Three Chords and the Truth UK

A conundrum from attending a handful of festivals this year was assessing the status of SummerTyne, which was attended for the first time at the heart of a British summer. It came across as a hybrid in terms of a plethora of free stage presentations and a menu of stand alone paid for gigs within the Sage complex. A decision to ultimately throw it into the festival mix was partly driven by a reduced season in comparison to previous years. If the quantity was a slimmed down quota, the quality didn't budge from what you have come to expect from the select multi-artist gatherings that have become staples on the summer live music agenda. So in an abbreviated festival season, SummerTyne was joined only by old favourites: Maverick and Moseley Folk, plus a return visit to Tingestock (the world's greatest micro festival) in 2017. What was a given though was an opportune December moment grasped to reflect on the Top 10 Favourite sets that made these events a memorable weekend excursion. ...

Just over a month ago, The Stray Birds stood on this very same stage delivering their signature line ‘music is the best medicine I know’. In light of the bittersweet narrative that played out as the backdrop to this evening’s gig, it was uplifting to witness the notion of the ‘show goes on’ and even more appetising to savour a very special brand of ‘real’ country music to bring the curtain down on 2017. Upon reflection, it wasn’t the Johnson sisters' hometown reunion, or the virtual sound of the pedal steel conjuring up its spiritual existence that defined the show. It was country music in its purest form that dominated, courtesy of a revised Hannah Johnson & the Broken Hearts line up and a shared sentiment wishing Stewart Johnson a swift road to recovery. On a night where awarding bodies ranging from Ameripolitan to BCMA were namechecked in differing shades, the highest accolade had to go to Hannah for playing a pivotal role in somewhat tough circumstances. Using every sine...

Surely the most indulgent 'end of year list' and likely to be the most unique. Live music continues to be at the heart of ripping away the filters between artist and audience. It has also been the cornerstone of this blog since tentative steps were made to review a Ruth Moody show back in January 2012. In this age of capturing the live experience in a digital haze, the relevance of gig reviews does raise its head, especially when you throw in the notion of living and celebrating the moment. Only a handful of gigs attended this year were spared the obligatory review, and these were entirely at the mercy of creativity running aground. You know your filter system of gig choice is working when virtually all your shows throw up positive moments to allow the thought process to generate review material. However, objectivity does rule the day and the inevitable desire to rank has led to this blog's longest running list carrying over to its sixth renewal. For more insight into each ...

Mid December is usually the time of year when the overseas tours have wound up and the live music domain is left for the home-grown talent to wrap up the last twelve months. This was certainly the case in the gig quarter of Kings Heath, with both the Hare and Hounds and the Kitchen Garden hosting local acts in a festive celebratory gathering. While Birmingham favourites Boat to Row undoubtedly raised a glass to the upcoming holiday season in vibrant mode at the Hare, it left the mellower tones of Chris Cleverley to do likewise over the road at the Kitchen. Maybe there will always be a niche audience at these events, but it was pleasing to see the venue edging towards its capacity as Chris and his special guest Kelly Oliver set about sharing a slice of their musical serving. There is a history of Chris and Kelly collaborating including a seasonal duet single release twelve months ago and being co-members of the folk ensemble: the Company of Players. Additionally, Kelly paid a recent ...

The countdown clock may just have little over three years to go before the City of Culture tag formally kicks in, but in a buried corner of Coventry, the ‘c’ word is alive and buzzing. The Big Comfy Bookshop has been creating waves on the UK’s folk ‘n’ roots acoustic circuit for quite a while, and this is only likely to gather pace as we move into a new year. While a venue can make its own mark on a music scene, it is literally just another building without the artists that illuminate the everyday surroundings. The presentation that closed the 2017 Comfy and Acoustic twice-monthly programme worked a treat in terms of representing the breadth and depth of folk music the length of our land. So let’s focus on the triumvirate of Iona Fyfe, Lucy Kitchen and Iona Lane, who loosely combined to celebrate the joy of unfiltered live music. Iona Lane Inevitably, the evening rolled out as billed, with a pair of co-opening acts effectively supporting the headliner in terms of afforded stag...