Blog

May 12 2026

Joe Martin Band 2026

Sunday 26th April 2026

Photos and videos by Keith Belcher, review by Mike Latham

What a fantastic fortnight we have experienced with the Americana themed group of concerts. Each event brought a slightly different emphasis from each performer in terms of style but every evening highlighted a group of great songwriters ably supported by a fantastic collective of musicians.

Last night completed the fortnight with a great set from the returning Joe Martin. It is very clear what styles of music Joe was listening to as he was growing up. He has finely honed his craft to join a wide pantheon of writers and musicians and we were regaled with tales of how his trips to America and his observations of life have inspired his writing.

I was particularly impressed by his description of the willingness of others to reach out and offer support to the younger group of writers coming through. It’s so heartwarming to hear these tales reminding us of the positivity of human connections in these current times.

Joe’s connection with Cal Campbell and Cornelius Webb highlighted this for us and also allowed Joe to bring his own admiration for their respective parents in his versions of many classic and well loved songs.

Another great set at The Live Room and the close to a great themed fortnight. Great sound too.

Videos by Keith Belcher

Alone In Valentine

Brown Paper Bag

Hand Me Down Heart

Apr 26 2026

Robbie Cavanagh & The Whole Family

Friday 17th April 2026

Photos, video by Keith Belcher, review by Mike Latham

A case of ‘And now for something completely different’. A showcase for Robbie with a full band, he impressed the audience when he played solo but, having a great trio of musicians behind him his music and songs took on an extra dimension.

The evening started with great energy and that carried on throughout with a few lulls in the energy created by the introspection and empathy of some of his thoughtful tales of love and loss. And what a lyricist he has become.

Those songs were ably supported by Dan, Thomas and Roberto who provided great support to Robbie and, as the man himself said, all had a wonderful time. As did we in the audience. Thanks, as always to Ron, Hilary and the volunteers.

One final word. Jim Reeves? He’ll have to go!

Videos by Keith Belcher

Texas Cooking

Love Comes Quickly/Another Dead End

Helpless

Apr 25 2026

Dean Owens & The Sinners (2026)

Friday 24th April 2026

Photos by Richard Leach

Apr 23 2026

Julian Taylor

Sunday 19th April 2026

Photos and video by Keith Belcher, review by Mike Latham

What a stupendous show, once again confirming the magic that live music brings to our lives.

An impressive opening performance from Michele Stodart both in her playing and in her stunning observations of life.

There was a theme from both sections of the evening and that was the artistry of both writers portraying the hardships faced in life, whether mental health issues, racism or sexism and showing the strengths in working together. An issue addressed by Julian in the second half.

And what a second half that proved to be. He mirrored a lot of the themes that Michele had addressed in her set but, as the session progressed and the glances exchanged among the front line were observed, it suddenly became ‘Party Time’. Julian’s vocals revealed a beautiful soulfulness and the sounds alternate between soul, funk and rock.

As stated previously, his accompanying musicians completed a well appreciated performance. I’m certain it will be in ‘the end of year lists’ of those who witnessed this event.

Thanks, as always, to Hilary, Ron and the volunteers. Great sound too.

Videos by Keith Belcher

Michele Stodart: Dismiss Me

Michele Stodart: Promise

Julian Taylor: Ain't Life Strange

Julian Taylor: Bobbi Champagne/Sweeter

Apr 5 2026

Rosier & Elanor Moss

Sunday 29th March 2026

Photos & video by Keith Belcher, review by Mike Latham

A wonderful introduction to two new names to me; great to see such younger musicians coming forward to take what has gone before and add their own stamp on it.

Elanor took what appears to be a simple style, those folk club singers of the early 60s with ‘simple’ songs and tunes , except she doesn’t. Her style of playing had me transfixed, watching her fingers intently and then, those songs. Revelatory compositions on the human condition, how we face the rigours and disappointments of life but move forward with strength. Definitely one to watch.

And then Rosier. Similar in the way they took those folk tales of their past and the influences of those musicians that they were exposed to when growing up and created their own sound. Ethereal is an adjective I have heard mentioned a lot recently and their sound was certainly that. Again, not afraid to stamp their own mark on it and take those old tales forward for us all to hear in a contemporary setting. Past and present aligning to remember those warnings of pitfalls and problems to avoid.

If only some contemporary ‘leaders’ would learn those lessons.

videos by keith belcher

Elanor Moss: On A Good Day

Elanor Moss: Sarah Waiting in the Car

Rosier: Plus D'Amis

Rosier: S'il Chante

Rosier: Other Forms

Mar 28 2026

Minor Gold

Sunday 15th March 7pm at The Kirkgate Centre, Shipley

Photos by Richard Leach

The Live Room partnered with Kirkgate Community Centre for this one off special show by Australian duo, Minor Gold to help them complete the UK leg of their tour after the show booked for The Hullabaloo fell through. We’re really glad we managed to pull it together thanks to Kirkgate, as they delivered a really wonderful evening of brilliant songwriting and harmonies, together with some sparkling guitar work. We will definitely be working on a return visit by them, this time to our home at Caroline Street Social Club. Thank you to everyone who came along and made such a lovely night for them.

