Irregularly I share a music video to our Facebook page with the status “song of the day,” or week, or whenever, as if it’s a daily occurrence. When the reality is it’s a big, fat fib on my part, it’s only when I happen to find such a video and can be arsed to share it. What-cha gonna do, sue me?
So, just in case your lawyer says you have a case, I thought I’d streamline this sporadic idea for 2021, make it an actual feature on the site rather than a Facebook post, and show off that I know what long words like “sporadic” mean.
Little more gone into it than this, you should be used to it by now. I’m not going to review them, just embed them here for your own appraisal and entertainment purposes. Potentially, it’ll be a groundbreakingily breif post, a simple but effective phenomenon, and something I can do without missing the Simpsons.
The challenge is consistency; whether I actually stick to the idea or, like others, it’ll be a flash in the pan. Who knows, this could be the start of something beautiful, this could be the thing they’re talking about in decades to come. A holographic Ken Bruce could be asking “what was the very first Devizine Song of the Day” in a Pop Master 200 years from now.
And you can answer it with who I bestow this honour, Atari Pilot. They’ll be revelling in the triumph of the hour if it wasn’t lockdown, I bet.
History in the making then, the only issue I foresee is I over-waffle any old crap, which is, incidentally, not what’s happening now and rarely does here; I had to explain myself, didn’t I?
Okay, I get message; here it is then, enjoy the tune, enjoy the rest of your evening. Good job, carry on.
- “Chicago” at the Wharf Theatre, Devizes, February 20th-21st 2026
by Ian Diddams
images by Chris Watkins media
“Chicago” is a stand out example of the musical theatre genre – great songs, great characters, great murders… It’s the story of Roxie Hart, slayer of her lover, her perennial doormat husband Amos Hart, her fellow murderess prison sidekick/enemy Velma Kelly, and those in authority Mama Morton the prison governess and defence attorney Billy Flynn.
Stage Coach’s “Further Stages” group of teens present this teen edition of this blockbuster musical at the Wharf Theatre this week, under the direction of Rhea Burke and production of Freddie and Chris Underwood.
It’s a fast-paced show incorporating the full triple threat of acting, singing and dance and the cast do not disappoint – to the extent that it’s difficult to split any of those three as “best”. Whether complex harmonies and split timings from ensemble singing, excellent characterisation from the principals or the outstanding ensemble choreography the troupe should be proud of what they have created… for many of them it is their first foray onto a full theatre stage with tech.
Isla Brett plays Roxie Hart to a tee … demure, frustrated but ultimately ambitious, and Darcey Scully contrasts wonderfully as Velma Kelly, sassy, forward and driven. Freya Osborne sleazes her way as Mama Morton, and Leon Marshall smooths slickly as the slickly smooth Billy Flynn. Olivier Baran contrasts believably as the underdog and love-struck Amos Hart.
Isla and Leon work sublimely together as ventriloquist and dummy in the press conference scene – it’s a standard scene of course but the two pull it off perfectly, Isla especially superb as the frozen, shiny faced doll at Billy Flynn’s control in “We both reached for the gun”.
The rest of the cast – Antonia Harvey, Evelyn Brewer, Keri-Ann Bridgeman, Antonia Harvey, Evelyn Morris, Mollie Wright, Aimee Self and Safiya Reda – move from multiple characters while singing and dancing … the press, death row murderesses, public and minor principals Mary Sunshine, Fred Casely, Fogarty and clerk.
The set is a simple and delightful black box, dressed with silvery drapes to rear, stage blocks and two chairs. The side walls display mock Chicago newspaper front pages declaring the various inmates’ alleged murders… Full credit must be given to the costume team of Wacky Wardrobe and the Wharf in-house team… flapper dresses to the fore, sharp suit for Flynn and suitably dweeby looks for Amos to mention a few.
“Chicago” is a BIG show to put on with its physical demands especially, and iconic numbers, and Stage Coach delivers with aplomb here. It’s a show that gives its audience everything … passion, pathos, and prison… and “All That Jazz”.
