Live music at Wainsgate this autumn
Thursday, 2 September 2021
Wainsgate Chapel’s Concert Series returns in September after a two-year absence with a diverse programme of six afternoon concerts. From classical to jazz, flamenco to contemporary folk and from the sublime to the downright quirky, there has to be something for everyone in this outstanding set of concerts.
Whilst many things will remain similar to the events that have been a notable feature in Hebden Bridge and Old Town’s musical calendar since 2006, there will be some changes as a result of the Coronavirus epidemic. In particular, audience capacity will be reduced to allow for distancing and therefore, in order to make this more manageable, all tickets will be available almost exclusively online. Although some tickets may be available on the door this cannot possibly be guaranteed.
However, in almost every other way the concerts will be as they always have been: great music, brilliant performances, a relaxed, informal atmosphere plus hot drinks and a licensed bar at the interval! Wainsgate Chapel is on Wainsgate Lane in Old Town, Hebden Bridge, HX& 8SU. Parking is limited but there is a regular bus service from Hebden Bridge to Wainsgate Lane
The concerts are listed below. For more information and a link to buy tickets go to www.wainsgate.co.uk/concerts. Tickets are £11 (standard price) and £9, There’s also a £4 concessionary ticket for under 18s. There is no additional charge for booking online.
Saturday Sept. 11th @ 3pm Mercury Strings (classical string quartet)
Previously known as The Acceso Quartet, Mercury Strings performed to a packed and enthusiastic audience at Wainsgate in 2019. The quartet comprises virtuoso violin players Alexandra Stemp and Calder Valley-based Susan Voss alongside the equally brilliant Jayne Coyle on viola and Esther Harriot on cello. They have performed with some of the UK’s best loved orchestras including the Hallé, BBC Philharmonic, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Manchester Camerata. For this concert Mercury Strings will play music by Mozart, Schubert, Rachmaninov and Philip Glass.
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Saturday Sept. 18th @ 3pm Stuart McCallum (solo jazz guitar)
A seasoned performer at Wainsgate, Stuart McCallum is one of the most vital and creative musicians of his generation. An in-demand guitarist, composer, producer and educator Stuart rose to prominence writing for and playing with the Cinematic Orchestra, on their Ma Fleur and Live at the Albert Hall albums, as well as on their award-winning Disney soundtrack, The Crimson Wing. “… McCallum’s compositions are exemplary of everything that is exciting about new British jazz.” (Jazzwise Magazine)
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Sunday Sept. 19th @ 3pm Little Sparrow (Katie Ware: singer/songwriter)
As captivating to watch as she is to listen to, Manchester singer-songwriter Katie Ware’s beautifully emotive use of expression mirrors the sincerity of her delivery. Her delicately crafted songs draw on influences as diverse as Kate Bush, All About Eve and PJ Harvey, woven into the colourful tapestry of her music, often with a mysterious fairytale-like quality.
”Breathtaking vocalist, an incredibly gifted songwriter” (Chris Hawkins – BBC 6 Music and BBC Radio 2)
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Saturday Oct. 2nd @ 3pm Meraki (classical flute, guitar and double bass)
Flautist Meera Maharaj and Guitarist James Girling enjoyed a tumultuous reception when as the Meraki Duo, they performed in the Wainsgate 2019 concert season. For this concert they will be joined by Canadian double-bassist Ben du Toit in a programme that includes music by Bach, Chick Corea and Eleanor Alberga.
'Truly an outstanding concert. The mastery of their instruments is a given, their musicianship is exceptional... the experience was breathtaking, beautiful and inspiring' - Bryan Fox
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Sunday Oct. 3rd @ 3pm Samuel Moore: Guitarra Flamenca - an introduction to the Rich Flamenco Tradition
In this solo recital the distinguished guitarist Samuel Moore presents a diverse programme drawing on the many palos (musical forms) that shape the flamenco tradition. From the plaintive cry of laments such as soleá, to the powerful attack of dance forms such as bulerías, this is a concert experience not to be missed.
“A fantastic flamenco guitarist” (Ian McMillan, BBC Radio 3)
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Saturday Oct. 30th @ 3pm Birds and Beasts and Carol Hodge (electro-acoustic folk/rock double header)
Birds and Beasts write melodic and memorable songs inspired by animals and the natural world. Anna (vocals, bass) and Leo Brazil (guitar, percussion, vocals) originally came up with the idea whilst snowbound in a log cabin, deep in the forest of Anna’s native Germany.
“… you become entwined in the rhythm and quality of the musicianship. Psychedelic folk infused with cosmic and disco pop” (Loafers)
Carol Hodge is a seven-fingered, piano-pounding, Yorkshire-dwelling singer-songwriter. Think Regina Spektor meets Billy Bragg, but with fewer digits and a continuous existential crisis, sandwiched between bitter irony and relentless optimism.
“The Adele for people into radical politics… a UK 2018 equivalent to the Tapestry-era Carole King,” (Ged Babey: Louder than War)
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