Remember summer? That glorious two days where it went from being “mild, and ok I guess”, to “I like it hot, but this is too hot”, then back again. Remember how it then started raining? It seems like ages ago doesn’t it?
I’m no weatherologist (technically they are called Meteorologists, though when you look into it, they know NOTHING about meteors – fact) but technically in some countries it is STILL actually summer. And I do remember summer.
When I was just a young lad – let’s say of 38, picture the scene: it’s the mid 90’s, everything is in black and white – I had loads of “summer tunes” that I liked to listen to when it was, albeit just mathematically, summer. They generally had the word “summer” in, because I am wildly unimaginative (whatever, people listen to “Christmas” records at Christmas and no one complains. For the first week).
My summer playlist was stuff like “Summertime” by Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince, “Staying out for the summer” by Dodgy, and of course Autopsy’s “Charred remains” (a cautionary tale reminding us of the importance of sunscreen). Even when actual summer turns out to be about as good as dandruff, I can still cheer myself up by listening to my summer tunes. Splendidly, whilst this summer is proving to be a bit of a damp cloth (not even a particularly warm damp cloth… and certainly not as lemon fresh as a moist towelette), like a good mix of summer music, there are still highlights to be had…
For example:
Nigel Martin is the lead singer out of the band Dodgy. They actually sung the tune “Staying out for the summer” and he is playing a free gig at 10 Devonshire Place this Wednesday 6th August. As it turns out, Dodgy had a whole string of hits and I am hugely looking forward to seeing him, in the hopes that a good dose of summery indie will brighten up an otherwise dull Wednesday evening. At the end of the day, it’s a free gig, so what is there to lose? Supports start at 7pm and the recent “mesters” gigs like this at 10Dev have been really excellent.
Before that on Tuesday the Blues Bar has a guy called Curtis Eller bringing his “American Circus” to town. I really don’t know what to expect for this but loads of people have told me it will be right up my street. I think there will be banjos, beer, and it’s in The Blues Bar, so that sounds about right. Also on Tuesday, before hand The Fat Badger are having their monthly Beer Club, that is always a good value night out. If you’ve never been, a guest brewery takes you through 4 complimentary beers paired with appetizers, a main and a dessert, all for £25 quid which is just great value. This tends to be very busy, so you might want to ring ahead.
Whilst summer may not have turned up, The Henshaw’s urban beach WILL DEFINITELY turn up next week, and has sand. It is part and parcel of the superb line up of FEVA events that happens in Knaresborough. This annual festival of entertainments and visual arts is an amazing community driven programme, with something for everyone. http://feva.info/programme/ lists everything that is on, as there is far too much for me to go through here; but if you look you will find events for kids, families, grown ups and everyone in between.
Loosely attempting to appeal to all those demographics, I am holding a Beach Party at the aforementioned Urban Beach installation at Henshaws, on Monday 17th August. This will feature my mobile “Porkies Prime Cuts” soundsystem, a veritable super-sonic vinyl only open deck(chair) beach party cum Tropical Beach Cocktail. There will be beach volley ball (Vs The Spa Town Roller Derby team), a seaside palm reader, Swingball, food, booze, djs and sandcastles! Entry is free but all proceeds from the bar and food sales will go to Henshaws, who do great work with people who have disabilities. The DJ line up is now almost full, but there will be 8 (perhaps more) guest djs playing half hour sets all from vinyl, which really makes for a great range of tunes.
