Home Blog Page 117

SINGLE & TOUR NEWS: Larkins drop ‘Not Enough Love’, Autumn 2019 dates

By
LSF Staff Writers
-
0

Larkins have released their brand new single ‘Not Enough Love’ via Good Soldier Records.

The bright song is rich with synth-infused guitars and finds the Manchester four-piece reminiscing on nostalgic times and looking forward to the future.

Regarding the single frontman Josh Noble says, “‘Not Enough Love’ was born from thinking about our hometown. I just remember feeling like we just had to get out of there and moving to Manchester was such a big deal for us. The production is my favourite yet. We slowed stuff down to record and then sped it up to create really cool guitar tones. I think lyrically I just wanted to talk about everything that went on when I was a kid and being so frustrated with the politics that comes with a small suburban town.”

The band have just doubled the amount of dates on their forthcoming UK headline tour, and will start a mammoth 32-date run in October. It will see the band play their biggest London headline show yet at The Garage on November 12th. Tickets for all shows are available now via larkinsband.com

Before kicking off their headline tour, Larkins have been announced to perform at Neighbourhood Festival in Manchester on October 12th.

The band are currently recording their debut album with producers Dan Nigro (A-Trak, Sky Ferreira, Lewis Capaldi), Andrew Dawson (Kanye West, Fun, Kid Cudi) and Chris Zane (Friendly Fires, Passion Pit) – a record which is sure to send Larkins even further into the stratosphere.

LARKINS TOUR DATES

OCTOBER

12th – Manchester, Neighbourhood Festival
16th – Derby, The Venue
17th – Tunbridge Wells, The Forum
18th – Bournemouth, The Anvil
21st – Southampton, Joiners
22nd – Bristol, Rough Trade
23rd – Exeter, Cavern
24th – Brighton, The Pipeline
29th – Leeds, Wardrobe
31st – Glasgow, King Tuts

NOVEMBER

1st – Edinburgh, Sneaky Pete’s
3rd – Newcastle, Think Tank?
4th – Nottingham, Bodega
6th – Birmingham, The Sunflower Lounge
7th – Bishop’s Stortford, The Half Moon
8th – Leicester, Duffy’s Bar
11th – Norwich, Norwich Arts Centre
12th – London, The Garage
13th – Stoke-On-Trent, Sugarmill
14th – Liverpool, The Zanzibar Club
16th – Huddersfield, The Parish
18th – Milton Keynes, The Craufurd Arms
20th – Cardiff, Clwb Ifor Bach
21st – Hull, The Polar Bear
22nd – Sheffield, Leadmill
25th – Dublin, Academy 2
27th – St Albans, The Horn
29th – York, Fulford Arms
30th – Sunderland, Independent

DECEMBER

5th – Wigan, The Old Courts
6th – Banbury, Also Known As
8th – Plymouth, Junction

TOUR NEWS: Rachel Harrington announces mid-October 2019 UK dates

By
LSF Staff Writers
-
0

Widely acclaimed Pacific Northwest-based Americana singer-songwriter Rachel Harrington announces mid-October UK dates, in support of acclaimed new album ‘Hush the Wild Horses’.

‘Hush the Wild Horses’, Rachel’s 5th full-length studio album, was released in September 2019. Its themes are farmed from the last seven years at home in Oregon. Family stories, from horses to Graceland, from Vietnam to the sweet hereafter, from wagon ruts to the interstate, everything dusted with the American West.

Recorded in Portland, Oregon, Nashville and Austin, the album features guest musicians who were hand-picked for their particular sounds. Pedal steel legend Lloyd Maines (father of Dixie Chicks’ lead singer Natalie Maines) lends his twang and mood. Fiddle is provided by Grand Ole Opry staff fiddler Eamon McLoughlin (Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell), while Laura Veirs and Shelley Short (Neko Case) provide spot-on harmony vocals.

Produced by Portland veteran musician Casey Neill (Casey Neill and The Norway Rats), the album was recorded at Scenic Burrows studio with engineer John Morgan Askew (Richmond Fontaine, The Delines, Laura Gibson).

