Events for August Bank Holiday weekend 2009

There's lots going on over the Bank Holiday weekend, even if you're not into The Beatles! Much of the musical goings-on are part of the Mathew Street Fringe Festival which this year is bigger than ever. It even includes a 48-hour Film Challenge - see below for details.

In fact, in the words of Greedy Jesus, "It's a monster music weekend" with wall-to-wall music from Friday evening all the way throught to late night Monday. Are you ready? Let's go!

Friday 28th August - Liverpool Acoustic Live
7.30pm - 11.30pm @ The Casa on Hope Street
liverpoolacoustic.co.uk

This is Alun Parry's CD launch party, and it's free. The music starts at 8pm, with support from Vinny T Spen and Stuart Todd.

STOP PRESS!!

For those of you who can't make it to the gig, it will be streamed live at www.livestream.com/alunparrylive courtesy of Nigel from Mad Bouncy Dogs madbouncydogs.com

Friday 28th August - Mochacoustic
8.00pm - 12.00am @ The Mocha Lounge, Sir Thomas Street
myspace.com/mochacoustic2

Now settled into its 'last Friday of the month' slot, Mochacoustic's host Guy Taunton brings you Council Pop, Rob Clarke, A Harp and A Monkey, Acoustic Shel!, plus open mic for the final hour.

Saturday 29th August - For The Love Of...
1.00pm - 1.00am @ The Zanzibar Club, Seel Street
myspace.com/fortheloveofliverpool

Saturday sees the return of For The Love Of.. at The Zanzibar. 12 hours showcasing some of the finest bands and performers in Liverpool. Entrance is only £1, with all proceeds going to CALM thecalmzone.net

Mathew Street Film Festival - 48-hour Film Challenge
Sunday 30th and Monday 31st August

From 9.30am on Sunday 30th August to 9.30am on Tuesday 1st September the Mathew Street Fringe Festival is inviting film makers to compete for £250 and the chance for their video to be shown at FACT on Saturday 5th September. To take part come to the Box in FACT at 9.30am on Sunday 30th August where you will be given 5 elements that must be included in your film – they can guarantee you that one of them will be the Mathew Street Fringe!

You then have 48 hours to script, shoot, edit and return to FACT at 9.30am on Tuesday 1st September with your finished DVD. Judges from FACT, North West Vision & Media, Canvas and Mathew Street Fringe will spend four days coming to their decision, all the films will be shown in the Box at FACT from 12pm on Saturday 5th September and the winner will receive a cheque for £250.

Full details from the Fringe website mathewstreetfestival.org/fringe/48-hour-film-challenge/

Sunday 30th August - Greedy Jesus presents
12pm - late @ The Mocha Lounge, Sir Thomas Street
facebook.com/event.php?eid=117091574581

All dayers seem to be the order of the weekend! Greedy Jesus picks up where the Zanzibar left off, with the first of two marathon sessions mixing brilliant bands with acoustic aces.

Afternoon Acoustic

1pm-Greedy Jesus
1:15pm-Joe Kelly
1:30pm-The Short Straws
1:45pm-Rachael Dunn
2pm-Miles Carrington
2:15pm-Avant Gardner

2:30-3pm Interval

3pm-Woody
3:15pm-Dogstar
3:30pm-Carl Allen(The Huyton Minstrel)
3:45pm-special guest TBC

Bands
4pm-Northerndaze
4:45pm-The Bottletop Millionaires
5:30pm-TAP UK

6pm-6:30 Interval

6:30pm Special Guest TBC
7:15pm-The 104'S
8pm-The Time Flies

8:30-9pm-Interval

9pm-The Lees
9:30pm-The Sound Marshals
10:15pm-TheZenemans
11pm-Flight

Sunday 30th August - Under the Influence VOL 9 - Let it Beatles (part 1)
8.00pm - late @ Studio 2 at Parr Street
facebook.com/event.php?eid=117091574581#/event.php?eid=112695251586&ref=ts

Kaya's monthly(ish) journey around the world's best music influences eventually reaches the Fab Four, with a Beatles-themed tribute night.

Hosted tonight by Ogo, singing original songs and creative covers will be Andy Chandler, The Ashville, and Andy Coleman.

Monday 31st August - Greedy Jesus presents
12pm - late @ The Mocha Lounge, Sir Thomas Street
facebook.com/event.php?eid=117091574581

Seconds out... Round Two. Greedy Jesus hosts again.

