The Larmer Tree Festival, which takes place on 14th–18th July at the Larmer Tree Gardens on the Wilts/Dorset border, is appealing for more volunteers to help with the smooth running of  this fantastic event.
The Larmer Tree Festival is now in its 15th year so has a large bank of
experienced regular volunteers but there is a need for extra help.
In return for a few hours each day you could receive a free ticket to the
Festival.  This gives you the chance to see eclectic music from around the world, take part in a workshop or simply relax and chill out in the unique
atmosphere of  the Larmer Tree Festival.
Volunteers are still needed to join the Breakdown Crew, which involves
deconstructing the Festival. Litter Pickers are needed during the Festival to help clean this beautiful venue and maintain our recycling programme. If either role appeals the Larmer Tree would love to hear from you.
So, if you are over 18 and interested in making new friends and becoming an essential part of the Larmer Tree team, please call Becca Small on 01725 552300.  You can find out more about the Festival on www.larmertree.co.uk

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THIS summer’s free Sunday afternoon concerts at Southsea Bandstand begin on May 31 with the pairing of Arthur Brown (remember “Fire” by the Crazy World of?) and The Silver Beatles for a cracking slice of 60s music in the sun (hopefully). The line-up for June onwards is as follows:

JUNE 6 - GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA UK (SPECIAL D-DAY EVENT)
13 - PAPA NEOL & HIS AFRO-CUBAN BAND
20 - LOCAL ROCK BANDS SHOWCASE
27 - R CAJUN & ZYDECO BROS + COLVINQUARMBY
JULY 4 - CADILLAC KINGS & JOHNNY GUNNER & THE RAIDERS
11 - TBC
18 - SONNY BLACK & THE DUKES + CLAUDE BOURBON (BLUES)
25 - JAZZ ALL STARS FEATURING CHRIS WALKER
AUG 1 - SIDEWINDER + GLEN ROGERS + THE BUNCH
8 - THE SELECTER + 2-TONIC
15 - ZIMBABWEAN HOHODZA BAND
22 - BOG ROLLING STONES (pictured)
29 - MARMALADE + SHEP WOOLLEY
30 - BANK HOLIDAY SPECIAL TO CLOSE SEASON

Be there by 2pm to get a good vantage point - head for the D-Day Museum on Southsea Front - Bandstand is behind it & there is plenty of parking.

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A message to the people of Winchester: you have some very good live music coming up, and it’s not just in theatres and arts centres. It’s a continual puzzle to us here at POL HQ why some venues like The Railway Inn in Winchester don’t attract bigger audiences.
For those of you who like alt country music there are two great gigs coming up at the Railway during May. American band Charlemagne led by Carl Johns, otherwise known as Noahjohn, play on Tueday May 18. The outfit from Madison, Wisconsin is bringing its full six-piece show (three male, three female musicians for a set which mixes quality pop with quality elements of country. Support comes from Winchester talents Chris TT and Kate Stables. On Thursday May 27 Peter Bruntnell and his band perform - a great act who are covered in our Articles section. Both gigs are not to be missed.
Tickets for the gigs are available from the Railway Inn on 01962-867795. Also from Hayward Guitars and by ringing 01962-714520. Further information from the Tower Arts Centre on 01962-867986.

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May Bank Holiday sees a special “Dirty Side Skanz” all-dayer at Sobar
nestling in Bevois Valley, Southampton. Squeeze 18 and Gravity Productions have arranged a music event starting at 12 noon featuring DJs and upcoming Southampton band, The Pickpockets. Entry is £2 until 6pm and £4 thereafter. Tipped by those in the know as “the next big thing” The Pickpockets are a sensational hip-hop outfit including Stevie Keith in their number. They do good food there was well, apparently. (Photograph by Andy Sutton)

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Congratulations to Bournemouth-based guitarist Robbie McIntosh, seen here returning from an overseas gig! He has just accepted an offer to join one of the hottest acts on the planet, Norah Jones, on her world tour. Confirmation of what we already knew, that one of the most modest men in the music business is one of the best guitarists in the world. This is how he announced the news on his website: “Hi everyone. I don't often come out of me hole and make announcements, but it is now official that I've joined Norah Jones' band for a world tour, and this will probably take up quite a lot of my time for a while. I feel very privileged to be working with, in my opinion, one of the finest singers to come along for quite a while and with a band of warm, funny, kind and extremely talented musicians. Gigs like this don't come along very often. I'm very lucky. The tour dates will be posted on the website. Good luck if you want to get tickets.
All the very best to you all,
Hasta La Pasta,
Robbie”

