2024 marked significant milestones for ACE Space, with 10 years of regular monthly gigs and 20 years of the monthly open mic nights ‘Unplugged’.
‘Folk Ace’ Stephen Ottner, from the team at the St Nicholas’ Road community venue looks back at the year just gone and forward to the great gigs ahead.
Newbury musicians HendrickxRoy Pic: Richard MarkhamNewbury musician Richard Cox-Smith Pic: Richard Markham
The open mic nights are on the first Friday of the month and have built a reputation that attracts performers from across West Berks and beyond. As a venue for folk, roots and Americana music ACE Space draws professional musicians from across the UK and internationally, both established artists and up and coming ones.
Thanks to its partnership with online streaming specialists, LiveToYourLivingRoom, ACE Space gig audiences occasionally include music lovers from across the UK and beyond.
Track Dogs Pic: Richard MarkhamBaskery Pic: Richard Markham
The ACE Space team aim to put on one gig a month (with the exception of August), but once in a while the team are tempted to squeeze in a second gig in a month.
This happened twice in 2024 when bands who would normally play bigger venues contacted the team. In April Madrid based Track Dogs returned for another sell-out gig.
The first band to make a third appearance. In November the three Swedish sisters Baskery also returned, the first band to return to ACE Space within a year following their first appearance. This time they sold-out quicker than in 2023, no doubt helped by their stunning performances at Bunkfest and Cropredy.
Setting the record for the fastest ever sell-out gig was Show of Hands who sold-out 4 months before their gig. It was also streamed to 452 households across the UK, Europe, USA and Canada thanks to LiveToYourLivingRoom. Show of Hands are one of the biggest names in the folk world having filled the Albert Hall six times and picked up many awards along the way.
In marking their 30 years together, and taking a break to have time to spend on other projects and interests, they included a few grass roots venues in their mammoth 70+ venues ‘full-circle’ tour. Both members of the duo, Steve Knightley and Phil Beer, had appeared twice at ACE Space with solo performances but getting both together was beyond the wildest dreams of the ACE Space team.
ACharm of Finches Pic: Richard MarkhamShow of Hands Pic: Richard Markham
The other duo making a return was the sister duo from Melbourne, Australia, Charm of Finches who, once again sold-out. Supporting Charm of Finches was Mia Kelly on her first tour outside of her native Canada where he has been picking up awards as best newcomer. Also from Melbourne, husband and wife duo The Weeping Willows charmed the audience. They invited their Reading based friends Tomorrow Bird as special guests. Representing the USA in 2024 were The Hackles from Oregon. Closer to home, and also from Reading, 2024 started with Simon Mayor and Friends. Well known locally as the front person of The Mandolinquents who used to regularly perform at Arington Arts and before that at New Greenham.
Simon Mayor & FriendsReg Meuross & Lauren South Pic: Richard Markham
After several years of trying to book Reg Meuross, one of the UKs finest songwriters, the stars finally aligned. His special guest was unable to perform due to family emergency but arranged for Lauren South to stand in at very short notice. Lauren went down so well that when she offered to return with her band that was immediately accepted. Rounding off the year with beautiful seasonal songs were Janice Burns and Jon Doran.
Annie Keating Band Pic: Richard MarkhamThe Weeping Willows Pic: Richard Markham
Looking forward to 2025 there may not be such a line-up of “blockbusters” but the quality and range of music is maintained. The year is “top and tailed” with musicians making a very welcome return to ACE Space, Malcolm MacWatt and Charlie Dore. In January Malcolm MacWatt is joined, as co-headliner, by Isabel Rumble from Melbourne. Anyone partial to bluegrass will not want to miss Damn Tall Buildings, from Brooklyn, or Hannah Read, Vera van Heeringen and Michael Starkey. Hannah, Vera and Michael may be from the UK but their Appalachian music is second to none. Also from Brooklyn will be Annie Keating along with her band. If something more country appeals, then don’t miss Carter Samson, from Oklahoma. Having appeared solo in 2023 this time Carter will be touring with her band.
Malcolm MacWatt Pic: Richard MarkhamCharlie Dore Pic: Richard Markham
For those whose tastes are more folky, Granny’s Attic are a must-see. This trio bring exceptional musicianship and boundless energy to traditional music. The trio Michell, Pfeiffer & Kulesh are each established solo artists and together they bring a multi-lingual take on traditional songs. Odette Michell having appeared at ACE Space as Phil Beer’s special guest in 2022. July’s gig is a local showcase with Patakas (Will and Joe Sartin from Whitchurch) supported by Bumtickler who are very popular with the Unplugged supporters. Taking folk towards indie is Saije, from Australia, and more towards blues is the Mark Harrison Trio, from Reading. Somewhat more difficult to categorise is Sons of Town Hall who bring a theatrical element to their music.