Author: Darren Worrow

Sustainable Devizes Christmas Toy & Book Swap

Grab some free Christmas gifts, clear some space at home, and reduce wasteโ€ฆ “try swapping not shopping this Christmas,” says Sustainable Devizes, as they host a Christmas Toy & Book Swap at St James Church this Saturday (17th December,) from 11am-2pm.

Bring your unwanted toys, games and books to swap for something new, or simply donate some of your older toys and books. Crazy how they grow out of them so fast, isn’t it? While me, I secretly still want to play with them, but I can’t, because they’d moan at me, call me “babyish,” and what’s worse; they’ll tell on me!

Books for adults are also welcome. Toys should be clean and undamaged please (a little bit of wear and tear is ok!) Please note that they cannot accept electrical mains powered items, battery powered toys are fine.

If youโ€™ve nothing to swap, thatโ€™s okay too, everything is still free! And there will be refreshments from Fairtrade Devizes. What a wonderful thing for those feeling the pinch this Christmas; thank you Keith at St James, Sam and all at Sustainable Devizes.

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Milton Jones; Deadpan in Devizes

Mock the Weekโ€™s recurring panellist and Radio 4 comedian Milton Jones stood on the stage of Devizes Corn Exchange on Friday, with the setter, โ€œitโ€™sโ€ฆ

Letโ€™s Go Swimming with Poppy Rose

Two years ago we fondly reviewed Iโ€™m Ready Now, a debut EP from Bathโ€™s Poppy Rose. I praised her unique take, her thoughtful prose andโ€ฆ

REVIEW โ€“ Lachy Doley @ Corn Exchange, Devizes โ€“ Friday 9th December 2022

Awesome Aussie!

Andy Fawthrop

On a perishingly cold night in D-Town, the one thing you needed was to get warm as soon asย possible. ย And fortunately for us there was some genuine Australian heat waiting for us.…

Paul Chandlerโ€™s Longcroft Productions had done the business yet again.  Pulling off something of a coup by securing the Lachy Doley bandโ€™s only UK date on their current European tour, they were rewarded by a very large crowd filling all the tables in the Corn Exchange, including folks who had travelled enormous distances just to be there on the night.  Would it all be worthwhile?  Would the reality live up to the hype of the publicity?

There was no support act (and none was needed to be fair), so we were straight on with the entertainment.  After a clearly emotional introduction from Paul, the Aussies hit the stage.  Although perhaps less well known in Europe than in his native Australia, virtuoso keyboard player Lachy Doley (dubbed the Jimi Hendrix of the Hammond), had a lot to live up to.  He was joined by bassist Joel Burton and drummer Jackie Barnes.  

Playing a mixture of self-penned pieces, with a leavening of classic covers, the band absolutely lit upย the stage from the get-go, producing a mounting wave of high-energy numbers. ย Lachy himself wasย an absolute bundle of enthusiasm and commitment, attacking his keyboards with total commitment,ย from every angle and using every part of his body (it seemed) to produce some astonishing music. ย Sitting, kneeling, standing, crouching โ€“ it made no difference. ย Everything came out to stunningย effect.

((Just for the technically-minded, he was playing a 1971 UK spec B3 Hammond with two 122 Leslies, and a vintage Hohner D6 Whammy Clavinet.  The Clavinet is an electrically amplified clavichord invented in the 1960s, which produces sounds by a rubber pad striking a point on a tensioned string, and designed to resemble the Renaissance-era clavichord.  The clavinet was pushed through a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe amp.))  And for the less technically-minded (like me), the upshot of all this clever stuff was a set-up that enabled him to play the keyboard as if it were a guitar.  And it was quite something to both watch and to listen to.  As an early demonstration of just what it could do, the bandโ€™s version of Hendrixโ€™s Voodoo Chile a couple of numbers in nearly brought the house down.

Heโ€™d ย got us – from there on it was all downhill. ย Two hours of soul, blues, funk and rock followed,ย with each number drawing huge applause. ย Lachyโ€™s own numbers such as The Only Cure For Theย Blues Is The Blues, Making It Up As I Go Along, and the storming Frankly My Dear I Donโ€™t Give Aย Damn were certainly superb, but the biggest applause went to astonishingly good covers of Proculย Harumโ€™s Whiter Shade Of Pale, and Chicagoโ€™s Iโ€™m A Man. ย There were set pieces, there was someย jazz-like improv, and there were spaces for solos, but the trio was always tight as gnatโ€™s armpit whenย it mattered.

Itโ€™s hard to stay away from superlatives.  My friend described the man as โ€œawesomeโ€.  Another word I heard used by several people was โ€œgeniusโ€, and โ€œvirtuosoโ€.  We certainly saw and heard something very special.  The evening ended with an encore, a standing/ stomping/ clapping ovation, and another encore.  Astonishing, great entertainment.

And finally a big shout-out (yet again) to all those who made this possible โ€“ stage set-up, the light show, spot-on sound, and general organisation from Longcroft Productions.  All very professional and well presented.  D-Town is indeed lucky to have you guys doing what you do.

Tally-Ho for Boxing Day; Avon Vale Hunt Ride Again Admist Protests

Here we go again, Lacock’s Boxing Day incongruous pageant of corruption and barbarism plans to go ahead this year, despite protests, as The Avon Vale Hunt will gather in showy and shameless glory.….

Safe in the knowledge the single patrolling WPC, Laura Hughes was a member of the hunt, and it was suggested did little to remain impartial, last year’s Boxing Day fiasco turned nasty, with violent clashes between hunt supporters and protesters. The protesters intend to be in attendance again, for peaceful intent as always, but hoping for safety in numbers.

While you’d like to think Wiltshire Police have learned a lesson, and this year’s event will be more efficiently manned, no charges or disciplinary was deemed necessary for the officer in question, despite publicly stating “we do accept a potential conflict of interests should have been declared,” and claiming they were unaware of her association with the hunt. Well, they’re aware now, only time will tell.

We also hope Wiltshire PCC Phillip Wilkinson’s recent crackdown on rural crime strategies, which has seen recent arrests for hare coursing, will extend to hunting, but he has shown little respect for hunt protesters in the past, apparently calling anti-hunt individuals, โ€œbalaclava wearing thugs.” In similar logic as Nelson Mandela was a deemed terrorist, no doubt.

With Conservative MP James Gray accused of being in attendance last year, in support of the hunt, sonething he later denied although photographed there, it would seem there’s a clear aborehence of the Hunting Act within many powers that be, resulting in these clashes, which sadly takes costly lawsuits to justifiably resolve. Something avoidable with proactive policing, me thinks; or is that a tad too bleeding obvious?!

In April, three hunt supporters were convicted after pleading guilty to using “threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause unlawful violence.โ€ In September though, the anti-hunt individuals were acquitted. Judge Dickens said, โ€œultimately, the evidence is pretty thin, wafer thinโ€ฆWhile there is just about a case to answer, the evidence is wafer thin and it wonโ€™t get any better, and for those reasons I wonโ€™t be able to be sure they were not acting in self-defence.โ€

What is becoming clearer through this, is the wheels of the ‘trail hunting’ smokescreen are coming off, as the populous accept it’s a charade, and leaving hunters frustrated, and aggressive. I can understand this, they’ve taken their toys away, and in the name of tradition it would seem a shame, if the activity wasn’t a completely unnecessary bloodthirsty and barbaric activity which has been democratically deemed unwanted and unlawful in today’s society.

It now falls on town and parish councils, landowners and pub landlords to accept the majority’s appeal on this matter, and outright ban all hunting meets and activities on their land, regardless of these petty bogus claims of lawfulness, until such a time they can prove no acts of animal welfare have been breached. Which, and let’s be frank, they can’t, ergo they react in force of vengeance. For if they could, there would be no valid reason to behave with this thuggish mentality.

So, I cannot advise you attend, for your own safety, but the Boxing Day meet will start at 10am in Lacock, but doing so at your own risk will show support for the rising campaign against this, and, as I said, it is the responsibility of Wiltshire Police to ensure the event runs more smoothly this time. Here’s to a peaceful protest, then, and also to those risking themselves to protect our wildlife, not just on Boxing Day, but throughout the year.

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 7th-14th December 2022

Itโ€™s beginning to look a lot likeโ€ฆ. another week in early December; bar humbug! Therefore, hereโ€™s whatโ€™s doing in and around Wiltshire, all of which can be found on our event calendar, with further info and ticket links.….

If we missed your event, did you tell us about it? Itโ€™s free to be listed on Devizine, just drop us a message.

Ongoing, is Sustainable Devizesโ€™ Advent{ure} Reuse Christmas on The Little Green, Devizes, where you can be part of a living Advent Calendar! So many organisations have gathered for this, itโ€™s all very festive, and running until Christmas Eve.

Wednesday 7th is the regular acoustic jam at The Southgate, Devizes, while White Horse Opera hold their Christmas Concert at St Johnโ€™s.

Thursday 8th, thereโ€™s Craft and Chat at Chippenham Library, and the 14th Annual Pound Arts Open Exhibition at Pound Arts in Corsham.

Find a Vocation Naughty & Nice Drink-a-Long at The Snuffbox, Devizes, Oxbowlake & Shedric play The Tuppenny, Swindon, while Boo Hewerdineโ€™s Understudy Tour happens at Chapel Arts, Bath, with The Wurzelsโ€™ Christmas Tour comes to Komedia.

Friday 9th Southbroom St James Academy in Devizes have a Christmas Fayre from 5-7pm.

Little Red Riding Hood โ€“ The Panto opens at The Wharf Theatre, Devizes, running until December 17th, sorry, this has sold out.

Elsewhere in Devizes though, find a Christmas Celebration Concert with Devizes Good Afternoon Choir at St Andrews, and itโ€™s the grand evening for Longcroft Productions with Lachy Doley at The Corn Exchange. Sour Apple play The Three Crowns, and The Muck & Dunder have a Ten Hides Distillery Tasting session.

Sandi Thom plays Pound Arts in Corsham, Courtney Pineโ€™s Spirituality is at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon, while Severance plays The Three Horseshoes there. The Super Skas at Chapel Arts, Bath. On my must-see list, Ant Trouble, Adam & His Ants tribute plays The Tree House, Frome.

The Guns & Roses Experience at The Vic, Swindon, while The Britpop Boys takes Level III, Behind Bars at The Rolleston, and the Tuppeny has The Electric Kool-Aid Audio Test. Night one of The Great Gatsby at MECA.

Saturday 10th, regular Lego Club at Chippenham Library from 3-4pm.

Mark Smallman plays The Southgate, Devizes, while Illingworth are at The Crown, Bishops Cannings.

Be Like Will play The Talbot, Calne, while Old Friends are at The Wheatsheaf.

Homer plays The Lamb, Marlborough, while its sound system night at The Barge on Honeystreet, with the Jah Lion Movement Sound System, a fiver on the door.

Looking For Me Friend: The Music of Victoria Wood by The Cabaret Geek at Pound Arts, Corsham, while The Choir of Clare College Cambridge are at the Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.

Untamed Burlesque at Chapel Arts, Bath.

While The Great Gatsby continues at MECA in Swindon, ZambaLando are live at Baristocats, and ravers flock to Level III for the Midlife Krisis Crew will be in effect.

Sunday 11th Devizes Town Band have a Christmas Party at The Corn Exchange.

Wiltshire Young Musicians Christmas Festival at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon, while Cydernide & Tharsis play The Three Horseshoes.

A Winter Union at Chapel Arts, Bath, and Frome Vegan Fair at the Cheese & Grain.

Monday 12th and Saint Michael and All Angels in Hilperton have a concert; Follow the Star โ€“ Doves Peace Choir & Ebonite. And thereโ€™s the Rock the Tots Christmas Show at Pound Arts, Corsham

Tuesday 13th and find Beer & Carols at The Southgate, Devizes, and some Christmas Memories at Melksham Assembly Hall.

Wednesday 14th regular acoustic Jam at The Southgate, Devizes, a lunchtime harp recital by Lise Vandermissen at Pound Arts, Corsham, and Chuckles Comedy Club at MECA in Swindon.

And thatโ€™s all I got so far, folks, but we do update regularly, so keep one eye on our event calendar. Itโ€™s also good for future planning, just keep on scrollinโ€™, dude!

Things you need to be thinking about for the following weeks ahead: starter for ten, the Butch Hopkins Memorial Gig at The Corn Exchange, Devizes Friday 16th and youโ€™ll be hard pressed for tickets to Bublรฉ at MECA or The Sweet at the Cheese & Grain on that day.

Breathtakingly amazing local soprano Chole Jordanโ€™s Classical Christmas on Saturday 17th at Devizes Town Hall, in aid of Wiltshire Air Ambulance, but Iโ€™m planning be at Marlborough Memorial Hall for MantonFest are having a Christmas party with Barrelhouse and Slade tribute Slyde, and you know itโ€™s not Christmas until Noddy calls it! Do join me for that one.

Have a great weekend but behave; he knows if youโ€™ve been bad or good!

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Manning Lifeboats, In Devizes!

Manning the lifeboats with Devizes Arts Festival in landlocked Devizes last night, and I didnโ€™t even get a sticker. I did shake a tailfeather outโ€ฆ

Devizes; Full of Scummy Mummies!

Guys out on โ€œthe pullโ€ on Thursday in Devizes were cut short. The Scummy Mummies were back in town, and youโ€™ve never heard so manyโ€ฆ

Alex Roberts at The Barge, Honeystreetย 

by Ben Romain and Victoria Stanley

We ventured out to the Barge to catch Alex Roberts after first seeing him at The Southgate, Devizes on the highest recommendation of Devizes favourite Vince Bell. That was an introduction to an artist well worth following; so we duly did!ย 

The Barge has had its challenges in years past with unique past owners and misplaced concepts of what this particular Innโ€™s place in the community actually is, but happily this experience was more like earliest memories of folk gigs there twenty years before and a great venue to visit once again.

There was a warm welcome into a crowd of characters, some from miles away, pleased to follow Alex and regulars of the Inn and many boaters amongst them. A good foil for a talented folk singer, this crowd knowing as many on the cut do, how to sing and encourage willing musicians! 

Alex loves the Barge, and settled into the โ€˜stageโ€™ corner with a plethora of instruments, we were treated to interpretations of many great songs in the folk/blues traditions and of course brilliant songs of his own pen. 

Pyramid – Alex Roberts a fantastic song of his own writing, my favourite from his songbook this gig. Then covers such as โ€˜Girl from the North Countryโ€™, Bob Dylan delivered with such warmth and sensibility and a lifelong Dylan fan (such as myself) was enthralled.

So a lovely return to a great local venue and a great gig; everything you want from a Saturday eagerly awaited for this very reason. 

The Barge has a very active Facebook page and many gigs / events, we will certainly be making more of an effort to fit some in following this gig.ย 

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Pride Where Pride is Needed

Pride month finds me wondering if Pride events are actually needed more in our smaller market towns where awareness and acceptance is perhaps lesser thanโ€ฆ

After Ruby, Barrelhouse and RowdeFest 26

Images by Jess Worrow A busy late spring weekend across the county, with major events from Bradford-on-Avon to Swindon, but I’m bringing quality acts Iโ€ฆ

Bopping Up Alfredโ€™s Tower; A New Chippenham Band Stronghold

See, Iโ€™m not sure olโ€™ Alfred the Great wouldโ€™ve approved of the whopping gurt folly erected in his name near Bruton. He was there to rally Saxon troops for the Battle of Edington, and if youโ€™re planning to go kick some Viking butt you need to be inconspicuous, not have a hundred-and-sixty-foot redbrick tower sticking out like a sore thumb. He might well have liked this though, a new Wiltshire four-piece named after the tower; because good tunes can be a real morale boost when going into battleโ€ฆโ€ฆ

And good tunes they are, though the group cite from Chippenham on their Bandcamp page, substantial mileage from the Stourhead estate where Alfredโ€™s Tower is situated. Perhaps itโ€™s the connotations of Alfred being the founder of English liberty, as these four tracks they sent us have a Brit โ€œmodโ€ tinge, and mods are patriotic at best. I didnโ€™t like to ask, through fear of coming across all history teacher, and Iโ€™m all out of leather elbow patches for my Tweed jacket. The important part is thereโ€™s some beguiling original songs on offer here, uplifting in a manner Paul Weller, at his most optimistic.

Parachute Baby is a prime example, itโ€™s sauntering along on the sunny side of the street of a crazy world, where only the attention of the object of his desires matters to this character, and itโ€™s got that apt harmonica riff to lighten the darkest of moods. Though, if itโ€™s got it, Roy Orbison style, switching to the next tune, Nothing Good and weโ€™re foot-tapping on an offbeat, bouncy one-drop reggae melody, which counteracts the more dejected romantic theme; Iโ€™m smitten.

Though weโ€™re getting ahead of ourselves now, for these two tracks are forthcoming, the first one out around Christmas time and the latter in the new year, but their Bandcamp page has two other songs equally worthy of your attention. This World is their inaugural release, and while uplifting too, itโ€™s tender and mellowed. With a soulful piano intro, itโ€™s certainly anthemic, with an allowance to note the astute writing, and showy in Alfredโ€™s Towerโ€™s potential.

It is however in the amalgamation of all these tunes which displays their diversity, an EP is a necessity, I feel. The second released single, So Long, is soulful again, along similar lines to This World, but balancing a poignant electric blues element, akin to a meld of The Who at their smoothest and Pink Floyd does pop. And perhaps thereโ€™s a clue to the chosen name in this; itโ€™s a tower of variety, influences wise, reaching for the skies in uplifting narratives, strengthened by some skilfully executed original designs. Catchy within a rock classic formula, oh yeah, if this is foundational, the construction of Alfredโ€™s Tower is one to watch. Like โ€˜em up on Facebook for updates on said progress. We NEED to see them live!

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Chatting with Ruby Darbyshire

There’s the story of one newfound fan who, after her performance, asked Ruby how many copies of her CDs she had, bought the lot andโ€ฆ

Shindig Festival Goes Ahead, with Bob Vylan

After months of speculation, controversy, and local media bias, The Shindig Festival at Malmesbury’s Charton Park has been given the green lightโ€ฆ.. Despite Newsquest floggingโ€ฆ

Wife Cooks Husband in Devizes!

A wife cooked her husband on Thursday evening in Devizes. I watched the whole thing unfold, but would have politely passed off any offering ofโ€ฆ

New Devizes Mayor; Congratulations, Vanessa!

Three short years ago, we first spoke with Vanessa Tanner, campaigning in the Devizes Town Council by-election for Devizes East. In those few minutes, Iโ€ฆ

Should Wiltshire Council Fly the Pride Flag?

Wiltshire Council will discuss granting itself permission to fly the Pride Progress flag outside County Hall and other Wiltshire Council offices during Pride Month. Theโ€ฆ

REVIEW โ€“ Gigspanner @ Pound Arts Centre, Corsham โ€“ Tuesday 29th November 2022

A Night Of Extreme Violins

Andy Fawthrop

Yes, I know itโ€™s not in Devizes, but itโ€™s pretty darned close.ย  And it was definitely worth the trip out on a grim Tuesday night when nothing else was happening.ย  Folk or football?ย  Well, as Bill Shankly never actually said, this gig was far more important than mere life-or-death on a soccer field.

Gigspanner, if you donโ€™t know, is now the full-time musical project of ex-Steeleye Spanโ€™s violin genius, Peter Knight.  Having gradually become slightly exasperated with the repetitive nature of Steeleyeโ€™s musical repertoire, despite the occasional new album, Peter left in order to pursue his own musical interests.  And boy has he done that in spades over the past ten years or so.  His trio, including guitar and technical wizard Roger Flack, and percussionist Sacha Trochet, has become legendary in folk (and other) circles for their ground-breaking exploration of musical forms, pushing the basics of folk way, way beyond previous known limits.

