Ah, the little lambs are gambolling in the meadows, the daffodils and crocuses are peeping through and Easter eggs have been on the shelves since Boxing Day.

Yes, it’s a sure sign that spring is on its way and that can only mean it’s time for the first two big all-day live music bashes.

The Lazy Lizard in Weymouth hosts its traditional Easter Sunday Hippy Fest next Sunday, March 31, and once again boasts a great line-up of top talent.

Kicking off at 3pm, entertaining you downstairs will be, in no particular order, Tom Smethurst, Tom Caulfield, Chloe and Tom, (is there anyone playing who isn’t called Tom?) Lauren Bannon (oh, there is), Danny Adams, Legomen and Powelly.

Meanwhile, for those of you who like to party at altitude, Stereoironics, Amy Mayes Band, Cosmic Slop, Operation Mad Hatters, Surfing Birds and Hustle will be partying on upstairs until stupid o’clock on Monday.

If that doesn’t float your goat, round the corner on the harbourside The Rendezvous will staging its ever-popular Quayfest again on Sunday, March 31.

The slightly less well-developed cousin of the mahoosive Quayside Festival, Quayfest starts at 3pm and goes through to 1am with such party animals as Pretty Lustful, Bit of Rough and The Dinnerladies on the bill with many others.

So, dig out your flip flops and let’s pray for some Easter sunshine, eh?

Now then, tomorrow night, Saturday, March 23, is another Bluesnight at Dorchester Arts Centre and this time it’s the Lyndon Anderson Band who will be bringing their gumbo grove to the county town.

 

 

This quality blues/funk four-piece from the North East have been getting rave reviews as they tour the country ,with Radio 2’s Paul Jones describing them as ‘excellent’ and Blues Matters effusing: “They’ll leave you staggering home at 3pm with aching limbs and great big smile on your face.”

Well, we’ve all had nights like that, haven’t we?

Tickets for tomorrow night’s gig are £12 in advance from the box office on 01305 266926 or £13 on the night. Be warned, these Bluesnights sell out pretty quick so get your act together.

And finally, those lovely people at Air Radio will be celebrating getting their FM transmitter licence with a huge party on Weymouth beach on Saturday, May 11 and, guess what? You’re invited!

And if you want to take part, station manager Carl Greenham is keen to hear from local bands and musicians who are keen to play and entertain the gathered throng.

Give him a call on 01305 836050 or email to info@aironair.co.uk Right, that’s it for this week, I’m off for a ride on one of George Osborne’s beer escalators. Coming?

Today (22)

Amy Mayes Band (Finn’s, Westham Rd, Weymouth)

Sawn-off Shooter (Punchbowl, Portland)

Ricky Solo (The Lugger, Chickerell, Weymouth)

The Mighty Fine (Royal Exchange, Weston Rd, Portland)

Boogie Men (Royal Portland Arms, Fortuneswell, Portland)

Karen (Edinburgh House of Sounds, St Thomas St, Weymouth)

Mark Stacey (Duke of Cornwall, St Edmund St, Weymouth) Chill (Golden Lion, St Edmund St, Weymouth)

Ben Lambert (Weymouth Working Men’s Club, Mitchell, St, Weymouth

Lady James (Café Jagos, High East St, Dorchester)

The Decades (Spice Ship, Preston Road, Weymouth)

Emma Lou (King’s Arms, Trinity Rd, Weymouth)

Billy Solo (Wellington, Arms, Weymouth) Mr Tambourine Man plays a song for you.

Jam Session (The Lounge, School St, Weymouth) Come and have a go from 9pm.

