Gig in the Garden 2019

Update 8 July 2019. Proceeds of this SOLD OUT event amounted to £765 which will go towards the costs of my trip to the Philippines during my sabbatical. Thank you for your continued support.

Update on 9 May. This event is now SOLD OUT – Sorry you’ve missed out. Don’t leave it too late next time!

My now famous annual Gig in the Garden for 2019 takes place on Sunday 7 July and will have another Americana/Country/Folk/Blues flavour with three fabulous artists to enjoy.

By popular demand, we welcome back Lauren Housley and her amazing band; Michelle Lewis makes a welcome re-appearance and the ever popular Dan Pierce joins us too.

DOORS 15.00 / Dan 16.00 / Michelle 17.00 / Lauren 18.30 (approximate)

TICKETS are very reasonably priced at: Adults £12 & fees (gate £14) / 13-17 yrs £6 & fees (gate £7) / under 12’s free! You can purchase these from

PROCEEDS From this event will be used to support the

(click on picture) Who are working in the Philippines alongside some of the poorest and most disadvantaged people in Asia, many of whom live on the largest rubbish dump in the world. I will be spending three weeks there in July/August.

LAUREN HOUSLEY

I’m delighted to welcome back and Lauren Housley and her fabulous band. consisting of Thomas Dibb, Mark Lewis and current UK Americana musician of the year Chris Hillman plus a guest appearance from Ben Carr. It’s no secret that Lauren is one of my/our favourite artists and I can guarantee that we’re in for an outstanding live set to finish.

Lauren is a native of Rotherham in South Yorkshire, but is now based in Manchester. She draws her influence from a wide range of music genres, with her emotive vocals steeped in Gospel, Blues and a unique blend of ‘Nashville’ flavoured soul with a hint of Americana and Roots, Pop and Rock and some killer covers thrown in for good measure.

An Americana-tinged singer-songwriter with a Bonnie Raitt style twang, a winning way with yearning lyrics. Housley is her own woman and when she turns glacially emotional on When Autumn Came, she’s as convincing as they come …. Sweet Surrender (album) smoulders. Blues and Soul Magazine

Lauren’s debut album ‘Sweet Surrender’ was one of my standout albums of 2015, filled with some brilliant original songs, written alongside long time creative partner Thomas Dibb, that are honest, sincere and personal. A number of tracks play listed on Radio 2 by the likes of Chris Evans, Jeremy Vine and Bob Harris.

Lauren’s follow up album ‘The Beauty of this Life’ was released in the summer of 2017 and features the best of her limited edition album, and 6 new tracks. Laurel Canyon have labelled them world-class in an album review which you can find here. Don’t say I don’t bring quality acts to Billericay.

In 2018 Lauren released a critically acclaimed single ‘My Sleeping Heart’ (one of my favourite songs of 2018) which saw a much more American Country influence with the perfect blend of a traditional and modern sound. Not too unlike the SoCal sound of Sam Outlaw.

Lauren Housley’s brand of Americana blurs the lines between rock and soul through to country and blues. Her music is genre defying, and will appeal to all. National Blues Review

MICHELLE LEWIS

Michelle Lewis is a Boston-bred, LA-based award-winning singer, songwriter and composer. Michelle sits very comfortably in the singer/songwriter genre we’ve come to know and love so much here in Billericay.

Michelle played an outstanding house gig on the first leg of her European tour in September 2018 and I’ve managed to squeeze her in on her summer European tour! Michelle is a real talent and a lovely girl too – I know you’re going to love her!

Many performers live for applause. Michelle just wants to make you cry. “There are sad songs, and uplifting songs. But more sad songs,” She says. “For me, music is always more interesting the deeper you dig emotionally. My passion and my love is more centered in those sad, melancholy songs.” Michelle’s music is rich with melody, her lyrics find beauty in sadness. As a storyteller, she writes intensely visual songs that explore the defining moments in burgeoning and breaking relationships.

More polished than folk and more personal than pop, Michelle’s songwriting is uniquely intimate. Folk Alliance International

Her single, “Run Run Run,” found huge popularity among Boston Marathon runners and was featured on the national cable broadcast of the race.

Michelle is a graduate of the world-renowned Berklee College of Music. She tours frequently across the United States and Europe. Michelle’s first release, This Time Around, arrived in 2004. She has been a longtime collaborator with producer Anthony J. Resta (Elton John, Duran Duran, Shawn Mullins), spanning their work on her EPs Broken (2009) and Paris (2011), and her second full-length album, The Parts Of Us That Still Remain (2014). Michelle’s third album, the award winning All That’s Left was released late 2018.

Michelle Lewis writes happy songs that bring tears, and sad songs that evoke smiles. Penny Black Music

DAN PIERCE

Dan played with Gloucestershire band Big Blue Sun and The Lamplight Poet folk collective in Teesside.  When he moved to Essex in 2015 he became part of a trio with Ben and Annabel Carr known as Dismal Dan and Mildly Dynamics.  I’m delighted to say they will be making a welcome reappearance together especially for this gig.

Dan served as Team Vicar in Billericay for a few years, was a great friend and colleague, and is now planting a church in Beaulieu, North Chelmsford.

Among Dan’s influences are Elliott Smith, Damon Albarn and Bob Dylan. Dan describes his songs as ‘A slice of melancholy with a twist of hope!’ With themes including misfits, rogues and the triumphs of nostalgia. Dan mixes his set with original songs and covers and is sure to keep you entertained in his own inimitable way.

MORE INFORMATION

HOW TO FIND US Billericay Rectory can be found on Laindon Road, CM12 9LD and is a 10 minute walk from Billericay station (25 mins from Liverpool Street). We are only 5 mins off the A127 and 10 mins off the A12.

PLEASE ENTER The Rectory Garden via the small gate to the left of the Rectory on Laindon Road, not by the gate next to the Community Garden / Car Park, as this will be locked!

PARKING You can park in Emmanuel church (next door) which is just a short walk from the Rectory. There is also parking on the High Street or in the car park behind Iceland.

WEATHER In the event of inclement weather, the ‘Gig in the Garden’ will take place in Emmanuel.

FOOD & DRINK As with other outdoor events here at The Rectory, you are encouraged to bring along a picnic to enjoy – alcohol allowed!

SEATING No seating is provided. Please bring a blanket or a fold-up garden chair (and something warm to wear – just in case!!) Please note, because of limited space, no tables, gazebo’s or parasols are permitted. Please be sure to take all your litter home with you.

PLEASE NOTE this is a listening event rather than a talking event. Read Shhh … there’s a band playing!

CONTACT revpacman@btinternet.com / @revPACman / facebook.com/revpacman1

You can download a poster here gig in the garden 2019 poster

You can download a leaflet here gig in the garden 2019 leaflet