Christchurch Folk Music Club

Simon Kerr

Review by Lynette-Diaz – July 20, 2008
simon-kerr
New Zealand native, Simon Kerr, has been living in Australia for the past six months. Leaving his New Zealand band the Acoustic Junkies to go it solo in the big Melbourne pond.

During his recent Folk Club performance, Simon performed a large list of new songs, composed since leaving for Australia.

He opened with a new tune, No Enemies, a cross between an anti-hate/self-love anthem. He was a one man band, playing his guitar with a mixture of enthusiasm and passion that drove the message of his songs home to the listener.

The song, Infinity, was heart-driven reflection, penned while on a visit overlooking the lighthouse of Byron Bay. Soul of Rock, a high-energy story of religious fervor.

Angel, a song weaving a tale of being lost in the Himalayans, was a sure highlight, It’s delicate insight into human frailty and a ‘surprise’ Angel were spell-bounding. He was able to convey lost love and the throes of love with equal poignancy without being too syrupy in “It Wont Be Long” and “Lost My Heart”.

The night ended with “Beggar Boy”, a song from his last album with the Acoustic Junkies. The simple song about love and compassion, woven in a tale of India, was a pleasing way to end the evening.

Jed Rowe, with Monique Aiken, 30 Sept 2018

The night opened with the returned to her home city after seven years proving her guitar and singing skills in the Wellington folk scene, was Monique Aiken Monique presented confidently bringing us her own songs eloquently crafted delivered with vocal...

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Review: The Beggarmen Fundraiser Concert

Reviewed by Tony Hale     The Christchurch Folk Music Club are piecing together the history of the club and the Canterbury Folk Festival. We look forward to uncovering new information about those that have shared the...

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Best Enemies – 7 July 2019

Fellowship fostered by music has been to the fore over the past months at the Folk Cub as the club celebrated 50 years of live acoustic music in November 2018. Seeing the friendships and collaborations over that weekend was truly awe inspiring, a testimony to the...

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Waimate Folk Festival, 31 May – 3 June 2019

Waimate Folk Festival at Gunns Bush, Waimate District, Canterbury from Friday 31st May to Monday 3rd June Where musicians both experienced and new from Christchurch, Dunedin, and everywhere in between and further afield. Came together for a weekend of music, dance and...

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The Long and Short of it: Danny Tawhiti and Iain Mitchell

21st July 2019 We welcoming back Mitch (Iain Mitchell) to the Christchurch Folk Club, he has treaded our boards before, as well as being a hard working President and committee member of the club. Mitch has been singing British Celtic music semi-professionally since he...

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The Muddy Mama Blues Band 26 August 2018

What a night we shared at the Folk Club on Sunday! From the moment the first few bars hit the air the audience was captivated by The Muddy Mama Blues Band. Lead singer Judi Smitheram showed great form, revelling in the mighty musicianship of her five-piece...

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The Ceilidh Dance 16 Sept 2018

A cèilidh is a traditional Scottish or Irish social gathering, where dance and music is the binding factor. The dancers were certainly bound in joy for the dance and the Monday Night Session Band brought music that was dance-able and enjoyable. The delight...

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Matty Smith and Josh Braden 29 July 2018

A soft, acoustic approach for a night filled with the creativity of Matty's original songs to the fore and shining. There was contrast throughout the night. The night opened with the tones of the David Gray sound-alike Matty crooning his songs with a depth...

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