KIKI DEE & CARMELO LUGGERI
MAY 20th (’23) £23
Kiki Dee & Carmelo Luggeri – The Long Ride Home Tour
For over 25 years now Kiki and Carmelo have been touring their spellbinding acoustic live show across the UK and Europe. Performing in this stripped back fashion allows each of their exceptional talents to shine through and create a wonderful and warm sense of intimacy for the audience.
Kiki has recently celebrated her 55th year in the music industry and has cemented her status as one of the UK’s finest and most revered vocalists, always moving forward with the music that she creates with Carmelo . Kiki says Carmelo is her favorite guitarist , and he co-writes and produces all their songs.
The duo’s latest critically acclaimed album THE LONG RIDE HOME was released in 2022 , and is full of haunting, emotional and stunning songs that will hopefully please their army of fans.
Join Kiki and Carmelo for an acoustic journey of their songs and stories which also include some tracks from the new album , unique covers of songs by artists such as Kate Bush and Frank Sinatra and of course Kiki’s own hits “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart”, “I Got The Music In Me”, “Loving & Free” and the stunning “Amoureuse”
JERAMIAH FERRARI: Sadly the bands guitarist has lost his passport and is stuck in Strasbourg so they cant make it tomorrow night, however we still have a show, we don’t do cancel! Offbeat are now doing two sets and the amazeballs Fiona Lee has stepped in last minute.
Its far too short a notice to inform all of the ticket holders of the change with regard to refunds so we will refund everyone who comes along tomorrow £10 and there will now be a £5 entry. Anyone who chooses to take a full refund will be able to do so via the Shire Hall and We Got Tickets.
OFFBEAT & FIONA LEE
APRIL 22nd £5
Tickets on the door.
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THE ALLIGATORS & CARRIE MARTIN
APRIL 8th £12,50
Sadly Les Nicol is incapacitated, in his place we have the rather wonderful Carrie Martin…
A double headliner of the very, very best rock/blues and contemporary acoustic music you will find anywhere…
“The Alligators are no strangers to gigs both big and small, having played up and down the east coast since they formed in 2004.
They are a high energy trio taking their influences from blues, soul and rock ‘n’ roll.
The band has released three albums which highlight both original songs and some well-chosen covers and they are currently working on a fourth collection of songs.
However, the Alligators are at their best when captured live and kicking.
The band features Tony Underwood on guitar and vocals, Mark Sedgwick on drums and Pete Robinson on bass.
Catch them before they become an endangered species.”
Born in Hull, Carrie Martin is an acoustic guitarist and singer/songwriter.
She gave up music to raise her children, her guitar went untouched for some two decades until a chance meeting with guitar virtuoso Gordon Giltrap changed her life.
Close mentoring from Gordon saw her take a huge leap forward, attracting endorsements from Vintage Guitars, G7th Capos and Martin Strings.
Her last two albums Seductive Sky and Entity included guests Elliott Randall, Gordon Giltrap, Oliver Wakeman, Daniel Cassidy (brother of late Eva Cassidy) and ex Bad Company guitarist Dave Colwell.
Carrie has performed in Canada on tour and has represented Vintage Guitars twice at the Namm Show In California. She also guests at various guitar shows around the UK to demo her use of open tunings.
Her new album ‘Beside the Evergreen’ is due out next spring on digital platforms, cd & vinyl with an array of exceptional musicians guesting along side her.
“Carrie is a ‘triple treat’, possessed of the ability to craft a fine song, nimble finger-picking skill, and a beguiling voice. Her tone rests somewhere between a young Kate Bush and All About Eve’s Julianne Regan: delicate but infused with an inner strength. A perfect combination to showcase her memorable tunes and evocative lyrics. ‘Talk In Colour’ is an infectious pop song that if there is any justice, will be gracing the BBC Radio 2 playlist before long.”
Trevor Raggatt RnR Magazine
“Having heard this album I think if it weren’t for covid times this would have been a natural for radio 6 and Radio 2”
Andy Snipper Music-News.com
MARTIN STEPHENSON & the DAINTEES acoustic
ft featuring Gary and Anth Dunn from The Daintees
& Molly Curtis
FRIDAY MARCH 24th £12.50
REARRANGED DATE FROM THE POSTPONED ONE ON MARCH 10th.
A BIOGRAPHY / QUITE A STORY TO TELL.
With
Inspired by early Cure and the Brighton scene, Martin began his career as a busker aged 15 . He then spent three years plying his trade as the guitar player in various bands in the North East of England . But Martin wanted more, he wanted to tell stories of his own and he was quickly developing ways of doing just that.
He developed his song writing technique by Firstly learning a few licks from a Spanish guitar book and repeated the process withJazz, Blues, Country, Skiffle, Reggae etc.
Eventually, this glorious collision of styles would become the trademark which Martin has carried through his career of almost 40 years.
Martin formed his band The Daintees, who became a busking sensation and were signed by Kitchenware at around the same time as Prefab Sprout and Hurrah! The band and indeed Martin have always been known for their incredible range of styles, each album covering a multitude of genres, tempos and moods.
Disenchanted at the way the industry was moving and following the band’s break up shortly after The Boys Heart , Martin distanced himself from the main stream music industry and relocated to the Scottish highlands in order to recharge and re-evaluate.
Then followed a number of years in which Martin supported himself through a combination of extensive live work and a multitude of self Financed solo albums.
2000 saw the reformation of the Daintees, to this day Martin splits his time between solo and small collaborative projects with band albums and annual celebratory Daintees UK tours.
Molly Curtis is a singer songwriter based in East Yorkshire. Her music is inspired by artists such as Harry Styles, Ed Sheeran and Laura Marling and uses a loop pedal to elevate her performance. Playing a mixture of original songs and and eclectic mix of covers, there is something for everyone to enjoy!
Widely regarded now as the UK’s most authentic and leading tribute to The Jam, The Jam’d are totally committed to giving an unforgettable, authentic performance with all the energy, passion and style of the Woking 3.
As full time touring professional musicians, and massive Jam fans, the band don’t “try to be” or “pretend to be” The Jam, but rather put on a performance from the heart and soul, drawing on all their memories, experiences and love of what was the country’s biggest band in their day.
Gigging all around the UK and Europe, at major venues, festivals, and rallies. The show also includes the only replica of Rick Bucklers ‘Great White’ drum kit & features their own brass section!
Every effort is placed into reproducing the sound, arrangements and energy of a Jam gig. Those who saw The Jam live will remember the electricity, aggression, passion, and even fashion on stage, something not always prevalent in today’s world, but to The Jam’d, it is a passion, a mission, and an honour to play for fans of “the best band in the world!”
Featured on BBC Radio 4 and described by the organisers of the I.O.W. Scooter rally as “the best Jam tribute you’ll ever see!” you won’t be disappointed..
SANDI THOM & Ellie Pollard
FEBRUARY 11th £21
It’s been 16 years since her first single “I wish I was a punk rocker” shot to no.1 in 7 different countries and since then Thom has continued to make albums that are eclectic, different and timeless. Now get set for the most exciting release of her career, “My new album Wanderlust is going to blow Punk rocker out of the water” Thom states.
Having spent a significant time in the Middle East doing humanitarian work with street dogs and cats Sandi Thom has been of the radar for several years. However, having now permanently relocated back to the UK Sandi is back and better than ever.
“I’ve grown so much in the past 4 years that I’ve been of the road” Thom says, “my experiences have really shaped me and been amazing inspiration for my latest songs”.
With over 50 million Spotify streams the Scottish singer’s popularity continues to grow organically. “I’m always so humbled at how my songs just seem to continue to connect with people” she says. One song in particular; November Rain, taken from Thom’s album of Acoustic Classic Rock covers has seen a growth spurt.
“I couldn’t believe the number of streams on you tube when it hit 12 million, I never expected it to be so popular, but it just seems to connect with so many people, it’s amazing”
“2022 and beyond is going to be an amazing time for me. I am so excited to be hitting the road again with the band, playing live, getting back in the studio and just immersing myself in the industry again. I’m also really excited at the prospect of taking on challenging roles in theatre, it will be a whole new world for me and something I can really get my teeth into artistically” the mum of 6-year-old Logan says.
With her continued organic growth in popularity Thom says she’s so excited about getting stuck back into her career and can’t wait to release the hotly anticipated 7th studio album entitled “Wanderlust” along with an autobiography detailing her life’s story so far. Both the album and the book are set for release in the winter of 2022
Watch this space…
“Exquisite” The Times
**** Classic Rock magazine
“Unique pop-folk” The Herald
” Fierce & Honest songwriting” The Huffington post
“Internet Sensation” BBC
“Pugnacious and Sharp” The Irish Times
“Diverse and consistently Impressive” American Songwriter
I Wish Was A Punk Rocker Reborn…
Lil’ JIMMY REED & The ‘A’ Team
& Chicago Bound
JANUARY 14th 2023
From shot-gun shack and cotton-field to festival main stage, the prodigious talents of Lil’ Jimmy Reed have taken him a long way from the Mississippi river. One of the last surviving performers of classic Louisiana down-home blues, Lil’ Jimmy’s stinging guitar work, gritty vocals and haunting harmonica have been taking Europe by storm. His music has won him many awards and an induction into the Blues Hall of Fame. He is accompanied by the ‘A’ Team, comprising pianist Bob Hall, widely regarded as the UK’s finest blues and boogie exponent, and diminutive dynamo Hilary Blythe on rock steady bass.
Born Leon Atkins in 1938 in a shot-gun shack in Hardwood, LA, a small cotton town on a bend in the Mississippi river, he grew up near a nightclub where blues stars Slim Harpo and Lightnin’ Slim were frequent visitors. By day he picked cotton and every night he absorbed the sounds of the blues wafting across the street. At six he had his own guitar, made from a cigar box, and by the time he was a teenager he was proficient on both guitar and harmonica, playing local clubs around Baton Rouge. His big break came when the legendary Jimmy Reed failed to make a date and Leon got to take his place in the band. He gave a show stopping performance, the crowd loved him, and when, soon after, Jimmy passed away, Leon became Lil’ Jimmy Reed.
Lil’ Jimmy took a break from music to serve his country in the military, but he’s now back playing better than ever. On his return Lil’ Jimmy has shared the stage with B.B. King, Buddy Guy and Bobby Blue Bland, among many other stars. Among many awards he has been named Blues Harmonica Player of the Year by the West Coast Blues Hall of Fame, received the Living Legend Award from the Baton Rouge Blues Society, awarded a gold disc by the Alabama Blues Society and inducted into the Alabama Blues Hall of Fame.
Lil’ Jimmy’s European tours are hugely successful and he has received wild applause and standing ovations as he strolls through the crowds playing and singing his unique brand of down-home blues. His first CD “School’s Out” was rated “Superb” by CD Review
In Lil’ Jimmy’s band, the ‘A’ Team includes Bob Hall, an award-winning pianist and founder member of several famous British blues bands including The Groundhogs and Savoy Brown. He has accompanied many world-class bluesmen – John Lee Hooker, Howlin’ Wolf, Chuck Berry and Little Walter, to name just a few. His partner, diminutive dynamo Hilary Blythe, is an outstanding blues and gospel singer and rock steady bassist.
“You put on a hell of a show” Harvest Blues Festival Director (Monaghan, Eire)
“The feedback has been fantastic” Executive Manager Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival
**NEW CD** “Lil’ Jimmy Reed – Live” Fast Western 004 available on Amazon
CHICAGO BOUND are a Beverley based acoustic Blues duo featuring local legend Brian Williams on harmonica and Graham ‘Eightball’ Hyde on guitar. Featuring music stretching from the Delta to Chicago. Popular across the local Blues scene Brian is one of the leading harmonica players in the region and is an encyclopedia of Blues history. He can also be heard playing washboard and spoons!. Graham has played guitar in local Blues bands for the last 15 years and is most at home with Chicago styles and 50’s style swinging Jazz. Together they also play in local renown Blues band The Juke Joint Kings!
SATURDAY DECEMBER 17th
£16.50
& ‘Le collectiff de blues’
Blues and soul become inextricably entwined in award-winning singer-songwriter, Kyla Brox, whose raw talent has seen her described as “the finest female blues singer of her generation”. Winner of the UK Blues Challenge 2018 and the European Blues Challenge 2019, voted Best Female Vocalist in the 2019 European Blues Awards and semi-finalist in the International Blues Challenge 2019 and 2020, Kyla Brox is at the very top of the UK Blues scene.
Daughter of cult blues figure, Victor Brox, the Mancunian vocalist began her career as a teenager in her father’s band and has now honed her own sophisticated sound, as heard on her last two critically acclaimed and award-nominated albums, Throw Away Your Blues and Pain & Glory, which reached No.1 in the IBBA Charts for 2019 and was nominated Best Album in both the European and UKBlues Awards.
Her voice; tender, urgent, gritty, blurring the distinction between pleasure and pain, mixed with the enchantingly fluent guitar work of Paul Farr, inspired bass playing of Danny Blomeley and in-the-pocket drumming of Mark Warburton, combine to make a unique and powerful, often joyous, always emotional experience.
Kyla also plays in duo form with her husband, virtuoso acoustic guitarist, Danny Blomeley, whose playing, by turns delicate and unrestrained, has earned him a following in his own right.
A completely independent artist, Kyla has built her career year on year; starting out at grassroots with local pub gigs and growing to headlining concerts all over the globe, including some of the most prestigious Blues festivals in the world.
With thousands of albums sold and a constantly growing fanbase, Kyla Brox is widely regarded as one of the very best soul-blues singers the British Isles has ever produced.
“The finest female blues singer of her generation” Manchester Evening News
“Manchester’s answer to Aretha Franklin.” Tony Wilson, Factory Records
“Surely one of the finest voices Britain has ever had” Pete Clack, Blues In Britain
“Kyla Brox knows how to handle the gears… the Mancunian vocalist lets songs percolate, raising the temperature by degrees, then giving it both barrels in the final stretch. It’s a thrilling tactic.” Henry Yates, The Blues Magazine
“An authentic soul diva… sensitive, sexy, and with infinite reserves of sassiness” City Life
‘Le collectiff de blues’ have come together to perform Chicago blues from the chess era, in an unplugged and laid back style, paying homage to the legendary blues artists of that time, from Howlin wolf, to Muddy Waters and BB king. Featuring Steve Fulsham, and Rob Scotch on harmonica.
WEETWOOD MAC
NOVEMBER 19th £15
& OFFBEAT
SOLD OUT…SOLD OUT…SOLD OUT…
Leeds-based Weetwood Mac are rapidly making a name for themselves as one of the UK’s most authentic Fleetwood Mac tribute bands.
Comprising of ex-members of Ellen & The Escapades(James Warrender/Ellen Smith/Chris Quick),Wayword Sons guitarist Sam Wood and Hope & Social drummer, singer/songwriter and Paul Simon afficionado Gary Stewart well known to Howden audiences via the Graceland show and Hope & Social.,
Yorkshire’s answer to Fleetwood Mac feature all of the hits from the 1970’s ‘Rumours’ era and many other classics such as ‘Rhiannon’,’Say You Love Me,’Everywhere’ and ‘Little Lies’ plus many more. Weetwood Mac whizz you back to make you believe you are enjoying the real deal in their heyday.
OFFBEAT are a fantastic young rock/pop band, formed after meeting in local youth music group ‘School of Rock’. Comprising of Olivia Bulmer on vocals, George Woodmancy on guitar, Sam Tillotson on bass and George Baybut on drums, they have gone from strength to strength since their first gig just over a year ago. Performing hits by the likes of Arctic Monkeys, White Stripes and The Killers, they had the opportunity to perform at Bridlington Spa for the East Riding’s ‘Let’s Rock’ which showcases young talent in the region. They also had a very successful spot on the youth stage at this years Humber Street Sesh. They have recently recorded their first original song, ‘The Hottest Love’, and hope to release this in the very near future.
HEART OF GLASS
NOVEMBER 5th £15
Thought it was all over?..It isn’t now…They’re back with an all new show, Heart of Glass 2022 Re imagined, with unfinished business and by popular demand. The world changed over the last two years, and so did ourselves, and our commitments, one thing that didn’t change was our love of performing and everyone’s desire to have a great time, bringing our theatre experience to the show, and re energised with the return of guitar virtuoso Mark Morley, the deal was sealed, and we can’t wait to return to our spiritual home of Howden.
& FIONA-LEE
SATURDAY OCTOBER 22nd £12.50
Please note the change of date from October 8th. Hang on to existing tickets dated April 9th and October 8th for the rearranged show with CODA. If you cant make the new date please apply to WGT, the Shire Hall or the Dove House shop for a refund, thank you. We are really sorry for the messing around but it was due to circumstances beyond our control after a postponement and then a cancellation by Hats Off To Led Zeppelin
TIM CHU & IAN BAILEY: A CELEBRATION OF SIMON & GARFUNKLE
OCTOBER 8th £15
Introducing singer songwriters Tim Chu and Ian Bailey performing “A Celebration of Simon & Garfunkel– The UK’s leading non tribute show”. Now in its eighth year the show continues to please real music lovers up and down the country with a laid back set of arrangements that will take you back down memory lane.
The concert attracts old fans and new and continues to support the arts in rural communities.
Tim Chu has been a professional session musician for many years and his music features in TV, Film and Radio. He has loved the music of Paul Simon from a young age as the original LPs were constantly on the record player! Tim had the vision to put together an ambient show to take to real music lovers around the UK and enrolled the help of Lancashire born Ian Bailey to complete the duo. Ian has been a singer songwriter for many years with 4 critically acclaimed solo albums of his own material to date.
Together they blend in their own unique way without falling into the tribute act category. There will be no make-up, wigs or costumes – Just two great musicians performing some of Simon & Garfunkel’s classic songs in an intimate and relaxed way.
“Everyone loves the music of Simon & Garfunkel and for me no one has recreated it better than Tim and Ian, the concert simply blew me away” Phil Cool, TV comedian, impressionist and musician…
“What a fantastic show with two great guys, two voices and two guitars delivering the best acoustic interpretations of Simon’s classic songs” Sally Naden, BBC Radio.
“Tim and Ian capture the ‘Simon and Garfunkel’ sound perfectly. This is a two for the price of one show, original talent and timeless songs”
KATIE SPENCER & THE JON PALMER ACOUSTIC BAND
SEPTEMBER 24th £12.50
Our second double headliner of the year and what a cracker it promises to be…..
Raised in the East Yorkshire flatlands on the fringes of Hull, Katie Spencer’s landscape has always been that of open skies and widening rivers. Industry still shapes the city here. The people, as with the land, are moulded by tides and stark horizons. Stand in the same place for long enough and you can watch the sun rise over the North Sea and then sink into crop fields, glowing auburn in late-summer sun. It is this sense of space and movement that flows through Katie Spencer’s music.
The songwriting, and most notably her guitar playing stems from a time when the steel-stringed instrument was truly finding its voice. Artists like Joni Mitchell, James Taylor and perhaps most evidently Michael Chapman, flow into her sound, carrying with them the warmth and idealism of the early 70’s folk and songwriter movements.
Katie Spencer’s highly anticipated new album, The Edge of the Land (2022), follows her debut release, Weather Beaten (2019) which was praised for its unique song-craft, spell-binding musicianship and crystal sonic clarity, as she brought together fans of music from all backgrounds and walks of life. Delicate and un-rushed, the ten songs on The Edge of the Land drift by like ships on the horizon, yet intimacy and introspection still remain.
The inclusivity found in her recorded works is most apparent when on stage, with a personal connection and humour that allows the listener time to appreciate the emotion of the music. Her historical gig list is extensive, taking in the world-renowned Celtic Connections and Cambridge Folk Festival, whilst performances with Danny Thompson and Alan Thomson have left audiences in awe of her confidence and craftsmanship.
As live music returns to our world, we can expect to see Katie Spencer where she belongs once more, eyes closed, in the moment, performing.
“The way Katie plays is never contrived, showy or imitative; it sounds true … a world-class folk guitarist” – fRoots
“Katie’s guitar playing has echoes of my dear friend the late great Bert Jansch. Like a musical weaver she threads her poetic lyrics through the guitar’s strings and produces little tapestries of song” – Ralph McTell
“She makes her own quietly ingenious musical statement through the notes and silences, making every note, phrase and musical punctuation mark count in a deft, elegant and intelligently undemonstrative fashion … Katie’s stylish blend of warmth and precision proves intensely captivating!” – Folk Radio
The Jon Palmer Acoustic Band is a highly acclaimed, high energy 6-piece folk, roots and rock & roll combo based in and around the musically vibrant West Yorkshire market town of Otley. The line-up includes guitars, mandolin, whistle, double bass, violin, and drums. Everyone sings!
Best described as “a cross between The Pogues and The Oyster Band, with a bit of The Waterboys and The Saw Doctors thrown in for good measure” the band regularly performs at festivals and venues across the North of England.
“I never tire of this band, soaring songs, sing-along choruses… and passion. Perfect! Do yourself a favour and acquire Live at Otley Courthouse. Do yourself a second favour: go see them at their live best” 5 Stars – R2 Magazine
“A blur of hedonistic delight” – Fatea Showcases
“Jon Palmer is a very fine songwriter… if the band were a heavy electric group they’d be The Levellers, but that would lose the subtlety of the acoustic performance.” – R2 Magazine (Rock n Reel)
“Genuinely well written songs” – Maverick Magazine
“they explode out of the same box as The Pogues, The Saw Doctors, and The Waterboys… a fantastic band” – The Troubadour Show
BADNESS
SEPTEMBER 10th £17.50
Badness was formed in 1994 and have been a market leader in the tribute and Ska scene for over 27 years performing the length and breadth of the UK and all over the world. With their energetic show and a frontman that never fails to whip the audience into shape, you know you’re in for a good night if Badness are on the bill.
Badness are a multi award winning band being voted the best tribute to Madness and Ska music at the UK National Tribute Awards from 2013 to 2018, transporting you back to the Ska & Two-Tone explosion of the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. Their fully ‘live’ performance encapsulates the sounds of Madness, The Specials, Bad Manners and more with classic tunes such as Baggy Trousers, Our House, House of Fun, Ghost Town and My Girl Lollipop to name but a few.
The show is performed in their own unique style incorporating crowd interaction and always encouraging audiences to join in. All this along with a large comedy element throughout the show they will guarantee you’ll be laughing and singing all night long!
TWO PIANO’S
MAY 14th £15
Are you ready to rock & roll like it’s the 1950’s again? Two Pianos will take you back in time to celebrate the magnificent “Sun Studios” era, performing classic hits from Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Elvis, Chuck Berry and many more.Your evening will kick of to a rockin’ start as two of the UK’s finest and charismatic rock & roll pianists each individually perfom, along with a five piece band, a score of hits including “Whole Lotta Shakin”, “Never Can Tell”, “Blue Suede Shoes”, “Roll Over Beethoven”, “Honey Don’t”, “True Love Ways”, “Chantilly Lace”, “Johnny B Goode”, “Great Balls Of Fire”, “Oh Boy”, “Blue Berry Hill”, “Love Me Tender”, “You Win Again”, “Maybellene”, plus many more!
The evening will progress into a climatic and energetic piano duel between the two pianists, resolving into a memorable night of foot stomping rock & roll! A show that even “The Killer” himself thinks “ROCKS!”
Al Kilvo is an Americana piano player from Hull, Yorkshire in England, who plays with a style and verve described as that of the ‘Killer’ Jerry-Lee Lewis himself. As a youngster, Al appeared in many line ups in his native Yorkshire UK before forming an original country-folk band with M.G Greaves and the Lonesome Too. He has toured nationally with Hull’s own Beautiful South taking in major venues such as The Hammersmith Odeon and Edinburgh Playhouse. Al continues to home his skills in the musical styles of Americas southern states.In 2013 Al was invited to record an album with his close friend Johnny Pat in the world famous Sun Studios in Memphis TN with Kenny Lovelace and Robert Hall of The Jerry Lee Lewis band. Subsequently the event and recording have been brilliant and now Al and ‘JP’ are enjoying playing the music they love to a wider audience across Europe and the USA. Later in 2013, Al and JP performed in live venues on world famous Bourbon Street in New Orleans and Phil Brady’s in Baton Rouge as they continue to sell the Americans back their music! Al also continued to perform all over northern England and appeared weekly with his Country band in Cottingham ‘The Fork Handles’David Barton is a pianist and singer from Hull in East Yorkshire. From the age of eight, David developed a passion for the blues and boogie woogie piano, later discovering the art of rock & roll piano and likened to other artists such as Jools Holland, Meade Lux Lewis and Jerry Lee Lewis. At the age of 26, David has already performed alongside some of the world’s most accomplished musicians, including jazz maestro Jamie Cullum, American blues guitarist Walter Trout and classical Mezzo-Soprano Katherine Jenkins to name a few. David has performed in venues around the country, including the prestigious Royal Albert Hall. ‘He’s better than me. I have a funny feeling he will have his own show here one day’ – Jamie Cullum
MADE IN MOTOR CITY
APRIL 23rd.
£14
Please note the date change from April 30th
Following five years of touring theatres across the UK, Made in Motor-City are recognised as one of the UKs leading Motown tributes.
It was the Beat of a Generation and the Sound of a Nation and it was the sound that changed America.
Tamla Motown was the legendary record label that brought you the great legends we still love today.
‘Made in Motor-City’ recreate the classic music and sounds of Detroit during the 1960s & 70s.
The eight piece ‘live’ band comprises high quality musicians dedicated to recreating authentically the Motown hits, fronted by the incredible talents of the band’s three female vocalists. The band continue to tour the UK during the Spring /Summer of 2020 before undertaking their overseas commitments later that Winter .
If you’re a fan of Martha Reeves, The Temptations, Supremes, The Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Mary Wells and many more Motown legends, then this is a show not to be missed.
Sit back and enjoy the songs that were ‘Made in the Motor City’.
How would you like to attend a dinner in Howden followed by a show?
It is our enormous pleasure to announce that we have have linked up with local Chef Georgette Jarvis from George’s Caribbean Kitchen, who will be offering a pre-show meal of her delicious and authentic Caribbean fare. Come along and enjoy some spicy jerk chicken, flavoursome curries, fragrant sides and dessert. We will be serving from 6pm to enable you to attend the show which begins at 7:30pm.
Prior booking is essential, please ring 07834 351986 to place your order. (See menu below)
Mains
Jerk Chicken
Curried Mutton
Rice and Peas
Chickpea Curry
Salad
Dessert
Kingston Mess
To book please contact 07834 351986
THE NICOL BAND & THE STEVE FULSHAM BAND
SATURDAY APRIL 9th £10.
Sadly covid got The Nicol Band, nonetheless The Steve Fulsham Band treated us to a superlative performance….
The Nicol Band was formed to play the kind of music that they love playing, from blues to rock and beyond. Les’s influences were mostly from the 60s, when he learned to play guitar with one ear to the record player. It was a great time for learning, and he was very lucky to have heroes such as Eric Clapton, Jimmie Hendrix and Jeff Beck.
With all of those years behind him, there is now a vast treasure in the locker room.
KINDA QUEEN
MARCH 19th £10.
HOWDEN SOCIAL CLUB
Playing ‘Queen’s’ greatest hits and some of their incredible deep cuts. KINDA QUEEN pride themselves on the authenticity of what ‘Queen’ sounded like live. They have taken their shows to the next level! With a high paced set list guaranteed to get you singing and dancing, they will leave you wanting more. KINDA QUEEN will guarantee a show you will not forget.
THE REVOLUTIONAIRES
Sadly Dogfinger Steve has got the covid, his size 10’s will be more than ably stepped in to by CHICAGO BOUND
MARCH 12th
Without doubt one of the very best bands ever to have appeared on the Shire Hall stage and they are in some illustrious company believe me…
Established within the ‘hotbed’ of the North East music scene in the UK, they power out jumpin’ hot rhythm & blues in their own indomitable hard hitting style.
Primarily, they are influenced by 1940’s and 1950’s R&B. In particular, Louis Jordan, Big Joe Turner, Little Richard, Chuck Berry and Roy Brown but have adopted a harder and more aggressive approach, synonymous with modern blues artists such as Stevie Ray Vaughan, Duke Robillard, Jools Holland and Mike Henderson which helps create their own high energy sound.
Over the last decade, The Revolutionaires have established themselves on the UK and European Rockin’ circuit, as well as the Blues scene.
They have toured extensively both in the UK and abroad, performing at festivals in Ireland, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Holland, Germany, Norway, Denmark, Italy, Spain, Malta and Dubai.
Highlights include performing at festivals with artistes such as Jerry Lee Lewis, Sting, Tom Jones, Hugh Laurie, Jimmie Vaughan, Robert Cray, Walter Trout, Eric Bibb, Albert Lee, Snake Davis and Dave Edmunds.
Now also touring with their Big Band project which consists of extra horns and pianist, The Revs are hitting the Festival circuit with this power house line up and big sound.
They have recorded five CDs to date containing a collection of Hot Rockin’ R&B tracks. Each CD captures the ‘rawness’ and sheer energy of the band, who like to give their performances a ‘hard-edged’ vibe!
Returning with new knitting patterns in 2022!!
£12.50 FEBRUARY 26th 2022
This band were so busy in 2020 selling out venues all over the country that we couldn’t find a date for them, we have now though!
Put on yer finest knitted gladrags, style your barnet, put on your dancing shoes and bring your finest singing voices, as we cordially invite you to witness the Greatest Show On Earth (in tank-tops).
Hailing from Barnsley Rock City, The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican are on a mission! Determined to follow in their spiritual father’s immortal footsteps and keep his legacy alive, they have a talent for Bar-Stewardizing other famous people’s songs with new comedy lyrics, on acoustic geetar, ukulele, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, accordion, keyboards and kazoo. To complete their squeaky-clean image, estranged brothers Scott, Björn and Alan have become instantly recognisable for their immaculate hair and their stylish choice of sexy knitwear.
Since forming in 2006, the brothers Doonican have played over 1000 anarchic, side-splitting shows and have brought smiles and belly-laughs to audiences across the UK; from Barnsley to Barnstaple, from Glasgow to Glastonbury Festival. They continue to wow audiences with a fine selection of their greatest hits, including the likes of “Jump Ararnd”, “Tarnlife”, “The Lady In Greggs”, “Nandos”, “Fight For Your Pint”, “Bono Bloody Bono”, “Since You’ve Been Ron”, “She’s From Dodworth”, “Walking In Manp**s” and “If I Could Punch A Face… It’d Be Justin Bieber’s”.
The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican can’t wait to bring their shindig to Howden Live and they promise that they WILL rock you… but gently!
What folk had to say about The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican:
“The greatest thing to come out of Barnsley, since the A61 to Sheffield”
Jarvis Cocker, Pulp
“Loved The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican. Great fun”
Jason Manford, comedian
“The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican are very, very funny… one of the hardest working bands on the planet”
Mike Harding, comedian, folk-musician, author & broadcaster
“A ridiculous family of genius, hilarious, irresistible music makers, currently crowd-surfing to the bar all over the great county of Yorkshire and beyond, into the venues and music festivals of the UK. They’re quality.”
Eliza Carthy MBE, folk-musician
“They deserve the reputation they have earned as one of the festival scenes hottest bookings.”
UK Festival Guides Review
“Bristles with proper belly-laugh moments… a LOL-a-minute through a variety of perfect pastiches. If there is any justice, the Doonicans deserve to be all over your Saturday night telly.”
‘R n R Magazine’ (5-Star Review)
A bit of what you are in for….
SHERBURN BARTLEY SANDERS
& Rachel Makana
£12.50 FEBRUARY 5th 2022
Following a chance meeting at Whitby Folk Festival in 1993, Chris Sherburn (concertina) and Denny
Bartley (vocals and guitar) have been bringing their unique sound to audiences across Europe and
America, creating one of folk music’s most enduring partnerships. Their obvious rapport made them
one of the busiest acts on the folk scene, both as a duo and with their well-loved trio/quartet Last
Night’s Fun. Their soul-stirring songs, exhilarating tunes and quick-witted banter ensures that no two
concerts are ever the same.
In 2016 Chris and Denny joined forces with Emily Sanders (fiddle/viola and vocals) and have since
become a well-established trio, for the first time blending vocal harmonies and strings to underpin
Chris and Denny’s unique sound, as well as providing a female lead vocal for some songs, and
bringing a repertoire of English folk songs to complement the band’s more Celtic and traditional roots.
Emily was a founder member of the acclaimed trio Isambarde. She has also toured with Merrymouth
(Simon Fowler of Ocean Colour Scene’s acoustic band) and regularly appears with Pete Morton and
Chris Parkinson.
Their latest album BEGUILE is the first to feature Chris, Denny and Emily together, and also has
some stellar guest performances from Martin Simpson and Andy Seward (Kate Rusby Band).
From Beverley Rachel Makena is now pursuing her passion and dream of being a singer songwriter. She does pop/country/acoustic covers and original music. Her most recent songs ‘Can Anybody Hear Me?’ and ‘Plastic Wrap’ are helping to raise money for WWF to help combat the climate crisis.
DECEMBER 4th £15
The Jam’d are now regarded as the UK’s best known and most popular tribute to the live performance and sound of The Jam, and are totally committed to giving an unforgettable, authentic performance with all the energy, passion and style of the Woking 3.
As full time touring professional musicians, and massive Jam fans, the band don’t “try to be” or “pretend to be” The Jam, but rather put on a performance from the heart and soul, drawing on all their memories, experiences and love of what was the country’s biggest band in their day.
Gigging up and down the UK at outdoor festivals, scooter rallies and some of the UK’s top music venues & events! The show also includes the only replica of Rick Bucklers ‘Great White’ drum kit & features their own brass section!……You won’t be disappointed!
Every effort is placed into reproducing the sound, arrangements and energy of a Jam gig. Those who saw The Jam live will remember the electricity, aggression, passion, and even fashion on stage, something not always prevalent in today’s world, but to The Jam’d, it is a passion, a mission, and an honour to play for fans of “the best band in the f#@*ing world!”
“You had to have seen The Jam live to truly experience what a Jam gig was, and I was lucky enough to have seen them on quite a few occasions. It wasn’t jumping around in every song on stage, it was a feeling, a movement, a total experience of style, cool, tension, excitement and electricity! We try and put those experiences into our performances to give our audiences some idea of what a Jam gig was. No one can ever emulate The Jam, but we hope we go some way to reminding fellow Jam fans of the best days of our youth!” Dave Fletcher (The Jam’d)
BBC Radio 4 – The Jam’d can play any of the classic songs perfectly! They know what they’re doing!
Met lounge sound team (Peterborough) – Blown away by this band, had my attention from the sound check. Professional and talented on the next level! I’ve sound engineered touring bands for over 11 years and not many bands grab my attention the way these guys did!! Thanks guys for a wonderful night!!
IOW Scooter Rally – The best Jam tribute you’ll ever see!
Scribbling Sounds (Bilston) – singer and guitarist Dave Fletcher is more than a pair of sharp shoes and a polka dot shirt as he tears through the Bard of Woking’s finest moments.
Scribbling Sounds (Bilston) – That The Jam’d are up there with Bilston favourites The Modfathers and Bruce Foxton’s own From The Jam is testament to the musicianship of Fletcher, Malin and drummer John Cator
.
NOVEMBER 20th £17.50
Little Moscow are a band of ordinary, down to earth blokes grounded in the culture of their beloved North East of England. Hailing from Chopwell, a mining village affectionately known as – wait for it – Little Moscow, this group of close friends have played music together for more than 30 years.
This Geordie 9-piece oozes talent: ft. Kev McNestry on guitar, keyboards and harmonica, Joe McNestry on bass, Dominic Hornsby on keyboards and guitar, Iván Diaz on drums and violin, and Si King of the Hairy Bikers on drums and percussion.
Vocal duties are shared among the band, with rich, powerful harmonies a speciality. Having all loved music and played
instruments since they were kids, Little Moscow bring together a wealth of talent, experience and knowledge.
With their own special blend of funk, rock, blues and disco, Little Moscow showcase great playing, tight
grooves and soulful tunes – this is music for parties and good times.
Whether it’s a sold out club of three hundred or a festival crowd of thousands, Little Moscow deliver every time, keeping the dance-floor full and the audience wanting more.
For your further delectation we have a truncated version of Sandra’s Wedding with Joe Hodgson and Jonny Hughes, an alternative guitar pop group from Goole, Yorkshire. Formed in 2016, they have since released four full length albums, an EP and several singles. Their sound has been compared to The Smiths, REM and The Housemartin’s amongst others, although the band cite influences from a much wider musical palette. Their latest album ‘Pleasure Grounds’ was released 1st October .
And not to mention, though people often do….BILLY REID, a short acoustic set from Howden’s very own Geordie warbler……
Waiting For The Sun https://youtu.be/GeqNasTRUC0
BON GIOVI
6th NOVEMBER £16.50
BON GIOVI are the World’s Premier look-alike and sound alike Tribute to the New Jersey rockers Bon Jovi
Formed in December of 1998, with over 22 years UK and International touring experience as a band and nearly 5 times that combined from individual members, this act is without compromise one of the best Tribute acts on the circuit today playing over 90+ shows each year
Fronted by UK’s leading Bon Jovi impersonator, The band have not only toured lengthily around the UK, for clients such as Harley Davidson, Sony, Vodafone, Butlins, Chicago Rock Cafes, Yates, Walkabouts, Mecca Chain, British Motorcycle Federation and Jack Daniels, but have also performed in over 26 countries, which includes most of the Middle East, 3 week tours of Russia, Romania, Slovenia, Lithuania, Austria, Cyprus, Turkey, Greece, Holland, Germany, Belgium, Spain, France and Ireland to name but a few.
Bon Giovi were also the ONLY UK tribute act to be asked to make a guest appearance on the New Jersey tribute album “Garden State Of Mind Vol. 1”, A celebration of Bon Jovi musical career to date.
Covering every aspect of Bon Jovi’s extensive career, BON GIOVI perform all the greatest hits such as ‘Living On A Prayer’, It’s My Life, Wanted Dead or Alive, as well as many others from every album ever produced in one amazing stage show which include all these hits and more, not too mention performing rare tracks that even Bon Jovi haven’t performed for many years.
So if you’re ready to ‘Runaway’ on ‘One Wild Night’ down that ‘Lost Highway’ for a taste of the some of the world’s greatest Stadium Anthems, then book BON GIOVI with confidence now! for the closest you’ll get to the Real Thing.
