SCORCHIO! What a blazing hot mixture of melodies, harmonies, skins, strings and other things. Anyone who was anyone in Letham society knew better than to miss out on a ticket to Letham Nights Number 37 and, sure enough, it was a glamorous and rowdy bunch of hedonistic hardy perennials who scootled down to the hall for the rootsome riot that AMWWF and Seven Sons provided. And it wasn’t just the music that was cooking. Our old chums, Song Scones and The Doorstep Bakery were in the back dishing out some right toothsome fare. Rosemary & olive scones? Who’d a thunk it, ladies and gentleman?

Our support on this warm and wild Saturday evening were none other than Seven Sons. Ruth Alexander and Clayr Borthwick have played for us before of course as a duo but they were back tonight replete with backing band. To say Ruth and Clayr harmonise would be understatement akin to saying Isaac Newton was decent with his sums. You could search long, hard, high and low and still not find two voices so perfectly tuned to one another. And a not too shabby bunch of accompanists they were packing, too, utilising guitar, 5-string banjo and double bass to drive things along with a will. And don’t forget the ukes! The song selection was nigh on perfect with an ethereal selection of gospel, blues and mountain music with Elisabeth Cotton’s Freight Train and Canaan’s Land being particular highlights.

And then it was the turn of Dundee’s finest, Anderson, McGinty, Webster and Fisher (minus the recently departed Ward and with Tom Barbour ably stepping into the breach). These boys are no strangers to our creaking stage either, this being the third time they have graced our humble boards and, as such, the anticipation was immense. Could they live with the expectations of our sold-out wee hall. Oh boy, could they ever! From the opening strains of Dave Webster’s Little Brown Boy there was no doubt that the five headed trad funk rock n roll behemoth was about to rise up and breath aural fire on all who witnessed their majesty. The four part harmonies and effortless musicianship is just a part of their charm. The practised song-writing is another. What really excites about this band, though, is the dynamics. The changes of pace from Gavin McGinty’s cheeky Scottish flavoured numbers to Stevie Anderson’s telecaster-fuelled stomps and Webster himself who can turn on a dime from quiet, soulful introspection to colossal feats of wailing angst and emotion which set your hair on end. And not forgetting that powerhouse of beats, brass and balladeering that is Billy Fisher. Sinatra on drums, anyone? And who can resist a sing-a-long encore? Not many of us, on this evidence. A triumph of triumphs for one of Letham Nights’ favourites. May their rise continue to be astronomic.

Check out AMWWF at: www.facebook.com/amwwf

And catch up with Seven Sons here: www.facebook.com/sevensonsmusic

Well, well, well.

Folks, they came, and folks they saw, and what they saw was folk, by Gaw!

What a splendiferous evening of vocal virtuosity and acoustic accoutrement! The Hall was packed, packed, packed, I say and what an entertainment we all had at the hands of Breabach and Elisabeth Flett.

Elisabeth began playing the piano and violin aged four and just kept on going. Her CV includes such varied collaborators as Dundee Symphony Orchestra, St Andrew’s Baroque Ensemble, Fife Youth Jazz Orchestra and folk group Three’s a Crowd. With a pedigree like that we might have expected a certain poise and technique and Elisabeth certainly showed us a good time mixing up flute and violin with a voice full of power and clarity. Elisabeth’s playing is an absolute, foot tapping delight, but it was her a cappella numbers which really made the hairs prickle especially on more traditional numbers when the Letham Nights faithful took up an understated harmony that was as beautifully haunting as it was unexpected. Who knew we had a ready-made choir? Jings!

You wait all day for a multi-instrumentalist and then a whole bunch come along at once. We haven’t had many (if any) more accomplished bands in our humble hall so expectations were, understandably, sky high for Breabach. But this is an outfit geared to satisfying the appetites of the most voracious audiences. Voted ‘Best Group’ at the most recent Scots Trad Music Awards, Breabach have also received nominations in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and as ‘European Folk Group of the Year’ in the German Folk Awards. Combining highland bagpipes (Calum MacCrimmon & James Duncan Mackenzie), fiddle (Megan Henderson), guitar (Ewan Robertson), double bass (James Lindsay), flute (Calum & James again), bouzouki (Calum… again), step dance (Megan & Calum again) and voices, Breabach poured forth their billowing torrent of Gaelic and Scots songs & tunes turning sadness to gladness and boo hoo hoos into dancing shoes. Able to turn on a sixpence from spine tingling laments to boot-stomping feel-goodery, Breabach gave us all a musical talking to we’ll not forget for a long long time.

