30th NOVEMBER 2012: Paul Liddell plus The Jellyman’s Daughter

On Friday November 30th, we will be showcasing a couple of young acts who’s musicality and talent will blow you away. We are really excited to be able to put on a show like this!

Paul Liddell is a working musician/singer/songwriter/recording artist based by the sea in the North East of England. Live, his singularly unique voice and unpretentious delivery combine with the use of live sampling, guitar percussion and layered vocal harmonies to provide a great platform for his wonderful songs to shine.

“Liddell’s guitar playing is extraordinary throughout this set as he employs percussive, hammer-on, slide, and a wide array of finger-picking techniques most reminiscent of Lindsay Buckingham — a master of melding pop melodies and flash. This record has the potential to break Liddell into the mainstream — that is, if the masses can turn off American Idol, X-Factor or The Voice and pay attention to a bona-fide, honest artist!” – Minor 7th Magazine

Supporting Paul are The Jellyman’s Daughter. Graham Coe (‘cello, guitar & vocals) and Emily Kelly (guitar & vocals) are classically trained musicians who have earned their spurs busking in Edinburgh and writing innovative and moving songs. Definitely a “listen and love” duo.

Doors open at 7.30 – tickets available via the link below (discounted) or at St Boswells Post Office. Open mic slots available on request by calling 01835 822692.

Tickets: £8 / £4 (under 16) / £20 (family of 5)**

Click the image to buy discounted tickets:

26th OCTOBER 2012: Kathy Stewart plus Tommy Ashby

Friend of St Boswells Live! Kathy Stewart and her brilliant band The Frequent Flyers are making a much-demanded return visit for our October 26th double bill. Last year she stunned the audience with her beautiful vocals and moving songs along with the brilliant musicianship of the band.

New York singer-songwriter Kathy Stewart has been delighting audiences on this side of the Atlantic with her thought-provoking and exciting style of Country-based music for many years.

Kathy’s song writing draws on many influences of American popular culture and other spectrums, resulting in her own distinctive sound. She has been sought after for her composing and arranging abilities and is well known for her harmony work on recordings by established artists such as Andy M. Stewart, Silly Wizard, Dick Gaughan, Davy Steele, The John Wright Band, and British Country artists, John Hinshelwood and John Miller.

The Frequent Flyers combines the talents of Kathy Stewart on vocals and guitar, Ken Kennedy on double bass, harmonica and vocals, and lead guitarist, Big Al Rae. Both Ken and Big Al currently play in the Peebles-based “Red Clay Dirt Band”. In addition to the trio, specially for this show will be guests on pedal steel and mandolin, ensuring a huge sound.

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Hailing from Innerleithen, local lad Tommy Ashby is continually gaining momentum as a songwriter and live act on the London music scene. Tommy’s rural roots are clear in his songs, with folk and blues stylings seamlessly integrated with pop songwriting to create skilfully crafted, warming and beautiful songs. What really shines through Tommy’s music is how natural the songs are; they are idiosyncratic to his voice, guitar playing and personality, and this makes for an absorbing live show.

Tommy is supported by a group of extremely talented musicians who are integral to creating the tight, vibrant sound. His new single, ‘Broken Bones’, can be downloaded for free at http://tommyashby.bandcamp.com/

Tickets available online or at St Boswells Post Office: £10 / £5 (under 16) / £25 (family of 5, Post Office only)

Doors 7.30pm, bring your own refreshments.

Click the image to buy discounted tickets:

RESCHEDULED: FRIGHTENED RABBIT, 15th DECEMBER

Owing to circumstances beyond the control of both us and Frightened Rabbit, the show previously to be held on Friday 21st September has been rescheduled for Saturday 15th December.

Tickets can be purchased online (price £10, sorry no concessions) by clicking the image below:

Thank you for your patience.

The St Boswells Live! Team

21st SEPTEMBER 2012: FRIGHTENED RABBIT (Acoustic) + Support

07 SEPTEMBER: PLEASE NOTE, TICKET SALES ARE CURRENTLY SUSPENDED WHILE TOTAL ALLOCATION IS RECALCULATED – PLEASE WATCH THIS SPACE FOR NEWS.

St Boswells Live!  is delighted to welcome FRIGHTENED RABBIT to our stage.