The Pound Arts Centre was absolutely packed last night, with every ticket having sold some time ago.  Theyโ€™d managed to squeeze in two extra rows of seats at the front, and so it was that 120 of us welcomed these wonderful musicians to the stage.  Given the depth of applause, Iโ€™d guess that most of them were already big fans of the band and knew what was coming up.  And what came up was absolutely superb.  Building on the basic building blocks of a few โ€œtraditionalโ€ folk songs and tunes (She Moved Through The Fair, The Constant Lovers, The Bows of London and The Hard Times of Old England), the band built these foundations into something quite spectacular.  They moved these pieces far beyond the normal, extemporising and exploring as they went, and produced some spell-binding passages of music.  It was fascinating, it was beautiful, and it was utterly captivating.  Using violin, guitars, pedals, effects, and a range of percussion, the three of them wove some amazing musical patterns.  Itโ€™s absolutely unlike stuff youโ€™ll hear anywhere else, and played live on stage right in front of you, itโ€™s completely gob-smackingly good.  But there was even more.  Not content with re-defining what constitutes live โ€œfolkโ€ music, there were some new musical journeys based on Peterโ€™s own contemporary song/ tune-writing skills such as Seagull, Butterfly and (a collaboration with the late Terry Pratchett) I Will Wear Midnight.

And, as ever, there was laconic commentary and dry humour from Peter as he introduced each piece, followed by one of my favourite pieces of live musical โ€œtheatreโ€ in a piece theyโ€™ve been playing from the earliest days called Louisiana Flack.  In this party piece, and without the aid of a safety net, Peter plays a very fast fiddle piece, whilst Roger takes up a pair of drumsticks and simultaneously taps out a complementary beat/ tune across the neck and fingerboard, hopefully avoiding Peterโ€™s fingers.  Just watching these two consummate musicians pull this trick off is one of those breath-holding moments where youโ€™re not quite sure what youโ€™re seeing.  And it came off superbly, demonstrating the complete level of trust that these two musicians have for each other.  Truly amazing.

Altogether we got two good hour-long sets, which seemed to pass in but a few moments, and an outstanding ten-minute long encore of The Faerie King.  With only occasional lyrics (Peterโ€™s singing voice isnโ€™t why you go to see him), it was one very, very large helping of superbly played and presented music. It might have been based on โ€œfolkโ€, but what we heard would actually defy genre or mere pigeon-holing.  What you need to know is that it was very, very, very good.

Last night was, as it happened, the last night of the trioโ€™s current UK tour, but itโ€™s not all over.  The never-resting Peter Knight is starting a two-week tour on Saturday with John Spiers, then next year itโ€™ll be back to all the other projects in his life โ€“ The Gigspanner Big Band (with Philip Henry and Hannah Martin aka Edgelarks), collaborations with other musicians, Feast of Fiddles, as well as his teaching master-classes, composing and recording.  The man never stops.  No wonder he continues to draw plaudits from the musical press and to win so many music awards.  This man is definitely not, as he self-deprecatingly describes himself, โ€œa fool with a fiddleโ€.

Chatting with a clearly delighted band after the gig, they told me how much they loved playing The Pound.  CDs were selling like hot cakes, the audience had been great, and itโ€™s such a lovely, friendly venue. They always get treated like royalty (not you Andrew!), so Iโ€™m pretty sure theyโ€™ll be pencilling in another date sometime next year.  And if they do, then you owe it to yourself to get a ticket and go โ€“ I promise you wonโ€™t be disappointed.

Their future gigs are listed on www.gigspanner.com/ which includes dates in Swindon and Bristol next February.  And thereโ€™s lots of info on their other projects, such as Saltlines, too.

And, finally, just a word about The Pound Arts Centre.  Itโ€™s a cracking little venue, now back in full action, with a complete programme of events across drama, film, music, comedy, childrenโ€™s activities, art exhibitions, workshops, and classes.  It also has an excellent cafรฉ & bar just off the foyer.  Youโ€™ll have to look on their website for future music artists and online ticket information at www.poundarts.org.uk but (for example), theyโ€™ve got Jonny Coppinโ€™s Christmas Show, Bowjangles, Sandi Thom, and John Kirkpatrick, all of them before Christmas.  They show modern films and often carry live telecasts of live performances from London venues.  If youโ€™ve not been over there, itโ€™s definitely worth checking out.

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M3G, De-Anchored

At the end of last year Chippenham singer-songwriter M3G released the single Rooks. I felt it set her bar at a whole new higher level.โ€ฆ

Ready for RowdeFest?

Not long now, for Rowdefest! Which, as the name suggests, is in Rowde, near Devizes, on Saturday 30th May, and is a free, community spiritedโ€ฆ

Devizes Carnival Returning to Traditional Date

Something Iโ€™m personally impartial about, though DOCAโ€™s carnival consultation flagged it as a major issue for many, the recent date changes of carnival is set to be returned to the original date.…..

Announced this evening, DOCA said, โ€œbased on what we’ve heard, we have made the decision to move the Carnival back to the traditional date, the first weekend of September.โ€

Confetti Battle and the Colour Rush will remain on a Saturday, DOCA suggesting itโ€™s โ€œbeen a welcome change overall,โ€ and will be set two weekends prior to Carnival. This will create the “Carnival Fortnight,” as it was before, alongside some fringe events of entertainment in collaboration with local businesses. The International Street Fair will stay in early summer.

The key dates for next year look at little something like this:

International Street Fair – 27th & 28th May

Picnic in the Park – 18th June

Colour Rush & Confetti Battle – 19th August

Carnival Parade – 2nd September

Hummm, summer; Iโ€™m there already!

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Time to Be Thinking About CrownFest 2026

Not just a pretty spiral church, there’s plenty for Bishop’s Cannings to be proud about. Evidence with the personal touch recently defeated a brazen landgrab,โ€ฆ

Vinyl Realm Settles Into New Home

A median haul of vinyl can weigh in, but thereโ€™s no longer a trek down Northgate Street for record collectors and musicians alike. Vinyl Realmโ€ฆ

Radium on Liddington Hill

Swindon-based adrenaline pumping five-piece Liddington Hill released their first EP for three years, and Radium is highly radioactiveโ€ฆ.. For most on the North Wessex Downs,โ€ฆ

Illingworth Celebrate Their 100th Gig!

Salisbury-based acoustic rock duo John Illingworth Smith and Jolyon Dixon play The High Post Golf Club, between Amesbury and Salisbury this Friday 2nd December, and celebrate that it’s their 100 gig.

Although the duo had been collaborating musically for over three decades, gigs dried out proir to 2019, and they stopped, as Jolyon vaguely explained, “for one reason or another!”

He told of how around the Christmas peroid of that year, “John and I were chatting about how we missed doing gigs, wondering if we should maybe get a set together and have go at performing again as a duo.”

“We wasn’t certain if anyone would want to listen,” Jolyon continued, “if we could actually get any gigs at all, or even how to get the songs working with just the two of us playing.” Today it’s still a wonder to us how they manage such a gorgeous sound as a duo, but they do! At Bishop’s Cannings’ CrownFest this summer they stole the stage following two heavy rocks bands, and to see Illingworth stamp their mark on a cover as technical as Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here, or The Beatles’ Hey Jude, is something really special.

To maintain a pub circuit, Illingworth have mastered the cover scene with a plethora of memorable and sing-along rock classics, but neither are they strangers to creating originals, knocking out two breathtaking albums to date. This is where their relationship with Salisbury’s Tunnel Rat studio producer, Eddie Prestidge, comes in handy.

“Our good friend Eddie encouraged us to give it a try,” Jolyon said, “offered to become our manager and handle the bookings. So, we gladly accepted and sure enough we got our first booking in February 2020, with several more following soon after. Of course, early in March the lockdowns started and we couldn’t go out and play. We were gutted, but, undeterred we used the time to make a new album of original songs and we did gigs whenever the restrictions allowed.”

“Well, this weekend will be our 100th gig, So we would just like to say thank you so so much to all the excellent venues that have booked us, the weddings, parties, festivals, celebrations and absolutely everyone who has come to see us along the way! It’s been an absolute blast getting to this point. We still love doing what we do, and hope to make it to our 200th gig!”

With the trajectory these guys are flying on, I estimate that’ll be around spring! What more of an apt venue name, then, for their 100th gig than the High Post?! But seriously, these guys could bring joy to punters and provide a cracking night to any pub. I’d wager they could even raise the morale of the Queen Vic in Eastenders given half a chance!

Congratulations to John, Jolyon and Eddie, and hope to catch you again soon, guys.

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 30th November โ€“ 6th December 2022

No point in amending your bad behaviour now, far too late; youโ€™ve got to have been good all year round to get on the good list. So, may as well carry on as usual, as this week sees us in the wintery but festive season. Are you ready, excited? Hereโ€™s our rundown of stuff to do this coming week in our local province, walking in the winter Wiltshireโ€ฆ.

Details and Links, and for planning ahead, check our event calendar.

Last day of November then, tomorrow; Wednesday 30th, acoustic jam at the Southgate, Devizes, and Doric String Quartet at the Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.

Starting Thursday 1st December on The Little Green, Devizes and running until Christmas Eve, Sustainable Devizes have the Advent{ure} Reuse Christmas, where you can be part of a living Advent Calendar! Create a scene or event for one evening during advent on a Christmas story or theme, to be displayed/performed for all to enjoy, and so many organisations have contributed to this. More HERE.

Meanwhile, Sarah McQuaid plays The Pump, Trowbridge, Martin Harley at Chapel Arts, Bath, The Bob Porter Project at The Beehive, Swindon, and UKโ€™s hottest drag act, Holly Stars presents their first solo show Justice for Holly, at the Cheese & Grain, Frome.

Friday 2nd December, Sour Apple play The Pelican, Devizes, B-Sydes at The Pump, Trowbridge, Train to Skaville at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford on Avon. Thereโ€™s also an evening of acoustic country with the Alan West Band at Chapel Arts, Bath.

Every Friday night from now until Christmas is Christmas Party night at the Exchange nightclub in Devizes, doors at 10pm, free entry before 11.

Shows include Through the Decades with Roy & Buddy at Melksham Assembly Hall, and Stardust: A Musical Journey at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.

Pink Mac play The Vic in Swindon, while Bone Chapel take The Beehive.

Oas-is tribute at the Cheese & Grain, Frome, while L1nkn P4rk tribute at the Tree House, and for want of an originals band in Frome on Friday, the incredible 41 Fords play The Sun Inn.

Saturday 3rd, and Devizes Lions have their Christmas Fair at the Corn Exchange, from 9am-2pm. The Churchill Arms, West Lavington also have a Christmas Fayre, from 2-5pm. Regular Lego Club at Chippenham Library from 3-4pm. And Iโ€™m sure thereโ€™s Christmas fairs going off all over the place, but itโ€™s a daunting task keeping up with all of that!

Onto music, and our Phil Cooper plays The Southgate, Devizes, Alex Roberts is at The Barge on Honey Street. Grant Sharkey plays The Pump, Trowbridge, while Triple JD are at the Old Road Tavern, Chippenham. The Ultimate ABBA Tribute play The Consti Club, Chippenham.

St Marys, Marlborough host the Marlborough Concert Orchestra Winter Concert, and Barrelhouse on their home-turf at The Lamb. Meanwhile, in Swindon, Oasish & Stereotonics play The Vic.

Westwards leading and itโ€™s a Boot Hill All Stars pilgrimage to The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon, Oye Santana at Chapel Arts, Bath, while DJ Dave Pearce presents Dance Anthems at the Cheese & Grain, Frome, and Billy in the Lowground take The Tree House.

Sunday 4th, Seend Community Centre has a Christmas Concert in aid of Alzheimerโ€™s Support, and the Wessex Concert Orchestra play a Winter Concert at Devizes Town Hall.

Trowbridge Philharmonic Choir at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon, and an ultimate Christmas party for the little ones at Meca, Swindon called Calling all Elves.

Itโ€™s not a massive weekend for live music, the build up to the festive period, but if in Bath on Sunday, it must be an afternoon session at The Electric Bar, where youโ€™ll find Concrete Prairie live in session.

And thatโ€™s all folks, have a good weekend. Please do send me some details of your Christmas events, and especially New Yearโ€™s Eve, which is looking unusually bare on our calendar this year.

Trending…..

Mighty Mighty; The Scribes Storm the Muck!

Another fantabulous evening at Devizes’ tropical holiday resort, The Muck and Dunder rum bar, where Bristol’s boom bap trio I’ve been hailing since day dot, The Scribes, came, saw, matchlessly interacted with the audience, and tore the place down with a riotous show of incredible skill and talent; secretly, it was foreseeable months ago……

Again, straw hats off to the Muck, just like previous evenings with the Allergies, Jimmy Needles and recently the BBC Introducing showcase, it’s the like we don’t usually see in our humble market town. Something I’ve been excited about before even leaking the scoop, hyping up here till the cows come home, and still, it exceeded my expectations. It did so with one most important element; Devizes showed their respect loud and proud, attending in full force for this sell-out show, and made me honoured to illustrate what Iโ€™d hitherto promised to frontman Ill Literate, and even his dad, Literate senior(!); this is our hometown, it punches well above its weight in knowing how to party.

For if there are others of this calibre currently on the UK hip hop scene, I’m unaware of them. The Scribes, I find no quarrel in dubbing โ€œour Tribe Called Quest,โ€ for the similar way they can lyrically interchange and bounce off each other, extend their presence further afield from the niche. They’re about spreading their love of hip hop and rap, using an exuberant and carefree east coast old school ethos, blended with contemporary rap techniques, blessing new audiences with what they’ve got, and aside their addictive and inimitable style, they’re having a heap of fun doing it. Just donโ€™t do like I did, and try to capture a snap of them, they move about like Michael McIntyre on fast-forward!

Tunes played out were tricky to pinpoint, not while jigging and balancing my pina colada! Undoubtedly, they dipped into the vitrine of their latest EP, a forthcoming second in the series of the Totem Trilogy, and I did pick out my dub-inspired favourite, Mighty Mighty. Yet in rap no tune is ever precisely replicated, making an improv live show different every time. What was a highlight of the miscellany was the Doug E Fresh moments of drafting in the single-most amazing beatboxer this side of Barnard Star, which if youโ€™ve never seen the like of in good olโ€™ Devizes before, it’s equally unlikely youโ€™ve seen the like of anywhere before, if you catch my drift?! What? Iโ€™ve had rum!

With the upmost respect for the influence Mel Bush left on Devizes, the legendary promoter who bought Thin Lizzy to the Corn Exchange, I find it fascinating the same year he did, 1973, across the ocean in a Bronx block-party, Kool Herc isolated percussion โ€œbreaksโ€ by switching between two turntables via a mixer, to prolong the beat of the track. Yet to many here, what he fashioned that night is still regarded as new-fangled!

Albeit progress out of the ghettos of New York for hip hop was sluggish, at best not arriving on our shores until a decade later, hip hop culture is no new thing. So, while this legacy for electric blues and prog-rock is still felt today, through the likes of Jon Amor, who plays the Southgate this afternoon, Innes Sibun and whenever Robin Davey returns, and this marks a blessing on our music scene which I fully appreciate, rum bar The Muck and Dunder aim for diversity, for daring to present dance, club, and hip hop, perhaps reaching out to the twenty and thirty-somethings wanting more than a standard nightclub. And for this, providing theyโ€™ll accommodate my aging sorry existence, I cannot thank them enough!

For me, you see, I loved it since a nipper; the cuts of Grandmaster Flash, the moves of the Rock Steady Crew, the subway graffiti, and right through to Public Enemy and the Beastie Boys, so I believe Iโ€™m conversant on the subject to assess the Scribes are the freshest on the block, and Iโ€™m glad we showed them what weโ€™re worth in Devizes. Because, hereโ€™s my final point, and I feel itโ€™s the most important one, at least in destroying an ill-conceived misconception about the genre which The Scribes highlight with bells on. And that is, the pretentiousness, the bling, guns, and chip on the shoulder stereotype is a product of commercialisation, and is more often than not, an unwelcomed division.

The Scribes circumnavigated the good ship Muck & Dunder prior to the hoedown, chatting enthusiastically with all. To talk with Ill Literate is to find a kindly fellow with definite goals, a positive agenda, and ardent in the direction he needs to take this. Take his recent solo EP, The Shipwreck as a prime example; hereโ€™s a rap record on the level of concept album, akin to prog-rock, with a conscious narrative flowing throughout. This isnโ€™t just rapping to make a noise, this is dedicated writing and production, though on a night like last night at the Muck, itโ€™s also about appeasing the crowd, which they did, sublimely. I walked home in the pissing rain, smiling all the way.

Trending…

Serenโ€™s New Single; Worm

Thereโ€™s a cold remote ambience of burrowing doubt in the opening of Westburyโ€™s singer-songwriter Serenโ€™s debut song, in which, as the title suggests, she usesโ€ฆ

The date is set for Imberbus 2026 !

We are pleased to start 2026 by announcing that this year, we are planning to run the Imberbus service on Saturday 15th August 2026 whenโ€ฆ

Don’t Click on Illegal Rave Rage-Bait!

The biggest risk for any media reporting negatively on illegal raves is that, in their youth, their fifty-plus target audience probably attended illegal raves themselves!โ€ฆ

Dr John Otway Rocks Trowbridgeโ€™s Pump

By Lorraine Briggs

The last time Otway played Trowbridge was in July 2003 at the Village Pump Festival, he returned last night to a gig to raise funds for the same festival in 2023; and what a show it was! Earlier this year Otway played his 5,000th gig at the Empire Shepherds Bush; and his wealth of experience was evident as he masterfully took the audience on a journey of music and laughterโ€ฆโ€ฆ

Recently awarded a doctorate in music, Dr John healed the sell-out audiencesโ€™ woes with his madcap antics and deceptively clever lyrics; delighting loyal fans and virgins alike.

As per his live album, โ€˜The Set Remains the Same,โ€™ there were few changes to either of the two sets except a dedication of โ€˜Louisa on a Horseโ€™ to his long-term friend and fellow performer Wilko Johnson, who sadly passed away earlier this week.  During this number Otwayโ€™s exuberant performance caused the pliable stage to wobble and an amp to tilt forward.  Whilst this was duly saved by Deadly the Roadie before any real damage was done; I smiled to myself that Wilko had also given it a nudge and was chuckling with us.

One of the best parts for me about Otwayโ€™s solo shows are the expressions on the audiences’ faces, especially those who are new to the party, as he progresses through the first set with the immortal words โ€œWell if you thought that was stupid, wait until the next song!โ€ and closes it with โ€œYouโ€™ll probably need a drink after this, I know that I will!โ€ ย From a 12 string guitar thatโ€™s hinged in the middle to a human drum machine, Otway certainly knows how to hold the attention of the crowd.

The second set was just as fun, the crowd joined in with the heckling to โ€˜House of the Rising Sunโ€™ with gusto, and contrastingly Deadlyโ€™s lack lustre disco dancing to Otwayโ€™s top ten hit โ€˜Bunsen Burnerโ€™ went down a storm.  All good things must come to an end and inevitably it did; finishing with two encores โ€˜Cherylโ€™ and โ€˜Head Butts,โ€™ encouraged by a zealous audience.

For future gigs at The Pump, click HERE.

Trending….

Harmony Asia Can Do This

Itโ€™s a question Iโ€™ve asked Chippenham singer-songwriter Harmony Asia on each rare occasion I catch her for a chat; if sheโ€™s planning to capture aโ€ฆ

How it Feels for a Bluebeard!

The first time I heard the name Bluebeard and the Desperate Hours, I presumed their sound might be folk or blues inspired. Judging a bookโ€ฆ

Extended Lineup for CrownFest

It was back in October when we revealed CrownFest at The Crown in Bishopโ€™s Cannings was returning this summer, and January when we last mentionedโ€ฆ

DOCA Step into Christmas!

As sparkly as Elton John at his most sparkliest, Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts pulled the tinsel out of bag for the annual Winter Festival yesterday evening, leaving no niggles for a ‘review’ here, as such, just saying, and besides, if you live in or around Devizes, you were likely there anyway!

