September 2016 - STAGING Maverick

The Shires new album MY UNIVERSE released today

The Shires released their latest single and video My Universe 12 days ago and it has quickly racked up over 200,000 streams in little over a week, which now sees the band with 14 million streams across their Spotify and YouTube videos. The video for My Universe was released in support of the #ItCanWait campaign to stop people texting whilst driving their cars, which has seen over 1,000,000 people pledge to help end texting whilst driving. My Universe was album of the week on BBC Radio 2 last week and The Shires have been playlisted by BBC Radio 2 and Magic for both singles taken from this album, Beats to Your Rhythm and My Universe. As well as being set to perform on Chris Evans Breakfast show today. The Shires have seen huge support from global streaming powerhouse Spotify, being made the first ever country act to be made the face of their New Music Friday playlist in the UK earlier this month. Alongside that The Shires have been added to a whole host of playlists which has seen The Shires streamed over 12 million times on the platform. Next week the band set out on the road playing 5 HMV in-store events across the country, taking in 5 of the country’s biggest cities, they’re also set to make a big splash at their show at HMV London next Wednesday. After that, The Shires will head out on a full UK tour in the November and December, for 14 shows, with more set to be announced. Of course, all of this comes off the back of the success of their last record BRAVE which has sold over 100,000 copies in the UK and was one of only 4 debuts albums to go Gold last year, alongside releases from James Bay, Years & Years & Jess Glynn. Their last album saw them land 5 A list singles at BBC Radio 2 and appear on a string of high profile TV shows including Graham Norton, BBC Music Awards, Children in Need Rocks and many more. Winter 2016 tour dates: November 23rd Royal and Derngate, Northampton 24th St David’s Hall, Cardiff 25th Corn Exchange, Bedford 27th Cambridge Corn Exchange, Bedford 28th Colston Hall, Bristol 29th Brighton Dome, Brighton December 02nd Venue Cymru, Llandudno 03rd Institute, Birmingham 04th Bridgewater Hall, Manchester 05th Sage, Gateshead 07th O2 ABC Glasgow, Glasgow 08th York Barbican, York 09th O2 Academy, Liverpool 11th O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London

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Beth Hart reveals new single Love Is A Lie from new album FIRE ON THE FLOOR

