Bands

Mid-week isn't normally a time people think about heading out into town to catch some quality local music, however, as I discovered St. Peter Port is buzzing with live music on a Wednesday night.

First up, at the Cock and Bull, was solo acoustic guitarist and singer Harry Parkin, playing a style of simple acoustic pop which provided a great soundtrack to a relaxing mid week evening.

Harry Parkin at The Cock and Bull.

Generally Parkin is known more as a bass player than guitarist and singer, but, that didn't show tonight as his voice filled the room and his spot on guitar work really made those present sit up and listen.

What really worked about his style was that, while many solo performers of this nature try to play more genre based music, such as blues and folk, Harry simply played some good easy listening acoustic pop which was perfect for both the mid-week setting and the intimate venue provided by The Cock and Bull.

Following on from Harry was another solo performer, Lydia Jane. Accompanying herself on piano, and at times guitar, her own compositions took a more ballad-like direction while retaining the relaxed and mellow atmosphere established by Harry Parkin.

Lydia Jane at The Cock and Bull.

While Lydia didn't seem to grab the attention of those in the pub quite like Harry did, she more than deserved to as her own compositions, mixed with her clear multi-instrumental talent, made for a great and entertaining set, and with her ease and confidence on stage building throughout there could be great things in this young performer's future.

From the Cock and Bull it was now time to head to the other end of town for the first of Rogues 'Open Stage' nights.

First on stage at the club-come-venue tonight were new duo The Grumpies, who kept the mellow and acoustic idea going nicely with a selection classic pop and rock covers including Van Morrison and The Beatles, amongst many others from the 1960's to the present day.

The Grumpies.

For only a second gig they sounded great and their use of percussion and Spanish style guitar really added something extra beyond simply two guys with guitars playing covers, and in the future I could really see them going down well at many of the islands regular, more easy listening, venues.

The other of tonight's open stage acts are somewhat more established on the local scene than the other acts had been, and it was the second time I was seeing them this week, and as ever the newly reformed Third Time Lucky put on a hell of a show.

Tighter than ever and with a great sound thanks to the better PA in Rogues than where I last saw them in The Golden Lion, tonight they came across like a totally professional band, never letting the energy or sound dip for a second.

Danny of Third Time Lucky.

As ever the bands classics were sung along to and applauded heartily by the surprisingly large crowd who had gathered considering the late hour, 3TL didn't come on until gone midnight, and the fact it was a 'school night'.

The real highlight of the set tonight though, other than classics like 'Forever and a Day', was new song '3 Squeaks' which tonight sounded even better than previously and really showed the bands direction has evolved into a more grown up style while still retaining their same pop rock sound, making them somewhat reminiscent of Ash in their prime.

After Third Time Lucky came off the stage, just before one in the morning, and following an encore of a second run of '3 Squeaks' I was left with even more of a view of how much live music there is on offer in Guernsey, as, even on a relatively quiet Wednesday night, I saw at least six different places with live music, and that was just in town.