As I write, we have just entered the Season of Lent. The word Lent in Latin means ‘spring’ – the season of new life and of growth out of the darkness and dormancy of winter. Lent, for some, is a time for ‘navel gazing’ and truthful honesty about the state of their lives – spiritually and morally. For others, Lent provides a focus to practice some form of abstinence or to commit themselves to a less indulgent lifestyle – especially after the excesses of the Christmas season. Dry January just doesn’t work for some people!
In these challenging times I’m sure you’d agree that the world is in desperate need of renewal. And, whilst not one of us would ever lay claim to be able to change the world, each of us can change the world in which we live by doing something a little different this Lent by Fasting AND Feasting. Read more here …
COLUMN: Billericay Reverend – ‘Each of us can change the world’
Gigs I’ve Attended!
JOE ANDERTON Played a fab couple of sets of originals (who knew he had so many?) and some well chosen covers on the bluest weekend of the year. This guy is a natural and very talented performer and held everyone transfixed with his thoughtful, often quirky, lyrics. He’s definitely more than a member of the Connor Selby Band that’s for sure. If he can get his songs out on CD or download, I predict great things are ahead for him. Joes shortlisted for young blues musician of the year with the British blues awards. Fingers crossed for him!
HANNAH WHITE My choice for the AMAUK song of the year with Car Crash (and included in my songs of the year for 2022) didn’t disappoint. Hannah played a quite outstanding gig and sang from the soul which touched all of our hearts. And who knew Keiron Marshall was such an amazing guitarist? Hannah is currently her new album in her home and this is definitely one to look out for. Good to meet Paul Sexton, music journalist, broadcaster and author, who had some very nice things to say about our set up.
What’s Coming Up?
COUNTRY TO COUNTRY Managed to get a couple of tickets for the Sunday C2C at the O2 to see the Zac Brown Band headline who were outstanding when were saw them at the CMA Fest in Nashville in the summer and, along with Marcus King, were my number one choice as my song of the year in 2023. Drop me a DM if you’re going and we can catch up over a bevvy!
MARCUS KING Another artist who I saw for the first time in Nashville, and featured twice in my songs of the year for 2022. King is playing at The Forum on Tuesday 21 March and is really starting to make a name for himself as a rock / blues guitarist (looking a little like Paul Kossoff). One to watch out for that’s for sure.
LIVE AT SLIPPED DISCS: LUKE JACKSON Following his appearances supporting Fairport Convention and Jools Holland, Canterbury based UK singer songwriter Luke Jackson will be playing a FREE promotional gig at Slipped Discs in Billericay High Street on Wednesday 22 March 2023.
LIVE AT EMMANUEL: BILLY MITCHELL AND BOB FOX After a hugely well received sell out gig at Emmanuel in April 2022 with The Lindisfarne Story: 50 Years Of Fog Billy returns on Friday 31 March 2023 with long-time collaborator Bob Fox. Ticket sales are very slow – do please support this event if you can. If attendances continue to fall for my larger venues, I won’t be able to continue to do what I’m doing.
HOUSE GIG: JEREMY JOHNSON I’m delighted to have arranged for British singer-songwriter Jeremy Johnson to play at Billericay Rectory on Friday 12 May 2023.
HOUSE GIG: ANNIE DRESSNER It’s always good to come across new artists and New York native Annie Dressner will be playing on Friday 16 June 2023.
GIG IN THE GARDEN 2023 It’s so difficult to commit to booking artists when I can’t guarantee a decent audience to cover costs, so 2023 is still in the balance. Such a shame when this has been a welcome feature of a Billericay summer since 2009.
What Am I Listening To At The Moment?
Emily Maguire
Hannah White
Bonnie Raitt
Margo Price
Jenny Colquitt
Marcus King
Zac Brown Band
Deco
Jeremy Johnson
Annie Dressner
The Port Isaac Fisherman’s Friends
A Couple Of Interesting Articles To Read!
EMMANUEL CHURCH We are pretty much fully open now and continue to livestream every Sunday at 10.30 am on YouTube.
And Finally
Thank you for helping to keep music live in Billericay. Being an independent promoter isn’t easy nowadays, with more and more venues closing down, I, along the artists who have appeared, really appreciate your support.
Do continue to support your favourite artists if you can by going to see them live or buying / downloading their music and please support the artists who play in Billericay in 2023 – it is a lifeline for them.
Do keep your eyes on my website revpacman.com for other upcoming events and some recent and very interesting (honestly) articles to read! I recently reached 160,000 hits with an average 120 hits a day which means that some people somewhere enjoy reading what I write! I also write a monthly article for the Billericay & Wickford Gazette and these are posted to my website too!
Don’t forget I’m always happy to catch up for a coffee / beer / curry!
Contact me on email paul@revpacman.com or via Twitter or Facebook.
Be safe and be blessed
Paul
revPACman 