, music starts at 8.30pm - and it's £5 on the door to get in.

Blue C's special guest on the opening night will be the fabulous Tom Doughty, king of the lap slide guitar. You can listen to his music on his MySpace profile myspace.com/tomdoughty

Help will be needed to carry Tom up the three flights of stairs, and although those of you gallant enough to volunteer won't find your reward in heaven, there is a licensed bar at the top!

More information about this gig and future dates from myspace.com/bluecblues

Stephen Langstaff tour and interview

2009-09-27T12:30:00.003+01:00

Academy Live has helped launch the careers of some of the most exciting acts on today's new music scene. Stephen Langstaff, Viva City, The Dukes Jetty and Murray James are all geared up to play O2 Academy stages across the UK with each artist headlining their hometown venue.

And this Tuesday 29th September the tour rolls into Liverpool, with Stephen Langstaff headlining in front of a home crowd.

Doors open at 7pm, and tickets are only £5 available from ticketweb.

More info available from stephenlangstaff.co.uk

Stephen Langstaff interview - September 2009

Ahead of the O2 Academy gig on Tuesday we thought it would be good to get a little closer to Stephen, and with a little help from our friends over at Liverpool Student Media we've done just that.

This article by Ian D. Hall is syndicated from LiverpoolStudentMedia.com, the University of Liverpool's student run newspaper, magazine, TV and radio station website. Many thanks to Ian and his team for allowing their content to be reproduced on the Liverpool Acoustic news and reviews page.

In eighteen short months the life and career of musician Stephen Langstaff has taken on almost sky rocket proportions, for a young man he was already well known as a decent support act in his own right and was able to open for the Bangles at the Academy on their tour in the summer of 2008. Stephen then got the call to support the Lightning Seeds at the Liverpool Philharmonic and then a coveted opening spot for Deacon Blue at this years Liverpool Summer Pops at the Echo Arena.

His music has been compared to the late Jeff Buckley and Tori Amos and has a legion of fans and that number is ever growing.

I was able to catch up with Stephen in Bold Street for a while and over a cup of tea discussed how much life had changed for him, his love of certain bands and how noisy it can be in a city centre coffee shop.

Hi Stephen, how are you doing today?

Hi, Noisy isn’t it, (points to Dictaphone and laughs) shall I talk directly in to that ?

If you can, not sure I picked the right place but hey! First off how did it feel being in front of such a huge crowd at the Echo during the summer and what led to you doing the gig?

A lady called, I was at the Philharmonic Hall with the Lightning Seeds and it was from that performance I think that led to the Echo Arena Show. So, it's just been brilliant and the kind of performances that I think I have been waiting for a while and building up to, because I have been doing really well since the show at the Academy and the audiences have been getting bigger and bigger at my shows.

No you are quite right, the audiences have been building up nicely and honestly it’s the old fashioned way and I quite like that!

Don’t get me wrong, I mean, two years ago, If you were opening every door for me, I wouldn’t’ have said no. I suppose on some level I’ve always known that my songs would go through some sort of organic process. Certainly for me the good thing about how I’m doing it if you go quite early on from one level to another its a big jump and if there are any setbacks, your fall can be quite great.

Its good, I’ve seen all sides of everything. I have a good understanding about the business and I‘m not flustered by it. I don’t mean to make it sound like bravado when I say that but I’m not. I know my musical limits more than two years ago, I think my confidence as a performer is a lot higher now and that just comes through consistently working and through the audiences and I’m leaning from making mistakes as well. Not every gig over the last two years has been good. Even where you’re not enjoying it, you learn something, I’d be pushing myself to make it work so I need to learn more from those gigs. The gigs where everything goes wrong. I feel I’ve been learning over the past two years to learn how to perform and I feel that I’m at a point where I know I can work out a way of doing things on stage.

The lads who are in the band have been with you a while now and seem to be well versed with your style of music.

Its been two and a half years now, its been good yes. We’re quite tight now and they were impressed with my songs and they appreciate that and just believe in them. I’ve been in different bands across the years that didn’t work and I’ve always felt a bit constrained, which is why I set out on my own and then I’ve kind of built everything around me now and I think that’s where the future lies and the problem I’ve found is that in a lot bands there’s no space and that’s where tensions arise so first of all I wanted to avoid that and I wanted to do exactly what I wanted and that’s what I did.

How did you go about that?