“Chicago” plays at the Wharf Theatre, Devizes Friday 20th February at 7.30pm, and on Saturday 21st February at 2.30pm and 7.30pm. Tickets from https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/the-wharf-theatre/chicago-teen-edition/e-qmrklx
- Big Ones: The Major Events in Devizes This Year
No one knows why, apparently, but fish are dying in our canal; everyone says wait for the EA report, except for the fish. A town full of road works, burnt out buildings and roads which look like we’ve suffered a doodlebug air raid, but there’s glitch in the Matrix; it’s temporarily stopped chucking it down with a perpetual drizzle of ice rain, and I saw a cold early-rising hedgehog this morning. When I see my first hedgehog I assume spring might yet be on its way; chin up.
The Government (should you wish to call it that) has launched the first ever UK Town of Culture competition, and Devizes Town Council thinks we’re in for a chance here; best of luck with that! Town Councillors are looking to collaborate with local groups, organisations and individuals in putting together an Expression of Interest that showcases our amazing community spirit and the rich story we have to tell as a Town; there’s work to be done!
Councillors are holding an initial meeting on Thursday 26th February at 6pm in the Assembly Room at the Town Hall and it is open to everyone who is interested in collaborating on this project. A big yes to this, whatever we can do to help …..without having to attend a town council meeting, just ask!
Meanwhile, rather than fix their problems, other town councils, like Melksham’s, are making national news sellotaping pictures of the journalists they don’t like very much onto punchballs for embarrassingly pathetic potshots, namely Joe McCann of Melksham News.
We have a good relationship with Joe at Melksham News here at Devizine; the butt of a seriously pathetic joke at Melksham Town Council simply for doing his job has seriously backfired. Don’t mess with the press, we stand united. Could this become a trend? I wonder who’s face might get onto a punchball at Devizes Town Council?!
Moi? I’d be honoured, m’lord!!
No, look, honest guv, or .gov.uk, I’m here to help. I don’t want a medal, but think we can PROVE Devizes is actually a great place to live, and deserves to be a Town of Culture. There’s lots going on culturally. I’m only here to tell you what, don’t give me the third degree simply for doing it in a satirical way, because it only serves a purpose; making this an entertaining read rather than a list of events, which you can find anyway, on our event calendar. I’m nice, no, really!
So, last week of February: DOCA’s Festival of Winter Ales is at The Corn Exchange on Saturday 28th. We’ve previewed it, read further here and hope to see you there for a beer!
March
March is a bit dry, to be honest. Wiltshire Museum, though, begins the exhibit John Piper in the South Country which opens on Saturday 7th March and runs until the 7th June. I hope to be at the opening ceremony and will report my findings.
Sir Alan Ayckbourn’s How the Other Half Loves opens at The Wharf Theatre on Monday 16th March, running until the 21st. There’s a comedy night at the Corn Exchange on Friday 20th, and Jimmy Royal & the Regals play Long Street Blues Club on the 21st, so things are starting to look up.
The first “Big One” in Devizes is at the end of March, when Kingston Media host The Bands By The Green, on the Saturday 28th. In support of Julian’s House, they promise a family afternoon of live music from 1:30pm, featuring Charlie Greenwood, Kelly Dale, This Way Up, Simplicity, Crackerjack, and Foo Lizzy. Tickets HERE.
April
April kicks off creepy and kooky, mysterious, spooky, and all together ooky when Devizes Musical Theatre’s Addams Family Musical comes to Dauntsey’s.
Devizes to Westminster Canoe Race starts at the wharf on Friday 3rd, and someone was recently complaining this doesn’t attract much attention, so we’re mentioning it here, don’t blame me!!
By the 5th it’s Easter, find lots going on from our updating events calendar, but behold, an Easter Egg Hunt at Hillworth Park.
Friday 10th sees Devizes Music Academy present Sister Act at The Corn Exchange, which runs until the 12th.
Tuesday night out, anyone? Long Street Blues Club were instrumental in helping establish King King in their early days and this superb band is now firmly established as one of the premier Blues Rock acts in the country. They return to the Devizes Corn Exchange on Tuesday 21st.
