Wednesday at the Spring Bank Tavern By Ed Paull

Open mic acoustic nights are conceptually strange, and yet they have a charm and magic all of their own, stemming from their participatory nature. All of these nights are essentially the same.

The organisers busily running about; the regulars sitting drinking and laughing around their respective tables, maybe joking with the land lord or the bar staff as they collect the empties; a few spectators hovering around the bar; a couple sat near the stage, either looking forward to the evenings entertainment or simply waiting until the first act comes on as their cue to leave; a couple of hardcore music fans smiling wistfully and excitedly to themselves, but not usually to the outside world, looking engrossed, and casting a critical eye over the performers as they do their thing; none stand out more however, than the first time performer, sitting quietly and nervously in the shadows waiting for an opportunity to ask if maybe, possibly, there's enough time, they could play some covers and maybe one of their own songs.

This odd, but eclectic mix of people can form the basis of a fantastic night. The Flatmates, acoustic alter-ego of favourite local electric band Shindigg, host such a night every Wednesday at the Spring Bank Tavern, opposite Blundell's Corner, on the way into town. Someone once told me that this night is unique among music nights, for the simple reason that the musicians, instead of sitting around their respective tables, are all around the same table, laughing, joking and generally having a great time.

Musicians communicating with musicians? Each treating the other as though they were civil human beings? It's not possible, I hear you shout. But it is. For those of you that have not been, or don't think that acoustic music is for you, I strongly urge you to reconsider. The night is a fun one and provides a great night out for spectators and musicians alike, who will both be equally as welcome.

Acoustic music is often all tarred with the same brush. People have been known to assume that it's all a basic mish-mash of dreary, mundane music with no flare and no volume. This could only be further from the truth if some of the people making these comments did not have anecdotal evidence to back up their claims.

Nevertheless the vibrant mix at the Spring Bank Tavern produces a variety of talent greater than that at many of the electric gigs I have been to. From regular blues performers to Flamenco magic; from jazzy folk country to the just plain wonderful; from those who pop in from time to time; to The Flatmates in their hosting duties, it's a wonderfully diverse night. From the first time I saw The Flatmates perform I desired to become a part of what they were about. To see what that is for yourself pop along on any Wednesday after about eight-thirty and then maybe you'll understand.

There is a whole world out there of music that most of us will leave as an untapped resource, and most unjustifiably at that. I must make the confession that I have been as guilty as the next person of limiting the scope of what I listen to in the way of acoustic music. From CSNY, blues and other primarily American influenced styles, I have, since going to Spring Bank Tavern, begun to listen to the broad mix of people; their styles and influence. And since then I've discovered that a whole host of music lies out there just waiting for us to discover it.

So if you fancy broadening your musical horizons, Spring Bank Tavern may well be a good place to start. Throughout the course of my being there, I know it has changed my perception of music generally, and has significantly broadened my outlook and my tastes.

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