Brampton’s new live music venue, Live @ Union Lane, got off to a good start last week with the appearance of Jo Harrop and his band as part of their nationwide ‘The Heart Wants Tour’.
Live @ Union Lane, which takes place in the Brampton Community Centre, was conceived as a project during the pandemic lockdown but was held back until restrictions could be lifted and public reluctance to attend at large gatherings has decreased.
The opportunity to book Jo Harrop came unexpectedly and the organizing group decided that this, although it would be a daunting task, was too good an opportunity to miss.
After a tremendous amount of work in creating a brand for the venue, designing and producing stage sets, purchasing the lighting and sound system, and setting up an extensive advertising campaign on Live @ Union Lane was ready to welcome Joe and his band to Brampton last Friday night (May 20).
By 7.30pm the space was packed with no spare seats, the audience with their drinks in front of them, as organizer David Gosling thanked everyone who had worked hard to make the night possible before Jo Harrop finally takes the stage to enthusiastic applause.
Jo Harrop opened the first set with the title track from her album “The Heart Wants” and the audience was captivated from the opening bars.
Both sets flowed seamlessly through the album’s self-writing and a few jazz standards, but throughout two hours of music, that’s how Jo’s voice transitioned from jazz direct to blues, gospel and soul that captivated his audience.
The organizers could rejoice that their very first concert had been a great success, and that the preparatory work would provide a solid basis for the next monthly meetings.
The audience clearly loved the venue as well as the music they heard and the icing was on the cake when Jo Harrop informed us that it was the best and most grateful audience she had so far. now on his tour.
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