Saturday (23)

The Dinnerladies (Park Hotel, Grange Road, Weymouth)

Blind Harvest (Finn’s, Westham Rd, Weymouth)

Vanilla Radio (Sailors Return, St Nicholas St, Weymouth)

Legomen (Lazy Lizard, Esplanade, Weymouth)

Lyndon Anderson Band (Dorchester Arts Centre)

Tripod (Golden Lion, St Edmund St, Weymouth)

Magic (Wyke Regis Working Men’s Club, Portland Rd, Weymouth)

Steve Francis (Conservative Club, Dorchester Road, Weymouth)

Stereoironics (John Gregory, Southill, Weymouth)

Darren H (Edinburgh House of Sounds, St Thomas St, Weymouth)

Mama Feelgood (Crown Inn, Bridport)

Speedway Snails (Moby Dicks, Esplanade, Weymouth)

The Silhouettes (Weymouth Working Men’s Club, Mitchell St, Weymouth)

Paul Gibson (Duke of Cornwall, St Edmund St, Weymouth)

Goldie Rox (Centenary Club, Jubilee Sidings, Weymouth)

Alex Roberts (Tom Brown’s, High East St, Dorchester)

Sunday (24)

Dave Bowen Quintet (The Trooper, Stourton Caundle) Jazz from 1pm to 3pm.

Dora and George (Royal Portland Arms, Fortuneswell, Portland)

Singalong Steve (Duke of Cornwall, St Edmund St, Weymouth)

Gut and Steel (Crown Inn, Bridport) From 4pm.

The Decades (King’s Arms, Trinity Rd, Weymouth) From 5pm.

Yes Factor (Weymouth Working Men’s Club, Mitchell, St, Weymouth) 2pm onwards.

Ricky Solo (Sailor’s Return, St Nicholas St, Weymouth) The Crack frontman, on his own, from 3pm, followed by

Ricky Solo (T-Bar, St Edmund St, Weymouth) From 8pm.

Jam Night (Sailor’s Return, Nicholas Street, Weymouth) Mark Stacey and friends host this regular Sunday acoustic jam session. Music from 8pm.

Monday (25)

Open Mic Night (The Boot, Weymouth)

Mr Bucket (Lazy Lizard, Esplanade, Weymouth )

Tuesday (26)

Jinder (The Boot, Weymouth)

Wednesday (27)

Funky Jam Night (Lazy Lizard, Esplanade, Weymouth) Cosmic Slop are your hosts so get on down and get that funk outta ya face.

Jam with Mark (Wellington Arms, St Alban Street, Weymouth) Mark Stacey hosts this regular acoustic jam session.

Wessex Folk Night (Sailors Return, Nicholas Street, Weymouth) Acoustic folk, here every Wednesday.

Thursday (28)

Amy Mayes Band, Stereoironics (Rendezvous, Town Bridge, Weymouth)

Idiom (Finn’s, Westham Rd, Weymouth) Phillip Henry, Hannah Martin, Tim Graham (Sunray Folk Club, Village Hall, Broadmayne) From 7pm, £5 on door.

Legomen, Powelly (Lazy Lizard, Esplanade, Weymouth)

Singalong with Di (Edinburgh House of Sounds, St Thomas St, Weymouth)

Eclectic Hippy (Golden Lion, St Edmund St, Weymouth) Acoustic jam night, hosted by Dukane.

Open Mic Night (Aura, Esplanade, Weymouth)

Open Mic Night (The Cornwall, Dorchester) Big Al Whittle hosts.

Singalonga Dave (Weymouth Working Men’s Club, Mitchell, St, Weymouth Open Mic Surgery (Tom Brown’s, High East St, Dorchester) All backline provided, come on down and have a play.

Steve’s Singalong (Duke of Cornwall, St Edmund Street, Weymouth) Steve hosts this session, with guests joining in.

Traditional Tune Session (Cove House Inn, ChiswelI, Portland)

Friday (29)

Lo Numbers (Finn’s, Westham Rd, Weymouth)

Arron King (Britannia, Fortuneswell, Portland)

Replay (Spice Ship, Preston, Weymouth)

Stereoironics (Royal Exchange, Weston Rd, Portland)

Neon Leroy (Royal Portland Arms, Fortuneswell, Portland)

Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, St Thomas St, Weymouth)

Paisley (Park Hotel, Grange Road, Weymouth)

Skinful (Golden Lion, St Edmund St, Weymouth)

Hot Bacon (Old Ship, Dorchester)

Mama Feelgood (Eight Kings, Portland)

John Sanderson (Weymouth Working Men’s Club, Mitchell St, Weymouth

Billy Solo (Wellington, Arms, Weymouth) Mr Tambourine Man plays a song for you.

Jam Session (The Lounge, School St, Weymouth) Come and have a go from 9pm.