I just jumped in the car and do solo gigs here, there and everywhere. When it came obvious at a certain point when I needed a band to fill out these song, there was no point in asking musicians to collaborate with you and to tell him or her how to play them, I think it’s a bit offensive, as a singer you shouldn’t be telling a bass player or a drummer how to play note for note.

Why not get a session musician in?

Sharing ideas is one thing, sometimes I can hear a beat and an idea, not an exact sort of beat but I can describe how I feel, its full of energy, that’s the level that I work on, if I invite someone into the songs to play, then I can feed into them what I want. If everything is so open and if something does not work, then I’ll say. There’s a lot of mutual respect, I’ve never had one argument with anyone about this, it’s a collaboration, it's a labour of love. It's joyous music, I’d hate to take that out of it. I’m quite proud of that actually.

Who inspired you to start playing music?

It was literally Nirvana. I went round to see my best friend who lived two doors away and he had long hair and he put 'Come as You Are' and 'Teen Spirit' on from Nevermind. I was into pop music before then, like just chart music. I’m a big fan, its just that side of me. There’s room for everything I think. That was Nirvana and I progressed to Pearl Jam and the The Beatles! Its weird, I’ve got this weird mix of rock and pop and I listen to Offspring and Green Day as well. The Beatles came along and they fitted in with my outlook, they are more accessible kind of stuff and from there The Levellers to Oasis.

The atmosphere and that approach by the Levellers makes their gigs feel like one big party!

I try and bring some of that to my gigs but there’s another side to my gigs which comes from other acts like Tracy Chapman and Tori Amos, Jeff Buckley, to see how high we can get spiritually, how much I can reach the audience, I’m interested in that.

We must talk about Tori Amos!

(Laughs out loud) I’m a little bit obsessed by her. One thing I like about Tori Amos is that she’s got an image and I like how much connected she is to her fans, I felt that I just hadn’t just written songs just to share with people, that’s all that matters to me. I’ just couldn’t write anything without trying to create something that’s worth listening to. When you do your job right, you’ve written the song in the way it wants to be written and then that’s going to resonate with people and it was only until I’d discovered Tori Amos that things really started to change for me about six years ago. That’s when I left the band I was in and I kind of realised that I wanted to do.

I realised what I was, a songwriter with good songs and I could sing them rather than joining a band. I remember I was just sat in a bar somewhere and I was talking to my best friend about who satisfied I was about going solo. It was around that time I’d started to get interested in Tori Amos and Tracy Chapman and realising the power that their music generates in each song. I’ve not looked back since then, honest. The most satisfying thing for me at the moment is seeing the reactions from the people at the gigs and the emails I get. I know what I’m putting out there is great and I’m in a really good place.

I just play for everyone, I find it a bit cynical myself, music has become a big business like everything else

though with targeting audiences and everything. It not what I’m about and it never will be I don’t think.

Are you looking forward to the tour?

This will be the first real bit of touring I’ve ever done. Potentially five may be seven dates, I might also come back to Liverpool. Its an Academy tour. I like them, they do a good job. I’ve done some big shows, ~The Bangles show at the Academy show there was 650 at the gig. I can play anywhere now in Liverpool I can bring an audience with me to different venues. I’ve done the Barfly a few times.

Anywhere left in Liverpool you would like to play?

I’d love to play the Stanley Theatre at the University I’ve not done there.

Stephen starts his first of four night on tour on the 28th September in Newcastle and plays the Liverpool 02 Academy on the 29th September.

See the original article here.

EP review: Southbound Attic Band

2009-09-24T00:05:00.001+01:00

EP REVIEW

Artist: The Southbound Attic Band

EP: Southbound Train

MySpace: myspace.com/southboundatticband

One of the aspects that makes the vibrant acoustic music scene in Liverpool and the surrounding area so exciting is the variety. Folk, singer-songwriter, pop, Irish, jazz, blues, and rock – there’s something for everyone. Americana also plays a significant role with events such as The Company Store, the Family Folk-up, and the Loose Moose String Band sessions. The Southbound Attic Band fit nicely into the Americana mould, and add a bit of an English twist to the genre.

The Southbound Attic Band are Barry Jones on vocals and guitar, and Ronnie Clark on bass and slide guitar, and they’re joined on their debut Southbound Train EP by piano player Geoff Hall. The SAB guys describe their music as ‘Americana-tinged folk rock’ and the American influences are there for all to hear.