1pm- Greedy Jesus
1:15pm-Special Guest TBC
1:30pm-Woody
1:45pm-Special Guest TBC
2pm-Rachael Dunn
2:30pm-Miles Carrington
245pm-Avant Gardner
3pm-Dogstar

3:15pm-3:45pm- Interval

3:45pm- Rob Clarke
4:15pm-Special Guest TBC
4:45pm-Carl Allen (The Huyton Minstrel)
5pm-Jessicas Ghost
5:45pm-Northerndaze
6:30pm-The Jawline of Julianne Moore
7:15pm-The Cupboard Wolves

7:45pm-8pm-Interval

8pm-The Lees
8:30pm-Total Protonic Reversal
9:15pm-Jesus In India
10pm-The Idles
10:45 The Inbyones

After show party!

Monday 31st August - Urban Strawberry Lunch's Mathew Street Fridge
12.00pm - late @ St Luke's Church
usl.org.uk/Tours/MATHEW_STREET_FRIDGE_FESTIVAL/68/4.aspx

The Mathew Street Fridge is an afternoon of chilled music -- fridge? Get It? ["Not my pun!" Ed]. USL are pleased to announce a great afternoon of music followed by a classic movie for the Mathew Street Fringe.

The line up includes Urban Strawberry Lunch, Tom George, Sir John Mandeville, The Mono LP's, Big City Mist, The Elementals, Kosher, and Raw Bones. Entrance is by generous donations (towards the upkeep of the building).

And as an added bonus we'll also be screening at 8.30pm of The Horse's Mouth, starring Alec Guiness. The plot .... "Gulley Jimson is broke, difficult, conniving, uncouth, and a welcher - but an artist. The visions in his head may not really satisfy him when realised, but the quest continues for the perfect wall. The Beeders leave for six weeks of holiday and return to find a £7000 committment and the wall of their living room transformed into a national treasure. Then - in a bombed out church (!) scheduled for demolition - he finds THE wall that can become his vision.... "

Monday 31st August - Mathew Street Fringe @ The Masque
5.00pm - 11.15pm

The Masque (or is it the Barfly?) has bands playing all weekend as part of the Mathew Street Fringe Festival. However, Monday in The Theatre is more of a down beat affair with the lush Americana of The Buffalo Riot and Liverpool's favourite folksters The Random Family seeing off the Bank Holiday weekend with help from Night Parade, Ragz & Legends of Flight plus more. Oh, and it's free!

5.00 Laney Murphy
5.45 Johnny Sands
6.30 15 Storeys
7.15 Legends of Flight
8.00 Ragz
8.45 Night Parade
9.30 The Random Family
10.15 The Buffalo Riot

Monday 31st August - Under the Influence VOL 9 - Let it Beatles (part 2)
8.00pm - late @ Studio 2 at Parr Street
facebook.com/event.php?eid=117091574581#/event.php?eid=112695251586&ref=ts

Kaya's Beatles-themed tribute night continues tonight, with original songs and creative covers from Lee Broderick, Alun Parry, Joni Fuller, and Richard O'Flynn.

Album review: Alun Parry

ALBUM REVIEW

Artist: Alun Parry

CD: We Can Make The World Stop

Website: parrysongs.co.uk

MySpace: myspace.com/parryal

facebook: facebook group

We Can Make The World Stop is Alun Parry’s first CD since 2007’s Liverpool 800: True Love Of Mine EP, and his first full length album since his debut Corridors of Stone in 2006.

The album is a collection of twelve songs that cover a wide selection of Alun’s many interests. When I say ‘interests’ I should really be saying ‘passions’ because Alun is nothing if not passionate about the things he believes in – something that many other songwriters could learn a lot from.

We Can Make The World Stop is the opening track and Al sings of the power that we, as ordinary citizens working together, have to change the world and make the real difference. Aimed firmly against the law makers and power brokers who have never dug coal, cleaned a school, or driven a bus this is a powerful, driving, upbeat song with an equally powerful message.

