Topic Folk Club, Bradford W Yorkshire
Newsletter 64, April 2007
Coc.k and Bottle, 93 Barkerend Road
Greetings: and welcome to the late-April Newsletter: Several weeks since the last newsletter, during which time audiences have been consistently high. Maybe I should send out fewer newsletters .....
April 26 Anthony John Clark
Do come and see Anthony John. Originally from Belfast, he is a singer-songwriter of considerable talent, with his warm songs appreciated on both sides of the Atlantic. He came to the Topic in 1997 and 1998, but not since. Two particular aspects appeal to your editor: his penchant for red guitars, and his listing of Al Stewart among his favourite songwriters. Featured Support will come from Sam Hird, a very individual musician with a very individual musical style, reflecting a classical training as well as an inventive and experimental mien. Tickets £4 / £5. MC John Waller
May 3 Tom McConville and David Wood
Tom is the north’s iconic fiddle par exemplar, with a range that spreads far and wide beyond his north-eastern roots. Tonight he teams up with David Wood, last seen at the Topic as part of the youthful Crosscurrent, made up of recent graduates of Newcastle’s excellent degree in Folk Music. Featured Support will come from regular and act-booker Simon Alexander, who was unable to perform his last booked FS slot due to a gashed finger. Tickets £4 / £5; MC Ian Gobbi.
May 10 A Double Header evening: two class acts for the price of one.
Lynn Geddes headlined with us a few years ago, and also appeared at the C&B’s Beer and Folk Festival last June. She plays a really mean traditional guitar style, with clear strong lyrical delivery of traditional and original material. Bandersnatch are based just over the Pennines: a five- or maybe now six-piece band with many instruments and vocal harmonies; recently joined by one member’s daughter, to give even more vocal variation. Tickets £4 / £5. MC tbc
May 17 Sketch
The wonderful Maggie Boyle returns after a gap of all of ten weeks; this time in her band featuring Gary Boyle (no relation) on guitar, and Dave Bowie (the other one) on bass. All three have a musical pedigree to dream of – see details on the Topic website. This will be a great evening; and also an opportunity for our floor singers to show off their wares in exalted company. It’ll help MC Gerry Cooper if you can give advance warning if you’d like a floor spot: just reply to this newsletter. Tickets £6 / £7.
May 24 Singers and Musicians.
The last one of these we had was described by a first-time visitor as “a smashing evening”, and he wasn’t wrong. No fewer than 17 performers (four of whom were new to the Topic) and a further 7 as audience. We had a real range of styles (and ages, from young teens to 80+), and a consistent level of quality. Free entry: come and perform, or just drink beer and listen.
May 31 George Pavageris (May 31).
The word “prolific” must have been specially coined for George, who, working in his second language, has turned out in excess of 200 songs in the past few years. Not just any old songs, but really good songs, about his Greek heritage, about English traditions, about friendship, you name it. Covered by major artists like Vin Garbutt and Roy Bailey, and with a warm bubbly unaffected personality to go with it all, George is a great act. Featured Support comes from youthful and highly talented duo of Katriona Gilmore & Jamie Roberts on violin and guitar respectively, performing some of Katriona’s own compositions. Tickets £4 / £5. MC Tony Levy.
And onwards:
June 7 Julie Ellison FS Ryan McGovern
June 14 Pete Abbott FS Elbow Jane Band
June 21 Singers and Musicians
June 28 Duncan McFarlane Acoustic Band FS Bruce Baillie
July 5 Roger Sutcliffe
July 12 Double Header: Liz Ryder and FYRISH
July 19 Invited Singers and Musicians
July 26 Robb Johnson * FS Ylem
* I’ve been asked to inform you all that Robb Johnson will be appearing at a special charity event at the Royal Oak in Halifax from 7.30pm on Saturday 26 May. Full details from Steve Blackman at vdm@cvac.org.uk
August is given over entirely to Singers and Musicians; but we open up in September with Roy Bailey and the brilliant Australian duo cloudstreet.
Watch this space! More on all these further acts later; and/or right now on the Website.
PETITION
If you haven’t yet signed this plea to avoid stifling over-regulation of live music and performance, please do so now via http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/licensing/
START TIME
It used to be a constant moan about Folk Clubs that they always started late, and then drifted later and later. We are doing our best to start on time, and to finish very shortly after 11.00 (not least as that is when the pub stops serving). It will help us if you can aim to arrive before 8.30: to avoid disrupting the early acts. We then promise to do our bit by not having you sitting around for twenty minutes before the music starts.
See you all some Thursday at the C.ock and Bottle at one, all or more of the above events. 8.30 start. Floor spots are available every night, even where a Featured Support artist is booked; though it helps if you arrive by 8.30. No smoking in the club room.
John Waller
Topic Newsletter Editor
john@john-waller.co.uk
Topic Newsletter No 64: late-April 2007
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