May
The annual Cancer Research Car Boot Sale at Stert Country House starts off May, on Saturday 16th, unless there’s anything I’ve missed? The event calendar updates, this will not, so please, bookmark it into your favourites and check in regularly, because the further we get into the year, the less events we currently know about. This is a teaser of what’s to come, do not, I repeat, do not, get your summer dresses and sun hats on just yet!
Saturday 23rd sees two new DOCA events, Out & About, where they look at acts in the Community, and the DOCA Festival of Discovery. More to follow on these, but save the date.
Friday 29th sees The Wharf Acting Co’s Who’s Play is it Anyway, the show they’re taking to the Edinburgh Fringe; this is an exclusive sneaky peak. More on this HERE, plus Lou Cox’s Having a Baby and the Sh!t They Don’t Tell You in Books, also appearing at the Edinburgh Fringe, of which you can also catch at the Wharf Theatre on Saturday 30th.
The Devizes Arts Festival kicks off the same weekend, and it is Rowdefest on Saturday 30th; we had a great time with this last year, and this year looks to be just as great if not more. Barrelhouse headline, with the sublime Ruby Darbyshire; handpicked by me personally!
June
Devizes Arts Festival, runs until June 14th; here’s everything we know so far, well nearly everything; there’s a surprise I’ve been told to button my lip about. They trust me too much! Monday 1st June Anthony Horowitz: A Life in Murder, Tuesday 2nd, Patrick Grant in Conversation, Thursday 4th, Hot Mess, and Friday 5th sees the Robert Vincent Band, and Milton Jones on Friday 12th June; that’s all we have for now, watch this space.
John Otway & Wild Willy Barrett at Long Street Blues Club on Monday 8th.
Saturday June 13th sees the Wiltshire Steam & Vintage Rally returning to Park Farm near Devizes. Sunday 14th is the Devizes Lions family funday and car show, Lions on The Green.
July
Ooh, got a big one here for you! July kicks off Saturday 4th with the awaited return of CrownFest at The Crown in Bishop’s Cannings, and this one looks unmissable, with more artists being added all the time. The current poster we’ve got needs updating, I believe Ruby is coming and a host of others. I’m looking forward to Ant Trouble, because I picked this one, Stand and Deliver, your ticket money or your life!!
But the month is jam-packed; Town of Culture, box ticked! Saturday 11th and it is the most unique festival around these parts; FullTone. If a sixty piece orchestra playing out of their new location on Park Farm doesn’t quite tempt you enough, The Wurzels and Jason Donovan might! Preview HERE; gorgeous, darling!
Friday 17th sees the Classic Ibiza thang at Bowood House. Saturday 18th and you’ll find Devizes Vegan Market, aptly in the Market Place. Sunday 19th and abracadabra; DOCA will transform Hillworth Park into a Magic Garden.
But, hey, this one is going to be big and needs your attention! Park Farm Festival returns for it’s second year on Saturday 18th. Lovely as this was last time, it needs you. More universal and family appeal than last year, Jon Amor Trio is playing, with well, look at the poster, look, and read our preview!
Friday 24th, and it’s the legendary Devizes Scooter Rally – all weekend! A fantastic event, you don’t need a scooter, but some dancing shoes are essential footwear. You will love All That Soul’s sublime Motown makeovers, and there’s a Blondie tribute, a separate venue for those talc dusters and lots of good time reggae and ska.
August
As I said earlier, we’ve lots more to add and lots more to find out about, so keep this frequency clear, and love Devizine. You can go to a meeting to etch out a plan to make Devizes a town of culture, but it’s me here, on me tod, typing this out for your attention; don’t you forget about us!
So, let’s rush through what little we know about the later months; Saturday 29th August is Confetti Battle & Colour Rush. Monday 31st will, of course, be Black Rat Monday at The British Lion in which you are duty-bound to attend!
September
Saturday 5th is Devizes Carnival.
