Deja Vu, Reading, Bohemian Night Open-mic, Rob Sowden, Phil Boff Morrison, Maija, Paula Curtis, Luke Paulo, Jack Cade, Jodie O'Callghan, Greg Mayston,

Bohemian Night open-mic hosted by Rob Sowden

"Special"

Okay so I unashamedly spend a little time on these pages talking about my favourite local artists Maija, Paula Curtis, Luke Paulo and last night, like the stars aligning they all appeared and then played brilliantly. Not downplaying Maija or Paula's performances (which were, as always, deeply affecting), but Luke was sharp last night: I don't think I've seen him with such presence. I'm not taking the credit but I didn't expect my post-performance aside at Reading Arts Week last week to have such a significant affect. It makes me think of freeing a stone from a horse's hoof and now it's galloping away.

So, I'd have gone away just happy with the above but there was a lot of icing on the cake last night. These are my highlights:

Phil Morrison doing The Buzzcock's "Have You Ever Fallen In Love With Someone (You Shouldn't Have Fallen In Love With)" and Bowie's "Ziggy Stardust";

Jim Ferrie making a surprise appearance from London. It was great to see him and I really enjoyed his first song;

Raji Kulatilake's performance, particularly his first song;

James Histead's voice which was extraordinary last night.

A special night indeed.

I think everyone that I've mentioned except James is playing on Sunday on the Bohemian Stage at the Caversham Festival. And on top of that we have additionally Jodie O' Callaghan (just accepted into Central School of Speech and Dance), Jack Cade's grungy Americana, Greg Mayston's Delta Blues and God knows what from the man who runs Bohemian Night and makes this sort of thing possible for us artists (check out his YouTube performances here).

The running order for Sunday is: