If you want to show your support for the handful of excellent Island Bands playing in Ventnor this weekend, here’s the schedule. Most of the gigs take place in Salisbury Gardens, Dudley Road Ventnor or at a couple of other venues around town.
FRIDAY 21 September 2007
Alex Roberts
noon to 12.45pm
Alex Roberts is an innovative acoustic guitarist, songwriter, and performer from the U.K. His music is captivating, soothing, and stirring. Born in Salisbury, then growing up in Winchester and on the Isle of Wight, much of his early life was spent immersed in an eclectic mix of music and specifically guitar players. Alex has an eclectic approach to the music he plays, and is currently moving towards a style that mixes blues and baroque, bluegrass and Celtic influences to create a truly contemporary take on roots music. “A very comfortable performer that manages to put his audience at ease, he hypnotises everyone with his guitar playing and mellow gravelly voice.”
Millicent’s Favourite
1-2pm
“A Quintessentially English Trio … ”
Playing original and traditional music with ‘clog’ percussion. Foot tapping … ‘Millicent’s Favourite’ evolved from the fusion of traditional clog, step dance music and the original compositions of Simon Gardner and Andrew Noctor. Simon, an accomplished Tenor Mandola, Acoustic Bass and Guitar player and wife, Linda (Recorders and Clog Percussion) met with Andrew Noctor (Guitars), whilst performing for the Isle of Wight Cloggies. Millicent’s Favourite are now joined by talented fretless bass player, Robin Whitehead (the fourth member of the trio!).
Funkmother
2.30-4pm
Pretty Things co-founder and Ventnor “celebrity”, Dick Taylor, does so much to encourage other people into enjoying playing the guitar these days but here he is in his own right. An interview on the internet cites the following and we think it appropriate, despite the time that has passed. “As he sat cross legged, smoking a cigarette and speaking with the heir of an English aristocrat, I honestly felt like I was in the presence of true rock royalty. And for good reason – I was. Here was a man who was an original member of the Rolling Stones . Let’s face it: it doesn’t get any more royal than that”¦”. We are proud to announce him to this humble stage in his now home town of Ventnor with his “curious” band the Funkmother joined in guest appearance by Pretty Things singer and other co-founder Phil May. Frank Holland will also be joining them.
SATURDAY 22 September 2007
The Dance Preachers
3-4pm
Drawing their inspiration from roots, jazz, folk and blues, unique brother and sister duo JC & Angelina are popular in all kinds of festivals worldwide. Here with their 5 piece band of friends who are great musicians in their own right, they mix their well penned original compositions with warmth and humour and a few favourites that are hardly recognisable once their line up have their characteristic take on the sounds. Angelina’s vocals are stunning. She has to be one of our finest lady blues singers and her rock-steady rhythm and finger picked guitar accompaniments should not be overlooked either.
Many respected experts regard JC as one of the best acoustic musicians in the country and some say he is the best. He effortlessly switches from straight guitar, where the notes sometimes come out like a firecracker, to mandolin, harmonica, lap slide guitar and ukulele.
The Hoops
10.45-11.45am
The Hoops are a young folk/rock/psychedelic band from the South Wight. They have impressed with the maturity of their music this year and their ‘Tea With The Hoops’ gigs at Brighstone Village Hall have proved to be very popular. With Mike Champion (guitar, vocals) Zoe Eady (guitar, vocals, recorder), Doug (piano, melodica, vocals), Joe Draper (bass, guitar), Guy Page (drums, percussion). Last appearance on the IW Festival Platform One stage was very impressive.
Jamie Griffin
12-1pm
One of the busiest musicians on the Island scene in terms of the number of gigs that he plays is young singer/songwriter Jamie Griffin. Sit up and take notes for today and the future of this talented acoustic guitarist who says of himself, “I used to go to watch gigs to learn how to gig. I write lyrics to fit the music; I’ve got music in my head all the time. It’s not just about playing the guitar, it’s about getting the crowd into the sound and their feet tapping so they’ll hear my words”.
Smoke & Mirrors
5.30-6.30pm
Smoke and Mirrors formed in 2006, and their debut at gig was in November at Arreton Community Centre at the launch of the ‘Celtic Celebration’ CD. The band is a genuine case of folk meets rock, playing covers, original songs with a smattering of lively tunes. With a line up of some of the Island’s best known musicians – Brian Sharpe (ex Cherokees & Blue Moon), Becky Haydock and Phil Chase (ex Tin Lids), Tim Marshall (ex Kite), Martin White (ex Total Acoustic Band) – this is an original.
SUNDAY 23 September 2007
Heather & Johnson
10.30-11.15am
Heather has one of those voices that comes from somewhere deep down inside and rises up to bewitch you. With her guitar, flute and the Johnson factor, this is an interesting new act that has to be heard. We think young Heather has places to travel with her unassuming personality and warm talent. The Bestival thinks so too and she had taken the Island stage there the last two years.
Amen Boogie Blues Band
12-1pm
The Amen Boogie Blues Band were formed in 1998 when brothers Tim and Dave Hollis joined forces with drummer Mick Fairservice and guitarist Ross Honeybourne.
With a common interest in Chicago and British Blues a strong set of numbers quickly developed, consisting of covers by artists such as Muddy Waters, Son House, Elmore James and British blues artists including John Mayall, Peter Green, ‘The Blues Band’ and The Producers.
The Band have been gaining momentum performing regularly on the Island Pub circuit as well as private functions. This has led to further opportunities including performing at an Oxford College Summer Ball, Cowes Week marina, and numerous festivals as well as supporting touring artists such as The Harry Skinner Blues Band, Big Bill Morganfield (the son of Blues Legend Muddy Waters), Matt Schofield, Eugene ‘Hideaway’ Bridges and The Ian Siegal Band.
Open mic & free fringe
Free to everyone – in the Honky Tonk Bar – all Sat & Sun in Folk & Blues Village
Come get up and play on the free fringe Folk & Blues Bar stage at any time during the weekend. It’s open mic with a few fixed acts at various times, so register a time slot with the stage co-ordinator, Andy Noctor and have fun with friends and the crowd as you play your own Folk or Blues sounds to entertain everyone. This stage encourages Island and mainland Folk and Blues musicians who want to be seen or just want to be involved, as well as young emerging talent. It is free to everyone. It will help Andy run a lively stage if you contact him in advance too – email him on andynoctor(at)yahoo(dot)co(dot)uk to book time slots now! [All images used courtesy of the respective musicians]