Devizes Food and Drink Festival is on from Saturday September 19th to Sunday Sept 27th. The festival is run and managed locally, entirely by volunteers and will offer 20+ original food and drink experiences, kicking off with an Artisan Producer Market in the Market Place on the 19th and finishing with the World Food Tasting Experience on Sunday 27th in the Corn Exchange.
The rest of our event calendar is looking blank. Help me fill them in as we go, and here’s looking to a fantastic 2026, town of culture award, or not, we strive on, we know Devizes is great!
- Devizine Steps Down From Organising Wiltshire Music Awards
After much deliberation, Devizine is to pull out of any further organisation of the Wiltshire Music Awards…..
It has not been an easy decision, and I remain super-proud of what Ed and I achieved last year, getting this special occasion off the ground. The Wiltshire Music Awards takes complex organisation. Therefore, I feel I cannot commit to the workload involved this year effectively enough for what the event deserves whilst continuing to run Devizine too.
Obviously, I’m still dedicated to supporting and promoting the Wiltshire Music Awards through Devizine for this and subsequent years. I also still believe it’s a very worthy cause, highlighting what a fantastic live music scene we have in Wiltshire and rewarding those who continue to contribute to it.
Eddie Prestidge of Stone Circle Music Events said, “we want to publicly thank Darren for the time, effort, and genuine passion he has poured into the awards and into the wider Wiltshire music scene. The spirit of collaboration and encouragement he’s brought has helped shape what this event stands for; celebrating local talent, lifting one another up, and strengthening our creative community.”
Nominations for this year’s Wiltshire Music Awards will open on 1st May. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Eddie, who has been a pleasure and an inspiration to work with, as I am certain we will maintain the same good working relationship for the future awards and many other events. And to wish all the best for the future of the Wiltshire Music Awards.
- Whatever Happened to Pancake Races in Devizes?
It seems Shrove Tuesday celebrations in Devizes have fallen as flat as a….well, you get the gag…
Traditionally organised by Age Concern Wiltshire, and often supported by local partners like the Black Swan Hotel, which provided the pancakes, and the Devizes Rotary Club, pancake races in Devizes were an annual occasion, aptly on Pancake Day.
Originally held in the Market Place and shifted over to Hillworth Park in later years, you may have fond memories of trying to win a running race, giggling whilst tossing pancakes in frying pans, but these days it all seems to be lost; correct me if I’m wrong, you usually do!
What happened to pancake races in Devizes? Was it stopped during the lockdown? Seems not, the last one I can find evidence of was in 2015, and appeared on a now archived blog called Devizes Days.
Was it stopped because of health and safety reasons? Sounds possible, but other towns, such as Bradford-on-Avon, continue the tradition. Why not Devizes?
I mean, hey, if you want to get technical, the indulgence of Pancake Day is that final day of feasting before fasting for Lent, and being everyone stuffs pancakes but no one actually fasts, maybe the powers that be got a bit over zealous with punishment for our sins?!
Or, perhaps, and most likely, it’s just because everyone has too much to do in their daily rat race to organise a pancake race, which is a sad sign of the times. You know, kids don’t know how to play conkers anymore? Could pancake races be just as obsolete? Or could we revive it? I’d be happy to help, provided there’s sugar and lemon juice.I feel sorry for the kids today; “No, you can’t have social media!”
“Can we run around tossing pancakes then?”
“Absolutely no chance!!”
I mean, we’d probably have to have frying pans made from foam and a soft landing surface. Pancakes would probably need to be dairy free, and disclaimers would need parent signatures, and failing to find a location to do this might result in the whole thing being played out in Minecraft, but still, it’s a thought. Do let me know yours…..who stopped pancake races, and why?!
- Minety Music Festival Announce Headliners; The Bluetones and Dub Pistols
The mighty mighty Minety Music Festival announced The Bluetones as their Sunday headliner at their Eames Laurie Main Stage, and The Dub Pistols on the Saturday…..
It’s not unspoken, we LOVE Minety Music Festival here at Devizine and don’t care who knows! It never fails to attract with some superb renowned names, and then throws in a plethora of local acts either established or upcoming, and in doing so creates a marvellous atmosphere where local music is supported via the followings of international headliners.