The EP kicks off with the title track, Southbound Train, a song which typifies Barry’s ability to write songs in an Americana style which sound traditional and authentic. On first listen (without the aid of the publicity bumph, I might add) I assumed this song, and others such as Last Man Standing, were originally from the American folk tradition. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the former was written by Mr Jones, while the latter has lyrics by poet and lyricist Geoff Parry. Southbound Train contains some typical American folk elements, such as a jilted lover, a train journey to Memphis (Tennessee, of course), and a happy reunion.

Howling At The Moon starts with great blues harp just to add to the feel of the Deep South. It’s another relationship song, this time the man would prefer to wander round in the vein hope of selling his songs rather than settle down and get a job like his true love wants.

To Be A Father (track 3) and Valparaiso Bound (track 5) were written soley by Barry Jones, and are influenced by the English folk tradition, the latter reminding me of my time singing sea shanties in The Shellback Chorus. Both of these songs are part of The Willow Suite, which was written by Barry and recently recorded by the band (advance copies available now!), and is based on the Wind In The Willows by Kenneth Grahame.

Last Man Standing (track 4) is my favourite song. It tells the tale of the last living survivor from the epic Battle of Gettysburg in 1863, the conflict with the highest casualty count, and the battle considered by many to be the turning point in the American Civil War.

The Southbound Attic Band can often be seen playing at Cafe D'Art in Formby. Why not go along and listen for yourself? You can bother them for a copy of the EP at the same time!

They can also be seen playing live this coming Friday 25th September 2009 at the Liverpool Acoustic Live event taking place at the View Two Gallery on Mathew Street. Doors open at 8.00pm and the music starts at 8.30pm. Entrance is £4 on the door, or £3 in advance from contact[at]liverpoolacoustic.co.uk

Graham Holland © 2009

Liverpool Acoustic – liverpoolacoustic.co.uk

Southbound Train EP can be bought from the band at their gigs, and the following places:-

News From Nowhere, Bold Street, Liverpool www.newsfromnowhere.org.uk
Quicksilver Music, Market Street, Southport
Cafe D’Art, Chapel Street, Formby www.myspace.com/cafedart

Acoustic artist required this Saturday

2009-09-24T00:01:00.002+01:00

A gig opportunity has come up for Saturday 26th at Vinea Wine Bar at the Albert Dock. Vinea is a nice, laid back and relaxed venue.

A performer has pulled out at short notice, so Harriet from the venue is looking for an acoustic musician or act who can do a 2 hour slot from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.

The set should be mostly covers, although you could slip in the odd original song if you wish. The fee is £70 and you'd need to provide your own PA.

These details came to us via Peter Cunningham, who was offered the slot but can't make it. If you're interested then give Pete a call on [number removed].

STOP PRESS - The gig is now taken and will be performed by Mark Dennis.

Squared Circle launch party Wednesday 23rd

2009-09-22T00:05:00.001+01:00

There's a party at Leaf Tea Shop & Bar on Wednesday 23rd September, and you're all invited. It starts at 9pm, and it's free entry.

Mellowtone presents the Squared Circle Launch Party.

Squared Circle is a Liverpool based management company borne from a love of grass roots music, with a policy of working only with artists they love, developing them and helping to give them the platform they deserve.

Performing on the night will be:-

Dead Cities
www.myspace.com/deadcitiesband

Ragz
www.myspace.com/ragzmusic

plus Beaten Tracks DJs
www.myspace.com/mellowtonenight

After the launch, more information will be available on their website at www.squaredcircle.co.uk

or you can get it via email from info@squaredcircle.co.uk

Leaf Tea Shop & Bar is on Parliament Street, in the Elevator Studio side of the NOVAS CUC building.

Gremlins

2009-09-22T00:01:00.001+01:00

No, not the ones from the movie. These gremlins are the ones sitting inside the server room at Google's blogger/feedburner HQ and which are responsible for one post getting sent out on Friday/Saturday (the gig review) when it wasn't supposed to go out until Sunday and for a post from the end of July (!) being re-sent for absolutely no reason other than that's what Gremlins do!

Sorry for any inconvenience.

Review: Amsterdam @ The New Picket

2009-09-20T16:00:00.004+01:00

Review: Amsterdam's Working Class Music Festival gig
Tuesday 15th September 2009 @ The New Picket, Jordan Street

Standing on The Picket line….

