Category: Uncategorized

Letham Nights #64 – Tom McGuire & The Brassholes

with special guest, Fraser Ross

Part III in the Year of the Funk

And it’s a belter SOLD OUT!

(OF COURSE IT IS!! THIS BAND IS A MONSTER!)

Saturday 9th November 2019

doors 7.30pm

Tickets Here>>

Boots for Dancing, James Brown Is Annie… what next in our Year of the Funk at Letham Nights? Well, we’ve only gone and booked what we think is probably the hottest funk-soul outfit going in the UK at the moment: Glasgow-based Tom Maguire & The Brassholes!

Tom McGuire & The Brassholes are an eclectic, modern soul-funk, 8 piece band from Glasgow, headed by lumberjack-attired soul bearer, Tom McGuire. The funky collective of “killer animals from hell”, consists of a colourful, hilarious bunch of wonderfully talented, animated young men. They provide energetic, bombastic funk and soul, imbibed with meaning. Their debut self-titled album is out now and you can come and see them LIVE in the village hall.

Take a wee listen to this and then imagine that going down in our fabulous village hall! The place is going to be jumping!

Tickets Here>>

…And announcing our opening act – the one and only Fraser Ross

‘New Zealand’s best kept musical secret’????

It must be nearly 5 years since we first saw Fraser Ross live. He played a beautiful, quirky, heartwarming, funny and captivating opening set at the Gardyne Theatre, supporting Anderson, McGinty, Webster, Ward and Fisher (soon to become the inimitable Sinderins). And how we have missed him! That night we offered him a slot at Letham Nights but the dates never quite worked out before he  returned to New Zealand in 2015 after three years of living and touring in Europe and the UK.

live. He played a beautiful, quirky, heartwarming, funny and captivating opening set at the Gardyne Theatre, supporting Anderson, McGinty, Webster, Ward and Fisher (soon to become the inimitable Sinderins). And how we have missed him! That night we offered him a slot at Letham Nights but the dates never quite worked out before he  returned to New Zealand in 2015 after three years of living and touring in Europe and the UK.

On his return he toured his debut LP, Mongrels (Home Alone Music, 2015) throughout New Zealand, supporting such bands as Phoenix Foundation, French for Rabbits, The Nudge, and Nadia Reid. 

His first two EPs, And Birds Do Sing (HAM, 2009) and To Places (HAM, 2012) established him as a serious talent and a brilliant, loud-shirted presence within the New Zealand underground.

And now he’s back! And we’ve booked him! So all is well with the world.

Ross has played at numerous arts festivals, including the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, LitCrawl Wellington, the Hamilton Gardens Arts Festival, Wellington City Summer Sounds, and the Christchurch Nostalgia Festival.?

He released his second LP ‘Life is Magic, Where is my Rabbit?’ In late 2018 through Home Alone Music.

Insta: @fraserross04s

www.fraserross.com

Have a listen…

Tickets Here>>

Green Arts Initiative

Letham Nights is now a member of the Green Arts Initiative, an interactive community of Scottish arts organisations working to promote sustainability and reduce their environmental impact – a perfect fit for Letham Nights!

Run by Creative Carbon Scotland and Festivals Edinburgh since 2013, the Green Arts Initiative supports Scottish arts organisations to be at the forefront of growing an environmentally sustainable Scotland.

Letham Nights…

Letham Nights began in December 2008.  Our vision was to bring high quality music to our village hall and provide a stage for local talent.  At the same time we wanted to work towards creating a zero carbon village hall. 8 years and over 80 acts later, we have drawn in an audience which now averages nearly 100 in our 120-capacity hall.  We have supported hall improvements so that we now have double glazing, better insulation, renewed wiring and a new efficient boiler.  The events are renowned for their high quality music and the unique, warm and friendly atmosphere.  We really do put on THE BEST SMALL GIGS IN THE WORLD!

Follow Letham Nights on Twitter
Like the Letham Nights Facebook Page and join the events.

Remember, pre-paid is best!  No booking fees – just send a cheque or do an online transfer after checking availability with mike@lethamnights.org and following the instructions on our ticket page

Contact
If you would like to take to the stage or the dance floor at Letham Nights, buy tickets or simply find out more, contact:

Michael t 01337 810372  m 07838 820659  mike@lethamnights.org

or Roy m 07856 892705 roy-campbell@btconnect.com

www.lethamnights.org

Sign up to the Letham Nights Mailing list

Join Letham Nights on Facebook

Follow Letham Nights on Twitter

Letham Village Hall, Fife is on the A92 just 15 minutes from the Tay Bridge, 10 minutes from Cupar and 15 from Glenrothes.

Clap & tipple logo

Don’t forget that the Clap and Tipple bar will be on hand to quench your thirst and tickle your tastebuds !

The Best Small Gigs In The World!


Letham Nights #63 – James Brown Is Annie

The Funk, The Whole Funk and Nothing But The Funk!

James Brown Is Annie

Saturday 29th June 2019

doors 7.30pm

Tickets Here>>

Ooft!  We have bagged a beauty for part II of our Year of Funk… None other than Scottish funk ‘n’ soul sextet from Edinburgh, the amazing James Brown Is Annie.  Described by presenter and soul music aficionado Stuart Cosgrove as ‘one of Scotland’s top bands of the moment’, JBiA serve up an irresistible brand of full-fat, calorie-laden, whipped-up funk ‘n’ soul.

They met in a piano bar, rehearse next to a sex shop, and take their name from an Eddie Murphy SNL sketch.  Both JBiA albums were produced by original members of funk legends Average White Band, Molly Duncan & Hamish Stuart.  They have also been chosen for BBC Radio Scotland ‘Single Of The Week’ for “Get Up To Get Down”. Presenter and soul music aficionado, Stuart Cosgrove describes the sextet as “one of Scotland’s top bands of the moment”.  As well as being chosen to perform at the Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, alongside AWB as the Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival 2018’s flagship show, they have regularly sold out venues across the UK including in London.

