David Allen

Darlingside, Cecil Sharp House, Camden, London, 21st November 2019.

The English Folk Dance and Song Society are based in Cecil Sharp House, a large yet somewhat unassuming building in a quiet back street of Camden, North London. Opened in 1930, it is named after the English folk dance and song collector Cecil Sharp (1859-1924) and hosts a consistently high quality programme of music events, including courses and classes, lectures and conferences, visual art exhibitions and live performances by some of the very best artistes currently active on the ‘roots’ music scene. Continue reading “Darlingside, Cecil Sharp House, Camden, London, 21st November 2019.”

The War And Treaty, Under The Bridge, London, 11th July 2019

Hidden under the East Stand of Stamford Bridge stadium, the home of Chelsea Football Club, is Under the Bridge, a music venue that rivals the very best that London has to offer. The stadium of course has seen both triumphic and disastrous sporting events over the years but on this Thursday evening the visiting team were The War and Treaty and the result was only heading in one direction – an undeniably triumphant debut UK performance. In footballing terms this would have been a thrashing. Continue reading “The War And Treaty, Under The Bridge, London, 11th July 2019”

Mean Mary + Rebecca Hollweg, The Green Note, London, 27th September 2018

The intimate Green Note remains the beating heart of London’s acoustic roots music scene, always promoting an eclectic mix of musical genres and able to attract the very best musicians from around the world, many returning year after year to grace its cozy stage. Tonight saw a talented double bill of Nashville based Mean Mary and London’s homegrown Rebecca Hollweg draw an enthusiastic crowd to the Camden venue. The third time now that this gifted pair have played this unique London stage together. Continue reading “Mean Mary + Rebecca Hollweg, The Green Note, London, 27th September 2018”

The Corn Potato String Band, The Green Note, London, 17th August 2018

Americana is a flexible term. It has been stretched in recent years to near breaking point as it has struggled to embrace an ever wider spectrum of musical styles wanting to promote itself with the currently trendy ‘Americana’ tag but its very core is undoubtedly occupied by acoustic musicians playing traditional instruments and singing songs crafted around everyday life. Cue banjo, fiddle and guitar; throw in an impressive full bushy beard, empty the traditional songbook from the last 150 years and The Corn Potato String Band score something of an Americana bull’s-eye. Continue reading “The Corn Potato String Band, The Green Note, London, 17th August 2018”

The Small Glories, The Green Note, London, 31st May 2018

Whilst it may feel like an extension of your own living room, an instantly familiar and cosy space, the unassuming exterior of The Green Note music venue belies its ability to attract the very best acoustic roots musicians from around the world. If you haven’t added its intimate stage to your performance CV then you probably haven’t fully graduated as a gigging musician. Continue reading “The Small Glories, The Green Note, London, 31st May 2018”

Eli West, Lumpy Hills Adventure Playground, London, 11th May 2018

Turn off the lights, unplug the speakers, and welcome to the woodchip stage one of the finest flatpicking guitarists on the Americana scene today – Eli West. On a cool and breezy evening in a secluded corner of Islington, North London, the Lumpy Hills Adventure Playground took the award for the coolest named music venue anywhere in the capital city. Just off the busy Caledonian Road this creative space of rope-swings and wooden climbing frames hosted the Friday evening Nest Collective Campfire Club session. Continue reading “Eli West, Lumpy Hills Adventure Playground, London, 11th May 2018”

The Teskey Brothers, Omeara London, 8th May 2018

If cucumbers were any cooler then they would surely be the Omeara music venue in Southwark, London. Hip and trendy, this Cavern-esque style location would have hosted The Beatles if it had been open in the 60’s but on this warm Tuesday evening in May the intimate space was sold out to a lively young crowd eagerly awaiting one of Australia’s finest bands – The Teskey Brothers. Continue reading “The Teskey Brothers, Omeara London, 8th May 2018”

The Lowest Pair, The Green Note, Camden London, 22nd April 2018

With the feel of a 1960’s coffee shop music parlour, the Green Note in Camden is surely one of the shining jewels in London’s musical crown. Priding itself on the intimacy between artiste and audience and for providing a rare outlet for less mainstream acoustic musical styles it was an appropriate final stop for The Lowest Pair on their Spring tour of the UK. The duo comprises of Kendl Winter and Palmer T. Lee, both playing guitar and banjo and trading vocals; hers an achingly beautiful distinctive tone that complements his smoky delivery to perfection. Continue reading “The Lowest Pair, The Green Note, Camden London, 22nd April 2018”