James Brown is Annie to Funk Up Falkirk Live!

Summer might be well and truly over for another year, but the music festivals go on – they’ve just moved indoors! This weekend sees the inaugural Falkirk Live! autumn music festival taking place at venues throughout the Stirlingshire town. From blues in bars to jazz in coffee shops, the choice of venues is as eclectic as the range of artists who will be performing there. There’s even a free taster gig in the town’s Howgate Shopping Centre, so shoppers gan get their groove on to some classic swing and jazz while they’re out buying their cornflakes. Nice!

Amongst the many artists scheduled to play this year are The Big Chris Barber Band, Karine Polwart, the Jensen Interceptors, Rose Room, Charlotte Marshall, and the young classical guitar star, Sean Shibe. For decibelROGUE though, the must-see gig of the of the weekend is unquestionably Edinburgh-based funk outfit James Brown is Annie at Behind The Wall on Friday 14.

I first came across JBiA when they supported funk legends Average White Band at Glasgow’s O2 ABC in May last year. It was one of those occasions when making the effort to turn up early to see the support band at a gig really paid off, because they were totally, funktastically awesome. Like AWB, JBiA have that really cool transatlantic vibe that makes you think that you’re listening to a funk band from the other side of the pond. How many times have you heard someone say that they didn’t realise AWB were Scottish? Yeah, it’s like that.

JBiA launched their brilliant self-titled debut album back in April, and once again there is an Average White Band connection. Molly Duncan, AWB’s former saxophonist produced and played on the album, and Alan Gorrie (the last original member of AWB still with the band), also wrote a song. You might think then, that there should a very strong element of class running through JBiA’s music. And you’d be absolutely right.

So, if you’re within striking distance of Falkirk this Friday evening, you know where the funk to go for some properly good live music. We’ve got our tickets, and suggest you get your hands on one too.

See you down the front!

Links

Full Falkirk Live! Programme and Tickets HERE
You can follow James Brown is Annie on Facebook HERE