RSS feedPosts Tagged ‘shepherds bush empire’
From bus songs to Movember tashes; Bellowhead know how to throw a party
Posted on November 22nd, 2011 in Songlines Blog by Sophie Atkinson.
As it may or may not be apparent, we here at Songlines are a tad biased towards one particular big, rollicking, bouncing, British folk band – Bellowhead.
And last Thursday night, they unleashed their seemingly endless supply of energy on the packed-out Shepherd’s Bush Empire. During the evening, the 11-piece showcased their own take on traditional folk songs (mainly on the subjects of whiskey, prostitutes and, erm, whiskey), including several from last year’s Hedonism, which the band announced on the night has just earned them their first silver disc, having sold 60,000 copies.
As always, the band were on stupendous form and demonstrated their usual, unique camaraderie between songs – with lead singer Jon Boden explaining to the audience that “traditional folk songs” means that they were “written by God.” There was also the usual instrument swapping and morris dancing, while John ‘Squeezy’ Spiers sported a very dapper ‘Movember’ moustache.
For a further insight into the hilarious, if not slightly concerning, antics keeping the band occupied while on tour, be sure to check out their ‘Bus Song a Day’ videos on Youtube…
All photos courtesy of Liam Smith
Gurrumul plays for one night only at Shepherds Bush Empire in London
Posted on October 28th, 2009 in World Music by Songlines.
Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu’s star has risen fast. A blind singer and guitarist born on Elcho Island of the coast of Arnhem Land in Australia’s Northern Territory, he cut his teeth with Australia’s most famous Aboriginal band, Yothu Yindi, before going on to found his own, the Saltwater Band.
His 2008 solo debut release Gurrumul lead to rave reviews around the world, being hailed as a milestone in Australian recording history. A modest and retiring man, he has since been nominated for four awards at the ARIA (Australian Recording Industry Association) music awards, hit the top of the Official UK World Music Album Chart, and become something of an international figurehead for his people.
On November 8, he appears for one night only at London’s O2 Empire in Shepherd’s Bush, supported by world music fusionists Worldfly, as part of a European tour taking him to Germany, Holland, Belgium, France and Ireland.
Buy tickets online at www.livenation.co.uk or call 0844 576 5483 (24 hours)
