Treat for music fans

IF YOU like windswept American rock with a soupcon of alt.country melancholia then there is a real treat in store in Penzance on Saturday.

The Acorn Arts Centre plays host to Willard Grant Conspiracy at 8.30pm.

This band has quietly gone about putting together one of the most impressive catalogues in the alt.country/post punk-folk genres. It's music that has been described as causing the spirit to soar and to make the knees go weak.

Willard Grant Conspiracy is the musical collective that surrounds songwriter Robert Fisher. The band has a loose configuration that allows its members to be involved as they are available, in order to support all their musical and life interests. But make no mistake – this is ensemble playing and a real band no matter how many participants are available.

Compared to everyone from Nick Cave and Leonard Cohen to Belle and Sebastian, the band is currently based in the Californian desert, where Robert lives.

Musicians from Massachusetts, Arizona, New York, London, Glasgow and Holland are all part of the collective depending on who can play, when the playing begins and where the tour ends. Currently the WGC roster is hovering around 30.

A live show may be as diverse as Robert playing solo or having as many as 14 members, or any number in-between, on stage at any one time. Instruments can include acoustic guitar, mandolin, pump organ, violin, cello, viola, piano, trumpet, drums, bass accordion, electric guitar and lap steel. This flexible line-up along with a dedication to improvisational playing ensures that every show is truly unique.

WGC's past five albums (Regards the End, Everything's Fine, Mojave, Flying Low and 3am Sunday at Fortune Otto's) and their brand new album Let it Roll have been met with critical acclaim and have been included in many critical best of lists. MOJO magazine is a particularly fervent supporter of the band.

Have a listen to WGC by visiting their website www.willardgrantconspiracy.com

They are supported on this tour by Glaswegian alt.folk duo Doghouse Roses.

There is an allocation of A Night Less Ordinary tickets available for this show. A Night Less Ordinary is a scheme which offers young people under the age of 26 the opportunity to claim a free ticket to see selected shows at their local venues. Tickets must be requested, by calling the box office, prior to the evening of the show.

Tickets are £10. There is a £1 transaction fee per booking. Tickets are available from the box office on 01736 365520 or online at www.acornartscentre.co.uk