The end of summer/beginning of autumn? A change in the weather? The start of a new term? Shorter days/longer nights? Whatever the reason there’s a whole truck load of acoustic music events new into the diary this month. And in addition to the new events, the annual cycle of festivals pulls up alongside the Liverpool Working Class Music Festival, and the Hope Street Feast this month. So, get on yer bike and let’s go!
LIVERPOOL ACOUSTIC LIVE
Thanks to everyone who turned up to The Casa last month for Alun Parry’s album launch party. It was a brilliant event, with top-class support from Vinny T Spen and Stuart Todd. Nigel from Mad Bouncy Dogs did a great job running the sound system and streaming it on the Internet at the same time.
September’s Liverpool Acoustic Live is back at it’s regular venue, the View Two Gallery on Mathew Street. It’s taking place on Friday 25th September, with the doors opening at 8.00pm and the music starting at 8.30pm. Tickets are £4 on the door, or £3 in advance from contact[at]liverpoolacoustic.co.uk
We’ve got a great show for you, with sets from Ben Blance, Rae Clark, Rob Clarke, and the Southbound Attic Band.
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
In a fashion not entirely unlike the Radio 1 Top 40 show, we have some new entries in our chart… er… calendar of acoustic events, and one that’s fallen out of the chart altogether (i.e. it’s stopped!). So here are this month’s movers and shakers. Take it away, Fluff.
You say goodbye… to only one event
- Karl Lunt’s Sunday evening residency at Hannah’s Bar has come to an end, but if you read below you’ll find that it’s been replaced in the diary by not one, but two open mic events at the same venue.
And I say hello… to lots and lots of new stuff (just how we like it!)
- Karl’s Sunday show at Hannah’s has been replaced by two open mic nights every Sunday and Tuesday, hosted by the one and only Ogo! Details in the diary entry.
- Mochacoustic has settled into a regular monthly slot at the Mocha Lounge on Sir Thomas Street on the last Friday of the month.
- Basement Live is a new event that’s taking place at Rococo, the basement lounge inside Modo on Concert Square. They’ve already had two fantastic nights featuring the likes of Hundred Monkeys, and Ogo, and are looking forward to many more.
- New into the diary is Live Lounge at the Albert Dock’s Baby Blue, which continues to impress with its range of top quality national and international acts of all genres. Amongst them are some acoustic gems as the main acts and as support. The new seasons starts this Sunday with the Acoustic Strawbs, and support from local performer Rachael Dunn.
- Nouveau Django have a new residency every Wednesday at Tabac at the top of Bold Street. See the entry in the diary for more details.
- Also every Wednesday sees an Open Mic at Osqa Piano Bar and Restaurant on Oldham Square (behind Roscoes Bar on Renshaw Street). Details in the diary entry for this too – and yes, it does have a piano!
- Backstage Promotions are holding the first of what is hoped will be regular gigs under the banner of The Acoustic Store. The first one on 6th September at The Magnet features five acoustic acts. 6.30pm start, and only £3 to get in.
- Kaya has a new monthly event called Eclectic Collective at Leaf Tea Shop & Bar in the Elevator Studio side of the NOVAS CUC building. It’s a new concept where three artists play two sets of three songs each, giving an interesting mix of top notch music. The first one is on Wednesday 16th September and it’s free! The launch will feature sets from Thomas-Joseph & Murphy, Stuart Anthony, Rosie Jones, and Kaya.
- Sick is a new live music night from Read the Fanzine promotions – bringing you the best local and touring bands. This month features the fab Strawhouses, Fake Union, Coma, and the lovely Rachael Dunn. Friday 4th Sept – details below.
Also, if you’re interested in jazz then there are plenty of great jazz events happening in Liverpool in addition to Nouveau Django’s new night at Tabac. For information about the local jazz scene, plus a comprehensive what’s on guide, visit our friends over at Liverpool Jazz at liverpooljazz.org
As always, if there’s anything we’ve missed from the diary then drop us a line and we’ll add it.
SEPTEMBER’S DIARY SELECTION BOX
Here’s a selection of some of the acoustic events taking place in September. We can’t mention *every* event (that would be silly!) so if yours isn’t here then it’s nothing personal, honest. Click on the event in the diary for full details and links.
Tuesday 1st – Back in the Jac @ The Jacaranda – This weekly event continues to provide top-quality artists, with this week seens sets from Avant Gardner, Michael Ryder, Duncan Ewart, The Lee’s, and Tom Lee Mann. lemonhippo.co.uk
Thursday 3rd – Homegrown @ 3345 Parr Street – Letters in Red host, with music from The Good Intentions, Andy Klein (USA), Luke Mawdsley, and The Moguls. 8pm start, and free entry. myspace.com/homegrownrecords
Friday 4th – Sick @ The Magnet – Sick is a new live music night from Read the Fanzine promotions – bringing you the best local and touring bands. This month features Strawhouses, Fake Union, Coma, and Rachael Dunn 9.30pm – 2.00am £4 entry sicknight.co.uk & facebook
Saturday 5th – Jeff Jepson Band @ Studio 2 at Parr Street – A solo set by Jeff, followed by a set with his band. 9pm start for a great night!
