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Fife's Top Quality Singer |
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| Email:
mail@joanie.co.uk |
Joanie's Home Page
Simply one helluva voice covering your favourite songs!
Hi! I'm Joanie, a singer from Fife. This website should give you all the info on my job as a singer. It includes gig dates, past gig reviews and a "wartz & all" account of the ups and downs of the job.
I'm a pretty straightforward kind of a gal, so what you see and hear is what you get.
NEWS...
Our Adele tribute, Absolute Adele is now available to book for 2012!
It's a laid back, Tabernacle style three piece live tribute to Adele, ideal for hotels, casinos, restaurants, clubs etc. It features me (Joanie) on vocals, along with Grant Jack on keys and Lewis Saunders on acoustic guitar. We've been going down a storm, so book us while you can!
If you're looking for a LIVE Adele tribute - get in touch!
My Latest Gigs...
Saturday 21st April 2012 - The Goth, Newmills
What can I say about the Goth that I haven't said before? Great place, lively people. Things were a bit quieter than usual though, and I got a bit unsettled during the first set.
The rest of the night was fine, however, as the table of girls next to me had a wee bit more to drink, and started to enjoy themselves. As did I...
A good night, but not the best one I've had in the Goth. Come on Girls!!!
Having said that, the manager told me it was the busiest Saturday in a while, as people had come to see me. Which is nice. Thanks.
Friday 20th April 2012 - Bathgate Royal British Legion
Another gig from years gone by, but my previous review didn't give me any clues as to what the venue looked like. So this time I'm gonna help my memory a wee bit - It's a big hall with a two tier stage. Try not to fall off it or trip....
The people were lovely and Jennifer, the committee member in charge, couldn't have been more helpful. It makes all the difference when you get a good chat about what is expected before you start.
One thing I would mention is the start time. The bingo starts at 8.15, so the "arrive by 8.15" on my contract wasn't such good advice. As it was, we got there at 7.30, which gave us plenty of time to set up.
The hall is quite a big one, and the crowd got smaller and smaller as the night went on, as people left to get their buses etc. It's a shame, as everyone seemed to enjoy what I was doing but didn't want to miss their bus. Apparently it's not just me - it happens every week.
Saturday 14th April 2012 - Udston Social Club, Hamilton
I was asking all my performer friends on Facebook what this club was like, and googled it only to find a review I had done years before! Once we arrived in Hamilton I remembered the venue right away. This time, however, we were in the tiny bar downstairs, kind of squished into a corner behind a pillar. To say space is tigh would be an understatement. In fact, the bar staff told us some people only take in once speaker! Well I prefer to get the fuller sound from two, so Al managed to get them both in (just).
The crowd were up for a good night from the word go, and I must admit to being a bit worried about what kind of material to do for them. I kept it safe for the first half, doing all my usual older stuff - only to be told that they would have preferred a bit more upbeat music! For my second half I did just that, and was greeted with applause galore, and shouts of "You'll be back". I hope so. I'll know what to do for them next time.
Friday 13th April 2012 - Grapes Bar, Edinburgh
We arrived just in time to start this gig, after getting stuck in the horrible M90 average speed camera debacle. It meant for a cranky Joanie, as I like to be in and settled before starting a gig. There was nothing else for it, and I think I must have done the first set on autopilot. After settling down properly during my first break, it was business as usual at the Grapes, with the friendly locals and bar staff making this a good gig to do. They applauded, and I had a fair bit of banter with the crowd, who have such an eclectic taste that I couldn't fail to keep them happy no matter what genre of music I performed. Excellent.
Sunday 8th April 2012 - The Auld Classic Bar, Dunfermline
OH. MY. GOD. Hey singers, remember the times gone by when you went to a bar, were greeted warmly by the management and offered a drink? Remember when the management used to come and ask you if you were enjoying yourself, and maybe apologise that the crowd is not as big as they would like for you?
Welcome to the Auld Classic Bar. Everything a singer/musician wants in a venue.
I had an absolute ball from start to finish, and was so grateful for the opportunity to play there. Catherine, the manager had come to see me work in Lochgelly, and booked me there and then for this night. She usually only puts acts on in the pub on a Saturday, but was so keen to get me in there that she made it a Sunday (I'm booked up pretty far in advance for Saturdays, but Fridays and Sundays are available too).