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Beth Hart is on fire. Right now, the Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter is riding a creative tidal wave, firing out acclaimed albums, hooking up with the biggest names in music and rocking the house each night with that celebrated burnt-honey voice. In 2016, the headline news is Beth’s latest album, FIRE ON THE FLOOR (out 14 October on Provogue/Mascot Label Group): a release that even this fiercely self-critical artist describes as “pretty frickin’ good”. But let’s not forget the backstory that brought her here… FIRE ON THE FLOOR is sure to build on her breakneck momentum. As the singer explains, this latest record gave her an emotional release following the bitter-sweet sessions for BETTER THAN HOME. If there’s a theme that ties these twelve songs together, it’s a sense of escapism following the hardest of times. “We were still in the mixing stages for that album and I knew I had to make another record. Making BETTER THAN HOME was so painful, because one of the producers, Michael Stevens, was dying of cancer. It was a very emotional record to write and to make. I wanted the songs for FIRE ON THE FLOOR to get born real quick.” [wpdevart_youtube]YtXsK0AGCf8[/wpdevart_youtube] Take a spin of FIRE ON THE FLOOR and you’ll find everything from the spring-heeled soul of Let’s Get Together to the brittle rock of Fat Man. “I love that song,” she says of the latter. “That’s actually a co-write with a wonderful songwriter named Glen Burtnik, who I started writing with when I was about 24. We wrote that seven years ago – just a basic skeleton – but then I got super-inspired and wrote out the lyric. It feels good to sing it. That’s what’s so great about rock ‘n’ roll. It’s just such a fantastic way to let out your angst.” Likewise, the title track: “I love Fire On The Floor. It’s just smouldering. I think it’s gonna be a fantastic piece to perform live. It’s filled with passion. It’s about when someone you know is so bad for you, but you can’t help it. Then there’s No Place Like Home. I love that song. It’s about how, like, you spend a lot of time on the road, and you start to realise all the great things about being home. Kinda the opposite to the song Better Than Home.” FIRE ON THE FLOOR is the album that Beth Hart needed to make. Likewise, it’s a record that you need to hear. “I’m so pleased with it,” she concludes. “I recently had to organise the sequence of the record, and while I was doing that, I was thinking to myself, ‘Y’know, this is pretty frickin’ good…!’” Upcoming tour dates: 2016 11th Nov – Symphony Hall, Birmingham, UK 13th Nov – The Sage, Gateshead, UK 14th Nov – O2 Academy, Glasgow, UK 17th Nov – Colston Hall, Bristol, UK 19th Nov – Solent Hall, Bournemouth, UK 21st Nov – Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, UK 23rd Nov – Royal Festival Hall, London, UK 26th Nov – Heineken Music Hall, Amsterdam, Holland 28th Nov – Ancienne Belgique, Brussels, Belgium 30th Nov – Splendid, Lille, France 2nd Dec – La Traverse, Cleon, France 3rd Dec – Theatre Femina, Bordeaux, France 5th Dec – La Cooperative de Mai, Clermont-Ferrand, France 7th Dec – Le Pasino, Aix-En-Provence, France 8th Dec – Salle De L’Etoile, Chateaurenard, France 10th Dec – Le Plan, Ris Orangis, France 13th Dec – Olympia, Paris, France 15th Dec – Megarama, Casablanca, Morocco 2017 6th Feb – Keeping The Blues Alive at Sea III, Tampa, US 12th May – Haus Auersee, Leipzig, Germany 14th May – Colmbiahall, Berlin, Germany 16th May – Laeiszhalle, Hamburg, Germany 18th May – Theater am Aegi, Hannover, Germany 20th May – Kurhaus, Baden-Baden, Germany 22nd May – Capitol, Offenbach Am Main, Germany 24th May – Historische Stadthall, Wuppertal, Germany 29th May – Circus Krone, Munich, Germany

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The Crooked Brothers’ announce UK tour

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The Crooked Brothers’ take on folk, blues, and rootsy Americana can’t be said to be anything but their own. One minute, gritty and galumphing and the next sweet and succulent; sometimes it’s possessed with growl that shakes the rafters and comes smashing through with a dirty rhythmic underbelly. The ‘live’ show is renowned as a rollercoaster of surprises and it’s clear that these Manitoba boys are as close and tight-knit as any brotherhood should be. Widely regarded as one of Canada’s top festival attractions, the five-piece is gearing for what will be their first major European tour with dates in the UK, Germany, The Netherlands and Belgium. Practically a Crooked Family Variety Act, their concerts see banjos, mandolins, guitars – and much more – taking turns being juggled from brother to brother. A myriad of shades and textures is created. The Crooked Brothers have toured in ten countries, played in nearly every province and territory in Canada, and have released three full length albums, the latest of which was on the groovy German label, The Instrument Village. Thurs Nov 3: Green Note, Camden, London Fri 4: Sun 6: The Canteen, Bristol Sat 5: Square and Compass, Worth Matravers, Mon 7: Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh Tues 8: Performing Arts Centre, Kilbarchan Thurs 10: Acoustic Music Club, Kirkcaldy Fri 11: Glenbuchat Hall, Strathdon, Aberdeenshire Sat 12: Birnam Arts Centre, Dunkeld Sun 13: Harbour Arts Centre, Irvine

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Sheesham & Lotus & ‘Son announce UK tour