Dates

OCTOBER

Sat 12 Turner’s Hill, W. Sussex Private House Concert
Sun 13 Nottingham The Running Horse
Thu 17 Sheffield Cafe #9
Fri 18 Cottingham, East Yorkshire The Back Room
Sat 19 Leeds Seven Arts

SINGLE REVIEW: Mega Happy – ‘Colour TV’

By
Frank
-
0

I adore Mega Happy, their songs are just a blast of joy musically with sharply witty lyrics. Their stuff makes me mega happy (if you’ll forgive me for that). ‘Colour TV’ doesn’t disappoint musically or lyrically.

Mega Happy have, what we might call a tendency, to throw unexpected musical sounds into their songs. In this case it sounds strangely like a cross between an indie track and something from an 80s’ synth band – just listen to those synth lines right at the start. And yes it has what I call the ‘warped sound of Mega Happy’, it’s not hugely warped but it’s there. This is all good, in fact it’s bloody fantastic. And it’s earwormy and you can throw shapes to it, another great thing. Vocally it has a sound of 80s’ synth band in there as well,

So that’s the objective stuff, the non-objective music lover in me is left with a huge smile at the end of this song. It’s just lovely. I just wanted to get up and dance to it (and I did, although this rather shocked my cat to be honest). It would be a cliché to say ‘Mega Happy do it again’ but they have so I’ll have to say it – Mega Happy do it again. This is one big blast of joy.

SHOW NEWS: The Sensational 60s Experience returns for their 10th Anniversary Tour

By
Frank
-
0

Celebrating their tenth Anniversary with a brand new production for 2019, the show with a definite feel good factor will transport you back to the magical decade that was the 1960s.

The show features five original artists from the sixties playing their biggest hits including Mike Pender (original voice of The Searchers), The Trems (featuring former members of The Tremeloes), The Fortunes, The Swinging Blue Jeans and The Dakotas who have come together to deliver an unforgettable night.

Each act has had successful and varied careers. Mike Pender was one of the original founding members of The Searchers best known as lead vocalist on many hits including Needles and Pins.

The Tremeloes one of the top harmony bands of all time first entered the charts in the UK in July 1963 with a cover version of ‘Twist and Shout’ which was followed by a chart topping cover of ‘Do You Love Me’ and covers of ‘I Can Dance’, ‘Candy Man’ and ‘Someone, Someone’.

The Fortunes first came to prominence and international acclaim in 1965 when ‘You’ve Got Your Troubles’ broke into the top 10 which was followed by a succession of hits including ‘Here It Comes Again’ and ‘Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling Again and ‘Storm in a Teacup’.

The Swinging Blue Jeans rose to fame with their hit singles ‘Hippy Hippy Shake’, ‘Good Golly Miss Molly’, and ‘You’re No Good’.

The Dakotas were one of the first Manchester bands to appear at the legendary Cavern Club in Liverpool. In 1962, at the suggestion of Paul McCartney and John Lennon, Brian Epstein asked The Dakotas to back Billy J Kramer. Billy J Kramer with The Dakotas’ first hit was ‘Do You Want to Know a Secret’ which reached number 2 in Spring 1963. Next came ‘Bad To Me’ which made the No.1 spot, then ‘I’ll Keep You Satisfied’.

Audiences are guaranteed a night crammed full of nostalgia and all the biggest Sixties hits from bands and artists that dominated the decade including ‘Needles and Pins’, ‘Silence is Golden’, ‘ Storm in a Teacup’, ‘Hippy Hippy Shake’, ‘Little Children’ and many more.

Tickets for this show are available from £26.75. Purchase tickets online, www.victoriatheatre.co.uk, or by calling the Box Office on 01422 351158

GIG NEWS: Clare Teal and her Trio play The Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield on 24th October 2019

By
LSF Staff Writers
-
0

Clare Teal and her Trio – Jason Rebello on keyboards, Simon Little on double bass and drummer Ben Reynolds

As the hot bed of Teal creativity, award winning jazz vocalist and Radio 2 presenter Clare Teal’s concerts with her Trio are constantly evolving and renowned across the country for their fabulous arrangements interspersed with Clare’s warm and witty storytelling.