The crowd were well up for a good night, and were the best behaved, most appreciative crowd I have had for a long time. They applauded every song, especially after my Adele numbers!
I think it's fair to say I'll be back here, and that they'll be looking through my calendar for an available date!
Brilliant. Just brilliant. Oh and if you were there you'll know all about those TIGER FEET!
Saturday 7th April 2012 - Broxburn Bowling Club, Broxburn
There are times when my website comes in handy - I like to look back at my reviews for previous gigs to get an idea of what I did last time. So this time I knew before I started what the plan of action was to be - three sets in three different styles, as the crowd changed during the night from the bingo crowd to the younger folk at the end of the night.
Ian and his bar team worked tirelessly throughout the night to keep everyone happy, so a big thumbs up to them. It's such a hard job, working at the other side of the bar (I did it for a few years before becoming a singer). So remember when you are out having a good time, be nice to your bar staff.
Saturday 24th March 2012 - The Kirkhouse Inn, Strathblane
A new venue for me, this one felt a little further away because of all the A roads the satnav took us along - but apparently that's the quickest way to go, according to the locals.
This hotel is a lovely old fashioned looking building in Strathblane, and I was glad I'd made a bit more of an effort clotheswise than I sometimes do. (At this point I feel I have to say that I never look scruffy or unkempt, but sometimes you have to dress a bit more formally than others).
I was set up at the end of the bar in front of the glass doors, a lovely wee place to set up with the patio area all lit up. The sound was a bit difficult though, as I was sort of "round the corner", and as it was a new venue we asked the bar staff where other acts set theirs up. They were helpful, but didn't really give us a definitive answer. But Al was there as always, my trusty sidekick ready to do his best to get the sound right for me.
This was one of those gigs when people stop to listen to what you have to say, which I found a little un-nerving to start with, as sometimes you can get too used to being background music, or being ignored between songs. I'm quite a chatty person at my gigs though, so I wasn't stuck for words - even if some of it made no sense!
I hope to be invited back to play there again.
Saturday 25th February 2012 - Airdrie 166 Masonic Club
I was pleased to be travelling to Airdrie for this gig, as it was a new one for me, but on the other hand I was a bit nervous about what to expect. My contract said that I was on with a DJ, and doing 2 x 1hr sets though, so I prepared all my newer material expecting a younger crowd. Erm no. There was no DJ.
Having said that, I had a heckuva night, and was welcomed with a smile and a bit of banter (suits me fine). The first set was a bit quiet, but after the bingo at half time I was pleased to see so many people stay to enjoy the second half. I even had dancers! And I pulled out a few songs I haven't done in ages, so I had a wee blast from the past, thinking back to how things used to be when I first started this job.
I won't hesitate to return if asked back. Thanks Airdrie!
Saturday 28th January 2012 - The Polish Club, Kirkcaldy
I was booked as a stand in at relatively short notice to play this club as part of their "Scottish night". I must admit to being a wee bit worried, as I don't do any traditional Scottish material. I made that clear to the bookers, and they were fine with that.
I was on as part of a show which included the very talented James Coutts, who has played on BBC Radio Scotland as part of JAMES COUTTS & HIS SCOTTISH DANCE BAND. He led the dances and played excellently, and the crowd, most of whom were Polish, weren't afraid to give Scottish Country Dancing a go.
The crowd were one of the most appreciative crowds I have played to in a very long time - they filled the dance floor from the word go and warmly applauded every song. I had many compliments, and would love every gig to be the same as this one.
Why not visit my Past Gigs to browse through the venues I've played over my years of singing in pubs and clubs? You can also use the search bar at the top of the page to search for your venue.
I've been told that there are a good few other acts having a look at my site to see what I have said about some venues. I'd like to say HI! and welcome to my site. Please remember that the reviews I write are my opinion only, and should not be used by you as a guide on which gigs to take or not take. We all have good gigs and bad gigs, and we all change our acts and attitude as we go along to suit the venue/time of year/ourselves.
If you're not sure about a gig, do it anyway - you'll still get paid! Sometimes it is all about the money, and sometimes you'll just be background music. Them's the breaks, and sometimes you may be pleasantly surprised!
If you'd like to give your opinion on a gig, then by all means do. You will find a Comments link at the top of the page. If you'd like a link from my site to yours, drop me an email. or ask me via the form.
To any of you who may have missed my annual Christmas message, you can view the old one here