Band weaving a musical tapestry
TAPESTRY at Touchstones is not the latest exhibition in the Art Gallery but an evening with local group Tapestry Band.
Founder members, husband and wife, Sharon Beaumont on vocals and Richard Beaumont on guitar, will be joined by Paul Booth on keyboard, Terry Beckett on drums and David Wilkinson on sax, for an evening of popular cover versions and original songs, delivered in Tapestry’s own unique style. With guitar, sax, keyboard and drums accompaniment, they will be tackling tunes from pop to jazz and rock, topped off with Sharon’s sultry vocals.
Previously known as Tapestry Road, the group has played at festivals across the north west, including the Rochdale Literature and Ideas Festival, fundraising events, local restaurants and private functions.
This will be the last gig before the core duo, Richard and Sharon embark on their European tour. Their performances at the Writers’ Showcase at Rochdale Literature and Ideas Festival over the past two years firmly established them as big favourites amongst the local writing community.
Their own material particularly impressed, especially songs inspired by their charity work supporting homeless people in Rochdale and Huddersfield. One such song, Take it Easy, will be played at Touchstones, with plans to have a backdrop of images of local people being helped by Langley House Trust.
Sharon said: “I love to see people helped through the music, it’s another reason I love songwriting and performing in a band.”
I asked Sharon what plans they had for the future.
She said: “We are recording film soundtracks and two songs for one of the charities we support, Langley House Trust.
“Later on, next year, we will be teaming up with other artists for a fundraising gig for homeless people, it’s long overdue. ●●Tapestry Band - from left, Paul Booth on keyboard, David Wilkinson on sax, Sharon Beaumont on vocals, Terry Beckett on drums and Richard Beaumont guitar
“We have raised funds before at two concerts for children’s charities, supporting Philippa Hanna and Gordon Giltrap.
We booked Philippa just before she found out she was supporting Lionel Ritchie, but she still played on the Sunday evening the night after an Arena gig.
She came and played with her husband Joel. Gordon was amazing on guitar and very funny with his wit.”
The members of this socially conscious band are big supporters of Langley House Trust, a charity that provides specialist housing, support, care and advice to offenders, helping them to live crime-free.
Tekoa House is Langley’s homeless project in Rochdale, providing housing and advice to homeless men facing issues with housing, addictions and mental health.
Tapestry will play at Touchstones on January 26, 2018, 7.30pm to 10.30pm. Tickets cost £6.