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 them, but now they’re being immortalised as Lego minifigures!
Surely, the piece of resistance of local merch, it doesn’t get better than this! Lego minifigures have become something of a collectors item over the years, and the finest local indie popsters have a Lego inspired fan reward scheme they’re calling TICBRIX; genuine awesomeness!
Now open, all you’ve got to do is attend their gigs, which is a pleasure in itself, collect stamps on a loyalty card, and collect the band figures. Pick up the cards at the merch desk at any show, get it stamped, and after every two Talk in Code shows, you can claim your FREE minifigure and badge from the merch desk.
With four members in the band, it’s going to take you eight shows to complete your collection, but thatโs not all. At the halfway point, youโll be eligible for a bespoke, Lego stage set for them to all play on, complete with a bass guitar, extra guitar, drumsticks and even a Sneddsโ luxury beard upgrade!
Personally, I feel inclined to hotfoot it up the loft to find my bricks and build a spaceship for them to gig on because they’re out of this world! Spaceship!!!!
Some early 2026 performances from the guys include 17th Jan at The Kings Arms in Amesbury and also at Devizes Winter of Festive Ales at The Corn Exchange on 28th February. On the 28th of March, there’s a Talkers Show by personal invite only at The Hop in Swindon. Join the Talkers WhatsApp group to get in on that and be in the know of other gigs by texting โadd meโ with your first name to 07725 138077. All welcome unless you’re from the planet Duplo!
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 the production line to work my way up, but suddenly the run of the ladder was pulled too high for me to reach. Shift managers who had were axed, were replaced by โteam leaders,โ that of precisely the same duties and responsibilities, though you needed a diploma to apply.
The government tried to thwart my only other life objective three years past, to party; they had failed. I worked in the factory now for one reason, to fund this escapism. Once free, the Criminal Justice Bill ensured someone profited from our jollity, as rave culture was pushed into nightclubs and legal paid events.
If The Prodigy were right, this was music for the jilted generation, perhaps so too was Luigi Russolo in his 1913 futurist manifesto L’arte dei Rumori (The Art of Noises,) when he argued that the ear would become accustomed to a new sonic palette of industrial soundscapes, and musicians would require a new approach to instrumentation and composition. Though Iโd not have contemplated the noises of the factory manipulating my music perceptions at the time, I was aware of how Kraftwerk were influenced by the sounds of traffic for Autobahn.
Neither would I have given much thought to the development of electronic music; my time with analogue pop of punk and Two-Tone was short-lived. Through new wave post-punk and electronica to American hip hop and electro, and the rebellion from the hit factories exploiting it; rave culture, I had grown up with electronics as a staple to music and knew no different.
Pre-internet research on the subject wouldโve been a needle in a haystack, even if Iโd the motivation to study it. In my naivety I assumed one thing, that Kraftwerk created electronic music, because Iโd seen a clip of them on the BBC program Tomorrow’s World. Though the show made no claim to this, I was only two on the 25th September 1975, when it originally aired.
Ralf Hรผtter and Florian Schneiderโs Kraftwerk were certainly pioneers who popularised the krautrock genre worldwide. The industrial links between Dusseldorf and Detroit and creative ones between Berlin and New York were influences reflected, which turned the cogs of hip hop and house. And now, here I was, in a meadow near Luton, at Universeโs Tribal Gathering, where I figured weโd come full circle.
Kraftwerk played their one and only festival, it was monumental. The once monocultured rave phenomenon had divided into copious subgenres, Universe were the first to fully embrace this with a tent dedicated to each division. Yet from each tent masses united at the main stage, some DJs refusing to play their set because theyโd miss this performance. Reflecting back on it now, I cannot deny it was something to behold, but Iโve since discovered they wasnโt the complete roots to electronic music I assumed they were. Its complex international evolution includes too many names to mention, but this fascinating insight has been encouraged by my study into one important innovator largely uncredited, born here in Devizes, Daphne Oram.
We outlined her work briefly in the introduction to this series of articles, and with help from Daphneโs niece, Carolyn Scales, we delved into her upbringing in Devizes, and how influences in engineering meshed with her love of music. Now we need to fit her role into this vast evolution of electronic music, by looking at Oramics, discovering how that influenced the progression, and why it is not as well documented and I believe it should be.
Once Daphne left the BBC Radiophonic Workshop in 1959, she coined the term Oramics, a name for her studio in Tower Folly, a converted oast house at Fairseat in Kent, her technique for creating graphical sound, and the Oramics Machine which spawned from it.
Carolyn described The Oramics Machine as, โan early synthesiser,โ but as with Russian engineer Evgeny Murzin who created photoelectronic instrument the ANS synthesizer, historical records rarely reference them. The first commercial synthesizer is credited to American engineer Robert Moog a few years later in 1964. Precursors to Moog mentions Harald Bode who laid the groundwork for separate sound-modifying modules used in the Moog design, the Hammond Organ Companyโs Novachord in the late 1930s, Canadian engineer Hugh Le Caineโs Electronic Sackbut, Herbert Belar and Harry Olsonโs RCA Mark I and II Sound Synthesizers, and some cite Thaddeus Cahillโs Telharmonium, an electromechanical sound generator from 1897, which weighed in over two-hundred tons.
The original Oramics Machine was the size of an office photocopier, so was also too cumbersome for the average musician. By its definition, itโs a synthesiser but worked differently; the composer/musician drew onto a set of 35mm film strips which ran past a series of photo-electric cells, generating electrical signals to control amplitude, timbre, frequency and duration.
The reason for the omission, Carolyn suggested, was because The Oramics Machine was lost after her passing. โDr Mick Griersonโs team tracked it down to France in 2008. Working with the Science Museum. Griersonโs study provided the first full contextualisation of the machine, an assessment of its historical importance, and a detailed description of its workings. The machine became a central part of the Science Museum exhibition Oramics to Electronica, originally planned to run for six months in 2011. The showโs press and public uptake saw it extended a further four years.โ
Perhaps inspired by Moogโs development of the Minimoog, Daphne worked on a Mini-Oramics, but never completed a prototype. Goldsmiths’ PhD student Tom Richards, who pored over the unfinished project and built it over forty years later, suggested โthere were a lot of reasons why she didnโt launch Mini-Oramics. She was working on her own, and wasnโt affiliated to a large organisation or university.ย She had ups and downs in her life, and at the time she was working on Mini-Oramics, she also worried that her approach to musical research was out of fashion when compared to chance-based and computerised techniques. She was unable to secure the further funding she needed and she eventually moved on to other research.โ
If funding and the ferocity of music technologyโs progression at this time surpassed Daphne, both her music and written works were visionary. If you thought Pete Tongโs Heritage Orchestra was pushing new boundaries in 2004, Carolyn noted, โin 1948, Daphne created a piece for double orchestra, turntable and live electronics called Still Point, long thought of as the earliest composition to include real-time electronic transformation of instrumental sounds.โ Again, Still Point was never performed and was considered lost. โDr James Bulley found fragments in the Oram archive,โ she continued, โand working collaboratively with Dr Shiva Feshareki, began a reconstruction, later finding the full score in the belongings of composer Hugh Davies.โ
โA performance was commissioned by BBC Proms and performed by turntablist Shiva Feshareki, Bulley, and the London Contemporary Orchestra in 2018 at the Royal Albert Hall, reaching a substantial audience live and via BBC Radio 3,โ Carolyn explained. โThe reaction was one of awe, with the piece described as โthrillingโ. Critical responses suggested that this realisation of Oramโs previously untested ideas represented a challenge to electronic musicโs received history.โ
The more I research the more I find examples suggesting Daphneโs work was so avant-garde, abstract or insistent on anthropological creativity against trending dehumanised mathematical methods, she was set apart from the contemporary canon of self-generating computer music, positioning her work in a kind of unique scientific-spiritual space, combining technical rigor with a romantic model of artistic expression. This would frustrate her, when projects were either underfunded or too radical for others to follow, and they were consequently lost in time.
In 1971 she authored a book titled An Individual Note of Music, Sound and Electronics, wherein lies a quote often cited in discussions about music technology: โWe will be entering a strange world where composers will be mingling with capacitors, computers will be controlling crotchets and, maybe, memory, music and magnetism will lead us towards metaphysics.โ
Daphne visiting her parents in Devizes
It was also her dedication to authorial control, while cybernetic-influenced composers embraced self-generating systems with indeterminacy, which caused Oram’s approach to differ from the era’s prevailing trends, despite this cybernetic orientation. Exemplifying the generosity of her father, James, Mayor of Devizes, Daphne actively supported composersโ rights to royalties while she was a Trustee of The Performing Rights Society in the 1970s.
Daphne Oram suffered two strokes during the nineties, and passed away in Maidstone on the 5th January 2003. Yet on Daphneโs centenary, where much of the world remains dubious about the ethics of artificial intelligence, we must debate her legacy, for my final part of the series.
Oh, and if you were wondering, all I saw of Kraftwerk at Tribal Gathering was the fluorescent outlines of their boilersuits!
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 a happy New Year and all the best for 2026. Don’t forget our event calendar lists much more and everything going on this weekend, into January and beyond!
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 hunts. As an impartial media outlet, we sayโฆ.let’s laugh at those saddened hunters wallowing in their own self-pity, right through Christmas and beyond!
Keir Starmer’s cabinet, a far cry from the ideal government, but the best we’ve had after fourteen long years of that Conservative clown school of thieves, occasionally wakes up and realises they’re supposed to be leftwing, and this was one such bizarre occasion where they delivered a popular promise off their manifesto; miracles do happen at Christmas, pass the overpriced Quality Street and celebrate!
Prepare for a minority of elitists though, the barbaric scum remaining in support of the incongruous pageant, and those too stupid to go against what the leaders of the fascist uprising tell them to think, to really blow off some steam. โWhaaah! We can’t kill innocent animals anymore!!โ Cue the tiniest violin.
Laugh at their flabby flushed faces, angered social media posts, and inane rants, in a pathetic attempt to convince you the government are communists, or even more degrading piffle and pointless propaganda. Starmer did good today. Give him a star sticker. I’m as equally as shocked as them!
Best advice I could give? Laugh at them! Laugh at them hysterically until they blow a fuse. Though it’s a dubious time to announce the ban, and I dread to think what Boxing Day might bring as they gather with even more anger than usual, that this might be the last showdown. What level of slaughter can we expect to see in this last stance?
We rely on and thank all the fantastic hunt sabs to see this fight to its triumphant end.
Bottom line is, if you were the headteacher of a primary school where the children were firing catapults in the playground, so you put all the catapults on a high shelf but the children used fishing nets to get them down, pretending they were using the nets for fishing, you would have to ban the nets too, wouldn’t you? And you’d consider that it was the children’s fault for using the nets to continue firing catapults when they were told not to.
Therefore, because the Hunting Act allowed hunters to trail hunt, but it’s proven that many used it as a smokescreen to continue hunting foxes, then they’ve no one to blame but themselves. If any of them genuinely followed the trail hunt rules and didn’t use it as a disguise to continue illegally hunting foxes, or took measures to call off the hounds if a fox was to be caught up in the puerile activity, then they should be pointing the finger of blame at those who clearly did abuse the rules.
But it’s doubtful they will, either in a show of solidarity, or because they’re a type which doesn’t really exist at all. No, they’ll be united in throwing their teddies out of their prams, yelling blame at the government, but really, hunters did this to themselves and deserve everything they get.
โThe hounds will be homeless,โ we’ve heard. Is this a threat to release hounds into the wild?! If you cannot provide the basics and house your dog then you shouldn’t have a dog, and the law should intervene and arrest you for animal cruelty, finally.ย
โAll the horses and hounds will have to be shot!โ Only aย bloodthirsty sadist would think this. They were looked after before, why not now? They bred them knowing this was happening, ergo it is their responsibility to ensure their welfare is continued and they are looked after.
But this is the most bizarre one, literally convicting themselves: โthe fox population will increase!โ Hold on a cotton-picking minute. They claimed they were trial hunting, using only a rag with the scent of a fox, so how could it possibly increase the fox population? Unless, oh, proof they lied and were actually illegally killing foxes; who knew?!! Otherwise, there might be a few rags going spare, but that’s about it.
โJobs will be lost,โ is another. Awl, shame. Get a new job, one not connected to barbarism. Nigel Faragรผhrer is already on that case, politicising it for the apparent good of the common man, saying it’s against English tradition, yet last week supported a foreign president’s attempts to bring down the BBC at the expense of the British taxpayers; how patriotic, how concerned for job loses he must be!
The only benefit of his recent outrages is that the common rightwing thinkers will see it as proof he’s not really in for them, as many I know personally also do not support hunting either; I wish them a Merry Christmas. It’s surely then just a case of relevance; if it doesn’t affect them personally, it seems it rarely makes a priority in their decision-making. It’s not really relevant to me either, personally, but I have this thing called โempathy.โ Quick, Reformers, write to Santa while there’s still time, ask him for some compassion and empathy, and join us in protecting our wildlife for future generations to appreciate too.
Chippenham folk singer-songwriter, M3G (because she likes a backward โEโ) has a new single out tomorrow, Friday 19th December. Put your jingly bell cheesy tunes on hold for a moment, because this is a beautiful, epic journeyโฆ.
M3Gโs seventh release, Rooks, poignantly pulls on the heartstrings when presented by the rise and fall of a romance, rooks often being a slang for cheating someone. It runs into six minutes, and reflecting the heartbreak of the subject, the song rises and falls accordingly. It creates a spellbinding ambience of both hope and worry equally, and is of magical vocal and acoustic guitar composition, with a gentle cajon drum subtly placed.
Inspired by the likes of Florence Welch and AURORA, Meg was open about her autism in our interview from 2023, and claimed it as the backbone to her creativity. In this, what she creates is completely original, unique, and unequivocally personal. Meg doesnโt just sing, she projects her innermost thoughts and expresses them, angelically. In Rooks, you can literally feel the characterโs heart breaking, causing yours to inevitably go with it.
The hyphen in the term singer-songwriter has never been so apt with another. Sure, I hear lots of brilliant expressive singers and lots of songwriters who can pen a marvel, but no one merges them so seamlessly and forgoes any fear theyโre exposing too much of their innermost thoughts, dreams or desires. You only need to venture ten seconds into Rooks to observe what I mean, and if Meg constantly strives for improvement, causing me to say this is her best song yet each time, here we go again; this is awe-inspiring, her magnum opus to date.
Recorded and mixed by Phil Cooper, his genius registers on it, yet still, itโs Just M3G; layering her backing chants over her main vocals like choral had a singular tense, and who even designed the cover. She says working with Phil is โa massive step above my other releases. I am so proud of it.โ It is on a next level, Iโm uncertain what she could do to top it, but assured she will, and Iโm certain Rooks will appease her fans and make her find new ones.
Christmas has come early for foxes and normal humans with any slither of compassion remaining, as the government announced the righteous move to ban trailโฆ
Chippenham folk singer-songwriter, M3G (because she likes a backward โEโ) has a new single out tomorrow, Friday 19th December. Put your jingly bell cheesy tunesโฆ
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 theirโฆ
Daphneโs Family & Childhood Connection to Devizes Celebrations of Daphne Oram have been building in London since the beginning of December, for those in theโฆ
Part 1: An Introduction March 1936: newlywed French telecommunications engineer Pierre Schaeffer relocates to Paris from Strasbourg and finds work in radio broadcasting. He embarksโฆ
Yesterday Wiltshire Council published an โupdateโ on the lane closure on Northgate Street in Devizes as the fire which caused it reaches its first anniversary.โฆ
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 classical music talents…..
Wiltshire Music Centre announces new Spring season with some extraordinary listening experiences on offer in the new year.Wiltshire Music Centre is a unique and contemporary 300-seated concert hall in Bradford on Avon.ย In the heart of rural Wiltshire, the venue’s built an enviable reputation over the years as a professional concert hall of exceptional quality, rooted in community participation and involvement.ย The Centre also provides a permanent home for local orchestras, choirs and music groups, and works extensively with young people locally through a vibrant and varied Creative Learning Programme in Wiltshire and beyond.
Since first opening in 1997, Wiltshire Music Centre has been a musical hub, bringing the best in live performances to the area as well as providing a home for local orchestras, choirs and music groups. Recently appointed Executive Director, Sarah Robertson and Artistic Director, Daniel Clark have a renewed commitment to creating a space for people to gather and connect through a shared love of music โ a space to celebrate the past, present and future of music-making and to nurture a spirit of musical curiosity.
Audiences can look forward to an exceptional lineup of artists, including first-ever WMC appearances by leading pianist Angela Hewitt (30 Jan 2026), opera virtuoso Sir Willard White performing with WMC favourites The Brodsky Quartet (20 Mar 2026), BBC Big Band (17 Apr 2026) showcasing the musical genius of George Gershwin, international cabaret star Ute Lemper (8 Mar 2026), blues legend Eric Bibb (27 Mar 2026) touring his new album, and a WMC debut by the Neil Cowley Trio (11 Apr 2026) who bring their inventive show inspired by Baroque genius, J.S Bach, to the Centre. Meanwhile, Jamie Woon (8 Apr 2026), British R & B and electronica singer/producer returns to the stage after a 10-year break.
Classical and jazz season highlights include โtrumpeter extraordinaireโ (BBC Music Magazine) Matilda Lloyd performing with the Goldmund Quartet (7 Feb 2026); Nikki Iles and Claire Martinโs new project IG4 (7 Mar 2026); evocative choral works from The Gesualdo Six (28 Mar 2026); stunning vocals from the Grammy-nominated British vocal ensemble VOCES8 (26 Apr 2026); and exciting new jazz sounds from Jazz FM Instrumentalist of the Year Mark Kavuma (28 Mar 2026) and London-based saxophonist Camilla George (22 May 2026), whose music blends Afrofuturism, hip-hop, and jazz.
For blues, folk, and roots fans, thereโs a packed programme of must-see gigs featuring both established and emerging favourites, including the powerful fatherโdaughter duo Martin and Eliza Carthy (3 Apr 2026), much-loved folk singer Cara Dillon (8 May 2026), Jon Bodenโs project The Remnant Kings (15 May 2026), and Josienne Clarkeโs homage to Sandy Denny of Fairport Convention (6 Mar 2026).
Families can look forward to a musical retelling of Benji Daviesโs childrenโs book The Storm Whale with Music in the Round (14 Feb 2026), and the film classic Wallace & Gromit: The Wrong Trousers on the big screen with live music performed by WMCโs flagship West of England Youth Orchestra (10 Apr 2026).
The eclectic programming extends beyond the music alone. Former Royal Harpist Catrin Finch (15 Mar 2026) comes to the Centre with Notes to Self, an evening of music and conservation, while master impressionist Alistair McGowan (12 Apr 2026) and sharp-witted comedian Chris Addison (14 Feb 2026) bring comedy and music with their respective shows. There will also be a series of monthly screenings with the newly launched Adventurers Film Club, featuring Becoming Led Zeppelin (28 Jan 2026), Set the Piano Stool on Fire (25 Feb 2026) โ the acclaimed documentary about legendary pianist Alfred Brendel and his protรฉgรฉ Kit Armstrongโand more.
Introducing the new season, Daniel Clark says โHere youโll find a wide-ranging series of concerts from some of the most exciting voices of the past, present and future of music. From great legends of music-making to rising stars, weโre committed to bringing the best music we can to our special venue, and hope youโll find something that will transport, inspire and delight you.โ
Highlights:
Angela Hewitt: one of the worldโs greatest living interpreters of Bachโs music and recipient of the City of Leipzig Bach Medal in 2020 will make her WMC debut. (30 Jan 2026)
Angela Hewitt
London 2016
Chris Addisonโs Incomplete Guide to Chamber Music: Chris Addison brings to life the rich, vibrant โ and sometimes bizarre โ history of classical chamber music. A musical journey from baroque courts and European revolutions to todayโs contemporary composers with some of the UKโs finest musicians and Chrisโ brilliant and original facts and insight. (14 Feb 2026)
Eric Bibb: Three-time Grammy nominee and blues legend with a career spanning over five decades tours brand new album, One Mississippi blending blues, folk, soul, and Americana. (27 Mar 2026)
Ute Lemper: International cabaret star brings her show telling the story of Hollywood legend Marlene Dietrich through songs and stories: from the Berlin Cabaret years to her Burt Bacharach collaborations. (8 Mar 2026)
Lau Noah: Beautiful, innovative and evocative vocal and guitar harmonies from self-taught Catalan composer and songwriter who has supported Chris Thile, Ben Folds and Jacob Collier on tour over the past two years. (3 May 2026)
Join the St Johnโs Choir and talented soloists for a heart-warming evening of festive favourites, carols, and candlelit Christmas atmosphere this Friday 12 th Decemberโฆ
This afternoon I find myself contemplating what the future holds for historical discovery and learning for all ages, fun and educational exhibits and events inโฆ
Featured Image: Barbora Mrazkova My apologies, for Marlboroughโs singer-songwriter Gus Whiteโs debut album For Now, Anyway has been sitting on the backburner, and itโs moreโฆ
Having to unfortunately miss Devizesโ blues extravaganza on Friday, I crossed the borderline on Saturday to get my prescribed dosage of Talk in Codeโฆwith aโฆ
No, I didnโt imagine for a second they would, but upcoming Take the Stage winners, alt-rock emo four-piece, Butane Skies have released their second song,โฆ
Featured Image by Giulia Spadafora Ooo, a handclap uncomplicated chorus is the hook in Lady Ladeโs latest offering of soulful pop. Itโs timelessly cool andโฆ
Daphneโs Family & Childhood Connection to Devizes
Celebrations of Daphne Oram have been building in London since the beginning of December, for those in the sphere of electronic music and music technology. On the first Thursday of the month The Barbican held a concert commemorating Daphne’s centenary, where sound and music fair access partner, Nonclassical, in partnership with The Oram Trust and Oram Awards played commissioned reimagined works from various contemporary electronic artists, inspired from tapes in Daphne’s archive. This has been released as the album, Vari/ations: An Ode To Oram.
London university Goldsmiths acquired Daphneโs archive in 2006, bringing her work into the wider public domain, after decades of relative obscurity. In the male dominated realm of electronic music, this has presented a better understanding of Daphne as a visionary in the early development of the genre, and in turn inspired female musicians and producers.
But our story begins rather differently, in the late nineteen-twenties, at Belle Vue House, Devizes, where a much younger Daphne is caught trying to climb inside the family piano! Daphne’s niece Carolyn Scales explained, โshe was asked โwhy are you doing that?โ and Daphne replied, she wanted the piano to make a sound between the notes on the keyboard.โ
Daphne with brother John
Iโm grateful to Carolyn for providing some fascinating background into Daphneโs family and childhood in Devizes, something overlooked by the insurmountable information available regarding her work.
โAll the siblings enjoyed listening to classical music but only Daphne had the ability to create music,โ she told me. โIdaโs sisters often joined her to play trios and quartets at Belle Vue House while James did learn to play the cello but was happy to stand aside for more competent players. In his defence Jamesโs fatherโs diaries only mention one musical instrument at their home, a piano declared by a piano tuner as not worthy of tuning. Maybe we underestimate the strength of our Oram artistic genes.โ
Daphne at five months, with mother, Ida, brothers Arthur and John
Daphne Blake Oram was born on the 31st December 1925, to James Oram (1890-1964) and Ida nee Talbot (1887-1972.) โIda ,โ Carolyn explained, โwho at heart seems to have been a natural party goer, was plagued by ill health. Daphne was born in Ivy House Nursing Home not because of a fear of losing Daphne but because of Idaโs problems with her legs. In the first photograph of Daphne she is being held by Ida who is sitting in a wicker bath chair with Arthur and John in front of their new home of Belle Vue House.โ
โIda was born in Braintree, Essex into a family of drapers,โ Carolyn said, โwho soon moved to a shop on Maryport Street, Devizes, opposite the top of The Brittox, which they ran from 1888 until 1914. Unfortunately Idaโs father Alfred died in 1896 leaving her mother Alice nee Blake to run the business.โ She continued to describe Aliceโs six children helping at the shop, and its failure, though Ida was in charge of the millinery department, and how later there was a room in Belle Vue House devoted to her hats. Carolyn told of Idaโs painting hobby, in watercolours, oils and other mediums.
Talbot family with parents. Ida on swing with her twin
Daphneโs father, James, was known in Devizes as โJimโ or โJimmy.โ He was not Irish but proud of his upbringing off the coast of County Mayo, and โnever lost his soft Irish brogue.โ His father Arthur Oram was a farmer and land agent in one of the most deprived parts of rural Ireland, hit hard by the famines of the early 1800s, and as such it was a natural breeding ground for agrarian discontent, later producing some prominent members of the IRA. This caused James to be keenly aware of local injustices.
โIn 1961, when James took us to see where he was born,โ Carolyn expressed, โhe told us he was upset that he was not allowed to go to school with his friends. They were Catholic and he was a Protestant and to highlight the differences James and his siblings had to travel to school in Newport by pony and trap, rather than walk to the local school.โ
โI feel sure that our father John was correct in saying that if James had stayed in Ireland he would have become a renowned barrister. Unfortunately, just as James left school there was a change in the familyโs fortunes as The Congested Districts Board on behalf of the British Government were, quite rightly buying estates and redistributing the land among farmers living on tenanted, uneconomic smallholdings.โ
Therefore, instead of attending university at sixteen James travelled to Devizes, to help his uncle (by marriage,) Alfred Hinxman, the manager of the Devizes branch of a Salisbury coal merchant. James lived in Devizes for the rest his life, managing the coal merchant until his retirement. Overseeing the distribution of coal in the southwest during the Second World War, James was so horrified by the profiteering he didnโt take a penny for his efforts and received a MBE.
James Oram, Devizes Mayor
โJames soon became a trusted member of the community,โ Carolyn said, โactive in its civic life, as a magistrate and a school governor. This included being Mayor of Devizes during The Abdication and coronation of George VI.โ
โJames also successfully became involved in many businesses including The Devizes Brick and Tile Co. Somehow James also found time for his interest in local history and was a member of various local societies. He could have become wealthy but instead gave away his excess income after ensuring that his family lived in a comfortable style. Every Sunday dinner during the depression of the 1930s they would discuss the families that the brickworks supported, carefully working out if they would have the money to feed their children. The discussion would end by choosing someone who was struggling to hire to cut the Belle Vue House lawn during the following week.โ
The Devizes Brick and Tile Co. Photograph by HR Edmonds
Jamesโ generous nature rubbed off on his children. Daphne actively supported composersโ rights to royalties while she was a Trustee of The Performing Rights Society in the 1970s. โIn particular,โ Carolyn noted, โDaphne helped to set up the PRS Membersโ Fund that continues to support those registered with the PRS and their families when they are in need of financial help. During the 1980s Daphne arranged Christmas hampers for these families.โ
Before Daphne was born the family lived in rooms above the coal merchantโs office at 7 High Street, Devizes. James wanted Belle Vue House, empty at the time but out of his price range, until the state of dilapidation dropped far enough, which was just as Daphne was being born. The house would have been at the end of Belle Vue Road, now replaced by Waiblingen Way housing estate.
Retired designer Paul Bryant, who still resides locally told me he grew up close to Belle Vue House, and recalled her returning to the family home and, โthe excitement that was generated when she was awarded grants from the Gulbenkian Foundation.โ Paul expressed โit is heartening to see the ancient horse chestnut tree, then at the end of the Oram’s garden, still surviving in Waiblingen Way.โ Meanwhile, local musician Peter Easton has written in request for a blue plaque to be erected in Daphneโs honour.
Daphne, with the grass roller at Belle Vue House, Devizes
Carolyn explained how the siblingโs engineering abilities can also be traced to the Oram side of the family. โTheir great uncle John had designed machinery to make barrels for Rockefellerโs oil, and their uncle Arthur oversaw many civil engineering projects in the Indus Valley, now in Pakistan.โ
โArthur, aged 9 and John, aged 5 were to share a bedroom with an adjoining dressing room that James agreed they would turn into a workshop,โ Carolyn said. โThey had already started their own tool kits and Arthur was delighted when James added a foot controlled fret saw.โ
In a letter to John dated April 2003, Arthur wrote it would be the 77th anniversary of their move from the High Street to Belle Vue House: โEvery 20th April was the day of an annual fair on the Green, and Hitlerโs birthday. That one in 1926 was a very special wet Tuesday for us. Our mother was taken the half-mile in a big closed Bath Chair drawn by a man holding the long handle in front, because of her illness with a bad knee. She was helped into their old oak bed in the drawing room, on the right of the door towards the fireplace. In that room there was placed, near the door, the old radio that our mother had bought some years before from proceeds of her Barbola work, with its two bright emitter valves and six volt battery, from which we had news through the general strike of 1926.โ
โLater the workshop became home to Johnโs lathe and of great interest to Daphne. John told me that he was sometimes very mean to Daphne when she came to the workshop. At first she had to stay outside the open door and be silent, if she passed that test she was allowed to stand just inside the door for a while before coming closer to John and even helping when possible. John taught Daphne to use a lathe and she had one of his old lathes at Tower Folly, albeit by then worn and no longer a precision tool. John also admitted to teasing Daphne over his Meccano set that she wanted to play with. Daphne had to watch John make, say a crane ,then he would tighten all the nuts and bolts before walking away leaving Daphne to dismantle his work.โ
Daphne visits her parents in Devizes
Carolyn said, โthere were three main early influences on Arthur, John and Daphne namely their father James, mother Ida and their home which gave them space to both work together and follow their own particular interests.โ
Iโm eternally grateful to Carolyn Scales, Daphne’s niece, for a fascinating insight into Daphneโs early years and family life, and for the photographs too. It seems her curious childhood nature was focused on what makes music, and her engineering skills were honed early, enhanced by her intrigue and not being allowed to assist by her elder brothers. This led her to create the Oramics Machine, her early synthesiser, built in the 1960s, but lost after her death. We should concentrate our efforts on Daphneโs work in the third part, and how it shaped modern music……
All images are taken with permission from the personal collection of Carolyn Scales with thanks. ยฉ2025 Carolyn Scales. Please ask permission before use.
Highest season of goodwill praises must go to Chrissy Chapman today, who raised over ยฃ500 (at the last count) for His Grace Childrenโs Centre in Uganda, with a little help from talented friendsโฆ.
Years back as soloist singer-songwriter One Trick Pony, Chrissy organised annual fundraising gigs at the Southgate around Christmas time, but now tuned up a notch with her incredible Americana band Burn the Midnight Oil behind her it was a high noon lock up and load for a Sunday afternoon hoedown at the Muck and Dunder rum bar in Devizes. The better half, Mrs Devizine, has been asking me to take her somewhere tropical, so given such an opportunity, we bused it to The Brittox.
With Burn The Midnight Oil rightfully grasping the top slot with the same intensity as me holding my pineapple vase of piรฑa colada, all kicked off at half-two with Gary Hewitt-Long performing a rare acoustic set. New to the game, and while I obviously cannot condone a satirical song aimed at a certain rogue local councillor, Gary was unnecessarily bashful, as he acoustically played out some great originals to warm the crowd!
Perhaps it was the crowd which, understandably nerved him; it sure was building, as Martin Rea sauntered through them, sporting a fashionable bum bag and dishing out raffle tickets.
A Wiltshire duo new to me, One Plus One may offer sums even I can handle in name, but their performance was delightful. A proficient and lovable pop cover duo to please any event, One Plus One is guitarist Dave, and Emily on vocals, confident to take on an Amy Winehouse cover or two and come up trumps. Chapel Roan’s Pink Pony Club also got a superb makeover, and they polished it off with the seasonal Fairytale of New York; why not?
Maybe only because our modest local folk legend Vince Bell, who followed, also planned to finalise his sublime set with the UK’s best loved Christmas song, with his wife Lisa as Kirsty MacColl. Though more musical theatre, no stranger to the limelight, Lisa nailed it, and the handsome, pretty, and the queens of New Devizes City crowd never minded the doubled up cover and sang the chorus.
Vince also offered Chrissy the accompanying chair for a spellbinding middle duet they supposed they should record, and they should. But beginning his set with his divine self-penned melancholic earworms, garnished in percussive rhythm guitar mastery akin to flamenco, and raising the spirit with the more spritely Spiderman Pajamas, Vince is a local treasure and never fails to charm.
Exactly a year after we first interviewed the original lineup, Burn The Midnight Oil came bursting on and delivered their awesome set with unified passion and precision, seemingly lapping up every minute. You’d be excused for assuming this band has been playing together for decades despite it being less than a year in the new format.
They appeased the audience with a taste of what they’ve been working on, looked fantabulous, and, most importantly, put 210% into their show. Yet it was arguably the sum of all these parts and the community festive spirit, which made it the wonderful afternoon it was.
March 1936: newlywed French telecommunications engineer Pierre Schaeffer relocates to Paris from Strasbourg and finds work in radio broadcasting. He embarks on early radiophonic experiments. Fifteen years of his research, his inventions of various electronic instruments, and collaborations with Pierre Henry would lead them to found Groupe de Recherche de Musique Concrรจte. Musique concrรจte would be the root of the utilisation of modified recorded sound through audio signal processing and tape techniques.
Across the channel, itโs the St. Clementโs Fair in Devizes. The town hall is decorated with a foliage of oranges and lemons, and the โBells of St Clementโsโ was recited with handbells to declare the fair open. Devizes Congregationsts arranged a small eisteddfod, which would be the origins of todayโs Devizes Eisteddfod, founded ten years later to raise funds for the Congregational Church, opposite Wadworthโs Brewery.
The connection? Well, two cups were awarded by the minister Rev. W.S.H Hallett; one for Ruth Mead for a vocal solo, and the second to eleven-year-old Daphne Oram, for a pianoforte solo. The daughter of James and Ida Oram, Daphne was educated at Sherborne School for Girls in Dorset, where she was tutored in piano and musical composition.
Daphne Oram as a young girl dressed as Alice in Wonderland with family, for the Devizes Carnival: Source Wiltshire Museum
At seventeen Daphne moved to London, turned down a place at the Royal College of Music, to become a junior sound engineer at the BBC, where she would โshadowโ concerts with a pre-recorded version, allowing the broadcast to continue despite interference or blackouts due to air raids.
Throughout the 1940s Daphne devoted herself to the pioneering of electronic sound, labouring into the night composing various pieces, most far too avant-garde for the traditionalist BBC bosses to consider publishing. Promoted to music studio manager after a decade, she eventually convinced the BBC to the benefits of electronic music and musique concrรฉte for use in programming; particularly for The BBC Third Programme, replaced by BBC Radio 3. By 1957 they caved, and Daphne was appointed the original co-director of The BBC Radiophonic Workshop with Senior Studio Manager Desmond Briscoe.
Their early efforts were for radio: radiophonic poems, effects for prevalent sci-fi serials like Quatermass and The Pit, and comedy sounds for The Goon Show. Yet Daphneโs motivation remained in electronic music production, and she resigned in 1959 to freelance, moving again to Kent.
Daphne Oram was way ahead of her time, a visionary frustrated with the direction The Radiophonic Workshop was heading, because electronic music was still in its infancy, especially the acceptance of it. The workshop continued without her and eventually branched into music, as television took over.
A trainee assistant studio manager called Delia Derbyshire joined the workshop, creating numerous scores and effects for television programmes. Most notably in 1963, when Derbyshire electronically modified Ron Grainerโs Doctor Who theme, hailed as the pinnacle moment in the advancement of electronic music in Britain. Though, BBC bureaucracy as it was, Delia was never credited on-screen for it until twelve years after her passing, in a 2013 fiftieth anniversary special, The Day of the Doctor. Her work has since been acknowledged and revered, whilst Daphne Oram remains a relatively unsung heroine in the development of electronic music.
Image: Daphne Oram
Futurist Luigi Russolo argues in a 1913 letter to composer Francesco Pratella, a manifesto referred to as The Art of Noises, that the ear will become accustomed to noises of urbanisation and industrial soundscapes, and thus mankind will develop a new sonic palette as technology progresses. A fascinating and accurate theory into the evolution of sound, in which Russolo encouraged musicians to listen to city sounds, which will putatively be the cymatics of future music.
I find myself reasoning if this explains why electronic music today is most popular in urban environments rather than rural. Due to music famed promoter Mel Bush, Devizes retains an affection for the blues, using authentic analogue instruments. Producers of electronic music are rare here. If you want dance music, which greater acquires the usage of technology than rock, blues, or folk, you may need to head towards Bristol, Swindon, or Salisbury.
But coming from a more urban background and growing up in the eighties and nineties, personally Iโve never outcasted electronics in music. Even if a musician is using analogue methods to create music, they will at the least use the internet to promote them. With eclectic tastes, I also love electronica, hip hop, dub, and dance music, and I love to explore the origins of it. So, this research project has me fascinated, the life and work of Daphne Oram, and her growing up in Devizes. I wondered how she became involved.
A graphical sound technique where shapes etched into filmstrips are read by photo-electric cells and transformed into for various parameters of sound is called Oramics, after its creator Daphne Oram at her Oramics Studios in Kent. She expressed hope that her work on Oramics would โplant seeds that would mature in the 21st century.โ Her legacy is commemorated in the annual Oram Awards, and the 2022 BBC Masterbrand Sonic, was internally known as “Daphne,” but still in her hometown sheโs not widely known, neither are her early years spent in Devizes well documented.
This month, Daphne would have celebrated her one-hundredth birthday. So, join me in an exploration of her life and work in a series of articles. We will talk with Daphneโs niece, Carolyn Scales, about her early years in Devizes, explore her work further, and talk with a local producer of electronic music about her legacy and the impact her work has on them. Because one thing is certain, without Daphne Oram music today would sound vastly different, at least it would in the UK, and during the boom of pop, as you should be aware, Britain led the way. I believe that it is worth commemorating and honouring her here in her birthplace, Devizes.
Yesterday Wiltshire Council published an โupdateโ on the lane closure on Northgate Street in Devizes as the fire which caused it reaches its first anniversary. Only, it’s more a โreminderโ than an โupdate!โ
It begins, โthe fire, in November 2024, caused significant damage to the Grade II-listed property and since then the council has had to install a single lane closure to keep people safe. The council recognises the inconvenience this is causing and is committed to reopening the road as soon as possible.โย Yeah, knew that bit already.
It continued justifiable, stating โthe council has no legal powers to compel the building owner to take further action.โ Then the Deputy Leader of Wiltshire Council, Mel Jacob, said how frustrating it all was, and how they were โkeen to get the road reopened as soon as we can.โ Knew that bit as well.
Fair enough, red tape and all that baloney I get, but the remainder of the information simply says what an inconvenience it’s been, and its impact on the community; who knew that bit?!
ย It suggests they’re in talks, but pledges โmore positive news on the road early in the new year.โ If the word โupdateโ needs replacing with โreminder,โ the word โmoreโ here should be swapped out for โsome,โ for as of yet it seems there isn’t any news about it at all, let alone โpositiveโ news; just some chatting, possibly over tea and cake. Youโve got a new bus shelter, be happy!
But hey, even if I cannot confirm about the tea and cake, it’s 14 sleeps until Santa, so let’s keep our glasses half-full, and hope he miraculously brings a resolution in his sack. For there’s been a few advantages, such as free town centre parking for the most daring and cheeky!
And think of it this way, the serious risk of turning right into Station Road from the mini-roundabout has been lessened by its more consistent usage; it seems now the occasional driver coming from the town direction acknowledges it as a roundabout, actually observes and obeys that technical hitch in the highway code known to others as โthe right of way!โ
Before all this a right turn there was a white-knuckle ride only for the daredevil stuntman or those on the school run; there were more bumps there than on the road to Potterne.
But one roundabout up into town, immortalised as โThe Brewery Roundabout,โ has been a fascinating study into levels of human kindness in Devizes. As whilst drivers can exit the Market Place there, there’s no traffic crossing the roundabout in which to allow them their right of way. At peak times this can be challenging and a smidgen annoying. My last count of human kindness, as traffic flows at a snail’s pace from the congested New Park Street, was a fantastic new record of eighteen inconsiderate to one thoughtful driver!
Those in the know about levels of human kindness in Devizes will nip down the Station Road junction from the Market Place, if they wish to ever exit the town westward, and being this road is narrow with parking spaces, it’s become a two-way rat run, whereby the 20mph limit is considered only for “snowflakes.”ย
All of which could’ve been avoided if there was a thing called โplanning,โ whereby Station Road couldโve been reduced to one way coming out of the Market Place, and the single lane from the Brewery roundabout was used for coming into the Market Place. But no worries, because Wiltshire Council are talking about it. It’s not progress, is it? It’s more like poking a dead dog with a stick, hoping it might get up and run.
Is it time to start thinking about spring? I think so! Bath music promoters 7 Hills are moving their annual spring festival from the city to Trowbridgeโs Old Town Hall. If youโre already buzzing for the 2026 festival season to arrive, check this March offeringโฆ..
7 Hills regularly organise music events at The Night Jar in Bath, a glorious bar upstairs at the Bath Pizza Company, part of the hip Green Park Brasserie close to the railway station. Many gigs there have a โpay if canโ policy, and present the likes of Luke De-Sciscio, Elles Bailey and Steve Cradock of Ocean Colour Scene. Their festivals are also usually held in Bath, but this coming year a spring one comes to Trowbridge.
Chris Hoar of Courting Ghosts explained he, โreached out to them initially to say I was planning a festival in the newly renovated Old Town Hall, just to check it didn’t clash with them, and Matt said let’s do it together in Trowbridge as a spring festival.โ
Concrete Prairie
Itโs an all day folk-rock festival, happening on Saturday 21st March, tickets are on sale now at ยฃ39.50. Thereโs a number of acts new to me on the lineup, which is good; The Delines, Our Man In The Field, Joseph Arthur, Hannah White, Leander Morales Music, Chris Greenhalgh, Bluebeard and the Desperate Hours and Biff Country. Some to tick off my must see list, like AQABA, and others which I will never tire of witnessing, particularly Concrete Prairie, Thieves, Fly Yeti Fly and Matt Owens, with Chrisโs band Courting Ghosts, of course!
Courting Ghosts
Following an extensive and transformative refurbishment, the historic Old Town Hall will host this inaugural 7 Hills Spring Festival, a landmark cultural event marking a renewed era of artistic ambition for the region. Conceived as a celebration of world-class songwriting and contemporary creative excellence, the festival assembles an exceptional line-up of internationally esteemed performers and compelling new voices.
The Delines headline, widely regarded as one of the most evocative and accomplished bands of their generation. Praised for their cinematic soul, lush arrangements and profoundly humane storytelling, critics have called The Delines โone of the finest Americana acts working todayโ and hailed their work as โexquisite, elegant and utterly transportive.โ Their appearance at 7 Hills Spring Festival promises a rare opportunity to witness a band consistently described as โamong the very best songwriters and performers on either side of the Atlantic.โ
They are joined by Our Man in the Field, whose transatlantic Americana and increasingly acclaimed live performances have captured audiences across Europe and beyond; the distinguished American singer-songwriter Joseph Arthur, celebrated for his poetic intensity; Matt Owens & The DVP, whose dynamic blend of modern folk, rock, and richly crafted lyricism promises one of the nightโs most electrifying sets; and multiple AMA UK Award Winner, Hannah White, widely recognised as one of Britainโs most profound contemporary songwriters. Rounding out the bill are Courting Ghosts, an emerging band whose growing reputation reflects a bold and distinctive artistic voice.
Fly Yeti Fly
Showcasing newly enhanced performance spaces, architectural restoration, and a revitalised artistic vision, the renewed Old Town Hall stands as a major cultural milestone. 7 Hills Spring Festival will not merely highlight the buildingโs transformation, but also usher in a bold new chapter for Trowbridgeโs cultural landscape.
With the absence of Bradford Roots Festival this coming year, usually in Feb at The Wiltshire Music Centre, I think I can pad it out until then; maybe go into hibernation until March!
Words by Ollie MacKenzie. Featured Image by Barbora Mrazkova.ย The creative process can be a winding, long, and often confusing journey. Seeing a project comeโฆ
Whoโs ready for walking in the winter wonderland?! Devizes sets to magically transform into a winter wonderland this Friday when The Winter Festival and Lanternโฆ
One part of Swindon was in perfect harmony last night, and I donโt mean the traffic circumnavigating the Magic Roundabout. Rather The Lost Trades wereโฆ
Join the St Johnโs Choir and talented soloists for a heart-warming evening of festive favourites, carols, and candlelit Christmas atmosphere this Friday 12 th December at 7.30pm…..
The spectacular, and oldest church in Devizes, St Johnโs Church has a Christmas Concert on Friday with All proceeds go to Juliaโs House and St John’s Church.
