Tom Kerswill

Martin Joiner’s been in touch via the blog, to promote a new open mic finder that he’s put together, using info from more regional blogs like mine. It looks pretty good, and allows you to track down open mics in a range of cities. You can also add / suggest new open mics.

Currently it includes open mics in Bristol, Bath, Newquay, Taunton, Leeds, Manchester and loads of others — there’s a bias towards South West towns at the moment but I think it’ll expand more nationally. Useful for bands who are on tour and have a few evenings free!

You can check out his open mic finder here.

Hi everyone

I’m running the Trof Northern Quarter open mic night tonight… sign up is from 8pm, and the whole thing kicks off at 8.30….

Tom

There’s a free charity gig tonight in Altrincham (donations welcome). It features some really good Manchester musicians, and I’ll be playing a few songs there too. Here’s the blurb from the Facebook event page:

Welcome to the free community gig marking 6 months of the Energy Academy, a locally run initiative to help residents in South Trafford live more sustainably and save money to boot!

For your entertainment on this cold and potentially snow-capped night we have secured some of the finest acoustic acts the North-West has to offer. Notably:

Black Jack Barnet
Dan Gallagher
John Condy
Tom Kerswill
Vanessa Lewis
Dan Melrose
The Dandelion Clocks

Plus there will be guerilla conjouring from Mark the Magician to keep you entertained during the breaks.

Not only that, local company SponsorTrees.com will be planting a tree for everyone who attends the event and Energy Academy volunteers will be on-hand to give practical advice on how you can save energy in the home and beyond.

So if you live in the area and want to be entertained for free then get yourself down for some foot-stompin’, toe-tapping and thought-provoking music.

Just heard from Ian and Phil of the Huers, about an open mic that is happening on Sunday 31st January, from 8.30pm, near Up Holland, the other side of Wigan from Manchester. It’s a little bit far from Manchester, but could be a good night out from the city. Here’s the address and contact details:

The Fox Inn
24 Roby Mill
Skelmersdale, WN8 0QF
01695 622 449

You can also vist the Fox Inn website for more info.

Hi! I’m off to Liverpool today, but thought I’d recommend an event that’s happening today at the Dance House theatre in Manchester.

It starts at 4pm, and features some fantasic music acts, as well as a lot of theatre, poetry and other art performances. It takes place across two stages. Including the Dance House’s lovely auditorium. Promises to be a really good event.

Also happening in Manchester tonight are a charity gig at Jam Street – “Little Green”, and a performance by Denis Jones at the Band on the Wall. For other concerts happening, check out Seatwave to get concert tickets online.

Really enjoyed doing the Unsigned Show on Monday. We had some great live sessions from Kristyna Myles and April Maybe May. Here’s the full track listing:

1. Richard Barry – Strolling Along
2. Clare Mooney – Stop the War
3. Caulbearers – Small Spaces
4. Robin Mukherjee – Morning Chorus
5. Hannah Atkins – My Heart is Like a Flower
6. Kristyna Myles – Fooling
7. Kristyna Myles – Just Three Little Words
8. Kristyna Myles – Someone
9. Shimeon – Will in Chains
10. Alexis McLean – Let You Be
11. Aidan Smith – Pockets
12. Kate Sloan – A Romance Unfolding
13. Lorelei Loveridge – Oh, India
14. April Maybe May – Seasalt
15. April Maybe May – White Horses
16. April Maybe May – Fold

Hope everyone’s enjoying the show!

I helped present Danny McTague’s show on All Fm last night. It was great fun (though not qute so fun cycling there in the snow!)… Here’s the playlist. I’m back on air 11pm-1am next Monday (allfm.org):

# April Maybe May – An open book
# Jesca Hoop – Hunting my dress
# Charlotte Martin – Stromata
# Nancy Elizabeth – Corriander
# Robin Mukherjee – Morning Chorus
# Diamond Knights – Destination Diamonds (Once we were diamonds EP)
# Explosions in the Sky – The Birth and Death of the Day
# Nic Chapman – Vasal Song
# Emma Burgess – Massachusetts
# Explosions in the Sky – Jesu Mix (14)
# The Huers – In My Dream
# Neko Case – Star Witness
# Jesca Hoop – Murder of Birds
# Alexis McClean – Ride On (Christie Moore)
# Alexis McClean – Make it Snow
# Alexis McClean – Summer rain
# Alexis McClean – Only You (Yazu)
# Delta Wade – Any way I want to
# Denis Jones – Paper
# Delta Maid – Any way I want to