Edited out of my chat with one half of the new management team, Annabel, a few months ago, was the part where I described partaking in a lantern parade of yore, when the nippers were nippier and I was lesser of grey hair. It was met with a torrential storm, after we’d walked from St Johns, the lantern collection point, to the starting blocks at the Wharf. After a lengthly wait, while professional lantern makers gasconaded and kids became tiresome already, we marched on, around the entire town, arriving in the Market Place like war-torn soldiers. We carried freezing slain underarm, tired toddlers unable to stay concious and victims of gale forces gallantry still waving a bare stick in the air, of where a lantern once stood, only because it was frozen to their hand!

Okay, please allow slight exaggeration for artistic licence, but it was a trek even for the able-bodied. If the route these days is far more suitable, just a loop around the Market Place via Long Street and returning along the High Street, it was about the only change made, opting for all the custom aspects of the occasion; should keep the traditionalists content!

Except Devizes Town Council seemed to not warrant inviting Father Christmas to make for the high ground to make the light switch, as is tradition and a grand element of excitement for the little people, which was a shame. Otherwise, everything was in place for a wonderful time, this mild November evening.

The few art installations were aside the usual routes, so not trying the event to be akin to street festival, it was left to Devizes Town Band to entertain, under the memorial, which they did, kicking off with Hark the Herald Angel Sing; yep, definitely in the Christmassy mood now!

Devizes Young Farmers parked their tractors, adorned with fairy lights and tinsel, ahead of their Tinsel Run on Sunday 18th, a newer event by comparison, but over the last couple of years, fast also becoming a tradition. I’m unsure if they’ll keep all those lights on and flashing until the 18th, while working the fields, or if they take them all off again until the big day.

From the bustling Shambles to the Market Place crowds gathered, a variety of stalls, a great selection of tucker, and a busy craft fair in the Corn Exchange, coupled with the ever-fantastic lantern parade, which, once gathered the tree lights go on and the finale of fireworks commence. It’s the working method Devizes has seen in the season with for decades, and it made no sense to alter it; if it’s not broken…… congratulations again, DOCA, a super evening was had.

Trending….

Chandra Likely To Go Boom!

Buzzwords, like โ€œturbo,โ€ or โ€œsonicโ€ are cliche, overused trends which gain popularity because they sound impressive, even if they are empty of meaning. I avoidโ€ฆ

Only The Brave Burn The Midnight Oil

Hurrah, at last! Only The Brave is the debut song from Burn The Midnight Oilโ€™s revised lineup; something Iโ€™ve been anticipating since watching them rehearseโ€ฆ

Devizes First Ever Life-Size Advent Calender

For the first time, Devizes will have its own life-size interactive Advent Calendar starting from the 1st of December. Devizes Adventure is a community event to bring our town together as we approach Christmas….

Each night throughout Advent, Devizes Adventure will be on the Little Green, where the calendarโ€™s doors will open for one hour to reveal a different festive and fun display each day.

With 24 days of Advent there are 24 different groups involved, including local schools, charities, arts organisations, churches, families, and The British Lion pub! The โ€˜Christmas Storiesโ€™ theme chosen for this yearโ€™s Adventure allows each of the groups to give their own creative take on the Christmas stories we all know and love.

Each night will be a unique creative event – some nights the Devizes Adventure doors will open to live music, on other nights it may be storytelling, drama, a creative workshop with things to make and take home, or a fantastic display.

If you pick up a Devizes Adventure flyer at the event, or bring the one delivered to your home, and have it stamped each night you attend, those who come along to the most will be entered into a draw to win a gift just in time for Christmas.

The idea โ€“ inspired by the hugely successful Brighton beach hut advent calendar – is the brainchild of a group of volunteers.

Rev. Richard Saint of St Jamesโ€™s Church, one of the organisers, said: “It’s intended to be a really fantastic, creative event – by the community for the community – and a lovely way to bring people together on the journey to Christmas. Itโ€™s definitely one for every age, and especially for children, whoโ€™ll love each new life-size Advent display and collecting the stamps.โ€

Devizes Adventure will open its doors from 5:30-6:30pm each night on the Little Green from December 1st until the doors finally close at 6:30pm on December 24th.

List of Participating Groups



1st – Bishops Cannings School

2nd – Sustainable Devizes

3rd – Devizes 6th Scout Group

4th – Christingle

5th – Featherbrook Connect Group

6th – Wiltshire Police

7th – 10:10 Youth Group

8th – Oliver’s Connect Group

9th – Lighthouse Youth Group

10th – The Journey Group

11th – Remembering & Thanksgiving

12th – Sibson’s Connect Group

13th – DOCA

14th – Trinity School

15th – Big Sound! Community Choir

16th – The MacDonald Family

17th – Southbroom St James School

18th – Home for Good

19th – St Andrew’s Church

20th – Hope for Justice

21st – Sheep Street Baptist Church

22nd – Jones’ Connect Group

23rd – The British Lion

24th – St James Church

Unemployment is a Choice, Says Wiltshire PCC Phillip Wilkinson

You’ve got to love social media for its provision into the ethics of those in positions of power. It’s beggar’s belief why no-one in the White House office monitered Trump’s flutters on Twitter, let alone attempted to stop him.

Similarly, while this thread on the Facebook page of Wiltshire Police Crime Comissioner, Phillip Wilkinson, begun on the rightful topic of tackling knife crime, it quickly became a little frosted window into the psyche and ethos of our PCC, who, to a response suggesting rising crime rates and employment satisfaction are related, stated “people need to work to earn a wage which over 5 million have decided not to do.”

With a tendency to say what he sees on his official Facebook page, Phillip Wilkinson might fair well on TV’s Catchphrase, but in a position of power such as PCC, is this really a responsible reply to a simple notion? That’s not to suggest I believe everyone currently out of work is striving to regain employment, and will be the first to agree there’s a debatable number bucking the system (like many politicians evidently are too, only far worse), but if current unemployment numbers sit at 5.3 million, just where did Wilko pull the statistic that 96% of them made a premeditated choice to be out of work?

One has to ponder if this is an extremely bad choice of wording on his part, or if he really believes the vast majority of unemployed choose to be unemployed, for the latter option sounding most probable is, quite honestly, a grossly misinformed, shameful and thoroughly irresponsible attitude.

I find myself wondering if he has the foggiest notion just how frustrating and demoralising being out of work is, for the majority out of work, if he’s stopped to contemplate how damaging his comment is, and if, admist his pomposity, he really gives a hoot.

Fact is, a massive majority out of work are not so because of a concious decision not to, rather cannot work due to mental or physical illness, redundancy or being laid off, or social situations such as single parents without skills or experience to obtain a salary able to cover childcare costs. Anyone with any basic understanding of how real life works already knows this, you’d have thought?!

There’s even a great number of them unable to gain employment after being mentally or physically injured serving in the forces, which he so proudly parades his own record in; whatever happened to the “nemo resideo” ethos of solidarity in the armed forces?

But more concerning is it’s a fact surely garnished with bittersweet hypocrisy that the very political party Phillip Wilkinson aligns to are responsible for such poor conditions and economic decline rendering the situation far worse than it need be. Shut the front door in the face of shallowness!

Someone draw a map of logic for the chap, and manoeuvre some tanks of reason across it in a manner he might comprehend; dole, job seeker’s allowance, tax credits, whatever the latest name a government office human resources team spent serveral conferences deciding to call it, is a safety net, because no one’s job is 100% safe. Anyone can find themselves out of work, from their factory closing to their business in negative equity, and everyone who worked paid for that safety net, it is our money, we put in to build it.

Still, it’s the negative stereotyping and arrogant attitudes of odious individuals like this which projects the concept one should feel honoured for the ability to take any of this back, one should feel ashamed to have to sign on, and this turns the coggs of a vicious circle in the demoralising the very being of unemployment.

Far from me lobbing a random opinion for the sake of mocking a tory, I’ve felt it myself, been there. I’m speaking from experience and with an open heart. What the Wiltshire PCC expresses here is openly and unashamedly prejudice against the unwell, the sick and disabled, not least the poor or homeless, and coming from a man responsible for our policing, it’s also throughly concerning.

To Mr Wilkinson I ask if he realises people retain their morals when not working, their emotions too, and doesn’t abuse his position to highlight his wonky and, frankly, disgusting opinions.

Devizine Podcast Pilot!

Okay, so, everyone is doing a podcast these days, and I’m a sucker which finds it impossible to go against the grain. Here’s my pathetic attempt at comedy, interspliced with some great, mostly locally sourced tunes…… enjoy as best you can, there’s no guilt in not listening, because if you don’t, you’re the sensible one!

Do not fear, it’s under an hour and half, anymore and I worry for your sanity. But, if I’m honest, I’m a smidgen worried how this is going to go down, being new to all this, so any feedback I might even yet take heed of! Please note, though, this is adult show, with adult material, which some listeners may find offensive.

Any more than one piece of positive feedback and I might be persuaded to make it monthly thing, already got a number of local Christmassy songs for a seasonal special next time; you have been warned!

As I said in it, I’d really like a jingle, if some musical friends have the time to record a quick ditty and send it in, that’d be awesome. Something which really clarifies just how crap it is, would be nice!

Trending…

Dulcet Tones Rock Back to Bassett!

You’re a teenage Tom Cruise, at least you wish you were, but stay with me on this! Your parents are away, you’re home alone withโ€ฆ

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 22nd โ€“ 29th November 2022

Heads down for the last week of November, and thereโ€™s so much to get through. As usual, links and details to all events mentioned here are listed on our event calendar HERE, so check it out, as it may yet be updated before the week is through.…

The observant among us (Iโ€™m told there are some!) will notice Iโ€™m deleting past dates now, so todayโ€™s date will show at the top of the calendar, hopefully making it easier to follow. Iโ€™m looking at better ways to present this info, but to be honest, Google calendars are impractical for storing the vast amount of info we have here, and the site is restricting on what we can do. Iโ€™m working on it but finding a method which is easy and quick to put up the information and equally user-friendly is tricky.

Anyway, lots to get throughโ€ฆ Tuesday, I got nothing, the regular acoustic jam night down The Southgate Devizes on Wednesdays, and on this Wednesday, 23rd, Richard Robbins presents Passage of Time at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon, Matt Deighton plays The Tree House, Frome and thereโ€™s a Willow Reindeer Festive Workshop starting at Salisbury Arts Centre, running until 30th.

To be honest, thereโ€™s so many craft fayres and Christmas events happening itโ€™s impossible to keep track and also keep sane! Do look out for them on your local social media groups.

On Thursday 24th Milton Jones brings his Milton Impossible tour to the Cheese & Grain. Thereโ€™s open mic at Stallards, Trowbridge, while their town hall has The Iโ€™s Have It, a pre-Christmas celebration of Italian and Irish, with music from Luca Rossi and Ruairi Glasheen, plus a delicious three-course Italian feast.

With the theme โ€˜Cold Weather, Warm Heartsโ€™ the week ends with DOCA in Devizes, starting Thursday Devizes Window Wanderland 2022 will be go! DOCA are inviting our local community to create something special in their windows to show just what an amazingly creative place Devizes is. Anyone with a window can create a display, but you should have registered for this already. All the public now need is the interactive map of Devizes highlighting all the different window locations.

And onto Friday 25th, the Devizes Winter Parade will light up the town, need I say more? Only to wish all the DOCA volunteers the very best, and Annabel and Ashley especially for their maiden voyage at the helm! Thereโ€™s been a few social media posts about what to expect, such as the Celestial Sound Cloud; an interactive sound art installation from Pif-Paf Theatre, to be installed in the grounds of St. John’s on Friday and Saturday. They all look breath-taking, and the Shambles will be open late for shopping, and all this is leading me to believe this is going to be the most memorable one yet. Lanterns assemble!

Atop of this, The Pelican holds a Christmas Lantern Parade Festive Karaoke Party, and it might be your last chance to catch the highly recommended People Like Us before Christmas; theyโ€™ll be at the Three Crowns, Devizes; tidy!

Elsewhere on Friday, John Otway plays the Pump, Trowbridge. Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment presents The Moon Hares at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon, and Matt Owens & The Delusional Vanity Project play out their album โ€œBeer For The Horsesโ€ at its launch at Chapel Arts, Bath.

Fossil Fools play The Vic, Swindon, while Fort Boyard & SexJazz do the The Rolleston, and its soul night at Meca, with an evening called Lost in Music.

Barnstormers Comedy at Salisbury Arts Centre, and thatโ€™s Friday done.

Saturday 26th is big, and itโ€™s not just Lego Club from 3-4pm at Chippenham Museum! Winter Festival in Devizes continues, plus…….

I believe theyโ€™ve sold out now at SoupChick, who hold their second feast in the Shambles, Light of Kashmir promises to be beguiling, exclusive evening celebrating Kashmiri Cuisine and Couture, hosted by Angela Cave of The Parrot Cage and Anya Toropov of Soupchick. I attended the first one of these fabulous feasts, my tastebuds are still loving me for it. I am so sorry to miss out, but I will be at our Editorโ€™s Pick of The Week!

Editorโ€™s Pick of the Week: The Sribes at the Muck & Dunder

Despite Fridayโ€™s Lantern Parade, which should in most reasoning be my pick of the week, Iโ€™m certain there will the entire population of the Devizes area attending, ergo thereโ€™s no need to plug it anymore. No, what Iโ€™m talking about is the evening at the Muck & Dunder Rum Bar in Devizes Iโ€™ve been waiting for an age for, when hip hop sensations The Scribes bring boom bap to town; this, I tell you now, will go off. Tickets are running low, get in now, theyโ€™re only a fiver, and I hope to see you there, with one hand in the air! I did a poster for it, but they didnโ€™t use it, I thought it quite good, and being theyโ€™ve not done another poster for it, Iโ€™m using to highlight it here, but you should note, itโ€™s not the official poster!

Rockport play The Southgate, Pink Mac at the Barge, Honey-Street, Chaos Brothers at the Lamb, Marlborough. Melksham Rock N Roll Club have The Delray Rockets, and thereโ€™s the 20 Things for 20 Years Big Ball at Spencerโ€™s Club.

Oh, and donโ€™t forget The Toy Pig Race at Erlestoke Golf Course, which sounds too much fun for me!

The Moscow Drug Club, another disappointed missed gig for me after reading Andyโ€™s superb review when they came to Devizes Arts Festival; they play the Pump, Trowbridge. Meanwhile find The Reservoir Hogs at The Wiltshire Yeoman, on Chalk Road.

Lonely Road Band play Colerne Liberal Club, Alter Eagles at Chapel Arts, Bath. Also in Bath, the interactive Alice in Wonderland Experience begins. Calan at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon, also there, Bath Camerate presents Mother & Child.

In Swindon, thereโ€™s a Sahara Trek Fundraiser for Prospect Hospice with Slagerij, Death is a Girl, and Buswell & Nyberg, plus DJ Dust at Level III, while State of Quo play The Vic; they might be a tribute act, but Iโ€™m not certain of whom!!

Panto time, of course, Wharf Theatre announced theyโ€™ve sold out for Little Red Riding Hood, though we may yet be able to bring you a review of the night. So, find Cinderella starting at Salisbury Playhouse, opening Saturday, and running until January 23rd. Staying in the Spire, The Spitfire Sisters play Salisbury Arts Centre.

Thatโ€™s Saturday dusted, from hip hop to panto, and rock n roll to pig racing! Last but by no means least, lucky ones get to see Turin Brakes play the Cheese & Grain, Frome; where else?!

Sunday 27th and Jon Amorโ€™s residency at The Southgate, Devizes has been shifted from itโ€™s usual spot, first Sunday of the month to this Sunday, donโ€™t say I didnโ€™t warn you!

The fantastic N/SH plays Avebury Music Night, and the Bath Symphony Orchestra are at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon; weekend over, unless youโ€™ve heard something we havenโ€™t; then why did you not tell us about it?!

Nothing on Monday and Tuesday, yet; get some shopping done, donโ€™t be like me and wait to the last minute because youโ€™re too busy telling everyone else what they should be doing!! See you at The Muck? Hip hop hooray!

Trending….

Whatever Happened to Pancake Races in Devizes?

It seems Shrove Tuesday celebrations in Devizes have fallen as flat as aโ€ฆ.well, you get the gagโ€ฆ Traditionally organised by Age Concern Wiltshire, and oftenโ€ฆ

Rowdefest 26 Lineup Reveal!

Drizzly Sundayโ€ฆagain. Iโ€™ve just finished designing the poster, so allow me to reveal the lineup for Rowdefest this coming May, might cheer us up aโ€ฆ

REVIEW โ€“ Jazz Sabbath @ Corn Exchange, Devizes โ€“ Sunday 20th November 2022

You wait for one to come alongโ€ฆ.

by Andy Fawthrop

After Saturdayโ€™s double-header at Long Street Blues Club with the Alex Voysey Trio and Hardwicke Circus, there was hardly time to draw breath on this exciting musical weekend.ย  A quick shift from the Con Club to The Corn Exchange, and there we were on a rare Sunday night out.ย  Yesterday evening D-Town hosted Jazz Sabbath as part of their UK tour, a date long in the calendar thanks to the forward thinking of Paul Chandlerโ€™s Longcroft Productions.…..

Iโ€™m sure Paul had been hoping for a somewhat larger audience to pack out the Corn Exchange, but there were still plenty enough people there to enjoy the club-style layout of dimly-lit tables and a sparsely-lit stage.  And the quality of the music provided was absolutely top-notch.

First up in the Support slot was London-based Billy Watman, who turned out to be an absolute wizz on the guitar.ย  Having spent his training in classical and flamenco styles, Billy treated us to an absolute master-class in how to get every sound possible out of his instrument.ย  With the occasional use of loops and pedals, he laid down his own backing tracks before playing some of the most virtuoso acoustic guitar work that Iโ€™ve seen or heard in a very long.ย  Explaining what he was doing as he went along, in modest and understated style, he laid out fingerstyle versions of Back To Black, Boney Mโ€™s Rasputin and even Pink Floydโ€™s Brick In The Wall.ย  This guy was massively proficient โ€“ thereโ€™s just no other way to put it.ย  He had the audience on side right from the get-go.ย  In fact there was only one thing wrong with his set โ€“ it was simply too damned short at only 20 minutes.ย  Iโ€™m pretty sure the audience would have liked a lot more.ย  Great stuff.

After the interval, and before the main act took the stage, we were treated toโ€ฆ.a film!  A short docu-style item, featuring many celebrities, setting up the myth of the band doing their first gigs for 53 years!  (If you go onto their website you can read all the spoof material for yourself).  The joke/ conceit was maintained throughout the evening with further bits of film, and Adam himself pretending to be an 84-year old (heโ€™s actually 48, just be clear).

I donโ€™t know โ€“ you wait for years for a Black Sabbath tribute band to play in D-Town, and then two of them come along in a matter of a few weeks (Black Sabbitch played here only a month ago).  And then they were on stage.  Jazz Sabbath featured Adam Wakeman, son of Rick Wakeman, keyboards, Dylan Howe, son of Alan Howe on drums and Jack Tustin (son of his parents Iโ€™m sure), on upright bass.

The whole idea was to produce jazz interpretations of Black Sabbath classics.  Sounds mad, but it wasnโ€™t.  Adam has cut his teeth working for many years both with Black Sabbath, and with Ozzy Osborneโ€™s Band, so heโ€™s pretty familiar with the heavy metal basic material.  However his arrangements were an almost unrecognisable world away, and lots of the material was Adamโ€™s own contemporary compositions.  This was very little Sabbath, and very much Jazz.

The two sets, apart from the spoof interruptions, were confident, laid-back, melodic and highly enjoyable.ย  Adam himself, taking the lead on piano, did all the talking.ย  It was uncanny to see him sitting in exactly the same place as his father Rick had done almost four years ago when he played the same stage with his KGB band. The audience, who were soon into both the music and the comedic wrap-around, were attentive and appreciative.ย  There was a richly deserved encore, and the crowd hit the streets happy, having been royally entertained.

