BBC Music Introducing In Guernsey: June 2018 – Arts Sunday Lookback

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Click here to listen to the show For the June 2018 edition BBC Music Introducing In Guernsey its a bit of a special looking back at our stage on Arts Sunday earlier in the month. With that in mind there are live sets from Kiya Ashton, Ukuladeez, Track Not...

Dolmens and Track Not Found – The Golden Lion – 22/06/18

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard DolmensWith the exception of a one-off event featuring Brunt last autumn it’s been a long a time since the downstairs bar at The Golden Lion has welcomed any of Guernsey’s original hard rock acts. So, when they announced a weekend of the heavier stuff, there was some sense of...

BBC Music Introducing at Arts Sunday 2018 – 10/06/18

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard UkuladeezFor a fourth year BBC Music Introducing in Guernsey was part of Guernsey Arts Commission‘s Arts Sunday event on 10th June. The event, this year focussed on the theme of ‘Express Yourself’, took over the St Peter Port seafront from 10 until 4 and featured a showcase of pretty...

Sound In The Market – Market Square, St Peter Port – 02/06/18

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard KingsIn the past there has been something of a tradition of energetic live music performances in the heart of St Peter Port. From the likes of My Generation being famously photographed in Church Square in the 1960s to the Market Rock events in the 90s there was often a...

The Recks launch The Beast From The Sea – The Fermain Tavern – 19/05/18

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard The RecksTo say there was a sense of anticipation and expectation at The Fermain Tavern on Saturday night would be an understatement as, for the second time (by their own admission, you can find out about that first launch show here), The Recks were staging a special show to...

Music on Liberation Day 2018 – Albert Pier and The Mariners – 09/05/18

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard The Space Pirates of Rocquaine on the Albert Pier stageIt’s something I’ve said before but something that seems to feel truer every year that, on Guernsey’s Liberation Day, amongst the various forms of celebration and commemoration it’s music that brings it all together and allows us to feel truly...

Guernsey Gigs Unplugged Club 4 – The Golden Lion – 01/05/18

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Gregory HarrisonA few months ago I posted a blog about a new regular event taking place on the first Tuesday of every month, organised by Guernsey Gigs, and mixing the ideas of an open mic night with a social ‘club’ kind of atmosphere. Now four months in the event...

Sound Guernsey – The Fermain Tavern – 27/04/18

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard BruntOver the past year and a half Sound Guernsey has not only given the island’s youngsters a chance to experience live music but also provided a platform for them to play as new bands emerge. Their April 2018 show at The Fermain Tavern then was a bit of an...

Problematic and Dead Steady – The Vault – 07/04/18

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard ProblematicThe last couple of years has seen something of a resurgence of young bands in Guernsey. This can be largely put down to the appearance of a new breed of music school and, for wont of a better description, youth music organisations equipping youngsters with the tools to make...

Sound Guernsey present The Young Ones, Vol. 2 – The Fermain Tavern – 02/03/18

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Track Not FoundFor two and a bit years Sound Guernsey have been giving young music fans in the island the chance to experience live music from both established and new bands. From this, as well as the work of music schools like Thirst and School Of Popular Music (amongst...

Stormbringer and Granite Wolf – The Vault – 24/02/18

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Granite WolfIt may have been threatening ice and snow outside on Saturday 24th February 2018, but, with around 100 crammed into the ‘cosy’ surroundings of The Vault in St Peter Port and geared up for some heavy metal, that was very easily forgotten. Granite Wolf got things going in...

Tantale album launch with The Recks, Lord Vapour and Flexagon – The Fermain Tavern – 10/02/18

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard TantaleOn Saturday 10th February Tantale launched their third album, Tightrope (read my review here), with a special show at The Fermain Tavern. With the venue redecorated as a kind of post apocalyptic garden by Tyler Ayres of Ghosthaus, Tantale were joined by Lord Vapour, The Recks and Flexagon for...

Guernsey Gigs Unplugged Club – The Golden Lion – 06/02/18

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Richey PowersWith open mic nights happening weekly at the De La Rue (Mondays), Cock and Bull (Tuesdays), The Golden Lion (Wednesdays) and The Vault (Thursdays), as well as the monthly Folk Club open sessions it might seem that Guernsey Gigs have stepped into a well over subscribed arena with...

Vale Earth Fair Unplugged – The Fermain Tavern – 03/02/18

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard The Rectory Hill Skillet LickersIt might be the name of another of the Guernsey’s big musical events but ‘Chaos’ is a word more easily applied to this annual kick starter for the Vale Earth Fair than pretty much any other regular show on the island. With eight acts, across...

Sound Guernsey present Static Alice, Cosmic Fish, Isle Stone and Zak Trimmer- The Fermain Tavern – 26/01/18

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Zak TrimmerSound Guernsey started off their new year with a packed show at The Fermain Tavern featuring five acts, including a unique set from headliners Static Alice. Things started out with Zak Trimmer who has made a few appearances at Sound over the last few months and each time...

Guernsey Gigs Jam Night #3 – The Fermain Tavern – 19/01/18

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard The Nick Farnham Experience RelivedTwice last year Guernsey Gigs put on nights that presented something entirely different to a normal gig under the banner of their Jam Nights. For the first of the new year the format remained the same with musicians being invited to put their name in...

Live music highlights – Guernsey Press – 18/01/18

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Against Me, Thee Jenerators, Rancid and TeaspoonriverneckAs part of an ongoing series of articles I was asked by The Guernsey Press about my favourite live music experiences both on the island and off. Choosing my favourite shows away from the island was relatively easy as a couple have long...

To The Woods, Burning At Both Ends and Dolmens – The Fermain Tavern – 29/12/17

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard To The WoodsOn the last weekend of 2017 The Fermain Tavern welcomed the return of ‘lairy’ rock ‘n’ rollers, To The Woods for the a special one-off show. They were joined in rounding off the year by pop punkers Burning At Both Ends and new grungadelic four-piece Dolmens. You...