Moving from Alun’s passion for socialism, Run Patsy Run touches on two more passions – football and social justice. Patrick O’Sullivan – Patsy - was a carpenter working on the new Wembley Stadium. He was hit by a 300 kg wooden platform that fell 300 feet when the tower it was on was snagged by a skip that was being moved by a crane. The inquest recorded a verdict of accidental death, a result that made no reference to the mistakes that were made on the building site by individuals and site managers. In fact, the construction firm admitted to breaches of health and safety legislation and was fined £150,000 making the accidental death verdict seem even more unjust.

The Limerick Soviet is a fun song that recounts the two weeks in 1919 when the city of Limerick declared independence from Britain. It’s got a catchy chorus proudly sung by a small group of male, Irish workers from 1919, or at least the closest thing to them that Alun could find!

Together is a haunting love song about what one person would do just to be with the one he loves, whilst Princess Deborah is a rockin’ song (complete with handclapping and boogie-woogie piano) that examines the flip side of the love/lust coin and the infatuation that some men have for certain ‘online ladies’.

Waiting For The Lovers is a beautiful love song that tells how the love of two men for each other is more powerful than the blinkered homophobia of the gang waiting outside the club for them to come out.

Even without reading the title of the next track, the first four bars of music instantly whisk us away to 1969, and John Lennon’s famous honeymoon ‘Bed-in’ in the Amsterdam Hilton. For it was here that John and Yoko wrote the anthem Give Peace A Change, and it’s Lennon’s words and philosophy that inspired John Lennon Said. The song highlights the duality of humans, that we are all capable of good and bad in equal measure. It also highlights Alun’s passions for music and Liverpool. Oh, and the rabble (sorry, chorus line!) from Limerick make a welcome return at the end.

Hello Barren Desert changes the mood once more, with a ballad about the power of nature, and what happens when the balance of nature alters.

With Alun labeling himself as a ‘radical singer songwriter’ it can be all too easy to forget that he’s also a damned fine writer of songs about ‘love, life and laundry’ (apologies to Leon Rosselson!). Any Change At All is one such song from Alun’s ‘slice of life musical storytelling’ category. The story is:- Relationship ends, man leaves woman, woman begs for man to return telling him that she’s changed, man returns, man realises woman hasn’t changed, man leaves woman. Feel free to retell the story with the roles reversed – it works just as well.

Chasing Yourself has another story to tell. A woman leaves behind all of her problems and worries at home by running away to somewhere sunny (i.e. not the UK!) but soon realises that she can’t escape from herself. Echoes of Shirley Valentine, don’t you think?

Take The Mother’s Name has an apt folky feel, complete with refrain. It looks back through history at the repression and subjugation of women, and how wealth, power and the family name came to be passed down along male lines.

The final track All Hail To The Market is a topical take on the myth that market forces work best when they’re given unrestricted freedom (i.e. the freedom to make money for the few at the expense of the many) and what happens when it all comes tumbling down!

This album is a real gem from a performer, songwriter and storyteller who’s at the top of his game. Alun is not afraid to write and sing about the subjects that matter (or at least should matter) to all of us, and it's this at which he truly excels. Forget James Dean – Alun Parry is a rebel with a cause and he sings it loud and proud.

Alun is joined on the album by musicians and friends Stuart Thompson, Barry Briercliffe, Jon Withnall, and Sharon Latham.

‘Alun Parry really wears his socialism on his sleeve’ one girl said to me the other month. Given that Alun is also passionate about social justice, music, football (of the red variety), social history, equality, and his home town of Liverpool, I’m guessing he must have pretty long sleeves!

Graham Holland © 2009
Liverpool Acoustic – liverpoolacoustic.co.uk


We Can Make The World Stop is launched today (24/8/09) and is available to buy via Alun's website parrysongs.co.uk

The album is published by Robb Johnson's Irregular Records and distributed nationally by Proper Music Distribution

The official album launch party takes place this coming Friday 28th August, 7.30pm, at The Casa on Hope Street. Full details from the Liverpool Acoustic news and reviews page.

Live Lounge @ Baby Blue - new season announced

Live Lounge @ Baby Blue, down at the Albert Dock, kicks off its new season next month, and there's plenty for acoustic lovers to (metaphorically, please) wet themselves with excitement over.

It all starts on 6th September with a visit from the Acoustic Strawbs. Not only have they had chart success themselves, they've also toured with the likes of Frank Zappa, King Crimson, The Eagles, and Santana. Support comes from local artist Rachael Dunn.