And just time for a general shout out to all those who worked so hard behind the scenes to make this gig happen, and to transform the barn of the Corn Exchange into a warm welcoming club atmosphere โ€“ from the sound guys, the stage setting/ lighting, the table lay-outs โ€“ a perfect backdrop for some great music.  This is the sort of gig that helps to put D-Town on the UK musical map, and further proof that the town can punch above its weight in terms of musical quality.  The gig was a bit of a (financial) risk, and whilst it might not have entirely paid off, it was nevertheless (musically at least) an absolute triumph.  Maybe the tickets were a bit expensive?  Maybe folks donโ€™t like going out on Sunday nights?  Who knows?  But this sort of gig needs all our support.

And thereโ€™s a chance to do just that in a couple of weeksโ€™ time when virtuoso keyboard player Lachy Doley (dubbed the Jimi Hendrix of the Hammond) plays his only UK date in D-Town on Friday 9th December.ย  Get out and get those tickets โ€“ this is going to be a real one-off!

Trending….

Agricultural Appropriation with Monkey Bizzle

There’s no sophomore slump for Monkey Bizzle; prolific in their art, these rural chav-choppers return with a second album, Agricultural Appropriation, only five years andโ€ฆ

Doctor Faustus Sells His Soulโ€ฆ. in Devizes!

Featured Image:@jenimeadephotography Just another rainy Saturday afternoon in Devizes, whereby I watched a profound fellow dramatically sacrifice himself to the devil, then popped to Morrisonsโ€ฆ

Chandra Finds Heaven on Earth

Usually I just write what I think, but if I had a point-scoring system this new single from Bristol-based indie-pop outfit Chandra would tick everyโ€ฆ

Introducing The Next Magnificent Seven Tracks from Our Juliaโ€™s House Compilation

Me and my absent mind. We released the second volume of our compilation album series in August, when I announced its release, and revealed further details of the first seven tunes, with a promise to detail them all in groups of sevenโ€ฆ. then, nothing, nada, absolutely spaced on it!

I can only apologise to all the contributors, and hope we can catch up on it again. So, here is the previous article, which tells of exactly this worthy project is all about, and Iโ€™m going to now encourage you to buy this download, as all profits will go to Juliaโ€™s House Childrenโ€™s Hospices in Dorset and Wiltshire, and you get yourself a marvellous selection of tunes which you can treat as a teaser or introduction to many of the amazing musicians we have locally.

Buy it HERE

Without further ado here are the next seven artists to have contributed, and I endeavour to publish another as soon as possible. But, if Iโ€™m honest, Iโ€™m getting rather frustrated with the project, sales havenโ€™t been so good, and thatโ€™s troubling being all the hard work and kindness these good folk have shown us. And me too, listening and organising all this great music really takes it out of you! Seriously though, the reason Iโ€™ve failed in promoting this as well as I could have, goes hand-in-hand with said frustrations. Therefore, Iโ€™m hoping this might spur some interest.

To all contributing artists, do message us if youโ€™d like your free copy, Iโ€™ll send you a coupon code.

8- N/SH – Elemental Times (2020)

Everyoneโ€™s favourite school teacher, Garri Nash, is a Swindon-based singer-songwriter with a unique take on music. We first met at a gig at the Crown in Bishopโ€™s Cannings, where I just scooted in for the last few songs of his set. Under the pseudo-name N/SH, heโ€™s a solo, multi-instrumentalist of the alternative indie kind, offering fragments of electronica and ambient soundscapes. Often melancholic, N/SH cites Radiohead, The Smile, Fink, and The Slow Show among his influences.

ย We fondly reviewed his last album, Recreational Trespass in September, where you can find out more about what makes Garri tick!

9- Psychedelicat โ€“ Ark (2020)

Artist originally listed as Rebsie Fairholm & Marvin B. Naylor, Marvin added in his email, that theyโ€™re now going under the name Psychedelicat, and asked if I could use this instead of their own names, which Iโ€™ve only just spottedโ€ฆ. Iโ€™m full of apologies today, arenโ€™t I?! I believe the issue is, when I reach out for contributions to these compilations, Iโ€™m inundated and this is not the only technical error to have been discovered, believe me!

This has been corrected, but know Rebsie and Marvin were new to me, introduced to our project by Richard Wileman. Initially bonding over a mutual love of 12-string guitars, Rebsie Fairholm and Marvin B. Naylor came from different parts of the musical universe and somehow met in the middle. Marvin’s unique style of 60s-marinaded psych-pop and Rebsie’s dark chocolate psych-folk combine to create new dimensions in jangle as one of the world’s only 12-string guitar duos; supplemented by harp, mellotron, crumhorn, early-Floyd-style effects units and anything else they find lying around in the studio. Our track Ark is a shining example, a truly beautiful song.

10 โ€“ Sean Amor โ€“ Follow Your Own Way (2020)

One quarter of Swindonโ€™s foot-stomping folk, Celtic and Americana band, The Copper Creek Band, Sean sent us this solo single, Follow Your Own Way unsolicited, and weโ€™re glad he did. Sean Amor weaves a wonderful blend of Americana-tinged contemporary folk, albeit firmly rooted in older traditions. So, another new one on me, which is one of many great things about this project, finding new artists. Follow Your Own Way is immediately lovable, persevering vocals and a simple but effective riff; just works for me!

11 โ€“ MGB – No Barriers

Originally listed as Westbury-based husband and wife duo, Bob & Amanda Condrey, there was some confusion also around this track. Bob wanted the third musician โ€œGingeโ€ mentioned, though he sadly passed away recently, the duo continues with the name MGB.

No Barriers is astutely written acoustic magic, with Amanda on these ringing vocals; honoured to have it on our album.

ย 12 – Lawrence Williams โ€“ Love Will Carry On (Laurence Williams and lyrics by Phil Young 2021)

Oxfordshireโ€™s Lawrence Williams is from the band, Port in a Storm. Which though I had heard of in passing, Lawrence was another new one on me, introduced by this project.

This wonderfully uplifting song dates to about 1998, Lawrence told me, โ€œAs it was always in my head. I wanted to create a very big โ€œwall of soundโ€ track.โ€

โ€œFast forward to 2021,โ€ he continued, โ€œand with my own studio and instruments I worked on the arrangement part by part building up playing piano, guitars, bass, drums and some realistic orchestral samples to try and capture some of the magic from the 60โ€™s big production recordings. The song itself is an obvious nod to the 60โ€™s but also from the time it was written the Brit pop sounds of the 90โ€™s too.โ€

Currently working on a solo album which Lawrence promises to be released this year with a variety of โ€œjingle jangle guitars, catchy melodies, and piano ballads alongside.โ€

13 – Fly Yeti Fly โ€“ Shine a Light (2017)

Bradford On Avon based acoustic folk duo, Lorna Somerville and Darren Fisher, aka Fly Yeti Fly have made a great name for themselves, blending sensitive vocal harmonies with intricate guitar arrangements, mandolin and harmonica, weaving songs and stories from their travels together, with a sound that is reminiscent of the late-โ€™60s folk scene. Now living on their canal boat on the K&A canal, their music is heavily influenced by the natural world and life on the water.

Shine a Light is taken from the 2017 album Shine a Light in the Dark, and Iโ€™m overjoyed to present it here.

14 – Daisy Chapman โ€“ Generation Next (2017)

ย Taken from the album Good Luck Songs, which we reviewed here, Generation Next is a prime example of how Trowbridge based internationally renowned musician Daisy Chapman can weave the most intelligent lyrics into the most beautifully orchestral yet folk-tinged songs. We reviewed Good Luck Songs here, take a listen.

And thatโ€™s all for now, I will, I swear, get on with the next magnificent seven songs, but hopefully not before you treat yourself to this amazing compilation album!

REVIEW โ€“ The Alex Voysey Trio & Hardwicke Circus @ LSBC, Con Club, Devizes โ€“ Saturday 19th November 2022

Double-header, Double the Fun!

by Andy Fawthrop

In yet another busy musical weekend for Devizes, it was hard to choose where to go, with gigs all over the place.ย  A nice problem to have I guess, but on Saturday night I threw my money into the Long Street Blues Club hat to see two bands that were completely new to me.…

First up was the Alex Voysey Trio. Alex had previously played the club back in February as support to Mike Zito.ย  On that occasion he played a solo acoustic set and impressed enough to be invited back with his full trio.ย  Alex has worked as a session and support musician to many big names in the business, and in many musical genres.ย  Heโ€™s a passionate advocate for blues music, and used his trio to great effect here, covering both traditional numbers and to his own modern compositions.

With Paul Arthurs on drums and Ben Hands on bass, Alex hit the stage with a range of snappy and upbeat blues/ rock numbers.  He soon had the crowd on-side, and used the opportunity to mix it up a little with a couple of slower, more laid-back numbers.  His one-hour set was sound, competent and thoroughly professional, featuring some nice flourishes on lead guitar.

The second half featured the first D-town appearance for Carlisle-homed five-piece Hardwicke Circus who, quite rightly it seems to me, are being tipped for big things. They’ve already opened for mega stars such as Bob Dylan at Hyde Park and for Southside Johnny.  Paul McCartney allegedly persuaded Glastonbury festival to get them to play, which they duly did.   And it didnโ€™t take long for everyone last night to see why theyโ€™re so well thought-of.

The band featured Jonny Foster (lead vocals and guitar), Tom Foster (drums and vocals), Joe Hurst (bass and vocals), Lewis Bewley-Taylor (keyboards), Jack Pearce (saxophones).  This combination provided a great solid and multi-dimensional sound.

Theyโ€™re a hard-working, hard-gigging band and it showed.  Theyโ€™re young, sparky, almost punky, occasionally poppy, accompanied by some healthy doses of attitude.  But theyโ€™re very good, and they know it.  Their sound is strong and fresh, and has brought comparisons to all sorts of bands.  For me that included Dexys, Wilko Johnson, Madness, Fratellis โ€“ a little bit of something for everyone.

Straight from the off we knew we were in for a great set.ย  Lots of heft and drive, fast numbers, no messing about.ย  Loads of healthy banter with the crowd, and some well-placed audience participation in some of the choruses (โ€œHands Up, Donโ€™t Shootโ€ springs to mind).ย  There were plenty of good tunes, catchy hooks.ย  No long intros, just plenty of songs packed into their 90-minute set.ย  The crowd absolutely loved it, and an encore was never going to be in doubt.ย  But what an encore! ย The band were joined on stage by Texan Joe King Carrascoa, guitarist and vocalist, and proceeded to deliver a six-song masterclass in how to play a crowd.ย  In among there were a solid rendition of The Bandโ€™s โ€œThe Weightโ€ and a stonking version of Gerry Raffertyโ€™s โ€œBaker Streetโ€.

If the future of music is in the hands of bands like this, we really have nothing to worry about.ย  This was an old-fashioned rock band in very capable young hands.

Future Long Street Blues Club gigs:

Friday 23rd December 2022                         Gee Baby I Love You

Friday 13th January 2023                              Chicago Living Legends

Saturday 18th February 2023                       Eric Bell Band

Saturday 1st April 2023                                  Dave Weld & The Imperial Flames

Saturday 15th April 2023                               Billy Walton Band

Saturday 6th May 2023                                  Kyla Brox Band

Saturday 27th May 2023                               Gerry Jablonski Band

Saturday 24th June 2023                               Earl Slick Band

Saturday 28th October 2023                        Susan Santo

Trending…..

Devizes Issues Wants You!

Dubiously biased and ruled with an iron fist, the mighty admin of the once popular Devizes Facebook group, Devizes Issues, is using the iconic Greatโ€ฆ

Who Broke into Joyrobberโ€™s Car?!

Poor Joyrobber, got his car broken into, on his birthday too, but avenged them in song! Requiem for my Car Window is this mysterious characterโ€™sโ€ฆ

Lady Nade; Sober!

Dry January, anyone? Well, Lady Nade just plunged into an outdoor 4ยฐC eucalyptus sauna for a social media reel. But whilst I’d require a stiffโ€ฆ

Ha! Let’s Laugh at Hunt Supporters!

Christmas has come early for foxes and normal humans with any slither of compassion remaining, as the government announced the righteous move to ban trailโ€ฆ

SGO Folk Up The Southgate

What of the apostrophe, diacritical, a punctuation marking a possessive case of nouns, a contractive omission of letters, or perhaps, in this case, a leftover smudge on a pub chalkboard?! Taking said chalkboard listing S’Go as the omission would read “S” for something, “go,” which could easily be ill-perceived as ultramodern funky electronica, or something loosly along those lines; not the case for this wonderful Swindon-based five-piece folk assemble.

Debroah, landlady of Devizes’ Southgate afirmed to me earlier in the week,“theyโ€™re an eclectic folky blues collective. They played a few crazy tunes in a circle in the middle of the pub once. Everyone loved it, we booked them!โ€ and to know the affectionately dubbed “Gate” is to know never to doubt her word on this subject. So, far from potluck, I dropped in, Deborah was already up dancing with the crowd, while George the pub alsatian slept in the makeshift apron.

Cleared up any band name confusion with the bowler hat attired frontman during their halfway break. Seems the apostrophe is old hat for the band, favouring it as an abbreviation, SGO, of which he may’ve broken down for me but I missed it in the alcohol-infused noisy moment. Regardless, he suggested a dislike of the name was unanimous between its members, so subject to change, ergo; none of this really matters anyway.

What matters is ever the music, atmosphere and levels of enjoyability, and while Devizes hosted another Long Street Blues Club night and the Condado Lounge was brimming with fans of Finley Trusler and Mark, only an adequate houseful graced the dependable tavern, I’ll confirm those who did wouldn’t deny for what matters, SGO skyrocketed all said levels.

Pub dog George seems to detect the impending intoxication levels of the human punters, connecting it to their need of dancing, and, after time prefers to slumber under the bar hatch. But one ponders the attraction in kipping directly in front of the performers is likely the natural heat they give off makes it the warmest spot. Though steady to begin with, SGO certainly gave British Gas a run for their money.

Brimful of sea shanties, hornpipe, parissienne and gypsy jazz, with subtle hints of Americana and country blues, SGO are both charming and accomplished. Melodically harmonising through geetars, fiddle and accordian, they reaffirm folk is the backbone to all modern musical genres, and launch preconceived notions of frumpiness within the modern scene out into the stratosphere. Akin to what Dr Zebo’s Wheezy Club are putting down, this is achieved through replicating the timeless sounds of which folk have revelled in for centuries, and validates its worth in modern day.

All tradtions of folk were honoured, SGO covered classics, sporadically upping the tempo, enthused their audience, were amusing with localised ditties and personal prose. Referencing an expedition between their hometown’s landmarks the Richard Jefferies Museum to Coate Water as a sea shanty being a particularly adroit example. Yet they were at best producing some sublime instrumental moments of skillful union. The crowd were swaying in bliss, and perhaps, booze too.

Therefore the demanded encore was aptly Gretchen Wilson’s “You Don’t Have to Go Home, but You Can’t Stay Here.”

My lucky dip came up trumps, and a great night was had, although that’s the standard model at the Southgate. You should note Jon Amor’s monthly residency has been shifted to next Sunday, Rockport rocks up there next Saturday, one third Lost Trader, Phil Cooper follows on 3rd December.

For SGO, I’d recommend S’going to check them out, and can be found at Swindon’s The Gluepot on Thursday 1st December, with support from Shedric, and The Hop Inn with support from Canute’s Plastic Army on Wednesday 7th. Follow their social media HERE for updates.

The Dinner Party – TITCO @ The Wharf Theatre, Devizes

An Open Love Letter โ€“ To TITCO

by Ian Diddams

Most reviews are quite sombre, written in the third person with a degree of distance.  Not this one. It’s time to throw that book away and speak from the heart. This โ€œreviewโ€ is openly praiseworthy and could even appear sycophantic. Meh. Whatever. It probably is somewhat cringeworthily first person centric โ€“ always a no-no. Though I would hasten to add that while I mention โ€œmeโ€ and โ€œIโ€ quite a lot the real recipient of attention is most definitelyโ€ฆ  โ€œThe Invitation Theatre Companyโ€ a.k.a TITCO.…

Some history.  TITCO was started by Jim and Mary Roberts, in Devizes, back in the 70s, based on a bunch of friends coming together to put on shows others didnโ€™t. They both passed on in time and TITCO โ€œwent to sleepโ€ for a while โ€“ until resurrected with a passion by Jim and Maryโ€™s daughter Jemma in 2009. Since then, Jemma and her husband Anthony have driven TITCO on in a similar vein to her parents โ€“ a bunch of friends putting in shows nobody else does.

Thereโ€™s one very important word in the above paragraph.  The F-word.

Fast forward to 2022, November. And โ€œThe Dinner Partyโ€. Itโ€™s been mentioned that this will be the last TITCO show for a while โ€“ and the setting of โ€œThe Dinner Partyโ€ (TDP for future reference!) is a beautifully framed homage of that situation. Set as if in Jemma and Anthonyโ€™s home (complete with genuine pictures and wall art from their real home I can testify โ€“ plus their lovely dog, Wilson!)  the setting is that of a get together for โ€œTittersโ€ โ€“ the members of TITCO.

This is where my review gets personal, and breaks the traditions as explained above. I was invited into the TITCO fold in 2015 for โ€œPirates of Penzanceโ€, was made a Titter in 2015 and have shared a stage on multiple occasions since then. The rollcall is amazingโ€ฆ  including โ€œJeff Wayneโ€™s Musical Version of the War of the Worldโ€™sโ€ (WOTW)โ€“ twice. Driven by Anthonyโ€™s pride and joy โ€œThe Full Tone Orchestraโ€ (FTO) of course.

So you see, I am part of this amazing company.

โ€œWe few, we happy few, we band of brothersโ€ โ€ฆ  As some bloke once saidโ€ฆ
And of course, Sisters (Sister Act 2016!).

Friends.  Friends that come together and create amazing shows.

Which brings us back to TDP. Naturally.

So, the bunch of friends meeting for a dinner party naturally โ€“ this being TITCO โ€“ leads to spontaneous singing and performing as everybody takes it in turns to entertain the table or sing together in shared beauty. The eveningโ€™s menu is a mix of old and new, well-loved songs. From a starter of a few run-a-dub, London based favourites (โ€œLast Night at the Conductors Armsโ€) onto a main course where some pretty serious singing came out. Promoted from his youthful renditions of Frederick, Sean Andrews gallantly moved into Major General mode โ€“ followed shortly after by โ€œLuck Be A Lady Tonightโ€ (A FTO Big Band speciality of his). South Pacific made its appearance (Brief History of Musicals 2015) with a heart rendition from the chaps of โ€œNothing like a dameโ€ but not until after a spirited, marigolds glove tassel twirling (*cough*) performance of โ€œWash That Manโ€ !

The revamped TITCOโ€™s first musical โ€“ JCS โ€“ was paid tribute to with Herodโ€™s song โ€“ led by the joyous Tim Hobbs โ€“ and the ladiesโ€™ exquisite โ€œCould we Start Again Pleaseโ€? Blood Brothers came to the party also with โ€œMarilyn Monroeโ€ by Ally Moore and an ensemble โ€œTell Me Itโ€™s Not Trueโ€. The โ€œbig showโ€ additions continued with Chris Worthy singing โ€œForever Autumnโ€ from WOTW โ€ฆย  but we were also shown little TITCO in-jokes throughout the show. Let’s just say that one Titter is NOT a fan of Gilbert and Sullivan โ€“ but succumbed to the (Hot) Mikadoโ€™s โ€œThe Hour of Gladnessโ€ โ€ฆย  good on ya Jemma! The main course came to its end with a couple of light-hearted pieces โ€“ โ€œMe and My Shadowโ€ by Chris and Anthony โ€“ somewhat a party piece of theirs, truth be told โ€“ and a fantastically hilarious version of โ€œPamโ€ by Tina Duffin.