Mar 25 2026

Skye Consort & Emma Björling (CAN & SWE)

Sunday 22nd March 2026

Review Mike Latham, photos and video by Keith Belcher

Another fantastic performance at The Live Room; thanks Ron and Hilary. Well, the audience loved it and it looked like the performers had a great evening also.

Despite the similarity of instrumentation (are nyckelharpas making a comeback?), there was no mistaking the Skye Consort and Emma Bjorling for the recently enjoyed Firelight Trio.

One of the things that always strikes me about ‘folk’ musicians is their willingness to listen to and engage with musicians and songs from other parts of the world. We were introduced to our neighbours from Scandinavia, and we’re able to enjoy the universal tales of relationships and life from other areas, even if we might not have understood the language, we could understand the sentiment and joy created by the music.

What a mix of styles we were exposed to and not just in the mix of nationalities. The musical styles and backgrounds of each player, certainly to my ears, gave a ‘classic’ sound to the tunes and each was exceptional.

The mix of such individual voices created such a great sound and provided us all with such another uplifting evening.

It’s great to hear that negotiations for a return are underway. Here’s to the next contrasting session.

videos by keith belcher

Av Hjärtat Jag Dig älskar En Annan Polska

Sam Hall

Mar 23 2026

Scotland Introducing:Constant Follower & Firelight Trio

Friday 13th March 2026

Review by Mike Latham, photos by Richard Leach

Wasn’t it Postcard Records who coined ‘The Sounds of Young Scotland’? Well, the sounds last night may not have been ‘Young’ but they were intriguing, emotional, empathetic, thrilling and beguiling. Talking to Ron afterwards, he also used the word ‘Ethereal’.

It would appear that we all came away with slightly different but, in the main, similar views of what we had experienced. The contrast between the two performances was very telling. When we go to festivals or one day events there is always a contrast between one performance and another. For me, that contrast was what made both last night so compelling. And it was all about sound.

The Firelight Trio certainly weren’t the average folk band; they took their instrumentation and inspiration from the genre and took it to another space. The sound they created was, to me, utterly magnificent, particularly the full sounds created by the nyckelharpa and the accordion.

My, what a contrast Constant Traveller proved to be. Yes, it would have been good to hear the whole sextet and experience their harmonies but, isn’t it also interesting to hear the stripped back sounds occasionally?

I loved those sounds and couldn’t quite put my finger on them. By contrast, more subdued than The Firelight Trio, they created a sound of tranquility as well as raw emotions. The words I heard spoke of relationships and resilience and, above all, empathy.

My candidates for bands that I was reminded of included Elbow and The Blue Nile. But, there was another name trying to break forth which didn’t quite manage it. On my way home I had the John Martyn Project CD playing. There he was…….. the man himself!

Mar 11 2026

Chris Wood 2026

Sunday 8th March 2026

Photos by Keith Belcher

Many thanks to everyone who came along and gave us a sold out evening for Chris Wood on Sunday. Chris was on superb form; his guitar and voice blending beautifully around those fantastic songs of his. In this writer’s opinion, ‘Spitfires’ alone is worth the price of entry. Although originally released some 17 years ago, it is sadly more relevant now that ever.

Never a polemicist or traditional protest singer, Chris nevertheless manages to echo and give words to the thoughts that haunt us during these very dark days. As he says: ‘I hope that people leave the show with the feeling that at least they’re not alone’.

However, not all his songs mine the ills of modern society, stories of replacing a much loved old sofa and taking his daughter to university show a family man dealing with the passing of time and are written with beauty, humour and much love.

He also gave us wonderful versions of some of our traditional songs, three of which were learned from his friend and sometime mentor, Martin Carthy, and were performed in tribute to the great man who has just retired from live performance.

The phrase ‘national treasure’ is much over-used, but is surely apposite in the case of this superb chronicler of English life. A brilliant show.

Mar 5 2026

Jeff Cohen Writers Round 2026

Sunday 1st March 2026

Photos and video by Keith Belcher, comments from the TLR WhatsApp group and Facebook

The return of one of the nicest men in the business, Nashville songwriter and publisher, Jeff Cohen, this time with a new cohort of guests: Laura Oakes from the UK and Stevie Woodward from Nashville. They were also joined for a couple of numbers by Jim Duguid, co-writer of many Paolo Nutini hits, including New Shoes, which he performed, and Steve Chrisanthou, who co-wrote many songs for Corinne Bailey Rae, including Put Your Records On, which he performed for us.

‘Hope that there’ll be another Writers’ Round next year. They’ve both been excellent and really varied’ – Susan Kirkham on Facebook