Support: Blóm
“I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig” reasoned George Bernard Shaw. “You get dirty, and besides, the pig likes it.” True to form, Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs have left the wiser of us aware that they are no band to be messed with. In the seven years since this band’s inception, the powerful primal charge at their heart has been amplified far beyond the realms of their original imagination. What’s more, no one has been more taken aback by this transformation than the band themselves.
This culminated recently at a sold-out show at London’s renowned former fleapit Scala “That was the first gig where we were properly smacked with a feeling that something had shifted”reflects vocalist Matt Baty. “Something big and bold and positive. I felt quite overwhelmed with emotion at one point during that show. I’m not sure anyone paid to see me cry onstage, but I was close.”
This upward trajectory has done nothing to make the Newcastle-based quintet complacent however, as they’ve used the cumulative force behind them as fuel for their most ambitious and hard-hitting record yet. ‘Viscerals’, their third proper is an enormous leap forward in confidence, adventure and sheer intensity even from their 2018 breakthrough ‘King Of Cowards’. Incisive in its riff-driven attack, infectiously catchy in its songcraft and more intrepid than ever in its experimental approach, ‘Viscerals’ is the sound of a leaner, more vicious Pigs, and one with their controls set way beyond the pulverising one-riff workouts of their early days.
Whilst the fearsome opener ‘Reducer’s battle cry “ego kills everything” brings a philosophical bent to its Sabbathian abjection, elsewhere ‘Rubbernecker’ may be the most melodious ditty this band has yet attempted, redolent of the debauched swagger of Jane’s Addiction. Meanwhile the sinister sound-collage of ‘Blood And Butter’ delves into jarring abstraction anew, ‘New Body’ countenances a bracing Melvins-and-Sonic-Youth demolition derby and – perhaps most memorably of all – the perverse banger ‘Crazy In Blood’ marries MBV-ish guitar curlicues in its verses to a raise-your-fists chorus worthy of Twisted Sister or Turbonegro.
Yet Pigsx7 have effortlessly broadened their horizons and dealt with all these new avenues without sacrificing one iota of their trademark eccentricity, and the personality of this band has never been stronger. “We’re a peculiar bunch of people – a precarious balance of passion, intensity and the absurd” notes Baty. Indeed, locked into a tight deadline in the studio, the band were forced to rally forces and to throw everything they had into created as concise and powerful a statement as could be summoned forth. “We booked dates in Sam’s studio before we’d written 80% of the album” reveals guitarist Adam Ian Sykes “We definitely thrive under pressure. It’s stressful but that stress seems to manifest itself in a positive way”.
Yet for all that this record is the most far-reaching yet, its ability to get down to the nitty-gritty of the human condition is implicit from its title outwards. “Viscerals is reflection of many things I guess” says guitarist Sam Grant, whose Blank Studios was the venue in question for the band (whose rogues gallery is completed by bassist John-Michael Hedley and drummer Christopher Morley). “It’s the internal; it’s our health and physicality; it’s bodily and unseen; it’s essence that forgoes intellect; and it’s not a real word!”
“At times it feels like we’re on a playground roundabout and there’s a fanatical group of people pushing it to turn faster” reckons Baty. “Then when it’s at peak speed they all jump on too and for just a few minutes we all feel liberated, together.” Such is the relentless momentum of this unique and ever-porcine outfit; hedonists of the grittiest and most life-affirming ride in the land, and still the hungriest animals at the rock trough.
“Sounds like an advancing storm.” The Guardian
“Sustained Sabbath inspired menace.” Uncut
“A band to be genuinely excited about.” The Quietus
“Thundering riffs and filthy psychedelia.” Classic Rock
“These Pigs are flying.” MOJO
“Gives your eardrums a good kicking.” Drowned in Sound
“Massively brilliant.” Shaun Keaveny, BBC 6music
Doors open 7.30pm.
Tickets £15.00
Book online (fee applies) or call our Box Office on 01449 774678 (open 10am to 2pm weekdays).
Please familiarise yourself with our Covid-19 measures prior to booking and attending.
Licensed bar.
Primadonna Festival presents The Gig, featuring performances from Gabby Rivers, Anorak Patch and The Marijanovic.
Pay what you can afford.
Book online (fee applies) or call the JPC Box Office on 01449 774678 (open 10am to 2pm weekdays).
Please note that this event has not been organised by the John Peel Centre, and all aspects of it are the responsibility of those who have hired the Centre for the evening.
Support: The Wilsons
“This is absurdly wonderful – these Stockholm sisters turn Americana on its head!” (Mojo Magazine)
We are delighted to bring Swedish sisters Greta, Stella & Sunniva to the John Peel Centre for the first time – the self-styled “queens of banjo punk” have a foundation of roots music and Americana settled in their hearts and are famed for their brilliant live shows as well as their exceptionally crafted songs.