“The funk is strong with these ones”  Daily Record

“Proof that Scotland has the funk.” The Herald

“The funk, the whole funk and nothing but the funk” The Times

Check them out in this cheeky wee video starring Judith Ralston and Grant Stott:

So whatcha gonna  do about it now?  We say… Get Up Offa That Thing, get it in the diary, book your tickets… You’ll definitely feel better!

Future Shows 2019

The Year of The Funk!

Boots for Dancing, James Brown Is Annie… So what next in our Year of Funk?  Join our mailing list to get our updates and you’ll be first to know about the next high class funk and soul band we have booked for 2019.  Trust us!  It’s another cracker!

 

Green Arts Initiative

Letham Nights is now a member of the Green Arts Initiative, an interactive community of Scottish arts organisations working to promote sustainability and reduce their environmental impact – a perfect fit for Letham Nights!

Run by Creative Carbon Scotland and Festivals Edinburgh since 2013, the Green Arts Initiative supports Scottish arts organisations to be at the forefront of growing an environmentally sustainable Scotland.

Letham Nights…

Letham Nights began in December 2008.  Our vision was to bring high quality music to our village hall and provide a stage for local talent.  At the same time we wanted to work towards creating a zero carbon village hall. 8 years and over 80 acts later, we have drawn in an audience which now averages nearly 100 in our 120-capacity hall.  We have supported hall improvements so that we now have double glazing, better insulation, renewed wiring and a new efficient boiler.  The events are renowned for their high quality music and the unique, warm and friendly atmosphere.  We really do put on THE BEST SMALL GIGS IN THE WORLD!

Follow Letham Nights on Twitter
Like the Letham Nights Facebook Page and join the events.

Remember, pre-paid is best!  No booking fees – just send a cheque or do an online transfer after checking availability with mike@lethamnights.org and following the instructions on our ticket page

Contact
If you would like to take to the stage or the dance floor at Letham Nights, buy tickets or simply find out more, contact:

Michael t 01337 810372  m 07838 820659  mike@lethamnights.org

or Roy m 07856 892705 roy-campbell@btconnect.com

www.lethamnights.org

Sign up to the Letham Nights Mailing list

Join Letham Nights on Facebook

Follow Letham Nights on Twitter

Letham Village Hall, Fife is on the A92 just 15 minutes from the Tay Bridge, 10 minutes from Cupar and 15 from Glenrothes.

Clap & tipple logo

Don’t forget that the Clap and Tipple bar will be on hand to quench your thirst and tickle your tastebuds !

small logo#5

The Best Small Gigs In The World!


Letham Nights #62 – Boots for Dancing || Restricted Code

Time for a post-punk funk revival dontcha think?

If you remember that sweet time from 1979 to 1981 when a host of new bands hit the scene and brought a punk sensibility to a funky beat, you will not want to miss this one!  Boots for Dancing and Restricted Code were part of the influential post-punk movement celebrated in the film Big Gold Dream made in 2015 and feature on the new Big Gold Dreams definitive collection of Scottish Music.

Saturday 27th April 2019

doors 7.30pm

Tickets Here>>

Boots For Dancing

Born at Scotland’s post-Punk crossroads in 1979, Boots For Dancing kicked down the boundary walls of a played-out scene and introduced the UK to a more funky way of doing Punk. Hugely popular as a live act, often wiping the floor with the bands they were supporting, Boots was something genuinely ahead of the epoch’s curve and played an important part in the vanguard of the burgeoning Post Punk and Punk-Funk movements. Boots For Dancing’s light shone brightly but briefly and their boundless energy and undeniable talent never proved quite enough for great success beyond their legendary John Peel Sessions. However, if it “wasnae for Boots there’d be “no Elvis, Beatles or Rolling Stones …”

Tickets Here>>

Restricted Code

Meanwhile, on the West coast, a similar picture developed when a group of friends from Easterhouse got together as Restricted Code. They too melded punk with funk and soul to create an incendiary live act that led to them being signed to Bob Last’s new label Pop:aural. Restricted Code enjoyed fantastic critical success and something of a ‘cult’ following. Paul Morley in NME picked them as “band most likely to…” in 1980, Sounds music paper claimed they delivered the “best gig of 1980”, and there were numerous rave reviews and extensive features in magazines including The Face and Melody Maker.

So yeah, how about that? Bet you weren’t expecting that from Letham Nights! Well you know we like to surprise you and it is going to be one helluva show. Tell your friends!! Get booking!!

Tickets Here>>

Future Shows 2019

The Year of The Funk!

Following on from Letham Nights 62, 2019 is going to be The Year of the Funk!  As you know we never like to get stuck in one genre and so once again we thought we would branch out.  And we didn’t have to fall far to find a few fab funk outfits keen to come and play.  Next up on 29th June we will have the funktastic James Brown Is Annie with their full-fat, calorie-laden, whipped-up funk ‘n soul!  More soon!

 

Green Arts Initiative

Letham Nights is now a member of the Green Arts Initiative, an interactive community of Scottish arts organisations working to promote sustainability and reduce their environmental impact – a perfect fit for Letham Nights!

Run by Creative Carbon Scotland and Festivals Edinburgh since 2013, the Green Arts Initiative supports Scottish arts organisations to be at the forefront of growing an environmentally sustainable Scotland.

Letham Nights…

Letham Nights began in December 2008.  Our vision was to bring high quality music to our village hall and provide a stage for local talent.  At the same time we wanted to work towards creating a zero carbon village hall. 8 years and over 80 acts later, we have drawn in an audience which now averages nearly 100 in our 120-capacity hall.  We have supported hall improvements so that we now have double glazing, better insulation, renewed wiring and a new efficient boiler.  The events are renowned for their high quality music and the unique, warm and friendly atmosphere.  We really do put on THE BEST SMALL GIGS IN THE WORLD!

Follow Letham Nights on Twitter
Like the Letham Nights Facebook Page and join the events.