Tickets are ยฃ10 for adults, free for accompanied children. Tickets are available via Ticketsource, Devizes Books, or by scanning the QR code in the poster below.
This afternoon I find myself contemplating what the future holds for historical discovery and learning for all ages, fun and educational exhibits and events in Wiltshire; and it looks positive! Devizes is blessed to have Wiltshire Museum already, but the future looks even better, the future isโฆ. Assizes!
Wiltshire Museum announced today, The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded ยฃ8.5 million towards the ยฃ14.8 million Assizes for Devizes project to transform the derelict Assize Court building into a spectacular new home for the Museum. Derelict for decades, the once huge court house of architectural distinction, on the Heritage At Risk register, The Assize Court has been a sour issue for too long, and in its current condition is sadly an eyesore. The project will restore its historic features, and breathe new life into the building; Wiltshire Museum and in turn, Devizes will thrive.
Since 1874 The Wiltshire Museum has been delighting visitors at Long Street in Devizes, and is home to nationally important designated collections, including stunning treasures from the Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site landscape. It also hosts many exhibits, educational events and lectures for all ages, childrenโs craft workshops and so much more.
Director of Wiltshire Museum David Dawson said, “we are delighted that the Heritage Fund has demonstrated its confidence in our plans to transform the former Devizes Assize Court into the new home for a reimagined Wiltshire Museum. At last we will be able to give the museumโs internationally significant collections a fitting home, while rescuing an important at-risk listed building and providing a focal point for town centre renewal. We are grateful to National Lottery players, our loyal members and our other funders, existing and future, for their commitment and support.โ
Peter Troughton, CVO CBE, Chair of Devizes Assize Court Trust, which initially saved the building by purchasing it in 2018 with the support of generous donors, said, โthe National Lottery Heritage Fund award to the Wiltshire Museum is fantastic news! It will transform the museum, save the historic Assize Court building and give the people of Devizes a community hub like no other. It will be an enormous help to the campaign to achieve the vision for the award-winning museum, already supported by the town, Wiltshire County Council and leading charitable foundations.โ
My apologies, for Marlboroughโs singer-songwriter Gus Whiteโs debut album For Now, Anyway has been sitting on the backburner, and itโs more than worth a quick mentionโฆ..
Gus White is a respected folk musician, record producer, festival organiser, and community maker with a deep love for the rooted and the heartfelt. His production credits are the string that ties together an emerging scene that refers to itself as Third Wave Folk, involving a collective of artists which record with Gus at his Wiltshire studio. This includes microtonal and genre-fluid rising-star Maddie Ashman, folk singer Minna, and UK folk-charting artist Ann Liu Cannon. The latter is our connection, fondly reviewing Ann Liuโs album Clever Rabbits back in July.ย
Though, in the short wintery month this album has been simmering itโs made number twenty-six on the Official Folk Album Charts, making Gus rightfully charting too. An initial listen from yours truly and I can understand why. I do declare it as instant as Douwe Egbertsโ Pure Gold, only in rapture rather than coffee! Itโs chock full of cool vibes, that breezy feelgood Sunday morning acoustic which is too darn soothing itโs impossible to criticise. As for Gusโs barista skills, Iโve no confirmation, but going on his music, I could take a wild guess heโs a tea fellow.
Eleven songs strong, put the kettle on yourself, and allow Gus to get on doing his sublime thing! Thereโs no rise and fall, the melodies flow like the Iguazu Falls. If I pick out individual elements into Gusโs melting pot, like the doo-wop-ish structure of middle-track Terrible Things, the bluesy guitar picking in the following song, Head Held High, or jazz drum percolate in Please, Forgive Me, theyโre all so subtly placed. If Gus defines it Third Wave Folk, thatโs what it is; a composition borrowing from Americana and English folk, but neither whole; a gorgeous cherrypick from both. It has the universal folk-rock feel of Goerge Harrison and Cat Stevens, and is equally as uplifting.
Though some themes are negative, the overall ambience is pessimistic; if youโve a bad day, so what? Watch the rain trickle down the window outside with that lukewarm brew in a slightly stained chipped mug, listen to this and contemplate, life goes on, youโre rising above it.
If the penultimate song on For Now, Anyway, After So Long is rinsed in a dejected romantic memory, Gus carries it as skilled as Tom Petty, and the final song Still Learning lifts the spirit one final time like a contemporary Dr Hook, with that beguiling cheerful chorus. It departs your ears leaving you aching for more; a beautifully and skilled production from someone who comes across as a modest genius tea-drinker. Gus produced, mixed and mastered For Now, Anyway, a defining statement as a songwriter and a prime example of his meticulous production work.
Image: Jeremey Prout
Authentic too; recorded in 2021, with a live band of friends and local musicians, Gus White approached this stunning album like any other project, stating he was โtrying to capture the magic, and the essence, of the song in a single live performance, in the way real instruments and human voices blend when left to their own devices.โ
Gus, also a member of folk band Dead Pages, is co-organiser of Late Spring Folk Festival, which celebrated its third iteration this summer at Dummer Down Brewery near Micheldever, since forming at a Wiltshire pub venue. This yearโs is Saturday 23rd May. If he showcases this album there itโs worth the reasonable ticket stub alone.
For Now, Anyway is out now on Man Made Tigers. Available to buy on CD & vinyl exclusively from Sound Knowledge in Marlborough and is available across streaming platforms. Donโt procrastinate like me, as Iโm sorry I did now Iโve heard it.
Raging expressions of angered feminist teenage anguish this month, perfectly delivered by Steatopygous via their mindblowing debut album Songs of Salome, I hail asโฆ
Itโs nice to hear when our features attract attention. Salisburyโs Radio Odstock ย picked up on our interview with Devizes band Burn the Midnight Oilโฆ
Having to unfortunately miss Devizesโ blues extravaganza on Friday, I crossed the borderline on Saturday to get my prescribed dosage of Talk in Codeโฆwith a Pet Shop Boys tribute thrown in for good measureโฆ..
Two classic tracks into their set at Frome’s little sister venue to the Cheese & Grain, The Tree House, Pet Shop Boys, Actually from Shropshire hailed their support act as better than them. Self-deprecating isn’t unheard of, rare for music acts, but the bottom line is, I’ve heard far worse tributes than The Pet Shop Boys, Actually, actually.ย
For Talk in Code, though, it was an accolade fully deserved, as they did what they do as fantastic as ever, and thrilled more than their fanbase at the modest venue. The other attendees, there for classic pop they cherish, found Talk in Code fitted like a glove, despite their songs being original, because they have a timeless universal appeal, and their uniqueย synth-pop spin on indie provides it with a defining eighties feel.
Itโs an ideal opportunity to reopen the perpetual debate I have with myself over the worth of tribute acts, even cover bands too, against those producing original music. Like any tribute act, the value of their performance hinges predominantly on the individual and their association with the act theyโre attributing. Whether a tribute act is good is far more subjective than an original act; based upon personal reflection. โItโs comfort music,โ Talk in Code guitarist Snedds expressed to me outside the venue; agreed, personally Iโm impartial to The Pet Shop Boys, therefore passably comforted.
They broke through in the middle of electronica. I brought and loved my 7โ of West End Girls in 85, others did too as it hit number one, and the duo walked away with awards. Though the Pet Shop Boys created their own take on electronica, much like Madness did with Two-Tone, were hugely successful with it, and again like Madness, they continued the template way past the trend fizzling the competition out. Such a practice causes division, you attain a fan following, whereas mild observers tend to consider if the uniformed style gets repetitive, especially over decades. Iโm of that mindset, hence my impartiality.
So here at this rather snazzy tree house, carpeted and significantly more congenial, hospitable than the big cheese, but smaller and rather more conventional than Fromeโs hipster and counterculture reputation, being situated within a housing estate fashioned sports bar, The Vine Tree, a fair crowd of Pet Shop Boys diehards gathered amidst regulars and โTalkersโ for a cracking night in a nice, welcoming and universal pub.
Often to miss the support act is unfortunate, for this gig it wouldโve been sacrilege. Talk in Code were on fire as ever, blasting out their cheerful tunes, frontman Chris wiggling moves in his Adidas uniform and rightfully boasting of their success at The Wiltshire Music Awards, outside our county! Itโs a lively show I will never tire of, and if I have to witness tribute acts too, if by some miracle I make eighty, will someone please wheel me over to a tribute act show to Talk in Code?!
As for The Pet Shop Boys, Actually, prior I considered if The Pet Shop Boys is quite a simple act to make a tribute from, compared to other eighties acts; call up a proficient keyboardist, buy him a BOY cap, don a tuxedo and white scarf and play musical statues! Although they tended to lightheartedly play their accomplishment down, they made a brilliant job out of it. As those pop classics came through adept and nimble, I paused to consider if my opinion of the Pet Shop Boys isnโt a smidgen harsh; through the splendour of this tribute I saw them in a refined light, and that is a true sign of a proficient tribute act, and their worth.
Interestingly, they adopted a female singer too, to soften the vocals to match Neil Tennantโs camp tones, and to play the incredibly tricky part of Dusty Springfield for What Have I Done to Deserve This? Likely the trickiest part of the show. To my approval, Pet Shop Boys, Actually covered a Beloved track too, a kind of raverโs answer to The Pet Shop Boys, and they thumped out the newer, technologically progressed tunes after a workout of eighties classics, and returned to the hits for an outstanding finale; someone get me one of those jackets that looks like I got stuck in a carwash!
If you go to see a tribute act with expectations of precisely recreating the magnitude of the original act, youโre an idiot and will be let down in most cases! If you go to see a tribute act open-mindedly, with your priority on having fun, nine times out of ten you will, especially if you hold a passion for the act being attributed. Use your noddle, donโt see Pet Shop Boys Actually if you’re hoping for a tribute to Slipknot, but do if you like The Pet Shop Boys, and youโll find theyโre really rather good!
In thanking everyone who supported this year’s Wiltshire Music Awards, Eddie Prestidge of Stone Circle Music Events revealed his intentions of continuing with the awardsโฆ
Featured Image: Lillie Eiger Frome Festival is launching itsย โ25 for 25โย fundraising campaign with a very special concert featuring three locally based acts:ย Tom Mothย โ best knownโฆ
Iโve got some gorgeous vocal harmonies currently floating into my ears, as The Lost Trades release their first single since the replacement of Tamsin Quinโฆ
Rolling out a Barrelhouse of fun, you can have blues on the run, tomorrow (7th November) when Marlborough’s finest groovy vintage blues virtuosos Barrelhouse releaseโฆ
by Ian Diddamsimages by Ben Swann and Ian Diddams Self-appointed โMoroseโ Mark Harrison was once again on totally top form at Komedia last Sunday entertainingโฆ
Wiltshire Council confirmed Blue Badge holders can park freely in council-operated car parks again, following a vote at the Full Council meeting on Tuesday 21โฆ
Featured Image Credit: Jamie Carter Special guests Lightning Seeds to Support Forest Live, Forestry Englandโs summer concert series presented with Cuffe & Taylor, has announcedโฆ
No, I didnโt imagine for a second they would, but upcoming Take the Stage winners, alt-rock emo four-piece, Butane Skies have released their second song, but itโs not a Christmas song, noโฆ.
If youโve had enough debating if Die Hard is a Christmas film with the family, when obviously nothing says Christmas like Hanz Gruber falling from the Nakatomi Plaza, maybe try this stocking filler for size; Not a Christmas Song isnโt a Christmas song, not a jingle bell or a Noddy Holder to hear here. I didnโt ask Santa for a Christmas song anyway.
It is, though, marvellously negative about the commercialisation and the absence of snow, wrapped wonderfully in a theme of seasonal romantic disruption. Oh, but it has the subtlest hints of Yule in reference; folky and in the odd twinkling piano riff, so not entirely a thrashed punk anti-Christmas feel neither. As ironically as Alanis Morissette, and as proficient as her too.
If The Pouges & Kirstyโs seasonal offering was subtle but pimped somewhere along the lines by commercial radio, Butane Skies takes the disguised holly and mistletoe to another level. You could listen to this in June without being told off; clever concept, but then, the composition of the song is equally a stroke of genius and it rolls out all rather wonderfully. Take a listen, thereโs no partridges in pear trees yet.
Wiltshire country singer-songwriter Kirsty Clinch released a Christmas song only yesterday, raising funds for the Caenhill Countryside Centre near Devizes, and itโs already racing upโฆ
It was never just the fervent ambience created which made me go tingly with excitement about Melkshamโs young indie band Between The Linesโ demo singleโฆ
A second track from local anonymous songwriter Joyrobber has mysteriously appeared online, and heโs bitter about not getting his dream jobโฆ.. If this mysterious dudeโsโฆ
Ooo, a handclap uncomplicated chorus is the hook in Lady Ladeโs latest offering of soulful pop. Itโs timelessly cool and snappy, but holds a deeper narrativeโฆ..
Released at the end of November, One of Us is an uplifting song of hope against the odds. Raised by her grandparents, Bristolโs sublime songstress Lady Nade often references losing them in her songwriting. Speaking about after their passing, she explained, “at times these years felt more like survival trying to navigate chaos. โOne Of Usโ was written from that time when I didnโt always feel safe. I was trying to make sense of grief, and find what it meant to belong.โ
โOne of Us is about trying to free myself from the toxic cycles and patterns that I now know only encouraged me to feel negative emotions and in turn held me back from trying to become a better version of myself,โ Lady Nade continued. But its beauty lies, not in the personal reflection, but the interpersonal effect, the value of others identifying with the words. โThis is not just my anthem song,โ she said, โit is for anyone who has ever had to rebuild themselves from the inside out, or is still on that journey of aiming to become the best version of themselves.โ
I donโt exaggerate nor flatter, even if she did give me a wonderful hug when she played at the Devizes Arts Festival! Lady Nade isnโt comparable to other singers on the southwest circuit, her extraordinarily deep vocal range rather puts her on par with Nina Simone, of whom she often pays a respectable homage to. She takes this soulful new single around the UK, then is debuting it in Kansas and Canada; we wish her luck, but on the strength of this single, I think itโs in the pocket!ย
Itโs not Christmas until the choir sings, and Devizes Chamber Choir intend to do precisely this by announcing their Christmas Concert, as they have doneโฆ
If Devizesโ celebrated FullTone Festival is to relocate to Whistley Roadโs Park Farm for next summerโs extravaganza, what better way to give it the rusticโฆ
This afternoon sees the inaugural grand ceremony of Stone Circle Music Eventsโ Wiltshire Music Awards taking place at the Devizes Corn Exchange. Itโs a selloutโฆ
In association with PF Events, Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts introduces a Young Urban Digitals course in video mapping and projection mapping for sixteen to twentyโฆ
On the first day of advent, a time of peace and joy to the world et al, Devizes Police report on a โlarge unlicenced music eventโ at the weekend, (spelling mistake included) in Great Cheverell. Am I the only fifty-something who’s thinking โgreat, let them be?!โ Not according to Facebook commentsโฆ..
UME they called it. UME? It was a rave, wasn’t it?! Perish the thought calling it a rave might encourage a resurgence of nineties skullduggery, when we partied without a care in the fields of England. Freedom of expression and the need to take a moment to enjoy life I favour to deem it, during an era of hyperinflation, playing the blame game after committing financial suicide, with media promoting a facist uprising, and a government labelling anyone who campaigns against genocide a terrorist. Can we let our hair down here, mate? Not on your Nelly, I’m confiscating your hi-fi!
โOfficers were called to reports of the event at approximately 12.50am on November 30th,โ they said. In other words, some comfortable living, curtain-twitching huckmucker got their knickers in a twist that they might not be able to hear a pin drop in their chocolate box village, for one lone night out of a kazillion.ย
โThere were approximately 100-150 people present and a moderately advanced set up with generators, large speakers and stage area,โ the Devizes Police report informed Facebook users,ย and G&H reporter Jason jumped the bandwagon for further hopeful outcry and clickbait. Hold on a cotton-picking minute;ย didn’t they call it โlarge?โ At the summit of the rave era in 1992, 40,000 revellers attended Castlemorton; let’s keep this in perspective, eh? It wasn’t a rave or a โlarge UME,โ it was some friends throwing a party, wasn’t it?! You can fit more people into the Devizes Conservative Club!
Sensationalism continued upon the announcement, โthree people have been arrested for drug related offences.โ Hold the front page. Police could make more arrests for drugs on a single night in any of our town centres, and you know this.
Though it is with great respect for the police, we gratefully hear externally that they turned up three times but the event was allowed to continue. โDue to the event taking place on MOD land, officers liaised with the military, and an effective plan was put in place to minimise the disruption to the local community and address the illegal gathering,โ the Police continued.
And that’s the correct action to take in my honest and experienced opinion. Police providing a presence is usually welcomed for the need of safety and advice. No one really wants to piss off the neighbours, they just want to party.
โOn this occasion, we seized a large amount of sound equipment and generators from the site,โ they also said, which is a shame, because such equipment is expensive and it undermines the motivation to put such events on. Do police confiscate the horns and hounds of the Beaufort Hunt as they rampage across the countryside slaughtering wildlife for kicks?
I raved through acid house and into jungle, and no matter how many years rack up between those happy daze and now, I can never comprehend how or why the authorities concluded we were doing as much harm as they claimed we were. Sure, it was rebellious, it was unlicensed, and uncontrolled, but we policed ourselves, we tided up afterwards, we respected the land and the residents too.
It was only later, post Castlemorton, when the government clamped down, restricted us, and forcibly closed down parties that anarchy and anger against the system ensued, just as did in the early eighties with the free festival scene. Let’s learn from our mistakes and prevent history repeating, again.
The trick surely is then, to call a compromise, accept that people want to party and not all can afford festival tickets, and allow these events some leeway. For there’s a lot worse they could be doing. Judging by the positive comments on these reportsโ shares on Facebook, I’m not alone in that notion.
Being honest with myself though, I’m unsure if I’m more hacked off with police confiscating the equipment or the fact I didn’t go myself, but really, who needs an Uncle Albert in the corner, reciting his memories of parties of yore?!!ย
Ohโฆa slice of onion from my bratwurst plopped into my mulled wine; where does one go to complain about this?! Other than that, Devizes Town Council and DOCA’s Winter Festival was the best one for many years, officially opening yuletide in Devizesโฆ..
Over time the simple premise of switching the Christmas tree lights on has become a large-scale event which differs in traditions from town to town, possibly competitive even. Some here envy the Sham’s monstrosity of an electronic tree sculpture, others favour our real tree. Wotton Bassett hosts great lively rock bands, like Barrelhouse this year. But while I love those guys, nothing says Christmas to me more than Devizes Town Band brassing off the seasonal Shakin Stevens classic. And, face it, Trowbridgeโs lantern parade was an idea they nicked from us, which we may/may not have pinched from Chinese New Year, but who’s splitting hairs?!
In the modern era I’ve no experience of other town’s shenanigans in which to compare Devizesโ efforts with. I just know and am more than content with the spectacular show we stage here. A massive well done and thanks to all involved, it was a magnificent occasion, much better than last and other previous years.
To start at the end, fireworks were welcomed back after last year’s dubious light show replacement. Despite them being dubbed โsilent fireworksโ the effect was near equally impressive. Perhaps Fantasy Radio blasting out the decibels made up for the lack of explosions, and everyone’s dogs could join in the fun. I thought the radio couldโve been turned down a notch, during intervals of the Devizes Town Band playing, to enhance them when they did, but thereโs no telling radio DJs!
And as for light shows, St John’s looked absolutely magnificent. It’s one thing to project images onto a wall, it’s another to use it to compliment a 900 year old beautiful church, where children and PTAs usually just collect their lanterns and wait in relative darkness!
The Market Place was also transformed into a visual feast, a bustling market with plenty of food and drink options. Devizes Town Band proudly showcased on a grand stage was a new great idea, and excited faces of all ages gathered to watch the lantern parade. It is a wonderful, popular family occasion, this year being one of the very best.
The town came out to play. Folk gathered at the end of the lantern parade by The Corn Exchange, though, were unfenced and naturally pushed forward so Santa’s sleigh on a trailer was forced to stop there and let the lantern bearers pass behind it, rather than park sensibly by the stage. This was the only technical error, as their view of the lanterns were now obscured by Father Christmas and the Mayor offloading with a stepladder! But Devizes is Devizes, and we retain our astute sense of humour regardless. As Santa dismounted and the lanterns passed behind, folk shouted in jest, โget out of the way Santa!โ โYou can’t park there!โ and โit’s not all about you!!โ
And from the basic children’s lanterns to the regular spaceman, chickens and even the odd Minecraft Ghast, the parade swept through the Market Place gloriously, and we cheered Father Christmas as we counted down the moment the tree lights would glitter and Christmas in Devizes begins for another year.
But it’s not just about wandering through the stalls, deciding what food and drink to treat yourself to and perhaps buying fudge, or auntie a jar of chilli jam, because while you did, entertaining street theatre and glittery ladies on stilts (who I failed to pick up the phone numbers of) bustled through.
The best had to be those giant stockings moving around and charming the kids with puppet bears chatting; that was a stroke of genius. I know if I was five and saw that I’d probably have wet myself with excitement, but now I’m fifty-somethingโฆwell, best check for a wet patch just to be certain!! No, that was a mulled wine spillage as a piece of onion plopped into it; thought I’d told you that?!
I did bump into Santa though who was off-duty and, at the time, mysteriously carrying a stepladder. Being as I’ve been good-ish all year, I acted like I’d met Mick Jagger and posed for a photo with him; a quality occurrence which made my night!
But it wasn’t any one element of the event which made it, it was the colossal show they staged, all the elements so well coordinated and coming together in unity which caused this to be so magical. The expressions of joy on children and drunkโs faces was priceless and from the maker’s market to the teacup rides, everyone seemed to be having fun, even the weather was agreeable!
If I was triggered in the week by Facebook whingers witch-hunting DOCA, the newspaper reporting it, or anyone else they could blame, (like, bizarrely, Americans) for their own agitations at the name of this event, for not, apparently, being religious enough, and I said I hope they donโt come if they were only to wine-hole, Iโve changed my mind. I wish they did come now. Theyโd have seen for themselves the evening had plenty of Christmas spirit and Christmassy elements to it, whilst embracing many other aspects of winter too, and nobody really gave thought or the slightest botheration to its name, they just wanted to enjoy the moment. And they did.
The work that went into this by all involved, mostly volunteers, was absolutely incredible, and I hope it will pave the way for a new chapter in the work of DOCA, of which Devizes should be grateful and proud.
So, until next year weโll be rockin’ around the Christmas tree, letting the Christmas spirit ring, having pumpkin pie, later, and possibly doing some caroling; if thatโs still not Christmassy enough for disgruntled keyboard warriors next year Iโll dress up as the Archangel Gabriel, if they so wish, so they can winch me up and suspend me across the Market Place where everyone below will see my Grinch boxersโฆ.donโt tempt me!!
by Ian Diddamsimages by Penny Clegg and Shakespeare Live โAntony & Cleopatraโ is one of Shakespeareโs four โRoman Playsโ, and chronologically is set afterโฆ
by Ian Diddamsimages by Chris Watkins Media and Ian Diddams Whilst probably best known for his editorship of โPrivate Eyeโ magazine and thirty-five yearsโฆ
This is why I love you, my readers, see?! At the beginning of the week I put out an article highlighting DOCAโs Winter Festival, and included everything else going on in town this coming weekend, as side attractions. It was as well received as ever and no one on its social media shares thought to question the eventโs name. Today Gazette & Herald reporter Jason Hughes followed suit, but its shares received a barrel load of terribly misinformed and exasperating comments from keyboard warriors who wouldnโt know the true meaning of Christmas if it slapped them in the chilling wintery chops; which, maybe it should!
Bag of coal for those ranting that it should be called a โChristmas Festival.โ Why not just go, enjoy it, make of it what you wish, call it whatever you wish, and not worry what other people want to call it?!
Foremost, I feel a smidgen sorry for Jason, if he reads the Facebook piffle on his articles, as the paper is slammed there for calling it โWinter Festival.โ Someone plucked Americans from the sky and blamed them, one even ingeniously used an emoji of a bell and wrote โendโ next to it; is there no limit to that guyโs wit?! Jason is working from a brief, you spanners! The organisers, DOCA, are calling it Winter Festival, as they have rightfully done for years, not the newspaper.
Maybe they choose to do so because it’s too early for Christmas. Perhaps to make it open and inviting to all. Which, I’m sorry to the keyboard warriors, but I thought that’s what the season was all about?! Or are you all more clued up about Christianity than the Gospel of Luke, who told of angels chanting “peace and goodwill to all men” at the birth of Jesus?
Father Christmas will be there, a Christmas tree, and lots of other representations of Christmas too; not that they have anything to actually do with the birth of Jesus, and more to do with what was there before it. There was a midwinter festival for hundreds of years before its Christianisation. No one really knows when Jesus was born, or if he was at all. Yuletide, or winter solstice was a convenient time for Christianity to adopt, and claim it as the birth of Christ, because folk celebrated around that time already. Nearly everything in traditional Christmas symbolism represents the ancient folk festival, from trees, mistletoe, even Father Christmas himself!
But the bottom line and most important point is, atheists and people of other religions have absolutely no gripe, issue or even the slightest complaint about Christmas! They embrace it, many celebrate it too, across the entire globe. The idea that someone is attempting to โtake Christmas away,โ or ban it, is only a rhetoric invented by those wanting to spread hate and prejudice; is that the Christmas message you wish to purvey to others? What happened to joy to the world?!
Bar Humbug, itโs all complete hogwash, but likely the reason for the bitingly bitter comments added to the Gazette’s social media shares; Facebook is a toxic playground for so-called adults. The organisers want to call it the Winter Festival, for whatever reason, and that is their prerogative. No one is stopping you, or are even suggesting stopping you from referring to it as a Christmas Festival, if thatโs what you wish to do.
And lastly, no one is forcing you to attend! Probably best you donโt if youโre going to walk around it as grumpy as the Grinch; or this just your Facebook persona? If so, it doesn’t look good on you, nor is it in spirit of the season. Here’s hoping three ghosts will visit you on Christmas Eve!
The creative process can be a winding, long, and often confusing journey. Seeing a project come to fruition from scrappy origin to a packaged, marketable, and well-rounded piece of work can feel daunting – or even impossible. It took Gus White six years of honing his production skills, amassing an arsenal of musical machinery, and developing a community of talented musicians to bring his album โFor Now, Anywayโ into existence….
At its core, itโs a breakup album, which could feel strange to complete and release so far after the original โbreakโ, but speaking to Gus it appears the space has allowed him to finish the album at a much more present and content time in his life. Heโs settled into a different existence โ heโs in a new relationship, heโs a dog owner, and has played a large role in building a thriving music scene across the venues, pubs, and houses of Wiltshire.
This brings us to the Smithy Art Forgery in Burbage, a kooky yet loveable cultural venue operating out of a 375-year-old house that currently operates as a jeweller. Located on the side of a quiet village road, itโs adorned with nondescript street parking, burgers served off a BBQ, and vegetable curry to order made in the ownerโs kitchen.ย
Itโs these types of places that are few and far between according to Gus โ a true grassroots venue for musicians, a haven from playing dusty forgotten corners of pubs where the landlord and patrons donโt even really want you there anyway. It was why it was there on the 14th of September that Gus hosted his album release party.
Taking place in the back garden of the venue, attendees were seated under a marquee packed with various sofas, stools, and garden furniture that faced onto an embankment where the stage was set. Copious instruments lay there waiting, tucked underneath an array of tarpaulin and teepees to shield them and the musicians from the bipolar weather conditions of the changing season.
The atmosphere was intimate โ maybe fewer than 100 in attendance โ but one that felt lively and far from empty. Friends of friends of friends made happy introductions and chats to one another, waiting for the music to start. Two support acts opened the day. First, a solo and entrancing guitar performance from Grace Elizabeth Harvey, followed by a sort of double act from Ann Liu Cannon and Esmรฉ White, the two swapping between lead vocal spots all the while backed by a mandolin player โ the first of many off-kilter instruments to litter the performances.ย
Then it was Gusโs turn to play. The performance brought about the live, interactive feel of the album, with a high range of instruments on display โ trombones, sublime guitar passages, the double bass, a kazoo solo, and even a set of pots and pans, just to name a few. The music felt sonically based in the past, a careful homage to folk and rock formats from americana, country and indie, exhibiting a range of influence from the 50s all the way to the 70s. Despite its seemingly traditional backdrop, the performance was unmistakably modern, with the lyrics carrying the music firmly into the present. Packed with new-age irony and technological references, Gusโs dry, irreverent humour was centre stage throughout the performance, both in the songs and in his preambles โ though this didnโt disguise the sincerity of the music or the performer. Balanced amongst the tongue-in-cheek lyrics were very straight to the point personal accounts of his former relationship, that through their intense and biographical nature revealed a relatability that would be shrouded behind overt poeticism. Though typically robust and amusing, Gusโs songwriting shows a capability of reaching into the elegiac also. The solo encore of โJosephineโ makes the case for Gusโs well-roundedness as a song smith; a poetry laden tribute to his partner that drew much of its effect from its earnestness and folk-style imagery.
Gus closed the concert with a rendition of โPlease Forgive Meโ, a rousing finish that allowed each band member their moment to show off, before the crowd sung the concert to a finish. It felt an appropriate end, where Gus, the producer, allowed others to have their moment through his handiwork, sitting back and revelling in the fun of it all. For a set of songs about breaking up, Gus seemed married to the moment, an artist revealing himself at a perfect time to a welcoming group of friends and strangers alike.
I mean, Devizes own contemporary blues throwback, JP is getting bookings, and rightly so. He’s off to Trowbridgeโs Lamb next Saturday for a double-bill withโฆ
As the excitement continues to detonate to an exploding point for our very first Stone Circle Music Events Wiltshire Music Awards on 25th October, weโฆ
by Mick Brianimages from Lauren Arena-McCann The playwright Tom Stoppard is probably best known for his work โRosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Deadโ, his absurdist comedyโฆ
You might think it’s a laryngologist’s dream come true, this Lewis Capaldi-led decade’s penchant for the blue-eyed soul singersโ melismatic strain to cause Mick Hucknallโฆ
Whoโs ready for walking in the winter wonderland?! Devizes sets to magically transform into a winter wonderland this Friday when The Winter Festival and Lantern Parade opens in the Market Place; excited?! Well, I say magically, it actually takes a lot of hard work to put on; thank you to DOCA and all the volunteers. A spokesperson for DOCA was confident things were all good last week, and was only worried about the weather forecastโฆ..
At present my thoroughly unreliable weather app suggests a 43% chance of rain, but keep your glass of mulled wine half full at least, thatโs considerably less than 50%, and going on current climate, the rain is sporadic and light. DOCA promises the festival to be โour most enchanting yet, with a full day and evening of festivities, creative workshops, stunning street performances, and a mesmerizing lantern parade.โ Looking into it with a bit more detail and including everything else going on might yet put me on the good list!
The grand finale, the Lantern Parade & Fireworks details firstly. Father Christmas will be making a special appearance at St. Johnโs Churchyard from 5:30pm to 6:10pm. At 6pm the parade gathers at St. Johnโs Church Gate. 6:15pm the parade starts, winding through the town centre. 7pm is the Light Switch-On at The Market Place. 7:05pm there will be silent fireworks, best viewed from The Market Place; Iโve not seen silent fireworks before, certainly not heard them!
As is tradition, Devizes Town Band will entertain while the Market Place will be alive with market stalls, tasty tucker and drinks, and shopping opportunities. The Makery Market will be showcasing unique, handmade treasures from local crafters and makers from 12 noon to 8:30pm Friday, and from 11am to 6pm on Saturday, at the Corn Exchange.
The beloved winter warmer, DOCAโs famous mulled wine stall will be running on Friday only, from noon to 8:30pm. Of course, lots of our shops, cafes and bars will remain open. Someone did post a request for a list of shops staying open on local Facebook groups, like they canโt do this without Google Maps! You got legs? Use them! Be like Dora and explore! But hey, hereโs what we knowโฆ..
The Shambles is a magical place at Christmas, with projections by Young Urban Digitals & PF Events, a specially created animated light artwork made by local young people. Savannah Sweets, Biddles, SoupChick and Sunabody Care pottery and bodycare will be open. Cositas Bonitas, The Healthy Life and many other shops will stay open late across town. Cafes too, including the new beauty salon come cafe, Velvet & Bloom, and hot rum totty outside The Muck and Dunder.
Thereโs a mystery โlive bandโ outside The Pour House, and a choir concert at St Andrewโs Church. The Unpredictables at The Three Crowns comes highly recommended, DJ Random at The Southgate too, and a Lantern Parade Disco Party at The Pelican Inn. Snow White is the running panto at The Wharf Theatre, and itโs brilliant!
From 5pm onwards, find some spectacular street performances around the Market Place. Bristolโs infamous roaming band, The Ambling Band will bring infectious energy with their blend of pink and brass. The Glitter Belles are dazzling high-rise performers with sculptural creations straight from the 1970s disco era. Keep your eyes peeled for Stockings Up, a pair of gigantic Christmas stockings bursting with presents and magically strolling around town, two women on stilts covered head to toe in glitter ball costumes and silver glitter, a woman in a red coat talking to a puppet bear in a larger than life sized Christmas stocking and The Flying Buttresses, an illuminated tree with books that light up attached.
From 4 to 8:30pm find, at St. Johnโs Churchyard, an Illuminated Garden, an enchanted world of light and magic with stunning lanterns created by DOCA community workshops. Another light installation will be Chirp & Drift by Kathy Hinde, a mesmerizing installation where illuminated instruments chatter in Morse code messages, accompanied by gentle harmonies from accordion reeds hidden within. After a few glasses of mulled wine you might also be chattering in Morse code!
Also look out for an old piano also by Kathy Hinde, a kinetic sound sculpture with videos of birds projected onto the strings, and Emergency Exit Artsโ Giant butterflies; but remember, a giant butterfly is for life, not just for Christmas.
Creative Workshops also feature. Wellard & Wild Botanical Workshops on Friday 28th at various times. From Kokedama to terrariums, epiphytes to festive wreaths, learn traditional methods to create beautiful botanical designs. Contemporary Wreath Making on Friday 28th from 2pm to 5pm at The Ceres Hall of the Corn Exchange, where you can create your own stunning, brightly-coloured wreath using repurposed plastics, berries, and sequins. Learn millinery flower-making techniques with accomplished maker Nancy Rose Stott. And there is Tin Can Brooch Making on Sunday 30th from 2pm to 5pm, at The Southgate Inn, where you can design and sew a unique brooch using reclaimed materials.
Donโt forget the Window Wanderland Trail, running from Friday 28th November to Monday 1st December. For more info on all this and to book workshops, check out DOCA website. For everything else going on locally, keep this frequency clear and love Devizine!
Other stuff going on: Saturday thereโs a jumble sale in St Andrewโs Church. A clothes swap in The Shambles. Lights Switch On in Waiblingen Way. Innes Sibun is at The Southgate, the Buzzing Fridges at The Three Crowns, and The Liverpool Echoes at The Conservative Club.
Letโs get Christmassy; cue the Shakinโ Stevens, children playing, having fun, it’s the season, love and understanding, but not too much snow falling please, Shaky!
One part of Swindon was in perfect harmony last night, and I donโt mean the traffic circumnavigating the Magic Roundabout. Rather The Lost Trades were at the Hop in Old Town, honouring a postponed gig from Septemberโฆ..
SoP Live, who run a regular Thursday night music club at The Castle, plenty of other gigs, and coordinate the Swindon Shuffle and Swinterfest, arranged this eveningโs entertainment at The Hop, the largest of pubs on the Devizes Road area of Old Town with the perfect upstairs function room to turn into a temporary folk club.
A slight music appreciation collective gathered, seated and respectfully keen to value live music of this calibre. On previous occasions when the Lost Trades played here, organiser Ed Dyer explained, โwere packed out,โ and factors of the lesser crowd were discussed; it couldโve been because it was rescheduled. While free pub gigs thrive equally to overpriced pop star concerts, add even the smallest price to less mainstream acts, as this gig did, sadly seems can reduce its attraction. What we all need to be mindful of is the safety net; dedicated and erudite promoters like SoP guarantee tried and tested acts, ergo paying a small ticket stub is worthwhile for a better class of live music than a pub throwing any old band in for peanuts. Ah, you get what you pay for, but to disregard this notion is to lose venues and promoters. The saddest thing is, that is happeningโฆ.now. Support them, or become a skint Swifty, your choice.
Whilst Jamie R Hawkins and Phil Cooper of The Lost Trades are no strangers to playing a pub gig solo, the key to the Lost Trades works best at folk festivals and clubs, and arts centres. It is fantastic to think this local export is nationwide now, and judging on their performance last night, something Iโve not caught for what seems like an age, itโs thoroughly deserved. Thereโs a sense of elevation in their delivery of these soothing vocal harmonies, a consistent strive of improvement, which if it isnโt at its peak now, the summit would be on an angelic level.
Such a while it has been, Tamsin Quin left the trio and has been replaced by Jess Vincent, and I was yet to see that working live, despite fondly mentioning their latest single, Float Me On Your River. As well as performing some other new songs, they opened with this, and notwithstanding Tamsin has a distinguishable voice, Jess makes the quintessential substitution, an exemplar to the ethos of The Lost Trades. Her wonderful vocal range and proficient percussion complement Phil and Jamieโs expressions on equal terms as Tamsinโs, and so The Lost Trades are once again at the top of their game.
And a sublime performance it was, but not before a support act new to me played a divine set of fiddle, guitar and occasional loop pedal folk covers. Half of One is a Swindon duo, fiddler Geoff Roberts and guitarist Neil Mercer, and theyโve played together in folk band SGO who recently disbanded, and who Iโm well aware of, and dance band Cowshed Ceilidh Collective. We were treated to some gorgeous English folk pieces, others from the likes of Sam Sweeny, Show of Handsโ Steve Knightly, and a wonderfully delivered Great War song for Remembrance I missed the name of and cannot find online! It was a spellbinding support, which couldโve been the headline for any folk club.
As folk, The Lost Trades have always stated itโs โmodern folk,โ and with electric guitars and some subject matter I see this, but thereโs something uniquely captivating about them which makes it timeless and conjures images of The Carter Family. I may not have been lucky enough to have seen The Everley Brothers or Simon & Garfunkel, but The Lost Trades are vocal harmony perfection to me!
Available at Devizes Books, or message Devizine for a copy!
Nothing cruel about our George Wilding; with his perfect match and another local legend of local music, Jolyon Dixon, they’re knocking out great singlesโฆ
Thereโs a new single from Bristol-based Nothing Rhymes With Orange out tomorrow (Saturday 20th September) which takes the band to a whole new level,โฆ
Treated to a sneaky dress rehearsal of this year’s pantomime at Devizesโ one and only Wharf Theatre last night, if forced to sum it up in a word, the word would be โdelightfulโฆ..โ
With Ian dedicated to all things theatrical here on Devizine, panto is reserved for my tuppence; that has become as much a Christmas tradition as Brussel sprouts! Snow White is the choice to loosely base the crazy and fun shenanigans around this time, and while I usually attend just to announce what a treat you’ll miss out on unless you’ve a ticket, this time the Wharf has doubled the run to a fortnight, so it’s not sold out … .yet. The question remains, is it worth your while?
The answer is not hiding behind you. Oh, yes it is! Of course it’s worthwhile, silly!
The time, dedication and professionalism which goes into each and every pantomime at the Wharf is something the team behind them should be proud of. This year sees some unity with various local theatre groups, and their talents bless the show. โThis year we see people coming from Stagecoach, Potterne Panto, Pewsey Vale Amateur Dramatics Society, Centre Stage Dance Academy, Devizes Musical Theatre, Bristol Old Vic, and Melksham Music and Drama,โ director and chairman of The Wharf Theatre, Pete Winterton informed, and with additional scriptwriting from Helen Pritchard, Pete wrote and directed this yearโs panto.
Helen plays the face of the magic mirror, brutally honest yet cheeky with the Evil Queen, played with passion and skill by Georgina Watson, from PVADS and who undoubtedly performs the best solo. Yet a truly magnificent antagonist is never a thing without a trusty sidekick, and, no stranger to the Wharf and Stagecoach, twelve-year-old Gigi Underwood takes that role superbly.
Georgina Claridge, perfect to play Snow White, choreographed the show, which, even at the dress rehearsal stage, looked polished. Archer Lee plays the prince, Rory Lee is his chaperone Dandy. Thereโs a delightful team of seven young dancing villagers, Kira Drezanics, Maisie Lee, Bea Stacey, Myrah Williams, Madeleine Newman, Phoebe Newman, and Coco Fuller, ranging from nine years to thirteen years old and bubbling with talent.
Of course thereโs also seven, only slightly smaller people, a running copyright infringement gag, which mysteriously fades after time, and theyโre returned to being called dwarfs without explanation, or hopefully, lawsuit, but does a panto need explaining?! If the show is loosely based on Snow White, the seven โassociatesโ of Snow White are a unit of parodies, the most bizarre being Corrin Bishop, who plays a politician version, wittily just waving and shaking hands with the audience akin to a silent film star. Jessica Bone as Nurse seems the natural leader, but Jenni Prescott and Ben Byran add humour with roles called Misery and Snorey, respectively. Kelly Williams and Cameron Williams are either shy and throaty, but the icing on this cake is the youngest and smallest, Smiley, played by Stagecoach student Ella Cook, whose natural flair for dramatics charms.
Then, even more important than any plot, for there is a basic runoff narrative from Uncle Waltโs adaptation of the Brothers Grimmโs Sneewittchen, is the comical Dame and their sidekick. There can be no other team better chosen from these wild woods than Adam Sturges, who dons the drag so divinely, to play Dolly, and his partner Oli Beech to play their son James. Oli and Adam are stalwarts at the Wharf, playing apart they both shine but as a duo they are comical genius, naturally proficient at improv and breaking the fourth wall to take these essential roles, delivering them with hilarity, and binding the panto with joyful audience participation.
If panto at the Wharf follows its own methods which bucks traditions of pantomime, Snow White is no exception, and that is what makes it unexpectedly fun. Nitpicking, I thought it unorthodox to not end the first half with a song, though they right this wrong with such a fantastic musical finale it makes up for it. But, Iโm left wondering if slapstick is a thing of the past. Because, cliche or perhaps not politically correct, there was a lack of visual humour in this show; is it too risque for modern kids to see a custard pie in the face?!
Though little ones will not tire of this, itโs fantastic, yet summarised, and doesnโt extend to unnecessary proportions. The humour rests majorly on gags, many of local direction; mocking neighbouring towns, etc. But there are the customary encouraged singalongs, games, and fun pop song adaptations for all ages to love. Thereโs amusing treats, like the mysterious characters appearing from the woods, and the ingeniously adapted charactersโ traits.
Pantomime is the golden opportunity to introduce young people to the theatre, and is the one occasion when those not regular theatre-goers will take a chance. Snow White is a delight, an enjoyable family treat; go see it and start Christmas. The children will be delighted; I was and Iโm a 52 and three quarters-year old kid!
Snow White opens on Tuesday 25th November and runs until Saturday 6th December. Curtains at 7:30pm, two matiness at 2:30pm on the Saturdays. Tickets HERE or at Devizes Books.
Itโs beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the Rowdey Cow cafe and ice cream parlour; their Christmas Tree Light Switch On is this Friday, the 21st Novemberโฆ..
If you thought an ice cream parlour was restricted to summertime, think again! Itโs the first time the Rowdey Cow near Devizes has held a Christmas light switch on event, and we wish them all the best with it. The fun begins at 5:30pm, and the lights will sparkle at 6pm.
Ice cream might only be for the daring, but theyโve marshmallow toasting and festive food & drinks, plus gift stalls, Christmas crafts, and a cozy Christmas film of which theyโre asking children to vote for their favourite on their Facebook page; Iโm voting Arthur Christmas, hands down!
Free mince pies and mulled wine if you turn up before the big light switch on at 6pm. They promise a very special guest too. I think I might be able to guess who it might be, and Iโve been good all year, well, good-ish!
And if you cannot make it, there’s lots of chances to have Breakfast with Santa at various dates in December, see HERE.
Raging expressions of angered feminist teenage anguish this month, perfectly delivered by Steatopygous via their mindblowing debut album Songs of Salome, I hail as the pinnacle of Sketchbook Records to date. But it’s only been a year since Simon formed the label. It’s DIY, a contemporary local counterculture ethos; welcome to the Wiltshire underground of the now; there’s more to discoverโฆ.
There was me, showing my age, assuming Gen Z required Google to know โcassette tape!โ But, due to the expense of pressing vinyl and burning CDs, Sketchbook’s Simon looks towards this affordable format, with digital downloads also, to showcase the upcoming talents he finds working at Trowbridgeโs Pump.
