Andrea Kenney/Sariah Carter/Be-cky/Jimi Strange

ANDREA KENNEY/SARIAH CARTER/BE-CKY/
JIMI STRANGE

Duffys 31st July 2025

What a fabulous night this was at Duffy's Bar... huge thank to Duffys for hosting it and to Andrea Kenny for putting it on... a wonderful evening of varied acoustic music which totally thrilled and delighted the crowd.

First up was a new name to me, Jimi Strange. Anyone who kicks off with songs by Rory Gallagher and Steve Earle is alright by me... but more than that, Jimi dlivered terrific versions of both. Jimi is a great, strong guitar player with a terrific voice to match, strong and clear and very expressive... he also gave us a further cover (Pearl Jam?) and a terrific original song... superb set to open the evening, thoroughly enjoyed it.

Next up, a more familiar name Be Cky. As always Be cky was full of life and charm and delivered a set of her own more upbeat material... She has a great voice with a built in smile and it is impossible not to enjoy her work... Her songs are uniquely Be cky... always entertaining and at times sassy!... Great set as always..

Third up another new name to me.... Sariah Carter... remember the name, we will be seeing and hearing a lot of her as she develops her career... at times she seemed a tad nervous between songs, but once she started playing she was full of assurance and grabbed the whole audience with a great voice and a bunch of her own superb songs... a high quality talent and really still in her apprenticeship... excellent.

Last up was Andrea Kenny who played the four songs from her forthcoming acoustic album... and although new songs they delivered exactly what you would expect from Andrea.. brilliant songs and a flawless performance of passion, energy and huge quality... Andrea's voice is superb.. so powerful and expressive. If you haven't experienced the power and energy of an Andrea Kenney performance you are missing something rather special... absolutely tremendous.

After a short break all four stepped up for a further short set, Jimi gave us three original songs... very original, displaying not only the depth of his earlier song, but also a somewhat lighter

touches...

Be cky of course delighted again with another great set, including one quieter more emotional piece which she delivered with equal quality.

Sariah played more original material cementing the view that she is a star in the making before Andrea returned to do one request, "Blackbird", before inviting the others back on stage to join her in a last song... they performed this from the floor of the room totally acoustically with Andrea singing and playing guitar, Be cky adding some lovely harmonies and Jimi playing the delicate high class lead guitar work.

A truly wonderful evening and i'm sure the entire audience loved it as much as I did... one off the best nights... as I've said before Leicester is so rich in musical talent

Again huge thanks to Duffy's Bar for hosting these events, to Andrea for putting this show on an for her superb set and last and by no means least, the sound man (Russ?)... the sound was as always immaculate from start to finish

Keep music live... keep music real... support your local venues and artists

What a fabulous night this was at Duffy's Bar... huge thank to Duffys for hosting it and to Andrea Kenny for putting it on... a wonderful evening of varied acoustic music which totally thrilled and delighted the crowd.

First up was a new name to me, Jimi Strange. Anyone who kicks off with songs by Rory Gallagher and Steve Earle is alright by me... but more than that, Jimi dlivered terrific versions of both. Jimi is a great, strong guitar player with a terrific voice to match, strong and clear and very expressive... he also gave us a further cover (Pearl Jam?) and a terrific original song... superb set to open the evening, thoroughly enjoyed it.

Next up, a more familiar name Be Cky. As always Be cky was full of life and charm and delivered a set of her own more upbeat material... She has a great voice with a built in smile and it is impossible not to enjoy her work... Her songs are uniquely Be cky... always entertaining and at times sassy!... Great set as always..

Third up another new name to me.... Sariah Carter... remember the name, we will be seeing and hearing a lot of her as she develops her career... at times she seemed a tad nervous between songs, but once she started playing she was full of assurance and grabbed the whole audience with a great voice and a bunch of her own superb songs... a high quality talent and really still in her apprenticeship... excellent.

