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Registered charity no: 1156217
Winter/Spring Programme 2016
Featuring...
Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham
Vin Garbutt
Chris While and Julie Matthews
Climax Blues Band
The Ben Poole Band
Cold Ocean Lies
The Born Again Beatles
lichfieldarts.org.uk
BOX OFFICE: 01543 262223
lichfieldarts.org.uk
lichfieldarts.org.uk
BOX OFFICE: 01543 262223
BOX OFFICE:
01543 262223
To book in person please visit our box office in Donegal
House, Bore Street, Lichfield WS13 6LU open 10am to
4pm Monday to Friday.
Welcome to Lichfield Arts
Winter/Spring 2016 Season
programme.
Coming up is a feast of high
quality, varied concerts and
events at affordable prices. We
look forward to seeing you!
Please note: All concerts take place at
Lichfield Guildhall and start at 8pm
(unless stated otherwise).
We also operate an online booking system. Visit our
website www.lichfieldarts.org.uk select ‘What’s On’
and choose ‘Tickets & Details’.
You can also e-mail our box office at: boxoffice@
lichfieldarts.org.uk
Please note a £1 administration charge applies to all
bookings. To help Lichfield Arts even more please ask
about Gift Aid.
Lichfield Arts runs a well-stocked bar selling real ales,
lager, cider, wine, spirits, soft drinks and snacks at all
our concerts. All profits help to run Lichfield Arts.
Ben Poole Band
Saturday 9th January - £13.00
(rescheduled from Autumn 2015)
“A Really great player!” - GARY MOORE
“Unbelievable! It’s very refreshing to hear someone in
today’s time who reminds me of the guys who inspired
me when I was young. Amazing!” - RICHIE KOTZEN
“Soulful voiced Ben Poole never strays too far from his
soulful strengths on a live album full of feel, subtle
dynamics and a passionate performance. Pete Feenstra.”
- Get Ready to Rock
“He’s a heck of a soulful singer and uses his guitar to
great effect without overpowering you with guitar hero
machismo.” - Blues Rock Review
“A real talent, confident and skilled and with a sound
that is fresh and rare today.” - Music News (UK)
“If justice is served Ben Poole will, like Joe Bonamassa,
play great venues again in his own right.“ - Fabrications HQ
When you hear comments such as these from some of the
world’s greatest guitar players and one of the leading UK
roots magazines you just know they have heard something
very special. Twenty-five year old Ben Poole is currently being
described as the most exciting young blues guitarist to come
out of the UK for a long, long time. We are delighted to bring
him to Lichfield Guildhall for the very first time. This concert
is definitely going to be something special!
www.benpooleband.com
Our 2016 festivals...
Lichfield Guildhall is accessible for disabled users via
a lift.
Vin Garbutt
Friday 8th January - £14.00
Friday 22nd January Noon-11.00pm
Saturday 23rd January Noon-10.30pm
£2 before 6pm (on the door)
£3 after 6pm (on the door)
WINNER of BBC Radio 2 Folk “Best Live Act” Award 2001
Powerful, hugely moving, warm, humane, inspired, funny
and gut wrenchingly honest. These are just some of the
superlatives used to describe Vin’s performances. Vin’s
career has spanned over 40 years of constant world wide
touring which must make him some kind of elder statesman
of folk. His songs are inspired by the folk tradition, but
have transformed into gritty social comment and life
observations. He is renowned for his hilarious intros, but for
him his song lyrics are the crux of his performance.
www.vingarbutt.com
“Vin cuts through the bull, grasping those he meets
firmly by the hand and shaking them up with a dose of
laughter and tears. It’s a true gift to be able to make us
laugh and squirm at the same time, but Vin does both.
He should be prescribed on the National Health.”
English Folk Dance & Song Society.
“Every budding singer-songwriter please take note:
attending a Vin Garbutt concert is now mandatory before
your first public performance. Garbutt is the undisputed
master of communicating with an audience.” Penguin Eggs Magazine, Canada
JANUARY 2016
This popular festival returns to the fantastic Guildhall
rated by many as the best venue on the beer festival
scene. Get rid of those post Xmas blues and enjoy a fine
selection of Real Ales and Ciders from local and regional
breweries, plus of course ‘The Famous Pork Pies’ and a
choice of refreshments.
24-26 June
Live bands each evening:
Friday 8.00pm Last Orders
Stunning versions of classics from
punk, pop, blues to rock.
Saturday 7.30pm Made in Britain
Reflecting the mid-60s’ music of the
Beatles, Stones, Kinks and The Who
plus more modern numbers.
