TWO friends are launching live music gigs in unusual Bradford venues, include a church, market hall and cafes.

The venture started as a pub conversation between Les Hall, who set up The Sparrow Bier Cafe on North Parade, and Nick Hall, a musician and teacher. Now they’re putting on their first gig, at Bradford’s German church.

“We got talking about all the great venues in Bradford, our home city, which have potential to become excellent event venues,” said Les. “It grew from there. Now we’re converting it into reality.”

The pair plan to put on gigs, and other events, in quirky venues in and around the city centre. There’s a concert at John Street Market on Saturday, April 19 and Les and Nick are also planning a show in “one of Bradford’s oldest classic cafes”.

“The plan is to use establishments that are culturally significant, independent, interesting - places that may have slipped from people’s consciousness or can be introduced for the first time,” said Les. “While many of these venues haven’t hosted anything like a traditional gig before they’re really great places. Sadly, as is the case for more than one location, they may not be around that much longer.”

The first show, on Friday, is at the Delius Arts and Cultural Centre, in Bradford’s German Church, the Deutsche Evangelica Kirche. The parents of Bradford composer Frederick Delius were founding members and the family name appears in stained glass windows. “This lovely Grade II Listed building is over a 100-years-old and beautiful inside,” said Les. “It’s a functioning church and a welcoming arts hub.”

The line-up features folk band Ranagri, showcasing their acclaimed new album. “We’ve pulled off quite a coup with Ranagri - sublime singer-songwriter Donal Rogers, young folk legend Joe Danks on percussion, vocals and tenor guitar, progressive classical harpist Ellie Turner and talented Eliza Marshall on flutes and whistles. Together they make a beautiful sound,” said Les.

Also on the line-up is Bradford-based Plumhall - singer-songwriters Michelle Plum, ex-member of Chumbawamba, currently touring with the Chris Norman Band, and Nick Hall of The Hall Brothers who have performed with Al Stewart and have written a song for forthcoming film The Runaways - and Bradford singer-songwriter and guitarist Bella Gaffney.

“All the acts are signed, highly-acclaimed and different enough to create a wonderfully varied night of music,” said Les.

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