“Killer bottleneck banjo, thumping kick drum and sweet wailing harmonies – some sort of bleached Black Rebel Motorcycle Club at their most twangy with the feisty attitude of June Carter!”(Line Of Best Fit)
Their album releases to date have received great acclaim by the press and have been released in numerous countries. The releases in combination with relentless touring have given the band a reputation as one of the music scenes most noticeable live acts.
“Sweden’s own wildwood flowers” (UNCUT)
Wherever they go in the world, people tell the Swedish sisters that they’ve never heard or seen anything like it, that they have a completely unique set-up and perform with what seems to be an inexhaustible energy. Baskery is all about turning the music on its head, blending the straightforwardness of punk with the subtlety of singer/songwriting. This high voltage has been compared to anything from Fleetwood Mac, First Aid Kit, Black Keys to Led Zeppelin. The band has toured with Robbie Williams, Gary Clark Jr and Brandi Carlile. Expect the sounds of “banjopunk”, “ fierce folk”, “nordicana”, an energetic live show and killer sibling harmonies.
Baskery is: Greta Bondesson – banjitar, guitars, beats & vocals Stella Bondesson – double bass & vocals, Sunniva Bondesson – guitars & vocals. The band has released three full-length albums: “Fall Among Thieves” (Veranda Independent Records) “New Friends” (Mother Tarantula Records) “Little Wild Life” (Mother Tarantula Records)
“A stunning debut album” Q MAG (Andy Fyfe)
“Frenetically energetic…a distinctively individual band sound primed to hone in on the mainstream” MOJO (Colin Irwin)
Doors open 7.30pm for an 8pm start.
Tickets £10 in advance /£12 on the door.
Book online (fee applies) or call our Box Office on 01449 774678 (open 10am to 2pm weekdays).
Please familiarise yourself with our Covid-19 measures prior to booking and attending.
Licensed bar.
With support from J.S. & the Buccaneers + Pussycat and the Dirty Johnsons
From smugglers dens along the East Suffolk coastline, through the punk dives and back bars of ye Olde Ipswich Towne they have come, armed to the teeth with infectious new tunes. East Town Pirates have been sharpening their hooks in raids on taverns and alehouses around East Anglia before taking their explosive live show on the road and laying waste to the rest of England, Ireland and France. ETP shows tend to see audience members turning up in full pirate attire and singing their hearts out to the ‘Voodoo pirate rock n roll’. ‘Motorhead meets The Pogues’ seems to be an apt description of the ETP sound.
In 2011 the band released their self-titled debut album on their own Rumrunner Records label. Reviews were favourable and a vinyl version was later released in Europe by Dirty Punk Records. The follow up, 2013’s ‘Seven Seas of Sin’ is garnered critical acclaim from quite diverse quarters.The third album Ship of Fools further pushes the ETP boundaries and was released in 2018 and launched at the John Peel Centre.
There be five aboard – Pirate Lords one and all… Rikki Rumoldew, Kutthroat Kev, Shameless Seamus, Rayna Terra, and Drew Blood.
Get your ‘Arrrghs’ in gear, shake your booty, and join in the fun with the motliest of motley crews around.
“East Town Pirates were in superb form at Ipswich Music Day last Sunday. Their punk style isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but judging by the amount of people who bought their album immediately after their IMD triumph I reckon their popularity will continue to grow.” – Stephen Foster – East Anglian Daily Times
“For me, the day’s most entertaining band were East Town Pirates who proved that pirate rock is one of the most exciting genres in existence today. Dressed suitably for the occasion these scurvy-dogs couldn’t possibly lose with song names like ‘Ship Ahoy!’. The BBC Radio Suffolk Stage certainly struck gold with this band of ruffians and with the song Tobias Gill having local connections these guys are a perfect addition to this local event. ” – Jason Noble – IP1 magazine
Doors open 7.30pm for an 8pm start.
Tickets £8.00 advance / £10.00 on the door.
Book online (fee applies) or call our Box Office on 01449 774678 (open 10am to 2pm weekdays).
Please familiarise yourself with our Covid-19 measures prior to booking and attending.
Licensed bar.
Support: Tore Down
Riding high on the European blues scene for almost 20 years, Danny has carved a name for himself the old-fashioned way having played over 2000 club and festival shows to his many fans around the world. Hailed as a ‘National Blues Treasure’ (Bernard Doherty, Planet Rock Radio), Danny is acknowledged by those in the business as one of the cream of the crop.
Following many sold out club tours across Europe and numerous major festival appearances that have seen the band perform on the same bill as such names as Joe Cocker, Carlos Santana, Buddy Guy and Peter Green to mention a few; Danny and his band have steadily carved a huge and loyal fan base around the world.
“A British Blues Legend.” “One of those amazing British talents. The boy can play guitar…” Bernard Doherty, Planet Rock
“A fantastic guitar player… able to take a Fender Stratocaster and really make it sing…” Joe Bonamassa
“What sets him apart is his passion and feeling. Danny’s playing grabs you with its intensity and urgency.” Walter Trout
Doors open 7.30pm.