Saturday 5th – Open Mic @ The Bear’s Paw – Dogstar* hosts open mic every Saturday night at The Bear’s Paw. “This is acoustic music with bite” 8pm start – Free entry myspace.com/thebearspawmusic
Sunday 6th – The Acoustic Store @ The Magnet – 6.30pm start & £3 in. David Harbottle, Avant Gardner, Peter Cunningham, Edwin Miles, Hundred Monkeys. myspace.com/thebackstagepromotions
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 7.20pm to get your name on the list. comestrutyourstuff.co.uk
Saturday 12th – Almanac Folk present Fighting Songs @ Mello Mello – Folk new and old, traditional and alternative, featuring campaign songs, brawling songs, recruitment songs and resistance songs; plus spoken word and some very exciting collaborations. Performers include Joe Keelan, Greg B Hall, Alan Wright (Arthur Shelton Jones and Friends), and Lizzie Nunnery. 8pm start – free. facebook.com/almanac.folk
Sunday 13th – Leon Rosselson & Roy Bailey @ The New Picket – with support from Frankie Armstrong and David Ferrand. This is the first gig of the Liverpool Working Class Music Festival 2009 workingclassmusic.org.uk
We’ve just heard that this gig is SOLD OUT. There are still tickets available for the other gigs, but they are of limited availability and are also likely to sell out before too long.
Sunday 13th – Chris Wood @ The Sefton Park Palm House – with support from Lizzie Nunnery. Advance ticket sales only! palmhouse.org.uk
Tuesday 15th – Amsterdam @ The New Picket – with support from The Trestles, Claire Mooney, Phil Hare, and Kof. Part of the Liverpool Working Class Music Festival 2009 workingclassmusic.org.uk
Wednesday 16th – Eclective Collective @ Leaf Tea Shop and Bar – sets from
Thomas-Joseph & Murphy, Stuart Anthony, Rosie Jones, and Kaya.
Wednesday 16th – Chumbawamba @ The New Picket – with support from Atilla the Stockbroker, Alun Parry, and Tracey Curtis. This is the final gig of the Liverpool Working Class Music Festival 2009 workingclassmusic.org.uk
Saturday 19th – The Songbook Sessions @ The Zanzibar – Neil Campbell is hosting, and will be playing playing original music for classical guitar and cello with Nicole Collarbone. Also performing will be Ste Cecil, Sam Sallon, Rosie Jones, Bobhowla, Misery Guts, Ragz, and Marc Sunderland. Doors 7.30pm – Admission: £5
Saturday 19th – Under the Influence VOL 11 – Northern Lights @ Studio 2 at Parr Street – this month with a Nordic theme!
Sunday 20th – Hope Street Feast – another fun-packed day of food, drink, entertainment, and creativity. Full details closer to the time hopestreetfestival.com
Friday 25th – Liverpool Acoustic Live @ The View Two Gallery, Mathew Street. Music from Ben Blance, Rob Clarke, Rae Clark, and the Southbound Attic Band.
Saturday 26th – Family Folk-up @ The Bluecoat – From 10am to 6pm with Liverpool’s brightest acoustic/folk musicians including Sparkwood & 21, Thomas Joseph & Murphy, Dead Cities and The Random Family, plus a courtyard market featuring handmade jewelery, vintage clothes, local music, street theatre and other surprises.
Saturday 26th – Remember Me: A Tribute To Phil Ochs @ The View Two Gallery – A small group of friends get together to remember the legendary protest singer and activist Phil Ochs 35 years after his death. With contributions from Alun Parry, Al Baker, Andy Smythe, and more. 7.30pm start and £3 in. myspace.com/aphilochsthing
Tuesday 29th – Stephen Langstaff headlines at the Liverpool O2 Academy as part of a national tour. Sure to be a brilliant night from one of Liverpool’s shining stars. stephenlangstaff.co.uk
AND FINALLY…
We could do with a couple of people who are willing and able to review CDs and/or events. So if you’re a budding music journo (or want to try) then why not drop us a line using the Contact Us form or by emailing contact[at]liverpoolacoustic.co.uk
‘Hello’ to our new followers on Twitter at twitter.com/lpoolacoustic and those who have recently joined the facebook group at groups.to/liverpoolacoustic
And don’t forget there’s a guestbook where you can leave your comments about the website and how it saved your life or your musical career. liverpoolacoustic.co.uk/guestbook
Graham (on behalf of the Liverpool Acoustic team)