Last up was Andrea Kenny who played the four songs from her forthcoming acoustic album... and although new songs they delivered exactly what you would expect from Andrea.. brilliant songs and a flawless performance of passion, energy and huge quality... Andrea's voice is superb.. so powerful and expressive. If you haven't experienced the power and energy of an Andrea Kenney performance you are missing something rather special... absolutely tremendous.

After a short break all four stepped up for a further short set, Jimi gave us three original songs... very original, displaying not only the depth of his earlier song, but also a somewhat lighter

touches...

Be cky of course delighted again with another great set, including one quieter more emotional piece which she delivered with equal quality.

Sariah played more original material cementing the view that she is a star in the making before Andrea returned to do one request, "Blackbird", before inviting the others back on stage to join her in a last song... they performed this from the floor of the room totally acoustically with Andrea singing and playing guitar, Be cky adding some lovely harmonies and Jimi playing the delicate high class lead guitar work.

A truly wonderful evening and i'm sure the entire audience loved it as much as I did... one off the best nights... as I've said before Leicester is so rich in musical talent

Again huge thanks to Duffy's Bar for hosting these events, to Andrea for putting this show on an for her superb set and last and by no means least, the sound man (Russ?)... the sound was as always immaculate from start to finish

Keep music live... keep music real... support your local venues and artists

Bellatones/TutTu Tango/Olly E/Jack Godsell

BELLATONES/TUTU TANGO/OLLY E/JACK GODSELL

Duffys 24th July 2025

I love these monthly evenings Luke puts on showcasing local talent (equally love the same events put on by Chris and Kevin)... it is truly amazing how many talented musicians there are around here!!

Thursday night show was a hugely varied and interesting line up... two new to me acts, one familiar name in a different guise and one very familiar name headlining...

So, first up was Jack Godsell... Jack plays heavy metal guitar over a backing track... but what a hell of a player he is!!... to use a phrase "he can play guitar just like a-ring a bell". Jack plays with huge enthusiasm, notes cascading from his guitar and his ability is simply awesome... his hair and beard, along with the superb metal guitar palying took me back to more innocent times... nothing wrong in that!... I must admit metal isn't my sort of genre, but i did enjoy the set, the enthusiasm and his total ability made it a fine set.

Next up was Olly E... I am more accustomed to seeing Olly E solo, but he fits into the band format with ease and style. A three piece rock band using a backing track, which was not intrusive and didnt deflect from the excellent live musicians, but added some nice fills and background. The playing of the whole band is crisp and tight and Olly has a great strong voice for rock music... and he and the band played with confidence and great authority... excellent set.

Next up was another totally new to me act, Tutu Tango... and I am not sure how to describe them... a duo with one member playing guitar and bass, the other playing keyboard, synth and laptop... and they played with a backing track including a female vocalist...

The music is electronics based and delivered very well... I believe this was their first gig for a year or so, and maybe that showed.. the music and electronics seemed very technically complex and i feel required the musicians full concentration... and that was maybe the problem for me... there was no room for connecting with the audience or any sign of animation... i was longing to see them actually have a vocalist on stage rather than on a backing track to give the music life.

I am sure the guys are talented at what they do... and did it very well... but this is just not for me... i'm sorry guys, i just didnt enjoy it at all.

Last up... the excellent Bellatones... also difficult to quantify, but a top notch band... a fairly traditional line up of drums/bass/guitar/keyboards but also featuring fiddle and flute/clarinet... giving a rich overall sound and raising them above the crowd in terms of individuality, and ability!... sadly as a 7-piece the keyboard player couldn't fit on the stage and set up on the floor by the side... yet this didnt in any way distract or detract.

The band are fine musicians and the fiddle player a fine lead vocalist while the flautist and guitarist add excellent second and backing vocals... I guess the music is poppy/rocky with the added spice of the fiddle and wind intruments... it merges into a great sound, especially when delivered with such great ability and vibrancy... absolutely loved the set and hope to see them again soon...

