Unless otherwise stated, expect gigs to start at around 8.30pm to 9.30pm.
FRIDAY 17th August
The 0898 Band/Poacher’s Moon (Spetisbury Rings, near Blandford Forum): This is the ‘warm-up’ for tomorrow’s Music & Merriment Festival. Get the full line up, directions and info at www.musicandmerriment.co.uk
The Dolmen (John Gregory, Radipole Lane, Weymouth DT4 9SS): Piratical mystic Celtic folk-rock from our internationally-acclaimed heroes.
Amy Mayes Band (Finns, Westham Road, Weymouth DT4 8NU): Soul and Motown gems from this excellent vocalist and her band.
Coke Can Jack (Ropemakers, West Street, Bridport DT6 3QP): Formed in a field in Devon during a festival in 2009, Coke Can Jack is a classic blues/roots group from Hampshire. They are intent on bringing back the original dirty blues sounds with acoustic guitars and Mississippi-style soul/funk horns. Here’s your preview: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfWb8rgaP9k
In The Doghouse (Golden Lion, St Edmund Street, Weymouth DT4 8AR): Mark Davis’s blues/rock family from Southampton finally return, by popular demand.
The Dinnerladies (Tom Brown’s, High East Street, Dorchester DT1 1HU): Gert steaming dollops ofThe Beatles, The Who, The Stones,Squeeze and more.
Skint Imperials (Royal Portland Arms, Fortuneswell, Portland DT5 1LZ): The Skints introduce new material from Love, Steve Earle, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and Rainbow. Speaking of bows, look out for Barbara’s newly-introduced fiddle-wielding element!
Slipped Disc (Royal Exchange, Weston, Portland DT5 2BZ):AC/DC to Bryan Adams, Golden Earring to Rory Gallagher.
The Vultures (Grove Tavern, Southbourne Grove, Bournemouth BH6 3QS): Proper, debauched rock’n’roll a la Stones, Aerosmith and Guns N’ Roses.
Freak Circus (Royal Exchange, Weston, PortlandDT5 2BZ): Original Gothic punk from this splendid band.
The Sidekicks (Ropemakers, West Street, Bridport DT6 3QP): Al Green, Van Morrison, Ian Dury, Toots and the Maytals and more from this funkiest of foursomes.
Hell’s Bells (The Barn at the Square and Compass, Windmill Hill, Nr Ilminster, Somerset TA19 9NX): Highly-esteemed AC/DC tribute act.
Chloe & Tom (Aura Café Bar, Esplanade, Weymouth DT4 8DQ): Lily Allen, Amy Winehouse, Paloma Faith, Estelle, Alicia Keys, Rihanna and morefrom Chloe and Tom. Music from8pm.
The Sheryl Lee Experience (Edinburgh House of Sounds, St Thomas Street, Weymouth DT4 8EW):
Southbound (Duke of Cornwall, St Edmund Street, Weymouth DT4 8AS): Dave and Chris Taylor give it full-on acoustically-delivered mod-orientated rock.
SAS Duo (Spice Ship, Preston Road, Preston, Weymouth DT3 6BJ).
Jam Session (Lounge Bar, School Street, Weymouth DT4 8NJ).
The Man In Black (Mr Kyps, Parr Street, Ashley Cross, Lower Parkstone, Poole BH14 0JY): Johnny Cash tribute show. Doors open at 8pm; admission is £8 in advance or £10 on the door. Tickets are available online from www.ticketweb.co.uk ; details on 01202 748945 or at www.mrkyps.net.
In The Doghouse (Golden Lion, St Edmund Street, Weymouth DT4 8AR).
Wendy Bassett (Edinburgh House of Sounds, St Thomas Street, Weymouth DT4 8EW).
The Amusements (Duke of Cornwall, St Edmund Street, Weymouth DT4 8AS).
The Sheryl Lee Experience (Kings Arms, Trinity Road, Weymouth DT4 8TJ):
Jam Session (Lounge Bar, School Street, Weymouth DT4 8NJ):
Bill Solo (Wellington Arms, St Alban Street, Weymouth DT4 8PY): Audience-participation-friendly pop and rock covers from Bill.
Open Mic Night (Sun Inn, King Street, Weymouth DT4 7BH).
SATURDAY 18th August
Freshfields Keith Collins 10/8
Quinn’s Quinney/Midlife Crisis/Tools of the Trade/Pete Christie/Icarus Rising (Spetisbury Rings, near Blandford Forum): Get the full line up, directions and info at www.musicandmerriment.co.uk
Surfin’ Birds (Moby Dicks, Esplanade, Weymouth DT4 7AT): If you haven’t had the chance to see our surf/punk heroes in action, shame on you! have a look here if you need persuading: www.youtube.com/watch?v=aM8g_9WQhLc&feature=related . DJ Rockaphonic spins the wheels betwixt and after their sets; music from 8pm.
