Every month The Barn Coffee Shop welcomes the best independent acoustic acts to Meanwood Valley Urban Farm. In October we're privileged to host the Belfast Troubadour Brian Houston.

“One of Britain’s great song writers!” Bob Harris, BBC Radio 2

“If Ron Sexsmith and Elvis had a baby; gave it to Bob Dylan to raise but hired Van Morrison as a nanny they’d call it Brian Houston" The Drew Marshall Show

BRIAN HOUSTON on You Tube: "I Was A Kid in the 70s" and "I'm Broken To" 

Brian Houston holds no grudges. Despite former bandmates like drummer Jonny Quinn (now of Snow Patrol), keyboard player Peter Wilson (aka Duke Special), and guitarist Iain Archer (of Snow Patrol, Tired Pony and Jake Bugg fame), having all gone on to find fame and fortune.

Brian grew up in working-class protestant East Belfast in the 60s and 70s, soaking up Elvis Presley films on Saturday afternoon TV and starting a love affair with American culture and music. He worked in a shipyard as a carpenter and performed in the evenings in local music venues.

In the early 90's the renown Terri Hooley, chaotic godfather of Belfast punk, and subject of the recent lovable life story movie, was persuaded to cancel a holiday and fund a vinyl single by Brian Houston's band on his Good Vibrations label. The label that founded The Undertones.

Duke Special has been quoted as saying his early music days were inspired by Brian Houston's involvement in the Irish music scene. If you research closely you'll find that Houston co-wrote an album song titled "I Let You Down (Like a Tonne Weight)" with a Peter Wilson band known as Benzine Headset.

In an almost Zelig-like career, the Belfast-born troubadour has jammed with the Led Zeppelin legend Robert Plant at 'Whispering' Bob Harris’s birthday party (the veteran DJ Harris regards Houston as ‘one of Britain’s great songwriters’) and Houston opened for the likes of Van Morrison and Elvis Costello. But in 2009 Brian Houston topped the lot, when he had breakfast with none other than US President Barack Obama – well, kind of…

Another unusual incident took place in 2007, when Houston supported the then-80-year-old rock ‘n’ roll icon Chuck Berry at Belfast’s Waterfront Hall. ‘A reliable source had told me that he would come offstage, and if he was asked to go on for an encore he would demand £500 cash on the spot,’ explains Houston. ‘I wanted to see that happen, so I stood at the side of the stage.’ Then, as Berry 'duck-walked' into the wings, he handed Houston his vintage Gibson ES-335 guitar.

‘I didn’t know what to do with it,’ marvels Houston. ‘I didn’t know if he was actually giving me it, or if he was asking me to hold it. He didn’t say anything. I took it out into the foyer and showed it to some of the fans, and as people got a wee bit more adventurous towards it I hid it under the merchandise table. Next thing, security came and said, “Where’s the guitar? Why did you try to steal it?”’

Sidestepping accusations of thievery, Houston has established himself as one of Belfast’s most consistent live club draws playing established music venues like the Grand Opera House and his regular performances at the Empire Music Hall.

After recently moving back to Belfast from a period gigging in America, Houston now has a renew appreciation of his Irish culture and heritage. He has even begun to learn the traditional Irish Gaelic language. With more than 25 albums to his credit, Brian Houston, who began his musical journey in the heady, pre-internet days, still does things the old way – radio, record shops, touring – and sees no reason to change his style to suit any perceived bandwagon.

Notable Quotes:
“Bristling with hope joy love and fabulous songs” Mojo

“It was thirty seconds in when I realized what a really special piece of music this was. One of Britain’s great song writers!” Bob Harris, BBC Radio 2

"The audience went mad after he did a live session on my show!" Janice Long BBC Radio 2

“If Ron Sexsmith and Elvis had a baby; gave it to Bob Dylan to raise but hired Van Morrison as a nanny they’d call it Brian Houston…”  The Drew Marshall Show

"A writer of considerable warmth and wit." Uncut

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Bring a friend.

£7 tickets book here or at the Barn Coffee Shop, or see Tickets below. £8 on the door if any left. 

Ticket Sales Terms & Conditions: All tickets bought are non-refundable.

Please sell your ticket(s) to a friend if you cannot attend.

Hot Food and Coffee on Sale from 7pm | BYOB

It is recommended that you ARRIVE EARLY at the venue from 7pm to allow time to order your coffee and/or food and get the best seats.

Free Car Parking available in the Meanwood Valley Urban Farm large car park.

Wheelchair access.

Please email Andrew at the venue on barnacousticnights@gmail.com if you need to discuss accessibility.

Enquiries: 0113 262 5048

This concert will be a part seated and part standing event, seating allocated on a first come, first served basis and priority is given to advanced ticket holders.