The Revival Tour 2012

I attended my second Revival Tour show last night at Islington Academy – the first being at Shepherd's Bush this time last year. I didn't know all of the acts on the line up so well as last year but the nature of the event meant that it would be excellent nonetheless. And it was. In fact, it exceeded all expectations.

The Revival Tour is a collaboration folk music event, initiated by Chuck Ragan – who you may recall from this book.

“There’s no hierarchy; it’s about sharing music together and bringing it to people in an extremely honest and grassroots fashion,” he explains, adding that the musicians on the tour all open the show together, join each other throughout the event and close it with a grand finale all together again. “It’s apparent that simple songs of folk music has been rising in popularity and it’s a joy to bring known artists that people already love but very important to us to expose lesser known artists to the world who play exemplary music and live by ethics we admire whether they’re solo musicians, groups or a singer of a band.” – The Revival Tour

This years Revival Tour consisted of Cory Branan, Emily Barker, Jay Malinowski, Rocky Votolato and, of course, Mr Chuck Ragan. Plus Jon Gaunt and Joe Ginsberg on fiddle and bass.

This video is from 2008, but you get the idea:

ps. my friend Rachel took some much better photographs.

New & Old

It might have taken me four months to discover this video, but oh my god. Brian Fallon (main man in my favourite band, The Gaslight Anthem) and Chuck Ragan on The Revival Tour playing Neil Young's Heart of Gold and Rocking in the Free World. I basically grew up listening to Neil Young, thanks to my dad's excellent taste in music, and I still love his music today. I know a lot of people have covered Rocking in the Free World but this is special for me because I love Brian and Chuck so much.

Apparently this was the last night of the UK tour, which explains why they didn't play it at the show I went to. If only London had been the last night like it is on most band's tours. At least it's a great quality video anyway!

Ben Morse

Ben Morse's photographs of The Revival Tour at Shepherd's Bush on Saturday are awesome. He's pretty awesome himself to be honest, maker of many Frank Turner videos (among other things) and a fun tweeter.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/benmorse/sets/72157627784702399/show/

The Revival Tour 2011

I travelled up from Falmouth to London just to be a part of The Revival Tour. It was unmissable in my eyes, and I even missed an awesome party in Fal-town to go to it. (To be fair, I had train tickets booked long before the party was announced, but hey, I'm gutted I missed the party.)

The gig was like no other. Four artists, all from punk bands playing folk music; Chuck Ragan of Hot Water Music and the founder/creator of The Revival Tour, Brian Fallon of The Gaslight Anthem, Dave Hause of The Loved Ones, Dan Andriano of Alkaline Trio, plus Jon Gaunt and Joe Ginsberg who play fiddle and double bass (to be honest, I'm not entirely sure who is who.) And they literally all played non-top for almost 4 hours, taking it in turns to play each other's songs.

We got a tiny bit delayed on the way to Shepherd's Bush and arrived just as the show
was starting. Here's the view from behind the bar at the back.

We didn't stick to the back for long.
Dave Hause played some of his songs first. He's awesome.

Chuck modeling a stylish hat, because he can.

Some special guests joined. Not sure who they were...

Double bass man (Joe) has amazing moustache. But also moves a lot.

Hello Dave in the darkness.

Brian!

Guy in the beanie is Dan, whom I was not familiar with before yesterday.

Brian had a lot of entertaining ramblings as usual.

"I've left stains on tables from here to Germany."

Brian on his dislike for coasters.

This other chap is Ian Perkins, the other half of the Horrible Crowes.

Edging closer.

Look at that pose!

This would have been ultimately better without the head shadow.
But lookit them sing their hearts out.

Dave somehow finds his way to that back of the crowd and surfs back to the stage.

And I'll finish with my best/favourite photograph.

AMAZING.

Folk-lore

I love Stacey Rozich's illustrations, I would even say she is probably one of my favourite illustrators. It's funny how I could probably select several favourite illustrators but when it comes to graphic design it's more about individual pieces of work. And even then, it's not the same. Anyway, I love her illustrations for the amazing folk-art style.

This particular illustration is particularly folky, in more sense than one, for the inclusion of... lutes? Stringed instruments anyway. And it seems kind of relevant to me as I am training it up to London today to attend The Revival Tour tomorrow.

If you don't know what The Revival Tour is, these are the words I keep using to describe it: "a collaborative folk music event with musicians that used to be in punk bands." The very words I used to describe it to one of my tutors yesterday. Technically all the musicians are still in their punk bands but hey.

So. Excited. Eeee!

Chuck Ragan: Covering Ground

Chuck Ragan is a fine, and most definitely manly (Twitter jokes - have a read), punk come folk musician. He is the founder and host of the Revival Tour – which Lindsay and I will be attending in October. I'ma traveling up from Cornwall to London for it, so it better be good! No doubt it will be.

Anyway, his new album is out this week and the packaging is rather nice. Particularly the lyrics, which are on the back of a fold out poster. Now I'm sure you're supposed to have the nice photo of Chuck, Jon and Joe up on your wall, but I prefer the lyrics side! Ah, graphic design-ness.

I took a bad shot at scanning it and piecing it together.

Oh, I suggest listening to his music too! Chuck is amazing.