If you are bringing a party you are
advised to book early in advance.
PAGE 2
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The Lich
Festival field
of
14-16 Oc Folk
tober
2016
JANUARY 2016
lichfieldarts.org.uk
lichfieldarts.org.uk
BOX OFFICE: 01543 262223
The Stumble
Sticky Wicket
and his Swingtet
Saturday 6th February - £13.00
Lichfield Arts are delighted to welcome this
awesome six piece back to The Guildhall. The
Stumble are based in and around Preston
and what you get is a classic valve driven
back line driven with shuffle and roll. Their
music is heavily based on the rapturous
electric blues guitar sound that emanated
from Chicago in the 50s and 60s.
Saturday 20th February - £15.00
After another unforgetable
Jonny O’Niel Saxes and Clarinet and the
performance last spring we just had very impressive singer Linda Morris.
to bring this great band straight back
Expect to hear wonderful swinging 40s
to the Guildhall.
jazz from these superb musicians not
The band play a mixture of
forgetting Sticky’s ‘Gene Krupa’ style
instrumental and vocal swing from
amazing drum features.
Benny Goodman to Carlo Emerald
Come and join us for another fabulous
plus a touch of Latin flavour. The band
cabaret-style evening in the company
are led by drummer Sticky Wickett
of Sticky Wicket and his Swingtet!
with Maurice Merry piano, Tomas
Pedersen bass ,Geoff Tooley guitar,
www.stickywicket.info
Their influences range from B.B. King, Freddy
King, Muddy Waters, Maceo Parker, Peter
Green, Booker T, King Curtis, etc. Basically, if
music has that screwed down ambient live
feel expressed by some of these guys, then
it’ll be on the playlist. These guys are quite
simply one of the best British blues bands
around at the moment.
Pete Oxley and Nicolas Meier
Saturday 27th February - £12.00
www.thestumble.com
Chris While and
Julie Matthews
Friday 12th February - £14.00
10 times nominees and winner of the BBC Folk
Awards ‘Best Duo’ category, Chris While and
Julie Matthews return to the stage for their 21st
Anniversary tour. Having started 2015 with a
remarkable four weeks on the Radio 2 playlist
and with a live session on Weekend Wogan
they are all set to continue their success doing
what they love the most, playing live to their
thousands of loyal and devoted followers the
length and breadth of the country. Drawing
from their nine studio albums; songs from the
heart, social conscience, love, life, human frailty
and endurance and all knitted together with
breathtaking harmonies, superb musicianship,
humour and stories, While and Matthews are
unrivalled singer songwriters on the acoustic
music scene and an experience not to be missed.
www.whileandmatthews.co.uk
FEBRUARY 2016
PAGE 4
If you love music of any kind, this concert, part of their UK
tour, is for you. These two masterly guitarists each have
very different styles.
Oxley has been playing on the British jazz scene since
1997, with everyone from Stacey Kent to Gilad Atzmon,
while Meier, originally from Switzerland, has toured the
world, absorbing musical idioms en route.
In a 3-month flurry of activity, they wrote, rehearsed,
recorded, mixed and mastered a set of 11 new pieces for
their extremely diverse album “Chasing Tales”. The album
features carefully crafted compositions, making use of
various guitars, layered at times to symphonic effect.
Expect a dazzling display of contemporary fare, ranging
from Turkish panache to soundscapes of latin America
to English pastoralism. Hear this played on nylon string,
steel string, electric, 12 string, fretless, slide, guitar-synth,
glissentar guitars and more!
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PAGE 5
FEBRUARY 2016
lichfieldarts.org.uk
lichfieldarts.org.uk
BOX OFFICE: 01543 262223
Skerryvore
Paul Liddell
Sunday 6th March - £16.00
Saturday 19th March - £10.00
Skerryvore’s feel-good fusion of folk rock never fails
to get audiences excited when the driving sound of
bagpipes, accordions and fiddle, meet the kicking
rhythms of guitar, bass and drums.
Often described as ‘a party waiting to happen’ the lively
line-up consists of Tiree-born brothers Daniel Gillespie
(accordion) and Martin Gillespie (bagpipes, whistles &
accordion), Fraser West (drums & vocals), Alec Dalglish
(lead vocals & guitar), Craig Espie (fiddle) and Jodie
Bremaneson (bass).