Keep music live... keep music real... support your local venues and artists

Otway & Barratt

JOHN OTWAY & WILD WILLY BARRATT

IAC 18th July 2025

Barmpots... totally english eccentric barmpots... an absolute treat to see the incredible @john Otway and Wild Willy Barrett back at the International Arts Centre... You know exactly what you are going to get with this pair... probably know the set!!... a couple of hours frantic music, madcap comedy, bizarre songs and dances and a truly wonderful evening.

As we arrived the stage was set... Otways guitar and theramin on one side, Barratt's battery of stringed instruments and bagpuss pipes hanging ready on the rail on the other side....

Otway appears on stage from behind the curtains in the centre holding a couple of pints aloft, while Barratt wanders on from the side...

After Otways usual introduction of sympathizing with anyone who hasn't seen them before they launch into a manic version of "Ridin' on me 'Orse" with Otway thrashing his guitar and Barratt playing brilliant fiddle...All the obvious hit appears to great cheers and the pair continue with their madcap set... Otway laughing and handling the bulk of the chat and crazy introductions and Barratt remaining deadpan throughout speaking only to berate Otway... The on-stage banter and the songs and performance remain hilarious... the first half ends as ever with an Otway tour de force in "Body talk"... featuring Otway with a drum pad in each pocket and dancing wildly slapping the pads for percussion whilst playing the theramin and dancing like a dervish... there was a suggestion of a "Strictly" invite.. not to be taken seriously... but i would watch!!

The second half continued in the same vein... madcap humour to the fore... including a crazy bluegrass version of "Two Little Boys"

Two of my favourite lines were Barratt explaining they couldn't do requests because of Otways mental capacity...but if anyone did have a request they would play it at the next gig... "so this song is for Geraldine in Grimsby"... and Otways dedication of a song to "anyone whose wife has just come out of prison"...

After a wonderful set featuring all the greats, such as "Coo Baby thats Really Free" "Beware of the Flowers" and "Geneve" (which Barratt asked the audiene to sing because Otway couldnt.. they ended with "Cheryl's Going Home"... followed by the last two numbers in the set... Barratt ended on guitar before switching, to great cheers, to the bagpuss pipes and ending with Scotland the Brave"

We'd had great songs... great comedy... Barratt taking a saw and then a lump hammer to a guitar before throwing it down and stamping on it... Otway's outrageous "Body Talk" the performing wheelie bin and so many hilarious moments...

Through the insanity, dont lose sight of the fact the Wild Willy Barratt is a superb musician!!

The end of the show has Barratt on stage alone explaining that he destroys the cheap guitar because he wants to rid the world of such awful instruments... but is happy to sell it after the show!

You will never be entertained this well outside of an Otway and Barrat gig... and will probably never be the same again...

John and Wild Willy... you are welcome back any time... the best most entertaining enjoyable and totally madcap show anywhere... love it!! absolutely love it!!

Keep music live... keep music real... support your local venues

Eve Selis/Randi Driscoll

EVE SELIS/RANDI DRISCOLL

IAC 16TH July 2025

What an absolute treat at the International Arts Centre last night... First up was Randi Driscoll, a singer/songwriter accompanying her self brilliantly on keyboard. Randi writes great songs, i especially loved the set opener about the love given to and received from your child... beautiful lyric and sentiment. Randi has a lovely voice and sings beautifully, and delivered a really terrific upbeat set. At times there were elements of twee and reminders of Melanie (who I have loved since 1971!!) but they contributed to a beautifully positive and compelling set... her point that music is best heard live, in the flesh is so right... there is nothing like live music to warm the heart...

After a break, Eve Selis took the stage with her band, Randi on keyboards and vocals and Sam Hunt on Acoustic guitar. Eve started by explaining that this was not going to be a typical Eve show as she would be performing her latest album "Dark Sky Blue". She explained that she, along with everyone else had had shock and trauma in her life and told her own story... the songs contained on the album, and this set, were all drawn from those experiences and the writing and performance cathartic.

After this introduction Eve launched into the songs... and what a voice!!... she has a wonderful voice and sings superbly... clearly living every emotion and feeling through every moment.