Tickets £15 advance / £18 on the door
Book online (fee applies) or call our Box Office on 01449 774678 (open 10am to 2pm weekdays).
Licensed bar.
With support from SoapBox Poets
Former National Poetry Slam Champion, Pete “the Temp” Bearder, brings to life the poetic movements that have shaped history. Find out why wordsmiths always been vilified, feared and revered, from the ballad singers and Beat poets, to the icons of dub, punk and hip hop. Pete is an award-winning spoken word poet, author and comic. His work has been featured on BBC Radio 4, The World Service, and Newsnight. This show follows the release of his ground-breaking new book Stage Invasion: Poetry & the Spoken Word Renaissance.
‘this is the book we have all been waiting for’
(Ian McMillan)
‘A charming wild rumpus of a ride – part lecture, part performance and utterly engaging.’
(Tongue Fu)
Doors open 7.30pm.
Book online (£7 Early Bird (before 30th Sept) then £10 from 1st October)
Please familiarise yourself with our Covid-19 measures prior to booking and attending.
Licensed bar.
Please note that this event has not been organised by the John Peel Centre, and all aspects of it are the responsibility of those who have hired the Centre for the evening.
Kevin Gibbard and Sophie Landers produce a dark psych, contemporary form of gothic post-punk under the name Black Doldrums.
Their songs contain hook and lead tribal drums and euphoric guitar textures that frame the lyrics about purpose and introspection.
The duo have been building up a devout following since their self-released ep on a limited number of cassettes ‘Exit City Lights’ before their first official signing to independent shoegaze label Club AC30 in 2018, releasing two sold out vinyl ep’s in 2018 and 2019, ‘Sad Paradise’ and ‘She Divine’.
In 2020, Black Doldrums collaborated with electronic duo ‘TVL’s Jared Artaud, producing their debut album with Grammy Award Winner Ted Young.
In early 2021 Black Doldrums recruited former DMT member Matthew Holt on bass guitar. In March the same year, Black Doldrums signed to psych/post-punk giant Fuzz Club Records who are due to release the band’s debut album in early 2022.
Doors open 7.30pm.
Tickets £8 advance / £10 on the door
Book online (fee applies) or call our Box Office on 01449 774678 (open 10am to 2pm weekdays).
Please familiarise yourself with our Covid-19 measures prior to booking and attending.
Licensed bar.
Support: Dusky Sunday
Musical shapeshifter Tensheds brings his unique brand of gritty blues crashing into the 21st Century with his audacious showmanship and Rachmaninoff style virtuosic piano skills. Channeling the likes of Tom Waits, Nick Cave and Jack White, this award-winning, Classically trained maestro, uses his undeniable skill to effortlessly weave between fuzzed-up garage blues and heart-wrenching ballads, taking the listener on a rock n roll rollercoaster.
Rick Wakeman “A truly unique talent”
Frank Turner “Fucking Incredible”
Classic Rock “A refreshing whiff of anarchy”
Vive le Rock “Imagine if Tom Waits had formed The White Stripes”
MOJO “He’s Exceptional”
Louder Than War “Unique and Creative Genius”
Gig Guide “Prepare to be transfixed”
https://tensheds.com
https://www.facebook.com/Tensheds
https://www.instagram.com/lordtensheds
https://www.youtube.com/user/Tensheds
Doors open 7.30pm.
Tickets £10 advance / £12 on the door
Book online (fee applies) or call our Box Office on 01449 774678 (open 10am to 2pm weekdays).
Please familiarise yourself with our Covid-19 measures prior to booking and attending.
Licensed bar.
Support from Cherry B
ATTILA THE STOCKBROKER launches ‘Heart on my Sleeve’, his new Collected Works …
Exploding into public consciousness in the early 1980s via two John Peel sessions and a Melody Maker front cover, poet, musician, journalist and political activist, Attila The Stockbroker, has spent forty years touring the world performing his unique brand of spoken word, poetry and music. Having played almost four thousand gigs in twenty four countries, releasing countless books and records along the way, Attila’s Collected Works has just been published by Cherry Red Books, the book arm of the celebrated independent record label which released his early 80s albums and his 2015 autobiography ‘Arguments Yard.’
‘Heart On My Sleeve’ brings together Attila’s collected poems and lyrics, celebrating the fortieth anniversary of his first appearance and a lifetime doing what he loves. All his early political punk poetry classics are here, the likes of ‘A Bang And A Wimpy’, ‘Russians In The DHSS’ and ‘Contributory Negligence’, alongside more recent favourites such as ‘Asylum-Seeking Daleks’, ‘Poison Pensioner’ and ‘The Bible According to Rupert Murdoch’.
