Photo by Martin Borrett Photography
Regular visitors to this website know that Merry Hell rank amongst my favourite acts. Born from the embers of folk punk collective, The Tansads, they have over the past twelve years, or so, through dint of sheer hard gigging and recording work, built up a dedicated and loyal following.
From the cotton mills of Wigan to the glassworks of Stourbridge, Merry Hell cherish a distinguished English heritage wrapped in a progressive blanket of unity, while expunging differences at every opportune moment.
Merry Hell’s Winter tour hits the road after a stunningly successful summer. In the quaint village of Croston, they deliver a brilliant performance within the intimate surroundings of The Old School House.
The inaugural MerryMeet, a Liverpool Acoustic event, was held on 22nd April 2023, at the Liverpool Philharmonic Music Room and the nearby Casa Bar. Some might question the band’s sanity for agreeing to perform two full-length shows and a mini-gig/fan forum in between, but those people clearly haven’t witnessed the boundless energy that Merry Hell bring to each and every one of their performances.
2 x sets best described as a rollercoaster ride through some of the finest contemporary folk music currently being performed anywhere on the English folk festival.
The inaugural MerryMeet was held on 22nd April 2023, at the Liverpool Philharmonic Music Room and the nearby Casa Bar. Some might question the band’s sanity for agreeing to perform two full-length shows and a mini-gig/fan forum in between, but those people clearly haven’t witnessed the boundless energy that Merry Hell bring to each and every one of their performances.
Merry Hell had certainly made a very favourable impression, with more than one audience member commenting on just how much they were enjoying the performance.
I’m coming round to the view that I actually prefer the acoustic line-up of Merry Hell. This is no criticism of Allan Jones but an appreciation of the fact that they approach things differently in the acoustic framework. They don’t just play the same way but without drums. Lee Goulding’s keyboards and Neil McCartney’s fiddle get more space to work and play a more important role in the live sound.
The full electric eight piece Merry Hell – there are also stripped back acoustic and acousitic-ish versions trooped on for their first gig of the year and first in seven weeks. No real hint of rustiness to these ears in their jamboree filled set.
A Sunday matinée show at the Half Moon, Putney is no longer a novelty for Merry Hell, as they made a welcome return for another packed appearance at this iconic venue. And what a triumphant return it was.
Merry Hell arrived at The David Hall, South Petherton after having played at The Great British Folk Festival in Skegness (read Colin Irwin’s report here). It certainly wouldn’t be unreasonable to have to excuse them for being a bit jaded after nearly 270 miles of travelling. After all, the previous evening they had been playing to a crowd of a couple of thousand and here they are in a village in Somerset with another long journey ahead of them the next day. But you would be seriously misjudging the band as they are polite and absolutely up for the gig. They prove this by delivering to the crowd a joyous, engaging and wonderful evening.
Having seen FATEA favourites Merry Hell on many occasions in the past, in both their full and six-member formats, at both festivals and other types of venue, I am more than aware of their unfailing and unerring capacity to deliver high energy, effervescent and scintillating performances which also reflect genuine messages of hope in unity. It has to be said, however, that these have almost exclusively been performances north of Watford Gap.
Merry Hell have got to be the best live band in the country. I realise that this is a bold statement but why else would FATEA have chosen them to headline the magazine’s 30th Birthday Bash in November?
On the cusp of the release of their new single Merry Hell took Darwen by storm, enthusiastic, exciting and entertaining, the full eight piece band brought their own brand of polished Folk Rock to the Lancashire town.
In these strange and difficult insular times, when division is derigueur, when strangers are scorned, when immigrants attract infamy; There's a need for coming together, for joining for being as one, being all-inclusive and what better way than through music.
Wickham festival is one of those lovely relaxed mid-size festivals that always seems to put together a varied and eclectic lineup. Alan Ewart went along to check out this years offerings.
"Sunshine On A Rainy Day" was the title of Zoe's 1991 hit single. It is also an apt description for tonight's events put on by Liverpool Acoustic in the congenial surroundings of the View 2 Gallery. Outside the raining was teeming down and even the Mathew Street buskers had taken shelter but inside the Gallery the audience basked in the warm glow of some fantastic music from the ever-wonderful Merry Hell.
Grateful Fred rounded off a memorable 2014 with a fabulous end of term Christmas Bash featuring the marvellous Merry Hell Acoustic, ably supported by local heroes The Big I Am.
Folk-rock outfit Merry Hell made a triumphant return to the Citadel, St.Helens, scene of their launch gig eighteen months previously during which time they have established themselves as one of the best must-see live acts on the country wide circuit.