Hi there XXXX -- brrrrrrr!
Happy St David's Day! Or "Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus" if you prefer...
OK, it is the first of March. Here on our hillside in mid Wales, there is some blue sky but it is cold. We've had rain rain rain, with the fields as soggy as they've ever been (so say our farmer neighbours). Going for a walk is a muddy experience. Summer still seems quite a way off, for sure!
But... we've had snowdrops and winter roses blooming, and the first pale yellow daffodils are here now. And the first hilltop lambs are being born, with a lot more due in just a couple of weeks. And it's only 19 days until the official start of spring. Only 30 days (a mere four-and-a-bit weeks) until we switch to summer time. And only nine weeks until FiddleBop's first outdoor festival gig of 2024! (That last one really shocked me...)
Looking back, it seems like a very long time since the last FiddleBop newsletter reached your inbox. It was written during the balmy heat of July 2023, which seems like a distant memory now. (That it was so long ago should also have shocked me. But somehow I don't react easily to my own lateness. No idea why.)
So what has FiddleBop been doing since then? For a start, we've played some interesting gigs. Of course!
Back in early July, hot on the heels of the last newsletter, FiddleBop played at Babar Cafe-Bar in Hereford. Which was described as "the best and most colourful bar and music venue in Hereford". Babar's logo is definitely colourful 😎. FiddleBop found Babar's to be a nice, atmospheric — and noticeably chilled — place to play. We met some new friends from amongst the appreciative audience, and we hoped to return someday. But sadly, Babar Cafe-Bar closed permanently in September. It's been a bad year, UK-wide, for grassroots music venues. Yes indeed. We'll miss you, Babar.
Next for FiddleBop, in late July, was a festival: Landed Festival, in the riverside parklands surrounding Doldowlod House (former home of the Watt family, of steam engine fame. Apparently their descendents still live there) not far from Llandrindod Wells, Powys. The surroundings didn't disappoint, and we were keen to experience "pub prices, affordable food, bonkers visual art, and old school party vibe". But that didn't quite work out. Being the opening act of the festival, the full festival vibe had not yet built up when FiddleBop played. (That's code for "There were only three people in FiddleBop's audience".) But still, someone liked us. "FiddleBop, on the Khaos stage, transform gypsy jazz stylings into a welcome hamper of swing: a great warmup". Nice words, from "The psychedelic magic of Powys’ Landed Festival: a journey into homemade holism and musical ecstasy" (really!). Anyway, we had a pleasant stroll amongst the festival artworks and a chat by the river Wye after we played. It was Jo's birthday too 🎂.
And then in August it was time for Brecon Jazz Festival! Celebrating its 40th anniversary, no less. FiddleBop played two sets. The first was in the morning, in St Mary's church, Brecon. This was while preparations for the Frazz Parade were going on. The Frazz Parade is a thriving and very visual community event that links the Brecon Jazz Festival and the Brecon Fringe Festival. And it is great fun!
I have to say that we were relieved to be playing indoors, keeping dry, while outside the rain hammered down.
Around midday, the rain stopped. There was time for a quick visit to Brecon cathedral to hear a couple of the Fringe sets in the cathedral grounds, including that from powerful singer AmyRose Garlick. Then FiddleBop played our second set, following the mighty and rather loud (but then there are a lot of them) Wonderbrass on the outdoor Bulwark Stage. While we were on stage, it almost rained but didn't quite. Thankfully, phew! Our friend Jude got some opportune video shots of children dancing under rain-threatening skies while we in FiddleBop were doing our stuff. Thanks, Jude! After we finished, and had got our equipment safely back to our car (not as easy as it might sound, given the busy streets) it was time for a welcome beer and then a wander between wobbling revellers in the crowded centre of Brecon.
Next... Guess what? Jo and Dave both caught Covid, quite badly, later in August. So no FiddleBop gigs for a while 😞. But we had recovered enough by early September to have a cosy "open practice" in Brecon's thriving Foundry venue. Dean's beer is always very welcome 
.
