Cat Power - 2 November 2026

I bought tickets on a whim when I saw the gig advertised clicked on a video and liked what I heard and also liked the name and photo of the backing band - The Dirty Delta Blues Band. I knew nothing of her music apart from that it sounded both soulful and bluesy from the sample. It turned out the music was soulful and bluesy and the backing was excellent whilst the band had only one match to the advertised band as far as I could see and that was the keyboard player who led the band brilliantly. However even he was not the longtime keyboards guy who died in April. The first forty five minutes was a live version of the album 'The Greatest' starting with the title song and proceeding with barely a break between tracks. That song is brilliant and the whole album is good. I also very much liked the changes in tempo with the band being very tight and rhythmic. I also liked her singing which was very musical in the way that Van Morrison is (or was). The second part of the gig started with Cat offstage and an extended instrumental section from the band playing what was the nearest thing to a faster paced Grateful Dead interlude - I thoroughly enjoyed the piece. Then Cat came back and the next section included a number of covers and some songs I didn't know. The covers included Prince's 'Nothing compares 2U', James Brown's 'Try Me' and to my astonishment and great pleasure Kitty Wells's 'It wasn't God who made Honky Tonk Angels' although I think she missed the point of the song when she dedicated it to the bad girls in the audience. In fact her stage presence and general chat towards the end was a bit weird. She obviously felt uncomfortable but didn't take the obvious choice of sticking to singing. I can't tell you the band members names as I can't find them anywhere. I can say the drummer was very precise, the bassist rhythmic and the guitarist coped with all the styles and sounds required of him very well. Special mention for the keyboards guy who really drove the music for his younger band members.

Latin Quarter - 1989

I don't have a precise date for seeing Latin Quarter for the first time but it must have been 1989 as they played a short string of dates then and split up in 1990 for a few years. We saw them when living in Market Harborough which we moved to in 1988. We actually saw them twice at the same venue - the Charlotte in Leicester - but the second time was outdoors with a barbeque going on behind us so not a great ambience. The first indoor gig was a real joy and the band who made a huge impression on me when 'Radio Africa' became a minor hit in 1986 were finally seen in the flesh. I can't remember the setlist although I am sure they played 'Radio Africa' and 'America for Beginners' and I have nagging memory of 'Cora' sending shivers down my spine. I also distinctly remember 'Bitter to the South' a song I didn't know about then or for many years after (it was released in 1993 and was on the album 'The Long Pig' which I missed out on). A stunning condemnation of US action in Nicaragua. A landmark gig for me.

Latin Quarter - 25 October 2026

A welcome opportunity to see Latin Quarter again albeit a four piece and a long way from their formation forty plus years ago. This was at the Bush Hall in the Uxbridge Road so a trek to London was required where a small audience of people of a certain age attended at this lovely venue. The band comprised Keith Skaith on guitar and vocals, Steve Jeffries on keyboards, Mary Carewe on vocals and some keyboard effects (she was with them at the last gig we saw in 2023) and lastly Mary's sister Anna Carewe who turned out to be a phenomenal cello player creating sounds I could not have imagined from a cello. The gig consisted of a mixture of songs from the new album 'Crooks and Crimes' and a selection from the back catalogue with several from 'Modern Times'. They opened with 'Swimming Against the Stream' from the album of the same name - a powerful resume of the state of the world, as was the other song from that album 'Dominion'. From the new album they played the title track 'Crooks and Crimes' and in fact most of ther songs. I particularly liked 'Elsie Housing', 'Never Agaion (until now)' and 'The Beautiful Game' and there was exposition from Steve aqbout the songs which was interesting. All the back catalogue songs were brilliant - certainly 'Negotiating with a Loaded Gun' is a particular favourite of mine, the version of 'Eddy' was a step up from the original in it's mood with superb cello playing and 'Radio Africa' had new words to reflect the changed situation since the original recording before apartheid ended. Naturally they ended the set with the absolutely still relevant (if not more so) 'America for Beginners'. Having got the album version with a long sax solo and heard the live version with a long guitar solo in 2023 it was interesting to hear it with a long keyboards solo this time. A superb gig in a great atmosphere. I hope they make it round again.

