Going underground: A guide to York’s hidden musical gems
There’s always so much going on in York, sometimes some of the best stuff can slip under the radar, writes Jamie Bradley.
This is the first of what will hopefully be a series of regular blog posts, designed to help give these hidden musical gems a bit of a proverbial leg up, thrusting them at a great velocity into the limelight where they undoubtedly should reside.
JAZZ @ The Phoenix
The Phoenix Inn is an independently-run pub located on George Street, just inside the city walls at Fishergate Bar.
The pub’s rear bar plays host to free entry jazz sessions, two or three times a week.
The first and third Sunday of each month see the FireBird Quartet taking to the stage, with Ian Chalk on trumpet, Martin Longhawn on piano, John Marley on bass and Tim Carter on drums, playing their own brand of modern, mainstream jazz.
Wednesday is Jazz Jam night featuring the resident quartet of James Lancaster on trumpet, Chris Moore on keyboard, George/ Christian on bass and Trevor King on the drums. Other musicians and vocalists are encouraged to join in and the atmosphere is always very friendly and welcoming.
Mondays feature a rotating cast of talented jazz bands and musicians, from The Kate Peters Quartet to the magnificent Central Scrutinizers.
Behind The White Door @ The Fulford Arms
The Fulford Arms, 121 Fulford Road, Fulford, York YO10 4EX
Behind The White Door is a monthly, free entry show, hosted by the inimitable Nebby Nebworth (Dan Gott) and Naomi Westerman of York garage-punk-rockers The Franceens.
They put on their first show under the BTWD banner in May 2013 and have gone from strength to strength since, with a plethora of bands coming from all over the country to take the stage, with the shows ably compèred by Dan himself, along with legendary York punk DJ, Mark Cranfield (aka X-Generator).
The night took home the York Not For Profit Music & Arts Scene award for best regular live music night of 2014, as did The Fulford Arms for best live music venue…
Irie Vibes @ The Crescent WMC
The Crescent WMC, 9 The Crescent, York YO24 1AW
Irie Vibes run a monthly roots, reggae, dancehall and dub session at The Crescent WMC.
2014 was a year that saw some fantastic reggae acts passing through York to play at this massively popular but oft-under-celebrated club night.
Free food is provided by Food Not Bombs York, who do great work as a 100% grassroots charity, helping to feed homeless people in York.
Also of note, is the fantastic Snickledub, which takes place on the last Thursday of every month at The Snickleway Inn on Goodramgate.
An evening of reggae, roots and dub in a great little cosy pub. Entry is free.
That’s enough to keep you going for now. If I’ve missed anything crucial, leave a comment and let me know!
The theme is Punk Meets Reggae and entry is free! Find out more here.
Just a little shout to Jorvik Underground, who’ve been running monthly shows at the Spread Eagle since mid 2014 and have brought a fair number of decent metal, grindcore and punk acts to York, as well as providing a regular showcase for local acts, for those that like the heavier side of things in a bustling venue run by people who love what they’re doing.