Another sensational raft of acts await you on June 7th at The Loft Live Sessions on the outskirts of Exeter. This show is selling out VERY fast indeed, in fact, by the time I publish this piece, I doubt there will be many tickets available at all so please, if you want tickets, get them NOW! Here's what you can expect on the night....

HUNTER AND THE BEAR

Polite applause and concession stand runs are the norm from arena crowds experiencing new young recording artists opening for venerable veterans. But that was not so when Hunter and the Bear warmed up for Eric Clapton’s recent UK tour. Not only was the upstart London-based act greeted with considerable enthusiasm, Clapton fans actually missed part of Slowhand’s set to score Hunter and the Bear’s music and to press the quartet’s flesh.

“It was amazing,” vocalist-guitarist Will Irvine recalled. “We went out in the hall between sets with our merchandise and I was stunned how long the queue was. I thought it was a line for the bathroom but I was wrong. It was for us. It was incredible.” Guitarist-vocalist Jimmy Hunter was just as taken aback. “Clapton fans missed the beginning of his show just to say hello and ask why they hadn’t heard of us,” Hunter said.

At that point Hunter and the Bear was just a year-old but the fresh group made an impression. Hunter and the Bear, which makes compelling melody- driven rock, sold hundreds of discs at the show. “It was encouraging because Clapton fans are music fans,” Hunter said. “They’re not into him because he’s sexy, even though at some point I’m sure he was.” Great point and that’s the common denominator between the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and Hunter and the Bear. The latter is a throwback, which crafts an intoxicating blend of muscular folk-rock, which hits listeners in the gut. The icing on the cake is moving, manly harmonies by Irvine, Hunter, bassist Chris Clark and drummer Gareth Thompson.

The stirring single “Like a Runaway” is a powerful and hook-laden cut with imagery that screams dog days of summer. The tune features a commanding vocal by Irvine and a clean, compact but hard-hitting solo by Hunter.

The pretty “Wounded” is spare and catchy and is perhaps the deepest, most meaningful and vivid track in the band’s canon. Their vocal blend, which is like a sonic fingerprint, is unmistakable.

The band delivers deeply meaningful and visceral songs since they are aware of what they want and the act ignores trends.

“We aren’t trying to do what anybody else is doing because we want to be us,” Hunter said. “It’s all about computers. You can be really good at working a computer but you can’t play a guitar. We’re about working at our craft and I hope it shows.”

Hunter and the Bear has reached a new echelon with its latest release. The band is vulnerable yet strong. The act has upped its ante but Hunter and the Bear is still rising. The group’s potential is unlimited but the future is now for the next significant band to come out of the UK.

RICHARD JAMES

Richard James is an Exeter based singer songwriter who delicately crafts soulful pop songs on his acoustic guitar. 

He counts John Mayer, Newton Falkner, Elbow, David Gray, Maroon 5, Tom Ellis and Bruno Mars amongst his main influences and Adam Isaac recently said this about his album,”Richard James's album is full to the brim of singles, not fillers! Very hooky, great melodies, real pop/rock music played with real instruments, and an excellent vocal that is exceptionally clear and smooth!”

Richard played at the very first Loft Live Session that was held in the Barber Shop, He will be supporting Hunter and the Bear at the barn in June, I suggest that you get yourselves a ticket right now so you can see for yourself just how good he is.

ALEX RAINFORD

At 22 years of age, Worcester born Alex Rainsford is wasting no time in carving his path though the music industry.

The music? Think the melodies of George Ezra meet the power of Catfish & the Bottlemen and you're not far off the mark.

Alex’s sound bridges a gap between delicate & destructive, taking you on a journey as the songs move from section to section. This effect is only exaggerated when the songs are placed into their natural environment of a stage, where they breathe & grow into something else altogether.

This formula has been refined & reimagined for his newest release, Lighter Mind, which sets the bar high for what’s to follow.

As well as playing tour support for acts such as Hudson Taylor, Dry The River and Brother & Bones; the past 2 years have seen Alex share stages with the likes of Bastille, Gabrielle Aplin & Willy Mason at festivals & venues all over Europe.

There’s still some distance to travel but the road Alex is walking is paved with good vibes, great people & great songs.

These Are Life Songs.

Tickets for this magnificent evening are available right now, click HERE to get your hands on some but best be quick, they're selling faster than things that don't hang around long!