You can scroll down these pages to see some great photos and reviews of the vast majority of our past gigs. If you go to our Past Shows pages, you can also leave a comment on any show you’ve attended here by clicking on Post Show Report.
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Thea Gilmore
plus support The Silver Reserve
Thursday 10th November 2022
Photos by Ron Pengelly
We were thrilled to see a sold out TLR for Thea’s first visit here and also really pleased that she asked our friend Matthew Sturgess aka The Silver Reserve to support her. The pairing of the two was inspired and their music complemented one another perfectly and made for superb evening.
While her material, specifically from the most recent album, Afterlight, was challenging, dealing with her experience of domestic abuse, Thea was anything but gloomy on stage. She was very funny, chatty and self deprecating, especially when talking about her choice of equipment and its shortcomings.
Using a mixture of live looping and a little backing track to enhance her songs, she gave us a stunning show. She really has one of the most beautiful and intimate voices you’ll ever hear. It’s no surprise that she has built a huge and dedicated following over the years.
We were also treated to a brilliant support set from The Silver Reserve, who won a bunch of new fans. We can’t wait to see him back here in March next year when he’ll be co-headlining with Bella Gaffney.
Cua
Sunday 13th November 2022
Photos and review by Keith Belcher
Sunday 13th November 2022, The Live Room, Caroline Street Social Club, Saltaire. The penultimate gig of 2022. A debut appearance from Irish/Scots trio Cua : John Davidson (fiddle, percussion, vocals) Shane Booth (guitar, vocals) and Ros O’Meara (bouzouki, guitar, percussion, vocals).
Their 5th UK tour, another band I was unaware of, thanks again Ron & Hilary. All live in Co Laois, John started life in Edinburgh but now lives in Co Laois also. A truly eclectic blend of musical styles and influences that delighted the very attentive and appreciative Live Room audience.
The range encompassed predictably the music of Ireland and Scotland but also ranged from the middle east to South America and all points in between (a Venezualan two step from Shane and John while Ros changed a bouzouki string!). By anyone’s standards this was a seriously musically diverse show whilst retaining a very personal stamp throughout.
Musicianship was superb as were the vocals. Several songs performed acappella that were just a treat for the ears. It wasn’t just the music though, the banter and bonhomie were also wonderful. All paces of music, soft and delicate at times very fast and driving at others. Indeed at some points in the show if some part of your anatomy wasn’t attempting to keep time with the music then you may need to check your level of medication or consult an audiologist. Hopefully they will be back in the near future.
Video by Keith Belcher
If I Should Find Myself; The Other Man
N’Famady Kouyaté
Photos by audience members Grace Alderson, Gillian Harrison and Neal Heard
The first visit to TLR by this charismatic musician, originally from Guinea but now based in Cardiff. Another sold out show saw a brilliant performance from this fabulous 5-piece band who had most of the crowd up and dancing by the end of the night. It was a joyous occasion and many thanks to Grace and Neal passing on their photos of the night, in the absence of a regular photographer!
Video by Steve Brimble
Part of the final number
John McCusker 2022
Friday 4th November 2022
Photos by Ron Pengelly
The third visit to TLR by John, this time on his 30th Anniversary in the Music Business tour, which is now probably his 32nd anniversary after postponements due to the pandemic! He was accompanied on this occasion by his stellar band, Sam Kelly on vocals, guitars and bouzouki; Helen McCabe on vocals, fiddle and harmonium; Toby Shaer on pipes and fiddle; and Ian Carr on guitar. It was a stunning performance in front of a sold out crowd, by five incredible musicians.
I Draw Slow
Sunday 30th October 2022
Review and photos by Keith Belcher
Sunday 30th October 2022: The debut appearance of Dublin based 5 piece band I Draw Slow at The Live Room, Caroline Street Social Club, Saltaire. Full marks to Ron and Hilary for this booking. One of only 3 shows in this “tour”.
At the end of this show I was mystified why I hadn’t heard of this band before. Like many great modern Irish bands they may be better known in The States than UK. They’ve played very prestigious festivals such as Merlefest, Rockygrass and Wintergrass and the calibre of musicianship at those festivals in extremely high.
Five albums to their name to date. The band are : On main vocals brother and sister Dave Holden and Louise Holden, Dave also playing acoustic guitar, Adrian Hart on fiddle, Konrad Liddy on upright double bass and Colin Derham on clawhammer banjo. A vast and varied soundscape covering traditional, old time, bluegrass , pop, jazz elements , Americana. It all gelled beautifully and was without doubt their own sound. Intelligent songs, great musicianship, vocals and banter and lovely people. What’s not to like. Not surprisingly no merch was left at the end of the night. I sincerely hope they are back at TLR soon.
Video by Keith Belcher
The Boy's Not Fair; Trouble; and About A Bird In An Airport Terminal
Gilmore & Roberts 2022
Friday 28th October 2022
Photos by Keith Belcher
It was great to see an almost full house for this brilliant duo and they gave us a wonderful show.
Video by Keith Belcher
Scaring Crows; Dr James; and Shuffle and Deal
Lau Unplugged
Wednesday 19th October 2022
Photos by Keith Belcher
They finally made it! After three (or was it four?!) postponements owing to the Covid pandemic, the mighty Lau made it to Saltaire. And boy, was it worth it! Divided into two sets, the first consisted of the boys in conventional, three across the front of stage mode, to deliver their own ‘support set’ as Martin put it, and they sounded superb.
However, the second set really set the senses alive, with the band stringing together a ‘retrospective suite’ of songs and tunes that segued into one another and lasted for over an hour. Not only that, but they moved between various microphones, used an old cassette player and even used some home made digital samplers to create an audio ‘semaphore’ display! It really was an astonishing performance of innovation, slight madness and utter beauty. They are truly unique.
Video by Keith Belcher
Noltland Castle and Midnight Feast by Lal Waterson
English Folk Expo 2022
Our first visit to the Expo since 2017 was very enjoyable. Taking place in Manchester between Thursday 13th and Saturday 15th October, the showcase event runs alongside the Manchester Folk Festival and features a range of artists from both England and the guest nation, which this year was Ireland. Below are a selection of photos of some of the artists taking part, some of whom we’re already in talks with about coming to play here at TLR.
Americanafest 2022
Here’s a selection of photographs from our recent trip to Americanafest in Nashville, including some of the acts that we really loved and will be trying to bring to TLR!
Annie Keating Band
Sunday 25th September 2022
Photos by Keith Belcher
The first visit of New Yorker, Annie Keating and her band to The Live Room was an absolute triumph. Her band – Joe Coombs, guitar; Scott Warman, basses; and Jamie Dawson, drums – supported Annie superbly, with a performance of skill, maturity and power that had the audience cheering wildly from the first number. Read a full review of the show by John Barlass of At The Barrier here.
