I have attended many gigs organised by The Early Doors Club initiative, but this was my first time at a gig at The Coffee Stop. Located on Railway Road in Leigh, The Coffee Stop is a cafe adorned with music memorabilia, creating the perfect atmosphere for a performance. From Penny Lane signs to photos of The Supremes, no musical detail is overlooked. Run by Neil and Julie Fallows, the cafe has become a beloved community hub, connecting people through music, conversation, and, of course, a good brew. Since, attending my writing group at the cafe I have become fond of the cafe Neil and Julie have created.
Recently, Neil has obtained his Alcohol Licence, which means a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages can now be purchased. Whether you fancy a latte, a glass of white, red, or rosé wine, a beer, or a gin, the cafe has you covered. The cafe serves food during its sessions, ensuring that nothing is left off the table. Neil knows my order by heart, as I always have a ham and cheese omelette with toast when I am at the cafe (maybe I am that predictable)!
Andrew Metheven, a singer-songwriter from Bradford, supported Tony Black and opened the show, taking the stage at 6 PM. Andrew describes his music as lo-fi folk, exploring themes from the hills to the concrete, the highs and lows, and the births and losses. He released his first EP, “A Quiet Place,” in early 2022 and has just released his debut album, “Sister Winter.” In essence, his music is a blend of folky tones that reflect all facets of life.
A standout track for me was “She Was the One,” where Andrew captures the bitterness of lost love with lyrics stating “she was the one who pulled you over and the one who caused a stir.” His melodic voice and emotive lyrics conveyed a vivid story and a bittersweet memory. In the first verse, Andrew sings, “but she asked you your name and you asked her what’s changed,” and she replied, “the sun has been setting for a while.” These lyrics perfectly evoke the highs and lows of relationships and their unpredictable nature.
Instrumentally, I found Andrew’s tracks stripped back and almost sounded unedited in his recordings of them. When researching, Andrew I came across the term lo-fi which as someone who is no music novice I was not sure what this was. Upon further internet searching I found Lo-fi which is short for “low-fidelity” music which means it does not have the polished studio sound of “high-fidelity” records. Therefore, Lo-fi is more raw and embraces imperfections in recording such as static or ambient noise. I thought when listening to the recorded versions of his songs how refreshing this is as it adds layer of intimacy to his music.
The title track of Andrew’s debut album, “Sister Winter,” was a standout for me. While its exact meaning is elusive, the lyrics evoke a sense of displacement and nostalgia. Lyrics such as “someone is in the corner of this tumble-down empty town” and “the old blue dress” suggest a feeling of being lost and leaving cherished memories behind. The lyric “bruising punchline masterstroke” is hauntingly powerful. Combined with Andrew’s mellow voice and emotive delivery, “Sister Winter” perfectly captures a nostalgic longing for happier times.
Tony Black, the headline act of the night, has been writing songs since he was a teenager. He blends eclectic influences while maintaining a love for the classic two-minute pop song. Originally from North Yorkshire, Tony spent many years in London with his band, The Collectors. Since 2017, he has described himself as a “cycling troubadour,” performing in bars, cafes, and streets across cities like Paris and Barcelona.
Entertaining the crowd Tony told the audience about the influences behind his music from places he’s been to his experiences on the road as a “cycling troubadour.” True to his words he did informed us how he cycled from his last gig and was currently staying in a local Airbnb. Therefore, I confirm that this description is a hundred per cent accurate indeed.
Tony performed a song called “Guitar,” which, although seemingly a tribute to an object, serves as a beautiful metaphor about not giving up and following your dreams. The lyrics, “don’t put down your guitar” and “hang on to your dreams,” reflect Tony’s commitment to pursuing a career in music while also resonating with anyone’s personal dreams and passions. Tony’s soft vocals, guitar playing, and the rhythmic stamping of his feet emphasise the song’s inspiring message.
The Early Doors Club allows local people to discover new music by emerging artists and supports grassroots venues. Initiatives like this are vital for places such as The Coffee Stop, which aims to be a hub for community events, from music to the arts. Neil and Julie run a venue where music is not only written and framed on its walls but embedded in its DNA. Let’s continue to support local businesses and grassroots venues, as they need our backing now more than ever.
Please check out the social media and websites for Tony Black and Andrew Metheven, as well as The Coffee Stop’s socials for details about future events.
another great write up Lois, I haven’t been to the Coffee Stop yet but after reading your glowing review I will definitely have to visit x
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I must check this place out, sounds great. Brilliant blog once again Lois.
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