Hi folks, Simon T back again with all that's happening "Live in Glasstown" this week.

After another busy weekend last weekend, my spies out there in the field tell me that all the venues were busy and some great bands out there keeping local music fans happy once more. Also great to see some new names on the scene and an honourable mention to the wonderfully named Bigfoot Bonsai who had a great night at the Zoo bar last Friday, no doubt they'll be back in St Helens in the not too distant future.

If you've been keeping an eye on our gig guides over the past few weeks, you'll have noticed that there are quite a few open mic/jam nights around the local area. For those of you who might be thinking what do these nights involve, they are nights when local, and not so local, musicians get the chance to do material and play with other musicians they would not usually play with in their own bands. These nights have been running in the town for many years and have seen some great impromptu performances in their time and are always very entertaining with lots of varied styles from rock, jazz, blues and indie music being played by some very talented people. One of the most popular nights over the years, used to be the Wednesday night jam night hosted by local musician Greg Davies at the Zoo Bar. Many of our local musicians got their first chances to appear onstage for the first time at these nights and the evening is fondly remembered by all that attended.

Today there are some great open mic/jam nights around the area. Every Tuesday and Friday The Junction Inn on News Lane, Rainford, hosts two open mic nights every week and has even seen some of the Merseybeat era's finest, such as Brian Jones, Saxaphone player with the legendary 60's band The Undertakers, performing and having been to more than a few nights there I can highly recommend giving it a try.

Also on a Friday on the other side of St Helens hosted by the inimitable Mr Swap, Ian Swift, at the Bull and Dog in Lea Green is also another popular night for local musicians and singers to show their stuff at, and there are some great performers who turn out every week to join in the fun. Mr Swap (aka Ian Swift), in partnership with Greg Davies, has hosted many of these nights over the years and with his son Matthew on guitar and bass and not forgetting the amazingly talented James Irlam also on guitar bass and vocals, have been presenting this night at the Bull and Dog for some time now and I can guarantee it to be a very enjoyable night for both audience and performers.

Righty ho then, let's take a look at what’s happening "Live in Glasstown" this week.

Thursday 12th February

Breeze Bar, Duke Street, town centre - open mic night 9pm

The Green Room, Duke Street, town centre - Live music from 8pm

Friday 13th February Rendezvous Bar, Church street, town centre - Shaun O'Neil’s anything goes jam night 9pm

The Sefton Arms, Baldwin Street, town centre – Polkerdice 9.30pm

The Bull and Dog, Lea Green - Mr Swaps jam night 9pm

The Green Room, Duke street, town centre - Live music from 9pm

The Junction Inn, News Lane, Rainford - Open mic night presented by Tony Schofield 9pm

The Griffin Inn, Earles Street, Earlestown - Into the void - 9.45pm

Saturday 14th February

The Rendezvous Bar, Church street, town centre - The Purple tones and Scott Crawford 9pm

Windle Labour Club, Dentons Green Lane, - Marble eyes - 9pm

The Sefton Arms, Baldwin Street, town centre - Morocco - 9.30pm

The Bird I'th Hand, Prescot road - The Covertones 9.30pm

The Bull and Dog, Lea Green - The Patriots 9.30pm

The Red Lion, Robins lane, Sutton - Live music from 9.30pm

The Owls Nest, West End Road, Haydock - Freeway 9.30pm

The Griffin Inn, Earls Street, Earlestown - Live music from 9.45pm

The Junction Inn, News Lane, Rainford - The Junctioneers 9.30pm

The Green Room, Duke Street, town centre - Hatrick 9pm

The Phoenix Inn, Canal Street, town centre - The Central 9.30pm

Sunday 15th February

The Green Room, Duke Street, town centre - Live music from 5pm

The Breeze Bar, Duke street, town centre - Live music from 8.30pm

The Phoenix Inn, Canal Street town centre - Jam session with the Jacky Bond band 5.30pm

The Roundabout, Duke Street, town centre - Live music from 8pm

The Breeze Bar, Duke street, town centre - A-Kay 8.30pm

Tuesday 17th February The Junction Inn, News Lane, Rainford - Open mic night 9pm

That's all from me this week, if you'd like a listing on our gig guide please feel free to get in touch by email, simon.trubshaw2014@gmail.com or on our Facebook page "Live in Glasstown- a guide to live music in St Helens" and we will add it to our guide.

Until next week, keep supporting live local music "Live in Glasstown"

Simon T