Friday 5th June 2009

Iain Archer
Formerly described as Northern Ireland's best kept musical secret, The Irish Times have just seen fit to place Iain Archer among the top 50 best Irish acts. Little wonder! this Ivor Novello award winning songwriter (having co-written Snow Patrol's best selling song 'Run') ... is one of the best singer-songwriters making music today.
The passion & power of Damien Rice, combined with an exceptional gift for words and melody.
A new album 'To The Pine Roots' released in March has already sold out of it's first pressing. Created and recorded in the Black Forest in Germany, imbued with the voices and performances of friends and family, this feels like musical journey to an earlier time, a simpler and more honest place.
"Here are the songs arrived at and visited by, not contrived or conspired but borne of liberated songwriting instinct"
One reviewer called it 'a sweet delight of folky pop tunes'.
I discovered the album one grumpy Monday morning, and by the end of the day it had been one of the best Mondays for ages. I called it inspiring and beautiful... one of those albums that feels so good that you want to buy a big box full and give a copy to everyone you care about.
No pressure Iain, the album's already done it for me, but really looking forward to hearing it live!
www.iainarcher.co.uk

Emily Maguire
A versatile Singer-songwriter of exceptional quality, Emily Maguire has come a long way from the shack in the Australian bush where she recorded her first 2 albums. From playing pubs and folk clubs, she got picked up by Radio 2 and found herself at the Royal Albert Hall opening for Don McLean. Now having toured with Roddy Frame, Eric Bibb and Glenn Tilbrook in the past year, Emily, and her fantastic rhythm secton (Christian Dunham on bass guitar) are looking forward to returning to Acoustica to showcase some of the new songs from her forthcoming third album.
When you hear them play, it's music of such crispness and quality, you will marvel at the sound they make. Two rare and very talented musicians.
www.emilymaguire.com
www.myspace.com/emilymaguire

Acoustsica is an all seated show.
Tickets £10 advance / £11 on the door
Box Office 01452 503050
Or book online www.gloucester.gov.uk/guildhall

Friday 8th May 2009

Tallulah Rendall
Acoustica is thrilled to present the unique, seductive and beguiling Tallulah Rendall. In 2008 Tallulah wowed audiences at Glastonbury, Latitude and Dame Shirley Bassey’s 70th birthday party (as the only musical performer) and many more across the UK. This June she’ll release her debut album ‘Libellus’, and the music scene is sure to flock around this modern day rock’n’soul troubadour. The album reflects Tallulah’s life and musical experiences, influenced by muses such as Patti Smith and Jeff Buckley and great writers like Pablo Neruda and Rimbaud. A passionate performer, she weaves her enchanting vocals around these new songs with a rock’n’roll elegance not usually associated with today’s female artists. Expect to be spellbound.
www.myspace.com/tallulahrendall




Jamie Woon
A return visit for one of the most charismatic and engaging young artists to take to the Acoustica stage ... back by popular demand.
Jamie Woon is a singer-songwriter from London whose stirring sound is a fresh and atmospheric take on R’n’B with an indefinable yet distinctly British slant.
Possessing a strikingly expressive voice and a unique guitar style, Jamie’s performances are genuine, moving and soulful.
www.myspace.com/jamiewoon









Acoustica is an all seated venue
Tickets £10 advance / £11 on the door
Box Office 01452 50 30 50
Or Book Online www.gloucester.gov.uk/guildhall

Friday 3rd April

David Ford
David Ford is quite simply one of the Britain’s best singer/songwriters. His debut album is a cult classic, and his follow up ‘Songs For The Road’ took things to another level, being voted ‘Album of the Year 2007’ by both The Sunday Times and Word Magazine and being rewarded with a 5/5 rating by the Guardian. Why is this man not a household name? Perhaps it’s that he chooses to focus his musical career purely on craft and art, uncompromising honesty does not always sit comfortably in the music industry. His performances are passionate, powerful, moving and uplifting, with talent and charisma to spare. No ordinary singer/songwriter, David Ford takes it somewhere else. Come and see; you’ll understand what we mean
www.davidford.mu