This collection is testimony to Attila’s broadening work over the years, packed full of intensely personal pieces alongside political satire and humour. ‘Never Too Late’, explores his reconciliation with his stepfather after thirty-seven years (as featured on Radio 3’s ‘The Verb’ and Steve Lamacq’s 6Music show), whilst listeners to Radio 4’s’Poetry Please’ may recall ‘The Long Goodbye’, the epic, fourteen minute poem to Attila’s mother as she battled Alzheimer’s Disease, which was twice broadcast on the show. Recent poems written during the first lockdown are included too. Featuring over a hundred and eighty works hand-picked by Attila himself, ‘Heart On My Sleeve’ is a must-read compendium of social commentary, human observation and humour, all of it written with a passion and enthusiasm which only seems to grow as Attila passes through the years. 336 pages, illustrated by long-time collaborators Phill ‘Porky the Poet’ Jupitus, Womble, Dan Woods and Nick Staples.
A legend of the international spoken word circuit, a long established Glastonbury regular, much loved at Brighton And Hove Albion Football Club, co organiser of Glastonwick popular beer and music festival, Attila The Stockbroker remains as focussed and active as ever, and continues to perform to audiences across the world, including a run of successful recent online lockdown shows. His message remains a simple one: you don’t need to be ‘a celebrity’ to lead a life earning your living doing what you love to do. You just need a way with words, the self-confidence and organisational ability of Napoleon and skin thicker than the armour of a Chieftain tank.
‘Heart On My Sleeve’ will be available at the gig along with Attila’s earlier works. If you want a copy before then you can get one direct from Attila at attilathestockbroker.bandcamp.com or in any self-respecting bookshop.
Doors open 7.30pm.
Tickets £10
Book online (fee applies) or call our Box Office on 01449 774678 (open 10am to 2pm weekdays).
Please familiarise yourself with our Covid-19 measures prior to booking and attending.
Licensed bar.
With a clear sense of purpose, 21-year-old London-based singer, songwriter and guitarist Rosie Frater-Taylor blurs the lines between jazz, folk, pop & soul. Think Joni Mitchell meets Pat Metheny, Lewis Taylor teams up with Emily King or a female version of John Mayer.
Raised in a very musical household – both her parents being professional musicians – Rosie started playing drums at a young age creating the rhythmic foundations for her future writing. After picking up the guitar, ukulele & bass soon after, Rosie found her roots in jazz & writing simultaneously studying at Tomorrow’s Warriors, NYJO the Royal Academy of Music and attending songwriting workshops at the Roundhouse.
At 16, she started laying out multi-layered guitar-based demos on Cubase, which would eventually become her self-produced debut album ‘On My Mind’ (2018), a unique collection of songs which garnered praise from BBC 6 Music’s Tom Robinson “genuinely exceptional”, BBC Radio 1’s Abbie McCarthy “complex, jazzy, smooth, delicate”, songstress Becca Stevens “badass”, with Jazzwise Magazine declaring her “one to watch”.
In June 2021, Rosie will be releasing her second album ‘Bloom’ which sees her collaborate with Snowpoet’s Chris Hyson on two songs. Rosie blends adventurous songwriting with a whimsical pop sensibility, multi-layered acoustic soundscapes and virtuoso guitar skills.
With ‘Better Days’ accumulating 120k streams to date, the first three singles have caught the attention of the likes of Gilles Peterson, Jordan Rakei, Michael League, Rosie Lowe & Gretchen Parlato amongst others, with Complex Magazine, Bandcamp, Jazz FM, Worldwide FM, Jazz re:freshed and global platform Pickup Music championing the young musician too.
Doors 7.30pm.
Tickets £10
Book online (fee applies) or call our Box Office on 01449 774678 (open 10am to 2pm weekdays).
Please familiarise yourself with our Covid-19 measures prior to booking and attending.
Licensed bar.
Join us at the John Peel Centre for some family-friendly traditional Christmas tales from Cyril Mistletoe as part of Stowmarket Christmas Fayre.
Cyril Mistletoe, A Victorian Lamplighter, Night watchman, Bellman and storyteller to the gentry is also a purveyor of traditional Christmas festive music and hearty Yuletide greetings.
He is proficient on many instruments but his preferred and most practical one for Christmas Events is the combination of the pipe and tabor (small drum). Experience has proved that the three holed pipe in the key of D has a far greater range than others of his instruments. although still retaining a sweet melodious and traditional sound which blends exceptionally well with the cries of various street vendors and the general hustle and bustle of the pavement or hall. His pipe and tabor playing proves a worthy introduction to each of his performances.
Normally well elevated, but when required as a teller of Winter Tales he prefers to be grounded although his ladder can sometimes prove very useful to lean upon.
With over 45 years’ experience in the performing arts Cyril Mistletoe aka Peter Optical from the banks of the Thames Estuary will be in attendance throughout the day to regale us with seasonal tales and a tune or two.
