The Friday Session 23 October 09

Ellie Lonsdale has just returned from teaching music abroad

The Friday Session Introducing... features a live session from the Herefordshire singer/songwriter, Ellie Lonsdale.

You can also get news of two Worcestershire bands who are going on a European exchange, funded by the council.

There are also two massive OxJam fundraising gigs are taking place in Herefordshire & Worcestershire.

All in the Friday Session Introducing, from 1800 BST, 23 October 2009.

THE MUSIC MAP

This week, we're exploring the local connection with Mark Bolan of T Rex, and visiting his Hererefordshire home.

T Rex play Frank Freeman's in Kidderminster

Mark was a regular at Frank Freeman's in Kidderminster and played there as Tyrannosaurus Rex, along with support acts like John Peel on DJ duties and Christine Perfect with her band Fleetwood Mac.

Sadly, Bolan never did move in to his home in Weston Under Penyard. Weeks before the swimming pool was complete and the house was ready to move into, he lost his life in a fatal road accident.

More memories of great gigs and famous musicians

FRIDAY SESSION INTRODUCING... ELLIE LONSDALE

The Herefordshire singer/songwriter has just spent the last few months teaching music to children in South Africa as means of expressing themselves.

Prior to her journey there, she spent time playing gigs around Australia - and is now highlighting the issues of politics and depravation in her music.

FEATURES

European Tour

Two Worcestershire bands are on a European Rock exchange visit this weekend, funded by the local council.

Mooch, from Kidderminster college, and The Company from St Augustine's RC School in Redditch, are playing gigs and doing live TV and radio interviews in Holland, Belgium and Germany, with the European bands visiting England in March.

Worcestershire Arts Education aims to raise the profile of local musicians, and hold regular showcase nights, workshops with professional bands, and host an annual multimedia event.

OxJam

Fatboy Slim performs at an Oxfam shop

Two massive fundraising gigs are taking place in Herefordshire & Worcestershire this weekend.

James Saunders of the OxJam Worcester Team is staging a two-day multi-venue event in the city, while the Hereford team have a number of bands performing at the Jailhouse.

Seventeen bands will be playing the Worcester gig - so we'll catch up with the organisers on this week's Friday Session.

Get Involved!

The Hereford based music charity, The Music Pool, is hosting a skills workshop for those over the age of 13 next week, culminating in a live performance at the Jailhouse on Sunday.

Sam Meehan of the Anomalies playing at BBC Maida Vale

In addition to the week-long course, the Music Pool will be hosting free taster sessions in reggae, soul, Afro jazz singing, African/Caribbean/Indian drumming and DJ skills. Workshop leaders include The Anomalies, Dubmerge, Drumlove and Molara.

The workshops take place at Close House from Tuesday 27 October - Thursday 29 October between 2pm and 4pm. For more details call 01432 274 239.

Ahead of next week's Maida Vale 75th anniversary, we'll talk to MC Mouthmaster Murf of the Anomalies about the workshops - and what it was like performing at the BBC's home to live music.

YOUR GIGS

We'll bring you the full list of what's happening in Herefordshire and Worcestershire at 1940 BST.

The Gig Guide

If you have an event you'd like publicised, email link text here

YOUR REVIEWS

Andy O'Hare will be here with this week's Hare Pieces at regular intervals throughout the show.

He goes to more gigs than anyone else we've met in the two counties (and doesn't get paid)!

YOUR VOICEMAILS

If you've been to a good gig, or seen a great DJ, get in touch.

Call 0845 300 5006 and leave us a voicemail to broadcast in the last half-an-hour of the show.

COMING UP

30 October

• Introducing... Carrie Hayden's Friday Session (Bewdley).
• BBC Maida Vale's 75 anniversary.
• Charity gig at Sixways.

6 November (live from Hereford)

• Introducing... Ragtime Ewan's Friday Session (Hereford).
• Kidderminster DJ goes for world record attempt.
• Worcester's got talent winners open fireworks display.

13 November

• Introducing... The Audacity's Friday Session (Kidderminster).
• Tribute gig for Alex Woods (Redditch).
• Luke Leighfield's new release (Upton-upon-Severn).

20 November (live from Hereford)

• Introducing... Church & Destroy's Friday Session (Herefordshire).
• Ash visit Worcester Uni.
• Worcester Warriors live on Worcester FM from 8pm.

27 November

• Introducing... Monster Monster's Friday Session (Worcester).
• Worcester Warriors live on Worcester FM from 8pm.

4 December

• Introducing... Fuski's Friday Session (Golden Valley, Herefordshire).

11 December (live from Worcester)

• Introducing... The SpoonFedz' Friday Session (Pershore).

18 December (live from Worcester)

• Introducing... Sam Plowman's Friday Session (Leominster).

8 January (live from Worcester)

• Introducing... Neotopia's Friday Session (Worcester).

22 January (live from Worcester)

• Introducing... Nomad 67's Friday Session (Worcestershire).

5 February (live from Worcester)

• Introducing... Sons Of Beaches' Friday Session (Kidderminster).

19 February

• Introducing... Deborah Hodgson's Friday Session (Worcester).