This brand new show promises a rich jazz infused repertoire in its many forms and eclectic song list, bringing you more exhilarating swing and sparkling melodies as Clare and her band celebrate the Great American and British Song books as well as contemporary writers creating the standards of today.

As one of the UK’s greatest interpreters of song and much loved performers, Clare and her Trio guarantee an evening of inspired music and unbridled entertainment performed by the very best.

For all Clare’s 2019 shows please visit:
http://www.clareteal.co.uk/?post_type=show

Clare Teal is one of the UK’s most celebrated and much loved singers. With her stunning voice, encyclopaedic knowledge of jazz, swing and big band music, and her innate warmth and wit, Clare is a sought after singer throughout the country as well as a prolific recording artist and popular BBC Radio 2 broadcaster.

After signing to independent label Candid in 2001 and releasing 3 acclaimed titles, it was Clare’s first album for Sony Jazz which became her breakthrough record. Released in 2004, ‘Don’t Talk’ topped the Jazz charts and entered the UK Top 20, garnering extraordinary plaudits and several awards. By the middle of this year she will have recorded and released 15 albums to public and critical acclaim, 7 of them on her own label MUD Records.

Clare continues to surge ahead on her mission to bring big band and swing to music lovers everywhere, to demonstrate that this genre is ever evolving and still relevant in todays world. Alongside her own weekly 2 hour live radio show on BBC Radio 2, Clare performs across the length and breadth of the UK, and internationally, with either her Pianist, Trio, Mini Big Band or Hollywood Orchestra (Mini Big Band with Strings), celebrating the singers and songwriters of yesteryear and today alongside her own original material. She also guests with the Hallé, BBC Concert, RTÉ Concert and The John Wilson orchestras as well as other top big bands. In August 2015, in addition to a packed touring schedule, Clare produced and presented her 2nd full scale concert for the Proms Season at the Royal Albert Hall. ‘Story of Swing’ featured 2 roaring big bands and many special guests it was broadcast on BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 3 and televised on BBC Four.

Spring 2016 saw the release of her new album, and most ambitious project to date, Twelve O’Clock Tales, recorded with the famed Hallé orchestra launching on April 30th. . To support the release Clare will be touring Twelve O’Clock Tales throughout 2016, conducted and arranged by world-class trumpet and composer Guy Barker. The inaugural concert is at Bridgewater Hall with the Hallé on April 30th 2016.

Other highlights of Clare’s live work include collaborating with Sir Van Morrison on his album ‘Duets: Reworking the Catalogue’ resulting in the A listed Radio single ‘Carrying A Torch’, opening twice for Liza Minnelli at Kenwood House and the Royal Festival Hall, singing with the BBC Big Band at Proms in the Park, headlining the Bourbon Street Tent at Glastonbury Festival, performing regularly at the world renowned Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, storming the Marlborough Jazz Festival and producing, presenting and performing ‘Battle of the Bands Duke Ellington v Count Basie’ for the 2014 Proms Season at the Royal Albert Hall, which was broadcast simultaneously on BBC Radio 2 & 3 and was the most viewed prom of 2014 on BBC Four.

Clare won British Jazz Singer of the year in 2005, 2007 and 2015, and BBC Jazz Singer of the Year in 2006. She was awarded Arts & Entertainment Personality of the Year in 2004 & 2011 Yorkshire Awards, a coveted Gold Badge by BASCA (British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors) in 2011 and an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Music by the University of Wolverhampton in 2015.

Clare Teal and her Trio
Thursday 24th Oct @ The Lawrence Batley Theatre,
Queens Square, Queen Street, Huddersfield, HD1 2SP
Tickets £16 – £22 Box Office 01484 430 528
https://www.thelbt.org/shows/clare-teal-and-her-band/

TOUR NEWS: Rod Picott October 2019 dates

By
LSF Staff Writers
-
0

Renowned Nashville-based troubadour Rod Picott announces October UK tour dates in support of his acclaimed new album ‘Tell The Truth & Shame The Devil’.