Their 2011 album ‘Skerryvore’ won SNMA album of the
year. Skerryvore celebrated their 10th Anniversary in
2015 including a 6,000 sell-out ‘Anniversary Bash’ and the
release of their ‘Decade’ album, a collection of live tracks
and previously unreleased acoustic versions of classic
Skerryvore songs. The album also includes their recent
single, ‘Happy to be Home’, featuring Sharon Shannon.
www.skerryvore.com
Cold Ocean Lies + support
Friday 11th March - £8.00
This Lichfield four-piece original rock band have been together for just
over a year and have quickly made a name for themselves with regular
sell-out headliner shows across the country. Influenced by Smashing
Pumpkins, Ride and Oasis, their sound captures 90s grunge rock
with classic British influences, culminating in an exciting live show.
BBC Introducing West Midlands have already shown their support
giving the band several plays. The blog world has also picked up on
the band, including the likes of indie tastemakers Killing Moon and
7 Bit Arcade. This show for Lichfield Arts at the Guildhall will be their
biggest hometown show to date, so book your tickets quickly to avoid
disappointment!
www.soundcloud.com/cold-ocean-lies www.facebook.com/ColdOceanLies
Paul’s modern take on the ‘one
man band’ uses live loops, guitar
percussion, harmonies and effects. A
diverse and challenging writer with
a unique voice, his live performances
range from whispering intensity to a
white knuckle, edge of your seat, ear
splittingly glorious racket.
2014 was a busy year for Paul
with the release of 3 singles and
accompanying music videos,
and an impressive 195 gigs in
three countries. The first of these
videos ‘The Ends Of The Earth’ has
been viewed over 20,000 times
on youtube. As well as gigging
extensively in the UK – including
a main stage performance at the
Beverley Folk festival - Paul has also
“Paul is a smooth and capable
guitarist, and his low-key vocals
tackle social injustice and media
corruption with wry compassion.
The vivid splashes of grungy electric
riffage that punctuate this album add
welcome force to this sharply etched
portrait of life in modern Britain.”
Guitarist Magazine
“An artist in the bloom of their
creativity.” folking.com
“...the songs come armed with a social
and political conscience... as well as
exploring self-doubt and the human
condition... sharp observations and
unbridled romanticism.” Netrhythms
Lichfield’s Got Talent Final
Sunday 20th March at Lichfield Garrick Theatre
Lichfield Arts are pleased to be associated with Lichfield’s Got Talent 2016.
Local performers of all ages and genres are invited to enter.
Lichfield’s Got Talent benefits local charities including Lichfield Arts.
Marion Fleetwood
The overall winner will have a slot at the Fuse Festival in the summer.
lichfieldsgottalent.co.uk
Saturday 12th March - £12.00
Marion has a voice which has been
described as ‘mesmerising’ and
‘siren-esque’. Ashley Hutchings MBE
has said ‘Marion deserves to be ranked
amongst the finest singers in this country.’
others, Feast of Fiddles, Gigspanner, Little
Johnny England and Leatherat.
“Marion Fleetwood’s sublime voice alone
would make anyone who hears it stand
up and take notice: she is clearly a future
She is probably best known as a member force to be reckoned with.”
of The Jigantics and new folk supergroup Nigel Schofield, Author of Fairport by
TRADarrr. She was a member of the award Fairport and RT - The Life and Music of
Richard Thompson
winning ColvinQuarmby - now known
as The Gerry Colvin Band, which she still “I dare anyone to match her stellar
performs with and has recently released performance.” Maurice Hope, Flyin Shoes
her first solo album, Holding Space. She “Fantastic music....a highlight act.”
has appeared live with, amongst many
The Daily Telegraph
MARCH 2016
toured recently in America, Italy, and
Germany. Paul has shared billing
with international artists such as Billy
Bragg, Turin Brakes, Glenn Tilbrook
(Squeeze), Karine Polwart, Calvin
Harris, Jon Gomm and Florence
And The Machine. Paul’s last tour in
Germany was so successful that he was
immediately rebooked for a 12 date
tour of small venues in April 2015.
Miranda Sykes and Rex Preston
with support from Wildfire Folk (All proceeds in support of Wildfire Folk)
7.30pm Friday 25th March at Stonnall Village Hall - £11.00
In just 2 years, Miranda Sykes & Rex Preston have become one of the most sought
after duos on the English folk & roots scene. Well known as a central component of
Show of Hands, Miranda has an exquisite and spine-tingling voice, whilst Rex, is
one of the finest mandolin players in the UK.
Wildfire Folk is a not-for-profit, Lichfield based youth ensemble. Since its formation
by Lichfield Arts Wildfire Folk has amazed and excited enthusiastic audiences in
equal measure at local events; concerts and festivals across the wider region.
