The city’s Christmas lights have been switched on, an Ice Palace has magically appeared outside John Lewis, and the Christmas Market (one of the largest in the UK) is in full swing. And if these weren’t big enough hints there’s always the DFS “order now and get it delivered before Christmas” adverts to get us in the mood!
And as we enter the festive season there’s no better time to go out, have a few drinkies, and listen to some great acoustic music. However, there are lots of recurring events in the Liverpool Acoustic Diary so it’s probably a good idea to check with the organiser or venue before heading out during the Christmas and New Year period. After all, you don’t want to turn up to a cancelled event looking like a turkey, do you?
One event worthy of a special mention is the OpenMic UK Area Final on Sunday 5th December at The Willows Variety Centre in Salford where the participants will be battling for a place in the national final at London’s O2 Arena, and the chance to win a recording contract. Representing Liverpool and Merseyside are local performers Jody Cooper, Doug Faughan, Eden Vernett Showers, and James Foster Lamb AKA Rufus Hok. Tickets can be bought from any of these guys, or from the OpenMic UK website openmicuk.co.uk Best of luck to you all!
One event worthy of a special mention is the OpenMic UK Area Final on Sunday 5th December at The Willows Variety Centre in Salford where the participants will be battling for a place in the national final at London’s O2 Arena, and the chance to win a recording contract. Representing Liverpool and Merseyside are local performers Jody Cooper, Doug Faughan, Eden Vernett Showers, and James Foster Lamb AKA Rufus Hok. Tickets can be bought from any of these guys, or from the OpenMic UK website openmicuk.co.uk Best of luck to you all!
LIVERPOOL ACOUSTIC LIVE
The next Liverpool Acoustic Live – our Christmas Party – takes place a week earlier than normal on Friday 17th December at the View Two Gallery, and features five acts for the price of four. Great music, great venue, a bar, and mince pies – what’s not to like?
- Jessicas Ghost have recently finished recording their second album and are itching to perform their infectious brand of folky pop at Liverpool Acoustic Live for the first time.
- Jollyboat bring their fun-filled frolicking pirate show to the View Two off the back of a four star review at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Prepare to splice the mainbrace and shiver the ole’ timbers. Aaarrr!
- Alun Parry is a mainstay of the local music scene, and earlier this year launched his successful Woody Guthrie Folk Club in addition to forming a new group called Rich Man’s Ruin. However, Alun’s flying solo for the Christmas party, so prepare for some new songs amongst the classics.
- Stuart Anthony’s Long Lost Band lived up to their name when they broke down on the motorway and couldn’t make it to the Bluecoat gig this summer. Hopefully they won’t have the same problems again as we’re really looking forward to hearing them play.
- Graham Holland is the man behind the Liverpool Acoustic website and the co-organiser of the live event. Once a year he brushes off his guitar to entertain the masses and his Mum. Come along and bring your Christmas party hat, and get into the spirit of the season.
Tickets are available online for £4 in advance from wegottickets.com – and are £5 on the door.
Doors open at 8.00pm with music starting at 8.30pm sharp. The night finishes at 11.15pm
Join the facebook event here.
DIARY NEWS
The fortunes of our regular acoustic events go up and down like a bungee jumping elf.
You say goodbye…
- ‘Tis the season of goodwill to all acoustic events as none has chosen this month to call it a day.
And I say hello…
- James Walsh has started a new Open Mic night at The Lodge on Lark Lane every Thursday from 9.00pm More details when we have them.
As always, if there’s anything we’ve missed from the diary then drop us a line and we’ll add it.
DECEMBER DIARY SELECTION BOX
Here’s a festive selection of some of the acoustic events taking place in December. Click on the event in the diary for full details and links.
- Wednesday 1st – My go! My go! @ Mello Mello – fortnighly forage amongst the undergrowth of Liverpool’s hidden talents. Open Mic night for all, 8pm, free.
- Monday 6th – Come Strut Your Festive 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
- Monday 13th – Envi Christmas Acoustic Special @ Envi, Fleet Street – featuring Barry Briercliffe, Matt Swift, Saul Godman, and more to be announced. 8pm start, and free entry.
- Thursday 9th – Jo Bywater album launch @ Mello Mello – Jo launches her debut solo album Cycle Grace Pulse Break at 8.30pm, and entry is free! Details from facebook event page.
- Wednesday 15th – Probe Plus Acoustic Night @ Mello Mello – featuring Noel Berg, Craig Sinclair, Sonnenberg, JD Meatyard, and DJ Norman ‘the cat’ Killon.
- Friday 17th – Liverpool Acoustic Live Christmas Party @ The View Two Gallery – Jessicas Ghost, Alun Parry, Jollyboat, Stuart Anthony’s Long Lost Band, and Graham Holland
- Sunday 19th – Liverpool Music Week Christmas Party 2010 @ The Kazimier – Candi Payne, Stealing Sheep, Misery Guts. 8pm. £3 for first 50 tickets, then £5 afterwards. Info from here.
AND FINALLY…
As well as looking for people to review live events for the News and Reviews page, we’d also like to hear from anyone interested in writing other features or opinion pieces. If that’s you then get in touch using the Contact Us form or by emailing contact[at]liverpoolacoustic.co.uk
While you’re on the Liverpool Acoustic website why not leave a message in our Guestbook? We’d love to hear from you if you’ve discovered a great acoustic event or exciting new artist throught the site.
The Liverpool Acoustic team will be taking a well-earned break between Christmas and New Year, but will be back in full swing in 2011.
Happy Christmas from the Graham and Stuart,
on behalf of the Liverpool Acoustic Team