Liverpool Acoustic Newsletter – July 2011

July is upon us, and since Wimbledon is almost over for another year and both the European Championships and the Olympics are still 12 months away why not get out and enjoy some of the fantastic acoustic music on offer around the city of Liverpool and across the wider Merseyside area?

• The Kevin Critchley Outfit are well known for their big songs and even bigger sound, but for this Liverpool Acoustic eXtra gig they’ll be going all out with a string section. Those who saw this at the Threshold Festival earlier this year said it was one of the highlights of the weekend, and the chance to see it in the intimate View Two Gallery is one not to be missed. In addition to playing Chester Rocks this weekend, they’ve also been on BBC Radio Merseyside – if you missed the interview you can hear it here.
• Rachael Dunn is well known on the local scene as a confident and competent songwriter and performer. She’s already supported the likes of The Acoustic Strawbs and The Animals, and is currently busy working on the follow-up to her debut album Alpha Ghost.
• The Good Intentions are Liverpool’s premier Americana band whose music is recorded in both California and Liverpool. The group should have been playing for us last month but had to postpone due to unforeseen circumstances. The good news is, however, that their new album will now be available to buy at this event.
• Matt Reekie is one of those local musicians who we’re amazed at having not booked before to play for us at the View Two. Matt will be playing his own blend of music inspired by folk rock and Americana.

• Lorelei Loveridge makes a spectacular return to the View Two Gallery after the Canadian singer’s fantastic performance last year. This year expect songs inspired by the many places around the world she’s lived and worked in, including India, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Canada, England, and the last twelve months in Qatar.
• The Big I Am are riding high on the success of their debut album Collecting Skies.
• Adam Ritchie has been on our radar for a long time. A Lipa graduate, and talented musician, we’re really pleased to be able to book him to play at the View Two.
• Joe Rhead is a young man who has been impressing on the local music scene whenever he plays. When we heard him we just had to book him – he’s that good!

• Monday Marmalade at Chameleon on…er… Mondays (doh!) is taking a summer break but will be back in September. The final fling is this coming Monday 4th July so why not head on down and order a Bud or JB to mark the occasion? After all, it is American Independence Day!

You say goodbye…

• The Brew Tea Bar open mic has come to an end, with the organisers concentrating on the new monthly event at Parr Street Studio 2 instead. We don’t have any details for the new event yet, but when we do we’ll let you know.
• CJ-CK Open Mic @ Deanes House in Prescot is no longer running. Thanks to CK for letting us know.

• Barcelona Bar Acoustic is a brand new event taking place every Tuesday from 7pm to 11pm, and is free. It showcases the best singer-songwriters and acoustic acts in the city with occasional guests from further afield. If you want to take part, get in touch via the website or the facebook page here.
• Open Mic with Roy and Big Phil is every Thursday, also at Barcelona Bar on Renshaw Street. It’s from 6pm to 10pm and is free. And as the name suggests, just turn up and play. We’re told it’s an informal, relaxed atmosphere and all musical styles are welcome.
• Midnight Ramble with Matt Belcher takes place every Thursday from 9pm to midnight at Woodwards Wine Bar in Formby. We’re told it’s similar to an open mic, with the guest host performing and inviting others to take part throughout the night.
• There’s a new Acoustic Open Mic for the diary. It takes place every Monday at Bird I’th Hand Pub in St Helens between 9pm and 11pm. If you’re in that neck of the woods why not pop along and give them a tune or two? They’ve even got a lovely little website birdithhand.weebly.com
• The Jackdaws are an acoustic duo who play every Monday night from 8pm to 11pm in Flanagan’s Apple on Mathew Street. They play a mix of music from across the decades, and would love to see you there.
• My Twee Box takes place on the last Thursday of every month at 3345 Parr Street. The event invites musicians and bands to perform stripped-down acoustic versions of their tracks. Expect the unexpected, with dreamy, psychedelic pop, and electro fun shaken, stirred and melted into the box.
• Johnny Sands (he of Leaf’s Out Of The Bedroom fame) is starting a new weekly Saturday afternoon event from 2nd July. The Heebie Jeebies Courtyard Sessions takes place between 2pm and 6pm not surprisingly in the Courtyards at Heebie Jeebies on Seel Street. There will be acoustic acts and bands, a few open mic spots too, plus a free BBQ for all (yes, you read that right!). Come on, what else is there to do on a Saturday afternoon?
• Hair of the Dog? is the only event in the diary with its own question mark! It’s a brand new weekly showcase event taking place every Sunday from 4pm to 9pm at San Tracuba on Allerton Road (opposite the old cinema), and featuring some of the best acoustic, blues and stripped back music in Liverpool. If you live in South Liverpool then why not get along to the first one and see what it’s like?
  