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After taking Shetland Folk Festival by storm when they were flown in as one of the main visiting attractions earlier this year, Sheesham & Lotus & ‘Son return to these shores before heading for Europe where they are also becoming increasingly popular following two appearances at the big Tønder Festival in Denmark. BBC presenter Mary Ann Kennedy said these new kings of old-time were “the first Americana band in a long time that’s really made me sit up and pay attention” while Cerys Matthews at BBC Radio 6 urged everyone to “catch them if you can.” BBC Radio 2 presenter Bob Harris is another fan, describing their material as “lovely sepia-tinted music” and adding: “I absolutely love it!” The trio is highly regarded in North America and tours relentlessly. This summer, they played most of Canada’s big outdoor events in what has been their busiest year to date. The repertoire has been expanded to include a vast array of instruments and contraptions, the likes of which you will not see in anyone else’s hands. So, as well as banjo, fiddle and sousaphone, expect appearances from bones, a variety of harmonicas and kazoos, the world’s only Contrabass-Harmoniphonium, Jaw Harps and the occasional miniature liquor bottle. Oh, they specialise in rhythmic body slapping too! UK tour dates Tues Nov 1: HopBarn, Southwell Wed 2: The Atkinson, Southport Thurs 3: Acoustic Music Club, Kirkcaldy Fri 4: Fyvie Folk Club, Aberdeenshire Sat 5: Tin Hut, Gartly, by Huntly Sun 6: Performing Arts Centre, Kilbarchan Mon 7: Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh (with The Crooked Brothers) Tues 8: Dundee Acoustic Music Club Wed 9: HEART, Headingley, Leeds Thurs 10: The Cross Keys, Selattyn Fri 11: The Green Note, London Sat 12: Square & Compass, Worth Matravers Sun 13: The Canteen, Bristol

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Furnace Mountain announce UK tour dates

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At the very forefront of American roots music, having won solid endorsement from their peers and the respect of audiences around the world, it was the album, ‘FIELDS OF FESCUE’ that first won Furnace Mountain a well-deserved share of the media spotlight when it was simultaneously released on both sides of the Atlantic in 2009. After that was followed up in 2012 by the equally well-received CD, THE ROAD TO BERRYVILLE, the band made a huge impact when they toured the UK for the first time. They were such a big hit at Glasgow’s Celtic Connections festival, with 1000 revellers turning out to catch them in action at the city’s Old Fruitmarket, that the BBC included them in the televised highlights from the event. The BBC’s Bob Harris said they were “wonderful” and invited the four-piece to record a studio session for his BBC Radio 2 show. Two years later, they had a sold-out Irish tour and pulled capacity crowds to every venue they visited in the UK too, all stimulated by hugely complimentary reviews. Now, the band is set to return for a much-overdue visit that will include dates in the UK and Ireland, with a brand new album, “SHADOW OF PLENTY.” This time, if anything, the ensemble playing is even more impressive and the instrumental interplay between Danny Knicely and David van Deventer, simply breathtaking. Those signature-sound vocals, and in particular when Aimee Curl and Morgan Morrison join together in sweet harmony, are all that we have come to expect from these outstanding musicians Furnace Mountain Wed Oct 19: Raheen House Hotel, Clonmel, co Tipperary Thurs 20: Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar, Co Mayo Fri 21: Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny, Co Donegal Sat 22: Duncairn Centre for Culture & Arts, Belfast Sun 23: Harbour Arts Centre, Irvine Mon 24: Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh Wed 26: Performing Arts Centre, Kilbarchan Thurs 27: Reeth Memorial Hall, North Yorkshire Fri 28: Royal Native Oyster Stores, Whitstable Sat 29: Square & Compass, Worth Matravers Sun 30: Nest Collective, London Tues Nov 1: Norwich Arts Centre

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The Stray Birds announce UK tour dates

