Off the beaten track of vineyard concerts, there's a small parade of quality shows coming to Newcastle and the Hunter in the new year.
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First up, Scottish neo trad wonders, Elephant Sessions, pay a return visit to the Stag & Hunter on January 5. The five-piece band with its beginnings in Inverness, the biggest (little) city in the Scottish Highlands. The band founders - Alasdair Taylor, who plays mandolin, and Euan Smillie, who plays fiddle - have been mates since they were young children.
They are an award-winning live band, with exquisite musicianship and music that transcends the expectations that come from playing traditional folk music.
On February 13 the Cambridge will host Okilly Dokilly, billed as the "world's only Nedal band".
Hailing from Phoenix, Arizona, a majority of the heavy metal band's lyrics are direct Ned Flanders quotes.
Ned Flanders is, of course, Homer Simpson's good-natured devout Christian neighbour on The Simpsons long-running TV show.
The first three months of 2020 at The Royal Exchange on Bolton Street feature Australian world music band, Chaika, on January 11; Irish-Australian Celtic band the Barleyshakes on January 16; Italian mandolin player Carlo Alonzo with Lorenzo Piccone on the acoustic guitar and Luciano Puppo on the double bass playing modern arrangements of an array of Italian songs on February 1; and Scottish-born folk singer and storyteller Alistair Brown playing his anglo concertina and button accordion on March 15.
Meanwhile, Lizotte's continues to set the pace with outstanding world class talents gracing its stage. Sensational Canadian folksters The East Pointers play there on January 11.
Eilen Jewell, one of the hottest and most unkown treasures of Americana music, rolls into Lizotte's on March 25 with her band. Her latest album, Gypsy, sounds like a performer at the top of her game, mixing blues, roots and country into a steamy sexy concoction.
Lizotte's has also scored two Bluesfest sideshows. Walter Trout, one of the greatest living jazz guitarists in the world, plays the club for the first time ever on April 7.
Phenomenal duo War & Treaty bring their combined luscious blues voices to the house on April 8.
Jim Kellar
Jim Kellar writes about culture, art, food, drinks and music. He's been a journalist at the Newcastle Herald since 1997. jkellar@newcastleherald.com.au
Jim Kellar writes about culture, art, food, drinks and music. He's been a journalist at the Newcastle Herald since 1997. jkellar@newcastleherald.com.au