SOLD OUT… SOLD OUT… OCTOBER 23rd £18.50
AC/DC, arguably the greatest rock band of all time, are brought to life by Live/Wire with the true passion you would expect from professional musicians who share your love of this legendary live act. They deliver a critically acclaimed High Voltage two hour rock ’n’ roll set with not only cannons and a full bank of Marshall amps but a journey that takes fans from one of the best-selling albums of all time ‘Back in Black’ through to the 2020 release ‘PWR UP’, with a healthy dose of the classics from the Bon Scott era.
The Live/Wire show combines the vocal power of Podge Blacksmith as Brian Johnson, the virtuoso talent of Simon Davies as Angus Young and rhythmic accuracy of Dan Mosley as Malcolm Young. The line-up is completed by Eddie Clark as bassist Cliff Williams and Paul Alwin combining the groove of Phil Rudd and thunderous energy of Chris Slade on drums.
With over 20 years of touring under their belt, Live/Wire put the audience right in the middle of a live experience comparable to that only AC/DC themselves produce. We invite AC/DC fans to join us, sing with us and relive some of those classic AC/DC concerts of the past on our very own Highway to Hell.
OCTOBER 9th £10
Formed in 2012 Headsticks have created their very own brand of Revolutionary Punk Roots Rock’n’Roll through relentless gigging which has seen their profile continually on the rise, backed by an ever increasing army of loyal and fanatical followers. Despite the current wave of uncertainty within the music industry the band have continued to
shine, and are delighted to join the fold of the iconic label that is Chapter 22 Records!
2019’s tour supports with New Model Army saw the band reach new levels, and this together with supports with bands as varied as The Wildhearts, Lindisfarne, Spear Of Destiny, Ferocious Dog, and Buzzcocks has underlined the band’s ability to cross genres and appeal to audiences with their enthusiasm and passion infused performances built on their
very own message of honesty and integrity, delivering raw social commentaries with a wry sense of humour ensuring an uplifting experience second to none! The release of their third studio album in 2019 was greeted with simply stunning reviews from pillars of both the Punk Rock and Folk worlds, receiving plaudit after plaudit and considered ‘Album Of The Year’ by some publications!
This simply cementing further the band’s reputation for crowd pleasing, genre crossing, inspirational songs…many of
which are now indeed covered by artists from within their scene….the highest accolade for any artist surely?!
Fast becoming Festival favourites,2020 was to see Headsticks embark ontheir most comprehensive Festival Season, with performances at Beautiful Days and Rebellion (their fifth in a row there!) among an endless list of high
profile bookings…..unfortunately plans were cruelly cut short due to the current pandemic. Enthusiasm for live
performances has seen the band reach new audiences with their ‘Live Sessions’ broadcast through Social
Media, and wonderful receptions have ensured that the band’s fervour has not, and will not be dampened as
they continue to say it like it is!!! Headsticks look to flourish within their new Chapter 22 home, bolstered by a label sharing similar ethics, spirit, and motivation, and of course, a love for great songs! Expect further hard hitting, emotive, infectious anthems and barbed lyrics a plenty from their fourth studio album ‘C.O.W.’, a twelve-track collection of songs that matter, that mean what they say, a soundtrack for the now. The band are looking forward to sharing these songs, and unleashing what indeed is a ’Can Of Worms’.
Have a look and listen here………... https://youtu.be/-xMaxWPGcqY
ABSOLUTE FREE!
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 24th £10
@ HOWDEN SOCIAL CLUB DN14 7AB
Absolute Free are a brand new tribute to one of the most powerful, soulful, and dynamic bands to have one from the golden era of the late 60’s British blues boom.
The magic created by this band playing at full tilt has to be seen and heard to be believed. Bob Cantry ( bass) and Sean Clough on drums join Steve Fulsham ( guitar/vocs) ,to show their pride and passion for the music of Free, and to give fans the most authentic sounding experience of the band that inspired them the most .
Alright Now, Wishing Well, The Hunter and many, many more……..
THE AUTUMN SEASON
Sadly and with enormous regret we have had to cancel the autumn 2020 Howden Live season. With the current Covid 19 restrictions on live performance it is unfeasible to present the scale of shows we had planned, however all of those planned shows are still included in the archive section as a memorial to what might have been.
MADE IN MOTOR CITY
Saturday 12th September. £14
It was the Beat of a Generation and the Sound of a Nation and it was the sound that changed America.
Tamla Motown was the legendary record label that brought you the great legends we still love today.
‘Made in Motor-City’ recreate the classic music and sounds of Detroit during the 1960s & 70s.
The eight piece ‘live’ band comprises high quality musicians dedicated to recreating authentically the Motown hits, fronted by the incredible talents of the band’s three female vocalists. The band continue to tour the UK during the Spring /Summer of 2020 before undertaking their overseas commitments later that Winter .
If you’re a fan of Martha Reeves, The Temptations, Supremes, The Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Mary Wells and many more Motown legends, then this is a show not to be missed.
Sit back and enjoy the songs that were ‘Made in the Motor City’.
2 PIANO’S
September 26th £15
Are you ready to rock & roll like it’s the 1950’s again? Two Pianos will take you back in time to celebrate the magnificent “Sun Studios” era, performing classic hits from Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Elvis, Chuck Berry and many more.Your evening will kick of to a rockin’ start as two of the UK’s finest and charismatic rock & roll pianists each individually perfom, along with a five piece band, a score of hits including “Whole Lotta Shakin”, “Never Can Tell”, “Blue Suede Shoes”, “Roll Over Beethoven”, “Honey Don’t”, “True Love Ways”, “Chantilly Lace”, “Johnny B Goode”, “Great Balls Of Fire”, “Oh Boy”, “Blue Berry Hill”, “Love Me Tender”, “You Win Again”, “Maybellene”, plus many more! The evening will progress into a climatic and energetic piano duel between the two pianists, resolving into a memorable night of foot stomping rock & roll! A show that even “The Killer” himself thinks “ROCKS!” Al Kilvo is an Americana piano player from Hull, Yorkshire in England, who plays with a style and verve described as that of the ‘Killer’ Jerry-Lee Lewis himself. As a youngster, Al appeared in many line ups in his native Yorkshire UK before forming an original country-folk band with M.G Greaves and the Lonesome Too. He has toured nationally with Hull’s own Beautiful South taking in major venues such as The Hammersmith Odeon and Edinburgh Playhouse. Al continues to home his skills in the musical styles of Americas southern states.In 2013 Al was invited to record an album with his close friend Johnny Pat in the world famous Sun Studios in Memphis TN with Kenny Lovelace and Robert Hall of The Jerry Lee Lewis band. Subsequently the event and recording have been brilliant and now Al and ‘JP’ are enjoying playing the music they love to a wider audience across Europe and the USA. Later in 2013, Al and JP performed in live venues on world famous Bourbon Street in New Orleans and Phil Brady’s in Baton Rouge as they continue to sell the Americans back their music! Al also continued to perform all over northern England and appeared weekly with his Country band in Cottingham ‘The Fork Handles’David Barton is a pianist and singer from Hull in East Yorkshire. From the age of eight, David developed a passion for the blues and boogie woogie piano, later discovering the art of rock & roll piano and likened to other artists such as Jools Holland, Meade Lux Lewis and Jerry Lee Lewis. At the age of 26, David has already performed alongside some of the world’s most accomplished musicians, including jazz maestro Jamie Cullum, American blues guitarist Walter Trout and classical Mezzo-Soprano Katherine Jenkins to name a few. David has performed in venues around the country, including the prestigious Royal Albert Hall. ‘He’s better than me. I have a funny feeling he will have his own show here one day’ – Jamie C
FOCUS
November 7th. £18.50
With their unique brand of progressive rock, Focus manifested themselves at the start of the ’70s as the most successful and appreciated of all the Dutch pop-rock exports. Fronted by founding member Thijs Van Leer, and best known for their hits “Hocus Pocus”, “House of The King” and “Sylvia”, as well as critically acclaimed albums ‘Moving Waves’, ‘Focus 3’ and ‘Hamburger Concerto’, the iconic Dutch music masters are back with their tenth album, which is guaranteed to please their legions of fans!
After a comeback in the early 2000’s, which resulted in the well-received albums ‘Focus 8’ and ‘Focus 9’, the band regrouped with a fantastic new line-up. Along with Thijs van Leer on vocals, flute and keyboards, back on the drums is famed Focus drummer Pierre van der Linden, who joined the group on their second album ‘Moving Waves’ in 1972. Internationally renowned for his rhythmic skills, Pierre remains a defining factor in the Focus sound. Bassist Bobby Jacobs, who comes from a well-acclaimed Dutch musical family and guitarist Menno Gootjes, who participated in Focus at an earlier stage, complete the band’s current line-up. Recently, Focus’s biggest hit “Hocus Pocus” was used in a 4-minute Nike commercial before the World Cup broadcast. Focus music can be regularly heard on Top Gear and Saxondale on TV in the UK.
A new Focus era has arrived! There is a rejuvenated passion in the new compositions that adorn the new album ‘Focus X’, which features a full scale Roger Dean painting on the cover. Says Thijs van Leer, who holds the distinction of being the first ever knighted musician in Holland, “It’s a thrill to have finally completed ‘Focus X’; we are all ecstatic and looking forward to playing the new material on the forthcoming Focus X World Tour.”
Thijs van Leer – Hammond-organ, flute and vocals
Pierre van der Linden – drums
Udo Pannekeet- bass
Menno Gootj- Guitar
LIVE/WIRE
November 14th £18.50
There’s a good reason we keep inviting Live/Wire back, their 9th year!!……They are simply….Awesome!!The unique six man tribute to rock’s greatest band AC/DC, complete with trademark cannons, a wall of Marshalls and two hours of High Voltage Rock and Roll. Forty One years into the AC/DC story and the band cover both eras as always with both Bon Scott and Brian Johnson present to take you on the Rock and Roll train for a night to remember. The rhythm section keep it all meticulously together giving Ashgus the freedom to mesmerise the audience with his sublime playing and infinite energy. Those who have seen the show on the ‘For Those About To Rock’, ‘Ready to Bite’ and ‘Shake your Foundations’ tours are already witness to the talent and dedication the portrayal of the livewire Angus Young delivering a truly amazing two hours of duck-walking, bedevilled Rock and Roll.The band aim to put you slap bang in the middle of the show with hit after hit, and for the aficionados !There’s always something special as well. Back in Black, Rosie, Highway to hell, the songs go on and on until the cannons fire ceremoniously to bring the evening to a superb crescendo. If by this time you are still standing……..we salute you !!
THE JAM’D
November 21st £12.50
The Jam’d are now the UK’s leading tribute to the live performance and sound of The Jam, and are totally committed to giving an unforgettable, authentic performance with all the energy, passion and style of the Woking As full time touring professional musicians, and massive Jam fans, The Jam’d put on a performance from the heart and soul, drawing on all their memories, experiences and love of what was the country’s biggest band in their day. Gigging up and down the UK at outdoor festivals, scooter rallies and some of the UK’s top music venues & events! The show also includes the only replica of Rick Bucklers ‘Great White’ drum kit & features their own brass section!……You won’t be disappointed! Every effort is placed into reproducing the sound, arrangements and energy of a Jam gig. Those who saw The Jam live will remember the electricity, aggression, passion, and even fashion on stage, something not always prevalent in today’s world, but to The Jam’d, it is a passion, a mission, and an honour to play for fans of “the best band in the world”!
It is with inevitable sadness that we need to announce that the rest of the current Howden Live season has had to be cancelled. Some of the shows we had lined up may well be rearranged for next year but one,all being well The Mumford & Sons Experience, is being postponed at the moment for a date tba in the summer.
THE BECKWATER BUSHWACKERS
Unfortunately we have had to cancel this next Howden Live show at Howden Working Mens Club featuring The Beckwater Bushwackers on March 28th. This is as much an economic decision as anything else as not many tickets had been sold and the fact that attendance at the Gary Stewart Graceland show in Howden Minster last night was 40% down on attendance to previous years.
MARCH 28th. . At Howden Working Mens Club.
Bringing their blues/folk/irish/country rock style to Howden Working Mens Club The Beckwater Bushwackers.
Playing Foot stomping, Dance along, Sing along, Classics, all given the “Bushwacker” twist, guaranteed to have you all joining in.
Formed from experienced, accomplished musicians from all genres of music, each member has a unique style, which cuts through clearly during their live shows.
Jon Rock Lawson (Vocals / Guitar / Harmonica) Nick Country Oldridge (Vocals / Bass)
Steve Blues Jessop (Vocals / Lead Guitar)
Tony Bluegrass Sturdy (Vocals / Guitar / Banjo / Harmonica) Brian Rock Taylor (Drums / Cajon / Percussion).
If you’re after a great night of music / entertainment, ranging from Blues, to Irish Folk, to AC/DC and everything in between then we’ll guarantee it.
ODETTE
& Molly Curtis
APRIL 11th.
CANCELLED
Odette Adams spent four years travelling the world, paying her way by working as a singer on cruise ships. Using her free time on those long voyages to concentrate on her playing and writing, she returned from her travels with a collection of songs which form her debut album, “A Shake Of The Hand”. Odette’s travels and diverse musical influences have fundamentally shaped the sound of her music. These songs do not sit entirely in any particular genre, but sound very confident where they are.
Odette is passionate about the power music has to positively impact people’s lives and writes about life from a joyful and profound perspective.
Her debut album, “A Shake Of The Hand”, which was reviewed highly by Clive Davis in The Sunday Times, is extremely popular and introduces her fresh, vibrant and summery sound. The album was immaculately produced by Phil Taylor of Laurel Sound Studios and features excellent musicians to include the incredible Geoff Gascoyne (Jamie Cullum) on double bass and world renowned multi-percussionist, Pete Lockett, on tabla. To read more about the illustrious and varied players on this album go to click here.
After completing two national UK tours during the last two years, playing at venues such as Fleece Jazz, Whitby Music Port Festival, Wigan Jazz Festival and Pizza Express in Dean Street, Odette and her band of exceptional musicians will be on the road again this autumn 2019 on a third national tour to introduce brand new, beautifully-crafted songs from her upcoming second album, “Start With The Rain”.
With Indian, African, Mediterranean, jazz and folk flavours, Odette and her band delight with a fresh and vibrant sound.
”Writing for my second album is well underway and I’m in a really good creative place”
Exciting things to come!
Molly Curtis is a singer-songwriter based in the East Yorkshire town of Goole. Incorporating a loop pedal to her voice and guitar she creates beautiful layered harmonies and melodies to add depth to her solo performances.
THE MUMFORD AND SONS EXPERIENCE
APRIL 25th £14
Postponed to a date tba. Hopefully in the summer. Please watch this space.
When Mumford & Sons announced the release of Delta, their 4th studio album, alongside a hugeworld tour for 2019, it delighted fans across the globe. From their americana folk style roots, theMumford sound has developed and grown over the last ten years and won the hearts and minds ofmillions. UK based tribute band Chasing Mumford are 5 full time musicians who are all massive fansand committed to recreating the sound and songs of Mumford & Sons as faithfully as possible. Allmulti-instrumentalists and with beautiful 4 part vocal harmonies, they capture the spirit, image and vibe of the original band in their new show “The Mumford & Sons Experience”.
Having toured with the
likes of Scouting for Girls, The Hoosiers, Pixie Lott and Mungo Jerry, this talented group present anamazing show of stadium highs and intimate simplicity and is sure to be loved by Mumford fans and indie folk lovers alike.
THE BAND
Chase Williams – Acoustic Guitars, Mandolin, Vocals
Benji Dryden – Keys, Piano, Vocals
Iain Phillips – Double Bass, Electric Bass, Vocals
Dan Bell Wilding – Banjo, Electric Guitar, Vocals
John Knox – Drums, Percussion, Vocals
THE REVOLUTIONAIRES
MAY 9th
Cancelled
Part of the 3rd Howden Vintage day. Without doubt one of the very best bands ever to have appeared on the Shire Hall stage and they are in some illustrious company believe me…
Established within the ‘hotbed’ of the North East music scene in the UK, they power out jumpin’ hot rhythm & blues in their own indomitable hard hitting style.
Primarily, they are influenced by 1940’s and 1950’s R&B. In particular, Louis Jordan, Big Joe Turner, Little Richard, Chuck Berry and Roy Brown but have adopted a harder and more aggressive approach, synonymous with modern blues artists such as Stevie Ray Vaughan, Duke Robillard, Jools Holland and Mike Henderson which helps create their own high energy sound.
Over the last decade, The Revolutionaires have established themselves on the UK and European Rockin’ circuit, as well as the Blues scene.
They have toured extensively both in the UK and abroad, performing at festivals in Ireland, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Holland, Germany, Norway, Denmark, Italy, Spain, Malta and Dubai.
Highlights include performing at festivals with artistes such as Jerry Lee Lewis, Sting, Tom Jones, Hugh Laurie, Jimmie Vaughan, Robert Cray, Walter Trout, Eric Bibb, Albert Lee, Snake Davis and Dave Edmunds.
Now also touring with their Big Band project which consists of extra horns and pianist, The Revs are hitting the Festival circuit with this power house line up and big sound.
They have recorded five CDs to date containing a collection of Hot Rockin’ R&B tracks. Each CD captures the ‘rawness’ and sheer energy of the band, who like to give their performances a ‘hard-edged’ vibe!
MAX BIANCO & THE BLUEHEARTS
& CROOKED WEATHER
MAY 23rd
Cancelled
Folk with a modern twist is in store as Max Bianco & The Bluehearts bring some heartfelt, country music-influenced songs to Howden. Howden Live regulars will remember Max from the late lamented JAR FAMILY.
There’s still a nice slice of indie pop and a subtle rock and roll vibe that give it all a distinctive sound, and with their new EP out this month, there’s some new songs that will feel immensely vibrant to hear. Having only really kicked off as a band in 2019, the band are moving and shaking thanks to some intelligent songwriting, with songs rich in heart and soul and a real rustic honesty clashing against a beautiful guitar sound and Bianco’s unique vocal melodies.
Singer Songwriter Max Bianco and his band the Bluehearts are destined for great things. Like a new age Bob Dylan and the Band, Max writes great songs and performs them in a style all his own. Catch these guys now before they get too famous
Crooked Weather are a rock infused folk band, based out of a tragic mustard 1979 campervan. They hail from the depths of East Yorkshire, with the lilting harmonies of Holly & Will at the core. Their original music, steeped in the folk revival of the late 60’s, has a raw, modern edge, augmented by Tom and Dave: a fierce rhythm section.
Building up a steady reputation for their unpredictably dynamic live shows, they’ve supported the likes of Jeffrey Lewis, Micheal Chapman, Mike Heron (Incredible String Band), Jim Jones, Dick Gaughan, Roddy Woomble & Bridget St. John
ABSOLUTE FREE! Sadly one of the last two gigs of the year for 2020, fondly remembered.
& Ched’s Bare Bones.
FRIDAY MARCH 13th £10
Absolute Free are a brand new tribute to one of the most powerful, soulful, and dynamic bands to have one from the golden era of the late 60’s British blues boom.
The magic created by this band playing at full tilt has to be seen and heard to be believed. Bob Cantry ( bass) and Sean Clough on drums join Steve Fulsham ( guitar/vocs) ,to show their pride and passion for the music of Free, and to give fans the most authentic sounding experience of the band that inspired them the most .
Focusing purely on their music ( no wigs) this is a rearranged show from last year following their headline appearance at the 2019 Annual Free convention .
CHED’S BARE BONES 
Having been a leading light on the Hull area music scene and in more bands and for longer than he can remember, Ched decided that he’d had enough of trying to organise unreliable and frequently unavailable musicians so he decided to recruit his arms, legs, fingers and mouth as they are always simultaneously available for gigs or rehearsals and never go on holidays without him. Not your traditional, rustic one man band Ched’s Bare Bones utilises electronic foot and hand percussion, electric guitar, slide guitar, harmonica, vocals and effects to create swampy, bluesy, hoodoo and voodoo. Probably more Jack White than Don Partridge.
BUY TICKETS HERE….
GARY STEWART’S GRACELAND
& Rachel Makena
SATURDAY MARCH 14th £15
At Howden Minster
SANDRA’S WEDDING, The BROKEN ORCHESTRA & RACHEL MAKENA
FEBRUARY 29th £10
THE BROKEN ORCHESTRA:
Effortlessly blending elements of nu jazz, downtempo and electronic music, The Broken Orchestra are a Hull, UK based trip-hop act. Playing out like a dream, with moments of energy and lush sonic soundscapes, to moments clear and still as water. Organic instruments are meticulously chopped, sampled and repurposed into melodic and textural cinematic music both conceptual and heartfelt.
‘A deliciously together collective of musicians and lyricists who’ve produced a meltingly melodic and warm album that hops from English to French, love to loss and creates a sound that surrounds you. Deep mellowness, poetic prose…What’s not to love!
Members: Emily Render – Vocals, Pat Dooner – Keys/Production, Carl Conway-Davis – Samples/Production, Tom Kay – Guitar & Rich Lovelock – Drums
‘Sweet electronica to soothe weary hearts and minds.’ – Johnno Casson, Fresh On The Net
From Beverley Rachel Makena is now pursuing her passion and dream of being a singer songwriter. She does pop/country/acoustic covers and original music. Her most recent songs ‘Can Anybody Hear Me?’ and ‘Plastic Wrap’ are helping to raise money for WWF to help combat the climate crisis. She also sang these in London for Extinction Rebellion at Trafalgar Square and The Mall. Rachel thinks songs are a good way to raise awareness because music can be much more engaging and has the ability to reach many different types of people. WWF heard her songs and invited her to talk with them at their UK base in Surrey in 2019 then they gave her a list of events that they are doing that she could use as inspiration for songs. Her song ‘Walrus’ was for World Walrus Day held on 24th November. She also wrote a song called ‘Wear it Wild’ which is meant to be a short song that is in an advertisement style and easy for kids to sing-a-long to, they also have this.
She is supporting The Southmartins tribute band at the O2 Academy in Leeds and Sheffield in February and June 2020. She has also got through the auditions for #BuskOnceYork and has won the opportunity to play at the Grand Opera House in York in February.
Rachels music has been on BBC Introducing Radio Humberside and BBC Upload, she hasplayed for Viking FM events (Bauer Media) including on their mini-cruise to Amsterdam. She has played at many local festivals such as Trib Fest (Sledmere house), Staxtonbury music festival, Wold Top Brewery, Scarborough Celebrity Christmas Lights Switch On, Scunthorpe Lights switch on and many more.
CHANTEL McGREGOR
& Ellie Pollard
FEBRUARY 15th £14
A female guitar prodigy, at 14 Chantel was told by major labels that she had a “great voice, but girls don’t play guitar like that!” Wisely ignoring the comments, she enrolled at the Leeds College of Music and became the first student in the college’s history, to achieve a 100% pass mark, with 18 distinctions. Chantel left with a First Class Honours degree in Popular Music and a coveted prize, the college’s musician of the year award.
In previous years, Chantel stepped out in the pro-musician world and her stunning live performances demonstrated that she had the ability to perform rock for the new age, played by a musician born with an effortless virtuosity. Since then, she has built a loyal and growing fan base who follow her every move.
If you measure an artist’s prospects by the company they keep, then Chantel has been moving in the right direction. Early in her career, Chantel was invited to perform with Joe Bonamassa, on two of his UK tours.
When Chantel released her 2011 debut album, Like No Other, one critic said, “Chantel McGregor deserves to be held up as a messiah of blues-rock and given her own mountain. She doesn’t strum or pick her guitar but almost bends and distorts it, as if she’s channelling the ghost of Hendrix through her fingers”
The album was produced by Livingstone Brown, whose production credits include Ed Sheeran, Robin Trower, and Shakira. The end result was a beautifully crafted debut album that showcased Chantel’s versatility and talent as a singer-songwriter.
Chantel’s follow up album, Like Control, again produced by Livingstone Brown, was released in October 2015 to critical acclaim.
All About Rock’s review of the album said:
‘The album in its entirety has a common theme running through of gothic imagery which makes it almost a concept album but each track stands out on its own. Chantel’s double tracked vocals are amazingly tight & the production on this album sounds loose which is a compliment to Livingstone Brown & Chantel who have obviously spent a lot of time on the arrangements. The girl can obviously shred but she does so in a very understated & despite the title of the album, a controlled way. Recommended for fans of blues, rock, Jeff Buckley, Marillion, Big & Rich, Country & Nick Drake. This is a hard album to categorize & pigeon hole which in this day & age of labels & boxes is a good thing.’
Planetmosh reviewed the album with the following comment:
‘The album is full of great guitar work, but Chantel McGregor isn’t just a guitar player – she does the vocals too and they are equally impressive. She’s got a great voice and the variety of songs on the album allows her to demonstrate a range of styles vocally. It really is a great album.’
The single, Take The Power, was playlisted for 5 weeks on Planet Rock radio.
Chantel has recently been interviewed for features on Sky News, BBC Radio Five Live and BBC Radio Four.
In December 2018, Chantel launched her own Podcast, which has been very successful, earning a place in the iTunes Podcast Charts.
Chantel recorded a live album at the end of March 2019 titled ‘Bury’d Alive’, this was released on the 6th of September 2019 and received wonderful reviews.
Chantel is currently writing for her third studio album and recording an acoustic album, debuting some of the new tracks on her 2019 tour which took place throughout the UK and Europe.
HEART OF GLASS
FEBRUARY 1st £20
SOLD OUT…SOLD OUT…SOLD OUT…
Heart Of Glass, last ever show, No apologies for the mahoosive number of pics in this album, its not every day we get a 14th and final show from a band that has sold the Shire Hall out again and again and again. I was reminded last night that their first ever appearance was playing a fundraiser for Howden Infant and Junior schools and we were worried if we would get an audience, we did and continued to!! That is for one reason and that is Denise Danielle a consummate tribute to Debbie Harry, two people still in the band from that very first performance too in the personages of Jonah Lacey-Hatton and Peter Cox,more than ably assisted by long time bass and keyboard players John Todd and Ryan. The lucky attendees at this long sold out show were treated to all of the Blondie hits and more, the joint was rocking by the time the very emotional finale came around and this wonderful band took their final bows. Thanks for the good times.
When this band announced their final gig at Tribfest in August it was, at Tribfest. It is a tremendous honour that they have chosen to play their final ever gig, in their 20th year, at the Shire Hall. A few years ago they nearly called it a day and it was a Howden audience that persuaded them not to. This fianal appearance will be the bands 14th in Howden, a record if ever there was one, sell out performance after sell out performance are a measure of what you are in for on this very, very special occasion. HEART OF GLASS fronted by the delectable Denise Danielle described as ‘the closest to Debbie Harry yet!’ A cast iron guarantee of a superbly entertaining night out .
Heart of Glass are the foremost Blondie Tribute band in the UK. Lead singer Denise Danielle who has put together a stunning replication of a ‘Blondie’ show with all the favourite classics plus a lot more: Atomic, Maria, The Tide Is High, Hanging On The Telephone, Call Me, Denis, One Way Or Another, Sunday Girl and many, many more.
Denise prides herself on authenticity and does 6 costume changes during a show, each reflecting on the various songs. There is no finer exponent of the songs, style and raw energy of Deborah Harry and Blondie. This is like experiencing the real Blondie in 1978. This evening really will be something very, very special indeed, as well as bringing your dancing shoes you may want a few tissues as well…..
A personal message from Denise Danielle:
“I’m writing this message to everyone in Howden, where do I start? Early in 2019 me and my band decided to call it a day for Heart Of Glass, as you all know we have been performing as Blondie for 20 years now, we have all decided it is time to move on, we performed our last gig at Tribfest in August 2019, it was very emotional, but then Mark Rodger contacted me and asked me if I would do one final performance at Howden’s Shire Hall, well, what can I say, I love Howden and the people of Howden have always supported us, so to celebrate 20 years together, and also as my way of saying goodbye to all our followers and loyal fans in Howden ,we will be performing our last ever Blondie gig at my favourite venue, also a big thank you to Mark, he has looked after us over the years and is a true friend of the band now, please keep supporting the Shire Hall, it is a brilliant venue, we are honoured to have played there for almost 14 consecutive years now, you have made me and my band feel so loved every time we play there, I am going to miss you all, but everything comes to an end. I hope to see you all there on February 1st for our final farewell, it will be a sad day, but thank you Howden for all your support and love, I will be auctioning my vulture t shirt ,signed by Deborah Harry on the night , all proceeds will go to cancer research, so it’s a goodbye from me, and see you all on the night , love you all xxx. Xxx”
A few snaps from a memorable evening:
KEEP IT CASH
Saturday December 21st £12.50
@ Howden Working Mens Club.
Please note: Doors 8pm for an 8.30 start.
The most accurate sounding tribute show to Johnny CASH on the planet … That is what they say about Keep it Cash. The band is a labour of love and a product of many years of hard work and dedication. Expect a note perfect musical journey from the humble gospel beginnings of the Tennessee two, right through to the final and emotional American Recordings.
Keep it Cash proudly centre their tribute show around the uncanny natural sound-alike quality of Dave Burnham’s voice. They began rehearsing back in 2001, playing their first gigs around 2002 in pubs and small venues.
Keep it Cash have now performed hundreds of sold out shows to thousands of people in many countries across the world including: France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Australia, Germany, America, Scotland, England, Ireland and Wales.
Keep it Cash were choosen to perform by 20th Century Fox in London, as the sound of Johnny Cash at the launch of the film ‘Walk the Line’
Dave Burnham has been recorded for both television and radio as a sound-a-like of Johnny Cash. His voice starred in the 2010 British Telecom television commercial ‘Everywhere’ and was recorded by Sony Studios in Belfast.
This is not just a polished theatre tribute show … its like a full on Johnny Cash concert” Brighton Free Press
“In the depth of Dave Burnhams natural baritone voice, Johnny Cash lives on in one of his greatest admirers” Mojo 2008
THE REVOLUTIONAIRES!
Saturday December 7th £12.50
& Chicago Bound
So good we booked them thrice! Without doubt one of the very best bands ever to have appeared on the Shire Hall stage and they are in some illustrious company believe me…
Established within the ‘hotbed’ of the North East music scene in the UK, they power out jumpin’ hot rhythm & blues in their own indomitable hard hitting style.
Primarily, they are influenced by 1940’s and 1950’s R&B. In particular, Louis Jordan, Big Joe Turner, Little Richard, Chuck Berry and Roy Brown but have adopted a harder and more aggressive approach, synonymous with modern blues artists such as Stevie Ray Vaughan, Duke Robillard, Jools Holland and Mike Henderson which helps create their own high energy sound.
Over the last decade, The Revolutionaires have established themselves on the UK and European Rockin’ circuit, as well as the Blues scene.
They have toured extensively both in the UK and abroad, performing at festivals in Ireland, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Holland, Germany, Norway, Denmark, Italy, Spain, Malta and Dubai.
Highlights include performing at festivals with artistes such as Jerry Lee Lewis, Sting, Tom Jones, Hugh Laurie, Jimmie Vaughan, Robert Cray, Walter Trout, Eric Bibb, Albert Lee, Snake Davis and Dave Edmunds.
Now also touring with their Big Band project which consists of extra horns and pianist, The Revs are hitting the Festival circuit with this power house line up and big sound.
They have recorded five CDs to date containing a collection of Hot Rockin’ R&B tracks. Each CD captures the ‘rawness’ and sheer energy of the band, who like to give their performances a ‘hard-edged’ vibe!
CHICAGO BOUND are a Beverley based acoustic Blues duo featuring local legend Brian Williams on harmonica and Graham ‘Eightball’ Hyde on guitar. Featuring music stretching from the Delta to Chicago. Popular across the local Blues scene Brian is one of the leading harmonica players in the region and is an encyclopedia of Blues history. He can also be heard playing washboard and spoons!. Graham has played guitar in local Blues bands for the last 15 years and is most at home with Chicago styles and 50’s style swinging Jazz. Together they also play in local renown Blues band The Juke Joint Kings!
LIVE/WIRE SOLD OUT…SOLD OUT…
NOVEMBER 23RD. £17.50.
There’s a good reason we keep inviting Live/Wire back……They are simply….Awesome!!The unique six man tribute to rock’s greatest band AC/DC, complete with trademark cannons, a wall of Marshalls and two hours of High Voltage Rock and Roll. Forty One years into the AC/DC story and the band cover both eras as always with both ‘Gary’ Bon Scott and ‘Pete’ Brian Johnson present to take you on the Rock and Roll train for a night to remember. The rhythm section keep it all meticulously together giving Ashgus the freedom to mesmerise the audience with his sublime playing and infinite energy. Those who have seen the show on the ‘For Those About To Rock’, ‘Ready to Bite’ and ‘Shake your Foundations’ tours are already witness to the talent and dedication Ash gives on stage with his portrayal of the livewire Angus Young delivering a truly amazing two hours of duck-walking, bedevilled Rock and Roll.The band aim to put you slap bang in the middle of the show with hit after hit, and for the aficionados !There’s always something special as well. Back in Black, Rosie, Highway to hell, the songs go on and on until the cannons fire ceremoniously to bring the evening to a superb crescendo. If by this time you are still standing……..we salute you !!
LITTLE MOSCOW
ft. Si King from The Hairy Bikers
November 9th. £17.50
Little Moscow are a cracking band; a bunch of lads who just love rock music and have played together since they were kids.
Kev McNestry and Si Harrison on Guitar and Vocals, Joe McNestry on Bass and Si King on Drums.
Come 2018, they got it back together again as Iván Diaz joined the family on violin and drums.
In the meantime, Si has become Si King of Hairy Bikers fame, and now rocks out on vocals, percussion and drums. The rest is legend.
Now, thirty-something years on, they are touring the UK, playing better than ever! Little Moscow are a band from the North East covering classic and contemporary rock from artists such as Bon Jovi, Neil Young, The Doobie Brothers, The Waterboys and many more.
As a wide-eyed kid dreaming of rock and roll glory, Si King’s teenage years revolved around music, mates and food. Fast-forward four decades and all three still dominate a crazy schedule that includes multiple television series, radio commitments and joining his bandmates for a weekly jam.
The band went down a storm at last summer’s Cornbury Festival alongside UB40, Squeeze and Alanis Morissette and the post-gig consensus was that there’s never been a better time to take a belated shot at the big time.
Having swapped chopsticks for drumsticks Si King says“It’s a bit like a midlife crisis,a midlife crisis that’s hung over since we were about 40! We’re basically just a bunch of mates who have got back together and we’re going to have a bit of fun and see where it takes us.”
This show is a fundraising concert for the Shire Hall, ALL PROFITS from the evening will go towards the on going efforts of the Shire Hall team to maintain and adapt this wonderful building for the benefit of of current and future generations.
TWO PIANO’S
SOLD OUT….SOLD OUT…. October 26th £15 SOLD OUT….SOLD OUT….
Are you ready to rock & roll like it’s the 1950’s again? Two Pianos will take you back in time to celebrate the magnificent “Sun Studios” era, performing classic hits from Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Elvis, Chuck Berry and many more.Your evening will kick of to a rockin’ start as two of the UK’s finest and charismatic rock & roll pianists each individually perfom, along with a five piece band, a score of hits including “Whole Lotta Shakin”, “Never Can Tell”, “Blue Suede Shoes”, “Roll Over Beethoven”, “Honey Don’t”, “True Love Ways”, “Chantilly Lace”, “Johnny B Goode”, “Great Balls Of Fire”, “Oh Boy”, “Blue Berry Hill”, “Love Me Tender”, “You Win Again”, “Maybellene”, plus many more! The evening will progress into a climatic and energetic piano duel between the two pianists, resolving into a memorable night of foot stomping rock & roll! A show that even “The Killer” himself thinks “ROCKS!” Al Kilvo is an Americana piano player from Hull, Yorkshire in England, who plays with a style and verve described as that of the ‘Killer’ Jerry-Lee Lewis himself. As a youngster, Al appeared in many line ups in his native Yorkshire UK before forming an original country-folk band with M.G Greaves and the Lonesome Too. He has toured nationally with Hull’s own Beautiful South taking in major venues such as The Hammersmith Odeon and Edinburgh Playhouse. Al continues to home his skills in the musical styles of Americas southern states.In 2013 Al was invited to record an album with his close friend Johnny Pat in the world famous Sun Studios in Memphis TN with Kenny Lovelace and Robert Hall of The Jerry Lee Lewis band. Subsequently the event and recording have been brilliant and now Al and ‘JP’ are enjoying playing the music they love to a wider audience across Europe and the USA. Later in 2013, Al and JP performed in live venues on world famous Bourbon Street in New Orleans and Phil Brady’s in Baton Rouge as they continue to sell the Americans back their music! Al also continued to perform all over northern England and appeared weekly with his Country band in Cottingham ‘The Fork Handles’David Barton is a pianist and singer from Hull in East Yorkshire. From the age of eight, David developed a passion for the blues and boogie woogie piano, later discovering the art of rock & roll piano and likened to other artists such as Jools Holland, Meade Lux Lewis and Jerry Lee Lewis. At the age of 26, David has already performed alongside some of the world’s most accomplished musicians, including jazz maestro Jamie Cullum, American blues guitarist Walter Trout and classical Mezzo-Soprano Katherine Jenkins to name a few. David has performed in venues around the country, including the prestigious Royal Albert Hall. ‘He’s better than me. I have a funny feeling he will have his own show here one day’ – Jamie Cullum, RAH London.
JON PALMER & WENDY ROSS. EDWINA HAYES. CARRIE MARTIN. DOGFINGER STEVE,
October 12th £12.50
A gathering of musical talent it would be very hard to beat.’
Dogfinger Steve opens proceedings with his self penned, stompin’ cigar box guitar toons performed with passion and their very own brand of originality.
Carrie Martin next up: Hers is a true story of rags to – well, not quite riches maybe, but certainly success and critical acclaim in the world of contemporary acoustic-‐based folk/rock music. 
Edwina Haye’s beautifully written songs, charming stage presence and voice of an angel have won her a reputation as a true natural talent of gentle folk-Americana. She has opened numerous shows for Jools Holland and Van Morrison as well as her own gigs playing stages everywhere from Glastonbury Festival to The Royal Albert Hall.
Jon Palmer and Wendy Ross may be a truncated version of the Jon Palmer Acoustic Band but they perform the same soaring, uplifting songs. Jon is a former winner of the Grolsch UK Songwriter of the Year, and a published songwriter with Sony.
THE CREEDENCE COLLECTION
September 28th £12
The Creedence Collection was born out of a Hull band, Mean Eyed Cat, famous on the local scene for playing their own unique swamp/country/ bluegrass versions of well- known rock and pop tunes. There was always a selection of Creedence hits in the set, so after the usual “do you play any Queen” the request for a Creedence song was always well received. Realising there was a taste for Creedence and Fogerty out there, Blako, Anita & Rob decided to set up The Creedence Collection to share the best of Creedence Clearwater Revival and John Fogerty.
