The months of anticipation are almost over as Shropshire’s premier live music festival comes to the town this weekend. Behind the scenes, dozens of willing volunteers have been working tirelessly to ensure that each year’s NEWFEST is bigger and better than the last, and this year looks to be a belter. There have been a few dramas on the way…..popular band Freeze had to pull out of the line- up, but stepping in to replace them are a brilliant country rock band Darcy…don’t miss their set…and the whole event is headlined by top AC/DC tribute band Hells Bells.
It was a night of infinite variety this week at the Newport Open Mic, held in the Royal Naval Association in Bellman’s Yard. Dave Sanford and Olly Flavell once again kicked things off with a lovely acoustic blues set followed by Oasis fan John Minor. John is stretching himself these days….he is normally a keyboard player but he has been accompanying himself on guitar these last few weeks.
Young Richard Heywood has become something of a regular at the Newport Open Mic, and his stock continues to rise. This week he played a totally self- penned set, highlight of which was ‘The Loneliness of Satisfaction’. It is nice to see his growing confidence.
Richard Thomas has been coming to the club for many years and as I have said lots of times, always looks to surprise the audience. It takes a good bit of courage to stand in front of an audience holding just a ukulele….and then follow up with an eclectic set that included songs from Elvis Costello and The Village People! My favourite though, a cover of Tom Hark by The Piranhas……great stuff.
Most people know that my favourite element of the Open Mic is the Scratch House Band, when musicians….some of whom may have not even met before…..assemble a band and just get on with it. Dave Sanford recruited the ever willing Andy Clark on bass, visiting drummer Steve Black on drums and veteran crooner Harry Woolley on vocals. We haven’t seen Harry in absolutely ages but halfway through ‘Reconsider Baby’ it was if he had never been away and of course no set would be complete without his trademark anthem, ‘Digging my Potatoes’.
Olly Flavell next up and a bit of a change as he opened with a cover of Ed Sheeran’s ‘Thinking Out Loud’, before persuading the busy Dave Sanford to join him on stage. A terrific BB King tribute, ‘The Thrill is Gone’ followed once again marrying strong vocals with soulful blues guitar.
Vinyl Tap lead singer is another performer who never shies away from trying new songs. His opener, James Taylor’s ‘You’ve Got a Friend’ is one of my all- time favourites, but then Alex surprised everyone by belting out Lionel Richie’s ‘Hello’….the first time I have heard this is in the club.
Two members of one of Newport’s most popular rock bands, Old’s Cool came in for a quiet pint but not for long as they were recruited into our second Scratch House Band of the evening. Vocalist Stephen Simpkins and guitarist Dave Lowe were persuaded to join drummer Paul Mettem and bass-man Ed Young for a classic rock set. ‘Can’t get Enough’ is a real rock opener, but it was Free’s ‘All Right Now’ that had the crowd shouting out for more.
So how do you follow that…..a bit of opera perhaps? Louisa Warburton is a classically trained singer and never mind that she didn’t have an orchestra…..she just belted out an aria, a capella! Wonderful stuff. Boyfriend Ed Young then joined her onstage to finish off the evening with a rousing version of ‘Mustang Sally’ to send the audience home with the Commitment’s classic ringing in their ears.
So is there any other live music venue where you can get such a mix? Folk, blues, rock, pop and opera….some of it even played on a ukulele….where else can you get such variety for only a quid?
NEWFEST, this Saturday from 1pm can offer similar value, with eight live acts over ten hours and all for only ten quid. Make sure you get your tickets before midnight Saturday as they then go up to £15 for adults….get them from the usual outlets, Hey Jude's, Glass House Opticians and the Pop up Shop or they can be reserved by phoning 07949 793 738 . See you there, come and say hello and until next time…….keep it live!
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