Oliver Day - Guitarist, Session Musician, Teacher.

About

Oliver is a professional musician (guitarist) from Lancashire. He graduated with a first-class degree in popular music at Leeds College of Music in 2014. He started playing at a young age, covering a wide range of playing styles as he progressed. As a teenager, he achieved Grade 8 Distinction in both Electric and Classical Guitar.

Listening to and learning to play the music of Yes guitarist Steve Howe enabled Oliver to develop a fluid and natural technique - skills he has applied to his own playing style and repertoire.

This led him to play with various bands and artists at venues throughout the UK. Bands include Winter Springs, a six-piece vocal-harmony based, folk/pop singer-songwriter collective formed in Leeds, and 'Daylight', a pop/rock cover duo based in Lancashire. Oliver was also invited to play with Fragile, UK's leading Yes Tribute Band (fronted by Claire Hamill) from 2012 – 2018 and beyond as a recording/album band. These were all important milestones for developing Oliver's skills as a performing professional musician.
In late 2016, John Holden contacted Oliver to play guitar on his album (Capture Light) remotely from Oliver's home studio. This was and became an album featuring an array of respected musicians in progressive rock. Notably, members and ex-members of progressive rock band Yes (Billy Sherwood, Oliver Wakeman) and the ex-singer of the band The Enid (Joe Payne). This gave Oliver the opportunity to record with musicians he regarded highly, using a variety of instruments on John's compositions. Capture Light went on to be voted second best album of 2018 by Prog Mill Listeners on Progzilla Radio.

The outcome of this led to Oliver working more closely with musicians within the UK Progressive Rock scene: between 2018 and 2022 Oliver worked with ‘That Joe Payne’, becoming a member of his live band putting on shows in major cities. Also in 2018 also saw Oliver play at the Official Yes 50th Fan Convention at the London Palladium and work with Multi-Platinum Songwriter/Producer Mark Hadfeild for 2018 UK TV ‘X-Factor’ Performer, Louise Setara.

In 2019 Oliver started working with Ms Amy Birks (an award winning vocalist along with That Joe Payne in UK Prog magazine) live and on her first album. As of 2023, Oliver is now involved in the new 'Beatrix Players' line up, a band also previously successful in the prog scene in which Amy is an original member. In addition, Oliver Wakeman contacted Oliver directly to play on his album 'Anam Cara' and to perform this live, along with the 'From A Page' Yes release.

During the years he has been playing, studying and working, Oliver has gained valuable experience as a live performer, session musician and guitar tutor.

Please feel free to browse the site and enjoy the media. And don't hesitate to contact me.

2024 News

Upcoming:


- Yes Please - 17th May - Hanger Farm Arts Southampton. To be rescheduled.
- Yes Please - 12th July - Bordon (Private Event).

- Yes Please - 1st Aug - Cambridge Rock Festival.
- Dolly Forever - 23rd Aug - Cre8tive Little Theatre, Thornton-Cleveleys. Ticket Stream.
- Yes Please - 29th Aug - Hanger Farm Arts Southampton. Tickets.
- Beatrix Players - Sunday 29th September - The Musician, Leicester. Tickets.
- Beatrix Players - Saturday 23rd November - The Lantern Theatre, Sheffield. Tickets.

Previous Gigs:
- Beatrix Players - Sun. 4th February – 1865 - Southampton.
- Beatrix Players - Thurs. 22nd February – Band on the Wall - Manchester.
- Beatrix Players - Sat. 16th March - Barlaston Village Hall, Stoke.
- Radio Interview - Tuesday 19th March - Tonys Time Machine. AllFM Manchester
- Beatrix Players - Friday 12th April - Winters End Festival, Chepstow Wales. Tickets.
- Oliver Wakeman - Sunday 14th April - Winter End Festival, Chepstow Wales. Tickets.
- Yes Please - Saturday 4th May - The Musician, Leicester. Tickets.


Oliver Wakeman Album 'Anam Cara' Out 10th May - Article and promo.
'Fragile' plan their 3rd album.


Gigs, Events & Tickets:

Please see on the left, Facebook no longer supports linking events on a page.

- Yes Please - Cambridge Rock Festival - Thursday 3rd August. Cancelled.

- Oliver Wakeman Band Headlining Summer's End Festival, Sat. 7th October, Chepstow. Info. Postponed (band member bereavement).

 

- Yes Please - Saturday 14th January - 1865, Southampton.

- Ms Amy Birks (supporting John Hackett) - Sunday 29th Jan - Barnoldswick Music & Arts Centre.

