OPEN MIKE REVIEW 'don quixote' @ The Hind pub

chilled, spontainious and friendly at a great 'boozer'


Every open mike has its own vibe and the feeling you get as you walk into The Hind pub on a wednesday night and smell the burning insense and hear the lively banter going on, is that there are a lot of people here who LOVE MUSIC.

Hosted by the effervesent and charming Paula Driver, and as a singer songwriter herself, she is as passionate about YOUR music as she is her own. Welcoming beginners and first timers or 'don quixote virgins' with the same open arms as seasoned proffessionals and regualr players. The same can be said for the crowd who are ever apprciative of anyone with the 'balls' to get up and have a crack.

As with all weekly open mikes some weeks are busier than others but don quixote you can usually rely on a good turn out. Last wednesday was no exception with a list of players most people would pay earth pounds to see in there own right. With Andy Griffiths, Dawson Smith, Carly Hook, Chris Conway, David Anderson, Neil Sergot, Paddy Hodgkinson, Matti Wilson, Rhett Barrow and Carl Dawson all turning up to play short impromtu sets for us amongst others like myself . With a total of 15 acts to get through everyone had to muck in and get change overs done and sorted, beer spllages mopped up and things generally rocking a rolling smoothly along.

Andy Griffiths and the tiny steel orchestra

I go and play at the hind reasonably often and the the music is always of a very high standard, but this night was staggering. I dont say this lightly either as i am pretty hard to please. But with act after act taking me away to another place, i was genuinly open mouthed at the quality of musicianship. From Andy Griffiths's sublime new material played with enough tenderness and feeling to soften even the hardest, coldest heart to Dawson Smith rocking us all out on a bluesy tip to Chris Conways masterful songwriting and playing. I would be here for a long time if i went into details about every player, but for me the beauty is in the mix of abilities and styles that this particular night gave us.

Rhett Barrow

Matti Wilson

Fannys band.....

Chris Conway

As a player a visit to The Hind on a Wendesday will get you encouragement and the chance to play in a relaxed atmosphere .

As a listener you can be sure to hear great down to earth music from people who just LOVE TO PLAY.

Win Win i think.


thanks for readin ...

see you at the next gig

markus