Live Acoustic Music around Loughborough, UK

Live Acoustic Special at the Doghouse

Next date: Tues 20 May 2008

Acts booked "so far" - Rosie Rojo, Lara Osborne, Jonathan Beckett, Andrew Buckley.

Also see www.myspace.com/liveacousticspecial

Venue: The Doghouse (left side of The Greyhound, 69 Nottingham Road, Loughborough LE11 1ES

How to find the venue: The Doghouse is a part of the Greyhound Inn in Loughborough but you get into it through its own entrance so it is separate in a way. Whichever way you come in, when you are in Loughborough look for signs for Nottingham. These will put you on the Nottingham Road (A60) which is the road you want. Going out from the town centre on that road look for the Greyhound pub on the right. The Doghouse is next to the Greyhound down the left hand side. If you go past the railway station you have gone too far and need to come back into Loughborough.

Further dates: 20 May, 1 Jul, 12 Aug, 23 Sep, 4 Nov, 9 Dec 2008.

I organise this one. It takes place every 6 weeks at The Doghouse.

£3 on the door (£2 for concessions - unemployed, students, OAPs etc) all of which goes to Oxfam.

E-mail me for the latest poster.

A few details to whet your appetite:-

There are usually about 6-8 performers at each gig.
Ages range from 15 to 84.
Music might include folk/roots, blues, jazz, country, flamenco and classical.
Guitars dominate but other instruments are definitely more than welcome. The gig offers a platform for musicians to play for an appreciative listening audience and other musicians. I think it fair to say that, in England at least, if there is live music in pubs or bars it is usually background music. This is even the case when the music is loud. People go there to talk, have a laugh with their friends or meet up to go somewhere else. This can be disheartening to the musician who might take it personally. Folk clubs and jazz clubs are exceptions.
A meeting place for musicians.
A way of encouraging talented performers to take things a bit further. I offer stereo recordings to the performers to let them hear themselves from the audience's perspective and to give them something they can use to promote themselves. I can also sometimes offer photographs taken by friends.

What type of music?
The gig is billed as "Live Acoustic..." and that is all I am strict about. There won't be recorded accompaniment or instruments plugged in or sounds processed. I use a sound reinforcement system that simply makes the performances audible at the back without changing the sound at all. I went to great lengths to obtain a natural sound. (See article on Acoustic PA Solution.) Folk, contemporary song writing, jazz and blues seem to predominate although all genres of music are welcome.

Some Past Performers:

* Lisa de Ville * Andy Brook-Lawson *   Terry Lynch   *  Maurice Coleman   * Jayde Morrison *
* Johnny Smith, Richard Smith and Annie Hawkins  * Geoff Overon   *  Pete Tomlyn   *  Chris Chambers  *  Ann Duggan *
* Tony Jones *  Roy Stark * Mark Newman * No Fixed Abode * Seán Taylor *   Carlton Cole * Kevin Hewick *
* Mellow Baku * Table Nine * Skatz * Andy Grifiths * Club O * Katie Skilling * Big Al Whittle *
* Jack Hudson * The HaveNots * Abi Moore * Sara Spade * Nigel Beck * Steve Cartwright * Beck Goldsmith *
* Charlie Barker * Sara Genn and Keith Witty * Kristen Marie Holly * Ben Holder * Annie Hawkins *
* Jonathan Beckett * Carl Peberdy * Invocal * Crowfoot *   Simon Faulks   * The Feredays * Michael Berk *

Pictures: Click here

Most of the photographs were taken by Andy Sheffield and digitally retouched by me.

Acoustic Sessions at Barnstone, Notts.

Details supplied:

Barnstone Country Club, Works Lane, Barnstone, Notts.

Fortnightly starting from July 25, Aug 8, 22 etc 2007 at 8:30.

The session is run by Sairz Ingram who aims to promote a friendly atmosphere where everyone feels welcome to come and play, sing, or just relax and listen. Sairz can be contacted at sairz@redmilemusic.co.uk
or through these pages (www.redmilemusic.co.uk ) or phone 01949 842289 0784 1333 315.