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The Stray Birds, from Pennsylvania, USA, are widely regarded as one of the hottest acts on the roots music scene. When they released their latest album, MAGIC FIRE, produced by three-time Grammy winner Larry Campbell (best known for his work with the likes of Bob Dylan, Levon Helm, Paul Simon, and Willie Nelson), it created a huge impact both in the USA and in Europe. The album shot straight to the Number 1 position on the Billboard Bluegrass Chart and stormed up the Euro Americana Chart too, to reach the Number 9 slot. It was not the first time that the band had made an impression with their recorded work. Their full-length debut, THE STRAY BIRDS was named one of the Top 10 Americana/Folk Releases of 2012 by America’s all-important National Public Radio, but it was their follow-up, BEST MEDICINE, that finally established them as a major force on both sides of the Atlantic. When the band arrives for UK tour dates between October 6 and 22, it will be as a four-piece, with the hugely-talented percussionist Dominic Billett added to the line-up. The Stray Birds tour dates Thurs Oct 6: South Holland Centre, Spalding Fri 7: The Live Room, Caroline Club, Saltaire Sat 8: The Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal Sun 9: Centre for Contemporary Arts, Glasgow Mon 10: Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh Wed 12: The Performing Arts Centre, Kilbarchan Thurs 13: The Tolbooth, Stirling Fri 14: Mareel, Lerwick, Shetland Sat 15: Glenbuchat Hall, Strathdon, Aberdeenshire Sun 16: The Blue Lamp, Aberdeen Tues 18: Norwich Arts Centre Wed 19: The Met Studio, Gatehouse Theatre, Stafford Thurs 20: Bush Hall, London Fri 21: The Bullingdon, Oxford Sat 22: St Peter’s By The Waterfront, Ipswich

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Cam & Jon return for UK tour dates

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When Cam Penner and Jon Wood toured the UK and Ireland in 2015, the reviews were as glowing as the performances and followed them wherever they went. They duo were flown in from their base in Canada for their sold-out headline show at Celtic Connections Festival after winning major TV exposure when tracks from the sensational TO BUILD A FIRE album were chosen as the backdrop to the BBC 2 TV drama based on Iain Banks’ Stonemouth novel. The latest release -SEX & POLITICS – confirmed them as a creative tour de force. Penner has that rare quality – a well-grounded human spirit. In another life he might have been a Shaman. With constant playing companion Jon Wood (a highly respected producer in North America) by his side, percussive elements and layered guitar techniques have added rich texture. Those Shamans also dance around – and beat the drum – sometimes. Cam Penner & Jon Wood tour dates Thurs 17: The Green Note, London Fri 18: The Ropery Hall, Barton on Humber Sat 19: The Convent Club, South Woodchester, Stroud Sun 20: The Canteen, Bristol Mon 21: Kitchen Garden Café, King’s Heath, Birmingham Tues 22: Hideaway Café, Seaton, Devon Wed 23: The Bridge Inn, Topsham Thurs 24: Union at Con Club, Lewes Fri 25: No 8, Launceston Sat 26: Square & Compass, Worth Matravers Sun 27: Pennar Hall, Pembroke Dock Tues 29: Performing Arts Centre, Kilbarchan Wed 30: Admiral Bar, Glasgow Thurs Dec 1: Acoustic Music Club, Kirkcaldy Fri 2: The Blue Lamp, Aberdeen Sat 3: Private function, Aberdeenshire Sun 4: The Bothy, Glenbuchat, Strathdon Mon 5: Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh

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Bob Cheevers' announces UK tour dates

