Basingstoke ObserverCHECK out the gigs in The Forge during June and pay a visit to this great venue off The Anvil foyer.
Veronica and Max, on Friday 10 June, are passionate about playing country blues and ragtime, jug band and rural music from the 20s and 30s. Keeping this precious musical heritage alive, they reproduce an original sound using acoustic instruments including ukuleles, washboard, kazoo, acoustic guitars, and doublebass. The duo reinterpret great songs by artists like Big Bill Broonzy, Memphis Minnie, Jimmie Rodgers, Sidney Bechet, and Lucille Bogan in their own unique style.
The following day, Mehtab Malhotra presents Ghazals, singing the works of traditional and modern Urdu poets. Mehtab started performing aged seven, and has given more than 600 concerts in India and the UK and, in 1998, recorded an album with the great Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. This evening also celebrates the launch of Guldasta, a book of Ghazals by broadcaster and Basingstoke resident, Krishan Tandon.
On Sunday 26 June JigJam, a multi-award winning quintet from the heart of the midlands in Ireland will blend the best of traditional Irish music with Bluegrass and Americana in a new genre which has been branded as ‘I-Grass’; Irish influenced Bluegrass. Their onstage energy along with their virtuosic musical ability has captivated audiences throughout the world.
Jamie McKeogh and Daithi Melia all hail from Tullamore, Co.Offaly with Co. Tipperary born Gavin Strappe completes the Irish members of the Band. An injection of Scottish energy is added by Calum Morrison and Daniel Hunter rounding off the quintet. All five members grew up immersed in Irish traditional music and culture which is reflected by the band collectively achieving over twenty All-Ireland titles at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann competitions. They have now developed their own unique style of music influenced by American Folk music whilst staying true to their Irish roots. Described as ‘The best Irish group so far in bluegrass’ this sharply dressed outfit deliver an energy-fuelled, foot-stomping live performance.
To find out more about events in The Forge, and to buy tickets, visit anvilarts.org.uk or contact the Anvil Arts box office on 01256 844244.
