AUGUST 1999  -  THE VIGILANTES OF LOVE
The Briton's Protection
Athens, Georgia's finest (After you know who) put on fantastic show in the rather confined space of The Briton's Protection pub. They won over everyone who heard them and let's hope they come back over very soon!

SEPTEMBER 1999 - PETER BRUNTNELL & MICHAEL WESTON-KING
The Britons Protection
This was a one-off all-British double header! Mike King is the lead singe of The Good Sons and he played solo accompanied by a Cellist. Mike previewed some amazing songs from his new album "God-Shaped Hole" out on Glitterhouse and went down really well. Peter Bruntnel was the main act and he came with his band, exceptionally talented everyone last one them! By this time we were having trouble fitting everyone in the tiny venue and tempers were frayed! Peter soon calmed it all down with some brilliant tunes. If anyone thought alt.country was an exclusively American music then you should have heard these Brits play!

OCTOBER 1999 - KATE JACOBS
Star & Garter
Kate is from New Jersey and came to Manchester as part of her first ever UK tour in support of her third album "Hydrangea". The turn-out for this show was a bit disapointing but Kate certainly wasn't! she played her hreat out. She is warm, funny and very charismatic as she played her songs, mainly as she explained on the themes of "Family" and "Farming", although the farming songs weren't necessarily the kind that the MAFF or the drugs squad would approve of!

.NOVEMBER 1999 - The Legendary CHIP TAYLOR
Star & Garter
The songwriting legend returned to the UK with a brand new album. His recent performance on BBC2’s Songwriter Circle has rekindled interest in his work. For those of you who don’t know, Chip is a real character, a living, breathing slice of Americana. In the sixties he wrote (amongst others) the rock n roll classic “Wild Thing”. After such a promising start Chip left the music scene to become a professional gambler!  In the mid-Nineties he returned to writing and performing proving beyond doubt to all who’ve heard him that’s there more to Chip than just “Wild Thing”. He wowed the whole crowd with a fantastic performance and everyone agreed they couldn't wish to meet a nicer guy

NOVEMBER 1999 - JOLENE - The best band to come out of the South since REM!
Star & Garter
A peculiarly Southern mystery pervades the music of North Carolina’s Jolene. They played an absolute blinding set that went on until 12.30 - about two hours. They played some amazing stuff old and new and a few unexpected covers of stuff like Fairport Convention and Jethro Tull!! Throghly enjoyed by all who went. They spoke very highly too of Rusholmes curry houses!

NOVEMBER 1999 - JOSH ROUSE + Kirsty McGee + Matt Hill
The Southern Hotel
Josh Rouse's debut album "Dressed up like Nebraska" got major praise from almost all the music press including an Album of the Month in MOJO. He has recently released an EP recorded with Kurt Wagner from LAMBCHOP. Josh played a short but intense set to an appreciative crowd.

January 2000-FREEDY JOHNSTON & Richard Bradbury
Rolling stone named him songwriter of the year and Freedy proved his crdentials with a stunning show, including some bizarre chioce of covers - Jimmy Webb's Witchita Lineman and Elton Johns Rocket Man!

Feb  2000-THE WACO BROTHERS  + SALLY TIMMS + KELLY HOGAN + CHRIS MILLS
The amazing Bloodshot records show! A massive array of talent and a great night out for all! It was hard to believe we had 10 of Chicago's finest all on one stage.

Feb 2000 - PETER BRUNTNELL & Jackson Sundown
@ Band on the Wall
Peter Bruntnell and his band returned to Manchester with their special brand of laid-back americana, and lyrical twists. Fresh from a US tour with Son Volt and with 19 year old wunder-kid James on guitar it was an amazing show. We had our largest ever audience. Equally stunning were support act Jackson Sundown.

 Feb 2000 JOE PERNICE & JOHN CROOKE + Matt Hill
(Pernice brothers/Scud Mountain Boys/Jolene)
@ Night & Day Cafe
Two of America's best songwriters on one special cosmic bill. This was an amazing night as the two traded songs, sang harmonies and swapped stories. In the wrong hands this format could have been cheesey -hell, but my God John & Joe pulled it off in Style - unforgetable!

