📋 Thursday November 20th.
📌 at The Woodvale, Gurnard.
🕚 Brunch served 10-3pm
🎵 Live music from Andy Roberts 11-1.30pm
Beaujolias Nouveau is arriving!
📋 Thursday November 20th. – Gig!
📌 at The Woodvale, Gurnard.
🕚 Brunch served 10-3pm
🎵 Live music from Andy Roberts 11-1.30pm
Circumstances have changed and I’m now happy to offer Island-Wide availability for 2026.
I’m very excited to be able to bring my 1970’s inspired singer-songwriter vibe to a whole range of additional venues!
Times, dates and accessibility no problem.
If you are any Isle of Wight venue looking for new entertainment I have a range of services on offer so please get in touch real soon now!
jump straight to Contact Form here
August this year means I’m on a bit of a break.
But do get in touch if you’d like to set something up.
There’s a simple contact form at the bottom of the “Services” page:
The Mid-July newsletter has just been published to all email subscribers and on the web at https://andyr.substack.com/p/mid-july-newsletter
See you on Monday at the Wheatsheaf?
Andy
Latest posts here:
Gigging today in Yarmouth,
Availability this year for the usual venues and new ones,
Venues, do get in touch to fix dates.
After completing one major project around the perimeter of the Orchard Garden, I have a rest day today!
Taking a rest day isn’t about doing absolutely nothing; it’s a chance to recharge in more mindful ways. Today, I’ve chosen to skip my usual routine of morning pages. Instead, I want to embrace the tranquility and let the day unfold naturally.
Rest doesn’t equate to idleness. It involves soft activities like a gentle walk or exploring new places with a peaceful mindset. It’s an opportunity for reflection and perhaps engaging in some gentle tidying projects that bring calmness rather than stress.
Today, I will let things flow as they come. This spontaneity, this allowance for unplanned moments, feels sufficient for now. It’s about finding balance and respecting the need for rest without rigid structures.
Andy Roberts: Acoustic Singer-Songwriter on the Isle of Wight
Andy Roberts, based on the Isle of Wight, is a committed solo acoustic guitarist whose music is a blend of reflection and authenticity. Influenced by his surroundings and personal journey, Andy’s songs deeply resonate with listeners, providing a genuine connection to his narratives.
First public performance.
A very young and inexperienced 14yr old Andy was called up from the audience at a Ralph MvTell concert in the City Hall. Asked by MC John “The Fish” to take a turn on stage due to an embarrassing delay in the main star’s arrival, he surprised everyone there with his newly acquired skills singing “Motel Blues” by Loudon Wainwright and then a couple of originals. The packed audience’s enthusiastic applause and cheers gave him the taste for it and he never looked back.
Paris Recordings
Plucked from singing down in the metro by an Italian pop music producer, they embarked on making reel to reel Revox recordings of Andy’s songs after signing a very long and ultimately pointless contract. There were socials and photo shoots as well but the weekly journeys from one side of Paris to the other petered out and those tapes have never been recovered.
Back in Cornwall in the late 70s, Andy drove around with a huge combo amp in the back of a Mini Countryman and played occasional gigs in pubs at the back of nowhere.
80s
For much the 80s and 90s music took a back seat to family and day job but for a while Andy played electric guitar in a jazz funk band appearing in pubs in Canterbury and at the well supported “Mines not Missiles” Festival in Aylesham.
Island Escape
Shortly after arriving on the island, Andy bumped into an ex-member of Hawkwind and formed a duo to play in Yarmouth and Freshwater Bay.
Despite these brief attempts at collaboration, Andy really is at heart a soloist singer songwriter suited to making arrangements for one voice and an acoustic guitar. The songbird sessions at Strings and acoustic originals at Quay arts provided platforms from which to become better known. One session involved having four of his songs performed by Jazz players Jim Thorne and John throne, with Chris from Plastic Mermaids on percusssion.