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MARCH 2016
lichfieldarts.org.uk
lichfieldarts.org.uk
BOX OFFICE: 01543 262223
Maggie Bell and Dave Kelly
The Sleaze Brothers
Renewing their partnership in 2016 after a two year lay-off
with selected venues and festivals in the UK and Canada.
Local favourites The Sleaze Brothers
make another welcome appearance
following their roof-raising headline
set at 2015’s Blues and Jazz festival.
Saturday 2nd April - £15.00
Saturday 9th April - £9.00
The on-stage chemistry is immediately apparent,
stemming from their love and respect for the music they
play as well as the deep knowledge of the genre. Although
both coming originally out of blues/soul explosion of the
late 1960s their repertoire is far broader than just that.
When they first got together they both wished to sing ‘any
song that took their fancy’, so the set includes folk, rock,
country, gospel as well as blues and soul.
Celebrating 30 years since originally
forming in 1986 this highly
accomplished eight-piece band are
hell bent on one thing… making sure
their audience have great night out!
Blues, soul and rock’n’roll classics
played with verve combine to get
you stomping your feet, dancing and
singing along. The Sleaze Brothers
Their stage craft is as would be expected from two
professionals with a collective experience of 100 years, but
this is no slick show wheeled out with any predictability.
Indeed when Maggie and Dave take to the stage anything
can happen and often does!
Climax Blues Band
Friday 22nd April - £14.00
Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham
Founded in the 60’s, by the much missed Colin Cooper,
Climax Blues Band has always focused on its roots, a
unique combination of jazz and blues. After 18 albums,
the classic world-wide hit “Couldn’t Get It Right” and
tours of the UK, Europe and the US, Climax Blues Band is
still on the road playing the blues in a creative way that
has always been synonymous with their name. The band
will hit the high notes to get the crowd up and dancing.
They are: George Glover (keyboards), Neil Simpson
(bass), Lester Hunt (guitar), Roy Adams (drums), Chris
Aldridge (saxes) and Graham Dee (vocals). All talented
musicians, they play great music with passion, style and
great enjoyment to produce that superb, unforgettable,
Climax Blues sound. www.climaxbluesband.com
(at Lichfield Cathedral)
Friday 8th April - £17.00
Simply the best traditional musicians you are ever likely to hear!
Aly and Phil have toured together since 1988 to packed concert
halls all over the world, recording their first album ‘The Pearl’ in
1994 and following it with many more highly acclaimed albums.
The pair have won the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards Best Duo Award.
Aly is the best-known and most significant fiddle player in the Celtic
tradition. In 2013 he received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the
BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. He was awarded an MBE in recognition
of his services to music. He was a founder member of the ‘Boys of
the Lough’ and has worked with Eddi Reader, Richard Thompson,
Mark Knopfler, James Taylor and Midge Ure. He was responsible for
launching ‘The Transatlantic Sessions’ TV series in which both he and
Phil continue to feature. Aly celebrates his 70th birthday in 2016.
Art outreach projects for the community
Phil is a world famous accordion player and composer. He was
nominated in 1996 in The Scotsman as one of ‘Scotland’s most
influential people’. He has worked on numerous commissions for TV
and film. His ‘Highlands and Islands Suite’ and other collaborations
have been a highlight of Celtic Connections in Glasgow. In 2002
Phil received an MBE for his contribution to Scottish music. He
has recorded with top musicians including Mark Knopfler. Phil
celebrates 40 years as a professional musician in 2016.
www.philandaly.com
APRIL 2016
have a great sense of fun and don’t Don’t miss out on an evening
take themselves too seriously but, guaranteed to blow your cares away!
make no mistake, there is real
www.facebook.com/thesleazebrothersinc
musicianship in the band.
PAGE 8
Why not take part?
See our latest projects at www.lichfieldarts.org.uk
PAGE 9
APRIL 2016
lichfieldarts.org.uk
lichfieldarts.org.uk
BOX OFFICE: 01543 262223
U21s Battle of the Bands Heat
Saturday 23rd April 5pm - £2.00
A fantastic opportunity to play at a unique
venue in Lichfield and a chance to win
a slot at the Fuse Festival, Beacon Park
8-10th July 2016.
£10 entry fee per band. Bands of all genres
whose members are 21 or under and live within
a 30 mile radius of Lichfield can enter. Entry
forms at: www.lichfieldarts.org.uk
or email: pam.beale@lichfieldarts.org.uk 2-3 songs per act, depending on the number of bands entering. All funds raised go to Lichfield Arts’ Fuse Festival. Battle of the Bands Final
plus ‘Plug n Play’ sessions
Sunday 8th May 5pm- £2.00
The bands chosen from the ‘heat’ in April will get to battle it
out! A panel of judges will give their verdict and the winning
act will go on to appear at the Fuse Festival, 8-10th July 2016.
