The Black Bull: Beatles, Brunch and a Sunday Afternoon That Left Us Gobsmacked
By Stevie Connor | The Sound Cafe Journal
Discovering another hidden gem in Burlington, Ontario, where great food, exceptional musicianship and a love of live music brought generations together.
Over recent weeks, we have been writing about the challenges facing live music, the economic pressures on venues and the difficulties musicians face in finding places to perform. Those stories have also prompted us to look beyond the familiar and seek out the venues that are still making live music part of their identity.
Our visit to The Busholme in Erin was a wonderful reminder of what can happen when a venue genuinely embraces its musicians and its audience. It was an experience that left us wanting to discover more of these hidden gems, and so our search continued.
This Sunday, my wife, Anne, and I found ourselves in Burlington, Ontario, at The Black Bull Pub and Restaurant. The attraction was an advertised Beatles Brunch, featuring guitarist and musician Andrew Mactaggart and guests. We had no idea quite what we were in for, but sometimes the best discoveries happen when you simply decide to give somewhere a try.
A Neighbourhood Pub With a Surprise
The Black Bull describes itself as a neighbourhood pub, and that is certainly the impression we got. On arrival, we discovered that the main seating area was reserved, so we were initially directed to the restaurant at the back. That turned out to be no hardship whatsoever.
The food was excellent. We opted for Eggs Benedict, while the full British breakfast, complete with sausage, bacon, eggs and home fries, was another tempting option. The atmosphere was welcoming, the service was attentive, and we were already enjoying our Sunday outing before the music had even begun.
To their credit, the team at The Black Bull later managed to find Anne and me two seats in the main music area. It was a thoughtful gesture, and one that allowed us to enjoy the afternoon properly.
When The Beatles Take Over
Andrew Mactaggart, accompanied by an exceptional lead guitarist, took us on a journey through the Beatles catalogue, delivering one familiar favourite after another. The audience was clearly enjoying every minute, with requests coming from the tables and Andrew responding with an impressive knowledge of the songs.
What struck me was how naturally he handled the requests. This wasn't simply a set list being worked through; it was an afternoon shared with the audience. People were singing along, tapping their feet and enjoying the music, and the age range in the room was just as encouraging as the performances themselves. Older Beatles fans sat alongside younger music lovers, all enjoying the same songs.
There is something rather special about hearing music that has travelled across generations still bringing people together in a room. The Beatles catalogue certainly provides plenty of material, but it takes musicians who understand the songs to make an afternoon like this work.
Twisted Fate: A Surprise We Won't Forget
Halfway through the afternoon, Andrew introduced two young performers who would leave quite an impression on us. They are known as Twisted Fate, featuring ten-year-old vocalist Kalia and the remarkably talented young guitarist Luca.
I honestly wasn't prepared for what followed.
When Kalia stepped forward and began singing "Get Back", I found myself listening in disbelief. Her voice, confidence and delivery were quite something, and I don't mind admitting that it brought a tear to my eye. I honestly could not believe my ears. She followed it with several more Beatles favourites, finishing with 'Twist and Shout' and leaving the audience thoroughly captivated.
Luca was equally impressive. His guitar playing demonstrated a level of ability and confidence that was remarkable to witness in someone so young. Together, the two made a formidable little musical partnership, and the audience response said everything.
You can find Kalia on Instagram at @kaliasmusic and Luca at @lucaplayzgtr.
For me, this was the moment the afternoon became something more than a very enjoyable Beatles brunch. Here were two young musicians being given the opportunity to perform in front of a live audience, sharing a stage with experienced players and showing everyone exactly what they could do.
That is how musical confidence grows. It is how young performers learn their craft, develop their stage presence and discover what it means to connect with an audience. And it is wonderful to see.
The Musician Behind the Music
There is a little more to Andrew Mactaggart than the excellent Beatles performances we witnessed that afternoon. Born and raised in Burlington, Andrew is an accomplished guitarist and multi-instrumentalist with more than two decades of experience as a performer, studio musician and music educator.
His career has seen him work with an impressive range of Canadian artists, including Tim Hicks, Dallas Smith, Kira Isabella, Tebey, Jason McCoy, Brian Melo and Madeline Merlo.
He was also a member of the Nashville-based Loving Mary Band, alongside his wife, Canadian singer-songwriter Suzie McNeil. The band was selected by Steven Tyler to accompany him on his solo touring ventures, including the Out on a Limb tour. Andrew has also toured with Gretchen Wilson and briefly played lead guitar for Alice Cooper.
That is quite a musical journey, and it helps explain the confidence and command we saw on stage. What impressed me, though, was not simply the experience behind the guitar. It was the way Andrew shared the afternoon with his audience, welcomed requests and, most importantly, made room for younger performers to step forward. That says a great deal about a musician.
The People Make the Place
Of course, a successful live music experience is about more than the musicians. The venue, the hospitality, the food and the audience all play their part, and The Black Bull got the balance right.
From the welcome we received to the efforts made to find us seats in the main room (thank you Lindsay), we felt looked after. The food was excellent, the atmosphere was relaxed and the audience was there to enjoy itself. There was no sense that the music was simply background entertainment. It was the reason people had gathered, and the room reflected that.
It was particularly encouraging to see such a mix of generations enjoying the afternoon. The Beatles may have provided the musical connection, but the presence of young performers like Kalia and Luca gave the event another dimension. It was a reminder that live music has a future when experienced musicians, supportive venues and enthusiastic audiences come together.
Finding the Hidden Gems
Our recent articles have explored the difficulties facing live music and the pressures on the people trying to keep it alive. It would be easy to concentrate only on what is going wrong, but that isn't the whole story. There are venues out there doing things differently, creating opportunities and giving audiences a reason to come through the door.
The Busholme was one such discovery. The Black Bull is another.
What these places demonstrate is that supporting live music doesn't always require a major concert hall or a large festival. Sometimes it is a neighbourhood pub, a good meal, a room full of people and musicians who genuinely enjoy what they do. Add a couple of young performers who leave you gobsmacked, and you have something worth talking about.
We need more of this. We need venues willing to take a chance, musicians willing to share their experience and audiences willing to support the places that keep live music happening. These are the foundations of a healthy local music scene, and they deserve to be recognized.
A Sunday Well Spent
Anne and I headed home having enjoyed a wonderful Sunday afternoon. Good food, great company, a room full of Beatles songs and two young musicians who gave us a performance we won't forget in a hurry. Not a bad way to spend a Sunday at all.
The Black Bull has certainly earned a place on our list of hidden gems, and we will be keeping an eye on what they have planned next.
We have certainly learned our lesson. Next time, we'll be calling ahead to reserve a table. If you're in the Burlington area and fancy joining the next Beatles Brunch, I'd suggest giving The Black Bull a call to confirm the upcoming dates and book your seats in advance.
It's well worth planning ahead for.
Who knows, we might just see you there!
The Sound Cafe Journal
Where the story behind the music matters.
Find Out More About Stevie Connor HERE
Find Out More About The Black Bull HERE
Find Out More About Andrew Mactaggart HERE
Find Out More About Kalia HERE
Find Out More About Luca HERE
Husband & Wife, Andrew Mactaggart and Suzie McNeil are constantly performing.
