Diary
Spring 2010 Programme - booking nowBook online by credit card here or email to reserve and pay by cheque.
For Whitstable Playhouse and Quarterhouse - see booking details below
click on photos to find out more and listen to the artists....
| Friday 26th March AND Saturday 27th March 2 Intimate Concerts and a Workshop SATURDAY CONCERT AND WORKSHOP SOLD OUT! |
Martyn Joseph The Kingston Barn, nr Canterbury, Kent CT4 6JB Doors 7.15pm for 8pm Workshop details below... |
|
Martyn
Joseph is a performer like no other. Shades of Springsteen, Knopfler
and Dave Matthews there may be - but he stands in his own right, built
on a reputation for giving what thousands have described as the best
live music experience of their lives. One of acoustic music’s most arresting artists, the Welsh singer songwriter has been in demand on both sides of the Atlantic for over two decades. Martyn.’s 25 year career has embraced some notable achievements including 5 Top 50 UK chart positions, with such songs as Dolphins Make Me Cry, Working Mother and Lets Talk About it in the Morning, and appearances and tours with, amongst others, Suzanne Vega, Marc Cohn, Joan Armatrading, Runrig, Clannad, Chris de Burgh, Art Garfunkel, Jools Holland and even Celine Dion and Shirley Bassey. He has won fans everywhere with his uncanny fusion of material –feisty, pull no punches big issue numbers alongside stripped bare love songs. Martyn’s particular strength is in the lyrical narrative of his songs, be they contemporary protests against injustice and inhumanity, a musical psalm to the fulfilment and fragilities of love, or a piercing précis of social history, “It’s the song that can soothe, explain or even in a small way save us”. In this manner he carries on in the tradition of the six string balladeer as both catalyst and interpreter of our raddled and rewarding times, our personal and communal stories sung out loud in the spirit of Woody Guthrie, Ewan MacColl, Hank Williams and Bruce Springsteen. Voted Best Male Artist at the 2004
BBC Welsh Music Awards and with a string of humanitarian plaudits and
awards, he’s a mean guitar player with one of the most powerful
voices on the circuit crafting songs with, as the BBC..s Bob Harris put
it, “outstanding lyrical intelligence”
One reviewer after seeing Martyn in concert likened the experience and content to “the beautiful business of being alive with all it's jokes, absurdity and sadness, seared by music for the heart and head”. Always charming, sometimes alarming, Martyn Joseph is a unique songwriter who digs deep and delivers an ultimate, life affirming message. One of the most unusual and compelling performers you are likely to encounter. Concert Tickets all £16 email me to pay by cheque. Special Event - Martyn Joseph - Workshop
Workshop now SOLD OUT! And on Saturday 27th March Martyn fans will have the chance to attend a workshop with the man himself - including lunch at the popular Black Robin Inn, Kingston - just down the road from the Barn. Time-table Saturday 27th March From 11.45am - arrival at The Black Robin, Kingston 12 noon - cold buffet lunch served - tea and coffee included. 12.50pm a short walk or drive up to the Kingston Barn. 1pm Workshop Part 1 2pm Tea break 2.20pm Workshop Part 2 Finishing by 3.30pm The workshop is aimed at everybody, not just musicians. It is non participatory, though if you have your own writings or recordings you are welcome to bring them to show Martyn. In part one he will be discussing the tools of his craft, how he creates his unique sound. Also his inspirations and approach to song writing, different ways of expression. He has always joked that his guitar is his 'cheap psychiatrist' , he'll explain what that means. In part two there will be a chance for questions from the audience, so come prepared if there is something you've always wanted to ask. Martyn is charismatic and gracious and a great raconteur, even if you have no interest in the technical side of his craft, I can assure you it will be a fascinating insight into this amazing mans life and work. It is an exclusive event to us, there are no plans to hold any more next year in the UK. It will be promoted nationally after Christmas, but folkinthebarners get priority booking - so don't delay if you are interested. The cost of the workshop is £32 (Thats for three and a half hours, including lunch) The package price for a concert performance plus workshop is a discounted £45 This is the only workshop by Martyn in the UK this year - Limited spaces available so first come first served. |
| Friday 30th April 2010 |
Show of Hands with Miranda Sykes Standing Room Only II Tour Supported by Ruarri Joseph The Quarterhouse, Folkestone CT20 1JT Doors 7.15pm for 8pm |
 |