Come back soon, y’all!

Check out Breabach’s website for songs and dates

And see Elisabeth’s facebook page 

We promised you 3 crackers to kick off Letham Nights for 2014 and boy did we deliver!

And now, as we approach the second half of the year, we have 3 more in store.

Go to our tickets page to book for all or any of these shows.

SOLD OUT! – Anderson, McGinty, Webster & Fisher

Saturday 28th June 8pm

tickets page

Please note that this show is now sold out.  Only those who have received a

confirmation to go ahead with payment should do so.  Anyone else who would

like to go on the waiting list should email mike@lethamnights.org

First up, making their 3rd appearance and by popular demand, the truly magnificent Anderson, McGinty, Webster & Fisher.  The band, slimmed down, following the departure of the wonderful Robbie Ward to pastures new, are going full steam ahead and plans for the release of their second album are well under way.  The album recorded at The Chapel Studios in Lincolnshire, will contain the fruits of a rich period of creativity in the studio and on stage over the past year honing and perfecting new material.

A taster for what is to come was released as an EP of 5 gems, one from the pen of each band member.  The EP epitomises the range of styles and genres embraced by the band and reveals the virtuosity of these talented young musicians.  If you have not heard it yet, you can download it here.

The last time the band played Letham Nights,  tickets sold out in under a fortnight so don’t hang around!

Take a sneak peek at this taster clip of the new album here:

The Travelling Band

Saturday 11th October

Next up, after what we hope will be a long, hot and restful summer, we are excited to invite our first act from Manchester to Letham Nights, The Travelling Band.

The Travelling Band formed during a recording project in 2006 in New York City. The band made their first studio album ‘Under The Pavement’ here which was later released in 2008 to receive critical acclaim from the UK media.^[1] The album featured as BBC Radio 6 Music ‘Album Of The Day’, BBC Radio 2‘s ‘Single Of The Week and had a featured song in the Ian Dury biopic ‘Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll‘.

Although the tracking for Under the Pavement was completed in October 2007, the album didn’t appear for another 12 months and was finally issued on their own Sideways Saloon imprint—also the moniker of their Manchester-based, monthly club night. A couple of hand-crafted, cloth-packaged EPs helped to create a local buzz in the run up to the album’s release, while acclaim came from further afield when the band won the Glastonbury Festival 2008 New Talent award.

Kirsty Almeida with special guest Roberta Pia

Saturday 13th December

Finally, to wrap up 2014 in style we present our special Christmas Cracker, from London, Kirsty Almeida and the Troubadors.

Kirsty Almeida is a Gibraltarian Singer-Songwriter & visual artist also based in Manchester. Award-winning artist, Kirsty has been signed to major label, Decca, Universal, swept up the Take Five Composers award and now has her own label All Made Up Records. Her music, like her art is influenced by her many travels beginning with her childhood and her travels still lead her now. Venezuela, Indiana, The Philippians, Gibraltar, Morocco, Brunei are just some of the places that have coloured her upbringing, creativity and voice and this is evident in her art and music. The stage has enabled her to perform for audiences at most festivals around the UK, various travels abroad and special performances for the G8 in Moscow, the London Commonwealth for HM The Queen, The London Jazz Festival and the Nick Drake Tribute Way To Blue.

Take a listen to this clip of her rollicking ‘If You Can’t Make Me Happy’ and if it doesn’t make you happy then you can have your money back!

And of course, Roberta Pia is well known to the Letham Nights crowd both as one-time Bevvy Sister and maestra extraordinaria of the Banana Sessions.  We are thrilled that she has agreed to play a solo set for us in support of Kirsty.  What a way to end the year!

Go to our tickets page to book for all or any of these shows.

Don’t forget that the Clap and Tipple bar will be on hand to quench your thirst and tickle your tastebuds together with the Doorstep Bakery with their brilliant, bready snacks!

Letham Nights – The Best Small Gigs In The World!

