Due to my increasingly ridiculous workload, (once I have finished the audio book I have two episodes of The Shoebox Collection to write before recording all four), I haven’t been gigging as much as I should. I very much doubt that the other supporters of the Nottingham music scene have caught up with me though. Last night I finally got round to seeing one of Nottingham’s most talented singers, Lisa DeVille performing at the Golden Fleece. She was meant to be on with two other acts, but the event on Facebook kept changing to accommodate a stream of cancellations and eventually it was just Lisa and Dom Stockbridge. I’d never seen him either and his name rang a bell with me although I couldn’t recognise him. Chances are I’ve seen him somewhere but his name doesn’t pop up in my blog. Another singer was supposed to be on the bill but apparently flounced off when she realised that free drinks weren’t provided, I can’t remember her name and with that attitude I doubt I’ll need to. A venue should at least be able to stretch to at least a couple of freebies for performers but you shouldn’t go in demanding it or you’ll end up with a reputation for being an arse.

Dom did a good set and seemed popular with the small but well behaved crowd (I was amazed at how little talking was going on while the acts were playing, at last that rudeness is disappearing). He has an amazing blues voice and although he is another guy/guitar act, he does at least have something more than just being another Bugg-alike.

I have worked with Lisa before, (she recorded a session for The Sound of Nottingham UK last year) and I saw her singing at the opening party for ROFL Audio last summer (as mentioned in the blog I just linked to) but I hadn’t seen her doing a proper gig before last night. Armed with just a guitar, and ukulele for one song, she put in one of the most captivating performances I have seen for a long time. It amazes me that people like her are still playing in pubs, not that I doubt she enjoys it but she should be filling theatres with her operatic voice. Taking it all in her stride, she looked surprised to be called back for an encore after which it was over too soon.

We had, (with Gary and a couple I had just met, although I have apparently met the very nice woman before) one of my favourite conversations after her set; how the Nottingham music scene is populated by idiots and showoffs ‘supported’ by broadcasters who don’t go to gigs unless it’s to goal-hang at a big name show. Lisa is appearing again next week in a different surrounding (an acoustic gig at The Maze in which sofas are brought in and the performers stand ‘in the round’) and I am already looking forward to it.

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