December marks the labelโs first year. A demo by Steatopygous was put onto hand-designed cassettes to punt to Pump visitors last year, but Simon has taken on other bands to feature. Yes, we must praise Steatopygousโ album, but we must also highlight the others too, as theyโre released onto Bandcamp for all to access….and buy, people, buy!
โVinyl has gotten way too expensive and takes way too long to manufacture to make it feasible for short runs,โ he explained when chatting about the Steatopygous demo. โFor this release, Kieran recorded the band for free, it cost less than ยฃ80 for the blanks which I’ve dubbed at home myself. Eliza’s making the inlays by hand and we’ve been able to turn it around in 3 weeks. A 7″ would be, like, ยฃ800 for 100 copies and take months to arrive. A cassette means I can just give the band twenty or so tapes to sell themselves, knowing I can make the money back on the rest, and even if I don’t, it’s been such a fun thing to do that it really doesn’t matter. And that’s punk rock, right?!โ
Take it from someone who contributed to more punk zines than I care to recall, that is precisely punk! The trading of tapes was the pre-internet equivalent of file sharing, and similarly with photocopied zines, with good intentions variably more sharing or swapping, their distributors sucked it up as a labour of love. I know I did, but Iโve a cathedral of tapes, vinyl, zines and comix, which hold sentimental value, mostly from swapsies.
It may seem surprising to note the DIY ethos remains today, and Iโm glad to hear of it. In reviewing them I take into consideration these are produced on shoestrings, that theyโre young upcoming acts, and itโs going to sound raw. But just like Ol’ Dirty Bastard in more ways than one, I like it raw!!
Working backwards through the discography thenโฆ..
Steatopygous: Songs of Salome
Recorded and mixed in summer 2025 at Nine Volt Leap Studios with Dominic Bailey-Clay, and released this month, Songs of Salome, is a brave and stupendous collection of six outrageous riot grrrl screamo punk tracks, from a Devizes-based female-fronted young band named after the state of having substantial levels of tissue on the buttocks and thighs! Implying, not only a running theme on the psychoanalysis of body image and societyโs expectations, but also that they donโt give a flying fuck if you think they create nothing more than a โscreamy noise,โ will twist any such misdemeaning negatives into positives, and post them as stories on their social media; just one of the two-fingers up at the status quo aspects I love about Steatopygous!
Yet itโs not only the idea if theyโre not pissing someone off theyโre not doing it properly which makes them punk, thereโs solid riffs of what I shouldnโt describe as โtraditional punk,โ because thatโs surely an oxymoron to be spat at; nothing about punk was ever traditional, but I guess what I mean is, it reflects punkโs origins honourably, while still pushing the anger it conveyed to future generations. And in this, I cannot compare them to another of the same subgenre and ask them to excuse my ignorance of nineties riot grrl bands, like Bikini Kill or Bratmobile, though theyโve inspired me to listen to them now, and my finding is, if Steatopygous strives to be an English equivalent, theyโre not just on the right road, they make them look tame by comparison.
No one I know of is expressing their poetic frustrations quite like Steatopygous, these six songs prove it. If you identify, if you rethink, itโs in your face if you want it or not. Wall Plug Slug is self-harm themed, depressing in ballad, but still easing us in gently. Cassowary takes no prisoners of patriarchy and sexual relationships, something which rings throughout the album. Marieโs Wedding Song takes us to riffs and themes The Slits might have, but Little Boy is the most poignantly contemporaryโฆ. and screamy, making grunge sound like easy listening!
Sceptic really raised an eyebrow when I reviewed it earlier this month, Female CD simply thrashes out till the end of this monster; itโs breathtaking, doesnโt come up for air, and overall, Steatopygous are provocateurs against whatโs acceptable, and Songs of Salome launches it back at you in a desirable frenzy, and I donโt believe they care.
Itโs an outstanding debut of which I encourage them to drive more in the same direction, avoiding any requests to sell it out.
Until the Last Sunflower: Between Maturity
If mainstream labels require a textbook style artists are contracted to adhere to, the beauty of counterculture is there are no barriers. Until The Last Sunflower is Trowbridgeโs Joshua Allen. Between Maturity wasrecorded in a bedroom early 2025, released in May, and is so vastly different from Songs of Salome itโs at the opposite side of the scale.ย
It includes tags unfamiliar to me, but โsadcoreโ and โslowcoreโ speak for themselves. Lo-fi ambient rock, Iโd best pigeonhole it; poignant shards of thoughts and observations from a young eye, dubbed with basslines, piano or acoustic guitar, sometimes building layers, harking back to Spiritized or even the mellowed nu-cool of Bristolโs nineties trip hop scene at its jazzier moments.
Yet its eight tracks literally require horizontal listening. With the deep prose of Syd Barrett being dumped at sixteen years old, I’d have to have had a really shit day to totally appreciate this, but shit days aplenty and Morrisey is a prick anyway; this is melancholy done smoothly!
The lengthy lowercase track names attend to the curious: perks of being a wallflower, please let me forget this memory; just this one, i miss my selfish and ignorant youth, and particularly, cupid vs disgusting men who take advantage of little children. And it certainly takes a gulp of melancholic dejection in an ambience more provoking than chilling. For this, it bucks positivity like raindrops, happy to watch them dribble down a window pane; sombre, emotive, mindful music, I like, on a particular day.
Hurts Worse: Love is Death and Death is all that’s Left
Released last April, Hurts Worse are Mikey and Emma, from Nebraska. A not so sober Simon messaged them to ask if they wanted to do a tape, โand somehow they said yes,โ he explained!
This is a collection of eight from their various singles and EPs. Again, dark slowcore, you might gather from the title. Death, graves, bleeding hearts and the one tune most commercially viable called โif you love me please check yes next to the skull carved in my desk,โ give an overall of morose subject matters, but it rolls so smoothly, gloomy and angry but not bad tempered in sound. Itโs romance at its most bitter, Coldplay gone sour, and for such itโs unique and moreish.
Kurt Alexander: I stepped out into the world and it no longer exists and all was good.
Also released in April, this is a compilation of two albums, originally released late in 2024. Again, best pigeonholed as slowcore punk, though thereโs moments upping the tempo, akin to folktronica. Itโs dreamer than the others and breaks for some refined bridges of funky bass guitar, electronica and voice samples of poetry or recordings of phone calls.
Itโs seventeen tracks strong, often short, experimental in that one blip is the previous tune backwards, and in production I get vibes of Money Markโs Keyboard Repair. Though I think the downtempo Bristol nineties scene also takes an influence, probably why Iโd favour it over the previous two mentioned, personally. But thereโs rock here too, crashing metal guitars and acoustic guitar tunes over violin, but so subtly dubbed, it really is an interesting melting pot. If thereโs emotive prose like the past couple mentioned itโs done soulfully, and less bitter. Think; Tricky was an indie kid.
Nobody’s Dad: Mixtape
โNot a dad?โ this band asks on their Insta account, โdon’t worry, neither are we,โ leaving no explanation what to do if you are, but you still love this band! I reserve my right to play this mixtape on the school run in dadโs taxi; see how they like that!! The thing is, age is only a state of mind, I absolutely love this, so does my son!
Released in January, this is undoubtedly the most universal and commercially viable of Sketchbookโs back catalogue. That enthral shoegaze sound, female-fronted, drifting and dreamy with hints of grunge. Angel opens the four tracks, with a kick, and Iโm contemplating The Cranberries as a comparison. Margo is a please return to me ballad, and is sublime.
You Donโt Communicate, and Youโre all I Ever Wanna Be rock it back out, smoothly with those gorgeous grunge layers, akin to I See Orange, and leaving you aching for more. I think Iโve found a new favourite thing. Nobodyโs Dad deserves a renowned producer to refine this, as itโs yeah, raw, but booming with so much potential, and thatโs the nature of a DIY label like Sketchbook, opening eyes to upcoming talent without the professional angle of โhow can I make money from this?โ Nobody’s Dad, huh?! Topping this dad’s playlist now.
Kurt Alexanderโs cassette covers are individually unique hand-dubbed with green or orange paint and they used a typewriter for the text. Eliza from Steatopygous hand designs their covers and a number of others too. Thereโs a timeless and individual charm about DIY punk culture which Sketchbook embraces, and in days of AI this is wonderfully personal, genuine, and uncommercially dedicated to a fashion of yore.
I look forward to hearing whatโs next, and of course, Sketchbook presents gigs at The Pump, the next is a Christmas party with Nobodyโs Dad, Parkii and Kurt Alexander on Saturday 13th December; the kids are alright.
Following the excitement and success of the first meeting of โYour Partyโ in Swindon, a second meeting has been arranged for 18th September 7.30 -โฆ
It’s been six months since Devizes-based young blues crooner JP Oldfield released his poignant kazoo-blowing debut EP Bouffon. He’s made numerous appearances across the circuitโฆ
There’s something to be said for the function duo route with universal appeal, you could be working somewhere hot! Powerhouse vocal harmony duo Reflections areโฆ
Formerly known as Judas Goat and the Bellwether, the now renamed band have announced the release of their latest single, โDrill Baby Drillโ (coming outโฆ
Photograph byย Simon Folkard It’s been a rocky road for Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts (DOCA) these last few years, and I didn’t mean the crushed biscuitsโฆ
Local reporter of the month award, if I had a local reporter of the month award, which I don’t, but based on this, perhaps I should have a local reporter of the month award, goes to Newsquest senior reporter Sarah Dalton, whether she wants the award or not, not that there even is one!!
Credit where it’s due, even if we do take the occasional satirical stab in the dark at Newsquest, this week Sarah wrote a brilliant piece in The Wiltshire Gazette & Herald, challenging claims by the Mail on Sunday and other national newspapers that there are plans to send migrants to six military camps across the UK, including Knook Camp near Warminster. It is not true.
โThe Wiltshire Times has put these claims to the Home Office,โ she wrote, โwhich has stated that military bases are being explored as housing options for migrants. The Home Office confirmed that Knook Camp in Wiltshire is not currently being used for this purpose, nor are there any plans to use it to house migrants.โ
On social media the share didn’t receive the traction I think it deserved. It sadly seems people would rather believe their own fake narrative, fed to them by rightwing media. It did get a substantial collection of those dubious critters, the angry emoji. Iโm left confused as to why; are they angry because migrants are not being housed in Knook Camp, are they angry because theyโve been lied to by the national press, or perhaps they home in on the word โmigrant,โ donโt even bother to read the article, and it angers them?!
Maybe it suggests precisely why we’re in this disgraceful trend of hatred towards migrants. Word of the lies has been spread on social media as taken as fact. For if those who added the angered emoji actually read it, I would have thought they’d surely send it a smiling one instead. Cheer up, you spanners!
Sarah contacted the Home Office who said there were no plans for military bases in Wiltshire to be used for housing migrants. It doesnโt matter what your opinions on the base being used are, it matters that misinformation is being spread, and she captured it with its pants down; well done, Sarah. While she must be subtle, we don’t enforce such equitability, and will call out the Mail on Sunday for publishing bollocks, and spreading misinformation to propagate and exaggerate the immigration issue, at least in Wiltshire. But you should note, we think you’re as thick as mince for believing it!
What, again?! Another article about Talk in Code?! Haven’t they had enough Devizine-styled publicity?! Are their heads swelling?!ย Didn’t that crazy toothless editor catch themโฆ
Valedictorian graduate of Bates College in Maine, and with a PhD in neuroscience from Harvard, neuroscientist Lisa Genova self-published her debut novel, Still Alice inโฆ
Swindon’s annual colossal fundraising event The Shuffle is a testament to local live music, which raises funds for Prospect Hospice. If you’re ever going toโฆ
There was a geographical population imbalance this bank holiday Monday in Devizes which risked the entire town conically sloping into the back of Morrisons; noโฆ
The only good to have come from Wiltshire having a Police Crime Commissioner was proof The Conservatives used their power to reward their elite bum chums and family with overpaid, high power and often completely unnecessary penpushing jobsโฆ.
A Devizes Conservative town councillor once told me if I โget the chance to interview Philip (Wilkinson) you should take it. He is a good man and has huge respect for Mike (Rees) and sympathy that he has had to refinance due to the previous election.โ
I never had the chance, neither did I want the chance or chase it up, worrying it wouldn’t end well. I did once chat online with the predecessor candidate, Jonathan Seed, and that was enough talking to selfish entitled Tories for one lifetime.
Seedy revealed,โnobody has wanted to talk about hunting other than trolls online.โ This opened a closet of unfortunate skeletons for him, which began with the speculation as a convicted illegal huntsmaster he only wanted the position to encourage police to turn a blind eye to hunting, and ended with the national press unearthing lots of other unpleasant facts about his past, such as his drink driving offences.
The fact that despite the controversy he still won the election was proof at the time that if you put a blue rosette on Satan’s pet pig they’d have won. His post-election disqualification caused the Wiltshire taxpayers four million pounds for a re-election, yet still didn’t upset the blind Tory voters; second time unlucky, his Conservative assessor Phillip Wilkinson won too. This was my reasoning, alongside the cascade of national scandals like Partygate, for not wishing to platform another Conservative. I believe and stand by my thought that it’s justifiable on those terms.
The fact others drew Phillip into question on his thoughts around hunting, and despite not admittedly hunting himself, he supported hunting, attended hunt balls, and set about unfairly lambasting anti-hunt organisations caused not only the brushing under the carpet of allegations police officers were turning a blind eye to hunter’s violent attacks on protesters at the Boxing Day hunt in Lacock, and furthermore, other officers proved to be active members of hunt organisations, but also reasoning for my suspicions he was not the โgood manโ the councillor suggested he was. Entitled, yes, good, I’m afraid not.
โPhilip should have been the candidate last time and wasnโt, itโs a mistake but it canโt be changed. We have to move on and make sure people get a fair choice,โ reckoned the Councillor who banned anyone merely uttering the name Mike Rees, the independent candidate for the PCC, on the Facebook group he admins. Though, Mike suffered much further from the propaganda machine, excluding him from volunteering to administer lateral flow Covid tests because it was believed to be political point-scoring, when Mike runs a boxing club to engage youths, a charity for children with cancer, and while Seedy was throwing out campaign leaflets funded by the Conservative Party, Mike was delivering food packages for homeless charity Devizes OpenDoors.
Hum, we do not โhaveโ to move on at all in my opinion. The Councillor mightโve wished to, so these suspicious affairs could be archived into a filing cabinet in a dark backroom, bulging with other inconsistencies and matters of outrageous behaviour from the circus of thieves he backs. Rather we should rather dwell on the notion that it cost us four million quid, only for the end result being not so far from the original outcome, and now itโs to be scrapped anyway. What a terrible misuse of public spending.
An ex-military man, Phillip Wilkinsonโs entire aptitude and ethos was unsuitably hostile for a civil role which surely requires creating a bond between police and the public, and initialising trust in the force with the public. His reactionary replies to criticism on his Facebook page led him to lie about other candidates, silence the critics, claim absurd notions as facts, such as the time he stated unemployment was a choice, and at one point he even boasted about shooting people; the latter, while in the official line of duty, still isnโt a good look for the civil service.
False!
His angle on the PCC role was to marginalise us, attack groups he took a personal dislike to, and militarise the force; noted as failures by the communities he was supposed to have served. Mikeโs vision for the role was hands-on, telling me, โIf youโve got a demoralised police force, it doesnโt matter what policies and procedures people are coming up with, nothingโs going to work. Youโve got to sort your workforce out first, and get them to follow you, be inspired by you.โ
Liberal Democrat candidate Liz Webster said Mike was โgoing for the wrong job!โ And if Phillipโs interpretation of the role matched the job description, it was a political position rather than being active in the police, she was perhaps right. Philip served to be an overpaid government puppet, rock up to formal occasions, state the obvious, ramble on about how something had to be done about an issue, and retired to the kind of salary officers like PC Nicola Crabbe, who disarmed a knife-wielding attacker and dived into the canal to rescue a person in distress, could only imagine. A medal of bravery doesnโt put caviar on the table, Wilko!
Talking many times to Mike, I couldn’t imagine sympathy was what he wanted or needed. In fact he was adamant the PCC role was not needed and their salary could be better spent elsewhere in the force. Something the Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has realised, and motioned to scrap the position, freeing up an extra ยฃ20m to fund front-line policing. If we had a government which knew the difference between a protester and a terrorist, I might have faith the money would be distributed to the appropriate channels. Fingerโs crossed.
But Phillip went bleating to Tory-biased BBC Wiltshire, crying, “It’s going to mean a less effective, less efficient and more politicised police force.” If his paradoxical belief taking away a political role in the police force would somehow politicise it isn’t proof he was clutching at straws, there’s a taste of irony in his consistent splatters about how much he required a higher budget to police Wiltshire, when Rees contradicted this with the notion it’s not about what’s budgeted but how it is spent. And unnecessarily spending a whooping chunk of it for a bloke to wander around the county like royalty, idly vowing to solve this problem or that, surely would have the opposite effect?!
Much ado about nothing. So, cheerio Wilko.
It’s no great revelation that his bygone strategies failed in the past, ergo, held no clout nowadays either. Seeking to punish individual drug dealers, for example, only leaves a gap in their turf another will step into, and isn’t really solving the bigger issue of getting drugs off our streets. We could debate if more radical moves need taking, but he was too stuck in the mud to ever take heed. Wilko was out of touch, whereas officers are on our streets witnessing and dealing with crime, and their opinions should count.
His attacks on youths tarnished them with the same brush, when that simply isnโt true, is counterproductive, and matches the troubles we were victimised for when we were younger. Then, hypocritically, he grabbed a photo opportunity last week at the newly opened Devizes Area Youth Lounge, where he immediately accentuated youth crime, suggesting anti-social behaviour was done only by youths and this would prevent them โhanging around the streets and getting into trouble.โ Far from the actual notion the centre was created to give all youths a space to socialise for the sake of their wellbeing and mental health.
With polarised views from people like him at the top of the hierarchy, at a time of financial instability and hyperinflation, conveniently caused by the party he backs, rebellious attitudes and crime will surely only worsen, by people of any age.
Youth programs will attract only those who wish to pursue them, and they tend not to be those troublemakers he cited. You cannot stop them, but you can reduce the peer-pressure and turn their petty crimes away from being a spectator sport, by providing safe spaces for those affected by them. Youths are not only the criminals but more often than not the victims of them too, and that was something sadly overlooked in Wilkinsonโs wonky thought process, and the reason I salute the notion to rid ourselves of these unnecessary and pompous roles of Police Crime Commissioners.
Does that make sense to you?! I wish Wilko well, and say cheerio. Iโm certain his pension will not see him walking those dangerous streets paved with wayward youths, and heโll still be able to enjoy luxurious banquets with his fox-hunting chums.
And so it begins, the build-up, the tension; come all ye faithful round yon virgins and three kings of orient are, spreading joy to the world while shepherds wash their socks and Batman smells. In which, in order to spread warm emotions of peace and unity for the one day, itโs obligatory to rush around like headless chickens for two months, verbally abuse drivers in traffic jams, inevitably cause accidents because weโre too consumed by what little Johnny wants this year to concentrate on our driving!
Or, how weโre still hungover from the work-do where we accidentally got off with the agency temp in sales who puked down her blouse before half four, and Gary fancied her, and now heโs going to be pissed with you. And ram B&M on black Friday, fight to the death anyone who might grab the last Labubu doll, and Grannyโs ditched us for some โgentleman friend,โ whoโs whisked her off to The Maldives, and well, if mum undercooks the pigs in blankets again Iโm off down the pub, where did they put the batteries, and who lost the end to the bloody sellotape?!
A pastiche of the RSPCA slogan about puppies as pressies, Bristol-based vocalist, musician and producer, Hannah Collins has nailed it in her new Christmas song with a spin, Love is for Life (Not Only for Christmas Time.) The simple premise; if we can be nice to each other on Christmas Day, why canโt we for the rest of the year? How smug, bar humbug, great song, though!!
For if it sounds like the basis of a bitter anti-Christmas punk song, itโs subtle, ironically uplifting, and contains a simple piano riff with seasonal jingly bells.ย Released on the 28th of November, Hannah says, โin a materialistic world, love is the greatest gift we can give.โ
Produced and mixed by Tim Oliver (Sinead OโConnor/Robert Plant) at Peter Gabrielโs Realworld Studios in Box, Wiltshire, featuring John Baggot (Massive Attack/Portishead/Robert Plant) on keys, and Eric Okafo on bass, it has a Motown lite sound and is reminiscent of a Mariah Carey singalongโฆ..argh, Iโm caught by the catchy hook, and Iโm putting my decorations up now!!
It will be available to stream on all platforms from 28th November 2025. There will also be an original music video released on YouTube on 21st November, created by Olivia Kennedy from OK! Animations.
Hannah is new to us, but tis said her, โinquisitive mind, creative spirit and interest in philosophy are overarching themes in her work; a golden thread flowing through her art, which is particularly resonant with the message of peace and goodwill at Christmas.โ The press release asks, โcan we keep the peace, love and charity going all year long, and not just at Christmas time?!โ Have they not heard of dry January, winters of discontent, and seasonal affective disorder, damn your spritely song, Hannah?!!
โI will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach,โ Dickens wrote, โfeel the magic in the atmosphere, I wonder why itโs only this time of year,โ Hannah wrote similarly, and maybe her song has a lesson too, a seasonal catchy pop lesson I happen to love!
Whilst dispersing highly flammable hydrocarbon gases into the atmosphere is not advisory, Butane Skies is a name increasingly exploding on local circuits. The young andโฆ
The excitement and hope generated by Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana announcing a new political party has reached Swindonโฆ.. A broad range of people haveโฆ
If I was bowled over backwards by Rubyโs teaser single last week, its title, Crowned Lightbringer, now also belongs to this five-track EP, released today,โฆ
If you need a reason to understand why I was so excited about The Sarah C Ryan Band coming to RowdeFest back in May, you wasn’t there!! And if you wasn’t, well, I’m not going to pick on you, just leave said example below and let you decide…..
My Radio Silence, recorded for a session at Crescent Records Studio in Swindon, back in July 2024, has recently been published on YouTube for prosperity, and shows precisely why I so absolutely, totally 100% love this band! It’s so breezy and cool…. I’m going to shut my cake hole and let you enjoy the video…..
Image: John Kisch Legendary songwriter and original Stranglers frontman Hugh Cornwell has announced a run of UK dates this November, accompanied by special guests Theโฆ
Atmospherically anthemic and reinforced with that infectious rhythmic groove weโve come to love Talk in Code for, More Than Friends is chockfull of it, andโฆ
by Mick Brian With Sandcastles Productions marking its debut production with Charlie McGuireโs original play Glass House, the cast and crew behind this production are clearlyโฆ
Itโs nice to hear when our features attract attention. Salisburyโs Radio Odstock ย picked up on our interview with Devizes band Burn the Midnight Oil and they gained air time, but the interview was published short of year ago now, and the band have had significant changes to the lineup and their style. So, I the time is nigh to poke my bulbous nose in and interrupt their rehearsal againโฆ..
Formerly a trio, bassist Chris Lane remains with Chrissy Chapman up front,ย but guitarist Andy Jacobs sadly passed away this year. โAndy was an amazing musician and really helped carve out our initial sonic signature,โ Chrissy told me. โWeโve always wanted to acknowledge his creative contributions, given that music ran through him like the letters in a stick of rock. However, for reasons I canโt discuss out of respect for everyone involved, the band collectively decided that it was no longer suitable for Andy to remain involved. Weโve made every attempt to show him grace since that decision but there was a negative backlash. Regardless, we were all very sad to hear he passed away shortly after, and our sympathies remain with his family and loved ones. Weโre committed to remembering him in the best light.โ
โThere was definitely concern about doing the songs justice after we parted ways with Andy,โ Chrissy continued. โEventually, though, we made a conscious effort to develop a new sound that honoured the music while allowing John the creative freedom. The core of our sound now focuses on doing the songs justice rather than trying to replicate what Andy originally brought to the table and embracing the natural evolution of our sound that draws from all of our influences.โ
The Original Trio of Chrissy, Chris and Andy
John Lane joined as guitarist, but was making me a cuppa while I was chatting with Ron Riordan, the new drummer. Theyโve both been instrumental in forging a new direction for the band, literally! John said of Andyโs passing, โas part of getting through that phase the band has grown,โ and Ron added it had โevolved.โ
Turning to Chrissy I jested that when we did the original interview, she had suggested they didn’t need a drummer! โWell,โ she explained, โwe always needed a drummer, but we were able to perform at the time without a drummer because we were percussive enough. And it went down really well. A couple of venues, we did three gigs before we got Ron, a brilliant drummer!โ
Ron stepped in immediately at a crossover period between Andy and John, a proficient drummer who told me he had played in a few ska bands in Swindon, โI started playing drums when I was about nine, in orchestras and learnt to read music, that type of thing.โ I smiled; he looks like he can blast a Two-Tone riff. โThat’s the thing though,โ Chrissy said, โbecause straight away we had DOCAโs Winter of Festive Ales booked. So it was like, everybody had to jump on really, really quickly. And we wanted to use that as an opportunity to do the originals.โ
It was on the strength of the demo I asked them to play RowdeFest, I hadnโt seen them performing before. But the committee was encouraging me to find a covers band. โWe followed your advice about doing the covers,โ Chrissy said, though it wasnโt really advise, rather a way to get them booked! Iโm so glad they did, they were dynamite and feedback was overwhelming. The kind of band youโd think had been on the circuit for years. โI felt that we were at the party at the end of the day!โ John remarked, and they certainly was.
โWhat was nice about that is it the focus was about โlet’s give people a showโ rather than it just being about โlet’s get our songs outโ,โ Chrissy explained. โYour influence was about getting a show to give to people, keeping people up on their feet, so and not allowing those breathers.โ I did encourage them to ensure they blasted some originals out too, though, which they did!
โWe tried to dress it on different levels of the visual,โ John stressed, โwearing the outfits, the recognition of known songs, and the come on, party time!โ
โYeah, it worked, didn’t it?โ I replied, a template to liven up a pub gig, and Burn the Midnight Oil are certainly getting them. The Queenโs Tap in Swindon and Kings Arms in Amesbury their recent outings, but how do they feel about how far theyโve come?
โGiven that the new face of us being coming up a four piece with Andy’s departure in January, to get that in the space of a year, well, less than a year,โ Chrissy said, โas a new lineup, I think it’s quite incredible.โ
Itโs the added drums which changes it, I supposed, surely essential for a harder rock feel.
โIt changes the scale of the presentation,โ John added. โIt’s now got drive and rhythm rather than being listening for the lyric. It’s actually motivated, it hooks into people’s natural sense of rhythm, and you can’t help it. First thing people take in is rhythm, then melody, last of all, lyrics. So if you hook the first bit, you don’t get the second one, then they come back for the lyrics. So we’re attacking it from the best angle.โ
Here was were I felt a healthy division between John and Chrissyโs perspective, as she began to speak on where she drew inspiration from in the writing and a change in direction from intrapersonal to interpersonal. She drew from personal relationships and her faith, implying her writing was key, but the difference was never confrontational and a good blend of opinion is surely necessary to compose the elements of a song professionally.
โI had a tsunami of a creative spell, and wrote twenty songs in as many days. So we’re now, everybody’s having to play catch up, trying to get them polished!โ Chrissy explained. She labelled her past songs as an โangsty teenage phase,โ and felt her songwriting about โgood guy/scumbagsโ had evolved and matured into โsomething more universal. It’s not so much like a diary, it’s definitely becoming more cryptic. It’s pulling in a different kind of imagery and symbolism. And then, because I’m faith-based as well, I’ve given a lot of inspiration taking verses from the Bible that have really helped me through difficult times. I’m weaving them, not to be preachy, but just to be like, this is my story.โ
โWeโd like the two songs we did at the award ceremony, to polish it up more, get a scratch track done, and then we’re going to go back to Matt Millerโs Dusty Shed, who did the original three.โ
โWe can’t really use the original EP anymore. And also, it’s fair to say with John’s influences, and the way that we’re allowing space for his creative flow to come into it, it just sounds different.โ
John pointed out his mixer was adequate when I pondered if they needed a producer. Chrissy replied while it would be โfantastic,โ she crunched numbers and said they, โreally want to get onto the festival circuit, and that means having tracks done ASAP.โ
Captivating to listen to Chrissy delving deeper into the inspiration behind her songwriting and the maturity she felt it levelling to, in which she exclaimed with much delight, โit’s definitely been refreshing having John’s influence, him sharing how he sees it as a viewer. Because you write what you know, and unfortunately, I’ve been exposed to quite a lot of things that I don’t think many people would ever want to be exposed to. And being able to find hope and joy in some of the songs and being able to write happier songs. For the first time ever, I’ve written two love songs! I’ve never written love songs before! So, there definitely seems to be more universal themes.โ
Yet as fascinating as it is, hearing Chrissyโs writing motivations, John revealing the technical side to their development, Ron adding splices of drummer-fashioned wit, and together them trying to summarise their change in direction whether it be a more rock-blues or dark-country, only to finally decide it unnecessary to pigeonhole it anyway, it makes for a laborious read, so I thought I’d inject a light-hearted, more physical observation with Chris, who otherwise, I suspect, wouldโve remained silent, save occasionally strumming his bass!
It was that I heard Jimi Hendrix had extremely long fingers, I noted so too did Chris, and wondered if he considered it an asset to playing guitar! John jested, โit’s like watching a spider running up and down a hot plate!โ Ron pointed out his stumpy fingers, โI’m a drummer; I’ve just tried to learn the bass guitar and I can’t get my hands anywhere round the neck of the guitar like Chris can!โ
Chris exampled pianistsโ tendency to have stumpy fingers. โYou look at Elton Joh or Les Dawson, theyโve all short fingers, but they can play like crazy! I can get away with some stuff, but some of it’s more, arguably, bad habit than good! But I can get away with having long fingers rather than good habits!โ
A fellow of far fewer words than the front girl, evidently, but when he does its witty self-mocking is worth itโs weight in gold and sparked a humorous angle to the interview in which, while Chrissy justified his dexterity and nimbleness, Ron favoured to joke about Chrisโs dancing on stage, โwhich is brilliant. I love it!โ
John praised the firmness of Chrisโ bass, โyou’re methodical, you’re listening. I’m done wondering if he’s bored to death as I explain something to him, as heโs sitting there taking it in. It’s not till you go and think he’s got it.โ
They all seemed content with each other, and John effectively โkeeping them in line,โ and this brought up the subject that they abstained from drinking while performing. โOne rule I was pretty adamant about,โ John explained while Chrissy and Ron laughed about being โhyper,โ โis drink and music don’t mix. If you’re going to load it up, don’t expect to be any good at the music.Because we’re there to make the party for everybody else.โ
โYeah,โ Chrissy joshed, โso I’m not allowed to have a pre-shot of tequila, which is really good because I definitely noticed a habit where I needed the Dutch courage in order to get up and I started realising, this is a bad habit that I don’t want to become dependent on. So itโs two-wayed. You were definitely enforcing it. And I tried to be more mindful of it and just get up despite feeling nervous. And I get nervous every single time still.โ
Aside the notion everyone gets butterflies, we moved between passionate subjects like the local circuits and venues and getting further afield, and we ventured back into songwriting inspirations, but I wanted them to nail it into a summary. โIn a nutshell,โ Chrissy said, โweโre focusing on rhythm and melody so that the lyrics can shine through. And we’re drawing inspiration from real life. Trying to make them more universal and a punchy sound. Rocky, bluesy, layers musically and lyrically; say that, Darren!โ
Okay, I will! And if you want to hear this band progressing, follow their socials for gig updates. Theyโll be in Devizes on Sunday 14th December, at that tropical holiday resort in the Brittox, The Muck & Dunder, with a fundraiser for Ugandan orphanage His Grace Children Centre Bugiri, which theyโve organised themselves.
In true Christian spirit Chrissy annually organises a fundraiser around the yuletide, which she did as a soloist ironically titled One Trick Pony. Ironic because, she lent her vocals to drum n bass tracks, returned to town to learn guitar and perform acoustically, ย and now thereโs Burn the Midnight Oil; a proficient four-piece who, merging experiences in varied genres, refuse to ย pigeonhole their developing style, and has an angelic vocalist with a penchant undaunted to delve deep into her psyche and faith for inspiration, and oh yeah, a bassist with long fingers!
Wiltshire Music announces a new season for Autumn Winter: and the first under the new leadership of Daniel Clark, Artistic Director and Sarah Robertson, Executiveโฆ
If youโve seen Jess Self performing at the Wharf Theatre, singing at the FullTone Festival or elsewhere Iโm certain youโll agree with us; Jess hasโฆ
It’s been a wonderful summer’s weekend, in which I endeavoured to at least poke my nose into the fabulous FullTone Festival, despite being invited toโฆ
Devizes annual orchestral festival, FullTone got underway yesterday afternoon with a showcase of local talent from Devizes Music Academy,ย and finalised Friday night with theirโฆ
A feast of Salisbury musicians have recorded the single Edge of Reason, a powerful tribute to the irreplaceable ThomโฏBelk, a champion of Salisburyโs music sceneโฆ
Devizine can reveal how a new book by a local author might possibly be the reason why Devizine isn’t as funny as it used to beโฆ.
Devizine, it used to be funny, but sadly it seems it’s not so much anymore. Who took the banana skin from under its flip-flop? Who failed to give it a raspberry on the bouncy belly? Editor and creator of Devizine, Darren Worrow might have discovered why.
He said, โIt’s a disgrace. This so-called author Darren Worrow has channelled all his pathetic attempts at humour into his new book Murder at the Scribbling Horse, and hardly bothered sharing anything the slightest bit amusing here on Devizine, as he once did; typical liberties from a loony leftie! And now he expects me to blow my own trumpet and sing his praises; what a pretentious twat! Shamelessly plugging his own book on his own website is surely proof.โ
โSet in the fictional Wiltshire market town of Slapam-on-the-Fye, which is nothing like any real Wiltshire market town you might know of, it claims to be a murder-mystery, but the only true thing it murders is English literature.โ
โNeither is there any subtlety in it either, like there is with Devizine,โ Worrow waffled on sorrowfully wallowing. โWorrow takes no prisoners, has gone all out and created an absolute work of filth; an offensive joke book with a sham narrative, just so he can say disgusting things about various celebrities, politicians and anyone else he doesnโt like, despite the good honest work they’re doing to keep Britain free from logic and empathy.โ
โWith the mouth of a sailor, it downright disregards any level of intelligence locals might possess, and paints them all as so utterly idiotic the narration of the story has to be conveyed through the point of view of the pub dog; I donโt think thatโs funny at all. The dog is a depressing nihilist, who uses the opportunity to put the human world to rights, rather than getting on with telling the story, thatโs why it stacks up over 500 pages. 500 plus pages of meandering woke filth, I might add.โ
โUsing a facade of a murder mystery, in which the frontman to a tribute act is murdered in the pub whilst they organise a fundraising music festival, as the plot thickens like moulded yogurt around his genitalia, it goes as far as disgracefully making a mockery out of petty local politics too. It’s the biggest crime against pop since David Bowie and Mick Jaggerโs cover of Dancing in the Street. I’d rather lick that yogurt off than buy this book, but that’s probably what this sick perverted tyrant wants us to do.โ
โYou’re not going to enjoy reading it, as tea can scold you if dropped in your lap through laughing too much. Therefore I call upon Steer Karma and the government to ban this book for health and safety reasons.โ
โThis thing wouldnโt have been published under Farage, you know? And thousands of flagpoles will now have to be erected to counteract the unpatriotic damage done, at the taxpayer’s expense too.โ
The author of the book, Darren Worrow, rebukes comments made by the Devizine editor, Darren Worrow. โThat guy is as thick as a Boxing Day turd and pissing into the wind,โ he said. โOther than the fact I have released a new book, the rest is slanderous lies and Devizine will be hearing from my lawyers. Murder at the Scribbling Horse is a fascinating psychological study and critique of the modern world, questioning our nonacceptance of aging and the social and political issues it raises; with added knob jokes.โ
The author became irate, claiming, โfor eight long years I’ve been tirelessly promoting everyone else for peanuts. I’ve not even had the opportunity of taking a bath since, and I look like a Yeti past its sell by date. It’s about time I thought about myself for a change, and everyone can bloody well return the favour by buying my book!โ
Eighties post-punk sensations Johnny Bunion and the Verrucasโ most successful album, The Legend of Castle Grey Scholl, 1981.
Whatever happened to Johnny Bunion? His legend burnt out long before his candle ever did.
But the more pressing question must be, was it connected to the murder at the Scribbling Horse public house in the narrow-minded Wiltshire market town of Slapam-on-the-Fye, some forty plus years later? And if so, how?
To answer this you’ll need to research, and my book, Murder at the Scribbling Horse will be the only way to do that.
If there’s ever any proceeds from the book, they will go to a much needed new Lynx Africa deodorant set, and a Brazilian back, sack and crack wax for the obnoxious author; the twat needs it, he looks like Posie from the Flumpsโ rustic vajazzle.
Seriously though, being funny is the only thing I’m serious about. If you laughed at any part of this internal press release you’re a bit weird, and the ideal target audience for my book! You’re going to laugh a kazillion times (thatโs a zillion zillions) more with a copy Murder at the Scribbling Horse in your grubby mitts. And even if youโve no sense of humour, you know a good Christmas present idea when you see one!
You can buy the paperback online here. And the e-book here. It’s out for global distribution but buying direct from Lulu cuts out the middle man and gives the best royalties to the authors.ย
Not for sale to children or the over sensitive, though; as if I needed to say!
Murder at the Scribbling Horse is available at Devizes Books for a reduced price of ยฃ20, and next Saturday 22nd November, I’ll be in the shop praying to the Norse god of biscuits someone might stop by and purchase a signed copy at the super reduced price of ยฃ20!
If you cannot make it, you can message me and I’ll personally deliver you a copy if you live locally. I still need to work out posting & packaging costs, so message me if it needs posting and Iโll let you know about that asap. Happy reading…well, I say that but do I really mean it, I mean, really?!
Devizes Food & Drink Festival launched their 2025 programme of events today. Running from Saturday 20th to the 28th September, the Box Office opens online and at Devizes Books on August 11th; can you wait that long or is your tummy rumbling already?! The free Street Food and Artisan Marketย will take place in the Devizesโฆ
With your standard festivals two-to-a-penny, some consisting of not much more than a bloke with a guitar in a pub selling undercooked and overpriced hotdogs, folk are hunting for the unique and often quirky exceptions. Accept The Barge at HoneyStreet always goes the extra mile as a fact. With camping and weekly events so goodโฆ
Schools out for summer, yelled a man called Alice, but that was in 1972. We’re about what you can do THIS school summer holiday with those little munchkins; here’s what we’ve found… Please note as soon as we publish this we’ll be bombarded with events we have missed; at least that’s what usually happens! So,โฆ
Next week, MP for Melksham & Devizes Brian Mathew will be taking on Skynet and raising a question in Parliament about the impact of Artificial Intelligence on the creative sector. From writers and musicians to designers and artists, he invites local creatives to have their sayโฆ.
Only a few weeks ago a Facebook page which posts material about music legends took a picture from a Devizine review of an Adam & The Ants tribute act, Ant Trouble, at Swindonโs Victoria and, believing it to be the real Adam Ant it used it to illustrate a post about him! You can tell from the mechanical writing style itโs totally AI generated, so, who do I sue? Metal Mickey?!
Iโm not suing anyone, I laugh it off, but thereโs a serious side to all this. Brian explained, โIโve already received a number of emails and messages from constituents who are deeply concerned that AI could undermine creative jobs and that copyrighted material is being used to train AI systems without fair payment or permission.โ
โBefore I take this issue to Westminster, I want to make sure your voices are heard. Please take a few minutes to fill in my short survey. Your input will help shape the questions I put to ministers and ensure that the concerns of our creative community are represented in Parliament. Your voice matters.โ
Contemplated headlining this โClash of the Titans,โ but that evokes the idea of a dramatic power struggle with fierce consequences rather than proof Devizes canโฆ
Popular award-winning artisan chocolate business Hollychocs has announced that its Beanery Cafรฉ will close on Saturday 23rd August, marking exactly two years since its openingโฆ
by Ian Diddamsimages by Sandcastle Productions A very new addition to Bath based theatre companies, Sandcastles Productions brings their self penned piece of theatre toโฆ
by Ian Diddamsimages by Ian Diddams, Next Stage Theatre Company and Mike Stevens Florian Zeller is a contemporary French playwright and screenwriter, who received criticalโฆ
Rude to walk into an event sporting another event wristband but the welcome was friendly as ever at the Three Crowns in Devizes. It’s mid-afternoon,โฆ
In thanking everyone who supported this year’s Wiltshire Music Awards, Eddie Prestidge of Stone Circle Music Events revealed his intentions of continuing with the awards into next yearโฆย
โFirstly, I want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported and got involved in our very first Wiltshire Music Awards,โ he said. โThe enthusiasm, energy, and community spirit were incredible to see.โ
Reflecting on this year’s inaugural awards, he said, โwe want to be open, honest, and transparent about the journey. Did we get everything right? No, and weโre happy to learn and grow. Did we realise how big this celebration would become? No, your support surpassed all expectations!โ
Looking ahead to 2026 Eddie explained, โwe are excited about continuing the Stone Circle Wiltshire Music Awards into 2026. However, we recognise that this celebration now belongs to the wider community, not just to us.โ
โTo help it grow in the right way, we are exploring bringing together a small group of local volunteers to form a community committee, encouraging fair representation across Wiltshire.โ
If you feel you have something positive to contribute and would like to help shape the 2026 awards, please email Eddie here: hello@stonecirclemusicevents.uk
Patrick O’Sullivan of Stone Circle Music Events said, โwhile we could continue running the awards on our own, this event is a celebration of Wiltshireโs music community โ driven by local voices, talent, and passion. Thatโs why we feel a community-based team would help make 2026 stronger and more exciting. Together we can continue to build the Wiltshire Music Awards in order to recognise and celebrate the amazing talent we haveย in Wiltshire.โ
โThank you for supporting the Wiltshire Music Awards! Weโre so grateful to everyone who got involved. Together, weโre growing something amazing for Wiltshireโs music community!โ
โWeโd really love to hear your feedback, what you enjoyed, and what you think we could improve for next time. Your thoughts willย genuinely help us make next year’s Wiltshire Music Awards 2026 event better.โ
Stone Circle Music Events state feedback should be by email, as they wonโt be responding to feedback posted on Facebook, promising to reply to every email politely and respectfully.
Send your feedback to: patrick@stonecirclemusicevents.uk
If youโve popped into Wiltshire Music Centre recently; for a concert, workshop, screening orย even a meeting, you might have noticedโฏchanges in the foyer: recorded music,โฆ
Photo credit: David Leigh Dodd Pioneers of the indie-rock sound which would lead us into the nineties, Transvision Vamp lead singer Wendy James has announcedโฆ
By Ian DiddamsImages by Luke Ashley Tame of Acadia Creative Around 2 million women are victims of violence perpetrated by men every year, thatโs 3,000โฆ
Family run premier auctioneers of antiques and collector’s items, Henry Aldridge and Son announced a move into The Old Town Hall on Wine Street, Devizes;โฆ
Frome Festival is launching itsย โ25 for 25โย fundraising campaign with a very special concert featuring three locally based acts:ย Tom Mothย โ best known as the harpist for multi-platinum-selling bandย Florence + The Machineย โ alt-folk duoย mฤsa, and brand-new soul/funk collectiveย The Juice.…
The event, taking place at The Tunnels on Saturday 29th November, kicks off Frome Festivalโs ambitious campaign that aims to raise ยฃ25,000 before the start of next yearโs festival in July. Founded in 2001, Frome Festivalโs silver anniversary offers an opportunity to celebrate 25 years of creativity while securing the future of this much-loved community arts event for the next generation.
Followingย Tom Mothโsย sold-out Festival performance at Rook Lane Chapel this summer, theย โ25 for 25โย fundraiser provides an additional chance to hear his own original work. Tom explains, โI enjoy crafting sounds using various acoustic and electronic devices, so whilst the harp will be involved, the performance wonโt strictly be a harp recital!โ
Tom is a big supporter of Frome Festival and is carving out some time between a busy international promotional schedule for Florenceโs newly released album,ย Everybody Scream, and their upcoming European/US tour, which starts in February. The lauded harpist moved to Frome a couple of years ago as he felt it was somewhere he could exist happily. He says of the town, โI love that thereโs such a welcoming and proactive creative community. It seems like thereโs always something happening, whether itโs a gig, an exhibition, or community-based activity.โ
Sisters Faron and Merle ofย mฤsaย are returning from a hiatus to support this fundraiser, sharing their beautiful harmony based alt-folk compositions. Merle said, “Weโve lived in Frome for a few years now and really value its creative and independent spirit as a town. This aspect of it seems to be growing and getting even stronger as time passes.” ย mฤsa have played at Frome Festival several times over the years, including a headline slot at the Silk Mill, and have also collaborated on a sonic guided walk of the town, calledย We Are All Sonambulistsย – โThis was a great way to learn about the townโs history and feel inspired by its ghosts and stories”, explained Merle.
