Worcester Music Forum

It only seems five minutes since we were in the middle of the first Worcester Music Festival, now we are looking at the plans for the 2009 event. August 21st, 22nd and 23rd are the dates when Worcester comes alive with the sounds of live music and Djs, and this year we plan to have even more venues taking part, more local bands and solo artists, more musical guests from outside of Worcester, more free workshops, demonstrations, DJs and who knows what else.

The 2009 Worcester Music Festival will see the return of favorite live music venues such as The Marrs Bar, Keystones, Worcester Arts Workshop, Drummonds, and also a bunch of newbies like The Cellar Bar, and The Old Rectifying House. Also, this year, we are branching out and we are encouraging pubs and clubs in Warndon, St Johns, Northwick, The Tything etc to come forward and host some live music and help us raise even more money for charity and raise the profile of new, live, local and unsigned music in Worcester. It is great that, even though its nine months away, we have already been getting offers of support and help from local radio, promoters, venue owners and the press as well as a steady flow of bands and artists that want to play. It just goes to show that Worcester has a partially untapped passion for live music. Please get in touch if you want to be involved somehow.

I have seen some great bands and performers this month. Not least at a gig that I helped organise at The Old Rectifying House. Local band Host kicked off a brand new monthly live music event with some great tunes, amazing musicianship and a great bunch of guys. They were supporting the awesome funk laden, hip hop induced, mind bending lyrical talents of Bewdleys Cantaloop. A band that never fail to impress. The next show at The Old Rectifying House (Dec 3rd) sees the return Dr Teeth to Worcester in the guise of The Steve Steinhaus Swing Band. It promises to be a night of hi energy swing, roots, jazz and blues. . If you get a chance to see them, then I suggest that you do.

Another band defiantly worth checking out are local rockabilly heroes The Wild Katz. I had the good fortune to catch them at a private party recently and I can see why people rave about them. Great rock and roll numbers, cool stage presence and one truly entertaining band. 

More rock covers bands can be found at keystones and Drummonds courtesy of Backstage Promotions who are doing a great job of upping the live music quota of Worcester.

Unfortunately I managed to miss this years selection of Children In Need gigs in Worcester for one reason or another but I am told that both the Driver Promotions gig at The Firefly and The Punk For Pudsey at The Marrs Bar were a great success and raised a shed load of cash for a good cause. (there were also Morris Dancers outside the Guild Hall on Saturday which I unfortunately managed to catch .. doh!!) Its so great to see local bands and promoters (and strange bearded men wearing bells, waving hankies and hitting each other with sticks.) doing their bit for charity.

The Blues Night at The Cellar bar is going well. The talented Bob Jones has created a wonderful monthly escape for all the blues fans of Worcester who crave authentic and passionate blues. Check it out on the third Tuesday of the month. Also, the 1147am club is still doing good things with the underground acoustic music scene, as is Flo Rowlands monthly Get The Pluck Up acoustic gig at the Firefly which sees many of the citys solo artists perform at the great Lowesmoor pub..

Every Wednesday you can still witness the phenomenon that is The Jamming Night at The Marrs Bar. If you want to witness some new music from brand new bands, its here. If you want to see some amazing singer/songwriters playing their hearts out to a music loving audience, its here. If you want to get up on stage and live out your karaoke dream by singing with a full band backing you up, its here. If you want to sit at your table, have a drink and watch some talented musicians playing some old favourites, sing-along with the ones you know and have a good night out, its here. The jamming night is your one stop shop for all your musical needs. And its free.

For more info on what is going on in Worcester or to tell us about anything you think we should know about goto  www.notjustsauce.co.uk and also visit www.worcestermusicfestival.co.uk for news and updates on next years event or to volunteer your services.