https://www.facebook.com/events/1101432683256441/

There’s a fantastic new night in Bristol that’s only been going for a couple of weeks. At The Arts House, in Stokes Croft! Yesterday was the second instalment of 2016 and it was a lot of fun. Acoustic and intimate performances with no amplification, candles and an emphasis in sharing the space together as participants of the evening.

I played drums with the Jack Cookson trio, after Fitz played a cracking set of hits , and Zoe Davies warmed the room up with her solo flute, and solo guitar songs. The Arts House’s ground floor activities creaking along around us while the evening unfolds, water pipes, footsteps, and creaking chairs, just below intrusive, somehow add to the hide away feel of the cozy event.

Check out Stackedpromo’s Facebook page for more events coming soon- At The Arts House, and more venues too.

The ideal of the night is to bring known and lesser know performers into focus, but out of the spotlight, moving them away from playing behind microphones and amplification, and stripping their sound down to a more intimate level.

This gives the artist’s fans, old and new, a good chance to see them from a new angle, talk to them about the music, and encourage those who are interested in playing more music to get involved and start playing an instrument. I think removing all the power equipment can really help people get close to the essence of the music as it’s created.

Last night was great fun for me being able to take a drum kit down for the first time. The challenge of playing in a trio with a double bass and an acoustic guitar and keeping the music I played on drums expressive but low key was fantastic.

 

I hope you can make the next one!