March brings with it the end of winter, the start of spring, and the hope of better things to come. And the Liverpool acoustic scene certainly has a spring in its step as the online diary starts to fill up at pace.
Some of the highlights this month included The Miserable Rich performing at the next Family Folk-up (5th), a sold-out Mumford & Sons gig at the Liverpool O2 Academy (9th), Nick Harper at The Masque (12th) supported by Dead Cities, and T-J & Murphy, The Dubliners (18th) at the Theatre Royal St Helens, and Amsterdam (20th) at the Liverpool O2 Academy, with support from the Kevin Critchley Outfit. There’s plenty more in the diary so check it out if you’re looking for something to do.
LIVERPOOL ACOUSTIC LIVE
February’s first year birthday bash sold out two weeks before the event. Those lucky enough to get tickets were treated to fabulous sets from Barry Briercliffe, Ashley Théberge, Nigel of Bermondsey, and an extended set from the headline act Stephen Langstaff.
This month Liverpool Acoustic Live takes place on Friday 26th March and features the following fantastic artists.
- Chris Selman is well known and respected on the local and north west scene. He has chosen this night as the Liverpool leg of his CD launch tour, and we’re certainly honoured! www.myspace.com/chrisselman
- The Lees are two local lads who just happen to share the same first name. They also share the same love of music and write songs about real life in Liverpool. Ones to watch. www.myspace.com/iwanttobealee
- Dana Wylie is from Canada and is perhaps best known for her work with the Dana Wylie Band. After two successful albums and periods of time living and touring in Canada and Taiwan, Dana is now back in the UK performing solo, and as a duo with Matthew Ord. If you like Ashley Thebérge, you’ll love Dana Wylie. An extremely talented young woman – not to be missed! www.myspace.com/danawylieband
- Matthew Ord is a london based singer and guitarist with a fresh take on the traditional usic of the British Isles and North America. He has performed at Glastonbury, the Cambridge Folk Festival, and SXSW, and has shared the bill with the likes of Martin Carthy, Seth Lakeman, Martin Simpson, and Albert Lee. www.myspace.com/mattheword
There are only 50 tickets available online for £3 in advance from wegottickets.com
There will also be a limited number of £4 tickets available on the door for this intimate and friendly venue.
Doors open at 8.00pm with music starting at 8.30pm sharp. The night finishes at 11.15pm.
DIARY NEWS
March is here, and new and returning events are coming thick and fast. It must be the promise of spring that’s inspiring you all!
You say goodbye…
- We’ve removed from the diary the Monday night open mic at Bar Du Fey after one helpful blog follower told us that not only could they not find the event, they couldn’t even find the bar! If you know any different please let us know.
And I say hello…
- There’s a new weekly event at The Railway on Tithbarn Street, brought to you by the Lemon Hippo guys (the same crew behind the Back in the Jac night). It’s called Back On The Tracks and is the same mix of booked acts and open mic. It runs from 7.00pm to 11.00pm and is free to get in.
- The new Acoustic Open Mic Night at the Head of Steam on Lime Street is the brainchild of Adam and Angie from Stop!DontJump. It takes place on Thursday 11th March and if it’s a success it will become a weekly event. So why not get down and support it? The night will be a mix of invited guests and general punters, and starts at 8.30pm
- Having taken a longer Christmas break than is normal(!) Dogstar* returns to the Picture House on London Road for a fortnightly Open Mic event. It started yesterday, which means the next one is (reaches for calendar…) Sunday 14th March.
- We’ve just found out about the ‘Live Lounge’ (what an inventive name!) at the Hard Days Night Hotel. It takes place every Friday and Saturday evening, and features live acoustic music in the lounge bar. There are three sets, two on Friday (5pm and 8pm) and one on Saturday (7pm). Gerry Murphy is currently entertaining the punters in the second Friday night slot.
- The Liverpool Guitar Society is launching on Thursday 11th March at the Cornerstone building at Liverpool Hope’s Everton campus. The society exists to promote classical guitar in Merseyside, and members can get support and encouragement, and there will be opportunities to play solo and in ensembles. Cost will be £2 from the second meeting onwards, and more details can be found at liverpoolguitar.org
MARCH DIARY SELECTION BOX
Here’s a selection of some of the acoustic events taking place in March. Click on the event in the diary for full details and links. Don’t forget that there may well be other events on the same night as those listed below that you’d prefer to go to – if that’s the case then check out the diary first before making your decision!
