In News

Sound At St James 2 – St James Concert Hall – 22/02/20

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard The first Sound At St James festival, a little under a year and a half ago, marked something of a relaunch of St James (or at least the perception of it) as a venue for more than classical music and rather staid, traditional entertainment. Since then a range of...
February 26, 2020 by Tom Girard
In News

December 2019 and Best of 2019 Playlists

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard As with last year’s December playlist blog I’ve got two in one this month with my usual monthly update and a more focussed ‘best of the year’ including some of my favourite new tracks from 2019 (you can also find one focussing on music from the Channel Islands on...
December 30, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Music in Guernsey in 2019

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard After a couple of years where music in Guernsey had upped its game, across the board, to a level that continues to surprise many visitors to the island, or those who hear Guernsey based bands when they venture away, 2019 has had to me a slightly different feel. While...
December 28, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

The Honest Crooks Christmas Party – The Fermain Tavern – 21/12/19

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard The Honest CrooksAfter missing a couple of other Christmas gigs for a few reasons I headed out to the last of the bigger ones on the weekend before the big day as ska band The Honest Crooks took over The Fermain Tavern for their festive bash. It was my...
December 24, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

BBC Music Introducing In The Channel Islands – September 2019 – Nick Coleman and Coastal Fire Dept

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Nick Coleman on BBC IntroducingClick here to listen to the show For my edition of BBC Music Introducing In The Channel Islands for September 2019 I featured two up and coming acts from Guernsey with rather different styles. In session was Nick Coleman who’s made a name for himself...
September 29, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Chaos 15 – Pleinmont, Guernsey – 28-30/06/19

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard After seemingly settling back into a winning formula last year, Chaos returned for a 15th time to the Pleinmont headland in Guernsey over the weekend of 28th to 30th June 2019. With two stages running for the three days it was possibly the most varied Chaos event yet with...
July 4, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Slim Pickings and The Honest Crooks – St James Concert Hall – 22/06/19

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard The Honest CrooksWhen it was announced that St James was staging a pirate themed ska party featuring well known Guernsey based band The Honest Crooks and visiting octet Slim Pickings, ‘complete with pirate ship,’ I expected maybe a few Jolly Rogers and some inventive fancy dress. Upon arriving at...
June 26, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

BBC Music Introducing in the Channel Islands – May 2019 – The Cor Damme Lars

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard The Cor Damme Lars in the studioClick here to listen to the show This month I was back across all Channel Islands once again for BBC Music Introducing In The Channel Islands with new music from Guernsey, Jersey, Sark and Alderney all represented (I’ve still not got anything from...
May 26, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Havoc Events presents Third Time Lucky and friends – The Fermain Tavern – 18/05/19

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Third Time LuckyThirteen years ago I started a section on the BBC Guernsey website called Guernsey Unsigned, since then it’s developed into the BBC Introducing radio shows for Guernsey and now the Channel Islands but, back in June 2006, the first live event I covered was headlined by Third...
May 20, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

Liberation Day Warm Up with The Recks, The Honest Crooks and Track Not Found – Imperial Hotel – 08/05/19

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Track Not FoundLiberation Day is always a busy one when it comes to live music and 2019 was no different, however in the past the night before has often been a rather quiet one. This year though that was different as The Imperial Hotel at Rocquaine chose Wednesday the...
May 12, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

BBC Music Introducing in the Channel Islands – April 2019 – The Recks and Atmoised

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard The Recks and AtomisedClick here to listen to the show This month BBC Introducing in Guernsey and Jersey have been combined so going forward its BBC Music Introducing In The Channel Islands, with me still in the hot seat for the final Saturday of each month. With that in...
April 28, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

BBC Music Introducing In Guernsey: March 2019 – Elliot Falla and Burning At Both Ends

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Burning At Both Ends and Elliot FallaClick here to listen to the show On the March edition of BBC Music Introducing In Guernsey I featured two live sessions as well as the usual range of tracks from artists from the islands. Elliot Falla joined me to talk about his...
March 31, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

BBC Music Introducing in Guernsey: January 2019 – Hollie Lucia and Mike’s Magic Trip

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Hollie Lucia and Mike MeinkeClick here to listen to the show BBC Music Introducing In Guernsey started off the new year with a whole load of brand new music. As well as new tracks from new from the likes of BLAKALASKA, Blacksmith, Lord Vapour and Robert J. Hunter I...
January 27, 2019 by Tom Girard
In News

BBC Music Introducing In Guernsey: December 2018 – Review of the Year

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Click here to listen to the show For the final BBC Music Introducing In Guernsey radio show of 2018 I took a look back at the last year of music in the islands. As well as reflecting on some of the big events that took place across the year,...
December 30, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

Music In Guernsey In 2018

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard A year ago, when I was writing my review of music in Guernsey in 2017, I commented that it felt like a year when the bands and musicians in and from the island had all, collectively, taken a great step forward I terms of the quality of what was...
December 27, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

The Honest Crooks – Crook, Line And Sinker EP

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Over the last few years The Honest Crooks have made their now formidable reputation almost exclusive off the back of their live shows (with the exception of a couple of fairly lo-fi demo tracks which have since been removed from circulation). Throughout all that time there has often been...
December 16, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

