Venue:
St Georges, Bristol
Date: 26/06/2025
The band Lady Maisery in cahoots with the duo of Jimmy Aldridge and Sid Goldsmith have worked together for some time now – their Winter show, called ‘Awake! Arise! has charmed and warmed us twice now over the last two years.
Happily they have now been inspired to put together a sibling show for the summer; it’s called ‘Wakefire’ – and last night we went to see them perform it at the wonderful St. Georges venue in Bristol.
What we witnessed was stunningly original, beautifully delivered and expertly played by musicians who have both mastered their instruments and have fabulous voices.
Five part harmony singing. Electric and acoustic guitars, an Mbira, a harmonium, a piano accordion, a drum, an amazing bouzouki, a banjo, some clogs, a violin, an old valve radio and a couple of shaker sticks. Old songs and new songs, songs from Latvia and Sweden, chord sequences and phrases stolen from mash-ups, even cocktails, it’s all there. All in an evening’s entertainment that left a packed, sold-out hall on its feet applauding enthusiastically for the final numbers.
Outstanding and exuberant, original and exploratory and innovative, this was the finest form of extant progressive music delivered with panache by folk who really do know their stuff.
They will tour this again next summer, and the album version is currently in development. If you have a folky breath in your body, I urge you to help them get it over the line; you’ll love it. Catch the show next year, fund the album now, and have the music in your head before you take your seat this time in 2026.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ladymaisery22/wakefire-the-album
The audience:
The boys and girls have a huge following in the Bristol area, and they were out in force last night, ourselves included.
It made me think..
How lucky we are to have artists like these to delight us in these shaky times.
Sounds excellent.
I’m in!
This show is coming to Sidmouth. So long it’s not clashing with responsibilities, I shall be there.
I caught Awake Arise back in 2019, but your description suggests this is at another level. Tbh, these artists never stand still.
Sidmouth is a bit far for me. Do they venture north of Watford?
Too late!
😔
I could go tonight in London but I simply don’t have the energy…
Sidmouth is no distance really. All in the mind. A remarkable place to spend that week (and) in July. Not going this year, but regretting that decision. And I had an invite.
Sidmouth is a magical experience – it’s a bit like Glastonbury, in the sense that there is a special atmosphere about the place that pervades the town for the duration. It’s a lot more grounded than the big G, and in many ways less challenging, but no less wonderful as an opportunity to immerse yourself in great music, everywhere you go as you wander.
Daytime venues all quite small, even the Ham, needing discipline, forward planning and queuing. Gloriously chaotic up the hill at night, for the late night shows.
I’m intrigued and will be over to kickstarter anon.
At one time I would have been delighted to go. Sadly, in common with a number of folk acts, they have it quite clear that they don’t really want my type at their shows any more. I will respect their wishes.
?
? it’s simple enough. They have made it quite clear they don’t want support from people whose political views don’t accord with their own. I will respect their wishes.
I don’t believe any artist, of any political persuasion, wants to exclude anyone from hearing their music. They will sing and play a wide range of songs that address many things beyond working class struggles, sometimes with deliberate self-deprecating humour, sometimes with understandable anger at injustice, and only sometimes with a purely political message.