The Live Room
The best all round roots music club in West Yorkshire
Sunday 23rd June 2024
Photos by Ron Pengelly
We had been really looking forward to welcoming Dean and his band to TLR since seeing them give a wonderful showcase performance at The Folk Alliance in Kansas in February and we weren’t disappointed. It was a brilliant show, full of the flavours of the South Western United States, great songs, harmonies and musicianship from Scotland’s finest. They were rewarded with a standing ovation.
Sunday 16th June 2024
Photos, video and review by Keith Belcher
Sunday 16th June 2024, The Live Room, Saltaire. The debut appearance at TLR of The Slambovian Circus of Dreams. The band are singer-songwriter Joziah Longo (lead vocals, guitar, harmonica), Sharkey McEwen (guitar, mandolin, backing vocals), Tink Lloyd (accordion, cello, keys, flute,backing vocals ). RJ McCarty (bass, backing vocals) and Matthew Abourezk (drums). Some shots of a very memorable night at The Live Room.
This has to be up there as one of THE great nights at TLR. As well as some brilliant songs and stellar playing, it was just the craziest atmosphere, with what seemed like a room full of pirates and jellyfish – see the video of TransSlambovian Bipolar Express below! An amazing show by an amazing band.
Friday 24th May 2024
Photos by Nigel Plant, review by Mike Latham
Uplifting!
I think that sums up last night’s performance neatly. Here was a band who had just endured a long trek north and yet they were able to conjure up such a magnificent show.
From the opening song they had the audience captured and the connection between those two groups within the room encouraged them to give a stellar performance. In the information sent out about the band previously, it was highlighted that the opening number was the only one agreed upon. The room was then read to determine the direction of travel and what a journey we were taken on. Stirring tunes, songs of light and shade and a true session of roots music through folk, Latin, a touch of reggae and the syncopated sounds of New Orleans. What more could an audience ask for?
We didn’t see them on their original appearance but we know they, like many performers we have been introduced to at The Live Room, are ones that we will look forward to seeing once again.
Many thanks to Hilary and Ron for another splendid evening.
Sunday 12th May 2024
Photos, video & review by Keith Belcher
Sunday 12th May 2024. The Live Room, Saltaire. The first visit of The Hackles. The Hackles are Kati Claborn (vocals, guitar, banjo, clarinet), Luke Ydstie (vocals, guitar, and Halli Anderson (vocals, violin, guitar).
All the way from Oregon they graced the Live Room Stage with a stunning display of three part harmonies and magical arrangements that interweaved effortlessly and blissfully.
Their acapella version of Michael Hurley’s ‘Werewolf’ was without a doubt one of the most beautiful songs I have heard at The Live Room (or anywhere else). I suspect that many in the audience, like me, were holding their breath spellbound. An acceptable crowd for their debut at TLR but next time around I suspect they will be sold out well in advance. Catch them if you can.
Sunday 5th May 2024
Photos & video by Keith Belcher, review by Keith Belcher with contribution from Mike Latham
What a great way to celebrate 12 years of TLR! This was a show in the truest sense of the word. We were transported back to the 50s with the self-confessed ‘retro man’ and his brilliant band.
Sunday 5th May 2024, The Live Room, Caroline Street Social Club, Saltaire. Debut appearance of Jake Vaadeland & The Sturgeon River Boys. Jake Vaadeland, a self-taught singer/songwriter originally from Saskatchewan, accompanied by his bandmates: guitarist Joel Rohs, banjo player Jaxon Lalonde and bass player Stephen Williams.
A very lively affair to say the least. I have reported the bassist to the Bass Police for being far too animated . We’re really not used to bass players dancing around the stage (with or without their double bass!). A very slick show from Jake and the boys, slick in just about every way , dialogue, music , songs, humour and not to mention hair!
Mike Latham said “Recent concert by Jake Vaadeland and the Sturgeon River Boys from Canada was another debut at the Live Room at Saltaire. A storming performance that went down well with the full room that greeted them on Sunday. A magnificent performance (in more ways than one), these young men proved to be masters of their craft.” He was pretty much spot on.
Friday 26th April 2024
Photos by Ron Pengelly
We were treated to a fantistic evening with this amazing duo on Friday 26th April. Both George Ulysses Brown (Ben Parker from England) and Josiah Chester Jones (David Berkeley from the USA) possess beautiful voices and together, their harmonies are exquisite. Add in brilliant songwriting, playing and a huge dollop of humour, and you have one of the great live acts on the folk and roots circuit. The sold out crowd were treated to wonderful show and we know that they’ll be sailing back this way on their home made raft before too long.
Friday 19th April 2024
Review, photos and video by Keith Belcher
The third visit of songstress Maya de Vitry to The Live Room, Saltaire. The 2 previous visits in February 2014 and October 2016 were as a member of The Stray Birds. This time, having left The Stray Birds in 2018, she was touring with guitarist and singer Joel Timmons. Great song writing from both, delivered with superb musicianship, stories and the wonderful voice of Maya.
Sunday 14th April 2024
Photos and video by Keith Belcher
The first visit of San Diego’s Sara Petite to The Live Room with her UK band, who many of you will be familiar with from Annie Keating’s shows! A really cracking evening of country and Americana from a great songwriter and performer; you could tell that she loved playing with this band.
Friday 15th March 2024
Photos, videos and review by Keith Belcher
The fourth visit of master song-writer and raconteur Richard Shindell. Richard hasn’t toured for many years so we were in a small and select group of venues that he chose to play. As you can see, an all electric show.
A truly wonderful night and we got to hear some new, unrecorded songs and very different arrangements of some old ones. All that and some great humour. Even an unrecorded cover of Leonard Cohen’s Alexandra Lost as an encore. A great night.
Sunday 10th March 2024
Photos Ron Pengelly, review Mike Latham
Great show last night. Another great addition to the TLR roster.
Wonderful guitar playing and a marvellous voice that is clearly going to develop into something even stronger.
They say to write about what you know, how much of what Robbie was singing about last night was personal to him, I wouldn’t know.
What was clear was the depth and maturity of his lyrics, some surprising lyrics amongst the songs that he performed last night. Thanks Ron and Hilary for another great night.