Many of the songs on ‘Tell The Truth & Shame The Devil’ were prompted by a health scare that rattled Rod Picott through the winter of 2018/2019. It took several weeks to chase down the devil causing the heart issue during which Picott also underwent back surgery (five blood pressure checks until they gave up and said “I guess we’ll just do it anyway…”). In the end, this week’s long event of a freight train banging away in his chest informed Picott’s new album profoundly in both the writing and the recording. Alone with his modest recording gear, Picott set about making an album as honest, raw and uncontrived as his spine would allow. The new album is completely acoustic, featuring only guitar, harmonica and Picott’s weathered vocals. Already known for the intimacy and vivid narratives of his previous work, Tell The Truth & Shame The Devil opens the door wider still. Picott’s health is now in check.

The question recording artists always ask themselves is “What record do I want to make?” There are endless ways to make a great album. Robert Johnson recorded the most influential blues recordings ever made, in a hotel room in Texas. Bruce Springsteen laboured over a single song – Born To Run for nine agonizing months. But what happened to Rod Picott this past winter made something very clear this time around. He wanted to make an album that was completely stripped of anything other than the songs. He wasn’t looking for perfect takes. He was looking for the right takes. Picott was hunting magic and wanted to tell the truth of who he is as a songwriter and human being walking this rock. The album starts and ends with a few seconds of nature to let you know this album is different. Picott recorded all the tracks alone, at home, with no engineer then turned them over to Neilson Hubbard to mix. This is the most personal group of songs Rod Picott has released and in some ways it is a memoir in song. It’s also by far the most intimate recording he’s made. It’s all in the title – Tell The Truth & Shame The Devil. He did just that. The truth is in every string squeak, false start, missed chord and in the writing as well. The devil is gone…for now.

The opening song, ‘Ghost’ reveals Picott’s inner voice announcing itself with introspection, openness and poetic revelation, while ‘Mama’s Boy’ was written with Picott’s long-time co-writing partner Slaid Cleaves. The song asks questions of masculinity and self identification in a world that can be so often cruel and limited. Picott’s own working class childhood is explored nakedly.

Now in his fifties, Rod Picott has garnered a cult audience across the U.S. and Europe. He tours tirelessly and continues to garner rave reviews for both his songwriting skills and darkly humorous, compelling live show. A prolific writer, Picott has recently turned his hand to poetry (God In His Slippers, Murmuration – Mezcalita Press) short fiction (Out Past The Wires – Working Title Farm) and has a novel in the works titled A Bony Right Fist. Born in the small mill town of South Berwick, Maine and residing in Nashville, TN since 1994, Tell The Truth & Shame The Devil is the latest release from former construction worker Rod Picott.

ROD PICOTT · OCTOBER 2019 UK TOUR

Thu 3 Glasgow The Admiral, Glasgow Americana 2019
Fri 4 Montrose Montrose Folk Club, The Links Hotel
Sat 5 Bewdley, Worcestershire St Georges Hall
Sun 6 Nottingham The Running Horse
Mon 7 Davenham, nr. Northwich Davenham Players Theatre
Tue 8 Sheffield The Greystones
Thu 10 Newcastle upon Tyne The Live Theatre Studio
Fri 11 Great Easton, Leicestershire Private House Concert
Sat 12 Eccleshall, Staffordshire The Royal Oak
Sun 13 Kenley, Croydon Santini’s Restaurannt
Mon 14 Brighton The Greys
Tue 15 Bristol The Hen & Chicken
Wed 16 London What’s Cookin’ @ Leytonstone Ex-Servicemens Club
Thu 17 High Wycombe

TOUR NEWS: Bill Ryder-Jones September/October 2019 dates

By
LSF Staff Writers
-
0

The former The Coral frontman is touring his critically acclaimed album ‘Yawny Yawn’ – a piano version of last years’ album ‘Yawn’. In his own inimitable style, Bill Ryder-Jones says: “I can’t remember why I thought it was a good idea to make a piano version of Yawn, I presume at some point I felt that the original had too much pep. Was actually quite fun to make although I’ve since developed a dislike for the way my hands look”.

Multi-instrumentalist, producer, string-arranger and composer Bill Ryder-Jones has had a career spanning 15 years, a rarity in a world that so often looks to the new. From his musical interpretation of Italo Calvino’s ‘If On A Winters Night A Traveller’ (If… in 2011), 2013’s A Bad Wind Blows In My Heart, West Kirby County Primary (2015) and last year’s Yawn, Bill has constantly widened his scope, weaving in an overarching sense of authenticity, intimacy and wryness as he goes.