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Wed 1st Feb 2017 Julian Lewry’s Concert Series St. John’s Church St. John’s Street Farncombe, Godalming Surrey GU7 3EJ Thurs 2nd Feb 2017 The Platform Tavern Town Quay Southhampton SO14 2NY Fri 3rd Feb 2017 The Crown and Scepter 2 Petitor Rd St Marychurch, Torquay TQ1 4QA Sat 4th Feb 2017 Square and Compass Worth Matravers, Swanage Dorset BH1 93LF Sun 5th Feb 2017 TwickFolk Cabbage Patch Pub 67 London Road, Twickenham Middlesex TW1 3SZ Tues 7th Feb 2017 The Olde Forge Coffee Shop St Andrews Lane Cranford, Kettering NN14 4JE Wed 8th Feb 2017 The Green Note 106 Parkway London NW1 7AN Fri 8th Feb 2017 Fiona Donovan’s House Concert Sat 11th Feb 2017 Queenshead in Belper 29 Chesterfield Rd, Belper Derbyshire DE56 1FF Wed 15th Feb 2017 The Mill Chantry Lane, Towcester, NN12 6AD Thurs 16th Feb 2017 The Donkey with Chris Conway 203 Welford Road Leicester LE2 6BH Fri 17th Feb 2017 The Highfield 5 Highland Road, Beverley HU17 9QN England Sat 18th Feb 2017 The Tap St Johns 10 Queens Road, Hull, HU5 2PY Sun 19th Feb 2017 Rose And Crown Hill Street South Shields Tyne and Wear NE33 1RN Mon 20th Feb 2017 String Theory Heart of Hawick, Tower Mill, Kirkstile Tues 21st Feb 2017 Backstage at the Green Hotel in Kinross The Bungalow Windlestrae The Muirs Kinross Ky13 8AS. Thurs 23rd Feb 2017 Dave McNamara house concert 11 Edradour Terrace Perth, PH1 3GQ Fri 24th Feb 2017 Berits & Brown 2 Parklands Eurocentral near Coatbridge ML1 4WQ Sat 25th Feb 2017 Greyfriers 15 South Street Perth PH2 8PG Sun 26th Feb 2017 Murry and Adriana’s house concert

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Bob Cheevers' to release 5-disc box-set called FIFTY YEARS

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Celebrating his 50th year as a songwriter with over 3,000 songs to his credit, Bob Cheevers’ 5-disc, box-set retrospective is appropriately called FIFTY YEARS. It spans half a century of his writing covering 10 genres featuring 83 songs culled from his 10 previous CDs along with unreleased master recordings that have been gathering dust in his vault for decades. After college in his R&B flavored hometown of Memphis, he spent 25 years on the West Coast in the Pop field followed by 16 years as a journeyman writer in Nashville. His creative road then led him to what he describes as his “wonderful life in Austin”. After only 3 years in Austin and on the heels of his TALL TEXAS TALES CD, produced by Texas Music Legends Hall Of Fame member Stephen Doster, Bob was awarded the 2011 “Texas Music Awards “Singer/Songwriter Of The Year”. His half-century journey included winning an Emmy, opening for Johnny Cash and touring Europe and the UK for a dozen years; all of which earned him the respect of his peers world-wide. FIFTY YEARS is a celebration of his musical gifts that resulted in this career achievement. Howlin’ Dog Records is proud to include Bob in a lineup of artists who’s art tops their list of best intentions. FIFTY YEARS is an extremely unique and comprehensive look at the creativity of a man who has never taken his eye off the ball. The long list of great artists he has shared stages with, his massive catalogue and the way his songs glide seamlessly from one genre to another speak to his versatility as a story teller whose rootsy, blues-flavored songs spin tales of life in a conversational language of the heart. Bob modestly calls FIFTY YEARS his masterpiece.

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Tickets for Shakin’ Stevens’ biggest ever UK tour on sale now

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Shakin’ Stevens is to embark on his biggest ever UK tour visiting 33 towns and cities across England, Scotland and Wales in spring 2017. The announcement coincides with the release ofhis critically acclaimed 12th studio album ECHOES OF OUR TIMES, a surprising record on which blues, roots, Americana and classic rock take centre stage as Shaky explores his mysterious and intriguing family history. The ECHOES OF OUR TIMES tour will see the UK’s biggest-selling artist of a decade hit the road from Easter next year with the opening night on Saturday April 15 in Carlisle. Shaky will then travel the length and breadth of the country, including London’s Shepherds Bush Empire on 2nd May, before ending the tour on the 28th May. With 33 hit singles and four UK No. 1s to his name, the Platinum-selling entertainer and performer will be exciting his audiences as he performs new tracks from ECHOES OF OUR TIMES, along with classic hits, and a few surprises. Speaking about the tour announcement Shaky said: “I can’t wait to get back on the road, and introduce the songs from ‘ECHOES OF OUR TIMES’ to people who have seen me perform in the past, and those who have not.”

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