Live music is here to stay! Heli Seymour writes about the wonderful Chantel McGregor…

Sunday 17^th March

The day began hectically, my mind raced over the list of to do jobs. I was excited & nervous the way I always felt before one of our band nights. It was all so new to me the sound guys turning up 5 hours before the gig was set to play & the heavy lifting of equipment – which I expertly always get out of carrying.  The cellar being stocked with local Ennerdale blonde and Cumberland cream – as this is an audience that appreciates their ale & bitter. The room was a hub of activity and it was great to see the passion and enthusiasm the team put in to the set up.

Guitar cases and cables littered the floor as musicians expertly meandered there ways through the chaos.  The sound checks began and the deep thud of the bass drum resounded through the hall, it was going to be a good gig. Everybody was in high spirits and the response had been huge.

I love working at The Saints Rooms, from the outside the building looks like it has been forgotten in time. It is situated in a mossy grave yard that is more romantic then creepy. It’s a beautiful building that oozes character and although it’s a bit of a hidden gem once discovered it becomes the venue for all big parties, christenings and weddings.

Working alongside Top Table Promotions, we decided to venture into the live music scene. It was something that seemed to be lacking in our neck of the woods, and the addition of The Saints Rooms is an excellent accompaniment to the theatre, cinema and music ofered by the Kirkgate Centre. Andy & Mark’s vision was to create a live music venue with a strong vibe for rock & blues. Chantel Mcgregor was our 3^rd act to perform at the Saints Rooms and she delivered an exceptional performance. I noticed the crowd queuing for the gig were predominantly males & soon realised why – Chantel is an extremely talented rock & blues guitarist with a stunningly strong voice & exceptional guitar skills. She is also a petite & very pretty blonde.

You couldn’t help liking her, everything from her acoustic rendition of Bruno Marrs to her strong Lancastrian accent charmed everyone at the venue, and the audience were giving of a really good vibe. It became evident within the first few notes why Chantel was awarded Female Vocalist of the Year 2012 in the British Blues Awards, and we are so proud that she played at our venue here in Cockermouth! It was also a real honour to have such a talented band as Albany Down playing. Billed as the support act, but contributing hugely to a fantastic evening of live rock & blues, we’re delighted that they are returning to the area at The Maryport Blues Festival in 2013.

All in all it was a brilliant evening with a busy bar and amazing music. Every foot in the room was tapping. Even the window panes where shaking to the beat!

To find out more about our band nights please visit our website page here. You can sign up to keep up to date with latest gigs!

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See, hear, enjoy Female Artist of the Year, Chantel McGregor on Sunday March 17th

The Saints Rooms in the heart of Cockermouth is getting a reputation for fantastic live rock and blues music. Building on the recent success of WT Feaster and Aynsley Lister, Andy Hills of Top Table Promotions (the driving force behind bringing live music to the venue), has landed some high profile fish to play this year. This includes award winning Chantel McGregor who was named Female Artist of the Year 2012 in the British Blues Awards who will play on Sunday 17^th March. Having set the record for the longest song ever on Radio 2, she has added many more accolades to her name. She’s also played alongside legends such as Joe Bonamassa and hung out with Eric Clapton and Bonnie Raitt!

Andy Hills of Top Table Promotions is really proud to bring such acclaimed bands to The Saints Rooms. The line-up this year is excellent, and includes King King featuring Alan Nimmo (before they head off to Ottawa Blues Festival to share a stage with B.B. King). They won best band and best album 2012 in the British Blues Awards. Ryan McGarvey is playing in May, and he has shared the bill with such top name acts as Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, B.B. King, and Joe Bonamassa. The wonderful Lucy Zirins will also be returning, and many fans are delighted that Albany Down will be supporting Chantel McGregor at her gig on Sunday 17th March. There are a few tickets remaining and Billy Bowmans has them in the shop if you get there this week!

