Music & Gigs

A short while back I gave you readers a review of Karima Francis as she moved on from small piece acoustic artist to working with a full band. This sneak preview at the Beach House was part of their warm up, their rehearsals, trying out what they had put together in the practice rooms on an audience. As I reported back then, this experiment was a resounding success. Now they are setting up for real. Saturday 22 June at Blitz, live venue and night club, on Great Shaw Street in Preston is going to be a very special night indeed.…

On Friday 24 May I trundled down to Marton Institute, that well know Blackpool drinking hole, to experience Cowbell Radio's very own Beat Generation DJs. What a lovely evening to check out some old tunes and get down with some of the 'Mod Heads' in Blackpool. Marton Institute is a traditional setting with a cool dance floor, good sound system and a, very well received, cheap bar. There were a number of people in attendance and a good atmosphere throughout. As the night pushed on, as with any good event, the attendees took to the dance floor with Northern Soul…

Sunday 26 May saw Alfresco return for 2013 with Mr Scruff headlining plus a host of activities on offer for the kids, arts, crafts, great food and fantastic weather. We talked to people there on the day to find out why they love Alfresco. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbXvAFJyPcg

I have had the pleasure of photographing Government in the past and I am more then aware that they attract a lively crowd who know how to get down and party hard. Their line up has changed since their last shows. The band's new line up composes of Scott McMillan on drums, Mathew Cox on hammond/keys, Aaron Pounce on bass, Gary Lees on percussion/vox, Gemma Callighan on vox and Steve Brooks on guitar - and they know how to belt a tune out. I headed down fashionably late to an extremely busy Blue Room filled with thumping bass. Government's renditions…

This Bank Holiday Sunday, you may be lucky enough to have tickets to the highlight open air gig of the year. Alfresco at Blackpool Cricket Club will play host to a number of acts including: Aim & Nico Flash Atkins Galaxians 2 Billion Beats Martin Brew Jack Bee Government And a whole host of Cowbell Radio and Tha Gods DJs. The event itself is focused on being family-friendly, offering a number of entertainments for children as well as a rich offering of very cool music for the adults. This year artists have also been invited along to offer free demonstrations…

On Sunday I attended Cowbell Radio's 1st Birthday at Blackpool Cricket Club. Billed as the presenters party, it was really an open invitation for all the presenters, family, friends and listeners to kick back and enjoy something very relaxed. Starting early at 4pm, the barbeque was smoking and tunes were drifting across the cricket pitch lifting the already high spirits of the attendees who were looking forward to enjoying the unique feeling that only Cowbell Radio provides on a sunny bank holiday Sunday. A family friendly event, there were plenty of children enjoying the wide open space of the cricket…

Virtuoso guitarist Jon Gomm is set to return to Blackpool on the 8 June 2013 for Sand, Sea & Spray. The weekend before Blackpool's annual urban art festival will see the Winter Garden's Theatre Bar play host to an intimate gig with only 200 tickets available and a chance for fans to enjoy Jon's unique style. Jon's rise to fame has seen him receive a glowing one word endorsement from Stephen Fry who tweeted a link to his YouTube page saying simply "wow" and his international tours have gained him a cult following with his song Passionflower receiving over 4…