- Ms Amy Birks (mini festival) - Saturday 18th March - Trading Boundaries, Sussex.

- Yes Please - Thursday 20th April - The Robin, Wolverhampton.

- Yes Please - Thursday 18th May - Hanger Farms Arts Centre, Southampton

- Yes Please - Fri. 10th November - Leos-Red Lion - Graves End, Kent.

- Beatrix Players - Sun. 26th November - Accapella - Cardiff, Wales.

- Beatrix Players - Sun. 3rd December - Water Rats - Kings Cross, London.

- Accomp. Claire Hamill (supp Focus) - Thurs 24th March Under The Bridge Powerhaus Camden London.

- Yes Please (Yes Tribute Band) - Sunday 3rd April - The Robin 2, Wolverhampton

- Ms Amy Birks - Sunday 24th April - (from PM, multiple bands) at The Robin 2, Wolverhampton.
- Ms Amy Birks - Sunday 8th May - 1865, Southampton.
- Yes Please (Yes Tribute Band) - Thursday 26th May - Hanger Farms Art Cen. Southampton.
- Ms Amy Birks - Saturday 11th June - Supporting Tim Bowness at The Musical Museum, London.

- Ms Amy Birks Album Launch - Saturday 18th June - Jubilee Hall - Stoke.
- Ms Amy Birks  - Saturday 2nd July - Stretham House Concerts, Ely.
- Ms Amy Birks  - Tuesday 19th July - Green Note, Camden London.

- Yes Please - Friday 21st October - 45 Live - Kidderminster - Tickets.

- Winter Springs - 9th October - Pizza Express Live, Holborn, London.

- Yes Please - Sat 15th Oct - The Phoenix Theatre and Arts Centre, Bordon, Hampshire.
- Ms Amy Birks Duo (supporting John Hackett) - Fri 21st October - The Forum, Darlington.
- Yes Please - Fri 28th October - Leos Red Lion, Northfleet, Kent.

- Ms Amy Birks Duo - Prog The Forest (Festival) - Fiddler's Elbow, Camden - Sun 4th Dec.

Oliver is working with Oliver Wakeman on his next album 'Anam Cara'.

Oliver Joins The Beatrix Players: Link.

Claire Hamill Album Released "A Pocket Full Of Love Songs". See Discography.

 

 
'Together Apart' Charity Album Released featuring an exclusive solo guitar track. Click Here.
 
John Holden's Third Album "Circles In Time" released 26th March 2021 - Oliver performs on two tracks. Pre-order.
 

Claire Hamill 'This Woman Is A Mess' song released 18th June 2021. Oliver performs lap steel guitar on it. Click here.

Alison's Crossbow: a musical project by Andy Warren released album "Times". Oliver Performs on all the tracks. Link. Next album 'Strip' to be released soon.

That Joe Payne: DVD/Blu-ray/CD video released from the 2020 Birmingham show. See: Discography.

Fragile Yes Tribute Band Second album 'Beyond' out now. Click Here.

Bright Nights Event 27/07/2021 - Harringay Arms, London.

 

Due to the pandemic, Most of the original gigs dates for this year have been rescheduled or canceled, Please double check for new dates.
 
John Holden's second album released.
Ms Amy Birks Album Released.
Fragile Yes Tribute original album released.
 
2020 That Joe Payne tour, Amy Birk's Support - Oliver will be playing for both artists. All dates excerpt Birmingham rescheduled for 2021,
 
Ms Amy Birks - Oliver Will Be performing with Amy on several of her own shows,
Mid-year dates canceled,
 
Oliver Wakeman - Oliver will be performing in Wakeman's band for a show in London May 2019 (double headliner with Touchstone). PLEASE NOTE: This date is no longer going ahead and will be rescheduled.

 

And more....

Three new Winter Springs Songs released. see Discography.

Oliver has performed on a song from Claire Hamill's new album 'Over Dark Apples'. See Discography.

Amy Birks music video for song 'Jamaica Inn' released. Oliver performed guitar on the track. Oliver will be working with Amy further in the future. See Prog article.

seYes tribute band will be performing at Cambridge Rock Festival on Friday 26th July, for which Oliver will be on guitar. Video.

Winter Springs Shows;

    Bristol - Perry Scout Hut - 'Folk Tales' - Wednesday 31/07
    London - Servant Jazz Quarters - Friday 02/08
    Cambridge Folk Festival - Saturday 03/08

Oliver is playing a Mini-Tour with Joe Payne's Live Band as a part of a double headline tour with Doris Brendel. London (March 16th), Bristol (March 31st) and Wolverhampton (April 14th). Tickets. More Info.