Just a year or two after deciding to launch full time into the pub circuit., the pandemic closed all venues indefinitely. So was that it, is it all over? Andy remembered his roots as a busker and set about working out how to do that on the internet.
The Power of Music in Challenging Times
As the world began to emerge from the confines of lockdowns, a simple stroll around Andy Roberts’ village revealed something profound. Local people not seen for a year or more approached him, expressing their heartfelt gratitude for the solace his weekly Facebook live music concerts provided during those isolating months. This unexpected revelation was transformative for Andy.
Recognising the profound emotional impact of his live music, he renewed his dedication to it. Now, with a mission to touch more hearts and souls, Andy brings his live music experience to venues throughout the Isle of Wight, continuing to be a beacon of hope and connection in a world that truly needs it.
Beyond music, Andy’s passion extends to permaculture and natural patterns, embracing their potential to mend the harm caused by current systems.
Praise for Andy Roberts
“Always a pleasure to have Andy Roberts play at Caffè Isola!”
“Some great music and vocals, thanks for sharing my friend, cheered me up no end in these dark times.” – Online viewer.
“You’re the real deal Andy” – Angelina
“You made lots of friends with your lovely choice of songs and playing. Will definitely invite you back” – The Hideaway.
“Great stuff as ever, Andy” – Paul Armfield.
Connect with Andy
Discover Andy’s music on Bandcamp, join the community of listeners on Facebook, or stay updated with his insights and updates on Substack. Dive into a musical journey that promises depth, connection, and genuine emotion.
Andy Roberts, based on the Isle of Wight, is a solo acoustic guitarist known for authentic and reflective songs. Drawing from personal experiences and his surroundings, Andy’s music offers depth and genuine connection. Beyond tunes, he champions the potential of permaculture and natural patterns. Discover his music and join a community that finds solace in his melodies.
Discover Andy’s music on Bandcamp, join the community of listeners on Facebook, or stay updated with his insights and updates on Substack. Dive into a musical journey that promises depth, connection, and genuine emotion.
What they are saying ?
“Beautiful combination of your voice and the fiddle on the Wreckers’ Prayer”
Debbie Dwyke – founding editor of ‘Folk On Wight’
“I loved listening to them. Took me back to the days of proper folk clubs”
Pete T
“Can’t wait to hear the last one. We really enjoy listening to the unnailed album”
Margaret F
He’s not going anywhere else.
Photo: The year is 2011, the venue is 
Theatre Royal, Stratford.
So that was twelve years ago, but I started out doing this kind of thing a lot longer ago than that. I’ve been playing professional gigs here on the Isle of Wight since at least 2018, but way before that I spent a summer season playing in pubs such as the William IVth and others around Cornwall, all the while working night shifts at County Hall. Before that even, I busked every single day in the Paris Metro
for a couple of years as a young adult (1970s). That’s where I put the thousands of hours in learning my craft, really.
There have been quiet periods, when I was busy with family life and active interests unrelated to music. But even during those times, I kept my hand in by holding on to my special vintage guitars, writing songs 
and making recordings
(1980s). There were stints in clubs such as Truro the Swan, Deal Kent, Romford and eventually, the Isle of Wight. This is where I have settled down for good these last ten years. I’m not going anywhere.
It can takes a little while without any contacts to build up enough clients, but I often get asked back again and again. The Ship and Castle in East Cowes and the Waterfront Totland have been great since 2018, last year the Star in Ryde, Caffe Isola and locally in good weather outside the Travelling Tavern bus. This year I’ll be frequenting the Wheatsheaf Yarmouth, as well as all the others and more. 
I’m not setting off for anywhere further afield any more, just round and round the Isle of Wight with my backpack amps and guitar 
Click through the above to link to the Newsletter post with two collage videos. The first one is from the Ship and Castle and showcases snippets of original songs, while the second one is from the debut appearance at The Wheatsheaf last Sunday with some interesting cover songs appropriate to the occasion.
Andy Roberts 