The Wanderer Returns. Words: Dave Whiteman, Pictures: Jon Newton

It’s good to be back. I have spent the last couple of months touring Europe in a campervan and it was nice to be driving back up the A41 and to see the signs for Newport. Wherever I travel, I always try and catch local live music and there were some real highlights. At a festival in Germany, I saw a terrific young band, Fog Joggers, a sort of heavier version of Del Amitri. Their material is original, in English and I think they are going to be big. Have a look on YouTube to see if you agree. At the other end of the scale, a folk singer in Luxembourg sounded so much like Herr Flick from ‘Allo, ‘Allo that it was difficult to concentrate on his songs. One thing is very clear to me though……the standard of live music and the wealth of talent locally puts Newport up there with the very best.

An enthusiastic crowd welcomed the debut of Richard Heywood, who was playing live in front of an audience for the very first time. Despite technical problems and with a borrowed guitar he delivered a lovely set of original compositions…. a great start.

Any Elvis song will get the feet tapping and next up Alan Critchley followed ‘Returned to Sender’ with another couple of gems from Eddie Cochran and Billy Joel. It wasn’t just Alan’s fan club that enjoyed his short set!

Our youngest regular performer, 11 years old Jay Harris has spent some of the Bank Holiday busking in Shrewsbury and Stafford, supervised by his Dad Russ of course, and it is clear that he is benefiting from that kind of experience. Once again, a small technical hitch interrupted his performance, but like the trouper he is, he still delivered a polished show on a replacement guitar.

Mike Collins has been an Open Mike regular for the last couple of years and it is nice to see his son Mikey joining him on stage performing under the name of Young & Grumpy. Keen to showcase his new guitar Mike rattled through a very lively set, heavy on audience participation, finishing with 500 miles, the Proclaimer’s anthem which had everyone joining in.

Richard Thomas has such a catalogue of material that he rarely needs to repeat a song. There are few musicians who can mix reggae/punk and traditional and get away with it, but as I have said many times before, Richard always brings something different to the table.

It has been great to see Olly Flavell develop as a singer/songwriter. Around three years ago I remember him as an enthusiastic but basic guitarist with a reasonable voice and one half of the duo ‘Olly & Jake’. He has since matured into an excellent solo artist with a super voice and a great guitar style. His opener, Maroon 5’s ‘Sunday Morning was followed by a couple of songs from his debut album Lo-Fi which adds song-writing talent to his repertoire.

Never judge a book by its cover is the old adage and I have to confess, the first time I saw Steve Reynolds perform, the sound he produced was not what I expected. He has the build of a nightclub bouncer but when he starts to sing and play his soft melodic songs of love, the females in the audience start to melt. ‘I’m Not Moving’ by The Script was a brilliant opener, but his acoustic cover of Meatloaf’s ‘2 out of 3 ain’t Bad’ was outstanding and had many reaching for the tissues! Soundman Jon Newton said it was the best version of that song he had ever heard and I just had to say.....you took the words right out of my mouth (!)

So yes, good to be back, and grateful thanks as always, to those who turned up at 7pm to help set up and those who stayed till late to put the kit away. Please remember, if you want to play, sing, recite poetry or even play the spoons, come on down on a Tuesday and have a go. If you would like to contribute in any other way, perhaps taking photographs, setting up the kit or even writing these articles, you would be made very welcome…. come and introduce yourself.

I am looking forward to Shropshire’s major live music event in a few weeks’ time, Newfest which looks to be bigger and better than ever. The weather tried to spoil it last year, but this time the organisers have really pushed the boat out with a terrific line up including AC/DC tribute band Hells Bells topping the bill.  Adult entry pegged at just £10 and kids at just £5…..put it in your diary now, 20^th June. 

Till next time, keep it live!