A cracking if eclectic line-up at Tuesday night’s Working Class Music Festival gig at The Picket. The second year of this festival of radical song, set up in the Capital of Culture year to promote songs of struggle, protest and social justice, was supported by Culturepool tonight, who had arranged for a few of us to meet the performers before the gig, which was a great introduction to the Merseyside live music scene for a newbie like myself.

Kicking off the bill was rapper Kof, with a beat-pumping mix of Calvin Harris, Bonkers and Bros. Gauging his audience wisely, he delivered a soulful balled halfway through his set, proving that he can sing as well as he can rap. I’m no rap aficionado but his material was witty and original. My mum would’ve liked him too, as you could hear every word! kofmusic.com

Next up, local favourite (despite being from Manchester!) Claire Mooney. Claire used to study at John Moore’s and told the audience that Liverpool had taught her everything she knew. Well, she learnt her craft well and despite being one woman and her guitar, she filled the venue, both with her voice and her personality. As Darius would’ve said, you could ‘feel the love in the room’. Even though it’s not a style of music I would usually listen too she was spellbinding. ‘I write political songs’, she said and by god she does. Describing one song as ‘a rant’, she covers topics from Clause 28, to corporate malpractice, to the wearing of a fleece. But she tempers the politics with a warm humour which really engaged the crew at the Picket, revving everyone up to a rousing bout of audience-participation singalong – getting the entire room to shout; ‘Dead dead good, Boss, Bostin’ and tonight, she was just that. Check out her sound at www.clairemooney.co.uk

The tempo changed with Phil Hare. A guitarist and singer of near-legendary status in Liverpool, Phil brought a quiet, intense mood to the venue. Down at the front, fans hung on every word while at the back the mayhem settled for a while. Political songs, acoustic magic, in a style reminiscent of Roger Whittaker at his best. Though next time I’d really prefer to hear Phil in a more intimate setting, as the excitement at the bar for the upcoming, more rocky-style, bands drowned out the passion just a bit too much. The man in the hat deserved more than that. There’s a wide range of Phil’s acoustic material on YouTube or go straight to the man at www.philhare.co.uk

Last up (for me, as I missed The Trestles) was John Peel’s ‘second- favourite band’, Amsterdam; (this ‘fact’ hotly disputed by the Birkenhead born ‘n’ bred singer Ian Prowse, who insists that Peel was known to have ‘sobbed along’ to their hit song ‘Does this train stop on Merseyside?’). The audience were ready and waiting and Amsterdam filled the bill with a rocky, punky wall of sound. It felt like the Picket should have been a stadium, for all the energy that echoed off the walls and reverberated back through the songs and hearts of this passionate band. Ian Prowse’s big, poppy, Wylie-esque voice soared above guitar crunching pop-rock with a real Celtic edge, with a lighter layer on top provided by the flute and the fiddle.

Many people are asking why Amsterdam aren’t bigger, and on this showing, its hard to see why not, especially as the band can name-drop fans including Elvis Costello and folk legend Christy Moore. Amsterdam’s lyrics are personal and political (with songs describing Irish Famine victims, Liverpool’s history of Slavery and a last one dedicated to Michael Shields), though layered in a pop sensibility; they reminded me of Stiff Little Fingers, Bruce Springsteen and Deacon Blue, with a big dollop of Wylie’s pop years. See if you agree…www.amsterdam-music.com

The Trestles finished the night on a blistering high and lead singer Al O’Hare performed with real passion. Even though the crowd thinned out after the headliners Amsterdam had finished their set The Trestles' high energy set continued to build a fervour in the intimate space of The New Picket. O’Hare also affirmed his political credentials when referring to the No To Tesco On Hope Street campaign, which raised a large cheer from the crowd.

Thanks to Vinny from Culturepool for finishing the review for us. Check out the engaging programme of events that Culturepool introduces its members to. Culture is everywhere, and it's not exclusive! So why not discover something new in the company of other like-minded people?

Hope Street Feast this Sunday

2009-09-19T00:01:00.000+01:00

The small but perfectly formed Hope Street Feast (aka the Hope Street Festival) is back for its fourth year, and we've got all the details just for you.

