Two of the most popular acts from the Warwickshire folk scene are getting the ‘Up Close & Acoustic’ treatment this month. Internationally acclaimed guitarist, singer and comedian, Keith Donnelly and highly popular singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Lauren South have been taking the UK concert and festival scene by storm since they’ve been playing as a duo over the last four years. Combining musical virtuosity with outbursts of hilarity, they will also be offering insights and anecdotes in response to the grilling they’ll be getting from our resident interviewer and fellow musician, Bill Bates. And there’s always the possibility of further revelations from additional guest musicians sharing their own experiences of performing with the duo.
Ex-pat Geordie, Keith has been involved in the local folk scene since the 70s when he formed the popular duo Waterfall with fellow Warwick University student Martyn Oram. Since then, his career has included writing scripts for Jasper Carrott and Phil Cool, touring world venues and presenting a regular BBC1 TV programme with Gilly Darbey, playing to packed houses and festivals with French folk phenomenon Flossie Malavialle, and writing anarchic songs and books for children, often on the topics of bears and custard!
Lauren had already established herself as a first-class violin player and captivating vocalist when she started to complement her flourishing solo career by sharing gigs with Keith, showcasing her prowess as a songwriter, and creating audience experiences ranging from the sublime to the unpredictably zany. She also plays tenor guitar and shruti box, and her other musical collaborations include performances with Ellie Gowers, Becky Syson, and double bass wizard John Parker.
The idea behind ‘Up Close & Acoustic’ is to create an insightful and interactive experience of music by revealing more of what inspires and motivates the musicians. The format is proving popular for audience and performers alike, and the intimate and convivial atmosphere generated by Bill Bates’s relaxed and sometimes cheeky questioning creates a memorable and entertaining evening of music, stories and surprises!
The show begins 7.30pm and tickets are £14.50 or £10.50 concessions (including students and over-60s). The event is expected to run until approximately 10pm.
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