That wasnโ€™t quite all of the main course though. As an almost surprise and wonderful lets-slip-this-in, one of TITCOโ€™s stalwart accompanists Dominic Irving dueted with Mari Webster on โ€œCity of Starsโ€. Dom is one of those people that can play about a million instruments brilliantly โ€“ but Iโ€™ve never had the pleasure of hearing him sing โ€“ until tonight. Wow. Just โ€“ wowโ€ฆ.

The night was hurtling towards its conclusion now. Five ensemble pieces completed our pudding course โ€“ with tear jerking numbers โ€œSeasons of Loveโ€ and โ€œHallelujahโ€, and the uplifting and vibrant โ€œCircle of Lifeโ€, โ€œFrom Now Onโ€ and โ€œRhythm of Lifeโ€.

Then the dinner party was over, and so the guests wended their way into the night, Jemma said good night to Anthonyโ€ฆย  who called Wilson into the garden.

Lights Out.

I started this review saying this was an open love letter to TITCO.ย  And it is. From your invitation in 2015 until today as a company TITCO has shown me friendship, inclusion, and provided me with every opportunity I could want in TITCO shows โ€“ and allowed me to run the show bars!.ย  From a somewhat fay pirate (Pirates of Penzance), to a mobster (Sister Act), The Voice of Humanity (WOTW โ€“ twice), to cow & narrator (the โ€œcowratorโ€ in โ€œInto the Woodsโ€), Albert the publican (Last night at the Conductorโ€™s Arms ), then a hectic seven characters and twelve costume changes plus ladder climbing in two hours (Spamalot). And of course ensemble singing and solos in concerts and the FullTone Music Festival. You built me. Iโ€™ve done amazing shows with other companies, but TITCO built me. And I thank you.

I wasnโ€™t involved in tonightโ€™s Dinner Party โ€“ a medical procedure (a good one I hasten to add!) precluded my involvement. But I sat in the audience, watching my friends deliver another polished smooth performance. Under my breath I sang with them. I laughed at the little in-jokes. I wanted to be there with them โ€“ but then I couldnโ€™t have enjoyed their joie-de-vivre, seen the love, the friendship oozing from their every pore. As a sign said on stage โ€œFriends are the greatest gift in lifeโ€.

Chapeau TITCO. I raise my walking stick to you all tonight.

A final word (or tenโ€ฆ).ย  This is โ€œthe last TITCO show for a whileโ€.ย  So I just want to say as I sign off my open love letter isโ€ฆ

From Now On โ€ฆย  Could we Start Again Please.

Love you all

Didds
xxxx

Trending….

Rooks; New Single From M3G

Chippenham folk singer-songwriter, M3G (because she likes a backward โ€œEโ€) has a new single out tomorrow, Friday 19th December. Put your jingly bell cheesy tunesโ€ฆ

Burning the Midday Oil at The Muck

Highest season of goodwill praises must go to Chrissy Chapman today, who raised over ยฃ500 (at the last count) for His Grace Childrenโ€™s Centre inโ€ฆ

St John’s Choir Christmas Concert in Devizes

Join the St Johnโ€™s Choir and talented soloists for a heart-warming evening of festive favourites, carols, and candlelit Christmas atmosphere this Friday 12 th Decemberโ€ฆ

For Now, Anyway; Gus White’s Debut Album

Featured Image: Barbora Mrazkova My apologies, for Marlboroughโ€™s singer-songwriter Gus Whiteโ€™s debut album For Now, Anyway has been sitting on the backburner, and itโ€™s moreโ€ฆ

Devizes Girl Wins Vernon Kay’s Talent Nation

A huge congratulations to Jess Self, 13, from Devizes, who has won Vernon Kay’s Talent Nation…..

Presented by Park Dean Resorts, Talent Nation had over 2,500 applications and  ran at 52 holiday parks across the UK.

Jess travelled to Skegness where she made the final twelve, and was then crowned the overall winner by judges, including Alison Hammond and Strictly star AJ Pritchard. She performed a medley from Hairspray The Musical.

Jess said, “it’s like a dream come true. It was such an amazing experience and was a great opportunity.”

You can see Jess, performing as Red Riding Hood at the Wharf Theatre’s pantomime, Little Red Riding Hood, running from 9th to 17th December. Tickets HERE.

Jess, who loves performing, and is currently at Stagecoach performing arts school in Trowbridge, added she “can’t wait” to perform in the Wharf Pantomime and is excited to see everyone’s hard work come together. She says she’s extremely grateful for every opportunity that comes her way.

Well done, Jess; keep up the amazing work, fingers crossed, next stop, Broadway!

Town Council Register Warm Spaces Devizes

Like a descriptive paragraph from a Dicken’s novel, as similar across the UK this season, Devizes Town Council has provided information about a local “warm spaces” initiative, of which you need to resigter your venue or activity, if you can help.

Register HERE.

They will be adding a downloadable list of all registered warm space venues to their website soon. I hope we can replicate it here to spread word of this saddening yet essential service. Feel free to contact us if we can help in any orher way too.

Warm Spaces Devizes is a local community provision of safe, welcoming warm spaces that are free and open to all in Devizes and nearby villages. The spaces will provide a warm location, refreshments, companionship and information on how to weather the cost of living crisis. You do not need to freeze this winter.

This follows a similar pattern across the county, Wiltshire Council has created an online interactive community directory to help people find warm spaces and community food providers in the county to support them.

Access this HERE, to find what support is available nearby and across the county. Go to the directory and select your postcode area, this will automatically generate a list of what is available, as well as a host of other useful features.

Those in other locations, can find their nearest warm space HERE.

Naturally, they all suggest attending can help to reduce your heating bills. In this “starve or freeze” coming winter, make no mistake, this is a disheartening article to have to publish, particularly in an area assumed to be affluent.

While I’m pleased to hear such schemes are being created, it is clearly symbolic of the absolute failure of this government, and while county councils like Wiltshire continue to tow the Conservative line, I’m of the honest opinion they are duty bound to attend to this crisis. We will not thank them here, but we will acknowledge their efforts.

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 17th โ€“ 23rd November 2022

Got a proper soaking this morning, fat lot of good it is whinging to you about it, you are here only for the lowdown on autumn happenings this coming week, so Iโ€™ll waste no time waffling, donโ€™t worry about me, yeah, yeah, Iโ€™ll be fine!

Currently up and running, until Saturday, is TITCOโ€™s Dinner Party at The Wharf Theatre.

Staying in Devizes, Thursday 17th sees the opening of the historic event, Devizes Eisteddfod. Hereโ€™s the place to find future local stars of the arts, a five-day festival of over 400 classes of music, speech, drama, dance, writing, art, photography, and composition, for people of all ages, who may enter individually or through a school or group. There are competitive and non-competitive classes. The Music, Speech and Drama classes will be held in Devizes Town Hall. Find out more HERE.

Over in Bradford-on-Avon, check out Dylan Smith who has an official launch gig for his Cruel to be Kind album at The Boathouse.

Also find Ezio playing Chapel Arts, Bath. And for some doom metal and stoner rock, try a double-header at The Vic, Swindon, with Phantom Droid and Dark Prophecy.

Friday 18th is Marlboroughโ€™s Christmas Light Switch-On.

After The Rocky Horror Experience, Soul II Soulโ€™s Feel Free Tour comes to Meca. Yes, I said Soul II Soul, wowzers! But if youโ€™ve no tickets get in or check the alternatives in Swindon; The Beverley May Band at The Sun Inn, Coate, Splat the Rat play The Hop Inn for Swindon Folk Club.

In Devizes, itโ€™s pub quiz time in aid of Arts Together at the Cavalier, and Iโ€™ve got to recommend the highly entertaining Blondie & Ska duo, who play The Pelican. Chippenham duo, as it says on the tin, do Blondie covers but also include those Two-Tone classics, in a kind of fashion youโ€™d wished Blondie covered them; itโ€™s lots of fun. In fact, it was going to be editor’s pick of the week! UPDATE: sorry to hear this has been cancelled. Postponed until 3rd February.

Drag Show at the Neeld, Chippenham, with The Dazzling Diamonds. Limehouse Lizzy at Salisbury Arts Centre.

After Nโ€™Famady Kouyate at Wiltshire Music Centre in Bradford-on-Avon, theyโ€™ve got something on my hitlist, the acclaimed Moments of Pleasure, a Kate Bush tribute. Meanwhile, itโ€™s bonkers at The Three Horseshoes with a triple bill of Hell Death Fury, Lone Sharks, & Monkish.

Craig Charles is on the wheels of steel at the Cheese & Grain, Frome, while Richard Norris plays sister venue, The Tree House.

Saturday 19th, kids, Lego Club, at Chippenham Museum from 3-4pm. I know I keep mentioning this regular event, but I love the sound of it, wish there was a Lego club when I was a kid, and well, I might go one day anyway. My own kids will be like, โ€œdad, I need a lift to my science book writerโ€™s guild annual general meeting,โ€ and Iโ€™ll be like, โ€œfat chance, Iโ€™m off to Lego Club!โ€

Find handmade jewellery, woodwork, hand-poured candles, scented soap, artwork, and handbags at the Mynt Image Craft Fair at Devizes Corn Exchange from 10am-4pm. And in the evening find the Hardwicke Circus and The Alex Voysey Trio at Long Street Blues Club; upcoming talent Saturday, sounds tempting, very tempting! UPDATE: being our Editor’s pick of the season has been postponed, this isnew Editor’s pick of week!

The Southgate promises folky blues with Sโ€™Go, a new one on me; Deborah tells me, โ€œTheyโ€™re an eclectic folky blues collective. They played a few crazy tunes in a circle in the middle of the pub once. Everyone loved it, we booked them!โ€ Cannot argue with that. Ye gods, that sounds tempting, very tempting too, what am I to do?!

Night Jar play Woodbrough Social Club, Miranda Sykesโ€™ Show of Hands is at Marlborough Folk Roots, at the Town Hall, and the local favourites, Humdinger play The Lamb, Marlborough.

Thereโ€™s a Trowbridge Weavers Christmas Market, and Gaz Brookfield plays the Pump, with Heartwork and Be Like Will in support, but I believe itโ€™s sold out, check their website, but be quick on the flux capacitor. You could always head to the Somerset Arms, Semington failing that, where youโ€™ll find The Beverley Maye Band, or The Buckly Rage at the Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon.

The wonderful seven-piece soul band, aptly named Blue Soul Band play the Contsti, in Chippenham, tributes The Faux Fighters at The Vic, Swindon and Coldplace at the Cheese & Grain, Frome.

Jessica Fostekewโ€™s Wench runs at Salisbury Arts Centre, and thatโ€™s your Saturday night.

Sunday 20th. Iโ€™ve checked this over and over, and it definitely says, Jazz Sabbath is at the Corn Exchange, Devizes on Sunday, are we sure itโ€™s not Saturday, people? Damn your eyes, thatโ€™s a school night!

Also occurring, Wiltshire Youth Jazz Orchestra with Huw Warren at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon, Clinton Baptiste tour at the Cheese & Grain, Frome, after a record fair, and tribute L1nkn P4rk at The Vic, Swindon.

And thatโ€™s your lot, I got nought for Monday and Tuesday, but donโ€™t forget itโ€™s the regular acoustic jam at the Southgate Devizes on Wednesday, 23rd, and Richard Robbins presents Passage of Time at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon, thereโ€™s a Willow Reindeer Festive Workshop beginning at Salisbury Arts Centre, which runs until 30th, and Matt Deighton is at The Tree House in Frome.

The biggies next week are of course, the Winter Festival and lantern parade in Devizes, Friday, and the start of the Window Wanderland. Saturday sees the second feast at Soup Chick, of Kashmir cuisine, and The Scribes come to Devizes, at the Muck & Dundar. We love the Scribes here at Devizine and are thoroughly looking forward to this; get a ticket!

John Otway at the Pump, Trowbridge on Friday, and The Moscow Drug Club on Saturday, both worthy of your attention. Then, gawd blimey, itโ€™ll be December. Iโ€™m trying to keep up and update as regularly as possible, including getting the biggies up for next year. Have a great weekend, keep a check on our event calendar for updates, and planning ahead.

Trending….

Butane Skies Not Releasing a Christmas Song!

No, I didnโ€™t imagine for a second they would, but upcoming Take the Stage winners, alt-rock emo four-piece, Butane Skies have released their second song,โ€ฆ

One Of Us; New Single From Lady Nade

Featured Image by Giulia Spadafora Ooo, a handclap uncomplicated chorus is the hook in Lady Ladeโ€™s latest offering of soulful pop. Itโ€™s timelessly cool andโ€ฆ

Large Unlicensed Music Event Alert!

On the first day of advent, a time of peace and joy to the world et al, Devizes Police report on a โ€œlarge unlicenced musicโ€ฆ

Winter Festival/Christmas/Whatever!

This is why I love you, my readers, see?! At the beginning of the week I put out an article highlighting DOCAโ€™s Winter Festival, andโ€ฆ

Devizes Winter Festival This Friday and More!

Whoโ€™s ready for walking in the winter wonderland?! Devizes sets to magically transform into a winter wonderland this Friday when The Winter Festival and Lanternโ€ฆ

Review: Cracked Machine at the Southgate

by Ben Romain and Victoria Stanley

Following a night in the Corn Exchange Friday, the chance arose for something completely different, something new to our earsโ€ฆ…

Life got in the way, and the support- Clock Radio were regrettably missed on this occasion, one to look out for soonโ€ฆ

Wondering into a rammed Southgate just in time for Cracked Machineโ€™s set we were aware of them clearly having a strong following.

How can we describe the sound? Heavy but relaxing? The strongest bass delivery you are likely to hear anywhere, incredible layering of sound from that bold bass, the prodigious lead guitar and backed with some fine, crisp delivery from the drums.

With no vocals, comes a name to hold court with musicianship. It didnโ€™t appear to pose any pressure for this machine. We found ourselves captivated, enthralled entirely by something so different.

Our limited research prior to the gig, (we were encouraged to try by drummer Gary) threw up a tag of โ€˜space rockโ€™. Thereโ€™s not a huge amount of it anywhere in the world it appears, Germany and Japan seemingly the widest exponents.

Yet here we are in Devizes, in what guitarist Bill Denton proclaimed as โ€˜the best live music venue in Wiltshireโ€™ watching space rock. (Ed’s note: yes, here’s a review of them at The Gate by Andy, from 2018.)

In the same way fans like ourselves might immerse their senses in big musical landscapes of say Pink Floyd, you find yourself in fact listening mesmerised, personally oddly relaxedโ€ฆ. thereโ€™s that driving bass and sufficient volume to shake the rafters, yet itโ€™s like youโ€™ve found yourself in the bars of Tatooine.

Years of music collecting and gigs have left no reference, no recollection of anything quite like it. So, chatting with the band, Prog Rock people often like them, space rock people love them, and as of yesterday so do we!

Check them out! I cannot remember the last time a band I liked left me with such difficulty describing their incredible music.

As ever and in full agreement with Bill, thank you Deb and Dave at The Gate for their unrivalled passion for live music in Devizes. Thank you to Cracked Machine, look forward to next time.

Trending…

Snow White Delight: Panto at The Wharf

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 upโ€ฆ

Chatting With Burn The Midnight Oil

Itโ€™s nice to hear when our features attract attention. Salisburyโ€™s Radio Odstock ย picked up on our interview with Devizes band Burn the Midnight Oil andโ€ฆ

Review: Is this the Blues? Beaux Gris Gris & the Apocalypse at the Corn Exchange

by Ben Romain and Victoria Stanley

We cannot pretend we didnโ€™t approach this gig with keen anticipation based on previous times this band has graced Devizes with a spot on their tourโ€ฆ…

As ever they did not disappoint; line ups over the years have seen a few faces, but the core of the group, Robin and Greta, steers the band with a note-perfect delivery, showing their experience and musicianship. With a quality band, as always, backing them up, they launch into every song with a knowing smile, many assembled being familiars, the floor is filled with participation, dancing and joining in, especially with crowd pleaser โ€˜donโ€™t let the bastards get you downโ€™; rarely have we seen the roof raised in such style in Devizes.

Is this the Blues? Well yes, the contemplation of both the good, and bad in life in the well-crafted lyrics certainly say so. In its delivery, thereโ€™s showmanship, an ability to hold a crowd, to raise a roof, or usher in near silence at will. We would go with Blues-rock, if pressed for a genre, as itโ€™s accessibility would please the ears of many who would not classify themselves as fans of traditional Blues.

What makes the tangible feeling of a real connection with the band? Perhaps this being Robin Daveyโ€™s hometown? Or his musical journey with game changing band, The Hoax, who formed in Devizes? Audiences are now treated to guest appearances on Beaux Gris Gris tours from the best musicians in the U.K. Blues scene from all the links and friendships that come with such a rich history as a professional musician.

For this gig Robinโ€™s often-time stage mate Jon Amor was away with his band, and so we were treated to the incredible guitar playing of Scott McKeown. A new name to us, but more than impressive enough to warrant investigation in his own right.

This gig was a great example of the capacity of our town to draw top bookings. Perhaps we shall enjoy a return to form for our once popular venue in the Corn Exchange? Thank you to everyone who makes it happen and if you didnโ€™t catch this one, check them out, you might just discover this is the Blues for you.

Trending….

The Lost Trades Float on New Single

Iโ€™ve got some gorgeous vocal harmonies currently floating into my ears, as The Lost Trades release their first single since the replacement of Tamsin Quinโ€ฆ

Barrelhouse are Open for Business with New Album

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 releaseโ€ฆ

Ruzz Guitar Swings With The Dirty Boogie

Bristolโ€™s regular Johnny B Goode, Ruzz Guitar Blues Revue goes full on swing with a new single, a take on The Brian Setzer Orchestraโ€™s 1998โ€ฆ

New Lost Trades Single; Old Man of The Sea

If decades havenโ€™t lessened the appeal of the galling quip, โ€œMonsieur, with these Rocher you are really spoiling us,โ€ every time some spanner in a tank-top pulls out a box of chocolates at a party, then I reserve the right to modify it here today, for wonderful local folk harmony trio, The Lost Trades are really spoiling us, with another sublime teaser we hope to see on a subsequent album sequel.

Yet, I hailed the last few tunes for this progressive tighter bonding, so both vocally and in concept their voices and characteristics merge, this one is rather concentrated in the raconteur style of Jamie Hawkins, who takes lead.

When considering one of personal favourites on the inaugural album, The Bird, The Book and the Barrel being Jamieโ€™s led โ€œWait for my Boat to Come in,โ€ this too has a marine theme, and using Hemingwayโ€™s most unlucky character, Santiago, is the perfect subject for the forlorn and pensive impression weโ€™ve come to expect as standard from this enriching trio. Adapting the book title, The Old Man and The Sea, to The Old Man of the Sea, itโ€™s another delightfully expressive shanty-type ballad, with all the hallmarks of their set style, and that being a treat on the ears.

The Trades proudly announced itโ€™s the fastest tune of theirs to have reached the 100-stream mark, but the proof is in the pudding; take a listen, you know youโ€™ll be pleased you did. It just keeps getting better for The Lost Trades, and in that a journey weโ€™ve all followed locally, and appreciated every step of the way.

Trending….

Joyrobber Didn’t Want Your Stupid Job Anyway

A second track from local anonymous songwriter Joyrobber has mysteriously appeared online, and heโ€™s bitter about not getting his dream jobโ€ฆ.. If this mysterious dudeโ€™sโ€ฆ

Devizes Chamber Choir Christmas Concert

Itโ€™s not Christmas until the choir sings, and Devizes Chamber Choir intend to do precisely this by announcing their Christmas Concert, as they have doneโ€ฆ

Steatopygous go Septic

If you believe AI, TikTok and the rest of it all suppress Gen Zโ€™s outlets to convey anger and rage, resulting in a generation ofโ€ฆ

The Wurzels To Play At FullTone 2026!