SOLD OUT!

PLEASE CONTACT mike@lethamnights.org for returns

Breabach with special guest, Elisabeth Flett

Saturday 17th May 8pm

Book Tickets Here

A tantalising prospect awaits us for Letham Nights on Saturday 17th May when our great friends the mighty Breabach take to the stage.  Over the past few years they have amassed a string of impressive national awards and accolades. Just crowned Best Live Act at the 2013 Trad Awards & nominated for Band of the Year at the 2014 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and the BBC Scots Trad Awards, the band have recently released their 3rd album Urlar. They have also just returned from touring NZ & Oz as part of the Boomerang Project – a collaborative venture that saw them play Sydney Opera House and will culminate in a major performance in Glasgow for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

One of the most celebrated and successful Scottish folk bands of recent times, Breabach command the stage with flare, charisma and a sound that is as expansive as it is distinct. Powered by double bagpipes, flute and fiddle, this uncompromising force is further fueled by the tight groove of double bass, guitar and  step-dancing from the amazing Megan Henderson.

The band have supported Letham Nights since its inception in 2008 and singer Ewan Robertson was one of the first acts to take to the stage in our fledgling venue. He brought in a capacity crowd and gave us the confidence to keep going. Can’t wait to have him back!

Take a listen to this mouth-watering clip then tell us you don’t want to come!

And here’s what the press say….

“Breabach once again displayed all the artfulness, ambition and imagination that set them so decisively apart from the pack.” Scotsman

“How catalyzing Scottish traditions with contemporary creative imagination should be done” Scotsman

“Breabach are the most compelling and exciting big stage traditional Scottish band around; the line-up changes haven’t altered the dynamics at all with the twin pipes, step dancing, beautiful ballads and effortless charm all still in place.” – Neil Pearson, Shrewsbury Folk Festival

Supporting on the night will be an amazing young artist from Auchtermuchty, Elisabeth Flett, whose fiddle playing at the age of only 17 demonstrates a virtuosity way beyond her years. Elisabeth is a highly talented multi-instrumentalist and was an impressive entrant last year to our U18 competition for new local talent.  She will provide an exciting opening set of mesmerising and intricate tunes.

Take a sneek peek here:

DON’T MISS IT!!

Book Tickets Here

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

Letham Nights – The Best Small Gigs In The World!

Saturday 22nd March 8pm

Book Tickets Here

We are over the moon to secure the booking of one of Dundee’s finest and one of the brightest emerging indie pop acts on the UK music scene.  The Hazey Janes have recently just completed another major UK tour with Deacon Blue and in 2012 toured Europe with WILCO playing in some huge venues to packed audiences.  And now they are coming to the village…!  They come with an outstanding musical pedigree in Alice and Matthew Marra, offspring of the late, great Michael Marra together with Andrew Mitchell and Liam Brennan.  The combination of Mitchell’s soaring vocals, the close harmonies, jangling guitars and driving rhythm is compelling.  The band will showcase material from their soon-to-be-released 4th album ‘Language of Faint Theory’, recorded in Spain in July 2013.  Their forthcoming single ‘The Fathom Line’ is currently on the BBC Radio Scotland playlist so listen out and if you want to know more, check out their website.

Try this for size and then tell us you don’t want to come! ‘Aspen’ played live for Spanish Radio

Opening the show and making her Letham Nights debut will be Pauline M. Hynd, Dundee singer-songwriter and one half of the innovative theatrical-musical collaboration, The Onion Club.

Book Tickets Here

Don’t forget that the Clap and Tipple bar will be on hand to quench your thirst and tickle your tastebuds together with the Doorstep Bakery and their brilliant, bready snacks!

Letham Nights – The Best Small Gigs In The World!

LN#34 The Bevvy Sisters

Saturday 1st Feb 2014 – 8pm

Yeeha! The Bevvys are back! We cannot think of a better way to kick off Letham Nights 2014 than with the return of our favourite trio of songster-sisters.  With a freshly re-blended line-up of longtime vocalist Heather MacLeod and one-man band David Donnelly together with celebrated jazz doyenne Gina Rae and banjo weilding songstress Cera Impala, The Bevvys’ will present their signature creative alchemy, spanning genres from country to jazz, gospel to original indie-pop. The sisters will have new material from the recently released Plan B, resounding with renewed vitality standing out from the crowd in both style and substance. More intoxicating than ever: pure vocal magic, distilled to the power of three.