The Vultures (Finns, Westham Road, Weymouth DT4 8NU):
(Lazy Lizard, Esplanade, Weymouth DT4 8DG):
Star Jam (The Star, Gloucester St, Dorset DT4 7AW): Tonight’s house band is comprised of Tom Caulfield, Smudge, Jim Shearman and me………………..
Mad Ox Brothers (Cornwall Hotel, Alexandra Road, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 2LZ):Come and see the Oxers in a rare up north gig in Dorchester, where you will have the chance to buy the band’s new EP for only a fiver. 8pm start.
Stompin’ Dave Allen (West Lodge, Piddlehinton, DT2 7TD): Dave hosts this fundraising event for Piddlehinton Millennium Green. Gates and the bar open at 7.30pm and tickets are £6. Call Linda on 01308 348117, Sue on 01300 348286
or Rebecca on 01300 348406.
Biproxy (George Inn, Custom House Quay, Weymouth DT4 8BE): Contemporary rock and indie gems.
No Country for Old Men (Park Hotel, Grange Road, Weymouth DT4 7PQ): Thinking person’s country & western.
Robbie McIntosh & Andy Grant (Saturday Summer Live stage, South Street, Dorchester): A pairing of excellent guitarists and songwriters, playing on the stage at the southern end of South Street from 2pm until 4pm. If it’s chucking down, the event will relocate to Tom Brown’s in High East Street (DT1 1HU for you sat navvies).
Let Me Out (George Inn, Reforne, Portland DT5 2AP):Bob Marley to Muse, JJ Cale to T Rex.
The Mad Hatters (Main Road, Maiden Street, Weymouth): Acoustic bluegrass and folk, with influences from The Skiff-Skats, Hoedown At Hanks, The Pogues, Jack Guthrie, Louis Prima, Louis Jordan and more of a similar ilk. Music from11pm.
Left, Right & Centre (Wyke Smugglers, Portland Road, Weymouth DT4 9AB).
North & South (Sailor’s Return, Nicholas Street, Weymouth DT4 8AD): Acoustic renditions of the classics of the rock canon.
Mother Ukers (Ropemakers, West Street, Bridport DT6 3QP): This Bournemouth-basedthree-piece ukulele band call upon the power of Ukular Fusion to render contemporary rock and pop works in their own uketastic fashion.
Smoking Gun (Crown Inn, West Bay Road, Bridport DT6 4AX): Blur, Foo Fighters, U2, Radiohead, Muse and Stereophonics, plus original material.
Nuttyness (Mr Kyps, Parr Street, Ashley Cross, Lower Parkstone, Poole BH14 0JY): The artistes formerly known as One Step Beyond celebrate the wonderful works of Madness. Admission for this show is free. Details on 01202 748945 or at www.mrkyps.net.
Andy Kennett (Edinburgh House of Sounds, St Thomas Street, Weymouth DT4 8EW).
Open Music Night (Royal Portland Arms, Fortuneswell, Portland DT5 1LZ).
The Veterans (Duke of Cornwall, St Edmund Street, Weymouth DT4 8AS):
Diva Lea (Kings Arms, Trinity Road, Weymouth DT4 8TJ).
SUNDAY 19th August
Skint Imperials (Three Compasses, Charminster DT2 9QT).
Radioplay (George Inn, Reforne, Portland DT5 2AP): Great name! Music from 4pm.
Chloe & Tom (Lazy Lizard, Esplanade, Weymouth DT4 8DG): Chloe & Tom 6pm-ish Sunday Sessions 3pm.
Jools Buckley All-Stars (Lord Nelson, Poole Quay BH15 1HJ).
The Sailor’s Jam Session (Sailor’s Return, Nicholas Street, Weymouth DT4 8AD): Mark Stacey hosts this regular weekly jam session. Music from 8pm.
Darren H (Edinburgh House of Sounds, St Thomas Street, Weymouth DT4 8EW): Music from 8.15pm.
Acoustic Afternoon (Queen’s Hotel, King Street, Weymouth DT4 7BJ): A mellow acoustic session here every Sunday from 4pm to 8pm, with PA provided.
Matt Black (King’s Arms, Trinity Road, Weymouth DT4 8TJ): Music from 5pm.
Jamie Pinnow’s Open Mic Surgery – The Apple Tree sessions (Apple Tree, Trinity Street, Dorchester DT1 1TT): Jamie will be fielding all requests here every Sunday, from 3pm until 6pm.
Solid Gold Duo (Central Hotel, Esplanade, Weymouth DT4 8EB): Pop covers from this duo, here every Sunday night.
Finnian (Duke of Cornwall, St Edmund Street, Weymouth DT4 8AS):
MONDAY 20th August
The Bash at the Boot (Boot Inn, High Street, Weymouth DT4 8JH).
Mr Bucket (Lazy Lizard, Esplanade, Weymouth DT4 8DG): Toby and Phil are here every Monday night.
Jonathon Cotton (Duke of Cornwall, St Edmund Street, Weymouth DT4 8AS).
