Acoustic Club Information

Wednesday 25th August 2021

The Horn at the Half Moon
31 North Street, Bishop's Stortford. CM23 2LD

Hello Acoustic Clubbers

It is a brilliant occasion when we can welcome back one of the clubs founders Drew Bonnington and the incomparable BLUES INC
It seems such a long time ago that we were able to have the full fury of our local band blasting out their unique brand of music.

Dave Denny has been in touch and he tells us that due to the Covid situation St Clares Hospice is struggling with fund raising. Which in itself does not cause any surprise. The Hospice Network has been hamstrung over the past 18 months as it has been impossible to raise any money through the normal participation events. These event result in the necessary donations that help to keep them running. To try to assist in fund raising Dave has sent us some copies of his latest album, which was recorded live at the Acoustic Club. The Album is a real treat for the ears and at £5.00 is a bargains. 100% of the monies raised from this and Dave's previous 3 Albums have all been donated to St Claires over the years

Finally let me just remind you of the first of our Concert Evenings on 15th September

Bill

25th August 2021

BLUES INC 

For many years I have been introducing Blues Inc as Stortford Premier Boy Band. In fact, they are a very talented group of musicians who have progressed through Blues and into much, much more. They appear as a Duo, Trio, Quartet or Quintet and seem to move so effortlessly between the line ups. Not only do they play the blues (Chicago Electric, Delta Blues in fact any type genre or area of blues) but they have expanded their repertoire to modern classics and self-penned songs as well. It is a real delight to welcome them back to the Long Room for a much anticipated Headline Showcase.
 

We have a comprehensive list of support artists

As usual doors open at 8.30, music starts at 9.00pm. Blues Inc will take to the stage at about 10.30 and we should finish at around 11.00pm.

Admission, as ever, is £5 on the door (cash only please we are still in the dark ages!) 

ALBUM RELEASE
"Last Drop of Empty"

Dave Sutherland returns for a special concert Americana Country show at the Acoustic Club as Part 1 of his 2 Night Stand Tour  to showcase songs from his new album 'Last Drop of Empty.'

Recorded in LA, Sweden, Jersey and London, ‘Last Drop of Empty’ is produced by the Grammy award winning Producer, Stacy Parrish and legendary Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna bass player, Jack Casady. Jack also plays bass on the album. The CD will be exclusively for sale after the show. He'll also be playing your classic favorites and may even take a few requests! 

Dave's long anticipated return to Stortford is a real coup for many reasons. Firstly Dave is happy to come to Stortford to launch his latest project. Secondly the new album has been delayed by the obvious effects of Covid. We can however promise that we can say with real certainty there will be something new about Dave's performance.

Tickets are now available at the Horns Ticket Website for £9.00 including booking fees or £10 on the door.

To find out more about Dave and his music you can go to his website TheDaveSutherland.co.uk
 

WHATS ON SOON

8th SEPTEMBER 6 X 4 Night
We now have our line up for 8th September complete. A Real Treat in store and we are delighted that we will welcome three new acts to listen to and three regualrs we are pleased to welcome back

                              Cider at Yours               Paul Booth with Si Lee on bass
                              Jenny Salmon               SYN
                              Cut The Mustard           The Maystones
 

CONCERT NIGHT
15^th SEPTEMBER    DAVE SUTHERLAND

Dave will be playing an extended set to support the launch of his new album. This is the long awaited fourth album by Dave and all indications are that it is sure to be as good as his previous work. To find out about his previous albums and music just  <<click here>> for his website. 

Dave has developed his own newsletter which will keep you not only up to date with his gigs, also will qualify his readers to special offers. To join the Dave Sutherland mailing list  <<<CLICK HERE>>>

22nd SEPTEMBER ANNA WELLS and 8 Floor spots
Anna is an artist we have seen from the first nervous steps to the accomplished performer. A musician and writer who is destined to move ever onwards and upwards. Her first Album is Circles  is an easy-listening, quasi classical-crossover pop album. Some mellow tunes and some definite foot-tappers. Vocal clarity and mixed arrangements featuring mellifluous saxophone hooks, smooth bass lines and tasteful drum grooves. Something here for everyone.

6^th OCTOBER SHERI KERSHAW BAND and 8 Floor spots
The Sheri Kershaw Band have made regular appearances over the years at the Long Room and they are always great value. Sheri is a one off, with a style that is unique. Singer, Songwriter and Band Leader, the SKB sets are always original and worth a careful listen. They are just so good!

20^th OCTOBER 6 Acts x 4 Songs
Line up to be announced

27^th OCTOBER TENNESSEE TWIN and 8 Floor spots
Tonight’s supporting acts are our Young Players
Tennessee Twin are a skilful acoustic duo playing original modern country music from their base in Cambridge, UK. Their original songs have quickly caught the admiration of British country audiences, blending memorable melodies, gritty yet thoughtful lyrics and delicious harmonies. Keren Morall - country commentator and podcast host, said of Tennessee Twin ‘These guys are exceptional. The emotion they bring with their songs is undeniable. Their story telling is second to none.