The Austin Francis Connection
For one of our Acoustica session at last years Wychwood Festival, we were lucky enough to have our attention drawn to The AFC. So fabulous are they, that we had to bring to Acoustica at the Guildhall. Vocals, beatbox & guitar... a thoroughly unique blend of acoustic hip-hop.
Here’s a bit about the Austin Francis Connection, in their own words:
“We Play Acoustic, Head Nodding, Smile Making, Hiphop for you..... AND your mum! Together since Feb 2005, this 3 piece ensemble simply enjoy making music together and travel around to paying gigs and open mics alike.... Taking the Underground sound of the streets of America, putting it on an exchange holiday to Gloucestershire, then inviting it in for a nice slice of cake and a cup of tea.....possibly with two sugars.”
www.myspace.com/shambolichiphopbehaviour

Acoustica is an all seated event.
Tickets £10 advance / £11 on the door
Box office 01452 50 30 50
Or book online: www.gloucester.gov.uk/guildhall

Friday 6th March 2009

Chumbawamba

2009 sees the 200th birthday of English naturalist Charles Darwin, ‘Father of Evolution’, and Chumbawamba present their March 2009 tour to illuminate and commemorate Darwin’s ideas. Evolution has long been a watchword for Chumbawamba, who more than most bands realise the need to change. Over the years they’ve gone from punk rock to dance to acapella to chart-pop and to acoustic, always trying to respond to the changing culture around them. This tour sees a five-piece Chumbawamba, acoustic/accordion/trumpet and vocals, veering ever-closer to stand-up as they tackle the issues of the day and steer their set according to the audience. As a response to the X-Factor obsession with slickness, routine and homogenised culture, Chumbawamba’s shows are becoming ever-more chaotic, unpredictable and unexpected – an unedited chat show with a soundtrack of folk, pop and harmonies.
www.chumbas.com

With Special Guests
Belinda O’Hooley and Heidi Tidow.
Northern folk, rock, contemporary classical, plus a touch of comedy have all been used to describe the music of Belinda O`Hooley... a virtuosic and charismatic pianist. In reality, her performances contain all this plus much more. Belinda is best known as the songwriter and pianist in Mercury Prize nominated folk band Rachel Unthank & the Winterset.
Now Belinda is back to running the show ... alongside co-songwriter and performer Heidi Tidow. Together, they combine a well-crafted songbook, interweaving sublime harmonies, with a touch of (very funny) northern banter.


Find out more about Acoustica
www.acoustica-guildhall.co.uk

An all seated show.
Tickets £12.50 advance/ £14.50 on door

Box office 01452 50 30 50
Or buy online
www.gloucester.gov.uk/guildhall

Friday 6th February 2009

Karima Francis
There are debut singers whose tender years and inexperience clearly inform their early recordings – you can almost hear the tentativeness and reserve in their vocal performances. And then there are those who clear this hurdle in one bound, who hurl themselves over the precipice, who go straight for the blood and guts of a song. Nobody who has heard Karima Francis, live or on disc, can be in any doubt as to which category the Blackpool-born, Manchester-based musician belongs to. Listening to the 21-year-old grab a melody and lyric by the throat is to experience the sound of a singer whose pent-up expressiveness was hidden away for too long, and is now exploding into glorious colour.

Two years ago at the Manchester’s In the City music conference, Francis silenced a room full of hardened music-business bigwigs, and all her gigs since then have witnessed a similar reaction. “I still have my insecurities,” admits Francis. “But I must have some confidence to get up on stage and do what I do. When an audience claps at the end of a song, I can’t understand it. I’m just stood there, and there are hundreds of people listening to my words – it’s kind of hard to take in.”

Musically, her songs – deeply personal compositions inspired both by a difficult single-parent upbringing and by moving to Manchester and falling in love – are far removed from the current vogue for folk-tinged whimsy. Comparisons have been made with Joan Armatrading and Tracy Chapman, but these offer only a superficial sense of how unvarnished and arresting – and unlike that of her contemporaries – Francis’s music is. You may search in vain for traces of her former job as drummer with a Blackpool metal band, but Francis’s melodies are nonetheless forthright and full-on, never fey or hesitant. Her lyrics are uncompromising and heartfelt, too – no English reserve here. And her voice, which will journey to the lower reaches of the register one minute, and soar to the top the next, is a once-heard-never-forgotten instrument. Amazingly, Francis only began singing properly once she’d moved to Manchester. “I just wrote a song and the voice kind of came with the words,” she says, attempting to explain her talent. “I’ve always had this range, which still shocks me.

www.myspace.com/karimafrancis

Phil King
Phil King released his debut album “Leaves” at the end of November 2006 to great public and critical acclaim. Since becoming a sought after performer on the Bristol music scene and receiving the Venue Magazine Roots Artist of the Year award at the end of 2005, he now plays throughout the UK. His music has been played on regional radio stations across the UK, as well as on BBC Radio 2.'

