The Moulin Rouge Ball 2016

120 guests recently attended our Moulin Rouge Ball at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel in Chester.  In support of two wonderful  charities: Nicholls Spinal Injury FoundationMidland Centre for Spinal Injuries.

Guests were greeted on the red carpet by ‘Harry Zidler’ and a 4 metre high elephant!

A welcome reception was followed by an introduction by Nicholls Spinal Injury Foundations’  CEO,  Mike Milner, surprise personal video addresses from actors Simon Pegg and Joseph Fiennes, and surprise dancers!   The evening then continued into the early hours with a three course dinner, Silent Auction,  Top Hat Prize Draw, Henri Toulouse Lautrecs Tombola, a Bohemian Photographic Studio and live music from the awesome Robert Mather Band.

Please feel free to donate to the 2 charities via these links:

Nicholls Spinal Injury Foundation

Midland Centre for Spinal Injuries (RJAH Orthopaedic Hospital, Gobowen, Oswestry)

Here is a snapshot video of the evening:

 

Sandi Thom

Aardvarker recently hosted Sandi Thom for her first ever Chester show at The Live Rooms on 27 May 2016.  Her first show since the birth of her son Logan.  With special guests, Alx Green and Eleanor Nelly.


Gary Edward Jones – Bang Bang Bang Launch

Gary Edward Jones – Constellations Liverpool – April 2016

“Gary Edward Jones’ exquisite artistry channels many of the great songwriters of the last 50 years. From the laconic melodies of the Californian halcyon days to the mystical depths of the British folk giants like John Martyn and Nick Drake, all the references inform his music and concoct their own special brew. A conscience without evangelism entwined with a voice created in the bee hive and guitar playing so achingly beautiful are the cornerstones of his single “Bang Bang Bang”. The song is one of the many stand out tracks on his bewitching The Cabinet Maker album. It immediately invades the subconscious and appears frequently throughout the days, after absorbing its thought provoking message, wrapped up in a myriad of hooks. The message is at once ambiguous but in juxtaposition with an eloquent monologue of how many of us feel about the modern world. “The clocks they turn but no lessons are learnt”. We have all the knowledge but take none of the actions to stop our planet’s decline. Accompanying the release is an astonishing video featuring a melancholic, yet optimistic little robot. He channels the principals of mindfulness whilst simultaneously facing an uncertain future. Modern philosophy combined with a global sense of apathy. His fate is seemingly sealed but yet open to the imagination to determine. Both song and video stand alone as great examples of sublime artistry. Taken together they compliment each other to a profound level; moving, hypnotic and soothing in a heartbeat. Take the time to listen to an artist at the top of his game with a prolific catalogue of soaring songs left to discover.”
Review of the official video for Bang Bang Bang by Mark Andrews

 


REVIEWS

http:/http://www.purplerevolver.com/music/music-reviews/125615-gary-edward-jones-at-constellations,-liverpool.html

http:/http://www.liverpoolsoundandvision.co.uk/2016/04/29/gary-edward-jones-gig-review-constellations-liverpool/

http://http://shazneyspence.blogspot.co.uk/2016/05/gary-edward-jones-single-launch-bang.html

 

 

Midsummer Ball 2015

In June 2015,  Aardvarker hosted a Midsummer Ball in Chester on behalf of Nicholls Spinal Injury Foundation and The Midland Centre for Spinal Injuries.  An awesome line up of live music for the night included, The Dead Pixels, Gary Edward Jones and the awesome Robert Mather Band.  Guests were greeted with a personal address from Bear Grylls, Will Greenwood, Allan Lamb and Claire Lomas.  Over £4000 was raised for charity.

Click thumbnails for full size images.

Tom Baxter / Gary Edward Jones

June 2015 – Aardvarker hosted two shows as part of Tom Baxter tour at Leaf in Liverpool and Alexanders Chester .  Gary Edward Jones was the special guest for both shows.  Two packed out gigs with class artists.

Click thumbnails for full size images

 

Songs from the Shed

Aardvarker organised their first ‘Songs from the Shed’ session in June 2015 with artists Gary Edward Jones and Tom Baxter.  A fabulous experience in the renown shed in Somerset.

See:

http://www.songsfromtheshed.com/home

You can heck out their session via ‘Songs from the Shed’ You Tube page Tom Baxter / Gary Edward Jones

Music for the Greater Good

MUSIC FOR THE GREATER GOOD

Promoting new artists (and some not so new ) and to date these events and music released have raised funds for The National Autistic Society, LAM Action, Help for Heroes and The Anya Bentham Appeal.

