North-East BCers' help needed

[BottomEndian]

Here's a question for the Geordies and Northumbrians (and mebbes the Mackems too).

I've been rehearsing with an acoustic-guitar-toting singer/songwriter, and we're at the stage where we want to start getting some performances under the belt. Just us: acoustic guitar, electric bass and vocals. Trouble is, being from a background of noisy, chunky, heavy riffage, I know nothing about which venues/promoters/nights in and around Newcastle would be suitable for this sort of mellow, acoustic melancholy. (And I don't live in the Toon any more, so I'm even more out of touch.)

Any locals got any good suggestions for acoustic nights or venues/promoters that usually host this sort of thing?

NOTE: It's definitely [i]not[/i] folk music, and I doubt we'd get on with a "proper" folk night. Myspace seems to be having a little hissy fit at the moment, but when it's back up you can [url="http://www.myspace.com/tallieadams"]take a listen here[/url] (without bass, obviously -- Natalie recorded those demos on her own last year).

Edited August 28, 2010 by BottomEndian

[wateroftyne]

Hello!

Nice tunes!

OK... there's LOADS of acoustic open mics in town and at the coast, and a massive, lively scene in general. Some of the best folks to get in touch with are Simma at the acoustic circus:

[url="http://www.tynesidemusicians.com/AcousticCircus.html"]http://www.tynesidemusicians.com/AcousticCircus.html[/url] / [url="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=77023485440&ref=ts"]http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=77023485440&ref=ts[/url]

...and the folks at Acoustic Magic (ignore the out-of-date website):

[url="http://www.acoustic-magic.com"]http://www.acoustic-magic.com[/url] / [url="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=77023485440&ref=ts"]http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=77023485440&ref=ts[/url]

They have regular nights, showcases, etc. Once you're in with these, you'll have your finger on the pulse!

Let me know how you get on...

[BottomEndian]

Michael, you're a legend. I'll get some balls rolling.

I notice the Acoustic Circus website (on the "Info for Performers" page) mentions that it "excludes" electric bass. This is the sort of thing I've been wondering about... does anybody [i]really[/i] exclude electric basses? Even if you took along an electro-acoustic, you'd still have to plug it in to compete.

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='938862' date='Aug 28 2010, 04:08 PM']...and the folks at Acoustic Magic (ignore the out-of-date website)[/quote]
Lord, you ain't kiddin'! "NEXT GIG: 30th November 1999" To get there, meet us at the time-machine outside Haymarket Metro. Come wearing a Global Hypercolor t-shirt.

[cd_david]

Hi Owain,

Chris Anderson (promotes head of steam and a few local venues (anyone for tennis))

Adam Cooper, local acoustic musician (check out my facebook)

John Egdall, Acoustic musician/promoter facebook but try Ross Lewis's think he may be on mine?

Amy Wardley Promotes acoustic nights (Whos mic is it) AGAIN my facebook

Theres always the Jumpin Hot Club Promoters from Cluney who do some great international acts who always need support and me and Ross do PAs for, Guy who runs them is called graham,

And Thomas Bagnell (ex student) runs bookings at cluney with opportunities as above

Good luck

Dave

[skej21]

The Bridge Hotel also like their Acoustic acts! (Or at least they did a few years ago when I used to gig on that scene!) Try there

[BottomEndian]

[quote name='cd_david' post='938915' date='Aug 28 2010, 05:49 PM']Chris Anderson (promotes head of steam and a few local venues (anyone for tennis))

Adam Cooper, local acoustic musician (check out my facebook)

John Egdall, Acoustic musician/promoter facebook but try Ross Lewis's think he may be on mine?

Amy Wardley Promotes acoustic nights (Whos mic is it) AGAIN my facebook

Theres always the Jumpin Hot Club Promoters from Cluney who do some great international acts who always need support and me and Ross do PAs for, Guy who runs them is called graham,

And Thomas Bagnell (ex student) runs bookings at cluney with opportunities as above[/quote]

Thanks, Dave. Looks like I need to add you as a friend on Facebook...

[BottomEndian]

[quote name='skej21' post='938934' date='Aug 28 2010, 06:19 PM']The Bridge Hotel also like their Acoustic acts! (Or at least they did a few years ago when I used to gig on that scene!) Try there [/quote]
Ah, yeah. I'd forgotten about them. I remember looking in when I was trying to find venues to gig in a few years back. I think their policy was "no drums, no distortion, no feedback"... not much good for the stoner-doom stuff I was playing at the time. Might have more luck this time!

[skej21]

[quote name='BottomEndian' post='938978' date='Aug 28 2010, 07:14 PM']Ah, yeah. I'd forgotten about them. I remember looking in when I was trying to find venues to gig in a few years back. I think their policy was "no drums, no distortion, no feedback"... not much good for the stoner-doom stuff I was playing at the time. Might have more luck this time![/quote]

Last time I played there the set-up did not include drums, but we had a big PA rig and every member of the band was either mic'd, playing with a pick-up or DI'd from an amp in it, so they are pretty reasonable. REALLY nice venue to play too, good atmosphere and good space (maybe a bit small, but you want intimate gigs for acoustic stuff )

Edited August 28, 2010 by skej21

[BottomEndian]

[quote name='skej21' post='938991' date='Aug 28 2010, 07:39 PM']Last time I played there the set-up did not include drums, but we had a big PA rig and every member of the band was either mic'd, playing with a pick-up or DI'd from an amp in it, so they are pretty reasonable. REALLY nice venue to play too, good atmosphere and good space (maybe a bit small, but you want intimate gigs for acoustic stuff )[/quote]
Excellent! Good to know.