Remember, pre-paid is best!  No booking fees – just send a cheque or do an online transfer after checking availability with mike@lethamnights.org and following the instructions on our ticket page

Contact
If you would like to take to the stage or the dance floor at Letham Nights, buy tickets or simply find out more, contact:

Michael t 01337 810372  m 07838 820659  mike@lethamnights.org

or Roy m 07856 892705 roy-campbell@btconnect.com

www.lethamnights.org

Sign up to the Letham Nights Mailing list

Join Letham Nights on Facebook

Follow Letham Nights on Twitter

Letham Village Hall, Fife is on the A92 just 15 minutes from the Tay Bridge, 10 minutes from Cupar and 15 from Glenrothes.

Clap & tipple logo

Don’t forget that the Clap and Tipple bar will be on hand to quench your thirst and tickle your tastebuds !

small logo#5

The Best Small Gigs In The World!


Letham Nights 61 – She’Koyokh and The Banana Sessions – The Review

Please clear your diaries for the next ten years. If this was anything to go by the next sixty editions of Letham Nights are going to top anything the world of entertainment has ever seen!

Hype, moi? How very dare you. Letham Nights 61 was a cornucopia of fruit based musicality and mayhem. A pomological dreamscape of raspberries, bananas, hops and who knows what. Two acts full to the brim with potassium, fructose and vitamins A, B and C, delivering a sweet sharp melange for the senses. On we go…

Old friends of Letham Nights, The Banana Sessions, opened for us, and what an intimate and appeeling treat it turned out to be. Roberta Pia and Callum Wood first met over a mutual affection for tea and bananas and have ever since been attempting to save the world using nothing but guitars, stomp boxes and good vibes. With lively, uncontrived banter, sweet vocals and song subjects ranging from the colour green to ripped up pics of SuBo presented to them in backwater boozers, you can’t fail to be charmed by this band. Usually travelling with a drummer but flying duo for this tour, they nonetheless filled the hall with bonhomie, bon mots and made us all that bit more bon vivacious. Bons moments, indeed!

What can you say about She’koyokh that hasn’t been said before. Yes, they are flip-hot players. Yes, they have character and charisma by the bucket load. They’re also thoroughly nice people and good eggs, to boot. Packed to the gills with virtuosic gypsy mischief, they are bone fide mirth-makers of the highest order. Fitting us in between dates with the Scottish Symphony Orchestra, it was a chance for them to mingle with the more earthy manners and aromas of our musky fold. And did they ever? She’koyokh are every inch the co-operative and would, I’m sure, demur at any talk of front-persons. That being said, Çigdem Aslan leads the vocal line like a Turkish trobairitz. What a voice! From deep Billie Holiday notes to great emotional crescendos containing all the heartbreak of the world, you cannot take your eyes or ears off of her. Meanwhile, pumping away beatifically on the button accordion and chipping in with songs about raspberries (psst, he’s not really singing about raspberries), Živorad Nikolic is every inch the Serbian maestro (and if you have a five year old around the place, he’s happy to have a chat and show off the buttons – what a guy!). Understated, but by no means underappreciated, Christina Borgenstierna beavers away at the back, vivifying myriad mysterious percussion devices; her woodpecker fingers hammering at the skins of that most ancient family of instruments. Over on guitar, meanwhile, Matt Bacon chukka- chucks, wakka-waks and kerrangs his way through rhythm licks and crafty runs like a six-string Adonis. He is also very adept at the recorder! From six-string sass to four-string class, Meg-Rosaleen Hamilton scrapes away at her violin, gathering such pace that, I kid you not, smoke can verifiably be seen rising from her bow. Susi Evans (a.k.a. The Pied Piper of She’koyokh) snake-charms her way through the set with clarinet so hot you could fire ceramics in it! Vigour, ladies and gentleman, and vim were the watchwords.

Not forgetting the engine room, where Big Paul Moylan toils away there in the bassment, thrumming his way expertly through the combined musical legacy of half a continent and never letting it go down.

What a night, what a noise, what a gang!

Check out She’koyokh here: http://www.shekoyokh.co.uk/

Check out Banana Sessions here: Facebook: The Banana Sessions

Photos courtesy of © Caroline Tosin


Letham Nights #61 – She’Koyokh with special guests, The Banana Sessions

Nice One! She’Koyokh Are Back!

…and so are The Banana Sessions!

And it’s a SELL OUT!

Please do not make any further online transfers – use the contact details shown to let us know if you wish to be on a reserve list for returns.

Saturday 9th February 2019 – 7.30pm

How do you follow that, we thought, after a magnificent 60th celebration in November with the Bevvy Sisters.  But up step She’Koyokh, just as they did after our 50th Letham Nights and we are sorted..!

Tickets Here>>

She’Koyokh, as many of you know from first hand experience, are probably the best Balkan & Klezmer outfit in the UK and one of the best anywhere in the world.  Returning to Letham, with a full line up this time, the extraordinarily talented Balkan and Klezmer outfit will be sandwiching this gig between two shows with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra in Aberdeen and Edinburgh. When they called us to see if we had a slot, we just couldn’t resist!

And as if that wasn’t enough, we are privileged that the outstanding The Banana Sessions have agreed to open the evening for us. Featuring the legendary and wonderful Roberta Pia, this self-proclaimed ‘Weird Band From Scotland’ were putting together a wee house concert tour and our mutual admiration meant that this was a stick-on as soon as it was suggested!

Tickets Here>>

She’Koyokh

“One of the finest and most entertaining British-based exponents of global music” (The Guardian).

She’Koyokh is an international virtuosic, versatile and prize-winning band comprising seven expert musicians playing klezmer and traditional music from the Balkans and Turkey.

She’Koyokh has toured the world with highlights at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam and festivals in Germany, Hungary, Poland, Cyprus, Spain, the Canary Islands and Norway; WOMAD UK, WOMAD Fuerteventura, Sziget and Pannonica Festivals; Fundación Juan March Madrid, London’s Southbank Centre, Aldeburgh’s Snape Proms and live sessions on BBC Radio.