Faron added, “We were really pleased to be invited to play at this fundraiser, because itโs so important to keep community driven events that support the arts going. Now more than ever we need creativity and connection to unite us, and keeping Frome Festival alive and kicking is one small way of doing so.”
As to their future plans, mฤsa have recently been recording and plan to release new songs next year.
Ending the night with party vibes is The Juice, a fresh five-piece soul outfit who made their debut with a secret set during Sofar Sounds at Frome Festival in July. Drawing their members from a collective of local musicians, they write tunes which draw on 70s soul, pop and funk, โwith a sprinkling of Juicified coversโ. Members of The Juice have also featured in The Enrichments, Mighty One, Samuel Jack, Twin Falls and Littlemen.
Joe James, The Juice frontman, stated, “As a local band, supporting Frome Festival means a lot to us. We can’t wait to bring The Juice to our hometown and share our new musical project with the people who shaped us”. Bass player, Jack Opie, added, “The community spirit and artsย scene in Frome is a huge reason that it is such a wonderful place to live, and the Festival is obviously a critical part of this – it’s massively important to us all that the Festival keeps on going, and we’re all really excited to be playing our small part in helping its future.”
Sarah Swales, Frome Festival Manager, said, โIโm constantly amazed by the incredible talent we have here in Frome, and Iโm thrilled that these performers are generously donating their time and remarkable skills to support the Festival. Each of the three acts brings a unique musical style, and all are outstanding in their own right.โ She added, โWeโre also hugely grateful to Baz, Josh, and everyone at The Tunnels for hosting the event. In the current climate, itโs more important than ever to support our venues and keep live music thriving.โ
Frome Festivalโs โ25 for 25โ campaign will celebrate a quarter of a century of being at the heart of Fromeโs creative community with special events throughout the year. All monies raised will support growing the organisation, developing an education strand and maintaining the rich programme of free and low-cost activities across Frome Festival.
Supporters can help by attending fundraising concerts and activities in the lead up to Frome Festival 2026, become a Friend of Frome Festival to receive priority Festival booking and exclusive year-round perks, or donate directly to the charity.
Adam Laughton, Festival Director, explained, โIt is remarkable to see how Frome has embraced Frome Festival across the last 25 years โ everyone I speak to has a story to tell about their favourite moments. Across the next year, we aim to capture that spirit and celebrate Fromeโs deep love and support of the arts, looking back at a quarter of a century of amazing work and plotting a course for the next 25 years. Through a campaign like this, we are looking to ensure the next generation can continue to experience the unique benefits of accessible, local live arts.โ
โFrome Festival Fundraiser with Tom Moth / mฤsa / The Juiceโย takes place on Saturday 29 November at The Tunnels, doors 7.30pm.
Advance tickets are ยฃ18 available through the Frome Festival website or ยฃ20 on the door.
By Ian DiddamsImages by Ian Diddams and Shakespeare Live Is it post watershed? Then I shall beginโฆ The etymology of the word โNothingโ is quiteโฆ โฆ
Amidst another packed summer weekend’s schedule laid that lovable large village Pewseyโs turn to shine; always a law unto itself, things went off; if itโsโฆ
Britpop icons Supergrass will headline Frome Festival as a fundraising event for grassroots community action group โPeople for Packsaddleโ who are fighting to save aโฆ
Another Triumph for WHO Andy Fawthrop Following the excellent recent production of La Belle Helene at Devizesโ Wharf Theatre back in March (see here), Whiteโฆ
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Iโve got some gorgeous vocal harmonies currently floating into my ears, as The Lost Trades release their first single since the replacement of Tamsin Quin with Jess Vincent way back in February, and its immediate impact clearly says a Lost Trades classicโฆ..
If some previous songs of The Lost Trades had a lead vocal, theyโre not the Spice Girls so I couldnโt pick a favourite, and the trio are truly at their best when there isnโt a lead and the song centralises on their astounding harmony! Float Me On Your River is one of those, four minutes plus of a simple sentimental premise with a sublime delivery. The new addition Jess fits like a glove to Phil Cooper and Jamie R Hawkinsโ vocal range, and the song rings out with the quality passionate ambiance we’ve come to expect from the trio.
It comes with an accompanying video from Jamieโs Side Owl video production project which, if nothing else, suggests The Lost Trades like their sandwiches cut into triangles; these things are important to note.
Rolling out a Barrelhouse of fun, you can have blues on the run, tomorrow (7th November) when Marlborough’s finest groovy vintage blues virtuosos Barrelhouse release Open for Business, their third studio album indicative of their astounding live showโฆ..
Tim and Stuart’s dramatic guitar riff from the off,Dave Growcott’s drums kick in and Open for Business doesn’t wait around for you to hang your barn jacket on the juke joint’s hall tree. Nick’s growling harmonica strides into the room next, all guns blazing, and we’re like a greyhound out of the traps when Martin grits his teeth and presents his deep encapsulating howl.
If the black cat bone mentioned as the title of the opening tune is a hoodoo lucky charm for protection and luck, it’s unnecessary, expeditiously it magically assures you’re in for a rocky ride to the dusty crossroad, with minimal pitstops and without the need of any such luck.
It doesn’t calm the zest frenzy until the third track either, an absolutely sublimely haunting cover of The Beatlesโ Come Together, where Hedi’s backing vocals compliment Martin’s with such unbelievable harmony it smooths out the pace welcomingly.
Things go country for a ballad to Lydia, which I snooped through the interweb searching for an original version only to be informed by Nick Beere, more than just a mouth organ, rather the producer and engineer behind the album via his studio Mooncalf, that guitarist Tim wrote the song. Reason for my research being, itโs magnificence is instant, it simply sounds like a singalong country classic akin to The Band’s The Weight, which is also superbly covered penultimately on the album, btw. Then it’s back to full steam blues workout when they repropel Muddy’s mojo, a second Muddy classic into the melting pot, and belt the living daylights into Canned Heat’s On The Road Again.
Classic Americana come edgy blues rock cover choices, the ambience of Barrelhouse I’m illustrating you might wrongly convey in generalisation as โthey’re a serious bunch of hard rock dudes,โ but there’s a subtle frivolousness in their delivery which charms a crowd. Their labour of love is reflected joyfully outward to an audience without a pretentious mood, and fondly thrown back at them with an enthralled response, making their shows atmospherically interactive and thrilling. The experience in comparison to your atypical morose blues band is one rather of danceable merriment; a tick from me.
Mantonfest 2023 Image Gail Foster
If a song is original it’s hard to distinguish them from classic covers, Barrelhouse combines them into a seamless show, and makes an irresistible party album. A party appealing to Mantonfest’s youthful fanbase, who’ll invade the dance area when Barrelhouse mount the stage, and impress the matured Devizes blues aficionados with equal measure.
A Bo Diddley beat polishes this album as a grand finale, but if polished ramped serious blues cuts melds with an effervescent delivery is their working formula, its true beauty rests in the simplicity of its production. There’s no technical studio skullduggery here, no manufactured overdubs; what you hear is what happened in real time. Each song is recorded in a single take, making it not just authentic but the perfect representation of their energetic and entertaining live show. Something the band pride themselves in. If you’ve ever seen an amazing band live, only to be disappointed by the CD you brought because it didn’t match the splendour rawness of their performance, this is not the case here. Open for Business is taking the Barrelhouse show home with you. That’s why it’s a keeper.
But donโt take my word for it, next Saturday (15th Nov) sees the album launched at St Peterโs Marlborough, with support from 7pm. Itโs free and copies of the album will be available on CD and vinyl. And if you canโt wait for that, this coming Saturday (8th Nov) Barrelhouse will turn the Devizes Southgate into their own juke joint, a legendary occasion blossoming in modern folklore, as Devizes loves the blues and word got out via a toothless milkman.
Failing these options, theyโll be donning Santa hats and bringing out the tinsel at the Bear in Marlborough on 20th December, when you can almost taste the pigs in blankets in the ether.
Wiltshire Council confirmed Blue Badge holders can park freely in council-operated car parks again, following a vote at the Full Council meeting on Tuesday 21 October; you might think the majority would support the notion, but misinformation against it is being spread by an ex-Wiltshire Councillor and current Devizes Town Councillor on their popular Facebook groupโฆ..
Confirmation on the lift was published on the Wiltshire Council website, 22nd October 2025, stating โwith full Council now backing the change, Blue Badge holders are once again able to park free of charge in all Wiltshire Council car parks.โ The scheme forcing disabled blue badge holders to pay for parking was introduced by the former Conservative-led council in 2022.
Cllr Martin Smith, Cabinet Member for Highways, said, โI’m delighted that Full Council has supported this important change. Reinstating free parking for Blue Badge holders is a significant step towards making Wiltshire a more inclusive and accessible county. There are more than 30,000 Blue Badge holders in Wiltshire, many of whom face mobility challenges or rely on others for transport. This policy recognises the barriers they face and promotes fairness, independence and dignity. We know that many Blue Badge holders also experience lower levels of income, and this policy change will help them financially, too.โ
But it was matters of finance which sparked debate on local social media groups last week. Devizes Town Councillor Iain Wallis published a statement on his own-managed Facebook group Devizes Issues, claiming Wiltshire taxpayers will foot the bill in their council tax. I thought Iโd fact-check this because I pondered that simply lifting the charges surely wouldnโt incur too much cost, if anything.
It seems the ‘subsidising’ of Blue Badge holder parking comes out of the general car parking revenue account, NOT our council tax.
M&D Lib Dem Campaign Organiser Nathan liaised with some councillors to provide some clarity. It seems the ‘subsidising’ of Blue Badge holder parking comes out of the general car parking revenue account, NOT our council tax. โAny surplus from that account is reinvested into transport schemes,โ he continued to explain, โso if anyone is subsidising it, it’s other car park users. However, what it does is allow blue badge holders better access to shops and other facilities, which should lead to better profits, so more corporation tax is paid in.โ
The Wiltshire Council press release stresses, โwe’re updating the signage as soon as we can,โ so obviously thereโs a small cost there, but otherwise, it actually stands to potentially generate revenue via corporation tax gained by better retail profit. But aside, the bottom line is, the cost to update signage wouldnโt have been necessary at all if the previous Conservative-led Wiltshire Council hadnโt enforced parking charges on disabled drivers in the first place.
Dammit, Janet, this is going to backfire on the Tory ex-councillor with a reputation for banishing users of his Facebook group who spread apparent โmisinformation,โ but then, he should not be spreading misinformation himself, surely?! Ooh, could I speculate the spread of misinformation on Devizes Issues is acceptable if it fits a certain narrative approved by the admin? Whoโd have possibly imagined it?!
Looky here, the last thing I want to do, or would ever do, is make verbal personal attacks on anyone. Though, when calling out the spread of misinformation concerning local matters, this one town councillor and ex-Wilsthire councillorโs name pops up frequently. While he may favour playing the victim card, as he has done with us in the past, this serves only to fact check claims made, and is not intended to be a personal attack. It never was personal and it certainly isnโt now.
It is simply that, even if you are fit and able to walk or travel by bus, and you think disabled people paying for parking doesnโt affect you, it might one day not be the case. Ergo, if you are fit and able, you are perfectly within your rights to find free parking elsewhere even if it means a short walk and you pay nothing towards the small cost of changing some signage; storm in a teacup!
Disabled people may not have that option, and therefore the introduction of parking charges for blue badge holders was an unjust stealth tax by the former Conservative-led Council. In conclusion, it is evident and unfortunate that you should take what you read on Devizes Issues with a pinch of salt. The move by Wiltshire Council should be viewed as a benefit to the communities it serves, and they should be congratulated for reversing the decision to charge disabled people for parking fees.
Forest Live, Forestry Englandโs summer concert series presented with Cuffe & Taylor, has announced much loved and revered Scottish hitmakers Deacon Blue as the latest headliner for its 2026 shows. Deacon Blue will be joined by Lightning Seeds at the stunning Forestry England Westonbirt Arboretum on Thursday June 25rd June…….
Speaking about hitting the road, and hinting at the bandโs recent album title, frontman Ricky Ross said: โNo one knows where The Great Western Road ends up, least of all us! For now the road goes on and next summer we are taking the shows to some beautiful venues. We canโt wait to see you there and we promise to make every night very special.โ
Celebrating 40 years since Ross and Dougie Vipond first formed the band, Deacon Blueโs Westonbirt headline show will be a career-spanning night of hits including โChocolate Girlโ, โWages Dayโ and โFergus Sings The Bluesโ โ alongside highlights from โThe Great Western Roadโ, their most successful studio release in more than three decades, reaching Number 3 in the UK and topping the Scottish Album Chart. Recorded at the legendary Rockfield Studios, the album reunites Ross and guitarist Gregor Philp as producers, with engineer Matt Butler, who worked on Deacon Blueโs classic debut โRaintownโ. The record captures the bandโs journey across four decades, reflecting on life, love and longevity.
With more than 7 million albums sold, two UK Number One albums, and a songbook filled with heartfelt, singalong hits, Deacon Blue remain one of the UKโs most enduring and best-loved live acts. Their headline show at Westonbirt promises to be a celebration of their remarkable story โ and a showcase of a band still creating, evolving, and connecting with fans new and old.
Joining them as very special guests are Liverpudlian indie icons Lightning Seeds, the masterminds behind timeless favourites โPureโ, โLucky You,โ and โThe Life of Rileyโ.
Bursting on to the music scene in the late โ80s with their shimmering debut โCloudcuckoolandโ, the band quickly became one of the UKโs most cherished indie-pop acts. Led by songwriter and producer Ian Broudie, their catalogue spans era-defining hits like โSenseโ, and โChangeโ. Renowned for melodic brilliance and feel-good live shows, Lightning Seeds continue to delight fans across generations โ the perfect addition to an unmissable night at Westonbirt Arboretum.
Deacon Blue and Lightning Seeds join confirmed headliners for the eventโs 2026 Forest Live shows โ Becky Hill (Cannock Chase), The Kooks (Delamere), Snow Patrol (Thetford Forest) and UB40 ft Ali Campbell (playing all sites) – with many more phenomenal names to be added.
Merging stellar performances from world-class acts with beautiful outdoor locations to create an atmosphere like no other, Forest Live will celebrate its 25th Anniversary in 2026 with stunning shows in four forest venues: Forestry England Cannock Chase, Delamere Forest, High Lodge Thetford Forest and Westonbirt Arboretum.
Forestry England manage and care for the nationโs 1,500 woods and forests. They use the money Forest Live raises to maintain these beautiful natural areas for everyone to enjoy, run important conservation projects and keep growing trees.
Last year they planted some 7.4 million trees and welcomed 313 million visits in 2024/25. Everyone in England lives within a one-hour drive of one of the nationโs forests. Over two million people have enjoyed the Forest Live gigs over the last 25 years.
Following a hugely successful run of shows over the past 25 years, this year sees Forestry England present the concert series in partnership with Live Nationโs Cuffe & Taylor for the third year running.
Deacon Blue and Special Guests Lightning Seeds
Forestry England Westonbirt Arboretum – Thursday June 25
General tickets will go on sale on Friday November 7 at 10am.
Fans can sign up for information, announcements, and exclusive pre-sale access at forestlive.com.
Bristolโs regular Johnny B Goode, Ruzz Guitar Blues Revue goes full on swing with a new single, a take on The Brian Setzer Orchestraโs 1998 album title track The Dirty Boogie.….
Another high-energy bout of rockabilly guitar divinity we love from Ruzz, but this time weโre transported back to 1920s New Orleans dancehalls for that big band swing sound; jazz hands!
The Dirty Boogie, is out today on digital download for a quid, from Bandcamp.
Wiltshire country singer-songwriter Kirsty Clinch released a Christmas song only yesterday, raising funds for the Caenhill Countryside Centre near Devizes, and itโs already racing up the iTunes country musicchartsโฆ.
Itโs one thing to get your song out locally, but Kirsty was excited to announce that she, โwoke up this morning, and we are still in the top 10 of the iTunes country music charts and 180 in the overall charts, not only that, last night I saw we hit 7!โ
In collaboration with the Caenhill Countryside Centre, a charity project which brings countryside learning to children and communities west of Devizes near the Caen Hill locks, The Best Christmas Ever was mastered by Peter Lamb, with Kara Robertson and Lorna Carroll. Kirtsy describes it as โcheesy but addictive, cute but meaningful, and it definitely has a twist dance and country vibe to it!โ
Founder of First Melodies Music School, Kirsty has even choreographed a fun dance routine to learn too. A video of Kirsty showing us the moves is on social media, (Facebook – Instagram) and encourages children to send their own video of them doing the dance.
The preferred way to buy it is on iTunes, because itโs raising funds for the charity, and will go towards the future of the farm project and the animals there. โIt makes me incredibly happy and proud as an independent artist,โ Kirsty said, โthatโs always been told they are not good enough!โ No idea who wouldโve dreamed of saying this, but they deserve a sack of coal from Santa this year!
โLetโs keep the hype going until Christmas,โ Kirsty says; we agree and send you Christmassy blessings! Christmas number one, I say, with your help: download the song HERE.
It was never just the fervent ambience created which made me go tingly with excitement about Melkshamโs young indie band Between The Linesโ demo singleFading Time, it was the profusion of potential. A latent driving me to Swindon Shuffle this year, where theyโd be playing at The Hop, but now a manifest for all to hear the reason for my tingle, as Between The Lines release their debut EP Dualityโฆโฆโฆ..
Four tunes including the demo Fading Time, flowing on an exceptionally defined style of breezy, female-fronted indie pop-rock. Age makes me contemplate Fleetwood Mac, younger might cite Florence & The Machine, Iโm left thinking of The Corrs, particularly the opening track of hurt heart, Personal, with subtly building rich layers akin to grunge, but subtle and so incredibly cool.
I interviewed bassist Belle upfront, lead guitarist George, and Ethan and Louis, who both switch between drums and guitars, the latter being the rhythm guitarist, back in February and their professionalism impressed me enough to go in with high expectations for this debut. I was expecting goodness, I got my earful and it was even better than I imagined it might be. This is delightful magic with universal appeal, charming yet biting with tender guitar riffs.
Debatably Fading Time has the snappy hook, but Stuck in This is melodiously superior, the metaphorical drowning theme. Oh my, Belleโs vocals reflect off the water on this. Iโm going out on a limb here to suggest something comparable to Kirsty MacColl, but donโt assume thatโs sacrilegious or exaggeration until youโve listened, please.
I worry Iโm overusing the word sublime recently too, possibly reducing its impact, but I happen to like it, and can find no word more apt to describe Duality, and for a debut that itโs a fantastic achievement, an accolade they should all be very proud about.
But they saved the best till last. Simply titled Your Love, the final song is an uncomplicated rolling pop ballad, rich in ambience, and possibly the most durable, accomplished technically, and commercially viable. While fresh and contemporary with smooth indie-pop vibes, the EP flows akin to something timeless, even prog-rock, and if Your Love is the one to be accompanied with a dreamy showcasing video, which I believe it deserves to be, Iโd like a slightly extended bridge, to really show the listeners what theyโre made of.
And to meet Between The Lines isnโt the zesty teenage gang with stars in their eyes encounter, rather a modest and humble unity who seem thoroughly at ease with their talent, and while thereโs a confidence which needs blossoming on stage, given the quality of Duality, it remains the boost they will naturally attain. I’ve high hopes, this is beautifully constructed and produced.
A second track from local anonymous songwriter Joyrobber has mysteriously appeared online, and heโs bitter about not getting his dream jobโฆ..
If this mysterious dudeโs August invective track at racist talk show host Jeremy Kyle, and his patronising attitude, it feels like him telling me heโs โnot one for holding a grudge,โ might have a smidgen of irony too! His grungy pop-punk response to his career rejection might be biting satire, but amusing with it.
Eight and a half years ago, he claims, he was cruelly denied his dream job by what appeared to be a corrupt interview process. Perhaps it was to take over from Kyle, but Joyrobber reveals nothing, even after I badgered him for a clue to his identity.
What we do know is it was produced by Sugarpill Productions, a parody of hip hop pioneering label Sugarhill, has the vocal engineering talents of Jolyon Dixon, and is rather catchy with a highly amusing hook. I Didn’t Want Your Stupid Job Anyway is indicative of how we all might feel after a failed interview but being British, we bit our tongue. A bolshy after-contemplation with dry implications, in a Weezer skater-punk two-fingers up fashion.
I donโt believe for a second heโs pleading for sympathy, just to get the frustration off his chest by thrashing a guitar at it. If youโve been there too, youโll identify, making me like this more than the debut single, because Iโve an incalculable history of bodged job interviews, likely because they were all knobs as well!
Itโs up on Spotify, downloadable from Bandcamp with a โname your priceโ option, and itโs Marmite, love it or hate it, it remains a sticky spreadable extract to get over your dysphoria, but not sing at the Job Centre.
Itโs not Christmas until the choir sings, and Devizes Chamber Choir intend to do precisely this by announcing their Christmas Concert, as they have done since they were founded in 1978โฆ..
Devizes Chamber Choir is a group of around thirty singers, with a broad repertoire from acapella, through chamber works to major choral masterpieces including The Creation and Elijah. Their programme comprises of three seasonal concerts annually, a spring concert of standard classical works, a summer concert of lighter music and a seasonal Christmas concert of carols, and obviously itโs the latter which is coming up next; deck the halls!
The Devizes Chamber Choirโs Christmas Concert of Seasonal Carols and Songs will be held on Saturday 6th December 2025 at St. Andrewโs Church, Long Street, Devizes, with Music Director and Conductor, Shaun Holley.
They are a non-auditioned choir, so there is no singing test, but they do expect an ability to read music and of course an enthusiasm to sing. If you are interested in joining the choir, come along to a rehearsal to meet them. Look at them on the featured photo, it doesn’t look like they bite, (though Devizine cannot be held responsible if I’m wrong!) They rehearse on Tuesday evenings between 7:30pm and 9:30pm, at St. Andrewโs Church, Long Street, Devizes.
Best part of a week since Stone Circle Music Eventsโ Wiltshire Music Awards and Iโm still at one thousand feet about what we achieved, and dealing with a cascade of feedback. While some of it has been appreciated constructive criticism, that crazy playground called social media is such that some comments have become unfair, misinformed or even blatantly untrue. I prefer to remain positive, thanks all the same! And here we are, beginning to see positive after effects of the whole grand shebangโฆโฆ
Iโve loved seeing winning and runner-up acts, if not just posting pictures and videos of themselves proudly grasping their trophies, but using their win as an accolade on gig posters and bios. If thatโs not a positive outcome in a time when the whole hospitality industry is at its knees, I frankly don’t know what is. Try proving me wrong on this, I double-dare you and might even throw in a Twix for first prize!
There was also the whole โconventionโ side to the event too, which saw networking between musicians and venues, radio stations and promoters, and the general get-together of folk usually individually dispatched to their respective gigs on a weekend. I have already seen gig posters with added support acts who didnโt know each other before last Saturday, and radio plays for bands featured.
From my good friend Charlotte reuniting with Lifetime Achievement winner Peter Lamb, the producer who took her hopeful nineties girl band under his professional direction, to Fantasy Radio DJ, Mark Lister, who mentioned the awards on Scott Mills Radio 2 morning show, the attention the awards are seeing is phenomenal and the after effects are beginning to flourish.
If Sunday’s piece was a reflection on the night as a whole and a statement of the issues we unfortunately faced. Let today be about our fantastic acts who performed, for that’s where sparks flew and obviously the nature of what we were celebrating.
In order of appearance. Go on, admit it, you didn’t know the sublime Miss Ruby Darbyshire would be present, did you? I managed to not let the cat out of the bag about our opening special guest, despite my excitement!
At eighteen, Ruby is as her name suggests, a gemstone on our circuit. A multi-instrumentalist with bagpipes under her championship belt, a singer-songwriter with an exceptionally soulful voice which puts expression into her diligently crafted writing. Originally the plan was for Ruby to blow a tune of her own choice from her bagpipes and scoot off to another gig in Bradford-on-Avon, returning later in the evening. But we couldn’t let her go without at least another song, her magnum opus to date, Crowded Lightbringer, and then she played a second. It was the best opening ever, even if I was blindly operating the curtains like a bell ringer!
Hey, honestly, I was a raver in the nineties and viewed Britpop as regressive, but I now see its worth and respect the succeeding generation who see them as classics. Being such, we see a lot of cover bands performing Britpop anthems, with varying degrees of skill. The Britpop Boys have been on my must-see list for donkeys but our paths hadnโt crossed before. Iโm glad thatโs sorted and sound, for they were off the scale brilliant and totally โavinโ it are kid.
I was sitting on the stageโs sideline in awe of The Britpop Boys, it couldโve been Madchester in 1996. The sound and appearance held me spellbound, and I felt I should write to The Oxford Dictionary to redefine the word โcoolโ as โsee Britpop Boys!โ Yeah, they did Wonderwall, of course they did, but if itโs a cliche cover choice for most, itโs because itโs a beautiful crowdpleaser, and had to be done given only three songs. The ultimate thing about this was, they knocked it out of the Corn Exchange and into the stratosphere; Iโve never heard it done with such attention to detail and precision to honour the original.
If Iโve seen one new band begin wobbly and develop over time Iโve seen a hundred. But Burn the Midnight Oil is one of my most favourite newcomers to the Wiltshire music scene, for the simple reason that it feels like theyโve been here forever, as their ability to deliver crisp blues-rock originals and stamp covers with their own divinity is something to behold. Like mobile phones, you think, how did we ever survive without Burn the Midnight Oil?!
Itโs as if they honed their skills over decades and perfected the harmony of a classic rock band in their eighties which toured since their twenties, even if they might have, they did so individually, but that seam never shows. Their perfect performance proved this, it was nothing short of brilliant, fresh and invigorating, showing us what theyโve been working on, a beguiling harder rock sound; they look the part, they sound it too, I have high hopes for them.
Ben was great as a soloist, Pat was too, together itโs a magical connection to charm the pants off a donkey. This cover act could easily work anywhere, from crusty cider festival to wedding reception, itโs got universal appeal. Their set was amazing, Ben might have accidentally hit me on the head with his guitar but they were awesome, and Iโve had worse on my rock n roll journey!!
It mightโve knocked some sense into me, but I know what I liked anyway, and Matchbox Mutiny are high on that list.
George went next, and yeah, this is where we had technical sound issues. Professional till the end, George worked through it, and as a stalwart spirit on our circuit, George is modestly legendary, for his back catalogue of sublime originals and new songs flourishing to his entertaining interactive solo covers show. See our mention of the warm up gig from Friday at the Three Crowns, if you donโt already understand why we love Mr Wilding!
With various issues arising the evening was in need of a reset. I apologise, I announced an interval, thinking Lucas could prepare and we could hold a team talk. Just like George Wilding, Lucas is professional and motivated to the core. He came out like a boxer for a championship belt fight, psyched up for it and couldnโt wait for the bell! Therefore I attempted to recall the interval idea as quickly as possible, because Lucas Hardy was like a greyhound out of the trap! And what an outstanding performance, rinsed with sheer brilliance, Lucas is no stranger to award winning, itโs easy to see why.
As it was it was impossible to estimate how much time the award giving and other acts would take, I apologise if we wrongly assumed time was against us and lengthy speeches were deemed something unpredictable enough to encourage people to keep them short if at all. The original plan therefore was that our Devizes homegrown heroes, the teenage band which shook the rafters of this market town and deployed their exceptional talent to Bristol to further the phenomenon of Nothing Rhymes With Orange, were to play out until the end.
We finished earlier than expected, the barriers broke down, and there to help create a needed frenzy of excitement, ready and eager, was this successful Devizes export, for a hometown return like no other. Nothing Rhymes With Orange were mindblowingly fantastic before they left for Uni, now itโs a monster.
I was ecstatic to see the guys again, and they threw everything into their solid performance, as they always do. They return to Devizes for the Arts Festival, something we wouldโve been singing from the highest tree about anyway, but after last Saturday, itโs surely unmissable.
Iโve given my thanks already, Iโd like to do it again, to all our performing acts, for you made the ceremony, you furnished it with your brilliance, and that was what the night was always supposed to be about; cheers!
If you believe AI, TikTok and the rest of it all suppress Gen Zโs outlets to convey anger and rage, resulting in a generation of anxiety and mental health concerns, I might take your point as marginally valid, but Iโd add politely as I possibly could, โhave you, perchance, had the pleasure of listening to Steatopygous? Theyโre from Devizes, donโt you know?!โ Then Iโd await the pending detonation of a shocked expressionโฆ..
Thatโs punk, and what it set out to do decades ago, and that is the quality hidden within the rolling drums, raging guitars and screaming vocals of this homegrown riot grrrl four-piece who with their latest single Septic will shake the foundations for as far as itโs willing to travel. Septic, if anything previous from Steatopygous will be the baseplate on how they move from here. Whilst it remains DIY, as it should, it has the produced balance of natural progression and leaves you anticipating whatโs to come from this emerging band.
Itโs punk on a SmallTown Tigers level, in your face and demanding you pay attention.
On the theme of body image, it takes no prisoners. Fronted by Poppy Hillier with bassist Eliza Brindle, drummer Ewan Middleton and an additional Rufus on guitar who wrote the song, Steatopygous, youโve really gone and done it now; this is a pinnacle track to your development as a force to be reckoned with, this is outrageous, and I love it!
If Devizesโ celebrated FullTone Festival is to relocate to Whistley Roadโs Park Farm for next summerโs extravaganza, what better way to give it the rustic feel than The Wurzels, who have just been announced on the line-up?!
If Somersetโs Scrumpy and Western genre has fermented longer than a cider press from folk roots, itโs surely The Wurzels who brought mass attention to it with their number one parody of Melanieโs Brand New Key, The Combine Harvester. The staggering thing about this is, it was in 1976, but whatโs more staggering, is people are still singing it today, and likely will be at FullTone Festival on 11th & 12th July 2026!
Organiser of FullTone, Jemma Brown said of the booking, โthere’s not much more we can say to that!โ But you know me, Iโve always got something to say, and Iโm saying that is a fantastic surprise which only remains to add to the already brilliant show the orchestra and guest acts will deliver.
What else we do know at this early stage, is the huge fifty-piece orchestra will play through sets of Holstโs The Planets & Star Wars, a Symphonic Queen with Ricardo Afonso, The Best of Motown, an eighties spectacular and Devizes-own BBC radio DJ James Threlfall will be on the dance anthems.
If I wonder what songs the Wurzels will play, top choice has to be Iโll Never Get a Scrumpy Here, which contains the line, โ’Cos you never get surprises livin’ in Devizes,โ and spurred my rant column of the same name, you might remember it. I did write to them to ask permission, they were too busy drinking cider to be in any way concerned. I asked if it was sly stab at our brewery, or that Devizes was as far eastward they favour to venture, but they explained it was used because it rhymed! Well, they’re venturing here in July, and if they give us the key, we can all have a brand new combine harvester.
Well, we did it! I sincerely hope you had a great night at the first Wiltshire Music Awards as we filled the Devizes Corn Exchange with a cross-section of people involved in the music scene of Wiltshire, musicians and fans. Positive feedback already, and a few teething issues, noted, which we must take onboard and learn fromโฆ.
But for those who unfortunately couldnโt make it, I guess you are eager to hear the results. Letโs do this easy bit first! But before we do, I ask you, please, to take a few issues into consideration. Firstly, there was a monumental process to arrange, coordinate and launch during and also months prior to the ceremony. From the voting process and organisation of a panel of judges, to decorating the tables and corresponding all those trophies to each category.
So many volunteered their time to help with this, and we are extremely grateful to them. Overall, the management of the whole process and ceremony was carried out by Eddie Prestidge of Stone Circle Music Events. Eddie worked arduously on this project, and was dedicated to creating an extravagant event to be remembered. With the help of so many volunteers, myself included, stage tech and the staff of the Corn Exchange, I believe we achieved this to the best of our abilities, and a fantastic evening was had by most.
There should have been one more trophy, it shouldโve been big, extra shiny, and presented to Eddie for his dedication and the tireless work he put into this. Exhausted, Eddie fell ill a few days before the ceremony, but strode through it the best that he could. The end result of this was that he was rushed into hospital a few hours prior to the conclusion of the ceremony. I have heard from him this morning, and heโs doing okay.
If you witnessed me on the sideline, rushing up and down the stairs like a headless chicken, it wasnโt my step aerobics workout, it was because I was honouring my part as co-host on stage but attempting to coordinate the floor as well, as best as possible, as Ed seriously needed to take a step back. Whilst the beginning therefore went to plan, as the evening progressed we stumbled on issues, but I ask you to please take this into consideration if youโre intending to criticise the evening on social media. I apologise for any breakdowns in communication, but the condition was out of our control and we strived through best we could.
Results
The results, then. Congratulations to everyone who bagged an award, commiserations to those who did not. To those unable to attend, we have trophies reserved for you and will arrange the best way to get them to you as soon as possible.
Best Venue. Sponsored by Pat Robertson of Trowbridge Motor Supplies ltd.
Runners Up: The Royal Oak, Pewsey. The Vic, Swindon.
Winner: The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon.
Best DJ: Sponsored by Mark Anthony Burdge.
Runners Up: Maurice Menghini – DJ Mister M. Mark Lister of Fantasy Radio.
Winner: Paul Alexander of Solstice Sounds, This is How We Do It Entertainment.
Best Drummer.
Runners Up: Tom Gilkes. Callum Rawlings.
Winner: Jamie Oโ Sullivan.
Best Bassist. Presented by Alex Morgan of Waldrop Salisbury Sounds.
Runners Up: Nick Gorman. Nick Beere.
Winner: Mark Turner.
Best Guitarist.
Runners Up: Alastair Sneddon. Nick Beere.
Winner: Jolyon Dixon.
Best Duo.
Runners Up: Jolyon Dixon & Rachel Sinnetta. The Sylvertones.
Winner: Matchbox Mutiny.
Best Covers Band. Sponsored by Simon Woolley of The Three Crowns, Devizes.
Runners Up: Pinky & The Slapcats. The Unpredictables.
Winner: The Brit-Pop Boys.
Best Original Band: Sponsored By Peggy-Sue Ford of Donโt Stop the Music on Swindon 105.5 Radio.
Runners Up: Nothing Rhymes With Orange. Burn The Midnight Oil.
Winner: Talk in Code.
Best Tribute Act.
Runners Up: Painted Bird. BC/DC.
Winner: Mick Jogger & The Stones Experience.
Best Female Artist.
Runners Up: Sammi Evans. Rosie Jay.
Winner: Ruby Darbyshire.
Best Male Artist. Presented by Lesley Scholes of Fantasy Radio.
Runners Up: Lucas Hardy. Vince Bell.
Winner: George Wilding.
Best Original Song.
Runners Up: I Donโt Give a Damn by Rosie Jay. Do I Really Have The Blues by JP Oldfield.
Winner: All In by Talk in Code.
Best Instrumentalist.
Runners Up: Ruby Darbyshire. Andrew Hurst.
Winner: Jolyon Dixon.
Rising Star New Comer.
Runners Up: Ruby Darbyshire. Rosie Jay.
Winner: JP Oldfield.
Best Vocalist.
Runners Up: Chris Stevens. Lucas Hardy.
Winner: Rachel Sinnetta.
There were four special awards given out on the evening which didnโt receive runner-up places as according to the information given to the hosts. If there was an oversight about this, we apologise.
Outstanding Contribution to The Wiltshire Music Scene was won by Colin Holton of Salisbury Live.
Outstanding Contribution to Music in the Community was won by Jo Baines Robbins.
A Special Award was given to Wiltshire Hop & Harmony, The Wotton Bassett Dementia Choir. The Second Special Award was presented to Brian Mundy of BMS Stage Tech.
A Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Peter Lamb.
Ruby Darbyshire opened the evening with a bagpipe song and two others, as a surprise special guest.
We also had live performances from Nothing Rhymes With Orange, Burn The Midnight Oil, Lucas Hardy, Matchbox Mutiny, George Wilding, and The Britpop Boys. Due to technical issues, Jolyon Dixon and Rachel Sinnetta were unable to perform.
I would like to sincerely thank our panel of judges.
And, Ruby and Brian Darbyshire
The Britpop Boys
Burn The Midnight Oil
Matchbox Mutiny
Lucas Hardy
Jolyon Dixon & Rachel Sinnetta
George Wilding
Nothing Rhymes With Orange
Sponsors:
Val Bewley VB Arts Studios
Alex Organ Wardrop Salisbury Sounds
Colin Howton Salisbury Live
Pam Robertson – Trowbridge Motor Supplies
Simon Woolley – Three Crowns, Devizes
Peggy-Sue Ford – Swindon 105.5 Radio
Mark Jones & Lesley Scholes- Fantasy Radio
And a sponsor and our host DJ Mark Anothony and wife Sandra.
Thanks to Anya and Marc of Soupchick.
To Ian and all the staff at the Corn Exchange
To Brian Mundy and BMS Stage Tech.
To everyone who got behind this, I thank you.
Anthony & Jemma Brown for helping us set up.
Charlotte & Moray MacDonald for help on the front desk.
But massive thanks goes to Eddie Prestidge and Stone Circle Music Events
And finally, thank you for coming, supporting the local live music scene.
This afternoon sees the inaugural grand ceremony of Stone Circle Music Eventsโ Wiltshire Music Awards taking place at the Devizes Corn Exchange. Itโs a sellout show celebrating our countyโs music scene, with a lot of local acts performing between the announcements of the results of a public voting system. The legend who is Mr George Wilding kicked off proceedings with what was supposed to be a warm-up party last night at The Three Crownsโฆ..
The temperature dropped and the rain came in, and if that didnโt make the term โwarm-up partyโ seem a smidgen dubious, Iโm not sure if anyone else attending the awards other than myself, Jolyon Dixon setting up the PA and George himself made it to the evening; best guess theyโre saving themselves for the big day today! Nevertheless, it was a fair turnout and those who did come were treated to Gerogeโs human jukebox show and came up trumps, singing and dancing the October chill away.
Equally ambiguous as the warm-up is the term โhuman jukeboxโ to describe Gerogeโs show, for if a jukebox doesnโt have the song you want it cannot play it. George has a plethora of classics in his repertoire, the audience are encouraged to shout them out, and should they request something George hasnโt a handle on, heโll attempt it anyway, play a riff of it, and declare he doesnโt know it in his droll way. He might try a medley of the parts he does know with other songs of the same artist, he might look to the audience to help with lyrics, and if all this fails it becomes part of his amusing and interactive show.
Far from a man with a guitar and a setlist who frowns at the idea of requests, does his shift and pulls out. George took no break, played overtime, and seemingly adored every minute. I gather this was his mainstay while working the cruise ships and imagine the cruisers delightedly returning each evening, but such voyages for George are on the backburner and while he doesnโt mind running a covers show, heโs otherwise in the studio with producer Jolyon Dixon building a catalogue of original tracks in which he is toying with the idea of releasing as an album.
But the Three Crowns love a covers show, and George delivered such in this interactive way there can be no arguing his brilliance to entertain and his skill as a musician. So, should an audience member request, as one did, The Eaglesโ Hotel California and he ponders itโs a bit slow to fit with the pace of previous songs, heโll up the tempo. An apt Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head opened the show, and George will set the ball rolling, but once the audience catch the drift, heโs never without a request, and will either attempt the most obscure or tell them in the most charming way that theyโre really testing him!
As it was I requested The Ronnettesโ Be My Baby, aware the soulful doowop earworm was a personal favourite George used to regularly put in his set and put his own stamp on. He nodded in fond remembrance, and the regulars approved, dancing on the cobblestones. But I only asked for one, the rest left up to the modest crowd, really feeling they were part of something unique and special, because thatโs Georgeโs ability and thatโs what has made him one of our fondest favourites on the circuit for many a moon. โTotal ledge,โ I understand is the gen z terminology!
I cannot tell you if he is to receive an award tonight, but I believe he deserves to; I will announce the winners here as soon as I recover tonight, for those who cannot make it! If youโve not got a ticket for the awards, thereโs a whole list of events happening on our event calendar; just look at it! Just look and see how many are music gigs, and realise the strength of our local music scene. That is what we celebrate tonight, and yeah, George will be singing a song, along with many others. Iโm on curtain duty! See you there!
Has anyone else noticed this media trend, or is it just me? There was a time, back when Tories held the majority at County Hall, when I felt like Michael Knight, a lone crusader championing criticisms of the council. Now the Lib Dems have taken command, every man and his blog are jumping the bandwagon claiming Wiltshire Council has descended into chaos and mayhem. From Kenny J Plebb’s local gutter press to… well, I’d expect no less from Newsquestโฆ..
Maybe it has, but more likely, it’s media bias showing its true colours. What I’ve seen coming from the council since the takeover has been mostly positive. Roads being repaired for the first time since the Roman invasion of Britain. Recreation centres and town halls are being renovated and reopening. Theyโve reversed the censorship regulations placed on White Horse Publications, such as Melksham News. Wraggโs Visit Wiltshire gets funded again, to bring back that profitable thing called โtourismโ you’ve probably forgotten all about. Disabled folk don’t need to trot four miles to get a loaf of bread from the shop. Wiltshire parents and carers are getting free courses, kids can swim free again. They approved a new Air Quality Supplementary Planning Document and switched to an electric fleet of vehicles.
To me, this sounds far better than the previous council who laughed off six million pounds of taxpayer’s dosh which went mysteriously missing on their watch, of which the media conveniently swept under the carpet, spent four million on an unnecessary PCC re-election after their first attempt was a drunk-driving huntsmaster, just to maintain Conservative presence in the force, couldn’t fix a pothole yet proposed a six billion pound project to tunnel underneath our most famous ancient monument, and awarded their families top roles in the council.
Yet the media will have us believe it’s all falling apart, despite progress clearly being made, that they’re hiding secrets despite holding public forums, and rewarding themselves massive pay rises, despite it was only allowances in line with inflation, and their wage not being great to begin with for the work they do and criticisms they have to face, kind of bringing us full circle!
Let’s face it, if there’s any turmoil within Wiltshire Council it’s the few remaining Conservatives hanging on like a milk tooth on a nerve, bitter about losing, and the ten stronghold Weebles who insist we should forget about human extinction and convert to fascism.
But whoa, Conservatives completely hijacked a motion set by Liberal Democrat portfolio holder for arts and culture, Liz Alstrom, supporting the LGBTQIA+ community, and it was sadly rejected. Meanwhile, Reform councillors are singing from the rafters with big sheets of wool to pull over our eyes that they didn’t vote for a pay rise, but took it anyway, and virtual-signalled how righteous and humble they pretend to be; this is an educated state, not a trip a Trumpton!
Provided a dedicated Council is working hard to create better services for us all, perhaps they deserve a bit more pocket money, but should a councillor temper-tantrum against unity and equality, because someone likes to wear Cuban heels, or is a shade too dark for their liking, and resists progress because it doesnโt fit their narrow-minded prejudice rhetoric, maybe a sack of coal is all they deserve from Santa this year.
Take Lib Dem Cllr Jon Hubbard, for example. He might look like heโs doing a paper round, but the guy has done more good for this county than an entire Conservative Vogon Constructor Fleet! Give this dude a rise, so he can get himself a new fleece! Left to the opponents poor children would drown, then who will deliver their future Hadley Rose luxury home furnishings, huh?!
We all wouldn’t mind a pay rise, and probably wouldn’t refuse one either, unless we were funded by Russian oligarchs. Basically it’s a whole lot of hot air from the deceitful Reform ten, who it seems, from locations they’ve miraculously achieved a majority, would rather spend thousands on flags they can shag, than social care, road safety or education facilities.
Yet Calne Reform nut-job, Cllr Augusta Urquhart-Nicholls insists with that age-old malapropistic ultranationalist pufferied slogan, that theyโll โMake Wiltshire Great Again,โ when most of its residents would agree, itโs never not been great, just a little misguided since the Conservatives donned the captainโs cap twenty-six years ago.
And being most of the reject Musk androids called Reform councillors merely shifted their rosettes from indigo to sky blue to keep their jobs, perhaps what we need to allow this Lib Dem majority is a little bit of time to repair the damage, get a nice trim and organise themselves, before we burn down Bythesea Roadโs Reichstag, arrest anyone opposing and remove their civil rights, huh?!
