The best all round roots music club in West Yorkshire
Tag: Folk Music
Oct 6 2026
Annie Keating Band & The Dreaming Spires
Sunday 27th September 2026
Photos by Keith Belcher & Richard Leach, video by Keith Belcher, review by Mike Latham
Another great evening out once again. The Dreaming Spires were a revelation, another great introduction. Listening to them made me think of the Byrds initially but as their set developed other influences were also clear but they have created their own British style of Americana. Hardly surprising given the artists that they play for or create with.
Annie was as exuberant and excited by the prospect of playing live in front of an appreciative audience as always. Lovely, thoughtful songs, ably supported by a great trio of musicians.
It was great to get back to live music in our wonderful, local venue. Thanks, as always, to Ron and Hilary and everyone who contributes to these amazing evenings.
videos by keith belcher
Atlantic City - The Dreaming Spires
Real Life - The Dreaming Spires
Comes A Time - Anne Keating & The Dreaming Spires
Put Me In Your Hands - Annie Keating & The Dreaming Spires
On The Loose - Annie Keating Band
Sep 8 2026
Scotland Introducing: Birdvox & Iona Fyfe
Sunday 6th September 2026
Photos by Richard Leach, review by Mike Latham
Wasn’t it Postcard Records who had the tagline, ‘The Music of Young Scotland’? I think we saw another iteration of it in tonight’s ‘Scotland Introducing’ show.
We had Iona Fyfe, who’s making a name for herself amongst the newer generation of traditional singers. She doesn’t just continue the tradition but updates it, adding her own lyrics or creating new songs which observe the situations that people are having to deal with. She has a wonderful voice and was more than ably accompanied by Michael on the piano. Another great introduction to the Live Room.
I found Birdvox an interesting experience. Again, they brought the tradition forward through their use of old melodies and lyrics. I found their use of electronics intriguing, mirroring the sounds of birdcalls as well as creating their own songs of life’s rich tapestry. No surprise that they are called Birdvox.
Music moves forward through many forms; as children we were brought up on Kenneth McKellar, Moira Anderson and, yes, Jimmy Shand. Then we had The Corrie’s and Robin Hall and Jimmy McGregor. Even Richard Thompson admired Jimmy Shand, it’s not all ‘buckles and bows’.
Here’s to the next show, a ‘Tapadh leat’, as my Scottish ancestors would say, to Ron and Hilary and all at TLR.
Aug 17 2026
Martha Spencer Wonderland Trio
Thursday 6th August 2026
In memory of our friend Peter Mate
Photos by Keith Belcher, review by Mike Latham
As everyone attests, another great show last night. Such a pity that Peter was not there to savour what was clearly another show enjoyed by the performers and the audience.
It was great to hear the music of the Carter Family and Doc Watson and that of Martha herself and her contemporaries, some of whom have also been recently lost; a rather poignant occasion. The sadness of those events was countered by the sheer joy of the other tunes and tales that were shared with us. And then there was the dancing, not to mention the musicianship of the three performers.
Another fantastic event and a great conclusion to the current season. Many thanks to Ron and Hilary for a wonderful array of shows we have enjoyed over the last year. Next year’s programme gets off to a great start too. Thanks also to the Club and to the volunteers who ensure that we all enjoy our visits to the finest little roots venue in West Yorkshire.
Folk Yeah!
Aug 17 2026
Marty O’Reilly
Thursday 9th July 2026
Review & videos by Keith Belcher. Photos by Keith Belcher & Richard Leach
Thursday 9th July 2026. Part 1. The debut appearance of Marty O’Reilly from Sonoma, California. In 2025 he appeared on the American version of the Voice, earning a 4 chair turnaround for his version of Ray La Montagne’s Trouble. This was a classy performance from start to finish that many will be very pleased they witnessed (some new faces at TLR who had travelled far for this show!)
It’s not every day you get one word comments like “phenomenal”. Amazing voice, great guitar, wicked sense of humour and generally an all around entertainer whether it was his own songs or covers of Woody Guthrie, Otis Redding, Sister Rosetta and more. A lot of set 2 took place in the midst of the audience , no amplification needed. Photos at the end have been enhanced a little as it was quite dark in the audience. A well deserved standing ovation at the at start of his relatively short UK tour, I strongly advise seeing him if you can.
videos by keith belcher
The Captain's Daughter Pt1
Yonder Comes The Blues
Sittin' On The Dock of the Bay
Jul 2 2026
Sons of Town Hall 2026
Thursday 11th June 2026
Photos and videos by Keith Belcher, review by Mike Latham
What an absolute pleasure it was to witness the return of the Sons of Town Hall to the Live Room last night.
George Ulysses Brown and Josiah Chester Jones did us the honour of tying up their craft on the local waterway and bringing us up to date with their new adventures. They were as pleased to see us, knowing that here in Saltaire was a safe harbour with an appreciative audience and a very warm welcome. Newcomers were reminded of how our intrepid seafarers met and their early adventures. George always reminding us of the delights of making sausages in Germany. We were also regaled with their endeavours to win the heart of Louise which can often impact their own, close relationship.
New adventures, there have been many, the most adventurous being their recent accompaniment of Mr. Ernest Shackleton to the region of Antarctica. They regaled us with examples of a new aid to supporting their adventures through the concept of sponsorship. How the world moves forward, and they with it.
Their skills as fearless explorers of the high seas are matched by their skills as musicians, songwriters and wonderful harmonies. They truly embrace the skills of those who have come before them.
Sail on safely, gentlemen. And, as they say further to the north from here, haste ye back.
Acknowledgement of introducing this wonderful duo to us goes to the Master of Sound, Ron and the Mistress of Ceremonies, Hilary. Thanks to them and the club and volunteers for yet another wonderful evening.
videos by keith belcher
Boss Man
Morning Fields
Leaving London Town
Jul 2 2026
Over The Moon
Sunday 24th May 2026
Photos and videos by Keith Belcher
videos by keith belcher
Chinook Waltz
Sea of Heartbreak
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.
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!
