Monday 15 June, Johnsonville Club, 1 Norman Lane (off Johnsonville Road), Johnsonville, Wellington, 7:30 pm. Parking up the drive at the venue, bus and train nearby.
Entry: $20/$15 for members. Cash only (no eftpos facilities).
Frank John and Erin Manu
Netherlands-born Frank John brings his technical brilliance to this New Plymouth-based duo, and his Taranaki-born wife Erin Manu provides driving rhythm guitar and has a reputation for her unique style on banjo – described as having ‘a kinda swagger’ – by Albi from Albi and The Wolves.
Through sizzling acoustic instrumentals and soulful delivery of ballads, they capture the essence of guitar and song with variations on folk, blues, country, swing and classical genres. They perform some hidden gems, well known standards and their own compositions, with an extra polish as they’ve recently been recording a new album.
Jude Madill
With a voice that has been likened to both Kathy Matea and Jewel, Jude Madill plays and sings with great feel and an equal enthusiasm and love for music. She has played both solo and in groups, most recently The Madillionaires, Eagals and The Kist, around the local folk scene.
Jude has been singing ‘since forever’ although she has not always performed as a songwriter, she says “For a good part of my life I only sang and played other people’s music – then, quite suddenly, when I was 30-something I started writing songs myself.”
Most of Jude’s original music falls somewhere in the folk/alt-country box although her
musical inspiration comes from an eclectic playlist. (Photo by Ebony Lamb)
Melling Station Boys
The Melling Station Boys, Wellington’s only pure Bluegrass band, was formed back in 2015 after an Acoustic Routes blind date concert way which brought together founder members Alastair McCarthy and Todd Foster. The band grew from there, with Andrew Bicknell and Ian Smith joining the line up, and much more recently, Kevin Ikin.
MSB are a classic Bluegrass combo, with banjo, guitar, fiddle, bass and mandolin, strong vocals and harmonies, keeping this musical tradition alive in Wellington. The Melling Boys have a wide repertoire of traditional and contemporary Bluegrass songs and tunes, as well as other songs from the Americana music world, and one or two originals. The Melling Station Boys are: Alastair McCarthy – guitar and vocals; Todd Foster – banjo and vocals; Ian Smith – fiddle and vocals; Kevin Ikin – mandolin and vocals. For their performance at Acoustic Routes, the band will be joined by Bill Vella on double bass.
Note: The concert will be on the first floor, with access via stairs or the lift. (Yes, the lift is back in action!) You may have to press the button at the side of the door to gain access to the building.
Supper is not provided, but you’re welcome to purchase drinks, tea and coffee and snacks at the bar. If you want to purchase alcohol, a member of the Johnsonville Club will need to sign you in. Feel free to make your purchases on the way in and bring them up to the room.