Formed in London in 1996 by Barry Ashworth, the Dub Pistols are a renowned British collective fusing dub, reggae, ska, hip-hop, and electronic music, and the party rockers will be headlining the Saturday.
“We’re super excited and have wanted to bring The Dub Pistols to Minety for around three years,” chief organiser Rich Swatton tells us, “and this time, the stars have finally aligned. If you know, you know, and if you don’t know… speak to someone who knows. You’re going to love this!”
The Bluetones first came to prominence in 1995, when their debut release ‘Are You Blue Or Are You Blind?’ broke into the top 40. The single proved to be the launching pad for a run that saw 14 hit singles and 6 albums follow on from it. They headline Sunday.
The Bluetones, formed in Hounslow, are made up of brothers Mark & Scott Morriss, alongside Adam Devlin and Eds Chesters, enjoyed considerable UK and Ireland successes, extending out across into Europe and Japan, before taking a hiatus in 2011 that lasted for 4 years. Since then they have re-established themselves as one of the UK’s most consistently entertaining live acts, regularly touring their extensive catalogue to their army of devoted fans.
2024 saw the release of the first new Bluetones material in 14 years; a renaissance that saw the four original band members take in the summer festivals, before a full UK tour in the autumn/winter of 2024.
The release of ‘London Weekend Television’ in 2025 saw them reaffirm themselves as indie-pop royalty, and 2026 sees the band celebrate the 30th anniversary of Platinum selling album ‘Expecting To Fly’, famed for hit singles, such as ‘Bluetonic’, ‘Slight Return’ and Cut Some Rug’.
“We can’t wait to welcome them to Minety Music Festival, for the very first time,” Rich said, “you’re in for a real treat!”
Minety is near Malmesbury, Wiltshire, and is happening from 2nd-5th July 2026. Tickets only available from: www.minetyfestival.co.uk/buy-tickets
- Shindig Festival Announces Bob Vylan as Headliner
The celebrated Shindig Festival at Malmesbury’s Charton Park announced their headline act for May bank holiday 2026, and being that it’s Bob Vylan, it is bound to open debate….
London based grime rappers Bob Vylan are no strangers to controversy through their criticisms of the establishment and calling out inequalities. Whilst they were one of many acts at last year’s Glastonbury to make statements condemning the genocide in Palestine, they seemed to take the brunt of the rightwing media assault.
Online opinions from Shindig’s announcement are already strongly divided, but mostly positive from the devoted regular attendees of this marvellous festival. Some suggest it will be great to see them live and away from media exposure, others state otherwise. One said it’s an “embarrassing choice. He’ll make it political and a hate filled performance.’ But hey, who wants to party with those in support of such barbarism?
Another suggests there’s plenty of other things they could be doing at the festival, and they need not attend this particular performance if they disagree with the social statements the band make; now there’s an idea!
The Shindig team said they are “very excited to announce one of the most vital, fearless and electrifying live acts in the UK right now. Expect high-energy, sharp lyricism and a reputation for using music as a force for conversation and change. We believe art should challenge as well as unite.”
I find myself wondering what would become of punk if it suddenly stopped campaigning for righteousness, or what these triggered objectors would say if it was the seventies and John Lennon or Bob Marley was booked, for music has always had political or social motivations, and to censor it for the purposes of propaganda or ignorance would be sacrilegious. Well done, Shindig pose, it’s a seriously important booking.
- Help DOCA Raise Funds….by Drinking Booze! Winter of Festive Ales Returns
Now, you know when you see a fundraising advert and think, I’d like to raise some wonga for this or that cause, but further reading reveals you’re expected to take on an extreme mission like trekking the Great Wall on a unicycle made from coat hangers, or scaling Everest in just clogs and your wife’s undercrackers? Well, this one is a smidgen easier, and it’s something Devizions take great pride in accomplishing…..