Carmina - 9 October 2026

This was the first time I had seen Carmina, who are based in Bristol and gig in the area, since 2022. Of course it was yet again a different line-up with the usual trio of Rob King, Pippa Marland and Paul Bradley augmented by Diarmaid Moynihan on Uillean pipes and whistles and David Gordon on Piano. I had not seen the last two before and they were superb musicians. Their presence was due to this being an album launch for 'Late Light' the first new album in ten years. They were both part of the studio recordings. The sound engineer was also in the audience whcih proved handy as the band sorted out their set up after a late arrival. They started with a song they always seem to play 'Bird of Paradise'. Other songs I knew included 'Franklin' which I particularly like and also 'Carolan' which came across very well. There were new songs off the album as well of which the most memorable was the title track, 'Late Light' which they finished with. As always a great gig and the surroundings of St Mary's Priory in Chepstow added to the ambience. A local gig in lovely surroundings with five excellent musicians. I'll go again when they come round this way.

Rhiannon Giddens - 29 September 2026

We don't often travel far for gigs now (as in Manchester, Birmingham or London) but Rhiannon Giddens was considered worth the trip. We saw her three years ago in Birmingham and on the strength of that booked a hotel in Manchester. The venue was new to me - the Albert Hall, a grade 1 listed former Wesleyan Chapel. Thye venue was excellent and we got there early enough to nab second row seats. Rhiannon came on first with a violinist/vocalist Justin Robinson for one track before the rest of the band came on. They were bassist and percussionist Jason Sypher and Anonymous (I can't find his name anywhere!) who were excellent but stuck to their lane in providing a rhythm backing. Congolese guitarist Niwel Tsumbu was the fifth member. He was amazing and was given a platform on many songs to display his understated skills. The concert was a very varied selection, not surprising given Rhiannon is self-cnfessed musical history nerd. In amongst the set was a Gaelic song, a Congolese song (as a medley) a number of tunes with Rhiannon either on Banjo or Violin and the classic Elizabeth Cotton song 'Freight Train'. Amongst the songs she wrote were my favourite of the gig - 'We Could Fly'. She also wrote 'Hope is a thing with feathers' and 'The love we almost had'. I noted that there were only a couple of songs of the recently released album - respect for not plugging it endlessly. They finished with a spirited version of 'I shall not be moved' before coming out for an acapela encore. Loved the gig and the venue.

Grace Smith Trio + Archie Churchill-Moss 11 September 2026

Whilst in Berwick-upon-Tweed I spotted that there was a folk gig at a tiny venue called The Straw Yard right by the town walls. It turned out to be a real treat with four excellent musicians playing in front of less than fifty people. Grace Smith was on Fiddle, Archie was on button accordion, Sam Partridge on Concertina and Tom Kimber was on mandolin and four string guitar (tenor guitar). They introduced the gig as a change with all four musicians on stage throughout presumably instead of Archie doing a set followed by the trio. Archie started with a couple of numbers and thereafter there were different combinations of the musicians playing together, There were some songs collected from archives and other musicians and many songs they had written particularly Grace and Archie. Tom played Mandolin to start but later in the gig played tenor guitar - which was new to me. The gig way exceeded my expectations - a real pleasure.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo 7 August 2026

I wasn't sure what to expect, apart from some superb acapela singing, and a couple of elements did surprise me. The main surprise was the amount that the performance featured dancing, often synchronised but not in a boy band way. There was much Zulu type stomping and high kicking and hand gestures. I also hadn't realised the band was all male. The nine vocalists featured four of the sons and two cousins of the band founder, Joseph Shabalala who formed it back in 1960. The band started with acapela songs including their anthem 'Nomathemba'but about twenty minutes in brought on two guitarists also from Kwazulu- Natal, one of whom also sang and played a concertina and they then did a number of songs from the 'Graceland ' album starting with 'Diamonds on the soles of her shoes' with one of the guitarists singing the Paul Simon parts. They were both excellent guitarists hitting those complicated rhythms precisely. The second half proceeded along similar lines with acapela songs and then some songs including guitars/concertina backing. 'Homeless' hit the spot being the song that brought them global attention after 'Graceland' and they finished with 'You can call me Al'. Very different to the usual run of gigs and very enjoyable.

