With Ranking Junior now taking centre stage, the mighty Beat will be heading on tour, taking Swindon, Bournemouth, Leeds, and Hull to get audiences dancing to some of the most famous ska and reggae tracks ever written.….
Ah yes, did a song called “Stand Down Margaret,” if memory serves me well; perhaps a change of name and a little history repeating, fingers crossed.
One of the key bands in the UK ska revival of the late ‘70s and ‘80s, The Beat still bring the near-perfect balance of pop melodies and taut rhythms that made them stars and won them worldwide acclaim.
Based in Birmingham, The Beat released their Smokey cover debut single “Tears of a Clown” through The Specials’ 2-Tone label in 1979. The single went Top Ten in the UK and they soon struck a deal with Arista to distribute on their own Go Feet label.
Their debut studio album ‘Just Can’t Stop’ went Gold in England, and included the now-cult single “Mirror In The Bathroom”. The band’s ferocious live performances and clever blend of personal and political lyrics continue to make them stars to this day, and they’ll be diving into their back catalogue at these new year shows.
And they’re skanking up Swindon on Saturday January 7th, at Meca, tickets are up for grabs now. Also at the Cheese & Grain Frome on March 4th, which is (hint) close to my birthday! Tickets here.
- Lady Nade; Sober!
Dry January, anyone? Well, Lady Nade just plunged into an outdoor 4°C eucalyptus sauna for a social media reel. But whilst I’d require a stiff … Continue reading “Lady Nade; Sober!” - 2025 on Devizine; Review of the Year; Part 1, Jan-June
If past years seem to be racing by me on roller-skates, now they’re in Formula 1 cars! 2025, in a word, was “average,” though the … Continue reading “2025 on Devizine; Review of the Year; Part 1, Jan-June” - Awesome! Talk in Code Immortalised as Lego Minifigures!
Ah, let’s talk about Talk in Code one more time this year, because we’re secret Talkers here, and everything has been awesome this year for … Continue reading “Awesome! Talk in Code Immortalised as Lego Minifigures!” - Daphne Oram; Devizes’ Unsung Pioneer of Electronic Sound Part 3
Oramics and its Place in the Progression of Electronic Music In 1997 I was a 24 year-old factory worker, keen to learn all tasks on … Continue reading “Daphne Oram; Devizes’ Unsung Pioneer of Electronic Sound Part 3” - Everything Going on For New Year’s Eve 2025!
Ah, I hope you’ve all had a great Christmas, now it’s time for New Year’s Eve, and here’s what we’ve found to do. Wishing everyone … Continue reading “Everything Going on For New Year’s Eve 2025!” - Ha! Let’s Laugh at Hunt Supporters!
Christmas has come early for foxes and normal humans with any slither of compassion remaining, as the government announced the righteous move to ban trail … Continue reading “Ha! Let’s Laugh at Hunt Supporters!” - Rooks; New Single From M3G
Chippenham folk singer-songwriter, M3G (because she likes a backward “E”) has a new single out tomorrow, Friday 19th December. Put your jingly bell cheesy tunes … Continue reading “Rooks; New Single From M3G” - Wiltshire Music Centre Unveils Star-Studded New Season
Wiltshire Music Centre Unveils Star-Studded New Season with BBC Big Band, Ute Lemper, Sir Willard White and comedians Chris Addison and Alistair McGowan revealing their … Continue reading “Wiltshire Music Centre Unveils Star-Studded New Season” - Daphne Oram; Devizes’ Unsung Pioneer of Electronic Sound: Part 2
Daphne’s Family & Childhood Connection to Devizes Celebrations of Daphne Oram have been building in London since the beginning of December, for those in the … Continue reading “Daphne Oram; Devizes’ Unsung Pioneer of Electronic Sound: Part 2” - Burning the Midday Oil at The Muck
Highest season of goodwill praises must go to Chrissy Chapman today, who raised over £500 (at the last count) for His Grace Children’s Centre in … Continue reading “Burning the Midday Oil at The Muck”
devizine.com 