Americana, Blues & Country Picks: Aug 2016

Well August is looking light in terms of ABC, but we were a bit spoilt in July (and some of us are still recovering from the Ramblin Man Fair). Looking back on the month Joe Bonamassa saluted the British Blues Explosion with a weapons grade covers set; and then there was the marvellous Americana Festival, curated by the Colston Hall and back for its second year. Lucinda Williams’ Bristol debut was pretty fantastic and The White Buffalo stormed his sold out Lantern show; a rather annoying gig clash with the mighty Elvis Costello alas. So grab a hot beverage and check out what we have in August.  Many apologies a glaring omission has been brought to my attention: check out Charlie Parr at the Exchange, cruelly missed from the original post.

Aynsley Lister

Tunnels, Friday 05

Lister is a damn good guitar player and a fine songwriter – these dates see him out with a full band playing a set covering his career to date. He’s been doing this a long time and as well as popuar acclaim from blues fans, he’s scooped up plenty of nominations and awards, and is probably only an ounce of right place / right time way from crossing over to the mainstream. Oh, and hopefully the Tunnels are aware that, according to Mojo, “His guitar playing is a fire hazard” and will be taking suitable precautions.

Big Gorgeous Festival

Windsor Terrace, Clifton, Saturday 06

The ABC content of this Festival is rather small…but it’s such a bloody good idea and benefits a hugely worthwhile cause so it would be churlish not to give it a little boost here. Find out more here.

Charlie Parr

The Exchange, Monday 08

A bit of a scoop for the Exchange as the redoubtable Charlie Parr is opening his UK & Irish tour in town. On the road since the 1980s and with a baker’s dozen of recordings released in to the wild, he’s a bit of a road warrior and seasoned performer. There’s a tremendous blues feel to his work and he has a welcoming voice that well suits his narrative tales. With support from Liam Kirby and the Carry Nations this will be a great little show that you won’t regret attending.

Further Ahead

Given the paucity of live twang in August you can stave off them ole no gigs blues by picking up tix for some great music using out further ahead guide below – all killer and no filler:

Jayhawks, Lantern: Saturday, 03 Sep

Sari Schorr, Tunnels: Wednesday, 14 Sep

Madison Violet, Tunnels: Tuesday, 20 Sep

The Bonnevilles, Louisiana: Tuesday, 20 Sep

Kirk Fletcher, Tunnels: Sunday, 25 Sep

Freakwater, Tunnels: Sunday, 09 Oct

Robin Trower, Cheese n Grain: Friday, 14 Oct

Joanne Shaw-Taylor, Fleece: Sunday, 16 Oct

Simone Felice, Tunnels: Tuesday, 25 Oct

Maddie & Tae, Bierkeller: Thursday, 27 Oct

Sara Watkins, Tunnels: Tuesday, 08 Nov

Cadillac Three, Academy: Friday, 11 Nov

Ben Caplin, Thekla: Sunday, 13 Nov

Laurence Jones, Tunnels: Sunday, 13 Nov

Scott Fagan, Lantern: Tuesday, 15 Nov

Beth Hart, Colston Hall: Thursday, 17 Nov

King King, Cheese n Grain: Thursday, 17 Nov

Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats, Colston Hall: Saturday, 19 Nov

Simo / Arron Keylock / Federal Charm, Tunnels: Wednesday, 23 Nov

Gangstagrass, Thekla: Friday, 25 Nov

The Shires, Colston Hall: Monday, 28 Nov

Chantel McGregor, Tunnels: Friday, 02 Dec

Alabama 3, Academy: Thursday, 08 Dec

Felice Brothers, Fleece: Friday, 27 Jan

Pix Andy Hibbs