News (Gigs and Gossip)

Thursday 22nd July - Modern Moods - The Retreat Pub, Reading

Ian and Tony from the Black Diamonds will be performing their acoustic 'Modern Moods' set.
They'd love to see you there!

9-11pm The Retreat - 8 St Johns Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 4EH

Saturday 26th June - St Johns Street Party - The Retreat Pub, Reading

The Black Diamonds will be performing between 2pm and 6pm to raise money for the Macmillan cancer trust.
Last year was a great success. Music, Food, good beer, great atmoshpere. Show your support!
The Retreat - 8 St Johns Street, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 4EH

June 5th-6th

The Black Diamonds will be performing at the The 1st Twyford Beer Festival on Saturday 5th June.

The Black Diamonds will play two one hour sets between 4pm and 8pm.

There wil be a Hog Roast is at 5pm

February - May

Apart from a few guest appearances around the country, the band will be busy recording tracks for their long awaited album. With Mike away in Scotland, Ian and Tony have been busy putting the finishing touches to the music and website (which is now running) for Modern Moods. www.modermoods.co.uk

Ian's website should be live in the next few weeks. It's all go!

Friday 29th January 2010

The Lock Stock and Barrel, Newbury
104 Northbrook Street, Newbury, Berkshire, RG14 1AA
8:30 pm - 11:00 pm
Tel: 01635 580550

31st December - New Years Eve

Earley Retreat, Chalfont Way, Reading RG6 5HZ
8.30pm till late, buffet at midnight ,
tickets �5 in advance available from the Retreat on 0118 987 6569

'We're hoping to video the night, to use as a trailer and part of a promo movie. We hope to see everyone here for this one. We will be pulling out all the stops and it will be one hell of a show. It will be good to see faces old and new, feature in the video' - Ian

Friday 6th November - Modern Moods - The Butler, Chatham St, Reading, UK

Ian & Tony (with some very special guests), will be performing a full show of 'Classic Acoustic & Contemporary Music'. Time: 9 'til late.

September - October - Winnersh Studio

The lads will be taking a couple of weeks off to record tracks for the new album 'Absinth Makes The Heart Grow Fonder' and some classy favourites for the new 'Modern Moods' website (which will be online soon), and the Ian M Lindsay site, which will be online by the end of November.

Saturday 17th October - The Butler, Chatham St. Reading, UK

With drummer Keith hospitalized and awaiting an operation for slipped discs and sciatica - (We all hope you get well soon mate!) - in stepped drummer and percussionist Stu Young, a local guy, originally from Toronto, Canada. He's travelled all over the world playing drums, including five years in Puerto Rico learning Congas from a 'Master'. He's fitted into the band effortlessly, and will be featuring alongside the lads for future gigs.

This was the best night we've had down here to date. The venue was packed. The show had everyone in the audience singing along, dancing. The original songs and the 'Modern Moods' set in the middle were exceptionally well received. By the end of the last set (and three encores later), the place was in a frenzy. Thanks to Lynn, Jules and all the staff for a great night! And to everybody that turned up to support us' - Ian

Monday 14th September - 23rd September - Eivissa, Ibiza

Ian performs several 'Modern Moods' shows to international audiences in Ibiza's old town - Eivissa.

'It's was the first time I'd been here. Everybody was so friendly, the hospitality was excellent, the shows went down a storm. (There actually was a storm over the airport - twister an' all - the day I arrived. We couldn't land and had to be diverted to Alicante to refuel).

I've been invited back next summer to tour the island.

Many thanks to Stephan, Uwe, Michael and Rene and all the guys at the hotel Marigna - Ian

October - 'Mines a pint' -Berkshire CAMRA & real ale magazine

The lads are featured, with photos .

Sunday 6th September - 'Ripples across the pond II- The Retreat, St John's Street, Reading, UK - 5pm

The lads will be joining forces with the usual crew of local folk and Jazz celebrities, for another live video link up with the United States.

Sunday 30th August - 'Bank Holiday Beat' - The Earley Retreat, Reading, UK

Ian & Tony present their highly praised 'Modern Moods' show. 9pm till 11.

