It’s always great to welcome friends old and new to Loudhailer Acoustic and this month’s evening was no exception. What a terrific mix of music and spoken word and a lovely easy going summery vibe – and a great audience again. Thanks to everyone who came along. Rich and I opened the show with a couple of travelling songs and then welcomed John Cox with two cool numbers from his 2008 album, New Moon. Mark and Simon – two fifths of The Gold Needles – followed with a pair of their harmonious power pop tunes. Catherine Scott’s fabulously entertaining performance of a trio of her wicked women’s day poems ranged from childbirth to menopause and finished with a plastic (w)rap before Strawberry Moon treated us to a splendid pair of favourite originals, happy go lucky Rainbow from the sixties and the ethereal Witchcraft from last November.
Half time break, chance for a chat and a beer before the second half. Roy Kibbler opened the second half with his spoken word wordsmithery and two poems, both with revealing introductions, and both astute and fascinating in very different ways.
It was especially good to introduce Joe Garner to Loudhailer Acoustic for the first time. Engaging and captivating, Leeds based Joe played three 70s songs with style, a cool guitar sound and a wonderfully original and dynamic voice. Great to hear a Jackson C Frank song at Loudhailer Acoustic. Next up we were very pleased to welcome an old friend, Ian Priestman, over from America for a few days. Ian and I had lots of fun when we played gigs together back in the day when he was in my favourite band in Hull at the time, Poor Howard. Ian’s groovy version of Waiting for the Man had everyone’s toes tapping and then he treated us to a real surprise – a fabulous version of Poor Howard’s Maybe Tomorrow – the only recording, other than Red Guitars records that we released on the band’s Self Drive record label. Ian totally pulled it off, and what a tune, it’s been going round in my head round the clock since Thursday night. Dez Allenby followed with a very lovely solo set – Bridgwater Fair from pre Forest days, and Muddy River, written by an artist friend, both gorgeous. 
Up next, our host at The Back Room, Paul Sutton played a real feel good bluesy Americana set and just at the right time a sharply dressed Brian Williams sauntered by with his signature blues harp to join Paul on the stage for a fabulous and fun Rocket in my Pocket. Show closer this time was a special performance of the Who’s Red Blue and Grey by none other than our very own Jeff Parsons with his brand new yellow smiley faced ukulele. A smashing finale for a lovely night. Thanks to everyone who came, all the players and a special high five to the fantastic audience.
Here’s Rich’s gallery of photographs – click on an image and scroll through…
Don’t forget you can visit Rich’s exhibition of music photography at Hull International Photography gallery, lower deck Princes Quay Shopping Centre this month, open afternoons Tuesday to Sunday, free entry.
We’re having a break for August, so the next Loudhailer Acoustic will be Friday 8th September. Before then you can catch Loudhailer Electric Company on the Princes Quay stage at The Sesh on Sat August 5th – part of a great line up including our buddies Urban Rain. It’s free entry to our stage, details here Humber Street Sesh. The next day, Sunday 6th August we’re at Withernsea Free Festival, details here Withernsea Festival Be great to see you there…
One last thing, you may have heard about the project Rich and I have got coming up, Open Bridges. We’re doing something in Hull that has never happened before, will never happen again, and can’t happen in any other place in the world. It includes a river journey and acousmatic music commission which will be premiered at the Stage@TheDock on Friday 22nd September. Discover what’s going to happen on our Open Bridges Hull website.
Tickets for the octophonic music premiere are limited and selling fast and available online from Hull Box Office here
Loudhailer Acoustic – keep an eye on the website and Facebook page etc. for details. It’s always great to welcome new people – come along and listen to a fabulous range of acoustic music, quality songwriting and some familiar classics from a host of different performers. Thanks to Paul at The Back Room, a lovely venue.
Loudhailer Acoustic at The Back Room 175a Hallgate, Cottingham HU16 4BB. 7.30 pm £2 entry. If you would like to come and play a couple of songs please contact us to let us know – it’s always great to see new and familiar faces.
Click here for reviews and photos of past Loudhailer Acoustic nights and to find out more.
Click here for a map of how to get to The Back Room
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Look forward to seeing you!
Rich and Lou Duffy-Howard – Visit our Home Page