OUR LEADER
Taking on the role of John Fogerty on guitar and lead vocals is Blako (Lynn Blakeston) who started playing guitar when he was 11. In the early ’70s he was in the Hull band Uncle Sam, supporting Thin Lizzy, Chris Spedding, Hot Chocolate, The Hollies, The Merseybeats, Stealer’s Wheel and many more. From the ’70s and to this day he listens to and plays rock ‘ n’ roll and country rock music from Creedence Cleerwater Revival and Chuck Berry to Crosby Stills and Nash, and the Eagles.
He also plays the pedal steel guitar. Playing took him to Germany, Holland, Belgium, Norway, Denmark, Nashville, New York and the highlight, playing at The 1982 Country Music Festival at Wembley, where he shared the stage with Kris Kristofferson and Tammy Wynette.
Over the years he has worked with J.D. Fontana (Elvis’s drummer), James Burton (Elvis’s guitarist), Chris Hillman (The Byrds), Chas and Dave, Albert Lee (played guitar for everyone!), Al Perkins (Eagles, Rolling Stones, Emmy Lou Harris, and more), B.J. Cole (the pedal steel ‘guru’), Sonny Curtis (guitarist and songwriter with Buddy Holly) Tommy Allsup (the one who didn’t get in the plane with Buddy Holly), Walter Trout, Wilco Johnson, Steve Harley, Roy Wood and many more…
ON KEYBOARD
Providing the main drive of the band on keyboard we have Anita. As well as being a superb musician and vocalist, Anita plays an important role as an academic Doctor in cancer research. She started playing music in church but, pin your ears back, she’s definitely rock and roll now. Other hobbies include taking the p&*^ out of Blako on stage.
ON RHYTHM GUITAR
Rob Nicklas is a local singer songwriter who was rescued from the local Folk Club scene by Blako. Since joining Mean Eyed Cat as an apprentice band member Rob has never looked back. Although busy as a solo artist with an album due out soon Rob is addicted to the excitement of playing and singing in a driving, rock and roll band band. Other hobbies include taking the p&*^ out of Blako on stage.
ON BASS GUITAR AND DRUMS
Our new engine room comprises Dave Hookem on Bass and Phil Bean on Drums. David is a young man who also plays in Mod and Dr Feelgood tribute bands. As Rob’s nephew is a lot younger than the rest of the band. He is a superb bass player and vocalist and although he’s very quiet he is learning to take the p&*^ out of Blake on stage. Phil Bean has played in both Rock and Soul bands for many years. He takes the P&^% out of Blako so much we daren’t give him a microphone.
FIRE AND RAIN
SEPTEMBER 14th £12
Fire and Rain is not a tribute or sound-a-like act. It’s simply a collection of five of the best musicians from the North of England coming together to play music they love.
Expect the classic James Taylor & Carole King songs played with skill, passion, emotion, humour and humility. Incredibly in-demand musicians in their own right, Tom Townsend (The Tom Townsend Blues Band) Rich Adams & Mark Gordon (Stony), Paul Tilley and Bob Walker abandon their usual bands and projects for this one-off tour to bring the joy of Taylor & King’s music to you in what they call a ‘magical musical holiday’.
The band is delighted that Gracie Falls and Alex Staples will be supporting them on a number of the concerts. Gracie is an award winning singer and songwriter in her own right, and she will be accompanied by the wonderful guitarist Alex Staples.
Building on the success of the last few tours which have included a variety of halls and theatres around the region, the band are looking forward to bringing their very special concert to some new venues and look
‘Fire and Rain’ hope that you will join them to celebrate the music of two timeless singer songwriters and performers in what will be a memorable evening of first class entertainment.
HOWDEN VINTAGE DAY.
SATURDAY MAY 9th 2020.
11 ’til late
Following the tremendous success of the inaugral Howden Vintage Day in April 2018 a second one was arranged for May 11th 2019. The weather was kind and the large numbers of people that came along were treated to a cornucopia of live music, dance, vintage stalls and childrens rides, vintage vehicles and motorcycles, a vintage wedding dress display in Howden Minster, a fashion show in the Shire Hall and themed local businesses, continuing in to the evening with live music in the Shire Hall and other venues.
It would be fair to say that a grand day was had by all! So much so that a third day will be held on the above date, there are still plans to be laid, new ideas to be discussed along with established favourites. We can announce that one new departure will be a block busting evening concert on the Friday night followed by another one on Saturday evening!
Please watch this space for more details as we have them, in the meantime here are some pictures from the 2019 day.
The Autumn/Winter season 2019. ……(In reverse order….)
THE END OF AN ERA: It is with some sadness that we need to announce that Maggie Smith at Touchwood, more than ably assisted by Steph, will no longer be selling tickets for Howden Live events from Touchwood, the Shire Hall will be taking over that role. In the early days of Howdenshire Live Arts Maggie was one of a few ticket outlets in Howden, as time went by it made sense to focus ticket sales in one place and the ticket selling box office legend at Touchwood was born. For 17 years, possibly one or two more, the number of shows Howden live have presented per year has averaged around 20, thats a lot of tickets!
Anyone ringing up with enquiries about an event, or going in to Touchwood to buy tickets, were met with unfailing courtesy, patience and good humour. Maggie was our first port of call for many folks and perfectly represented the volunteer ethos of Howden Live. A long (ish) time ago Maggies husband Mike coined the phrase “Enjoying live entertainment in the company of others” A fundamental principle to which we still adhere to today and will continue to, Maggie has been an integral part of that, thank you, we’ll miss you.
Doors for all shows are 7.30 for 8pm unless otherwise stated. Please not that as well as tickets being available online here they are also available from the Shire Hall Box Office on:
01430 432510
2019! The Winter/Spring season. ……(In reverse order….)
HOWDEN VINTAGE DAY
12 ’til Late
SATURDAY MAY 11th 2019.
The second Howden Vintage Day, following the tremendous success of the inaugral event expect more of the same! Live music, dance, vintage stalls and displays, tea dance, film and 
anything else we can think of to enhance the day.
Here’s the programme for the day folks: In the Market Place unless otherwise stated.
12.00: Flypast from the Real Aeroplane Company.
12.05: The Academy Of Theatre Studies: The children with GI Jive, You Are My Sunshine and the adults with Land Girl Style.
12,15: Musical entertainment with Marc Collins and Laura Hodgkiss in the lower Shire Hall.
12.20: Major Swing, compere for the day,
12.55: The Moodswings.
13.40: Howden Lindy Hop:(Lesson)
13.50: The Northern Showtime Orchestra,
14.00: Fashion Show, the Reid Wilford Studio in the Shire Hall.
14.00: Ukulele Band, Bishops Manor.
14.45: Major Swing and Howden Lindy Hop.
15.00: Trebel, (Rock ‘n Roll set)
15.00: Tea Dance, upper Shire Hall.
15.45: Ruby MacIntosh.
16.15: Trebel, (60’s set)
16.45: Best dressed results.
17.00: Finale with Major Swing.
19.30: The Northern Showtime Orcestra with The Frank Sinatra Story, support from Ruby MacIntosh. Upper Shire Hall, tickets £12.50. 01430 432510 and online at howden-live.com
20.00: Dawn Farrel, ’50’s and 60’s classics at The Malthouse.
21.00: Ruby MacIntosh, at BishopsBar and Bistro.
21.00. Cool Hand Luke at The Bowmans.
The timings and content of the day may be subject to change.
THE FRANK SINATRA STORY
THE NORTHERN SHOWTIME ORCHESTRA
May 11th £12.50 Part of the 2nd Howden Vintage Day.
The Northern Showtime Orchestra’s latest show The Sensational Sinatra Story features Richard Adams, a singer more used to singing his own self-penned songs as an acoustic artist, having sung for eleven years in a duo popular in folk and acoustic circles – Stony. Richard has effortlessly crossed over to big band swing and his delivery of the songs made popular by Sinatra has received critical acclaim wherever the show has been performed. “I’ve been a fan and a student of Sinatra’s singing since I was a teenager, and trying to retrace the great man’s life in this show is an amazing and daunting experience,” says Richard.
The Northern Showtime Orchestra is an eight-piece ensemble with it a difference. Uniquely, it also tells the stories behind the music, combining commentary, slides and presentations alongside faithful re-creations of arrangements which changed the face of music. So, how does Richard feel about walking in the footsteps of his hero? “Sinatra is arguably the greatest voice of the 20th Century so this is a huge challenge for any singer. His sense of swing, timing and phrasing are extraordinary. He used to practice these skills whilst holding his breath underwater in the swimming pool; stretching his lung capacity and seeing how long he could hold a phrase – an incredible perfectionist. Richard’s performance with Northern Showtime is not about trying to be Frank or being a tribute act. This band is made up of top musicians who have all played in leading orchestras or bands nationally and internationally. This is about lovingly re-telling an amazing story and lovingly learning from the master,” says Adams.
Trombonist Tony Turner created the orchestra in 2012. Three members of the Northern Showtime Orchestra also perform locally with the Scarborough Spa Orchestra, Kathy Seabrook (flute and saxophone), Andy Crofts (drums), and Graham Quilter (clarinet and saxophone). Nigel Blenkiron (trumpet), Bob Walker (bass) and Dave Clegg (piano) complete the
THE JAM’D
April 27th £12.50
At Howden Working Mens Club
Please note: Partial unreserved seating only.
The Jam’d are now the UK’s leading tribute to the live performance and sound of The Jam, and are totally committed to giving an unforgettable, authentic performance with all the energy, passion and style of the Woking 3. As full time touring professional musicians, and massive Jam fans, The Jam’d put on a performance from the heart and soul, drawing on all their memories, experiences and love of what was the country’s biggest band in their day. Gigging up and down the UK at outdoor festivals, scooter rallies and some of the UK’s top music venues & events! The show also includes the only replica of Rick Bucklers ‘Great White’ drum kit & features their own brass section!……You won’t be disappointed! Every effort is placed into reproducing the sound, arrangements and energy of a Jam gig. Those who saw The Jam live will remember the electricity, aggression, passion, and even fashion on stage, something not always prevalent in today’s world, but to The Jam’d, it is a passion, a mission, and an honour to play for fans of “the best band in the world!”
THE GROUNDHOGS
APRIL 13th. £14
Ken Pustelnik, the original Groundhogs drummer, has formed a new lineup of the band. Their show features all the classics from The Groundhogs long and very successful existence (formed in 1963), which featured Ken Pustelnik’s unorthodox drumming style.
All the traditional Groundhog elements will be on show, such as the high energy arrangements and the free-flowing psychedelic-tinged improvisations, all anchored by the underlying Blues Root ever present since the bands earliest days.
Way back in the halcyon days of Rock there came a trio of ‘superheroes’ known as THE GROUNDHOGS. Riding the blues boom into uncharted territory, they gained a reputation as one of the most dynamic live acts around and are influential and inspirational to this day. The classic line-up of Tony McPhee, Ken Pustelnik and Pete Cruickshank toured the world for 6 years straight, including seminal shows with greats like THE ROLLING STONES, JOHN LEE HOOKER, JOHN MAYALL and CANNED HEAT, and at the legendary 1970 ISLE of WIGHT FESTIVAL. In this time they produced 4 renowned albums: ‘Blues Obituary’, ‘Thank Christ for the Bomb’, ‘Split’ and ‘Who will Save the World?’.
Now Ken brings you a new and exciting line-up – KEN PUSTELNIK’S GROUNDHOGS, playing that classic material with verve and power, and giving performances of energy and excitement that are as fresh and relevant to the modern audience as the originals were back in the day.
Fire Records have taken over the Groundhogs archive and are releasing the old albums on vinyl & CD. They are planning to re-release “Thank Christ for the Bomb”, the release scheduled to be on April 13th, now….. whats happening on that date?…..
KAZ HAWKINS
Friday March 29th £12.50
The Journey of Kaz Hawkins
The story of Kaz has many wondering how she ever survived the trauma in her life but she puts it best herself saying ‘Music is the very thing that saved me, when I sing I am in the safest place on earth. It replaces all the cruelty, shame and pain in my life so all I want to do now is sing for those still fighting’ Multi award winning Kaz Hawkins is Northern Ireland’s very own Soul Superstar named after her self penned song about the childhood that was stolen from her. She sings to her young self to let her know that she was strong and now the song pays tribute to her following her dream on stage.
The Belfast born singer-songwriter has wowed fans with her emotional honest performances across the globe. Her music brings an honest, fun, inspiring & hopeful message to those who need it. Using her story in song to break the barriers around mental health, Kaz Hawkins proves that music can heal, soothe and sometimes save souls that are lost. After nearly losing her life when her throat was cut, it is a spectacular story of survival never mind a voice that has reduced grown men to tears at her shows. It took Kaz 20 years to follow her childhood dream and now she is living every minute by creating a legacy of persistence, empowerment and true Belfast grit. Her music is an achievement but Kaz gives credit to her fans for allowing her into their musical hearts. Kaz is the ultimate story of the Phoenix rising from the ashes. Kaz wears many HATS!
HOPE & SOCIAL
MARCH 16th. £15
“One of the Uk’s top 5 live bands” The Independent.
Please note: Partial unreserved seating.
“A big sound from this impressive outfit…inspired, anthemic, great” ~ Q
Hope & Social are more than a band. They are a band anyone can join; a band who can turn their studio into a bistro for 70 fans; a band who involve people in what they do-from teaching brass instruments in their ‘Streetband Named Desire’ project to col-laborating with other artists in their ‘Crypt Covers’ Album. – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eaXx5YHxnY
10 years has seen-in addition to the many projects-a wealth of recorded music-5 studio albums,2 E.P’s,an acoustic album, ‘Crypt Covers’, a Christmas song, music a for a theatre piece, and a collaboration with New York Brass Band. Come and see the Boys in Blue this September when they celebrate a 10 Year retrospective tour, revisiting a number of songs from their extensive ‘back catalogue’
Hope & Social are renowned for making every gig an event; a band who throw themselves wholeheartedly into every perfor-mance and perfectly bridges the gap between the stage and the audience. Anthemic songs, infectious melodies and a formida-ble live experience. – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-QirK-W2sk
Don’t believe us?
Here’s what others have to say…
“Brilliant, uplifting and inclusive. That was amazing, here’s your cheque” Michael Eavis – Glastonbury Festival
“Working with you was the highlight of the whole project for me. So talented and so genuine. A marvel”
Martin Green – Producer, Tour de France: Grand Depart Opening Ceremony 2014
(Also Head of Ceremonies: London 2012 Olympic Games and Chief Executive: Hull City of Culture 2017)
“The shows were incredible… truly awesome. An audience member summed it up, ‘the energy was incredible. They play every song like it was the encore’” Kate James – Festival Director, Durham International Brass Festival
“You’re here because you galvanise people” Katy Fuller – Producer, Hull City Of Culture 2017.
TOO REX
February 16th. £15.
Featuring the incredible Bobby T as Marc Bolan, Too REX bring back the Glam Rock era of the seventies to enthusiastic audiences across the land. With a magical spell binding show that covers most of Marc Bolan’s career, from the early hippy period of Tyrannosaurus REX to the megastar, chart topping days of T-REX, complete with real vintage equpiment, full costume changes, glitter, and more than a dash of star quality, Too REX, the band, come incredibly close to the real thing.
The two hour show usually includes some early singles such as “Deborah”, and “One Inch Rock” and “Ride A White Swan” to the huge hits like “Get It On”, “Telegram Sam”, Hot Love”, “Jeepster” and Children of the Revolution”, to some of the fondly remembered album material, including tracks from the acclaimed Billy Elliot movie soundtrack and even recent blockbuster movie School of Rock with Jack Black who is an avid T.REX fan!
GARY STEWART’S GRACELAND
FEBRUARY 2nd AT HOWDEN MINSTER £15
Led by popular Leeds-based troubadour Gary Stewart (Gary Stewart Band / Hope and Social / Ellen & the Escapades) and backed his incredible 7-piece band, this spectacular group of musicians come together to recreate Paul Simon’s landmark Graceland album in all its glory.Expect to hear those magical songs, with their captivating stories, distinctive harmonies and South African rhythms brought to life in front of you with no detail spared; from the layers of guitars and percussion, right down to the legendary bass solos and maybe even some token dance moves – if you’re lucky! This is they, do have a listen?
THE BAR STEWARD SONS OF VAL DOONICAN
Saturday January 19th £12.50
Put on yer finest knitted gladrags, style your barnet, put on your dancing shoes and bring your finest singing voices, as we cordially invite you to witness the Greatest Show On Earth (in tank-tops).
Hailing from Barnsley Rock City, The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican are on a mission! Determined to follow in their spiritual father’s immortal footsteps and keep his legacy alive, they have a talent for Bar-Stewardizing other famous people’s songs with new comedy lyrics, on acoustic geetar, ukulele, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, accordion and keyboard. To complete their squeaky-clean image, brothers-from-other-mothers Scott, Björn and Alan have become instantly recognisable for their immaculate hair and their stylish choice of knitwear.
A band that is both perpetually on the move and joyously independent, since forming in 2006, they have played over 900 side-splitting shows to date, and have brought smiles and belly-laughs to audiences across the UK; from Barnsley to Barnstaple, from Glasgow to Glastonbury. They continue to wow audiences with a fine selection of their greatest hits, including the likes of “Jump Ararnd”, “The Lady In Greggs”, “How Deep Is Your Glove?”, “Nandos”, “Paint ’em Back”, “Walking In Manpiss” and “If I Could Punch A Face… It’d Be Justin Bieber’s”.
As well as appearances at venues and festivals across the UK (including, Fairport Convention’s Cropredy Convention, The Levellers’ Beautiful Days Festival, Bearded Theory, Rebellion Punk Festival, Kate Rusby’s Underneath The Stars, Watchet Live, Off The Tracks and many, many more), they have also had the pleasure to collaborate with, support or share the same bill as many of the UK’s finest live acts from a wide range of genres, including:
The Levellers, Fairport Convention, Eliza Carthy & The Wayward Band, The Darkness, Chas & Dave, The Wurzels, The Gipsy Kings, The Blockheads and John Otway, to name but a few.
The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican can’t wait to bring their shindig back to the Shire Hall and they promise that they WILL rock you… but gently!
The greatest thing to come out of Barnsley, since the A61 to Sheffield” Jarvis Cocker, musician
“Loved The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican. Great fun” Jason Manford, comedian
“The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican are very, very funny… one of the hardest working bands on the planet” Mike Harding, comedian, folk-musician, author & broadcaster
A ridiculous family of genius, hilarious, irresistible music makers, currently crowd-surfing to the bar all over the great county of Yorkshire and beyond, into the venues and music festivals of the UK. Long may they rock… but gently” Eliza Carthy MBE, Multi-Award Winning Folk-Musician
“They deserve the reputation they have earned as one of the festival scenes hottest bookings.” UK Festival Guides
“Rapidly becoming the must-have, must-see festival band, The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican played to an over-capacity Woodland Stage arena as hundreds more queued outside for a chance a catching their much-anticipated antics” FestivalFlyer.com (review of Bearded Theory Festival 2018)
2018! The Autumn Season……(In reverse order….)
DR FEELGOOD
& Martyn Barkers Tea Band
DECEMBER 22nd SOLD OUT…SOLD OUT… Please note: Partial seating only.
Formed on Canvey Island in Essex in the early 1970s Dr. Feelgood remains one of the most popular and exciting live rhythm and blues acts in the world. The raw and uncompromising style of their performance resulted in the album Stupidity that immediately went to the number one position in the U.K. charts.
Dr. Feelgood have also enjoyed global success with a string of hit singles including Roxette, Back in the Night, Milk and Alcohol, Down at the Doctors, She Does it Right, Going Back Home and See You Later Alligator – which gave the group their first gold record.
The last album to feature Lee Brilleaux – Down at the Doctors, was recorded live at the Dr. Feelgood Music Bar on Canvey Island, (now the site of the Oysterfleet Hotel) just two months before he died.
The current line up features the rhythm section Kevin Morris on drums and Phil Mitchell on bass (both 35 years), Steve Walwyn on guitar (28 years), and Robert Kane (formerly of the Animals) the most recent addition – joining in 1999.
Julien Temple’s film Oil City Confidential released on 2nd February 2010 tells the story of the bands formative years featuring the Wilko Johnson era.
May 2011 saw the digitally re – mastered re release of Chessmasters originally released in 2000 on EMI Records … the band’s tribute to the Chess label, home to many of the finest blues artists of the 20th century and the first Dr Feelgood album to feature Robert on vocals.
The band continues to tour extensively throughout the World.
THE REVOLUTIONAIRES!
& The Juke Joint Kings.
Saturday December 1st £12.50
So good we booked them thrice! Without doubt one of the very best bands ever to have appeared on the Shire Hall stage and they are in some illustrious company believe me…
Established within the ‘hotbed’ of the North East music scene in the UK, they power out jumpin’ hot rhythm & blues in their own indomitable hard hitting style.
Primarily, they are influenced by 1940’s and 1950’s R&B. In particular, Louis Jordan, Big Joe Turner, Little Richard, Chuck Berry and Roy Brown but have adopted a harder and more aggressive approach, synonymous with modern blues artists such as Stevie Ray Vaughan, Duke Robillard, Jools Holland and Mike Henderson which helps create their own high energy sound.
Over the last decade, The Revolutionaires have established themselves on the UK and European Rockin’ circuit, as well as the Blues scene.
They have toured extensively both in the UK and abroad, performing at festivals in Ireland, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Holland, Germany, Norway, Denmark, Italy, Spain, Malta and Dubai.
Highlights include performing at festivals with artistes such as Jerry Lee Lewis, Sting, Tom Jones, Hugh Laurie, Jimmie Vaughan, Robert Cray, Walter Trout, Eric Bibb, Albert Lee, Snake Davis and Dave Edmunds.
Now also touring with their Big Band project which consists of extra horns and pianist, The Revs are hitting the Festival circuit with this power house line up and big sound.
They have recorded five CDs to date containing a collection of Hot Rockin’ R&B tracks. Each CD captures the ‘rawness’ and sheer energy of the band, who like to give their performances a ‘hard-edged’ vibe!
ANIMALS & FRIENDS
NOVEMBER 24th £20
Featuring from the original Animals John Steel and Micky Gallagher(The Blockheads, The Clash, Paul McCartney) plus Danny Handley and Roberto Ruiz . Following their critically-acclaimed and hugely successful tours together in 2008, 2011 and 2012 this legendary combination of musicians will once again be performing on the same stage together. With over 20 global top ten hits, The Animals remain a seminal rhythm and blues band who still command great respect. Expect a fantastic concert of pure classics including House Of The Rising Sun, We Gotta Get Out Of This Place, Baby Let Me Take You Home and more. After over 50 years the legend still grows.
As The Independent noted recently –
“Though the band has changed, the songs remain eternal… alongside covers of Ray Charles and John Lee Hooker classics, they ensure that the nostalgic element comes with an enjoyably abrasive edge”.
Featuring from the original Animals – John Steel & Mick Gallagher (The Blockheads) Danny Handley and Roberto Ruiz.
In 1964 a wave of new energetic rock and roll swept over the youth of the world. On the crest of this wave was The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and of course The Animals. From the banks of
the River Tyne came the North East’s offering; a brand of rhythm n blues that the whole world seemed to grasp greedily.
The Animals were the second British band to top the American charts after The Beatles with the now multi-million selling and legendary anthem, ‘House of the Rising Sun’. The band subsequently
achieved over twenty global Top Ten hit records, many of which gained the Number One slot in various parts of the world. In Britain alone, the band had no less than twelve chart entries.
The Animals were the first British band to tour Poland and Japan.
Have a look’n listen, click here….
THE REVOLUTIONAIRES!
& The Juke Joint Kings.
Saturday December 1st £12.50
So good we booked them thrice! Without doubt one of the very best bands ever to have appeared on the Shire Hall stage and they are in some illustrious company believe me…
Established within the ‘hotbed’ of the North East music scene in the UK, they power out jumpin’ hot rhythm & blues in their own indomitable hard hitting style.
Primarily, they are influenced by 1940’s and 1950’s R&B. In particular, Louis Jordan, Big Joe Turner, Little Richard, Chuck Berry and Roy Brown but have adopted a harder and more aggressive approach, synonymous with modern blues artists such as Stevie Ray Vaughan, Duke Robillard, Jools Holland and Mike Henderson which helps create their own high energy sound.
Over the last decade, The Revolutionaires have established themselves on the UK and European Rockin’ circuit, as well as the Blues scene.
They have toured extensively both in the UK and abroad, performing at festivals in Ireland, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Holland, Germany, Norway, Denmark, Italy, Spain, Malta and Dubai.
Highlights include performing at festivals with artistes such as Jerry Lee Lewis, Sting, Tom Jones, Hugh Laurie, Jimmie Vaughan, Robert Cray, Walter Trout, Eric Bibb, Albert Lee, Snake Davis and Dave Edmunds.
Now also touring with their Big Band project which consists of extra horns and pianist, The Revs are hitting the Festival circuit with this power house line up and big sound.
They have recorded five CDs to date containing a collection of Hot Rockin’ R&B tracks. Each CD captures the ‘rawness’ and sheer energy of the band, who like to give their performances a ‘hard-edged’ vibe!
BUY TICKETS HERE.
STEPHEN DALE PETIT
NOVEMBER 10th £12.50.
Stephen Dale Petit was so good on his first visit to Howden last year we just had to invite him back again.
In the age of the TV talent show and the corporate pop cabal, Stephen Dale Petit is leading the resistance. He’s a man on a mission, sworn to establish the blues as the dominant force in popular culture. He’s a riot-starter and rabble-rouser, blowing out speakers with the “thrusting hooligan anthems” (Mojo) of his acclaimed studio work and igniting a new venue each night with his “raw, fresh energy” (The Times). He’s a genre spokesman and bluesman savant, whose BLUnivErSity lectures reboot the old masters for the modern age, while rallying new recruits to the cause. No wonder that Guitar & Bass cited Petit as “proof positive that the blues can move forward in the 21st century”.
All the best bluesmen come with a backstory, and at 46, Petit has walked a winding path to the head of the modern scene. If his 1969 birth in California’s Joshua Tree desert was prescient – he was delivered by a passing doctor with a passion for the blues – then the acquisition of a Gibson SG at the age of twelve confirmed his calling. “The reason I’m on the planet is to play blues guitar,” Petit told BBC News. “I’m on a mission to spread the word about the blues and about the guitar – especially to young music lovers.”
Petit’s own epiphany hit hard. Rewind to his adolescence in the early-’80s and his formative influences were growing daily, taking in the vintage US heavyweights (Robert Johnson, Elmore James, Son House) and the British upstarts (Cream, Zeppelin, Yardbirds). Soon, he began his own precocious march on the Californian club circuit, playing five nights a week, cutting heads with senior players, jamming with titans including B.B. and Albert King, and immersing himself in the genre’s ethos. “The blues is a beautiful thing out of the cesspool of human nastiness,” Petit told Classic Rock. “This music was forged in horrific conditions. It was really the wail of a soul of a subculture of society in America. As a teenager, I was scared by it – but I couldn’t escape the pull.”
By the early-’90s, the bluesman’s love of the British boomers had lured him to the epicentre – London – for a period whose dazzling highs were offset by desperate lows. Collaboration and friendship with musicians including Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, Mick Jones and David Gilmour should have been his springboard, yet as the drugs flowed, Petit floundered, losing his momentum to addiction and dangling his talent by a thread. “It got to basically living on the street,” he recalled. “It was the blues that saved me. There was a moment when the choice was pretty clear: ‘Am I just going to be a drug addict and is my passion going to be washed down the toilet…?’”
Following that moment of clarity, Petit clawed himself back from the brink, regaining his confidence as a performer by busking in the bearpit of the London Underground, and attracting both a grass-roots fanbase and a media profile. “People started asking if they could buy the music they were hearing, and I didn’t have anything,” he says. “So I set about recording Guitararama.”
Guitararama proved to be the line in the sand. Originally self-financed and released in a limited pressing of 5,000 units, the buzz prompted a reissue in 2008 (with distribution from Universal) and pricked up the ears of media tastemakers. Suddenly, this former best-kept-secret was a regular guest on BBC Radio 2 (try 2011’s The BBC Sessions for a collection of his appearances) and a fixture in the music press, who declared Petit’s incendiary Firebird fretwork to “occupy a stunning middle-ground between the fire of Freddie King, the instinct of Jimmy Page and the soul of Clapton” (Classic Rock).
By 2010, The Crave upped the ante (included by Classic Rock in the Top 50 Albums Of The Year), while in 2013, the man in the hat raised the bar with Cracking The Code. Patently Petit’s most ambitious release to date, the album was home to his most ferocious originals, from Get You Off to Riot City, bolstered by A-list guests including Dr John, Mick Taylor and Hubert Sumlin. Tracking his solos mere days before his death, Howlin’ Wolf’s iconic guitarist gave Petit a glowing endorsement, “If a lot of people could play like you, shit, I’d sit back and smile”, and the wider reaction was just as receptive, with Cracking The Code deemed “rampant perfection” by The Blues.
Somehow, throughout this dizzying rise, Petit stuck resolutely to his guns. In 2007, the bandleader began spreading the word though his famous BLUnivErSity lecture tours, speaking at the UK’s universities and reeling uninitiated students into the genre with his charisma and insight. In 2010, he pulled together a crack squad of high-profile musicians, including Chris Barber, Ronnie Wood and Mick Taylor, in a successful bid to protect the iconic 100 Club (a venue that Petit dubs his “spiritual home”, having played there on more than twenty occasions).
That same year, Petit hit the High Voltage Festival in London for a decibel-limit-defying set that was bottled by the legendary Ronnie Lane Mobile Recording Unit. The resulting album – Live At High Voltage – was initially issued in 2012 in a vinyl-only, limited-edition run, before its near-mythical status sparked the 2014 digital reissue. “This is hands down the greatest live record you’ll ever hear,” raved The Blues in a 10/10 review. “Even The Who didn’t quite reach the intensity of Petit and friends.”
True to his word, this is a man on a mission. And in 2016, with Petit returning from double-headlining with blues-rock titan Walter Trout, there’s no mistaking a man who means every line, every lick, every fleck of spittle and drop of sweat. “I want to see the blues become mainstream,” he says. “I want to see it become common currency in the discourse of modern popular culture. I want to see it become blues city.”
MARTIN CARTHY & JOHN KIRKPATRICK
& Jack Parker
OCTOBER 27th £15.
National treasures Martin Carthy & John Kirkpatrick embark on a rare UK duo tour next autumn. These two leading interpreters of English folk traditions – folk guitarist/singer Carthy and squeezebox virtuoso/singer Kirkpatrick – are long-time collaborators in a variety of seminal musical projects: from John’s iconic 1976 Morris tunes album Plain Capers through Steeleye Span to Brass Monkey.
Their enduring enjoyment of playing with each other shines through in their performances – warm, natural and charismatic. Pure English folk pedigree!
For more than 50 years, BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Martin Carthy has been one of folk music’s greatest innovators, one of its best loved, most enthusiastic and, at times, most quietly controversial of figures. His skill, stage presence and natural charm have won him many admirers, not only from within the folk scene, but also far beyond it.
Trailblazing musical partnerships with, amongst others, Steeleye Span, Dave Swarbrick and his award-winning wife (Norma Waterson) and daughter Eliza Carthy have resulted in more than 40 albums, but Martin has only recorded 10 solo albums, of which Waiting for Angels (Topic TSCD527) was the latest. A ballad singer, a ground-breaking acoustic and electric-guitarist and an authoritative interpreter of newly composed material, Martin always prefers to follow an insatiable musical curiosity rather than cash in on his unrivalled position. Perhaps, most significant of all, are his settings of traditional songs with guitar, which have influenced a generation of artists, including Bob Dylan and Paul Simon, on both sides of the Atlantic.
John is one of the most prolific figures on the English folk scene, performing solo, in duos, acoustic groups and electric bands, and has established an enviable reputation as an instrumental virtuoso (melodeon, Anglo concertina and button accordion), as well as a leading interpreter of English folk music. He has been a member of the Albion Country Band, Magic Lantern, The Richard Thompson Band, Umps and Dumps, Steeleye Span, Brass Monkey, Trans-Europe Diatonique, and Band of Hope, as well as numerous ceilidh bands.
As songwriter, composer, choreographer, and musical director, he has contributed to over sixty plays in the theatre and on radio. And as featured artiste, band member, or session player, his music can be heard on over 200 different commercial recordings.
Praise for Martin: `Arguably the greatest English folk song performer, writer, collector and editor of them all’ Q Magazine
‘Carthy is a master of the ballad of substance, songs that tell stories, whether they are traditional, his own or from contemporary writers.’ The Telegraph
Praise for John: English Folk Dance and Song Society’s Gold Badge 2003
(Awarded for his outstanding contribution to English Folk Music)
“Kirkpatrick’s buoyant presence and lust for this music sounds more rampant than ever”Colin Irwin – fRoots 2009
TWO PIANO’S
SATURDAY OCTOBER 13TH £12.50
Its not often we have to cancel a show and to get Two Piano’s to step in at the realatively last minute is wonderful news indeed! Are you ready to rock & roll like it’s the 1950’s again? Two Pianos will take you back in time to celebrate the magnificent “Sun Studios” era, performing classic hits from Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Elvis, Chuck Berry and many more.Your evening will kick of to a rockin’ start as two of the UK’s finest and charismatic rock & roll pianists each individually perfom, along with a five piece band, a score of hits including “Whole Lotta Shakin”, “Never Can Tell”, “Blue Suede Shoes”, “Roll Over Beethoven”, “Honey Don’t”, “True Love Ways”, “Chantilly Lace”, “Johnny B Goode”, “Great Balls Of Fire”, “Oh Boy”, “Blue Berry Hill”, “Love Me Tender”, “You Win Again”, “Maybellene”, plus many more! The evening will progress into a climatic and energetic piano duel between the two pianists, resolving into a memorable night of foot stomping rock & roll! A show that even “The Killer” himself thinks “ROCKS!” Al Kilvo is an Americana piano player from Hull, Yorkshire in England, who plays with a style and verve described as that of the ‘Killer’ Jerry-Lee Lewis himself. As a youngster, Al appeared in many line ups in his native Yorkshire UK before forming an original country-folk band with M.G Greaves and the Lonesome Too. He has toured nationally with Hull’s own Beautiful South taking in major venues such as The Hammersmith Odeon and Edinburgh Playhouse. Al continues to home his skills in the musical styles of Americas southern states.In 2013 Al was invited to record an album with his close friend Johnny Pat in the world famous Sun Studios in Memphis TN with Kenny Lovelace and Robert Hall of The Jerry Lee Lewis band. Subsequently the event and recording have been brilliant and now Al and ‘JP’ are enjoying playing the music they love to a wider audience across Europe and the USA. Later in 2013, Al and JP performed in live venues on world famous Bourbon Street in New Orleans and Phil Brady’s in Baton Rouge as they continue to sell the Americans back their music! Al also continued to perform all over northern England and appeared weekly with his Country band in Cottingham ‘The Fork Handles’David Barton is a pianist and singer from Hull in East Yorkshire. From the age of eight, David developed a passion for the blues and boogie woogie piano, later discovering the art of rock & roll piano and likened to other artists such as Jools Holland, Meade Lux Lewis and Jerry Lee Lewis. At the age of 26, David has already performed alongside some of the world’s most accomplished musicians, including jazz maestro Jamie Cullum, American blues guitarist Walter Trout and classical Mezzo-Soprano Katherine Jenkins to name a few. David has performed in venues around the country, including the prestigious Royal Albert Hall. ‘He’s better than me. I have a funny feeling he will have his own show here one day’ – Jamie Cullum, RAH London.
SHERBURN, BARTLEY & SANDERS.
& Foleys Folly.
SEPTEMBER 29th £10
Following a chance meeting at Whitby Folk Festival in 1993, Chris Sherburn (concertina) and Denny Bartley (vocals and guitar) have been bringing their unique sound to audiences across Europe and America, creating one of folk music’s most enduring partnerships. In this time, they have recorded 7 critically acclaimed albums. Their obvious rapport has made them one of the busiest acts on the folk scene in the guises of their duo work and their well-loved line-up as Last Night’s Fun. Their soul stirring songs, exhilarating tunes and quick wittedness, ensures that no two concerts are ever the same.
Chris and Denny have now teamed up with Emily Sanders (fiddle/viola and vocals) and have become a well-established trio, for the first time blending vocal harmonies and strings to underpin Chris and Denny’s unique sound.
Emily originates from Staffordshire and was a founder member of the acclaimed Isambarde. They recorded 5 albums and came to the attention of Phil Beer who recorded and produced their last album. Emily has also toured with Simon Fowler’s (Ocean Colour Scene) acoustic folk line up, Merrymouth and regularly appears with Pete Morton and Chris Parkinson.
A new album featuring Chris, Denny and Emily (and other guest musicians) is currently being mastered as we write – check the website www.chrisanddenny.co.uk for release dates and more information.
THE HOWL and the HUM.
Sandra’s Wedding. Fiona Lee
September 15th £10
The Howl & The Hum are a miserable disco who write Bond themes for films where Jimmy is still hung up on that girl. They combine dark hypnotic pop with post-punk influences, pierced with lyrics that make you call your mum the next morning.
Following acclaimed sets at Neighbourhood Festival and Loopallu and a debut tour of the Scottish Highlands in 2017, the York-based 4-piece embarked on their first headline tour in England in early 2018 to coincide with the release of new single ‘Portrait I’. Following this the band are releasing a series of new songs leading up to their first festival season featuring appearances at Latitude, The Great Escape, Live at Leeds, Standon Calling and the BBC Biggest Weekend.
“The Howl and The Hum are a seriously great band, from whom you will be hearing a great deal more in the coming months.”
Tom Robinson BBC Radio 6
“The Howl and The Hum are much more than just four lads armed with guitars and a handful of songs. Their sound has depth, imagination and creates an emotive mood. Their lyrical content is like a stream of subconscious poetry which paints dramatic pictures. They’re one of the main names on any movers-and-shakers list when it comes to new bands. We’re buzzing about them and I know the rest of the world will be too when they indulge in their masterpieces.” – Jericho Keys, BBC Music Introducing in York and North Yorkshire
Sandra’s Wedding: My well-thought-out finale to 28 bands in 28 days has suddenly been thrown into turmoil. Having set aside the last two days of my new music feature for a singer/songwriter from New Zealand and a rock ‘n’ roll combo from Finland, I happened to notice, late last night, that an outfit by the name of SANDRA’S WEDDING had started to follow me on twitter. Of course, I reciprocated and was immediately taken aback by the outrageous claim in their Twitter profile (courtesy of a review by Radio York), that the band was ‘a cross between The Beautiful South and The Smiths’. Could it possibly be true? I held my breath, followed the links, and played the first song, “This Heart”, from 2017’s Northern Powerhouse album…….it was love at first listen!