Oliver has relocated to East London.

'Capture Light' voted No 2 in The Progmill Listeners Album Of The Year 2018 Show on Progzilla Radio.

One Night In Nashville: Oliver will be accompanying singer/songwriter Louise Setara (2018 X-Factor contestant) at this Nashville style event in Manchester on Sunday 2nd December. Tickets.

Roger Dean Art Exhibition - Trading Boundaries: Oliver is back at this fantastic venue during Roger Dean's art exhibition, performing (depping) with Yes tribute band 'seYes' on Saturday 3rd November. The band will perform epic Yes tracks 'Close To The Edge' and 'Gates Of Delirium' in their entirety, not previously performed before by Oliver live. Roger Dean's classic album art will be on display (with Rodger in attendance). Tickets.

That Joe Payne - Simon Drake's House of Magic (London): Oliver is taking the stage with Joe Payne's live band, this time two nights at Simon Drake's House of Magic in central London. November 9th and 10th will showcase a longer set than previously. Tickets. More Info. Live Rehearsal Video.

Maximilian - Heaven's Getting Heavy with Rain: Six-Track, Americana/Folk EP released featuring Oliver playing Lap Steel Guitar (slide guitar) on four tracks. More Info.

That Joe Payne Acoustic Showcase: Sunday Matinee 27th May 2018 Oliver will be joining Joe Payne as a special guest for an acoustic performance of material from The Enid, John Holden and Joe's own music at the Northampton Picturedrome. Oliver and Joe will be joined by John Holden to perform a song from the recently released album Capture Light. Oliver will also be giving a solo guitar performance. Other guests include Nikitas Kissonas (Methexis) and Pete & Dunk. 2pm - 6pm. Tickets. More Info.
[Photos from the Acoustic Showcase]

Joe Payne: Oliver will be performing with Joe Payne (ex-The Enid / two-time voted best male vocalist in Prog Magazine) along with his band at the launch of his new debut single “I Need a Change” at the Northampton Picturedrome, 2nd March. The live performance will include songs of The Enid & Methexis. ThatJoePayne.com. Tickets.
Oliver will be playing McCrerie Guitars for this event.
[Photos from The Picturedrome]

London Palladium: Oliver will be performing with Fragile alongside other acts and events at the Official 50th Anniversary Yes Fan Convention at the London Palladium in the afternoon of 25th March 2018, before Yes Official play the evening show. Info. Tickets(1). Tickets(2).
[Photos from The London Palladium]

John Holden: Oliver has performed on album 'Capture Light' by John Holden. Now completed, it featuring many top musicians including Oliver Wakeman (ex-Yes), Billy Sherwood (Yes), Joe Payne (ex-The Enid), Gary O Toole, Pete Jones (Tiger Moth Tales) & more. Album is out now. More info.



Prog Magazine July 2018 (issue 89):
"When Oliver Day wandered onto the stage, picked up his guitar and began playing softly, the entire audience fell silent. We couldn't quite believe what we were hearing. If you don't know Oliver, I suggest you catch up with him while you can still afford a ticket!"

Pulse-Alternative Magazine! 2018:
"Oliver Day is a guitar virtuoso very much in the mould of Django Reinhardt. Oliver's a very expressive player with a style bordering on the neo-classical. His performance is something of a homage to Steve Howe, a love evidenced by his playing in a Yes tribute act Fragile. He's the type of guitarist who makes it look to easy as he performs Yes' 'To Be Over' and Howe's 'Sketches in the Sun' providing faithful interpretations of hard to play classics. 'Clap' from 'The Yes Album' is handled with great dexterity and is set is rewarded with rapturous applause."

John Holden 2018:
"Oliver is a super-talented guitarist; he can play anything, electric, acoustic and in any style – a producer’s dream! He was invaluable in making this album. What a future he has ahead of him!"

Music Workers Diary 2015:
"And I was taken away by his skill and the good flow of feeling in the music. It was magical. I felt mesmerised as his fingers rolled through a network universe of interconnected scales, keys, riffs, licks and melodies. Like a magician with smoke and mirrors waving the wand of a guitar. And the sounds he was making reconstructed themselves as moods as they passed from ear to brain. The ideas passing from writer to live performer to listener."

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Photographs by Chris Skellern (top) and LDK Photography.

@OliverDayGuitar

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