• Friday 1st – Liver Coustic @ Basement 22, Hardman Stree. 9pm start and open mic hosted by Guy Taunton.
• Saturday 2nd – Anthony Walker Foundation acoustic fundraiser @ Leaf on Bold Street – 8pm start, £3 entry, and there’s fantastic music from The Trestles, Joe Kelly, Cheerful Sinners, and Kof.
• Sunday 3rd – Live Music Fundraiser @ Shy Lowen Horse and Pony Sanctuary, Thornton – a minimum £2 donation gives access to a feast of Americana goodness from Buffalo Clover [Nashville], Mike Badger and the Shady Trio, The Loose Moose String Band, and more. Music and stalls from 2pm to 8pm. Details here.
• Monday 4th – Monday Marmalade @ Chameleon from 9pm. The last one for the summer.
• Friday 8th – Liverpool Acoustic eXtra @ View Two Gallery – featuring the Kevin Critchley Outfit with string section! plus Rachael Dunn, Matt Reekie, and The Good Intentions. Doors 8pm, music 8.30pm. Tickets £4 in advance and £5 on the door.
• Saturday 9th – Wirral Festival of Firsts – and amongst the art, poetry, flower displays and theatre there’s also plenty of acoustic music, coordinated by Hoylake’s own Caroline England. They’re all in the diary, so check them out. Full details of the festival are at festivaloffirsts.co.uk
• Friday 15th – Acid Folk @ Melrose Hall, Hoylake – a brand new gathering with original sounds from Michael Edwards, White Margin Stargazers, and Futurejack. Tickets £5 or 2 for £9.
• Saturday 16th – T-J & Murphy album launch @ The Zanzibar – Liverpool’s top acoustic duo launch their second album, Hurricanes, and you’re all invited. Tickets are selling fast!
• Wednesday 20th – Matt Swift – Lesson Over EP launch @ MelloMello, with support from Rachael Dunn, Karl McCann, Anne-Marie Howard, Peter Cunningham, Barry Briercliffe, and Jo Bywater. Tickets £3 in advance and £4 on the door, with proceeds going to National Autistic Society.
• Friday 23rd – Liverpool Acoustic Live @ The View Two Gallery, featuring Thomas-Joseph & Murphy, Jeff Jepson, Simon Cousins. 8pm doors, 8.30pm music. £4 in advance, £5 on the door. liverpoolacoustic.co.uk/live

AND FINALLY…

Thank you to everyone who responded to the call for new reviewers – we now have a full team and are looking forward to reviewing more new music releases, and lots more events. If you run or attend an event and would like someone to review it get in touch using the Contact Us form or by emailing contact[at]liverpoolacoustic.co.uk and we’ll see what we can do.

Also, if you want to hear all about Liverpool Acoustic’s live events before anyone else then why not subscribe to the PR email? Simply click on the chimp below, fill in your details, and the Chimpmaster General at mailchimp.com will do the rest. And you can unsubscribe at any time.

Graham,
on behalf of the Liverpool Acoustic Team