The best all round roots music club in West Yorkshire
Tag: The Live Room at Saltaire
Nov 24 2025
Malin Lewis
Thursday 13th November 2025
Photos and video by Keith Belcher, review Pete Lambert
A truly exceptional gig on Thursday by Malin Lewis and friends ..
I had in fact bumped into them (Malin) in the Old Inn in Carbost, close to the Talisker Distillery, a few years ago – here was someone quite special in skill and experience – that was clear even back then.
I began playing the Highland Pipes in 2010 and had my own set of Scottish small Pipes made by Ross Calderwood of Lochalsh Pipes in about 2018.
What a thrill, then to see them at the live room a few years later, one outstanding talent alongside two others in Sally Simpson on fiddle and Ali Hutton on guitar.
The skill and musicianship of all three was truly outstanding and mesmerising ! The way the two fiddles interacted, exchanging melody and harmony with apparent ease and held together with the powerful and rhythmic guitar and penetrating into wondrous and unknown places (the halocline)
The sound of the Lindsay system small pipes was exquisite: these extending the range of the normal A chanter from 9 notes (low G to high A) to a full two octaves low D to high D) and creating a whole new world for this noble instrument.
And if this were not enough, Malin’s mastery of the Great Highland Pipes was total and glorious! Exceptional in every way.
Now to learn some of Malin’s tunes … at least those that can be managed by a 9 note set. Thanks for bringing this extraordinary trio to The Live Room, Ron and Hilary !
videos by keith belcher
Hiraeth/Trans
Bulgarian Tunes
Gavottes
Nov 23 2025
Alice Howe & Freebo
Sunday 2nd November 2025
Photos, review and videos by Keith Belcher
Sunday 2nd November 2025. The debut appearance of Alice Howe and Freebo at The Live Room, Saltaire. There was a good crowd but I think if we’re lucky enough for a second appearance it will be a sell out on word of mouth alone. “We’re so glad to be at The Live Room, it has the best wallpaper of everywhere”, they announced at the start of the show. The semi antique, post diluvian Workingmen’s Club décor at the Live Room attracts a lot of attention from our musical guests. Amazement or incredulity rather than admiration possibly.
The opening song “Twilight” with Alice taking lead vocals gave us an indication of the musicianship and vocals we about to be entertained by for the rest of the evening. It set quite a benchmark. Freebo has a great back story and so much experience and stories from playing with some of the legends of Americana. His bass playing is legendary and it was easy to see why. His vocals backed Alice on the first song along with the inspired bass playing.
Alice took lead on the first 3 songs before we had a blues from Freebo “She’s My Personal GPS”, another of his songs followed “Everything To Do With Love”. The harmonies were superb as was Freebo’s acoustic guitarwork. Alice took over bass duties occasionally throughout the show while Freebo played guitar as well as bass. Another Freebo song for the dog lovers out there was next , “She Loves Me More Than My Dog”.
“Standing Ovation” was next, Freebo taking the lead again. The next song was from Alice, about her Dad, he passed when she was 18, “ a fine chap” she called him, “Forever Is A Long Time”, a very moving song. Alice taking lead guitar and vocals with Freebo’s bass meandering gently through the song. Very rapidly we were at the last song of the set. Another Alice song, “What About You”. The Merch desk was very busy at the interval.
Set Two opened with “Your Love Is The Flame”, a co write , as yet unrecorded, Alice taking lead vocals. Set 2 featured some cover songs. They were all excellent , the first had Alice singing the classic Dylan song “Don’t Think Twice It’s All Right. There were also covers from Little Steven, Lowell George , Stephen Bruton , John Prine and an immaculately arranged and performed version of Joni Mitchell’s “A Case Of You”.
Those who know me know that generally I regard Joni covers as sacrilege but this was superb. We’ve had some great Joni covers at TLR, The Shook Twins version of “Blue” was immense also. Another new song followed “Daddy’s Car”, Alice taking the lead , some great bass runs throughout. There was some great rapport with the audience throughout the show. Freebo took the lead vocals and guitar on the late Stephen Bruton’s “Too Many Memories”, a truly beautiful song that forced you to listen to the lyrics.
The harmonies were divine. Another cover followed “Sailing Shoes” from Little Feat, in many people’s opinion the best live band ever. Freebo sang his first ever song “If Not Now When”, it’s about doing something you’re not sure of or wondering whether to do . It reminded me a little of the sentiments of the late Guy Clarke’s “The Cape”, both mentioning a leap of faith. John Prine’s “Angel From Montgomery” preceded the encore “A Case Of You”. We were lucky enough to get a second encore , another co write “Sometimes It’s For Nothing”. This up-tempo song allowed the Live Room choir to join in. It was , without doubt, a really good night. The room was buzzing. The audiences line was “I Feel Good!!!”, they certainly did!
videos by keith belcher
She Loves My Dog More Than Me
Daddy's Car
A Case Of You
Nov 23 2025
Flook 2025
Thursday 20th November 2025
Photos Nigel Plant, videos Keith Belcher, review Mike Latham
Another stunner of a show last night.