But what we must definitely do, is stop believing the media claptrap and propaganda; โWiltshire Council in Turmoil,โ you say? Go paint a roundabout. Like it ever wasnโt before?!
In association with PF Events, Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts introduces a Young Urban Digitals course in video mapping and projection mapping for sixteen to twenty years oldsโฆ.
Itโs an introductory session on video mapping and projection mapping, hosted by PF Events and run by a professional video engineer. These sessions will cover the basics of projection mapping and introduce attendees to the software used to create beautiful works of technological art.
These will be preliminary sessions used to build the content for the final video map that will be projected onto St Johns Church on the night of the lantern parade on the 28th November.
This is an opportunity to gain an Arts Award certificate while training and learning. You’ll produce a record/log to tell the story of your journey through the process of making this work of art. You’ll learn about relevant artists who create similar work, and share your journey with others.
Training will be at The Lounge on 25 Sidmouth Street, Devizes SN10 1LD, on dates 15th, 22nd and 28th of November, from 09:30 – 13:00 and 14:30 to 17:00, 16:30 to 20:20 on event day, 28th November. Ages sixteen to twenty are welcome and up to twenty-five for SEND participants.
There are limited places available so enrol quickly to avoid disappointment!
Thereโs albums Iโll go in blind and either be pleasantly surprised, or not. Then thereโs ones which I know Iโm going to love before the first notes ring out. Quite familiar with Swindonโs beloved Dylanesque singer-songwriter Jol Rose, Ragged Stories is another notch in his sublime discography you simply have to listen to on repeatโฆ.
Similarly thereโs many attempting Americana, a few leave themselves open for criticisms of clichรฉ or authenticity while others refine it with a certain level of finesse, then thereโs Jol Rose. Prolific writer and recording artist, but a perfectionist with that defining quality to paint mind masterpieces through his music.
Though Jol has no standalone anthem, there never seems to be a magnum opus and fans select a wide range of his songs as their personal favourites. His portfolio is never samey, nor completed. Euro ballad Meet me in Berlin makes an appearance on this new album, and is one of my favourites from last yearโs album, Peace, Love & Americana. But this is a stripped back acoustic version, and thatโs the thread through a variety of themes and temperaments; this Jol, raw.
Thereโs other stories of travels; two songs venturing over to the USA it wouldnโt be Americana without, and some Road Boogie to boot. But itโs not without ditties of homebased subjects too. If Springsteen writes romantically of New Jersey gangland warfare, why canโt Jol humbly justify Swindonโs attractiveness with a certain beguiling jollity?! But if Swindon Saturday Night is tongue-in-cheek, Not My Cherie takes cheekiness to a whole other level, as a jokey French rejection from Swindon Conservative Councillor Cherie Adams.
Yet if Not My Cherie doubles-up as his social political observations and Liars & Thieves, makes its political stab humorously, the others on this sixteen songs strong album are far more poignant than satirical. A battle with corruption, Eucalyptus Lullaby opens the album, with the lines, โAs I lie on a bed made of ashes, and ponder the wreckage below, I survey all the things brought upon us, by ignoring what we should have known,โ which confirmed weโre in for brilliantly constructed anti-establishment prose.
Perhaps none more than Day & Night Collide, underlining our anger and ignorance hiding our fears in regards to immigration. If you only listen to one song before going to a polling station, make it this one.
Afternoon Nightmares, is relationship bittersweet, the most Dylanesque, and yes, Jol tackles romance themes with equal edge. In its simplicity Beautiful Denial is gracefully wonderful, but my biggest surprise came via Love Story, a simple title which does what it says on the tin, and you might recognise it, but Jol stamps his mark, and makes this Taylor Swift cover his own.
Just man and guitar, the pure essence of sole quality, and in Jol Rose it is exceptional, this album showcases it without pretence or ignorance. Heโs a figure of reality in a world gone sour, and he expresses it sublimely.
CD of Ragged Stories is available from Jol Rose’s website HERE.
Poulshot’s Award-winning chocolate studio Hollychocs is proud to launch a heartfelt charity campaign in support of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust UK, with a charming chocolateโฆ
Events with diversity, be they ethnic, cultural, or life choices, must be welcomed, encouraged and viewed positively as assets offering variety in our local calendarโฆ
Unlike Buck Rogers, who made it to the 25th century six hundred years early, Devizesโ most modest acoustic virtuoso arrives at the 21st just short of twenty-six years late! We’re looking at Vince Bell‘s EP, Songs, Poetry and Motivation, as it makes off for a futuristic online adventureโฆ..
Devizes knows โour Springsteenโ Vince, loves Vince, unless they’re selling tickets for โThe Bin.โ โIt’s three quid to get in,โ Vince jests in a song popular with locals, as reasoning for not attending the town’s only nightclub, which is actually quite reasonable these days! Its references strictly imply Devizes, but the concepts could relate to another market town, that song of his. Composed of contemporary scuttlebutt and twisting it into urban legend for intoxicated natives to chant the chorus’ self-mocking punchline about never leaving, back at him, if Vince is, (and deserves to be leaving at least on a national tour,) branching worldwide, this one rightfully doesn’t appear on the EP.
When plugging his new Spotify account to me, we meandered onto the better between the ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64, after he confessed his family encouraged him to put his songs online. A self-deprecating retrospective attitude relayed in Spiderman Pajamas, which also doesn’t appear on the EP, and was likely the reasoning behind the world waiting so long for Vince to give into the virtual realm.
Vince doesn’t have stars in his eyes, he’s an unassuming musician who sees it as an eternal labour of love. Yet in true folk fashion, his guitar finesse is equal to his delivery of some genius wordplay, and that love for more universal observations are of those five tracks which made his own exceptionally high level of EP grade. Songs of local satire or retrospective are adored here, but concentrated observations are more universally acceptable.
Though the opening title Lisa’s Kitchen has obvious personal, homely connotations. Itโs a five minute sketch comparing the cliche places of solitude to the simplicity of a family kitchen, and an apology for casually acting on promises made in the freedom of this daydreamy oasis of mรฉnage calm.
The guitar riff rolls intensely after this, and things arenโt so calming. Haunting like embers randomly sparking from a campfire, for First Fire of Winter. This song is a summary of the contemplating sentiments evoked by a fire; of trust and conviction, weakness against strength, pain of loss and fire in a heart of longlost boys homecoming. When Vince mentions โsubmissive machines in a world thatโs gone too farโ, and โGodโs own simulation,โ itโs a vehemence against war, yet while the poetry is poignant enough, itโs the urge in his delivery which drives the sentient home.
With a more lighthearted and playful muse, Monkey Puzzle Tree is a metaphor for the progression of time and the difficulty in the acceptance of ageing. Whereas in Preacher, Leaders and Dealers, the contentment in delivering fear are compared and contrasted from all three classifications, and is delicately expressed with perfect pathos.
Weโre Between Earth & Paradise for the finale to this outstanding EP. Thereโs an instrumental two-minute opening where intricate guitar-work sets a scene of seemingly encapsulating the beauty of nature. Despite the title, thereโs still dark pressure in the narrative in the form of bleak news stories, but it offers an escape with a virtually heavenly premise. And in this, it sums up the EP and Vinceโs impressive ability to conjure and project vivid images and lucid ideas within his music, a rare gift.
Though this is commonplace in the celebrated artist, so too is modesty and undervaluing of oneโs own work, risking it falling into obscurity unless we take it upon ourselves to shout about how engrossed, entertained or enthralled we were, on their behalf. Vince has, and here I am, advising you to take heed, not because heโs a friendly guy locally gigging on my circuit, though he is, but because Vinceโs music is breathtakingly brilliant and deserves a far wider accolade than that which a Wiltshire market town can provide.ย This EP proves it.
Oh yeah, catch him down the Southgate, Devizes, on Thursday 30th October 2025 for a session with Tamsin Quin; see what Iโm on about if you donโt know already!
Less than a week to go until the first ever Stone Circle Music Events’ Wiltshire Music Awards at the Corn Exchange, Devizes. We’re not printing a programme of events, so here’s everything you need to know about the ceremony this coming weekend….exciting, isn’t it?!
Firstly, all tickets have now sold out, sorry! But if you’re coming or not, there will be a free warm up party on Friday 24th October at the Three Crowns Devizes, where we will be entertained by the incredible George Wilding. Everyone is welcome!
And now onto Awards Ceremony on Saturday 25th October 2025.
The doors open at 17:30pm. The bar will be open, and we have scrumptious tucker available from Soupchick. Chilli beef or vegan alternative with rice, with nachos, cheese, sour cream and guacamole toppings; ยฃ7:50 for a bowl, I’m in!
Please arrive as soon as possible so we can get everyone seated. There will be music in the hall. I’ve come over all Jive Bunny, and created a mega-mix of local music! I’ve tried to display the diversity and quality of the Wiltshire Music Scene and cram as many songs as I can into one hour; it’s been no easy task.
Being I accept you’ll all be chatting rather than listening, I’m kinda proud of my virtual DJ skills, so for prosperity I’ve leave the mix here so you can listen at your own risk!
Tracks are listed here; apologies if your song isn’t there, I tried to include as many as possible.
Jamie R Hawkins – Not Going Anywhere, Gaz Brookfield – Tale of Gunner Haines, Tamsin Quin – Home, Griffiths & Hollingsworth – Ocean, Andrew Hurst – Tower of Fallen Heroes, Timid Deer – Shallows, Kirsty Clinch – Stay With Us, Deadlight Dance – Samurai Sunset, Will Lawton & Ludwig Mack – Atlantic โO, M3G – Waiting, Phil Cooper – Bijou, Concrete Prairie – I Wish You Well, JP Oldfield – Magpie, Jol Rose – Make Some Hay, Thieves – Iโm Coming Back, SโGo – King of The Fairies, Sarah C Ryan Band – Woman in White The Worried Men – Manacle Alley, Junkyard Dogs – Suzie Q, Deadlight Dance – Love Will Tear Us Apart, The First Book of English Magic – Richard Wileman, Barrelhouse – Mainline Voodoo, Aural Candy & Sienna Wileman – Mirrorball, Jon Amor – Peppercorn, Daisy Chapman – Waterloo Sunset, Canuteโs Plastic Army – Hollow Children of Men, George Wilding – Dirty Dream Balloon, Ruby Darbyshire – Donโt Give Up Now, 41 Fords – Emily, Liddington Hill – Maid of Mayhem, Ursa Way – Chasing the Sun, Boot Hill All Stars – Night Bus, I See Orange – Doll Guts, The Belladonna Treatment – Bits of Elation, NervEndings – Democracy Manifest, Nothing Rhymes with Orange – Monday, Talk in Code – All In, Cephid – Terminus, Subject A – Paradise.
Now, the Awards Ceremony begins at 18:30…. on the dot!
Please make sure you are seated by 18:20. If this sounds all a bit like orders barked at you from your cub scout leader, there’s good reason: We’ve got a lot to squeeze in, and secondly, you don’t want to miss the opening of the show, believe me!!
Weโre not revealing our very special guest opening the show, so don’t even try bribing me with booze! Then you’ll meet the hosts, DJ Mark Anthony and myself.
Stone Circle Wiltshire Music Awards Event Schedule
18:30: Opening Act (Nope Still not Telling!)
1. Best Music Venue
2. Best DJ
3. Best Covers Band
Live Performance: Britpop Boys
Thereโs a champagne supernova trip back to the nineties with The Britpop Boys,renowned for blasting those sing-a-long anthems across the county and beyond.
1. Best Drummer
2. Best Bassist
3. Best Guitarist
4. Best Duo
Live Performance – Match Box Mutiny
Ben Borrill and Pat Ward, aka Matchbox Mutiny, will be there, the lively Devizes-based duo who never fail to charm.
1. Best Original Band
2. Best Tribute Artist
Live Performance – Burn the Midnight Oil
Devizes own Burn The Midnight Oil will be playing. Theyโve come so far in such a short space of time with their own brand of breezy blues-rock, and they’ve a new song to play us; weโre excited to see them perform.
1. Best Solo Female Artist
2. Best Solo Male Artist
Live Performance – George Wilding
Our lovable legend George Wilding is a name most of you should know, and heโs coming to play a few songs, of course he is!
1. Best Original Song
2. Rising Star Newcomer
3. Best Instrumental
4. Best Vocalist
Live Performance – Jolyon Dixon and Rachel Sinnetta
Then thereโs Salisbury-basedย Joylon Dixon andย Rachel Sinnettaย โ a duo who raised the roof off the Three Crowns recently, but I knew it was coming as Rachelโs supreme vocal range and Joylonโs professional accompanying will enthral all.
1. Outstanding Contribution to the Wiltshire Music Scene
2. Outstanding Contribution to Music in the Community
3. Special Awards (1)
Live Performance – Lucas Hardy
Award winningย Lucas Hardyย is coming too. Loved on the Salisbury circuit, Lucas will delight you, for what will be, I believe, his first time playing in Devizes; I could be wrong!
1. Special awards (2)
2. Lifetime Achievement Award
Live Performance: Nothing Rhymes with Orange
Devizes homegrown indie-rock phenomenon Nothing Rhymes With Orange will polish off the evening. They created a storm locally a few years ago as a teen sensation, the likes of which I claimed to be the โBeatlemania of Devizes!โ Now studying together at Bristol Uni, their popularity has spread nationwide. Back home they have inspired a new generation to form bands, and we welcome them back delighted.
Image: Gail Foster
Evening closes around 11:30pm, when you have my permission to drag me down to the Exchange nightclub below and buy me a Bacardi Breezer!
I look forward to seeing everyone on Saturday, and I hope you all enjoy the evening.
I would like to thank our sponsors: Stone Circle Music Events. Trowbridge Motor Supplies. DJ Mark Anthony. VB Art Studios. The Three Crowns Devizes. Don’t Stop The Music Radio Show. Our guest announcers, Ian and the staff at the Corn Exchange, Devizes Books, and Fantasy Radio.
You go cover yourself in hormone messing phthalates, toxic formaldehyde, or even I Can’t Believe It’s Not Body Butter, if you wish, but it’s all the same soap but in a different bottle to me. Lab mice with slap and economical slaves in sweatshops, so unethical multinational bastards can prey on your vanity, when unless you can photoshop yourself for real you’re never going to look like the girl in the magazine; the actual girl in the magazine doesn’t even look like the girl in the bloody magazine! Ah, our dynamic gothic duo Deadlight Dance are onto them, with a brand new single out todayโฆ.
Edgy and with synths heavy enough to make New Order blush, Gloss attacks the beauty industry, its harmful lies and unrealistic standards, in an era most pop stars are encouraging it; good on them…. Deadlight Dance that is, not the pop star!
Punk enough to meet the Stooges, yet the dark electronica of Joy Division mostly, it comes in laden for its three and a half minutes entirety. Nick and Tim state it’s not strictly typical of the forthcoming album that the band is releasing in 2026, yet they always apply a unique and innovative narrative, so we look forward to whatever direction it takes.
For now, though, Gloss is a storming dark sound, with Nick’s howling vocals somewhere in the distance, sighing the same thought-provoking lyrical content we’ve come to love Deadlight Dance’s for. It’s a monster in Dior.
The duo have held our attention only last week with a great gig at Devizesโ Cellar Bar with JP Oldfield. But if the live show is blossoming, Gloss does likewise for recordings. Ah, top production again from that purple-bearded legend Nick Beere at Mooncalf Studio.
Out on Ray Records and streaming worldwide across all platforms from Friday 17th October 2024. Gloss is accompanied by a video on the bandโs YouTube page, another collaboration with Haunting the Atom.
Deadlight Dance suggests it’s a new chapter for the self-styled Wiltshire Gothic; I welcome it, and as I’ve said before, whilst I was a mere window-shopper to gothic rock in its heyday, Deadlight Dance caused me to realise what I missed.
Right, review done, I’ve got to go shave my eyebrows off, and draw them back on with a Sharpieโฆ..
The spookiest of half terms is nearly upon us again; kids excited, parents not quite so much! But hey, as well as Halloween, here’s what family fun and activities we’ve found locally to pass the time, save on Haribo and prevent wine 0’clock overloading…..
There’s a list of pumpkin patches at the end! What more do you want?!
Have a fangtastic fortnight, and oh, and come back to spook this list again soon, as I’m sure more will be added!
Wed 15th
Okay, let’s kick off early, Wednesday 15th, school gates still open, but St Thomasโ Church Trowbridge has a Brownie Trail session from 6:45, find the link below…..
Rag and Bone Arts CIC‘s recurring event in Chippenham for ages 12+. You can do art and design or acting improvisation, delivered in 10 week blocks. Taught by professional actor Rebecca Osborne, learn how to think on your feet, respond and listen and make up scenes using just your brilliant mind and spontaneous ideas.
With over 4.5 million social media followers and countless TV appearances under his belt, Pete Firman is the UK’s top comic magician. Join him for an evening of ‘Tricks & Giggles’, as Pete brings his trademark blend of magic and comedy from the small screen to stages around the UK with this brand-new show. Expect impossible feats, sleight of hand and big laughs from one of magic’s most exciting performers! As seen on Amazon’s Good Omens, ITV1’s Tonight at the London Palladium and The Next Great Magician, BBC1’s The John Bishop Show and The Sarah Millican Television Programme. He’s probably also popped up on your social media feeds with his mind-boggling and regularly viral magic videos. Age restriction: 11+.
Steph & Craig Mitchell presents a spooky and ghouly edition of their Gigs for little onesโฆ and their grown-ups!
Weโre edging closer to Halloween, and Steph & Craig are back with all things spooky and ghouly! Donโt worry โ nothing too scary for the babies and Littlesโฆ or grown-ups for that matter! But there will be some seasonal bangers โ think Monster Mash, Ghostbusters and The Cranberries to name a few.
Get into the mood and come in spooky fancy dress. Who ya gonna call? Rock The Tots!
Sessions are approximately 1 hour long, without an interval. Suitable for children aged 0-6, and their adults. Under 1s go free!
Journey to the Centre of the Earth @ Pound Arts, Corsham
Standard: ยฃ15
Lamphouse Theatre presents โฆ Journey to the Centre of the Earth!
Take a break Rick Wakeman, back to your trailer Brendan Fraser, watch and learn Jules Verne, Lamphouse are going on a journey all the way to the centre of the Earth! Two intrepid explorers, one impossible mission (featuring at least one joke about a big hole), and no special effects budget whatsoever. What could possibly go wrong?
From the makers of War of the Worlds (On a Budget) and Frankenstein (On a Budget) this new comedy take on Jules Verneโs classic novel will be one epic night out, full of belly laughs, brand new music and really impressive* dinosaurs.
Featuring Tom Fox and Becky Owen-Fisher, the familiar faces behind the On a Budget series, Journey to the Centre of the Earth will be another fan favourite. Expect silly jokes, catchy tunes, ridiculous costumes and lots and lots of cardboard.
Come along to the 1st Devizes Halloween Bingo for an afternoon full of treats and spooky fun at 1st Devizes scout hall 29 Southbroom Rd Devizes SN10 5AD. Eyes down 4pmโ6pm. Bingo games for everyone. Fancy dress โ come in your best Halloween costume! Prizes & goodie bags. Yummy food and refreshments. Raffle with lots of surprises. The perfect way to enjoy Halloween with the whole family!
It’s Trowbridge Carnival, see the link below for details!
Join Waterstones, 29 Borough Parade, Chippenham SN15 3WL for their Sunday afternoon storytime where they will be reading the slimy ‘The Dinosaur That Pooped A Monster’ by Tom Fletcher and Dougie Poynter. All are welcome.
Mon 20th
Rock the Tots: Spooky Fun @ Pound Arts, Corsham
Steph & Craig Mitchell presents a spooky and ghouly edition of their Gigs for little onesโฆ and their grown-ups!
Weโre edging closer to Halloween, and Steph & Craig are back with all things spooky and ghouly! Donโt worry โ nothing too scary for the babies and Littlesโฆ or grown-ups for that matter! But there will be some seasonal bangers โ think Monster Mash, Ghostbusters and The Cranberries to name a few.
Get into the mood and come in spooky fancy dress. Who ya gonna call? Rock The Tots!
Sessions are approximately 1 hour long, without an interval. Suitable for children aged 0-6, and their adults. Under 1s go free!
Our friendly historian Brian Edwards has a talk on white horses in Pewsey. I’m not sure how family-friendly this will be, but budding historians might find it of interest.
Running until Saturday 25th. Written by Willy Russell, the legendary Blood Brothers tells the captivating and moving tale of twins who, separated at birth, grow up on opposite sides of the tracks, only to meet again with fateful consequences. Few musicals have received quite such acclaim as the multi-award winning Blood Brothers. The production ran for more than 10,000 performances in Londonโs West End, one of only five musicals ever to achieve that milestone. It has been affectionately christened the โStanding Ovation Musicalโ, as inevitably it โbrings the audience cheering to its feet and roaring its approvalโ (The Daily Mail). The superb score includes Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe and the emotionally charged hit Tell Me Itโs Not True. Age Guidance: 12+
Wed 22 โ Sat 25 Oct โข 3pm & 7:30pm โข Admission ยฃ15 โข Community Theatre
By Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss Presented by Merriman Productions
His-storyโs about to get overthrownโฆ again! Back by popular demand, Merriman Productions present SIX: TEEN EDITION; a full-length adaptation of Toby Marlow and Lucy Mossโ international phenomenon SIX, modified for performance by teen actors for family audiences.
Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived. From Tudor Queens to Pop Icons, the SIX wives of Henry VIII take the mic to remix five hundred years of historical heartbreak into a euphoric celebration of 21st-century girl power! This new original musical is the global sensation that everyone is losing their head over.
All children must be accompanied by one adult per child. If you have multiple adults coming (parents/grandparents), we kindly ask that they wait in the cafรฉ for the workshop to finish.
Numbers are limited. Booking is essential and due to limited spaces please book early to avoid disappointment. Sessions are ยฃ9.50 per child. Refreshments will be available from our coffee shop to purchase. Our age recommendation for our Art Clubs is 3-11.
All children must be accompanied by one adult per child. If you have multiple adults coming (parents/grandparents), we kindly ask that they wait in the cafรฉ for the workshop to finish.
Numbers are limited. Booking is essential and due to limited spaces please book early to avoid disappointment. Sessions are ยฃ9.50 per child. Refreshments will be available from our coffee shop to purchase. Our age recommendation for our Art Clubs is 3-11.
Our awesome Parks and Open Spaces crew is rolling out their tractors, electric vehicles, and cool machinery for you to explore โ talk about a joyride!
This year, weโre joined by Arty Kids Pottery Painting, Crazy Cheeks face painting and Chloeโs Mobile Farm. And donโt forget to flex those brain muscles with our Halloween themed word search โ go on a letter hunt around the park and see if you can conjure up the spooky words!
Dress to impress in your Halloween finest! The Deputy Mayor will be on the lookout for the best costumes at 1:30pm right outside the Cafรฉ โ and there are prizes up for grabs in these categories:
Ages 6 and under
Ages 7-12
Ages 13+ (adults, unleash your inner ghoul!)
Come for the fun, stay for the spooky vibes โ see you in the park!
This October half term, The Woodbridge Inn is bringing the community together for a spooktacular celebrationโand everyoneโs invited!
Dates: Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th October Thursday 30th & Friday 31st October Fest opens at 12PM | Fun until 6PM
Whatโs waiting for you: Pumpkin Picking Craft & Produce Market โ handmade gifts, bakes, jams, plants, sweets & more Sweet & Cake Stalls Arts & Crafts Activities Face Painting & Hair Braiding Burgers, Hot Dogs & Autumn Eats Fun Tarot Readings Live Music & Autumn Vibes Beer, Wine & Seasonal Sips from the Bar
Whether youโre here to shop, snack, sip, or simply soak up the spooky atmosphere, this is a celebration for all ages. Weโre proud to support local businesses and bring our community together for a few days of festive fun.
The Parade Cinema Marlborough Family Halloween Trail
Our annual halloween trail makes it’s return on Saturday 25th October at The Parade Cinema Marlborough!
Each ticket purchase for Corpse Bride or Hotel Transylvania on the 25th October gives a child a free spot on our yearly Halloween Trail around Marlborough, open from 11am to 2:30pm. We expect the trail to take around 45 minutes to complete, so last entry for the trail will be 1:45pm.
Book your tickets now… if your dare! www.theparadecinema.com 01672 646232 (Between 10am & 7pm)
Longleat Ghost Tours
This October Half Term, Ghost Tours are making a spooky return during Longleat’s Great British Autumn event. Longleat House was built between 1567 โ 1580, and it is believed to still have people who featured in its history making their presence felt. Discover the supernatural stories as expert guides reveal the tale of Lady Louisa Carteret, known as the Grey Lady, who is said to still walk the corridors searching for her lover.
Kidsโ Halloween Spooktacular @ Broadtown Brewery – Hop Chapel and Hop Gardens, Lydiard Tregoze
Bring the kids along to The Hop Chapel on Saturday 25th October from 1 – 3pm as we transform The Old Brewhouse into The Old BOO-house!!
๐ We’ll have two whole hours full of Halloween fun, with pumpkin carving, ghoulish games and more (all treats no tricks, we promise – we don’t want to scare your little ones!)
๐ป We’ll have a prizes up for grabs for the best pumpkin design, best pumpkin carving and the best dressed, so don’t forget your costumes!
from 25th Oct to 2nd Nov 2025, get out into the great outdoors this October half term for an insect-themed trail around the 270 acres of parkland. ยฃ2.50 per trail (normal admissions apply). Booking not required. Running 10am to 4pm, with last entry at 3pm.
Looking for a fun and creative way to spend time with your child or grandchild this October? Our Autumn Half Term Chocolate Experience is the perfect school holiday activityโdesigned for adults and children aged 5 & up to enjoy side-by-side.
Hosted by The Southwestโs Chocolate Champion, Holly Garner, this joyful and cosy experience is all about making sweet memories together as the autumn chill sets in.
๐ซ Start with a hot chocolate treat Warm up with a choice from our Ultimate Hot Chocolate Menuโfeaturing 12 indulgent flavours to begin your chocolate-filled day.
๐ Discover where chocolate comes from Taste raw cocoa beans, sample our signature blends, and learn how chocolate is madeโplus how we support small, ethical cocoa farms around the world.
๐๐ปMake & decorate your own chocolates Roll up your sleeves and create your own delicious chocolate treats to take home (if they donโt get eaten first!).
๐ Enjoy a special shopping discount Take home even more chocolatey joy with an exclusive Hollychocs discount on the day.
Rowdey Cow Halloween Festivities
Perfect for parents, grandparents and carers looking for something memorable to do with their children this autumn. Whether itโs bonding time, a school holiday treat or a special birthday surpriseโthis is time well (and sweetly) spent.
Join us at the Rowdey Cow for our halloween festivities
Pick a pumpkin from its patch & come in to carve your spooky artwork!
Join us for a more relaxed visit at the REME Museum during this special opening outside of our regular hours.
We have designed these โLights Up, Sounds Downโ days to reduce sensory input for individuals who would prefer a quieter experience. These sessions are primarily for, though not limited to, anyone who has sensory processing disorder; autism; social, emotional or mental health needs; dementia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or any other sensory needs.
During these days we will have:
Lights On โ our overhead gallery lighting will be turned on, without spotlights, to create a brighter environment in which to explore. Sounds Down โ we will reduce sound effects throughout the museum as much as possible by turning off most โsurround soundโ interactives and reducing volumes. Sensory maps โ we have marked out any areas around the museum where you may find louder interactives or visual effects that we cannot turn off. This means you can choose your own route and avoid any areas as you wish.
If you would like to bring any sensory items (including but not limited to ear defenders, magnifying glass, book, squeezy toy) that will help you or your loved one to enjoy their experience better, please feel free to do so, just make sure you hold onto it and take it home with you!
Join Filskit Theatre for an uplifting and relaxing hour with a talented live musician playing beautiful acoustic versions of well-known folk, jazz and pop songs. Enjoyable for both big and small ears alike thereโll be beautiful, atmospheric sensory visuals perfect for even the youngest audience members. And, as itโs halt term, bigger kids are welcome too so bring them along for this hour of fun and sensory play for the whole family.
October Holiday Activities @ Wiltshire Museum Devizes
October Holiday ActivitiesLecture Hall 28th October 2025 10:30 am – 12:00 pm 10:30 am – 12:00 pmCome along to our spooky Halloween activities for ages 3 to 11: pebble skulls spooky ghosts paper pumpkins and puppetsโฆ
Book OnlineOctober Holiday ActivitiesLecture Hall 28th October 2025 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm 1:30 pm – 3:00 pmCome along to our spooky Halloween activities for ages 3 to 11: pebble skulls spooky ghosts paper pumpkins and puppets.
Art Workshop in Rowde
On Tuesday morning, the 28th of October, from 9am to 12 noon, an Art Workshop takes place, at The Mind Tree Cafe in Rowde. It’s creative fun with collage and mixed media, hosted by Nancy Rose. It’s ยฃ30 for the session, and you must book in advance by emailing nancyrosehats@yahoo.com
This October Half Term, join us at the REME Museum for spooktacular STEM and crafts activities for all the family to enjoy.
โRocket Poweredโ โ Tuesday 28 October Drop-in, Education Suite
Design and launch your own bottle rocket or air powered car, using the same principles of engineering in rocket science! Led by our Education Officer, Andrew.
Miniature Assault Course โ Every day 28-31 October Drop-in, outdoors
Take on our miniature army-style assault course! Race your way across the course or take your time and enjoy the challenge! Please note: This activity is weather dependent.
Princess Pirate @ Pound Arts, Corsham
Adult: ยฃ10 Child: ยฃ10 Under 2s: FREE
Pirate Princess is a heartwarming story of hope against adversity told with physical theatre, clowning and circus. This brand new solo show by circus performer and professional idiot Gemma Bond tells the tale of poor shipwrecked Princess Poppy. Can she overcome a big dress, extreme weather and the ultimate test of strength to see her way to safety?
Inspired by strong and inventive women of history, Poppy must transform physically and mentally if she is to have any hope of rescuing herself from eternity on an island in the ocean. The show encourages all to reuse, repurpose and recycle as Poppy reinvents her outfit and her mindset to overcome her predicament.
A visual feast of colourful costume and a unique crowโs nest on a pole prop, this is a fun filled show for children aged 5 to 11 and their families.
All children must be accompanied by one adult per child. If you have multiple adults coming (parents/grandparents), we kindly ask that they wait in the cafรฉ for the workshop to finish.
Numbers are limited. Booking is essential and due to limited spaces please book early to avoid disappointment. Sessions are ยฃ9.50 per child. Refreshments will be available from our coffee shop to purchase. Our age recommendation for our Art Clubs is 3-11.
The Sheep Ate Up The Fairies @ Trowbridge Museum
3 days of captivating talks, hands-on crafts & engaging activities start today!
A one hour boat trip on Friday 31st October at 16:00 and 18:00 along the canal packed with fun and games for the children. Fancy dress welcome.
Please Note: Dogs are accepted at the discretion of the Skipper on the day who will check with other passengers first. Family tickets not available.
Children must be accompanies by at least one adult.
Kenavon Venture is a wide beam boat, seating up to 38 passengers, operated by volunteers of the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust. To book a private charter of this or any other trip, please send an enquiry via the main website.
โBuild a Tankโ Junk Modelling โ Friday 31 October Self-led, Creation Station
Come and create your own special REME-inspired vehicle to take away with you! Get creative and see what you can make from recycled materials. The only limit is your imagination!
Dunno bout you, but I’ve still not gotten over the horror a majority in Marlborough blindly voted him in. Or even that he doesn’t believe women have the right to decide what to do with their own bodies, but after Clactonising his Wiltshire constituency despite their unwillingness to join the Black Shirts, their reborn fascist MP Danny Kruger really has done gone blown his mental head gasket on a journey to Lala Land’s Reform office this time. And it’s at boiling point over an imaginary religion, which, according to him, is too woke to even be classified as wokeโฆ..swear me in, if it triggers this contemporary King Ethelbertโฆ..
Mushroom season in Marlborough always finds a few oddballs taking in tongues, but straightjackets on standby, as this goes way beyond reasonable psychedelic intoxication and reverts us back to Anglo-Saxons.
Days after daring Danny Dog posted a letter of heartfelt baloney to his constitutes, pleading they follow him like Jesus’ selfless plea in Matthew 16:24, to โdeny themselves and take up their cross daily,โ regardless of his political treachery, whilst he plans to lick faeces off the backside of Nigel Faragรผhrer and deport all three of Marlborough’s dark skinned residents, his address to Parliament from July, or more like preach, has resurfaced on social media. Merging politics with religion, the bizarre result is a speech so far removed from reality it’s virtually sci-fi.
Largely for Islamophobia succour his waffle begins by denouncing secularist separation of church and state, praisingย The House of Commons for taking their prayers in earnest, and big-ups Henry VIII expressingย rather obviously, โour democracy is founded on Christian faith.โ
Only since 1534, I might add. Prior, we had various ancient philosophies blanket-termed Paganism, which Christianity crushed in the Christianisation of Anglo-Saxon England in the 6th century, and herein lies the most bizarre segment of his rant.
Not before grandstanding his horror at the recent bill decriminalizing abortion, he audaciously quotes John Lennon’s Imagine, forgoing The Beatles claimed they were โmore popular than Jesus,โ and lambasts any freedom for welcoming other religions or philosophies as โugly and aggressive new threats,โ claiming โall politics is religious, and in abandoning one religion we simply create a space for others to move into.โ
Here he cites the first, โthere are two religions moving into the space from which Christianity has been ejected, and one is Islam.โ But the following paragraph concerning the apparent second, his fictitious nightmare, is the real eye-opener to a loony climax.
Danny Kruger said, โIt is the other religion that worries me even more. This other religion is a hybrid of old and new ideas, and it does not have a proper name. I do not think that โwokeโ does justice to its seriousness. It is a combination of ancient paganism, Christian heresies and the cult of modernism, all mashed up into a deeply mistaken and deeply dangerous ideology of power that is hostile to the essential objects of our affections and our loyalties: families, communities and nations. It is explicitly and most passionately hostile to Christianity as the wellspring of the west. That religion, unlike Islam, must simply be destroyed, at least as a public doctrine. It must be banished from public lifeโfrom schools and universities, and from businesses and public services. It needs to be sent back to the fringes of eccentricity, like the modern druids who invest Stonehenge in my constituency with a theology that is seen as mad but harmless because its followers are so few and no one serious takes them seriously.โ
Wha?! Is it? Erm, ohโฆhe forgot Jedi.Yewโve garn flipped shagger, gurt quanked โnโ all-a-huh! Not that he’d understand what that means because he’s spent less time in Wiltshire than Anakin Skywalker. He’s turned to the darkside too.
Without getting all history teacher on you, let’s add some logic to this tomfoolery with a basic timeline. For 949,509 out of the 950,000 years humans have inhabited Britain they’ve been content looking to the natural elements, the earth, moon and sun, and gradually forming understandings surrounding their interconnectedness to it.
And from the pandemic through to the science of the climate emergency, we realise their basic concepts of their interconnectedness with nature was more bang on the money than the idea some bearded bloke living in the clouds with a frisbee above his head sculpted mankind from clay, and a woman is just their rib. And, in fact it was most likely our conviction in the cloud cuckoo land stories of organised religions which divided us from nature and created our impending extinction.
But our Danny boy couldn’t fathom this because he’s now aligned to a company disguised as a political party which, despite proof, claims it’s all a hoax and we should give up at least trying to lessen the impact. What a silly sausage who’s taken his constituents headlong into the casserole whether they wanted to, or not.
When the real truth is, if there’s anything ambiguous or speculative about the beliefs or practices of modern paganism it’s because Christianity forcibly obliterated the origins, or twisted them to suit their own narrativeโฆunless you believe Easter eggs are the body of Christ?!
But the bottom line is, there isn’t a religion, culture or movement anywhere which attempts to undermine or conquer Christianity in the UK. All, just like Christianity, promote peace, understanding and unity. It’s only in the wonky minds of extremism which seeks to suggest one who doesn’t support their faith is therefore an enemy.
To condone the destruction of someone else’s belief as Danny has done here is extremist, oppressive and certainly not in any way, Christian. Marlborough is now default facism, and that is the disgrace and crying shame their residents must deal with, protest and take to the polling stations, if Reform snipers aren’t picking them off by then.
I mean, Devizes own contemporary blues throwback, JP is getting bookings, and rightly so. He’s off to Trowbridgeโs Lamb next Saturday for a double-bill with Joe Burke. Likewise our favourite Goth duo Deadlight Dance too, Tim showing me some fetching snaps from Friday night’s gig at Frome’s Tree House. But sometimes it’s nice to play an intimate home gig you DIY, so we’re down The Bear Hotel’s Cellar Bar, reviving a once beloved venue with alternative options to Devizesโ status quoโฆ..
And it was; Nick Fletcher and Tim Emery were on the cobblestones first, attired marvellously macabre with whitewash faces; All Hallows’ Eve comes early for goths, and they don’t require Haribo! Equally terror-fically tenebrous was their set, sublimely shadowy synths, then their gloomy guitar rhythm fragments darkened by Nick’s howling vocals. When they came for air you could hear a pin drop.
Deadlight Dance found my inner-goth and devoured it some years ago, still their show improves like a fine Dracula’s blood-wine ….with age and nightly kills! They worked precisely through several tunes from their three albums, concentrating particularly on Chapter & Verse, last year’s gothic literary inspired outpouring. They sprinkled the set with covers, a synth-driven Cureโs Just Like Heaven, for example, quite different from the acoustic version on their breathtaking homage album, The Wiltshire Gothic.
They finished on their ghostly reverberating post-punk makeover of Heartbreak Hotel, because if you’re a goth duo planning to cover an Elvis Presley song, one about a lonely man jumping from a hotel window is apt. Then they stripped it back for an acoustic wandering through the crowd encore.
Herein lies the connection which made a double-bill of post-punk goth and rootsy blues work; JP Oldfield duties the plaintive projection of original southern blues, often termed gothic. Therein the expression of rural, economically disadvantaged African-American communities, and through his gorgeous bass vocal range, the metallicity of his resonator and pounding suitcase drum, it’s about as authentic as you’re going to get on our local circuit.
Yet if JPโs writing is foreboding and disquietude, in line with its influences, some of the darkest corners of his debut Bouffon wasnโt inclusive at this live show, and replaced by some outstanding, intricate and rightfully resonate guitar-work; plus thereโs always the kazoo and his natural banter to brighten things up.
His latest single polished off an amazing set, No Rest, indeed. It embodies everything progressive about this rising starโs skill and bittersweet panache; a fellow who can hold an audience spellbound despite being, perhaps, an acquired taste. But I challenge anyone critical to stay whilst JP thrusts out House of the Rising Sun, making it his own, as itโs so befitting to his encapsulating style. Yet the broadest evaluation of JP Oldfield is simply that, through his dedication and blossoming experience he continuously improves. It is this then which encourages me to call this gig in, slight in attendees which it unfortunately was as the chills of autumn blast through, the best and most passionate Iโve seen JP play.
Mind you, I groaned about the weather shift to Nick of Deadlight Dance, who replied with positivity. Apparently, he likes Autumn, I joked, โthatโs because youโre a goth and Iโm a milkman!โ
I do hope we can find more gigs down the Cellar Bar, and bring it back to its former glory, a sentiment I believe will be reflected by the live music hunters of Devizes.
Swindon Palestine Solidarity continues to call for a ceasefire in Gaza and for aid to be allowed to enter Gazaโฆ.. Their three recent roadside signโฆ
I want Devizine to be primarily about arts and entertainment, but Iโm often pathetically persuaded by bickering political factions to pass opinion on local politicsโฆ
Photo credit: ยฉ Rondo Theatre Company / Jazz Hazelwood A gender-queered production of William Shakespeareโs classic play, โThe Taming of the Shrewโ, will be performedโฆ
The first full album by Wiltshireโs finest purveyors of psychedelic indie shenanigans, Clock Radio, was knocked out to an unsuspecting world last week. Itโs calledโฆ
Bradford-on-Avon Town Councilโs annual festival, aptly titled The Bradford on Avon Live Music Festival is back this weekend, championing local talent with an eclectic line-upโฆ
by Ian Diddamsimages by Chris Watkins Performing Sondheim isnโt the simplest of tasks. Or, rather, singing Sondheim isnโt the simplest of tasks. With his dissonantโฆ
Yay! You read it right. After a two year break, CrownFest is back at the Crown in Bishop’s Cannings. So put a big tick onto the 4th July 2026 in your diary, and maybe jot down 1st November this year down too, because thatโs when the first set of fifty early-bird tickets will go on sale, a snip at just twenty quidโฆ.
With an iffy weather forecast for July, one Saturday in 2023 I found myself waiting for bus 49 in Devizes, and met with a group of kindly but disorientated folk attempting to get to Bishop’s Cannings for the second Crownfest. I assured them I was heading there too, so all they needed to do was follow my lead.
As it was you couldn’t miss it; the bus stopped right outside. On the journey a number of people were wondering which stop to get off at and so I assured them too. It was at that point I addressed the entire bus, as everyone looked up for a party, โis anyone here not going to Crownfest?!โ Seemed only the driver wasn’t, and probably would have if he wasn’t working!
That poor bus driver wouldโve loved it, as it was a far better attendance than the inaugural one the previous year. Even torrential downpours didn’t stop the fun, as its fully deserved outstanding reputation had blossomed. It was a fantastic event, check my words on it HERE. Unfortunately due to a change of ownership Crownfest wouldn’t see its way to a third this sumner. But every cloud, literally, has a silver lining. Crownfest is back and recharging for 2026; Bishops Cannings has never had it so good!
Save the date and Stone Circle Music Events will save the day. With camping available, this is a golden nugget on this summer’s local festival hotlist. The only returning act will be Kinisha, the Tina Turner tribute act called (and undoubtedly is true) Simply The Best. Kinisha turned my head around about Tina Turner tributes; we donโt need another hero if weโve got her headlining, oh, but we haveโฆ. lots of heroes.
Firstly, while weโre on tributes, this one is my recommendation; someone listens to me! Itโs Ant Trouble, the Welsh Adam & The Ants tribute which Iโve been dying to get a gig locally since I witnessed their lively and precise volcanic eruption at Swindonโs Vic in February 2023. This is so good when some Facebook wombles prompted AI to write a piece on the real Adam Ant, it nicked my photo of Ant Trouble! I dunno, who do I sue for that, The Terminator?! Nevertheless, prepare for some ant music.
The remaining lineup consists of only the toppermost acts on Stone Circleโs books. If I say indie-pop darlings Talk in Code will be there, thatโs surely enough to entice you. But thereโs pioneers of ukular fusion with Mother Ukers Ukuele Band, The Tipsy Gypsies will enthrall with lively folk goodness, and itโll get all Celtic when the sublime Publicans get on that stage. Five-piece Salisbury rock band Innovator will be there, alongside acoustic goodness from George Wilding and Lucas Hardy.ย
Fantastic lineup, wonderful pub with great tucker, camping, or with that trusty 49 bus running later now, you could potentially bus it there and back, provided the bus driver isnโt Tina Turnerโs number one fan, feels an uncontrollable compulsion to dance like thereโs no tomorrow, and shouts โend of the line!โ What more do you want?!
All Pop Master T-shirt wearers would like to think it does, but will the music of an era stand the test of time? Make a record, seal the deal, surely? True, your songs will be immortalised, but will they be remembered, or will they sadly be sadly archived, to slowly fade through generation gaps…. unless Ed Sheeran covers one?!?
Growing up in the eighties we ransacked our parent’s records. Ergo, I know my fair share about the music of the sixties, despite only being an itch in that decade. Similarly, my daughter can name a whole list of groups, singers and songs from my era, the eighties, but can she go further back? Can the younger generation even begin to imagine their grans and grandads frolicking at a love-in with eyes the size of saucers and wearing nothing but flowers in their hair, racing helmet-free on motorbikes into the night, drinking whiskey from a bottle until they dropped, then waking up in Mick Jaggerโs bed with four others?!
With three teenagers loitering on my sofa I thought I’d get all Tony Blackburn on them, and distract them from TikTok to find out. Thatโs the knivesโ edge I live on in order to provide you with such engaging content! Being there’s a triple headline sixties tribute act bonanza forthcoming at the Devizes Corn Exchange on the 31st October, with tributes to The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and the Who, I thought I’d ask if the Gen Z of my family were remotely aware of any of them, or if they were more Gen Zzzz!
