2024 (Live Review)

September 28, 2024 by David Vousden in Alt-Country, Americana, Classic Rock, Country, Country Rock, Live Review, Singer Songwriter

Nick Lowe seemed genuinely surprised that so many folks had come out on a Tuesday night for the first show of his UK tour at the London Palladium. It was standing room only at the 2200+ capacity venue. This says much about the high esteem in which Nick Lowe is held as an artist and songwriter. From his early days in Brinsley Schwartz and late 70s solo chart success, Rockpile with Dave Edmunds and on through the critically acclaimed Brentford Trilogy of albums to his latest work with Los Straightjackets, Lowe has been a mainstay of British music for fifty years. Lowe is also well known for his production work in the 80s with the Stiff record label that included ‘New Rose’ for The Damned and a run of classic albums for Elvis Costello. I’m pleased to report that, even at 75, Lowe shows no signs of slowing down, and he looks to be enjoying keeping things fresh with Los Straitjackets.

Canada House - Moth Club, Jan 25th 2023

February 07, 2023 by Rich Barnard in Acoustic, Alt-Country, Americana, Bluegrass, Live Review, Singer Songwriter, Roots

On a facecrunchingly cold January evening, I throw myself selflessly upon the mercy of the bus gods, in a futile effort to travel in an approximately straight line from my house to the MOTH club in Hackney. For why? Well, it’s the second of two Canada House shows promoting independent Canadian artists and I owe them, frankly. Having taken a sabbatical from my regular RGM Maple Leaf duties, I feel it’s time to make amends with that wonderful country to which we are so culturally – and, of course, monarchically – connected. The shows are taking place as part of UK Americana Music Week and the MOTH is pleasingly bedecked with Canadian flags, to make double-sure we all remember which countries are which.

Canada House - Moth Club, London Jan 24th 2023

February 02, 2023 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Alt-Country, Americana, Bluegrass, Country, Country Rock, Folk, Live Review, Singer Songwriter

On a bitterly cold January night, the RGM team are in London’s Hackney, where I’m pleased to report, despite the multiple issues of recent years, live music is thriving with a wide variety of venues still hanging in there. Moth Club is one such venue, tucked away just off the main street but still, very much, part of the bustling Hackney ambience. The reason for our visit this evening is the first of two nights showcasing some of the very best Americana and Roots music Canada has to offer as part of Americana UK Music Week (that’s Americana Fest to you and me) hosted by CIMA (Canadian Independent Music Association) in partnership with Music PEI. Twelve acts over two days with a good mix of old favourites and new blood, so let’s dig in to Canada House.

Black Deer Festival 2022 - Eridge Park, Kent

July 19, 2022 by Rich Barnard in Acoustic, Alt-Country, Americana, Bluegrass, Classic Rock, Country, Country Rock, Folk, Live Review, Singer Songwriter, Rock, Stoner, World Music

My first experience of standing tightly crowded in a field for the love of music was not the euphoric epiphany it promised to be. To be fair, it was a long, long time ago; I was fifteen and fragile. Some of my fellow patrons were fearless and fighty. I retreated to a safe spot and tried not to think of the Battle of the Somme. Somewhere in a different postcode, I could vaguely make out one of my favourite bands doing their thing.

Black Deer Festival 2019 - June 22nd (Day Two)

July 03, 2019 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Alt-Country, Alternative Rock, Americana, Country, Country Rock, Folk, Live Review, Singer Songwriter, Soundtrack

Day two at Black Deer broke bright and sunny, which always does wonders for the spirit and rejuvenates a tired mind and body. As usual, where to start our musical journey was a tough choice, but Jessie Buckley won the day, mainly on the strength of positive feedback from the photographers in the pit. This feedback turned out to be a very good tip, as Buckley and her excellent band won over a crowd that didn’t really need to be won over, as she had them in the palm of her hand from the off.

Black Deer Festival 2019 - June 21st (Day One)

July 01, 2019 by David Vousden in Acoustic, Alt-Country, Americana, Blues, Classic Rock, Country Rock, Country, Folk, Hard Rock, Live Review, Singer Songwriter, Southern Rock, Stoner, Psych

For the first day of the annual Black Deer Festival, the gods have been kind and the sun is trying to break through the clouds. The UK is back in love with country music and all things Americana - at least on a musical level. This level of acceptance for the genre has not been seen on our shores since Dolly, Kenny and Tammy topped the charts and the Wembley Country Music festival was a must-see on BBC2. Black Deer is only in its sophomore year but it already feels like a must do on the crowded festival calendar.

The Texas Gentlemen + Howard Rose - Bush Hall, London (07.02.18)

February 09, 2018 by David Vousden in Alt-Country, Americana, Classic Rock, Country, Live Review, Singer Songwriter

My introduction to the band of musicians that form the Texas Gentlemen was via Paul Cauthen’s excellent ‘My Gospel’ album. Browsing the credits, which is pretty refreshing to be able to do in this digital age, and the names of Beau Patrick Bedford, for his terrific production work, and guitarist Nik Lee stood out. Bedford is effectively the leader of The Texas Gentlemen a band of session musicians who’ve become go-to players for a host of artists including Joe Ely and Kris Kristofferson, which really tells you all you need to know about how good these guys are. With so many great players on tap, eleven Texas Gentlemen worked on ‘TX Jelly’ their debut album; you’re never quite sure who’ll turn up which is bound to keep things interesting.

Old Crow Medicine Show with Parker Millsap - The Roundhouse, London UK

October 27, 2014 by David Vousden in Country, Alt-Country, Bluegrass

The Roundhouse is best known for a period in the late 1960s when it played host to the likes of Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones and the only UK show by The Doors. Dig a little deeper and the Grade II listed building that features a circular design, hence the name, has a very interesting history that dates back to 1847. The venue has been used for many ventures over the decades as initially it housed a railway turntable before it had a fifty year stretch as a storage facility for a Gin distillery. This sense of history, with its images of railways and alcohol consumption, feels like the perfect setting for tonight’s acts as both Parker Millsap and Old Crow Medicine Show draw on the past for their musical inspiration.