Christmas gift guide for gig goers
In my Art&Soul blog this month I look at performer portraits – a subject close to my heart as resident artist of legendary music venue, the Half Moon Putney.
I hope my musician art featured here will get you in the mood for the unforgettable experience of live entertainment that so many of us will be looking forward to this Christmas…and that they will provide inspiration for gifts for the music lovers in your life.
Alongside a list of - and links to - upcoming gigs at the Half Moon Putney this and next month, I give my artistic take on the performers you will see...
24 November Police Dog Hogan at the Half Moon Putney Tickets here.
Police Dog Hogan are a high-energy and eclectic eight-piece, combining fiddle, trumpet, mandolin, drums and guitars with four-part harmonies in a fusion of country, pop, folk, and rocking urban bluegrass. Much-loved Guardian columnist Tim Dowling adds his banjo to the musical mix.
They are such an exciting band visually that I've created many images of them over the year and still have a few for sale like this image of fiddler Eddie Bishop which can be bought online and collected from the walls of the music venue.
Large oil painting of Police Dog Hogan's Eddie Bishop £610. Click here to buy.
1 Dec Dr Feelgood at the Half Moon Putney. Tickets here.
Touring pretty much continuously since 1973, Dr Feelgood's British rhythm and blues to make you feel good. Performing such hits as including 'Milk & Alcohol', 'Down At The Doctors' and 'Roxette', the Doctors will see you now!
Dr Feelgood's Robert Kane. £250. Click here to buy and collect from the Half Moon Putney.
7 December Gits and Shiggles Tickets here.
Gits and Shiggles is one of London's best comedy nights, organising events throughout the capital as well as monthly at its residency at The Half Moon, Putney. It brings you the best in emerging, established and alternative stand-up, sketch, musical, character and improv comedy. Over the years I have portrayed Shappi Khorsandi, Ed Gamble and Simon Brodkin as shown here.
Simon Brodkin performing at the Half Moon Putney. £295. Click here to buy.
10/11 December Boot Led Zeppelin at the Half Moon Putney. Tickets here.
For this special 50th celebration show, Boot-led-Zeppelin will be performing Led Zeppelin's 4th album in its entirety, as well as all the "big hits" taken from their entire catalogue.
Led Zeppelin IV is the band's best selling album and regarded as one of the greatest albums of all time, with songs such as Stairway To Heaven.
I caught them some years ago and portrayed the band's 'Jimmy Page', which has since SOLD.
12 December A Ukelele Christmas with the new mugs 1pm Tickets here.
Come down to the Half Moon Putney and hear your favourite songs and Christmas classics like you’ve never heard them before… on ukuleles. The New MUGs are New Malden’s most established, largest, youngest, smallest and, probably, best ukulele group.
Although I haven't caught them, I have portrayed one of the most amazing ukelele players ever - Daniel Ward - who brings his expertise in Spanish classical guitar to this versatile instrument.
Daniel Ward and Heidi Swedberg. £195. Click here to buy.
12 December The Trembling Wilburys 7.30pm. Tickets here.
The Trembling Wilburys - a tribute to Harrison, Orbison, Dylan, Petty and Lynne. I first caught one of the lead singers Orbison, aka Dave Collison, recreating Orbison's famous Black and White Night at the Half Moon Putney, when Dave's wife commissioned me to do a portrait drawing of him in action. What a voice! What a night! If you are a musician and would like to commission a portrait click here to learn more.
16/17/18 December The Rollin’ Stoned Tickets here.
The Rollin' Stoned have been described by The Times as "the nearest thing to the real article" and have been revered by Stones fans for their authenticity and contracted by the real Stones to play for the band's birthday. My take on them, now SOLD, shows you don't have to close your eyes to imagine the real Stones.
19 December Hank Wangford’s Christmas Shindig 1.30pm Tickets here.
The Wangfords' Christmas gig brings red hot country from Hank with Spanner Robinson and others.
Hank Wangford and Spanner at the Half Moon Putney £490 Click here to buy.
19 December Ralph McTell’s Christmas Benefit Concert 7.30pm SOLD OUT
Ralph McTell returns for his very special annual Christmas benefit concert here at the Half Moon. The singer songwriter of international acclaim brings his exquisite songwriting to life with virtuoso guitar picking and evocative stories. This year’s concert is in aid of Streets of London, the homeless charity named after his song. Even if you can't attend the gig, you might want to listen to this moving song about the homeless. My portrait of Ralph is now SOLD by you might like to see one of Ralph's guests in previous years was the legendary guitarist Albert Lee.
Albert Lee at the Half Moon Putney £395. Click here to buy.
22 December The Ultimate Beatles Tribute Show - Love Me Do to Let It Be Tickets here.
Ultimate Beatles are one of the UK’s top Beatles tribute bands. The band formed in 2001 and since then have been thrilling audiences all over the world with their accurate recreation of a live Beatles concert.
The Ultimate Beatles £195 Click here to buy.
27 December John Coghlan’s Quo Tickets here.
The prime aim is to recreate an authentic '70’s Quo Sound' in keeping with John’s time with Quo. For Quo fans and critics alike, this time is often regarded as Quo’s “Classic” period.
It's always difficult to capture drummers as they sit at the back of the band in the shadows so I was delighted to find John sat closer to centre stage. And the fan who bought my portrait of him was thrilled to find the mount signed by the man himself!
John Coghlan and his signed portrait at the Half Moon Putney
31 December New Year’s Eve party at the Half Moon Putney with Absolute Bowie Tickets here.
Absolute Bowie will be playing out the New Year at the Half Moon Putney with DJ Crawdaddy on the decks til 2am!!
Now in their 14th year of touring, Absolute Bowie, the UKs 'Best Tribute Band' and 'Best Bowie' act, would like to come and meet you and they might just blow your mind... Click here for my portrait of the band - one of many of the original art gifts you can give the ones you love this Christmas.
My drawing of the Half Moon Putney - gifted to the iconic music venue - which hangs on its walls alongside many of my musician original artworks.