The result, though far from surprising, was a smidgen disheartening. My daughter knew of The Beatles, and named one averagely obscure song which happened to appear in a Marvel movie soundtrack. The boys didn’t have the foggiest, so I wasnโt holding any chances for the others. My daughter’s fella had heard of the term โrolling stone,โ but didn’t realise it was a band name. My son shrugged at the lot, and all asked โwho?โ when I name-dropped The Who; unsure if that was clarification or coincidental!
Incidentally, they all knew the 2010 Maroon 5 song, โMove Like Jagger,โ but only my daughter guesstimated Jagger mightโve been the frontman of one of the bands I was referring to!
Without getting any satisfaction, unless I resolve to forcibly thrusting pop history down their throats like it was on the GCSE curriculum, yesterday all my troubles seemed so far away, as it seems all of them will get fooled again, know not of the pinball wizardโs supple wrist, Ruby Tuesday or Lucy in the sky with diamonds, and I wouldnโt even attempt to explain why I’d like to be under the sea in an octopus’s garden in the shade. Whereโs Jack Black and his school of rock when you need them?!
Streaming music might affect future generations from becoming aware of music before their time. Without physical copies who knows where this will end, music will be throwaway, and maybe the nineties welcomed that concept in. But everything is online, even if Sgt Pepper might have adverts for Marks & Sparks Food Hall, it has to be worth trying to educate our youth that pop music would sound a whole lot different if it wasnโt for the sixties and bands like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and The Who!
So, hereโs food for thought; though you might presume this Ceres Promotions triple headed sixties tribute show might be something for the Saga holidaymakers, perhaps you should reconsider, and see it more family outing, a vital history field trip?! Musicians of the sixties fired all their guns at once and exploded into space like a true natureโs child, whereas ours are content browsing Instagram with a bag of Haribo. We cannot stand idly by and allow this to happen!
Tickets are HERE fill your boots made for walking, that’s just what they need to do, and march them to the Corn Exchange on Friday 31st October rather than trick or treating, or one of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you!
As the excitement continues to detonate to an exploding point for our very first Stone Circle Music Events Wiltshire Music Awards on 25th October, we are thrilled to announce that Fantasy Radio, Devizesโ own beloved local broadcaster, will be joining us on the night in a special media partnership roleโฆ..
Represented by Lesley Scholes and Mark Jones, Fantasy Radio will be interviewing winners and nominees throughout the evening, capturing the stories, emotions, and celebrations as they unfold. These exclusive interviews will be broadcast on Fantasy Radio after the event, giving listeners across the county a chance to share in the fantastic moment.
In addition, Fantasy Radio will proudly display promotional banners inside the Corn Exchange on the day of the event, further cementing their support of local music and community talent.
One of the event organisers Eddie Prestige, UK Director for Stone Circle Music Events expressed his delight at the collaboration. โWeโre honoured to have Fantasy Radio involved in our inaugural awards. Their passion for local talent aligns perfectly with our mission to celebrate the incredible music scene here in Wiltshire. Weโre especially grateful for Fantasy Radio’s offer to assist during the evening. It’s this spirit of community that makes the event so special.โ
The Wiltshire Music Awards will take place on October 25th at the Corn Exchange, Devizes, bringing together musicians, industry supporters, and local media for an unforgettable night of recognition and entertainment. All tickets have now sold out, unfortunately, but the demand continues and excitement builds.
To add my own tuppence as one of the organisers, โit’s great to see Fantasy Radio onboard with this project, and I’m over the moon to watch the attention for this event blossom, from our early planning stages with Eddie and myself, to the point we’re at now, with a sold-out Corn Exchange, seven live acts performing for the evening, plus lots of surprises and guest appearances. I’m also delighted to say as well as the bar, Devizes-own Soupchick will be preparing a few delicious dishes for attendees to tuck into.โ
Stay tuned to Fantasy Radio in the coming weeks for updates, and after the event to hear the exclusive interviews with Wiltshireโs rising stars! Obviously we will be reporting live from the scene too, as much as possible in-between hosting and presenting!ย
When I put together the 4 Juliaโs House compilation albums a few years ago I decided I shouldnโt pick favourites out of the eighty-one songs donated, but if I had to, it wouldโve indisputably been Atlantic O by Will Lawton and Ludwig Mack. With the ambience of the gods, this track is such a soothing sentimental earworm it makes you go all tingly as it drifts like a lost ship on the sea. Now the duo have released a debut album, matching the sublimity of Atlantic O. The story behind it is of an absorbing coincidence, and its unique marketing is equally as genius as the musicโฆ..ย
At the time I was aware of the virtuosity and diversity of Malmsbury musical magician, Will Lawton, from solo performances and fronting The Alchemists. At the time he sent the tune for the project he briefly explained Ludwig was an Argentinian musician he had been working with, but their connection is far more complex and is explained in the book to the album, which is in turn, currently the only way to hear it.ย
A story of serendipity expressed earnestly through a 36-page hardback, which continues to detail the thought processes of the album, each individual song, and the musicians which accompany them along the titled journey Five Years in the Cotswolds. Then, on the back cover thereโs a QR code to scan, leading you to streaming options; I suggest you do, your ears will love you forevermore.
Enticed by the lure of English music, and his European travelling plans cut short by the pandemic, Argentinian musician Ludwig Mack arrived in the UK from Spain a day prior to lockdown. He had already connected with Will via Instagram, not realising when he settled in Hullavington he was coincidently only a few miles away from Willโs home. They jammed together, the song Atlantic O, and within a year produced the EP Heroes.
Ludwig explored the UK, and found work whether he could, whilst Will continued with family life, his band the Alchemists and his employment as a music psychotherapist. But Ludwig often dropped in to see Will, and it was inevitable this project would blossom like the opening tune, aptly Blossom, a tender springtime daydream contrasting aging with memories. Itโs as majestic as the morning chorus, and includes a naturally sourced one too.
The fabric of this album continues on this theme, indeed Songbird follows suit into the most gentle flow of concentrated bliss. Itโs the first single released this Friday (10/10) of the goodness of nature rather than societyโs machine, unhinged and timeless piano-based folk, and celebratory of the glory wildlife in all its splendour, wrapped in the warmest serenity. By its very composure it defines the sum of all this goodness and shapes a heart in your mind; if an album was a wander through a springtime meadow, this is a stroll to remember.
It comes as no surprise Will is a music psychotherapist, if the vocation is to improve wellbeing, increase happiness and overcome issues. One listen to Five Years in the Cotswolds is the best remedy. Ten solid tunes, all the like to make the little hairs on the back of your neck stand to attention. Thereโs few artists able to accomplish this, I could cite many, from Bill Withers to John Denver and you will contemplate your favourites when this caresses your senses.
The album lifts with euphoric pace at Godโs Plan, and Iโm left thinking of Marvin Gayeโs What’s Going On as its aperture opens the album to a similar width of beauty. From the guitar chimes of November to the quirkiness of the bluegrass-esque Walk Each Other Home, and from the amorous ambience of Clouds to Freya Everestโs haunting vocal range on I Noticed, this album continues flowing on the theme as a paragon, never meandering off course.
Its production is as crisp as autumn leaves, the arrangements are like sunlight. The composition is a Vivaldi, its versification is W. H. Daviesโ Leisure, the musical expression of a Monet, a pilgrimage to a Constable masterpiece, or all of these wonders capturing the beauty of nature equally combined and consumed, it really is this breathtaking. Devizine
Its production is as crisp as autumn leaves, the arrangements are like sunlight. The composition is a Vivaldi, its versification is W. H. Daviesโ Leisure, the musical expression of a Monet, a pilgrimage to a Constable masterpiece, or all of these wonders capturing the beauty of nature equally combined and consumed, it really is this breathtaking.ย
Bathโs producer and musician, Rob McLeod, aka Mac Lloyd, Spanish multi-instrumentalist Guillem Mitchel, London based jazz singer-songwriter and producer Freya Everest and drummer Tony Partridge who met Will at Schtumm in Box, are the other collaborators behind this enchanting project, alongside composer and arranger Benjamin Lawton, Willโs son.
Streaming platforms are held off until next year on this, the book to Five Years in the Cotswolds is the albumโs only current access point, and is available on their website, and at upcoming gigs, The Castle, Swindon on 16th October, and Pound Arts in Corsham on 6th November, details of which are also on their website.
Always a happy place, our traditional record shop Vinyl Realm in Northgate Street Devizes is back in the game of hosting some live music afternoons.โฆ
One of Wiltshireโs Best by Andy Fawthrop Looking for something to do next weekend? One of Wiltshireโs biggest festivals is happening just up the roadโฆ
Alright yeah, itโs a play on band names and thereโs only really two reasons to rock on Friday 17th October at Market Lavington Community Hall; Six O’clock Circus and The Reason. See what they did there? Genius! But, theyโre two of the heaviest heavyweight headline acts you should discover on our local cover circuit, so, as for the sum of the entertainment youโll receive by attending, you could deservedly multiply them by at least three, and make six! (I do maths too!)
Big time Calne mod-Britpop loving lads Six O’Clock Circus will raise the roof, and Westburyโs The Reason, with a penchant for timeless rock classics only intend to double it. Fronted by Nicky Davis, formerly a member of People Like Us and co-founder of the Female of the Species fundraising supergroup, find The Reason gigging locally and strap yourself in for a party! Not usually a function band, likely because theyโd upstage the reason for the actual function, (ambiguously the story behind their name?!), they recently performed at Melkshamโs proudest country-rock singer-songwriter Becky Lawrenceโs wedding, where the bride simply had to join in!ย
Likewise with Six O’clock Circus, find them gigging locally everywhere. A longstanding band of friends knocking guitar frenzied indie-mod-pop-rock favourites out of any park they care to stop by, and a few others along the way! I appreciate thereโs already been a lot of maths for a Sunday article, but this is simple; tickets are ยฃ12 a pop. The show starts at 7:30pm (NOT 6′ o’clock like the circus) at Market Lavington Community Hall, next Friday 17th October for a highly recommended party!
You might think it’s a laryngologist’s dream come true, this Lewis Capaldi-led decade’s penchant for the blue-eyed soul singersโ melismatic strain to cause Mick Hucknall to issue a health and safety warning, but to Swindon’s Brandon Clarke, aka Weather, it appears to be a natural and phenomenal giftโฆ..
This short and to the point new single from Weather, Bonnie, Be Mine, remains a prime example. Awash in contemporaneous RnB silkiness, Brandon’s vocal range is impressively evocative and weaponises a defence against any criticism of contemporary pop.If Alex Warren is the millennial solitary Bieber from across the pond, Weather is more the Solomon Burke of Swindon, which I believe is a deserved higher rewarding accolade by a country mile!
Yet, despite the sombre emotional outpouring of a hopeful romance, there’s a subtle carefree attitude in Weather’s tenet which awards his sound with a nonchalant sunny side of the street feel, and it’s positively contagious.
This was displayed with panache at Swindon Shuffle, where he blasted the Tuppenny with his prerecorded tracks and toasted merrily over them, enticing the crowd. If it might sound overtly conceited and is something I’d usually turn away from, to a generation where hip hop is an ancestral baseplate it’s acceptable, but with Weather’s delivery it was so confident and indulgently cheerful it affixes a compulsory smile and an irresistible urge to stay to watch.
Even the cover to Bonnie, Be Mine displays an irony of Weather, if his sound is refreshingly modern nu-soul slash indie, with AI it conveys the retrospection of a Donald McGill postcard. So, if you’re reaching that far back before I make a comparison, Brandon, rather than eighties blue-eyed soul boys like George Michael, or even Motown/Stax artists like Wilson Pickett, with this humorous element could we go as far as someone he’d probably have to Google, like Louis Jordan and his Tympany Five?!ย You might think it’s audacious of me, but considering the whimsical merriment of rap trios like A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul are forty years old, why not?!
Whatever the weather, it’s a great single and being Weather is prolifically pushing out professionally clasped greatness, we look forward to hearing more.
If weโve had a keen eye on Swindonโs Sienna Wilemanโs natural progression as an upcoming singer-songwriter since being introduced to her self-penned songs via herโฆ
One of Salisburyโs most celebrated acoustic folk-rock singer-songwriters Lucas Hardy teams up with the Wiltshire cityโs upcoming talent who’s name is on everyoneโs lips, Rosieโฆ
by Ian Diddamsimages byย Chris Watkins Media One could argue that Anne Frank is possibly the most well-known civilian of the WW2 years, and certainly ofโฆ
Oh yeah, invite me to a place with a bar, throw some of the best blues this side of New Orleans at me and then hope Iโll articulate some words about it next morning, why don’t you?! It’s okay readers, it’s become standard protocol for me, I’ve got thisโฆwith help from Ben and Vicky!
…Here goes my bit; it was the opening of the new season at Long Street Blues Club in Devizes last night. Homegrown blues legend Jon Amor paid it a visit, bringing along his proficient drum and bass section, Tom Gilkes and Jerry Soffe, respectively, a handful of special guests wise in the ways of instrumenting sublime blues, and an intention and motivation to pull an extravaganza from the anticipation in the ether. Irresistible prospect, had to witness, savour, and shake my tail feather to, like it was going out of fashion. Olโ Frankie Valli couldn’t describe it better, oh what a night.ย
Four to the floor electric blues was the order they marched out to, each one a showstopper yet the show didn’t hang around for the audience to contemplate. Musicians aplenty popping out of the stage door, grabbing instruments and jamming on a rotation akin to an ice hockey game. Johnny Henderson seated at the Hammond organ, Tom Jones guitarist Scott McKeon strumming with Will Edmunds, Craig Crofton blowing that sax, and precision sound engineering all enhanced the usual trioโs show, elevating it to a phenomenal stance.
There were times Jon smoothed it with rarely played ballads, such a superbly protracted Happiest All-Time Low, from his 2018 album Colour in the Sky, but for the most part the Juggernaut and his overload appeased the crowd with expeditious renditions of his belovedย sprightly favourites, and newer The Turnaround album tunes he recorded last year with Jerry & Tom, easiest to pick out being the swinging Rideau Street and the hard stomping riffs of the explicit Miss James. I donโt know who Miss James is, but the passion Jon puts into this, and every song, leaves you wondering what her phone number is!
If this Indian summer is subtle outside it was a furnace inside. Ex-Hoax guitarist Jon, a testament to Devizesโ Mel Bush effect, an immutable adoration of blues, is a stalwart on stage, delivering blues in a style only he could. The aforementioned gubbings only added to the trioโs splendour, and a truly fantastic opening evening for The Long Street Blues Clubโs new season.
But donโt take my word for it, hereโs what Ben Romain and Vicky thought about it, as we got our wires crossed and both wrote about it, but it was such a gig it deserves two reviews anyway!
Stand up and shout! Blues is what it is all about, laid back and loving Blues in D-town!
In my many years as a fan of Jonโs music Iโve seen him play many venues in Devizes and nearby. We are blessed of course with a monthly residence at The Southgate Inn, where the majority of this ensemble has at some point graced the stage. This evening was a change of a little more space to get some friends together, at our very own Blues Club.
A fine opening set from Leonardo Guilliani, a rapidly rising star, hailing from Southampton. No stranger to the club, having opened for Watermelon Slim previously.
Some great original songs from his album, and new songs from an upcoming release recorded at Abbey Road Studios! I particularly liked the new song โAngelโ, a soulful reflective song, with a gentle tone, blues of a sort but melodic and soothing in a contemporary Blues vein. A few well-chosen covers too, with some resounding classic electric blues. Overall, a perfect opener for this gig! I look forward to seeing him again along the road.
As Jon introduces the extended band to the stage, I am reminded of countless gigs in Devizes and beyond, where I have enjoyed all these musicians. This ensemble has between them played an unbelievable range of genre defining big names, and it showsโฆโฆwith the confident ease they poured into this session.
There are the Jon Amor Trio set regulars like โMiss Jamesโ, โJuggernautโ and โBirds Nest on the Groundโ, some less regular but great additions such as Jonโs โRed Telephoneโ and โHappiest All time Lowโ. This entire two hour plus set revelled in and resounding with the connectivity of the scene.
When Will Edmunds and Jon share โLovinโ Cupโ a rousing dance friendly classic we get to enjoy the best of this sense, a classic in the sets of Jon and Will in their regular haunts, sharing as they do, many gigs the might of Gilkes and Soffe.
Weโve enjoyed Jonny Henderson guest slots here in Devizes and with another Devizes and authorโs favourite Elles Bailey amongst others, weโve seen the wonderful Scott McKeon guest with Jon, and for a bonus Devizes point with Jonโs former bandmate Robin and Beaux Gris Gris and The Apocalypse and most commonly known for playing with Tom Jones.
I could ramble enthusiastically all day about the good vibes of this gig but thereโs a wider point to acknowledge before I run out of type spaceโฆ.that of the community and connectivity both with musicians and audiences.
We have an unusually high level of gigs, especially blues leaning gigs in our town. We have some pretty heavy hitters in the UK blues past and present around here which doubtless helps, but we are also blessed with venues born of passion, people who support those opportunities as much as they can, so we are known in Devizes for putting up a good audience.
Our little world faces challenges like all venues and scenes across the UK, yet on the whole we are bucking the trend and attracting fine music from the brave upstart to the big established names and something to be rightly proud of.
Thereโs weekly amazing music at the Southgate and these incredible seasons of blues at Long Street, pub gigs, even occasionally music in bars and coffee lounges!
Key to the future of all of it, is people getting involved. I could name around a third of the crowd last night, and know most of the band from past gigs, with all of the craziness of the world, when many conscious or not are affected by loss of community, unity and shared positive experienceโฆ.we have all that right here at home, every week.
I am now twelve years or so into my passionate support of local live music, it offers so much more than huge mega money gigs, and it supports through shared venues other aspects of our towns offer.
So, if you missed this incredible gig look at listings here, Facebook or wherever, message venues, talk to friends, thereโs always a solid welcome, and you may find your new favourite band or next best friend in the crowd!
Thanks Ben, that is exactly what itโs all about! And now a “further reading” related rant to finish on!
When I published a preview of Long Street’s new season I highlighted this gig in particular, because Jon is loved by the residents of Devizes as this native hero. It was inevitable, and something I had discussed with both Ian, organiser of Long Street, and Dave at the Southgate, that someone would comment on the social media shares of it, questioning why they would pay to see Jon at Long Street when his monthly residences at the Southgate are free. Being I suspect thereโs others that share this understandable view, and that money is a benefactor to deciding what to and what not to attend in these trying times, I thought Iโd answer it with my opinion, for better or worse.
Starter for ten, we love the Southgate, we love the fact they host these regular sessions with the Jon Amor Trio and usually a special guest, and weโve covered them many times. In fact, The Southgate has probably had more reviews from us than anywhere else. Dave and Ian are friends, they attend each other’s gigs and liaison to avoid clashes of similar gigs. The Southgate will pay what they can for an artist from money they make at the bar, most pubs operate this way, it is up to the artist to accept this or decline to play. The Southgate, like others, will hand around a tip hat, to top up the performersโ earnings. That is the way we get free gigs, but it is not how it works with event organisers who must pay for acts from the revenue of ticket sales. No matter how great this residency is at the Southgate, they are on Sunday afternoon when gravy is tipped onto your roast! Personally, due to work commitments Iโm unable to let my hair down over more than a pint, like I can do on a Saturday night; thatโs the time they let me out! Iโm sure others find themselves in a similar situation.
Aside this, with the capacity of the club greater than the pub allowing folk room to move, the enhancement of the show via additional guests forming an eight piece band at times, the perfection of the sound engineering, and the uninterrupted presentation, are all benefits you are unlikely to get in any pub environment. Saturday night proved this, for it was a cut above what any performer would be capable of in any pub. It was a fantastic night, if you were there you would know it was and accept it was total and utter class. If you weren’t, well, you only have my and Ben’s words it was so.
And with that notion we can put the final slither of their comment to bed, that Long Street has โzeroโ atmosphere. Yes, I understand there are a few longstanding devotees who favour to remain seated and silent, the root to my little regular jest labelling them โthe Devizes blues appreciation society!โ But the atmosphere is what YOU make it! We danced the night away, I loved it, Ben and Vicky clearly loved it, people around us loved it. No one bothered us in doing so and no dancer bothered those who opted not to. When compromise is necessary, no less punters at Long Street adhere than might in a pub.
Thereโs no hard feelings, the comment remains as we donโt delete fair opinions. Iโm no Nostradamus, but I suspected someone might suggest this, just a little irked to understand the reasoning for posting it. If it was to encourage others to side with them I genuinely think thatโs a shame, as it risks the continuation of this wonderful club. No one is forcing anyone to go anymore than anyone is forcing anyone else to write such a comment.
Hey, I might see them at the Gate sometime, but they should note some regulars there attended this one, and others who might not frequent the Southgate, they did too; why deny their chances to see an act they claimed to love themselves, like most of us in Devizes? Because, and hereโs the killer line, when Jon and his extended team blasted out the customary Juggernaut finale, feet were stomping, sweat rinsed shirts, and expressions of sheer joy blessed the faces of those in attendance. It was blissfully brilliant, the best night in Devizes Iโve had for a long time; long live Long Street Blues Club, but yeah, other options, such as The Southgate are available and come highly recommended too. What a petty fiasco!ย ย
Nothing cruel about our George Wilding; with his perfect match and another local legend of local music, Jolyon Dixon, they’re knocking out great singles like it’s child’s play…..
You’re So Cruel is out today and is a prime example. It’s an upbeat two minute blast of feelgood indie-pop, seemingly unfazed by the cruelty of the subject in the song, just you know, pointing it out, getting it off his chest!In subject it’s more akin to George’s earlier songs than the previous recent ones. Yet George seems to have captured the rule of not overthinking and keeping it to a simple hook.Yeah, rocks!
Add it to your playlist, even if you’re the cruel person in the song!!
None too convenient when you need a wee down the alley where Wilkos was, but handy in other ways; all-seeing eye Noel has spotted something on his CCTV which is worth its weight in gold to anyone who dares to drive through Devizes. Northgate Street is apparently now open to one-way traffic like months of closure never happenedโฆ
Be aware when navigating or painting a St George’s Cross on it, you’ve probably got used to hurtling across the Brewery roundabout like you’re Immortan Joe on a promise, but now you’ve got a thing called โright of wayโ to consider. Not that it ever bothered anyone at the Station Road roundabout further along.
Road improvements at Shane’s Castle might still be the subject of petty town politicising, and a Conservative councillor’s golden egg in which to fib about some Guardians because they didn’t kiss his ring during the Vice Chair of the Governance and Personnel Committee voting process, but that’s just bureaucratic toys being launched from prams for no valid reason, provided we take some care at the junction; as if!
I turn right there because, like my sat-nav says, I have no fear! Somebuddy gimmie a HGV.
No, this is much better news, less slanderous and far more relevant. The north gateway to the Market Place was closed after a fire, back in what feels like the nineteen-seventies, and you couldn’t even grab a kebab while you contemplated the effects it would have on the flow of traffic, bus stop confusion, and loss of revenue to an entire corner of the town.
To see it open again is like a breath of fresh carbon monoxide, and I’m certain heavy goods vehicles and other through traffic will celebrate by ducking down there just for the crack….because they can.
It’s like Christmas came early, in an area plagued by roadworks. Unlike the accident blackspot aptly called the Black Dog Crossroads, where, after millenia of campaigning, the Munster finally pulled his finger out of the Green Party’s bum, and the installation of traffic lights is ongoing, causing chaos on the school run, as if no one has heard of four-way traffic lights in Lavington.
Breaking update ….or braking update: it’s only one-way, guys, don’t get over excited. One way the wtong way, btw, for if went into the Market Place rather than out it might have reason to use it. Heading out of the Market Place is a test of human kindness in Devizes, as no traffic has to give way to you. At the last count, it was a twenty-five to one probability there’s someone kindly enough in town to surrender their right of way and allow you through. If that doesn’t say it all about levels of human kindness in Devizes, I don’t know what does!
Seriously, take care out there and drive with consideration of others. Remember, Noel is watching you.
Thereโs a new single from Bristol-based Nothing Rhymes With Orange out tomorrow (Saturday 20th September) which takes the band to a whole new level, and it has got me thinking back to their Devizes rootsโฆ..ย
You know, I really cannot remember how this thing started, if they contacted me or if I found them. It was three years ago, at a time when local media seemed rampant with scare stories sensationalising teenage hooliganism. Folk jumped the bandwagon, naming and shaming wayward youth on Facebook like it was modern gallows, and making fearmongering sweeping generalisations, classing every child as a psychotic delinquent.
I figured this wasn’t the same picture I was seeing. That thereโs always been a handful off the rails, but in comparison to previous generations, most Gen Z were passive, thoughtful, and creative. So I set out to prove this wonky narrative wrong, and in doing so found many aspiring teenage bands to use as examples, but none so accomplished and motivated as Nothing Rhymes with Orange.
There was always something staunchly between the members of this Devizes School band, frontman Elijah Easton, Sam Briggs, Fin Anderson-Farquhar, and drummer Lui Venables, an unequalled camaraderie which combined their honing skills harmoniously. Their calculated sagacity writing painted a blithe picture of Gen Z, equal to how punk bands like The Newtown Neurotics summarised life for generation X, and it spawned a zeitgeist.
Image: Gail Foster
Moments after reviewing their debut single, Chow for Now, they launched an equivalently impressive EP called Midsummer. I figured it was overdue to check them out live, as they organised their own gig at West Lavington Village Hall. Divided between parents and youth I witnessed the birth of a local phenomenon. I dubbed it โBeatlemania in Devizes.โ Teenage fans chanted the chorus of Manipulation back at them, as Elijah jumped from the stage relishing in the moment.
I encouraged teenage budding writers and photographers to record this blossoming movement for us, as alongside bands like Melkshamโs The Sunnies, they were inspiring a new generation of musicians too. And for the adults, I wanted them to quit whinging about youth, by showcasing NRWO in an environment free from age division, where they could see for themselves this emergent youth fandom and the local band which created it. I urged our carnival committee that their annual โInternationalโ Street Festival in Devizes should showcase such a local act, and pride overcame me as I introduced them to the masses gathered in the Market Place, because alongside their excellent self-promotion, Devizine expressed with honesty that townsfolk should support this spectacular homemade band, and they did.
The lads released several new songs, all of which were tiny progressive steps to a maturity in their sound. At a gig at The Three Crowns in May 2024 Devizes-own BBC DJ and presenter, James Threlfall gave me constructive criticism regarding their production levels, suggesting it wasnโt quite to the level necessary and in comparison to upcoming bands across the southwest. I also worried at this time, moving along that adolescent rocky road generally was the make or break of a young band, usually the latter.
Delighted that they planned to study together in Bristol Uni, I finished off our local angled reporting of them with a parting interview, safe in the knowledge both the uni and bustling life in Bristol would open new doors for them and hopeful it would perfect their skills to the level James so honestly pointed out. A huge festival touring summer at Dot 2 Dot, Golden Touch, 110 Above and Camper Calling, returning to Studio 91 for the session which produced their new ear-invasive single, Shearwater, out at 6pm on 20th September across all streaming platforms, surely proves they have.
Image: Gail Foster
Shearwater signifies a hotly-anticipated next chapter, one of huge guitar sounds, jacked up drums and Elijahโs desperate vocals, evoking stories of fiery lust and explosive aftermaths. This is the single which will do for an international audience what Nothing Rhymes With Orange did locally three years ago. The spritely frenzy is replaced by the concentrated rhythmic flow and evocative ambience of the kind of timeless indie-pop anthem a multitude of audiences will shine their phone torches too. The layers are divine, the composition professionally crafted.
Iโve never needed to exaggerate my appraisal nor flatter NRWO for encouragement. I saw this potential, as did their local fanbase. And tomorrow you can hear the fruits of their labour in full bloom, a categorical advancement of Devizes export to the world, and it makes me feel proud to have backed them to this point, what the future holds is answered in this track, and it looks orange!
But donโt just take my word for it; chatting to James Threlfall just yesterday, I pointed out this single felt like the entry level we were talking about last May, and he agreed, telling me they’ve landed a featured artist spot on BBC Introducing South and West, which is live at 8pm tonight (Thursday 8pm.) The single will be debuting live at their upcoming headline show, 26th September, at The Old England, Bristol. Thereโs also an exciting word on the grapevine: an album is the pipeline. Oh, and donโt forget they’re playing our Wiltshire Music Awards on 23rd October here in Devizes, and will be at Devizes Arts Festival next summer like Bruce Springsteen returning to New Jersey!
For me, Iโll always have those early moments, like blagging a Sharpie from the sound engineer at street festival, so teenage girls could have their T-shirts signed (not by me, you understand?!!)
We are creatures of habit here in old Devizes. We’ll stand in the Market Place wearing a vacant expression, wondering where we can bag ourselves a good kebab in town now the Kebab House is sadly no longer. I urge you to think Sidmouth Street, think The Oliveโฆ.
Yeah, I get you. Save the longstanding New Pacific Chinese, the previous takeaways in Sidmouth Street didn’t receive great appraisal, causing the street to be considered a no-go zone for the peckish. Well, times change. With Mustafa Suna, the once owner of the Kebab House content to be relocated a hefty trek away at the Garden Trading Estate, the new option is The Olive Pizza & Grill; you best believe it.
It was newly opened a couple of months ago. By name, it sounds fresher and natural, but does it live up to its name? I thought I’d drag my tastebuds there to find outโฆ..
Shenol Redzheb is the owner of this tidy little takeaway where Acropolis once toppled. He cut his teeth at Chick-O-Land, where he spent thirteen years, but was adamant about building his own new legacy here. It certainly was spotless and hospitable, with everything freshly prepared right before your eyes.
The range is fantastic, too. The standard range of kebabs, combo or wraps, burgers, and chicken, but with a pizzeria too, choices are ample for the most fussiest of families, like mine! One apple of my eye opted for a cheeseburger, the other a pizza, and the wife and I went for the donor kebab, though she favours garlic mayo on hers; sacrilegious! I say this because the homemade chilli sauce here is to die for, really rich, perfect level of hotness and tomatoey; yummy, yummy, yummy, love in my tummy.
In fact, everything was well received. The boy’s burger was apparently โummm,โ and despite explaining I needed a bite for the purpose of the review, he wasn’t giving it up without a fight! The daughter praised the pizza, and she’s the Jay Rayner among us, but she especially adored the chips, describing them as crisp, and they were, I concurred. Perfectly cooked little beauties, and cut just the right size to be best considered โchunky fries.โ
The kebab was lovely too, meat, tasty, a good range of fresh salad, and oh, did I mention the chilli sauce?! It’s worth mentioning twice!
Portions generous, all at a competitive price, the family were happy. I’ll be back faster than Schwarzenegger for an uzi 9mm. You should give this local owner’s new enterprise a try. There’s vegetarian options, phones, and an online ordering website HERE, and they deliver right out to the sticks, at around a four mile radius; dinner sorted!
The Olive Pizza & Grill is at: 26 Sidmouth Street, Devizes, SN10 1LD, UK
Trowbridge singer-songwriter and one third of The Lost Trades, Phil Cooper has actually been doing more than playing solitaire, heโs released a new solo albumโฆ
An effervescent musical, full of promising young talent Written by: Melissa Loveday Images by: Gail Foster After the success of SIX last year, Devizes Musicโฆ
A photo is circulating on X of Calne’s Reform UK candidate Violette Simpson, which for some reason doesn’t appear on her election campaign….I wonder why?โฆ
Big congratulations to Devizes DJ Greg Spencer this week, the creator of Palooza house nights at The Exchange nightclub, for he made the prestigious billโฆ
Oh Danny Boy, oh, Danny Boy, they loved your boyish Eton looks so, but when ye was voted in, an all democracy wasnโt quite dying, if itโs now dead, as dead it well may be, ye’ll come and find the place where it was lying, and kneel and say an ave there for me a desertion, to save thy political skin from flailing, Herr Faragรผhrer?
Kruger shed it like the snake he is, licked the Gestapo sausage and now heโs a populist, saving common racists from an imaginary invading army; because he was such a โpeople personโ before all this, wasnโt he?! And Marlborough is so chockablock with illegal immigrants sponging off Tommyโs pimped teenage girls in Union Jack dresses and luxuriously living free in its five star hotels, innit, thou?!
The guyโs not even painted a fucking roundabout yet. Get with the program, Danny; a Waitrose shopper is your best definition of poverty!
Well, we all knew there was something very Herr Flick, or at least Von Smallhausen, about misogynistic gutless weasel Danny Kruger, MP for East Wiltshire, the motherland. Yeah, news of the day, heโs jumped ship and plans to turn his East Wiltshire constituency into an ultranationalist fortification, and thereโs not a thing the kindly folk of East Wiltshire can do to stop him.
With a mere 16% of the vote in a constituency deliberately skewered to allow Conservatives a Wiltshire safe seat in Parliament, Reform seized the day, and Danny, originally hoisted in from Richmond without a clue what a lardy cake is, is officially reformed, reborn from being dipped in Kennet, to more registered company than political party, with a tax-dodging lying scumbag dictator for a leader who is made upย entirely of foreskin. What a happy news day, what a democracy! At least smeg head Ed J Rimmer has something to crisp his jiz rag about tonight.
Meanwhile in our Lib Dem constituency life in Devizes is a landlocked beach, and according to our trustworthy journal the Gazelle and Herod, we’re all sunbathing on the dried up Crammer. This isn’t Clacton, pal, Marlborough’s suitable for you dragon slayers now, but you’ll have to pay to read that bollocks clickbait. There’s sun and rain, anyway, Jason Hughes you silly sausage, haven’t you seen? Even the sky is woke, get your notepad out for that one before the Crammer refills. We’ve got our own flotsam and jetsam issues here, without worrying if Heinrich Himmler is taking tea at The Polly, damn your eyes, sir!
Sign the petition HERE, calling on Danny Kruger to step down as an MP following his recent defection to the Reform Party. Before Kruger strikes in your dream, like the antagonist of A Nightmare on Elcot Lane.
Notify us if you organise a protest and we’ll spread the word, we do more than edgy and triggering political satire. Suggest blocking off Marlborough High Street and rally for your rights while you still can, because Oswald Mosley is laughing from his grave at you, singing, โDon’t-cha wish your girlfriend was a fascist freak like me?!โ
Milkman hours with grandkids visiting it was inevitable a five hour day shift was all I was physically able to put into this year’s Swindon Shuffle. Apologies, but it was plenty to tell they knocked it out of the park again this yearโฆ..
They don’t even need a park. Just a selection of Old Town’s finest watering holes, live music hunters, bucket collectors, sound technicians and only the damn finest collective of musicians we have around here. Such is the magnitude of this beast if you camped on the roundabout at the top of Vic hill for the whole thing you’d still miss something. I measure its success by the expression of fatigue on chief organiser Ed Dyer’s face and kindly remind him he still has a day to go, but I can only tell you what I saw.
The Shuffle is a Swindon institution, a convention for local musicians, and an opportunity for me to meet with other media types like Jamie of the Ink and Dave of Dancing About Architecture. It also serves as an indication that if Eddie Prestidge and myself have spawned The Wiltshire Music Awards this year, our sponsorship with Stone Circle securing its future years is essential, because we’ve only scratched the surface of the quality and quantity of talent in our area. For the most though, it’s a free and unmissable local music showcase raising vital funds for Prospect Hospice.
I divide the options into three variables; safe bets I’ve seen before, ones I must cross off my must-see list, and ones where I’m taking a gamble and going in blind. My only dilemma is the arrangement of them. Thankfully, while clashes are inevitable, the program is so neatly designed with consideration and expertise, each pub staggering their individual schedules every quarter of an hour, and daytime and evening sessions in neighbouring locations, so there’s the potential to stagger and catch at least a bit of all.
Harmony Asia
Safe bets firstly. My rush to get into Old Town, park up and get to the Pulpit was for Chippenham’s soulful singer-songwriter Harmony Asia. Harmony had just taken to the fireplace setting and was performing her succinct and poignantly self-penned acoustic marvels. If they’re written concisely in plain and contemporary language without cryptic riddles, it’s the delivery of them which holds a crowd spellbound. And they were, Harmony charms.
Jol Rose
The only other assured expert I paid a visit to was again at The Pulpit, a comfy new bar on Devizes Road, and that was Americana marvel Jol Rose. Stalwart and reputable, Jol is Swindon’s answer to Woody Guthrie and only a fraction away from that level of brilliance.ย
A Dylan-esque genius in all modest manners and labour, who’ll encapsulate his audience with ease, and deliver the diverse offerings of a sublime yet prolific wordsmith. Jol is a testament to the wealth of an acoustic singer-songwriter, who could pen a dejected romance song, or, as he also did, make a social or political statement with poetic divinity.
Between The Linesย
Hey look, I’ve been here before, aware the evening was young, and a plethora of accomplished bands would shake up the Beehive, Castle and Hop. Tuckered out and the patient and understanding wife twisting my arm with the promise of a homemade lasagne, I confess, I caved, it’s an age thing; but was determined not to until I crossed Between the Lines off my must-see list. If decisions are standard with the Shuffle’s exhaustive roster, this was the best one I made.
Rarely a debut single would be rewarded with an interview on Devizine, yet Melksham’s upcoming indie-rock quartet Between the Lines impressed me to be that rarity, back in February. Since I’ve been dying to catch this band I hailed โMelksham’s next big teen sensation.โ So, I’m at the grand looking Hop, and they didn’t lower my expectations any.ย
Rather, picking up on their fantastic universal appeal live, I might have to take back the โteen sensationโ label, because they played out their beguiling originals sprinkled with some aptly chosen covers with such skill, any age could appreciate. One an early Beatles classic covered accurately, another, Tears for Fearsโ Mad World, which they truly made their own.
Between The Lines appeared no more hesitant nor timid than I’d have expected; accosting them outside prior with the excitement of Spongebob probably didn’t help! All aged around seventeen, being recognised on the streets of a town they’ve never played in by an aging toothless baldy could have a negative impact! But I’m confident stage presence will come naturally with experience, because they absolutely rocked it as the crowd grew, nodding to the obvious potential of this promising band.
With an EP in the pipeline, I’m not going to shut up about them until you take heed.
Emma Doupรฉ
The second welcomingly crossed off the must-see list was also the biggest surprise; attired punk-goth was deceiving to any preconceptions I may’ve brought with me. I’ve heard of Emma Doupรฉ but was oblivious on what to expect. Needless to say, Emma has been called into action by the Shuffle team four times in a row, ergo, it was a nice surprise.
Goth, she might go there, but from the off it was clear she has the skill and experimental daring to go wherever she chooses. So diverse, any signs of any subgenre at all were subtly placed. Rather, Doupรฉ is a sublime vocalist with dynamic range, to perform her originals soulfully or operatic soprano at will, and over loops, Stratus piano and autoharp, her fashion is unique and inspiringly alternative.
Her band, The Crystal Wolf Project would showcase her in an alternative electronica trio later at The Hop, apparently. Missed it, shameful I know, but her solo performance at The Tuppenny was enough to swap Emma Doupรฉ into my safe bet category, with or without backing.
Weather
Another topping my must-see list marked safe from being dull. I heard a Weather track on Peggy-Sue’s Don’t Stop The Music Show when attending, and kept one eye on Brandon Clarke since. With the vocal style of Lewis Capaldi and boldness of Rag n Bone Man, this is damn good contemporary crossover pop you cannot ignore.
A forthright charismatic millennial Swindon showman, Weather is one you must watch if you want or not. His singles are heartfelt and moving shifts of emotive indie-nu-soul. In a lively pub environment it may not have gone down so well as when recorded or at a venue gig dedicated to his following.
Opting then to sing, rap and encourage the crowds over his prerecorded tracks like James Corden with swagger, seems Weather is here for the laugh, and it’s delightfully infectious. He could rouse a crowd of librarians to stage dive! The Tuppenny was positively bouncingโฆ.at around 6pm!
Ellis Evason
For the other few I was going in blind. Had to wonder how Ellis Evason would top Weather’s astounding crowd-pleasing blast, then realised I was jesting with him outside, and he was abruptly confident he would; such is hip hop’s general bravissimo. He had such, but was far from the archetypal rapper.
If he upstaged was debatable, but he certainly equalled Weather. Meatloaf in appearance, Eminem in rap mode, Ellis Evason undoubtedly entertained, and raised the roof with raps reflecting exactly this contradiction; surely a stroke of jazzy genius. Chunky bass-driven beats, lyrically waxed to hone his identity and purpose with precision, Ellis Evason pulled in an entourage and rocked the remaining punters respectively. It was a showstopper.
Dave Corrigan
Between Harmony and Jol was a name I’d heard but not seen. The guide describes David Corrigan as a โreasonably reclusive singer-songwriterโ who more recently has been concentrating fronting the renowned Astral Ponies, so maybe that’s the reason. He performed with certain ease, though, stripped back Astral songs, a few new ones, and was a delight to catch, if only for a few songs.
Grasslands
If we’re onto the gambles, I navigated the road block to arrive at The Tuppenny, a wonderful new favourite Swindon pub for me, where if the music isn’t to your taste you can read the DIY Beano comic wallpaper in the loo with fond memories! But rarely will it be. One man band Grasslands is wafting gorgeous and mellow experimental rock and folktronic soundscapes, in a fetching fluffy wolf hat; enjoyable.
Summary
For the novice local live music hunter, Swindon Shuffle is one of the most revealing voyages of discovery around the Southwest, and likely the only one without a fee attached. For the more experienced it’s an unearthing of upcoming acts and a vital reunion. For the musician it’s a convention. For the Prospect Hospice it’s a lifeline. For all its amazing, simple. You only need to attend an afternoon to suss this. Someone get me a campervan for next year and book me the weekend off work!ย
Melksham & Devizes Conservatives released a statement on the 7th April explaining an internal audit revealed one of their candidates was โnot qualified by residenceโฆ
Last month we were pleased to announce our involvement with the new Wiltshire Music Awards in conjunction with Wiltshire Events UK, details of which areโฆ
And there was me thinking nothing good comes out of a Monday! Today local bistro Soupchick, popular in the Devizesโ Shambles opened their second branch,โฆ
Stuffed my dinner, scanned the brief, headlonged out the door, forgot about the road diversion into the Market Place, made a u-turn, arrived at Wiltshireโฆ
It was a fantastically successful opening night for Devizes Musical Theatre at Dauntseyโs School for their latest show, Disneyโs Beauty and the Beast, and Iโฆ
The Wiltshire Music Awards are delighted to confirm a new headline partnership with Stone Circle Music Events, who will sponsor the Awards for 2025 and into 2026.
As part of this agreement, the event will be rebranded as: Stone Circle Music Events โ Wiltshire Music Awards.
This collaboration reflects Stone Circle Music Eventsโ ongoing commitment to supporting music in Wiltshire, and across the wider UK and Ireland. Their involvement will provide significant opportunities to raise the profile of the Awards, enhance the experience for participants, and strengthen engagement with the wider music community.
Benefits of this partnership include:
โข Brand Visibility: Prominent placement of the Stone Circle Music Events name across all event materials, press releases, and social media campaigns.
โข Audience Reach: Direct engagement with a diverse audience of musicians, industry professionals, and the public.
โข Prestige & Influence: Recognition as the headline supporter of one of Wiltshireโs most anticipated music events.
โข Networking Opportunities: Closer ties with event partners, sponsors, and stakeholders.
โข Catalyst for Growth: The presence of a strong lead sponsor encouraging further sponsorship and increased scale for the Awards.
Eddie Prestige of Wiltshire Music Awards said, โwe are thrilled to welcome Stone Circle Music Events as our headline sponsor. Their passion for supporting music and culture perfectly aligns with our mission to celebrate and elevate the incredible talent across Wiltshire. This partnership will allow us to grow the Awards and create an even more impactful event in 2025 and beyond.โ
Darren Worrow of Wiltshire Music Awards added, โThis is great news, and we hope it secures a future for the awards.โ
Managing Director of Stone Circle Music Events, Patrick OโSullivan said, โStone Circle Music Events are proud to support the Wiltshire Music Awards as headline sponsor. Music is at the heart of what we do, and this partnership reflects our commitment to nurturing local talent and strengthening the live music community in Wiltshire, the UK, and Ireland. We are excited to be part of such a vibrant celebration of creativity.โ
This partnership represents an exciting step forward for the Wiltshire Music Awards, helping to secure its long-term success and cement its place as a key celebration of musical talent in the region.
Following the excitement and success of the first meeting of โYour Partyโ in Swindon, a second meeting has been arranged for 18th September 7.30 – 9.30pm at Broadgreen Community Centre…..
Almost double the expected amount of people attended the first meeting. There was so much to discuss and the organisers ensured that everyone had an opportunity to share their thoughts. This resulted in the last session on the agenda being pushed over to the next meeting.