Originating from Selkirk, Frightened Rabbit have picked up a huge following over their 9 year career, which is about to become stellar as they embark on a major tour along with the release of a new album due in 2013 to follow up 2010’s critically acclaimed The Winter of Mixed Drinks. Now based in Glasgow, Frightened Rabbit have an eclectic style ranging from heavy rock to acoustic folk, always daubed in melancholy, tinged with anger but ultimately looking forward to better things, exemplified perfectly by their most recent release State Hospital and the anthemic, Swim Until You Can’t See Land.

In advance of their homecoming Selkirk gig on 25th September, FR are performing as an acoustic line-up, undoubtedly showcasing their most recent works. This gig comes near the end of a tour of Ireland and the UK, in advance of tours of Europe and the USA, so they were extremely generous to fit us in as a fundraiser for the club.

Please note, this is advertised as a family show, but there may be some strong language.

In support of our headline act are Crow Road, a brilliant unsigned band from Glasgow who will be playing an acoustic set. We’re delighted to have them on the bill so early in their career as, given the quality of their material, we doubt they’ll be a support act for long.

Also, playing a short set will be local singer-songwriter and friend of St Boswells Live! Madeleine Dow who will bring her unique and enchanting vocal style to our stage.

£10 all tickets (sorry, no concessions) – click the image below to buy.

Doors open at 7.30pm. All seated, BYOB.

31st AUGUST 2012: Gren Bartley plus Fiona Laing and Sally-Anne Scott

This August 31st at St Boswells Live! we are proud to host the highly-talented and, dare we say it, extremely nice man Gren Bartley. This begins a new season of performers, all of whom we are very excited about.

Gren Bartley sits on the edge of the ever growing link between English and American folk music. He is a songwriter who explores a wide range of styles from traditional English songs to the darkest American blues ballads. Add to this his impressive songwriting with “a depth and insight of someone twice his age” and you will find an artist who is being very highly praised and has become a much sought after musician.

Gren’s live act is his strongest asset. His guitar playing is “effortlessly astonishing” and his lyrics serve perfectly to accompany the audience through the spectrum of musical landscapes he visits. But it is his soft yet absorbing voice that provides the thread of continuity throughout the set.

“As an acoustic finger-picking guitar and banjo player he has few if any equals in his age group; as an acoustic rooted-in-folk writer he’s developing an alarmingly good canon of work” – R2 Magazine

Supporting Gren are two very different artists from the Borders who have both been talent spotted over the summer as potential stars in their fields. Sally-Anne Scott [note change of bill] is a brilliant harp and clarsach player who has excelled under the tutelage of the legendary Elspeth Smellie and who is on her way to the Royal Conservatoire this year, such is her musical ability.

Fiona Laing, becoming a regular at venues around the Borders, plays guitar to accompany her soaring voice and self-penned songs. At the Lauder Jubilee Celebrations this year, she wowed the audience and we are really looking forward to seeing what she can do at St Boswells Live!

Open Mic slots are available by calling Keith on 01835 822692 (answerphone available).

Doors for this show open at 7.30pm with Open Mic slots from 8pm. Tickets cost £8 (adult), £4 (under-16) and £20 (2 adults and up to 3 under-16s). Tickets are available from St Boswells Post Office and via We Got Tickets (click for link).

A Summer Break

Just a short note to let everyone know there will be no St Boswells Live! in July.

Traditionally this is the time when many people are on holiday and also, assuming there will be some sun this summer, people are less keen to attend indoor events, so we felt it best to have a break, returning in August with a great show.

So have a great summer and try to make the most of the glimpses of sun. And if it keeps raining then you could always put a boat on the village green.

29th JUNE 2012: Summer Acoustic Session

In the interests of giving our sound man a break, but also because it’s sometimes nice to hear what talented musicians can do in the absence of any amplification, this month we are having our first ever acoustic evening. The Summer Acoustic Session, on 29th June 2012 (doors 7.30pm) is a showcase for Borders-based acts that excel in the unplugged environment.