We want to keep bringing such reknowned acts to Cockermouth! It’s a real honour, and shows that we can keep Cumbria firmly on the “live music” circuit with big acts, many of whom are going on to play at Maryport Blues Festival in the Summer. To buy tickets and find our more visit Top Table Promotions or see The Band Nights menu on Saints Rooms

The feedback on the atmosphere at Aynsley Lister (supported by the fantastic Crow Dog) was amazing. Everyone had a great time and the place was jumping. Ennerdale Brewery had Blonde on tap so all the real ale fans were happy. The gig started at 4 so everyone could get home in time to have a fresh head for Monday morning. We hope Aynsley will come back and play again soon. We’ll be doing a separate right up of the night – it was exciting to see live music bringing such a crowd in to Cockermouth.

Future gigs:

Chantel McGregor supported by Albany Down                  17^th March

Ryan McGarvey with special guest Tom Attah                    5^th May

The Mentulls supported by Lucy Zirins                                  19^th May

King King featuring Alan Nimmo                                              16^th June

Krissy Matthews                                                                              06^th July

Sometimes people you haven’t met just touch you more than you can put into words. I’m a great one for saying what I’m going to do but don’t always go the full mile and actually do it. This young lady Milly has (with plenty of help from her mum and others) organised an amazing fundraiser at our venue in Cockermouth tomorrow night (Weds 12th December), and I’m hoping that through this post we might reach a few more people to attend on the night & give their support.

I think that what her mother has written just highlights how courageous some people are, and as I can’t improve on the words I am quoting them here:

“Milly is a normal teenager with all the insecurities that this time of life throw at us. Some days she is confident and happy with herself and other days less so. Mood swings are a day to day part of life just now. She is also very gentle and loving.

She has always been a very sensitive and empathetic child and feels things deeply. She is a delightful daydreamer with a head full of stories . Sometimes she has a maturity, wisdom beyond her years and amazes me with her perception and take on things. She can also be very childlike, loud and giddy and has a sharp wit

Some weeks ago Milly experienced a series of panic attacks and since then has found it very hard to leave the house. We are working through that with her and are helping her to overcome her fears. This means that tomorrow night is challenging to say the least.

Milly is determined to go through with it though. She is so very excited to shave her hair off and is not at all anxious about that. We have all worked together to find ways that will ease her anxiety. She will be surrounded by family, friends, a bunch of new friends and people who have come along to support her fundraising…With the dancing, the excitement and the steps we have in place we all feel hopeful that she will enjoy herself”.

The event is at 6.30pm – 9.30pm at The Saints Rooms, and there will be lots of fun for all the family including refreshments, games and a bit of a Christmas disco. Please come along and support Milly, and if you’d like to hook up with their facebook page here is the link to it

Milly, we think you are amazing and wish you lots of luck and lots of fun on your special evening that you and your family have organised. We hope you raise loads of money, and that you enjoy the support and love that will no doubt be filling the room tomorrow night!

At our baronial hall in Cockermouth we love hosting Christmas Parties, weddings, celebrations and also conferences. So we thought it was great fun when Moky held their Christmas Celebrations and gave a special showing of their version of Dirty Dancing! Take a look here…..

Brilliant to see all the guests joining in at the end – made our day at The Saints Rooms and Winder Hall!

We had thought about it before, but the idea turned into reality when we talked to Andy Hills at Top Table Promotions. His aim is simple – to bring great live music into Cockermouth, and with the added enthusiasm of the team at Winder Hall and Saints Rooms we’re going to make it happen!

So what’s on the cards this year? Loads of people had mentioned Water’s Edge to us, so we’re delighted that they will be playing two dates in October. On Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th they will perform to happy fans with a mix of favourite songs and new ones from their fourth album “Check My Pulse”. Tickets available by following this link.

On 18th November we have an awesome line up of W T Feaster, the US Rock and Blues band from Indionapolis, and Lucy Zirins, the award winning Lancastrian songstress. This night is in aid of Cockermouth First Responders. Book tickets here

Full bar available at all gigs!

Watch this space for more announcements – there are some good ones in the pipeline!