Four globally acclaimed albums have earned She’Koyokh the reputation  as “one of London’s musical treasures playing the best klezmer and Balkan music in Britain” (The Evening Standard). First Dance on Second Avenue was released in 2017 on World Music Network’s Riverboat Records to critical acclaim, receiving a 5 star review in the Evening Standard, 5 stars and Album Choice in fROOTS, 4 stars in the Guardian, 4 stars and Top of the World in Songlines and 4 stars in BBC Music Magazine. She’Koyokh’s previous albums are Wild Goats and Unmarried Women (2014 Riverboat), Buskers’ Ballroom (2011 ARC) and Sandanski’s Chicken (2007 ARC).

With seventeen years absorbing and performing the rich folk music traditions of Jewish Eastern Europe, Turkey and the Balkans, She’Koyokh’s shows bring together the stunning polyphonic melodies and intricate rhythms of Bulgaria, treasured tunes from Serbian villages and exhilarating Gypsy dances from Romania as well as soulful Sephardic songs and klezmer music from Jewish eastern Europe. Added to the mix is an Albanian folk song popular in southern Kosovo, a song from south-west Turkey about wild goats and unmarried women, a love song for a Gypsy girl with penetrating green eyes, a beautiful Armenian song about migration and a Yiddish Swing number from 1950s New York.

The band formed in 2001 with the support of a Millennium Award from the Jewish Music Institute. In 2008 they were awarded first prize in the International Jewish Music Festival in Amsterdam and have been shortlisted twice for Best Group in the Songlines World Music Awards. In 2012 She’koyokh contributed the material for and led performances with the Aurora Orchestra at LSO St Luke’s, St George’s Bristol and the Brighton Dome. In 2019 they will collaborate with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and are currently developing a show with the acclaimed South Indian violinist, Jyotsna Srikanth.

And by the way, She’Koyokh is a Yiddish word meaning “nice one!”

Tickets Here>>

The Banana Sessions

The Banana Sessions are a band. Not just any band either – the sort of band that haunt your dreams with annoyingly catchy melodies, Beatles-esque harmonies and washboard beats. But don’t let that put you off – if Marmite can win the hearts of many, then so can they.

The Banana Sessions exploded onto the Scottish music scene way back when in 2007. Fresh out of music school, Roberta Pia and Calum Wood had met and bonded over tea and bananas and began to write songs about the most mundane topics they could possibly think of – running out of tea bags, the health benefits of bananas, stories about bears in the forest and being chased by imaginary white rabbits. With wild imagination, they stayed up late one night writing their first EP featuring their first ever song, Bananas – they aptly named themselves The Banana Sessions and the rest was history.

Early on, they  recorded their Prodigy Medley – more commonly known as their ‘tenuous claim to fame’ – complete with a music video to boot. The Prodigy saw the video, Liam Howlett said ‘That’s really cool. I dig it.’ – and they posted it on their website which saw multiple fans flowing in from Eastern Europe and beyond. One band from Bulgaria even did a cover of The Banana Sessions’ cover of Prodigy songs – how’s that for inception?!

2016 saw the release of The Banana Sessions second album, Be Bold and Brilliant, marking the moment that the band transcended into folkier and more mature territory. You guessed it – they got the band back together, only this time as a stripped back three-piece and with guests Euan Burton and Doug Hough on the record. The Be Bold and Brilliant Tour stormed across the UK in true Banana Sessions style and saw the band stronger than ever. Straight after this, they went back into songwriting mode and spent a weekend in Eyemouth conjuring up a whole batch of new songs and we’ve been keeping them under wraps ever since – until now.

2019 sees the band reform once again with the same stripped back classic line-up of vocals, guitar, percussion and plenty of harmonies with some brand-new material, some very old material and an album of B sides featuring music that has never been heard before. The band embark on a two-week tour in February 2019 – The House Concert Tour, beginning with their favourite village hall.  And let’s face it, it yours too!  Although less of a house than a village hall, we promise to provide that intimate house concert atmosphere…

Tickets Here>>

Future Shows

Well, as we go to press with this blog, the dates are there but just not quite over the finish line.  However we CAN say that 2019 is going to be The Year of the Funk!  As you know we never like to get stuck in one genre and so once again we thought we would branch out.  And we didn’t have to fall far to find a few fab funk outfits keen to come and play.  Just you wait!

Green Arts Initiative

Letham Nights is now a member of the Green Arts Initiative, an interactive community of Scottish arts organisations working to promote sustainability and reduce their environmental impact – a perfect fit for Letham Nights!

Run by Creative Carbon Scotland and Festivals Edinburgh since 2013, the Green Arts Initiative supports Scottish arts organisations to be at the forefront of growing an environmentally sustainable Scotland.

Letham Nights…

Letham Nights began in December 2008.  Our vision was to bring high quality music to our village hall and provide a stage for local talent.  At the same time we wanted to work towards creating a zero carbon village hall. 8 years and over 80 acts later, we have drawn in an audience which now averages nearly 100 in our 120-capacity hall.  We have supported hall improvements so that we now have double glazing, better insulation, renewed wiring and a new efficient boiler.  The events are renowned for their high quality music and the unique, warm and friendly atmosphere.  We really do put on THE BEST SMALL GIGS IN THE WORLD!

Follow Letham Nights on Twitter
Like the Letham Nights Facebook Page and join the events.

Remember, pre-paid is best!  No booking fees – just send a cheque or do an online transfer after checking availability with mike@lethamnights.org and following the instructions on our ticket page

Contact
If you would like to take to the stage or the dance floor at Letham Nights, buy tickets or simply find out more, contact:

Michael t 01337 810372  m 07838 820659  mike@lethamnights.org

or Roy m 07856 892705 roy-campbell@btconnect.com

www.lethamnights.org

Sign up to the Letham Nights Mailing list

Join Letham Nights on Facebook

Follow Letham Nights on Twitter

Letham Village Hall, Fife is on the A92 just 15 minutes from the Tay Bridge, 10 minutes from Cupar and 15 from Glenrothes.

Clap & tipple logo

Don’t forget that the Clap and Tipple bar will be on hand to quench your thirst and tickle your tastebuds !

small logo#5

The Best Small Gigs In The World!


Letham Nights #60 – The Bevvy Sisters with Letham Voices and Dave Webster

Not long to go until our 60th Show and 10th anniversary!

