Glastonbury Songwriting Contest Final 16th May from 6.30pm entry £3

After much deliberation we are down to the finalists of the Glastonbury FM Songwriting Contest 2015. We had 77 songs entered and as of last year it was very difficult to whittle them down to the final 10.

The prizes are:

To play on the GFM Stage at this year’s Godney Gathering amongst a Stella line up of acts in this widely acclaimed one day music festival on a prime slot and a festival which will sell out

http://www.thegodneygathering.com/

To play on the main Marquee Stage at the Farmfestival near Bruton alongside some great up and coming acts. The Farmfestival has a great reputation and sells out every year. You will have a great weekend and be part of a brilliant occasion.

http://www.farmfestival.co.uk/home/

To play The Otters Pocket Stage at The Sat in a Field Festival at Cheddar in a sell-out festival with a growing reputation and a fantastic party atmosphere. This will be a top acoustic songwriters prize.

http://www.satinafield.com/

On all of the above festival prizes they include event passes for the acts.
A £50 Jaywalk Guitars Voucher. Street's premier music shop.

http://www.jaywalkguitars.co.uk/

A great prize from Jelli Records who are a great promoter of the local music scene.

http://www.jelli-records.com/

A preview of the finalists and their songs

Cindy Stratton (Singer/Songwriter) "A singer and songwriter who has been part of the local music scene for many years, Cindy was pursued by several major record companies during the late 80's,...a beautiful smoke laced voice and some great songs place her head and shoulders above many of her younger compatriots, as shown on her excellent album 'Portraits of life and love'".
Venue 2010

https://soundcloud.com/ian-liversidge/cindy-stratton-cup-of-goodwill

My Social Orbit who are a truly original band from Frome who write complicated Bowiesque tunes. They are regulars on the local gig circuit and are involved in live music on Frome FM.

https://soundcloud.com/mysocialorbit/line-of-least-resistance-1

Jack-Fox Williams another talented musician who is popular at the Glastonbury open Mics. Having a vocal range of Tom York from Radiohead he is a very interesting musician. His entry is Watch TV of which I don’t have a link.

https://soundcloud.com/ian-liversidge/watch-tv-mix-1-jack-fox-williams

Henry Wacey is a Singer/Songwriter from Frome, Somerset. He's currently living in Southampton after being based in Glastonbury for the last 2 years. Henry has played The Fleece, Bristol, and various venues in Southampton and around his local county of Somerset. 

https://soundcloud.com/henry-wacey/looking-thorugh-the-old-scrapbook-ep-version?in=henry-wacey/sets/here-i-go-again-ep

David 9 Lunas  Living in the UK from four years old, David a Trinidadian, has been mesmerizing audiences up and down the country for a while now; usually solo but sometimes with a kick-arse rhythm section that he calls The King Pigs

That Hidden Promise  Originally from Blackpool, though now based in Somerset. That Hidden Promise is a solo act, that has been performing live with current set up since March 2011, after deciding to try and bring something different and fresh to the solo performer arena.

https://soundcloud.com/that-hidden-promise/that-hidden-promise-are-you-with-me

In June 2014 Chloë Warren Music released her debut, self produced album entitled “The Midnight Novel” two singles from which have also been released as music videos available via YouTube. The album has already received interest from many localized music publications and radio play from stations around the South West, including BBC Introducing.

https://soundcloud.com/cthewarren/10-to-myself

John D Revelator Following a move to Somerset John D Revelator have become a 5 piece having recruited the wonderful talents of Ann on percussion & backing vocals, Geraint & Smudge on guitar, bass & backing vocals & Paul on drums & backing vocals.

https://soundcloud.com/english-johnny/australia

Any Other Day are an upcoming alternative band from Somerset, England. They are all based at Stode College and are full of potential. Their entry is We Need Maps

https://soundcloud.com/ian-liversidge/we-dont-need-maps

Steve Henderson Is Glastonbury's master butcher, musician, Councillor, open mic organiser and all round top bloke. On top of that he is quite a good songwriter.

https://soundcloud.com/steve-henderson-25/at-4

Please come down and watch the finals. Each act will play 2 songs to warm the crowd up then their contest entry.  £3 to get in and see some of the areas top acts we hope to make the evening like a mini festival. Get down at 6.30pm and enjoy the party.