Joining them to open the evening will be the precociously talented local young singer-songwriter Erin Scott.  Erin entered our U18 competition to find new local talent and we were very impressed.  She has recently shared a stage with Letham Nights favourites, the Coaltown Daisies, drawing a great reaction from an appreciative audience.

Book Tickets Here

You can also catch the Bevvy Sisters on 1st March at the wonderful new, intimate local venue, Elm House Concerts in Craigrothie.  Check out here what’s on at the Elm House

Don’t forget that the Clap and Tipple bar will be on hand to quench your thirst and tickle your tastebuds together with the Doorstep Bakery and their brilliant, bready snacks!

Letham Nights – The Best Small Gigs In The World!

Letham Nights 2013 finished with a bang – Grand Theft Disco.  The magnificent High Wasters, made up of some of the most talented session musicians in the country, channeled the magic of Nile Rogers’ Chic, the Bee Gees, Sister Sledge, the Four Tops, the Supremes and more into the hall and we danced the night away.  It brought to an end another fantastic year of bringing great great music to the village and providing a stage for local – and sometimes not so local – talent.

So what’s in store for 2014?  More of the same of course!  Already we have our first 3 line ups for the months ahead sorted – 3 cracking acts to kick off the year!  Please note that doors open for all gigs at 8pm.

Go to our tickets page to book for all or any of these shows.

1. LN#34 – 1st February – The Bevvy Sisters

Yeeha! The Bevvys are back! We cannot think of a better way to kick off Letham Nights 2014 than with the return of our favourite trio of songster-sisters.  With a freshly re-blended line-up of longtime vocalist Heather MacLeod and one-man band David Donnelly together with celebrated jazz doyenne Gina Rae and banjo weilding songstress Cera Impala, The Bevvys’ will present their signature creative alchemy, spanning genres from country to jazz, gospel to original indie-pop. The sisters will have new material from the recently released Plan B, resounding with renewed vitality standing out from the crowd in both style and substance. More intoxicating than ever: pure vocal magic, distilled to the power of three.

Joining them to open the evening will be the precociously talented local young singer-songwriter Erin Scott.  Erin entered our U18 competition to find new local talent and we were very impressed.  She has recently shared a stage with Letham Nights favourites, the Coaltown Daisies, drawing a great reaction from an appreciative audience.

2. LN#35 – 22nd March – The Hazey Janes

We are over the moon to secure the booking of one of Dundee’s finest and one of the brightest emerging indie pop acts on the UK music scene.  The Hazey Janes have recently just completed another major UK tour with Deacon Blue and in 2012 toured Europe with WILCO playing in some huge venues to packed audiences.  And now they are coming to the village…!  They come with an outstanding musical pedigree in Alice and Matthew Marra, offspring of the late, great Michael Marra together with Andrew Mitchell and Liam Brennan.  The band will showcase material from their 4th album recorded in Spain in July 2013 and soon to be released.

Opening the show and making her Letham Nights debut will be Pauline M. Hynd, Dundee singer-songwriter and one half of the innovative theatrical-musical collaboration, The Onion Club.

3. LN#36 – 17th May – Breabach

How pleased are we to announce that our great friends the mighty Breabach,  just crowned Best Live Act at the 2013 Trad Awards in December, will grace the Letham Nights stage in May!  The band have recently released their 3rd album Urlar and over the past few years have amassed a string of impressive national awards and accolades.  One of the most celebrated and successful Scottish folk bands of recent times, Breabach command the stage with flare, charisma and a sound that is as expansive as it is distinct. Powered by double bagpipes, flute and fiddle, this uncompromising force is further fueled by the tight groove of double bass, guitar and step-dance.  The band have supported Letham Nights since its inception in 2008 and singer Ewan Robertson was one of the first acts to take to the stage in our fledgling venue.  He brought in a capacity crowd and gave us the confidence to keep going.  Can’t wait to have him back!

Supporting on the night will be an amazing young artist from Auchtermuchty, Elisabeth Flett, whose fiddle playing at the age of only 17 demonstrates a virtuosity way beyond her years.  Elisabeth was another impressive entrant last year to our U18 competition for new local talent.