Session times:
11.00am – 11.30am
12.00pm – 12.30pm
1.00pm – 1.30pm
2.00pm – 2.30pm
3.00pm – 3.30pm
These events are free of charge but spaces are limited, so we encourage you to book in advance.
Book online (fee applies) or call our Box Office on 01449 774678 (open 10am to 2pm weekdays).
Take everything you think you know about singer songwriters….and rip it up. For one man and a guitar, multi-award winner Martyn Joseph creates a performance with a huge far-reaching sound that is energetic, compelling and passionate.
He is gifted with the rare ability to speak to the soul with his expressive and poignant lyrics and has a career spanning 30 years, 32 albums and thousands of live performances.
Often compared to Bruce Springsteen and Dave Matthews, he has created his own reputation as a mesmerizing live performer in his own right. A unique talent driven by passion, social awareness and love for his trade, he’s a jaw-dropping guitar player who has developed a unique percussive style, teamed up with a powerful show stopping voice.
Concerned with making music that is relevant and vital to his audience, he engages with challenging narratives tackling the complexity of the human condition, underpinned with a promise of hope. In his own words “Really what I do is to try and write songs that might step up and make some sense of a moment in time.”
His song “Nye” celebrating Nye Bevan, the author of the NHS, has been enthusiastically received by audiences and critics everywhere, including Mark Radcliffe’s Folk Show and Tom Robinson’s 6 Music show. Uncut magazine described his latest album “Here Come The Young” as “anthems of hope that bigotry and hatred will not prevail”.
He is hailed as a raconteur weaving tales on topical concerns, as well as stories on the fragility of love, with a magical ability to reach out to his listeners through his passion and humour.
“Stunning, heartfelt music” (Bob Harris BBC Radio 2)
“Intelligent and enlightened songs are both energising and provocative” (MOJO)
“One of acoustic music’s most original voices, and most forward looking of his generation of singer/songwriters” (Q Magazine)
“One of the most charismatic and electrifying performers in Britain today” Tom Robinson BBC 6 music
Doors open 7.00pm.
Tickets £18.00
Book online (fee applies) or call our Box Office on 01449 774678 (open 10am to 2pm weekdays).
Please familiarise yourself with our Covid-19 measures prior to booking and attending.
Licensed bar.
Please note that this event has not been organised by the John Peel Centre, and all aspects of it are the responsibility of those who have hired the Centre for the evening.
The man who single-handedly gave the world the infectious Kwasa Kwasa dance, Kanda Bongo Man is one of the most well known stars of world music, and is one of the first pioneers of Soukous music.
His music has always been driven by optimism and happiness. It contains melodies that curl through the patterns like vines on a trellis.
Its lilting, rippling, dance groove smiles from every register with inseparable melody and rhythm. He is one of the most famous exponents of music from Congo and has been at the heart of the Soukous scene since the 80s.
Doors open 7.30pm for an 8pm start.
Tickets £14.00.
Book online (fee applies) or call our Box Office on 01449 774678 (open 10am to 2pm weekdays).
Please familiarise yourself with our Covid-19 measures prior to booking and attending.
Licensed bar.
Featuring Sally Army, the Electrosonic Poetry Experiment, Andi Hopgood, the Decibel Kid (DJ set), SoapBox Poets & friends
Join us for an evening of Festival fun with beautiful décor and a joyful line-up of live music and laughter from the regions most exciting bands and performers. We’ll be debuting some brand new collaborations between poets and musicians for the return of the Electrosonic Poetry Experiment, with jazz musician Andi Hopgood. Headlining will be the frankly superb ‘Sally Army’, a 6 piece multi-genre band who play songs like ‘A Nice Cup Of Tea & A Biscuit’ and ‘Invaders of Personal Space’, the unofficial pandemic anthem. Guaranteed to get you on your feet and laughing till your bellyaches. The night will finish with a DJ set from The Decibel Kid, a Suffolk based electronic artist, playing beats, blips and bass. Free zine for every ticket holder. Pick it up on arrival. Loads more to be announced, and expect to be swarmed by jellyfish.
Doors open 7.30pm.
Book online (£10 Early Bird before 30th Sept then £15 from 1st October. £20 on the door if available)
Please familiarise yourself with our Covid-19 measures prior to booking and attending.
Licensed bar.
Please note that this event has not been organised by the John Peel Centre, and all aspects of it are the responsibility of those who have hired the Centre for the evening.
This event has been rescheduled from Sunday 29th August, 2021. All tickets will be valid for the rescheduled date.
BC Camplight plays a special solo fundraising gig to celebrate John Peel’s 82nd birthday.
“I’m pretty sure the BC Camplight live experience isn’t something you can find elsewhere,” declares Brian Christinzio, the inimitable force behind BC Camplight. “It is a journey every night. One moment, I’m basically doing a stand-up routine and the next, the band and I are playing like we plan on dying that evening, giving our everything. Then I’m on speakerphone to my Mom on stage before assaulting my piano. I’m very thankful that, after all this time, the audience is finally there.”
