Hi, yeah s’me, keeping up the Song of the Day feature like dedication was as word I know the definition of!
No excuses not to, I mean I am of the generation when Roy Castle clasped his trumpet weekly, ready for the signing off of “Record Breakers.” No, it’s not a euthanasim, Google it whippersnappers.
Might also explain my fondness for brass. Brass is class, and a vital element of ska. Yep, four tunes in and I couldn’t resist sharing some ska with you.
It’s a commonly misguided notion that ska is a retrospective cult here in England. It tends to convey a bygone era of Two-Tone records, boots and braces.
Yet today, while said stereotype has a grounding, ska is an international phenomenon, particularly in South America. I did write a piece about this region’s love for ska, and how it’s roots out of Jamaica bare a different tale from our own.
To show you how fresh it can be elsewhere in the world, and it’s not a reminiscence for a
load of overweight balding pensioners as perceived in the UK, here’s all-female bar one Mexican band, Girls Go Ska, who I’m secretly in love with, (so secret they don’t even know themselves….until they use Google translate!) doing an instrumental jam.
Girls and ska; what’s not to like? Have a lovely rest of your day. Very good. Carry on….
- 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!
- Breaking News in Rowde: Wiltshire Road Gets Resurfaced!
Are you sitting down, as this may come as a shock? Residents of the Springfield Road estate in Rowde should be feeling rather privileged at the moment, as bucking the countywide trend of having roads which look like Mars has suffered a doodlebug air-raid, it’s actually been resurfaced!
Not all of them seem satisfied they’ve the only road in the county which is, comparatively, as smooth as a baby’s botty though, and have taken to their local Facebook group, Rowde all About it, to whinge about the inconvenience of waiting an extra day before work could commence due to poor weather, as they probably would’ve whinged about the state of the road beforehand! Awl, that’s Facebook for you; an adult’s playground for venting Karen’s petty fury.
The operation has run just as smooth, with jolly-faced roadworkers jumping at the opportunity to move some cones and allow residents access; it breaks up the monotonous teabreaks. One resident lightened the mood on the Facebook group by suggesting offering them tea and chocolate digestives was key to their friendly attitude, though we’ve no proof of this because I’m keeping all my biscuits for myself.
It is, though, quite a delight to drive on a road in Wiltshire without worrying for your wheel alignment and suspension, if a smidgen eerie. And, of course, once you’ve got to the main road it’s back to the usual sensation of cycling a penny-farthing over a lunar landscape, but hey, for a moment there it’s driving heaven.
Okay, so a few motorist residents didn’t read the social media posts nor see the cones and massive signs stating no parking for the duration of the repair, leaving sweeping gaps untreated, but they finally caught on, moved them, and the roadworkers are rubbing their hands together for a Sunday bonus; all is well.
Residents are advised to drive slowly across the new tarmac, to delay in its inevitable dilapidation. It’s a flipping housing estate, for crying out loud! An estate with the rare blessing in modern times, whereby children can still play relatively safely outside, so it’s in everyone’s best interests to drive through it with caution in the first bloody place!
Bearing in mind this is a busy estate, where some residents are in the habit of parking wherever the hell they fancy, despite the inconvenience it may cause for other residents, and those headless chicken non-residents swerving through, using it as a short cut to avoid Marsh Lane.
There’s an ever- increasing population using Springfield Road, accumulating by the questionable requirements of gradually extending the estate with further Lego houses, when it would’ve been far better to accept the expansion was inevitable years ago, and build it a new access road from the other side of the school; but planning is for other counties.
Not forgoing the colossal construction traffic used to bring these part-built monstrosities past the school gates and playpark without pavements, and through the already busy estate, leaving people wondering how the area obtained such dilapidated roads in the first place!
But not only is the road smooth, for a moment in time, there’s the additional Facebook group story of a rogue “carer” who apparently “drives like a maniac,” revealing their misdoings by apparently telling the road workers to “f-off,” which kind of makes it all worthwhile being in the group, and should remain as a stern message to all roadworkers not to piss off carers, because they’ve got caring to do, god dammit, and if anyone gets in their way of caring, well….
- Chippenham’s New Venue, The Ruze Opens with The Showhawk Duo
It could be bigger than Diggers! See what I did there? Okay, you youngsters might need Google, but while you’re researching Chippenham’s hedonistic past, a new music venue and studio is preparing to open its doors at the end of February…..
The Ruze on Union Road opens on Friday, 27th February. It’s a daring era to be opening a new venue, but this looks rather special. I believe it’s captured a gap in the market, and we wish them the very best of luck.
James Humphrys, Mac Lloyd, and Beth Thornton kick off the proceedings on Friday night, while Saturday the 27th sees The Showhawk Duo perform their unique take on club classics, acoustically.
These guys remain toppermost on my must-see list. I should’ve known better to question festival organiser and Boot Hill All Star Flounder Murray when he spoke of “acoustic rave” some years ago. “Acoustic rave?” I responded, “how does that work then?”
“Very well,” was his reply, with a mindblowing Showhawk Duo video attached; I’m still at odds comprehending how these guys manage to pull off such a stunt, to recreate those floorfillers with just two guitars.
Supporting the duo are Lucca Mae, John Fairhurst, Kane Pollastrone, and Seren. Other than the brilliant Mac Lloyd, these are all new names to me; looks like The Ruze has a quality vetting process with an ethos lending to supporting upcoming local acts, and I like that in a venue!
If daytime clubbing is a thing now, Sunday March 1st from 3-8pm, The Ruze turns into Club Kudo, with some dance anthems and Ibiza classics, finalising their grand opening weekend.
Tickets for all nights are limited, and go on sale at 6pm today, Friday 6th Feb. HERE.
devizine.com 