As I worked my way through the album, it became apparent that there was an ace lyricist at work here – anyone rhyming Fray Bentos with asbestos in the middle of a pop song called “Death by Hanging” is top drawer in my book – and that I urgently needed to discover just who the mystery wordsmith was. It also dawned on me that it would be a dereliction of duty not to include Sandra’s Wedding in 28 bands. I certainly couldn’t scratch either of my last two acts (hey, I’m not wasting the hard work I’ve put in), so I’m just going to pretend that it’s a leap year and that February has 29 days this year and therefore 29 bands!
The wedding singer (and songwriter), by the way, is Joe Hodgson and he is backed by Jonny Hughes, guitar, Tom Hill, bass and Luke Harrison on drums. The band hails from Goole and describe their debut album as featuring ‘sepia-tinged songs focusing on love, loss and life in a Northern town’. They credit The Byrds, Randy Newman, ABBA, and, it should go without saying, The Smiths and The Beautiful South among their many influences!
FIONA LEE, is an emerging singer-songwriter from Yorkshire (the bottom of my street to be more precise) with a compelling voice which belies her years. Her songs tell tales of teenage life with both innocent simplicity and impressively mature observations. Having taught herself to play guitar, she discovered her true voice at a local acoustic night; since then she has been performing her songs publicly at every opportunity.
LIVE/WIRE
September 1st SOLD OUT….SOLD OUT….SOLD OUT….
There’s a good reason we keep inviting Live/Wire back……They are simply….Awesome!! Live/Wire is The AC/DC Show. The hugely successful and unique six-man tribute to rock music’s greatest band AC/DC, complete with cannons, a wall of Marshalls’ and over two hours of High Voltage Rock ‘n’ Roll in a show critically acclaimed for its closeness in look and sound to the real thing.
Originally frontingAC/DCwas legendary front man Bon Scott, a wild man of rock and roll, whose untimely death shocked the World in 1980. This event came at a time when the Band were sampling global success for the first time. Dave delivers songs from the Band’s first half dozen albums from Dirty Deeds to Highway to Hell with Bon’s inimitable attitude, style and charisma.
AC/DC turned to Brian Johnson in order to fill the void left by Bon. Brian’s searing vocals Iced Back in Black, one of the best-selling rock albums of all time! Podge Blacksmith, a double take for Brian, gives a vocal masterclass which is un-paralleled in his half of the show and brings it bang up to date with more classic tracks right up to AC/DC’s hugely successful recent album, Rock or Bust.
The thundering freight train of a rhythm section keeps it all meticulously together with Dan as the metronomic Malcolm Young on rhythm guitar. Ed as the mercurial Cliff Williams on Bass Guitar. Paul behind the kit as Phil Rudd and Chris Slade rolled into one. With the Rhythm section ‘locked in’ the freedom of the stage and the music is given to Simon as Angus Youngwho delivers an uncanny performance with meticulous detail in appearance, energy and his note for note heartfelt renditions song after song. Simon honed his craft over many years and is a livewire during his two-hour plus Axe fettling duck-walking extravaganza of bedevilled Rock and Roll.
The band aim to put you slap bang in the middle of the show with hit after hit, and you are expected to join in ! There’ll also be one or two gems thrown in for the aficionados!
We’d be hung, drawn and quartered if we didn’t play all the classics, Back in Black, Rosie, Highway to hell are all there, and the songs keep on coming until the cannons fire ceremoniously to bring the evening to a superb crescendo. If by this time you are still standing…we salute you! Long Live AC/DC…… Long Live LIVE/WIRE!!
2018!
21 in 21!
SNAKE DAVIS & THE BURDEN OF PARADISE
The 20th & 21st Anniversary concerts for The Yorkshire Cancer Centre Appeal. Help us pop £50k!
May 26th. £20 With The Tea Band and Martin Pierson.
It’s simple, if you know how to do it.
With Snake Davis, saxes, flutes, vocals. Helen Watson, guitar/vocals. Dave Bowie Junior, double bass/vocals.Breathtaking skill, warm co-operation and witty anarchic banter. Burden Of Paradise invites its audience into a world of tenderness, virtuosity and human frailty.
No drums. Just voice, saxophone and double bass. BoP’s unique interpretations of evocative songs from Dylan to Dowland are spell-binding.
Helen Watson sings like an angel, and Snake Davis’s saxophone has played a key role for a huge number of bands from M People to Eurythmics.
30 words..
Breathtaking skill, warm co-operation and witty anarchic banter, inviting audiences into a world of tenderness, virtuosity and human frailty.
Voice, saxophone, double bass.
Watson sings like an angel, Davis oozes soul.
The name:
We are all in paradise, if only we knew it. The burden is to accept it.
TOO REX
Friday May 25th. £17.50
Featuring the incredible Bobby T as Marc Bolan, Too REX bring back the Glam Rock era of the seventies to enthusiastic audiences across the land. With a magical spell binding show that covers most of Marc Bolan’s career, from the early hippy period of Tyrannosaurus REX to the megastar, chart topping days of T-REX, complete with real vintage equpiment, full costume changes, glitter, and more than a dash of star quality, Too REX, the band, come incredibly close to the real thing.
The two hour show usually includes some early singles such as “Deborah”, and “One Inch Rock” and “Ride A White Swan” to the huge hits like “Get It On”, “Telegram Sam”, Hot Love”, “Jeepster” and Children of the Revolution”, to some of the fondly remembered album material, including tracks from the acclaimed Billy Elliot movie soundtrack and even recent blockbuster movie School of Rock with Jack Black who is an avid T.REX fan!
Too Rex have done the Yorks Cancer Appeal show twice before so it is a tremendous pleasure to invite them back for this landmark event.
Registered Charity Number 107530
I’ve always avoided incorporating the personal story that goes with these fundraisers, but given that these two shows are such a landmark and the money we would like to raise has a specific target of £7,000, far more than we have raised in one go before, it may help a little to illustrate the story a bit more?
In 1989 I was diagnosed with testicular cancer, in common with a lot of men I had been dumb and in denial that there was anything wrong, as a result it had spread to my bowel, lung and lymph glands. I went to The Cookridge Cancer Centre near Leeds where the wonderful team there worked their magic and cured me. They saved my life, for which I am eternally grateful.
Following a shedload of “shall we shan’t we” conversations, usually in the pub at last orders, the very first fundraising concert was held in the Shire Hall at Howden in February of 1998 with Jim Diamond and Brian Willoughby, thanks in no small part to Martin Pierson who organised all of the musicians appearing that night. Just over £2k was raised and that seemed to be it, nothing happened in 1999 then….following a chat about bands that were still around in the pub..there’s a theme developing here…..The Groundhogs were booked for the second one and….that was it, the annual Cookridge Cancer Centre Appeal was up and running.
The following years, in no particular order, featured: Midge Ure, Jim Diamond & Snake Davis, (twice) Chris Farlowe, Waterson:Carthy, Hats Off To Led Zeppelin, Too Tex (twice) Mungo Jerry, Lindisfarne, Wilko Johnson and John Otway, Snake Davis & The Suspicions, The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, pretty sure I’ve missed one or two but you get the idea…..
A few years ago Cookridge closed and the Oncology Centre at St James Hospital in Leeds was opened and The Yorkshire Cancer Centre Appeal was born, this year we have the 2oth and 21st fundraising shows for your delectation! Both artists who have helped raise funds in the past, they are:
On Friday May 25th, Too REX, a superlative tribute to T Rex, all the hits and more, a guaranteed grand night out. Tickets £17.50.
The following evening, Saturday May 26th, we have SNAKE DAVIS & THE BURDON OF PARADISE. Breathtaking skill, warm co-operation and witty anarchic banter, inviting audiences into a world of tenderness, virtuosity and human frailty. Voice, saxophone, double bass. Watson sings like an angel, Davis oozes soul. We are all in paradise, if only we knew it. The burden is to accept it. £20
Tickets for both shows are available from Touchwood Homecare in Howden, 01430 431535 and online at http://www.howden-live.com
Up until last year we had raised £43k over the years for the appeal, its a big gap and a big ask but we would like to try and pop £50k this year so we need to raise £7k. You can help by kindly donating to the appeal here or, better still, buy tickets for one of the gigs, maybe both?
Cancer is a nasty, insidious disease and affects everyone’s lives in one way or another whether it be on a personal basis, family or friends. Help combat it by supporting these events and contribute to the marvellous work carried out at St James’s, thank you, Mark Rodger.
THE HOWDEN VINTAGE DAY
Revisit the ’40’s. ’50’s & ”60’s.
APRIL 28th 12pm to 6pm ish Howden Market Place 
A new initiative from Howden Live. An afternoon of dance, music, vintage stalls,children’s vintage rides and games, displays, vintage vehicles, motorcycles and scooters, re-enactment, cinema and storytelling. Howden Minster hosts a vintage wedding dress display along with wedding photographs from the event itself!
Confirmed live entertainment outside during the day the day in the marketplace, which will be closed off, consists of The Moodswings, The Academy of Theatre Studies, The Kingston Swing Dancers, Rayner Rock ‘n Roll, The Trebels and Rockin’em. All compared and hosted by Major Swing. Old newsreel films and suchlike will be screened in the Reid Wilford Studio downstairs at the Shire Hall and former Land Army girl Iris relating her wartime experiences next door in the Shire Hall Tea Rooms. Local shops have been encouraged to set up a vintage theme for the day and everyone that comes along is jovially encouraged to dress up in something vintage, Lindy hopper, Rock’n Roller, Zoot suit, Mod, Rocker, you choose! Other venues tba will be presenting live period music during the evening, the highlight of which, in the Shire Hall will be:
THE GLEN MILLER LEGACY
THE NORTHERN SHOWTIME ORCHESTRA & The Moodswings.
SATURDAY APRIL 28th £12.50
A long overdue return for the Northern Showtime Orchestra as part of the Howden Vintage weekend.
The Glenn Miller Legacy show traces the career of the swing era band leader from jobbing musician to band leader and air force captain, performing all his greatest tunes and telling the story behind each piece, with the aid of slides and narrations.
He said: “Playing trombone myself I have always admired what Glenn Miller achieved with his orchestra. He was one of the true musical icons of the 20th century and his music has significance for so many people in the Western world. For this show we have researched the archives and will recreate many of his greatest records.”
The orchestra is gaining national recognition for its range of theatre-style shows, recreating original musical performances of the legendary musicians and singers.
The band’s members include Tony, also a member of the George Bradley Big Band, the Geoff Laycock Orchestra and other UK brass and big bands; Kathy Seabrook, one of the country’s leading flautists; Graham Quilter, on clarinet and saxophone; trumpet player Nigel Blenkiron, pianist Dave Clegg and guitarist and singer Richard Adams.
THE BAR -STEWARD SONS OF VAL DOONICAN
April 14th £12.
Put on yer finest knitted gladrags, style your barnet, put on your dancing shoes and bring your finest singing voices, as we cordially invite you to witness the Greatest Show On Earth (in tank-tops).
Hailing from Barnsley Rock City, The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican are on a mission! Determined to follow in their spiritual father’s immortal footsteps and keep his legacy alive, they have a talent for Bar-Stewardizing other famous people’s songs with new comedy lyrics, on acoustic geetar, ukulele, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, accordion, keyboards and kazoo. To complete their squeaky-clean image, estranged brothers Scott, Björn and Alan have become instantly recognisable for their immaculate hair and their stylish choice of sexy knitwear.
The Bar-Steward Sons have, in their 11 year history played over 850 side-splitting shows and have brought smiles and belly-laughs to audiences across the UK; from Barnsley to Barnstaple, from Glasgow to Glastonbury. They continue to wow audiences with a fine selection of their greatest hits, including the likes of “Jump Ararnd”, “Tarnlife”, “The Lady In Greggs”, “Nandos”, “Fight For Your Pint”, “Bono Bloody Bono”, “Since You’ve Been Ron”, “She’s From Dodworth”, “Walking In Manp**s” and “If I Could Punch A Face… It’d Be Justin Bieber’s”.
The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican can’t wait to bring their shindig to Howden Live and they promise that they WILL rock you… but gently!
What folk had to say about The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican:
“The greatest thing to come out of Barnsley, since the A61 to Sheffield”
Jarvis Cocker, Pulp
“Loved The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican. Great fun”
Jason Manford, comedian
“The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican are very, very funny… one of the hardest working bands on the planet”
Mike Harding, comedian, folk-musician, author & broadcaster
“A ridiculous family of genius, hilarious, irresistible music makers, currently crowd-surfing to the bar all over the great county of Yorkshire and beyond, into the venues and music festivals of the UK. They’re quality.”
Eliza Carthy MBE, folk-musician
“They deserve the reputation they have earned as one of the festival scenes hottest bookings.”
UK Festival Guides Review
“Bristles with proper belly-laugh moments… a LOL-a-minute through a variety of perfect pastiches. If there is any justice, the Doonicans deserve to be all over your Saturday night telly.”
‘R n R Magazine’ (5-Star Review)
HEART OF GLASS
MARCH 31st
SOLD OUT….SOLD OUT…. Please note that we can only refund tickets if we are able to re sell them. With that in mind its always worth turning up on the door as there is always the odd one or two available, poorly people and suchlike…….
The show is partially seated with a standing area, you probably won’t want to sit down anyway……..
A record breaking 13th! appearance at the Shire Hall. There’s a good reason we keep asking this band back and that is that they provide a cast iron guarantee of a superb night out!
A tribute to Blondie fronted by the delectable Denise Danielle described as ‘the closest to Debbie Harry yet!’
Heart of Glass are the foremost Blondie Tribute band in the UK and the only one that is fully professional. Lead singer Denise Danielle who has put together a stunning replication of a ‘Blondie’ show with all the favourite classics plus a lot more: Atomic, Maria, The Tide Is High, Hanging On The Telephone, Call Me, Denis, One Way Or Another, Sunday Girl and many, many more.
Denise prides herself on authenticity and does 6 costume changes during a show, each reflecting upon the various songs. There is no finer exponent of the songs, style and raw energy of Deborah Harry and Blondie. This will be a real treat to see this band – it will be like experiencing the real Blondie in 1978
THE JUKE JOINT KINGS
& Dogfinger Steve
£8 SATURDAY MARCH 17th
Hailing from East Yorkshire, the Juke Joint Kings are a five-piece blues band, inspired by the classic electric-blues kings from whom they derive their name (Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, BB King, Jimmy Reed and Otis Rush to name but a few).
The band met over a series of musical free-for-alls at the monthly Blues Sunday at the Sun Inn Beverley; an open mic for blues fans and musicians of all abilities, hosted by none other than IBBA favourite Half Deaf Clatch at the time.
Being a Sunday, electric blues with a full drum kit couldn’t be accommodated, so a small group of participants (Brian Williams and Graham Hyde – Chicago Bound/This Way Up and Chris and Sara Saunders – Bad Hat Harry) began to look for an opportunity to ‘cut loose with some Chicago Blues’; it arrived in the form of a Steve Lawley’s postcard in a local music shop (‘Grumpy Drummer seeks blues band’).
After several happy months playing together whenever they could, they sought a spot at the Beverley Blues Weekender and were so well received that they decided to quit their other bands to focus full time on the ‘Juke Joint Kings’.
Their debut ‘accidental’ album, Live at The Stonemasons (a live recording initially intended for personal use only), received a very positive review in Blues Matters (issue 95) described as ‘having quality in every department’ and was just the boost the band needed to know they were on the right track.
Since then they have supported Tom Attah and the Bad Man Clan, The Revolutionaries and The Della Grants to name a few, and are regulars on the blues scene in Hull and Yorkshire.
Their second album is due to be released later in 2018, and will feature some of the original material, as well as the classic blues standards, that have been stirring up audiences over the past year and drawn fans from across the UK and Europe.
Dogfinger Steve, a Howden favourite, self penned, stompin’ cigar box guitar toons performed with passion and their very own brand of originality. Five years ago Dogfinger was born, stomping out a boutique brand of dirty swamp slide blues music on 3 and 4 string homegrown cigar box guitars and stompboxes. Three CDs and hundreds of gigs down the line, supports with the likes of Chris Helme, Skerryvore, Paul Liddell, many many festival appearances including Freedom, Beverley Blues, Beverley Folk… The Dogfinger army grows and gigs are always seat of the pants swamp fun.
GARY STEWART’S GRACELAND
HOWDEN MINSTER.
FRIDAY MARCH 16th £15
MARCH 3rd £6.50
Sandra’s Wedding: Bernie Laverick & The Made In Hull Band: Fiona Lee
THE JAR FAMILY
The Jar Family may have had to cancel due to the weather but Howden Live haven’t!. The show will go on!
Out of the ashes and all that…….. Its a pleasure to announce that the humungously talented Sandra’s Wedding have stepped in at the very, very last minute and we have also added the wonderful Fiona Lee to the bill too, with Bernie Laverick and The Made In Hull Bandstill still calling by we still have a gig of mention folks!
Because of the difficulties inherent with contacing all of the ticket holders at this late stage anyone turning up will be offered a part refund if they care to stay for the reorginised show or a full refund if not. Not sure about a re organised date for The Jar Family as yet, we need to check available dates.
Our grateful thanks to Sandra’s Wedding, Fiona and Bernie for still allowing us to have a show, if its safe for you to travel (Its well clear for miles and miles around round here, if a tad nippy) Please do, we will really appreciate that too.
My well-thought-out finale to 28 bands in 28 days has suddenly been thrown into turmoil. Having set aside the last two days of my new music feature for a singer/songwriter from New Zealand and a rock ‘n’ roll combo from Finland, I happened to notice, late last night, that an outfit by the name of SANDRA’S WEDDING had started to follow me on twitter. Of course, I reciprocated and was immediately taken aback by the outrageous claim in their Twitter profile (courtesy of a review by Radio York), that the band was ‘a cross between The Beautiful South and The Smiths’. Could it possibly be true? I held my breath, followed the links, and played the first song, “This Heart”, from 2017’s Northern Powerhouse album…….it was love at first listen!
As I worked my way through the album, it became apparent that there was an ace lyricist at work here – anyone rhyming Fray Bentos with asbestos in the middle of a pop song called “Death by Hanging” is top drawer in my book – and that I urgently needed to discover just who the mystery wordsmith was. It also dawned on me that it would be a dereliction of duty not to include Sandra’s Wedding in 28 bands. I certainly couldn’t scratch either of my last two acts (hey, I’m not wasting the hard work I’ve put in), so I’m just going to pretend that it’s a leap year and that February has 29 days this year and therefore 29 bands!
The wedding singer (and songwriter), by the way, is Joe Hodgson and he is backed by Jonny Hughes, guitar, Tom Hill, bass and Luke Harrison on drums. The band hails from Goole and describe their debut album as featuring ‘sepia-tinged songs focusing on love, loss and life in a Northern town’. They credit The Byrds, Randy Newman, ABBA, and, it should go without saying, The Smiths and The Beautiful South among their many influences!
Bernie Laverick’s Made In Hull Band went into the studio for two months last year to record ‘Another Day’, a collection of passionate and radical folk-rock songs that has created a huge amount of interest. A recent review published in ‘The Socialist’ concluded… “Another Day stands in the best tradition of British radical folk music. Its catchy tunes are instantly memorable and have a pop sensibility that disarms. But this belies a greater depth of lyric which challenges you to look at the world in a different light.” The band received a rapturous reception at their recent packed out launch gig at Kardomah94; its high energy performance and passionate delivery steamrolled through the set winning themselves multiple re-bookings from the venue owner. The full band boasts a seven piece line-up but can still deliver a punchy set with its core members; acoustic/electric guitars, banjo, bass and drums. It’s folk and it’s rock, with some pop and skiffle thrown into the mix that compliment the politically charged lyrics. Bernie Laverick’s MiH Band take no prisoners. It’s do or die!
FIONA LEE, is an emerging singer-songwriter from Yorkshire (the bottom of my street to be more precise) with a compelling voice which belies her years. Her songs tell tales of teenage life with both innocent simplicity and impressively mature observations. Having taught herself to play guitar, she discovered her true voice at a local acoustic night; since then she has been performing her songs publicly at every opportunity.
JO HARMAN & band
& Steve Fulsham
FEBRUARY 17th £15.
“A voice that leaves you speechless” ~ Huey Morgan,BBC Radio 2
Widely regarded the most exciting blues, soul and roots artist to emerge in Europe for decades, Jo Harman performs in support of her critically acclaimed, and commercially successful, second studio album ‘People We Become’, from which the track ‘When We Were Young (featuring soul superstar Michael McDonald) was BBC Radio 2 playlisted.
From blues to soul, gospel to Beatles-worthy pop, ‘People We Become’ is a modern album rooted in the timeless music of past generations.
Jo has had a remarkable rise to success. In 2013 she performed to over 300,000 people at Parkpop festival in the Netherlands, in 2015 she was headhunted by Amnesty International to perform at their prestigious awards alongside Joan Baez and Patti Smith, and in 2017 she made her US debut at Joe’s Pub New York, the stage where Adele and Amy Winehouse made their American debuts.
Live, her soul fuelled show ranges from hard rock to intimate, heart-warming ballads and features both her own emotive songwriting as well as personal takes on well-known standards.
And not to mention a rare acoustic outing for the man known as Steve Fulsham, he is very good.
Be amazed here……
BOO HEWERDINE
& Fiona Lee
FEBRUARY 3rd. £12
Boo Hewerdine is well known as one of the greatest (and busiest) songwriter performers in the business, but incredibly, it’s been 7 years since Boo released his last studio album of original material God Bless The Pretty Things (Reveal Records 2009). Not that Hewerdine has been inactive, far from it, the period has been the most productive of his career.
Boo wrote Radio Ballads for the BBC’s Olympic and recent Child Migration series. Elsewhere new songs were commissioned for art galleries and museums, including the Beneath The Dark Cloth project at the Met in New York. There has been a huge array of writing and producing with both established and upcoming artists and ‘passing something on’ to budding writers via his much loved songwriting workshops.
Boo spent three years writing a daily blog (http://boohewerdinesblogthing.blogspot.co.uk) which lead to podcast fun with that staff of The WORD (RIP) and invitations to join Radio broadcasts such as The Verb (BBC Radio 3) and a moment of personal satisfaction when his work was included in the radio round up Pick Of The Week on BBC Radio 4.
A chance meeting with American guitarist Brooks Williams one snowy night in Ely lead the pair to form State Of The Union (a duo who’s sound is simple, vibrant and alive, contemporary songs wrapped up in old time blues and country soul. State of The Union have recorded and released two albums and an EP, in quick succession, live in the studio with engineer Mark Freegard, the duo appeared on BBC1 TV Andrew Marr show performing their cover of Pet Shop Boys Rent.
Hewerdine wrote lyrics and played on over 30 new recordings by and with other artists during the period including the acclaimed 2014 album (Vagabond) and 2015 EP (Back The Dogs) with Scottish singer Eddi Reader, Last Man Standing EP (2015) with Kris Drever of Lau and Duke Special. Reveal Records compiled the first document of his career to date with a fine Best of compilation “My Name In Brackets” and swiftly followed that with an album of lost recordings found in a box! This album was Open which received five star reviews and was number 5 in the Telegraph Albums of The Year 2015. Last year was spent writing and producing an ambitious new double album and theatrical show for Chris Difford of Squeeze, details of which are soon to be announced. All that and Boo toured with Eddi Reader in Europe, Asia and played a series of sell out headline shows in the UK and an invite to host Boo Hewerdine & Friends songwriters circle at London’s Kings Place. There has not been a moment when Boo Hewerdine has not been working on something creative. His every day continues to be full of music and he has waited patiently to tell some older personal stories that will feature on his new May 2016 released Born EP and forthcoming Swimming In Mercury album (due September 2nd on Reveal Records).
Hewerdine says…
“I felt like I had to wait for the right time to tell some old stories, working on the Best of compilation My Name In Brackets and finding the Open recordings took me back a little, each song a placed me in a memory. I soon realised I had to go further and revisit the time when I was first making music. Taking the bus down to Rough Trade in London with my demo tape Julia, playing cheap guitars with broken strings.
For Swimming In Mercury and Born I have used instruments I’ve not used for years. The process has been more akin to when I was starting out in an indie band. I used my father’s old beat up piano and I wrote some songs with my son, Ben which was great. The lyrics came fast, I trusting my pen.
“There was West Side Story
A Minuteman was flying
New elements half dying
Catch 22”
(The Year That I Was Born)
It blows my mind that I still have the opportunity to make music, that I have a voice and that there are people who want to hear and release it. Time is precious and this is the music that I needed to make.”
FIONA LEE, is an emerging singer-songwriter from Yorkshire (the bottom of my street to be more precise) with a compelling voice which belies her years. Her songs tell tales of teenage life with both innocent simplicity and impressively mature observations. Having taught herself to play guitar, she discovered her true voice at a local acoustic night; since then she has been performing her songs publicly at every opportunity.
BON GIOVI
JANUARY 20th. £15
What is becoming a traditional opener for the Howden Live Year with a welcome return for BON GIOVI. Fronted by UK’s leading Jon Bon Jovi impersonator Gary Williams, the band have not only toured lengthily around the UK, for clients such as Harley Davidson, Vodafone, Butlins, Chicago Rock Cafes, Yates, Walkabouts, The British Motorcycle Federation and Jack Daniels, but have also performed internationally in over 25 countries, including The Middle East, Russia, Slovenia, Austria, Cyprus, Turkey, Greece, Holland, Germany, Belgium, Spain, France and Ireland to name but a few.
Bon Giovi were also the only UK tribute act to be asked to make a guest appearance on the New Jersey tribute album “Garden State Of Mind Vol. 1”, A celebration of Bon Jovi musical career to date.
Covering every aspect of Bon Jovi’s extensive career, BON GIOVI perform all the greatest hits such as ‘Living On A Prayer’, It’s My Life, Wanted Dead or Alive, as well as many others from every album ever produced in one amazing stage show which include all these hits and more, not too mention performing rare tracks that even Bon Jovi haven’t performed for many years.So if you’re ready to ‘Runaway’ on ‘One Wild Night’ down that ‘Lost Highway’ for a taste of the some of the world’s greatest Stadium Anthems, the closest you’ll get to the Real Thing.
BON GIOVI are the World’s Premier look-alike and sound alike Tribute to the New Jersey rockers Bon Jovi.
Formed in August of 1999, with over 16 years UK and International touring experience as a band and nearly 5 times that combined from individual members, this act is without compromise one of the best Tribute acts on the circuit today.
2017
THE AUTUMN SEASON!
THE REVOLUTIONAIRES!
& Bernie Laverick and The Made In Hull Band
Saturday December 2nd £12.50
So good we booked them twice! Without doubt one of the very best bands ever to have appeared on the Shire Hall stage and they are in some illustrious company believe me…
Established within the ‘hotbed’ of the North East music scene in the UK, they power out jumpin’ hot rhythm & blues in their own indomitable hard hitting style.
Primarily, they are influenced by 1940’s and 1950’s R&B. In particular, Louis Jordan, Big Joe Turner, Little Richard, Chuck Berry and Roy Brown but have adopted a harder and more aggressive approach, synonymous with modern blues artists such as Stevie Ray Vaughan, Duke Robillard, Jools Holland and Mike Henderson which helps create their own high energy sound.
Over the last decade, The Revolutionaires have established themselves on the UK and European Rockin’ circuit, as well as the Blues scene.
They have toured extensively both in the UK and abroad, performing at festivals in Ireland, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Holland, Germany, Norway, Denmark, Italy, Spain, Malta and Dubai.
Highlights include performing at festivals with artistes such as Jerry Lee Lewis, Sting, Tom Jones, Hugh Laurie, Jimmie Vaughan, Robert Cray, Walter Trout, Eric Bibb, Albert Lee, Snake Davis and Dave Edmunds.
Now also touring with their Big Band project which consists of extra horns and pianist, The Revs are hitting the Festival circuit with this power house line up and big sound.
They have recorded five CDs to date containing a collection of Hot Rockin’ R&B tracks. Each CD captures the ‘rawness’ and sheer energy of the band, who like to give their performances a ‘hard-edged’ vibe!
Bernie Laverick and The Made In Hull Band: The band received a rapturous reception at their recent packed out launch gig at Kardomah94 its high energy performance and passionate delivery steamrolled through the set. It’s folk and it’s rock, with some pop and skiffle thrown into the mix that compliment the politically charged lyrics. Bernie Laverick and the MiH Band take no prisoners. It’s do or die!
CARL PALMERS ELP Legacy Tour 2017.
SOLD OUT…SOLD OUT…SOLD OUT…
A tribute to Keith Emmerson, Greg Lake and John Wetton.
& Vinnie Whitehead
Saturday November 25th £22.50
“The up and coming tour in November is a celebration of the music I have made over the years with Keith and Greg and also John Wetton who has died this year.
These are three very important people in my life .And all three died within a ten month period of each other it was a great loss to us all
I look forward to playing some of the music I personally made with all of them over the years on my November tour.” Carl Palmer.
Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy has been thrilling audiences with its innovative new versions of classic Emerson Lake & Palmer songs and rocked-out power-trio versions of classical music hits. Palmer, named by ROLLING STONE magazine as one of the 10 greatest drummers of all time, is a dynamic showman and has been performing for nearly four decades with some of musicʼs most memorable bands including Atomic Rooster, The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, Asia and Emerson, Lake & Palmer.
Palmer will present bold, new arrangements of the best-loved instrumental music of ELP, and other composers. A multi-media experience combining music and video projection, the show promises to be among the most musically compelling tours of the year. Carl Palmer ELP Legacy is a red-hot power trio that features Palmer on drums and percussion; guitarist Paul Bielatowicz and bassist Simon Fitzpatrick. “Since 2001, I have been playing with my own power trio, replacing the keyboards with electric guitar,” says Palmer. “I felt that was the only honest way to approach the music of ELP. I didn’t want to have a singer trying to sound like Greg Lake. ELP did so much instrumental music, this format made sense to me. The idea was to re-invent the music; there will be several new classic ELP tunes this time around.” Palmer also recently launched his official ELP website: www.emersonlakeandpalmerworldwide.com Carl Palmer’s ELP Legacy will play nearly two hours and drum enthusiasts can expect an evening of compelling percussive skills, from the man who brought the drum set to the forefront of rock n roll music.
Vinnie Whitehead is an all round entertainer who acknowledges and interacts with his audience. He writes music in a punky acoustic style and with a self deprecating sense of humour his lyrics take a wry look at real life events and experiences that audiences soon identify with. The result is great story telling over a musical soup incorporating Funk, Blues and Country with a Hip Hop thread binding it all together. The music carries a certain, energetic pop edge and Vinnie is renowned for his live stage presence and crowd banter that has been likened to that of a stand up comedian. 
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THE TIM KLIPHUIS TRIO
10th Anniversary Concert
Saturday November 11th £14
Regular Shire Hall performers The Tim Kliphuis Trio return to celebrate highlights from their 10-year career: jaw-dropping Django-gypsy jazz, beautiful traditional melodies and mesmerizing improvisations from their ground-breaking Vivaldi CD “Reflecting the Seasons”.
The Tim Kliphuis Trio met in Glasgow in 2006 and embarked on their first UK tour that same year. Their electrifying performances soon found them at the Richard Strauss Festival, Celtic Connections and the Amsterdam Canal Concert, to an audience of 10.000. Recent successes include concerts with the Netherlands Chamber Orchestra and Tallin Chamber Orchestra, and a 3-record deal with SONY Classical.
Tim Kliphuis – violin
Nigel Clark – guitar
Roy Percy – double bass
Award-winning Dutch violinist Tim Kliphuis breathes new life into existing styles with a high-energy blend of classical, gypsy jazz and folk music. His improvised sound is totally new and has popular appeal.
Classically trained and widely regarded as Stéphane Grappelli’s heir, regularly on tour with the fiery European gypsy guitarists, Kliphuis is a highly personal and inspiring performer, composer and educator.
He has shared the stage with legends Frankie Gavin, Richard Galliano and Les Paul and has been lauded for his musical genius by Nigel Kennedy. He was awarded the Scottish Jazz Award (International), has collaborated with the Richard Strauss Festival and Netherlands Chamber Orchestra and is the curator of the Fifty Fiddles Festival, in Rotterdam’s De Doelen concert hall.
“Winningly playful and technically brilliant” – The Scotsman
“One of the world’s finest fiddlers” – County Times
“Prodigiously talented, fearsomely fast and fun” – Time Out
An in-demand educator, Kliphuis is the author of best-selling Mel Bay books ‘Stéphane Grappelli Gypsy Jazz Violin’ and ‘Grappelli Licks’, the ‘Hot Jazz Violin’ DVDs and Jazz Etudes on video. His workshops and masterclasses have been featured at festivals, conservatoires and summer courses in the USA, Canada, UK, South Africa, Japan and Europe. Tim teaches improvisation at the Amsterdam and Tilburg conservatoires and hosts the annual sell-out Grappelli-Django Camp back home in Holland every August.
STEPHEN DALE PETIT
& Dogfinger Steve
Saturday October 28th £12.50
In the age of the TV talent show and the corporate pop cabal, Stephen Dale Petit is leading the resistance. He’s a man on a mission, sworn to establish the blues as the dominant force in popular culture. He’s a riot-starter and rabble-rouser, blowing out speakers with the “thrusting hooligan anthems” (Mojo) of his acclaimed studio work and igniting a new venue each night with his “raw, fresh energy” (The Times). He’s a genre spokesman and bluesman savant, whose BLUnivErSity lectures reboot the old masters for the modern age, while rallying new recruits to the cause. No wonder that Guitar & Bass cited Petit as “proof positive that the blues can move forward in the 21st century”.
All the best bluesmen come with a backstory, and at 46, Petit has walked a winding path to the head of the modern scene. If his 1969 birth in California’s Joshua Tree desert was prescient – he was delivered by a passing doctor with a passion for the blues – then the acquisition of a Gibson SG at the age of twelve confirmed his calling. “The reason I’m on the planet is to play blues guitar,” Petit told BBC News. “I’m on a mission to spread the word about the blues and about the guitar – especially to young music lovers.”
Petit’s own epiphany hit hard. Rewind to his adolescence in the early-’80s and his formative influences were growing daily, taking in the vintage US heavyweights (Robert Johnson, Elmore James, Son House) and the British upstarts (Cream, Zeppelin, Yardbirds). Soon, he began his own precocious march on the Californian club circuit, playing five nights a week, cutting heads with senior players, jamming with titans including B.B. and Albert King, and immersing himself in the genre’s ethos. “The blues is a beautiful thing out of the cesspool of human nastiness,” Petit told Classic Rock. “This music was forged in horrific conditions. It was really the wail of a soul of a subculture of society in America. As a teenager, I was scared by it – but I couldn’t escape the pull.”
By the early-’90s, the bluesman’s love of the British boomers had lured him to the epicentre – London – for a period whose dazzling highs were offset by desperate lows. Collaboration and friendship with musicians including Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, Mick Jones and David Gilmour should have been his springboard, yet as the drugs flowed, Petit floundered, losing his momentum to addiction and dangling his talent by a thread. “It got to basically living on the street,” he recalled. “It was the blues that saved me. There was a moment when the choice was pretty clear: ‘Am I just going to be a drug addict and is my passion going to be washed down the toilet…?’”
Following that moment of clarity, Petit clawed himself back from the brink, regaining his confidence as a performer by busking in the bearpit of the London Underground, and attracting both a grass-roots fanbase and a media profile. “People started asking if they could buy the music they were hearing, and I didn’t have anything,” he says. “So I set about recording Guitararama.”
Guitararama proved to be the line in the sand. Originally self-financed and released in a limited pressing of 5,000 units, the buzz prompted a reissue in 2008 (with distribution from Universal) and pricked up the ears of media tastemakers. Suddenly, this former best-kept-secret was a regular guest on BBC Radio 2 (try 2011’s The BBC Sessions for a collection of his appearances) and a fixture in the music press, who declared Petit’s incendiary Firebird fretwork to “occupy a stunning middle-ground between the fire of Freddie King, the instinct of Jimmy Page and the soul of Clapton” (Classic Rock).
By 2010, The Crave upped the ante (included by Classic Rock in the Top 50 Albums Of The Year), while in 2013, the man in the hat raised the bar with Cracking The Code. Patently Petit’s most ambitious release to date, the album was home to his most ferocious originals, from Get You Off to Riot City, bolstered by A-list guests including Dr John, Mick Taylor and Hubert Sumlin. Tracking his solos mere days before his death, Howlin’ Wolf’s iconic guitarist gave Petit a glowing endorsement, “If a lot of people could play like you, shit, I’d sit back and smile”, and the wider reaction was just as receptive, with Cracking The Code deemed “rampant perfection” by The Blues.
Somehow, throughout this dizzying rise, Petit stuck resolutely to his guns. In 2007, the bandleader began spreading the word though his famous BLUnivErSity lecture tours, speaking at the UK’s universities and reeling uninitiated students into the genre with his charisma and insight. In 2010, he pulled together a crack squad of high-profile musicians, including Chris Barber, Ronnie Wood and Mick Taylor, in a successful bid to protect the iconic 100 Club (a venue that Petit dubs his “spiritual home”, having played there on more than twenty occasions).
That same year, Petit hit the High Voltage Festival in London for a decibel-limit-defying set that was bottled by the legendary Ronnie Lane Mobile Recording Unit. The resulting album – Live At High Voltage – was initially issued in 2012 in a vinyl-only, limited-edition run, before its near-mythical status sparked the 2014 digital reissue. “This is hands down the greatest live record you’ll ever hear,” raved The Blues in a 10/10 review. “Even The Who didn’t quite reach the intensity of Petit and friends.”
True to his word, this is a man on a mission. And in 2016, with Petit returning from double-headlining with blues-rock titan Walter Trout, there’s no mistaking a man who means every line, every lick, every fleck of spittle and drop of sweat. “I want to see the blues become mainstream,” he says. “I want to see it become common currency in the discourse of modern popular culture. I want to see it become blues city.”
WILD WILLY BARRETT & THE FRENCH CONNECTION
& Martyn Barker
Saturday October 14th £12
You won’t find another band like Wild Willy Barrett’s French Connection. From a Parisian café via a Dublin hooley to a New Orleans party with rip-roaring fiddle & banjo.