Fired by his ongoing battle with mental illness, new album Shortly After Takeoff is the final, and finest, chapter of what Christinzio calls his “Manchester Trilogy”, following 2015’s “How To Die In The North” and 2018’s “Deportation Blues”. All three albums were created after the native Philadelphian had moved to Manchester. Like Deportation Blues, Shortly After Takeoff spans singer-songwriter classicism, gnarly synth-pop and ‘50s rock’n’roll, with Christinzio’s similarly distinctive, flexible vocal carrying a fearless approach to lyrical introspection, but the new album is a major leap forward in songwriting sophistication and lyrical communication.
“It’s important to stress that this isn’t a redemption story,” he says. “I’m a guy who maybe lives a little hard and I’m in the thick of some heavy stuff. But as a result, I think I’ve made my best record.”
Support: Samuel Taylor.
Doors open 7.30pm.
Tickets £12.00
Book online (fee applies) or call our Box Office on 01449 774678 (open 10am to 2pm weekdays).
Please familiarise yourself with our Covid-19 measures prior to booking and attending.
Licensed bar.
Please note that this event has not been organised by the John Peel Centre, and all aspects of it are the responsibility of those who have hired the Centre for the evening.
Doors open 7.30pm.
Tickets £10
Book online (fee applies) or call our Box Office on 01449 774678 (open 10am to 2pm weekdays).
Please familiarise yourself with our Covid-19 measures prior to booking and attending.
Licensed bar.
Support: To the Nines and Existentialist
Hailing from deepest, darkest Suffolk, Ghosts Of Atlantis are a metal band that carry a wealth of experience and professionalism.
Like both Cradle Of Filth, and Devilment before it, Ghosts Of Atlantis continues the tradition and staple of the witch county trademark sound. The sound is dark and aggressive, sinister and twisted, yet universally appealing due to big chorus lines, emotive orchestration and massive hooks
Sonically, the band crosses many genres and lyrical styles, from poetic spoken word elements, full choirs, and memorable choruses to guttural destruction carried forth through the main vocals. Ghosts Of Atlantis (G.O.A) features both present and past members of Devilment, Failed Humanity, The Conflict Within and Cold Lazarus.
The band members involved have been signed to Nuclear blast, Candlelight records and New rising records. All of the members have been in bands together for the last 9 years, and the chemistry within the band is superb. All have been on either headline or support tours across the world in their various projects. Some names of note include Lacuna Coil, Motionless in White, Times of Grace, Prong, Biohazard, Lock up, and Soilwork. Add to this, a long line of festivals such as Graspop, summer breeze, Rockharz, hammerfest, Wave gothik treffen, and main stage performances at Bloodstock open air in the UK.
Doors 7.30pm.
Tickets £8 advance / £10 on the door
Book online (fee applies) or call our Box Office on 01449 774678 (open 10am to 2pm weekdays).
Licensed bar.
This superb line-up for Independent Venue Week 2022 features Jarlath Regan, Ray Badran & Jacob Hawley.
Jarlath Regan is an all-rounder, but his talent for stand-up was spotted early. His first few gigs earned him places in the finals of every new act competition, tour support spots for Ardal O’Hanlon, Marc Maron and Jack Whitehall, invitations to the world’s biggest comedy festivals and television appearances on the BBC, NBC and Comedy Central.
As a presenter and podcaster he has won a legion of loyal fans through the creation of his multi-award-winning global hit podcast An Irishman Abroad. Jarlath’s ability to extract honesty from the likes of Sir Bob Geldof, Gabriel Byrne and Boy George has become legendary.
Jarlath’s other credits include Tonight at the Palladium (ITV), Stand up Central (Comedy Central) Russell Howard’s Good News (BBC3) Comedy Central’s The World Stands Up (Comedy Central), Last Comic Standing (NBC), Live at The Stand Comedy Club (BBC Radio Scotland), The Blame Game (BBC Radio Ulster) and The Apprentice You’re Fired (TV3).
Jarlath is also an outspoken advocate for equality and organ donor awareness. After donating a kidney to his brother he penned his hugely successful one man standup show Organ Freeman to tell his story and raise vital awareness of live donation. The show won rave reviews, sold out it’s run at the Edinburgh Fringe, Leicester Square, Vicar Street and Soho Theatre and Tatler Magazine named Jarlath their Comedy Man Of The Year.
What the Press Say:
★★★★ “skilfully seeded stand-up that confirms Regan’s abilities to move with belly laughs and tears in a single routine” – The Scotsman
“More laughs in the first 15 minutes than most comedians can muster in a whole hour” – Metro
“Regan is an expert storyteller and this is a beautifully constructed show that I could have happily listened to for twice its length.” – The Arts Desk
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Ray Badran is an acclaimed Australian comedian and winner of Best International Comedian at the New Zealand Comedy Guild; who is renowned for his quirky and sharp observations.
