The Riverside Folk Club

By Gareth Cornfield

I spent Monday night at the Riverside Folk Club in Loughor. It is based in the Boating Club with views over the estuary.

The club is small, with a select audience. This is no bad thing. Often at open mic nights, there is a feeling that the music is interrupting the conversation. Not so at the Riverside! The audience is there to fully appreciate the musicians. Anyone talking anywhere above a whisper is politely asked to go through to the other bar.The musical talent on offer is best described as eclectic. There were guitarists and singers, duos & soloists.

Dewi (Mav) Bowen

The evening opened with the host Dewi (Mav) Bowen warmly welcoming everybody. He put everyone at their ease by playing his guitar & a penny whistle. Then to the guests it is a tradition that the evening kicks off with a spot from The Choir Boys. They gave us a rendition of “Georgia” that would have put a smile on the face of Hoagy Charmichael, followed by “Buddy Can you Spare A Dime”. Not usual Folk Club fare but I did say it was eclectic.

The Choir Boys

The evening progressed with a variety of original songs and covers that had the audience hushed with appreciation. There were unaccompanied songs as well. They went from Blues to Folk & Jazz to World Music.

The artists had two songs each as there were so many performers there to play. There are regulars, who are beloved by the audience but it is, above all, a friendly club that is very welcoming to new people.

Chris Hastings

Mike Silito

Lazarus Carpenter

Sian Richards

Chris Hastings, a rare visitor, treated us to songs he had co-written with Huw Pudner. Lazarus Carpenter, also of Lazarus & The Lambs was there, playing in his usual energetic style. Sian Richards added a touch of femininity to the evening. She is young performer who has only been playing guitar for about a year. She writes her own material and it is a testament to her that the audience wouldn’t let her leave the stage without playing her song “The Pack”, all about bullying. Jose Barbedo gave a display of Portuguese Fado singing, accompanying himself in his beautiful Portuguese guitar. The best compliment was when a member of the audience told him that despite not understanding Portuguese, she wanted to cry. The music perfectly conveyed the message of the tragic love song.

Jose Barbedo

The Riverside Folk Club has a consistently high quality. It is every Monday night from 8.30. Free entry, but purchase of a raffle ticket is expected. This funds the equipment for the club. There is regular following and it is easy to see why. That is why it is where you will find me most Monday nights.

For more on the Riverside Folk Club check out their facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Riverside-Folk-Club/170220689749613?fref=ts