Liverpool Acoustic Newsletter – April 2010
April is here and many local schools are experiencing their first ever ‘Spring Break’ – sounds so American, doesn’t it? But the local acoustic scene isn’t taking a break – no Siree! In fact it’s going into overdrive with no fewer than 14 (yes, you heard it right, 14!) new, regular events being added to the online diary this month.
And then we have the festivals…!
Festival 1 – Working Class Life and Music Festival
April brings with it the return of this festival which is now the largest celebration of working people on the planet. There’s plenty to see and do, with the festival covering history, literature, comedy, drama, art, politics, philosophy, sport, and (of course) music. In addition to the many music events (including the opening gig, courtesy of Liverpool Acoustic) there’s also the return of the Liverpool Music Barcamp, an un-conference for anyone interested in music and the local scene, including workshops on how it’s produced and consumed, and discussions on topics such as digital media and the state of Liverpool’s music scene. Full details of all the events can be found at workingclassmusic.org.uk
Festival 2 – Shanty Festival
The demise of the Liverpool Boat Show also saw the demise of many of the events that would have run alongside it. Faced with apathy from the organisers of the replacement festivities the Shanty Festival has upped and moved to the National Waterways Boat Museum at Ellesmere Port. The first Shanty UK Easter Sea Shanty Festival takes place over the Easter weekend, with special guests including Hughie Jones, Bob Conroy (USA) and groups from across the UK and Europe. Full details can be found at shanty.org.uk
Festival 3 – 3rd Degree Festival
Running from Monday 4th to Saturday 16th is the 3rd Degree Music Festival, showcasing the incredibly talented musicians graduating at the end of their third year studying at the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts – LIPA. You can find a full run-down of gigs at 3rddegreefestival.com Acoustic treats in the eclectic line-up include Douglas Dare, James Canty, Ben Noke, Emily Leonard, Joaqim Lewerin, Petru Calinescu, Mikhael Paskalev, the James Whitehouse Band, Jonas Alaska, Billie Van, Dan Croll, Yuval Bilgorai and T’lark. There’s also a welcome return for The Worry Dolls featuring Liverpool Acoustic favourites Zoe Nicol and Rosie Jones. Each gig is £4, with a wristband for the whole event a brilliant £12.
- Carly Bryant is from Brighton and qualifies for this gig on the basis that we booked her before deciding to make the eXtra shows local artists only!
- Mark Byrne, talented singer/songwriter
- Matt Swift, the Lancashire Troubadour
You can listen here to the Liverpool Acoustic eXtra Spotlight which showcases the three artists playing at this event.
Support on the night is from exciting new Liverpool folk group Rich Man’s Ruin.
Tickets are £9 (£7 conc) from www.wegottickets.com/event/104400 or pay on the door.
Doors open at 7.00pm and the music starts at 7.30pm
A full bar is available.
All change!
- Graham Holland has hung up his hosting boots after 11 years and handed over the reigns of the Come Strut Your Stuff open floor poetry and acoustic music event to two veterans of the Egg Cafe, musician Tony Kehoe and poet Dave Harley. Why not go along and support them, as the event moves into a new era? Stan the Harper (Stan Ambrose) has also taken this opportunity to bring his involvement to an end. Stan has been entertaining people at this event since before even Graham started and will be greatly missed.
- Hungry Wolf Band Night has moved from its fortnightly Friday spot at Heebie Jeebies and is now weekly every Saturday at the Head of Steam on Lime Street. James Walsh is looking for bands and acoustic artists to take part – you can find the current list of booked acts on their MySpace page myspace.com/hungrywolfbandnight
- Kroaky Open Mic has moved from Kirkby and is now every Tuesday night at The Royal Oak on Liverpool Road, Aughton. It starts at 9pm and has a welcoming and supportive atmosphere.
You say goodbye…
- The Walton Music Club every Friday and Sunday is no longer running at the County Ward Labour Club since the venue closed. Thanks to Richard for letting us know. We don’t know if the club has found a new home, so if anyone can help fill in the blanks we’d be grateful.
- As mentioned in NEWS BLAST #4 Lemon Hippo’s Back in the Jac no longer meets in The Jac on Slater Street. See below for its fabulous replacement!
…and I say hello
- Lemon Hippo are going where no acoustic showcase has gone before – the Vinyl Frontier! Well, what else could they call a new night at Vinyl on Lark Lane? It’s every Saturday night from 8pm to 1am, and continues the no-attitude formula that made the Jac night so successful.
