Member Article

New County Durham music venue builds momentum after first sell-out gig

The Manor House in Sedgefield, County Durham is rapidly gaining a reputation as a venue for intimate gigs featuring highly regarded artistes. Visitors from throughout the region flocked to Sedgefield last weekend for performance by acclaimed singer Keith James that was the Manor House’s first sell-out live music event.

James, who performed the songs of the legendary Leonard Cohen to a packed audience in the Old Court Room of the Grade II listed 18th century building on 6 October, was full of praise for the venue. He commented: “I enjoyed my concert at the Manor House very much. It was a really great experience with a wonderfully warm and enthusiastic audience.”

The Old Court Room operated as a magistrates’ court up until 1990, but has been transformed into a licensed venue. The events team at the Manor House have been keen to cement its new identity as a setting for boutique live music shows by lining up a packed programme of gigs through to spring 2018, when Keith James will return with a performance of the songs of Nick Drake on Saturday 26 May. In the meantime, music fans can look forward to Rod Clements, founder member of Lindisfarne, who will be performing an acoustic set of his own work alongside Ian Thomson on 3 February, followed by acclaimed singer and bassist Miranda Sykes who will take to the stage on 2 March. Before both of those shows, on 17 November the Manor House will host Dana & Susan Robinson from Vermont, USA, who will be touring the UK and performing their own brand of Americana and bluegrass.

Marie Walker, events manager for Manor House 1707 Ltd, comments: “We’ve worked hard to create a superb environment for artists to perform and it’s fantastic to hear an acclaimed singer like Keith praise the venue. The excellent acoustics and unique surroundings, which place the artists close to their audience, mean that guests have also been responding appreciatively.

“Keith handled The Songs of Leonard Cohen with thoughtful care and masterful timing and phrasing which kept the audience spellbound; we look forward to another engaging performance of Nick Drake’s work next May. Ahead of this we’ve got an exciting line-up of artistes for audiences to enjoy over the coming months and tickets are on sale for all of our forthcoming gigs via the website.”

For more information about the Manor House and events in the building, call 01740 629264, email events@manorhousesedgefield.co.uk, visit www.manorhousesedgefield.co.uk or www.facebook.com/manorhousesedgefield, or follow @ManorHouse1707 on Twitter. Tickets for other future events are also on www.wegottickets.com.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Chris Lines .