01/03/2026
After three months, almost to the day, The Hanwell Cavern “popped up”, again, to a resounding first event in 2026, on Friday 27th February, and into its eighth year. Maybe because of the time lapse the tickets for this event were sold out in a record 98 minutes and unfortunately many people were disappointed and the waiting list grew. Some managed to get last minute tickets after cancellations. We were pleased and it is always a joy to welcome in our very appreciative audience.
Friday saw the return of two bands, Compound Radius and T.J. Johnson and the Preachers, both after a long break and the first appearance of Kelley Suttenfield and her backing band.
All three acts did not disappoint. …..
Compound Radius kicked off with a blistering rock set fuelled by themes and influence from Asia and India. Radius plays guitar in a way that sounded like a band on its own, and I can detect sitar phrases in his music. On this occasion he was accompanied by a drummer, who was equally explosive and full of percussive energy that powered the music along. Great to have them back.
The second act, T.J. (Holy Boy) Johnson and the Preachers, was another dear friend of the Hanwell Cavern, who we always love to have back, playing on our stage. T. J. always delivers a very laid back but explosive set of various funky and bluesy covers and originals, all played in his distinctive style. You wouldn’t know that they were covers. I was blessed with his version of “Fire and Water” by the Free . . . .which was amazing. Backed by the subtle, no effort, dynamic, bass playing from Ryan Windross and the power house percussion provided by Mike McKenzie on drums. The bass drum developed a life of its own on that stage, with Mike’s enthusiam!!
The final act was the special Kelley Suttenfield, a jazz singer who hails from NYC, but now lives in West London. This was only the second time in those seven years that we have featured a “jazz” influenced band, and Kelley did not disappoint in the slightest. Favourite old songs with which in no time, Kelley won the hearts of the whole audience, who sang along and some danced to those rhythms. As a result, she was brought back for three encores, and we didn’t want to let her go. Her band was amazing and professional. It was great to see a double bass on stage, superb jazz style guitar playing and drums. We all had a very special time.
Thank you to all three acts that support our efforts to keep live music alive and kicking in Hanwell.
Special thanks go out to our amazing team of volunteers, Bill, Steph, Vince, Mirjam, Frank, David, Dom, Carol, Chloe, Hanna, and on this occasion, Woo as assistant to Chloe on the sound desk, all without whom it would be impossible to stage this wonderful event. Thanks also go out to the staff of the Hanwell Community Centre, who allow us to create this magical evening of music.
All Photos and Videos by Hanwell Cavern (Hanna Hartnett)©
Love and Peace
Andy (MC)