Imagine stumbling across a smoky back street bar, late night jam: Django Reinhardt & The Pogues; Robert Johnson accompanies Edith Piaf; Bob Marley’s jammin’ with Stéphane Grappelli; Tom Waits joins in. This is French Connection.
As the versatile and heartrending vocals of French singer Aurora Colson take centre stage, the quartet perform stunning original compositions and arrangements on guitar, cello, harmonium, whistle, fiddle, banjo and Irish pipes.
Enjoy a wonderful evening of unique musical entertainment overlaid with a large dose of dry humour, very different from anything else you will experience in the UK at the moment.
The group was born by a chance encounter in 2002 when Willy appraoached a cellist he saw performing with a belly dancing troupe. “Willy was living on the Grand Union Canal near Tring. He saw and heard me playing and dancing in the garden of a pub close to wwhere his boat was moored and came rushing over with the immortal words “Would you like to join my band?” IKnew who he was but must admit to being suspicious wether it was the cello playing or me he was interested in, so it tookm lots of telephone calls and persuading for me to audition for the band. Turns out, he was interested in both, we are now married.
The Willy that Mary refers to is Wild Willy Barrett, known as the Godfather of Grunge Folk, a highly respected musician whose styles include folk, blues, gypsy jazz, reggae, bluegrass and punk.
In the mid ’70s, Willy was invited by innovative reggae star Keith Hudson to feature on his acclaimed “Rasta Communication” album, alongside Sly and Robbie amongst others. He has toured with Police, Madness and many more, been guitarist for George Hamilton IV, and recorded ‘The Contemporary Folk Guitar’ album with Bert Jansch, John Renbourn, Gordon Giltrap & Ralph McTell. All in all, he has had a long and varied career, and is happy with the enigmatic status he has achieved. It is the gentler side of Wild that emerges with French Connection.
“Having worked with Mary and John for more than ten years, I am delighted to be able to add French to the Irish/English mix. It has given us the chance to work on some interesting new arrangements, utilising the range of instruments at our disposal to their full advantage, testing their scope to the limit. It has definitely widened our horizons.”
For John Devine, a master of the Uilleann pipes, this has been an interesting couple of years, having also played at Buckingham Palace in the presence of the Queen. “I was invited to play at the palace as part of the Irish State visit – it’s very, very posh and there were lots of celebrities around. I missed the opportunity to see Van Morrison, but I saw Niall from One Direction. “Speaking on Wild Willy Barrett’s French Connection, he says: “It is unlike anything you will ever see or hear with the range of music and musicianship. Willy holds it all together. He’s one of the most overlooked musicians in the country.”
Originally from Nancy in France, Aurora Colson’s lively personality fits in perfectly with the quirkiness of the other musicians, and she is already wowing audiences both French and English alike with her beautiful vocals. “I was always interested in music while I was growing up – singing all the time, playing a little keyboard as a pre-teen, grabbing opportunities to play my dad’s drum kit when I was a teenager. I also discovered the old songs by Charles Trénet, Yves Montand, Édith Piaf and others that my grandparents were playing on their radios – I just loved these.”
Click here for a rather nifty sample of what you are in for…….. http://
THE BEAUTIFUL COUCH
SOLD OUT…SOLD OUT…
Please note: we will refund tickets solely on the basis that we are able to re sell them. There is a returns list at Touchwood, thank you.
Saturday 30th September £15
If you have seen this band before they need little introduction, the reason we keep asking them back? Simples, they provide yet another cast iron guarantee of a rip roarin’ night out that is not to be missed…..
Emulating the sound of two of Hull’s finest, and most popular exports, The Beautiful South and The Housemartins. The Beautiful Couch first formed in 2002, playing all over the country. ‘The Couch’ built up a loyal following and a huge reputation in the tribute band world. Playing venues such as Liverpool’s The Cavern and the Matthew Street Festival, the KC Stadium in Hull, and they’ve also supported Deacon Blue and The Commitments.After taking a few years off, the Couch returned for a one off gig at Hull City Hall in May 2012. Such was the demand for the band to return, they decided to grab their instruments and return to the stage, and the fans flocked to see them.
Now they’re back and raring to go, if you missed them first time around, don’t make the same mistake again! The Beautiful Couch are: Ed Faulkner, Jan Brumby, Johny Kramer, Adam Parrish, Antoine Robinson, and Pete Bartley.
THE CADILLAC KINGS
& Chicago Bound
Saturday September 16th £12.50
The Cadillac Kings are firm favourites on the blues, rhythm & blues & swing scenes and feature five of the UK’s top blues and roots musicians.
On vocals, harmonica, guitar: Mike Thomas, lead guitar, vocals: Mal Barclay, piano, accordion, vocals: Tim Penn, drums, vocals: Roy Webber, Paul Cuff: double bass
Inspired by the sounds and styles of the ‘40s & ‘50s with a distinctly modern take lyric-wise (courtesy of singer & writer Mike Thomas) this is a band that has earned a reputation for wowing their audiences, from intimate clubs to major festivals, from theatres to dance-halls, the length & breadth of the UK & Europe, from the Canary Islands to Svalbard in the arctic circle.
Since their formation in 2001 the band has opened shows for & shared stages with blues, rock & roots acts such as John Mayall, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Rod Piazza, Lazy Lester, Magic Slim, Lil’ Ed & His Blues Imperials, Louisiana Red, Larry Garner, Nappy Brown, Sherman Robertson, Victor Wainwright, Reba Russell, Little Feat & Delbert McLinton to name but a few!
* Along the way the band has picked up numerous awards including The Times Newspaper’s best blues cd of the year 2004 for ‘Highway 17’
* And in 2009 Canada’s ‘Real Blues’ Magazine’s awarded them best non American cd for ‘Trouble in Store’ ).
* Their 2012 release “Gonna Tell Your Momma” was recorded 100% live in Norway and has had rave reviews at home from ‘Blues & Rhythm’ to ‘Folk Roots’, and abroad from ‘Blues Blast USA’ to ‘Blues News Norway’!
Now approaching their sixteenth anniversary, the band has also signalled their strongest ever line-up, featuring two of the UK’s very best roots players – sensational pianist & accordionist – Tim Penn, and on guitar the brilliantly versatile Mal Barclay, alongside frontman Mike Thomas – ‘the best blues lyricist this side of the pond’ (Blues in the Northwest).
*This is the line-up you can hear on their new album “The Secret of my Success” Released in September 2016 to unanimous praise here & in the USA, the album quickly became distributor Propermusic’s biggest seller in their blues charts, and in December was chosen by the UK’s Independent Blues Broadcasters Association as one of the best 3 releases of 2016 alongside Kaz Hawkins & Joe Bonamassa. Currently the album is in the Cashbox top 40 in the USA
“The UK’s premier blues & roots act” John Clarke, The Times
“Good time blues at its very best, do not miss these guys!” Lionel Ross, Blues in Britain Magazine
“One of the nation’s finest bands in ANY genre. Guaranteed to put a smile on your face.” Grahame Rhodes, Blues in the Northwest.
“This is a band with a well earned reputation for their unfailing ability to put on a great performance, with warmth and humour exuding from every pore. In short, they are an absolute delight”. Ian Ross, Darlington R&B Festival.
And…..CHICAGO BOUND. Chicago Bound are a Beverley based acoustic Blues duo featuring local legend Brian Williams on harmonica and Graham ‘Eightball’ Hyde on guitar. Featuring music stretching from the Delta to Chicago. Popular across the local Blues scene Brian is one of the leading harmonica players in the region and is an encyclopedia of Blues history. He can also be heard playing washboard and spoons!. Graham has played guitar in local Blues bands for the last 15 years and is most at home with Chicago styles and 50’s style swinging Jazz. Together they also play in local renown Blues band The Juke Joint Kings!
LIVE/WIRE. SOLD OUT…SOLD OUT…
Saturday September 2nd £15. Please feel free to put your name down for any returns at Touchwood, 01430 431535. Please note we can only refund a ticket if we are able to re sell it, thank you.
There’s a good reason we keep inviting Live/Wire back……They are simply….Awesome!! The unique six man tribute to rock’s greatest band AC/DC, complete with trademark cannons, a wall of Marshalls and two hours of High Voltage Rock and Roll. Forty One years into the AC/DC story and the band cover both eras as always with both ‘Gary’ Bon Scott and ‘Pete’ Brian Johnson present 
to take you on the Rock and Roll train for a night to remember. The rhythm section keep it all meticulously together giving Ashgus the freedom to mesmerise the audience with his sublime playing and infinite energy. Thoswith the portrayal of the Live/Wire Angus Young delivering a truly amazing two hours of duck-walking, bedevilled Rock and Roll.The band aim to put you slap bang in the middle of the show with hit after hit, and for the aficionados !There’s always something special as well. Back in Black, Rosie, Highway to hell, the songs go on and on until the cannons fire ceremoniously to bring the evening to a superb crescendo. If by this time you are still standing……..we salute you !! e who have seen the show on the ‘For Those About To Rock’, ‘Ready to Bite’ and ‘Shake your Foundations’ tours are already witness to the talent and dedication gives on stage
KAZ HAWKINS.
& Urban Rain
Saturday May 27th £10.
KAZ HAWKINS and her Band ..…. Winners of The European Blues Challenge 2017!…Kaz has been wowing UK venues & summer festivals with her new album ‘Feelin’ Good’ featuring 8 original songs & a new take on two vintage favourites. 
Renowned bluesman Paul Jones is a fan, chatting about her tour dates and clearly enjoying her new songs ‘It Ain’t You’ & ‘Don’t Wait For Me’ and her great rendition of ‘Feelin’ Good’ on BBC Radio 2 (Paul Jones said “…terrific vocal performance from her and also lovely guitar playing from Nick McConkey”). The new CD has received stupendous reviews : “Her band is a rhythm powerhouse” and “Multi-award winning and unique with ‘knock your socks off’ vocals from an equally delicious firework of a character”
On her new album and a music video award winner : “This Is Me…. her voice deep with soul and emotion and then the words, they are spell-binding. Stop what you are doing and listen, this is a soulful philosophy for life This is Me and all I wanted to be.” (Bluesdoodles) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ff4t57s3jo
Festivals have said “the audience wouldn’t let her go and the headliners kindly agreed to start late!” … “Kaz Hawkins absolutely fantastic, cannot believe her voice!” … “She lives up to the hype about her forceful presence, leading from the front with her extraordinary voice – not just because of its power, or her occasional incredible falsetto, but more importantly because of its soulfulness”
Invited by BBC Radio Ulster to take part in a special Van Morrison 70th Birthday broadcast in Northern Ireland August 2015, Best Studio Album 2015 (Blues Matters), Best Emerging Artist (British Blues Awards 2015) and Winner of Female Vocalist Pure M Awards (Northern Ireland Industry Award), Winner of Best Music Video 2016 with Pure M Awards and a nominee for the UK Blues Challenge 2016
URBAN RAIN
‘Urban Rain’ are singer songwriters John Cox & Rosie Queenan – guitarist-bassists. Influenced by Bowie, Prince, Paul Weller, Chrissie Hynde, Patti Smith and Everything But The Girl. The sound 
is original, soulful, funky dark indie folk with cool vocal harmonies.
Formed in Hull 2014, they have played 3 live sessions on BBC Introducing and 3 live sessions on the Burnsy Show on BBC Radio Humberside. So far they have had 13 plays on BBC Introducing & 13 plays on the Burnsy Show! And their song “Shut Up Get Up and Dance” was included in the BBC Introducing Playlist of the Year 2015.
For live shows they are often augmented by ‘Dr Hyde’ on drums. Urban Rain live is a really engaging experience between them and audience…..
“Their sound was comfortably encased in my memory…warming the room with their positive energy” – Nix Chidlow Browse Magazin
THE JON PALMER ACOUSTIC BAND & Katie Spencer
Saturday 13th May £10
The Jon Palmer Acoustic Band is a highly acclaimed, high energy 6-piece folk, roots and rock & roll combo based in and around the musically vibrant West Yorkshire market town of Otley. The line-up includes guitars, mandolin, whistle, double bass, violin, and drums. Everyone sings!
Best described as “a cross between The Pogues and The Oyster Band, with a bit of The Waterboys and The Saw Doctors thrown in for good measure” the band regularly performs at festivals and venues across the North of England.
“I never tire of this band, soaring songs, sing-along choruses… and passion. Perfect! Do yourself a favour and acquire Live at Otley Courthouse. Do yourself a second favour: go see them at their live best” 5 Stars – R2 Magazine
“A blur of hedonistic delight” – Fatea Showcases 
“Jon Palmer is a very fine songwriter… if the band were a heavy electric group they’d be The Levellers, but that would lose the subtlety of the acoustic performance.” – R2 Magazine (Rock n Reel)
“Genuinely well written songs” – Maverick Magazine
“they explode out of the same box as The Pogues, The Saw Doctors, and The Waterboys… a fantastic band” – The Troubadour Show
The current line up of the Jon Palmer Acoustic Band is: Jon Palmer – vocals and guitar (former Grolsch UK Songwriter of the Year, and a published songwriter with Sony) Wendy Ross – violin and vocals (Magna Carta, The Sentimentalists) Rik Silvers – double bass and vocals (Plumhall)
Matt Nelson – mandolin, whistles and vocals (The Pack with Bella Hardy and Sam Pirt) Roy Whyke – drums and percussion (Jon Strong Band) Nick Settle – guitar and vocals
KATIE SPENCER, is a singer songwriter inspired by the people and her surroundings in the Yorkshire countryside. Enjoying music from a young age has developed her ever-evolving and infinite musical tastes and influences, including John Martyn, Ryley Walker and Led Zeppelin. Katie is also in the process of creating her debut album alongside Brian Young, featuring Ted McKenna, with bass written by Danny Thompson.
HEART OF GLASS
SOLD OUT…29th April £12.50…SOLD OUT…
Please note: We can only refund returned tickets if we can resell them, thank you.
A record breaking 12th! appearance at the Shire Hall. There’s a good reason we keep asking this band back and that is that they provide a cast iron guarantee of a superb night out!
A tribute to Blondie fronted by the delectable Denise Danielle described as ‘the closest to Debbie Harry yet!’
Heart of Glass are the foremost Blondie Tribute band in the UK and the only one that is fully professional. Lead singer Denise Danielle who has put together a stunning replication of a ‘Blondie’ show with all the favourite classics plus a lot more: Atomic, Maria, The Tide Is High, Hanging On The Telephone, Call Me, Denis, One Way Or Another, Sunday Girl and many, many more.
Denise prides herself on authenticity and does 6 costume changes during a show, each reflecting upon the various songs. There is no finer exponent of the songs, style and raw energy of Deborah Harry and Blondie. This will be a real treat to see this band – it will be like experiencing the real Blondie in 1978
SNAKE DAVIS & THE SUSPICIONS
SOLD OUT…SOLD OUT… SOLD OUT… Saturday April 15th … SOLD OUT…SOLD OUT…SOLD OUT…
Returns only folks. Put you name down at Touchwood, 01430 431535 to stand the chance of getting one of those. Please note that we can only refund your ticket if we are able to re sell it, thank you.
A rare outing for this Northern Soul spectacular and a long overdue return to the Shire Hall, one of only four Suspicions gigs (so far) in 2017.
Twenty plus years ago, in the student bar of Leeds Polytechnic, “Snake Davis and his Alligator Shoes” were born . A soulful unit playing sax versions of Stax, Motown and Atlantic classics. They went on to be embraced by the Northern Soul scene. They lit up the Astoria Ballroom and Central Station, Leeds as they played to some of the most passionate and committed music-loving crowds anywhere in the world.
The passing years have scattered the individual Band members to various parts of the world but the nucleus of, Snake, Bass man “Dangerous” Dave Bowie and Guitarist, Mark Cresswell come together every year or so to back visiting American soul stars.
Several years ago the three decided to re form the SUSPICIONS (a storming 8 piece with Brass and girl singers ) and take to the road doing their OWN show again for the first time in many a moon!
- Snake – Saxes
- Dave Bowie – Bass
- Mark Cresswell – Guitar
- Bryan Hargreaves – Drums
- Paul Birchall – Hammond/Keys
- Bob Taylor – Trumpet
- Doreen Edwards – Vocals
- Sue Quinn – Vocals
Come and see what all the fuss is about . expect to be dancing, swaying or slithering in your seats as they storm through Wigan classics and beautiful Soul ballads.
Snake Davis has appeared live with M-People, Eurythmics, Lisa Stansfield, Acoustic Alchemy etc. etc. as well as numerous tv appearances. His unique sax sound has found it’s way onto many classic hits such as, M-People’s “Moving On Up” and “Search For A Hero”, Take That’s “A Million Love Songs” and Lisa Stansfield’s “Change”
And…And…Not forgetting …THE SOUL PRESERVATION SOCIETY. Spinning authentic Northern Souls discs for your delectation…..
The 19th fundraising concert for The Yorkshire Cancer centre Appeal. Reg charity no 1075308
THE SAM KELLY TRIO
& Fiona Lee
Friday March 31st £10
Sam’s debut EP – entitled ‘Your Way Home’ was released in March 2013, which swiftly created a buzz of interest in the folk scene for Sam’s music. He followed this up with the release of the widely acclaimed ‘Spokes’ EP in February 2015. This cemented Sam’s place further as one of the most exciting young prospects in the folk scene – landing him a nomination in the Best Singer category at the 2015 Spiral Earth Awards, and grabbing the attention of BBC Radio 2’s Folk Show. Touring as a trio with Jamie Francis (banjo) and Evan Carson (percussion), Sam has gained a reputation for an incredibly high class and dynamic live show, and the guys are rapidly becoming firm favourites at venues and festivals in all parts of the country. After a barnstorming performance to a completely rammed Club Tent at Cambridge Folk Festival 2015, the guys were invited to play their first session on Radio 2 live from the festival.
Not content with resting on his laurels, Sam enlisted the extraordinary talents of new band members Ciaran Algar (fiddle) and Graham Coe (cello) and went straight back into the studio to record his debut album. ‘The Lost Boys’ came out in November 2015 to a storm of rave reviews, cementing Sam’s place as one of the most rapidly rising stars on the UK folk scene, and enticing Radio 2 to invite the guys into the BBC studios as the featured live session guests on the Mark Radcliffe Show – an honour usually only bestowed upon much more established musicians. The album has also been championed by numerous legends of folk broadcasting, including Mike Harding – who played tracks from the album for four weeks in a row on his online radio podcast. Sam is taking the album on tour throughout 2016 with the full album band, aptly named Sam Kelly and The Lost Boys.
Coming from a family largely made up of Norfolk dairy farmers has left Sam with an unmatched experience of singing in front of hurtfully disinterested Friesians, and his meandering musical journey has ranged from reaching the final of ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent as a teenager, to being selected for the first ever EFDSS Artist Development Scheme. Whether playing to 13 million people on prime-time television, or to 10 people in a tiny pub, Sam’s child-like fascination with music shines through, and his passion for discovering and rekindling the sounds of his musical heritage has gained him the respect of peers and audiences worldwide.
“Sam has such a beautiful voice and sings with so much soul. I’ve seen him perform live a few times and he’s amazing”Cara Dillon
“I think this guy is absolutely brilliant… His voice is beyond sublime.” Mike Harding
“Really fabulous stuff”Mark Radcliffe
“A captivating performer, Sam Kelly has one of the best young male voices in British acoustic roots music. Seriously…Check him out!”Sean Lakeman
“The Lost Boys is an outstanding debut album.”Bright Young Folk
“This is the album that the folk world has been awaiting… The Lost Boys is going to be huge.”Folking.com
FIONA LEE, is an emerging singer-songwriter from Yorkshire (the bottom of my street to be more precise) with a compelling voice which belies her years. Her songs tell tales of teenage life with both innocent simplicity and impressively mature observations. Having taught herself to play guitar, she discovered her true voice at a local acoustic night; since then she has been performing her songs publicly at every opportunity.
THE JAR FAMILY
& Steelyard Blues.
March 18th £12.50
Hartlepool based The Jar Family are five individual songwriters and musicians, who decided that, rather than strive for success in isolation, they would join forces to pool their talent.Although on paper the idea of five very different and charismatic personalities with a wide range of musical styles working together harmoniously seems unlikely, the stunning results of their work to date speak for themselves. Taking their name from the donations jar they passed around at early gigs, the band are a tight knit group who had the foresight to realise that they were stronger collectively 
than they were individually.
To pursue their ambitious vision some tough early decisions had to be made. With few musical opportunities and even less resources at their disposal in their native North East the band temporarily moved away from their families in Hartlepool and relocated to a deserted farm in the remote Cambridgeshire countryside. There they built themselves a basic rehearsal studio and living in a ramshackle collection of old caravans for over a year they started to develop and refine what was to become the Jar Family sound.
A relentless touring schedule, which has seen the band appearing as special guests to a number of established artists such as Jake Bugg, Babyshambles, Alabama 3 and others has brought their raucous and engaging shows to all corners of the country. Picking up an ever-growing army of admirers as a result of this live activity the band has now established a major fan base of fanatical supporters throughout the UK.
The Jar Family recorded new material at the legendary Monnow Valley Studios in 2014 with acclaimed producer Rupert Christie and ar released a new album ‘Family First’ in September 2015 amidst more inexorable touring.
STEELYARD BLUES have a pedigree longer than both of your arms, having played with the likes of Robert Cray, Spencer Davis, The Average White Band, The Yardbirds and many, many more at countless venues and festivals across the UK and Europe. Playing a mix of early Fleetwood Mac, Hendrix and blues standards they get yet another Howden Live stamp of grooviness and quality……
SENSATION….The music of THE WHO..
& The Cold Cut Trio.
Saturday March 4th. £15
The Greatest Hits of The Who plus songs from Tommy and Quadrophenia in one show!
Jump on the Magic Bus for this amazing musical journey … from My Generation to Who are You and all with maximum rhythm and blues.
Of the first tour The Derby Review said … ’A beautifully weighted tribute to the original with a rock pulse that could have been lifted straight out of a time machine … the audience was in seventh heaven from the very first note!’
Featuring musicians and singers from many West End and touring productions, Sensation promises a night of non stop hits from one of the most influential bands of all time.
Accept no Substitute!
Including three quarters of Hats off To Led Zeppelin you just know this is going to be good……
Sensation are:
Peter Eldridge – Vocals.
Dan De Cruz – Vocals.
Kevin Oliver Jones – Guitar and vocals.
Ana Maria Lazar – Bass and vocals.
Alice McKenna – Keyboards and vocals.
Kamil Bartnik – Drums.
THE NICOL BAND, MAX BIANCO & DOGFINGER STEVE
Saturday February 18th £7.50
THE HILL BILLY TROUPE & BEGGARS BRIDGE
Saturday February 4th £10
A superb double headline concert from two of Hulls finest helping to celebrate the 2017 City of Culture.
The Hillbilly Troupe must be the happiest accident in Hull’s – if not the world’s – cultural history. Sometimes they’re a seven piece, sometimes nine, sometimes more, sometimes less. They’ve been
described as a cross between the Pogues and Lonnie Donegan, while ‘mucky skiffle’ was one of the more memorable labels that have been attached to them, though they refused to be defined; they are too busy being musical, having fun and bringing that all home to you to be bothered with pigeonholes. Creating a heady brew of folk mixed with punk and ska and a healthy dose of Americana, they perform often autobiographical songs that spell out their meteoric riches to rags descent and first hand experiences of God, struggle, bandits, impending madness, telling lies, lost love, travel, drug abuse, murder, redemption, exile and the Costa Del Sol, all drowned in a lethal cocktail of whisky, cider and beer. Call the cops!
Beggar’s Bridge are a Hull-based band who have been continuing the tradition of fine folk acts to come out of the city, and blowing away a few cobwebs at folk and roots venues across the North of England for a couple of years now. Many of their songs are based upon the folklore that has developed around the people, places and events of their home county of East Yorkshire, encapsulating its rural, urban and maritime heritage, and they have a sound that straddles both the traditional and the contemporary, leaping from sparse and melancholic into the realms of stirring folk-rock, in the blink of an eye. Their recently-released second album, ‘Short Stories, Tall Tales’, proved to be a hit in the folk and roots media, with Tim Carroll of Folkwords calling it “a memorable piece of folk-rock”, Bright Young Folk describing it as “an album which shows why folk song and folk tales are so fascinating” and R2 magazine saying of the album “Everything meshes together perfectly. Very impressive”.
TWO PIANOS
SATURDAY JANUARY 21st. £14.
SOLD OUT! Give Touchwood a ring to get your name down for returns. Refunds only available if we can re sell your ticket. SOLD OUT!
Help Hull kickstart their 2017 Year of Culture with a band of Hulls finest!
Al Kilvo is an Americana piano player from Hull, Yorkshire in England, who plays with a style and verve described as that of the ‘Killer’ Jerry-Lee Lewis himself. As a youngster, Al appeared in many line ups in his native Yorkshire UK before forming an original country-folk band with M.G Greaves and the Lonesome Too. He has toured nationally with Hull’s own Beautiful South taking in major venues such as The Hammersmith Odeon and Edinburgh Playhouse. Al continues to home his skills in the musical styles of Americas southern states.In 2013 Al was invited to record an album with his close friend Johnny Pat in the world famous Sun Studios in Memphis TN with Kenny Lovelace and Robert Hall of The Jerry Lee Lewis band. Subsequently the event and recording have been brilliant and now Al and ‘JP’ are enjoying playing the music they love to a wider audience across Europe and the USA. Later in 2013, Al and JP performed in live venues on world famous Bourbon Street in New Orleans and Phil Brady’s in Baton Rouge as they continue to sell the Americans back their music! Al also continued to perform all over northern England and appeared weekly with his Country band in Cottingham ‘The Fork Handles’David Barton is a pianist and singer from Hull in East Yorkshire. From the age of eight, David developed a passion for the blues and boogie woogie piano, later discovering the art of rock & roll piano and likened to other artists such as Jools Holland, Meade Lux Lewis and Jerry Lee Lewis. At the age of 26, David has already performed alongside some of the world’s most accomplished musicians, including jazz maestro Jamie Cullum, American blues guitarist Walter Trout and classical Mezzo-Soprano Katherine Jenkins to name a few. David has performed in venues around the country, including the prestigious Royal Albert Hall. ‘He’s better than me. I have a funny feeling he will have his own show here one day’ – Jamie Cullum, RAH London.BON GIOVI
Saturday January 7th £15.
Fronted by UK’s leading Jon Bon Jovi impersonator Andrea Ojano. The band have not only toured lengthily around the UK, for clients such as Harley Davidson, Vodafone, Butlins, Chicago Rock Cafes, Yates, Walkabouts, The British Motorcycle Federation and Jack Daniels, but have also performed internationally in over 25 countries, including The Middle East, Russia, Slovenia, Austria, Cyprus, Turkey, Greece, Holland, Germany, Belgium, Spain, France and Ireland to name but a few.
Covering every aspect of Bon Jovi’s extensive career, BON GIOVI perform all the greatest hits such as ‘Living On A Prayer’, It’s My Life, Wanted Dead or Alive, as well as many others from every album ever produced in one amazing stage show which include all these hits and more, not too mention performing rare tracks that even Bon Jovi haven’t performed for many years.So if you’re ready to ‘Runaway’ on ‘One Wild Night’ down that ‘Lost Highway’ for a taste of the some of the world’s greatest Stadium Anthems, the closest you’ll get to the Real Thing.
Formed in August of 1999, with over 16 years UK and International touring experience as a band and nearly 5 times that combined from individual members, this act is without compromise one of the best Tribute acts on the circuit today.
It is our tremendous pleasure to announce that this autumn 2016 season is now officially the 30th anniversary season of HOWDEN LIVE/HOWDENSHIRE LIVE ARTS. The fundamental ethos of Howden Live/HLA is still ” Enjoying live entertainment in the company of others”. Please join us in this wonderful celebration season.
Doors 7.30 for 8pm unless otherwise stated.
JOHN OTWAY & The Big Band
3rd December, 2016
£12.50
From the age of 9, John Otway knew he wanted to be a pop star. But even at that young age, having listened to his sister’s Beatles and Stones records, he knew he would never be able to do what they do. However, when his sister got the latest Bob Dylan album, he knew there was a place for him and he set about learning how to play guitar.
Otway had to wait until 1977 and the rise of punk before his dream of fame and fortune would finally become a reality. Having caught the eye of the producers of the BBC’s Old Grey Whistle Test, Otway’s performance on that show would grab the attention of the watching audience. Otway, ever the showman, decided to jump on to the amplifier of his colleague during a performance of Bob Lind’s Cheryl’s Going Home. (Un)fortunately for Otway, he misjudged his leap and sent Wild Willy Barrett’s amplifier tumbling as he crashed down straddling the box under the amp.
The full force of the impact was absorbed by the most tender part of his body, but in doing this one simple act of recklessness and his wanton disregard for his own safety, Otway was the talk of everyone who watched that evening’s programme.
Not only did he see a surge in his audiences, sales of Otway’s sixth single, the half-spoken love song Really Free increased dramatically and reached number 27 in the UK Singles Chart. An appearance on the BBC’s flagship music programme Top of the Pops, where Otway & Barrett were introduced by Elton John later, Otway was finally a star. It would however, be his greatest success for some time.
Despite numerous attempts to get back into the charts, Otway would have to wait 25 years for his next taste of chart success. In the intervening years, Otway would become an actor; write an autobiography (Cor Baby That’s Really Me: Rock and Roll’s Greatest Failure); perform sold out shows at London’s Astoria and Royal Albert Hall; make regular appearances at both Glastonbury and Edinburgh Festivals; and write the nation’s seventh favourite lyric of all-time (beating Bob Dylan and Paul Simon in the process).
In 2002, Otway achieved what he desired the most – a second hit. A concerted publicity campaign saw Otway reach number 9 with the disco pastiche Bunsen Burner and a second appearance on the Top of the Pops. Despite this success, a planned world tour collapsed, but Otway continued to gig extensively around the UK either with his band, as a duo with Wild Willy Barrett or solo. A follow-up autobiography was penned in 2010 and titled: I Did It Otway: Regrets I’ve Had a Few.
In 2012, to celebrate his 60th birthday, Otway produced his debut movie titled Otway the Movie: The Story of Rock n Roll’s Greatest Failure. A screening for producers was held at London’s Leicester Square with the final scenes from the movie filmed on the red carpet and edited into the film. The film was then taken to Cannes Film Festival and a 50-date tour of cinemas in both the UK and North America. It was subsequently voted the 2nd best film of the year in a poll of its readers conducted by The Guardian newspaper.
In 2016, Otway announced that he was planning to record a new album. Following a successful Kickstarter campaign, he will take his band to the Caribbean island of Montserrat to become the first international recording artist to record there since the Rolling Stones in 1989
THE REVOLUTIONAIRES!
Saturday 26th November, 2016
£10.00 And…..The Juke Joint Kings
Scorching a trail across the live music venues of the land is this sizzlin’ hot 1950’s R&B combo…
…The Revolutionaires!
Established within the ‘hotbed’ of the North East music scene in the UK, they power out jumpin’ hot rhythm & blues in their own indomitable hard hitting style.
Primarily, they are influenced by 1940’s and 1950’s R&B. In particular, Louis Jordan, Big Joe Turner, Little Richard, Chuck Berry and Roy Brown but have adopted a harder and more aggressive approach, synonymous with modern blues artists such as Stevie Ray Vaughan, Duke Robillard, Jools Holland and Mike Henderson which helps create their own high energy sound.
Over the last decade, The Revolutionaires have established themselves on the UK and European Rockin’ circuit, as well as the Blues scene.
They have toured extensively both in the UK and abroad, performing at festivals in Ireland, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Holland, Germany, Norway, Denmark, Italy, Spain, Malta and Dubai.
Highlights include performing at festivals with artistes such as Jerry Lee Lewis, Sting, Tom Jones, Hugh Laurie, Jimmie Vaughan, Robert Cray, Walter Trout, Eric Bibb, Albert Lee, Snake Davis and Dave Edmunds.
Now also touring with their Big Band project which consists of extra horns and pianist, The Revs are hitting the Festival circuit with this power house line up and big sound.
They have recorded five CDs to date containing a collection of Hot Rockin’ R&B tracks. Each CD captures the ‘rawness’ and sheer energy of the band, who like to give their performances a ‘hard-edged’ vibe!
If you ‘get yourself down’ to a Revs gig, in the words of the Ronnie Molleen tune ….….” We’ll be rockin’ up a storm tonight! ”
From hokum to hi-octane swing, the six piece JUKE JOINT KINGS bring you the best in electric blues from Tampa Red to B.B. King and all points in between. All local 
bluesicians, the JJKs supported Tom Attah and the Bad Man Clan at this year’s Beverley Blues Weekender
They are:…Brian Williams (harp and vocals), Graham Hyde (guitar), Steve Lawley (drums), Sara Davidson (bass), James West (guitar) and Chris Saunders (vocals).
THE DISHONOURABLE MEMBER
Murder mystery
Saturday November 19th
£12. 7.20 for 8pm. With a hot dog supper!
BACKGROUND: The year is 1939. All are gathered to hear Agatha Marsh, the most famous crime novelist of the twentieth century, read the final chapter of her latest novel, “The Road to Oblivion”. The novel has been serialised in The Trafalgar magazine, and this is a unique chance to hear the great lady read from her own work before anybody else in the country.Guests arrive to hear Agatha…but before she can complete her reading she apparently falls asleep in her chair. Closer examination reveals she is dead… poisoned.The obvious motive for the murder of Agatha Marsh is 
to prevent her from reading out the final chapter of her book. This book – a work of fiction – is in fact very closely based on real events three years ago, on 1st June 1936. A senior civil servant in the Ministry of Defence was killed in a tragic road accident after apparently falling asleep at the wheel. This man, Sir Peter Chartwell, had been celebrating his 45th birthday that day, and had been visited by a number of people in his Whitehall office shortly before he left to drive back to his house in Little Rochester. Agatha, who had long been a family friend of Chartwell (a surrogate ‘aunty’), had received a letter from him shortly before his death, claiming that he believed somebody meant him harm. When he died shortly afterwards, Agatha began probing his death. The police and other authorities were reluctant to help, but she persevered and eventually came up with a sequence of events which she believed would explain his demise. The only way she knew to bring this to light was to do what she did best – to write it as a story. She crafted a novel based on the characters and events from three years earlier, changing her characters’ names just enough to avoid a legal action. The story has been publicised to great acclaim in The Trafalgar weekly magazine. Now, the final chapter is about to be published, but before she submits the denouement of her novel to her publishers, she gathers together a specially invited audience to hear justice be done as she reads her solution out loud for the first time.Except somebody has found the only way to stop her...
THE BEAUTIFUL COUCH
Sat 12th Nov, 2016
SOLD OUT…SOLD OUT… Put your name down at Touchwood, 01430 431535, for returns. Please note we are only able to refund tickets if we are able to re sell them, thank you.
Emulating the sound of two of Hull’s finest, and most popular exports, The Beautiful South and The Housemartins. The Beautiful Couch first formed in 2002, playing all over the country. ‘The Couch’ built up a loyal 
following and a huge reputation in the tribute band world. Playing venues such as Liverpool’s The Cavern and the Matthew Street Festival, the KC Stadium in Hull, and they’ve also supported Deacon Blue and The Commitments.After taking a few years off, the Couch returned for a one off gig at Hull City Hall in May 2012. Such was the demand for the band to return, they decided to grab their instruments and return to the stage, and the fans flocked to see them.
Now they’re back and raring to go, if you missed them first time around, don’t make the same mistake again! The Beautiful Couch are: Ed Faulkner, Jan Brumby, Johny Kramer, Adam Parrish, Antoine Robinson, and Pete Bartley.
COLIN BLUNSTONE
£15.00 Saturday October 29th.
Now rightly regarded as one of the most innovative British groups of their brief but brilliant 1960s incarnation, the Zombies’ name was happily reactivated by Colin and keyboard wizard Rod
Argent for globally acclaimed records and tours, as they built up to the 50th anniversary of their formation in 2011. That was fuelled by the incredible afterlife of their fabled (and famously misspelt) ‘Odessey and Oracle’ album, released after the band’s initial split in 1968. By 2003, its brilliant originality was recognised with a place in the top 100 of Rolling Stone magazine’s Top 500 Albums of All Time list, and it went on to win Mojo’s Classic Album award in 2009. Blunstone’s timeless tones have been at the forefront of the Zombies’ ‘She’s Not There,’ ‘Tell Her No’ and ‘Time of the Season,’ collaborations with the likes of Dave Stewart (‘What Becomes of the Brokenhearted’) and the Alan Parsons Project (‘Old and Wise,’ among many other album appearances), and a solo catalogue containing such gems as ‘Say You Don’t Mind,’ ‘I Don’t Believe In Miracles,’ ‘Misty Roses,’ ‘How Could We Dare To Be Wrong’ and ‘Levi Stubbs’ Tears.’
His incomparable voice has been in our consciousness for five decades, on some of the most memorable songs in pop history. In 2016, Colin Blunstone’s amazing heritage is more respected than ever – From media, fans and fellow musicians alike, there’s now fresh appreciation all over the world for Colin’s work in his own name, The core band is guitarist Tom Toomey, who also plays with the Zombies; Pete Billington, who’s played keyboards for the likes of Alison Moyet and Kid Creole; bassist Chris Childs (Andy Summers, Paul Young) and drummer Pat Illingworth (808 State and the other Dave Stewart, the one from Eurythmics).
LISA MILLS
Sat 15th Oct, 2016. £10
deeply personal project, Mama’s Juke Book will be comprised of songs Lisa found by chance in her late mother’s possessions—specifically, in a Dollar Store General spiral notebook in which her mother had handwritten lyrics to 25 of her favorite country tunes, all dating from the early ‘70s. Her mother, Jan Powell, was a country music devotee who unfortunately passed away in 2012. In addition to her love of music, Jan unconditionally loved her daughter, was her biggest fan and most enthusiastic promoter, and not least of all, was her trusted confidant. In a real sense Mama’s
DOGFINGER STEVE may be getting a little ‘ho hum’ these days about being referred to as ‘Driffields answer to Seasick Steve’ but such comparisons are affectionate in the face of self penned, stompin’ cigar box guitar toons performed with passion and their very own brand of originality. Five years ago Dogfinger was born, stomping out a boutique brand of dirty swamp slide blues music on 3 and 4 string homegrown cigar box guitars and stompboxes. Three CDs and hundreds of gigs down the line, supports with the likes of Chris Helme, Skerryvore, Paul Liddell, many many festival appearances including Freedom, Beverley Blues, Beverley Folk… The Dogfinger army grows and gigs are always seat of the pants swamp fun.HATS OFF TO LED ZEPPELIN
Sat 1st Oct, 2016
£12.50
The Official UK No.1 tribute to the gods of Rock and Roll! Hats Off to Led Zeppelin are proud to be the only tribute act in the UK officially endorsed by Marshall amplifiers and they are managed by none other than Warren Grant … for the uninitiated, his father Peter was Led Zeppelin’s manager! “Hats Off to Led Zeppelin are the closest you are going to get” Warren said after first seeing the band.
