I HAD a particularly nice gig playing at the Acoustic Café which is a weekly Monday night gig hosted by Graham Steel at the Rose and Crown, Sandhurst.
Each week five acoustic acts from the local area each play a 30-minute set. Many of these are talented local independent artists.
On the night I played, it was a good eclectic musical mix with Tomorrow Bird (original songs from this duo with a great positive message, lovely harmonies), Michael Tuffrey (great selection of cover songs and originals), Dave Mann (put a smile on our faces with his selection of unique comedy songs) and Paul Gelsthorpe (played popular well-known songs). It is free entry and music is from 7.30pm each Monday.
The aforementioned Tomorrow Bird will also be playing at the next Music At The Pottery (Farnham Pottery) on Friday, October 22. It is a great line-up which also includes The Lost Trades, who are one of my favourite current acts to emerge.
The Mark Nelson Trio and Tom Gamble complete the line-up. It is a seated gig in lovely surroundings. Tickets are £15 (www.thefarnhampottery.co.uk).
Fleet Jazz are back next Tuesday (October 19) with Ma Bessie and Her Blues Troupe at The Harlington, Fleet. The show is dedicated to the ‘Empress Of The Blues’ Bessie Smith, who was one of the most popular female blues singers of the 1920s and 1930s.
The show chronicles her life and features Ma Bessie (Julia Titus) and her six-piece band. Tickets are £20 on 01252 811009 (https://fleetjazz.wordpress.com).
It’s the first full Hart Male Voice Choir concert on Saturday, October 23 at St Peter’s Church, Wrecclesham, since January 2020. Covid stopped all group singing.
It’s a special fundraising concert and the superb acoustics of the church will once again provide a perfect setting for the soaring anthems, choral delights, music from the shows and rousing traditional songs to be performed by this popular local choir. Musical director is Kevin Jacot.
To meet social-distancing guidelines, the audience will be limited to 130 and entrance to the concert will be by pre-paid ticket only. They are £10 and available by calling 01252 716431 or emailing [email protected]
Doors open at 7pm.
The India Electric Co are playing at Grayshott Folk Club on October 30. This indie pop/folk duo will be heading out on tour, supporting Midge Ure again in 2022.
This is what The Independent said about them: “Their reeling, spinning sound corroborates the content of their songs which appear to be describing a life alive with motion. They are altogether a good thing, busy as rush hour but full of light.”
Tickets are £16 and available from Des O’Byrne on 01428 607096.
Brian Player continues his folk, roots and acoustic music show each Tuesday at 8pm on Wey Valley Radio based in Alton.
Wey Valley Radio is on 101.1FM or online at www.weyvalley.uk
GIG GUIDE
(Free entry and 8pm unless stated)
* Today – Thursday, October 14
Tim Shez at The Mulberry, Farnham
Open Mic at The Good Intent, Petersfield
Piano Lounge players at The Wheatsheaf, Farnham
Gavin Thomas at King’s Head, Guildford
* Tomorrow – Friday, October 15
Armstrong at The Plough, Farnham
TR5’s at The Swan, Farnborough
* Saturday, October 16
Beat Tones at The Plough, Farnham
Bitter Blues at The Wheatsheaf, Alton
* Sunday, October 17
Open Mic at The Mulberry, Farnham
* Monday, October 18
Acoustic Café at Rose and Crown, Sandhurst
* Tuesday, October 19
Unplug The Wood at Lion Brewery, Ash (7pm)
Julie’s Open Mic at Village Inn, Sandhurst
* Wednesday, October 20
Jam Night at The Plough, Farnham
GT Sessions Showcase at The Brittania, Guildford
* Send listings and any events or new music releases you would like me to feature to [email protected]