Ray can be seen on the 6 part Comedy Central series No Experience Necessary which he wrote and starred in as, well as the latest series of Jonathan Ross’ Comedy Club on ITV1. Ray is ready to tackle the big issues in life such as pockets, Subway sandwiches and fridges with his characteristic whimsy and off-beat observations.
“It all adds up to a beautiful, hilarious shambles” – New Zealand Herald
“Getting the entire crowd in hysterics” – Arts Review Australia
★★★★★ “This is uncomplicated comedy in its purest form” – Broadway World
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After reaching the finals of the BBC New Comedy Award, writing and starring in numerous shorts for BBC3 and featuring on Radio 4 and Talksport, Jacob Hawley has become a critically acclaimed new voice in comedy.
A well honed live act, Jacob regularly performs at some of the biggest and best clubs in the UK and he is currently developing his own projects for TV and Radio.
The New Statesman described him as “The Distinctly Millennial rising star of The Edinburgh Fringe”, and he received a litany of four star reviews, including:
★★★★ “Intelligent and important, his self-aware set sees him explore themes of class and identity in the modern world expertly” – The Sunday Post
★★★★ “A down-to-earth talent who’s got it in spades, it’s an impressive, strong debut show that makes it feel like he’s already been doing this for years” – The List
This show is not to be missed!
Line up subject to change
Doors open 7.30pm.
Tickets £10.00 advance / £12.00 on the door
Book online (fee applies) or call our Box Office on 01449 774678 (open 10am to 2pm weekdays).
Please familiarise yourself with our Covid-19 measures prior to booking and attending.
Licensed bar.
In his new show 50 Things About Us, Mark Thomas combines his trademark mix of storytelling, standup, mischief and really, really well researched material to examine how we have come to inhabit this divided wasteland that some of us call the United Kingdom.
Mark picks through the myths, facts and figures of our national identities to ask who do we think we are?
It is a show about money, history, songs, gongs, wigs, unicorns, guns, bungs, sods of soil and rich f*ckers.
And how we have so much feeling for such a hollow land.
The show is in the vein of The Manifesto [Mark’s book] meets a sweary History channel!
Suitable for ages 16+
Tickets £17.50 (*£12.50 for under 21s, students, carers who are accompanying the person they support. ID may be required for age/student verification), available in advance from the Box Office on 01449 774678 (open 10am to 2pm weekdays), or book online (fee applies).
Doors open at 7.30pm, for an 8pm start. There will be an interval.
Please familiarise yourself with our Covid-19 measures prior to booking and attending.
Licensed bar.
Please note that this is a seated event, with seating unallocated, though all with a good view.
In 1981, Ian formed The Icicle Works with Chris Sharrock (drums), and Chris Layhe (bass and vocals). They quickly gained a following through their debut single release, Nirvana, and extensive live performances up and down the country.
The Icicle Works became part of the Liverpool renaissance movement of the eighties, alongside acts such as Echo And The Bunnymen, The Teardrop Explodes, WAH!, Heat, OMD, Black, Dead Or Alive, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, The Lotus Eaters, and China Crisis. They signed to Beggar’s Banquet records, and under the guidance of Martin Mills scored a top 20 hit with Love Is A Wonderful Colour in the U.K ; and top 40 placings in the U.S, Canada, and Europe with Birds Fly (Whisper To A Scream), with their eponymous debut album. The Icicle Works achieved top 40 placings in the UK for all four of their albums – The Icicle Works, The Small Price Of A Bicycle, If You Want To Defeat Your Enemy Sing His Songs, and Blind – until they split up in 1988.
Since then Ian has worked on various music projects and has released a number of solo albums. In 2009 he published his autobiography. This decade, Ian has released a number of albums, including some harder rocking albums, an album of cover versions, and an collaborative album.
No support – Ian McNabb will be performing 2 sets of an hour each, with a break.
Doors open 7.30pm. On stage at approx 8pm.
Tickets £15 in advance / £18 on the door
Book online (fee applies) or call our Box Office on 01449 774678 (open 10am to 2pm weekdays).
Please familiarise yourself with our Covid-19 measures prior to booking and attending.
Licensed bar.
Joining forces for an evening to showcase the best in contemporary Folk, Alden, Patterson & Dashwood and Honey & The Bear are proud to bring you their own twists on the tradition, storytelling woven in to song and harmonies abound in a magical night to remember.
Honey & The Bear are a roots-inspired duo from the Suffolk Coast. Their softly interweaving vocal harmonies and foot stomping rhythms combine elements of Folk & Americana. The multi instrumentalist pair, comprised of songwriters Jon Hart and Lucy Hart, include Guitar, Banjo, Ukelele Mandolin and Double Bass and have been writing & performing together up & down the UK since early 2014.