Ed Colton, one of the organisers said “We ran out of time because so many people had so much to say! For anyone who missed the first meeting, weโll be giving a short presentation of what happened, what peopleโs main concerns were, and what local issues were most pressing. Then weโll continue where we left off. This next session is all about filling roles, deciding on local actions and discovering the skills, experience and connections people have, to build โYour Partyโ and become part of the landscape in our communities.”
At the first meeting, cards of welcome were signed for asylum seekers in Swindon, which were delivered the week after. This act of humanity, solidarity and friendship has prompted the group to organise a collection of sweets and fruit for them. Please bring a small gift along to the meeting if you are able.
It’s been six months since Devizes-based young blues crooner JP Oldfield released his poignant kazoo-blowing debut EP Bouffon. He’s made numerous appearances across the circuit since and created an impressive following. Today sees him on the next leg of his musical journey, a brand new single aptly titled No Restโฆ..
If the kazoo created a unique identity for Josh, quirking up otherwise darker themes than the novelty songs you’d except the instrument to be found in, this idiosyncratic move may have caused some criticism from traditionalists who simply didn’t get it. Not me, inherent in the belief rules are made to be broken, I’m of the reckoning JP Oldfield is a contemporary rarity, a misunderstood genius finding his feet. A dedicated axemen with an axe to grind, and a singer-songwriter unafraid to explore and expose every detail of the melancholic mind maze in the encapsulating way blues legends did before him.
With this in tow, I’d argue the jukejoint authentic sound created with his haunting grizzly vocal tones, that steel guitar and beaten up suitcase pedal-drum is Marmite. Love it or hate it, JP forged an imitable style, ranging from Cash to Tom Waits and Nick Cave in comparison. I’d draw any critic’s attention to a track like Last Orders, a heart-wrenchingly honest tune which takes on the drunkard’s misery of a relationship break-up in true mellowed delta blues fashion, without kazoo. But hey, now we’ve got No Rest, a level up certainly in production and indicative of all the greatness he’s already achieved; it rocks.
There’s the sombre spiritual blues theme we’ve come to expect, but it’s a foot-stomping pace with a killer rolling riff, kazoo-less yet a perfect balance of everything else JP throws at his music. It’s deliberately raw, perfectly hard-hitting and undoubtedly JP on the best form we’ve ever seen.
In our interview a month short of a year ago, Josh gave me the impression he was something of a perfectionist. A lot of work has gone into this full bodied five minute marvel, and it shows, in its crisp sound, this composition of elements making said perfect balance, and also a enlightening video accompanying it, by Jamie R Hawkinsโ Side Owl Productions. This cones out around 6pm tonight, I’ll add the link to it here, so return after your potato waffles.
The video has a different narrative from the song, rather โthe story of the song;โ a fascinating showcase of JP’s session at Mooncalf Studios, where Nick Beere engineers the kind of tune which we might suggest JP’s feet have been found. We look forward to hearing the other songs from this session in good time, but for now this is plenty to indicate this Devizes bluesman is heading in the right direction. But Nick brought out the best in musicians while I was still doodling boobs on my school rough book!
He’s JP Oldfield, I’m just old, but I know what I like. I could dance barefoot in a barn grasping a bottle of bourbon to this, and when it gets to that irresistible bridge I’ll procrastinate my repent, letting my sins roam free for a day; though I havenโt drawn a boob on a school book for quite some considerable time!
There’s something to be said for the function duo route with universal appeal, you could be working somewhere hot! Powerhouse vocal harmony duo Reflections are back in the UK after ten successful years on the Costa Blancaโฆ.
Bringing the very best of the 60s, 70s & 80s, from Cher, Neil Diamond, Cliff Richard, The Carpenters, Shirley Bassey, Shakinโ Stevens, Queen and more, Reflections offer fantastic nights of classic hits & unforgettable entertainment.ย
Reflections return to the UK to fill venues up to 500 capacity. This vocal/harmony duo provides fantastic nights of entertainment. And they’ll be playing for free this Saturday, 13th September, at Theย Kings Arms in Amesbury. An early event from Stone Circle Eventsโ new outpost in Wiltshire, and something for all to enjoy, so dust off your gladrags and zip up your party boots!
Is it too early for the C word?! Of course not, Grinch! With DOCA’S Winter Festival confirmed for Friday 28th November this year, there will be a number of creative workshops and makery sessions, not forgetting the creation of those wonderful handmade lanterns for the parade; here’s some early sessions in which you can get creativeโฆ
A number of lantern making workshops in the run-up to the Winter Festival Lantern Parade have been allocated. Including open-to-all workshops at different venues with materials provided โ all they ask is a small donation. DOCA suggests ยฃ5 for a small lantern, which requires one light, but you are welcome to pay as you feel.
Come along to one of their open public workshops to make a lantern in preparation for the parade. All materials are provided, and all are welcome.
Image: Simon Folkard
Held at Wiltshire Museum, Long Street, Devizes, the workshop Schedules are:
Saturday 20th September – 10:15am – 13:15pm, 14:00 – 16:30.
Sunday 21st September – 10:15am – 13:15pm, 14:00 – 16:30.
If the eonian motivation of youths picking up guitars and forming bands has hit Gen Z enough that they’re two to a penny, I’m in the right place to discover one new to us, The Tuppennyโฆ.ย
An adept drummer pinched from Bristol, with the remaining homegrown members formed aย youthful and hopeful Swindon indie-rock four-piece called Ursa Way, and they’ve ploughed two years into their debut album Yesterdayโs Tomorrow, launched on the night in question. Now was the time to show it off, and they did in an exceptionally accomplished and entertaining way.
If an early start to a Friday evening one weekend before the celebrated Swindon Shuffle was risky, especially being Thursdays are usually the favoured live music nights for The Tuppenny, seems the band are risk-takers, as diving straight in with a twelve track album is ambitious.
Generous to a loyal fanbase when the archetypal EP usually appears first, for the same fiver pricetag, but equally generous are the young punks and an assortment of others who’ve gathered to see them, as they applauded their efforts as if a new wave of hysteria was imminent, which it could well be. Though, this is Old Town, the epicentre of Swindon’s nightlife, where they’ve ingeniously adopted road closure blockades to create Swindon-fashioned alfresco dining areas!
Ursa Way played out their album, but unlike the shameless enterprise of a legend, I predict it was the bulk of their repertoire, and that’s acceptable for an upcoming band. More importantly they did it with bells on; the composition tight, the delivery confident. They seemed most comfortable with a melodic pace rather than thrashing it out, but at perkier tunes they still held it harmoniously.
In a roundabout way they confessed many of their songs were sporadic and spontaneous muses rather than poignantly planned thought processes, which was both amusing and honest, perhaps ironic too I figured after listening to the album. But not as amusing as complimenting Swindon, only to then ironically knock it in a song called Shit Town of Swindon!
While not the poetry of Keats, many of their co-written songs rise above the mocking of their hometown, which if only a standout track for its satirical title, others convey more concentrated narratives. Thereโs a sense of irony throughout though, if Yesterdayโs Tomorrow is surely today, the title track is the penultimate one, and depicts a hungover hope of new horizons of a romantic interlude, in a Britpop style.
The album kicks off with Southbound, an evenly-paced contemporary punk-pop attitude sourced from millennial indie bands like Busted and McFly. Though this album flows brilliantly, itโs onto something decidedly more traditional punk two tracks in, then the aforementioned Shit Town of Swindon continues the style, Britpop influences gradually building. This one has to be anthemic in good time, particularly for their Swindonite fanbase.
Chasing the Sun four tunes in really picks up the pace, again with a comment on their hometown, but with optimism riding the narrative; thereโs a clever and simple hook equal to the previous one here, proving these boys know how to construct a pop song with energy and enthusiasm.
A ballad, Just a Game follows, balancing the pace, and again proving something, that Ursa Way are no one trick pony. Noahโs Nosey Neighbour takes an almost prog-rock style to Britpop, creativity abound here too, this rocks with surprising substance, and weโre only halfway through this twelve-tracks-strong brilliant debut album.
With adroit contrasts in riffs, mainstream rock influences, perfectly placed hooks and intelligent lyrics, thereโs promise in this album that Ursa Way are destined to create something much more memorable, but right now the potential signs are all encompassed in Yesterdayโs Tomorrow. It ends with Another, a monstrously clever drifting Britpop tune seemingly about jealousy, dripping with edge and emotion.
They played this album out at The Tuppenny on Friday, reflecting the feeling weโll be hearing more of this young band in the future, and the gig felt like a groundbreaking moment for them, in respect of that notion.ย
I love the Tuppenny, a hospitable tavern with universal appeal. Thursdays are the live music nights usually, but as I said, itโs Swindon Shuffle next weekend, see my recommendations here, Iโm certain some were at the Tuppenny!
Renowned Devizes auctioneers and valuers, Henry Aldridge and Son announced today they are relocating their auction rooms to The Old Emporium, a Grade II listedโฆ
by Ian Diddamsimages by Ann Ellison. What can possibly be better than watching a performance of โBlood Brothersโ by Willy Russell? Watching TWO performances ofโฆ
by Ian Diddamsimages by Josie Mae Ross and Richard Fletcher John Hodge is well known for his screenwriting of โShallow Graveโ, โThe Beachโ, โA Lifeโฆ
It’s been a rocky road for Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts (DOCA) these last few years, and I didn’t mean the crushed biscuits and marshmallows sort! Cuts to Arts Funding has meant the unfortunate cancellation of a large part of their annual free event programme. Townsfolk and The Town Council have both been helpful in stepping up to assist. A limited and last-minute carnival went ahead last weekend and was hailed a success; now DOCA looks towards the autumn and winter season optimisticallyโฆ..
Announcing today they’ve been awarded their full winter funding from Arts Council England, and this is fantastic news for the town means DOCA can now move forward in bringing Winter Festival to life and preparing for an amazing Lantern Parade.
โWe’re deeply grateful to Arts Council England for believing in our vision and investing in our community’s creative future,โ they said. โThis funding doesn’t just support our organisation, it supports the entire Devizes arts community and all the talented festival makers, audience, and participants who make our work possible.โ
โA heartfelt thank you also goes out to our wonderful Devizes community for your ongoing support, enthusiasm, and participation. You are the heart of everything we do.โ
We owe it to DOCA to really ring out the bells on this one. Great news, and we look forward to it. You know, whatever Devizine can do to help, you only need to ask; though I’ve always wanted to be Father Christmas, if you can take a ho-ho-hint!!
There was a time not so long ago when I See Orange was the most exciting new band in Swindon. Their latest offering released at the end of August, a single entitled Doll Guts, truly positions them way above that pedestal and I predict and hope, onto the international marketโฆ.
Though thereโs a nod to the bandโs roots in the accompanying picturesque video, in the way of stage show clips from Swindonโs premier venue The Victoria, itโs consolidated with professional storyboard shots of their playfully cute mien, contrasting their macabre component, commonly associated with grunge. Itโs an original design identity theyโve manufactured to great success, but never has it been so symbolically recognisable as in this song, and video. The title alone reflects the winsome-dark contrast and their penchant for dolls, and horror, yet thatโs only one element which causes me to hail it their greatest song to date, and the next level up.
Doll Guts is perhaps more melodiously memorable than anything I See Orange has put out in the past, the moreish affiliation of pop, without watering down those gorgeous roaring guitar riffs and thumping drums; greater than the chord simplicity of The Cardigansโ Losing My Favourite Game, but equally punchy. Imagine Hole writing the theme of Twin Peaks; this is evocatively fantasised themed, with a singalong chorus, rising and falling like the paragon of classic grunge, yet their own divine spin.
I loved the drive of Mental Rot, the spookiness of Witch, but Doll Guts is the delineation, incorporating all the elements and symbolism of I See Orangeโs design and launching them back out there in true colours. You have to love this, everyone in the human race, surely?! You donโt have to be the number one Nirvana fanboy. In fact, while mawkish soft metal turned me away from rock in the late eighties, causing me to miss out on grunge, it has been through local bands like I See Orange, Life in Mono, The Belladonna Treatment and Liddington Hill, which has opened my eyes to its power and worth, so, thanks for that!
I See Orange match with a chemistry every band must envy. Formed in 2022 when frontgirl Giselle, originally a folk-pop singer-songwriter moved here from Mexico, and an impromptu rehearsal session with Cameron and Charlie established potential magic. Inspired by nineties and millennial alt-rock, they add their own unique post-grunge flavour. I have believed it works for sometime now, an accolade burgeoning with pace, seeing them gig in London and beyond, and this song confirms the praise theyโre gaining is fully deserved.ย
One of Swindon’s premier grunge pop-punkers, The Belladonna Treatment released their debut single, Bits of Elation, with London-based SODEH Records earlier this month. I spokeโฆ
A second single from Swindon Diva Chloe Hepburn, Situationships was released this week. With a deep rolling bassline, finger-click rhythm and silky soulful vocals, thisโฆ
I’m delighted to announce Devizine will be actively assisting to organise a new county-wide music awards administration, in conjunction with Wiltshire Music Events UK. Theโฆ
Can You Find The Wiltshire Potholes From The Moon Craters?! Now, at Devizine Towers we are far too mature and sensible to mock Wiltshire Councilโsโฆ
Review by Pip Aldridge Last week, I had the privilege of seeing the Fulltone Orchestra perform at the beautiful Tewkesbury Abbey beneath the Peace Dovesโฆ
Local people can find out more about a brand new state of the art Integrated Care Centre opening in the town in early 2026 at an evening information event on Thursday 11 September from 6.30- 8.30pm at the Holy Trinity Church in Trowbridge.….
The event will be a great opportunity for local people to find out more about the new centre, meet local NHS representatives behind the project, as well as local councillors.
They will also have an opportunity to hear more about the services that will be provided in the new building, see photos, plans, models, and ask questions.
The ยฃ16 million centre will replace the nearby Trowbridge Community Hospital and deliver BSW ICBโs long-term strategic vision of putting more services in the heart of local communities.
Tea and coffee will be available.
This event is part of wider engagement, with more drop-in sessions planned at local venues:
Fri 19 Sept, 09.30โ13.30 โ Trowbridge Library Fri 3 Oct, 11.00โ15.00 โ Shires Shopping Centre Fri 24 Oct, 11.00โ15.00 โ Asda, The Shires Sat 8 Nov, 10.00โ15.00 โ Weavers Market, Town Hall Wed 10 Dec, 08.00โ13.30 โ Trowbridge Market
What, again?! Another article about Talk in Code?! Haven’t they had enough Devizine-styled publicity?! Are their heads swelling?!ย
Didn’t that crazy toothless editor catch them at The Vic in Swindon just last week? And now The Southgate in Devizes? Isnโt that his second home anyway?!
Hold back your keyboard warrior typing fingers from those vicious comment sections, critic, I will attempt to answer these burning questions I falsely imagine straining from your lips, in a short piece about a Sunday gig well worth mentioningโฆ..
Yes, again, it is another article about Talk in Code. It’s either that or I risk playing a brain training game on my phone; it’s Monday, and my brain refuses instruction.
Yes, they’ve been showered with love from us, but being this an opinion based blog, I reserve my right to express my honest opinion; they deserve it! I have succumbed to being a T-shirt embossed โtalker,โ a more family fashioned classification than fanbase.
If the idiom of enlarged heads implies they have a conceited, exaggerated sense of self-importance due to our consistent splatters of flattery, that’s the biggest untruth you could suggest about them. I only said it in ironic jest; woe is me for my fractured sense of humour; pinch of salt, please!
Whilst their performances are showy, that’s pop; they’re the most down to earth bunch you’ll ever have the pleasure to meet … .especially musicians!! Observe them engaging with their audience, young to old. Observe the attention they attract wherever they happen to play as being a product of their universal brilliance. If they appear excitable about this, it derives from their dedication, motivation, and the deserved positive feedback from their audience, not a two-bit blogger!
So what, yeah I was at the Vic last week for their awesome single launch gig, when I said it was theย best I’ve ever seen them play, suggesting perhaps because it was on their home turf. I’m considering taking this back after catching them yesterday, for two reasons, firstly but less important, Swindon is only home to two of them, Snedds is home here in Devizes, or as near as dammit. Secondly, pop grows on you, the more you listen the more the hook catches you, and they have this down to a T, so maybe the level of skill they’ve attained has now become standard as more fans amass;ย it certainly seemed that way Sunday at the Southgate. They rocked it with professional ease, just as they did the Vic, as they always do, and it was only a Sunday afternoon at Devizesโ answer to the O2 arena. Given the actual O2, I predict they’d rock that one, too!
Matter of fact, I’ve not been down the Gate for what feels like ages, honest, mum! This occasion was purely circumstantial; I was in town to attend the dress rehearsal of an emotionally sobering play at the Wharf. It is fantastically evocative and reflects a sad time for me personally. See the review to understand, and go see the play. I needed cheering up, and being that it ended when the gig was kicking off, I thought I could sit in the back row and scribe some thoughts on my phone with a pint. It didn’t quite work out this way, not for the want of trying, because Talk in Code’s sound is irresistible, and yeah, it cheered me up a treat.
I’ve not been down The Gate recently, what with a summer season of festivals, a family holiday and inflation mugging us all off. But being the Southgate is so insatiably irresistible, friendly, and affordable too by comparison, I slip back into its gorgeous rustic appeal like a glove, anyone would.
I’ve stated numerous times how my honest opinion casts it as the best pub locally, these facts stick more than mud, and perhaps it hasn’t been that long, it only feels like it has! George seemed to remember me as a gullible accessory to doggie biscuit snatching crimes. Autumn drawing in, save me the cosy chair.
All hail Talk in Code and The Southgate too. The first play top class indie-pop within a more humble local scene than following a national pop star and praying you can mortgage your home for a ticket to see. The latter is a cathedral to our humble scene, and lively pub culture too, with a rich history of showcasing local musical talent, one all our writers have been disciples of since day dot.
There’s so many artists still to mention, pinky promises I will, all in good time, but a Talk in Code gig at The Gate, despite catching them only last week, was still too good not to drop into!
Valedictorian graduate of Bates College in Maine, and with a PhD in neuroscience from Harvard, neuroscientist Lisa Genova self-published her debut novel, Still Alice in 2007. Acquired for publishing two years later, Still Alice made The New York Times Best Seller list, was adapted for the stage by Christine Mary Dunford of Chicago’s Lookingglass Theatre Company, and spurred a 2014 movie by Memento Films, winning Julianne Moore an Academy Award. Under the direction of John Winterton, The Wharf Theatre brings this poignant play to Devizesโฆโฆ
It’s lovely to be back at Devizesโ cosy and communal theatre. Ian assigned himself our theatre critic and while his brilliant inside knowledge is gratefully appreciated, I figured I fancy this one, as I have a personal angle on the plot. Alzheimerโs Society suggests โevery 3 minutes someone in the UK develops dementia,โ therefore I imagine many others will find relevance in it too, and if not, might one day.
We found it amusing at the beginning, my Nan in Dad’s car still wearing her slippers for a party, and other trivial mishaps. But the last time I saw her I was saddened to note she didn’t remember me, as she spoke to me of her โhusband,โ rather than address him as โgrandad.โ My children were young and understandably apprehensive about going into the care home. But when they plucked up courage my boy stood before her and she was delighted to be face-to-face with who she assumed was me. Here was the relieving point; I realised she hadn’t forgotten me, she just didn’t recognise me because thirty-plus years was missing from her memory; thank you genetics!
The journey between these two points in time was arduous for her and our family. For her it went from confusion to frustration and onto an immune state of obviousness. Lisa Genova wrote Still Alice in first person narrative from the point of view of Alice, a university professor at the height of her career who is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimerโs disease; it mirrors what we went through, and sheds a fascinating light onto what my Nan must’ve gone through too.
The play honours the narrative perspective by an ingenious method of a personification of Alice’s psyche. With a dual-Alice on stage, the real Alice, played sublimely by Linda Swann, says what she believes she should say, while her conscious shadowing her, equally delivered with skill by a younger version of Alice, Sophie Kerr, offers the audience an insight into what she is thinking. Just as I suggested, with the lost time of my Nanโs mind, Alice perceives herself as being younger, so this age gap works as her sense of reason, until reason runs short in her mind and her consciousness is reduced to the childlike drawing of pictures.
There are many elements to the happenings in the play which anyone who has experienced a loved one going through Alzheimerโs or dementia will recognise, and tears might trickle. There’s periods of thought-provoking awkward silence, intense confrontation at others, when the confusion turns to frustration. There’s poignant reality and touching scenes as the family come to terms with Alice’s deteriorating mind. There’s thought processes from Alice exposed, causing you to identify with her greater than that of her family; a window into the mindset of anyone suffering with this terrible condition.
Overall, akin to a film like Schindler’s List, this is a play you might not want to face, oh, but you must, and you should.
Still Alice is evoking brilliance, you will leave impelled to discuss the subject further. It raises awareness of this horrifying condition and doesnโt meander from this for any purposes of entertainment. On the impaired particularly, the sentiment is pragmatic, but also in her relationship with her family and their emotions, all poignantly represented and acted with believable precision by John Myles, as the calm under pressure husband, Adam Sturges as the solicitude son, and Kezia Richards as the estranged daughter.
Still Alice raises awareness about Alzheimerโs or dementia in a similar way as Barry Levinsonโs Rain Man raised awareness of autism, but only if we could have seen into the mind of Raymond would it be any more comparable. Thatโs the beauty of theatre, this is a play with the power to change you.ย
Still Alice runs at The Wharf Theatre, Devizes from September 1st until September 6th 2025, Tickets HERE or at Devizes Books.
World Alzheimerโs Day is Sunday 21st September. You can find more information about local dementia groups at Alzheimerโs Support, and sign up for their Walk to Remember at Wilton House, HERE.
If many space-rock acts have more band member changes than most other musicians change their socks, Hawkwind are the exemplar of the tendency. There mightโฆ
The second single from Georgeโs sessions with Jolyon Dixon is out today, Isnโt She Lonely. With the vaudeville ambience of Queenโs later material and sprinklesโฆ
It had to happen eventually, but how much is too much? It seems, at over 200 years old, the second biggest and one of Wiltshireโs most iconic white horses, The Alton Barnes White Horse has been defaced with the St. George’s Crossโฆ.
As the clouds cleared this morning, All Cannings parish clerk noticedย something different about the hill figure of Milk Hill. It seems it’s unfortunately been a victim of the patriotic media-hyped frenzy of painting the St George’s Cross on any white surface.
Photoshopped images of the cross painted onto the Westbury White Horse appeared on social media at the beginningof this fad, only to be quickly denounced as fake by residents. But, as far as we know at this time, this one is sadly genuine.
The Patriots wanted to fly the flag, and no one minded, most supported the idea despite unveiled evidence many had done so to deliberately upset foreign visitors and immigrants. The irony here being, the only folk this will upset will be locals.
That backfiring,ย they then took to painting the cross on roundabouts, zebra crossings, and signposts. This aggravated some, calling it vandalism and pointing out the costs to councils to repaint them and possible dangers they might cause. Now, it seems gravestones and other sentimental objects are being targeted as this frenzy competitively builds into mayhem.
But to deface our treasured monuments is surely a step too far, and far from patriotic, don’t you think? If you genuinely love “Englamp” you would surely respect its history and monuments.
Time to crawl back into your cages and declaw. Rainfall washed their pathetic stunt away, so the last laugh is on the culprits!
Swindon’s annual colossal fundraising event The Shuffle is a testament to local live music, which raises funds for Prospect Hospice. If you’re ever going to spend a weekend in Swindon, believe me, the 11th-14th September is the oneโฆ..
An entirely free stroller festival centred in Old Town; saunter the eight venues at your leisure and discover a wealth of talent, mostly ฤบocally sourced. Pop some cash in the buckets and help raise some funds as Old Town comes alive with the sound of music!
As usual I’m going to be the judge and jury for this piece, and recommend those who I personally know who will deliver great sets to amaze you. But in no way is it an exhaustive list, for there will be many others and sometimes you have to put your little toe into the waters and find acts unbeknown to you, for the surprise element; an event of exploration! Whatever you do discover you can rest assured, every act is cherrypicked by the Shuffle Team, of Ed Dyer, a promoter who knows his stuff, Jamie Hill of Swindon Link, Kelly Adams, Paul โPajโ Jellings, Avril Jellings, Linda Gulliford, and Paul Gemmill, all equally as aware of what makes Wiltshire rock.
Thereโs a printed program, online too; I’m working off that. Given the fantasy scenario of having the whole weekend to attend and choose between the huge lineup, hereโs how I would tackle the mammoth task of maximising my experience…….
Without further ado, then, Thursday 11th of September belongs to The Tuppenny on Devizes Road, and the Hop, literally a hop across the road. A clash already, 7:15 at the Hop, Bathโs spacey indie outfit Aqaba kick off proceedings, while Swindon soul singer Chloe Hepburn is at the Tuppenny at half past; tricky disco to begin, but Chloe has been on my must-see list for a while!
8pm at the Hop, Sebastain and Me is a deffo, but youโve only a quarter of an hour to drink up and catch the amazing Joli Soul at the Tuppenny. Again, I would be wearing out the traffic lights or flipping a coin. Iโm unaware of all the headliners from there at both fantastic venues, yet the Tuppeny seems more funky soul and jazz while the Hop is indie, so it would be whether I packed my jazz hat or not!
Friday 12th September again is at The Hop, The Vic aptly on Victoria Road, and the Castle on Prospect Hill. Easy picking to begin with, itโs our favourite Marlboroughโs goth duo Deadlight Dance, on at 7:15 at the Castle.
In fact, Iโd feel inclined to stay at the Castle unless Iโm feeling like Dora the Explorer (which is surprisingly common for me!) as after a new one on me, Loophole, the amazing mod/new wave/britop cover band, whoโve just begun recording originals, Static Moves is on at 8:45, followed by Black Hats, new to me but promising something skanking, and SN Dubstation, who as the name suggest is Swindonโs premier contemporary reggae export. The Hop is mostly folk on Friday, the Vic is indie-punk-rock and the Castle is alternative and reggae. If I was to fancy venturing off to The Vic, it would be at 10pm for Viduals, an emerging indie rock band who play it hard!
Saturday 13th then, when reality checks in, for this is the only day Iโm likely to be able to make it up to Swindon for realz! You can get a bus from Devizes, you know, they run late now!
All guns blazing, The Tuppenny and the Pulpit rule the daytime, from 2pm until dinnertime, and The Hop, The Castle and the Beehive on Prospect Hill take the evening shift.
The great Jim Blair starts at the Pulpit, a new venue to me, but hey, Chippenham singer-songwriter Harmony Asia plays at 3:15 and thatโs simply unmissable in my honest opinion. Oh but oh, Iโve heard so much good stuff about Swindonโs pop star Kate X, who is on at The Tuppenny at 3:30, and seriously recommend her too!
Shedric and David Corringan at the Pulpit are two Iโd love to see, and Swindonโs answer to Dylan, the incredible Jol Rose is a must-see at 5:30, but dammit, at the Tuppenny has Emma Doupe at 5pm, followed by the freshest indie-pop fellow I simply must touch base with, Weather at 5:45pm. Ed Dyer, what are you putting me through here, or has Swindon got free cloning booths on every street corner now? Weโre a little behind the times in Devizes!!
Saturday evening, and right, and Iโve made my mind up about how to attack this, though itโs always subject to change. Bit of cheese, sir? At the Castle from 7:15 with Calneโs comedy rock band The Real Cheesemakers is tempting, Gromit, but thereโs a young Melksham band called Between the Lines on at 7pm at The Hop. I cannot lie, these winners of Take the Stage I wanted to play the Music Awards, for while they weren’t nominated, they should have been and I wanted folk to know why. Iโm heading that way and will report on my findings, hopefully bring them to Devizes by hook or by crook!
The Hop continues with lots worth exploring, Iโve heard particularly good electronica things about The Crystal Wolf Project, there at 9:15, and Iโve seen headliners Trunk who will ram the place with devoted fans. But look, The Beehive might be my final Saturday resting place. Dulcet Tones at 8pm, then Bristolโs Hannah-Rose Platt; look, just read my album review HERE and youโll understand this is without doubt a must. And, double-whammy, she is preceded by one of my all time favourite Swindon bands ever, the dark twisted country of Concrete Prairie. Always a must, especially at the Beehive at 9:30pm; save me a quarter of an inch to squeeze into, somewhere near the Tardis.
After that Iโm anyoneโs cheap date! Maybe Iโd check out the Castle, as itโs downhill and looking like hard rock underfoot with Lucky Number Seven coming the most personally recommended, at 9:30pm and followed by Modern Evils.
Then thereโs Sunday 14th September, doesnโt Swindon Shuffle know when to stop?! Wowzers it gets better; The Pulpit, Tuppenny and Beehive are up for your attention. Daytime, 1pm at the Tuppeny for Plummie Racket, stay there for Sienna Wileman and youโll be glad you did. But pop across to the Pulpit for 2:15 where Devizes is represented by our most excellent blues crooner and kazoo blasting JP Oldfield. I love this guy; Devizes man-hug!
Itโs a Chippenham takeover from then at The Pulpit, Mexican Dave Iโd recommend at 3pm, but M3G is a must and one of my personal favourite singer-songwriters on the local scene right now. Just prior to M3G though, be very tempted to nip back to the Tuppenny at 3:15 when Richard Wileman and Amy Fry do their thing, and thatโs worth its weight in gold.
Across to the Beehive for the finale to what looks like another unforgettable Shuffle, 6pm, Canuteโs Plastic Army is unmissable, and so too is Joe Kelly & the Royal Pharmacy at 7:30pm.
No forgoing the fringe events, a Shuffle quiz night at the Beehive on Wednesday 10th, the Shuffle Community Ceilidh with The Cowshed Ceilidh Collective Saturday night at Eastcott Community Centre from 7pm, and open vinyl DJ sessions at The Prospect Hospice Book & Music Shop on Victoria Road, each day midday till 4pm.
Then, youโve only got to wait until the end of January for the Shuffleโs winter version Swinterfest! Swindon Shuffle is a whoโs who of local music, a convention and an institution, a fundraiser like no other, and you wonโt even have to navigate the Magic Roundabout, pinky promise!
A new music festival is coming to Devizes this July. Organisers of the long-running Marlborough based festival MantonFest are shifting west across the downs andโฆ
All images: ยฉ๏ธ JS Terry Photography An awards ceremony to celebrate the outstanding musical talent within the city, aptly titled The 2024 Salisbury Music Awards,โฆ
Monsieur, with these Exchange Comedy night you are really spoiling us, for usually comedy in Devizes is just what we make ourselves; laughing at visitorsโฆ
A drone operated by Wiltshire Hunt Sabs was attacked by a second drone, twice, while surveying The Beaufort Hunt, after it recorded them illegally huntingโฆ
Without sounding like a stuck record, itโs the same unfortunate news for Devizes Street Festival as it was last year; Arts Council England has notโฆ
The lawn is still frazzled but the apples and leaves are falling; the weather might not know what season itโs supposed to be running, but all is not lost as we look at what Devizes blues appreciation society, Long Street Blues Club has to entertain us throughout the next season, or threeโฆ.
Their season doesnโt end until January, actually making it more like half a year, and weโll find John Otway and Wild Willy Barrett on stage, kicking off the summer season in June, but thereโs a lot to get through heading up to that, gigs and a number of specials.
Jon Amor & Friends
Firing on all cylinders for a grand start, doors crash open on Saturday 20th September 2025 when Leonardo Guiliani supports homegrown Hoax member Jon Amor at the Conservative Club. A local legend who needs no introduction to Devizes blues aficionados. You can rest assured Jon will be bringing his trio, drum and bass comrades Jerry Soffe and Tom Gilkes, and an abundance of special guests cherrypicked from his vast circle of legendary friends, including John Baggott, pianist for Portishead and Robert Plant, organist Johnny Henderson, Scott McKeon guitarist for Tom Jones, guitarist Will Edmunds, and Craig Crofton on sax.
What a way to begin, but predictably popular, so early booking is advised. Advance Tickets are ยฃ18.00 from usual outlets or book online (online booking fee applies) Tickets ยฃ20.00 on the door. The deal is the same for all Long Street Blues gigs at the Conservative Club, unless otherwise stated.
October sees three entirely different gigs. On Saturday the 4th The Dirt Road Band returns, by overwhelming popular demand. The brainchild of guitar legend Steve Walwyn, mainly known as the longest serving guitar player in Dr Feelgood, The Dirt Road Band recruited the services of Ted Duggan, a professional since the 60s, including stints with Badfinger and world techno giants Banco de Gaia, and bassist Horace Panter, better known as a founding member of The Specials.ย
Saturday 18th October Ben Poole is back. A young act to watch, Ben Poole and his band return to the club after a sensational night in April. Jeff Beck called them โf***ing amazing,โ need we say more?!
Rock & Roll Circus
Observing all health and safety regulations, on Friday 31st October Long Street Blues Club members march girl-boy, girl-boy across to the Corn Exchange for a special trip back to the sixties. Unusual to see tribute acts organised by the club, so while it might be a wildcard, itโs not to be trifled at, because a Rock & Roll Circus is promised; the gig that never happened!ย
The very best tributes to three British rock giants, The Who, The Beatles and The Stones, namely Who’s Next, The Beatles For Sale and The Rollin Stoned, will surely wriggle you down memory lane!ย
With the aid of authentic stage wear and instruments, Whoโs Next recreates a magical point in time in the early 1970s when many believed that The Who were the greatest pop and rock group on Earth. Similarly The Beatles For Sale pride themselves on replicating the Fab 4’s onstage image, sparing no expense with their equipment and outfits, with the ultimate intention to recreate the magic of the Beatles in their sixties heyday.
The Rollin Stoned have toured their affectionate tribute to The Rolling Stones for over 27 years, sharing billing with the likes of Dr John, Status Quo, Suzie Quatro and Jerry Lee Lewis.
Advance Tickets are ยฃ30.00 for this great night out, from usual outlets or book online (online booking fee applies) Tickets ยฃ35.00 on the door.
Into November, no hanging about, as Last Train Smokin’ pulls into the station to support The Ian Parker Band on Saturday 1st November 2025. Another returning favourite.ย
Aberdeen’s finest are back on Saturday 22nd November, The Gerry Jablonski Band with support from Firekind.ย
Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse
Then, an early Christmas present. Yes, itโs a California-Devizes crossover, with favourites Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse at The Corn Exchange on Friday 5th December. Hoax member Robin Davey returns to his hometown with Louisiana born and bred, award-winning vocalist Greta Valenti and their band, and itโs something to behold. I strongly suggest you get in quickly with this one if you wish to start winter in style.
Advance Tickets are ยฃ25.00 from usual outlets or book online (online booking fee applies) Tickets ยฃ28.00 on the door.
If that doesnโt warm your winter cockles nothing will, but their Christmas party is actually on Saturday 20th December 2025 when the โperfect band for our Xmas partyโ Dino Baptiste & Night Train appear. A highly energetic London soul and boogie-woogie pianist, Dino Baptiste has a smattering of Ray Charles, and will get the club jumping.
And into the new year we find Oregon harmonica player Curtis Salgado, the man who taught John Belushi the blues while on set at the filming of 1977โs Animal House, team up with European multi award-winning blues harmonica virtuoso Giles Robson.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest blues and soul singers to have emerged in the last fifty years, Curtis Salgado is finally getting the recognition he deserves. Long Street Blues is one of only three dates he is playing.
Thatโs Saturday 17th January 2026; work off some Quality Street, because the next gig isnโt until Monday 8th June, with John Otway and Wild Willy Barrett on stage. Yet one thing is for sure, Long Street Blues Club are quenching the thirst for blues in Devizes folk, and they usually have a big appetite for it!!
Bussing into Devizes Saturday evening, a gaggle (I believe is the appropriate collective noun) of twenty-something girls from Bath already on-board, disembark at The Marketโฆ
Once the demonic entity Spring-Heeled Jack entered folklore it became subject to many books and plays, diluting the once real threat of this Victorian bogeymanโฆ
Devizes singer-songwriter Jamie Hawkins, famed for poignant narrative in his songs and one-third Lost Trade, has always had a passion for filmmaking; Teeth is theโฆ
There are only a few tickets left for this yearโs Devizes Festival of Winter Ales, an important fundraiser for DOCAโฆ.. This year DOCA has teamedโฆ
There was a geographical population imbalance this bank holiday Monday in Devizes which risked the entire town conically sloping into the back of Morrisons; no one seemed the slightest concerned! It’s Black Rat Monday at The British Lion, the stuff of Dorothy House fundraising burgers, potent beverages and contemporary folkloreโฆ.
Recorded here for prosperity, as itโs dubious that other accounts of the event would be recited with much precision when passed through the generations, that once upon a time in ye olde Devizes, natives satirically dubbed their annual street festival โBlack Rat Monday.โ
The name derived from a scrumpy brand popular at a bar run by CAMRA award-winning and stalwart Devizes freehouse, The British Lion. Contractual matters one year caused a breakup between the carnival committee and the pub. Being โBlack Rat Mondayโ was a folk eponym, ergo in the public domain, and the committee likely never appreciated it anyway, The British Lion adopted the name for an occasion of their own making, and the rest is history.
It’s a fable of self-reliance, apolitical empowerment, and mass consumption of scrumpy, though other drink options are available! Leading to a meek event of anti-consumerism, save the Black Rat Monday t-shirt and drink, community-driven subversion, and a crowded beer garden full of merriment, whilst it would seem the elaborate original festival has fallen by the wayside due to arts funding cuts.
This particular year saw the event blossom to bursting point, attracting townsfolk en masse, under the simple premise, it’s now as much of a โDevizes thingโ as raking barrels of contraband brandy out of the Crammer or annually lobbing confetti at each other in a peculiar frenzy.
Reasoning why roots to the pub itself, because while other taverns change according to trends, else end up as antique shops or housing estates, the simplest of systematics of The British Lion stand firm, equable and imperishable. And Devizions love โgurtโ tradition. If it’s not brokenโฆ..
But what helps, and always does, is acquiring the most suitable entertainment; usually locally sourced, not this time, but equally as welcomed. Long-standing and living legend landlord Mike Dearing revealed his heuristic thinking was to provide an act weโve likely not seen before on our circuit.
For the universal audience the conventional is best, therefore, primarily a function party band, Bristol’s The 789s made a perfect choice. They were lively, proficient, exceptionally accomplished and seemingly pleased to be there. With a vast repertoire spanning every corner of classic singalong pop, they joyfully delivered them all, for sweaty hours, and until Sweet Caroline finalised the cumulation, by which time the crowds were chanting it back to them and dancing on whatever small patch of sun-bleached grass they could suitably fit into.
A punk cover band planned to follow, which duty-bound as Dad’s taxi, I had to miss unfortunately. But The 789โs had roused the audience to a conclusion that there was little doubt anyone could now falter this year’s Black Rat Monday; I’d go out on a limb to suggest it was the best one to date.
There was Parklife, there was Red, Red, Wine, The Proclaimersโ marching song, I’m Gonna Be, and every crowd-pleaser sublimely covered by both male and female vocalists, but only one of them sporting butterfly sunglasses. I don’t want to get all decimal on you after such a strenuous scrumpy surfeit, but The 789’s truly turned it up to ten, at least. For which they were rewarded a gallant cheer of Devizes-fashioned appreciation as they sauntered through the crowds back to the pub, akin to newlywed couple they had undoubtedly performed for many times before!
This respectful display of gratitude, and the whole shebang in general genuinely makes me honoured to document what happens in our lovely, lovely town. For you can bicker on Facebook pages all you want, you can thrash out the rights or wrongdoings of graffiting flags on mini-roundabouts, or pin the blame on someone for a road closure, but Steve Dewar’s brilliant popup youth cafe had kids enjoying a climbing wall on the Green, the sun was shining, and humble folk in the British Lion were laughing and singing, for we all live under that same sun, and that captures the true Devizes spirit, right here in The British, surely?!
A sublime evening of electronic elegance was had at Bathโs humble Rondo Theatre last night, where Cephidโs album, Sparks in The Darkness, was played outโฆ
I caught up with an excited Jonathan Hunter, leader of Devizes Town Councilโs independent party The Guardians, and local loyal youth worker Steve Dewar toโฆ
Experience the Bradford on Avon Green Man Festival, a vibrant, family-friendly community gathering featuring traditional dance, music, song, and folklore throughout the town centre onโฆ
If Iโm considering reviewing worldwide music again, why stop with this planet?! Though Iโve reasoned two tenacious links to mention this madcap Scottish interstellar outfit;โฆ
It was only ever supposed to be a single launch gig but it could’ve been for a gold-crested gatefold triple LP, because Talk in Code were larging it last night at their hometown premier venue, Swindon’s Victoria. The crowd was ecstatic and the atmosphere was highly flammableโฆ..strike a light!
If witnessing a great band on their own turf adds a communal elevation to the thrill of seeing them at all, Talk in Code certainly pulled out all the stops, even if the je-ne-sais quoi of these masters of indie-pop perform with sublime quality anywhere they happen to appear.
If this crossing the friend barrier themed quintessential grower, More Than Friendssits perfectly into their eighties vibe discography, we were leaked forthcoming singles might venture somewhere slightly different, but right here, now, at The Vic, Talk in Code was rewarded equal rapturous praise in throwing it out there as they were marching triumphantly through their beloved anthems.
Tunes which, like the best memorable pop, have universal and timeless appeal. At a Talk in Code gig you could mute the sound and still comprehend that the individual takes what they want from their style by observing the diversity of the demographic present. Here, this tight group of musicians evoke memories of everything gorgeous about eighties pop from Ah-Ha to Simple Minds, for me. One generation younger, especially when they backtracked to Oxygen, might wallow in nineties indie, and likewise youth will recognise their own contemporary influences.
If homeliness provides confidence to experiment, we were treated to something I’ve never seen Talk in Code do before; as the band Twix breaked, dynamic Adidas- sponsored frontman Chris Stevens proved he was no one trick pony, and blessed the Vic with an immaculate acoustic number, an original he called We Remain.
If appreciation was a pair of knickers, Talk in Code would have a visible panty line, as devotee โTalkersโ in blue sunglasses and merch amassed between Vic regulars, equally relishing their vibrant, danceable and electric hoedown! And all took home a CD embossed goodie bag akin to a toddler’s birthday party, save a slice of squashed sponge cake!
Yet if there’s an honourable family-fashioned ambience surrounding this band, where Talkers would follow them to the four corners of the globe, else create Lego fan-videos or shower them with deserved fondness, the mood for a quality evening was pre-set by two awesome support acts TiC cherrypicked.
Gloucestershire soloist, songwriter and modelFlora Flora opened the gig with acoustic splendour. New to me, I’m now keenly following her socials. Not because she took control of my phone from my intoxicated sausage fingers to ensure I did, though she did, but because I’ve since come to realise there’s subsequent levels to her talent than the perfection of her rocking performance last night!
An inspiring Gen Z Swifty wordsmith, crafting evocative songs praised and played by our hero James Threlfall on BBC Introducing. A new one drops on streaming platforms on 29th August but is available now on Bandcamp, Need to Say; it’s far more ethereal than Flora Flora’s edgier performance, and you’ll be foolish not to bookmark it as a favourite; fill your ankle-length boots.
Penultimate act, Bristol-Swindon longstanding five-piece rockers Riviera Arcade, I must confess, I preconceived to be a fair, hard rock band; they certainly came out like one. It only took near to the completion of the first song for me to come to complex reasoning why they’re punching well above that weight. Multi-layered precision with captivating guitar riffs set me contemplating subtle nods to eighties mod or punk, sometimes skanking, but still, it heralded heavier rock. They’ve a 2022 album Gone By Ten on stream, so you can hear what I’m waffling about.
An interesting and certainly unique style which, while I was thinking The Police or Costello, they finalised their set of beguiling originals with an apt and superbly delivered cover of The Stonesโ Paint it Black, a perfect summary to their ethos. I returned home as a newfound fan, a bit wobbly on my feet and Notra-Dame bells ringing in my ears fan, but deffo a fan!
Talk in Code was officially on the best form I’ve ever had the pleasure to witness, but it was the combination of acts, venue and atmosphere which famed this fantastic night too; The Vic is renowned for doing so, historically. Owner Darren Simons assured me, though the venue is up for grabs, it’s only going to someone prepared to continue in his shoes, so this flagship to Wiltshire live music should thankfully continue to reign; dodge magic roundabouts and onwards to The Shuffle!
