SALISBURY LIVE, VARIOUS VENUES, MAY 25-27

ONE of the great joys of this annual celebration of live music in Salisbury’s city pubs is being able to wander between venues and skip between genres. And if you find something that is not to your ear, you can move on. After all there are only so many times you can listen to a cover version of Sting’s Every Breath You Take.

On Friday night, there was original acoustic music from The Gallant Tailors. Singing in The Pheasant, this was the Salisbury band’s debut at Salisbury Live and features lovely vocal harmonies from singers Naomi and Louey.

John Palmer caught Sidney Harbour at the Royal British Legion and found him quite entertaining: “In between singing songs that you wouldn’t play to the vicar, his act was mainly based around taking the mickey out of the audience. So when I walked in mid-set I was fair game.”

The Zucchinis have become Salisbury Live favourites and by 10pm on Friday night in the Wig and Quill, it was easy to see why. With their storming cover of the Kaiser Chiefs song I Predict a Riot, there was certainly no rioting going on, just a happy bunch of music lovers enjoying the vibes.

Special guest from Trinidad on Friday night was Joel Beazer playing in the Ale House as part of his UK tour and he went down a treat as did the Stone Donkey Pilots.

Blues also proved to be a hit at the Ox Row Inn, with the Hopback Blues Band playing Friday night and Smokin’ Benny Brown Saturday night.

Brown’s take on Mustang Sally got everyone up and dancing, creating a real party atmosphere.

A special mention must go to the Unit Records gig at The Music Box on Sunday night where young bands such as Bearfoot and Eden Lake played.

Collection boxes were at all 22 venues with the chosen charity being The Rose Gale Trust.

Anne Morris