 |
Unknown Promotions continue to explore…
the local music scene, with information on Open Mic nights, Festival News and more Reviews.
OPEN STAGE NIGHT , reviews , other news
|
 |
'open stage' or 'jam sessions' can be a great way for the musically minded to get involved in the scene. With the PA set up by the venue, the musician can simply turn up with their instrument and ask the organiser if they can play a few songs during the evening. This allows everyone and anyone to participate and feel the adrenalin rush of public performance - from the inexperienced songwriter airing their newly self-penned tunes, to the fan playing out songs by their favourite artists or bands trying out acoustic versions of their tunes.
It is always a good opportunity to meet like minded individuals or to start up new musical combinations. The audience gets to socialise while hearing little bits of everyone. It’s a great way to experience live entertainment and be a part of some truly memorable occasions. One of Unknown’s next CD projects is an acoustic sampler featuring some of the best original open mic performers - it could be you?!
Here are some of the best nights in the area -
covering every night up to the weekend !
|
 |
Sunday (fortnightly 13th & 27th)
The Eagle, Tarrant Street, Arundel.
Afternoon sessions from 2 - 6pm
Run by the lovely Sarah Tunnel, a variety of acts in a pub that gets nosier as the day goes on, a variety of performers from around the area, often culminating in the delights of ‘Fingers Freddie’
Mondays (fortnightly 30/6 & 14/7)
The Bull, Market Road, Chichester
Hosted by Ali & Rob of Unknown Promotions a chilled out atmosphere in Chi’s coolest alternative venue with the emphasis on original performers. Many of the Unknown crowd in performance plus other local notables such as Johnny 4 and Tim Fox.
Tuesdays
The Unicorn, Bognor Regis
Richard hosts an often raucous affair with plenty of tributes - the Pixies, Paul Weller and the Beatles when we were last there.
Wednesdays
La Havana, Chichester
An International flavour in this atmospheric cellar bar in Little London, Chichester. A variety of performers in a pleasant laid back atmosphere with drinks reasonably priced. Graham is the man in charge.
Thursdays
Four Chestnuts, location
now under friendly new management, traditional sort of stuff on offer and Mick Quick the host is a polished guitarist with a penchant for David Gray and Dire Straits.
|
 |
REVIEWS, open stage , other news
CD - Tonic “Movers & Shakers”
Tonic are one of those rare bands that it is possible for almost everyone to like. Humour, intelligence and craftsmanship go into their songs. It is a light, feel good sound that is laden with melody, harmony and some excellent musicianship, what you see is what you get. Tonic are entertainers with plenty of personality and their music can be taken at face value. Their live enthusiasm doesn’t always fully translate to record however, and at times what comes across as inspired musical showmanship on stage can be reduced to twee novelty on CD (perhaps due to the time delay from recording to release?).
If there is to be a criticism it would be that they lack an edge, their cheery tunes not always demanding further investigation. However, throughout the potent musicianship and positive outlook are maintained. There are plenty of catchy bits and the quality of the recorded sound (having spent considerable time in several different studios) is superior to all their previous releases. Rogers Retro Rocket rocks with cheeky panache,
Women & Whisky is a catchy, jaunty number, typical of their down to earth attitude and there are also several cool, laid back instrumentals. Comparisons could be made to the Beach Boys surf-pop, the grandiose, shifting arrangements of ELO, and the piano led jazz rock of Ben Folds or Jools Holland. Perhaps their closest musical cousins however are really the Monkees, walking a tightrope between life affirming pop tunes and loveably naff comedy with their incessant la’s and ba’s. A lot comes down to where you listen to this CD, it’s maybe not the sort of thing that you’d play in your room, but in an open top car on a sunny day it might be just the Tonic you need!
www.pineappleproductions.co.uk
unknownuk.com,
Helter Skelter, Chichester
VIP Vinyl, Chichester
Mikes Music, Bognor.
|
|
OTHER NEWS, open stage , reviews
Good to see a couple of alternative festivals hosted by independent promoters last month, firstly :
 Marshco held a Minifest at Castlefields, Southsea on the bank holiday afternoons which featured Tonic, Aubrey Lemmon, Echobase and Bastion4,
While the sound of Chi’s underground was on display at the Venue on 31st May. A day of hard hitting music from the likes of Cymbiotic and In Vitro.
The more traditional local festivities are now under way, with Blues on Pumpbottom Farm (26-29/6)
PLUS the Pretenders, Boney M and more rolling into Chichester for Real Ale & Jazz (9-12/7). No further news as yet on Rox.
Next month Bognor Live Festival preview…
…and more musical news and reviews
– contact matt@unknownuk.com…with any news or event details
|
|
Live Music
Arts & Museums
Sport
Nightclubs
Theatre
Alternative
Children
Community
Regular Info
help