Artists who have participated in MFTGG to date include – JAMES WALSH (Starsailor); BARRIEMORE BARLOW (Jethro Tull); MILLY PYE; MATT BREEN; NATALIE MCCOOL; DOMINIC DUNN; KATIE NICHOLAS; THE 9INES; THE VALENTINE3; TYLER MENSAH; VANESSA MURRAY; KAYA; THE SCIENCE OF THE LAMPS; EMMA WELLS; SOPHIA BEN YOUSEF; LUKE MOORE; THE FIFTH MOVEMENT; INDIGO CITY; DAVE O’GRADY; AITCH MC ROBBIE; ME & DEBOE; ALX GREEN; CHESQUA; JOE HAMPTON; THE KOALA COLLECTIVE; FELICITY GRANT; HENRY MAYBURY; GARY EDWARD JONES; NIGHTHOWL; ANDY PINK; GRETHE BORSUM; THE GOAT ROPER RODEO BAND; MEGAN THOMAS; RICHARD FRANCIS; THE LAST SCOUT; SOUL REVOLVER; JONATHAN COLEY; CHRIS FLETCHER; MY ELEVENTH TOE; CHRIS CALLANDER; FIVE MAN ESCAPE PLAN; BOGDANA CHIVAS, PADDY MCCLEGG, & all the wonderful buskers too!

 

Chester Rocks On – #chesterfringe

Updated June 2014

Chester Rocks On and the Chester Fringe Festival due to return in June 2015.

2013 was the first year for ‘Chester Fringe Festival’ – running alongside the mainstream Chester Rocks event in June – ‘Chester Rocks On’ launched the weekend of grassroots arts at Alexanders in Chester and returned in 2014 at The Ship with the best of local live music talent.

Chester Rocks On artists to date include: Milly Pye: Natalie McCool: Science of the Lamps: Dead Pixels: Ben Stafford: Paddy Clegg: Chris Barnes: Bexi Blue: Adam Melvin: Matt Breen: Joe Little: Tom Durkin: Grace n Danger: Nightflies: Nighthowl: Beards & Paisley; Plump Junction: Blue Movies: Between States.

 

 


 

Matt Breen

Updated August 2014

MATT BREEN – 19 year old singer songwriter , multi instrumentalist , actor – a charismatic & energetic performer

Genre: Indie

19 year old multi instrumentalist, singer-songwriter-musician Matt has been writing and performing music since an early age. Immensely proud of his Liverpool heritage, and, as many musicians before him, follows the hard working northern UK ethic. Matt’s talent, outgoing personality and infectious cheeky charm wins over his audiences effortlessly. Matt is an accomplished songwriter and a mesmerising, energetic solo performer, keeping his audiences interest with a range of up beat covers from the 1950s to present day , timeless classics and original songs from his own expanding repertoire, and also was front man of the award winning indie rock band ‘The Endings’. Bringing indie, pop and rock together! A popular regular on the Liverpool, Wirral , Merseyside and Chester UK gig circuit, including regular appearances at the world famous Cavern Club in Liverpool. In 2014 he toured in Queensland Australia and by request returning again in 2015 to both tour and record his debut album. Matt’s ever expanding CV is now also complemented by his role as ‘George Harrison’ in the hit show ‘Lennon’, which received 5 star reviews from the critics. This acting debut gave Matt licence to further show off his guitar prowess, play his since childhood hero and favourite Beatle George, and to also perform alongside, and sing solo with Cast and The La’s John Power.

In 2014, Matt went on a mini tour of Australia .  The success of which has led to him being invited back there again for 2015.

“Matt Breen offers strong support and effortless guitar licks as George Harrison” 5 STARS Liverpool Daily Post

“It is Fantastic, Brilliant and Unmissable” Mersey Magazine

“The sublime Matt Breen as George Harrison” 9/10 Liverpool Sound & Vision

“The cast received a well deserved standing ovation and the audience was sprinkled with famous local faces including Gary Christian, Eithnie Brown, Ned from Rain and Michael Starke who I overheard at the bar saying “these kids are brilliant!” (the Young Beatles I presume).

“All in all Lennon was an absolute joy to watch, fantastic.” Liverpool Live



 

 

Gary Edward Jones

Update: March 2015

Gary Edward Jones is an undiscovered gem! His songs are beautiful and he’s a brilliant live performer too. If there’s any justice his new album, The Cabinet Maker, should achieve the recognition it deserves” Amy Wadge (Co-writer for Ed Sheeran)

“Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young in a 2015 style…lots of vast American horizons under a blanket of a starlit night. Gary will soothe the soul” Tom Baxter

Artist: Gary Edward Jones

Representation: Lee Hallam / Aardvarker

Website: http://www.garyedwardjones.com

 

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2013

Singer Songwriter Gary Edward Jones wrote the song Friends of Mine for a friend who lost her son serving his country.  All proceeds from the FOM single and events are  donated to the charity Help for Heroes.

Friends of Mine – Gary Edward Jones

Friends of Mine Campaign dates 2013

* Single Launch for H4H – 31 January – Alexander’s Chester
* Busking Street Collection for H4H – 10 February – Chester City Centre
* Live Music Event for H4H – 28 February Alexander’s Chester