IT’S GLASTONBURY weekend and if like me you’re full of regret at having let it pass you by then the best solution is surely to go to a gig.
One of the gigs of the weekend is at The Zanzibar, who present an 8 hour mini-festival marathon in support of Asylum Link; a charity supporting destitute asylum seekers.
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| Asylum Link - doing good work in Merseyside |
The show is not only fundraising for a worthy and under-vocalised cause, but presents a great platform for checking out some of Merseyside’s newest and finest acoustic and folk talent.
The show’s overriding vibe is one of a relaxed musical jamboree, littered with informative talks and information on how Asylum Link, under threat from government cuts, helps 500 destitute asylum seekers.
But now to the music, because with the number of bands playing being well into double figures, and only so much pink paper I can cover, here are some selected highlights.
The Zanzibar’s jovial host for the night Dave Owen kept the crowd lively with his endless enthusiasm and comical self-penned ditties.
It was to be a long gig and those willing to stick it out were kept entertained by his comedy band change-over banter. The man should surely have his own Later With Jools…, style programme.
Two-piece guitar duo SUNSTACK JONES are an early highlight, showing much promise in this their first gig.
It is a mellow affair, well suited to the candle-lit surroundings. The duo show some subtle touches and complex arrangements that steer clear of over-indulgence thanks to their ability to conjure up the catchiest of melodies.
Sun In Your Eyes has a haunting beauty, with honeyed vocals intertwining with a reverb-laden lead guitar to great effect.
Santiago shows the full potential of a band with the melodies and craftsmanship that could see them go far.
ADAM MILLINGTON, of The Kazimier Krunk Band among other projects is an intriguing talent who brings something different to the party, celebrating the past and present in a contemporary fashion.
His vocal style is grandiose and dramatic and his use of the English language eloquent, which gives his music an almost medieval feel.
His hands move up and down the fretboard in a frantic and fluid fashion, creating some flamboyant patterns that almost resembling flamenco at times. An eclectic and rousing performance
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| Stan The Harp Man |
Another departure is the introduction of harpist STAN AMBROSE. Legendary in the parts, he doesn’t even wait for the music to fade before commencing on a spellbinding set.
Irish number Lark And The Clear Air is a particular highlight that enchants the hushed Zanzibar crowd in the candlelight.
A good three hours in now, this gig has a real festival style, with many people disappearing off after acts and returning later.
I need some daylight so take a squinty-eyed peek outside before returning to catch LIZZIE NUNNERY.
Quietly spoken and shy, she has been getting a lot of attention on a national level of late, and on this showing it is well merited.
Kate Bush comparisons cannot be ignored in terms of her vocal prowess, but musically it is good old-fashioned folk.
Percussion, backing guitar and vocals keep things driving along nicely as Lizzie strums and plucks her acoustic ditties confidently, and when she really opens up, her voice is truly spectacular.
Latest single Hungry is a real highlight from a talent that could well be the next Laura Marling.
If there was to be a headliner tonight, The SIXTEEN TONNES are certainly it, and they are enjoyed by the biggest crowd of the night. After a mellow opener constructed around some nice two-part harmonies, this band’s take on country and western becomes enjoyable if not as explosive as I would have liked, in part due to the fact that they were missing their drummer.
This would have made the difference and taken a competent set from pleasant, to a barn-storming performance that would have had this strong crowd really moving. However, they are talented bunch, and are rightly unashamed of their American Country and Bluegrass influences, which were refreshingly honest.
Finally SPRINGTIME ANCHORAGE close the show as the first full band of the night with some slick folk-rock. References to the current trend setters Fleet Foxes and Mumford & Sons were given a Merseyside, Coral-esque edge that are pleasing on the ear and warm the heart.
It is a great end to a gig, enjoyed by the small contingent who stuck it out until the end for a worthy cause under threat from government cuts.
It highlighted that Liverpool’s passionate folk scene is alive and well, and left a happy bunch of folkies defiantly thinking “who needs Glastonbury anyway?”
Thomas Jefferson
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