Enjoy a night of pirate-themed revelry without the risk of scurvy. On Monday, 28 July, the Barbican will be hosting Rogue's Gallery — Pirate Ballads, Sea Songs and Chanteys as part of their Only Connect series. The evening will feature songs from the two disc compilation of the same name, the brainchild of Johnny Depp and Pirates of the Caribbean director Gore Verbinski and produced by Hal Willner. Some songs maintain a more traditional, folky sound while others reflect the more alternative style of their performers, but all will evoke the sentiments of the sea, whether baudy or beautiful.
There will be performances by artists featured on the compilation, including Baby Gramps, Ed Harcourt, and Pere Ubu's David Thomas and Keith Moline. In addition, a few titans of quirky music have also signed up, including Shane McGowan, the Divine Comedy's Neil Hannon, Beth Orton, and Suzanne Vega. Actor Time Robbins will also be making an appearance, as well as some surprise guests. Other performers on the compilation include Lou Reed, Nick Cave, and Jarvis Cocker; fingers are crossed that the recorded tracks are some indication of whom we can expect to see at the Barbican.
Confirmed line-up: Suzanne Vega / Beth Orton / Shane McGowan / Neil Hannon / Pete Doherty / Martha Wainwright / Ed Harcourt / Julie Fowlis / Baby Gramps / David Thomas / Keith Moline / Gavin Friday / Langley Sisters / Teddy Thompson / Kami Thompson / Jenni Muldaur / Eliza Carthy / Martin Carthy / Norma Waterson / Robyn Hitchcock / Ralph Steadman
Rogue's Gallery — Pirate Ballads, Sea Songs and Chanteys: 28 July, 7.30pm, Barbican Hall, Barbican Centre. Tickets: £15/20/25.
Image of Neil Hannon courtesy of Bryan Ledgard under the Creative Commons License.