Soon after, FiddleBop headed west. And when we reached the coast (not that you can go any further), there we were at delightful I-do-like-to-be-beside-the-seaside Aberystywth with its pier, promenade, and sea breezes. After soundchecking then stuffing our faces with chips on that pier — this is becoming a FiddleBop habit — we headed back to the Bank Vault to play some "Gypsy jazz re-imagined". And what a fun night it was! Both for us, and for the friendly clientele. And here's some welcome good news. The Bank Vault, along with other Welsh music venues, has recently been awarded funding from the Welsh Senedd: "a lifeline that they hope will help secure their future". With so many music venues throughout the UK closing their doors forever, that is very good to hear.
FiddleBop then headed southwards. Past Pen-y-Fan we went, into the Valleys, for Cwmaman Music Festival (Cwmfest) 2023. This is "an annual festival organised by a small group of people with a passion for music and is a community based and non-profit organisation". Great stuff! Cwmfest lasts for two days (I think) and is spread between six venues. FiddleBop played at the Globe Inn. No rain at this festival, but we did get a bit lost on the way there. We ended up seeing little (actually, nothing) of the rest of Cwmfest, apart from the Globe. And before we arrived, we were — I will confess — a tiny bit apprehensive because of the unusual name of the band that preceded us. But as with most worries, our apprehensions turned out to be meritless. Everyone was friendly, and we had a great time. But on our way home after the gig, we got lost again, even more so than on the way there. It seems that a "road closed" sign which we ignored was telling the truth, after all.
Our last gig of 2023 was another "open practice" at the welcoming and rather wonderful Foundry in Brecon again. We always enjoy our time in Dean's emporium .
Next, some time out to rehearse new songs and tunes. And also to enjoy Xmas and New Year.
Then off we went again! On the 25th of January 2024, FiddleBop played a gig to celebrate Burns Night. Which is also St Dwynwen's Day, she being the Welsh patron saint of lovers. What with quotes from feisty Rabbie Burns, and love songs on behalf of Santes Dwynwen, we managed to fit the two together quite nicely (at least that's what we thought). And where were we? In Brecon's smallest bar: the Hop In Beer and Gin House. OK, this is definitely a tiny venue — we had to set up Paul's keyboard end-on to the door, or no-one could get in or out — but it is a great and warm-hearted place to play. And what a friendly and attentive audience! Yup, we in FiddleBop loved our Burns/Dwynwen night at the Hop In.
And here's our final stop in this look back to recent gone-but-not-forgotten FiddleBop gigs. In early February, FiddleBop returned to the Hay Globe, Hay-on-Wye. This was a bit of a last-minute engagement, triggered by an artiste cancellation, but it was a great outing for FiddleBop! As usual, Bill sorted out a wonderful sound for us on the Globe's PA. (We loved the Gypsy reggae bass sound, Bill!) We FiddleBoppers thoroughly enjoyed our time rhythmically treading the hallowed and beer-stained boards of the Globe stage. The audience (especially someone called Rebecca Morgan) were enthusiastic and appreciative to a fault.
All in all, a smashing start to 2024 for FiddleBop gigs!
OK. So we've been busy gigging. But there's more. Our friend Baze did some live video and audio recording of FiddleBop playing at our second HowTheLightGetsIn set in May 2023. Here they are, with a few more here.
As well as these live video recordings, the indefatigable and mightily-talented Baze also finished work on some "semi-live" audio recordings of FiddleBop. We started on these back in Feb 2020. But because of Covid, these recordings couldn't be finalised until quite recently. So for a taste of FiddleBop's slower numbers, listen here.
That's the past then. Done and dusted. What about FiddleBop during the rest of 2024? Well, we've got a bumper crop of gigs coming up! Some revisits, and some new 'uns where "Gypsy jazz re-imagined" will be heard for the very first time...
The impending and imminent (that sounds a bit doom-laden...) FiddleBop gig is a private one. Sorry! It is a Welcome Day for Hay, Brecon & Talgarth Sanctuary for Refugees on Sunday 3 March 2024. And we're very glad that we can do our bit for such a worthy cause.
