The best all round roots music club in West Yorkshire
Tag: The Live Room
Mar 4 2026
Niall McCabe
Friday 27th February 2026
Photos and video by Keith Belcher, review by Mike Latham
A wonderful performance last night. We missed him at Hullabaloo and I hadn’t yet listened to him. His style was not what one might expect from someone from an island off the coast of County Mayo but he has clearly been listening to lots of different sounds over the years. The music of his first few songs made me think of the folk of the sixties , Renbourn and Jansch a bit, but the American country influences came through loud and clear as the evening progressed.
He’s developed his own, wonderful, guitar style, creating great sounds. His songs were marvellous tales of grief, wonderment and humanity, clearly influenced by his local culture as well as the folk music of his homeland and abroad. All was topped off with a great sense of humour and a perfect voice.
Thanks for introducing such another fantastic artist to us, Ron and Hilary.
Mar 4 2026
Ashley Campbell
Friday 20th February 2026
Photos by Richard Leach, video by Keith Belcher
Ashley Campbell made her return visit to TLR after last year’s Writers Round with Jeff Cohen. This time she had her own band with her, comprising Thor Jensen, guitar and vocals; Mark Lewis, bass and vocals; and Jack Amblin, drums, washboard and vocals. They were also joined by Andrew Cox, from Post Modern Jukebox on sax.
videos by keith belcher
I See You
Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain
Dec 19 2025
Homegrown Bluegrass
Sunday 14th December 2025
Photos by Nigel Plant
We closed of our 2025 programme with a celebration of all things bluegrass (with more than a dash of country, jazz and contemporary songs) from across Yorkshire. Featuring around twenty musicians, six bands, a tableful of cheese sandwiches and mince pies, and a packed house, it was a great way to bring our musical year to a close!
Many thanks go to Kevin Garratt and John Bennett, who brought all the musicians together ad also performed on the day, and also to Peter Mate, who first launched the idea and with Adrian Gallagher spent several hours preparing all those cheese savouries!
Dec 12 2025
Jackie Oates & John Spiers
Sunday 7th December 2025
Photos by Nigel Plant, review by Mike Lathamvia the TLR WhatsApp group
It was our last gig of the year and, as others have said, it was another great concert.
Jackie does, indeed, have a fabulous voice and the playing of both musicians was sublime. I’ve seen John playing in many combinations before but last night really opened my ears up to the wonderful sounds he could create with his melodeons. Fabulous.
As Paul said, we heard songs and tunes from many lands, as well as a bit of background. What struck me was the unity of composition looking at how people and communities dealt with issues, be it caring for children or uniting together in an endeavour to support one another. That echoed what Hilary had talked about with regard to small venues like TLR. There we were, a group gathered together to share in the experience of songs and tunes from, not only recent times but also from centuries past in the development of our country.
Such gatherings show the importance that the joy of supporting TLR at the evenings we have attended at the Caroline Street Club throughout the year.
This was another wonderful concert in what has been an exceptional year. A big ‘Thank You’ to all involved for bringing that joy to us.
Wishing everyone a very Happy Christmas and more great music in the year to come.
Nov 23 2025
Courtney Marie Andrews
Thursday 26th October 2025
Photos Richard Leach, review Mike Latham, video courtesy CMA fans Facebook group
It was magical.
An intimate show with Courtney and her guitarist, Jerry Bernhardt.
Her tales of events and experiences were also very intimate in feel, the revelation of some very private feelings or observations, underscored with the great meshing of voices and music. It was clear that there was a lot of expectation in the room and we were not disappointed.
The evening began with another excellent, albeit short, session from Chris Helme.
Video
Table For One
Oct 31 2025
Rod Picott – The Farewell Tour
Sunday 19th October 2025
Review, photos, videos by Keith Belcher
This was the last time we’ll see Rod here at The Live Room, as he is hanging up his guitar to concentrate on writing from now on. We’re sad to see him go but grateful for a lovely show to end with.
(First up)…we had the beautiful voice and guitar of Gráinne Hunt opening for Rod Picott. Monaghan born and getting rave reviews Grainne was first seen by Ron and Hilary in Kansas in 2024 (they call it work!). She stepped in at the last minute to open for Rod.
From the opening notes of Between the Pines we knew we were in for a treat. After Rod Picott’s opening song he said: “What a beautiful opening set that was. I was sitting there listening and I thought , S**t, this is like a bird opening for a lawn mower”.
Rod was indeed in the audience listening just as intently as the TLR crowd. That’s pretty good praise as I doubt many people describe Rod’s voice as a lawnmower. A short but very good set. I have no doubt she will be back at TLR in the future.
Rod’s “Retirement” farewell tour arrived at Saltaire. He announced it as being sponsored by “Viagra and the early bird special at BeefEaters” ….Many very funny stories, songs and wry observations of the differences noted and experienced within European cultures from Rod’s 25 years plus of touring. Even a discussion about The Archers on Radio 4.