Teddy Thompson - 18 June 2026

We saw Teddy Thompson a few years ago and were impressed enough to see him again at St Georges. As before he had a good support act, this time a singer songwriter called Ellie Gowers. Interesting songs, good guitar playing and a powerful voice. What's not to like? Teddy Thompson came on with the same lead guitarist as last time, the impressive Zak Hobbs and with Chris Jones on drums. He kicked off with 'Come Back' off the new album, a great song and everything sounded right, both guitars and Teddy's classy singing. A few tracks in was one of the highlights for me a song called 'Can't Sing Straight' from a 2008 album - a real country bounce to the music. After some more stuff from the excellent recent album he played my favourite TT song ' Delilah' (which song heard on Transatlantic Sessions was the reason to go see him in the first place). Near the end he played 'The Game' off the new album which to me was almost perfect Buddy Holly - very late 50s america. The encore began with a solo acoustic version of 'So this is Heartache' - a stunning start to the three track encore. Another excellent gig from Teddy Thompson.

Catrin Finch - 4 June 2026

It's always worth going to a Catrin Finch gig and this was another one of her projects, a solo show reflecting on her youger self called 'Notes to Self'. She started each track by setting up a loop on the harp then reading some advice to her 13 year old self and then back to the harp to weave the magic she creates on that instrument. It waqs of course outstanding and mesmeric as usual. I particularly liked 'Clear Sky', 'Kin' and 'Mor Arianrhod' plus the last song was pretty special as well 'Angels'. There was an encore of a piece of ancient welsh music. I've already got tickets for next years gig with Oife Ni Brhain at Acapela.

Synergedd (Alaw/Vri/Hannah James) 16 May 2026

What a contrast - Friday Emmylou 2,000 punters @ up to £85 a pop, Saturday 24 punters @ £16. A shame for the six musicians who played at The Met in Abertillery - all important figures in the South Wales music scene who had got together to work up a performance which was interesting, enjoyable and accomplished. There were welsh folk tunes, some spoken words, lots of great vocals and even some clog dancing from Hannah (always a pleasure to watch). All are excellent musicians and we had seen Alaw and Hannah James each a couple of times before and also Dylan Fowler on his own. Each was superb on their instruments - cello, fiddle, accordian, guitar, harpsichord?, plus another type of squeeze box and the vocals were great; mainly Hannah, Jordan Price-Williams and Nia Lynn. The set was a conceptual piece based around Welsh history and events. A lovely evening marred a little by the fact that there only 24 people in The Met watching original music and seemingly most of the rest of Abertillery was in the local Wetherspoons.

Emmylou Harris - 15 May 2026

Billed as her final European tour - and at 79 years old it probably is - it was not to be missed and we managed some excellent seats in the second row. First up was Jim Lauderdale, a name I didn't know but it turned out he used to write songs with Robert Hunter so he had a pedigree. He was an entertaining singer songwriter with a great voice and good guitar skills. Emmylou came on with a five piece backing band who were excellent as was to be expected although they were all new to me. She kicked off with 'Love ' duetting with Jim Lauderdale then into 'Here I am' and 'Orphan Girl'. It was evident that her voice was not quite what it used to be but she knew how to carry a song, played a mean acoustic guitar and the band behind her was very good. It was not long before she played the song that was non-negotiable for me 'Pancho and Lefty' and then the classic EH track 'Red Dirt Girl'. Tracks I was not expecting but hugely enjoyed were 'Going Back to Harlen', 'Kern River' and 'Hickory Winds'. Just great to hear all three of those. Tracks I was expecting and hugely enjoyed were 'Luxury Liner and 'Boulder to Birmingham,. The former featured excellent guitar playing from Will Kimbrough. There was an amazing gospel number 'Help Him Jesus' that really had the band on fire. Throughout Eamon McLoughlin on mandolin and fiddle was outstanding - I am not sure I have mandolin solos as good as his before. I see that the setlist varies a lot between the UK gigs - what a star to do that at 79! Phil Madeira, on keys, Will Kimbrough, guitar, Chris Donohue, bass, and Bryan Owings on drums, Eamon McLoughlin on fiddle and mandolin.

Katharine Priddy - 22 April 2026

Katharine Priddy has impressed on all three times we've seen her - first as a support act, then playing the Acapela and this time headlining at St Georges. Her new album is superb and this gig featured nine of the ten tracks on with a few songs from the back catalogue thrown in as well. This included two standout new songs for me 'Hurricane' and 'Matches'. Of the older songs I remember 'Eurdyce' and 'Icarus' from previous gigs - both great songs. First we had a support act singer songwriter whose name I didn't catch and whose music I thought was meh. Katharine had two musicians backing her - the guitarist was George Boosma who supported her and played with her last time we saw her. He was on electric guitar and backing vocals. There was third musician this time on keyboards, violin and for one song a mandolin. There's not a lot more to say except she is a genuine talent and I enjoyed the gig immensely.