Some of the acoustic (and semi-acoustic) highlights of the coming season are

6th September - Acoustic Strawbs, with support from Rachael Dunn (Liverpool)
9th September - Ezio, with support from Roxanne de Bastion (Germany)
13th September - The Blow Monkeys, with support from Kate Rogers (Canada)
11th October - John Otway & Wild Willy Barrett
18th October - Three BONZOS and a piano, with support from Andy Roberts
28th October - Adrian Edmondson & The Bad Shepherds, with support from Ella Edmondson
8th November - Richard Digance
15th November - Erick Mongrain
16th November - Mark Butcher Band, with support from Rachael Dunn

Not bad! Not bad at all!

And the guys down at Baby Blue are looking for ideas - they want to know who you'd like to see playing the Live Lounge in 2010. Answers on a postcard, or a sealed-down envelope, and stuck to the Live Lounge @ Baby Blue facebook fan page here.

Alternatively, you can email them from the link on their lovely website at babybluelivelounge.co.uk

All tickets are sold through the box office at the Liverpool Arena and Conference Centre - accliverpool.com

Above The Beaten Track this Saturday

2008 in Liverpool was brilliant. Not because of the likes of the Paul McCartney concert at Anfield, but because of the unoffical events such as the the L1 Festival, the Working Class Music Festival, and the brilliant Above The Beaten Track.

Well, the fantastic news is that Above The Beaten Track is back again, and last year's two-dayer has been expertly distilled into one jam-packed day of music, art, visuals, video, poetry, performance, food and drink.

The event is taking place at the View Two Gallery on Mathew Street this coming Saturday 22nd August. It starts at 2pm in the afternoon and goes on until late(!).

The third (top) floor will be taken up by Mellowtone, who will be bringing us a who's who of the local acoustic music scene, including Ragz, Dead Cities, Atlantic Massey, 15 Storeys, Jack Roberts, Letters in Red, Dave Owen, Mark Sunderland (Peter and the Wolf), Jeff Jepson, Paul Donnelly (Strawhouses), Kaya, Duncan Stuart, Jez Wing, and Stan Ambrose. All this and resident DJs Richie Vegas, Musica Del Alma, Monkey, Jojopops, and RB124.

The second (middle) floor will be host to poetry and performance art, and, well, anything goes! Tom George and Bag Jam feature here.

On the first (lower) floor CANVAS are hosting a 2nd stage area from 7pm. Featuring live music from Stan Ambrose plus a few impromptu turns (as well as, of course, the CANVAS DJs). They’ll also have visuals from Washington Buckley & Richard Lyall.

And if all that wasn't already too much goodness to take in, the afternoon from 4pm to 7pm sees Culturepool's 3rd birthday party! Well, it's traditional now, isn't it?

And the best thing about it is it only costs £5. Yes, that's right! You read it correctly! Only £5 for the whole day!!!

Lazy Genius 1st birthday gigs

Lazy Genius is having a birthday extravaganza this week - that's 2 gigs for the price of 1!

And it's something worth celebrating - after all, it's not every week that Lazy Genius celebrates its first birthday.

The first of a double-header of gigs is on Thursday 20th August at 3345 Parr Street. Doors open at 8pm, and it's free.

The second gig is on Friday 21st August at the Magnet Bar on Hardman Street. Doors open at 9pm, and it's £5 (£4 with flyer)

We could tell you what's happening at each of the two gigs, but we feel that would be a waste of a great poster, so all the details are below!

Happy birthday, Lazy Genius!

Event review: Wirral Folk On The Coast Festival

REVIEW OF THE 5th WIRRAL FOLK ON THE COAST MUSIC FESTIVAL

This event, ‘the biggest little festival of its kind in the North West’ took place over the 4th to the 7th June and once again it proved to be a massive success.

Held at its home for the last three years – The OC Club, Bridle Road, Bromborough, this ‘all-on-one (nine acre) site’ festival of music, song and dance proved to be a great attraction with many punters travelling to Wirral from all over Britain, Europe and even Australia. Despite poor weather on the Saturday and Sunday, folk music enthusiasts and the general public turned out in great numbers to support the festival, now in its fifth year.

The festival opened with an Open Mic evening in the luxurious Knockaloe Suite Restaurant followed on Friday with a sell out concert in the Knockaloe concert hall where the main attraction was the iconic duo Show of Hands accompanied by double bassist Miranda Sykes. Phil Beer and Steve Knightley have filled the Royal Albert Hall in the past so it was no surprise that the ‘sold out’ signs were in place well before the festival. The concert was absolutely fantastic and concluded with almost the whole audience on their feet in a standing ovation.