Yes, the end of February is nigh, when Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts asks the good folk of Devizes to raise some needed funds, which they inevitably pump back into a system supplying said good folk with a year of free events such as carnival and the Winter Festival, so it’s for their own benefit. And all they need to do to help is drink fine ale and enjoy some quality entertainment. Throw down the gauntlet, why don’t you DOCA, and roll out the barrel, for this is a challenge I’m confident both you and I can really get behind!
This happens annually at The Corn Exchange, and this year’s is on Saturday 28th February. I’m told a fair amount of tickets are still up for grabs, so after reading this don’t vegetate playing Royal Match on your phone, put it to good use and buy yourself a pass to The Festival of Winter Ales. And here’s seven darn good (or at least reasonable) reasons why I think you should:
As usual the event is divided into two sessions, one of quieter reflection for the true ale connoisseur in the afternoon, and the evening more lively session, for the party people; how amicable and considerate.
Equifinal, though, is pies, and the extensive range of booze, from the dark ales experts of The Southgate and Stealth Brew Co, to IPAs, American pale ales, ciders, perry, and, if you don’t mind handing your hard-earned cash to TV’s tax-avoiding billionaire gammon, Clarkson, the Pour House brings Hawkstone Lager!
Also predetermined whatever session you rock up to, is a raffle, and Social Club Cabaret starring puppeteer and self-acclaimed all-round nutter Dik Downey, some aerial‐fusion salsa with Amy G, and The Amazing Malcolm, who may or may not be the same amazing Malcolm who runs Stealth Brewery, but if it is, I want at least half of my money back; bless him!
Everyone’s favourites, and who certainly gets my seal of approval, Talk in Code are headlining the evening session, with their unique take on indie-pop originals, although I’m informed they recently took vow of beverage abstinence and said I could drink all their beer.
Those immortalised in Lego lads, Talk in Code are supported by The Wholesome Soul Trio, regulars at The Southgate, and though I’ve yet to tick them off my must-see list, I’ve heard nothing but good things about their classic playlist of soul and funk with improvised solos.
Even the afternoon session looks intriguing, as I’ve not heard of either act, but singer Amy Irvine is accompanied by local legend John E. Wright, so must be doing something Wright! And A Call from Tomorrow are a young indie covers duo from Wiltshire we wish the very best of luck.
And the last good reason is that physical tickets are available to purchase at Devizes Books; so you could treat yourself to a copy of my outrageous murder-mystery whodunnit-whocares novel while you’re there!!
- Devizes Acting Company to Debut New Show at Edinburgh Fringe 2026
A gameshow unlike any other is set to take local actors to the world stage. The Wharf Theatre is proud to present the debut of a brand-new show, “Whose Play is it Anyway?”
Set to enjoy a week-long run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2026 from August 17th to the 22nd, this innovative original production offers a fresh perspective on contemporary storytelling, using a gameshow format to explore a range of devised, scripted and improvised pieces, many created by the talented cast themselves. As part of the game, each performance order will be left to chance, creating a unique experience every time.
Join your host, Barry Ruffles and his glamorous assistant, Jenny Flannel as they present 18 pieces of theatre in 50 minutes; all you have to do is guess the genre, playwright or year to win a speedboat, cuddly toy or a holiday for two on the Isle of Fernando!
Prior to the Fringe, the show will preview at the Wharf Theatre, Devizes, running from 29th to the 30th May, Bristol’s Alma Tavern and the Shaftesbury Art Centre; giving West Country audiences an opportunity to experience the production ahead of its official festival run.
Whether you’re a seasoned Fringe attendee or a first-time visitor, Whose Play Is It Anyway promises to entertain. The show will be performed at the SpaceUK, located at the heart of Edinburgh’s bustling festival district. Tickets are available from [Ticket Provider] and can be purchased online or at the venue box office.
Lou Cox, director of The Wharf Acting Company, who perform & devised this show, is also taking her solo show, Having a Baby and The Sh!t They Don’t Tell You in Books, for a week at the Edinburgh Fringe. Inspired by the loss of her baby girl, Lou described the play as a “comedic and brutally honest one-woman show which gifts audiences an emotional, and at times highly entertaining, whirlwind of witty anecdotes and graphic storytelling, with an ending no mother could ever imagine.” And this one too will be performed at The Wharf Theatre, also running from 29th to the 30th May, of which the previous run was reviewed by Helen, HERE.
