Live Music

Once again Catalan will be sponsoring the Warwick Folk Festival at the end of July and will be hosting performances ion the restaurant on the afternoons of Saturday 30th & Sunday 31st July. Keep checking to see who we will be hosting in 2011!

Artists who performed at Catalan in 2010:

BBC Radio 2 Horizon Award Nominees Katriona Gilmore (Rosie Doonan & the Snapdragons, ex-Tiny Tin Lady) and Jamie Roberts (Kerfuffle) have been performing together on the folk scene since 2006. Their self-penned material ranges from blazing instrumentals to ‘heart-wrenching’ songs, to contemporary arrangements of traditional songs.

Jamie’s dextrous percussive and lap-style guitar work is a visual as well as a sonic delight, while Katriona’s intricate fiddle playing shifts seamlessly from sensitive to fiery and back again in the blink of an eye.

Blair Dunlop, although only 18 years old, has already fitted a lot into his young life.

As the son of folk legend Ashley Hutchings and singer Judy Dunlop he has been encouraged to take to the stage since a young age. He has now blossomed into a greatly admired singer, guitarist and actor. Some of the highlights of his performing career include playing Little Willy Wonka in the blockbuster movie of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” (Johnny Depp starred as the grown-up Willy), appearing in the TV series of “Rocket Man”, wowing Fairport Convention members and audience at the group’s reunion at the Barbican in London in 2009 and perfecting the new and exciting cult guitar style of “double-tapping”.

BLAIR DUNLOP

KRISTY GALLACHER

Kristy Gallacher is a singer/songwriter from Coventry. With a strong live presence of carefully crafted songs and exciting fresh guitar work Kristy continues to grow and expand her loyal fan base. Continually song writing, Kristy regularly performs on the acoustic circuit to sell out audiences across the UK.

In addition to her own shows she has supported Scott Matthews, Glenn Tilbrook (Squeeze), I Am Kloot's John Bramwell, Mark Morriss (Bluetones), Nerina Pallot, Polly Paulusma, Nizlopi and Nate James.

In May 2010 Kristy won the LG Arena's singer/songwriter competition and played before Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood and John Mayer on separate nights at the LG Arena in Birmingham.

Why King Alfred’s Cakes? Could it be that, like the Great Alfred, their minds are so preoccupied by matters of immense national importance that culinary disasters are almost inevitable? Or perhaps it is their anonymity, humility and willingness to learn from scolding peasants? Recent historical evidence suggests that the story was mere propaganda stolen from a Norse saga extolling the virtues of the notorious Viking warrior, Hairybreeks. However the story of King Alfred burning the cakes has become a symbol of national leadership with a common touch. The term is also used as the nickname for a type of fungus with the appearance of hard semi-spherical black or brown lumps which look as if they have been burned – perhaps the lighter colour shows that Alfred did remember to take the cakes out before they were completely incinerated!

Then again, maybe it has more to do with all the cakes they consume at band rehearsals!

'The Cakes' are Karen (flute), Carol (cello) and Clive (guitar). They play a diverse collection of instrumental music from around the world, original arrangements of traditional, celtic and self penned tunes with intricate harmonies, countermelodies and accompaniments. The result is a beautiful, rich sound, which varies from the hauntingly atmospheric to the rhythmically energetic.

Many thanks to all the artists that performed at Catalan over the weekend. We were thrilled to have had you join us.