Headlining this intimate, in-the-round show will be Denholm band Real Time who have been playing both the national folk circuit, as well as internationally for many years. Playing as a duo this time, core members Kenny Spiers (guitar and vocals) and Judy Dinning (vocals, guitar and bodhran) play an eclectic mix of traditional and contemporary songs and tunes, with Scottish and Northumbrian influences. Judy Dinning has recorded solo, with Dave Smith and with Jez Lowe and the Bad Pennies, as well as being a founder member of Real Time since 2002. Kenny Spiers is the driving force behind the Denholm Folk Festival and Folk Club, and also a founder member of the John Wright Band. Together they comprise an irresistable duo.

We discovered Dere Street at a St Boswells Live! open mic session in support of Rory McLeod, and instantly fell for their brilliant musical interplay and tight harmonies. Keith Leisk and Gary Smith, from Selkirk, are brilliant exponents of pipes and guitar, playing traditional and original songs and tunes inspired by the land that surrounds their home. We are sure you will be as much taken with them as we were.

As usual there will be an Open Mic session, and being acoustic we can fit a few more people in – if you play an instrument, can sing or even want to recite something then contact Keith on 01835 822692 (before 26th June please) or email keith@stboswellslive.com.

Tickets are priced £8 each, £4 for under-16s and just £20 for a family of 2 adults and 3 under-16s. They are available now from St Boswells Post Office, or on the door.

25th May 2012: Mike Whellans and Sara Grey, with Kieron Means

Another double-header for May’s St Boswells Live! taking place on Friday 25th May, 2012. The theme this month is definitely the roots of music, with a mixture of traditional songs, stories, country and blues all wrapped up in a lovely sonic package.

Once you have heard Sara Grey you will never forget her. She has a certain quality of voice that compels you to give her your undivided attention. Her voice is both powerful and sweet with a distinctive and lovely tremolo. It is a voice well suited to native American ballads and ballads of Ireland and Scotland.

It is not Sara’s lovely voice alone that makes her one of the most popular singers on the folk scene, on many of her songs Sara accompanies herself by frailing a five string banjo and, when playing tunes, it is obvious why she is regarded as one of the foremost exponents of the old-time style. As well as singing and playing superbly Sara is a fine story teller specialising in stories from New England where she grew up and learned many of her stories from her father.

Kieron Means is a singer primarily of traditional songs but also of contemporary songs and guitar player of great merit. He has a great rapport with an audience and has an exceptional professionalism for a young performer. His voice is as smooth as silk, rich and mellow and he sings to his audience not in spite of them.

Kieron is the son of the traditional singer Sara Grey and music journalist Andrew Means, one time writer for Melody Maker. He was born in the United States and grew up in Britain gaining a great love of the music of both traditions as well as the contemporary scene. He has become a performer of traditional songs from the US and from the UK and many of the contemporary songs he sings he has written himself.

Mike Whellans is the real thing, a keeper of the one-man blues band flame that burned so passionately in the work of this highly specialized form’s masters, including Doctor Isaiah Ross, Jesse Fuller and Whellans’ great British forerunner, Tony ‘Duster’ Bennett.

Like all true bluesmen and women, when Whellans sings and plays, he means it. He can set a scene of darkness and foreboding as the Boogie Man lurks, play twelve-string guitar in the grand driving blues tradition to propel his Winding Track, and sing of hugging his baby’s deserted pillow so that you really feel his loss.

If you’re already familiar with Whellans, you’ll know to expect a fired up and ready one man blues band explosion. But if this is your introduction, prepare to hear a talent who’s not only his own man as a singer, guitarist and ace blues harpist, he’s his own rhythm section, too.

Tickets are priced at £10 (full), £5 (under-16s) and just £25 for a family ticket (2 adults and up to 3 under-16s). Doors at St Boswells Village Hall open at 7.30pm with the show starting at 8pm.

Advanced single tickets are available from We Got Tickets (click link to purchase in new window) or St Boswells Post Office.

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27th APRIL 2012: Plug and Play – Have You Got What It Takes?

We are one year old! Yes, in April 2011 we had our first ever St Boswells Live! and to celebrate 12 months of the club we are getting right back to the heart of the club and making a huge effort to encourage raw talent from around the Borders. April 27th 2012 sees our first dedicated night for young musicians; called “Plug and Play” it will be an edge-of-your-seats, no soundchecks (hence the name) experience, where we guarantee some really special moments both for audience and performers.