Dates

28 Sept Bill Ryder-Jones Unitarian Church, Cambridge
4 Oct Bill Ryder-Jones Upper Chapel, Sheffield
5 Oct Bill Ryder-Jones The Brewery, Kendal
6 Oct Bill Ryder-Jones Band on the Wall, Manchester

 

GIG NEWS: Blang presents: Sheepy supported by Les Becasses, Record Junkee, 24th September

By
LSF Staff Writers
-
0

Sheffield/London record label Blang is pleased to present a one-off showcase night of some of the finest talent on its books and beyond.

On Tuesday 24th September, the innovative indie label invites you to Sheffield’s legendary Record Junkee venue for a must-see headline set from Blang’s own: SHEEPY, plus support from frenetic French riot grrrls: LES BECASSES.

Currently something of a best-kept secret, Liverpool’s Sheepy infuse their sticky bubblegum punk with sweet Kinks-style 60s melodies and wonderfully messy wig-out sonic thrills. Comprising of Luke Jones (vox/guitar), Ollie Phillips (drums), Katy McGrath (bass) and Villy Raze (guitar), the quartet have received national radio play and acclaim from the likes of 6Music’s Steve Lamacq, Tom Robinson & Gideon Coe; plus Frank Skinner and Dave Gorman. Currently recording their third album for Blang Records, this is an unmissable first opportunity to hear their exhilarating new material ahead of the flock… Listen to more on Soundcloud.

Support comes from fiery French favourites Les Becasses. Made up of Parisiennes Marion (vox.guitar), Christophe (bass) and Aurelie (drums), the trio play high velocity power-pop/riot grrrl songs that definitively all clock-in at under 3 minutes. Fresh from France’s super cool underground circuit, rumour of the three-piece is breaking out across channel and the band will perform in Sheffield as part of their very first UK tour. Listen to more on BandCamp.

Tickets are priced at just £5.00 and available now from Skiddle (with no fleecing booking fee): https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Sheffield/Record-Junkee/Sheepy/13565802/

Blang Presents….
Sheepy w/ support from Les Becasses
LIVE @ Record Junkee, Sheffield – Tuesday September 24th

Address: 7 Earl Street, Sheffield S1 3FP
https://www.recordjunkee.co.uk/

Blang is an independent record label based in Sheffield and London. It grew from nights which Joe Murphy promoted at London’s 12 Bar Club from 2002 to 2012. Early Blang events featured regular visits from New York’s anti-folk scene eg, Jeffrey Lewis, Lach, Diane Cluck, Thomas Truax. Blang also hosted early gigs by The Wave Pictures, Emmy The Great (first ever gig) and Steven Adams as well as veterans such as Television Personalities and Sky Saxon. The nights became a petri dish for a community of left-field songwriters, many of whom progressed to releasing records with Blang when it became a label in 2005. The label has worked with ex-Fall members Brix & The Extricated, US No Wave pioneer Tav Falco and ex-Spacemen 3 cosmonaut Sterling Roswell as well as a host of UK outsider popsters including BBC 6Music regulars David Cronenberg’s Wife and Sergeant Buzfuz.

TOUR NEWS: The Blue Stones October 2019 dates

By
LSF Staff Writers
-
0

The Blue Stones released Black Holes last year via eOne to some serious critical acclaim, getting the attention of the likes of AUDIOTREE, YAHOO MUSIC, and BILLBOARD. Alternative Press said, “The Blue Stones are quickly carving out a name for themselves in the blues-rock, alt garage world making stages quake and leaving only one question in their wake: ‘all that from two guys?'”

Listening to the larger-than-life blues-rock of The Blue Stones on their label debut, Black Holes, it’s astonishing to discover just two people create all that sound. Guitarist/vocalist/lyricist Tarek Jafar and percussionist/backing vocalist Justin Tessier have known each other since meeting as kids. But it wasn’t until attending university together that they decided to combine their talents into a musical project.

