Northwestern is a clear statement of intent from two fine musicians and songwriters, who we are delighted to welcome back to the Williamson after their last fantastic performance.
Chris Howarth is a singer songwriter based in Cheshire. After an early history in local bands Chris came back to music after a long career in business and re-launched himself with a bang, recording 6 studio albums in nearly as many years. Chris has enjoyed a productive few years, playing his original songs at venues and local festivals, mainly in the Northwest, most recently at locations like Venue Cymru in Llandudno. Although Chris has been mainly a solo performer, more recently he has been supported by musical friends at many of his performances but his recent creative collaborations with Adrian Hough have been a genuine highlight of the last few months and he can’t wait to bring some of their joint efforts out into the world!
Adrian Hough is a bottleneck guitarist from Cheshire who has been playing in bands since he was fourteen. Early influences from Paul Kossoff, Duane Allman and Ry Cooder shaped his style, focussing upon emotive playing and an emphasis upon space and hitting the note.
Praise for Northwestern
“acoustic slide specialist…as stunning as it is varied.”-Guitarist Magazine.
“sublime slide work.”-Guardian.
“…tasty slide-work…mighty fine.”[-Bluesmatters magazine].
Find Northwestern on Facebook
northwesternmusic.com
DHP presents punks Millie Manders and the Shutup at Future Yard on Friday 2nd May.
They join us as part of their ‘Choose The Bear’ Spring 2025 Tour, a band known for their ferocious and joyous live shows, having graced stages at such notable festivals as Slam Dunk, Bearded Theory, North West Calling, Kendal Calling, Rebellion and Boomtown, and have previously toured with the likes of Less Than Jake and Ferocious Dog. The band explore themes of loss, betrayal, heartbreak, anxiety, environmental concern and political unrest – all while exuding the punk attitude and prowess that helps set them apart – and have been championed by the likes of the BBC Radio 1 Rock Show, BBC Introducing and Radio X alongside press coverage from Devolution, Fireworks, Powerplay and Vive Le Rock magazines.
Irreverent and idiosyncratic, the out-there northern crooner comes to town!
Mik Artistik’s Ego Trip performs at Future Yard on Saturday 10th May.
A poet, performer, artist and comedian, Mik spouts lyrics, creates chaos, plays air-crook lock(!), and all-out entertains over the top of an exquisite layer of rock, soul, funk, and punk created by partner in crime Jonny Flockton on guitar. Delightful, frightening, strange and hysterically funny, Mik throws shapes and straws, and croons like a dream – sometimes.
Expect to be delighted and unnerved in equal measure as we present one of the most interesting, unpredictable, and exciting acts you’re likely to see this side of the Mersey.
Following on from their sell-out shows here back in 2023, Liverpool’s own return to the dark side of the Mersey on Friday 23rd May 2025 as part of their extended Blood and Bubblegum Tour, supporting their brand new album of the same name.
Headfeeder supports.
Due to unforseen circumstances, unfortunately the advertised Saltlines show has been changed, folk-roots supergroup The Gigspanner Big Band will now play a special solo show at The Tung Auditorium.
The band features some of the biggest names on the folk scene, playing songs from their new album Turnstone.
Saskatchewan born duo APRIL MOON (Jaime April & Jason Moon) are headlining an ‘Americana All-Dayer’ at Future Yard in Birkenhead on Sunday, May 11, ahead of their new EP release (Forgiveness Juice) and subsequent UK / European summer tour.
The pair are known for their fun, high-energy live shows that combine irresistibly charming, boot-stompin’ tunes with intertwined twangy and jangly guitars, powerful vocal harmonies and a kick drum made from an old suitcase. They’ve put together a lineup of some of the best country / Americana musicians around including Leanne Brumfitt, Only Child, the Skylarks and The John Street Revival. Doors are at 3pm
Hear the blazing fanfares that open Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony? For Tchaikovsky, they symbolised Fate, and the whole symphony simply bursts with melody and emotion.
If you’ve already heard Vasily Petrenko conduct Russian music, you won’t need telling twice: things are about to get exciting, in a concert that begins with the flying fiddles of Weinberg’s Moldavian Rhapsody and features the unforgettable tunes of Shostakovich’s irreverent Suite. Trust them, you’ll know them when you hear them!
Alain Johannes & Earl Of Hell return to the UK in May 2025, performing at Future Yard on Friday 16th May.
His last trip over the pond in 2024 was such a success that he’s back again just a year later, once again be joined by Edinburgh based fuzz rockers and adopted nephews Earl Of Hell as his backing band and tour support, they’ll also be hot off the heels of the release of their debut album, co-produced by none other than Uncle Alain.
With a musical career spanning decades, the list of musicians that Alain Johannes has worked with reads like an encyclopaedia of California rock history. In high school he was in bands with the likes of Flea and Anthony Kiedis, later Alain forming Eleven with Natasha Shneider and Jack Irons, going on to tour with Pearl Jam and Soundgarden, and for several years recorded and toured with Queens of the Stone Age.
As a writer, touring musician, producer and engineer, Alain has worked with Chris Cornell, Them Crooked Vultures, PJ harvey, Sound City Players, No Doubt, Mark Lanegan, Jimmy Eat World, Queens of the Stone Age, Brody Dalle and Arctic Monkeys.
Blood of Achilles supports.
Alongside Ligeti’s musical puzzles and Nielsen’s captivating Wind Quintet, the Ormonde Ensemble shine a spotlight on incredible works by female composers and those from underrepresented backgrounds. They’ll perform some exciting new arrangements and Isa Gibbs’ Dreamery – a musical journey through a factory where dreams are made…
Emerging onto the UK folk scene with her debut album, Dwelling by the Weir, Ellie explored folklore and stories of her hometown, Warwick, through ecological, sociological, and personal themes (‘full of delicacy, precision, and gentle delight’, The Guardian). It connected with wider audiences and secured her a place on the UK touring circuit. After the release of her celebrated album, Ellie has continued to firmly root herself in the songwriting scene.