<<WHATS ON SOON>>

LAST TIME

Returning to the Acoustic Club was the original talent that is Terry Hiscock.
Terry is one of those players who just gets better and better, year after year. He has appeared over the years in various guises but his most seminal is him, his voice and his guitar doing what he does best. Singing songs and entertaining his audience with his stories and his reminiscences.

The consummate professional, Terry remains a major draw in any acoustic circle. He writes, sings and sometimes interprets songs in a style that is ever so exactly Terry Hiscock.

Terry was planning to appear with his life long friend and playing partner Roger Trevitt. Unfortunately Roger has been under the weather and it was a great shame to miss him. I am sure we will see him soon and we all wish him a speedy recovery.
 
We had brilliant support acts in the shape of Steve Warner and Phil Sheldrake, Scarlet Thomas supported by Tom Ryder, Tom Ryder supported by Greg Camburn, Joe Hazell, Eleanor Hewins and the incomparable Mike Happenin' Boy & Grant Howard

Many thanks to all our players and especial thanks to Carl who so ably stood in for Rob on the Sound Desk while he is on holiday.
 

Full details of the support acts can be found at the Website by clicking <<<HERE>>>

COVID COMMONSENSE AND THE HORNS

In conjunction with our Landlords please read the following information from them. It just makes sense!

Following the announcement by HM Government that all legal restrictions for social contact measures will be lifted from Monday 19 July. It's been 16 very long months since our last gig without any restrictions, and we can't wait to welcome everyone back to gigs without social contact restrictions, and we will continue to make them as safe as we possibly can. Covid isn't going away anytime soon and we are committed to keeping everyone - you, our team members, our crew and all the artists, safe. We see this as a partnership with you, our friends and our community, to try to keep everyone safe from the risk of Covid infection. So please read these...

Six ways to enjoy a safe visit to The Horn at the Half Moon.

1. Please don't come if you have Covid symptoms, or believe you may have been exposed to infection. If you are suffering from Covid symptoms or fear you may be an infection risk and therefore shouldn't attend, we will be able to offer you a refund for your ticket.

2. Before coming to one of our events, we recommend that you do everything you can to make sure that you personally are not infectious. You can do this by:
-Getting vaccinated
-Taking a lateral flow test
-Registering that you are immune (due to previous Covid infection)

To be clear; we don't believe that we should operate a policy of excluding you from our venue because you haven't done those things. We will NOT be operating a certification or passport model to enter our shows. There are lots of reasons to not do this, not least the large numbers of people who have not had the opportunity for both vaccines and vulnerable people who cannot be vaccinated. But you, personally, can make sure you aren't adding to anyone's risk by keeping your record of immunity up to date, getting vaccinated when you are able and taking a free lateral flow test before you come. No one is forcing you to do this. We are just asking you to be kind and thoughtful and do it for the safety of everyone else and for our team members.

3. Some of our team members will be wearing face coverings during events. They are doing this because face coverings work. We aren't going to have a big social media debate with anyone about it, wearing a face covering inside an enclosed space like OUR VENUE reduces the risk of direct droplet transmission, so our team members may choose to wear them. If you want to reduce your contribution to the risk of droplet transmission, you can choose to wear a mask whenever you like during the event.

No one will force you to wear a mask, you can be kind and thoughtful and choose to wear one when it isn't inconvenient. If you are vulnerable, we strongly recommend that you wear a mask if you are able, and avoid close contact with gig goers who have chosen not to wear a mask.

4. The Half Moon is an intimate venue and whilst the operating margins for our events are very tight we will be reducing the number of tickets we sell for gigs to allow for increased comfort when in attendance. If at any point you don’t feel comfortable with being in an enclosed space with multiple people without restrictions please let a member of our team know. We also ask that you consider that other audience members may be anxious about returning to these environments, please help us ensure that everyone’s experience is as safe and enjoyable as it can be.

5. Service from the bar will return, however due to the great feedback that you’ve given we will continue to offer service using the app to order food and drink directly to your table. We are also planning to have collection points on the bars including collection only in the venue bar on all shows.

6. We will be deep cleaning the building very regularly including wiping down all surfaces. There are hand sanitiser stations around the building, and we ask you to please play your part in keeping the building clean from contact risk by regularly washing your hands and using the sanitiser.

We are a Grassroots Music Venue, we are also a community. Please always think of the safety of others and look after yourself at the same time.

TO ALL OUR PLAYERS

Before we were so rudely interrupted we were just about full with players for about 3 months, so it will probably take some time to get everyone back into the swing of booking to play in advance.

The truth is that we are all really keen to get started, none as keen as our regular players, our special friends and some outstanding artists who are on tour or promoting new music!

We need to appeal to you all to contact Geoff to restart our evenings in the proper manner. If you would like to play let us know as soon as possible.

To help identify the evenings we are running and whats on please click the link below

Acoustic Club Programme to December 2021