Four other concerts of the highest calibre featured 17 acts that included guitarist Gordon Giltrap who is a regular at the Wirral Guitar Festival, finger-picking champion Chris Moreton from the bluegrass scene, singer/songwriters Mike Silver, Anthony John Clarke and Joe Topping and a young band from Derby – Kerfuffle. Comedy was provided by Les Barker and Stanley Accrington with local talent displayed by the Wirral based Elbow Jane, Fiddlestone and Frank Welcomme, John Finnan and Andy Chrimes. The final act at the Sunday evening concert was the celtic dance band The Bogtrotters who had them ‘bopping in the aisles’ bringing the festival to a rousing conclusion.

Whilst this was all going on, in the grounds of the venue and in the anti-rooms of the main building a large set of free fringe activity was provided for those who did not fancy sitting in concert auditorium mode. The fringe consisted of a variety of workshops including, fiddle, guitar, guitar making with Ken Powell, clog dancing, and belly dancing. ‘Chance to Meet’ sessions with Les Barker and Elbow Jane gave folk enthusiasts a chance to get closer to the performers and find out more about them and their skills.

All workshops were very well attended. Informal impromptu music sessions broke out in various parts of the site together with local Folk Clubs taking it in turn to host sections of a Rolling Folk Club programme.

With Punch and Judy shows, a myriad of dance displays and a craft fair the event amounted to a wonderful weekend of family and folk entertainment.

The festival director John Owen and his wife Angie were understandably over the moon with the way things went and were delighted with the public’s response. John said, “On behalf of the festival committee and ourselves I would like to extend our very great thanks to everyone who attended the festival whether they be a performer or a punter, with special thanks to the management of the OC Club, the local free press and BBC Radio Merseyside and our dedicated team of stewards and other helpers who were instrumental in making it all happen so successfully. Indeed without small grants from the Wirral Borough Council Supported Events Fund and the Big Lottery Arts Council the event would not have been able to go ahead and we are most appreciative of that. We are obviously hopeful that we will continue to have such support in future years”.

The festival is all part of the council’s objective to entice more and more tourists to visit Wirral – “The Leisure Peninsular”. It certainly did that. Feedback received since the event shows that many new admirers of the festival will return.

Next year’s festival is scheduled to take place over the weekend of the 3rd to 6th June 2010. Acts booked so far are Vin Garbutt, the New Rope String Band and Celtish.

Further information can be obtained by ringing 0151-678-9902 or 0151-652-0734 or by visiting www.wirralfolkonthecoast.com

Liverpool Acoustic Live preview - August 2009

Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight #17
Preview of Liverpool Acoustic Live 28/8/09

Alun Parry album launch special

Interview with Alun Parry
including three songs from his new album

1. We Can Make Make The World Stop

2. The Limerick Soviet

3 . John Lennon Said

plus

4. Vinny T Spen - Hasta Paraiso

5. Stuart Todd - Life On The Line

Download the show for free
(right-click to download)

Or listen online below

(not available for email subscribers)

For the next Liverpool Acoustic Live gig we're joining forces with local Liverpool music legend Alun Parry for the launch of his new album We Can Make The World Stop.

It takes place on Friday 28th August 2009 at The Casa on Hope Street (a different venue from normal).

The doors open at 7.30pm and the music starts at 8.00pm.

Entrance is free but you should arrive early to avoid disappointment.

For enquires email contact[at]liverpoolacoustic.co.uk

In addition to a full set from Alun Parry, support is being provided by Vinny T Spen and Stuart Todd.

Alun Parry
parrysongs.co.uk
myspace.com/parryal

Alun Parry launches his brand new album at August's Liverpool Acoustic Live gig. His first CD since 2007, We Can Make The World Stop sticks firmly to Al's, and Liverpool's, strong socialist and working class roots.

Famously described by the Liverpool Echo's Jade Wright as "A legend on the Liverpool acoustic scene. A Merseyside folk God" Alun is not afraid to write and sing about the subjects that matter to all of us, and it's this at which he truly excels.

We Can Make The World Stop will be available to buy via his website from 28th August, and you can reserve your copy now.