Close your eyes and let these four world class musicians take you back to when Led Zeppelin ruled the earth! Having played with Queen, Ray Davies, Edwin Starr, Iron Maiden, Gerry & the Pacemakers, PJ Proby, Shaun Ryder & the Seahorses as well as appearing in a plethora of London Shows including We Will Rock You, Thriller LIVE!, Wicked, Billy Elliot, Dancing in the Streets, Return to the Forbidden Planet and Buddy to name but a few, these guys are a truly professional outfit guaranteed to give you a night that you won’t forget in a hurry!
With glowing endorsements from Led Zeppelin’s tour manager Richard Cole – “Worth seeing … entertainment with style”; Led Zep biographer Dave Lewis – “a refreshing no nonsense approach … this band delivers every time!”; and the BBC – “an outstanding concert”, along with audience and critical acclaim – “Shut your eyes and you would think you were listening to the real thing”, this is a show not to be missed!
If you want to see one of the most exciting live acts around then book your ticket now! Think you know tribute bands? Think again!
It is our tremendous pleasure to announce that this autumn 2016 season is now officially the 30th anniversary season of HOWDEN LIVE/HOWDENSHIRE LIVE ARTS. The focus will be on the weekend of the 16th and 17th of September when we have the CREEDENCE COLLECTION appearing at Howden Working Mens club on the Friday and all day on Saturday with HOWDEN…LIVE! At the Shire Hall, where we have some of the cream of acoustic talent to have appeared at the Shire Hall over the years. The fundamental ethos of Howden Live/HLA is still ” Enjoying live entertainment in the company of others”. Please join us in this wonderful celebration season.
HOWDEN….LIVE!! with THE CREEDENCE COLLECTION.
Friday September 16th at Howden Working Mens Club. £5.
PART OF THE OFFICIAL HOWDEN LIVE 30th ANNIVERSARY WEEKEND
The most successful rock band in the history of American Music 1968-1972, led by John Fogerty, was Creedence Clearwater Revivalwith 15 singles, 12 in the USA top 20 and 10 hits in the UK. John Fogerty still plays to packed theatres For almost two hours The Creedence Collection will play the very best classic rock, blues, rock n roll, country and swamp of Creedence Clearwater Revival and John FogertyAll the hits… Proud Mary, Rockin all over the World, Bad Moon Rising, Fortunate Son, Have You Ever Seen the Rain… and lots more This is what people are saying : ***** “Absolutely brilliant night at Whitby Pavillion…”*****“Just got home from a great night with these guys – great sense of humour…and fantastic music” “Great gig at Halifax Playhouse. Several friends will be disappointed to have missed this…”
The CREEDENCE COLLECTION was born out of a Hull band, Mean Eyed Cat, famous on the local scene for playing their own unique swamp/country/ bluegrass versions of well- known rock and pop tunes. There was always a selection of Creedence hits in the set, so after the usual “do you play any Queen” the request for a Creedence song was always well received. Realising there was a taste for Creedence and Fogerty out there, Blako decided to go for it and create The Creedence Collection to share the best of Creedence Clearwater Revival and John Fogerty with the world.On guitar and lead vocals is Blako (Lynn Blakeston) who has been playing since he was 11. In the early ’70s he was in the Hull band Uncle Sam, supporting Thin Lizzy, Chris Spedding, Hot Chocolate, The Hollies, The Merseybeats, Stealer’s Wheel and many more. From the ’70s and to this day he listens to and plays rock ‘ n’ roll and country rock music from Creedence Cleerwater Revival and Chuck Berry to Crosby Stills and Nash, and the Eagles. He also plays the pedal steel guitar, which he has introduced into the Creedence set.Playing took him to Germany, Holland, Belgium, Norway, Denmark, Nashville, New York and the highlight, playing at The 1982 Country Music Festival at Wembley, where he shared the stage with Kris Kristofferson and Tammy Wynette. Over the years he has worked with J.D. Fontana (Elvis’s drummer), James Burton (Elvis’s guitarist), Chris Hillman (The Byrds), Chas and Dave, Albert Lee (played guitar for everyone!), Al Perkins (Eagles, Rolling Stones, Emmy Lou Harris, and more), B.J. Cole (the pedal steel ‘guru’), Sonny Curtis (guitarist and songwriter with Buddy Holly) Tommy Allsup (the one who didn’t get in the plane with Buddy Holly), Walter Trout, Wilco Johnson, Steve Harley, Roy Wood and many more…
Blako tempted Kev Reynolds to join him from London where he was established as a music producer and session musician and had worked with many famous names including Chas ‘n’ Dave and Lindisfarne. He is a massive Fogerty fan and plays electric guitar. Coming in on acoustic guitar and mandolin is Tony (TP) Patrick who played formerly with David Hemingway (Beautiful South).On drums, spotting the likeness between Hull’s Martin Hyde and Fogerty’s drummer, Kenny Aronoff, Blako signed him up double quick when he realised Martin had actually worked with Aronoff! Luckily Martin is a great drummer in his own right.It all went downhill from there when TCC wanted to recruit a bass player who would join in with our jokes. The phrase careful what you wish for, springs to mind, as Dave “Jeffo” arrived for audition with all the songs note perfect and a wacky sense of humour. Dave’s greatest hits include working with many well-known 60’s and 70’s chart bands and drinking tea. That just left the keyboard slot and with an eye for the new world of gender equality, decided to add a female to the group. Luckily Anita can multi-task, as women do – playing keyboards, electric violin, mandolin, accordion (not all at the same time) and is also a dab hand on the sound desk.
HOWDEN….LIVE!!
Saturday September 17th £12.50
PART OF THE OFFICIAL HOWDEN LIVE 30th ANNIVERSARY WEEKEND
STONY, Richard Adams (Guit/voc) and Mark Gordon (Piano/voc) appeared in Howden several times longer ago than we may care to remember and after a hiatus invloving careers and families are back together again! Expect a bunch of new songs along with a load of old favourites… both covers and oiginals.
categorisation, as evidenced by her debut album “Luna”FIONA LEE, is an emerging singer-songwriter from Yorkshire (the bottom of my street to be more preise) with a compelling voice which belies her years. Her songs tell tales of teenage life with both innocent simplicity and impressively mature observations. Having taught herself to play guitar, she discovered her true voice at a local acoustic night; since then she has been performing her songs publicly at every opportunity.
LIVE/WIRE
Saturday September 3rd, 2016
£15
SOLD OUT…SOLD OUT…SOLD OUT…SOLD OUT…
There is now a waiting list please ring Touchwood in Howden, 01430 431535. Please note we can only refund ticket returns if we can re sell them, thank you.
The band aim to put you slap bang in the middle of the show with hit after hit, and for the aficionados !There’s always something special as well. Back in Black, Rosie, Highway to hell, the songs go on and on until the cannons fire ceremoniously to bring the evening to a superb crescendo. If by this time you are still standing……..we salute you !!A MONTH OF SUNDAYS IN JUNE
Some years ago when the format of the Month of Sundays appeared to be on its last legs it was rejuvenated by the presentation of four consecutive brass bands on Sundays in June by Maureen and Brian Greenwood, for the last few years that mantle was taken up by David Drinkwater until he decided to call it a day last year.
At that time it was decided to resurrect the original format of the Month of Sundays, as in a varied sequence of presentations of different genres, which we detail below for your delectation.
This endeavour would not have been possible without financial support from Howden Town Council, Drax, Howdens Joinery and sponsorship from Longs garage.
SUNDAY JUNE 5th, THE SELBY ROCK CHOIR and ALLSORTZ (swing band). In Howden Minster. (£1) 2pm
Rock Choir was started in Farnham, Surrey in 2005 by musician and singer, Caroline Redman Lusher. Rock Choir pioneered the contemporary choir movement in the UK. It was the first choir to offer the general public the chance to sing pop, rock and chart songs with no entry audition and no requirements to read music or have any previous singing experience.
Rock Choir is much more than a choir – it’s a multi layered singing experience. The power of music, meeting new friends and performing at life changing events, together contribute to an emotional and powerful journey for our members. We have been perfecting Rock Choir for 10 years now and have achieved an award-winning standard of excellence in both the educational and
emotional aspects of what we try to do. I personally choose and train our brilliant team of musicians, teachers and performers who lead their choir in each community through the most uplifting and feel good songs ever written.
Rock Choir is the pioneering contemporary choir of the UK and remains unique with over 20,000, members enjoying it across the UK. Each member is welcomed into the Rock Choir family and their journey with us allows music, friendship and a new found confidence to impact their everyday lives. Together we have created a safe, up-lifting and exciting experience just for you.
AllSortZ are a group of musicians who formed in 2014 and chose the name because we are all so different from each other. We began by playing with four or five of us, for fun and the experience. Since then group has expanded to fifteen and we now play a variety of music including swing, marches, popular music and film theme music. AllSortZ couldn’t be a more appropriate name for a band’s repertoire and it’s members.SUNDAY JUNE 12th, BEGGAR’S BRIDGE……(£1)
Beggar’s Bridge are a six-piece band from Hull who write tuneful and engaging song-stories in the best folk traditions, often based upon tales of people, places and events from their home county of East Yorkshire. In Howden Minster.
Beggar’s Bridge: With a sound that lies somewhere between the traditional and the contemporary, and songs which are often based upon the true tales of people, places and events from the Hull and East Yorkshire region, Beggar’s Bridge have received critical acclaim and blown away a few cobwebs at folk clubs across the North of England. First-class musicianship, compelling lyrics and fascinating background stories make them one of the most entertaining folk acts around right now; prepare to sing along, tap your feet and laugh out loud in roughly equal measures. Don’t just take our word for it, though – see what others have had to say about them:
Cutty Wren Folk Club, Redcar: “Beggar’s Bridge treated us to a brilliant evening of entertainment, with great songs, wonderful musicianship and some very amusing banter thrown in for good measure!”
Crookes Folk Club, Sheffield:“What a great night! Beggar’s Bridge served up a simply wonderful evening of entertainment. Watch out for these guys – they are good! If you run a club or venue get them booked now.”
Saltburn Folk Festival:“Beggar’s Bridge opened proceedings at our Saturday concert and went down a storm, setting the tone for a superb afternoon.”
SUNDAY JUNE 19th. THE YORK RAILWAY INSTITUTE BAND.
(Brass band) In Howden Minster. (£1) 2pm – 4pm.
York Railway Institute Band was established in 1883 by Noah Bruce and is York’s oldest Brass Band. Originally named Chaucer Street Mission Band and later known as York and District Mission and Temperance Band, York Excelsior Brass Band, York Home Guard Band and Ebor Excelsior Silver Band, it took on the name of York Railway Institute Band after allying itself to York Railway Institute in 1952 – the majority of members being railwaymen …at that time.
York R I was the first band in the area to achieve ‘Championship Section’ status, competing at the very highest level for many years. The band enjoys regular contesting success and has qualified for the National Brass Band Finals for five consecutive years. In recent years the band has held the titles of North of England and Northern Open Champions.
Many outstanding players have started their careers at the ‘Institute’ and have gone on to play for the very best bands and orchestras in the world including Jonathan Holland the current leader of the trumpet section at the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.
The Band enjoys an excellent reputation for entertaining audiences and has played live on BBC Radio 1 with Lulu, performed a concert with Ken Dodd and was once conducted by Alan Titchmarsh in a rousing rendition of On Ilkley Moor Bar t’at live on Radio 2!
Chris Hirst was appointed as MD in September 2013 and is a renowned brass musician. Formerly the Principal Trombone of the Grimethorpe, IMI Yorkshire Imperial Metals and the Brighouse and Rastrick Bands he also has extensive experience as a conductor enjoying success with Nestlé Rowntree and subsequently the Shepherd Group Bands, British Steel Teesside, EYMS, Old Silkstone and the Barnsley Building Society Bands.
In March 2014 the Band won the title of North of England Champions (First Section) and is promoted to compete in the Championship Section from January 2015.
SUNDAY JUNE 26th. THE HESSLE CEILIDH BAND.
Outside on the Manor House lawn courtesy of the Ashes trust.(Indoors if wet in the lower hall at the Shire Hall).
The Hessle Ceilidh Band are a fantastic and unusual band with a dazzling array of instruments and a fantastic selection of tunes. They are exceptional and talented players and play a mixture of English, Irish, Scottish and European music for a great Yorkshire knees up! But the band is only half the story – the other half is the caller – the person who shoutsthe moves out and guides you through the dances – we are really lucky to work with an exceptional caller who is full of energy and can get people up and enjoying themselves in no time – the dances are fantastic and really help to build a party atmosphere. 
Originally the word Ceilidh (kay-lee) descended from the Gaelic word for ‘gathering’ or ‘party’… However, these days when people think of a Ceilidh, they think of a fun filled night of wild dancing, good music and great company! The beauty of a ceilidh or Barn Dance is that everyone can take part, young or old, experienced dancers to beginners and even those with two left feet!
Please note: There will be a nominal charge of just £1 for the three Howden Minster concerts, all of which will go towards Minster funds. All concerts are from 2pm to 4pm (ish)
HEART OF GLASS
£12.50
7.30 for 8pm
There are only a few tickets left for HEART OF GLASS and therefore we have withdrawn the online option for buying tickets. Hard copy tickets are still available at Touchwood Homecare, Howden, 01430 431535.
Well! …..Thought you had seen the last of Heart Of Glass at the Shire Hall? We are pleased to say that you can think again, back for a record breaking 11th 
performance!
A tribute to Blondie fronted by the delectable Denise Danielle described as ‘the closest to Debbie Harry yet!’ There is a very good reason we have booked them back every year, a record now for consecutive appearances in Howden! That reason is that they simply rock! A cast iron guarantee of a superbly entertaining night out .
Heart of Glass are the foremost Blondie Tribute band in the UK and the only one that is fully professional. Lead singer Denise Danielle who has put together a stunning replication of a ‘Blondie’ show with all the favourite classics plus a lot more: Atomic, Maria, The Tide Is High, Hanging On The Telephone, Call Me, Denis, One Way Or Another, Sunday Girl and many, many more.
Denise prides herself on authenticity and does 6 costume changes during a show, each reflecting upon the various songs. There is no finer exponent of the songs, style and raw energy of Deborah Harry and Blondie. This will be a real treat to see this band – it will be like experiencing the real Blondie in 1978
Saturday May 14th
THE JAR FAMILY £12.50
& Dogfinger Steve
7.30 for 8pm.
Hartlepool based The Jar Family are five individual songwriters and musicians, who decided that, rather than strive for success in isolation, they would join forces to pool their talent.Although on paper the idea of five very different and charismatic personalities with a wide range of musical styles working together harmoniously seems unlikely, the stunning results of their work to date speak for themselves. Taking their name from the donations jar they passed around at early gigs, the band are a tight knit group who had the foresight to realise that they were stronger collectively than they were individually.
To pursue their ambitious vision some tough early decisions had to be made. With few musical opportunities and even less resources at their disposal in their native North East the band temporarily moved away from their families in Hartlepool and relocated to a deserted farm in the remote Cambridgeshire countryside. There they built themselves a basic rehearsal studio and living in a ramshackle collection of old caravans for over a year they started to develop and refine what was to become the Jar Family sound.
A relentless touring schedule, which has seen the band appearing as special guests to a number of established artists such as Jake Bugg, Babyshambles, Alabama 3 and others has brought their raucous and engaging shows to all corners of the country. Picking up an ever-growing army of admirers as a result of this live activity the band has now established a major fan base of fanatical supporters throughout the UK.
The Jar Family recorded new material at the legendary Monnow Valley Studios in 2014 with acclaimed producer Rupert Christie and ar released a new album ‘Family First’ in September 2015 amidst more inexorable touring.
Saturday April 30th
TOO REX £14
7.30 for 8pm.
Featuring the incredible Bobby T as Marc Bolan, Too REX bring back the Glam Rock era of the seventies to enthusiastic audiences across the land. With a magical spell binding show that covers most of Marc Bolan’s career, from the early hippy period of Tyrannosaurus REX to the megastar, chart topping days of T-REX, complete with real vintage equpiment, full costume changes, glitter, and more than a dash of star quality, Too REX, the band, come incredibly close to the real thing.
The two hour show usually includes some early singles such as “Deborah”, and “One Inch Rock” and “Ride A White Swan” to the huge hits like “Get It On”, “Telegram Sam”, Hot Love”, “Jeepster” and Children of the Revolution”, to some of the fondly remembered album material, including tracks from the acclaimed Billy Elliot movie soundtrack and even recent blockbuster movie School of Rock with Jack Black who is an avid T.REX fan!
Registered Charity Number 107530
As well as a raffle and auctions all of the profits from the bar will also be going to the appeal courtesy of The Kings Head at Barmby.
VIN GARBUTT
SATURDAY APRIL 16TH £12
& Fiona Lee
7.30 for 8pm
Winner of BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards “Best Live Act” Award 2001Vin’s career has spanned over 40 
years of constant world wide touring which must make him some kind of elder statesman of folk. His songs were inspired by the folk tradition at the beginning of his career, they still are but have transformed into gritty social comment and life observations. He is renowned for his hilarious intros but for him his song lyrics are the crux of his performance.“Vin cuts through the bull, grasping those he meets firmly by the hand and shaking them up with a dose of laughter and tears. It’s a true gift to be able to make us laugh and squirm at the same time, but Vin does both. He should be prescribed on the National Health.” English Folk Dance & Song Society.“Every budding singer-songwriter please take note: attending a Vin Garbutt concert is now mandatory before your first public performance. Garbutt is the undisputed master of communicating with an audience.” Penguin Eggs magazine. CanadaBBC Radio 2 Folk Awards Nominee for “Best Folk Singer” and “Best Live Act” Awards 2001Winner of BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards “Best Live Act” Award 2001Honorary Degree of Master of Arts awarded to Vin by Teesside University in 2001 for his music and his services to the arts and culture of the area of the North East of England.BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards Nominee for “Best Live Act” Award 2007.Vin Garbutt is reputed to have said that he is not interested in becoming a big star in the accepted sense. Nevertheless in the area of music where he performs, there is no bigger star. He prefers to be a big fish in a small pond. This attitude means that his need for privacy and a balanced home life are safeguarded and satisfied. What the world realised long before Vin did, was that the small pond had grown over the years into a considerable lake.All this has happened without the hype from big Record Companies, and without the usual publicity from the mass media. He has performed all over the globe, and in parts of countries that the biggest stars will never see. This phenomenon has occurred solely by word of mouth, spread by people who have come across him, and felt the need to share this unique experience with their fellow countrymen.
Fiona Lee is an emerging singer-songwriter from Yorkshire with a compelling voice which belies her years. Her songs tell tales of teenage life with both innocent simplicity and impressively mature observations. Having taught herself to play guitar, she discovered her true voice at a local acoustic night; since then she has been performing her songs publicly at every opportunity. As well as playing regularly at open mic sessions, she is currently working with producer Chris Miley, developing and recording her songs for her debut release later in the year.
CANCELLED …CURVED AIR … CANCELLED
Instead:………HOWDEN ACOUSTIC! Katie Spencer. Dogfinger Steve, John Cox & Rosie Que aka Urban Rain, Carrie Martin and Jack Parker.
Saturday April 2nd
7.30 for 8pm.
Right then! There may be the odd thing I have forgotten but wheels are in motion with We Got Tickets for partial refunds for people who would like to come to HOWDEN ACOUSTIC tomorrow instead of Curved Air and full refunds for them as don’t. Partial and full refunds are also available for folks that have bought tickets the old fashioned way. Details of what is happening have been spread as far and wide as is possible at such short notice and Broadley’s printers in Goole have pulled out all the stops and sorted new posters for us. We just need a full house now and you lot out there are the ones that can help us with that, thank you.
KATIE SPENCER is a singer songwriter inspired by the people and her surroundings in the Yorkshire countryside. Enjoying music from a young age has  developed her ever-evolving and infinite musical tastes and influences, including John Martyn, Ryley Walker and Led Zeppelin. Katie began to teach herself to play the guitar in December 2012 and soon after started writing refreshingly mature songs that quieten the room, as you accompany their characters on evocative and poignant journeys. Katie is also in the process of creating her debut album alongside Brian Young, featuring Ted McKenna, with bass written by Danny Thompson.”
CARRIE MARTIN is an acoustic guitarist, singer and songwriter from Hull in Yorkshire. She played guitar from an early age, taught by her father. Having largely given up music to raise a family, she returned to writing, playing, singing and performing ,inspired and encouraged by the noted acoustic guitarist Gordon Giltrap – she cites her meeting Gordon as the most important thing that has happened to her in her musical career. Her guitar playing has attracted sufficient attention for her to be recruited as an endorsee by Vintage guitars. Influenced by the DOGFINGER STEVE may be getting a little ‘ho hum’ these days about being referred to as ‘Driffields answer to Seasick Steve’ but such comparisons are affectionate in the face of self penned, stompin’ cigar box guitar toons performed with passion and their very own brand of originality. Five years ago Dogfinger was born, stomping out a boutique brand of dirty swamp JOHN COX & ROSIE QUE, aka URBAN RAIN perform their original melodic, groovy songs with a JACK PARKER a mahoosively talented young singer/songwriter from Bridlington with his subtle mix of pop, folk and soul. |
few covers. Their sound is soulful & funky with some cool harmony vocals.MAGGIE BELL & DAVE KELLY
In Concert £15
Maggie Bell and Dave Kelly renew their partnership in 2015 after a two year lay-off with some selected venues and festivals in the UK and Canada, and will tour the UK in 2016.
The on-stage chemistry is immediately apparent, stemming from their love and respect for the music they play as well as the deep knowledge of the genre. Although both coming originally out of blues/soul explosion of the late 1960’s their repertoire is far broader than just that. When they first got together in 2007 (?) they both wished to sing ‘any song that took their fancy’, so the set includes folk, rock, country, gospel as well as blues and soul.
Their stage craft is as would be expected from two professionals with a collective experience of 100 years, but this is no slick show wheeled out with any predictability. Indeed when Maggie and Dave take to the stage ‘anything can happen’ (and often does). One promoter commented ” I don’t know how they make such a sound with one guitar and two voices – it sounded like a full band”
A wonderful evening of acoustic blues, soul and good times, and no doubt a little humour. Maggie Bell – Scotland’s Queen of Soul, founder member of Stone the Crows, later had an incredibly successful solo career on both sides of the Atlantic, now once again back on the music scene after a 20 year lay off. She was a resounding hit at the Led Zeppelin reunion concert in 2008.Dave Kelly – London’s slide guitar king, having learned his trade in the backing bands of, and recording with, Son House, Howlin Wolf, John Lee Hooker, Buddy Guy, Junior Wells to name but five blues legends, a founder member of The Blues Band, still wowing audiences after nearly 30 years..
MARTIN TURNER plays the music of WISHBONE ASH
Saturday March 5th £15
7.30 for 8pm.
An evening of classic Wishbone Ash music…and beyond. Wishbone Ash was formed by West Country musicians Martin Turner and Steve Upton, who arrived in London in 1969 to embark on their musical journey. Intent on creating a musical sound that was rich in texture and melody, Martin Turner envisaged the band’s innovative harmony-guitar hallmark and guitarists Ted Turner and Andy Powell were recruited via a now legendary Melody Maker advert. The partnership of the original line-up of Wishbone Ash forged a unique musical identity that would produce some of rock music’s best loved works and influence numerous successful bands and result in millions of album sales and concert attendances. Wishbone Ash would become one of the most enduring and best loved British rock acts and its name synonymous with high quality guitar-driven melodic rock music. Over four decades later, the enduring music of the classic marks of Wishbone Ash continues to delight audiences worldwide through both live performances and a rich legacy of recorded work that continues to be enjoyed by fans old and new.
guitarists Danny Willson and Misha Nikolic, and drummer Tim Brown and remains faithful to the original Wishbone Ash blueprint. In recent years Martin Turner has delighted audiences worldwide with its performances of material from the classic periods of Wishbone Ash’s history, with concert appearances in the UK, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Norway, Holland, Spain, Greece, Mexico, Brazil, Japan, the USA and Canada. Performances have been captured on a series of acclaimed live CD and DVD releases. Martin Turner looks back fondly on his touring activities since his return to the live stage: “I have had a wonderful time over the past few years rediscovering the wider Wishbone Ash catalogue and taking this to the people. When I go to see an artist live, I want to hear the songs as I remember them from the records and I believe that is true of the Wishbone Ash audience too.”THE STEVE FULSHAM BAND & THE NICOL BAND £10
7.30 for 8pm.
The Steve Fulsham Band play classic rock and blues like they mean it, which is easy because they do! Based in the City of Culture 2017 , they play a wide range of blues-rock styles: from 60’s British, through swaggerin’ Texan, all the way to all-guns-blazing 70’s stadium rock, while covering, as The Reverend Billy Gibbons put it: “all points in between…” Amongst the classics are their own numbers, five of which feature on their CD ‘On Fire’ ; all composed by Steve. They have headlined the Isis Stage at Stormin’ the Castle and the Blues Stage at the MAG Farmyard Party and have appeared on the British Stage at Colne Blues Festival and for the first time this year, the circuit at Maryport Blues.
With all of those years behind him, there is now a vast treasure in the locker room.
Saturday February 6th
HOLY MOLY & THE CRACKERS £10
With Thomas Evans and Carrie Martin
7.30 for 8pm.
Holy Moly & The Crackers are a seven-piece ‘gypsy folkNroll’ band from the UK. They released their debut album ‘First Avenue’ in October 2012 and an EP ‘Lilly’
a year later – described as “a re-imagining of three traditional folk/blues songs that evokes eras of whiskey and guns on modern punk folk steroids”. Their newest single ‘A Punk Called Peter’ (2015) is “a sort of New Orleans funeral march mixed with some fine and highly danceable reggae”. Tracks from the album and EP have been played by Amazing Radio, BBC Introducing and leading music critic Mike Harding.
They are making an impact on both the national and international tour circuit; they have played well over 200 shows throughout the UK, including sell out concerts in London, the Midlands, Yorkshire, Newcastle and Edinburgh. In October 2013 the band toured internationally in Europe. The band has performed at major festivals across the country, including shows at Hop Farm Festival, Secret Garden Party, Boomtown and Cornbury Festival, where they opened for Jools Holland.Holy Moly and the Crackers are influenced by an eclectic range of styles and artists – the honest grit and gravel of Woody Guthrie, the gypsy bone-cage burlesque of Gogol Bordello: punk, ska, reggae, folk, blues, honky-tonk, Balkan etc. As such they play a unique mash-up of folk/blues, waltz tempos and hoe-downs and french zazou in outlandish carnival style. It is loud, funky and fun.
and Jim Morrison. He has an essential understanding of how to capture the soul of a song. He has been a session musician for some years now, touring with acts such as The Bandoliers, Down Town Leicester Brown and currently, Holy Moly & The Crackers. However he has only begun to tour his solo act. An absolute must seeCarrie Martin is an acoustic guitarist, singer and songwriter from Hull in Yorkshire. She played guitar from an early age, taught by her father. Having largely given up music to raise a family, she returned to writing, playing, singing and performing ,inspired and encouraged by the noted acoustic guitarist Gordon Giltrap – she cites her meeting Gordon as the most important thing that has happened to her in her musical career. Her guitar playing has attracted sufficient attention for her to be recruited as an endorsee by Vintage guitars. Influenced by the likes of Eva Cassidy and Ann Wilson from Heart, her writing and performing style nevertheless defies categorisation,
Saturday January 23rd
TWO PIANOS £10
SOLD OUT….SOLD OUT…SOLD OUT… There is a waiting list at Touchwood for returns. We can only refund tickets on the night if we are able to re sell them, thank you.
Are you ready to rock & roll like it’s the 1950’s again? Two Pianos will take you back in time to celebrate the magnificent “Sun Studios” era, performing classic hits from Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Elvis, Chuck Berry and many more.Your evening will kick of to a rockin’ start as two of the UK’s finest and charismatic rock & roll pianists each individually perfom, along with a five piece band, a score of hits including “Whole Lotta Shakin”, “Never Can Tell”, “Blue Suede Shoes”, “Roll Over Beethoven”, “Honey Don’t”, “True Love Ways”, “Chantilly Lace”, “Johnny B Goode”, “Great Balls Of Fire”, “Oh Boy”, “Blue Berry Hill”, “Love Me Tender”, “You Win Again”, “Maybellene”, plus many more! The evening will progress into a climatic and energetic piano duel between the two pianists, resolving into a memorable night of foot stomping rock & roll! A show that even “The Killer” himself thinks “ROCKS!” Al Kilvo is an Americana piano player from Hull, Yorkshire in England, who plays with a style and verve described as that of the ‘Killer’ Jerry-Lee Lewis himself. As a youngster, Al appeared in many line ups in his native Yorkshire UK before forming an original country-folk band with M.G Greaves and the Lonesome Too. He has toured nationally with Hull’s own Beautiful South taking in major venues such as The Hammersmith Odeon and Edinburgh Playhouse. Al continues to home his skills in the musical styles of Americas southern states.In 2013 Al was invited to record an album with his close friend Johnny Pat in the world famous Sun Studios in Memphis TN with Kenny Lovelace and Robert Hall of The Jerry Lee Lewis band. Subsequently the event and recording have been brilliant and now Al and ‘JP’ are enjoying playing the music they love to a wider audience across Europe and the USA. Later in 2013, Al and JP performed in live venues on world famous Bourbon Street in New Orleans and Phil Brady’s in Baton Rouge as they continue to sell the Americans back their music! Al also continued to perform all over northern England and appeared weekly with his Country band in Cottingham ‘The Fork Handles’David Barton is a pianist and singer from Hull in East Yorkshire. From the age of eight, David developed a passion for the blues and boogie woogie piano, later discovering the art of rock & roll piano and likened to other artists such as Jools Holland, Meade Lux Lewis and Jerry Lee Lewis. At the age of 26, David has already performed alongside some of the world’s most accomplished musicians, including jazz maestro Jamie Cullum, American blues guitarist Walter Trout and classical Mezzo-Soprano Katherine Jenkins to name a few. David has performed in venues around the country, including the prestigious Royal Albert Hall. ‘He’s better than me. I have a funny feeling he will have his own show here one day’ – Jamie Cullum, RAH London.
BON GIOVI
Saturday January 16th £15.
Fronted by UK’s leading Jon Bon Jovi impersonator Andrea Ojano. The band have not only toured lengthily around the UK, for clients such as Harley Davidson, Vodafone, Butlins, Chicago Rock Cafes, Yates, Walkabouts, The British Motorcycle Federation and Jack Daniels, but have also performed internationally in over 25 countries, including The Middle East, Russia, Slovenia, Austria, Cyprus, Turkey, Greece, Holland, Germany, Belgium, Spain, France and Ireland to name but a few.
Covering every aspect of Bon Jovi’s extensive career, BON GIOVI perform all the greatest hits such as ‘Living On A Prayer’, It’s My Life, Wanted Dead or Alive, as well as many others from every album ever produced in one amazing stage show which include all these hits and more, not too mention performing rare tracks that even Bon Jovi haven’t performed for many years.So if you’re ready to ‘Runaway’ on ‘One Wild Night’ down that ‘Lost Highway’ for a taste of the some of the world’s greatest Stadium Anthems, the closest you’ll get to the Real Thing.
Formed in August of 1999, with over 16 years UK and International touring experience as a band and nearly 5 times that combined from individual members, this act is without compromise one of the best Tribute acts on the circuit today.
THE ZYNX
& Fiona Till
£15. THURSDAY DECEMBER 31st
(Would that be New years Eve?) 7.30 for 8pm.
THE ZYNX are one of the UK’s top punk / ska cover bands, hailing from Yorkshire and performing classic tracks from the legends of punk and ska…….The Clash, Sex Pistols, The Ramones, Bad Manners, The Specials, The Jam and The Stranglers….plus many, many more!!!!!!
Formed in 2008, the band have risen on the back of performances at scooter rallies, bike festivals and music venues across the country, bringing them a reputation that culminated in supporting major recording artistes on their UK tours …..such as The Beat and UK Subs, a rare feat for a ‘covers band’, but one they expect to repeat in time to come……plus the coveted spot of backing internationally renowned ‘Badness’ at their “Christmas Special” gigs each year…….
The Zynx are a five-piece unit and travel with a full p.a. and lights set up.
“Every song a classic” – Charlie Harper (UK Subs)
“They blew me away” – Jet (guitarist- UK Subs)
“A relentless, powerful set” – (Tenfootcity Magazine)
“A fantastic set and great fun!” – Ranking Roger (The Beat)
Plus the hugely talented young singer songwriter from Howden, FIONA TILL
BYOB Folks! Bring along your own liquid refreshment and the odd nibble or three if the fancy takes you……Tickets are limited to ensure that everyone has a comfortable (And hugely entertaining) time, get yours soon!
THE RED DIRT SKINNERS
& Dogfinger Steve.
Saturday December 5th £10.
7.30 for 8pm.
The Red Dirt Skinners rule breaking individuality has led to them being the first band in history to succeed at both the British Blues Awards (WINNER – Instrumentalist of the Year 2014) and the British Country Music Awards ( Finalist BEST NEW ACT and PEOPLE’S CHOICE 2013). The Skinners were also voted by UK Country Radio as one of the top ten acts of 2014.
The band’s music has wide appeal and comfortably blends Country, Blues, Americana and Folk Music. With a relentless touring schedule, the duo have been described by many as the “hardest working band in the business”. Audiences the world over describe them as “refreshingly different”.
From the first song of the show, it is immediately evident that they love performing live. The Skinners vocal harmonies have been described as “sublime” and “beyond perfection”. Rob and Sarah particularly love the opportunity to interact with audiences both during and after their shows. 
“One of the best duos in the business” Blues in Britain Magazine. “The best live act I’ve heard in yonks!” Fatea Magazine.
“Home bred duos don’t come more impassioned or impressive” Daily Mirror “The First Couple of British Country” Classic Rock Magazine
“One of Britain’s most engaging duos of any genre”. Hebden Blues Festival
THE NORTHERN SHOWTIME ORCHESTRA
THE BEST OF!
Saturday November 14th £10
Just what it says on the tin! Over three previous triumphant appearances at the Shire Hall The Northern Showtime Orchestra have performed shows featuring Frank Sinatra, Glenn Miller and The Great American Songbook. Tonight is the best of all three! Not only that this is the premiere of this new and original show!
This popular orchestra is returning to Howden with a unique show, featuring highlights from four of its theatre shows celebrating the work of musical legends of the 20th century. Trombone player Tony Turner put together the Northern Showtime Orchestra to showcase the music of such legends as Glenn Miller, Frank Sinatra, George Gershwin and others: “This is a show I’ve always wanted to do and its first ever public performance will be in Howden,” says Tony. “We will be telling the story of the rise of pop(ular) music, starting in New Orleans in the early 1900s ending in the closing years of the twentieth century. Along the way we chart the origins of jazz, the Great American Songbook, the rise of the big band swing and the work of legends such as Frank Sinatra through to Michael Buble.” “This year we will be bringing 9 members of the orchestra to reproduce the sounds of the original performances and tell our musical stories.” Music will include: Standards from the 1930s such as Five Foot Two, Sweet Georgia Brown, the Charleston. Songs from the Great American Songbook such as Mack the Knife, Have You Met Miss Jones? It Ain’t Necessarily So, Straighten Up and Fly Right, Ain’t That A Kick In the Head, Sway. Swing classics such as Moonlight Serenade, Caravan , Big Noise from Winnetka, Stardust and Pennsylvania 65000, Fever, Why Don’t You Do Right?
The shows closes with a celebration of the last half of the 20th Century: Come Fly With Me, Fly Me to the Moon, Take 5, Beyond the Sea, Route 66 and music from the freedom struggling South African Jazz Pioneers.
The band members include: Tony Turner, on trombone, grew up in Bolton before embarking on a teaching and performing career on the other side of the Pennines. He became a member of one of the UK’s top big bands – the George Bradley Big Band – and other UK brass and big bands. Tony has devised the NSO shows. Kathy Seabrook – trained as a flautist at Guildhall, Kathy performed with Scottish Opera and several of the UK’s most famous orchestras before settling in Scarborough to become a regular member of the Scarborough Spa Orchestra. Her amazing ability on the tenor saxophone and vocals (in addition to flute) are highlights of the Northern Showtime Orchestra’s shows. Graham Quilter – on clarinet and saxophone. Royal Academy trained and also a member of the Scarborough Spa Orchestra, Graham is in demand as a solo performer and orchestral reed player as well as a jazz recreator. He specialises in performing the legendary solos of Artie Shaw and Benny Goodman. Nigel Blenkiron –Nigel studied at the Trinity College of Music in London far away from his original hometown of Reeth in the Yorkshire Dales where he first played trumpet with the village brass band. He now works with bands and orchestras across the North of England and has worked for many years for the North Yorkshire Music Service, teaching young brass players. Dave Clegg – pianist and arranger. Dave is one of the UK’s top theatre musical directors, whose career has including running cruise ship bands for P&O and Cunard. Dave is responsible for most of the musical transcriptions and arrangements in this show. We are lucky to have him as a member of the Northern Showtime Orchestra. Bob Walker – bass player. Having worked for over 40 years on touring shows, pantomimes, cruises, concerts, holiday centres and theatre, Bob now divides his time between live performance and music production. Andy Crofts – percussion. Andy has worked nationally and internationally in a varied career, including symphony orchestras, theatre, cruises, big bands, jazz and tribute shows. Vocalist: Richard Adams An ever rising star vocalist with an incredible range of vocal material, he is very at home with the Northern Showtime Orchestra. A popular vocalist in the North of England, Richard has a wide repertoire of music, delivering Astaire, Sinatra, Buble, Robbie Williams, Dean Martin, Tommy Steele songs effortlessly, as well as performing his self-penned songs in blues, jazz and folk clubs. and introducing ………… Vocalist: Gracie Falls A young singer/songwriter/musician who has just finished recording her debut album, as well as a 4 month tour around the USA. Having played live multiple times on radio over the last 2 1/2 years on various shows, she is well on her way to an amazing career in the entertainment industry.