The spark for this was from Peebles / Innerleithen band, Cake and Grief Counselling who wanted to know if there was any chance of playing at St Boswells Live! as they had struggled to get gigs in the local area. It became clear that there was plenty of other talent around so we hit on the idea of a night solely for under-18s, giving a rare opportunity to play to an audience who want to listen, and alongside lots of other musicians in the same boat.

So, Noah Brown, Isaac Pringle, Luke Macdonald and Henry Pullan’s band make up the first act on the list, to which we have also added Seven Brunettes and a Ginger, an eight-piece (obviously) who come from all over the central Borders, and Rebecca and Katherine Caswell a duo of singer-guitarists from Oxton.

But we need more performers. If you are a member of a band, group or just on your own and would like to experience something really inspiring (plus getting a free ticket) then please send a short biography, a photo and an example of your music – it can be a YouTube link, a web page, a sound file or something else entirely – to keith@stboswellslive.com, and we will get back to you. Entries close on Friday 20th April.

To round off the evening we have secured rising local stars Where’s George? to play a set, and give everyone else a chance to sit back, relax and enjoy the music. You can find out more about them by going to their Facebook page.

Tickets are priced at just £5, available from WeGotTickets.

MARCH 30th, 2012: An Evening of Sublime Traditional Music

With the memories of a wonderful February show still fresh in our minds, we are delighted to be continuing the double-header theme with four hugely talented musicians, all hailing from close to home. If you are a lover of traditional Scottish music, with the raw energy of youth thrown in then you will love what we have to offer on Friday 30th March.

Rachel Newton (harp & voice) and Lillias Kinsman-Blake (flute) first met while studying on the BMus in Folk and Traditional music at the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Their music draws on influences from the Highlands of Scotland to the Borders and beyond, incorporating both Gaelic and English songs with traditional and contemporary melodies.

Rachel Newton was born in Edinburgh, where she first began learning the harp with Charlotte Petersen at Tollcross Primary School’s Gaelic Unit. Rachel later went on to study with Isobel Mieras at the City of Edinburgh Music school and then with Corrina Hewat on the Folk and Traditional Music Degree at Newcastle University. Since graduating, Rachel has co-founded the highly successful folk band The Shee as well as playing as harpist in the Emily Portman Trio. 


Lillias Kinsman-Blake lives in Smailholm in the Borders. She is a flute player and founder member of The Shee and has gained a reputation as a versatile musician performing both within the traditional music scene and for theatre, storytelling and classically inspired projects including Blair Douglas’ Gaelic Mass: ‘An Aifreann Ghàidhlig le Blàr Dùghlas’ and Alistair Anderson’s ‘Steel Skies’. Lillias founded the traditional music education company Focal Music Ltd, tutored for Newcastle University, Folkworks and The Sage Gateshead and has worked with the Scottish youth music project: Love Music Festival.

We have no doubt that you will fall in love with their music just as we have.

Mooney & Keatinge are a duo who are deeply rooted in the Scottish Borders. Moving beyond the traditional fiddle and accordian partnership, they blend the acoustic with the electronic to create an inventive and captivating soundscape.

Hawick-based fiddle player Shona Mooney is one of Scotland’s leading traditional musicians. Since winning the prestigious BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2006, she has appeared at international festivals such as Tønder (Denmark), gone on tour with Scottish Folk orchestra, The Unusual Suspects, The Shee, Borders Fiddles and recorded her debut album, ‘Heartsease (viola tricolour)’. Shona also works for the Scottish Borders Council in Arts Development as the Traditional and World Music Development Worker. She travels around the region organising projects within the schools and the community.

Christopher Keatinge has been playing the button accordion for 15 years now, under the tutorage of Ian Lowthian. In 2005 Chris won the Rotarty Club’s Young Musician of the Year, and was a 2006 finalist in the BBC Radio Scotland’s Young Traditional Musician of the Year. Since then Christopher has performed across Scotland with the TMSA Young Trad Tour 2006, as part of Harris Playfair’s Coel Mor at the Aberdeen International Festival and most recently as part of the Border Tunesmiths, a collaborative project and concert of 9 Borders musicians.

Tickets are priced at £10 adult, £5 under-16s and just £25 for a family of five. They are available from St Boswells Post Office or via WeGotTickets.

Doors open at 7.30pm, Open Mic starts at 8pm – please call 01835 822692 if you would like to perform.