The Honest Crooks EP Launch and ‘Office Christmas Party’ – The Vault – 08/12/18

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard The Honest CrooksThree days on from the launch of Kiya Ashton’s debut EP, and in the midst of a month packed with new music release from Guernsey based artists including Lord Vapour, Insurrection, BLAKALASKA and more, The Honest Crooks released their first EP proper, Crook, Line And Sinker, with...
December 12, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

BBC Music Introducing In Guernsey: November 2018 – Kiya Ashton in session and The Honest Crooks

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Kiya Ashton and The Honest CrooksClick here to listen to the show On the November 2018 edition of BBC Music Introducing In Guernsey I was joined in the studio by a band an artist preparing to release their debut EPs. Kiya Ashton has been gigging for a couple of...
November 24, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

Sound At St James – St James Concert Hall, Guernsey – 27-28/10/18

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Of Empires on the main stageFor as long as I can remember St James, the impressive looking former church on the main road into St Peter Port, has been the home of classical music in Guernsey with rarely anything even bordering on pop gracing its impressive main hall, or...
November 2, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

BBC Music Introducing in Guernsey: October 2018 – Havoc Events and Out Of The Box

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Havoc Events and Graham DuerdenClick here to listen to the show On the October 2018 edition of BBC Music Introducing In Guernsey, after a packed summer of live music, I featured a couple of things a little different. First I spoke to Graham Duerden, more well-known as drummer from...
October 27, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

The Honest Crooks vs Clameur De Haro – The Vault – 05/10/18

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard With the summer festival season now well and truly in the rear view mirror it seems to have become a bit of a tradition for The Vault to put on a particularly great night as we move into autumn. Last year it came from SugarSlam and Granite Wolf, and...
October 7, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

2018 Summer of Music in Guernsey

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard The Honest CrooksI’m sure it’s a trend I’ve mentioned in the past but more than ever the ‘summer festival season’ in Guernsey is, like it’s larger counterparts in the U.K. and Europe, getting longer and more packed each year. Barely a weekend went by without some event happening and...
October 1, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

BBC Music Introducing in Guernsey: September 2018 – Robert J Hunter live

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard The Robert J. Hunter Band at The Long Road Festival (BBC Music Introducing)Click here to listen to the show While it might be well and truly autumn I continue to revel in a packed summer of festivals on the September 2018 edition of BBC Music Introducing In Guernsey –...
September 29, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

Sark Roots Festival 2018 – 14-16/09/18

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Sark Roots FestivalFor a third year a field at the north-eastern most point of the tiny island of Sark was converted for the weekend into one of the most relaxed and convivial festivals sites I’ve ever encountered, for the Sark Roots Festival. Once again the event featured three days...
September 19, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

Vale Earth Fair 2018 – Vale Castle – 25-26/08/18

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Imperial Leisure at the Vale Earth FairFor the second year in a row the 2018 Vale Earth Fair, marking the Channel Island’s longest running music festival’s 42nd year, was split across two days with the first day again being run by Sound Guernsey and the second being the long-established...
August 28, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

Vale Earth Fair at Rocquaine Regatta – 04/08/18

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Vale Earth Fair at Rocquaine RegattaFor as many years as I care to remember the Rocquaine Regatta has concluded with a barbecue in the field opposite the iconic Fort Grey with live musical entertainment provided by the Vale Earth Fair. After last year’s somewhat dampened event, summer 2018 has...
August 8, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

BBC Music Introducing In Guernsey: July 2018 – Joe Corbin and The Recks at Latitude

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Joe Corbin in the studioClick here to listen to the show On the July 2018 edition of BBC Music Introducing In Guernsey I had another show packed with exciting new and live music. First of all we were joined in the studio for a session and chat by Joe...
July 29, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

Japanese Invasion Night – The Fermain Tavern – 21/07/18

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard PUNiKTwo years ago Japanese punk rockers PUNiK made a huge impression with their performance at the 12th Chaos weekend and right away talk of their return to the island began. It’s taken two years but on Saturday night that’s what happened at The Fermain Tavern as PUNiK returned along...
July 24, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

Chaos 14 – Pleinmont, Guernsey – 29/06-01/07/18

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Now in its 14th year I think it’s safe to say that, after the Vale Earth Fair, Chaos (aka Chaos Weekend or Chaos Festival) is one of the most established events in the Channel Islands music calendar regularly attracting visitors from Jersey, the U.K. and mainland Europe. Over that...
July 4, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

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...
June 30, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

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...
June 12, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

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...
June 4, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

BBC Music Introducing in Guernsey: May 2018 – The Recks and Arts Sunday preview

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard The RecksClick here to listen to the show On the May 2018 edition of BBC Music Introducing in Guernsey I welcomed The Recks into their studio as they launched their debut album, The Beast From The Sea, and took a look at the bands playing our stage on Arts...
May 27, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

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...
May 23, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

BBC Music Introducing In Guernsey: April 2018 – Kings in Session

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Eli and Casey of KingsClick here to listen to the show BBC Music Introducing in Guernsey for April 2018 had three main themes to it. First was our live guests, Eli and Casey from pop band Kings. They played an acoustic session for us featuring the first three singles...
April 29, 2018 by Tom Girard
In News

BBC Music Introducing in Guernsey: January 2018 – Tantale and Track Not Found

This is an excerpt of an article written by Tom Girard Tantale and Track Not FoundClick here to listen to the show BBC Music Introducing in Guernsey started the new year with a look at two new releases by band’s from the island. First was Track Not Found who released their debut EP, The Only Way Is Lost, just before...
January 28, 2018 by Tom Girard