HATS OFF TO LED ZEPPELIN
Friday November 13th £12.50
The Official UK No.1 tribute to the gods of Rock and Roll! Hats Off to Led Zeppelin are proud to be the only tribute act in the UK officially endorsed by Marshall amplifiers and they are managed by none other than Warren Grant … for the uninitiated, his father Peter was Led Zeppelin’s manager! “Hats Off to Led Zeppelin are the closest you are going to get” Warren said after first seeing the band.
Close your eyes and let these four world class musicians take you back to when Led Zeppelin ruled the earth! Having played with Queen, Ray Davies, Edwin Starr, Iron Maiden, Gerry & the Pacemakers, PJ Proby, Shaun Ryder & the Seahorses as well as appearing in a plethora of London Shows including We Will Rock You, Thriller LIVE!, Wicked, Billy Elliot, Dancing in the Streets, Return to the Forbidden Planet and Buddy to name but a few, these guys are a truly professional outfit guaranteed to give you a night that you won’t forget in a hurry!
With glowing endorsements from Led Zeppelin’s tour manager Richard Cole – “Worth seeing … entertainment with style”; Led Zep biographer Dave Lewis – “a refreshing no nonsense approach … this band delivers every time!”; and the BBC – “an outstanding concert”, along with audience and critical acclaim – “Shut your eyes and you would think you were listening to the real thing”, this is a show not to be missed!
If you want to see one of the most exciting live acts around then book your ticket now! Think you know tribute bands? Think again!
BLACKBEARDS TEA PARTY
Saturday November 7th £12.
& THE LOST ART.
It was only a matter of time before this talented lot returned to Howden, out of the same exhuberant, original draw asCo Co & The Butterfields they were voted best band at last year’s Cropredy Convention, and named THE band to see at Glastonbury by the Huffington Post,
Playing together since summer 2009, Blackbeard’s Tea Party began as a busking, function and ceilidh band, but quickly grew a reputation as a formidable live act. They soon found themselves selling out venues in their home town of York.
Word quickly spread, and the band began to play gigs further afield, including a number of noteworthy festival concerts and ceilidh bookings through 2010 and 2011. These included Sidmouth, Shrewsbury and a headline slot at Galtres, amongst others.
During this time, Blackbeard’s Tea Party released a mini-album (Heavens to Betsy, 2009) and a full length album (Tomorrow We’ll Be Sober, 2011) to excellent critical acclaim and public response. Both were funded and distributed independently.
After the release of Heavens to Betsy the band’s distinct sound was picked up by the BBC’s Mike Harding, who played Blackbeard’s Tea Party on BBC Radio 2’s weekly folk show.
Since the release of Tomorrow We’ll Be Sober – which R2 Magazine gave a five star rating – Blackbeard’s Tea Party have gone from strength to strength. They were recognised as one of the best live bands in the UK in the 2011 FATEA Awards and 2012 saw a long run of festival bookings, including Cambridge and Whitby, and return visits to Sidmouth and Shrewsbury, amongst others. 
2013 saw the band continue to grow. In April, Blackbeard’s Tea Party issued their second full length album “Whip Jamboree”, released nationwide through Proper Music Distribution and reaching #4 on the Amazon MP3 folk charts alongside continued critical praise. In support of the release the band embarked on 2 UK headline tours playing far and wide in both the Spring and Autumn.
In between touring, Summer provided a stunning festival season including return visits to Sidmouth (3 consecutive years), Beverley and another headline slot at Galtres, alongside breaking into more mainstream festivals such as Bingley Live and Hull Freedom Fest.
In 2014, Blackbeard’s Tea Party experienced their biggest and best year to date. They finally signed up for their passports and branched out into international gigs, playing at the first Costa Del Folk Festival in Spain, and headlining the Rainforest World Music Festival in Borneo. At home, the band continued to support “Whip Jamboree” with their longest and most prestigious festival run to date, including slots at Glastonbury, Fairport’s Cropredy Convention, Shrewsbury Folk Festival, another Galtres headline and Larmer Tree Festival!
2015 sees the band embark on another long run of festivals and the end of the year holds some very exciting plans for an album launch tour, why…….. its this one!!
THE LOST ART: Gordo Francis & Greg Hooper formed The Lost Art in June 2012 and quickly established a reputation as a fascinating live act, dazzling audiences with their skilful fretwork, subtle vocal blend and finely nuanced duo dynamic. Through their humble yet committed approach to collaboration the duo enjoy an enriched musical fusion where anything is possible, and audiences enjoy being kept on the edge of their seats!
The Lost Art comfortably draw on an extensive range of influences and experience in the creation of their own sound. Gordo started his musical career as a drummer in a math metal band whilst studying Music Production and Sound Design, and has since gone on to write string quartets and score music for short film. His influences range from Simon & Garfunkel, Nick Drake and Ben Christophers to Messiaen, Taverner and Dufay! Similarly, Greg has always balanced a classical background with an intuitive love of rock music – he has orchestrated scores for television and film projects (including Exodus: Gods & Kings last year) and performed national premieres of contemporary piano pieces, but would still highlight his discovery of Led Zeppelin during his teenage years as being a groundbreaking life event. People often find it hard to believe that they are both self-taught guitarists and singers, and both would agree that they enjoy a lack of inhibition in songwriting – a space where they are free to create their own rules.
THE CRAZY WORLD OF ARTHUR BROWN
With: Graham Graham Beck and Grace Solero.
Friday October 23rd £17.
The Crazy World of Arthur Brown celebrates 45 years of the massive worldwide hit FIRE with a brand new live show including the legendary fire helmet and rock n roll theatricals.
Arthur Brown first came to prominence in swinging London in 1967, after spending some time on the Paris underground scene Arthur was quickly signed to Track Records at the instruction of The Who’s Pete Townshend and released the single Devils Grip, regarded by some as the record that gave the birth of Heavy Metal.
Arthur is best thought of for his 1968 Number one single Fire that still gets regular airplay all over the world and has been covered by the likes of Ozzy Osbourne, Die Krupps, The Prodigy and The Who.
Arthur’s next band Kingdom Come performed as the main act at the first filmed Glastonbury Festival in 1971 and in 1973 Kingdome Come was the first band to release an album using a Drum Machine.
Artists such as Peter Gabriel, Alice Cooper and Bruce Dickenson site Arthur Brown their biggest influence and in this Arthur’s fifth decade in music the fire is far from out.
Arthur’s most recent album Voices Of Love had major critical acclaim and Arthur received the Classic Rock magazine showman of the year award.
New Album ‘Zim Zam Zim’ is out now following a successful pledge campaign that has shown incredible support for The God Of Hellfire 45 years after the release of his first hit single. Tracks from the album are being toured in 2014 / 2015 across the UK and Europe, alongside demonstrations of a new pioneering technology – a thought control helmet that enables Arthur to creat music with the power of his mind. “Arthur Brown and his band are essential viewing for anyone with even a modicum of appreciation for a true visionary artist.”
Open up more of AB’s world here…..
GRAHAM GRAHAM BECK – Born in Norfolk, & now living in Hull, keyboard player, singer-songwriter, enthusiastic ‘synth knob-twiddler’ & visual artist, Graham Graham Beck has played with WRECKLESS ERIC (from art college days of the 1970’s, up to the present – he played keyboards on Eric’s 2004 album, ‘Bungalow Hi’). He played piano on two tracks of ALAN CLAYSON’S 2012 album, ‘One Dover Soul’. Solo albums – ‘A Bathful Of Nasturtiums’ (2013); ‘Lo-Tech Music For Hi-Tech People’ (released May 2015).
His music doesn’t fall into any particular category, although ‘Quirky Alternative Pop with a whimsical edge’ seems to emcompass what he’s doing at the moment. There are elements of pop, rock, rock ‘n roll, jazz, ambient, electronic noodlings & other accidental sources, particularly when recording. ‘Live’ performance takes the music in a more-Surreal direction, with various stage props used to ‘enhance’ the songs. Influences include: Max Wall, Eno, Bonzo Dog Do-Dah Band, Kraftwerk, obscure Kraut Rock bands, & unsurprisingly Arthur Brown! He supported Arthur last year at Hessle Town Hall.
He continues to play solo, under the name ‘GRAHAM GRAHAM BECK’ (“It keeps me on the streets”, he says), singing songs about biscuits, packaging, superheroes, garden ornaments – you know, things that really matter (he is The Batman in his spare time, but don’t tell anyone….It’s a secret!). He was one-half of duo BIG SPIDER BECK & pyschedelic pop duo, MENU, & one-quarter of improvisational band, FEAR oF BICYCLES. When solo, he is four-quarters of himself.http://www.graham-graham-beck.co.uk
GRACE SOLERO. Grace Solero’s music has a certain raw energy that few artists can convincingly convey. Singer and guitarist Grace herself possesses a visceral voice of astounding range and a presence and poise as a performer that points to past dance, acting and gymnastic training. In the group she lends her name to, her star quality is matched by California born, Londao based guitarist Dan Beaulaurier, whose style displays a rare mix of technical mastery and real soul. Since first meeting while working on a production of Oscar Wilde’s Salome at London’s Theatre Technis, the pair have been producing beguiling, otherworldly sounds that utterly befit such far from humble beginnings.
CO CO & THE BUTTERFIELDS & Molly Curtis. £12
FRIDAY OCTOBER 9th.
A ‘double whammy’ weekend. Come to both gigs and we’ll knock two quid off CATB, refundable on the night on production of evidence of purchase of a C & C ticket.
It was only a matter of time before this wonderful bunch returned to Howden after last years barnstorming performance, if the audience that night had had anything to do with it they would have had them back the following evening!
Colourful, energetic & crowd-stamping, CoCo and the Butterfields express all the fun and vibrance of a village folk fair, throwing in powerful vocals and a beatbox to deliver catchy songs resonating in a stadium-filling pop and urban rap vibe. Yet the atmosphere is intimate, popular with audiences of all ages. The uniquely styled music transcends genre, skipping right to the part where people start dancing. CoCo and the Butterfields are on a mission to bring people from all backgrounds together, to have a good time!
All previously buskers, the spirit of jamming together and combining styles came naturally when Jamie (beatbox) was first invited by Tom and Dulcima to provide percussion for the early CATB recordings in 2012, and the band quickly grew into the 5 piece it is today, with Micah and Handsome Rob learning new instruments to extend the sound.The band have released four EPs, in the spirit of “let’s get the music out there”. Warriors (2013), King of the Corner (2013), Fip Fok (2014) and See the Sun (2014).Warriors, one of the most anthemic songs, was launched at a sell out show at Canterbury’s 1,200 capacity Marlowe Theatre followed by the release of the self-made fantasy music video, featuring the creation of an entire world, band members cast as lead characters and a trilogy film series to follow. Their latest release, See the Sun, saw each band member create a superhero persona for the music video which featured a comic book style story and some home-made effects.See the Sun was launched at Kent’s biggest venue, the 2,400 capacity Winter Gardens, where Tom’s nan once saw the Beatles perform. The show featured CoCo and the Butterfields supported by brass and strings sections, guest beatboxers plus an 80 adult choir and a 150 strong children’s choir from 5 local schools. Dulcima built a 7-foot sun which hung behind the band in front of a wall bedecked with starry LEDs. And loads of lovely people came! In 2014 the band performed 3 slots at Glastonbury. It was the first time any of them had been and they enjoyed it very much. They also made an appearance at many other major festivals, with plenty of the stage managers commenting that they were the “act of the year”.
CREGAN & CO
Saturday October 10th £15. The full band show.
Rod Stewart’s fellow guitarist and collaborative songwriter Jim Cregan from 1977 to the present day celebrates an evening of Rod’s hit songs with very special guest vocalist Ben Mills.
“If you can’t afford my tickets go see these guys ….. they’re just as good and half the price !!” Rod Stewart 2011
A brilliant feel good evening of Rod Stewart hits, with songs such as “You’re In My Heart”, “I Was Only Joking”, “Baby Jane”, “Blondes Have More Fun”, Maggie May”, “Forever Young” and many, many more!
Jim Cregan has a musical pedigree to die for, a former member of Family with Roger Chapman, remember the acoustic guitar break in Cockney Rebel’s “Come Up An See Me (Make Me Smile)”? That’s Jim Cregan. He has worked as a producer and musician with the likes of Art Garfunkle, Ronnie Wood, Ringo Starr, Elton John, Willie Nelson, Tina Turner, Janis Ian, Peabo Bryson, Cat Stevens and Joe Cocker to name just a few.
His work achieved top five hits in different charts and several more platinum selling records.He recorded two platinum selling albums with Katie Melua, Call Off The Search in 2003 and Piece By Piece in 2005, he has also toured extensively with her.
“Thursday’s headliners really took the bull by the horns; Jim Cregan was up there smiling enjoying himself, smashing out those classic Rod Stewart songs he co-wrote, played on and produced. Heads up goes to Ben Mills on vocals, third place finalist on X-Factor just shows what they know about music, this man is the real deal what a set of lungs! I wasn’t around to see Rod in his hey day (and I am 42!) but this I think is as close as I am going to get! “(Cambridge Rock Fest review 2013)
“Together, they soar, that great Rod Stewart sound conjured up by the guys who created it.” Southampton Review
Drummer Harry James is renowned for his work with legendary rock band Thunder as well as drumming with Steve Harley, Jon Lord and Glen Hughes. Other members of the band are bass player Pat Davey (Tom Robinson Band) and pianist Sam Tanner (Alexander O’Neil, Nate James & Duffy).
Ben Mills is an accomplished singer/songwriter in his own right and with this great band he plays a mean guitar too ! He’s having a blast singing Rod Stewart’s back catalogue with the guy who actually wrote the songs … putting his own stamp on the hits that everyone knows and loves….
“When I talk of goosebumps and tingles down my spine when I hear him sing it’s not just a figure of speech, it genuinely happens, and I would quite happily listen to him for hours on end knowing that I would be captivated, totally mesmerised, the entire time.”
“I was once again captured by Ben’s voice. Sat with my eyes closed, I could feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end as I surrendered to the music – for the next two hours, nothing else would matter.”
“The instant Ben started singing the mood was set and all around me people began to sing along and dance in their seats. Ben’s vocals are so naturally reminiscent of Rod Stewart’s …… the audience was taken back in time to one of the best musical eras ever …… he really got into the spirit of it all and the band seemed to be having as much fun up on the stage as we were having in front of it.”
This is a seriously good band who play seriously good music with a very serious feel-good factor to their show!
Come and listen to the stories and share in the music that has formed the soundtrack to many of our lives
for more than 30 years !
THE BEAUTIFUL COUCH
& Carrie Martin
Saturday September 26th £12.50
Emulating the sound of two of Hull’s finest, and most popular exports, The Beautiful South and The Housemartins. The Beautiful Couch first formed in 2002, playing all over the country. ‘The Couch’ built up a loyal following and a huge reputation in the tribute band world. Playing venues such as Liverpool’s The Cavern and the Matthew Street Festival, the 
KC Stadium in Hull, and they’ve also supported Deacon Blue and The Commitments.
After taking a few years off, the Couch returned for a one off gig at Hull City Hall in May 2012. Such was the demand for the band to return, they decided to grab their instruments and return to the stage, and the fans flocked to see them.
Now they’re back and raring to go, if you missed them first time around, don’t make the same mistake again!
The Beautiful Couch are: Ed Faulkner, Jan Brumby, Johny Kramer, Adam Parrish, Antoine Robinson, and Pete Bartley.
LIVE/WIRE!!
SOLD OUT…SOLD OUT…SOLD OUT… Friday September 11th £15. SOLD OUT…SOLD OUT…SOLD OUT…
Returns only, please ring Touchwood on 01430 431535 to get on the waiting list.
There’s a good reason we keep inviting Live/Wire back……They are simply….Awesome!!
The unique six man tribute to rock’s greatest band AC/DC, complete with trademark cannons, a wall of Marshalls and two hours of High Voltage Rock and Roll. Forty One years into the AC/DC story and the band cover both eras as always with both ‘Gary’ Bon Scott and ‘Pete’ Brian Johnson present to take you on the Rock and Roll train for a night to remember. The rhythm section keep it all meticulously together giving Ashgus the freedom to mesmerise the audience with his sublime playing and infinite energy. Those who have seen the show on the ‘For Those About To Rock’, ‘Ready to Bite’ and ‘Shake your Foundations’ tours are already witness to the talent and dedication Ash gives on stage with his portrayal of the livewire Angus Young delivering a truly amazing two hours of duck-walking, bedevilled Rock and Roll.
The band aim to put you slap bang in the middle of the show with hit after hit, and for the aficionados !
There’s always something special as well. Back in Black, Rosie, Highway to hell, the songs go on and on until the cannons fire ceremoniously to bring the evening to a superb crescendo. If by this time you are still standing……..we salute you !!
VINNIE & THE STARS
Saturday August 8th + Joe Harkin
£6.
Craig “Vinnie” Whitehead is a singer songwriter and acoustic artist renowned for his charismatic stage presence and engaging live performance. He is also the front man and driving force of the band Vinnie & The Stars. Active on the UK music scene since the release of the single Gone in 2007, Vinnie & The Stars built up a reputation around Yorkshire as one of most dynamic and entertaining bands on the scene. 
In 2009 Vinnie & The Stars released their debut album Swings & Roundabouts which contained Gone and their 2008 single Spaceship Blues.2013 saw Vinnie & The Stars release their highly acclaimed second album Punkological Business. Recorded at LOOM Studio Yorkshire featuring the singles I’m not from America… I’m from Hull and 4 or 5 Canner.In 2014 Vinnie & The Stars Started work on the third studio album Development. The recording process started at Vinnie’s Home Studio, Then the drums, bass and keyboards where recorded at LOOM Studio Yorkshire. Next Vinnie flew to Prince Edward Island Canada to work with producer Paul Milner at Shell Lane Studio. Paul has produced over 400 albums and engineered on Keith Richards – Talk is Cheap as well as working with artists such as Eddy Grant and Sting. Paul is a multi award winging producer and as a result of working with him Vinnie & The Stars have singed a publishing deal with Many Lives Music Publishers.Performing with Vinnie & The Stars and as a solo artist at venues and festivals across the UK and USA, including Beverley Folk Festival, Beat-Herder, Staxtonbury Festival, Minster FM’s Sounds In The Grounds Festival, Trib Festival and the Fake Festivals. As well as Mark’s Madness Festival In Louisiana. With a wide range of experiences gained also supporting acts including Goldie Lookin Chain, Billy Bragg, Ed Tudor Pole, Josh Pyke,Alistair Griffin, The Martin Harley Band, and Henry Cluney (Stiff Little Fingers).
Born in 1987, JOE HARKIN is a singer songwriter from Howden. He writes and plays his own songs with an originality and insight 
in to the lives of people he has come across. With an observational songwriting style he wittily documents on shady local characters, troubled economic times and his own doledrum days. He started writing songs at the age of 22 and soon formed the Dirty Rogues. The band went on to enjoy success at regional level and played a number of big venues, including Liverpool’s O2 arena and the famous Cavern Club. Harkin is an undoubted talent, whose lyrics and playing style are unique and deserve their place on any stage.
THE MONTH OF SUNDAYS 2015!
THE YORK RAILWAY INSTITUTE BAND……Sunday June 2nd…..Howden Minster.. 2.00pm
THE BEVERLEY BRASS BAND……Sunday June 14th…..The Manor House lawn…..(Shire Hall if wet) 2.00pm
THE YORK RAILWAY INSTITUTE BAND……Sunday June 21st…..Howden Minster. 2.30pm
All of the concerts are free!
York Railway Institute Band was established in 1883 by Noah Bruce and is York’s oldest Brass Band. Originally named Chaucer Street Mission Band and later known as York and District Mission and Temperance Band, York Excelsior Brass Band, York Home Guard Band and Ebor Excelsior Silver Band, it took on the name of York Railway Institute Band after allying itself to York Railway Institute in 1952 – the majority of members being railwaymen …at that time.
York R I was the first band in the area to achieve ‘Championship Section’ status, competing at the very highest level for many years. The band enjoys regular contesting success and has qualified for the National Brass Band Finals for five consecutive years. In recent years the band has held the titles of North of England and Northern Open Champions.
Many outstanding players have started their careers at the ‘Institute’ and have gone on to play for the very best bands and orchestras in the world including Jonathan Holland the current leader of the trumpet section at the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.
The Band enjoys an excellent reputation for entertaining audiences and has played live on BBC Radio 1 with Lulu, performed a concert with Ken Dodd and was once conducted by Alan Titchmarsh in a rousing rendition of On Ilkley Moor Bar t’at live on Radio 2!
Chris Hirst was appointed as MD in September 2013 and is a renowned brass musician. Formerly the Principal Trombone of the Grimethorpe, IMI Yorkshire Imperial Metals and the Brighouse and Rastrick Bands he also has extensive experience as a conductor enjoying success with Nestlé Rowntree and subsequently the Shepherd Group Bands, British Steel Teesside, EYMS, Old Silkstone and the Barnsley Building Society Bands.
In March 2014 the Band won the title of North of England Champions (First Section) and is promoted to compete in the Championship Section from January 2015.
THE BEVERLEY BRASS BAND.
York Railway Institute Band was established in 1883 by Noah Bruce and is York’s oldest Brass Band. Originally named Chaucer Street Mission Band and later known as York and District Mission and Temperance Band, York Excelsior Brass Band, York Home Guard Band and Ebor Excelsior Silver Band, it took on the name of York Railway Institute Band after allying itself to York Railway Institute in 1952 – the majority of members being railwaymen at that time.
York R I was the first band in the area to achieve ‘Championship Section’ status, competing at the very highest level for many years. The band enjoys regular contesting success and has qualified for the National Brass Band Finals for five consecutive years. In recent years the band has held the titles of North of England and Northern Open Champions.
Many outstanding players have started their careers at the ‘Institute’ and have gone on to play for the very best bands and orchestras in the world including Jonathan Holland the current leader of the trumpet section at the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.
The Band enjoys an excellent reputation for entertaining audiences and has played live on BBC Radio 1 with Lulu, performed a concert with Ken Dodd and was once conducted by Alan Titchmarsh in a rousing rendition of On Ilkley Moor Bar t’at live on Radio 2!
Chris Hirst was appointed as MD in September 2013 and is a renowned brass musician. Formerly the Principal Trombone of the Grimethorpe, IMI Yorkshire Imperial Metals and the Brighouse and Rastrick Bands he also has extensive experience as a conductor enjoying success with Nestlé Rowntree and subsequently the Shepherd Group Bands, British Steel Teesside, EYMS, Old Silkstone and the Barnsley Building Society Bands.
In March 2014 the Band won the title of North of England Champions (First Section) and is promoted to compete in the Championship Section from January 2015
TWO PIANOS
Saturday May 23rd £12.50
Two of the country’s finest piano men take to the stage to deliver an unforgettable rock & roll piano experience like no other. With duelling pianos and a live backing band, David Barton and Al Kilvington will sing and play you back in time to celebrate the music of the great 1950s American rock & roll era. Throughout the evening, David and Al will each individually showcase their take on 1950s American rock & roll, building the evening into a climatic piano duel, filled with hits from Jerry Lee Lewis , Fats Domino, Chuck Berry, Carl Perkins, Elvis and many more.
‘Dedicated rockers par excellence-top of our gig list’ – The Times newspaper ‘
An absolute joy to play with’ – Robert Hall – Jerry Lee Lewis Band
Having performed to audiences up to 10,000 across the UK, Europe and USA, David Barton and Al Kilvo are excited to bring something new and build upon the theatres commitment to staging live music. Al Kilvo is an Americana piano player from Hull, Yorkshire in England, who plays with a style and verve described as that of the ‘Killer’ Jerry-Lee Lewis himself. As a youngster, Al appeared in many line ups in his native Yorkshire UK before forming an original country-folk band with M.G Greaves and the Lonesome Too. He has toured nationally with Hull’s own Beautiful South taking in major venues such as The Hammersmith Odeon and Edinburgh Playhouse. Al continued to home his skills in the musical styles of Americas southern states whilst owning and running Hull’s famous music shop Gough and Davy (now 153 years old).David Barton is a pianist and singer from Hull in East Yorkshire. From the age of eight, David developed a passion for the blues and boogie woogie piano, later discovering the art of rock & roll piano and likened to other artists such as Jools Holland, Meade Lux Lewis and Jerry Lee Lewis. At the age of 26, David has already performed alongside some of the world’s most accomplished musicians, including jazz maestro Jamie Cullum, American blues guitarist Walter Trout and classical Mezzo-Soprano Katherine Jenkins to name a few.
David has performed in venues around the country, including the prestigious Royal Albert Hall and the St. Helens Citadel Theatre.
‘He’s better than me. I have a funny feeling he will have his own show here one day’ – Jamie Cullum, Royal Albert Hall, London.
TOO REX
SATURDAY MAY 2nd £14.00
Too REX – The Uk’s tribute to Marc Bolan’s T.REX
Due to circumstances beyond our control there will not be a bar at this years concert, a bonus for you as we would like you to Bring Your Own Booze! In previous years the total bar profits have played a significant part in the fundraising process for Cookridge and latterly, the Yorkshire Cancer Centre. Therefore there will be a charity contribution of £5 per person, thank you. Tickets are STILL AVAILABLE…..
Featuring the incredible Bobby T as Marc Bolan, Too REX bring back the Glam Rock era of the seventies to enthusiastic audiences across the land. With a magical spell binding show that covers most of Marc Bolan’s career, from the early hippy period of Tyrannosaurus REX to the megastar, chart topping days of T-REX, complete with real vintage equpiment, full costume changes, glitter, and more than a dash of star quality, Too REX, the band, come incredibly close to the real thing.
The two hour show usually includes some early singles such as “Deborah”, and “One Inch Rock” and “Ride A White Swan” to the huge hits like “Get It On”, “Telegram Sam”, Hot Love”, “Jeepster” and Children of the Revolution”, to some of the fondly remembered album material, including tracks from the acclaimed Billy Elliot movie soundtrack and even recent blockbuster movie School of Rock with Jack Black who is an avid T.REX fan!
With sell out shows, and a Glam revival in full swing, there’s never been a better time to relive the legend of Marc Bolan and T-REX!
The 16th fundraising concert for the Yorkshire Cancer Centre Appeal. Registered Charity Number 1075308.
MACMILLAN RUN V
SUNDAY APRIL 19th 2015
MACMILLAN RUN IV
SUNDAY MAY 4th 2014
We have raised just over £3600 over the last three years for MacMillan Nurses in memory of Simon Duffy, the landlord at the White Swan in Newton Upon Rawcliffe nr Pickering, who died just before Christmas 2010. The support he and his family received from MacMillan was inestimable as it is to many, many individuals and families on a day to day basis.
Obviously we would like to raise the maximum amount of money possible and with that in mind we are varying our approach a little this year. If you, or anyone you know rides anything on two wheels please consider taking part in the run on Sunday May 4th. You can either come along on the day and contribute £5 (or more!) per person or, better still, download event posters and sponsor forms, see below, spread the word and get as much sponsorship as possible.
There will also be two raffles on the day itself,, please feel free to donate something. We also have an auction! Two seats are up for grabs on Tonys trike! Have a nice day out, wave to people.
The route is varied to last year, we will be starting off at Howden at the new Coop car park off Hailgate DN14 7SU, at 1030am, meet from 10am, up to Seaways at Fridaythorpe for a cuppa and pick up a few more riders and then onwards via a scenic route to The White Swan at Newton Upon Rawcliffe near Pickering YO18 8QA www.newtonwhiteswan.co.uk We will hold our first raffle there.
If anyone fancies a nice round off to the day we will be finishing off at MAYFEST! Free bands in the Ashes park in Howden, food and beer and the second raffle of the day.
Even if you are not a rider please consider raising some sponsorship, maybe even come along to Howden for a glorious send off and have a trip out to Newton to support the bikes coming in, its a lovely part of the world.
Find out all about the fantastic work MacMillan do at:www.macmillan.org.
Please click on the links below to download the event poster, the front page of the sponsor form and the back page of the sponsor form.
Download the poster from this link. 
http://be.macmillan.org.uk/be/PDFPreview.aspx?551334797
Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales 261017
WE REV IT UP!!
Not a musical or theatrical event…but something occuring in Howden nonetheless…
SUNDAY APRIL 22nd see’s a sponsored motorbike rideout from Howden, meeting at the new CoOp car park, off Hailgate, DN14 7SU, 1030 am for an 11am start.
We will be going up to Newton Upon Rawcliffe near Pickering raising funds for MacMillan Nurses, this will be the second time we have done this, last year raising nearly £1,500. We will be doing a drop off system and going up via Pocklington to Seaways at Fridaythorpe for a cuppa and a bit of bucket rattling and on from there up to Newton Upon Rawcliffe to sample some of the fine fare at the White Swan.
The personal motivation for organising this MacMillan fundraiser is that an old friend of mine, Simon Duffy, the landlord of the White Swan, died just before Christmas 2010 and the MacMillan nurses enabled him to do so at home with his family.
Everyone on two and three wheels welcome, you can either bung a fiver per person into the kitty on the day or download a sponsor form from the link below and bring shedloads of lolly with you.
There is a strong possibility that there will be a corresponding run, same time, same day, from Hunmanby up to Newton. I have already done a poster for that which you can reproduce below, Its not clear how many bikes will top for this one, all being well there has been a feature in the Evening News, Tony and Dawn down at the Burton Arms have been plugging it and there is stuff out on forums and websites as well as posters in the village. Rather than impose a route here we would like to leave it to the people who turn up on the day to come up with their own. There will be a guy called Simon Baines who will be there from 10.30am who will help coordinate things a bit but if we could ask you to bring yer lolly and sponsor forms with you to Newton it would be much appreciated, we will sort that side out at the other end.
If you want to run off a copy of the poster (s) and sponsor forms for the event just click on the links below and print away to your hearts content.
Howden Poster
Hunmanby poster
mac nur spon1
mac nur spo2
Saturday January 22nd see’s the unexpected arrival in Howden of one of the countries very 
best exponants of blues/rock. Very well known to Howden audiences over the years following their numerous appearances at the Shire Hall, THE BLUE BISHOPS will work their mojo at the Bowmans Hotel starting at 9pm.
The added bonus to the appearance is that there is no entry fee, yes…thats right…its FREE!! All you have to do to take advantage of this unique opportunity is to just turn up!
The current line-up brings together: Geoff Grange, ever present lead vocalist, guitarist and harmonica player who has had a long collaboration with Bill Wyman and Nicky Hopkins, among many others.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Jim Rodford on bass, formerly of Argent, the Kinks and the Animals, and currently combining a role in the Zombies with his Blue Bishops commitments.
Justin Hildreth on drums, whose world touring track record includes periods with Joan Armatrading, Thomas Dolby and Nina Hagen
Blue Bishops Founder, Simon Burrett on guitar and slide guitar and vocals, who started recording with Mike Vernon associate and Blue Horizon artist, Vaughan Rees in the late 60s, and went on to record and play in many bands on the London Rock scene, including seminal psychedelic folk rock outfit , Tony, Caro and John whose rare, collectable recordings are celebrated as some of the very best of their genre . Simon has recently guested as a vocalist on Martin Barre’s acclaimed solo album, ‘Stage Left’.
While many bands in the genres of music the Bishops span often depend on their versions of classic numbers, [The Bishops are not averse to covering a classic either, if they can put a distinctive slant on it] the majority of Blue Bishops material is original.
This originality has helped the band stand out among their peers and has been one of the elements that allow them to be equally at home at rock festivals as Blues and R&B events.
ROVING CROWS
& Beggar’s Bridge
Saturday April 18th £10
“Genuinely the next big thing on the folk scene” Andy O’Hare, BBC
“Really individual Celtic folk rock group” Mike Harding, BBC
“Great party music…I love that band” Paul O’Grady, BBC
Award Winning – Folk Fusion.
The Roving Crows have been carving out their niche in the UK folk music scene since early 2009.
Their powerful live performance and unique sound has seen them receive several awards and achieve national airplay on BBC Radio 2.
They have achieved a ‘ones to watch’ status in the UK folk scene performing alongside artists such as Kate Rusby, Steeleye Span, Levellers and Bellowhead. They have entertained crowds at many festivals including Cambridge Folk Festival, Trowbridge Village Pump Festival, Lakefest, Ireby, Nibley and Treefest. They are one of the most hard-working bands on the scene. Venues performed at include, Gloucester Guildhall; Diss Corn Hall; Chapel Arts Centre, Bath; the Met, Bury; Gregson Hall, Lancaster, Ropetackle Arts Centre, Shoreham.
The Crows have released 3 albums and 2 EPs with the latter 2 being produced by Nick Brine (Ash; Oasis; Bruce Springsteen; Seasick Steve) at Rockfield Studios.
In 2011 they won 2 Irish Music Awards; ‘Top Celtic Rock Band’ and ‘Top Fiddle Player’, accredited to them by the ‘Irish Music Association’ in America.
In 2012 they won ‘Best Folk Act’ at the ‘Exposure Music Awards’, receiving the award at a ceremony in London.
During 2012 they achieved national airplay on BBC Radio 2, Mike Harding’s Folk Show and the Paul O’Grady Show. Their music has also been played on many local BBC stations including Shropshire/Hereford & Worcester/Gloucestershire/Wales as well as Netherland based station Radio Hoogeveen and online stations Bishops FM, Celtic Music Radio and Celtic-Rock.de amongst many more.
Beggar’s Bridge: With a sound that lies somewhere between the traditional and the contemporary, and songs which are often based upon the true tales of people, places and events from the Hull and East Yorkshire region, Beggar’s Bridge have received critical acclaim and blown away a few cobwebs at folk clubs across the North of England. First-class musicianship, compelling lyrics and fascinating background stories make them one of the most entertaining folk acts around right now; prepare to sing along, tap your feet and laugh out loud in roughly equal measures. Don’t just take our word for it, though – see what others have had to say about them:
Cutty Wren Folk Club, Redcar: “Beggar’s Bridge treated us to a brilliant evening of entertainment, with great songs, wonderful musicianship and some very amusing banter thrown in for good measure!”
Crookes Folk Club, Sheffield:“What a great night! Beggar’s Bridge served up a simply wonderful evening of entertainment. Watch out for these guys – they are good! If you run a club or venue get them booked now.”
Saltburn Folk Festival:“Beggar’s Bridge opened proceedings at our Saturday concert and went down a storm, setting the tone for a superb afternoon.”
SNAKE DAVIS & THE SUSPICIONS
Saturday April 4th £18
A rare outing for this Northern Soul spectacular and a long overdue return to the Shire Hall.
Twenty plus years ago, in the student bar of Leeds Polytechnic, “Snake Davis and his Alligator Shoes” were born . A soulful unit playing sax versions of Stax, Motown and Atlantic classics. They went on to be embraced by the Northern Soul scene. They lit up the Astoria Ballroom and Central Station, Leeds as they played to some of the most passionate and committed music-loving crowds anywhere in the world.
The passing years have scattered the individual Band members to various parts of the world but the nucleus of, Snake, Bass man “Dangerous” Dave Bowie and Guitarist, Mark Cresswell come together every year or so to back visiting American soul stars.
Several years ago the three decided to re form the SUSPICIONS (a storming 8 piece with Brass and girl singers ) and take to the road doing their OWN show again for the first time in many a moon!
- Snake – Saxes
- Dave Bowie – Bass
- Mark Cresswell – Guitar
- Bryan Hargreaves – Drums
- Paul Birchall – Hammond/Keys
- Bob Taylor – Trumpet
- Doreen Edwards – Vocals
- Sue Quinn – Vocals
Come and see what all the fuss is about . expect to be dancing, swaying or slithering in your seats as they storm through Wigan classics and beautiful Soul ballads.
Snake Davis has appeared live with M-People, Eurythmics, Lisa Stansfield, Acoustic Alchemy etc. etc. as well as numerous tv appearances. His unique sax sound has found it’s way onto many classic hits such as, M-People’s “Moving On Up” and “Search For A Hero”, Take That’s “A Million Love Songs” and Lisa Stansfield’s “Change”
THE ZYNX
& The Lamms.
THE ZYNX are one of the UK’s top punk / ska cover bands, hailing from Yorkshire and performing classic tracks from the legends of punk and ska…….The Clash, Sex Pistols, The Ramones, Bad Manners, The Specials, The Jam and The Stranglers….plus many, many more!!!!!!
Formed in 2008, the band have risen on the back of performances at scooter rallies, bike festivals and music venues across the country, bringing them a reputation that culminated in supporting major recording artistes on their UK tours …..such as The Beat and UK Subs, a rare feat for a ‘covers band’, but one they expect to repeat in time to come……plus the coveted spot of backing internationally renowned ‘Badness’ at their “Christmas Special” gigs each year…….
The Zynx are a five-piece unit and travel with a full p.a. and lights set up.
“Every song a classic” – Charlie Harper (UK Subs)
“They blew me away” – Jet (guitarist- UK Subs)
“A relentless, powerful set” – (Tenfootcity Magazine)
“A fantastic set and great fun!” – Ranking Roger (The Beat)
THE NORTHERN SHOWTIME ORCHESTRA.
THE AMERICAN SONGBOOK £10
Saturday March 7th
The Northern Showtime Orchestra return to Howden bringing their latest live music storytelling show paying tribute to the greatest songs from the 1930s to 1970s – The Great American Songbook.
Bandleader trombonist Tony Turner says “We are delighted to bring a show paying tribute to the genius of George and Ira Gershwin, Cole Porter and several other composers from the greatest era of American songwriting. Our 8 piece orchestra perform musical transcriptions of the original songs and the versions sung by Robbie Williams, Michael Buble, Tony Bennet with Lady Gaga, Tommy Steele and others. Close your eyes to picture Fred Astaire dancing with Ginger Rogers when we strike up songs like Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off, Fascinating Rhythm or the classic ballads such as Summertime and Georgia On My Mind.”
This talented orchestra has already visited Howden twice before, having brought their Glenn Miller and Frank Sinatra shows. Their brand new American Songbook show is launched this March and will once again feature the vocal talents of resident vocalist Richard Adams and incredible skills of the instrumentalists.
Songs include:
I’ve Got the World On A String, A Foggy Day, I Got Rhythm, But Not For Me, Summertime,
In the Still of the Night, Love Walked In, Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off, It Don’t Mean A Thing If It Ain’t Got that Swing, In A Sentimental Mood , Satin Doll, Sophisticated Lady, Don’t Get Around Much Any More, Birth of the Blues, Volare, Big Swing Face – instrumental (Buddy Rich), Have You Met Miss Jones?, Georgia On My Mind, Nice Work If You Can Get It, The Man I Love, Anything Goe s, It Had Better Be Tonight , Ain’t That A Kick In the Head?, Save the Last Dance For Me, Route 66, Fascinatin’ Rhythm.