The Bevvy Sisters with Letham Voices and Dave Webster

Help us celebrate! Book your tickets!  Sign up to sing!

Saturday 24th November

Letham Voices Community Choir Workshop 2.30 – 4.30pm

Evening Show – Doors 7.30pm

Tickets Here>>

What better way to celebrate our 60th event and 10-year anniversary than to bring back to Letham one of our favourite acts, the Bevvy Sisters for another classy night of swing, jazz, folk and blues with harmonies to die for – this time with a unique twist.  The Bevvies will run an afternoon community choir workshop – Letham Voices – who will perform with the band to close the evening!

Like to sing?  Then get signed up!!

Tickets Here>>

A Celebration!

We are REALLY excited about this next landmark in our Letham Nights journey.  Excited and delighted that the Bevvy Sisters agreed to be the headline act for our 60th event and 10-year anniversary.  The Sisters have supported us all the way from early in our development as a venue and so it is all the more important to us that they want to come back this time.

Sign Up To Sing – Letham Voices – Community Choir Workshop!

To make Letham Nights #60 a special celebration, the Bevvy Sisters have agreed to run an afternoon choir workshop. The choir will take to the stage on the night to close the headline performance.  No prior qualifications or experience are required – just bring your voice and your love of singing!

Tickets Here>>

The Bevvies are supremely qualified to bring out the best in our Letham Voices.  Heather Macleod, Gina Rae and Louise Murphy are seasoned professionals not just in their own right as performing artists but as teachers and choir leaders.  “We’re loving the added experience of meeting and working with our audience in a deeper way”.  Find out more about the workshop magic they have been weaving into their shows here >> .  And take a look at this clip to get a feel for what a great experience this could be:

The Sisters have just released their new album, This Moment, and are keen to share its delights with us.  It was launched in fabulous style at the Queens Hall in Edinburgh with the fantastic Soundhouse Choir, which is run and directed by Heather. During the summer the band worked with Southern Fried Voices at the exquisite and newly renovated Perth Theatre with Blue Rose Code. This was hugely well received.

What the critics say…

“This Moment is an album that that floats in the air as serenely as a glider surveying the Earth from the sanctity and the openness of the Heavens, a real treat. A symphony of expressive harmony and patient beauty.” Liverpool Sound & Vision

“It’s not often that you go to a gig and are captivated right from the opening notes – but that’s what happened on Saturday night when The Bevvy Sisters took to the stage in the Drygate in Glasgow’s East End” Scotsman (Glasgow Jazz Festival 2017)

“Scotland-based four-piece group The Bevvy Sisters (not all sisters, or even all women) enthrall and amaze as they bring us their unique stamp on Americana classics and their own songs. The three ladies open slow and atmospherically with a cover of “Sylvie”, in a cappella that allows them to show off their impressive voices and fine vocal arrangements, backed up by David Donnelly’s impressively low and deep, resounding voice. It’s captivating to watch such a sound erupt.”  BBC Best of the Fest – Edinburgh Fringe

Tickets Here>>

Special Guest Dave Webster

We are delighted to announce that vocalist and songwriter, Dave Webster, one of the 3 frontmen of Dundee’s legendary band, Sinderins, has agreed to open the show with a solo set of his own material.  Those of you who have seen Dave perform at previous Letham Nights shows with Sinderins (or previous incarnations Anderson, McGinty, Webster, Ward and Fisher or Luva Anna) will appreciate just what a treat we are in for.  Dave’s voice is unique, powerful and affecting and he is a supremely skilled and sensitive songwriter.  His voice is extraordinary – otherworldly even – and full of soul. It soars and shifts and tingles the spine in a manner reminiscent of, and yet wholly different from, Jeff Buckley or Ian Gillan. Can’t wait!

Future Shows

9th February 2019 – She’Koyokh

Returning to Letham with a full line up this time, the extraordinarily talented Balkan and Klezmer outfit will be sandwiching this gig between two shows with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra in Aberdeen and Edinburgh.  When they called us to see if we had a slot, we just couldn’t resist!

Don’t worry!  There is lot’s more in the pipeline…!!

Green Arts Initiative

Letham Nights is now a member of the Green Arts Initiative, an interactive community of Scottish arts organisations working to promote sustainability and reduce their environmental impact – a perfect fit for Letham Nights!

Run by Creative Carbon Scotland and Festivals Edinburgh since 2013, the Green Arts Initiative supports Scottish arts organisations to be at the forefront of growing an environmentally sustainable Scotland.

Letham Nights…

Letham Nights began in December 2008.  Our vision was to bring high quality music to our village hall and provide a stage for local talent.  At the same time we wanted to work towards creating a zero carbon village hall. 8 years and over 80 acts later, we have drawn in an audience which now averages nearly 100 in our 120-capacity hall.  We have supported hall improvements so that we now have double glazing, better insulation, renewed wiring and a new efficient boiler.  The events are renowned for their high quality music and the unique, warm and friendly atmosphere.  We really do put on THE BEST SMALL GIGS IN THE WORLD!

Follow Letham Nights on Twitter
Like the Letham Nights Facebook Page and join the events.

Remember, pre-paid is best!  No booking fees – just send a cheque or do an online transfer after checking availability with mike@lethamnights.org and following the instructions on our ticket page

Contact
If you would like to take to the stage or the dance floor at Letham Nights, buy tickets or simply find out more, contact:

Michael t 01337 810372  m 07838 820659  mike@lethamnights.org

or Roy m 07856 892705 roy-campbell@btconnect.com

www.lethamnights.org

Sign up to the Letham Nights Mailing list

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Letham Village Hall, Fife is on the A92 just 15 minutes from the Tay Bridge, 10 minutes from Cupar and 15 from Glenrothes.

Clap & tipple logo

Don’t forget that the Clap and Tipple bar will be on hand to quench your thirst and tickle your tastebuds !

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The Best Small Gigs In The World!