The musicianship of the four players was outstanding. I was mesmerised by the intricate patterns that each instrument created and how they all meshed together to create those fabulous tunes.
It will definitely require a lot of thought whittling down all those outstanding performances we have witnessed this year.
videos by keith belcher
The Knot In Georgia; Ed's Big 5O; and Faqqua
John Joe Kelly Bodhrán Solo
Jig For Sham; The Dawn Wall; Johnny D's; and Timewaver
Nov 23 2025
Cua 2025
Friday 31st October 2025
Photos, review and videos by Keith Belcher
Friday 31st October 2025. The return visit of CUA, just a few days short of 3 years since their debut at TLR (13th November 2022). CUA are: John Davidson (fiddle, percussion, vocals) Shane Booth (guitar, vocals) and Ros O’Meara (bouzouki, guitar, percussion, vocals).
Usually bands progress from standing during a gig to sitting as the years pass. CUA seem to have gone the other way, 2022 found them all seated but 2025 was definitely all standing (the band, not the audience). The penultimate gig of their tour, they certainly gave an inspired performance.
The conversations I heard (and read) were all praise. Praise for their musicianship, praise for the quality of their songs, praise for their adaptation and interpretation of musical genres and especial praise for their outstanding harmony work.
Acapella songs opened and closed the evening. The first , one of their own compositions , “The Other Man”, a very hard hitting and political song. I imagine it would have been greatly approved of by the author of their final song , another acapella ,“The Tunnel Tigers”, a Ewan MacColl song about the dangerous and difficult work of constructing tunnels, specifically in the tough clay soil found beneath London.
The delivery of the show was really well paced mingling quiet reflective songs like “Sail Home With Me” with the very fast “The Guisers Fancy”, very apt for Halloween. It featured some extremely interesting and quite unusual time signatures. To my old ears leaning very heavily towards Eastern European music. I’m biased, I saw them twice last week . They are very good.
Many songs tonight were from the new EP “WILL YOU BE OK” .All songs were CUA compositions with the exception of “The Tunnel Tigers” and a really superb version of “The Auld Triangle” I’m sure they’ll be welcome back for a 3rd visit in the (hopefully) not too distant future.
videos by keith belcher
Wildflower
The Auld Triangle
Hot Blooded
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 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
Andy Fairweather Low & The Low Riders
Thursday 2nd October 2025
Review & photos by Ron Pengelly
Andy Fairweather Low and the Low Riders were back in The Live Room at Saltaire on Thursday evening on the first night of their UK tour. Another band singing its praises as a one of their favourite venues to play.
They’d opened for Eric Clapton on his European tour earlier in the year, and Andy played with Amen Corner in the late 60’s, had a solo career in the 70s (Wide Eyed and Legless anyone, a top 10 hit 50 years ago which made a great encore). And a true guitar legend with a remarkable list of people he’s played and collaborated with – including Clapton for many years, The Who, Roy Wood, Leo Sayer, Roger Waters, George Harrison, Emmylou Harris and countless others.
Andy and Low Riders Nick Pentelow, Pete Cook, Ian Jennings, Paul Beavis and Richard Milner filled the room with their wonderful sound. A hugely entertaining evening.
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
Comme je le dis, le pied!!!
video by keith belcher
Par Dessus Le Pont
Aug 7 2025
Eve Selis: Dark Sky Blue
Plus support Florence Sommerville
Sunday 20th July 2025
Photos and videos by Keith Belcher, review by Mike Latham
Well, that certainly felt like an event that should come with a warning; though, to be fair to Eve, she did set out what she was going to do throughout her set.
Eve took us through her darkest times explicitly. Her art was to try and make sense of what was happening, events far beyond her control and make something out of it to provide a counter to the wide range of emotions that she faced during those times and beyond. That she was able to find that support and resilience to bring her out of those depths was great but then she used her skills as an artist and collaborator to offer those opportunities and solutions to others in her words and music.
The straw poll that Eve carried out at the start showed that nearly the whole room had been affected in similar ways. Her songs supported everyone through those early stages and took them through ways of finding solutions and resilience of their own to emerge with hope and positivity for the future. An emotional rollercoaster certainly but to relive that through each performance as she sings those songs shows the strength of her art. As you say, Eric, powerful.
Special mention must also go to the guitar work of Sam Hunt and the cello of David Hornberger. Both musicians brought a different dimension to the performance than we experienced from Eve before, mirroring the discord of those earlier songs, ‘Monster’ in particular and taking us through to the calm of ‘Grace’ and the positivity of ‘I choose Love’.
All in all, a totally unexpected but emotional and, ultimately, positive experience. We’ve had plenty of great shows this year but Eve’s performance was outstanding.
Thanks to Ron and Hilary, as always.
The evening started off with a beautiful set from Essex singer songwriter, Florence Sommerville, a young artist with a big future ahead of her. Having just launched her debut album, Endless Horizon, she is busy esrablsihing herself on the touring circuit and is also beginning to make waves over at the home of Americana music in Nashville. She’s a gifted songwriter and singer with great stage presence. Look out for her!