If Devizesโ€™ celebrated FullTone Festival is to relocate to Whistley Roadโ€™s Park Farm for next summerโ€™s extravaganza, what better way to give it the rusticโ€ฆ

DOCAโ€™s Young Urban Digitals

In association with PF Events, Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts introduces a Young Urban Digitals course in video mapping and projection mapping for sixteen to twentyโ€ฆ

Jol Roseโ€™s Ragged Stories

Thereโ€™s albums Iโ€™ll go in blind and either be pleasantly surprised, or not. Then thereโ€™s ones which I know Iโ€™m going to love before theโ€ฆ

Tutored Wine Tasting at St Mary’s Devizes

Discover your favourite glass of festive cheer at St Mary’s, Devizes this December 1st, and join in the uncorking of a selection of wines designed to make the festive season sparkle this Christmas…..

Renowned local vintner Casper Bowes will be on hand with entertaining insights and helpful hints to guide guests through a selection of wines guaranteed to add sparkle to the Christmas celebrations.

The masterclass will provide the opportunity to sample a range of wines from around the world in the unique historic setting of the Grade 1 listed building in New Park Street.

Co-founders of Bowes Wine, Casper and Victoria, who describe themselves as a โ€˜healthily wine-obsessed husband and wife teamโ€™, started the business in 2002 and focus on sourcing new and exciting wines from both the classic and lesser known regions of the world, with both young and older vintages in their sights.

The tasting, which starts at 6.30pm, aims to enable those imbibing to get a better understanding and appreciation of a wide range of specially selected wines.  The evening will finish with a glass of bubbly and light refreshments.

Tickets, which cost ยฃ25, can be purchased from Ticketsource and Devizes Books – visit www.stmarydevizestrust.org.uk for further details and to learn more about the plans to transform the building into a vibrant community arts venue for future generations.

Trending…

Vince Bell in the 21st Century!

Unlike Buck Rogers, who made it to the 25th century six hundred years early, Devizesโ€™ most modest acoustic virtuoso arrives at the 21st just shortโ€ฆ

Deadlight Dance New Single: Gloss

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 allโ€ฆ

Things to Do During Halloween Half Term

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 whatโ€ฆ

CrownFest is Back!

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 ontoโ€ฆ

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 10th โ€“ 16th November 2022

Deliberating if these weekly roundups are worthwhile, being itโ€™s already on the event calendar came up with some helpful feedback, not much, but some! Seems some donโ€™t like to scroll through the entire month and the roundups work better for them. In that, I could do as I once did before the calendar was set out monthly, and delete past dates so the current week is always at the top. What do you think, good idea? Why not stick a broom up my arse too, and Iโ€™ll sweep the floor while doing it?!

Only kidding, if I didnโ€™t love it, I wouldnโ€™t do it, probably be playing squash or something stupidly energetic like that; ha, imagine! So here, for all you lovely people is what weโ€™ve found to do this week. I would still encourage you to scroll through the months as the bigger events need tickets and youโ€™ve got to get in there fast these days, early bird, and something about a worm, and all that, and where was I anyway? Ah, yesโ€ฆ…

Details on remembrance service and parade in Devizes, HERE, for all other places youโ€™ll need to resort to relevant local Facebook pages, thereโ€™s too much to get down here.

Thursday 10th November then, and the usual Craft and Chat at Chippenham Library.

Keith James Performing the songs of Nick Drake at Chapel Arts in Bath. Meanwhile, tribute over in Swindon, Clearwater Creedence Reviva at Meca, but, and this is a big but, a contender for editorโ€™s pick of the week, if it wasnโ€™t for the fact itโ€™s a Thursday, and I canโ€™t make it, which isnโ€™t fair but gammons tell me life isnโ€™t fair, likely because they make it unfair, and Iโ€™m getting tetchy now, but one of most favourite-most reggae bands in the UK, Captain Accident & The Disasters play The Vic, and theyโ€™ve toured regularly supporting Toots & The Maytals, thatโ€™s how amazing they are!

Friday 11th running until Sunday, is the Terrace Soul, Jazz & Funk Winter Weekender in Swindon, and Friday night also sees our pick of the week, which Iโ€™m also gutted to have to miss, especially being Long Street Blues Clubโ€™s usually run Saturdays. Still, at the Corn Exchange, Devizes, theyโ€™ve the homecoming gig for guitarist Robin Davy, but otherwise all the way from California, Beaux Gris Gris & the Apocalypse, that one will go off, guaranteed.

Sheer Music is down the Pump, Trowbridge with Katie Malco, and the other prize gig this Friday, Harmer Jays with Chasing Kites and one of our new favourites, Nothing Rhymes With Orange at St James Vaults, Bath, has sold out. Mik Artistikโ€™s Ego Trip is at Chapel Arts, Bath.

Travelling Wilburys tribute, The Unravelling Wilburys at The Melksham Assembly Hall. Sour Apple play The Mason Arms, Warminster, Taunts & Arizona Law at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon, Michael Hennessy at The Wellington Arms, Marlborough.

No Middle Ground over in Swindon at The Vic, The People Versus & Tamsin Quin at The Hop Inn, and the Beverly Maye Band@ The Sun Inn, Coate.

Rob Newman is at Salisbury Arts Centre, The Scribes at The Winchester Gate. Sex Pistols Expose at the Cheese & Grain, Frome.

Saturday 12th and thereโ€™s the regular Lego Club from 3-4pm at Chippenham Museum. St Andrewโ€™s Devizes Christmas Fayre from 10am-12pm. Saturday night in Devizes and highly recommended Clock Radio supports Cracked Machine at The Southgate. Rockhoppaz play Condado Lounge.

Sour Apple play The Brewery Inn, Seend Cleeve, and Pete Lambโ€™s Heartbeats are at Seend Community Centre.

Siren are at The Pilot, Melksham. Junkyard Dogs at The Somerset Arms, Trowbridge, while The Sylvertones play Stallards. Americana at the Pump, with Truckstop Honeymoon and the Shudders in support.

2 Tone All Skas play Chippenhamโ€™s Consti Club.

Wiltshire Police Band play a Remembrance service at the Bouverie Hall, Pewsey. Back to the 80s party at The Lamb, Marlborough with Rubixโ€™s Groove, and a punky reggae party at The Barge HoneyStreet with Cara Means Friend.

Gaz Brookfield is at The Hop Inn, Swindon, with 12 Bars Later at The Manor Farm.

Bill Lawrence is at Wiltshire Music Centre in Bradford-on-Avon, Emily Breeze & Leathers at The Three Horseshoes. Tony Christie & Ranagri โ€“ The Great Irish Songbook Tour at Chapel Arts, Bath.

And thereโ€™s The Hooten Hallers at Salisbury Arts Centre, Wishbone Ashโ€™s โ€œArgus 50th Anniversary show at the Cheese & Grain, Frome.

For a lively Sunday afternoon on the 13th, Plan of Action are at The Foresters Arms, Melksham from 5pm. For a mellower one, try Cantamus Chamber Choir at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.

TITCOโ€™s Dinner Party opening night on Monday 14th at The Wharf Theatre, Devizes, and running until Saturday 19th. And other than our acoustic jam at the Southgate on Wednesday, thatโ€™s all I got for now; have a groovy weekend in a groovy kind of way.

Trending….

Six Reasons to Rock in Market Lavington

Alright yeah, itโ€™s a play on band names and thereโ€™s only really two reasons to rock on Friday 17th October at Market Lavington Community Hall;โ€ฆ

Snap Up Some Orignal Artwork and Help Arts Together

Small Wonders is up and running again this year, an online art auction raising funds for Arts Together, a Wiltshire charity bringing creative workshops to those most in need of social interaction, the vulnerable and elderly.

It was one of my most memorable moments working on Devizine, when some years ago I attended a workshop in Melksham with renowned artist Clifton Powell. At a sheltered accommodation centre for the elderly, I witnessed an art group which far exceeded my expectations. It was about so much more than the art, it was an opportunity for social interaction, and when one chap bought out a guitar and sang, I realised it verged on a party! Said exceeded expectation came via talking to the members and realising how much Arts Together meant to them. One couldn’t help but be touched by the experience.

But moreso, the amazing work Arts Together do covers a wider area, with 72 places within six key centres in Devizes, Melksham, Bradford-on-Avon, Trowbridge, Marlborough and Pewsey.

And here’s your chance to help, and bag yourself some original art too, perhaps it’d make a great Christmas present. There’s over 40 pieces to bid on or buy outright, some for as little as thirty quid. Bidding starts on the 18th of November. All the artwork has been donated by renowned local artists, and there’s an impressive variety.

The gallery is open now, click here to have a browse.

Deadlight Dance of the Dabchicks, and another Painted Bird

Glad I went to Aldbourne, for a freebie trio of must-see bands, including Siouxsie and the Banshees tribute Painted Bird, it was a great night, but…..

In 1987 I was but a 14 year-old Essex suburbian lad, who got his first taste of rural Wiltshire peering out of the back window of his Dad’s car to the Square in Aldbourne, realising places like this really exsist outside of picture books and peroid dramas.

Concerns of fitting into life in my new home never dawned on me, let alone how the natives would feel about my being here. Oblivious to cliqueines and class, snobby village girls turned their noses up while lesser-so ones seemed intrigued. I guess I was somewhat “exotic,” if “chav” before the word was even repopularised!

Maybe it was the latter which caused my male peers to view me as a threat, maybe it was because I was different, but for whatever insular reasoning some bestowed an abhorrence of me which came to an apex when I attempted a night at the social club, and a gang chased me all the way home. I never returned, until now.

Thirty-five years later I confess a slight feeling of apprehension, sitting in my car in the Square planning to enter the club. Moreso to see it in exactly the same location, up exactly the same stairs. Surely they’ve matured too, I’m as Wiltshire as lardy cake now, and they’ve ditched their pitchforks?!

A nostalgic side to me felt pleased to be here, after so long. Here for two reasons, firstly to see old school associate Tim, who I was reunited with at Mantonfest as bassist for Richard Davies & the Dissidents, in the newly formed duo Deadlight Dance, with his former sixform buddy, Nick. The pair have worked together in various groups since their sixform band, and Tim confided he liked it this way, just a simple friendly formula.

But this evening’s entertainment is a trio of bands, all with an Aldbourne connection. The second reason was to tick headline act, Painted Bird off my must-see list, a local Siouxsie and the Banshees tribute I’ve heard all good things about. I find the backstories of tribute acts fascinating, and why they chose the artist they did to attribute, particularly when it’s such a unique choice as Siouxsie Sioux.

Real name Nancy Jean, I set out firstly to discover her connection to the village by asking her if she was a Dabchick. For those unaware, it’s the name for those born in the village based on a folklore rare appearance of one on the village pond. But Nancy’s response in a rich Californian accent answered the question; she was married to her drummer, a born and bred dabchick, and they live in the village.

Nancy explained she had fronted a Siouxsie and the Banshees tribute in LA, applied for a similar role here, and created her own band around it. And I’m happy to report, they’re a highly skilled four-piece, able to recreate the magic of the punk era legends in an entertaining and accurate way. Nancy was also keen to point out the music took presidence over the look, still she looked and acted the part with meticulous precison too.

It was a superb show, as lively as retro-punk should be, and perfected, as they trekked through the discography of the Banshees and polished it off with two remaining tunes from a new project using the same band for original sounds under the banner KGB, which though twisted the style to metal, the punk imprint of the tribute remained subtly evident, which was fine by me and the enthused and tipsy crowd.

And it was a bloody good gig, with hospitable locals and staff. Leaving my preconceptions outside, this was quite the opposite of the shithole akin to someone’s garage with a few scattered pub tables in it it once was, but a modest contemporary function room, comfy and affordable; something every village needs but few seem to have aquired. Aldbourne should be proud. But all should note, I don’t hold a grudge against an entire village for the aforementioned incident, it’s water under the bridge, and besides, I’m fully aware a similar occurence would’ve happened in whatever village we landed in; just bored teenagers with nought else to do.

For the record both young and old were in attendance, age demographics know no boundaries at village venues, as Deadlight Dance kicked off proceedings.

Eighties new wave electronica is their game, angled toward the gothic alternative, which they executed with finesse and emotion. From a few originals Nick explained they were taking into the studio, to expected covers of Bauhaus and Joy Divison, it was the sort of serious music venue appreciation society type stuff, rather than universal village hall. Though what was particularly adriot in their set was a rendition of Heartbreak Hotel in their house style.

That said, if Devizes has an affectionate for electric blues, go east to discover a similar penchant for post punk, so this worked, and I stood beside goths and locals, equally appeased. It was almost like being back at St Johns in the eighties, save for lack of trippy science teacher, Dr Dodd!

Next up were also residents and bought their fanclub with them as they bounced on stage and wasted no time in blasting traditional punk covers from the dawn of the shortlived detonation direct into our faces. The Racket, they called themselves, and they were, though an accomplished racket, and it’s a guaranteed win-win to rouse a middle-aged audience with Ramones, Dammed, Elvis Costello and Blondie covers. Most diverse with a punky version of Kids From America, the Racket make for an ideal function band, for the aging punk aficionado. The girl upfront passionate about reproducing the genre, appeared as a cross between Debbie Harry and Katherine Tate, as though it bore hit parade pastiche of the lost era, they did it with bells on, and were as lively as the need be.

Then it was time for Nancy and her band, the bassist of which we’d seen guest in Deadlight Dance, to steal the show. Proir she asked me if I liked Siouxsie, and though I confirmed I did, made excuses for not being totally clued up. “You’ll know more than you think,” she responded, “we play all the hits.” And she was blooming right too, as their perfect renditions paid homage to Siouxsie and the Banshees, track recognition fell neatly out of my brain’s archive like a slot machine.

Locally touring with Mark Colton’s Blockheads tribute, Dury Duty, if tributes reside with no middle-ground, either being absolute shit, or absolutely brilliant, I’m pleased to report it’s the latter with Painted Bird. Local circuits tend not to clash, but any one of these featured acts should be made to feel more than welcome to pass border control and play the Vizes. Book em, Dano, and put their name in cutout newspaper letters for a poster!

Punk, alive and well and living in Aldbourne; who’d have thought it?!

Billy Green Threeโ€™s Endless Scrolling

That Bill Green and his trio are back, WhatsApping me and spreading the news via social media about his new sardonic rap tune, condemning overuse of social media! Though any hypocrisy in that is forgiven, and not only because itโ€™s an upbeat beguiling track, teetering with Geordie banter and end of the day, pertinent; course we all spend too much time on our phones, but if you didnโ€™t you mightโ€™ve missed this nugget of brilliance.

It did get me contemplating days of yore, when there was always a book in my bathroom, but now, provided you donโ€™t drop your phone down the u-bend, the book vanished along with those dolly toilet-roll holders, weโ€™re Endless Scrolling, the very title of said satirical outpouring. The minefield maybe partially solvable through filtering; easier said than done, you want to remain Facebook friends with granny. Yet the perpetual stream of peopleโ€™s dinner, dumbed opinion, cute cats, and FitBit stats and so on and so forth, is, as Bill rightly states here, boring.

A dilemma often commented on, and usually on social media, though the angle here isnโ€™t thoroughly condemning internet surfing in general, or labelling anyone, just suggesting, itโ€™s addictive conundrum and place in society in accordance with basic manners. Neither is the song clichรฉ, as itโ€™s accepting people will do it, rather than outright lambasting the whole habit, itโ€™s about finding the right time and place; I might yet get let off for surfing on the loo.

At the dawn of smart phones there was an etiquette the popularity of has greatly reduced, so now it seems perfectly acceptable behaviour to scroll away while someone is addressing you in the antiquated fashion of face-to-face verbal communication, like thereโ€™s a more important world online than whatever it is they were going to tell you, which there might well be, but come on, manners! Thatโ€™s where Billy Green Three are coming from with this delightful ditty, take a listen.

I get where youโ€™re coming from Bill, though totally guilty as charged; hold on, just got to check my likes on our last post, then yeah, I get where youโ€™re coming from, mate! Wey aye, man, canny toon.

Trending…..

Oh Danny Boy!

Oh Danny Boy, oh, Danny Boy, they loved your boyish Eton looks so, but when ye was voted in, an all democracy wasnโ€™t quite dying,โ€ฆ

A Quick Shuffle to Swindon

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 Swindonโ€ฆ

Swindon Branch of Your Party is Growing

Following the excitement and success of the first meeting of โ€˜Your Partyโ€™ in Swindon, a second meeting has been arranged for 18th September 7.30 -โ€ฆ

No Rest For JP Oldfield, New Single Out Today

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 circuitโ€ฆ

DOCA’s Early Lantern Workshops

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 willโ€ฆ

REVIEW: Devizes Arts Festivalโ€™s Comedy Night @ Corn Exchange, Devizes โ€“ Friday 4th November 2022

An Early Night of Fireworks

Andy Fawthrop

Just when youโ€™re least expecting it, a crackling night of comedy suddenly looms out of the Autumn mist.ย  Here we were on a Friday night for a 400-seat sell-out of the Corn Exchange for Devizes Arts Festivalโ€™s Comedy Night.…..

And a smashing little box of crackers it was.  First up on stage, and binding the whole evening together, was compere West Country native and Bristol comic James Redmond.  Heโ€™s previously been seen on BBC TVโ€™s West Country Sitcom, and The Outlaws.  Jamesโ€™ style was laconic, laid-back and relaxed, poking gentle fun at a few of the locals up at the front.  Whilst some comperes can slightly overstay their welcome, serving only to delay the entry of the โ€realโ€ comedians, there was no danger of that here.  A few sparklers and then he was gone.

First up was Aideen McQueen, a late substitute, but no less good for that.  She proved her worth from the get-go with some hilarious material, and lived up to her reputation as one of the brightest sparks in the new generation of Irish comics.  She was cheeky, yet self-deprecating, and very funny with it, also choosing to delve into the front rows for some of her off-the-cuff impromptu material.  A real whizz-bang.

After the first interval, and some more of James Redmond, we were introduced to Stella Graham, a naturally funny stand-up comedian, writer and actor.  We learned that she was a half Sri Lankan gal from Coventry.  Plenty of riffing on lazy race stereotypes and another great set.  A Catherine Wheel of delights.

And finally, following a second chance to grab a drink at the crowded bars, was headliner of the night, the acclaimed comedian and professional hoaxer, Simon Brodkin.  Heโ€™s best known for handing Theresa May a P45 at the Conservative Party Conference and for showering Sepp Blatter with dollar bills at a FIFA press conference.   His longer set made no reference at all to these previous victories, and instead he delivered a full-powered main-stream stand-up set.  More delving into the audience, more riffing on D-Townโ€™s somewhat back-water, country-bumpkin West Country reputation.  But it was very well handled, very funny, and without malice.  A spectacular rocket display.

All four comedians were spot-on with their material, read the audience well, and made lots of new friends in the room.  And it was refreshing to hear so much wonderful material delivered without descending into mere crudity and profanity.  Of course there was some swearing, and some near-the-knuckle topics, but it was well blended in and genuinely hilarious.  An excellent show.

The audience obviously loved it, and the evening served to clearly demonstrate (yet again) that thereโ€™s a real appetite for some comedy gigs in D-Town.  Interestingly, the best gigs (from a perspective of ticket sales) during the main Devizes Arts Festival recently were the comedy gigs (remember Scummy Mummies and Alfie Moore?)  Perhaps itโ€™s time to get the old regular Comedy Club going again?

In sum – plenty of bangers, some sparklers and a real bonfire of the vanities.  And all this was delivered for a mere tenner โ€“ an absolute bargain in my book!  Great night out.

Trending…..

I See Orangeโ€ฆ.And Doll Guts!

There was a time not so long ago when I See Orange was the most exciting new band in Swindon. Their latest offering released atโ€ฆ

Talk in Code Down The Gate!

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 themโ€ฆ

Recommendations for when Swindon gets Shuffling

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 toโ€ฆ

Hillworth and Coate Housing Developments Rejected

Word on the grapevine is both controversial housing developments, one west of Hillworth Road, and the other off Coate Road in Devizes have been refused permission, Hillworth from five votes to three with one abstention at this morning’s Wiltshire Council Strategic Planning Committee meeting.….

