According to some people August is supposed to be a quiet month on the local scene because everyone is off on their hols. Not so!
This August is as busy as ever, with lots going on for lovers of acoustic music in Liverpool and the Greater Merseyside area. Above The Beaten Track returns to the View Two Gallery on 22nd August, with music, art, food, and more music. And there will be plenty of fab acoustic stuff as part of the Mathew Street Fringe Festival at the end of the month, and we’ll pass the details on to you as soon as we have them. As for what we do know, read on, Macduff!
LIVERPOOL ACOUSTIC LIVE
This month Liverpool Acoustic Live is joining forces with local music legend Alun Parry for the launch of his new album, We Can Make The World Stop. It’s taking place on Friday 28th August at The Casa on Hope Street, and is free entry to all. But be there early because places will be limited. Doors open at 7.30pm with the music starting at 8.00pm.
In addition to a full set from Alun, there will be support on the night from Vinny T Spen, and Stuart Todd.
Full details are in the poster on the main website at liverpoolacoustic.co.uk and information about the new CD can be found by visiting parrysongs.co.uk
The Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight for August 2009 will be an album launch special, featuring an interview with Alun Parry plus tracks from his forthcoming album. There will also be a track each from Vinny and Stuart. We’ll let you know via the news and reviews blog when the Spotlight is online.
DIARY NEWS
Like the ebb and flow of the tide around the feet of the Iron Men on the beach at Crosby, so events in the Liverpool Acoustic Diary come and go, with new events starting all the time, and other events ending. The ups and downs for this month are as follows.
You say goodbye…
- Tuesday Night Music Night is no longer running following the closure of Monochrome. (Thanks to Mark Whitby for the info)
- And the lovely Sunday Acoustic at Tabac on Bold Street came to an end last month. Thanks to Natasha and everyone involved, and we look forward to the Mathew Street Fringe Festival special!
And I say hello…!
- There’s an open mic session hosted by John Holmes every Thursday night at Pogue Mahones at the top of Seel Street. Free entry, 9.30pm start. (Thanks to Stuart Todd for the info)
- Dogstar is hosting a new Sunday acoustic night with open mic at The Picturehouse on London Road every two weeks. It started on 19th July, and the next one is on 2nd August. Visit myspace.com/dogstar3 for more info.
- Acoustic Air Raid is the first event from Harvest Sun Promotions, and takes place on 9th August in St Lukes Church. We’ll let you know when we have the details for their future events myspace.com/harvestsunpromotions
- Friday Night Acoustic and the Songbook Sessions (both upstairs at The Zanzibar) are not a new events, but they are new to our online diary. Thanks to Marc for passing on the information (and congratulations on your new baby!).
Sideways shuffle…
- Lemon Hippo have moved their weekly event from Chameleon (yet another desertee!) to The Jacaranda on Slater Street and have cleverly renamed the night “Back In The Jac”. Visit myspace.com/lemonhippo for more details.
There are still a number of event organisers who aren’t sending us their event information, and as such are missing out on the lovely free publicity. If you know of any acoustic gigs not in the Liverpool Acoustic diary then contact us and let us know. Also, if you know of any acoustic events in the diary that have stopped running then let us know that too!
Here’s a run-through of some of the acoustic events taking place in August that are worth a special mention. Click on the event in the diary for full details and links.
Saturday 1st – The Company Store @ The Zanzibar – with The Sixteen Tonnes, SJ Downe’ Blackwook Jiggers, Familiary Looking Strangers, Blind River Scare. 8pm start and £6 in
Monday 3rd – 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.
Wednesday 5th – Folk and Irish music @ Mojo’s – this new night in West Kirby continues with more great local acoustic talent.
Thursday 6th – Homegrown @ 3345 Parr Street – Resident band Letters in Red introduce Karen Cleary, David Walter, Rich Addis, and The Hang Projec. 8pm, free entry
Friday 7th – Friday night acoustic – upstairs at The Zanzibar. Every first and third Friday. Tonight features Rachel Dunn, Dan Elson, Kev Eustace, Keith McKnight. 7.45pm/£4
Sunday 9th – Acoustic Air Raid @ St Lukes bombed-out church – John Head (Shack), Misery Guts, The Grande, Pod Cousins, plus Spoken Word 2.00pm to 6.30pm – £5 on the door.
Thursday 13th – Richard Thompson @ Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. 7.30pm/£20
Saturday 15th – Kevin Critchley Outfit play Acad Fest @ O2 Academy – 3pm/£6
Saturday 15th – The Songbook Sessions @ The Zanzibar – Charlotte O’ Connor, Slow Motion Stranger and Pete Cunningham. 7.30pm/£5
Saturday 15th – Stephen Langstaff @ Parr Street Studio 2 – 8pm/free
Monday 17th – Acoustic Slice returns to 3345 Parr Street after a summer break Hurrah!
Saturday 22nd – Above The Beaten Track @ The View Two Gallery – 2pm to late, £5 all day
Friday 28th – Alun Parry album launch, in association with Liverpool Acoustic Live. Support from Vinny T Spen and Stuart Todd. 7.30 doors, 8pm start. Free.
Sunday 30th & Monday 31st – Under the Influence VOL 9 – a 2 day Beatle-flavoured special @ Parr Street Studio 2, hosted by Kaya
AND FINALLY…
Once again, thank you to everyone who’s contributed to either the Liverpool Acoustic website or the Liverpool Acoustic Live event. If you have anything you’d like to add then please let us know by using the Contact Us form or by emailing contact[at]liverpoolacoustic.co.uk
And remember, you can follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/lpoolacoustic
Graham (on behalf of the Liverpool Acoustic team)