Coventry Music Museum Curator Pete Chambers BEM writes for the Observer.
A Special Brew
Dhillons Brewery is one of those forward-thinking companies which delight in promoting all things Coventry, be it football or music.
On top of that, it is a community champion, supporting local business and culture (including the 2-Tone Village).
Already Dhillons has given us Sky Blue Army and Ghost Town beer (plus a host of others) and last week the team arrived at the 2-Tone Village with a brand new black lager that they call ‘2-Tone Black Lager’.
I don’t drink but I’m told that it tastes just as good as it looks (even the shiny black can is as about as sexy as a can of beer can get), or as Dhillons says itself: “Coventry born and ‘brewed’.
“The yang to the Ghost Town Lager. Surprising yet subtle. Intriguing yet beautiful. Lager, but black!
“Embracing the vast cultural diversity and rich musical background of Coventry, and celebrating the 2-Tone heritage.”
At 5.1 per cent it’s bound to attract the beer aficionados and the Ska fans too – this is yet another amazing well thought out product from one of Coventry’s most inclusive and forward thinking companies.
Fallen Skies – Caitlin McCarthy
It always something of an event when the amazing Caitlin McCarthy releases a new song – there cannot be many music lovers in the city who are unaware of her talent.
Her vocal chords are legendary as she hits those high notes with ease, turning good songs into great songs.
This new one ‘Fallen Skies’ is another ‘high on emotion song’, just perfect for her voice.
I love it when a song builds and teases right up to the moment when the power kicks in, creating a wave of emotion and this is definitely one of them.
Caitlin McCarthy was born in Coventry and has lived in Stoke Heath for most of her life.
I first got to hear her on Coundon’s Hot Talent and was astounded by her performance and her amazing voice.
A gifted songwriter who has already starred in musical theatre productions and named as one to watch and a star of the future the same year she was runner-up in Rugby’s got talent 2019.
In 2020 just before her 15th birthday she released her debut EP during lockdown which reached number 4 in the iTunes Country music chart.
During lockdown, Caitlin did lives online and in the street to keep people entertained and try to bring the community together, she supports various charities in Coventry.
As part of the City Of Culture, Caitlin was nominated for her work she does for the city’s youth charities and at 16 was chosen to represent Coventry as a modern day Lady Godiva – an achievement she is very proud of.
She performed at Godiva Festival many times on various stages including the main stage.
This new single is out on December 13 and if you are yet to hear Caitlin, I can only suggest you get hold of a copy of this superb single.