March 2000
GENE PARSONS & MERIDIAN GREEN with support from The Careless Undertakers
@ Band on the Wall
As an ex-member of both The Byrds and The Flying Burritto Brothers Gene Parsons surely qualifies as a  bona fide legend.  He and his companion, the gorgeous-voiced folk-singer Meridian Green, played all that is great about the US tradition, be it close harmony, wild banjo picking, country blues, folk and cajun. Meridian showcased her own material and proved that there is a lot more to her than the partner of an Ex-Byrd, as perhaps some had suspected. Her voice was a revelation and she put us in mind of early Nanci Griffiths, Stacy Earle,  or Iris Dement. Gene told some great stories and amazed all with his incredible musicianship. With songs like "Sweet Desert Childhood" he transformed Band on the Wall into a rocky creek in the Mojave desert. After leading the crowd through some close Harmonies on "You ain't goin nowhere" they finished with Gram Parsons "In my hour of Darkness", as Gene sang the verse about his friend Clarence White, there was hardly a dry eye in the house!
Those people who chose to stay home and watch Manchester Utd really did make the worse decision of their lives!

Honourable mention goes to Preston's Careless Undertakers who played a blinding set of authentic American  traditional songs.

March 2000
Jackson Sundown & Matt Hill
@ The Southern
Local favourites proved they could do it with the headline US acts, playing to a packed house. Everyone was shocked by the large attendance! Well done Jackson sundown.

April 12th
Bloodshot records artistes..
THE RIPTONES & Hired Gun
@ The Star & Garter
Another amazing act from the stable of Bloodshot records, all the way from Chicago. Playing authentic Sun-records era rockabilly with more than a large chunk of old fashioned Honky-tonk, this is one Bar-room band who can whup up a storm. Evoking memories of Elvis, Jerry Lee, Ernest Tubbs Johnny Cash et al. Virtual unknowns over here we were all very suporsed at the large tiurn out and they didn't disapoint, probably the most energetic band we have had yet at Cosmic. double Bass Player Earl, deserves a special mention just for the variety of ways he found to abuse his instrument !

April 21st
KEVIN MONTGOMERY + PETTIBONE
plus Matt Hill + Jackson Sundown
@The Southern, Chorlton
Acclaimed US singer-songwriter, has worked with the likes of Mary Chapin-Carpenter, Martina McBride and Sheryl Crow. Accompanied by Doug Pettibone, Kevin played a long and laid back set to a mesmerised crowd. He and Doug were such nice guys and the talent displayed was amazing. As soon as it was over discussions began to confirm a return booking!

April 26th
KATY MOFFATT & Kirsty McGee
@ Band on the Wall
Originating from Fort Worth, Texas Katy Moffatt has enjoyed a long and illustrous career. In the seventies she was a pioneer of laid back country-rock alongside artists such as Poco and The Eagles. In the eighties she was a leading light in the Bakersfield revival enjoying successful collaboration with Dave Alvin, Tom Russell and Rosie Flores. Katy is an accomplished and engaging live performer who wowed the corwd at BOTW with her sensitive songs and incredible voice. Kirsty McGee played a great support accompanied by members of Loafer .

May 2nd
JOLENE & BILL MALLONEE & Jackson Sundown
@ Band on the Wall
Second Visit for Jolene and what a show, they cranked up the volume in marked contrast to their previous visit and really played a full- on rock n roll show. They showed us why they have such an awesome live reputation. Vigilantes Frontman Bill playeda blinding support slot, proving that a solo acoustuic guitar and harmonica doesn't have to be fey and introspective, in fact it can be very punk rock!

May 11th
TANDY + Matt Hill
@ Night & Day
Tandy - Probably the best live band we have ever put on. Is that high enough recommendation for you ? They are simply amazing.
 

May 22nd
BAP KENNEDY & Charlotte Greig
@ Night & Day
Belfast born Bap came to fame steering his band, Energy Orchard, Bap played to support his new album,'Lonely Street' - a self-produced third record, some of which has a more Cowboy Junkies vibe.
Charlotte Greig is a Cardiff based singer and songwriter who's recent album has been winning praise from all quarters. She plays a haunting kind of traditional folk music, but with a very modern edge and put in a totally hypnotic perfomance

June 7th
THE VIGILANTES OF LOVE
@ Band on the Wall
From Athens, Georgia Bill Mallonee's Vigilantes of Love were the first band we put on, and this return visit saw them pull our largest ever crowd. Now slimmed down to a 3-piece they ripped the place up, the loss of their guitarist seeming only to make them tighter and bring out their punk rock / garage roots. Support Brother Nature were great - smart, acoustic, songs great harmonies too. One to watch.

June 19th
CHRIS MILLS
with Mike Daly Whiskeytown
and ANNA KASHFI
@Night & day
From Chicago Chris amazed everyone with his poignant beautiful pop music. Both bitter and forgiving, hopeful and hopeless Chris Mills is a real talent. The Show also introduced us to Whiskeytoen's Mike Daly who played a set of songs he'd written for a forthcoming solo alnbum and also for the new Whiskeytown album. Support band Anna Kashfi also put in an incredible performance.