Thursday 20th August - The Strafford, Barnsley, UK

Ian, Gerry Murphy and Manchester pianist Dave Taylor perform a selection of favourites from the 'Modern Moods' and 'Black Diamonds' repertoires to an enthusiastic local audience.

Thursday 13th August - The Cavern Club, Liverpool, UK

Ian marks his return to the birthplace of the Beatles with an impromptu performance with local artist Ronnie Hughes. The duo entertained the crowds of buoyant locals, Japanese and American tourists. - This was my first performance here since 1996. The 'Cavern Mecca', was the Jazz cellar that gave birth to The Beatles and 'Merseybeat'. This was Tony's first proper visit here and it was a pleasure to introduce him to old friends and acquaintances. We spent the afternoon in the 'Grapes' pub in Mathew street with former Beatles manager Allen Williams, Tim Connor, Phil Melia (Guitarist with 'Mojo Filter', my old band 'The Green Room' and recently 'The Pete Best band' - starring the original Beatles drummer) and my dear friend and mentor Gerry Murphy (Award winning Liverpool singer / songwriter) -- Ian

Friday 7th August - 'Party time' - The Butler, Chatham St. Reading, UK

In preparation for their tour later in the year, the lads will be performing Songs from their new 'Party Show' (Goodtime music) and by request, a set of Ian's popular originals, including [Sink or Swim' & 'Shades of Susan'.

Sunday 2nd August - The Butler Real Ale Festival - Reading, UK

To conclude the weekends festivities, the full band perform a 'lively and entertaining' show, the finale being a rousing rendition (accompanied by the entire audience) of Lonnie's 'Does your chewing gum lose its flavour'.

Sunday 19th July - 'The Big Lunch' - Kennet side Reading, UK

The lads show their support for a locally endorsed campaign to petition the local Council over the recent closure of the 'Jolly Anglers'. The local residents, regulars and members of CAMRA enjoyed a live open air performance by the band and other local musicians - Photos in all the local press!

Saturday 11th July

- The Silver Searchers play their 'Swinging 60's' show to a packed audience in Whitstable, UK "Great crowd, great night" - Ian

Wednesday 9th July

- The Silver Searchers (Featuring Ian on lead vocals and lead guitar) rehearse at our new studio for the 1st time.

Sunday 5th July - 'Ripples across the pond'.

Ian, Tony and John perform in a live Video link up to an audience in Philadelphia, USA. Featuring appearances by Hickory Smoke's Colm Daley and the rest of the band (freshly back from their afternoon show at the Henley Regatta, on a paddle boat steamer no less!).

Monday 29th June

- Hooray the rehearsal/ recording studio is finally completed!

Saturday 27th June - St John Street Party - Reading, UK

With a guest appearance by Hickory Smoke's Colum Daley on Fiddle and Ukulele,
Ian, Tony & John entertain the masses in the searing June heat.
Many thanks to Jane & Bernie (The Retreat) for their help and continuing support.

Saturday 20th June - CENTRESTAGE STAFF SUMMER PARTY - Winnersh, UK

The lads perform an open air show in front of the CENTRESTAGE team, friends & guests
- Champagne on ice!

May & Early June 2009:

The lads begin a string of UK local warm up shows for the tour later this year.
These include:

The Hazelmere Festival- Bucks
The Lion Ralley- Grazeley, Berks and
'Skiffle-fest' at 'The Butler'- Reading, Berks.

The release of the long awaited 'End of the line' album is delayed due to technical problems in the completion of there own purpose built recording studio in High Wycombe, Bucks, England. It's expected to be out end of September 2009.

Five Skiffle tracks now aailable on youtube, including two originals: 'Thames valley taxi's' & 'Dockers shanty' - Penned by Ian (Shades of Susan).
(See the Video Page)

A full list of new show dates is imminent, so watch this space!

April 2009: Breaking news! Four new faces join the team

Two new musicians:

(See About us page for further details)

In readiness for the up and coming tours and festivals the back stage staff have been complimented by the arrival of a new Tour Manager and and band Personal Assistant (Say hello to Trevor & Paul!)