Monday 1st – 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. The last two months the set list has been full by 7.20pm so you’ll need to be early to get your name on the list and to claim a seat. Why not come along earlier and eat before the event? comestrutyourstuff.co.uk
Monday 1st – Acoustic Live Lounge @ 3345 Parr Street. If you went to the Liverpool Acoustic Live gig in February then you’ll want to get along to this event tonight because Ashley Théberge will be performing again. You can also see Pete Cunningham, and take part in the open mic. 8.30pm start and free entry.
Tuesday 2nd – Out of the bedroom @ Leaf Tea Shop & Bar. Open mic hosted by Johnny Sands. 8pm start
Friday 5th – Broken Bones Matilda @ The Zanzibar, featuring The James Witehouse Band, Rosie Jones and the Mystery Machine, Stuart Todd and the Freebies, Riot City, Our Innocence Lost, and Donja Vine. 8pm to 11.30pm – £4 on the door..
Saturday 6th – Big Her Night @ Toxteth TV. Eden Ink presents Big Her Day for International Women’s Day 2010 with music from the Lonesome Georginas, Jo Bywater, Barbie Shop, and the Hope and Harmony Community Choir. Hosted by Nurse Karen 101. Tickets £5 pre-paid only from Jo 07810 267574
Sunday 7th – Folk at the Monor. A great way to spend a Sunday evening. Tonight is a singers night and everyone is welcome to play a tune or sing a song. Free for musicians, £1 for listeners. 8.30pm start at the Old Manor Club, Withens Lane, Wallasey.
Wednesday 10th – DRØM @ Studio 2 at Parr Street. DRØM (dream) is a Nordenglish night put together to welcome springtime, mixing Scandinavian and English vibes. Compared by Ingi Thor-Johnsson (NICE festival) it features acoustic sets from Ragz, Nik Glover (The Seal Cub Clubbing Club), and Monika May. 8.00pm – free
Thursday 11th – Acoustic @ The Head of Steam. This is mentioned above in the Diary News section. 8.30pm start, with booked acts and open mic. Starting as a one-off event it will become weekly if successful, so get along and help it out.
Friday 12th – Nick Harper @ The Masque. Seel Street’s recently revived venue welcomes the wonder that is Nick Harper, with support from T-J & Murphy, and Dead Cities. 7.30pm start, and tickets £10 from ticketweb.
Sunday 14th – Open Mic @ The Picture House. Relaunched at the end of February this fortnightly event starts at 8.30pm and is hosted by Dogstar*
Friday 19th – Jackie Leven @ The Masque. Another great artist for The Masque! 8pm start, tickets £7 in advance from ticketweb.
Saturday 20th – Under The Influence VOL 17 @ Studio 2 at Parr Street. We don’t know what the theme will be for this one yet, but it’s sure to be a great night. Kaya is back at the helm and hosts from 9.00pm. Free.
Thursday 25th – Back on the Tracks @ The Railway, Tithebarn Street. This is the new weekly event from Lemon Hippo Promotions, featuring the same mix of booked acts and open mic. 7pm start and always free!
Thursday 25th – Woody Guthrie Folk Club @ The Ship & Mitre. 7.30pm doors, 8.00pm start, 10.30pm finish. £3 entry, or free to singers. The last one was a lock-out, so be sure to check the facebook page for more information about this one.
Friday 26th – Liverpool Acoustic Live @ The View Two Gallery. Our second year continues in fine style with Chris Selman’s CD launch, Dana Wylie from Canada, The Lees from Liverpool, and Matthew Ord from London. 8pm doors, music 8.30pm to 11.15pm. Tickets £3 in advance, £4 on the door.
Sunday 28th – 1.00am Clocks go forward one hour to British Summer Time
AND FINALLY…
Liverpool Acoustic is expanding with the addition of Matthew Moss onto our reviewing team. You’ll have seen some of Matthew’s interviews already on the News and Reviews blog and mailing list, and he’s looking forward to getting his literary teeth into some album and live reviews.
If you’re interested in contributing to the Liverpool Acoustic website then drop us a line using the Contact Us form or by emailing contact[at]liverpoolacoustic.co.uk
We’re always looking to add things that will make the site easier to use, so if you have any suggestions please let us know.
Graham, on behalf of the Liverpool Acoustic Team