Next up, tho', is an open-to-the-public gig. A return visit to Brecon's thriving Foundry venue (8 Bell Lane, Brecon, Powys LD3 9EE. 01874 618774, thefoundrybrecon@gmail.com). We'll be playing from 7.30 pm on Wednesday 20 March 2024; it's free admission. The friendly Foundry is "Powys’ Multi Purpose Venue & Creative Space", with great drinks and fine food at "The Furnace at the Foundry: where the kitchen is blazing, the food is sizzling, and every bite is a taste of pure joy!". This is a venue that is going from strength to strength — which is great to know in these days of closing music places-to-play. Well done, Dean!
After that, FiddleBop again go west. All the way to the breezy and beautiful coast of west Wales, where we'll be making a return visit to the Bank Vault (1 New Street, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion SY23 2AT. 01970 600220, thebankvaultaber@gmail.com). Fiddlebop will be playing "Gypsy jazz re-imagined" from 8 pm Friday 12 April 2024, and it is free entry. The Bank Vault is "an independent live music venue/craft beer bar set in a 200-year-old bank with restored features, in the gorgeous remote seaside town of Aberystwyth Wales. With 14 taps of beer & cider (including non-alcoholic), Welsh spirits, continental beer fridge & loads of soft drink options". Great! See you there?
Later in April, FiddleBop revisit one of our favourites: it's eastwards we go, to Oxford! We'll be at the Rose and Crown (North Parade Avenue, Oxford OX2 6LX. 01865 510551, halls@roseandcrownoxford.com) from 7 pm on Sunday 21 April 2024. Admission fee is still TBA (that's "to be announced", of course. Me and my acronyms!) and advance booking is recommended, since the last time we played here it was a full house. This is an Oxford Jazz Kitchen gig: thank you, Trish! Andrew the wonderful landlord will be our and your host for the evening, and we'll be happy springtime bunnies (not literally) because we love playing at the Rose and Crown! It will be great to be back in Oxford, to meet old friends and to make new ones.
Then we are into May, and on the 5th of the month we play at Bromyard's "Party in the Park" Festival 2024 (Bromyard, Hereford HR7 4TW). This is free entry. FiddleBop will be on the Acoustic Stage, but we don't yet know what time we are playing. More info. when we have it.
"And now", as the time-honoured phrase goes, "for the moment you have all been waiting for!" FiddleBop is certainly looking forward to once again making music at HowTheLightGetsIn Festival (Hay-on-Wye, Hereford HR3 5BZ. enquiries@artandideas.org).
HowTheLightGetsIn runs from 24-27 May 2024, and is "The world's largest music and philosophy festival". Tickets are available here. FiddleBop's first set will be at The Stage venue, 2.30 - 3 pm on Saturday 25 May 2024. Our second set will be in the Blue Moon Tent, 4 - 4.30 pm on Sunday 26 May 2024. For me at least, being at HTLGI (another acronym, I know) is one of the highlights of the year. So all I can say is "Yaaaay!"
OK, the next gig is still to be confirmed, but I'm mentioning it here for the benefit of those FiddleBop friends who live in north Oxfordshire. It's Chipping Norton Town Festival, which will be on Sunday 30 June 2024. FiddleBop (version 1) last played at Chippy Town Festival in 2015, so this looks to be a memory-filled re-visit for me and Jo, and a first time for Paul and Graeme to play on the big stage that's attached to the end of the magnificent Town Hall. And a chance for us all to meet up with Oxfordshire friends. Yup, Chippy Town Festival is fun! More info. when we have it.
And then FiddleBop are back at the Foundry, Brecon from 7.30 pm on Wednesday 17 July 2024 (8 Bell Lane, Brecon, Powys LD3 9EE. 01874 618774, thefoundrybrecon@gmail.com). For another session of "Gypsy jazz re-imagined" at "Powys’ Multi Purpose Venue & Creative Space". Yipppeee!
On the weekend of 27-28 July, "Tewkesbury Town will be alive with music!" What's occurrin' is Tewkesbury Live Music Festival 2024 (events@tewkesburytowncouncil.gov.uk). Tewkesbury Live is "packed with music to suit every taste – Rock, Pop, Folk, Blues, Punk and more! As well as quality live music, there are also FREE activities for families including crafts, music workshops and shows for younger children". Sounds like fun! FiddleBop will be there, making our own unique Gypsy-flavoured music, from 2 pm on Saturday 27 July 2024. We're at the comfy Bell Hotel (Church Street, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire GL20 5SA (01684 293293). It's free entry. See you in Tewkesbury? (If you do come along, wish Jo "Happy Birthday" for the day after...)