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Something is happening at The Brook........ Work starts this month on making Southampton’s finest music venue even better. Improvements will continue alongside the current programme without any disruption over the next three months before the venue closes during July and August to get ready for the autumn season. There will be more room, more seating, more toilets and disabled access and the capacity will be increased. But co-manager Bryn Lewis assures me that the basic design and feel of The Brook will not be changed at all. The work will allow more flexibility as far as seating goes, and people who prefer to go upstairs will be pleased to hear that both male and female toilets will be installed up there.
The pricing policy will remain the same, reflecting the cost to the venue in
booking acts, but the increased capacity will mean that some bigger names can be booked. This means that tickets to see Brook favourites like Wishbone Ash and Los Pacaminos will cost the same, but more people will be able to get in and there will be less of a crush. It also means that certain bands and artists who couldn’t be booked because of the logistics of a limit of 300 capacity can now be approached. By widening the venue slightly and making better use of existing space, the capacity will increase to 600, but the atmosphere will be just an intimate and individual as ever. No upmarket make-overs here! Wooden floors and bare brick walls rule!
Bryn tells me the most important thing to him and business partner Richard Davey has been the loyalty of Brook supporters over the last ten years. A bond has grown up between audiences and the venue and people come back time and time again. Unlike many venues there is a friendly welcome from the minute people step inside the door, and Bryn acknowledges that what is special about the place is the quality of the staff who work with him, and the fact that The Brook attracts genuine music lovers.
Can you remember what Southampton was like before The Brook? Would we have ever seen artists like Nils Lofgren, Scotty Moore, Dennis Locorriere, Hazel O’Connor and so many more in such intimate surroundings. I don’ t think so.
We’ll keep you up to date with developments through this website and there will be full details on The Brook website, too. Roll on September, and sometime before then the announcement of which special band or artist will open the improved venue.

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Tickets are already on sale for a feast of summer music at Broadlands in
Romsey. The picturesque stately home will play host to a galaxy of stars during July and August. First up is smash boy band Busted on Saturday July 18 with support from McFly. The following day American favourite Donny Osmond is the attraction. Two weeks later Jools Holland & His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra take the stage with featured singer Sam Brown and a host of top musicians including sax player Gilson Lavis. That’s on Friday July 30 and the following day the legendary Van Morrison stars with some special guests.
Sunday August 1 presents Westlife with a multi-talented “One Big Saturday” on August 7 headlined by reborn star Tony Hadley and his band. Also appearing are The Searchers, Leo Sayer, Showaddywaddy, Boney M, Katrina & The Waves, Imagination and The Real Thing. Two of the hardest working bands in rock will be entertaining on Sunday August 8, Status Quo and The Hamsters to finish off a sizzling season of great music.
Ticket/Info lines 0870 2255163/164/165 & 08700 722167 Daily 8am - 7pm & Sunday 10am to 6pm. Corporate/party packages are available for all concerts & early ticket orders are recommended.

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Spring is guaranteed to go with a swing in Hampshire’s beautiful Meon Valley when some of the finest jazz groups in the South are scheduled to begin a series of Thursday evening performances at The Upland Park Hotel, Droxford. With enlargements to the premises now complete, proprietor Brian Lay has booked some great bands to perform on eight successive Thursday evenings beginning with the popular New Gateway Jazz Band on Thursday, April 1.
The emphasis is on jazz in the traditional, swing and Dixieland styles, and
lined up to appear on subsequent weeks are Alan James ‘n’All That Jazz (April 8), Cuff Billett’s New Europa Jazz Band (April 15), The Chris Walker Swingtet (April 22), The New Gateway Jazz Band (April 29), Cuff Billett’s New Europa Jazz Band (May 6), Alan James ‘n’ All That Jazz (May 13) and Tim Eyles and the Gentlemen of Jazz (May 20).
Brian is hoping that these Meon Valley jazz evenings will generate enough support to become a regular fixture. He is banking on a combination of the Upland Park Hotel’s superb setting alongside the A32 road at Garrison Hill, coupled with the appeal of bands with strong followings. "It will be well worth the drive," promises Brian who hopes to attract jazz-loving patrons from all over Hampshire. Admission is free as is the car parking. Start time is 8.30pm.
"Our enlarged main bar allows room for the musicians to perform to jazz
lovers – who can enjoy a quiet drink or bar snack while they listen," says Brian. His thriving main restaurant will continue to cater for diners, who will have the option of sitting within earshot of the music. Restaurant reservations are advised. Tel. 01489 878507.

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