Stubbing Wharf, Hebden Bridge, 27 May 09
Me and Ieuan Cilgwri (Wirral poet) and Matt Reekie (Bootle-based poet / singer-songwriter) went to the open mic at Stubbing Wharf, Hebden Bridge, last night.
Really enjoyed all the performances.
Some good young indie-style singer-songwriters there, including our Matt. Plus some blues and bluegrass stuff.
The MC, Mand, and co-organiser Craig, ran the evening very well and made us wayfarers from the Scouse hinterlands most welcome.
This is not really a proper review, as I wasn't taking notes and I was a bit tired.
The night was top-heavy with musos and a bit thin on poets last night ... just me, Ieuan .... and Cayn White, who was glugging back red wine like a champion (and I speak as Wirral's Champion Vino Gurgler 2009).
Cayne was a little unsettled to be accused by a "characterful" local singer of being a "southerner".
I probably didn't help matters by declaiming from the mosh pit about "southern jessies".
Worra cheek though! Cayne is as much a proper tyke as I'm a proper Wiganer (are you listening, DG?!)
Among the excellent singers was a lady called Dawn, who has a very pure voice.
Stubbing Wharf is a great venue; the vibe distinctly bohemian. This open mic doesn't have a formal set list, which I feel is the best way to run such a night ... allowing a cracking pace to be set for performers and ensuring that everyone gets a chance to perform. No-one goes home disappointed. Very democratic.
The night reminded me very much in term of its atmosphere and way it is run to The Bards of New Brighton, which happens to be the club MC'd by me on the Wirral, except perhaps we have more poets and fewer singers.
(Our next Bards open mic by the way is at the Magazine Hotel, New Brighton, on Monday 8 June, starting 8pm, and don't forget the Grand Wirral Slam being to be held at Tallulah's Late Lounge on the New Brighton seafront, Wednesday 3 June, starting 7.30-ish)
Let me say again, a great night in Hebden Bridge and thanks to all concerned.
It was well worth us making the long and Withnail-esqe journey up into the hills to be there. By the way, I see that the local council has appended an official civic motto to many of the lamp and lynching posts ... "Don't have sex with your cousins y'all".
My only disappointment on the night was that the excellent Winston Plowes wasn't there... especially as I'm told he lives close by aboard a Cleopatra-style golden barge moored on the Rochdale Canal.
But then again, Man U got stuffed, so that cheered me up.
Really enjoyed all the performances.
Some good young indie-style singer-songwriters there, including our Matt. Plus some blues and bluegrass stuff.
The MC, Mand, and co-organiser Craig, ran the evening very well and made us wayfarers from the Scouse hinterlands most welcome.
This is not really a proper review, as I wasn't taking notes and I was a bit tired.
The night was top-heavy with musos and a bit thin on poets last night ... just me, Ieuan .... and Cayn White, who was glugging back red wine like a champion (and I speak as Wirral's Champion Vino Gurgler 2009).
Cayne was a little unsettled to be accused by a "characterful" local singer of being a "southerner".
I probably didn't help matters by declaiming from the mosh pit about "southern jessies".
Worra cheek though! Cayne is as much a proper tyke as I'm a proper Wiganer (are you listening, DG?!)
Among the excellent singers was a lady called Dawn, who has a very pure voice.
Stubbing Wharf is a great venue; the vibe distinctly bohemian. This open mic doesn't have a formal set list, which I feel is the best way to run such a night ... allowing a cracking pace to be set for performers and ensuring that everyone gets a chance to perform. No-one goes home disappointed. Very democratic.
The night reminded me very much in term of its atmosphere and way it is run to The Bards of New Brighton, which happens to be the club MC'd by me on the Wirral, except perhaps we have more poets and fewer singers.
(Our next Bards open mic by the way is at the Magazine Hotel, New Brighton, on Monday 8 June, starting 8pm, and don't forget the Grand Wirral Slam being to be held at Tallulah's Late Lounge on the New Brighton seafront, Wednesday 3 June, starting 7.30-ish)
Let me say again, a great night in Hebden Bridge and thanks to all concerned.
It was well worth us making the long and Withnail-esqe journey up into the hills to be there. By the way, I see that the local council has appended an official civic motto to many of the lamp and lynching posts ... "Don't have sex with your cousins y'all".
My only disappointment on the night was that the excellent Winston Plowes wasn't there... especially as I'm told he lives close by aboard a Cleopatra-style golden barge moored on the Rochdale Canal.
But then again, Man U got stuffed, so that cheered me up.
Thu, 28 May 2009 11:24 am
Ieuan Cilgwri
Steve - accurate review.
I was particularly impressed by Cayne who seemed powered and passioned by some elemental force, I liked the fact he glugged the wine in between sets - very baccalanian. I thought it was totally unpretentious, open and displayed a lot diversity in the range of performers (age and style)... as we said the mix between musicians and poems seemed to work really well too....
I was particularly impressed by Cayne who seemed powered and passioned by some elemental force, I liked the fact he glugged the wine in between sets - very baccalanian. I thought it was totally unpretentious, open and displayed a lot diversity in the range of performers (age and style)... as we said the mix between musicians and poems seemed to work really well too....
Thu, 28 May 2009 12:15 pm
Hi There Steve.
The excellent Winston Plowes was watching the not so excellent MUFC. I live about a mile from the Stubbins but do get there occassionaly. As to Cleopatra-style golden barge this is of course true. May I inform you that in fact it is solid gold and on fridays one of the locks is filled entirely with milk where I bathe and answer difficult questions about great poets of bygone years from stunned walkers on the towpath.
Yours,
The Excellent Winston Plowes
The excellent Winston Plowes was watching the not so excellent MUFC. I live about a mile from the Stubbins but do get there occassionaly. As to Cleopatra-style golden barge this is of course true. May I inform you that in fact it is solid gold and on fridays one of the locks is filled entirely with milk where I bathe and answer difficult questions about great poets of bygone years from stunned walkers on the towpath.
Yours,
The Excellent Winston Plowes
Thu, 28 May 2009 12:39 pm
Aye, aye, Win! Are you neigbours with that saucy minx--on-a-narrowboat who tried to seduce Ken Barlow in Coronation Street a few weeks ago?
It's all going on ... down along t'towpath!
It's all going on ... down along t'towpath!
Thu, 28 May 2009 03:00 pm
<Deleted User> (6303)
This is just a flying visit just to give a big thanks to the guy,s for comming up to the stubbing wharf and making the long journey(you know who you are) !!! it was great to hear some new refreshing tallent from the pool and wirral !!. you are always welcome at the stubbings any time . you were all absolutly great!!! please feel free to come any time at all !! (as every thing was still in place after you left) LOL !!!! mand and myself would love to repay the complement and pay a visit to see you guy,s at your venue verry soon !!! thanks again and see you soon !!! CRAIG
Sat, 30 May 2009 05:23 pm