The Blue Stones have an incredibly diverse palette of influences — and although they’re a duo, it’s unfair to limit the comparisons just to The Black Keys and The White Stripes. The weight of Led Zeppelin, the grit of Hendrix and groove from hip-hop artists like J. Cole and Kanye are all there. But in an effort that’s unlike any other in contemporary rock, the result is something unique to today’s musical landscape.

Their story is the voyage of a group beginning to find its way, emerging from isolation and perspiration to inspiration, reaching an audience waiting to be tapped and entertained. An Alternative Blues Rock band is fighting the good fight, looking to connect in an increasingly fragmented music universe. And with the boys back in the studio working on new material, the sky is the limit.

Dates

16-Oct-19 Newcastle Think Tank
17-Oct-19 Leeds Hyde Park Book Club
18-Oct-19 Manchester The Eagle Inn
19-Oct-19 Glasgow Attic Bar, The Garage
21-Oct-19 Bristol Rough Trade
22-Oct-19 Brighton The Hope & Ruin
23-Oct-19 London The Seabright Arms

TOUR NEWS: Elvis Costello & The Imposters February/March 2020 tour

By
LSF Staff Writers
-
0

Elvis Costello and The Imposters bring their new show to the U.K. in February/March, 2020. Tickets On-Sale this Friday September 20th.

Elvis Costello and The Imposters will bring their new show to the U.K. for their first tour of the decade in February and March, 2020.

The tour is entitled, “Just Trust” in answer to the musical questions: “Will they play my favourite song?,” or, “Are they going to frighten the horses with songs that are rarely performed and send some of their old nags off to pasture?” When ticket holders ask, “Can I expect the hits of yesteryear and those of tomorrow?” We say: Just Trust Elvis Costello and The Imposters.

This superlative ensemble – Steve Nieve on keyboards, Pete Thomas on drums, and bassist and vocalist, Davey Faragher – are once again augmented by singers Kitten Kuroi and Briana Lee, all of whom were heard on the acclaimed 2018 Concord Records release, ‘Look Now,’ numbers from which will find their rightful place among the highlights from one of the most unique and renowned song catalogues in popular music.

E.C. and The Imposters finally get to bring one of their recent stage shows to England, Scotland and Wales, with return concert engagements in Cardiff and Edinburgh, which they visited as recently as the summer of 2018, while the date at the Sunderland Empire marks the first appearance in the city for forty years.

The tour opens on February 28th at the Eventim Olympia in Liverpool, a former circus on the West Derby Road and therefore on the singer’s bus route home from school during his years living on Merseyside.

The tour comes after a season of unlikely accolades in which the now defunct British Empire finally acknowledged a member of the enduring MacManus Clan with a medal that both friends and detractors have assumed stood for the “‘Orrible Bloody Elvis” medal and in the same year in which Costello received a Hollywood Walk Of Fame Star alongside Spike Lee, Billy Idol, Burt Ward and his former video co-star, Julia Roberts and following in the footsteps of Fred Astaire, Ruby Keeler and Rin Tin Tin, among many, many other stars of stage, screen and the radio airwaves.

Elvis Costello and The Imposters most recent record release was the E.P., “Purse” containing songs co-written with Burt Bacharach and Paul McCartney along with musical settings of words by Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan. It is available from all reputable phonographic emporiums or if you go fishing in the stream.

Tickets are on-sale this Friday September 20th at 10:00AM local time.

Elvis Costello & The Imposters ‘Just Trust’ Spring 2020 Tour Dates:

February

Fri 28th LIVERPOOL, Eventim Olympia

March

Sun 1st SOUTHAMPTON, Mayflower Theatre
Mon 2nd NOTTINGHAM, Royal Concert Hall
Tues 3rd SUNDERLAND, Empire Theatre
Thurs 5th GLASGOW, SEC Armadillo
Sat 7th SHEFFIELD, City Hall
Mon 9th BLACKPOOL, Opera House Theatre
Tues 10th EDINBURGH, The Usher Hall
Thurs 12th MANCHESTER, Palace Theatre
Fri 13th LONDON, Eventim Apollo
Sun 15th OXFORD, New Theatre Oxford
Mon 16th CARDIFF, Wales Millennium Centre
Wed 18th BIRMINGHAM, Symphony Hall

1...116117118...308Page 117 of 308