The second song was "Monster" which she said was meant to be hard and scary... it was all of that but the sentiments expressed through it were a lesson to all... This song was delivered with a much harsher louder voice and absolutely stunning in its power...

As she then said... however dark and hopeless things feel at the time, we don't know the end of the story... and as the songs and show progress the darkness slowly lifts and we see more positivity as the healing progresses... near the end the philosophy learned through the counselling and recovery emerges clearly with "I Choose Love"... something we all need to take on board because without it things cannot improve...

The set ends with "Somebodys Brother" for her brother and for everyone... for the whole world... as the song ends Eve walked slowly off stage to leave Randi playing a most exquisite keyboard piece, accompanied by Sam’s delicate guitar, simply beautiful end to what was a magnificent performance.

I know that I, and all of us have all gone through traumas, maybe diifferent traumas to Eve, but the journey remains the same... and every word she said or sang.. every emotion, went straight to my heart and spirit. Eve said that if she had reached one person she had done her job... she reached me totally...

After a short pause, Eve came back on stage and played a couple of encores, more typical Eve material... saying the second would merge into something we all knew by heart... and we could all sing together... when it came, the song was Crazy John's "Imagine"... but with slight difference.. Johns record is soft, wistful and as a dream... Eve sings it as an exaltation... a positive way forward... and it was simply beautiful.

A word for the band... Sam’s guitar work was delicate, empathetic and superb all through and Randi's keyboard work absolutely stunning...

The whole show was absolutely wonderful... it prompted every emotion in me... at times laughter and tears simultaneously...

And something i dont usually refer to... talking to Eve after the show... what a wonderful human being!!

keep music live... keep music real... support your local venues... and please, choose love...

After a break, Eve Selis took the stage with her band, Randi on keyboards and vocals and Sam Hunt on Acoustic guitar.

Eve started by explaining that this was not going to be a typical Eve show as she would be performing her latest album "Dark Sky Blue". She explained that she, along with everyone else had had shock and trauma in her life and told her own story... the songs contained on the album, and this set, were all drawn from those experiences and the writing and performance cathartic.

After this introduction Eve launched into the songs... and what a voice!!... she has a wonderful voice and sings superbly... clearly living every emotion and feeling through every moment.

The second song was "Monster" which she said was meant to be hard and scary... it was all of that but the sentiments expressed through it were a lesson to all... This song was delivered with a much harsher louder voice and absolutely stunning in its power...

As she then said... however dark and hopeless things feel at the time, we don't know the end of the story... and as the songs and show progress the darkness slowly lifts and we see more positivity as the healing progresses... near the end the philosophy learned through the counselling and recovery emerges clearly with "I Choose Love"... something we all need to take on board because without it things cannot improve...

The set ends with "Somebodys Brother" for her brother and for everyone... for the whole world... as the song ends Eve walked slowly off stage to leave Randi playing a most exquisite keyboard piece, accompanied by Sam’s delicate guitar, simply beautiful end to what was a magnificent performance.

I know that I, and all of us have all gone through traumas, maybe diifferent traumas to Eve, but the journey remains the same... and every word she said or sang.. every emotion, went straight to my heart and spirit. Eve said that if she had reached one person she had done her job... she reached me totally...

After a short pause, Eve came back on stage and played a couple of encores, more typical Eve material... saying the second would merge into something we all knew by heart... and we could all sing together... when it came, the song was Crazy John's "Imagine"... but with slight difference.. Johns record is soft, wistful and as a dream... Eve sings it as an exaltation... a positive way forward... and it was simply beautiful.

A word for the band... Sam’s guitar work was delicate, empathetic and superb all through and Randi's keyboard work absolutely stunning...

The whole show was absolutely wonderful... it prompted every emotion in me... at times laughter and tears simultaneously...

And something i dont usually refer to... talking to Eve after the show... what a wonderful human being!!

keep music live... keep music real... support your local venues... and please, choose love...