Vinny T Spen
myspace.com/vinnytspen

Vinny T Spen comes from the folk tradition, and is heavily involved with the Manor Folk Club in Wallasey. His songs, however, are a long way from what most people would think of as folk music, and are firmly in the singer-songwriter bracket with captivating stories of life and love, and with great lyrics and easy melodies.

Stuart Todd
myspace.com/stuarttodd

Stuart Todd released his debut EP Playing The Field in 2004. Since then he's continued to make a name for himself as an accomplished singer-songwriter, an excellent musician, and a host of acoustic music events. In 2007 he released the brilliant self-titled CD Campbell Todd which was made with his long-time friend and musical collaborator Neil Campbell.

Stuart is currently working on a compilation CD called A Question of Time, due for release in the autumn. He has also been booked to perform at the Liverpool Acoustic Live gig at the View Two Gallery on Friday 23rd October 2009.

Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight #17

If you get the chance, please support your local artists by emailing them, joining their mailing lists, leaving them comments, going to their gigs, and buying their music direct from them where possible.

The Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight is produced and presented by Graham Holland on behalf of the Liverpool Acoustic website. It is also available on the Internet courtesy of Art In Liverpool FM (Defnet Media), and is a proud member of the Association of Music Podcasting - supported by Libsyn

The theme music is King of the Faeries by Andrew Ellis from his CD Midnight On The Water.

Working Class Music Festival - book now!

Following on from the success of last year's inaugural event, the second Liverpool Working Class Music Festival takes place over four days from Sunday 13th to Wednesday 16th September 2009 at The New Picket on Jordan Street.

This year's line-up includes Roy Bailey, Leon Rosselson, Amsterdam, Legend Live, Alun Parry, and Chumbawamba.

If you're wondering why we're telling you about it so far in advance it's because the TUC Conference will be taking place in Liverpool (for the first time ever!) and is being held at the same time as the festival. This means that the city will be playing host to 3,000 labour movement activists, many of whom will be looking for something to fill their evenings and who will naturally have an interest in the festival. We hear from Festival HQ that many organisations and unions are already buying festival tickets in bulk for their delegates, and two of the nights are already close to being sold out .

So the message is clear - Book Early Or Miss Out

All nights are expected to sell out well in advance, so if you want to guarantee your place at this year's festival, you really must book now or you will miss out.



How to book

All tickets can be booked through the Liverpool Philharmonic box office, and can be collected in person from The Phil. Please note, however, that all of the concerts take place at The New Picket!

You can book in person or by phone on 0151 709 3789.

Alternatively you can book online via workingclassmusic.org.uk


So, who's playing at the festival this year?

Sunday 13th September

Sunday features Leon Rosselson and Roy Bailey, with support from Frankie Armstrong and David Ferrard in an inspiring night of political folk. Click here for more details and booking information.


Monday 14th September

Monday features the stunning Bob Marley stage show Legend Live, with support from The Clash Tribute. Click here for more details and booking information.


Tuesday 15th September

Leading Liverpool band Amsterdam will be rocking the festival on Tuesday, with support from The Trestles, Claire Mooney and Phil Hare. Click here for more details and booking information.


Wednesday 16th September

Chart toppers Chumbawamba headline our show stopping last night of the festival, with support from Attila The Stockbroker, Alun Parry, and Tracey Curtis. Click here for more details and booking information.

Jennifer John - Live@3345 this Monday

Here at Liverpool Acoustic HQ we constantly monitor tweets, blogs, and cyber-chatter to bring you the most up-to-date news on the News and Reviews blog, mailing list, and Twitter feed.

And just to prove it, here are the details of a gig for this coming Monday that was only arranged late on Friday! How's that for hot off the press? Thanks to Bill Elms from Bill Elms Associates for the information

Jennifer John - Live@3345

Live@3345 is a series of weekly showcases that's been running on Monday nights while Acoustic Slice has taken a summer break. It's organised by Thomas Lang, and feature some of Liverpool's very best musical talent.

The gig this coming Monday 10th August is a rare chance to see Jennifer John deliver a full set of self-penned songs in the intimate setting of 3345 Parr Street. It starts at 8.30pm and promises to be a very special FREE event not to be missed.

