The Kicking Donkey – A Warm Welcome in Ormskirk

The second gig of the weekend carried us into new territory. The Laughing Donkey in the heart of Ormskirk. For Jack Burr Band it was an exciting step. A fresh venue, a new audience and the chance to share our sound with a community we hadn’t played for before. As the band’s photographer, I always enjoy documenting these “firsts.” They carry a different sort of energy, part anticipation, part curiosity and a whole lot of discovery.

The Laughing Donkey is a quaint village pub with a character all of its own and on this weekend it was buzzing with extra life. The annual beer garden party was in full swing. Families, friends and regulars had gathered, pints in hand, eager for the music to begin. The setup itself had that perfect balance of intimate and lively, a close-knit crowd, open air and the sense that everyone was there for the same reason, to celebrate community through good company and great music.

When Chris, Andy and Paul took to the stage they carried with them the same high spirits from the Cardwell Arms the day before, but with an added spark that comes from playing somewhere brand new. I could see it in the way they leaned into each track, in the smiles exchanged between them and in the way the audience responded. There’s a unique thrill in winning over a fresh crowd and the band did just that — chord by chord, chorus by chorus and bad joke by bad joke.

For me, capturing the gig at The Laughing Donkey meant focusing not only on the band but on the faces in the beer garden. There was a different kind of light in the air, the golden haze of late afternoon sun spilling through gaps in the cloud. The kind that makes colours warmer and expressions softer.

It struck me how seamlessly the band’s music fit into the setting. The Laughing Donkey, with its rustic charm and lively patrons, felt almost made for this kind of event. By the end of the set, the garden was a sea of applause and cheers evidence that sometimes a “new venue” doesn’t stay new for long. It becomes part of the journey, part of the memory and hopefully, part of a tradition we’ll return to.

Looking back, the second gig of the weekend wasn’t just another performance, it was a reminder of why stepping into new spaces matters. It expands the circle, introduces the music to fresh ears and gives me as a photographer the chance to capture expressions and atmospheres that are brand new. The Laughing Donkey gave us all of that and more. A crowd that welcomed JBB with open arms, a setting that oozed character and another chapter in a weekend that was quickly becoming one for the books.

Thank You for the Support

A huge thank you to everyone who came out to support us on Friday.
Your presence made the night what it was and we couldn’t do it without you.

If you took any photos or videos, we’d love to see them!
Please share them with us, we’d be proud to feature them right here on our site and on our socials.

Until next time,
Jack Burr Band (JBB)