There’s youth, and there’s experience.
Monday sees a familiar name to the Robin, when flautist/organist/vocalist Thijs van Leer returns with the latest incarnation of Dutch prog rockers Focus. The band broke up amidst much acrimony following their days of chart success in the seventies, reformed at regular intervals and finally got back together on a permanent basis ten years ago. Since then they’ve toured regularly and their latest album, Focus X, came out in October 2012. To complete the authenticity, it even had a Roger Dean cover design.
Tickets £15
Seth Lakeman is a multi-talented and award-winning folk singer-songwriter. As part of the Lakeman Brothers and then Equation he recorded highly-accalimed albums and toured the world. Since going solo in 2002 he’s continued in the same vein, nominated for a Mercury prize in 2005, winning Radio 2 Folk Awards for Singer of the Year and Best Album two years later and becoming a highly-rated fixture on the festival circuit.
Tickets £19.50
In 1980 the first flames of punk had burned out, then along came the Anti-Nowhere League to spark up its dying embers. Loud, brash and obnoxious, their records weren’t just banned, they were confiscated by police and their live shows were a riotous celebration of comic book anarchy. They later evolved into a talented rock band but by then they were too far gone to ever be taken seriously. But they continue to perform, as loud and as anarchic as ever.
Tickets £12.50
Another Robin regular is back on Friday. Andy Fairweather-Low has been on the British music scene since the sixties, making his name with Amen Corner and then carving out a successful solo career. His work as a sideman is also of the highest order – a world tour as musical director to Roger Waters and a regular stint with Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings being just two of the recent names on his CV.
Tickets £18.50
On Saturday afternoon there’s a free music event for young musicians courtesy of Base Studios, who will be presenting band surgeries, masterclasses and the opportunity to play live.
Then on Saturday evening there’s a charity event in aid of the National Autistic Society, featuring amongst others the legendary archetypal glam rocker Alvin Stardust.
Tickets £16
China Crisis were one of the second wave of Merseybeat, shooting to fame in the early eighties. More mainstream than most of their contemporaries they achieved chart success with a blend of synth-driven soulful pop and in recent years have toured regularly, their profile kept high with a number of compilations and re-issues. Support is their fellow Liverpudlian Peter Coyle.
Tickets £15
Tickets are available from the Robin 2 on 01902-401211 or www.therobin.co.uk