Letham Nights #59 – Cara

CARA

Saturday 22nd September

Doors 7.30pm

Tickets Here>>

After our long hot summer, we are going to slip into autumn gracefully with the beautiful sound of CARA (Irish for friendship).  Brought to Letham Nights by the highly acclaimed Scottish folk singer, Kim Edgar, CARA are a truly class act and while the band members are mostly German, their music is firmly rooted in Irish and Scottish traditions. Performing innovative arrangements of traditional material alongside original songs and tunes, CARA have gained international critical acclaim as you can see from this trailer and the reviews that follow…

With lead vocalists Gudrun Walther (Germany) and Kim Edgar (Scotland) alongside piano, fiddle, flute, guitar, uilleann pipes and accordion, CARA have been described as “a whole festival wrapped up in one band” (Bruce MacGregor, BBC Radio Scotland).

Once again then, we have rooted out an absolutely top quality band to perform in our wonderful wee hall with its warm, friendly and music-loving atmosphere.  Cara and Letham Nights is going to be a match made in heaven!  So come, catch up with old friends, make some new ones, and join in the celebration!

Tickets Here>>

“A world class band in top form.” Irish Music Magazine

“Strong on emotion, story and poetry… impressive, dramatic and accomplished” FolkRadio.UK

Genial musicianship… delicious” Living Tradition

“Great musicianship […] total respect for the material. Wonderful.” Mike Harding

Real passion…stunningly good.” Moors Magazine

“A musical force to be reckoned with…they can really fly” **** The Scotsman

“They radiated a warmth that charmed our audience demanding they return on their next tour.” Chapel Sessions, Southampton

“These guys are all excellent musicians and their sound is technically excellent, dynamic and stirring… everybody was mightily impressed, with many requests to have them back again.” Folk In The Barn, Canterbury

Tickets Here>>

Future Shows

24th November 2018 – The Bevvy Sisters and the Letham Nights Community Choir

At last we bring back the Bevvy Sisters for another classy night of swing, jazz, folk and blues with harmonies to die for – this time with a unique twist.  The Bevvies will run an afternoon workshop to train up a choir of volunteers to perform on the night.  Like to sing?  Then get signed up!!

9th February 2019 – She’Koyokh

Returning to Letham with a full line up this time, the extraordinarily talented Balkan and Klezmer outfit will be sandwiching this gig between two shows with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra in Aberdeen and Edinburgh.  When they called us to see if we had a slot, we just couldn’t resist!

Green Arts Initiative

Letham Nights is now a member of the Green Arts Initiative, an interactive community of Scottish arts organisations working to promote sustainability and reduce their environmental impact – a perfect fit for Letham Nights!

Run by Creative Carbon Scotland and Festivals Edinburgh since 2013, the Green Arts Initiative supports Scottish arts organisations to be at the forefront of growing an environmentally sustainable Scotland.

Letham Nights…

Letham Nights began in December 2008.  Our vision was to bring high quality music to our village hall and provide a stage for local talent.  At the same time we wanted to work towards creating a zero carbon village hall. 8 years and over 80 acts later, we have drawn in an audience which now averages nearly 100 in our 120-capacity hall.  We have supported hall improvements so that we now have double glazing, better insulation, renewed wiring and a new efficient boiler.  The events are renowned for their high quality music and the unique, warm and friendly atmosphere.  We really do put on THE BEST SMALL GIGS IN THE WORLD!

Follow Letham Nights on Twitter
Like the Letham Nights Facebook Page and join the events.

Remember, pre-paid is best!  No booking fees – just send a cheque or do an online transfer after checking availability with mike@lethamnights.org and following the instructions on our ticket page

Contact
If you would like to take to the stage or the dance floor at Letham Nights, buy tickets or simply find out more, contact:

Michael t 01337 810372  m 07838 820659  mike@lethamnights.org

or Roy m 07856 892705 roy-campbell@btconnect.com

www.lethamnights.org

Sign up to the Letham Nights Mailing list

Join Letham Nights on Facebook

Follow Letham Nights on Twitter

Letham Village Hall, Fife is on the A92 just 15 minutes from the Tay Bridge, 10 minutes from Cupar and 15 from Glenrothes.

Clap & tipple logo

Don’t forget that the Clap and Tipple bar will be on hand to quench your thirst and tickle your tastebuds !

small logo#5

The Best Small Gigs In The World!


Letham Nights #58 – Gina Chavez | Delightful Squalor | Zoe Graham

Gina Chavez | Delightful Squalor | Zoe Graham

ONE WEEK TO GO!!

Saturday 16th June

Doors 7.30pm

Saturday 16th June

Doors 7.30pm

Tickets Here>>

Wow! We made it happen! Austin, Texas Musician of the Year is coming to the village hall! Not only that but we have actually assembled 4 truly extraordinary female artists for an evening of exquisite entertainment – a joyful celebration of women in music and of equal rights. We are BURSTING with excitement!

Ever since we saw Gina Chavez on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series (now approaching 650000 views!!), we were determined to bring her to Letham Nights to share her beautiful Latino infused songs and rhythms. And she was determined to come to Scotland. Gina is an award-winning, bilingual, Latin-folk singer/songwriter who expertly blends the sounds of the Americas with tension and grace. She has received national recognition from NPR’s “All Songs Considered” and “Alt.Latino” for her debut SXSW performance as one of the new Latin artists to watch. She won Austin Music Awards for two years running, including three Austin Music Awards for “Best Female Vocals, Best Latin Traditional, and Best Latin Rock”.
 

So we are going to have a massive party. With dancing.

 
Delightful Squalor joins the seasoned talents of singer song-writers Lake Montgomery of Paris, Texas and Cera Impala of Flagstaff, Arizona. These ladies provide honeyed harmonies you can hope to taste delivering an authentic Americana duet project, unique in its charm. Guitar, 5 string Banjo and ukulele in hand, they craft songs that feel timeless, songs to help you forget a world gone mad. A taste of country blues, gospel, folk and old-time jazz, they take from a range of influences resulting in a sound that comes across as quite it’s own.
 
