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Singer-somgwriter Ruston Kelly is in London promoting his excellent debut album ‘Dying Star’ with a low key show at the bijou Slaughtered Lamb. Needless to say the gig is sold-out and it’s pretty obvious the crowd are expecting good things long before Kelly ambles on stage.
Read MoreAs a venue, The Union Chapel rises serenely above the sticky floors of its close neighbours The Hope & Anchor and The Garage. It balances its roles as fully functioning church and celebrated concert hall with ease and, if you’re after a sense of reverence and ceremony, there aren’t many London venues that can match it. On this balmy May evening, Scott Matthews' disciples gather respectfully along the ridiculously up-at-heel Compton Terrace long before doors open and I have the distinct impression that I am in for one of the more civilised gig-going experiences of my modest career. I install myself in pew 77 with a Coke (no alcohol allowed in the church itself) and begin to contemplate my manifold sins.
Read MoreWe’re getting increasingly excited at the thought of a full-length debut from transatlantic duo Son of Town Hall. Filled with much hope and a little trepidation, the RGM team head to Cecil Sharp House for the London date on their current UK tour...
Read MoreLondon is my usual stomping ground for gigs so the announcement of Country Music Week was most welcome. From October 2nd – 8th some of the best and the brightest artists of the genre are popping up all over town in various musical configurations be it with full bands, acoustic sets or the much loved, and quintessentially Nashville, songwriters circle, CMW had all the bases covered
Read MoreSummer seems to have arrived in London and a trip down to one of my preferred gig venues The Borderline sounded like the ideal thing to do on a Tuesday evening. Well at least I think I'm in The Borderline...the old Mexican Cantina ambience has been replaced with a more upmarket and modern club vibe. We are, most definitely, not in Kansas anymore and it’s so refreshing to see a venue investing in the future with a very cool refit. For those of us who've been visiting the place since the early 90s it might seem a little strange initially but it works for me.
Read MoreThe highly acclaimed The Stray Birds visited London recently for a date on their 2016 UK tour to promote their ‘Magic Fire’ release. The show was promoted by those lovely folks at Green Note who moved from their bijou Camden home to Shepherds Bush and the more palatial (if a 350 capacity can be considered palatial) confines of Bush Hall to allow for the anticipated attendance. This turned out to be excellent decision as The Stray Birds and opening act The Goat Roper Rodeo Band pulled out all the stops before a very appreciative and attentive audience.
Read MoreThe general opinion seems to be that the live music venue is an endangered species these days. Even ex Beatles recently bemoaned the issue (Ringo with rather more energy than that other bloke) and this may well be true, but dig a little deeper and there are great venues playing host to fabulous performances every night of the week in London town which brings us to Dalston on a surprisingly chilly Monday night in October.
Read MoreEvery now and again here at Red Guitar Music we are lucky enough to receive a CD in the post that turns out to be just a little bit special. Darlingside and their ‘Birds Say’ album was a case in point, I was keen, but fellow RGM scribe Rich Barnard won the lottery, got to work and his resulting review concluded “Darlingside have stories to tell, mysteries to solve and journeys to take us on. Birds Say manages the impossible; it is humble and bold; it is familiar and strange; it is slick and fragile. It is, in short, a total delight”. To support the UK release of the album the band had a slot booked at the prestigious Cambridge Folk Festival before they embarked on a short run of intimate UK shows concluding with the Slaughtered Lamb in London.
Read MorePaper Dress Vintage is one of the more interesting venues on the London circuit. Located opposite Hackney Central Station this retro clothes boutique by day transforms into a cool and bijou live music venue by night. The intimate venue itself is upstairs and the small room has just a few tables doted about so I took up a position at the small rear bar to check out the evening’s entertainment. I was immediately struck by the rather imposing mixing desk which seemed a little incongruous in such a small venue but it did bless us with excellent sound on the night.
Read MoreSpanish singer-songwriter Joana Serrat recently released her latest album ‘Cross The Verge’ on the Loose Music imprint in the UK and visited our shores for a short run of dates which included a show at the charmingly named Slaughtered Lamb in the heart of London. In stark contrast to the name The Lamb turned out to be a large pub with comfy leather sofas far removed from the image that the name might imply. Fans of the classic movie ‘An American Werewolf In London’ will be disappointed to find that there is no connection, at least initially, to the film but venture downstairs into the venue proper and the neon Slaughtered Lamb / pentagram logo is behind the stage. I must admit this did impress the inner film geek in me.
Read MoreSometimes you really do just strike it lucky. On this occasion a last minute invitation down to the legendary 100 club in London on a Sunday night resulted in the opportunity to witness an artist with the confidence in his ability, and the ability of his band, to freewheel through a two hour plus set without the aid of a safety net, or a set list.
Read MoreThe Borderline in London is such a great little venue, tucked away in a backstreet in the shadow of the Centre Point tower and surrounded by the seemingly never-ending demolition / construction work. It is an oasis of calm and good music and the ideal location to launch ‘Westward Ho!’ the new album from Police Dog Hogan.
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