14th August 2012: Keeping It Live At The Navy Club.

Keeping it live at the Navy Club…… by Dan Nicholas & Rebecca Threlfall. Pictures by Laurence Gale

So the Greatest Show on Earth comes to a close and the nation is left to reflect on what has been a terrific seventeen days of the Olympic Games. The closing ceremony would have to be very special to match the magnificent opener and in my humble opinion, it was. With everyone from Julian Lloyd Webber to Jessie J, the world was once again reminded of how much talent our small island has brought to the musical table. Watching the spectacular closing show one couldn’t help but notice the wide age range of the performers. Young bands like One Direction rubbing shoulders with The Who and who didn’t enjoy a youthful Ed Sheeran teaming up with 66yrs old Nick Mason to perform a Pink Floyd classic?

In a way and in a much smaller scale of course, there is a parallel with the Newport Open Mic. Held every Tuesday at the Navy Club in Bellman’s Yard it is quite usual to see Newport’s youth sharing the stage with the more ‘senior’ members. Last week for example, almost half of the musicians were 16yrs or younger and this was also reflected in the 100+ audience.

 Not quite so many this week, but a great turn out nonetheless, to enjoy a wide range of music from great local talent. With sound check quickly dealt with, first act of the night was local tennis coach Darcy Crawford. Swapping racket for guitar and centre court for the centre stage, he served up a treat of heavy hitting acoustic songs from the likes of Paulo Nutini and The Script. Certainly no faults to be found in his set (the tennis puns end here I’m afraid) a really competent performer who will hopefully be back very soon.

Youngsters Ollie and Jake were next up displaying a mastery of their instruments far beyond their age. A three song set took the audience from Tom Petty to Guns and Roses, via an original composition from Ollie called Stealing my Heart. The guys will be playing an acoustic evening with special guests, this Friday at the Navy at 8pm. Give ‘em your support!

Remynie returned to the Navy following her set last week and treated the audience to a great version of Price Tag before joining resident anarchist Rich T on drums. With ‘Chicken’ on bass.

 Rich played us through a set of political punk rock that in his own words ‘should possibly never have left the 70s!’ The audience disagreed and rocked out to his set closer Anarchy in the UK.

Bradbury Lane provided a beautiful mix of traditional songs and 60s classics. A classy set had soaring vocals from Lynn Bradbury and fantastic acoustic guitar work from Alan Lane. 

All the way from Down Under, Dave Johnson, Australia’s answer to George Formby, had the audience clapping along to the Irish Rover before taking everyone back to Sunday’s closing ceremony with Always     Look on the Bright Side of Life.

 After turning up last week with a collection of homemade instruments (including the lovely ‘Amy Winebox’) Rich Evans took to the stage with a surprisingly normal looking six string guitar! A great performance as usual included a hillbilly power twang version of Copperhead Road.

Dave Whiteman (on the left) then accompanied vocalist Zoe Pinchin (on the right), in a brilliant arrangement of Fleetwood Mac’s The Chain before a touching version of Dylan’s Make You Feel my Love.

All the way from Leeds, Navy newcomer Malcolm Purvis then graced the stage performing his original gritty songs about growing up in the North before finishing off with a lovely song about his favourite road. (It’s the A19 in case you were wondering!)

Just enough time at the end to assemble a jam band, who kicked off with R.E.M and closing with a double shot of Mustang Sally and Sympathy for the Devil. There was some fantastic saxophone soloing throughout courtesy of Ben ‘Sax God’ Garrott, Neil Willday on vocals, Rich Evans on guitar.

So once again, another superb night of music comes to a close, and it all happens again next Tuesday and every Tuesday at the Royal Naval Association in Bellman’s Yard, Newport. Your £1 entry will guarantee you a great evening of local LIVE music and even includes a raffle……what are you waiting for??

On 26^th Aug, top local band Airbag will be headlining The Pheztival at The Pheasant on Newport High Street from 3pm with 6 other acts confirmed including Arcade Parade and Fake Obsession. Entry is free, but please dig deep to fill the collection buckets for the supported charity, Macmillan Cancer Relief.

If you would like your gig advertised on this page, or have any music gossip or info, please email details to overseasmuso@gmail.com  or newportopenmic@gmail.com REMEMBER FOLKS, KEEP MUSIC LIVE!!!