So that’s just for starters folks!  More exciting news for later in the year is on the way…

Go to our tickets page to book for all or any of these shows.

Don’t forget that the Clap and Tipple bar will be on hand to quench your thirst and tickle your tastebuds together with the Doorstep Bakery with their brilliant, bready snacks!

Letham Nights – The Best Small Gigs In The World!

As another year draws to a close we can look back with pride and satisfaction at having once again brought some outstanding musical entertainment to the village hall.  From raucous n raunchy rock n roll to sweet, spine-tingling serenades, we have had it all.  We have laughed and cried and danced and gasped with joy at the sheer talent of the artists who have served up their fare of luscious live music.  And all the while we have doused our thrapple from the Clap & Tipple Bar and snacked on pizza and other bready, snacky things from the Doorstep Bakery.  Here is a wee reminder…

LN #28 Woodenbox and Sienna

In February we were treated to the rambunctious Woodenbox with their booming vocals, skin shredding drum strokes and rock riffs a-plenty to help us rip up the dance floor.  Supporting them were local outfit Sienna, with their beautiful americana soundscape.

LN #29 Miss Quincy & the Showdown with The David Latto Band

In April, all the way from Canada came Miss Quincy & the Showdown – a smokin’ hot all-girl trio all the way from Canada.  Miss Quincy doesn’t fit the classic girl singer/songwriter mould and The Showdown isn’t your average all-girl band, but they sure as hell made an impression!  Supporting were Letham Nights favourite country sons, The David Latto Band, with their warm, rich and simple country sounds.

LN #30 AMWWF & The O’s

Early June gave us a quite extraordinary double bill with the return of wonderful Dundee 5-Piece, Anderson, McGinty, Webster, Ward & Fisher, together with Texan duo, the O’s.  The musical pedigree on stage that night was outstanding throughout: two amazing acts, pizza from the Doorstep Bakery, drinkies from the Clap & Tipple – and fine society – combining to create an evening of entertainment that none who were there will ever forget.

LN#31 Devon Sproule & Blood Indians

August brought more sheer transatlantic delight.  The excitement of securing the booking of the one and only Devon Sproule was matched only by that of watching one of the most powerful and moving performances we have ever seen, anywhere!  There was an embarrassment of riches on show that night, the band taking on several personas, with Thom Gill aka THOMAS and Robin Dann aka Bernice as the entre and Devon Sproule as main course – remembering of course fledgling Dundee outfit Blood Indians, winners of our young local talent competition who opened the evening with an excellent set.

LN#32 Jez Hellard and Scott Cook

Our autumnal special was a delight of a different kind.  Summer had ended, the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness was upon us so it was only proper that Letham Nights 32 should prove to be a soulful occasion. Not for us the vulgar drums and profane, thrusting basslines of evenings passed, but instead a more sophisticated melange of singers, songwriters and acoustic loveliment. Up stepped the local girl, the backwoodsman and the Southern grizzly to deliver an enchanted night of sings and strings… Full review here!

LN#33 Grand Theft Disco with the High Wasters

And so to our Christmas extravaganza… There was some Saturday night fever in the air at Letham Nights. We held back the night, got lost in music, did some full on jive talking and got very very lucky. Thank you to the High Wasters (Mick Slaven, Allan French, Jamie Gash, other Jamie, other Mick, John and Nick) and to Øliver Farrell with his fabulously funky Papier Mâshup.  There will be a full review soon but it will have to wait until after the bells and the start of 2014.  Have a great one folks!

Don’t forget that the Clap and Tipple bar will be on hand to quench your thirst and tickle your tastebuds together with the Doorstep Bakery with some bready snacks!

Letham Nights – The Best Small Gigs In The World!

Summer had ended, the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness was upon us so it was only proper that Letham Nights 32 should prove to be a soulful occasion. Not for us the vulgar drums and profane, thrusting basslines of evenings passed, but instead a more sophisticated melange of singers, songwriters and acoustic loveliment. Up stepped the local girl, the backwoodsman and the Southern grizzly to deliver an enchanted night of sings and strings.

