No Mean City 2014 (Glasgow)

After last years success the team behind No Mean City are not resting on their laurels and an already sterling line up has been secured.

The Felice Brothers - O2 ABC, Thursday 28th August, 7pm

The Felice Brothers started their musical career performing at family barbeques; and have just released their sixth album. 

Described by American Songwriter as "challenging Americana that never takes its audience, or its influences, for granted", 

Favourite Waitress marks the first time the band ever recorded in a proper studio.

Nick Waterhouse  -  King Tut's, Thursday 28th August, 7pm
Californian guitarist Nick Waterhouse is known for a sounds rooted in rhythm & blues, jazz, and soul. 

On his latest record, Holly, "he hones a had-edged sound, full of nimble guitar licks, taut melodies and precise rhythm" (Paste Magazine).

St Paul and the Broken Bones

He cites the movie Chinatown as his main influence for the album, which is an ode to Los Angeles; and dedicated it to screenwriter Robert Towne.

St. Paul & The Broken Bones - Oran Mor, Monday 1st September, 7pm

St. Paul & The Broken Bones is a seven-piece soul band from Alabama who use vintage technology to recreate a 60s sound. 

After taking SXSW 2014 by storm, their debut album Half a City went to No.3 in the iTunes Chart.

Phillip Henry & Hannah Martin plus Sarah Hayes (Admiral Fallow) - O2 ABC2, Monday 1st September, 7pm
Glastonbury regulars Phillip Henry & Hannah Martin are one of the most innovative acts to appear on the folk scene in years; 

and after winning Best Duo at the BBC Folk Awards 2014, they are very hot property.

Willie Watson -  CCA on Friday 5th September, 7pm
Former Old Crow Medicine Show member, Willie Watson was once described as "Bob Dylan without the nasal whine or pretention". 

Although he did grow up listening to the likes of Dylan, it was a Leadbelly album that got him hooked on the folk style; as a result, 

his expert banjo and guitar playing will transport the listener to another time.

Frank O'Hagan plus Les Johnson & The Shiverin' Sheiks -  O2 ABC2, Friday 12th September, 7pm 

A regular at one of Glasgow's oldest pubs The Scotia, Frank O'Hagan has become one of the city's best-loved singers songwriters. 

He recently supported soul legend Mavis Staples.

Robert Altman's Nashville - Glasgow Film Theatre, Tuesday 16th September, 6pm
Incorporating film into the Festival for the first time, there will be a special screening of Nashville (1975) at the GFT on Tuesday 16th September at 6pm. 

Widely considered as some of Robert Altman's best work, the film takes a snapshot of people involved in the country music and gospel business in Nashville, Tennessee.

Natural Child plus Eugene Twist- O2 ABC2, Wednesday 17th September, 7pm
Rascals of the country scene, Natural Child 'Let the Good Times Roll' with comical lyrics, and a fun laid-back stage show. 

Indie Media Mag sums the boys up perfectly: "the three-man band blends country, rock and blues to make an elixir to cure all your musical ales (Sic)".

The Urban Voodoo Machine plus Dirty Diamond and the Gunslinger - O2 ABC2, Saturday 20th September, 7pm
The Urban Voodoo Machine market themselves, accurately, as bourbon soaked gypsy bop 'n' stroll. 

Urban Voodoo Machine

"The London-based nine-piece inhabit a weird, surreal Noo Orleans world where the ghosts of Dr. John, John Lee Hooker and vaudeville orchestras do battle with stomping rockabilly-style swamprock". (Louder Than War)

Christian Bland & the Revelators plus Al Lover -  O2 ABC2, Tuesday 23rd September, 7pm
Christian Bland is best known as the guitarist for The Black Angels (part of No Mean City in 2012) His solo project, 

Christian Bland and The Revelators highlights his signature sound and his contribution to one of modern psych-rock's biggest and best bands.

Chastity Brown -  O2 ABC2, Thursday 25th September, 7pm
The sound of Chastity Brown is a laid-back fusion of soul, jazz, blues and country. She has been compared to the likes of Tracy Chapman and Nina Simone; 

and Penny Black Music dubbed her last album, Back-Road Highways, "THE soul album of the year".

The Dunwells plus City of Lights - O2 ABC2, Saturday 27th September, 7pm
Leeds lads, The Dunwells, describe their sound as a "unique blend of emotionally driven, anthemic rock, featuring four part harmonies". 

Their influences vary from Foy Vance and Crowded House, to Fleet Foxes and Elbow.

The Urban Voodoo Machine - The Bay 11/5/11 (Glasgow)

Everyone wants to run away and join the circus at some point in their life.
The allure of the nomadic gypsy lifestyle pulls at the sense of adventure that all children have.
The big top, the greasepaint, the exotic ladies, the screams, the thrills, the spills and the chills all serve to entice us towards the unknown.
Then we get older and leave it behind us, but every once in a while the tug is still there.
Never more so than at an Urban Voodoo Machine show it would seem.
This multi legged group of musical rapscallions are the circus, the freak show, the Weimar cabaret, le cage aux folles and the down and dirty juke joints of the Mississippi all rolled into one.
When they play they're reaching out to whisper into our ear that packing a case to jump aboard the crazy train with a ticket to an unknown future is a perfectly sensible option to consider.
There's magic in the air at one of their shows
Magic and anarchy.
Anything could happen.
There is only one rule and that is that there are no rules.
Don't even try and put your finger on what it is that makes what they do so enticing, because you can't.
There isn't one specific thing that could be singled out and highlighted as the source of entertainment.
Instead it's a communal party, a melting pot of characters and persona's that all provide something different to the mix.
This throw it at the wall and see what sticks attitude provides us with an orgy of sound that is hot, sexy, bold, brash and most importantly makes you want to dance and throw caution to the wind all at the same time.
They should make shows like this one illegal, because if they did, then we could use The Urban Voodoo machine as an excuse to rise up and overthrow the government while enjoying the best fuckin' soundtrack to a revolution that anyone could imagine.