Jennifer John is a stunning singer and passionate songwriter. Extremely talented and best known as founder and manager of the incredible Sense of Sound Choir Jennifer’s talents have led her work alongside many pop luminaries such as George Michael, Elton John, Brian Eno and most recently Damon Albarn but it is as a performer in her own right that she shines brightest.

You can listen to some of her music on her MySpace profile myspace.com/jenniferjohn

Acoustic Air Raid this Sunday at St Lukes

We were originally going to give you a long speil about this event, but then we figured the poster speaks for itself.

Acoustic Air Raid on Sunday 9th August at the Bombed-Out Church that is St Luke's is the first event from the newly formed Harvest Sun Promotions. The guys from Harvest Sun have informed us that they've got lots of ideas for events in the future, and we're looking forward to passing on the information to the readers of the Liverpool Acoustic news and reviews blog (er... that's you!).

For more information visit myspace.com/harvestsunpromotions

Friday Night Acoustic - upstairs @ The Zanzibar

As mentioned in August's newsletter, Friday Night Acoustic is not a new event, but it is a new (and very welcome) regular entry in the Liverpool Acoustic Diary.

It takes place on the first and third Friday of each month upstairs at The Zanzibar on Seel Street, with each night normally featuring five acoustic performers.

Friday 7th August sees Rachel Dunn, Dan Elson, Kev Eustace, and Keith McKnight (plus one more to be confirmed) taking to the stage.

The event is 7.45pm till late, and it's £4 on the door to get in.

More information from myspace.com/fridaynightacoustic

Green musicians needed for next week

Kermit The Frog famously (and wonderfully) sang that it's not easy being green. But have you got what it takes to follow in his froggy footsteps?

Liverpool Acoustic has been approached by someone who is running an evening event next Wednesday 12th August as part of a recycling-themed week. The organiser is desperate for a couple of local acoustic musicians who can sing some songs (either original or covers) about anything to do with green issues (not just recycling!).

So, if you think you fit the bill (or know someone who does) then drop us a line here at Liverpool Acoustic using the Contact Us form, and we'll pass your details on.

Shaz's camera fund - update

Last week I posted a message from Alun Parry about his friend Shaz's camera being stolen, and how he'd set up a fund for people to donate to.

As of last Wednesday the target of £800 had been well and truly smashed, with a whopping £937 having been raised.

Wow! You guys are the best!

£800 was the minimum needed for the basic kit, so the extra amount will really help just that little bit more.

You can see the chart for yourself at parrysongs.co.uk/go/?page_id=418

And you'll be able to see Shaz out and about on the local scene snapping away in no time at all.

And if you're looking for a photographer for any occasion then check out Sharon's website at dynamophotography.co.uk where she provides innovative photography solutions relating to bespoke personal portraits, commercial and industrial work, live music gigs and TV/Film stills photography.

Liverpool Acoustic Newsletter - August 2009

According to some people August is supposed to be a quiet month on the local scene because everyone is off on their hols. Not so!

This August is as busy as ever, with lots going on for lovers of acoustic music in Liverpool and the Greater Merseyside area. Above The Beaten Track returns to the View Two Gallery on 22nd August, with music, art, food, and more music. And there will be plenty of fab acoustic stuff as part of the Mathew Street Fringe Festival at the end of the month, and we'll pass the details on to you as soon as we have them. As for what we do know, read on, Macduff!

LIVERPOOL ACOUSTIC LIVE

This month Liverpool Acoustic Live is joining forces with local music legend Alun Parry for the launch of his new album, We Can Make The World Stop. It's taking place on Friday 28th August at The Casa on Hope Street, and is free entry to all. But be there early because places will be limited. Doors open at 7.30pm with the music starting at 8.00pm.

In addition to a full set from Alun, there will be support on the night from Vinny T Spen, and Stuart Todd.

Full details are in the poster on the main website at liverpoolacoustic.co.uk and information about the new CD can be found by visiting parrysongs.co.uk

The Liverpool Acoustic Spotlight for August 2009 will be an album launch special, featuring an interview with Alun Parry plus tracks from his forthcoming album. There will also be a track each from Vinny and Stuart. We'll let you know via the news and reviews blog when the Spotlight is online.

DIARY NEWS

Like the ebb and flow of the tide around the feet of the Iron Men on the beach at Crosby, so events in the Liverpool Acoustic Diary come and go, with new events starting all the time, and other events ending. The ups and downs for this month are as follows.

You say goodbye...