GFM Soudcloud playlist:


http://soundcloud.com/ian-liversidge/sets/glastonbury-fm-songwriting

https://www.facebook.com/events/802284009837176/?ref=5

GFM Stage at The Godney Gathering Preview

On 18^th July folk from the local area and wider will gather in a field near Godney for a celebration of music, cider and more. The event has become more and more established over the years and provides several stages and is a great family based event. I am really pleased to help out and proud that Thursday Live and GFM is associated with the festival and thanks to Mike and Sue Daniels for allowing this. On this blog I will take the chance to introduce to you some of the local acts appearing on our stage which we intend to bring one or two surprises to this year.

Charlie Miller and the Soul Agents

A collection of some amazing musicians from the area get together to play original soul music and a selection of the very best classic soul and funk hits. This full live band oozes sweetness, grooves hard and makes you want to get up and dance all night. Charlie is the leader of the band and just can’t turn down talented members so by the Gathering we could be stuck for room on the stage for them.

The Thatchers

Last year the band opened up the main stage after accumulating over 800 votes from their fans in a competition ran by The Gathering. They Play acoustic music you can stomp your feet, clap your hands and sing-a-long to!! They say…Chemistry is an interesting art, you can make medicines and cuisine, composite materials and hell even a bomb!!!!But you can also create something that makes the feet stomp, the hands clap and the human bodies’ senses tingle!!!

All you need is 3 men and a lady, some rock, heavy metal, folk, blues and then throw some acoustic instruments in and…..BAM!!!...ladies and gentlemen you have The Thatchers!!!!!

The Villainy

Part from the West Country and the rest from Sweden the group boast a sound that reflects the international psycho-geography of their make-up: The lack of fear in bringing in multi-instrumentalism; darkness; light; and seamless stylistic shifts are all aspects the Swedish music scene has done so well over the year. The band were chosen twice as a "Fresh Fave" on the BBC's Fresh On The Net site and by the end of summer 2014 The Villainy had 2 UK tours under their belts, released the debut single "Miss Golightly" and played a large amount of gigs and festivals in Scandinavia. The band are currently working on their debut album and are looking forward to an even busier 2015.

Mr Keep Calm and the Cancelled Cheques

With regular appearances on Thursday Live and great support in the local music area.  Mr Keep Calm is a songwriter and performer with a distinctive style and an eye for creating stirring images from the mundane. A lover of songwriting challenges and best described as a "hopeful misanthrope". Genre hopping and ranging from conventional to experimental. The band’s first album release “Digest” has been well received and is full of excellent tracks.

50 Shades of Punk

This is classic punk rock from these guys who were about back in the day when it all kicked off. Over the years they have supported some of the top punk acts and have built a strong reputation. Expect a proper British sound and guitars turned up to eleven. They are entertaining and love what they do and are at their best to a great crowd response, so jump up and down to them and feel free to join in, you will be entertained.

The Hartletts

Energetic and exciting with vocals that are gravelly and drag you in. Their sound is influenced from the garage rock revival scene from the noughties. We have an energetic stage show in which we play mostly original songs with a few interpretive covers thrown in. They appeared at the Thursday Live Aftershow Party in September and certainly created an impression. Hopefully we will see an album soon.

Awaken the Silence

This is heavy, heavy rock [metal] which will confront and challenge but is extremely skilled music. These guys will be the heaviest act at the Godney Gathering and Josh on vocals will be all over the place encouraging you to be a part of what’s going on. Their album is due out shortly, hopefully before the festival.

Liam Howard and the Truthseekers

A top songwriter who is very talented and also plays solo and electronic music besides playing with the Truthseekers. Backed by skilled musicians handpicked from the Hawthorns open mics Liam will play songs that will soon have you singing along and joining in. Bringing together influences from all types of modern music you will hear some great songs.

John D Revelator

Intellegent, sensitive, funny and clever songs all the way from West Pennard. John D Revelator have become a 5 piece having recruited the wonderful talents of Ann on percussion & backing vocals, Geraint & Smudge on guitar, bass & backing vocals & Paul on drums & backing vocals. Get ready to revelate with John D Revelator! Be a part of it.

Lazy Daze

Acoustic Indie Rock band based in Glastonbury. Original material with the occasional cover thrown in, having first been given the unique Lazy Daze touch. Their haunting version of Guns'n'Roses 'Sweet Child of Mine' is a show stopper. Steampunk and I’m sure they will all be suited and booted.

Come along to the Godney Gathering. It’s great value and besides the ticket prices the bar prices are kept very low. You will have a great day

http://thegodneygathering.bigcartel.com/