The Hillworth site proposed the odd number of fifty-nine new houses, allowing only for the limit of 30% of affordable homes, meaning 18 of the 59, 11 affordable renting, and 7 shared ownership. But the plans faced criticism from both residents and Devizes Guardians, with residents protesting against it on October 30th.

The second far more ambitious proposal, a maximum of two-hundred houses, with again limited affordable housing, 36 rented, and 24 shared ownership, over near Coate was rejected soon after the Hillworth announcement, even with persuasive technique promising shops, because, you know, we haven’t got enough retail space in Devizes awaiting someone to occupy them.

Organiser of the Hillworth protest, Steve Cole told the Gazette, โ€œthis development is purely speculative, and its only aim is to make money from one of the townโ€™s most valuable wildlife habitats. We donโ€™t need speculation; we need preservation and protection to ensure our community and the wildlife can continue to enjoy this area for years to come.”

Yet this quote from the same article really takes the biscuit for a walk to cloud biscuitland, and dunks it in the tea of fibs lake. The developers added โ€œthe existing highway network would satisfactorily accommodate the additional traffic arising from the proposed development without resulting in any severe impacts.โ€ Earth to planet developer, who blatantly has never attempted to turn out of Hillworth Road, much less drive anywhere in Devizes during peak hours! Must’ve graduated from the Boris Johnson school of honesty.

Such wildly inaccurate assessments against a market town already in dying need of improvement to infrastructure makes me suspicious of the whole shebang, don’t know about you? Yeah, new homes need to be built, but around towns with bypasses like Calne, not towns without the capacity for a bypass, like Devizes. Take the already bustling tight rat traps at your own peril. And besides, is anyone in a position to be buying a home right now, anyway? Putting their’s on the market and gathering some cardboard boxes more like. We need a much higher percentage of affordable rented homes, not just the minimum to satisfy the regulatory.

Devizes Guardians have been against both proposals, town Councillor Jonathan Hunter told me he believes “the current infrastructure in Devizes, including services like dentistry, GP surgeries, schools and local transportation provision is not adequate for an ever increasing population. Our current road infrastructure is certainly not able to cope”

Apologies if this newsflash is hardly breaking, and you’ve read opinions about it already plastered over your favoured local Facebook groups, but trekking back from Swindon earlier, I hit Devizes bang-on 5pm; shock-horror, I’m wagering you’ll never guess what happened next?!

A 35 minute journey magically tranforms into an hour and a quater, fighting the town congestion like Immortan Joe, proving Jonathan’s point I think; could’ve got the better half to jump out at the Market Place for a takeaway, and it’d be cooked, served and eaten by the time I pass the Brewery roundabout!

While I’m rapping on a curry tangent, always thinking about my tucker, Jonathan sees the wider issue, and continues, “this is not a nimby issue, society needs more homes and especially ones that families, single parents, single people or low income families can afford and enjoy. There should be much better provision of low cost quality rental properties too.”

“However new developments need to be well thought out and located where the infrastructure can more than just cope meaning the local road network isnโ€™t gridlocked as a result of mismatched locations or people arenโ€™t waiting weeks to see a GP.”

“From planning experts to local residents – they have all listed the many factors that make these two developments a very poor fit for Devizes and believe that these developments are not suitable.”

Good news all round today, then, common sense prevails in the end, prospective moneybags hold off until the next unjustifiable housing proposal rears its head, me? I got a Chinese takeaway in the end! Yeah, was nice, thanks for asking.

Upcoming in Devizes; Nothing Rhymes With Orangeโ€™s Debut EP

The younger they are the more tempting it is to excessively praise, despite honest constructive criticism being far more helpful than flattery. So, I press play on these three tracks which make up the debut EP from Devizes-based teenage indie-pop band, Nothing Rhymes With Orange, with the intention of deliberately finding a possible downgrade or two, to convince you itโ€™s not the case here, which is not as easy as it soundsโ€ฆ…

It’s not even near beginnersโ€™ luck, that which we fondly reviewed their first single from the EP, Chow For Now, in October, and if I went in blind, Iโ€™ve a better perspective of where theyโ€™re coming from now, and predict very soon everyone will, least should.

The fact theyโ€™re releasing an EP called Midsummer bang central in autumn is the only bombast in me. This is unconditionally distinction-type stuff, the like Iโ€™d have said of a band of ten plus years of professional experience under their belts. Far from the odious din of antagonism and rage of many a youthful punk-pop experiment, which isnโ€™t my preferred cuppa, this is universally age demographic spanning, appealing to all.

If they cite their inspirations from The Wombats, Smashing Pumpkins and Arctic Monkeys, my elderly soul picks out early Jam, and a plethora of bands from that late seventies, early eighties era. Mind, they also cite The Cure; Iโ€™m happy with that compromise, though suggest it’s never as gloomy as goth. Look at the picture, they bounce; Robert Smith never bounced!

Reason being it ticks every box is itโ€™s shrewdly written with original angles on themes of fledgling passion and relationships, yet itโ€™s lively, happy, beguiling, and danceable, and, concluding with a cliche word I donโ€™t like to overuse but find myself in a position no better than to define it as โ€œcatchy.โ€

Recorded at The Badger Set Studios in Potterne and released this Friday, 4th November, if Chow For Now rides a degree of optimism in the despair of a relationship breakup, Creatures is equally as expectantly ingenious and dynamic, commenting on a larger picture of teenage delinquency, reminding me somewhat of Supergrassโ€™ Alright, yet with far more punch. This one is simply anthemic, picture future fans singing back to them, perhaps even more than Chow. But while Manipulation reduces the tempo, proving the boys can execute the obligatory melancholic superlatively too, though subtly, the wordplay steps up another notch. Example; โ€œyou make manipulation seem like a lullaby, go get your education, Iโ€™m not your type of guy,โ€ just, yeah, works.

You can pick these tunes apart and if the characters in Creatures, suggest they think theyโ€™re โ€œcool because they donโ€™t listen to the teachers,โ€ I really hope your English teachers are listening to you, guys, for this is quality badinage, astutely written pop. To retort on my mockery of the EPโ€™s name unfortunately inconsistent to the current season, these tracks were put down during the summer, in a barn in rural Wiltshire. Country schoolkids, huh? Typical, nothing better to do than hang around barns, picking up guitars and drums, practising like hell, precisely promoting, and marketing their outpourings, and coming out with this monstrously superb sound to upstage the best of our local scene, you should be ashamed of yourselves!

The original four-piece line up consists of frontman Elijah Easton on guitar, with the apt strain of adolescent sincerity in his vocals, Fin Anderson-Farquhar, also on guitar, and drummer Lui Venables, with bassist Ivor Ritson who since moved on to be replaced by Sam Briggs. Fast creating a loyal fanbase after reaching the finals of Riverbank Chippenhamโ€™s Take the Stage, theyโ€™ve managed their own sell out gig, and supported upcoming Carsick at Trowbridgeโ€™s Pump. I suggest you do yourself a favour, young and old, pre-save this EP here, ready for Friday, and keep a keen eye on these lads. Theyโ€™re playing a Freaky Friday at St James Vaults in Bath, Friday 11th November, with Chasing Kites supporting Harmer Jays. Iโ€™m sorry not to be able to make it but urge local promoters to get these guys booked.

Trending…

A Busy Week For Lunch Box Buddy!

It was great to bump into Lunch Box Buddy in Devizes today. Last week was hectic for him; first BBC Wiltshire stopped by his standโ€ฆ

Wither; Debut Single From Butane Skies

Whilst dispersing highly flammable hydrocarbon gases into the atmosphere is not advisory,  Butane Skies is a name increasingly exploding on local circuits. The young andโ€ฆ

REVIEW โ€“ Picnic At Hanging Rock @ Wharf Theatre, Devizes โ€“ Monday 31st October 2022

Strange Happenings

Andy Fawthrop

A wet and windy Halloween night was quite an odd elemental preparation for going to see this atmospheric play.ย  Set in the wide-open spaces and searing heat of 1900 Southern Australia, the tight confines of our lovely little Wharf Theatre seemed as if it would present a stretch of the imagination just a step too far.ย  But not a bit of it, and Director Debby Wilkinson had done a marvellous job in transforming the obvious physical limitations of a small stage into a much bigger canvas.

The plot of this mystery tale, rumoured to be loosely based on real events, is initially quite straightforward.  On St Valentine’s Day in 1900, a group of schoolgirls from Appleyard College set out for a picnic at Hanging Rock, a volcanic beauty spot in rural Victoria.  After their picnic, a group of the girls climb into the blaze of the afternoon sun.  But their idyllic day turns to tragedy as three of their number inexplicably vanish, never to be seen again.  The complexities then arise.  Despite extensive searching, no bodies are found.  Questions begin to be asked, and the answers are rarely forthcoming.  Back-stories and under-currents are discovered.  Memories differ.  Uncertainly prevails.  We begin to understand that, in fact, there are many things that we do not understand.

Using just five female actors to both narrate and to act out the story, there is little room for manoeuvre.  We are compelled to use our own imaginations to fill in many of the blanks.  The bare, stripped-back set, and the use of virtually no props, only serves to reinforce the bleakness and emptiness of the rough landscape.  We are taken through the disappearance and its aftermath, its many layers of uncertainty and a whole range of contrasts โ€“ truth and lies, light and dark, dreams and nightmares, the real and the imaginary, and the unsettling way in which facts seem to simply dissolve into nothingness. The open-ness of the great outdoors is set against the stifling atmosphere of the school, and the claustrophobia of the rules of genteel society.

This was a wonderful cast.  There were five very strong, word-perfect performances from Helen Langford, Imogen Riley, Louise Peak, Lucy Upward and Cassidy Hill.  Their pace and movement around the stage, as one role melted into another, was confident and assured.  Their ability to switch genders, voices, tones and attitudes was excellent.  Without apparent effort, they immersed you in both the story itself and into the motives and feelings of the different characters.  Totally convincing and professional throughout.  Top work.

The adaptation of Joan Lindsayโ€™s original 1967 novel by Tom Wright is a tautly pared-back affair, yet there is no loss of poetic and lyrical language.  Previous film and TV adaptations have had the luxury of using the great Australian landscape as their background, but here it all had to be in the language and the acting.  And the five actors absolutely nailed it.  The sense of mystery was never lost, and the audience were bound in.

This is exactly the sort of production that the Wharf excels at.ย  The stage and the arena are, by many standards, very small.ย  Thereโ€™s always going to be a skill in selecting the right productions and using the best directors to make the best of these limitations.ย  Picnic At Hanging Rock is absolutely one of those productions. Please go and see it.ย ย  This production is excellent and fully deserves your support โ€“ you wonโ€™t be disappointed! ย ย The production runs from tonight (Tuesday) through to Saturday 5th November at 7.30pm each evening.ย  Book your tickets HERE

Future productions at The Wharf Theatre:

Mon 14th โ€“ Sat 19th Sept                                TITCo Evening of Musical Theatre

Fri 8th โ€“ Sat 17th Dec                                        Little Red Riding Hood

Mon 30th Jan โ€“ Sat 4th Feb                            Ladies Day

For all information about The Wharf Theatre and its productions go to www.wharftheatre.co.uk

Trending….

FullTone Festival 2026: A New Home

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 toโ€ฆ

Barrelhouse Rams The Gate!

When Barrelhouse visited the Southgate last easter, it was a great affair, though I was surprised to have been among a lesser crowd than a typical night down Devizes’ ever-dependable tavern. Given our blues obsession and this largely Marlborough based five-piece’s exceptional talent for providing exactly that, a clashing evening at Long Street Blues Club, if memory serves me well, is the only logical explanation. This time made up for itโ€ฆโ€ฆ

See, Iโ€™ve witnessed the crowd-pulling ability of this band on their home-turf, as residents of MantonFest, and was pleased to strut headlong into the rammed mosh pit, even if it meant accidently tripping over a dog, who got their own back with a nip of my badly executed apologetic hand! Rammed in there for birthday-boy landlord Dave, indeedy, but also, I confirm Devizes has awakened to how good these guys are. So rammed, even, I gave up trying to get a decent photo.

The dancefloor proved my point, Devizes has cottoned onto the Barrelhouse fanatical, and last night they took the packed boozer on their magical journey. Squeezed into our legendary alcove, it’s a good job they’re only barrel by name, otherwise it could’ve gone all Popup Pirate! I arrived fashionably late, plastered in badly grafted zombie makeup, but in time enough for the signature tune, and the one which attracted me to their most brilliant originals, Mainline Voodoo, a track they submitted to our first Juliaโ€™s House compilation. And being this was followed by their delta-version of Ace of Spades, I was happy to be there.

Itโ€™s when they slide in a cover of The Weight, you know youโ€™re in good company, bassist Stuart jesting to me they only run it so Jim Morrison fashioned frontman, Martin Hands can sing the word โ€œfanny.โ€ And there it is, see, not a band with a standout character, but a real tight teamworking collective, they bind and entertain like clockwork, and the sound they produce is as it says on the tin, โ€œvintage blues with a hard-edged groove.โ€

An encore was demanded, after Everybody Needs Somebody to Love, they only went and did Honkytonk Woman, and rinsed it with the skill they put into every one of their originals. Much so, you cannot see the seam, there is no wandering off to the bar when they call it, โ€œhereโ€™s one of our originals;โ€ no; crowd be like, okay, Iโ€™m happy with that. Especially at The Southgate; we like it like that.

It only leaves me to direct your eyes to the poster below, a kind of interim MantonFest, where alongside a Slade tribute, youโ€™ll get the full impact of Barrelhouse on their home turf, and unless you hold out until theyโ€™re at the Gate again, you should make a beeline for this Christmassy offering.

Trending….

Devizes Dilemma: FullTone or Scooter Rally?!

Contemplated headlining this โ€œClash of the Titans,โ€ but that evokes the idea of a dramatic power struggle with fierce consequences rather than proof Devizes canโ€ฆ

Goodbye to The Beanery but Hollychocs Lives On

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 openingโ€ฆ

Female of the Species; Deadlier in Seend!

A glass half-full or half-empty scenario, to be at Seend Community Centre. The optimist in me ponders least it’s central, bang tidy between the Sham, Vizes and Trowvegas, or even if it matters if it is a wholly Seend affair, whatever; their Community Centre sure is a village venue to be proud of.

Neither am I here to dabble in petty town council politics. What’s been held at Melksham’s Assembly Hall for so many years and raised so much wonga for apt local charities, the local all-female supergroup Female of the Speciesโ€™ outing now packed out the new place last night for their annual extravaganza, and as always, it’s a beautiful, highly entertaining shebang.

This time in aid of teenage advice organisation TeenTalk, the girls were adorned in costumes in a manner superior to anything gone before. With corresponding stage decor, they were looking absolute dynamite; gothic halloweenish, to suit the theme, and they knocked a series of sublime covers out of the park.

I mean yeah, with the look of celebrity divinity they charged the stage, opened with a more Bangles’ Hazy Shade of Winter than Simon & Garfunkel’s, followed it with Sledgehammer, but stars really came out on the third tune, with saxophonist Karen Porter’s matchless riff of Baker Street. Here the penny dropped for those not-in-the-know; Seend was aching towards a party in a calibre of magnitude, though I suspect many there were fully aware and prepped, the anticipation was positively buzzing.

The lesser capacity of this hall only breathing more atmosphere into their performance than ever previously. Yet either way in either hall, the frontwomen of these local bands, Jules of Trowbridgeโ€™s Train to Skaville, Nicky Davis from People Like Us and The Reason, Julia Greenland from Soulville Express, Claire Perry from Big Mammaโ€™s Banned, and solo artist Charmaigne Andrews, never have a Jagger and Bowie moment of Dancing in the Street. That upstaging yearning simply doesnโ€™t compute with them, and with every year which passes sees them more harmonious and in solidarity, save perhaps the customary saucy banter! Itโ€™s the reason why itโ€™s as firm a fixture on my calendar as Christmas.

A covers night it maybe, but one of the highest qualities, with each singer adding their own genre preference into the cauldron. The method is this combined acquaintance, the magic is in the pop diversity they nimbly execute together. An example came quickly, when Jools led a floor-filling blast of Dawn Penn’s reworked rock steady classic, No, No, No. Through slight Halloween themed Hungry like Wolf and People are Strange, each tune was building into a continuingly improving pop compilation, arriving at an apex with a breathtakingly soulful version of The Faces’ Stay with Me, verging on Aretha-level of greatness.

But none of this happened before a superb support set of originals by young Trowbridge country-pop singer-songwriter Becky Lawrence, who, donned in a tiny witch’s hat and accompanied by warlock-looking guitarist Dylan Smith (more on this chap at a later date) treated us to her crystal-clear vocals and acute observational wordsmithing. Particularly poignant was her single, Loud and 17, even if seventeen is a long-vapourised recollection for me personally! Such was the performance; both these musicians are bleeping promptly on my radar.

With the thought of Jools returning with her band, Train to Skaville for New Yearโ€™s Eve this year, as The Female of the Species blasted through their catalogue of wonderful covers, it draws a double line under Seend Community Centre as a seriously contending venue and their lively and diverse range of events. Quality night, as to be expected based on past experience, but with an added bonus of a Halloween spooky theme and in a new venue; enough for me to don some zombie slap, which promptly melted off my face in the heat of the dancefloor moment!

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Park Farm; Mantonfest Came to Devizes!

The first Park Farm Festival happened Saturday, it was fabulouso, and in some way Mantonfest came to Devizes; conveniently for me as I had toโ€ฆ

Ann Liu Cannon’s Clever Rabbits

Ann Liu Cannon is the Marlborough success story I hadn’t heard of until yesterday; thanks to local promoter and frontman of the Vooz, Lee Mathewsโ€ฆ

Live in Pewsey, at the First Oak-Fest

Amidst another packed summer weekend’s schedule laid that lovable large village Pewseyโ€™s turn to shine; always a law unto itself, things went off; if itโ€™sโ€ฆ

Return of DOCAโ€™s Window Wanderland

To look back at the pandemic as a terrible era in our lives is justified, but as with all hard times some positives came from it; how we can care and respect each other, how to try our best to carry on, and, how we can continue traditions we once took for granted. In the latter, changes were made to events and entertainment, some changes which worked remain. Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts, like all event organisers were under pressure to come up with some way of celebrating Christmas, Window Wanderland was it. So popular with Devizes residents it is great to see it happening this year.

DOCA invite our local community to create something special in their windows, to show just what an amazingly creative place Devizes is. This Winter Festival theme is โ€˜Cold Weather, Warm Heartsโ€™ and they would love to see some windows decorated around this to feed into the other work they are doing across the weekend. This window extravaganza will run from 24th โ€“ 27th November 2022, from 5pm-9pm daily.

Anyone with a window can create a display which they hope will light up Devizes. Make sure you wrap up warm, get out and enjoy the change of window scenery. To take part is free, all you have to do is register your window. This will allow it to be included on the interactive map of Devizes, highlighting all the different window locations.

Register Here. More about Devizes Window Wanderland Here.

Trending….

IDLES’ at Block Party

With their only UK shows of the year quickly approaching, the 1st and 2nd August will see IDLESโ€™ and music festival Block Party take overโ€ฆ

PREVIEW โ€“ White Horse Operaโ€™s Production of Donizettiโ€™s โ€œLโ€™Elisir dโ€™Amourโ€@ Lavington School, Devizes โ€“ Wednesday 26th, Friday 28th, and Saturday 29th October 2022

Opera Is Back! โ€“ The Elixir Of Love! – Go See This Show!

by Andy Fawthrop

Weโ€™ve said it before, and we feel no shame in saying it again, but we are incredibly lucky to have so many talented musical and dramatic companies on our doorstep.ย  White Horse Opera (WHO) is but one of these, a company packed with plenty of both talent and enthusiasm.ย  Theyโ€™d previewed this weekโ€™s offering with a few early excerpts at their Spring Concert way back in March in Devizes Town Hall, which I also attended, but tonightโ€™s dress rehearsal was a chance to see how the full operetta had panned out.…

And I have to say that it is a total and delightful success!  Regular readers will know that Iโ€™m no expert on opera, but itโ€™s one of the musical forms that I do happen to love.  This particular 19th-century two-act comic opera production is a very accessible and easy-to-love piece, with some absolutely gorgeous music. 