But instead of picking out just the acoustic happenings, we thought we'd give you the whole caboodle, with the acoustic bits highlighted in red . Enjoy :-)

The 4th HOPE STREET FEAST

SUNDAY 20th SEPTEMBER 2009, 10.30am – 5.00pm

Hope Street Quarter, Liverpool

Hope Street Feast 2009, sponsored by Paramount Stewarding and Security, is the 4th blissful family-friendly Sunday street party in Liverpool's Hope Street Quarter with music, theatre, dance, great food, drink and produce.

It's CAR FREE DAY! Come by BUS (74, 75 80 80A, 180, 86) or come by BIKE - we hope to have some extra bicycle parking on site at Mount Street.

This year there are 3 music stages on the streets ~ Myrtle Street, Blackburne Place (LIPA stage), and Hardman Street (Guinness Liverpool Irish Festival Stage including the Ceili)

With open air dining areas and bars, free open days at the Unity and Everyman Theatres, the whole event is brilliantly animated by Hope Street Ltd’s theatrical antics: following on from last year's "Market of Optimism," this year’s theme is "The Big Nosh ..."

Central to the event is the Open Day at the Phil. Vasily Petrenko will be conducting the RLPO in 3 free concerts, with other performances as part of the Liverpool Philharmonic open day including Seth Paris's "West African music meets Lancashire Brass Band" extravaganza, and the West Everton Children’s Orchestra ...

The farmers' market with hot food stalls runs the length of Hope Street from LIPA to the Everyman, and expect some spectacular gastronomic delights from the finest eateries on the street ~ No 60, The Quarter, Host, Everyman Bistro, Rubato and the Side Door, to name a few.

Open air bar / dining areas are at Myrtle Street, outside the Everyman Bistro on Hope Street, and outside The Quarter on Falkner Street.

Liverpool Cathedral is open throughout the day, hosting the final day of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, whilst the Metropolitan Cathedral piazza hosts an art market.

Everything is free to enter, you just pay for what you choose to eat and drink …

PROGRAMME

BLACKBURNE HOUSE

11am-5pm Art, Design &Craft Fair

The local artists and designer-makers’ work for sale includes jewellery, photography, textiles, ceramics and glass. Thirty-five stalls offering you quality, handmade or limited edition work.

Blackburne House Theatre - Hope Street Conversations

Four talks to annotate aspects of Hope Street Feast 2009

1pm Ian Brownbill in conversation with Seth Paris

Ian Brownbill, Director of Metal, discusses the Brass Band Transatlantic, the ambitious West African/Lancashire musical exchange project masterminded by Seth Paris, Metal artist in residence. Performances arising from the project take place both at Philharmonic Hall and the Myrtle Street stage during the day.

2pm John Dempsey (tbc)

John Dempsey contributed the Daily Post Country Matters column, is the author of Wild Merseyside a new book packed full of stuff on birds, insects, plants, mammals, and writes an infamous Birdblog. To complement the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral, John will talk about the wildlife of Hope Street and the city, aimed at everyone from beginners to grown-up birders.

3pm Andrew Cornall in conversation with Vasily Petrenko

Andrew Cornall, Executive Director of Orchestra & Ensembles at Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, discusses and the extension until 2015 of Chief Conductor Vasily Petrenko ‘s Liverpool contract.

4pm Darren Henley in conversation with Vincent McKernan

Darren Henley is Managing Director of Classic FM and Vincent McKernan is the former County Archivist for Greater Manchester Record Office who managed a two year project cataloguing the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic’s archive. Henley and McKernan are joint authors of the new book The Original Sound: The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Story.

MYRTLE STREET STAGE

Bar & Picnic Area with seating and Stage

12noon The Grapes Band

Taking their name from the renowned Sunday residency at the nearby pub of the same name, The Grapes Band play an energetic, infectious mix of Latin jazz grooves.

1pm The Grande

Feel good band, Priory Falls' former lead singer Ben Sherwen and drummer Phil Stevens return with a new project.

2pm Xander and the Peace Pirates

XATPP have a bluesy and soulful sound. This Liverpool band play a thought-provoking, happy and inspiring mix of sixties and seventies influenced music.

3pm Seth Paris with Felix Ngindu and friends

Metal’s artist in residence Seth Paris on saxophone and Kanda Bongo Man percussionist Felix Ngindu with a host of guests.

4pm Ian Prowse

Back by popular demand the Amsterdam, and former Pele, frontman returns to the Feast.

LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC HALL

‘OPEN DAY AT THE PHIL’

10.30am–5pm

A chance to see an insider’s view of the Phil as we celebrate the opening of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra’s season and the range of music, film, comedy and events at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. Packed with music for all ages, drop in throughout the day and enjoy free music and films that demonstrate the range of activity and give a behind-the-scenes look at how one of the UK’s premier arts and entertainment venues works.

Doors 10.30am

Main Auditorium Stage

10..45am

Watch the cinema screen rise from the stage and settle down to see four short family matinees.

12pm PeterPan

Enjoy Disney’s classic feature-length animation of the fairy story Peter Pan.

1pm, 1.40pm and 2.20pm

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

Three free short concerts of twenty thrilling minutes with Chief Conductor Vasily Petrenko.

1.20pm and 2pm

Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Choir

One of the North West’s finest youth choirs, offering young singers from the region exceptional choral training and performance experience.

3pm West Everton Children’s Orchestra and Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

Liverpool’s newest orchestra, formed through the national pilot In Harmony project which brings children and staff from Faith Primary School together with a team of highly skilled musicians led by Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra violinist Sally Anne Anderson. They performed for the first time in July this year alongside the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Julian Lloyd Webber.

3.50pm Liverpool Allstars

Allstars Casting TV Film & Theatre are based on Hope Street. They are Liverpool’s most contemporary casting agency for children, teenagers and adults. Here, they perform extracts from their recent hit show Our Day Out.

4.30pm Brass Band Transatlantic

Featuring Seth Paris (New York), Congolese percussionist, Felix Ngindu and The Liverpool Youth and Formby Brass Bands, this is West African music meets Lancashire Brass Band, and is the culmination of a project led by Seth Paris, an outstanding Jazz Saxophonist, who recently completed a residency at Metal gallery in Liverpool and spent a year in Ghana.

Rodewald Suite

(Entrance in Sugnall Street)

12.10pm Alistair Savage

Alistair is the guitar player/singer from Liverpool recording duo Cavemen That Get Sad, a full on mix of electric guitars and programming. He also plays occasional acoustic sets.

12.50pm Charlie Keeling

Charlie Keeling from Gothenburg is a songwriter, singer-guitarist influenced by Bert Jansch/John Renbourn and Nick Drake.

1.40pm None of the Above

Eclectic acoustic music, from Cajun to sea shanties.

2.30pm Ogo Nzeakor

This singer/songwriter plays a folky acoustic soul sound and has worked with artists such as Sense of Sound Choir and Sandi Thom.

3.20pm Modjango

This duo play breathtaking Jazz Manouche (Gypsy Jazz) guitar in the style of the great Django Reinhardt. Taking influences not only from Django, but also from modern day Gypsy Jazz guitarists, Spanish music, Rock Country and Classical music.

4.20pm Terry Coyne and Skirm

Two top Irish entertainers in their own right come together with flutes, whistles, guitar and vocals to produce a sound that includes vibrant tunes and stirring songs..

Rubato Café Bar

Liverpool Philharmonic Hall’s café bar will be open all day for a hassle free lunch or a coffee and cake stop. Check out the live feed from the Phil stage, so you don’t miss a thing while you refuel.

Grand Foyer Bar from 12.30pm

Join us in the bar upstairs in the Grand Foyer for a host of activities with Royal Liverpool Philharmonic’s Learning & Engagement team. These taster sessions are suitable for Children aged 1 to 11 years and their parents, the workshops involve creative music making and the opportunity to have a go on a range of musical instruments. In addition, children can pop up throughout the day and have a go at creating their own t-shirt.

EVERYMAN BISTRO

Providing food and live music throughout the day. Enjoy regional dishes or choose from range of Merseyside beers or a selection of the Bistro’s renowned salads and savouries..

Live music line up:

12pm Modjango

12.50pm Helen Maher

1.40pm Charlie Keeling

2.30pm The Grapes Band

3.20pm Terry & Skirm

HARDMAN STREET STAGE

12pm Mike Neary

Mike Neary has probably played in every venue on Hope Street including both cathedrals. This, his first outdoor venue, completes a very enviable set!

1pm-3pm Hope Street Ceili

The Guinness Liverpool Irish Festival 2009 present their famous Ceili. Join in the fun with the cream of Merseyside's Ceili musicians and callers led by ex Garva maestro Terry Coyne, with dance demonstrations by The Liverpool School of Irish Dancing and of course, YOU ~ ceili dancing is about joining in - you'll be 'Dancin' in the Street!