The prodigiously talented young Glasgow singer-songwriter, Zoe Graham completes the quartet. Zoe has an impressive maturity and attention to detail in her music that sets her apart from her peers. On stage, she is masterful with new tech, fleshing out the instrumentation with loop pedals, but she can also tear you apart with a simple acoustic ballad like the soon-to-be iconic Anniesland Lights. The last time Zoe played Letham, she blew us away.  Prepare to be amazed.

Now surely that’s enough to get you battering down the door for tickets!

Tickets Here>>

Future Shows

22nd September – Cara

Brought to Letham Nights by the highly acclaimed Scottish folk singer, Kim Edgar, this Irish folk band are a truly class act.  Despite the fact that all of the band, apart from Kim, are German,  the band absolutely NAIL the genre.

24th November – The Bevvy Sisters and the Letham Nights Community Choir

At last we bring back the Bevvy Sisters for another classy night of swing, jazz, folk and blues with harmonies to die for – this time with a unique twist.  The Bevvies will run an afternoon workshop to train up a choir of volunteers to perform on the night.  Like to sing?  Then get signed up!!

A huge THANK YOU!

Sincere thanks to everyone who responded to our call to DO ONE THING ONCE for Letham Nights.  We had a most amazing response and now have a database of around 30 volunteers that we can call upon to help us keep the show on the road. We hope that makes you as happy as we are! And if you still want to get involved and haven’t been in touch please use the contact details at the bottom of the page to reach out.

Green Arts Initiative

Letham Nights is now a member of the Green Arts Initiative, an interactive community of Scottish arts organisations working to promote sustainability and reduce their environmental impact – a perfect fit for Letham Nights!

Run by Creative Carbon Scotland and Festivals Edinburgh since 2013, the Green Arts Initiative supports Scottish arts organisations to be at the forefront of growing an environmentally sustainable Scotland.

Letham Nights…

Letham Nights began in December 2008.  Our vision was to bring high quality music to our village hall and provide a stage for local talent.  At the same time we wanted to work towards creating a zero carbon village hall. 8 years and over 80 acts later, we have drawn in an audience which now averages nearly 100 in our 120-capacity hall.  We have supported hall improvements so that we now have double glazing, better insulation, renewed wiring and a new efficient boiler.  The events are renowned for their high quality music and the unique, warm and friendly atmosphere.  We really do put on THE BEST SMALL GIGS IN THE WORLD!

Follow Letham Nights on Twitter
Like the Letham Nights Facebook Page and join the events.

Remember, pre-paid is best!  No booking fees – just send a cheque or do an online transfer after checking availability with mike@lethamnights.org and following the instructions on our ticket page

Contact
If you would like to take to the stage or the dance floor at Letham Nights, buy tickets or simply find out more, contact:

Michael t 01337 810372  m 07838 820659  mike@lethamnights.org

or Roy m 07856 892705 roy-campbell@btconnect.com

www.lethamnights.org

Sign up to the Letham Nights Mailing list

Join Letham Nights on Facebook

Follow Letham Nights on Twitter

Letham Village Hall, Fife is on the A92 just 15 minutes from the Tay Bridge, 10 minutes from Cupar and 15 from Glenrothes.

Clap & tipple logo

Don’t forget that the Clap and Tipple bar will be on hand to quench your thirst and tickle your tastebuds !

small logo#5

The Best Small Gigs In The World!


Letham Nights #57 – The Coal Porters & The Coaltown Daisies – The Review

 ©EBM Photography

The long low rays of spring sunshine lanced their way through open curtains, illuminating dust sprites as they danced and dallied on the ebbs and flows of the evening breeze. Every string had been tuned, thrummed and its waveforms gracefully finessed by science in preparation for the hoe-down. The patrons, regular and irregular, had chosen their pews with care lest cruel Apollo scorch their features and damn their eyes. Drapes were adjusted, tipples gained and the days cares lost as the time of merriment drew nigh.

©EBM Photography

But soft, what light through yonder window breaks? Why, none other than erstwhile Letham Nights favourites and top chums, The Coaltown Daisies! Back where they belong after a long absence brought about by gypsy curses and terrifying diary clashes, it was like Vivienne and Linzy had never been away. Except now they have more songs. They like to mix it up a bit too. Vivienne opens up with her own ‘The Brave One’, with Lynzy backing up with box-hitting and backing vocals. Later Lynzy gets her turn with her beautiful tribute to her mate, ‘Little Jane’.

©EBM Photography

The dynamics continue in their vocal interplay with both of them capable of low soulful notes or soaring operatics, with the other plugging the gaps in between like songful silicon sealant. A cracking Mary Chapin Carpenter cover gets toes tapping, ‘The Whisky Song’ rounds things off boozily and the #bantz, is bang on. We love you, Daisies!

The Coal Porters are self-described as alt-bluegrass but that doesn’t mean they don’t have the authentic chops and bona fides. Oh, yes indeedy, Sid Griffin and his band of merry pranksters can forward roll, backward roll, strum, flatpick, pluck and fiddle with the finest of their non-alt counterparts. With four part harmonies and forty eight strings stretched across eight instruments you’d better believe these guys keep themselves busy.

©EBM Photography

As the personnel rotate like a Swiss timepiece at the stroke of the hour, such instant classics as ‘Salad Days’ and ‘Dancing on The Courthouse Lawn’ trip from their apparatus and plant smiles on the faithful below. A cover of Average White Band classic ‘Pick Up The Pieces’ keeps the purists happy whilst their dirgy cover of David Bowie’s ‘Heroes’ carries a much heavier slice of poignancy than the last time we heard it (damn you, 2016!).

Come the second set and the tunes keep a coming, the toes keep tapping and dancing ensues. Songs about prison breaks and sitting in jail-houses sit perfectly alongside covers by Adele and The Only Ones and the whole shebang comes shuddering to a gleeful conclusion with the band on the dancefloor giving an acoustic rendition of ‘Teenage Kicks’. What a season, what a night, what a band.