- Thieves Plan Unplugged Gig at Brokerswood
We don’t like many thieves here at Devizine, but we do love Thieves the band! Well, those Thieves have an interesting next gig it’s worthwhile mentioning…..
The first time I saw these Thieves it was a paradox of coincidences. I was hiding in the back of the Wild & Wooley room of Bradford Roots Festival at The Wiltshire Music Centre, and I was suitably wowed by their Americana/UK folk harmonies. I likened them to The Lost Trades at the time, and told the person next to me, only to realise it was Phil Cooper, one third of the Lost Trades! I then proceeded to vocalise my observation that the guy on the banjo looked uncannily like soloist Adam Woodhouse, only for Phil to sigh, “it is Adam Woodhouse!” Should have gone to Specsavers.
Since, the collective of Adam with Rory Coleman-Smith, Jo Deacon and Matt Hughes have gone from strength to strength, regularly gigging, you might have seen them; consider yourself lucky. They gained me enormous kudos when they played so beautifully at Rowdefest last year, it was uplifting and toe-tapping goodness. Oh, and, we fondly reviewed their debut EP.
They’re excited to announce a headline appearance at Brokerswood’s Tin Church, near Westbury, on the 28th February, with support from the amazing Feral Beryl. Though the Thieves explained, “we were lucky enough to perform in this wonderful venue last year as a supporting act,” it’s the first I’ve heard of a gig there, ‘cos no one tells me nuthin’, but I do recall sitting with the kids on the miniature train!
As an outdoor pursuit area, Brokerswood has been a popular attraction for families and campers since 1968, now in an effort to preserve the land, it’s converted into a holiday park.
With no electricity, The Tin Church is a beautifully unique venue where the musicians are lit solely by candlelight and the original paraffin lamps and perform completely unplugged, taking advantage of the wonderful acoustics of the space. The band say, “it’s an experience like no other and an evening of music not to be missed!”
Sounds good to me; who needs electricity when you’ve got beautiful music?! Priced at £18, it gets even better because it includes canapés, with tickets available from The Cheese & Gain website. But, if you happen to miss this, as it’s a busy weekend what with The Festival of Winter Ales in Devizes and much more, Thieves will be playing this spring festival in March at Trowbridge Town Hall.
- Rowdefest 26 Lineup Reveal!
Drizzly Sunday…again. I’ve just finished designing the poster, so allow me to reveal the lineup for Rowdefest this coming May, might cheer us up a bit!
It was a hugely successful Rowdefest last year, and was lots of fun for all the family. We cordially invite you to do it all again this year! The wonderful committee is still hard at work, planning the day, and some work needs doing. But, we’ve set a date, Saturday 30th May, and kept the same times, from 1pm until 7pm.
It’s free, and it’s at the same location, the Small Playing Field in Rowde. There will be food and drink, lots of side stalls, tea, coffee and cakes in St Matthews Church. Our village’s famous ice cream parlour, The Rowdey Cow will be there, and you are welcome to bring deckchairs but the haystacks will be back too.
We really crammed in some fantastic music acts last year; this time we want you to explore the side stalls and have some fun before getting comfy around the main stage, but we will be opening the day with some music. A bit of a disco I reckon, some loved pop classics for all. I’m thinking eighties, the committee might knock me back a couple of decades, we’ll have to wait and see! I want to see some dancers though, and maybe there will be best dancers prizes, so get up and shake your thang!
The Devizes Jubilee Morris Dancers were brilliant last year, so we’ve invited them back again. Interactive by the end, more dancing required!
I’m delighted to say we have the sublime Ruby Darbyshire playing for us, who many of you will already know, and, I promise, will leave you in awe.
Headliner this year is Barrelhouse, Marlborough’s finest purveyors of vintage blues with a groove. You are going to love these guys, and you will be up dancing, again!
Mantonfest 2023 That’s all I’ve got, less is more. Just pop it in your diary and I hope to see you there!
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