THE JAR FAMILY
Hartlepool based The Jar Family are five individual songwriters and musicians, who decided that, rather than strive for success in isolation, they would join forces to pool their talent.
Although on paper the idea of five very different and charismatic personalities with a wide range of musical styles working together harmoniously seems unlikely, the stunning results of their work to date speak for themselves. Taking their name from the donations jar they passed around at early gigs, the band are a tight knit group who had the foresight to realise that they were stronger collectively than they were individually.
To pursue their ambitious vision some tough early decisions had to be made. With few musical opportunities and even less resources at their disposal in their native North East the band temporarily moved away from their families in Hartlepool and relocated to a deserted farm in the remote Cambridgeshire countryside. There they built themselves a basic rehearsal studio and living in a ramshackle collection of old caravans for over a year they started to develop and refine what was to become the Jar Family sound.
A relentless touring schedule, which has seen the band appearing as special guests to a number of established artists such as Jake Bugg, Babyshambles, Alabama 3 and others has brought their raucous and engaging shows to all corners of the country. Picking up an ever-growing army of admirers as a result of this live activity the band has now established a major fan base of fanatical supporters throughout the UK.
The Jar Family recorded new material at the legendary Monnow Valley Studios in the summer of 2104 with producer Rupert Christie and are planning to release a new album in 2015 amidst more inexorable touring.
For more information on The Jar Family please visit:
The Jar Family are:
Max Bianco – vocals, guitar, harmonica, percussion
Dali – Vocals, guitar, slide guitar, percussion
Richie Docherty – vocals, guitar, percussion
Chris Hooks – vocals, lead guitar
Keith Wilkinson – bass, vocals
.HEART OF GLASS
Saturday February 7th 2015 £10.
Tonight has now SOLD OUT!! Returns only. Please note: If you have a ticket you can’t use for whatever reason we will endeavour to sell it for you, if we can we will refund you. Otherwise there are no refunds, sorry.
As far as we can work out this will be HEART OF GLASS’s ninth appearance at the Shire Hall , sadly it will also be their last as the band are calling it a day in 2015. Come see them off in style…..
A tribute to Blondie fronted by the delectable Denise Danielle described as ‘the closest to Debbie Harry yet!’ There is a very good reason we have booked them back every year, a record now for consecutive appearances in Howden! That reason is that they simply rock! A cast iron guarantee of a superbly entertaining night out and for the same price as eight years ago!!
Heart of Glass are the foremost Blondie Tribute band in the UK and the only one that is fully professional. Lead singer Denise Danielle who has put together a stunning replication of a ‘Blondie’ show with all the favourite classics plus a lot more: Atomic, Maria, The Tide Is High, Hanging On The Telephone, Call Me, Denis, One Way Or Another, Sunday Girl and many, many more.
Denise prides herself on authenticity and does 6 costume changes during a show, each reflecting upon the various songs. There is no finer exponent of the songs, style and raw energy of Deborah Harry and Blondie. This will be a real treat to see this band – it will be like experiencing the real Blondie in 1978!
PAUL JONES & DAVE KELLY
(From the Blues Band
Saturday January 31st 2015 £20
Support from local hero Martyn Barker
In the decade before the far-reaching telephone call that started The Blues Band, Paul had been a hard-working actor, mainly in London’s West End but also on Broadway (he lived in New York for a year). But always at heart he was a bluesman.
Having declined Brian Jones’ invitation to join the fledgling Rolling Stones in 1962, Paul accepted the very next offer, a job with the group which soon became Manfred Mann. Later known as a pop group (Do Wah Diddy, Pretty Flamingo) they began as an R&B band, and would find themselves playing with Sonny Boy Williamson, Otis Spann, and Matt “Guitar” Murphy.
Over the years, Paul’s songs have been recorded by people like Ten Years After, Al Kooper and Carlos Santana – and the earliest line-up of Steppenwolf. He has also written for films, television and commercials. As a harmonica man, he has performed publicly and/or recorded with Memphis Slim, Alexis Korner, Henry Gray, Alvin “Youngblood” Hart, Susan Tedeschi, Eric Bibb, Otis Grand – hardly to mention the likes of Tina Turner and the Royal Ballet Sinfonia.
The list of guests on his programmes on BBC Radio 2 and Jazz FM is encyclopaedic, from Luther Allison to Axel Zwingenburger, and including B B King, Koko Taylor, Curtis Mayfield, Jimmy Witherspoon and scores more.
On 11/4/01 on BBC television, Paul proved to be a popular recipient of the famous THIS IS YOUR LIFE big red book.If there is such a thing as a British ‘blues pedigree’, then Dave Kelly’s sets the standard. Kelly is a blues craftsman – a journeyman who has served his time with the best.
In New York he jammed with Muddy Waters. He became a friend to Howlin’ Wolf and John Lee Hooker, who both felt the benefit of Dave’s playing in their touring bands. It was Dave’s big sister, the late Jo-Ann Kelly, who first opened his ears to the blues, although his passion for rock and roll – and especially the work of Buddy Holly – remains intact. In 1967 he joined The John Dummer Blues Band. After three albums and a solo project he continued to polish his style and technique throughout an adventurous career with some of Britain’s finest players. When The Blues Band was formed in 1979, the post of slide guitarist and joint vocalist was a foregone conclusion – and bringing his friend, the bassist Gary Fletcher, along to that first rehearsal, was a bonus. Dave Kelly’s guitar and vocals form the very backbone of The Blues Band’s distinctive sound.
Today, after 21 years ‘treading the boards’ with the band, with his solo albums, duo tours with Paul Jones, and soundtrack work (for commercials and such projects as BBC TV’s ‘King of the Ghetto’ and the Comic Strip’s ‘Strike!’) Dave Kelly is firmly estabished as Europe’s premier blues performer
THE HOWDEN LIVE NEW YEAR SOIREE WITH THE STEVE FULSHAM BAND
Wednesday December 31st 2014 £10
Righty ho! We have decided to restrict ticket sales with the Steve Fulsham Band (and ‘t other bits and bobs) to 100. (kids are still free) Reason being we feel that this will be an optimum number for everyone to have the space to relax and enjoy the night to the very best of their ability in a New Years Eve kind of a way. This means that if the people who have confirmed that they are going book their tickets in the morning there will only be around 30 left, hurry hurry!!
Howden Live invite you to their New Year soiree at the Shire Hall.
Featuring THE STEVE FULSHAM BAND we offer a chilled out evening to see the new year in, if you can hold a tune or tell a joke pop up on stage for a bit of impromptu cabaret.
Bring your own exotic delicacies, champagne, special bottles of beer, interesting lager and wine.
Dance away later to an interesting selection of music by anyone that fancies giving it a whirl but….best of all…….A live band!!
The North’s top blues and rock trio provide a sparkling mix of gems from the past and their own compositions. Steve is an outstanding guitarist and the band are a must-see for all fans of live music.
They play classic rock and blues like they mean it, which is easy because they do! They’re based in the City of Culture 2017 and the current line-up has been together for two years now. Although they were all accomplished musicians in their own right before The Steve Fulsham Band they feel part of something special at the moment, all rock and blues fans are guaranteed to enjoy the show.
Ten English pounds will ensure entry (Free for kids!) tickets available online and soon from Touchwood 01430 431535.
FRIDAY DECEMBER 5th
KILLER RHAPSODY
SOLD OUT…SOLD OUT…SOLD OUT…SOLD OUT…SOLD OUT…SOLD OUT…
A formidable QUEEN tribute band of the very highest calibre.
Killer Rhapsody is the newest and hottest tribute to Freddie Mercury and Queen.
A performance synonymous with the energy and passion of one of the world’s biggest bands, Killer Rhapsody use their years of experience in live music to produce one of the most genuine and authentic Queen and Freddie Mercury experiences.
Queens music is known throughout the world and Killer Rhapsody use their years experience performing live music to replicate the tunes that made them the global force they are iconic for.
With the benefit of youth but also experience, collectively possessing over 50 years of high end live performance in the UK and across Europe, Killer Rhapsody keep the Queen experience alive. They bring the theatre that every Queen performance bore to those who experienced them first time and the new fans discovering the magic of Queen today.
Basing they’re stage show on the finest segments of Queens famous live shows the band include all of the biggest hits from One Vision to We are the champions. From Killer Queen to Bicycle Race and who can forget Bohemian Rhapsody. The band cover all of the biggest 25 selling Queen singles plus many more.
“Have to say this is one of the best bands I’ve seen. Amazing night and the atmosphere when these play is fantastic. “
The Springhead, Hull
Fabulous band, fabulous night. Thank you xx
“Maggie Taylor”
Vin Garbutt cancelled due to illness.
Please ring Touchwood re refunds for tickets. Get well soon Vin!
They say every cloud has a silver lining and this one is very, very silver indeed. This band were one of THE highlights at Beverley Festival this year. They are;
SATURDAY DECEMBER 6th. £12.50
Plus MOLLY CURTIS
Folk, pop and hip hop…….Colourful, energetic & crowd-stamping, CoCo and the Butterfields express all the fun and vibrance of a village folk fair, throwing in powerful vocals and a beatbox to deliver catchy songs resonating in a stadium-filling pop and urban rap vibe. Yet the atmosphere is intimate, popular with audiences of all ages. The uniquely styled music transcends genre, skipping right to the part where people start dancing. CoCo and the Butterfields are on a mission to bring people from all backgrounds together, to have a good time!
All previously buskers, the spirit of jamming together and combining styles came naturally when Jamie (beatbox) was first invited by Tom and Dulcima to provide percussion for the early CATB recordings in 2012, and the band quickly grew into the 5 piece it is today, with Micah and Handsome Rob learning new instruments to extend the sound. Pioneers of a newly found sound “Fip Fok” they soon earned themselves the title of the UK’s best unsigned act and shared the stage with internationally renowned artists Bastille, Wheatus, Seasick Steve and The Pogues.Co Co & The Butterfields fresh sound and raw energy on stage has rapidly earned them a large and loyal following, in two Howden Live seasons full of highlights tonight will be right up there with the very best.
Bob Geldof
TheMusicMag.com
Dan Lucas, Record Producer
Baylen Leonard, Amazing Radio
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 29th
THE MOTOWN EXPRESS £14
SOLD OUT…SOLD OUT….SOLD OUT….SOLD OUT….SOLD OUT….SOLD OUT….
The Motown Express – A new breath taking Motown show brilliantly performing the music of Motown legends. It has now been over 50 years since Berry Gordy started his Motown Empire back in 1959 in Detroit Michigan. Studio A was housed in a converted garage behind the building he soon dubbed Hitsville U.S.A. It was from these humble beginnings Motown was born and still commands immense audience support and appreciation today. Performing the unforgettable sounds of The Supremes, Martha Reeves, Four Tops, Temptations, Stevie Wonder and many more. For more than five decades Motown music has been played on the airwaves and both young and old will instantly recognize the distinctive tunes that have stood the test of time since that unforgettable sound was launched. This show will take you on a timeless journey with stunning costumes, flawless choreography and a live band that pays tribute to the unsung Funk Brothers and the much loved Motown music. The Motown Express will have you singing and dancing in the aisles, creating 2 hours of pure Motown nostalgia. So what are you waiting for put on your dancing shoes on, get to the platform and come join us for an unforgettable night with the Motown Express. “Please don’t miss this train at the station” ALL ABOARD !! HERE WE GO !!
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 15 th
CREGAN & CO £15
Rod Stewart’s fellow guitarist and collaborative songwriter Jim Cregan
“If you can’t afford my tickets go see these guys ….. they’re just as good and half the price !!” Rod Stewart 2011
A brilliant feel good evening of Rod Stewart hits, with songs such as “You’re In My Heart”, “I Was Only Joking”, “Baby Jane”, “Blondes Have More Fun”, Maggie May”, “Forever Young” and many, many more!
Jim Cregan has a musical pedigree to die for, a former member of Family with Roger Chapman, remember the acoustic guitar break in Cockney Rebel’s “Come Up An See Me (Make Me Smile)”? That’s Jim Cregan. He has worked as a producer and musician with the likes of Art Garfunkle, Ronnie Wood, Ringo Starr, Elton John, Willie Nelson, Tina Turner, Janis Ian, Peabo Bryson, Cat Stevens and Joe Cocker to name just a few.
His work achieved top five hits in different charts and several more platinum selling records.He recorded two platinum selling albums with Katie Melua, Call Off The Search in 2003 and Piece By Piece in 2005, he has also toured extensively with her.
THURSDAY OCTOBER 30th
TOYAH WILLCOX £22.50
ACOUSTIC, UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL .
FROM PUNK PRINCESS TO CULT FILM STAR TO HIGH PRIESTESS OF TV, TOYAH WILLCOX IS A UNIQUELY GIFTED PERFORMER. SHE IS ONE OF BRITAIN’S ICONIC HOUSEHOLD NAMES; AN AWARD-WINNING ROCK LEGEND, ACCOMPLISHED TV PRESENTER AND MUCH-LOVED STAGE ACTRESS.
In a career spanning thirty years Toyah has had thirteen top 40 singles, recorded twenty albums, written two books, appeared in over forty stage plays, made ten feature films and presented such diverse television programmes as The Good Sex Guide Late, Watchdog and Songs Of Praise.
It all began in her hometown Birmingham in 1977 when film director Derek Jarman offered her the role of ‘Mad’ in seminal punk epic Jubilee. She continued to gain strong roles, appearing alongside Katherine Hepburn in the film, The Corn is Green, as well as playing ‘Monkey’ in the legendary Quadrophenia. She teamed up with Jarman again to play Miranda in his innovative version of The Tempest, which won her a nomination as Best Newcomer at the 1980 Evening Standard Awards.By this time Toyah’s band was gaining critical success with the debut single Victims of the Riddle (no.1 in the independent charts) and six track EP Sheep Farming in Barnet. Her first album, The Blue Meaning, became a Top 40 hit. A TV Documentary “Toyah”, an accompanying live album Toyah! Toyah! Toyah! – as well as hit singles It’s A Mystery, I Want to Be Free, Brave New World and Be Proud, Be Loud, Be Heard plus the platinum albums Anthem and The Changeling – confirmed her status as one of the most significant talents of the Eighties. In 1982 she won the Best Female Singer at the Rock & Pop Awards.
HATS OFF TO LED ZEPPELIN
SOLD OUT….SOLD OUT….SOLD OUT….SOLD OUT….
Doors now open at 7pm, seating is relatively restricted, so get there early if you want to sit down!
Some readers of this may remember appearances at the Shire Hall of Led Zep Too? Sadly LZT are no longer with us but Ollie Tooley the singer with that band recommended Hats Off To Led Zeppelin as being better than they were, some plaudit! Particularly given how good LZT were.
Howden Live in association with Bandwagon Productions & Warren Grant present ‘Hats off to Led Zeppelin’ – A stunning tribute to the greatest rock band ever! You’ll feel like you’ve traveled back in time when you experience these four top class musicians recreating Led Zeppelin’s magical concerts.
Featuring Peter Eldridge from the West End production of We Will Rock You; Jack Tanner and Kevin Oliver Jones from the world tours of Thriller Live and Dancing in the Streets; as Bonzo incarnate, they play all the right instruments and hit all the right notes in this explosive live show.
As well as being the ONLY UK tribute act officially endorsed by Marshall amplifiers they are proud to be co-managed by Warren Grant, the son of legendary Led Zeppelin manager, Peter Grant, who said after seeing them live: ‘You guys really did the band justice!’
Dave Lewis from Tightbutloose magazine said: ‘Hats Off went down a storm… delivered in a no messin’ style… play it they did and rock we did!’ – ‘Shut your eyes and you would think you were listening to the real thing!’
Come and join the fun …
THE WHISKEY DOGS & Molly Curtis
Saturday October 4th £8.
The Whiskey Dogs play authentic, good time Americana. Old time mountain music, hillbilly blues, dust-bowl ballads and jug band hokum are all played in the crazy exhilarating spirit of the 1920s and 30s.
Fronting the trio with his powerful, soulful vocals is Pete Bolton. Pete’s rhythmic and expressively intricate guitar style, along with his driving banjo playing, create a charismatic and compelling musical presence that gives the band its distinctive and authentic sound.
Polly Bolton, joins Pete on double bass, mandolin and banjo mandolin. A funky and driving bassist, Polly is also one of the UK’s most passionate and melodic mandolin players, her fast and furious solos and lively stage presence add a youthful energy to the band’s performances.
Playing a weird and wonderful array of instruments including banjolin, fiddle, mandolin and phono-fiddle is the talented multi-instrumentalist Brian Swinton whose inimitable presence brings inspired playing and his own particular brand of mischief to the band.
In true string band style, kazoos, whistles and horns add a zany twist to their up-beat performances, lending a driving energy to the music of the period.
The Whiskey Dogs promise you real, sparkling and vivacious Americana, influenced by the legendary Carter Family, Skillet Lickers and Memphis Jug Band and their irresistible sound can be compared to contemporary bands such as The Old Crow Medicine Show and The Carolina Chocolate Drops.
“The Whiskey Dogs invariably engage a crowd with superb musicianship , excellent choice of material and an easy rapport.” Jim McLaughlin, Musicport Festival Director
“This talented band could have played all night and the audience wouldn’t have tired … I think it’s fair to say that they charmed us” Manx Independent
“I really love that band, they’re absolutely superb.” Mike Harding.
THE HESSLE CEILIDH BAND
Friday September 5th
Grand Carnival Curtainraiser! £8. Half price under 16’s
The Hessle Ceilidh Band are a fantastic and unusual band with a dazzling array of instruments and a fantastic selection of tunes. They are exceptional and talented players and play a mixture of English, Irish, Scottish and European music for a great Yorkshire knees up! But the band is only half the story – the other half is the caller – the person who shouts the moves out and guides you through the dances – we are really lucky to work with an exceptional caller who is full of energy and can get people up and enjoying themselves in no time – the dances are fantastic and really help to build a party atmosphere.
CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS: http://www.wegottickets.com/event/283023
Originally the word Ceilidh (kay-lee) descended from the Gaelic word for ‘gathering’ or ‘party’… However, these days when people think of a Ceilidh, they think of a fun filled night of wild dancing, good music and great company! The beauty of a ceilidh or Barn Dance is that everyone can take part, young or old, experienced dancers to beginners and even those with two left feet!
HOWDEN CARNIVAL IV!!
Saturday September 6th (Free) (We like free)
Commencing at 2pm until quite late the fourth Howden Carnival is a veritable cornucopia of street entertainment, dance, music and theatre.
With the Market Place closed off for festivities once more why not bring along the family for a great afternoon and evening out? As well as all of the live entertainment there are craft and food stalls too.
Throughout the afternoon you can see:
2.00pm Mr Bubbles
2.30pm Hessle Ceilidh Band
3.15pm Jo Harkin
3.45pm The Undecided
4.00pm The Faceless theatre production
4.30pm Paul Liddell
5.15pm Will Bailey & Harrison
5.35pm Mr Bubbles
(Times are approximate and may be subject to change)
During the afternoon a 45 minute walk about from Mr Bubbles.
Space to Create – 8m event dome with family arts activities 2pm-3.30pm then 4.30pm-6pm
Heron –Walkabout street performance character 2pm, 3:30pm and 5pm
Live music from PAUL LIDDEL, familiar to Shire Hall audiences over the last few years. Like Ed Sheeran? Paul Liddell’s better!
And JOE HARKIN local hero with bags of talent, nicely recovered from his broken collar bone ( doesn’t appear to have a You Tube vid posted yet?) with others tba. A mini ceilidh where participants of last nights shenanagins can show off the steps they learned, plus newbies having a bash too! As THE UNDECIDED, they’ve decide at last!
The play from Faceless, called FOLLOW THE DIVERSION, will be made using stories collected from local people, working with Faceless Arts for 5 days at the Shire Hall.
The FOLLOW THE DIVERSION project culminates in a mini outdoor festival in the market place and the Manor House lawn (courtesy of the Press Association) comprising the performance of the new play, professionally run family friendly arts and craft activities in Faceless Arts’ pop up creative activity dome, Space to Create, and performances of the company’s spectacular giant Heron.
From early evening onwards two local venues will be presenting the very best in live music.
At The Board Inn, JILLY RILEY: 1 XL helping of hearty soul, divided in to equal parts: Funk Ska Blues and Latin. Whisked together with a range of home made instruments and with a dash of inspiration from Hendrix, Stevie Wonder, Bob Marley and Sly and The Family Stone we have Organic Soul, food for hungry ears!
Local hero JOE HARKIN kicks proceedings off at 7pm followed by WILL BAILEY & HARRISON
The Bowmans have a band show with the very excellent NICOL BAND who have stepped in at very short notice indeed.
The Nicol Band was formed to play the kind of music that they love playing, from blues to rock and beyond. Les’s influences were mostly from the 60s, when he learned to play guitar with one ear to the record player. It was a great time for learning, and he was very lucky to have heroes such as Eric Clapton, Jimmie Hendrix and Jeff Beck.
With all of those years behind him, there is now a vast treasure in the locker room.
We are tremendously grateful to LONGS GARAGE, HOWDEN’S JOINERY , DRAX and HOVEDENE BUILDERS for their generous sponsorship, without which the carnival simply would not happen. As it wouldn’t without the commitment and enthusiasm of members of Howden Live and the Howden events committee.
THE 2014 MONTH OF SUNDAYS CONCERTS.
8th June – York Railway Institute Band performing on the Manor House lawn (weather permitting)
York Railway Institute Band is a contesting band, competing in the First Section in the Northern Area of the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain and promoted to the Championship Section from January 2015.
York Railway Institute Band was founded by Noah Bruce, its leader for 31 years. Originally named Chaucer Street Mission Band and later known as York and District Mission and Temperance Band, York Excelsior Brass Band, York Home Guard Band and Ebor Excelsior Silver Band, it took on the name of York Railway Institute Band after allying itself to York Railway Institute following a merger of the Ebor Excelsior Silver Band and the York City Band in 1952 – the majority of members being railwaymen at that time. The current band can therefore claim a heritage going back to 1883!
It was the first band in the area to achieve ‘Championship Section’ status, competing at the very highest level for many years. Many outstanding players have started their careers at the ‘Institute’ and have gone on to play for the very best bands and orchestras in the world.
York Railway Institute Band has established a reputation for entertaining the public with its lively concert performances, and regularly appears at theatres, halls and concert venues all over the UK.
15th June – York Railway Institute band – Howden Minster.
22nd June – Beverley Brass Band – The Manor House lawn.
The band was founded for the purpose of fostering and facilitating the musical aspirations of members and thus advance their musical knowledge and ability. The end result is the confidence to play in public; this is achieved by providing musical entertainment in Beverley and the neighbouring area at special events promoted by local organisations.
The band rehearse at the St. John Ambulance hall on the corner of Wlibert/ Morton Lane, Beverley on a Monday at 8.00pm and on a Wednesday at 7.30pm.
The band is noted for playing a wide range of music including modern popular music, arrangements of scores from the shows and film music and not forgetting a wide selection of the more traditional transcripts from well known orchestral and brass band composers.
Please note: In the event of inclement weather the outdoor concerts will be held in the Shire Hall.
FRIDAY MAY 16th BLACKBEARDS TEA PARTY £10.
+Joe Solo & Beggars Bridge
Our second triple whammy knees up of the year! Folk, rock and everything in between, Blackbeard’s Tea Party began as a busking, function and ceilidh band, but quickly grew a reputation as a formidable live act. They soon found themselves selling out venues in their home town of York.
During this time, Blackbeard’s Tea Party released a mini-album (Heavens to Betsy, 2009) and a full length album (Tomorrow We’ll Be Sober, 2011) to excellent critical acclaim and public response.
After the release of Heavens to Betsy the band’s distinct sound was picked up by the BBC’s Mike Harding, who played Blackbeard’s Tea Party on BBC Radio 2’s weekly folk show.
2013 is shaping up to be the biggest year yet. In April, Blackbeard’s Tea Party issued their second full length album “Whip Jamboree” and hit the road for their first UK headline tour, playing in gig venues far and wide including triumphant sessions at Beverley Festival in June.
Funky folk tunes, storming songs and an infectious stage energy, Blackbeard’s Tea Party mix fiddles & squeezeboxes, guitar noise & synth bass, and a feast of international hand percussion to bring you an unforgettable folk-rock extravaganza. Grounded in English traditions, but never afraid to explore more exotic musical avenues, they create a sound that is equal parts tasty, dramatic and danceable.
JOE SOLO has in his time been a busker, a barman, a kerb counter, a warehouse hand, a copywriter and an engineer. His musical odyssey began in 1987 fronting a bash-em-out band at school, and has seen him play in seven countries either as the lynchpin of pop-punk upstarts Lithium Joe or hammering out his unique brand of folk, punk and blues in his own right.
Live, Solo has a growing reputation as both a performer and raconteur, being thought-provoking, comical and punch-the-air political often in the same breath. He is not an artist you forget in a hurry.
Named after the famous stone bridge which spans the River Esk at Glaisdale in the North York Moors, Beggar’s Bridge hail from Hull and write their own songs, many of which are based upon true tales of people, places and events from their home county, encapsulating its rural, urban and maritime heritage.
Their sound has a timeless quality to it, feeling at once traditional, yet contemporary too; there are echoes of Fairport Convention, Pentangle and Jethro Tull in their music, along with more recent influences such as The Levellers and Seth Lakeman. It’s not just the music which makes a Beggar’s Bridge gig memorable 
though; the spaces in between are just as compelling, as the backgrounds to the song-stories are explained, usually with a good helping of earthy humour, and it all makes for an experience which is not only musically satisfying, but amusing and informative too.
Their debut album “Riding East” gathered some very favourable reviews from both print and online folk/roots media, while they have been developing a great reputation for themselves as a live act at folk venues across the North of England.
SATURDAY MAY 3rd
TOO REX £12.50
Without doubt the very best T Rex tribute in the land…the world perhaps! Back for the third year in a row performing for the 15th Yorkshire Cancer Centre Appeal concert (Formerly Cookridge) Bobby T is Marc Bolan!
Too REX (featuring the incredible Bobby T as Marc Bolan) bring back the Glam Rock era of the early seventies with a spell binding show that covers most of Marc Bolan’s career from the early hippy period of Tyrannosaurus Rex to the megastar, chart topping days of T-Rex. Complete with full costume changes, retro live equipment, glitter, and more than a dash of star quality, TooREX come incredibly close to the real thing.
This full nostalgic rock concert usually includes some early singles such as “Deborah”, “One Inch Rock” and “Ride A White Swan” to the big hits “Get It On”,
“Telegram Sam”, “Hot Love”, “Metal Guru”, “Jeepster” and “Children of the Revolution”, to some of the fondly remembered album material.
The show can also feature a selection of T-Rex tracks such as (“I Love to Boogie”, Cosmic Dancer” etc) that were featured in the Award winning box-office smash movie Billy Elliot!!
With sell-out shows, and a Glam revival in full blossom, there’s never been a better time to grab your spaceball-shoes and feather boas and relive the legend of Marc Bolan and T-Rex.
“Marc was one of my best mates and when I work with TooREX it brings a lump to my throat – it reminds me of some fab memories- great band!” – Alvin Stardust
SATURDAY APRIL 19th
GENO WASHINGTON & THE YO YO’S £17.50
+ The Soul Collective
A living legend returns! Always ready to rock the house, the King of the Swingers Geno Washington is the incarnation of all things ’60s. Hipsters and flipsters, movers and shakers alike, are all rendered incapable of having a bad time, when the Good Time Guru gets his army of fans on the good foot! The old Geno magic still drags them in and sends them home high.
Geno Washington is still the UK’s No 1 1960’s Soul Man, he’s the real deal, enjoying cult status on the Soul, R&B, Blues and Northern Soul scenes. This is due in main to his unsurpassable reputation as a live performer. Geno was a contemporary of Alexis Corner, Gerogie Fame, The Small Faces and Jimi Hendrix (all of whom were his support acts back in the day) and he is as electrifying on stage today as ever; a force of nature and a joy to behold. Geno was recently invited to play to a sell-out audience as part of the prestigious annual Lord’s Taverners charity fundraiser at The Albert Hall and was also picked by Ray Davies to play as the main act at The Royal Festival Hall at his ‘Summer Meltdown’ finale. He was also recently asked to present Dexy’s Midnight Runners with an award for longevity at The Mojo Music Awards.. is that irony?
Geno Washington and the Yo Yos! This new (2011) recession busting, up-tempo, kickass outfit (which features Geno’s half of the super tight Ram Jam Band) play a blistering set of pared down Street Soul, R&B, House Rockin’ Blues. Jump, Boogie and Rock ‘n’ Roll…
THE SOUL COLLECTIVE were formed in 2011 as a one-off gig project, in order to play at a friend’s surprise birthday party. They were so well-received, and
enjoyed themselves so much, that they decided to continue playing together, and since then they have played countless weddings, parties and other shows,
including Goole Beach Day in 2011, Snaithfest in 2012 and 2013, and Selby Family Fun Day in 2013.
The Soul Collective’s repertoire consists of a range of classic and contemporary soul, funk and R’n’B from the likes of Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Sam & Dave, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder and Amy Winehouse.
Keeping such a large band of busy musicians together can be a huge challenge, and the band line-up is quite fluid, with the Collective usually featuring between five and nine members (depending on gig size and other commitments!). For the show at Howden Shire Hall, the band will be a sextet, with Danny Tupling on lead vocals, Sarah Garrard on sax, Matty Linklater on lead guitar, Jonny Crossley on keyboards, Chris Miley on bass guitar and Luke Harrison on drums.
SATURDAY APRIL 5th
LIVE/WIRE! £14
SOLD OUT…SOLD OUT…SOLD OUT… For returns please contact Touchwood 01430 431535 to be put on a waiting list.
The unique six man tribute to rock’s greatest band AC/DC, complete with trademark cannons, a wall of Marshalls and two hours of High Voltage Rock and Roll. And in this AC/DC’s fortieth year, the band cover both eras as always with both Bon Scott and ‘Pete’ Brian Johnson present to take you on the Rock and Roll train 
for a night to remember.
The rhythm section keep it all meticulously together giving Ashgus the freedom to mesmerise the audience with his sublime playing and infinite energy. Those who have seen the show on the ‘For Those About To Rock’ and ‘Ready to Bite’ tours are already witness to the talent and dedication Ash gives on stage with his portrayal of the livewire Angus Young delivering a truly amazing two hours of duck-walking, bedevilled Rock and Roll.
The band aim to put you slap bang in the middle of the show with hit after hit, and for the aficionados there’s always something special as well. Back in Black, Rosie, Highway to hell, the songs go on and on until the cannons fire ceremoniously to bring the evening to a superb crescendo. If by this time you are still standing……..we salute you !!
As any AC/DC fan will tell you, there is only one AC/DC. And as any Live/Wire fan will tell you, there is only one complete AC/DC show – and that is Live/Wire!! Close your eyes and you’ll hear AC/DC; open your eyes and you’ll see AC/DC!
SATURDAY MARCH 22nd
THE ZYNX £8
With support from The Lamms
Following their barnstorming performances at last years Howden Carnival it was also inevitable that we got this terrific band back in town for full blown concert. The Zynx are one of the Uk’s top Ska/Punk covers band’s hailing from Yorkshire and performing classic tracks from the legends of Punk and Ska. …..The Clash, Sex Pistols, The Ramones, Bad Manners, The Specials, The Jam, The Stranglers and many many more. .
With the demise of the tribute band “DaveisBowie” in 2007 – self explanatory as to who that band honoured – out of the ashes (to ashes ?) sprung Dave, Rich (guitar) and Ash (drums) with the dream to create a band that paid homage to music of the late 70’s and early 80’s. A love of punk & alternative music bonded Dave & Rich, whereas Ash boldly stated that he was along for the ride, so long as his beloved ska / two tone music could feature. With the local scene already having ‘cover’ bands attributed to the two genres, the three lads decided to combine the two, to create a lively, powerful set.
In their hunt for extra personnel…namely a bass player and a keyboard player…they tried and tested the local muso’s, before settling with ‘TNT’ Walters on bass (ex Meg Williams Band) and Mr English on the keys (The Kinked). THE ZYNX, in its current format, was born. Several quick-fire gigs propelled the band into the arms of local promoters and they were chosen, above many, to support the UK Subs on their 2010 British tour. With recommendations coming from Subs vocalist Charlie Harper and (guitarist) Jet, THE ZYNX were given the opportunity to support internationally renowned “The Beat” a few months later. Word quickly spread and – as a result – The Zynx have successfully backed the UK’s number one tribute band “Badness” for the last few years, as part of Badness’s ‘Christmas Special’ gigs.
Time to break free of that supporting role and take on the mantle of the main act. A memorable appearance at the Howden Music Festival in 2013, secured a gig of their very own. With “The Lamms” in support. When North meets South… expect fireworks! the Lamms are a six piece rock band formed in Hull, England in 2010. Band members are Tom Ladbury (vocals), Pete Burgess (bass), Brian Taylor (drums) and Adam Cotson, Chris White and Matt Allen (guitar). The lads have recently put the finishing touches to their debut record, soon to be released.
SATURDAY MARCH 8th
THE GLEN MILLER LEGACY
THE NORTHERN SHOWTIME ORCHESTRA £10
Following the superb Sinatra show in November it was inevitable that we had the Northern Showtime Orchestra back with their Glen Miller show, and here they are!
The Glenn Miller Legacy show traces the career of the swing era band leader from jobbing musician to band leader and air force captain, performing all his 
greatest tunes and telling the story behind each piece, with the aid of slides and narrations.
He said: “Playing trombone myself I have always admired what Glenn Miller achieved with his orchestra. He was one of the true musical icons of the 20th century and his music has significance for so many people in the Western world. For this show we have researched the archives and will recreate many of his greatest records.”
The orchestra is gaining national recognition for its range of theatre-style shows, recreating original musical performances of the legendary musicians and singers, featuring a visual backdrop of photos, film or sound clips.
The band’s members include Tony, also a member of the George Bradley Big Band, the Geoff Laycock Orchestra and other UK brass and big bands; Kathy Seabrook, one of the country’s leading flautists; Graham Quilter, on clarinet and saxophone; trumpet player Nigel Blenkiron, pianist Dave Clegg and guitarist and singer Richard Adams.
FEBRUARY 22nd
HOLY MOLY & THE CRACKERS £8
+ In association with Beverley Folk Festival: Elliott Morris and Louis Brookes.
ONLINE TICKET SALES HAVE CLOSED. TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE DOOR.
Brought together by an eclectic taste in folk music and the kind of enthusiasm that can only be born in the slither of time between last orders and closing time, Holy Moly and the Crackers formed in 2011. Soon after, they released their debut album with Northern Lights Music before winning an international competition to play the Bread & Roses main stage at Hop Farm Festival, where they drew in the crowds and the accolades.
It’s difficult to put your finger on exactly who they sound like. You’ve got elements of The Pogues, Paolo Nutini and Dropkick Murphys all tossed together into one exciting concoction, Holy Moly and the Crackers are influenced by a wide range of styles and artists; the honest grit and gravel of Woody Guthrie, the gypsy bone-cage burlesque of Gogol Bordello, the spectral clarity of Laura Marling. As such they play a lively, moonshine mix of Romani, Americana and contemporary British ‘folk’n’roll’. They have a busy schedule of live performances ahead, with tours in Ireland and Europe being planned for 2014.
In association with Beverley Folk Festival we are also proud to present two superb up and coming young artists in a supportive capacity. ELLIOTT MORRIS, who Tom Robinson at BBC 6Music describes as: “Extraordinary…ludicrously youthful and absurdly talented” And: LOUIS BROOKES, an exciting young flamenco guitarist from, unlikely as it may sound, Leigh near Wigan. Flamenco guitar has been Louis’passion since he was 10 years old and he continues to develop his own style. Louis arranges all his own pieces, incorporating traditional material as well as other artist’s and his own compositions.
Elliott Morris and Louis Brookes supported by the English Folk Dace and Song Society- “Folk Rising” project.
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 8th
….SOLD OUT…. HEART OF GLASS £10 ….SOLD OUT….
A cast iron guarantee of a superb night out for our first event of the year , we don’t ask them back every year for nothing!! And the vid is from the Shire Hall last year…bonus!!
This ‘Back by popular demand’ malarky keeps throwing up the best nights out you could possibly imagine at the Shire Hall! Back with us are not only one of the best tribute bands ever to appear here but, without doubt, the best Blondie tribute in the land.
Heart of Glass are the foremost Blondie Tribute band in the UK and the only one that is fully professional. Lead singer Denise daniels who has put together a stunning replication of a ‘Blondie’ show with all the favourite classics plus a lot more. Denise prides herself on authenticity and does 6 costume changes during a show, each reflecting upon the various songs. There is no finer exponent of the songs, style and raw energy of Deborah Harry and Blondie. This will be a real treat to see this band – it will be like experiencing the real Blondie in 1978!
Bring your dancing shoes and delight to renditions of: Heart of Glass, Atomic, One Way Or Another, Call Me, Picture This and Denis. All of this and more hits plus superb versions of album tracks will leave you roaring for more at the end. Book early to avoid disappointment!
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CHRIS HELME (Band show) + Joe Harkin
Saturday November 30th 2013 £10
Chris Helme first rose to prominence as the front man of John Squire’s post-Stone Roses band ‘The Seahorses’ Still rightfully remembered for the anthemic Britpop classics ‘Love Is The Law’ and ‘Blinded By The Sun’ – songs that evoked everything the 90’s stood for, the excitement, the culture and the bands that provided a voice in a period of political and social imbalance. Present day societal context may well in fact mirror those times but the man himself, now, appears cut from an entirely different cloth.
Helme has an enviable back catalogue, bolstered further by his acclaimed works with The Yards, but it’s his latest offering The Rookery’s knack for melody and imaginative, intricate, three-way guitar interplay that brings each track to such lush, blossoming, climaxes. Add to this Helme’s keen ear for arranging and those brooding string passages resonate even more 
deeply.
“Echoing the fragility of Gram Parsons, while flirting with the rustic side of Neil Young”
Uncut
“Dreamy but driven indie folk. Enhanced by lavishly layered productions and a deftly deployed string quartet.”
Q Magazine
Born 1987, Joe is a singer songwriter from Howden. He writes and plays his own songs with an originality and grasp of the live’s of people he has come across. With an observational song writing style he wittily documents on shady local characters, troubled economic times and his own doldrum days. He started writing songs at the age of 22 and soon forme