Tag: The Live Room at Saltaire

Nov 15 2022

Cua

Sunday 13th November 2022

Photos and review by Keith Belcher

Sunday 13th November 2022, The Live Room, Caroline Street Social Club, Saltaire. The penultimate gig of 2022. A debut appearance from Irish/Scots trio Cua : John Davidson (fiddle, percussion, vocals) Shane Booth (guitar, vocals) and Ros O’Meara (bouzouki, guitar, percussion, vocals).

Their 5th UK tour, another band I was unaware of, thanks again Ron & Hilary. All live in Co Laois, John started life in Edinburgh but now lives in Co Laois also. A truly eclectic blend of musical styles and influences that delighted the very attentive and appreciative Live Room audience.

The range encompassed predictably the music of Ireland and Scotland but also ranged from the middle east to South America and all points in between (a Venezualan two step from Shane and John while Ros changed a bouzouki string!). By anyone’s standards this was a seriously musically diverse show whilst retaining a very personal stamp throughout.

Musicianship was superb as were the vocals. Several songs performed acappella that were just a treat for the ears. It wasn’t just the music though, the banter and bonhomie were also wonderful. All paces of music, soft and delicate at times very fast and driving at others. Indeed at some points in the show if some part of your anatomy wasn’t attempting to keep time with the music then you may need to check your level of medication or consult an audiologist. Hopefully they will be back in the near future.

Video by Keith Belcher

If I Should Find Myself; The Other Man

Nov 8 2022

N’Famady Kouyaté

Photos by audience members Grace Alderson, Gillian Harrison and Neal Heard

The first visit to TLR by this charismatic musician, originally from Guinea but now based in Cardiff. Another sold out show saw a brilliant performance from this fabulous 5-piece band who had most of the crowd up and dancing by the end of the night. It was a joyous occasion and many thanks to Grace and Neal passing on their photos of the night, in the absence of a regular photographer!

Video by Steve Brimble

Part of the final number

Nov 8 2022

John McCusker 2022

Friday 4th November 2022

Photos by Ron Pengelly

The third visit to TLR by John, this time on his 30th Anniversary in the Music Business tour, which is now probably his 32nd anniversary after postponements due to the pandemic! He was accompanied on this occasion by his stellar band, Sam Kelly on vocals, guitars and bouzouki; Helen McCabe on vocals, fiddle and harmonium; Toby Shaer on pipes and fiddle; and Ian Carr on guitar. It was a stunning performance in front of a sold out crowd, by five incredible musicians.

Nov 8 2022

I Draw Slow

Sunday 30th October 2022

Review and photos by Keith Belcher

Sunday 30th October 2022: The debut appearance of Dublin based 5 piece band I Draw Slow at The Live Room, Caroline Street Social Club, Saltaire. Full marks to Ron and Hilary for this booking. One of only 3 shows in this “tour”.

At the end of this show I was mystified why I hadn’t heard of this band before. Like many great modern Irish bands they may be better known in The States than UK. They’ve played very prestigious festivals such as Merlefest, Rockygrass and Wintergrass and the calibre of musicianship at those festivals in extremely high.

Five albums to their name to date. The band are : On main vocals brother and sister Dave Holden and Louise Holden, Dave also playing acoustic guitar, Adrian Hart on fiddle, Konrad Liddy on upright double bass and Colin Derham on clawhammer banjo. A vast and varied soundscape covering traditional, old time, bluegrass , pop, jazz elements , Americana. It all gelled beautifully and was without doubt their own sound. Intelligent songs, great musicianship, vocals and banter and lovely people. What’s not to like. Not surprisingly no merch was left at the end of the night. I sincerely hope they are back at TLR soon.

Video by Keith Belcher

The Boy's Not Fair; Trouble; and About A Bird In An Airport Terminal

Nov 8 2022

Gilmore & Roberts 2022

Friday 28th October 2022

Photos by Keith Belcher

It was great to see an almost full house for this brilliant duo and they gave us a wonderful show.

Video by Keith Belcher

Scaring Crows; Dr James; and Shuffle and Deal

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

Sep 5 2022

Jon Boden 2022

Friday 2nd September 2022

Photos by Keith Belcher

Another superb show by one of the UK’s great folk artists. Doing just a few solo shows between big tours with John Spiers and the upcoming return of Bellowhead, we were very lucky to get him. With a superb, soaring voice and fabulous skills on guitar, fiddle, concertina and stomp board, who needs a band when you have Jon Boden?! Many thanks to Keith Belcher for another set of brilliant photographs of the night.

Live Video by Keith Belcher

Rigs of the Times; We Do What We Can; Old Straight Track; and Walking Song

Aug 26 2022

Della Mae

Plus support The Silver Reserve

Thursday 25th August 2022

Photos and words by Keith Belcher

The very fabulous Della Mae making their long awaited debut at The Live Room, Saltaire. Originally scheduled for 2020 but something (???) threw a spanner in the works.

Truth to say they surpassed the expectations. I was fortunate enough to see their superb performances at Celtic Connections, Glasgow opening for The Milk Carton Kids and headlining their own show. Changes over the years but tonight’s line up was fiddle player Kimber Ludiker, lead vocalist/guitarist Celia Woodsmith, guitarist Avril Smith, bassist Vickie Vaughn. Mandolinist Maddie Witler didn’t make the trip this time around.

A high octane show from start to finish, serious amounts of energy generated, fair to say at the end there were people initially dancing in their seats but some just got up and danced. One of the most high-powered shows I’ve seen at TLR (and I’ve seen more than most people!).

Support act, Matthew Sturgess aka The Silver Reserve is rapidly gaining a good following with his superb, atmospheric shows. He had both the crowd and Della Mae who watched his entire show hanging on his every word and sound. A short but very sweet set, he’s due back to do more than open next March.