In a final desperate attempt to invoke the summer into something more vigorous that a custard cream biscuit that has been steeped in luke warm milk, this week I am investing in some NEW summer tunes, to add to my spurious list I started this piece off with. One in particular stands out as it is by Dj Rory Hoy. I’ve mentioned Rory before in this blog as he comes from “these parts”, and he really is an ace dj. He differs from me in two way: first, he really is an ace dj; secondly, because rather than just dj, he actually makes tunes too – now don’t get me wrong, occasionally I have done bootlegs and remixes of really really hard techno – but Rory actually makes music that people want to listen to. One such tune is “Hey Everybody” that is out right now. It features Ashley Slater on vocals as is a party/funky/breaks track that invites you to put your phone down and start living. Genuinely I think this is actually an important message. I do however realise lots of people don’t want messages in their music, and that’s fine too, because this is a catchy pop banger that – particularly with the various remixes available – offers something for dancefloors and wound down window car drives alike. My favorite mix is Rory’s Acid Trip version, a tuned down acid house track that bubbles along in the classic late 80’s early house style, but House of Phonk have done a superb club banger version that is fully insistent, particularly if you like the likes of Duck Sauce or the new one by Julio Bashmore (which you should cos that’s ace too). It’s available to buy now, on I-tunes and all the rest.
Quickly, next week Moko Lounge holds its regular deep house night Knee Deep, whilst tonight there is live music at The Den In Harrogate, who have Day Old Hate playing. Day Old Hate are a great outfit featuring musicians who have recently been on Radio 1 with some of their other projects, so this promises to be a night of fine entertainment.
Here are the listings; seriously, don’t let summer rain on your parade, it’s still there for the taking!
Cheers for reading, play safe and drink good stuff responsibly. Trev x x x
Friday 31st July
Henshaws Knaresborough, Friday Night Mix with Greenshaw’s MoodHook plus support.
The Den, Day Old Hate live. Free entry.
Blues Bar, The Wolves live. Free entry.
Rift & Co. Live lounge from 6pm til 9pm, then Dj Tex brings the weekend from 9pm.
Moko Lounge, #Fridays.
Rehab Nightclub, “Electro Circus” dance Night.
· Saturday 1st August
The Project at The Den. Help The Homeless charity night with buskers.
Starbeck working Mens Club, Northern Soul, Motown and Ska night with DC (Teenage Kicks Soundsystem)
Blues Bar, The Jed Thomas Blues Band.
10 Devonshire Place celebrates YORKSHIRE DAY with a full tap take over of the best of Yorkshire’s breweries.
Moko Lounge, Main Room DJ Max Czernic playing upfront house, electro and disco. Door charge applies, or contact the venue for guestlist before 11pm.
Rift & Co. Entourage Saturday Session.
Rehab nightclub, two floors of music: Top Floor : Rock Party Scissors 10pm ‘til 4am.Downstairs: Electricity upfront dance night, doors open 8pm with Pop & Dance music from Djs Wayne & James. Free entry.
· Sunday 2nd August
Fairytale Family Day at Henshaws
10 Devonshire Place; Quiz night, live music round from Jonny Skinner, questions and questionable activity from Dj Trev, free entry
Blues Bar, full day of live music with Free entry. Live lounge in the afternoon, Matt Goldberg in the evening plus more. Free entry..
Retro Bar, open deck social.
Viper Rooms. Peek-a-Boo R’n’B night.
Hales Pub, live acoustic night.
Fat Badger, Cold Bath Road, Pub Quiz.
· . Monday 3rd August
The Harlow Inn, Otley road, Pub Quiz.
Rift & Co. 50% off all food until 9pm.
So! Bar, Otley Road, Pub Quiz.
Blues Bar, fully hosted fully entertaining open mic session, hosted by Pete Oliver.
Moko Lounge nightclub, Karaoke.
Tuesday 4th August
Curtis Eller’s American Circus at The Blues Bar.
Coach and Horses Pie and Peas night with proceeds to Martin’s House Children’s Hospice.
The Tap n’ Spile pub, folk night.
The Cross Keys Pub, Knaresborough, Folk Night.
Pitcher & Piano Re:Session cheap drinks night.
Moko Lounge Nightclub, “Skint” main room upfront dance and electro, VIP Room Rock Box Rock night Dj Jaye Selway.
Rift & Co. Bar, “Rift-Raff” (taking over back to rev) as the Tuesday industry session Toby Skinner plus guests. 50% off drinks 8pm til close.
