Ninebarrow (Jon Whitley and Jay LaBouchardiere) are back for another sold out gig at Harwell Village Hall and an early start & finish as they are now parents and have babysitters to consider!

In fact, as seemingly many gig goers have reigned in their live music fix post-COVID, these local gigs are a real treat and if you can, get along to and support your local music venues and promoters like Duncan & Big Ginger Tom Music.

Starting off with one of their signature songs ‘Walk With Me’, Ninebarrow soon hit their stride with their version of Bob Dylan’s ‘I Will Be Released’ via the Nina Simone version, as this was a jazzed up version.

The duo’s recently released ‘The Hour of the Blackbird’ album saw them recording some of their songs with two community choirs. Not an easy thing to replicate live, however, with a bit of modern wizardry (well, a laptop!) they sang along to the choral backing on ‘Hey John Barleycorn’, which is a personal favourite on that album and great to hear performed live.

Plenty of opportunity for the audience to join including on ‘To the Stones’ and ‘You Who Wander’, which closed the first set.

Always good to have an interval, especially for aging rockers & folkies.

What a way to start the second set with their version of the Christy Moore classic ‘Ride On’ (written by Jimmy MacCarthy). Jay and Jon’s vocals complement each other perfectly, none more so on this song and ‘Names in the Sky’.

‘The Weeds’ is another personal favourite and has a whole new feel/sound when performed live. ‘Row On’ is another song that lends itself to audience participation, with some joining in with gusto!

As the pair explained before the final two songs of the set, Ninebarrow don’t really do political songs, however, in these strange times their song ‘Under the Fence’, based on the Calais refugee camps, was very moving.

The final song of the set was ‘Take Your Marching Feet Away’, written by Jon’s dad Bob who is a prolific songwriter, and its anti-war message is very poignant and wonderfully performed by Ninebarrow.

After a quick pop behind the hoardings they returned to perform the ‘Farewell Shanty’, a calming and perfect end to the evening.

If Ninebarrow ever play near you go along – even if you think folk music isn’t “your thing” – as they are one of the finest folk duos both on album and in the live arena.

Review by Jason Ritchie

Photos by Duncan Chappell

Duncan is raising money for Movember and you can find out more & donate here

Saturday, November 29, 2025 7:30 PM St Endellion Church TICKETS

Friday, February 6, 2026 7:30 PM St Laurence’s Church, Upwey, Weymouth TICKETS

Saturday, March 21, 2026 7:30 PM Hart Voices Choir Concert, All Saints Church Fleet, Hampshire TICKET

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