A New Year and what a start!!

2012 may have been the wettest year on record and went out like a damp squib, but the first Newport Open Mic of 2013 at the Royal Naval Association in Bellman's Yard Newport Shropshire, went up like a rocket and brought in faces both familiar and new, from as far afield as Penkridge, Market Drayton, Albrighton and and Slash's old stomping ground Stoke on Trent.

Working off those few extra pounds gained over Christmas the equipment was soon out of the loft, set up on stage and sound-checked ready for the first act to make their debut appearance at Open Mic.

Sons of Clogger, a 4 piece band from Blythe Bridge sounding every bit as professional as they looked.  With the Potteries banter, playing drums, bass, 12 string and mandolin the lads were thoroughly entertaining, performing original songs best described as folk rock which included the Ventriloquist and Green Man in their first set.

It is always good to hear so many talented young people performing knowing that many of them will go on to bigger and better things. Us oldies can reminisce in years to come saying "Do you remember Olly, Melissa, Remynie, Ben (and many others), playing in Newport when they were teenagers?" 

Some great cover songs and original material from Melissa Walford followed by Olly Flavell who has been practising over the Christmas break and delivered an exceptional version of the Robert Johnson blues classic Crossroads.

Regular Dave Sandford or Dave Blue as he is known to many, put together the Tuesday night blues band which included Olly, Andy Clark and Keith Johnson and led us through some classic 12bar rocking blues, which always goes down a treat.

The rocking blues finished it was time for a gentler type of music which this week was in the form of  a lovely acoustic set from Sharn and Alan Lane. Good stuff guys.

Dave Rolfe was next on stage with half of local band Driftwood. Without vocalist the band treated us to an excellent instrumental set with an splendid version of Duelling Banjos from the cult 70s film Deliverance played on guitar, keyboards and drums. Driftwood can be seen this Saturday at The Cosy Hall in Newport along with Will Morgan.  

Remynie and Ben as 2 Pence Short, are all round exceptional musicians, and this week held us spellbound with Remynie's haunting and highly emotive vocals and Ben playing superbly on keyboards. They were then joined on stage by Brad and Martin, Remynie this time on drums performing an Offspring classic and the Guns n Roses crowd pleaser Sweet Child O Mine. 

A great evening of live music was rounded off by an encore from Sons of Cloggers who I am sure will be back at Newport Open Mic very soon.

Thanks to the willing contingent who helped to put everything away at the end.

Live music, good company and great venue every Tuesday....that's Newport's original Open Mic, held at the Royal Naval Association, Bellman's Yard, which is just off the High Street.

A quick reminder that there is a predominately acoustic Open Mic held at the Lion in Edgmond every Thursday so pop up there if you need another live music fix before next Tuesday.

See ya.