We like nothing more than welcoming old friends back to our hallowed hall and we were delighted to have two such return performers on the bill for LN32. First up was Stella Reilly. Stella last lit up our stage back in February as part of local band Sienna. Now performing solo, any doubts that Stella might struggle to fill a stage without her old pals were soon knocked into a cocked hat as she delivered a rollocking set of original gems and pitch-perfect covers including a great version of Paul Simon’s ‘Call Me Al’.

Check out Stella at: https://www.facebook.com/stellareillymusic

We also made a new friend in the shape of Canadian singer-songwriter, Scott Cook. With his gentle finger-picking and whispered vocals like wood-smoke in an autumn dusk, Edmonton, Alberta’s very own prairie balladeer reminds one of a lumberjack Mississippi John Hurt. Scott’s own ‘Pass It Along’, was the highlight of the evening and, with its message of the lifecycles of things we use and places we belong, is sure to become a Letham Nights anthem.

Don’t miss Scott Cook at: http://www.scottcook.net/

Another returnee to our castle of creativity was the irrepressible Jez Hellard. We first met Jez at LN26 in October last year and he’s lost none of his wit, wind or withering put-downs (no out of time foot-stamping here, or else). Jez created a Letham Nights first by leaping from  the stage to perform a fully acoustic (no amps, see?) Miners Picket Song on the harmonica; a song he had not so long ago performed to the remains of one Margaret Thatcher (another story). His version of Boo Hewerdine’s ballad of dustbowl migration, ‘Harvest Gypsies’ was another highlight in an evening of great music.

Catch Jez at: www.jezhellard.com

Don’t forget that the Clap and Tipple bar is always on hand to quench your thirst and soothe your tastebuds together with the Doorstep Bakery with pizza or bready snacks!

Letham Nights – The Best Small Gigs In The World!

Saturday 14th December 8pm

Whatcha doin’ in your bed?  
Whatcha doin’ in your bed?
You should be daaancin’!

Delighted to say that for our Christmas Special we have put together a truly exciting show for you that will rival the Nile Rogers Glastonbury 2013 spectacular with Chic!  Don’t believe us?  Well, read on….

The High Wasters present Grand Theft Disco

with guest DJ Papier Mâshup

The High Wasters are a bunch of hot steppin’ groove meisters who get right down on it. And I mean ALL the way baby.. Formed when a bunch of funk orientated freaks happened to hook up by chance at a Donna Summer memorial disco in Amsterdam, they immediately pledged to uphold the Groove until the very last beat EVERY TIME THEY HEARD A COUNT IN!!!!

By the time they got back to the UK they were a hyper-distilled tornado of raw Disco Energy blowing through city after city, stopping only to lay down some Disco Action wherever people wanted – no, NEEDED – to get down and boogie.

So now these heroes of hep are bringing their latest show ‘Grand Theft Disco’ to Letham. They couldn’t do it in Dundee due to copyright issues…!

In fact, the band consists of top flight session musicians who have played with artists as diverse as Del Amitri, Deacon Blue, Lloyd Cole, Eddi Reader, The Leopards, Vic Godard, Love and Money, The River Detectives, Fay Fife, Paul Haig, The Kissing Bandits and many more.  Check out their recent appearance with Lloyd Cole on Jools Holland

But they all agree, their true calling is to lay down the groove, to get down and dirty, to ramp up the jive to fever pitch, to get everybody to clap their hands and stamp their feet….  at the D.I.S.C.O. !!!!!

And as if that wasn’t enough to make your head spin, we bring you DJ Papier Mâshup, a veritable magician of mashup, to keep you moving on the dance floor ALL NIGHT LONG!

So trust us! Book your tickets now, then get on down to Letham Village Hall on Saturday the 14th December.  Leave the rest to us…

Tickets will be £10/£8 online OR £12/10 on the door (if there are any left – unlikely!)

Get your tickets here

GET READY TO BOOGIE YOUR ASS OFF TO SOME OF THE HOTTEST DISCO GROOVES ON THE PLANET!!

LETS DO IT!!

Don’t forget that the Clap and Tipple bar will be on hand to quench your thirst and soothe your tastebuds together with the Doorstep Bakery with some Christmas bready snacks!

Letham Nights – The Best Small Gigs In The World!