Eliza Carthy et al 5 April 2026

This was supposed to be a farewell tour for Martin Carthy featuring daughter Eliza but it turned out too late for the 84 year old who wasn't well enough to tour so it was Eliza plus friends playing songs of his. We like Eliza who is an excellent fiddle player and she ran the show which had a complement of six musicians and different line ups for each song. Some of it was bit too hardcore folky for me but Eliza was great throughout. I liked a Waterson:Carthy track whose title I didn't catch and the tunes they played and Tim Van Eyken on melodeon, guitar and vocals was good, Nock Hart was an excellent singer and all in all it was an interesting and enjoyable gig.

David Byrne - 2 March 2026

It is nearly eight years since David Byrne brought his 'Utopia' show to the UK - which was a very different gig ouevre in that all the musicians were untethered and constantly on the move, there were dancers/backing vocalists and the stage was empty of equipment. This show was on the same lines with thirteen performers and the main difference was a huge backdrop video screen(s) adding relevant images. The set list was a nice mixture of songs from the new album and Talking Heads classics. The first song that particularly struck me anew was 'And she was' which was third track in. 'This must be the place', 'Slippery People' and 'The apartment is my friend' (the video was of his apartment in New York) also struck home. The finish was barnstorming stuff - 'Psycho Killer', 'Life During Wartime', 'Once in a lifetime', 'Everybody's Coming to My House' and finally best of all 'Burning Down the House'. Special mention for the long-haired drummer (Tim Keiper? who was also on the 2018 Utopia band), the bassist (Kely Pinheiro?), and dancers/vocalists HannahStraney and Tendayi Kuumba. Vids of ICE terrorising American protesters during 'Life During Wartime' was also spot on. Awesome gig

Marshall Gilmour Webbs - 27 February 2026

I was wondering whether I had been sensible to get tickets for this given that driving to the Acapela on a Friday evening in sheeting rain is not fun but they were outstanding and interestingly different to most bands. All four women are accomplished vocalists in their own right and the inclusion of two harps in the band is always a plus. We saw the impressive Webb sisters when they were backing vocalists (and occasional instrument players ) for Leonard Cohen. Louise Marshall has worked with a list of people way too long to include but most recently as a backing vocalist for Dave Gilmour which is where she got together with the Webbs and with Romany Gilmour. The vocals and harmonies whether acapela or to Hattie Webbs and Romany's harps or Charley Webb's guitar or Louise's keyboards or all of the above were incredible. I don't know the names of most of the songs and there doesn't seem to be a setlist so it's difficult to single out tracks but all were excellent. I did of course recognise 'Great Gig in the Sky' which was much more raucus and full-on compared to the Floyd version and 'Between two points' from David Gilmour's recent album. This track was thge highpoint for me, Romany's voice is perfect for this haunting song and as for the whole gig the harmonies and backing vocals were also perfect. I am really glad we made the effort.

Lucinda Williams - 4 Feb 2026

First gig of the year with good second row seats at The Beacon. Support was Ben de la Cour, a singer songwriter with some darkish themes and a pithy sense of humour. I liked his stuff - his guitar playing was crisp and whilst his singing was mostly subdued he let rip on a song ' The devil went down to Silverlake' and it was good track. I was shocked when Lucindda came on stage as she couldn't walk properly unaided and her left arm was pretty useless and checking later she had a stroke a few years ago. So no guitar this time around (we last saw her in 2016) but just vocals (and songwriting of course) from her. The band was excellent - a guitarist who managed various styles effortlessly (blues, slide, reggae, EC in 'while my guitar...), a spot-on drummer and a seamless bassist. The set featured half a dozen songs from the new album ' World's Gone Wrong'. Of those I really enjoyed 'Low life', 'Black Tears' (a blues number) and 'How much did you get for your soul'. The vibe was quite downbeat which is evident from the titles but that's alt-country for you. Also outstanding of older songs was 'Pineola', 'Drunken Angel' and 'Lake Charles; and without rambling on she also explqained the origin of these and other songs which was interesting. 'Righteously' the final track before the encore was also good and I enjoyed the covers which included 'While my guitar Gently weeps' which the guitarist channeled EC for the solo, and 'Keep on Rockin' in the free World' which finished the gig on a positive note. An excellent gig and I think the last time we'll see LW touring here. That's the fourth time I've seen her over a 17 year period and I've enjoyed all of them immensely.