Live Acoustic Music around Loughborough, UK

Live Acoustic Special at the Doghouse

Performing on 30 June 2009:

Beck Stacey – If you like Kate Bush you’ll love her www.myspace.com/httpwwwcombeckstacey

The Re-entrants – You name it, they do it - with ukuleles http://www.myspace.com/thereentrants

Dave Chapman – Really amazing didgeridoo player

Daisy (Craig and Sacha) - Tasteful songwriting duo

April Elizanbeth – Singer songwriter with her band www.myspace.com/aprilelizanbeth

There is a review of a recent gig written by Rod Warner here... http://soundsandtexts.blogspot.com/2008/11/review-howard-colemans-acoustic-session.html

Venue: The Doghouse (behind 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. If you go past the railway station you have gone too far and need to come back into Loughborough. The Doghouse is behind the Greyhound.

Future dates: 30 Jun, 11 Aug, 22 Sep, 3 Nov 2009, 8 Dec 2009

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, Ben Holder and Annie Hawkins  * Geoff Overon  *  Chris Chambers  *  Ann Duggan *
*  Mark Newman * No Fixed Abode * Seán Taylor *  Carlton Cole * Kevin Hewick * Mellow Baku *
* Table Nine * Skatz *   Katie Skilling * Big Al Whittle * Jack Hudson * The HaveNots * Abi Moore * Sara Spade *
* Nigel Beck * Beck Goldsmith * Charlie Barker * Sara Genn and Keith Witty * Kristen Marie Holly *
* Jonathan Beckett * Carl Peberdy * Invocal * Crowfoot *   Simon Faulks  * The Feredays * Michael Berk *
* The Hi and Lo * AloneMe * Rosie Rojo * Ash Mandrake * Lizzie Nunnery * Becky Syson * Indi Kaur *

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 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.