Category: Gig reviews

Oct 23 2022

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

Sep 28 2022

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.

Live Video by Keith Belcher

Kindred Spirit & Road By 10

Sep 26 2022

The Brother Brothers

11th September 2022

Words and photos by Keith Belcher

Sunday 11th September 2022, The Live Room, Caroline Street Social Club, Saltaire. A superb return performance by The Brother Brothers – Adam and David Moss , identical twins, raised in Peoria, Illinois. I heard comparisons to the Everly’s , Beach Boys and Simon and Garfunkel from several people throughout the night so that gives an idea of just how good they are.

Live Video by Keith Belcher

Angel Island song by Peter Rowan

Aug 6 2022

The Chapin Sisters

Plus support The Ocelots

Thursday 4th August 2022

Photos by Keith Belcher

It was one of those magical nights here at TLR, with two lots of siblings in one show, not only sharing their lovely harmonies in their own sets, but also in an unrehearsed finale where they both took the stage to deliver a couple of covers for us, one and off-mic ‘Chiquitita’ by Abba! It was a wonderful evening.

Live Video by Keith Belcher

Chiquita (Abba cover!)

Aug 2 2022

Charm of Finches

Sunday 31st July 2022

Photos by Keith Belcher

This show had been two and a half years in the making, ever since we saw the girls showcase at the Folk Alliance Conference in New Orleans in January 2020. During lockdown they had performed a beautiful livestream for us from their home in Melbourne, Australia at what was for them an unearthly hour! We were thrilled to finally bring them to TLR in person and they never let us down, delivering a wonderful set of superb songs and ethereal harmonies. It was their final official show in the UK before flying back home later this week.

Special mention too for support act, Chris Brain from here in Yorkshire, with his own beautiful songs, singing and intricate guitar work. We’ll undoubtedly be seeing more of him in the future.

Live Videos by Keith Belcher

Gravity

As I Roved Out (TRAD)

Jul 28 2022

Errol Linton

Sunday 24th July 2022

Photos by Ron Pengelly

What a fantastic night we had with Errol and his band. Wonderful musicians, all at the top of their game, we were given an evening of classy, Chess era style blues with a good dose of old school reggae. Led by Errol with his smoky, soulful voice and superb harmonica playing, the band were in top form, featuring Lance Rose, bass; Petar Zivkovic, keys; Ritchey Green, guitar; and Garry Williams, drums. They even managed to get the audience on their feet and dancing at the end and received a deserved standing ovation as they left the stage. It won’t be too long before we see them return!

Jul 19 2022

Fellow Pynins

Friday 15th July 2022

Photos by Martin Lingard

It’s always heart warming when an artist exceeds your expectations and Friday was yet another example.

Oregon-based duo, Fellow Pynins – Dani Aubert, vocals, banjo and Bouzouki, and Ian George, vocals, guitar and mandolin – were quite simply outstanding. Playing a mix of their own compositions and traditional songs learned directly from other musicians from the UK and USA, they mesmerised the audience with their beautiful harmonies and exquisite playing. They were also very funny, telling stories of their travels and misadventures with a distinct eccentricity that had the crowd laughing throughout.

They were a really lovely couple, who won everyone over with their warmth. We will definitely not be leaving too long before bringing them back and we know they’ll have a much bigger crowd next time.

Thanks to Martin Lingard for the photos of the night in the absence of Keith Belcher, who is away for a couple of weeks.

Jul 8 2022

Black Feathers

Sunday 3rd July 2022

Photos and review by Keith Belcher

Sunday 3rd July 2022, The Live Room, Caroline Street Social Club, Saltaire. The return of The Black Feathers, husband and wife team, Sian Chandler and Ray Hughes. They first appeared at TLR as support for My Darling Clementine on 17th January 2014. They were so popular with the crowd that they headlined their own show with [Shaun Hutch] as support less than 8 months later on 22nd August 2014.

A long gap between then and their virtual appearance during lockdown on 15th November 2020. Possibly still jet lagged from a very successful US tour they wowed the TLR audience once again with their own blend of divine harmonies, musicianship and extremely skilled songwriting and a whole lot of stories and bonhomie. From their deeply felt opening song On The Road Again (not Canned Heat!) to their “cheery” cover of Joni’s Big Yellow Taxi they wowed the very appreciative crowd.

They called BYT cheery not me!, it was very upbeat though. Their encore of a beautiful song Moonlight was performed unamplified sitting on the stage edge. Please Ron and Hilary get them back soon although I know you meant to have them back sooner than this. Something got in the way…..On tour at the moment, catch them if you can.

Video by keith belcher

Black Feathers

Jun 27 2022

Darden Smith

Thursday 23rd June 2022

Photos by Keith Belcher

We had a lovely evening on Thursday 23rd with Texan troubadour, Darden Smith giving us a terrific evening of songs, storytelling and poetry, evoking the wide open spaces of the American plains. He’s such an engaging performer. His latest record, Western Skies, of which we availed ourselves of a copy, is a beauty too, grab a copy!

Video by keith belcher

Miles Between; running out of time

May 14 2022

Seth Lakeman

Thursday 12th May 2022

Words and photos by Keith Belcher

Another fantastic sell out gig at TLR. A trip through Seth’s archive. Set list with albums and year released. Difficult to believe Kitty Jay is almost 20 years old!

Set 1

Love Will Still Remain (Make Your Mark-2021)

The Giant (Make Your Mark-2021)

King & Country (Freedom Fields-2006)

Blood Red Sky (Poor Man’s Heaven-2008)

Bury Nights (A Pilgrims Tale-2020)

Bold Knight (Kitty Jay 2004)

Underground (Make Your Mark-2021)

Higher We Aspire (Make Your Mark-2021)

White Hare (Freedom Fields-2006)

The Setting Sun (Freedom Fields-2006)