• Tuesday Night Music Night is no longer running following the closure of Monochrome. (Thanks to Mark Whitby for the info)


• And the lovely Sunday Acoustic at Tabac on Bold Street came to an end last month. Thanks to Natasha and everyone involved, and we look forward to the Mathew Street Fringe Festival special!

And I say hello...!

• There's an open mic session hosted by John Holmes every Thursday night at Pogue Mahones at the top of Seel Street. Free entry, 9.30pm start. (Thanks to Stuart Todd for the info)


• Dogstar is hosting a new Sunday acoustic night with open mic at The Picturehouse on London Road every two weeks. It started on 19th July, and the next one is on 2nd August. Visit myspace.com/dogstar3 for more info.


• Acoustic Air Raid is the first event from Harvest Sun Promotions, and takes place on 9th August in St Lukes Church. We'll let you know when we have the details for their future events myspace.com/harvestsunpromotions


• Friday Night Acoustic and the Songbook Sessions (both upstairs at The Zanzibar) are not a new events, but they are new to our online diary. Thanks to Marc for passing on the information (and congratulations on your new baby!).

Sideways shuffle...

• Lemon Hippo have moved their weekly event from Chameleon (yet another desertee!) to The Jacaranda on Slater Street and have cleverly renamed the night "Back In The Jac". Visit myspace.com/lemonhippo for more details.

There are still a number of event organisers who aren't sending us their event information, and as such are missing out on the lovely free publicity. If you know of any acoustic gigs not in the Liverpool Acoustic diary then contact us and let us know. Also, if you know of any acoustic events in the diary that have stopped running then let us know that too!

Here's a run-through of some of the acoustic events taking place in August that are worth a special mention. Click on the event in the diary for full details and links.

Saturday 1st - The Company Store @ The Zanzibar - with The Sixteen Tonnes, SJ Downe' Blackwook Jiggers, Familiary Looking Strangers, Blind River Scare. 8pm start and £6 in

Monday 3rd - Come Strut Your Stuff @ The Egg Cafe. Open floor poetry and acoustic music takes place once a month in Liverpool's best vegetarian bistro. The event starts at 8pm but if you want to perform you'll need to be there before 7.20pm to get your name on the list.

Wednesday 5th - Folk and Irish music @ Mojo's - this new night in West Kirby continues with more great local acoustic talent.

Thursday 6th - Homegrown @ 3345 Parr Street - Resident band Letters in Red introduce Karen Cleary, David Walter, Rich Addis, and The Hang Projec. 8pm, free entry

Friday 7th - Friday night acoustic - upstairs at The Zanzibar. Every first and third Friday. Tonight features Rachel Dunn, Dan Elson, Kev Eustace, Keith McKnight. 7.45pm/£4

Sunday 9th - Acoustic Air Raid @ St Lukes bombed-out church - John Head (Shack), Misery Guts, The Grande, Pod Cousins, plus Spoken Word 2.00pm to 6.30pm - £5 on the door.

Thursday 13th - Richard Thompson @ Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. 7.30pm/£20

Saturday 15th - Kevin Critchley Outfit play Acad Fest @ O2 Academy - 3pm/£6

Saturday 15th - The Songbook Sessions @ The Zanzibar - Charlotte O’ Connor, Slow Motion Stranger and Pete Cunningham. 7.30pm/£5

Saturday 15th - Stephen Langstaff @ Parr Street Studio 2 - 8pm/free

Monday 17th - Acoustic Slice returns to 3345 Parr Street after a summer break Hurrah!

Saturday 22nd - Above The Beaten Track @ The View Two Gallery - 2pm to late, £5 all day

Friday 28th - Alun Parry album launch, in association with Liverpool Acoustic Live. Support from Vinny T Spen and Stuart Todd. 7.30 doors, 8pm start. Free.

Sunday 30th & Monday 31st - Under the Influence VOL 9 - a 2 day Beatle-flavoured special @ Parr Street Studio 2, hosted by Kaya

AND FINALLY...

Once again, thank you to everyone who's contributed to either the Liverpool Acoustic website or the Liverpool Acoustic Live event. If you have anything you'd like to add then please let us know by using the Contact Us form or by emailing contact[at]liverpoolacoustic.co.uk

And remember, you can follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/lpoolacoustic

Graham (on behalf of the Liverpool Acoustic team)