An ACE year for music
ACE Space (former RAFA Hall) provides a venue for community activities in Newbury town centre, from meditation to martial arts classes. In addition the ACE Space trustees organise regular gigs and support chairman Adam Kotz’s Unplugged open mic nights on the first Friday of each month. CHRIS MARTIN looks back at the year’s gigs and forward to what 2023 has in store.
Adam Kotz’s Unplugged open mic nights have been running for 18 years and are still hosted by Adam himself.
They have gained an enviable reputation within and beyond West Berks for providing a supportive platform for music and spoken word performers.
Eight years ago the trustees changed from putting on an occasional gig to one per month, the music on offer being broadly categorised as folk/roots/Americana.
In 2022, the gigs calendar finally returned to normal after the disruptions due to Covid.
We kicked off with some lively bluegrass from Bristol-based band Old Baby Mackerel with support from local musician Richard Cox-Smith.
The year continued with fantastic selection of musical styles from performers including Wantage-based Jackie Oates, the great Phil Beer, Hannah James (of Lady Maisery) with cellist Toby Khun, Finn Collinson, Anna Renae, Suthering, Benji Kirkpatrick, the terrific Fred’s House and the sold-out return of Track Dogs.
With audiences at ACE Space and elsewhere still very variable and not back to pre-lockdown levels, to have a sell-out was a real boost.
The season wrapped up with husband and wife duo Truckstop Honeymoon.
A full programme of gigs is again planned for 2023, with a true mix of musical styles.
First up in January is Charm of Finches, an award-winning indie folk duo of sisters from Melbourne, Australia, who have enchanted many with their impressive musicianship and impeccable songwriting. Luke De-Scisco provides support.
February brings a “local showcase” including Reading’s Tomorrow Bird, an award-winning acoustic duo, featuring the combined forces of solo artist Jen Bird and Simon Driscoll from folk-rock band Burnt Tomorrow, along with two more bands.
Drawing musical influences from folk, country and Americana bands, their haunting melodies and heart-felt lyrics have transfixed audiences and marked them out as a band to watch.
In March we have a double headliner with Good Habits, composed of Bonnie Schwarz (cello and vocals) and Pete Shaw (accordion) – the pair mix vivid storytelling with eclectic sounds, drawing on their diverse musical tastes.
After a pandemic spent happily stranded in New Zealand, they’ve returned to the UK to bring their joyous music to ACE Space.
They are joined by Steady Habits, an Oxford based alt-country band fronted by Sean Duggan of folk/Americana duo Loud Mountains, who played ACE Space in 2019.
April has Banter, featuring percussion, trumpet, melodeon and keyboards. They are an infectious, genre-hopping trio mixing Morris tunes, soulful vocals and raucous chorus songs.
Support comes from Dan Kemp, also from Reading, a folk singer and fiddle player, who makes occasional forays into punk and ska music.
Coracle appear in May with the amazing talents of Paul Hutchinson, Karen Wimhurst and Anna Tam who bring an eclectic mix of influences and musical sounds.
June brings another double bill: Carter Sampson, who with her high-quality songwriting and gorgeous vocals can now be talked about as one of the very best country singer-songwriters around, and Amelia White, a fixture in the East Nashville music and poetry scene for years.
Alongside them will be Scott Warman, who has graced the ACE Space stage as part of Porchlight Smoker.
In July we feature Something Sleeps, a new band that melds signature vocal harmonies with soulful string arrangements.
The band features the sounds of Fiona Fey, Rey Yusuf (formerly Tell Tale Tusk), Monica Viñoly and Josh Considine.
After the summer break, we return in September with Will Pound, said to be one of the finest harmonica and melodeon players of his generation, and Jenn Butterworth, one of Scotland’s leading traditional guitarists and an award-winning educator.
Bluegrass will return in October with Often Herd. With driving energy, tight vocal harmonies and dazzling instrumental interplay, their transatlantic sound is deeply coloured by their Northern England surroundings.
November brings Baskery, the fabulous Swedish trio of the Bondesson sisters, with Greta on banjitar, drums and vocals, Stella on double bass and vocals and Sunniva on guitar and vocals.
The final gig of the year is provided by The Wilderness Yet, which combines the acclaimed talents of folk singer Rosie Hodgson, traditional fiddler Rowan Piggott and guitarist-flautist Philippe Barnes. Independently, they have earned audiences’ esteem as consummate musicians; together, they weave wide-ranging tapestry of traditional and original songs and tunes, from a capella three-part harmonies to luscious instrumental arrangements.
Tickets for all gigs are available directly from ACE Space by emailing events@acespace.org.uk or by phoning 07891 176940, or online at www.WeGotTickets.com
The ACE Space trustees are determined to continue bringing high-quality live music to Newbury.