"Supremely talented Bristol-based singer, PHIL KING. He has a voice to die for." – Time Out, London


www.phil-king.net
www.myspace.com/philmking

Acoustica is an all seated event: Tickets £10 adv / £11 on the door
Box Office 01452 50 30 50
Or book online www.gloucester.gov.uk/guildhall

Friday 5th December 2008

Amy Wadge
Come and join us for a winter’s night of musical excellence!
Our monthly, seated acoustic music club is feeling all Christmassy, and is thrilled to welcome wonder woman Amy Wadge back to show us the true power of the human voice! Amy’s new and fourth album, Bump (so named because she was pregnant while recording), was nailed in just two days, and is her best yet! combining her trademark rich vocals, stirring, thoughtful lyrics and timeless, simple-yet-sophisticated arrangements.

She’s won the Best Female Solo Artist gong twice at the Welsh Music Awards (seeing off stiff competition from both Cerys Matthews and Charlotte Church on each occasion), performed twice at the Royal Albert Hall and been invited to support the likes of Van Morrison, Damien Rice and Jeff Beck. Quite simply one of Wales’ finest modern singer/songwriters, Amy is stunning live and one of our favourites – simply not to be missed

'Pint sized poetess with valley quaking voice’ (Q Magazine)
www.amywadge.com
www.myspace.com/amywadge

Vince Freeman
Sharing the bill tonight is the irrepressible Vince Freeman, whose philosophy on music is simple….play live and play lots.
The shoeless troubadour’s blend of foot stomping soul and heart felt ballads have earned a reputation for being one of the best live performers in the UK.
Over the past two years Vince has shared stages with Jocelyn Brown, James Morrison, Paolo Nutini, Beth Rowley and has embarked on two UK tours taking in venues such as the Cavern Club, Jazz Café and Bush Hall.

In 2008 was a year of huge acclaim and recognition, when at the UK Indy Awards, from a field of approximately 120,000 acts and a panel of industry experts … Vince scooped the Best Male Solo and Peoples Choice Award.

‘His one-man-and-an acoustic is the kind of camp fire rock & roll that helped propel Jack Johnson and Newton Faulkner…’
(Manchester City Music)
www.myspace.com/vincefreeman

ACOUSTICA is an all seated venue.
Find out more www.acoustica-guildhall.co.uk

Tickets £10 advance / £11 on the door
Box Office 01452 50 30 50
Or book online: www.gloucester.gov.uk/guildhall

Friday 7th November 2008

BIG BLUE SUN
The latest creation of past visitors to Acoustica 'Ghosting'. With the new name comes a collection of outstanding songs and a shockingly good new album 'Nocturnal City Journal'.
Their live performances are rare and legendary and definitely not to be missed! Expect acoustic guitars, keyboards, drums, percussion, brass, loop pedals and some very special musical guests
Big Blue Sun (based right here in Acoustica's hometown of Gloucester UK) produce a big yet subtle sound, powerful, musical, original and thought-provoking ... totally memorable and engaging. It's music that moves you, songs that include you, killer hook lines with melodies and words that will stay with you ... all delivered with a rustic crackle of storytelling charm.
www.myspace.com/nocturnalcityjournal


THOMAS TRUAX
Opening tonights show is the incomparable Thomas Truax.
New Yorker, Thomas is a 'once seen never forgotten' performer.
Described as a genius who straddles the line between unique and insane ... with his head held high!
With the look of a wide eyed Victorian inventor and more than a dash of the Gothic he turns stage his very own musical laboratory, what he creates are a bunch of songs, unusual certainly ... but surprising in their charm and elegance.
Possibly the original 'Steampunk' Thomas may have inadvertently inspired a new musical genre.
With a collection of homemade instruments, like creations from the set of a Tim Burton movie, combined with loop pedals, guitars and his very special imagination, Truax takes us on a strange journey to a strangely beautiful world.
photo by Chris Saunders
www.thomastruax.com


Find out more about Acoustica on www.acoustica-guildhall.co.uk

Acoustica is an all seated event
Tickets £10 advance / £11 door
Box office 01452 50 30 50
Or book online: www.gloucester.gov/guildhall