Audlem Music Scene: Part 4

Ian Haughey continues his reflective tour of Audlem's music scene starting today with one of his favourite bands:

The Rainband

One Band for 2012 for me was The Rainband. Martin Finnigan is an extraordinary person, fronting a great band, through an extraordinary and emotional year for them all, our paths crossed many times, from the Lord C, Triumph Live and Manchester and following their exploits in Italy. Supporting a cause for a young, engaging Italian motorcyclist who lost his life in 2011, Marco Simoncelli.

On the same day Manchester City had beaten Manchester United 6-1, halfway across the world in a MotoGp race Marco lost his life. Significance for a City supporter as Finny and a United fan as myself? I had watched the MotoGp earlier in the day unlike Finny who arrived home after the match to the news of Simoncelli's death.

Both of us felt little relevance for the result in our own way's that day, but it inspired Finny to write a song that was later adopted to support the Simoncelli Foundation set up by Marco's family – 'Rise Again'. That song has travelled the world as did a signed fender in support of the foundation and raised significant funds that will go to good use. I had met Simoncelli a year earlier in 2011 at the Mugello GP, sat in the race paddock and though significantly younger than me, was taken by his openness to the extent it was like I'd known him all his life such was the man.

The Folkwits

Across to my local pub to watch local musicians Kel Brammer and Dave Nettleton playing at the Lord C. I buy a drink or two, I meet friends and I get to listen to one of the most talked about acts from Nantwich Jazz and Blues weekend, The Folkwits.

I witnessed a performance that was more amazing, entertaining and involving than you thought possible for a pub gig. Such harmonies, controlled playing, and a more heartfelt performance could you want to witness, it was sensational.

The Folkwits hit another level, and for one who has seen them from day one, the level of performance if you had seen it on Jools Holland you'd rush to your laptop to download the album from iTunes! Seriously brilliant, and you did not have to watch it on your telly, the downside for those that missed it is that it's not on catchup, but just ask anyone who was there, you'd wish you had been.

Blues Boy Dan

Remember how Jim Kirkpatrick captivated audiences with his great guitar playing and magic with the blues at an early age, well say hello to Blues Boy Dan. Blues Boy Dan, a young talent, came on a wave of top reviews, having started out playing guitar at 13, Dan's career has gone from strength to strength supporting the likes of Paul Jones, Dave Kelly and The Blues Band. 

Bagpipe and Hurdy Gurdy Day

Who can forget the 15th Audlem Bagpipe and Hurdy Gurdy Day at the Bridge Inn. Always a fascinating afternoon of musical bewilderment, a mixture of what can only be described as folk roots and beyond.

And many more

The likes of Darren Poyzer, Roydan Styles, Kevin Farrell, Nick Bayes, Rook and the Ravens, Tap the Keg, to name a few, also graced Audlem with their talent, live and for nothing more than walking in to your local. Don't get me wrong here, I am just amazed that given the level of the quality of talent that play here we do not see more people attending the events.

Ian Haughey concludes his week-long review of local music tomorrow.

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