Acoustic Club Information

Wednesday 24th November 2021

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

Hello Acoustic Clubbers

After the wonderful Jo Ash accompanied by Mike Wheatley we spoil you with a superb line up for this weeks 6 acts with an extended 4 song set

Mark your diary with the Retune Concert on 5th December, Chris Rivett's Christmas Spectacular at the Dog and Duck on Monday 13th December. The usual fun and frolics are assured with an entry qualification for each player to bring along a Christmas Song -  Be prepared for not hearing White Christmas or Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer!!

Bill

24th November 2021
6 Acts 4 Songs

This week we are delighted to bring 6 incredibly varied and top quality players to entertain, amuse and enthrall you. The extended sets that are available during these evenings are eagerly anticipated by our players. Many clubs and music nights offer 2 song spots but we love to give artists the opportunity to not only share the limelight but develop their set.Four songs allow the players to demonstrate their versatility and creativity.

This week we are delighted to welcome

Cider at Yours.
What can be said about this very local duo that has not been said before? They are one of the finest purveyors of Musical Magnificence that can be found (well certainly in Hertfordshire). Richard and Becky produce a unique sound whether they are delivering a self-penned original or a cover version of someone else’s song with their stamp very firmly on it. Their music is personal, sometimes amusing but always compelling and it is great to welcome them back to the Acoustic Club.

Geoff Carne 
Geoff treats every audience to his unique way of looking at things and his view is reflected in the songs he plays. He is a real troubadour of the old school being part of a tradition of observational songs which are just spot on. It is always a pleasure to welcome him back to Stortford and the Long Room

Tom Ryder
Tom wears so many hats at times it is difficult to remember that despite his musical associations (of which there are many) he remains a stand out singer/songwriter. With many recordings and so many live performances under his belt he will always find that perfect song for the occasion. He is also the leading light of RETUNE and leads the way spreading the word and using music to help so many young people across not only our locality but spreading farther and wider.

Mark Gamon
Mark is another one of those players who seems to pop up everywhere - with good cause. He is a talented song writer, plays a pretty mean guitar, a fine singer and a born collaborator. We shall see him in a couple of weeks with one of his other musical venture Thursdays Band but tonight, just Mark, his guitar and his songs

Terry Hiscock
How do you start to explain the wealth of talent that is Terry? The principal singer and songwriter with 70's Electro-Folk-Rock band Hunter Muskett now enjoying a well deserved revival, Terry is a sought after solo performer in his own right. He manages to find songs, music and arrangements that compliment his outstanding ability and every performance is a treat

Linda Moylan
Linda comes to make her first appearance at the Acoustic Club on the strong recommendation of Ian and Del of Crayon Angels. In fact the recommendation comes so strongly that they are providing the musical back up for her. Linda brings her reputation as an original artist with some fantastic collaborations in the past. She performed and recorded with the late and very great Julie Felix. 
Off the Record music blog stated "Linda is an amazing vocalist with a great command…if you haven’t heard Linda before then fix that mistake now.” We get that opportunity this week

As usual doors open at 8.30, music starts at 9.00pm and we should finish at around 11.00pm.

Admission is £5 on the door  and as ever all players are guaranteed free admission 

Please remember we are cash only as we are still in the financial dark ages! 

Last time we welcomed back to the Long Room the individual talent that is Jo Ash. Jo was supported by her long time collaborator, writing partner and guitarist Mike Wheatley. 
During lock down Jo has expanded not only her musical horizons but also, in some part her musicality. She has developed her talent in producing music to such a level that she is able to record and produce her music. There is nothing as worthwhile as self producing music. There are no compromises and the music sounds exactly as the artist envisages it when writing and performing.

Jo's latest EP's are reviewed on the Acoustic Club website, but they are very much worth listening to. Her unique style and performance were, as ever,a mastery of music that is so emphatically Jo Ash.

Many thanks to Jo and Mike for a Headline Showcase that was a treat for everyone.

Support was provided by
Bill Tarran
Pete Croft
Chris Rivett
Greg Camburn
The Maystone
Joe Clack
 

WHATS ON SOON

8^th DECEMBER   THURSDAY’S BAND and 8 Floor spots

One of the UK’s most intriguing acoustic bands - a unique combination of guitars and strings bringing to life intelligent original songwriting. Their repertoire has been described as spine-tingling, spellbinding, and ‘the most beautiful music I’ve heard in years’. 
Coming from an eclectic background that includes folk, country, blues, cajun and orchestral music, the band includes Mark Gamon (guitar, vocals and songs); Matt Kelly (fiddle, viola, mandolin, vocals and songs); Rhys Wilson (guitar and vocals); and Abby Wollston (cello). 
Thursday’s Band have released two full albums, and are available from www.clunkandrattle.com and www.thursdaysband.bandcamp.com

22^nd DECEMBER    Christmas Special
This week is a fund raiser for our favorite local good cause

Bill Tarran, Jono, Blues Inc and Tom Ryder, Joe Hazel and Greg Camburn
A cracking night of live music is planned with three Bands given a full 30 minute spot
Mince Pies and fancies with all profits from the evening going to help with the most worthy of causes.

WHAT A WAY TO FINISH THE SEASON!!!!!

For further details and advanced notice of next years plans find out by clicking the link below

<<WHATS ON SOON>>

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
DIARY OF EVENINGS UNTIL JULY 22
 

The New Year is fast approaching and having confirmed the dates with the Management of the Horns, we are now finalising our plans for next year.

If you would like to be considered for any of the dates and would like to confirm a date, please contact Geoff (acousticclubstortford@gmail.com) as soon as possible.

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

Acoustic Club Programme to July 2022