“Accomplished, easy-on-the-ear acoustic folk-pop for grown-ups” – fRoots Magazine
“Beautiful harmonies and charisma from both aside, they were very obviously enjoying each other’s company which enhanced the atmosphere of the evening … Jon and Lucy spoke, played and sang with ease making it all look effortless … Their lyrics were significant without being contrived, and were enhanced by their storytelling and communication with the audience in between numbers.”
Norwich-based folk trio Alden, Patterson and Dashwood weave rich vocal harmonies, fiddle, dobro, guitar and mandolin around beautifully written original songs and melodies. Their music takes influence from folk traditions from both sides of the Atlantic with uplifting instrumentals and self-penned songs depicting tales of young travellers, sleepy seas and their affection for home.
Their independently-released debut album ‘Call Me Home’ received widespread critical acclaim and was awarded ‘Editor’s Choice Album of the Year’ by fRoots, the UK’s leading publication specialising in folk and world music.
Over the last three years the trio have made a name as one of the best new acts on the scene and have toured the UK and Europe extensively including main stage slots at the UK’s most prestigious festivals and a tour with folk legends Show of Hands.
‘It’s lovely stuff’ – Mark Radcliffe, BBC Radio 2 Folk Show
★★★★★ Album Of The Year Editors Choice – fROOTS Magazine
★★★★★ R2 – ‘Talented and poetic triumvirate’
★★★★ Songlines – ‘Obviously something of enormous promise’
www.aldenpattersonanddashwood.com
Doors open 7.30pm.
Tickets £10.00 advance/£12.00 on the door
Book online (fee applies) or call our Box Office on 01449 774678 (open 10am to 2pm weekdays).
Please note that this is a seated event. Seating is unallocated, though all have a good view.
Please familiarise yourself with our Covid-19 measures prior to booking and attending.
Licensed bar.
Winning over audiences with their own brand of progressive, bluesy pop/rock, The Mentulls music transcends genres, sounding new and fresh yet timeless and classic all at the same time. Add in Andrew’s searing, soaring guitar work, Jamie’s ‘prog star’ style Hammond, synthesiser and piano work plus the soulful vocals and multi instrumental prowess of David Neil Crabtree, and you have something truly unique and special.
Being genre defying and original has been the band’s objective since it was formed by Andrew & Jamie back in 2008. In the years following the formation of the band, they have carved themselves a niche on the international rock scene, impressing a growing fan base and critics alike.
In the words of one well respected journalist, “these are genuine rock stars with the chops to make it happen live as well as on album”, which perfectly sums up the band’s ability to bring the goods in the recording studio as well as creating an impressive show on stage. Currently filling the drum stool at live shows is sterling drummer Steve Gibson (Van Morrison, Chris Farlowe, Jack Bruce, Buzzcocks).
As well as touring internationally in their own right, the band have earned their stripes opening for and touring with legendary acts like Wishbone Ash, Focus & Walter Trout. They are also equally at home on major festival stages sharing the bill with the likes of The Stranglers, Feeder, FM and Cats In Space.
When summing up the band, one reviewer proclaimed, “It’s hard to stand out, unless you are as superb as The Mentulls that is.”
Website: www.thementulls.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thementulls
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thementulls
Doors open 7.30pm.
Tickets £10.00 advance / £12.00 on the door
Book online (fee applies) or call our Box Office on 01449 774678 (open 10am to 2pm weekdays).
Please familiarise yourself with our Covid-19 measures prior to booking and attending.
Licensed bar.
Fairport Convention has been entertaining music lovers for over half a century. During that time the band that launched British folk-rock has seen many changes. But one thing has remained the same – Fairport’s passion for performance.
This concert will present a mix of long-established Fairport favourites and some surprises from albums old and new including Full House which was released 50 years ago this year. The band skillfully interprets traditional ballads and the repertoire also includes plenty of contemporary compositions. Their latest album ‘Shuffle & Go’ was released in February 2020.
Fairport Convention has won a BBC Lifetime Achievement Award and Radio 2 listeners voted their ground-breaking album Liege & Lief ‘The Most Influential Folk Album of All Time’. Their story has been celebrated with television documentaries on BBC Four and Sky Arts.
The band features founding member Simon Nicol on guitar and vocals, Dave Pegg on bass guitar (celebrating his fiftieth year in Fairport), Ric Sanders on violin, Chris Leslie on fiddle, mandolin and vocals, and Gerry Conway on percussion.
“Stuffing their set with a surprising amount of new material for a vintage act, Fairport are still clearly having fun and brought the house down.” – The Guardian
“Fairport is an institution, a festival, purveyors of memories, and keepers of the folk flame. But most of all they are a brilliant live band.” – Folk & Tumble
Doors open 7.00pm. On stage approx. 7.30pm.
Tickets are £25 seated or standing, available from the Box Office on 01449 774678 (10am-2pm weekdays) or book online (fee applies).
Please familiarise yourself with our Covid-19 measures prior to booking and attending.
Seating is limited to those who have purchased a seated ticket.
Licensed bar.