Hove Folk Club

The Bandana Collective : Friday 15th April 2011
Report by Jon

We were slightly dipping our toe in the water with this inaugural mid-month special folk club, and didn't know quite what to expect. Bethan of the Bandanas couldn't make it either, as she was playing at a friend's wedding, so the remaining two thirds had decided to make things even more different by going with an initial idea to run the night as a singaround, with no main act, giving more of a chance to play for the many fantastic floor acts who've been crowding into the club recently.

As it was, it was a very quiet night, and bodies were rather thin on the ground. It was a wonderful relief to discover, though, that this didn't matter at all. Those that came had a thoroughly good time and it was well worth being there. The singaround format worked wonderfully; other acts who came were two wonderful singers, and regulars at the club who have both headlined themselves in the past, Mike Reinstein and Ruth Cooke. Both rose to the opportunity of having more time than usual to kick back and stretch themselves, and showed us a wide and varied selection from their deep repertoires. Mike also treated us to some new material from his forthcoming full-length album, to be launched at an extraordinary folk club on 20th May (see Upcoming Guests).

The Bandanas also gave a diverse set (or set of sets), including old favourites and a brand new song by Lawrie puncturing the paranoia of gated communities – which went down fantastically well. Lawrie had also invited some comrades along from his regular ukulele jam at the Duke of Wellington, Uke at the Duke, who joined in the singaround in committed style and had all the other acts roped in by the end of the evening.

It was really good to see that the non-singing members of the audience included regular, returning and brand new members, as well. All seemed to have a thoroughly good time and got completely into the spirit of the night – chatting and swapping jokes and giving as much to the circle as the performers. The whole night finished off with a rendition of the Waterboys' "Fisherman's Blues", a favourite of both the Bandanas and Uke at the Duke, and other acts and audience alike joined in singing and playing along; it was a really happy note to finish on and really felt like we made the most of the evening.

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