The team behind popular all-day music extravaganza, My Dadโs Bigger Than Your Dad Festival, can now reveal that nearly ยฃ11,500 was raised for Prospect Hospiceโฆ
By Ian DiddamsImages by Jeni Meade No aficionado of 1960s and 1970s horror films would have missed seeing โRosemaryโs Babyโ, a story of Satanic pregnancy,โฆ
In November last year I was mightily impressed with Bristol soul-reggae producer Kaya Street, and reviewed their EP The Soul Sessions, read it here forโฆ
Another Stunning Week-End For Live Music Andy Fawthrop Normally Iโd be raving about just how good the live music was at The Southgate on Sundayย afternoon.โฆ
Developed in Devizes, blossoming in Bristol, as well as a snazzy new website, indie-punk phenomenon Nothing Rhymes with Orange released their next single, and itโsโฆ
As a result of probably the most productive meeting yet, yesterday, about The Wiltshire Music Awards, we can now reveal the most amazing line-up of local music acts who will be performing between the announcements at our grand ceremony on Saturday 25th October at Devizes Corn Exchange, and a few other points we should mention tooโฆ..
Easy bit first for our glitzy and glamorous night, there will be professional sound and lighting provided by Brian Mundy and his team at BSM Stage Tech, and a bar, in which you wonโt have to buy me a drink because Iโm hosting and I donโt want to slur my words, word my slurs or anything along those silly lines!ย
It makes us all very proud to announce this wonderful lineup. Devizes own Burn The Midnight Oil will open the eveningโs entertainment. Theyโve come so far in such a short space of time with their own brand of breezy blues-rock, weโre excited to see them perform.
Our lovable legend George Wilding is a name most of you should know, and heโs coming to play a few songs, of course he is! Award winning Lucas Hardy is coming too. Loved on the Salisbury circuit, Lucas will delight you, for what will be, I believe, his first time playing in Devizes; I could be wrong!
Ben Borrill and Pat Ward, aka Matchbox Mutiny, will be there, the lively Devizes-based duo who never fail to charm. Then thereโs Salisbury-based Joylon Dixon and Rachel Sinnetta – a duo who raised the roof off the Three Crowns recently, but I knew it was coming as Rachelโs supreme vocal range and Joylonโs professional accompanying will enthral all.
Thereโs a champagne supernova trip back to the nineties with The Britpop Boys,renowned for blasting those sing-a-long anthems across the county and beyond.ย
And hereโs our last big secret exposed, Devizes homegrown indie-rock phenomenon Nothing Rhymes With Orange will polish off the evening. They created a storm locally a few years ago as a teen sensation, the likes of which I claimed to be the โBeatlemania of Devizes!โ Now studying together at Bristol Uni, their popularity has spread nationwide. Back home they have inspired a new generation to form bands, and we welcome them back delighted.
Image: Gail Foster
Make no mistake, all these acts have had a tremendous year, and deserve to be nominated for awards, as are the many other names hiding in our golden envelopes too. Myself, DJ Mark Anthony and possibly a few guest names will be announcing the winners and runners-up, and these wonderful acts will perform just two or three songs each between the announcements; itโs going to be a show!
A show which, we hope, showcases, highlights and celebrates the wealth of musical talent we have here in Wiltshire, in a manner more celebratory than competitive. While many others and not just those performing have high chances of bagging a trophy, by no means is it exhaustive. There are so many others, producing music, promoting, hosting and creating amazing initiatives to fundraise and to teach, we know this, and I intend to highlight as many as I can at the ceremony, because the list is lengthy enough already to cram into one evening, making it comprehensive is a minefield!
The results of the awards was set by public votes and a panel of expert judges, which we genuinely believe to have been a fair system, causing it to be agonising for us to see the entire county trimmed to this much, but if everyone supports this we hope there will be subsequent years of Wiltshire Music Awards to follow. Years in which we will continuously review in order to improve on.
One point, whilst feedback has been overwhelmingly supportive, one niggly raised was tickets. We have to fund this one way or another. We are asking for sponsorships, many have helped and we thank them. In order to make this work, yes, we are asking everyone who wishes to attend, including those nominated, to buy a ticket, of which we have made as reasonably priced as possible. If you have been nominated for an award within our top ten, you are cordially invited to attend, but along with everyone else we do ask you to please purchase a ticket; there is no other expense asked of you other than this.
As much as we would love to see all the winners and runners-up in person, or a representative on your behalf, on the night to be presented with an award, if you cannot make it due to other commitments we understand, and your award will be given to you at a suitable date thereafter. Important point then: You DO NOT need to attend the ceremony to receive the award if you do not wish to, but please consider that we have to fund this, that we have worked hard on getting this off the ground, and would appreciate your support with it. Wiltshire Music Awards has been created by a genuine team dedicated to the local music scene. Allow me to get all Charles & Eddie on your ass at this conjunction, โwould I lie to you, baby?!!โ
Whoa, back on the positives; thankfully I wonโt be singing but the experts will, this is going to be cracking night, one for the history books, and I hope to see you there! Saturday 25th October at Devizes Corn Exchange, tickets HERE.
Never forget, thereโs lots of other events on our calendar, for families and everyone of all ages. But this weekend is a bank holiday, and those local live music hunters will be out on the prowl, so hereโs what weโve found for themโฆ.
Thursday 21st August, Just Parsons plays the Foyer Sessions at Chippenhamโs Neeld Hall, thatโs a freebie. Wild Isles & Plummie Racket are at The Castle, Swindon, free, while The Illegal Eagles are at The Wyvern, ticketed. Thereโs a Fayre on Salisburyโs Market Square with The Kings of Lounge Trio, and thatโs free.
Itโs the Welcome to the free Wildwest Country fringe festival at the Three Horseshoes in Bradford-on-Avon, ongoing throughout this week and weekend with a whole lot of circus and music. The Headrush Brass Band plays a hospitality jamboree there on Thursday 21st.
Friday 22nd, and things are really rolling, thereโs even a Music for Miniatures at St Andrewโs Church, Devizes, 10:30am, for the under fours!
Staying in Devizes for anyone over the age of four, try out Brogan Pearce singing covers at The Condado Lounge, or a โHaze Sessionโ with Marcus Boll at The Three Crowns. HoneyFest kicks off at The Barge on Honeystreet, camp up for that one all weekend, ticketed, for theyโve The Undercover Hippy, RSVP and The Scribes headlining; sweet as mate.
Zack Linton plays The Lamb on the Strand, with new Zia Pizza company and organised by Bird is the Word. The Free Spirits Band at The Royal Oak, Hawkeridge, a Red Hot Chilli Peppers Tribute at The Wheatsheaf, Calne, and The Blue Moon Band at The Rising Sun, Christian Malford, near Chippenham.
Not Quite Bob at Aldbourne Sports & Social Club. Itโs the E-Fest Music Festival in Swindon, and Supersonic Queen at Town Gardens Bowl. A Summer Beer Gin & Rum Festival at The Hop Chapel, but weโre heading into Swindon for a Talk in Code single launch at The Vic, with Riviera Arcade and Flora Fiora in support; bang tidy thatโll be!
Trips out for Devizes-based acts this weekend: No Alarms and No Devizes are not in Devizes, theyโre at the Boathouse in Bradford-on-Avon, Jon Amor Trio are at The Royal Oak in Bath. The Vintage Explosion plays Komedia, Bath, but theyโre not from around here, I was just running off the Bath paragraph, not to avoid any confusion!
P!nk tribute Vicky Jackson at the Cheese & Grain, Frome. Little Joe at the Coach and Horses, in Salisbury. Fayre on the Square continues at the Market Place in Salisbury with
Rock The Boat DJs. Lonely Road Band at the Wig and Quill, Summer Beer Festival at the Old Mill with Lucas Hardy, and Jetback and Wilton Voices at The Bear.
Donโt forget Flock Steady Beats festie at The Music Baa near Salisbury, ticketed, hurry up, Buster Shuffle and The Dub Pistols headline, with a host of offbeat goodies, including Captain Accident over the course of the weekend; mint sauce me up!
Tuckerโs Cider & Music Festival at Tuckerโs Grave in Faulkland, El Toro headline Saturday, with Russ Barnes, 41 Fords, The Usual Suspects, Call the Shots, more on Sunday too!
Saturday then, the 23rd August 2025; Bone Chapel at The Southgate, Devizes, and Jambon Chapeau at The Pelican. The Sylvertones at The Duke in Bratton.
Humdinger at The Cooperโs Arms, Pewsey. Sophie Henderson at the Crown, Aldbourne.
Room 101 play The Lamb, Trowbridge, whilst The Twelve Bells have a Punk Picnic. Tex & The Troubadours at Melksham Rock n Roll Clubโs monthly dance.
Bradford-on-Avon, you groovy lot! With the Welcome to the free Wildwest Country fringe festival at the Three Horseshoes still going down, thereโs CastleFest at the Castle, with a great lineup too.
Thomas Arnold Hall in Warminster has an Ultimate 80โs Revival Disco. Ex Stiff Little Finger XSLF at The Vic in Swindon. Total Rex, a Marc Bolan & T Rex Tribute at Chapel Arts, Bath, and the Big Disco at Komedia.
Forwards Festival over Clifton Downs, Bristol, and weโre heading south, the Tin Shack Band are at The Ram in Tidworth. Jolyon Dixon & Rachel Sinnetta make a welcome return to The Kings Arms, Amesbury.
Sleepwalker at the Fayre on the Market Square in Salisbury. Slingshot at Qudos. Jon Bailey at The Royal George. Hop Back Blues Band at The Duke of York. Timespan at The Horse & Groom. Salisbury Live has a Summer Beer Festival, with Black Iris at The Old Mill and The Bear Inn has an August Bank Holiday Beer Festival with Break Cover, Bob Primmer and Ben Vuckovic.
Sunday 24th, then, the fun never stops! 30+ Daytime Clubbing at The Exchange, Devizes.
Eddie Martin will be at The Southgate around 5pm, and the Roughcut Rebels have got The Three Crowns covered. Potterne Cricket Clubโs ever popular Potterne Festival is likely sold out, but you never know your luck!
Talbot-Fest at the Talbot in Calne, then; Dorothy House fundraiser, all free, see the poster, wicked lineup, Talboterrians!!
The Sylvertones are at The Crown in Westbury. Unpredictables at the Boathouse, Bradford-on-Avon. Rorkeโs Drift at The Vic Swindon.
Johnny G at The Bell, Bath, Kenyan musician Vonj at Komedia.
Coach & Horses Sunday Session in Salisbury has our homegrown marvel, JP Oldfield. Fayre on the Square continues in the Market Place Salisbury with Park Island, as does the Old Millโs Summer Beer Festival: with Route 3. Salisbury Live are at The Horse & Groom with The Norfolks, Lucas Hardy and The Late Starters. August Bank Holiday Beer Festival continues at The Bear Inn with Slingshot, Above Board, The Reel Deal. Pudenski Bros at The Goat, and a Picnic in the Park at Redlynch Sports & Social Club with the Woodfalls Band.
The Hammervillesโ Bank Holiday Beach Party at the Cheese & Grain, Frome.
Bank Holiday Monday; yay!! Drew Bryant is at The Three Crowns, Devizes from 3pm, and of course, itโs Black Rat Monday at The British Lion, an annual outdoor Bank Holiday Monday extravaganza, all free, local live bands, they wonโt tell us who, a charity BBQ raising funds for Dorothy House.
Get in! Black Rat Monday!
Box Rocks is of course the other stalwart of August bank holiday, at The Queenโs Head, Box, theyโve got a fantastic lineup including our good friend Chandra; nice one!
The Americania Boatfest is another damn fine option, at the Boat House in Bradford-on-Avon; too many bands to mention, but Iโm told our Burn The Midnight Oil will be there, and thatโs worth the trip over alone! Staying in Bradford, The Lamb Yard are celebrating 25 years, with Talk in Code headlining, Fly Yeti Fly and The Trapdoor Spiders. Itโs all free in Bradford!
Bath, and thereโs another free community fest at Komedia, Rusty Shackle, True Strays, and Concrete Prairie, with added Courting Ghosts and Barney Kenny. Barrel House Vipers are at The Bell.
Salisbury, and Pete Donnelly is at The Duke of York, and thereโs the last day of the Old Millโs Summer Beer Festival with SO Uncool.
Thatโs all weโve foundโฆโฆ.so farโฆ.folks, summer is OVER!! Iโm sure many will jump on the bandwagon and make me add more to our event calendar really soon!! There’s only one link you need to keep up to date, and its HERE! Have a great weekend!
It was great to bump into Lunch Box Buddy in Devizes today. Last week was hectic for him; first BBC Wiltshire stopped by his stand in the Brittox, which was busy dishing out free lunches for children during the summer holidays, as is Buddyโs mission. Then came an appearance on Points West, and even Jamie Oliver shared his social media postsโฆ..
Has the media exposure gone to his head?! He modestly agreed with me, that it was nice, โit shows Iโm being acknowledged,โ he smiled, and continued to help children decide what sandwiches they fancied. And therein lies the magic, there was never a feeling in meeting Buddy that he was here for prestige.
โHeโs not doing it for media attention,โ Buddyโs mum Emily clarified, โin fact he finds that quite overwhelming. Heโs doing it because thereโs families who need it, and thatโs the reality of it. And if he can help those families to make it a little easier then thatโs all he wants to do.โ
There were sandwiches with various fillings, crisps, biscuits and fruit, even some toys. Folk gathered, no questions asked, no condescending notions, just a brilliant idea being put into motion by a teenager and his family. I asked Buddy if it was his idea, and how he came up with it.
โIt was my idea,โ he replied, still handing out apples, โand it originated from seeing some friends who were on free school meals, needing that extra help during the holidays too.โ
Buddy and his family began funding it themselves and now it relies on sponsors and private donations. There may be a few charity-led organisations doing similar in other areas, but Buddy is the first person weโve heard of individually taking this gesture of goodwill on themselves. I asked Buddy, not if he wanted to head a national charity doing this, for we joked he might end up sitting in an office! Rather if he feels he has, or will, inspire others to do likewise in other areas.
โYeah, I could inspire some people, I hope so,โ Buddy told me. โIโm doing it as an individual. Iโm here three times a week, every week for the summer holidays, and thereโs a thought I could do it at Christmas time.โ
โIt would be lovely if he did inspire other people,โ Emily explained, โbut his primary goal is to make sure that anyone who needs food in Devizes has food.โ
In these trying times, I forever find myself shocked at rising supermarket prices. Accepted, I cleaned my rose-tinted specs declaring how big Wagon Wheels once were, and how they were ten pence, but this inflation issue is not showing evidence of slowing anytime soon. โYes,โ Emily agreed, โsome schools and councils do provide ten pounds for the school holiday, but you cannot buy much for ten pounds, so what Buddy is doing really does make a difference.โ
It really does. I left with a lump to the throat, and somewhat lost for words; rare for me, I know!! What a thoroughly decent, philanthropic and selfless way for a fourteen-year-old to spend their summer holiday. What an absolute legend, Buddy! Thank you.
Two things remain: firstly to any family in need, Lunch Box Buddy is outside Haine & Smith, next to Cafe Nero, in Devizes town centre, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, for the duration of the summer holidays, from 11:30-12:30. Follow him HERE for updates, Facebook HERE.
Secondly, to Devizes Town Council; you know I love you all, (wink!) this lad deserves a Civic Award, imho!
Seems odd the perfect combination between Devizesโ only theatre, The Wharf, and one of the longest-running performance group, White Horse Opera hasnโt linked before, butโฆ
Featured Image Credit: Stewart Baxter Riot predictor Nick Hodgson formerly of the Kaiser Chiefs has a new band, the charmingly named Everyone Says Hi, andโฆ
Bob Marley sang โjamminโ โtil the jam is through,โ Jimmy Cricketโs catchphrase was โcomeโere, thereโs more,โ but it looks like The Southgate in Devizes isโฆ
The second feature film for director Keith Wilhelm Kopp and writer Laurence Guy, First Christmas enters development, to be produced by Shropshire-based production company, Askโฆ
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Whilst dispersing highly flammable hydrocarbon gases into the atmosphere is not advisory, Butane Skies is a name increasingly exploding on local circuits. The young and aspiring Frome โa little bit emo, a little bit notโ four-piece released a debut single Wither last month (while I was on my jollies.) So, even though this mention of it might be belated, itโs worthy of your attention, as I predict Butane Skies is a name youโll be hearing a lot more ofโฆ..
If the name suggests an all-out fireball of frenzied rock you should note itโs taken from a line in the My Chemical Romance song Skylines & Turnstiles, and akin to their emo influence thereโs delicate rising and falling sections of emotive outpouring in Wither. With a dystopian themed desperation, perhaps metaphoric, this is intense yet melodic, as exquisitely composed as Evanescence, and as genius as Frank Turner.
Thereโs an intricate piano, blessing it with a sense of optimism above the emo melancholy of the subtly placed fuzzbox riff and the powerful vox harmonies of a double-Alanis Morissette. Iโm thinking Iโve not heard local emo quite as good as this since Life in Mono, but not to typecast within the emo pigeonhole, thereโs something more universally indie about them too, Muse-fashion.
Such high accolades deserved, Wither firmly places them on the first runner of the local recording artist ladder, and while an impressive kick start, itโs moreish and patent theyโve more tricks up their sleeves. Butane Skies established themselves in 2022 after school duo Amaya and Ash collaborated at just 14 years old, and bassist Mia and drummer Alex joined. Theyโve notched numerous gigs and festivals since Future Sound of Trowbridge at the Pump, and winning Riverbankโs Take The Stage in 2024 with the prize to perform at Minety Music Festival.ย
Other appearances at Festival on the Farm, Figglefest, Bradford Roots, Corrfest, Chippenham Pride and Sounds at the Ground, and at venues such as The Boathouse, The Neeld, Fromeโs Tree House and a number of local stages at Glastonbury sees them Bristol-bound for The Louisiana and Komedia Bathโs Electric Bar soon. They are nominated for our Wiltshire Music Awards, and now top of never-ending must-see list!
Hereโs a band with a track you must listen to, but the ambience feels something wonderful is blossoming; Butane Skies are yet to hit their magnum-opus, be there when they do.
The excitement and hope generated by Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana announcing a new political party has reached Swindonโฆ..
A broad range of people have been keenly messaging and talking to each other and have decided to work together with everyone who supports this new party, to have a marked and positive presence in the Swindon community.
Local activists, charity workers, union members and individuals have announced a meeting to be held at Broadgreen Community Centre on Thursday 28th August 7.30pm to 9.30pm.
Jamie, a local charity worker said โWe are building a movement embedded in our community. We want to hear from everyone; what are your main concerns, do you wantย our NHS to be properly funded, do you want energy, mail, rail, water, and other infrastructure nationalised, do you want to see council houses being built? Come along to our meeting, where everyone will have the opportunity to share their thoughts and ideas.โ
Nationally, over 700,000 people have signed up to the party with no name! At present, the working name is โYour Partyโ but the permanent name will be decided by people at the inaugural conference later in the year.
A statement on the Your Party website says, โItโs time for a new kind of political party. One that belongs to you. The system is rigged. The system is rigged when 4.5 million children live in poverty in the sixth richest country in the world. The system is rigged when giant corporations make a fortune from rising bills. The system is rigged when this government says there is no money for the poor, but billions for war. We cannot accept these injustices โ and neither should you. We will only fix the crises in our society with mass redistribution of wealth and power. That means taxing the very richest in our society. That means an NHS free of privatisation and bringing energy, water, rail and mail into public ownership. That means investing in a massive council-house building programme. That means standing up to fossil fuel giants putting their profits before our planet. Meanwhile, millions of people are horrified by the governmentโs shameful complicity in genocide. We believe in the radical idea that all human life has equal value. That is why we defend the right to protest for Palestine. That is why we demand an end to all arms sales to Israel. And that is why we will carry on campaigning for the only path to peace: a free and independent Palestine.โ
In an interview with Tribune Magazine, Jeremy Corbyn said, โBy the end of the year we want to come together at an inaugural conference to decide the direction of our party and what it stands for, but this conference will not come out of the blue. It will be the product of a series of deliberative meetings up and down the country. More than just rallies, these meetings will be an opportunity for communities, social movements, and trade unions to come together to discuss the key questions facing the future of our party and our country. These meetings will generate fierce debates, Iโm sure, and thatโs good. Thatโs what democracy is for.โ
Jamie said, โLetโs reignite the hope, energy and socialist dialogue that we had in 2017 when thousands of people, especially young people, flocked to hear Jeremy Corbyn speak about the things that really matter to us!ย After all, itโs predominantly the younger generation who are suffering from the catastrophic decisions made by politicians for years, although people with disabilities, pensioners, WASPI women, asylum seekers, migrants and minority groups are feeling the brunt too. If youโre interested in getting involved, want to help build this community movement that addresses our day to day concerns, and make a positive difference to so many people, come along to the meeting, join our Facebook and WhatsApp groups. Meet others who are interested and have your say!โ
If I was bowled over backwards by Rubyโs teaser single last week, its title, Crowned Lightbringer, now also belongs to this five-track EP, released today, and as you might guess, youโre in for a treatโฆ..
Thereโs so much incredible time, effort and adroitness pouring out of this itโs actually scary how talented Ruby Darbyshire is at such a young age, and in pondering the journey her music will take her. Youโre left numb to what to listen to next, in awe, and spellbound by its harmonic perfection. Thereโs also a general theme of journey, often rinsed in ingenious metaphors, which connects you to Rubyโs world and imaginings, the hallmark of a musician who knows what buttons to press to engage an audience and leave them spellbound.
Rubyโs Scottish roots are displayed in a bagpipe instrumental bonus track, The Spirit of Jenny Whittle, the rest relies on her accomplished acoustic mood-setters, and the ambience is as ever, hauntingly choral, layered with dedication, folk emotive and saturninely uplifting soulfully, edifying a matured Ruby, compared to her debut EP. But if Crowned Lightbringer displays a whole new level for her music, what comes next will be anyoneโs guess. It is, in my humble opinion, an EP which needs to be in everyoneโs life.
Vocally itโs faultless too, profoundly as guiding as Nina Simone, as variable and soulful as Billie Holiday; comparisons of such high accolades, I know, I donโt know where else to go to balance her sublime vocal range. Lady Nade and Mayyadda the only contemporary likenesses I could fairly credit. Opening with Timekeeper, as deeply emotive as Crowned Lightbringer, chilling and as distant as an autumn zephyr. With a rustic vinyl crackle, Calling Hades captures a timeless acoustic goodness of underworldly Greek gods, with a romantically liberating hopefulness as its theme.
Black Dog has a deeper blues feel, yet sprinkled with northern celtic, spiritually-guiding us away from the omen of solitary, the Gytrash. Ruby is folk, primarily rooted and understanding of it. Thereโs much to unpick from her beautiful music tapestry here, Iโve only had a quick listen, couldnโt wait for a complete analysis before telling you how fantastic this EP is, but I believe, in time, this might be my personal fave! But hey, the title track follows, and weโve mentioned this last week, itโs a metaphoric shanty which depicts perfectly where Rubyโs music is taking her and all the demons which might lurk on her journey.
All I know is this should put Ruby not a local circuit map, but on an international stage; I donโt flatter, and if you donโt take note more fool yourself. Listen, just, listen!
Image credit: Forestry England/Crown copyright. Forestry England Nightingale Wood invites dog owners to celebrate Walk Your Dog Month this January….. Walk Your Dog Month isโฆ
Results of the public vote have been put to our expert panel of seven judges in our inaugural Wiltshire Music Awards, and now the judges have decided. I bet you’re wondering who has won and who the runners-up are, aren’t you?
Well, I’m not going to tell youโฆ.yet! Ah, clickbait of ye gods; beat that Newsquest (who havenโt even bothered mentioning this crucial local extravaganza, I might add!) Truth is, I don’t know the results any more than you do, as I kindly requested to remain in the dark for the genuine element of surprise on the night, and itโs the night I want to remind you of!! Because, if you want to find out the winners you need to grab yourself a ticket to the presentation ceremony, the Awards Evening on Saturday 25th October at Devizes Corn Exchange; proper job!
Thereโs table tickets as groups, and single tickets available for our gurt lush Wiltshire Music Awards, the first of its kind. A night of music, celebration, and unforgettable moments. Bring your family, friends, and supporters! Weโve some top local acts confirmed, all performing a song or three, with intervals where I and special guests will be announcing the winners. Thereโs seventeen categories to get through, wine to drink and partying to be done in honour of all the amazing musical talent weโve got hiding in our rural county; please, help us to achieve this.
For those weird enough among us to be of an acoustic bent, particularly on the folkie side, the time since the Covid lockdowns has been a bit of a desert.ย Several local clubs which once thrived before 2020, never actually opened again โ Devizes Folk Club, Corshamโs Acoustic Oak, Bradford Folk Club and Trowbridgeโs Village Pump being amongst them.ย Last year the Bradford club finally stuttered into life again, first at the now-closed Swan Hotel, then at other venues, but only as a very low-key weekly sing-around.ย The proper full fat Open Mic nights and Guest Nights seemed to have disappeared from the local scene completely.ย Some of this was due to the โretirementโ of the previous hosts, and some of it (unfortunately) due to the passing of their once-leading lights.ย
The venue itself, known as the Village Pump, at the rear of Wadworthโs The Lamb in Trowbridge, and the mothership of the hugely popular Village Pump and Trowbridge Festivals, recently found a new entrepreneur in our good friend and music promoter Kieran J Moore.ย Kieran has performed wonders in re-opening the venue, in overhauling its sound and lighting infrastructure, and in attracting a whole new range of artists over the past couple of years.ย Audiences have grown, drawn by the inventive programming, and the support for many local up-and-coming new indie bands.ย
And now, at last, a light has re-emerged from the gloom for the folkies with the start of The PumpAcoustic Club as a new pop-up venture at the venue. Running every second Friday of the month, the club promises a welcoming night whether you want to come and play or just rock up and listen. The format is pretty similar to the old VP folk club: the first half is dedicated to acoustic-only (unplugged) floor spots, and the second half to a booked guest. For the Open Mic part, you have to sign up in advance (first come, first served via comments on their Facebook page), and you get time to sing two or three songs each. The running order allows for about ten or eleven acts. Then, following the break, and the inevitable raffle, the second half is a 45-60 PA-supported slot dedicated to a booked artist.
Last month, on the first outing for the Club, we were treated to a great set by local duo Lorna and Darren, playing as Fly Yeti Fly. Anyone there would agree it was a great night and a fabulous start to this new venture.
Last night, for Augustโs booking we had Wings and Whispers, an all-female duo from Bristol. Both classically trained, both admitted to preferring the folkier side of things. Using harp, guitar, whistle and voices, the pair played some fascinating, ethereal music based in folk legends and myths and in the natural world. They wove original compositions together with re-arranged folk classics and covers into a mesmerising set. Superb stuff.
The new Club, set up by Bradford-on-Avonโs Simon Taylor (lately of Water Thieves Trio and Dr. Zeboโs Wheezy Club) and Matt Cook, looks as if itโs hit just the right formula. Both last monthโs affair and last night were pretty busy, with most seats taken both upstairs and down. Itโs ยฃ4 to get in, and ยฃ1 for a strip of raffle tickets, so youโre all done and dusted for a great night out for a fiver โ what more could you want? Letโs hope that now itโs back, folks will continue to support it and make it into the success it surely deserves to be.
Future gigs, as stated, will be the second Friday of each month.ย See their Facebook page for individual events, but hereโs a preview:ย
Friday 12th September Andy Skellam
Friday 10th October Lorikeet
Friday 14th November Brian Stone & The Masters Of None
Swindon Palestine Solidarity will be hosting a summer fete on Saturday 23rd August, at 12.30pm – 3.30pm. They need volunteers from 11am – 4 pm. at The Broadgreen Community Centre, Salisbury St, Swindon SN1 2AN….
Bring the family to float a boat for Gaza, send a postcard to Gaza, or play ring toss, ball toss, or knock down alley, knocking down injustice one throw at a time! There will be food, Palestinian embroidery, Arabic calligraphy, face painting, and henna. Have a go at tumbling the apartheid wall or on the watermelon shy!ย
Funds are being raised to send Swindon Palestine Solidarity delegate Liaquth Ali as a volunteer, joining the A thousand Madleens to Gaza flotilla.
In response to the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the ongoing illegal siege imposed by Israel, a historical global initiative – The 1000 Flotilla: Call to break the siege – is being launched to mobilise an unprecedented international civil fleet to challenge the maritime blockade and deliver life-saving aid directly to the besieged people of Gaza.
This initiative calls upon civil society, humanitarian organisations, trade unions, faith-based movements, maritime workers and peace loving individuals from every continent to contribute ships, crews, medical supplies, food and solidarity.
The aim is to assemble a thousand vessels, symbolic of the global unity and determination, to peacefully defy the blockade and demand an immediate end to the collective punishment of over two million Palestinians.
Liaquth Ali said, “Iโve decided to join the flotilla because I believe this could be Gaza’s last chance at survival. If we donโt act boldly and urgently, the suffering will only spread, and the West Bank could be next. I canโt sit back while children are bombed and starved, but I’ve also seen hope, our Swindon community and people across the UK rising with courage and solidarity. The world is waking up. Now is the time for action. Every bit of support matters.”
A recent protest by Doctors Against Genocide said, “We are living through a catastrophe unlike any in history. 90% of Gazaโs population has now reached stage 5 malnutrition, the most severe and deadly level. At this stage many cannot be saved.”
Lynn Boylan Member of the European Parliament said “For me, the deep frustration is that the EU has had ample opportunity to do the right thing and they have failed to do that. They have failed to take a single action against Israel. They have a list of actions that they could do, and they are not doing a single one. I hope that they witness, through this flotilla, through the people power, through the mobilisation of people on the streets, that they are on the wrong side of history. They should implement every single item on that list: no trade with Israel, a two way arms embargo, sanctions on the Israeli government, and upholding the ICC arrest warrants.“
Legendary songwriter and original Stranglers frontman Hugh Cornwell has announced a run of UK dates this November, accompanied by special guests The Courettes, and it includes Fromeโs Cheese & Grain on Saturday 15thโฆ..
Golden Brown, Strange Little Girl, Always The Sun… sound familiar? All big hits, all great songs, all penned and performed by Hugh Cornwell, the songwriter behind the legendary early eighties punk band The Stranglers.ย
When future historians of music draw up a list of the movers and shakers who changed the modern musical landscape, Hugh Cornwellโs name will no doubt be amongst them. As a pioneering musician, songwriter and performer, his pervasive influence persists in the record collections of music aficionados, across this spinning globeโs radio waves, and on stages around the world. Hughโs presence is unquestionable.
As the leader of The Stranglers, Hugh was the main songwriter of all of the bandโs most memorable songs across ten stellar albums. After their 1977 debut Rattus Norvegicus, follow-up albums such as No More Heroes and The Raven consolidated Cornwellโs stature as a unique songwriter and musician. His multi-layered lyrics to Golden Brown, from La Folie, remain a songwriting masterclass.
Hugh embarks on his Come And Get Some tour in November, appearing at Fromeโs Cheese & Grain on Saturday 15th. A full band show with Stranglers choice cuts and solo delicates, plus support from The Courettes, an explosive group from Denmark and Brazil. With Flavia Couri on vocals and guitar and Martin on drums, they provide the perfect blend of Wall of Sound, Girl Group Heartbreaks, Motown and R&B. Imagine the Ronettes meeting the Ramones at a wild party in the Hitsville echo chamber, thatโs the Courettes!
โCornwellโs still doing things his way and often with striking results,โ said Mojo, โThunderously tribal garage rockโฆ the ex-Strangler not yet gone soft,โ Uncut provided.
Kicking off at Epic Studios in Norwich on 6th November, Hugh Cornwell will be playing favourites from his time with The Stranglers as well as a range of solo material, including his 1979 album โNosferatuโ in full. The record saw Cornwell teaming up with Captain Beefheartโs Robert Williams to create a record as gothic as the film it takes its name from.
Throughout November, Cornwell will make stops at beloved venues up and down the country including Hangar 34 in Liverpool, Concorde 2 in Brighton and Islington Assembly in the capital. Heโll be joined on the road by retro-inspired punk rock duo The Courettes, helming from Denmark and Brazil.
Atmospherically anthemic and reinforced with that infectious rhythmic groove weโve come to love Talk in Code for, More Than Friends is chockfull of it, and itโs their latest single, to be released on Friday 22nd August 2025 via Regent Street Recordsโฆ.
Even if youโre accounted for now, happily married and matured like a fine wine, the recollections of a blossoming relationship and the eagerness versus apprehension it provokes will never be pushed down a dark alley of your memory lane; successful or epic fail, they live inside the mind forever, Iโm afraid! Frontman, Chris Stevens said of the single, โweโve all been there, in a situation waiting for the other to make the first move, to validate our feelings, or save face!โ
I could tell you a few stories, but will save you the agony! Especially as the earliest would be set in the eighties, about getting hot under the collar over girls in rah-rah skirts, leg warmers and dippy-boppers! But thatโs the beauty of this songโs simple premise; if youโre older the irresistible eighties feel to the sound assists you in extracting the emotions needed to savour a memory or two, and youโll stare back up at your Morten Harket or Kim Wilde poster, should the blu-tac not have dried out, praying theyโll bless you with a cure to your longing!! Billy Joel, you charlatan, it isnโt that easy to tell her about it!
Whereas if youโre younger and, as gen z generally are, far more practical to be praying to Smash Hits pullout posters, you might relate the songโs narrative to a newfound emotion, sharable on TikTok. But the eighties vibe still functions as a mechanism, because, letโs face it, musical innovators of the eighties are the catalysts to contemporary pop. I was careful here not to suggest eighties music was better, though with my rose-tinted specs on, the thought was!
And thatโs what makes Talk in Code so universally engaging; it bridges a needed gap between eighties new wave electronica and nineties indie pop. In goes the synths, guitars riffs, the immortal choruses and rousing hooks, and what it exhausts is fresh and pumping, modern yet as timeless as Chris’s Adidas jackets, like someone slipped a rocket between the bum cheeks of Tony Hadley, and whip, zoom heโs top of the download chart faster than you could cry Oasis.
For the reflective mood to the bandโs artistry, which this track seems to strengthen, More Than Friends might be considered typical for the bandโs direction, but as ever, they are growers, and after a listen or three youโll find the quintessential is challenged with each new release, because this band are tight, theyโre professional, and bounded by great PR, management, and a truly loyal fanbase. A base which will be singing this back to them, in blue sunglasses, at their numerous live performances within the next month!
The single’s launch party is at the Vic, Swindon, on Friday 22nd August. Tickets HERE
Salisbury acoustic singer-songwriter Rosie Jay released her debut EP today, taking its title from her first single from June this year, I Donโt Give aโฆ
I’m loving this new tune! Swindon’s upcoming reggae singer/DJ Silver-Star has teamed up with the legendary General Levy for a drum n bass golden nuggetโฆ
โMore deadlier than the maleโ is my usual corny pun for this, but if supergroup Female of the Species returns to Melksham this September, it looks like the last time Iโll be able to use itโฆ.
September 2017, when Devizine had merely eight articles published, I previewed a charity fundraising event in Melksham, The Female of the Species, and Iโve loved it and supported it since. A supergroup composed of the frontwomen of various local bands, they were already in their second year, but after ten years they announced this one will be their lastโฆ.
Julie Moreton from Trowbridgeโs ska and reggae covers band Train to Skaville, formed the supergroup Female of the Species with Nicky Davis from Warminster-based The Reason, Glastonburyโs Julia Greenland from Soulville Express, Fromeโs Claire Perry from Big Mammaโs Banned, and solo artist Charmaigne Andrews, for an annual fundraiser at the Melksham Assembly Rooms; it became a much-loved institution and has raised over an estimated ยฃ25-30K for various local charities chosen annually.
Itโs an incredible amount, but Julie revealed she wasnโt sure of the grand total over the combined years. โWe’ve never really kept a total of what we’ve raised,โ she modestly told me, โwe sang a few songs, and someone’s life got a little better is how we think about it.โ
Their tenth and final time performing the fundraiser as The Female of the Species will be at The Melksham Assembly Hall on Saturday 13th September 2025, and will be raising for Voices, a Bath-based charity supporting survivors and overcomers of domestic abuse and violence to recover and thrive. Tickets usually sell out quickly, you can grab yours HERE.
And youโll be glad you did, the accumulation of five talented singers from different bands, coming together for a sizzling melting pot of all popโs subgenres, from rock, soul and reggae, blended with some filthy banter is something to behold, a whole lot of fun and dancing. Thereโs always a quality support act too, the likes of Plan of Action, Becky Lawrence and Dylan Smith have all warmed up the audience in previous years, but the girls have called inย Laura Jayne, their first ever support act, who has carved out her own career as a vocalist.
With only months to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds or face potential closure due to the building it leased being beyond economical repair, in 2024 Female of the Species raised funds for Trowbridge preschool Rainbow Early Years. 2013 was for Alzheimerโs Support, and previous years theyโve supported Mind, Young Melksham, Wiltshire Air Ambulance, and one very close to our hearts here at Devizine, Carmelaโs Stand Up to Muscular Dystrophy.
They received a Civic Award in 2019, a letter from the Queen Consort, and thanks from the Chartered Institute of Fundraising. For a couple of years, with a misinformed council, they made the move to Seend Community Hall, but in 2024 they headlined Melkshamโs Christmas light switch on and are now back at the Assembly Hall. Although, where and why did it all begin?
โI started The Female of the Species because I didn’t like the way women were perceived on the local music scene,โ Julie Moreton told us. โOut with Train to Skaville, at a couple of local festivals I noticed I was the only female on the stage, so I went into the green room and asked โanyone got any girls in the band?โ The reply was, โwe don’t have girls in our band because theyโre unreliable, always gotta find a babysitter!โ At another festival I asked the same question, this time the reply was, ‘we get a few girlie’s in when we want some backing lyrics done!โ It bugged me for about a year, then I decided to do something about it, spoke to my co-founder Julia Greenland, we booked the Civic Hall, without really knowing what we were doing!โ
They only ever planned the gig as a one-off in 2014, but went on for ten years. Julie concluded, โthe rest is history,โ until hilarious force of nature Claire โBig Mammaโ Perry had to butt in with her welcomed thoughts too!
โI joined this crazy bunch after their first year of performing,โ Claire informed me, โwith, I have to admit, some apprehension!!โ and continued to explain her reasoning; being โbadly burntโ by another woman in a band; I didnโt dare delve deeper!
โBut after Jules and Julia convinced me,โ she continued, โI thought Iโd be mad not to, โcos it’ll be fun! I have to say….I’ve never looked back, well, maybe once or twice, to tell the drummer he’s too frigginโ loud, or asleep, or pissed!โ
โIt’s been hard work every year, to get the time needed to rehearse, as all the band have their own commitments be it musically, or with their own families and lives, but what a privilege itโs been every year to raise not only awareness of our chosen charities, but of course the money that has helped them all, in whatever way they chose to put it to use.โ
โI think, if I may speak on behalf of all of us, what being in the Female of the Species has done for us, is to firmly secure the respect, admiration, and amazing friendships we have made amongst us all. Every year, we come out, smiling, (teeth & tits!!) to our trusty, and loyal audiences, professional to a fault, to put on, what we hope- will be a great show…but often hiding, or certainly masking, our own sometimes sad or heartbreaking dilemmas!โ
Claire described how every year one of the members had issues in their personal lives, โwhether that be, broken hearts, broken limbs!โ and here I recollected the year Nicky Davis hobbled out with a broken leg, and stunned the audience standing for her solo, but Claire reflected back three years past, when she lost her mum the night before the show.
โTen years at the top of our game, we hope we can raise the rafters on this, our big celebration of music, friendship, and helping decent people, working to help others in chronically under funded charities, and get the place bouncing!! For me, itโs been a blast, boosted my confidence and morale, and it’s made me proud of what a bunch of musos from the West can do, when we put our collective skills in the pot. Over the last ten years we have been The Female of the Species band, we have raised somewhere in the region of 30K for some very deserving people. It’s been a slog, it’s been a grin, but most of all…it’s been a pleasure!โ
The pleasure has been ours, as we turn the final page, The Female of the Species will become an historical landmark on Wiltshireโs music scene, and I still didnโt get any of their phone numbers. For one last time youโre invited to help them raise the roof of the Melksham Assembly Hall on Saturday 13th September 2025, but you need a ticket from HERE.
Somewhere just outside Westbury a sizable barn hosted the most memorable new year’s eve raves in the mid-nineties, but Iโd never have imagined then, thatโฆ
A Scooby snack-sized pinch punch, first day of the month came from Minety Music Festival this morning upon announcing their headliner for 2025, The Funโฆ
by Ian DiddamsImages by Josie Mae-Ross and Infrogmation Tennessee Williamsโ quasi autobiographical drama โA Streetcar Named Desireโ was first performed in 1947 as the worldโฆ
Purveyors of perfect motion, house music promoters Palooza return to The Exchange in Devizes on Friday 20th December, for its grand finale of the yearโฆ..โฆ
Okay, so, Iโm aย little behind, recently opting to perfect my couch potato posture and consider hibernation, meaning Iโve not yet mentioned Kirsty Clinchโs newโฆ
Ruby, Ruby, Ruby! So good the Kaiser Chiefs wrote a song about her, or if not, at least brilliant enough to silence the most rowdy venue into an utter state of jawdropping awe! A video of a new tune, a metaphorical sea shanty, Crowned Lightbringer teasing us for a forthcoming EP, is out todayโฆ..
A diary jam-packed, gigging across the South West to Scotland and beyond, her natural talent is off the scale, and deservedly gaining attention. With youth on her side, raw determination, and a twinkle in her eye, whatever avenue she might choose to take to get there, everything screams future legend about Ruby Darbyshire. I predicted this from day dot, Crowned Lightbringer confirms.
They whisper, โoh, I’ve not heard her play yet,โ and not wishing to present them with a spoiler, I reply, as Ruby tunes up, โjust, don’t go anywhere.โ Seconds later, another instant Ruby Darbyshire fan has spawned!
For her most treasured song to date, Insomnia, uses the inventively crafted metaphor of a blankie to represent a relatively adult issue, even breaks the solemnity with a comical line, it remains the simple premise of an intelligent childlike product in comparison to Crowned Lightbringer.
A rowing boat in a storm, a race against sea monsters, the lighthouse diverting ships from a bay; this is multi-layered and richer metaphorically than anything we’ve heard from Ruby in the past,ย and projects a maturing sentiment, with a fleshed, lost character and a sombre, inspiring narrative. The mood is chilled in darkness and euphorically hopeful to be guiding towards light.ย It’s a sublime voyage of discovery, and overlapping looped harmonies echoing Ruby’s soulful vocal range insists you come aboard.
sneaky peek at the forthcoming EP cover
The tempo mellowed to ghostly, the sentiment interwoven into this rich theme of the implications of maturing; blues, in essence, with silk and steel strings? I’m no expert, but I do know the result is breathtaking, perfection on every level. It feels personal yet outwardly reflecting, and leaves you longing for this forthcoming EP.
With Black Friday just a few weeks away, Wiltshire based Blackmore Computers Ltd, is encouraging people to think pre-loved if theyโre planning on buying laptopsโฆ
If rural West Country had a penchant for trance in the happy daze of the mid-nineties, heady nights of fluorescent-clad crusties with eyes like flyingโฆ
Congratulations to Rosalind Ambler and Paul Snook from Devizes Writers Group… At the National Community Radio Awards held in Cardiff on 16th November Together!, theโฆ
Two of the county’s top retrospective cover bands meet for a double-bill of action in Market Lavington This Saturday. Calneโs indie rock five-piece Six Oโclockโฆ
Again we find ourselves congratulating and thanking young Chloe Boyle for fantastic fundraising efforts for Devizes homeless charity OpenDoorsโฆ. With friends and family she spentโฆ
Images: Chris Watkins Media It was lovely to spend Sunday afternoon at Devizesโ Wharf Theatre, to see how this yearโs pantomime Hansel & Gretel, isโฆ
fortnight, and oh, and come back to spook this list again soon, as I’m sure more will be added!
Dress to impress in your Halloween finest! The Deputy Mayor will be on the lookout for the best costumes at 1:30pm right outside the Cafรฉ โ and there are prizes up for grabs in these categories:
Dates:
Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th October
Fest opens at 12PM | Fun until 6PM
Whatโs waiting for you:
Craft & Produce Market โ handmade gifts, bakes, jams, plants, sweets & more
Sweet & Cake Stalls
Arts & Crafts Activities
Burgers, Hot Dogs & Autumn Eats
Fun Tarot Readings
Live Music & Autumn Vibes
Beer, Wine & Seasonal Sips from the Bar
01672 646232 (Between 10am & 7pm)
devizine.com 