Michael Roberts (Hotel Mon Ami, Esplanade, Weymouth DT4 7NN): Saxophones, flute, harmonica and vocals from Michael, here every Monday night.
Pete Howell (Russell Hotel, Esplanade, Weymouth DT4 7NG): A singalong with Pete and his accordion here every Monday night.
TUESDAY 21stAugust
Ansell & Gretel (Boot Inn, High Street, Weymouth DT4 8JH).
Acoustically Acclaimed (Lazy Lizard, Esplanade, Weymouth DT4 8DG): Tom Morris hosts this weekly acoustic jam session.
B J McCabe (Norfolk Hotel, Esplanade, Weymouth DT4 7ES).
WEDNESDAY 22nd August
Tom Caulfield (Boho Bar, St Thomas Street, Weymouth DT4 8EQ): Gritty, blues-infected original material covers from Tom. You can catch him here every Wednesday night.
Danny Adams (Banus, Esplanade, Weymouth DT4 8DH).
Jam Session (Royal Exchange, Weston, Portland DT5 2BZ): Portland’s weekly jam session, with PA etc provided.
Jam with Mark (Wellington Arms, St Alban Street, Weymouth DT4 8PY).
Jefferson Jon (Russell Hotel, Esplanade, Weymouth DT4 7NG): Country, and also western, from Big John.
B J McCabe (Hotel Mon Ami, Esplanade, Weymouth DT4 7NN): Beejer is here every Wednesday.
Wessex Folk Night (Sailors Return, Nicholas Street, Weymouth DT4 8AD): Acoustic folk, here every Wednesday.
THURSDAY 23rdAugust
Perdisian/Kill The Conversation/Falling for Vanity (Quicksilver Mail, Hendford Hill, Yeovil, Somerset BA20 2RG):
Purple Monkey Promotions & Reboot presentHeavy Reboot. Check out the bands here: www.facebook.com/Perdisian , www.facebook.com/KillTheConversation , and www.facebook.com/fallingforvanity . Music from 7:30pm until 11pm, £4 admission.
Brooks Williams/Steven Finn (Sunray Folk Club, Broadmayne Village Hall DT2 8EW): An evening of blues/folk with this duo. £7 admission; doors open at 7.30pm; music from 8pm.
Skint Imperials’ Jam Session (Café Vie D’Amour, St Mary Street, Weymouth DT4 8PB): Barbara, Nick and Rob host this weekly jam session.
Brian (George Inn, Custom House Quay, Weymouth DT4 8BE): Pop and rock covers from Brian, here every Thursday night.
Irish Tune Session (Cove House Inn, Chiswell, Portland DT5 1AW).
Jamie Pinnow’s Open Mic Surgery (Tom Brown’s, High East Street, Dorchester DT1 1HU).
B J McCabe (Richmoor Hotel, Esplanade, Weymouth DT4 7NP): B J’s here every Thursday night.
Steve’s Singalong (Duke of Cornwall, St Edmund Street, Weymouth DT4 8AS): Steve hosts this session, with guests joining in.
Traditional Tune Session (Cove House Inn, ChiswelI, Portland DT5 1AW).
FRIDAY 24th August
Shooglenifty/Larkin Poe/Hat Fitz & Cara Robinson/Old Man Luedecke/Pete Christie (Purbeck Folk Festival site, Langton Matravers, near Swanage BH19 3DU): The Purbeck Folk Festival is upon us! Details here: www.purbeckfolk.co.uk
Lo Numbers (Market House Tavern, Maiden Street, Weymouth DT4 8AZ): Magnificently-performed covers from The Who, Small Faces, The Creation, The Specials and more.
The Dinnerladies (Finns, Westham Road, Weymouth DT4 8NU).
Tripod (Main Road, Maiden Street, Weymouth): Music from11pm.
Stress (Beach & Barnicott, South Street, Bridport DT6 3NQ).
Skatmandu (Black Dog, St Mary Street, Weymouth DT4 8PB).
Chill (Royal Exchange, Weston, Portland DT5 2BZ):
Replay (Spice Ship, Preston Road, Preston, Weymouth DT3 6BJ).
The Devil’s Rejects (Ropemakers, West Street, Bridport DT6 3QP).
Fleetwood Bac (Mr Kyps, Parr Street, Ashley Cross, Lower Parkstone, Poole BH14 0JY): This Fleetwood Mac tribute act focuses on the band’s Buckingham/Nicks era, with the occasional nod to the original Peter Green-led (and vastly-superior in your scribe’s opinion) incarnation. (Doors open at 8pm; admission is £ in advance or £ on the door. Tickets are available online from www.ticketweb.co.uk; details on 01202 748945 or at www.mrkyps.net.
Elvis 56 (Edinburgh House of Sounds, St Thomas Street, Weymouth DT4 8EW).
Bill Solo (Wellington Arms, St Alban Street, Weymouth DT4 8PY).
Open Mic Night (Sun Inn, King Street, Weymouth DT4 7BH).
CHRIS LONERGAN