3.20pm The Trestles

With nods to The Waterboys, Springsteen, The Clash and Van Morrison, this four-piece have supported Mull Historical Society, Amsterdam and Ian McNabb.

4.10 pm Barry Sutton

The irrepressible Fabian Rothschilde, sometime of The La’s and Mirrorball, is a Hope Street coffee-drinking legend, sharp-witted songsmith and a fine showman.

LIVERPOOL EVERYMAN & PLAYHOUSE

Open 11am to 4pm

11.30am, 12 noon, 12.30pm, 1pm, 1.30pm, 2pm, 2.30pm, 3pm Tours

12.30pm Family Quiz

1.30pm Storytelling

3pm Everyman 45th Birthday Quiz

Visit for a sneaky back stage tour and find out more about our exciting re-development plans or test your knowledge of the Everyman in our 45th Birthday Quiz. You can pick up a bargain with our ‘Script Sale’ or re-cycle your holiday reading with our bookswap. There’s plenty of fun for all the family too with storytelling with actress Eithne Brown enthralling the children with stories including The BFG. Alternatively, just sit and enjoy some refreshment and watch the world go by…

HoSt

East meets West taste of the Orient. Oodles of Noodles!

HOPE STREET HOTEL

12pm-4pm

The London Carriage Works will be an oasis of calm for the partaking of Afternoon Tea! Delectable sandwiches, nursery rhyme sponge cakes and lashings of clotted cream will be the perfect accompaniment to watch the crowds go by. There will be a stall of scones and jam to lure you into the peace and quiet! Music is served below stairs at The Residents Lounge, to whet a different kind of appetite!

MARYLAND STREET FAIRGROUND RIDES

Come for some good old fashioned family fun on the fairground rides tucked away in the car park!

LIVERPOOL’S ANGLICAN CATHEDRAL

12noon–4.30pm (last ticket 4pm)

Catch the final day of the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year Exhibition at the end of its successful 5 week run with live owls and hawks in the Well of the Cathedral from 12 noon until 2.30pm, or take a trip up the Tower for the best views in town!

BLACKBURNE PLACE STAGE

Produced by LIPA

12pm Dan Croll

singer/songwriter based in Liverpool and studying at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, combines his acoustic style with both Parisian and Spanish influences to make cultured and memorable music.

12.30pm Natalie McCool

As a singer and acoustic guitarist, McCool has a timeless acoustic sound. She’s been inspired by an eclectic mix of artists including SuzanneVega, Damian Rice, Gomez, Coldplay and KT Tunstall.

1pm Richard O’Flynn

O’Flynn writes simple but provocative songs which he delivers through soaring vocals and catchy melodies. His powerful and emotive voice, coupled with his searching lyrics, give him a very distinctive sound.

1.30pm Shane Beales

Musician and songwriter Beales is a LIPA graduate renowned for launching a revolutionary website – Project 52 – on which he undertook to write and upload one song a week for a year.

2pm Lee Broderick

The 20 year old singer-songwriter has accomplished a lot already in the infancy of his live career, supporting Willy Mason, Paolo Nutini, KT Tunstall and Daniel Powter. He has toured extensively across the UK performing and crafting songs with passion, subtlety and an endearing honesty.

2.30pm The cast of 'Six Ways'

The cast will be performing some songs from this new musical that was voted the number one musical to watch at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2009 - "Six ways will touch your heart in a number of ways ..." - Broadway Baby

3pm Kaya

As a member of the Sense of Sound choir Kaya has performed at the Royal Variety Show, with Ringo Starr at the Capital of Culture 2008 opening ceremony and as a finalist of BBC’s Last Choir Standing. With her own music, Kaya released a critically acclaimed album earlier this year, and has played alongside Brett Anderson (Suede), Cherry Ghost, and Noah and the Whale.

3.30pm Mark Murphy

An acoustic set from the Crocodile God frontman.

4pm Deaf School

"In the whole history of Liverpool music, two bands matter most; one is The Beatles and the other is Deaf School... their impact on the city is with us to this day. Deaf School were (and still are) an inspired, chaotic live act..They play a wild amalgam of cabaret and pop; they are camp and theatrical but rock like crazy too”. Paul Du Noyer.