Sunnies & Cider - Acoustically astounding

Due for publishing in Nerve magazine, Feb 2010

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Behind closed doors, I’ll happily stick on an acoustic playlist with the likes of Michael Buble, James Morrison, Jason Mraz and Paolo Nutini but to name a few. Come night-time, like most of you lot out there, I prefer the sound of bass pounding my walls. Instinctively, a night out at Sunnies & Cider – an acoustic night at the Orange Rooms - didn’t appeal, but skip forward a few hours and I was amazed at some of the talent playing down here in Bournemouth.


The bi-monthly event is held at the lively Orange Rooms, and like the bar itself has started up this September with quite a bang, with people piling in as the night progresses most nights - it’s justifiable to say with good reason too. The night is split into segments of around 30-40minutes long, where each musician will play their heart out to a friendly yet sometimes-critical crowd (one unlucky male received no claps for one of his own songs, yet another received ruptures of applause during a heart-warming rendition of Summer of ’69).


The event is run by BU’s very own “Tomo” Hayward and Stuart Jones, 3rd year events management and 2nd year business management students currently on their placement years. Already boasting reputable CVs as Promotions and Brand Managers at Tomo’s self-owned Crowded Underground promotions company, and with both regular events’ organisers for 176 it’s no surprise the night went off without a hitch. The highest hurdle for the guys is the “lack of live music currently in Bournemouth”, yet Tomo sees this as “a good challenge to take up” as the night, and everyone there’s love for music, seems to go from strength to strength.


Singer-guitarists Simon Farrar, a 2nd year Accounting and Law BU student, and 2nd year Journalism BU student Daniel Duke both played recently at the event and support Tomo’s need of an acoustic following in Bournemouth. “When I lived in Winchester,” said Simon, “it was easy to get gigs. Bars were keen to get people playing. Here, it’s hard to get involved, but slowly acoustic nights are spreading”. Simon admitted that although there’s a “huge competition to get signed”, he finds his love in playing at gigs regardless. Similarly, Daniel has “never turned down a gig” and savours every minute of his performances since he started playing live almost 7 years ago.


Although the drinks may be expensive (relatively speaking of course), the night will undeniably leave you wanting more. There’ll be a style for everyone – Simon sees himself as an easy-listenable upbeat, Jack Johnson-esque player whilst Daniel prefers more of a folk touch to his music. Sunnies & Cider is a fortnightly event and costs a few measly quid to attend, so if you’ve got a Sunday night free then head on down to Orange Rooms – whether you’re already a regular, an occasionally acoustic listener like me, or neither!