Next, FiddleBop marches to the Welsh Marches! Well, we'll be driving, actually, to the ancient town of Ludlow. FiddleBop will be playing at the Jazz Café at Bill’s Kitchen, in Ludlow's rather imposing Assembly Rooms (Market Square, Ludlow, Shropshire SY8 1AS. (01584 878141, admin@ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk). This will be a special occasion: your chance to hear FiddleBop whilst eating a delicious meal. Tickets for music and food are £25, tickets for music only are £10. FiddleBop will be playing at the Jazz Café from 7 pm on Monday 5 August 2024. Here's your chance for an evening of both wonderful food and wonderful music. What more can you ask?
And another gig that is still to be confirmed. This is in our home territory: Talgarth Festival of the Black Mountains (Talgarth, Powys LD3 0BN. TalgarthFestival@gmail.com). The festival is on Saturday 24 August and Sunday 25 August 2024. Again, more info. when we have it.
On Saturday 28 September 2024, from 7 pm, FiddleBop will be rhythmically resounding from the bar-room beams (that's what we said last time we played here, what a coincidence!) in the friendly and comfortable George Inn at Brailes (1 High Street, Lower Brailes, Warwicks OX15 5HN. 01608 685788, thegeorgeinnbrailes@gmail.com). This is free entry. It is a looooong time since the first version of FiddleBop played at the George. It was a whole lot of fun then, and we've every expectation of just as much jollity on this return visit. Plus plenty of "Gypsy jazz re-imagined" of course. Yaaay!
The final gig in this long list is a return to the Foundry, Brecon, from 7.30 pm Wednesday 20 November 2024 (8 Bell Lane, Brecon, Powys LD3 9EE. 01874 618774). As winter draws in and 2024 draws to a close, we'll be keeping ourselves and the customers warm with our warmth-inducing — especially if you are dancing — music. It way be months off, but we're looking forward to this gig already, after a busy busy gig-filled 2024.
Finally, I need to check that you wish to continue to receive FiddleBop newsletters, like this one. If you don't, then click here to unsubscribe, or send an unsubscribe-request email to info@fiddlebop.org. If you don’t do either of these things then I’ll assume that you are happy to receive future FiddleBop newsletters.
All the best
Dave (and Jo and Paul and Graeme... the FiddleBoppers)
PS I hope you enjoyed this newsletter. Sorry it was so long! As Blaise Pascal (1623-1662) said in "Lettres Provinciales", XVII — I'm sure you have all read this — "I have made this letter a rather long one, only because I didn't have the leisure to make it shorter".
PPS Guess what? It's raining again... No, it's sleet! Now it's snow. Let's hope it doesn't settle...
info@fiddlebop.org
01982 560726
07968 950870
FiddleBop
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This list of gigs is correct at the time of writing, but the list on our website is always up to date.
| The gig! | When/where is FiddleBop playing? | Venue, occasion, whatever... | Contact details |
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Free entry! |
From 7.30 pm |
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The Foundry |
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Free admission! |
From 8 pm |
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The Bank Vault |
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Admission TBA |
From 7 pm |
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The Rose and Crown |
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Free entry! |
Time TBA |
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Acoustic Stage |
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The Stage |
How |
How |
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Blue Moon Tent |
How |
How |
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To be confirmed |
Sun |
Chipping Norton Town Festival |
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Free entry! |
From 7.30 pm |
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The Foundry |
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Free entry |
From 2 pm |
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The Bell Hotel |
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Tickets for music and food £25, tickets for music only £10 |
From 7 pm |
The Jazz Café at Bill’s Kitchen, Ludlow Assembly Rooms |
Ludlow Assembly Rooms |
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To be confirmed |
Satur |
Talgarth Festival |
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Free entry! |
From 7 pm |
The George Inn |
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Free entry! |
From 7.30 pm |
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The Foundry |
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info@fiddlebop.org
01982 560726
07968 950870
FiddleBop
@FiddleBop
@fiddlebopGet our email newsletter
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