- And talking of Lark Lane, Jody Cooper hosts an ‘anything goes’ Open Mic night at Aki’s Wine Bar on, yes you guessed it, Lark Lane. It’s every Thursday from 9.30pm, although it’s worth contacting the venue if you’re travelling any distance just to check.
- Liver Coustic was born out of the (metaphorical) ashes of Mochacoustic, and has it’s first night on Friday 1st April at Basement 20 (formally Bar Samui). It’s hoping to be a regular ‘First Friday of the Month’-type deal, so why not get along and support it? Your host, as ever, is Guy Taunton.
- Game presents Sunday Service every first and third Sunday at Bad Format Social Club. It’s overseen by the Rev. Greedy Jesus and it’s free to all worshipers of great acoustic music. Details in the diary.
- Talk to Frank is a new event on the last Saturday of the month at The Sink on Berry Street, featuring a real mix of musical talent. See the diary entry for more details or search on facebook.
- Lost at Sea Unplugged is a new weekly open mic night from the guys who brought you the Acoustic Afternoon. This new venture is 7.00pm to 11.00pm every Thursday from 7th April at The Sink on Berry Street, and they’re hoping to develop it as a showcasing and networking event. It’s free entry, there are lots of drinks offers, and everyone who plays gets a free drink!
- For Folks Sake (careful how you say it!) is another new event which takes place at Bumper Bar on the first Sunday of the month. It features up-and-coming folk and acoustic acts and promises to be ‘wonderfully bizzarre’! Details are in the diary and on facebook.
- Brew Tea open mic is a new fortnightly event on Thursdays at Brew Tea Bar on Bold Street. It runs from 7.00pm to 9.30pm and is free to get in. There are ten 11 minute slots and if you want one just email lukegillard@hotmail.com – the next one is on Thursday 7th April
- The Strange Door is an ‘anything goes’ type performance event featuring poetry, spoken word, storytellers, and musicians. It’s also the perfect event to meet other creative people and maybe work on some collaborations. It takes place on the fourth Wednesday of every month from 7pm to 11pm at Mello Mello, and it’s free. Just turn up and put your name down.
- There’s a new Acoustic Night at Hannah’s Bar every Thursday from 9.30pm to late, featuring a special guest artist or band each week. It’s run by Soul Doubt Music, it’s free entry, and if you’re interested in playing email SoulDoubtMusic@gmail.com
- Acoustic duo Soul Doubt play a mix of covers at Hilton Unplugged every Wednesday in the bar at Liverpool One’s Hilton Hotel. It’s from 9pm to 11pm and free.
- Jam in the Park makes a welcome return to Vale Park, New Brighton on the first Saturday of every month from 1pm to 4.30pm. There’s an extra one for the end of the season on 27th August, and with it being open air it’s all weather permitting.
- Phill and Carla’s Open Mic takes place every Sunday evening from 9.00pm to midnight at the 22 Club (Snooker Hall) in Ormskirk.
- There’s a new weekly Open Mic Night at The Flute on Hardman Street from 8pm to 11pm every Sunday. Free entry.
- Friday 1st – Liver Coustic @ Basement 20, Hardman Street. 9pm start, and free entry.
- Saturday 2nd – Vinyl Frontier @ Vinyl, Lark Lane – every Saturday from 8.00pm, and free entry
- Sunday 3rd – Sundays at Sudley @ Sudley House – first event at this lovely art gallery in South Liverpool. Running from 1pm to 4pm, it’ll become a regular event if it’s a success. Email kehoesongs@yahoo.co.uk if you’re interested in performing acoustic music or poetry.
- Thursday 7th – Carrie Elkin [USA] @ Grateful Fred’s – tickets are only £5 to see Carrie all the way from Austin, Texas, accompanied by guitarist/vocalist Paul Cataldo. Support is from Steph Fraser and the Gratefulfred Houseband. gratefulfred.co.uk
- Friday 8th – Liverpool Acoustic eXtra @ the View Two Gallery, featuring Carly Bryant, Matt Swift, and Mark Byrne.
- Saturday 9th – Mark Delaney and Friends @ The Capstone Theatre, Hope at Everton
- Thursday 14th – Lost At Sea Unplugged @ The Sink
- Tuesday 19th – Kroaky Open Mic @ The Royal Oak, Aughton
- Friday 22nd – Leon Rosselson @ Sefton Park Palm House, with support from Rich Man’s Ruin
- Sunday 24th – Rathole Roadshow 2011 @ The Zanzibar, featuring Rob Warren, plus 20lb Sounds, and I Am Not Lefthanded.
AND FINALLY…
If you’d like to contribute by writing a review of a live acoustic music event (you’ve got plenty to choose from!) then 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
