It’s easy not to pay attention as you pass this unassuming pub situated on the south bank of the River Thames in Putney. Yet its rich musical history dates back to 1963 when it started putting on the many new bands and artists that sprung up at that time…
By Ian Woolley
Inside the Half Moon
This year to celebrate its 60th anniversary, they have given one of its acts a week-long residency – their near neighbour Ralph McTell.
As you enter the bar, it’s clear that this place has a lot of rich musical history. Adorning the walls you’ll find signed photographs of the artists that have played here. A large framed Rolling Stones alternative Beggars’ Banquet and works or amazing pop art you can purchase by their in-house resident artist Stella Tooth.
Tucked away in a corner you can find an original poster from 1963. Club Folksville was a weekly acoustic, roots and folk evening which included Bert Jansch, John Martyn, Sonnie Terry & Brownie McGhee, Van Morrison, Gerry Lockran, Royd Rivers and Cliff Aungier. Another regular was Ralph McTell who in our upcoming interview next month reveals first came here to see a few of the acts mentioned.
Later tonight the singer and songwriter delves into his back catalogue of two of his classic albums, ‘Not Till Tomorrow’ and ‘Easy’ but for now, I chat with one of Half Moon’s management about the pub’s long history.
“We can trace the history of the pub back to the Second World War when they used to put on tea dances and swing bands on here. It embodied the ‘Swinging 60s’ as around here the Rolling Stones started out and the likes of the Who and Small Faces. These days we are firmly on the musical map” assistant events manager Phil Atkinson tells me.
Mick and Chris Jagger outside the Half Moon (photo courtesy of Half Moon)
“Recently prior to last Christmas, we had Slim Chance performing on the night I flew back from the US from my honeymoon. I normally come down here most nights but as I was jetlagged and very tired I thought I’d stay at home and get some rest. As it turned out, Mick Jagger had come down to see his brother Chris play in the band and he went and stood up with our sound engineer James who was passing him pints all night!”
‘Excuse the intended pun, but there is a moral here…there’s always a slim chance you can see a Jagger or two on a night out at the pub!’
Phil continues “So although we have many new bands emerging a lot that have been playing for near enough all those decades like Slim Chance are still coming here. Dr.Feelgood is still turning up and back in the day this was where Elvis Costello started out. He wasn’t paid in money but sandwiches!”
Recently in 2019, they booked Nick Mason from Pink Floyd and he did three shows here doing the first two albums of the band. Phil added “It was mad. We had people flying over from Argentina to see his show and they’d turn up on the night without tickets.”
Ralph McTell on stage (credit Jimmy Beck)
The intimate setting takes just over 100 people seated and wherever you find yourself, the view is as good as it gets.
They also host regular comedy nights too.
For the last six years, the venue has introduced a weekly new music night on a Monday called ‘new moon’ and the venue’s philosophy (as Phil tells me) is bringing through new music. “We put on three bands and two solo artists on this night and they share each other’s audience.”
“London is saturated with new musicians trying to make it and we have the easiest job in the world and it just works. We’ve got a local brewery that gives out free half pints for say the first 20 people through the door and all the artists get well fed and well watered.”
Any new upcoming talent to look out for I asked him.
“Look up Ben Kidson. He plays a type of electronic, pop, and rock with a bit of punk thrown in and he’s fantastic. He’s witty and a local lad who started out on our Monday nights but is now headlining other stuff too.”
For more information about the Half Moon and whose playing, head over to their website HERE