by Ben Romain and Victoria Stanley
We ventured out to the Barge to catch Alex Roberts after first seeing him at The Southgate, Devizes on the highest recommendation of Devizes favourite Vince Bell. That was an introduction to an artist well worth following; so we duly did!
The Barge has had its challenges in years past with unique past owners and misplaced concepts of what this particular Inn’s place in the community actually is, but happily this experience was more like earliest memories of folk gigs there twenty years before and a great venue to visit once again.
There was a warm welcome into a crowd of characters, some from miles away, pleased to follow Alex and regulars of the Inn and many boaters amongst them. A good foil for a talented folk singer, this crowd knowing as many on the cut do, how to sing and encourage willing musicians!
Alex loves the Barge, and settled into the ‘stage’ corner with a plethora of instruments, we were treated to interpretations of many great songs in the folk/blues traditions and of course brilliant songs of his own pen.
Pyramid – Alex Roberts a fantastic song of his own writing, my favourite from his songbook this gig. Then covers such as ‘Girl from the North Country’, Bob Dylan delivered with such warmth and sensibility and a lifelong Dylan fan (such as myself) was enthralled.
So a lovely return to a great local venue and a great gig; everything you want from a Saturday eagerly awaited for this very reason.
The Barge has a very active Facebook page and many gigs / events, we will certainly be making more of an effort to fit some in following this gig.
Trending…..
Harmony Asia Can Do This
It’s a question I’ve asked Chippenham singer-songwriter Harmony Asia on each rare occasion I catch her for a chat; if she’s planning to capture a…
A Year into a Lib Dem Wiltshire Council; Chatting with Ben Reed
It’s a Friday, just polishing off a big boy breakfast at New Society. Got the window seat; I ponder how beautiful Devizes Market Place looks…
Battle of Bishop’s Cannings Ends in Devizes Defeat
David slew Goliath with a sling and a stone. Bishop’s Cannings Parish Council used evidence, against a group of Devizes Town councillors’ more circumstantial land…
How it Feels for a Bluebeard!
The first time I heard the name Bluebeard and the Desperate Hours, I presumed their sound might be folk or blues inspired. Judging a book…
“Underdog: The Other Other Brontë” at the Rondo Theatre, Larkhall, Bath, March 25th-28th 2026
by Ian Diddams images by Richard Fletcher How many Brontë sisters can you name? Which books did the sisters write between them? Can you name…
7 Hills to Trowbridge’s Old Town Hall
To clear up any confusion, Trowbridge’s old town hall is no longer the town hall, but The Old Town Hall. I have no idea, nor…
Wiltshire Hunt Sabs Stolen Drone Footage Reveals a Beaufont Hunt Kill
Retrieved footage from a stolen drone of the Wiltshire Hunt Saboteurs reveals the Beaufont Hunt making a fox kill earlier this month, and it’s undeniable…
Extended Lineup for CrownFest
It was back in October when we revealed CrownFest at The Crown in Bishop’s Cannings was returning this summer, and January when we last mentioned…
Vox Populi: New Album From Deadlight Dance
The difference between punk and goth is that as a punk you reject society, as a goth society rejects you. Being society lives mostly online…
Kate X: Swindon’s Best Kept Secret
You’re young, stars in your eyes, and you live in Swindon; you are not alone, but you are, unfortunately, up against Kate X! Kate is…
devizine.com 