When: 20th October 2023, 7:30pm
Chris CleverleyDream-folk songwriter Chris Cleverley is among a new wave of pioneering artists carving an uncharted path through the UK acoustic landscape, with endorsements from The Times, The Telegraph and BBC 6 Music.With a visceral lyrical style, inspired by the Lo-FI American greats Elliott Smith, Sufjan Stevens & Conor Oberst, his ambient Dream-Folk songwriting pushes the boundaries of 21st Century acoustic-led music. As a student of Nic Jones and Joni Mitchell records, his blistering guitar technique is infused with the hazy, dreamlike essence of the 60s Folk Revival, while ambient synth-laden production fuels his reputation as a true innovator of the UK songwriting scene. With songs covering diverse contemporary themes from displaced people to pervasive artificial intelligence, his music sits unashamedly on the cutting edge, while always remaining highly relatable.His 2022 career-defining album 'Broadcast The Secret Verse' released to an avalanche of praise with RnR calling it "A masterpiece - ★★★★" and Americana UK describing it as "One of the best albums of 2022 - 9/10". As the songs have evolved further, 2023 sees Cleverley take this new body of work back out on the road, from the vast urban sprawl of London to the serene quiet of the inner Hebrides. From pindrop silence to rapturous applause his dynamic live performance is renowned for commanding the full spectrum of emotions. With dexterous musicianship, challenging insight, meditative calm and warm humour, Chris Cleverley’s solo acoustic set is not to be missed."Rather Lovely Electro-Folk" - Radcliffe & Maconie BBC 6 Music
"The feel of Sufjan Stevens & Elliott Smith" ★★★★ - Scottish Daily Express
"Frighteningly brilliant works" - The Daily StarKirsty McGeeSomewhere between Jazz, Folk, Gospel and Americana there’s an area of music that doesn’t have a name. With a cartographer’s attention to detail, Kirsty McGee – a wandering maverick and spellbinding live performer with a voice that has been described as having the texture of smoke & velvet – has spent the past fifteen years and seven albums mapping this place, tracking the common origins of song.McGee’s output seeks to satisfy a ravenous musical curiosity which has taken her from the midnight watermelon sellers of Odessa, Ukraine to The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville and the coarse, hot sand of the Mojave Desert. Her quiet revolution has gained her national airplay, well over a decade of touring, radio play listing and sessions plus multiple awards and nominations.Fans include Emma Watson and Danny Boyle, for whose 2014 thriller Trance the song Sandman provided a cornerstone, both in its original version and covered by lead actress Rosario Dawson.After releasing a trio of folk tinged early albums and exploring New Orleans rhythms in The Kansas Sessions (2008) McGee’s first band album No.5 (2009) won Best Live Album in the Independent Music Awards’ 2010 Vox Pop vote. Contraband (2012) showcased a collection of love songs so delicate you were afraid that not listening gently enough might damage them. By contrast, Those Old Demons (2014) – clatters its way to your ears in a joyful and irreverent melée of devil-songs, the enjoyment in which it is impossible to miss. Dirty blues, cubist shuffle, neo jazz and wry noir.£15.00 Entry