Check out The Coal Porters here

Check out The Coaltown Daisies here


Letham Nights #57 – The Coal Porters with the Coaltown Daisies

The Coal Porters

Saturday 5th May

Doors 7.30pm

with Special Guests – The Coaltown Daisies

Tickets Here>>

As you probably already know, at Letham Nights, as a proud Green Arts Initiative venue, we are committed to reducing our carbon footprint and creating a zero-carbon village hall. However, this kind of carbon we can cope with…!

The Coal Porters, making their second visit to Letham Nights, and led by the legendary Sid Griffin, are all set to light up the hall with their unique punk-influenced take on alt-bluegrass.  The band demonstrate the power of fiddle, mandolin, banjo, acoustic guitar and doghouse bass when matched with four-part harmonies and memorable melodies.

They have taken this sound around the world and have been featured on NPR’s Morning Edition in the USA and having recorded a live session for Bob Harris on BBC Radio 2.

The Coal Porters are;
Kerenza Peacock – fine fiddle and vocals;
Paul Fitzgerald – banjo and vocals;
Sid Griffin – vocals, mandolin, harmonica and autoharp;
Andrew Stafford – bass;
Neil Robert Herd – guitar and vocals.

“Sid Griffin was playing Americana years before the term was invented and that pioneer spirit shines on with his current band, the Coal Porters.” ~ Billy Bragg

“Not your average fish and chips bluegrass, the Coal Porters have expanded their music with broad strokes and fearless execution.” ~ Chris Hillman (Byrds/Flying Burrito Bros/Desert Rose)

“Great harmony singing and memorable songs that often recall a British Flying Burrito Brothers or a back porch Ronnie Lane” ~ Mojo Magazine

“The Coal Porters whisk together a hugely listenable cocktail of bluegrass, folk and country” ~ Uncut

 We are sooooo happy to have them back and we know that they love us too.  Here’s what guitarist, Neil Herd, had to say about Letham Nights:

“Genuinely one of the Coal Porter’s favourite gigs EVER. That’s a lot of gigs passed over in favour of you fine folks – and rightly so. Aye. Neil Herd, The Coal Porters

The Coaltown Daisies

And just to stretch the coal theme a bit more, we have invited the wonderful Coaltown Daisies to open the entertainment for the evening.

The Coaltown Daisies write and perform dynamic folk, soul and americana music and have tremendous experience as performers, recording artists and event managers. They are renowned for their highly engaging live performances and steady professionalism which has resulted in them performing at sought after venues and festivals all over the country.

The records they have released under their own Ragged Boot Records label feature some of Scotland’s most highly established musicians and have been exceptionally well received by listeners the world over; their latest release features a composition that was chosen as the original theme for World Whisky Day and won them the coveted CalMac Culture Music prize.

All that coal!  It’s going to be a burning hot night!

Letham Nights – The Year Ahead…

Future Shows – Get the dates in your diary!!
We are seriously ahead of ourselves for the rest of 2018 and have some exciting shows lined up. More details later but get these dates in your diary!

Tickets Here>>

16th June – Gina Chavez and girlfriends –

Soooo excited to have booked the amazing and delightful Gina Chavez.  Gina is a multi-award winning artist from Austin, Texas and will bring some cool Latino grooves to the hall.  She will be joined by a trio of solo female artists that we know well – Roberta Pia, Cera Impala and Lake Montgomery. Each will do a solo set and then Roberta will finish this hot, midsummer evening with a DJ set curated by the 4 artists.  Phew!

22nd September – Cara –

Brought to Letham Nights by the highly acclaimed Scottish folk singer, Kim Edgar, this Irish folk band are a truly class act.  Despite the fact that all of the band, apart from Kim, are German,  the band absolutely NAIL the genre.

16th November – The Bevvy Sisters and the Letham Nights Community Choir –

At last we bring back the Bevvy Sisters for another classy night of swing, jazz, folk and blues with harmonies to die for – this time with a unique twist.  The Bevvies will run an afternoon workshop to train up a choir of volunteers to perform on the night.  Like to sing?  Then get signed up!!

A huge THANK YOU!

Sincere thanks to everyone who responded to our call to DO ONE THING ONCE for Letham Nights.  We had a most amazing response and now have a database of around 30 volunteers that we can call upon to help us keep the show on the road. We hope that makes you as happy as we are! And if you still want to get involved and haven’t been in touch please use the contact details at the bottom of the page to reach out.

Green Arts Initiative

Letham Nights is now a member of the Green Arts Initiative, an interactive community of Scottish arts organisations working to promote sustainability and reduce their environmental impact – a perfect fit for Letham Nights!

Run by Creative Carbon Scotland and Festivals Edinburgh since 2013, the Green Arts Initiative supports Scottish arts organisations to be at the forefront of growing an environmentally sustainable Scotland.

Letham Nights…

Letham Nights began in December 2008.  Our vision was to bring high quality music to our village hall and provide a stage for local talent.  At the same time we wanted to work towards creating a zero carbon village hall. 8 years and over 80 acts later, we have drawn in an audience which now averages nearly 100 in our 120-capacity hall.  We have supported hall improvements so that we now have double glazing, better insulation, renewed wiring and a new efficient boiler.  The events are renowned for their high quality music and the unique, warm and friendly atmosphere.  We really do put on THE BEST SMALL GIGS IN THE WORLD!

Follow Letham Nights on Twitter
Like the Letham Nights Facebook Page and join the events.

Remember, pre-paid is best!  No booking fees – just send a cheque or do an online transfer after checking availability with mike@lethamnights.org and following the instructions on our ticket page

Contact
If you would like to take to the stage or the dance floor at Letham Nights, buy tickets or simply find out more, contact:

Michael t 01337 810372  m 07838 820659  mike@lethamnights.org

or Roy m 07856 892705 roy-campbell@btconnect.com

www.lethamnights.org

Sign up to the Letham Nights Mailing list

Join Letham Nights on Facebook

Follow Letham Nights on Twitter

Letham Village Hall, Fife is on the A92 just 15 minutes from the Tay Bridge, 10 minutes from Cupar and 15 from Glenrothes.

Clap & tipple logo

Don’t forget that the Clap and Tipple bar will be on hand to quench your thirst and tickle your tastebuds !

small logo#5

The Best Small Gigs In The World!