Wednesday 5th August
10 Devonshire Place, Nigel out of Dodgy live at the Residents Association acoustic night with Jonny Skinner plus guests. Free entry.
Retro Bar, acoustic jam charity night.
The Den, Salsa; beginners 7.30pm, intermediate 8.30pm, social dancing 9.30pm £5 per class, two classes for £8
The Blues Bar, live music from the Paul Middleton Angst band .
Rehab Nightclub, Dj Jaye Selway
Moko Lounge, Dj Max Czernic’s request night.
· Thursday 6th August
Kirkstall Abbey openair Shakespeare – Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Blues Bar, live music with The Sharon Colgan band. Free entry.
Rehab Nightclub, Flexorama with Dj Tex
Viper Rooms, YOLO Club night.
Christies Pub, Sean McGrath’s Pub quiz.
Rift & Co. JagerRocks – £1 jager bombs all night Friday 17th July
10 Devonshire Place 10% off at Bar for CAMRA members
Friday 7th August
The Blues Bar, The Blue Kings live. Free entry.
Rift & Co. Speed Dating.
Moko Lounge, Knee Deep House night with Lauen lo Sung
Saturday 8th August
The Den, jonny Skinner live. Free entry.
Sunday 9th August
10 Devonshire Place, afternoon folk session. Silly quiz in the evening.
Wednesday 12th August
10 Devonshire Place, acoustic night jazz special with guest Becky Lowe.
Thursday 13th August
10 Devonshire Place, Soul-full Soul-food with Graham playing soul all from tasty traditional vinyl with special food menu and meal deal
14th August – 23rd August
Henshaws Knaresborough, Urban Beach with a host of live events.
15th August
Henshaws Urban Beach, Saturday Night Feva, hosted by Lily la Belle
Sunday 16th August
Major tom’s Socail: The Geek Pub Quiz
Monday 17th August
Henshaw’s Knaresborough, “Dj Trev presents Porkies Prime Cuts, vinyl only open deck(chair) beach party / Tropical Beach Cocktail”, with beach volley ball (Vs The Spa Town Roller Derby team), a seaside palm reader, Swingball, djs and deckchairs! Free entry.
21st August
The Den, Majesty live, free entry.
Saturday 22nd August
Knaresborough House, FEVA Pic-Nic in the Park. All day open air music party. Dj Trev plus four live bands, free entry BYO Pic-Nic
Sunday 23rd august
Henshaws Knaresborough, Craft Fair ont’ Beach.
Wednesday 26th August
10 Devonshire Place, Adam Ficek (Babyshambles) live at The Residents Association, 7pm, with supports. Free entry
Saturday 5th September
Harrogate Ladies College (Sports Centre) Spa Town Roller Girls National Championship Fixture. Full contact sports with commentators, DJ and refreshments.
11th to 13th September
Release The Hounds poetry and spoken word festival, Knaresborough.
Wednesday 14th October, 10 Devonshire Place, Tom Hingley (Inspiral Carpets 1989 – 2011) Live. Free Entry.
Saturday 17th October
Fighting Epondymoma’s annual Huge rock gig!
Monthly events
1st Sunday of the Month, Cross Keys in Knaresborough David Cranes Teenage Kicks Soundsystem presents “The Sunday Soul Selection”, an afternoon of Sweet Soul Music.
1st Tuesday of the month, Major Tom’s Social “Craft Club”. Art attack for grownups!
2nd Sunday of the month, Major Tom’s Social, Dj Scoobies Big Band Selections.
2nd Sunday of the month, 10 Devonshire Place, Folk afternoon.
3rd Wednesday of the month, Tap & Spile “Poems Prose & Pints” spoken word group.
Last Friday of the month, Jakes Café Bar, Oxford Road, Wine Club.
Fortnightly Tuesdays, 10 Devonshire Place, harrogate Story Tellers in the back room.
To get listed please message me on facebook.com/djtrev
If I don’t know about your night, please don’t send me a message telling me off for not listing it.
Trev x x x