Fifteen albums to his credit between 2001 and 2023. He was 36 when his first album was released in 2001. He said it’s all he’s wanted to do since he was 10. He is planning to devote himself to writing . He is a rare talent , having written with the likes of longtime friend Slaid Cleaves (friend since school days) and Fred Eaglesmith and many more. The wealth of the songs played tonight demonstrated that. It all comes to an end at The Greys Brighton on November 3rd.
videos by keith belcher
Rod Picott: Gettin' To Me
Rod Picott: Girl From Arkansas
Rod Picott: River Runs & Badlands
Gráinne Hunt: Let Go
Gráinne Hunt: Water & Aire
Oct 22 2025
Bronwynne Brent 2025
Sunday 12th October 2025
Review, photos and review by Keith Belcher
Sunday 12th October. The Live Room, Caroline Street Social Club, Saltaire. The 5th visit of Bronwynne Brent from Greenville , Mississippi. This visit as a trio comprising Bronwynne on lead vocals and acoustic guitar with Texan Chris Maresh on bass and Graeme Stephen, Scotland on electric guitar.
As one might gather from a 5th appearance Bronwynne is a firm favourite at The Live Room. Bronwynne did, however, ask for a show of hands on who hadn’t seen her before and there were quite a few souls who were in for a quite unique experience. Bronwynne is , without doubt, a one off. I can’t think of anyone like her. Her voice and songs and overall sound and approach to performing are very distinctive.
Her album , Stardust, saw her voted Female Performer of the Year twice in a row by Americana UK and called up for television and radio appearances on the BBC. Listening and watching Bronwynne (and I have seen Bronwynne far more than 5 times) I thought of some words of the late, great Kris Kristofferson. Joni Mitchell had played her album Blue to Kris and staggered by the extreme vulnerability and openness displayed on the album. He said “God, Joni, save something of yourself”.
In a similar fashion Bronwynne’s songs are very intimately personal and her on-stage dialogue is basically brain to mouth with no filters in-between. If a train of thought occurs, she follows and shares it with the audience. You don’t really get “well rehearsed and relatively safe ad-libbing” as song intros, it’s what she’s thinking at the time and it’s shared in real time. It’s sometimes very funny , always very honest sometimes the threads and train of thought are lost but it is quite unique and her vocals are superb.
There were explorations of all the back albums tonight and a few new songs from the next one . Some quite different arrangements of the songs very ably played by Graeme and Chris. Some guitar and bass runs that drew spontaneous applause mid song. This was one of the great nights of 2025 at TLR and I have no doubts that Bronwynne would be very welcome to do a 6th visit at the club.
videos by keith belcher
Lost in the Moonlight
Raincoat
If You Go Away
Oct 8 2025
Sam Carter 2025
Plus support Basset (CAN)
Review by Mike Latham, photos by Richard Leach
Two shows into the new season and they both confirm how lucky we are to access a venue like The Live Room.
Not only do we get wonderful artists like Andy Fairweather-Low and artists of the calibre of Sam Carter but we are constantly introduced to new, younger artists who, through their talents, will keep us entertained and impressed for years to come.
Last night’s opening set by Bassett may have been short but they showed their great range of interpretations of older songs as well as their own immaculate compositions. And that’s even before we were mesmerised by their combined voices and the wonderful guitar playing, both acoustic and electric of Sam Clark. There was mention of a return visit in the new year. That is already a concert to look forward to.
We also enjoyed the return of Sam Carter after a gap of four years. Another great voice and excellent guitar player. Solo on this occasion but he held the attention of the audience both with his playing and also his excellent songwriting, which he played alongside some more traditional songs. His writing shows an understanding of humanity and the struggles that we face. A wonderful contrast to the divisions that currently exist outside.
Oct 8 2025
Melissa Carper
plus support Bonnie Montgomery
Thursday 4th September 2025
Review, photos and videos by Keith Belcher
Thursday 4th September 2025, The Live Room, Caroline Street Social Club, Saltaire. The Melissa Carper Band (USA). Melissa on guitar and main vocals, Greg Harkins on guitar and vocals and Bonnie Montgomery on guitar and vocals. Bonnie opened the show. Melissa and Greg coming on stage to join Bonnie’s set for a couple of songs.
In similar fashion Bonnie was on stage with Melissa and Greg for most of their set. There was some great singing, great playing and lots of fun all around. Ron and Hilary had wanted this gig for quite a while since seeing Melissa in Nashville a couple of years back. It more than lived up to their expectations. From the comments and reception I heard during and after the show the TLR crowd were pretty pleased with it too.
Aug 7 2025
Le Vent du Nord (CAN)
Thursday 24th July
Photos & video by Keith Belcher, review by Pete Lambert
Impeccable! Incroyable! Extraordinaire! Le pied, quoi!
This has to be up there with one of the best ever gigs at TLR … and that is saying something!
The atmosphere was electric, the overall musicianship was awesome, the individual mastery of instruments off the planet, vocals and harmonies exquisite…
Perhaps the most abiding characteristic of this band was its joyous enthusiasm for playing performance
For a musician, there can be nothing more rewarding than playing well to a most appreciative audience … and they absolutely revelled in it and each one was so grateful for the response.
I absolutely loved the rock ‘n’ roll vielle à roue (hurdy gurdy) and what the accordion was able to do was staggering
