Arts Reviews
Caught in Julie’s haunting cocoon
Published 10 October 2008
Julie Matthews, Monkey Tree House, WigtonJulie Matthews obviously had some dedicated fans present for her second visit to the Monkey Tree. Julie’s fine voice lends itself to the haunting melodies she composes and her meaningful lyrics and also to the anger she feels in such songs as Britannia.
Pam’s family life left us helpless
Published 10 October 2008
Pam Ayres, Buccleuch Centre, LangholmMirror, mirror on the wall, who is the funniest of them all? At the Buccleuch Centre last week ‘People’s Poet’ Pam Ayres had us laughing within seconds and the hilarity bounced around the hall all night.
Sinfonia set off a season
Published 3 October 2008
Northern Sinfonia for Keswick Music Society, Theatre by the Lake, KeswickKeswick Music Society’s 61st season got off to an auspicious start with a concert by the acclaimed and much-loved northern Sinfonia.
Four works, three triumphs
Published 3 October 2008
Academy of St Martin in the Field for Penrith Music Club, Penrith Methodist ChurchOnce again the club began its season in the best possible way with a performance by one of the UK’s leading chamber orchestras.
Youthful quartet sparkle
Published 3 October 2008
The Heath String Quartet for North Cumbria Recitals, St Cuthbert’s Church, CarlisleThe audience was rewarded with a kaleidoscope of musical form and style at the hands and minds of the inimitable Heath String Quartet.
Life (and laughter) after loss
Published 26 September 2008
My Brilliant Divorce – Carlisle Green Room THE audience loved it - especially the ladies.
Roll on the next show. Meanwhile...
Published 19 September 2008
Carlisle Musical Society, St Bede’s Church Hall, CarlisleYou can’t help but admire this bunch of Thespians. Its no secret that the Carlisle Musical Society is concentrating on fundraising just now in order to get back to the big stage with all singing/dancing musicals we have come to expect from them.
A Wilde flight of theatrical fancy
Published 5 September 2008
In Extremis, Theatre by the Lake, Keswick
Roisin takes the lead
Published 29 August 2008
The first headlining act of Solfest, Roisin Murphy set the bar high with a theatrical set complete with out-there dance moves and five costume changes.
Supergrass rock
Published 29 August 2008
Brit pop heroes Supergrass proved that the Nineties will never be forgotten.
Supreme-style Sixties and some new treats
Published 29 August 2008
THE PIPETTESThe hip-swinging Pipettes brought the Sixties girl group bang up to date at Solfest on Saturday.MEG JORSH
Bees sting with a mix of Little Richard, The Band and The Beach Boys Boys
Published 29 August 2008
THE BEESIN the closing hours of Solfest, The Bees are in flight to keep the party going.
Solfest – the biggest and best to date
Published 29 August 2008
More than 10,000 festival-goers gathered at The Tarns near Silloth for what has been branded the biggest and best Solfest so far.
No title
Published 29 August 2008
BAD MANNERSChart-topping ska troubadors Bad Manners made their raucous mark on Solfest.
No title
Published 29 August 2008
TARRASIf the point of a reunion is to see how far you’ve come, then Cumbrian folk heroes Tarras aren’t a million miles from where they began.
No title
Published 29 August 2008
RORY CONNORIt seems we can only make sense of solo talent by drawing comparisons.
The slick Cockney mix had every knee jigging
Published 29 August 2008
CHAS AND DAVELampshades, sumo wrestlers and even the moon had a dance to Chas and Dave on Saturday night.
No title
Published 29 August 2008
JACAJaca takes to the stage like a tiny blonde fairy, her frame dwarfed by a keyboard of epic proportions.
No title
Published 29 August 2008
ALABAMA 3Bringing their own brand of attitude to Solfest, the outfit once dubbed the best live band in Britain, rocked the main stage.
City teens look good on Silloth Greenfest’s stage
Published 22 August 2008
Robin Starch, Sidewinder, South Quay and Bullfrogs at Silloth GreenFestWhile people sampled local delicacies such as freshly baked bread, jam, cheese and cider at Silloth GreenFest, they could also enjoy an added extra, new this year: a showcase of some of the best music in Cumbria.