Former BBC Best Live Act winners and current BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards winners of Best Duo and Best Original Song for Arrogance Ignorance and Greed, Show of Hands need no introduction to most of you. Those that are familiar with their music, know that they have a wealth of material, much of it often overlooked in the intimate setting of a seated concert. This will be a standing concert only, a fantastic chance for them to play their favourite up-tempo songs, both from new release AIG and their extensive back catalogue. Powerful rhythmic numbers such as Roots and Are we Alright, great for everyone to dance along and create a party/festival atmosphere. Steve and Phil will as usual be joined by bass player Miranda Sykes, and for this tour young singer songwriter Ruarri (pronounced Rory) Joseph (no relation to Martyn) the rising start of indie folk will be supporting. Ruarri is great, I saw him at Abbotsbury (where else!) He has been described as a British Jack Johnson. There are wheelchair spaces available on the balcony, but no other seating will be available to book in advance. There is seating in the foyer and bar areas of this fantastic new state of the art venue, if you're not sure about standing/dancing for the whole concert, you can always take a breather. Don't forget though that Steve and Phil, stand throughout the duration of all their concerts, night after night, so if they can manage....? “One of the great English bands” - Peter Gabriel “This is a band performing at its passionate peak” - The Independent Tickets £15 and £12 concessions from 01303 858500 or book online here www.quarterhouse.co.uk |
| Friday 14th May 2010 |
Peter Knight's Gigspanner Kingston Barn, nr Canterbury, Kent CT4 6JB Doors 7.15pm for 8pm |
  |
Hailed
by ‘Songlines’ Magazine as ‘another milestone in
folk’s rebirth of cool moment’, Peter Knight’s
Gigspanner continues to engage hearts and minds with emotionally loaded
and life enriching takes on British traditional and world music.
Steeleye
Span’s legendary fiddle player is joined by Roger Flack (Guitar)
and Vincent Salzfaas (Conga’s/Djembe) and the Trio recently
celebrated having their Debut CD ‘Lipreading the Poet’
named as one of the Top 15 Global CD’s of 2009 by ‘The
Wire’, a distinction that is indicative of the outstanding
musicianship and commitment to originality that is the hallmark of
their performances.
Peter was recently awarded the prestigious ‘Musician of the Year 2009’ Award by the Talkawhile Acoustic Music Forum. Expect to be captivated by an evening of music that is regarded with a completely fresh eye, with a sense of the familiar at its heart. “Quite simply, this band is stunning. I was impressed – and I take some impressing. But my advice to you is simple: go see this band as I guarantee you’ll enjoy it and be impressed too, mightily” Hugh Crabtree, Feast of Fiddles. "This is a repeat visit after a fantastic - sell out - first visit last Summer. See photo - left.(thanks to Chris Bates) It was a magical evening, the reason we do this. No one wanted it to end" Debs Tickets £12 email Debs to pay by cheque on online by credit card here  |
| Thursday 27th May 2010 |
Fairport Acoustic Convention
supported by Graham Landi Canterbury Cathedral International Study Centre
The Precincts, Canterbury CT1 2EH Doors 7.15pm for 8pm
|
  |
Fairport
Convention is one of the greatest live bands on today’s concert
circuit. Their sell-out gigs attract critical acclaim and delight
audiences. This concert by the band’s acoustic line-up presents a
more intimate (but no less exciting!) take on the legendary
band’s music. The band’s repertoire mixes established favourites with brand new songs and the concert will feature Simon Nicol on guitar and lead vocals, Dave Pegg on bass and backing vocals, Chris Leslie on fiddle, mandolin and lead vocals, Ric Sanders on violin and Gerry Conway on percussion. Fairport Convention has won a coveted BBC Lifetime Achievement Award and Radio 2 listeners voted Fairport’s groundbreaking album Liege & Lief 'The Most Influential Folk Album of All Time'. Whether you are a devoted fan or a newcomer to their music, this Fairport Acoustic Convention concert will be something very special. So be sure to book early – tickets will sell fast. Having been a fan for many years, and welcomed Chris Leslie to this venue for the past two years with the wonderful Christmas show - St Agnes Fountain, I'm very excited to now be able to host the legendary Fairport at this beautiful venue for the first time (of many I hope) www.fairportconvention.com Graham Landi is one of hundreds of talented but relatively unknown artistes who contact us hoping for a chance to play. I always try and check out every enquiry and many are very good. Graham however, stood out above the rest, I really liked his voice and gentle melodies. Click on his picture to have a listen. Tickets £17.50 full price £15.50 usual concs email Debs to pay by cheque or online by credit card here |
Coming soon.... June 6th - Flossie Malavialle - Kingston Barn June 30th - tbc July 3rd - Cara Dillon - St Mary's Church, Sandwich Booking for these from 15th March |