To get this great event off to a flying start we are inviting
acoustic acts of all ages to register their interest for a short slot for the
first half of the evening. We call it ‘Plug n Play’ – just plug in and get playing!
Contact pam.beale@lichfieldarts.org.uk for info.
ABOUT
Dan Donnelly and Ben Paley
Saturday 7th May - £12.00
A pairing that mix influences from a myriad of genres,
with a strong folk vein running throughout. Dan
Donnelly is an Irish Guitar player and singer songwriter
who mixes Irish folk, American country and punk in
equal measure. Ben Paley is an English Fiddle player
steeped in Appalachian old timey music and Swedish
folk music. The long time friends meander their way
through original compositions from Dan and also Ben’s
band McDermott’s two hours. The set is peppered
with some stomping fiddle tunes and cow punk cover
versions of the most unlikely songs.
Lichfield Arts is an independent
charity that has promoted music
and Arts events in Lichfield
since 1974 and is mainly run by
volunteers.
Lichfield Arts promotes around
40 concerts a year including the
genres of folk, jazz, blues, roots
& rock. It also stages a number of
festivals such as The Fuse Festival,
L2F (The Lichfield Festival of Folk),
a blues & jazz festival and various
beer festivals.
Lichfield Arts encourages and
promotes local talent in various
ways: Running outreach projects;
supporting Wildfire Folk, Blast Off!,
Lichfield Lighthouse Company,
Lichfield’s Got Talent and other
events and projects.
www.benpaley.com sonavagun.com
The Born Again Beatles
Friday 20th May - £10.00
Lichfield Arts are delighted to welcome The Born Again
Beatles back to the Guildhall! The ultimate tribute to the
world’s greatest band The Born Again Beatles aim to replicate
the authentic live sound of The Beatles with an energy that
other Beatles tributes would find difficult to match... oh and
there are plenty of laughs thrown in for good measure! With
authentic equipment and costumes, The Born Again Beatles
offer an experience that makes every performance a night to
remember. The band’s highlights include playing at the Cavern
Club in Liverpool and performing Hey Jude to a packed Walsall
Town Hall with Slade’s Noddy Holder! With these boys a great
evening’s entertainment is guaranteed!
www.thebornagainbeatles.co.uk
www.facebook.com/bornagainbeatles
Lichfield Arts would like to thank the following for their generous support...
and our many volunteers for their help and assistance.
APRIL 2016
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MAY 2016
Winter/Spring
Programme
2016 at a glance
January Friday 8th
Saturday 9th
Friday 22nd
Saturday 23rd
February Saturday 6th
Friday 12th
Saturday 20th
Saturday 27th
March Sunday 6th
Friday 11th
Saturday 12th
Saturday 19th
Sunday 20th
Friday 25th
April Saturday 2nd
Friday 8th
Saturday 9th
Friday 22nd
Saturday 23rd
May Saturday 7th
Sunday 8th
Friday 20th
June Friday 24th - Sun 26th
JuLY
Friday 8th - Sun 10th
October Friday 14th - Sun 16th
Find us on Facebook Badge
Vin Garbutt
The Ben Poole Band (rescheduled from Autumn 2015)
Beer Festival (Last Orders)
Beer Festival (Made in Britain)
The Stumble
Chris While and Julie Matthews
Sticky Wicket and his Swingtet
Pete Oxley and Nicolas Meier
Skerryvore
Cold Ocean Lies
Marion Fleetwood
Paul Liddell
Lichfield’s Got Talent (at Lichfield Garrick)
Miranda Sykes & Rex Preston plus Wildfire Folk
(at Stonnall Village Hall)
Maggie Bell and Dave Kelly
Aly Bain and Phil Cunningham (at Lichfield Cathedral)
The Sleaze Brothers
The Climax Blues Band
Battle of the Bands heat
Dan Donnelly and Ben Paley
Battle of the Bands final
The Born Again Beatles
Blues & Jazz Festival
Fuse Festival
L2F - The Lichfield Festival of Folk
CMYK / .eps
Donegal House Bore Street Lichfield Staffordshire WS13 6LU
01543 262223 www.lichfieldarts.org.uk info@lichfieldarts.org.uk
@LichfieldArts
The programme is correct at the time of going to press but may be subject
to change at short notice. Lichfield Arts is a registered charity no: 1156217.