The plot, as is fairly usual in any comic opera, is somewhat ludicrous and unbelievable.  Briefly – Nemorino, a poor peasant, is hopelessly in love with the beautiful Adina, a rich landowner.  Aware of his adoration, she torments him with her indifference and allows herself to be courted by the recently-arrived Captain Belcore.  Nemorino resorts to buying what he thinks is a love potion (in this case a cheap bottle of Bordeaux) from the shameless Dr. Dulcamara, but will it work to enable him to win her love?  Thatโ€™s the set-up in the first act.

Will everything be resolved in the second act?โ€ฆ..well, youโ€™ll have to come and see the production to find out!  Suffice to say that there are lots of twists and turns, deceptions, misunderstandings, a secret inheritance and plenty of improbabilities before everything is finally sorted out.

The opera, which essentially is about the triumph of sincerity over trickery and duplicity marks Matt Daunceyโ€™s directorial debut, and heโ€™s made a fine job of it.  Heโ€™s introduced some nice visual comedy into the production, but without obscuring the essential comedy of Donizettiโ€™s plot.  It also features three big duets between the exciting lead tenor (Robert Felstead making his debut opera performance with WHO) and lead soprano (beautifully sung by the ever-reliable Lisa House).  There are other star turns too from Jon Paget as the dashing Captain Belcore and Stephen Grimshaw as the duplicitous Doctor Dulcamara.

For regular opera lovers, this show is an absolute must, and for those wondering about whether to dip their toes into the shallow waters of opera, this would be a cracking one to start with.  Itโ€™s very accessible โ€“ itโ€™s sung in English and there are programme notes to guide you through the plot โ€“ but, more importantly itโ€™s really well done.  To say that WHO is an amateur opera company is to somewhat undersell itself โ€“ what they deliver is an extremely polished and professional performance.  The opera itself is a delight, featuring lots of great songs and choruses, and it delivers a great nightโ€™s entertainment.

In summary the main reason you should go and see it is that itโ€™s bloody good!

Tickets are still available for performances tonight (Wednesday), and for Friday and Saturday.

Future WHO events:

Sat 12th Nov 2022              Gilbert & Sullivanโ€™s Ruddigore    7.30pm Hilperton Village Hall

Fri 25th Nov 2022               Top Of The Ops                                 7.30pm Holt United Reformed Church

Wed 14th Dec                     Christmas Concert                           7.30pm St. Johns Church, Devizes

More information on WHO is available at www.whitehorseopera.co.uk

Trending….

Fox Hunting Suppoter Ploughs into Sab with Car

Just a quick one from me this morning, as I’m at a total loss for words. A video has emerged on Facebook from the Herefordshire Hunt Saboteurs of a host and hunt supporter on the Ladywood Estate, home of the Cottesmore Hunt, running over a sab at high speed. The Sab organisation claim it was deliberate, I personally cannot see how you can possibly deny it anything less.

https://fb.watch/goKC1eWnhd/

Another example of the outrageous behaviour of hunt supporters in an ongoing national series of violent backlashes against groups only protecting wildlife in accordance of the law. Though I know, this is a little outside our area, it is the like we’ve seen at Lacock last Boxing Day, but so off the scale, it needs coverage, to highlight the extreme lengths hunt supporters are willing to go to; it is nothing short of attempted murder.

Aside the obvious that this aggressor should be bought to justice via the compelling evidence, it should stand as a testament to what the sabs have to endure, whether it is verbal abuse and harassment on a daily basis, or bouts of violence. Even if it were true, that the smokescreen of trail hunting are carried out legally, this should be used as a reason to outright ban the whole filthy charade, before someone is killed.

Our thoughts and hearts go out to victim and hope she makes a speedy recovery.

Anyone For Table Tennis at Hillworth Park?

Yep, it’s true, Devizes’ wonderful Hillworth Park is to get an all-weather outdoor table tennis table, installed over the coming weeks, agreed at a Devizes Town Council recreation and properties committee meeting yesterday.…

Funded through the council’s CIL receipts, the project has been a bit ping-pong since the idea was put forward at the beginning of the year, with supplier and contractor issues, but looks likely to be smashed over the net very soon.

A positive strategy has also been served into action for those remaining town playparks in need of attention. Playgrounds in Cowslip Close, Festival Close and Wadworth Road have been earmarked by the council’s play area working party for repair and funding has been confirmed for them.

Councillor Jonathan Hunter, who has been formulating youth objectives and a working group structure recently said, “I believe the council has listened, and continues to listen to the community with action orientated follow up work that will improve play areas.”

Moving in the right direction to address youth issues could see a safe space youth venue, youth council inclusion schemes and a youth civic award scheme too. But little acorns, Devizine plans to grill Mr Hunter soon about progress on these exciting ventures addressing young people’s issues, over a nice cuppa, naturally, but for now, anyone for table tennis?!

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 26th Oct โ€“ 2nd Nov 2022

So, Rishi Sunak is prime minister, eh, how about that for diversity? Last time, a woman, of sorts, now an Asian chap. A tax-avoiding billionaire Asian chap with a name which sounds like a brand of orange fizzy-pop, but one nonetheless. You’ve got to wonder who it’ll be next week.

My money is on a Klingon, but I must commend the Tories, seems they’re not quite as prejudice as Nazis after all. It doesn’t matter, age, gender, race or religion; providing you’re working class they’ll shit on all of us from a-high, but with a degree of equality.

It would’ve been nice if Liz Truss could’ve stuck around for another week, if only for topical pumpkin carving purposes, because yes, it is the ancient American-over-commercialised Gaelic feast of Samhain, or Halloween to Christian cultural thieves.

After a family outing to pick our own pumpkins on a farm near Rowde in torrential rain last Saturday, confirming I married into a rural family, and kids who consider themselves too matured to trick or treat, I’d like to go out on creepy tiles (see editor’s pick of the week) but tickets are being grabbed fast, and I’m not sure how I’ll feel by the weekend after being brutally attacked last Saturday by a hanging basket.

Where were Wiltshire Police when the attack took place, you cry? Nowhere to be seen, that’s where. Typical, and that hanging basket is still at large somewhere, be warned. Needless to say, I sustained a surprisingly substantial head injury, though not the reason I’m talking complete toilet; I’m always like this.

I did manage to see a doctor. After a reply I pre-empted to be a telephone appointment sometime in May 2023, going by social media rants, I was invited to Southbroom surgery faster than I could change out of my Paddington jimmy-jams, and within the hour I was let back on the street. Not forgoing I retain a sore head with bolts of pain shooting through it upon the slightest of movement, but I’m after no sympathy. It’s the worry of 50 coming like a rocket over the hill at me. Any previous age and I’d have been, like, ah, just a bump to the noggin, be right as reign come morning. But now, any slight aliment and I’m drafting my bucket list; though I’d suspect Kylie Minogue won’t respond favourably in any case.

Onwards with what’s happening this creepy weekend, before I dose myself in more paracetamol. As usual the only link you need for more info and tickets is our event calendar HERE. If thereโ€™s stuff going on Iโ€™ve not mentioned below, stay tuned to the guide as I might yet update it through the week, and if itโ€™s your event I missed, thatโ€™s likely because you didnโ€™t tell me about it.

Wednesday 26th, and itโ€™s the White Horse Operaโ€™s opening night of Lโ€™elisir dโ€™amore at Lavington School, which runs until 29th. And the Rondo Theatre, Bath has Female Transport, also running the same dates.

On Thursday 27th Devizes Lgbtq+ hold their Drag Queen Bingo, Halloqueen Edition at The Exchange in Devizes, which was a sell-out last time, so get in quick.

Find reggae at Level III, Swindon with the Erin Bardwell Three, and Grim Slickers at The Vic.

Friday 28th, Halloween Family Disco at The Neeld, Chippenham. LGBTQ+ Halloween night at The Exchange, Devizes.

Violin, rapper and loop artist, Mike Dennis is at The Pump, Trowbridge.

Bit confused as Iโ€™ve a poster from the Specialised Project, advertising Monkey Ska at the Vic, Swindon, but listings show Getrz, Vicuals and I See Orange playing there too, so perhaps the first one has been cancelled, unsure. The Terraplanes Blues Band play the Rolleston Arms, though, that much I do know!

Also find Barnstormers Comedy at Salisbury Arts Centre, Muze at The Tree House, Frome, while The Freddie & Queen Experience are at the Cheese & Grain.

Saturday 29th, everything is awesome at Chippenham Museumโ€™s Lego Club, 3-4pm every Saturday. Itโ€™s Autumn in the Park at Hillworth in Devizes, see poster, and St Johnโ€™s Michaelmas Fayre too.

Getting very Halloween now, with Halloween Karaoke at The Pelican Inn, Devizes, Devizes Scooter Clubโ€™s Skalloween at the Cavalier, a Halloween party with DJ James Therelfall at the Muck & Dunder, Thriller Halloween party at the Exchange, and The Monster Ball at Melksham Assembly Hall.

Kind of optional creepy fancy dress at Editorโ€™s Pick of The Week: The Female of the Species 7th Annual Fundraising Gig at Seend Community Hall.

Tickets are going like hot cakes for this annual extravaganza from our lovely all-female local supergroup, now packing a punch at Seend, so get in quickly, it is always an amazing show.

Away from Halloween vibes, those masters of vintage blues, Barrelhouse play The Southgate, Devizes, Trash Panda, The Bastard Son of Humdinger & My Mateโ€™s Band play The Coppers Arms, Pewsey. Strange Folk at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon.

Stop Stop at The Vic, Swindon, Judas Rising at the Rolleston.

Congress at Salisbury Cathedral, Spritato โ€“ Inspiring Bach at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon. Oh, and The Lightning Seeds play The Cheese & Grain, Frome.

Sunday 30th, The Innes Sibun Band arrive at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon, guaranteed knockout.

Spooky stuff continues as Monday 31st is the opening night for Picnic at Hanging Rock at The Wharf Theatre, Devizes; of which Iโ€™m hoping to get a review of out by Monday, or Tuesday latest. Running until 5th November, preview here.

And weโ€™re into November, Wednesday 2nd donโ€™t forget, acoustic jam at the Southgate, Devizes, and Jordan Bak is at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.

Keep on scrolling for future fings to do, hopefully Iโ€™ll join you real soon, hanging basket though, I ask you, evil hanging basket; why canโ€™t they just plant flowers in the ground like normal folk? They should be brought to justice! Have a good week, the doctor told me to stay off devices and screens, so Iโ€™m outta here, going to take up badminton instead, which is an extreme sport to me!

Trending……

Clock Radio Turf Out The Maniacs

The first full album by Wiltshireโ€™s finest purveyors of psychedelic indie shenanigans, Clock Radio, was knocked out to an unsuspecting world last week. Itโ€™s calledโ€ฆ

REVIEW โ€“ Chaz Thorogood @ The Southgate, Devizes โ€“ Sunday 24th October 2022

Thoroughly Good Thorogood

In Praise Of Sunday Afternoons At The Gate

Andy Fawthrop

Do you ever get that feeling that each day has its own special feeling, its own atmosphere? ย Do weย even need to talk about Mondays? ย Fridays, especially Friday evening, have that โ€œthank God itโ€™s allย over for another week; letโ€™s go out and have a drink to get the weekend startedโ€ vibe. ย Saturdays areย sport, leisure, shopping, maybe a meal out, perhaps a music gig. ย And Sundays, well Sundays areย different yet again, arenโ€™t they? ย Yes I know thereโ€™s that well-documented slight anxiety about theย coming working week, but thereโ€™s just something more laid-back, more relaxed about the wholeย atmosphere.

And thatโ€™s how it is at The Southgate on Sunday afternoons โ€“ comfortable, relaxed and a nice buzz amongst the regular music-goers.  Some of my best memories of 2022 have been those lazy, hazy Sundays at Dave & Debโ€™s place, watching some of the best local musical talent on show.

All year, on each first Sunday of the month, local hero Jon Amor has been showcasing his musicalย โ€œfriendsโ€ – his trio with Tom Gilkes on drums and Jerry Soffe on bass, together with an eclectic set ofย special guests (Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse in the early part of the year being a particularย highlight). ย But one of those guests, guitarist Chaz Thorogood, impressed so much that he was askedย to come back with his own band and do his own gig, and yesterday we were treated to the results.

But first a short aside โ€“ last Sunday afternoon featured another superb artist: Jack Grace and his trio. ย What a show that was. ย More than two hours of country/ folky/ blues/ rock songs stitched togetherย by Jackโ€™s amazing commentary and stories. ย There were echoes in there of Hot Tuna, Tom Waits,ย Alex Harvey and a whole vaudeville vibe that was by turns exciting, hilarious and totally infectious. ย Itย was genuinely one of those gigs that you just donโ€™t want to end. ย Musical entertainment of the veryย first order.

Jack Grace Band

However, I digress โ€“ back to Chaz.  As if last week-endโ€™s show couldnโ€™t be bettered, here was something equally good.  Playing plenty of rock-infused blues, Chazโ€™s two sets were a revelation.  Taking several blues standards by the throat, he and his boys steadily squeezed new life out of them.  Crossroads, Got My Mojo Working, Folsom Prison Blues all got the treatment, with some absolutely inspired leas guitar work.  And then, if it were possible, he went up another gear.  What he did to Hendrixโ€™s Voodoo Chile was absolutely stunning (โ€œfilthyโ€ was the word used by a friend of mine).  Later he repeated the trick with All Along The Watchtower, and even managed (I canโ€™t believe Iโ€™m saying this) to kick seven bells out of Britney Spearsโ€™ Toxic.  And there was a final cherry on the cake โ€“ a stonking and inspired version of the Beatlesโ€™ Come Together.  To say that this guy knows his way around a guitar is a massive understatement.  Entertainment of the very first order.

So yet another brilliant Sunday afternoon completed โ€“ good beer, great company, wonderful atmosphere and some stunningly good music.  Itโ€™s what lifeโ€™s all about in my book โ€“ stuff Monday!

So if youโ€™ve not poked your nose around the door of The Southgate yet, I strongly suggest that you do so.  Thereโ€™s gigs on various Fridays and Saturdays too but, for me at least, Sundays just have that edge.  And your next chance to experience just what I mean is in a couple of Sundaysโ€™ time, when Jon Amor returns to his monthly residency with his trio and another musical guest.

Future gigs at The Southgate:

Saturday 29th October  Barrelhouse

Saturday 5th November  41 Fords

Sunday 6th November ย Jon Amor + Friends ft Ben Waghorn (sax)

Wiltshire Against the Badger Cull Expresses Outrage as Farmer Buried an Active Badger Sett

Amidst the number of other suspicious, much less futilely brutal activities, in the pursuit of rural blood sports, weโ€™re currently knee-deep in the badger cull, set to run until 2025 at least, and Governmentโ€™s dodgy bTB eradication policy plans makes hard reading, but who, locally, bothers with licences anyway? Just lob some peanuts, and fire away….

Allow me, doubtful a counterargument will come my way being they usually donโ€™t warrant communication other than hate-mail or vindictive social media comments, an opinion piece on a particular recent incident highlighted by non-profit organisation, Wiltshire Against the Badger Cull; now, letโ€™s dig those claws in, shall we?

You got to laugh, if not cry, when supporters excuse their actions with the argument campaigners know nothing of โ€œcountry ways.โ€ I beg to differ, Iโ€™m sure most live locally too, in rural areas. More likely they know nothing in comprehending just why trigger-happy landowners cannot find humane methods of dealing with so-called pests, which, incidentally, are plentiful. And in that, feel the need to apply a variety of pathetic and wretched smokescreens to justify their thirst for blood. But, you know, I donโ€™t like to mince my words.

So infuriated to hear of this one, and the policeโ€™s apparent lack of action towards it, according to the organisation Iโ€™ve no reasonable grounds to doubt. I pondered a title of Wiltshireโ€™s Killing Fields, but thought twice, it may be offensive to victims of the genocide in Cambodia. After all, MPs far more intelligent than me, declared animals are not sentient life forms, didnโ€™t they? Though a withdrawal bill to transfer the EU protocol on animal sentience into UK law was narrowly defeated, the jury is out on what the vote meant in practice. Me? I saw a dead cat lying in the road recently, and another cat clearly crying at its side. Make of that what you will, but consider your pet dog, their affection for you is indisputable.  

Anyway, the story goes something like thisโ€ฆ. are you sitting awkwardly and about to retch? Then Iโ€™ll begin, but warn, some areas of reality here might be distressing.

Monks Farm near Gastard is the setting for our fairy-tale, one dark night when the Wiltshire Against the Badger Cull patrol entered a field there, to cross a footpath close to a badgerโ€™s sett. All of a sudden, a shot was heard, the crusaders knew they were too late.

The patrol raced towards the sett, as cull shooters the campaigners called โ€œcowardly,โ€ fled the scene. Myself, I cannot be so judgemental and refuse to name-call, but being they reported theyโ€™d โ€œmanaged to grab the body, and drag it 100m pouring with blood to their vehicle,โ€ through an act where the farmer was โ€œdetermined to wipe out this sett in his crop field,โ€ even I, non-prude, confessed occasional wasp-killer must acknowledge, it all seems a little Bad Boys to me. The farmer is named in their Facebook post, I like to think he sees himself as Will Smith in some popcorn-munching overdramatic Hollywood trash; โ€œkeep my woke do-goodersโ€™ names out of your fucking jokes!โ€

Wiltshire Against the Badger Cull have been monitoring the sett ever since, and regularly record activity, badgers, as well as his attempts to wipe them out. They watched the surviving badgers playing nearby in his fields often, using their thermal or night-vision cameras right up to Autumn 2021. Iโ€™m assuming the field was fallow, being the campaigners state, โ€œwith nothing in the field to โ€œprotectโ€ (landowners smokescreen excuse to destroy wildlife on their land), we had hoped they would be safe for the winter and in peace to birth their cubs, which occurs between January and March, with cubs remaining underground until April or May.โ€ 

But upon their return in February, and to their horror, the entire field had been deep ploughed ready for planting potatoes. They claimed, โ€œthe setts were completely wiped out and nothing of them survived. Undoubtedly the sett was active at the time, as we witnessed on our cameras, even having taken a still photo of them in the field in the October.โ€

They reported the matter to rural crime team, who discovered the farmer, obviously angry at the badgers for daring to build a home in a corner of his field, and angry at them for having the gall to try to lawfully protect them, had applied to Natural England for permission to interfere with the sett, โ€œto protect crops.โ€ Poppycock is great word to insert at this conjunction, I feel; one can only apply to cull badgers to prevent the spread of Bovine TB in cattle, which opens another pandoraโ€™s box Iโ€™m sure weโ€™re aware of. Thereโ€™s little evidence to show this is anyway effective from Bovine TB in cattle, badgers rarely go near cattle, and likely the spread of the virus is from cattle-to-cattle because of bad farming practises.

But this contradiction of the purpose of the cull is besides the point here. Badgers are protected species in the UK, so if they already have an established sett, there is nothing you can do. There are laws in place to protect badgers from coming to harm. According to UK law, you cannot dig for a badger, mistreat a badger, allow or provoke a dog to enter a badger sett, disturb or block access to a badger sett, nor intentionally take, injure or kill a badger; so there it is. Wiltshire Against the Badger Cull claim โ€œthe truth is they just want them off their land, because itโ€™s ingrained in them that they can do as they please on their land.โ€

I find myself wondering just how much damage to acres of crop can one badger sett possibly do? I mean, really, are they likely to invite their badger friends to an illegal rave on your land, are they football hooligan badgers prospectively out to cause trouble? โ€œCome on you black and whites!โ€

This was a breach of the licence, clearly, as Wiltshire Against the Badger Cull explain, โ€œthe licence does not allow him to destroy an active sett, nor cause suffering to a protected animal. In this case the undoubted suffocation of badgers and their cubs as they slept during daylight whilst he ploughed. The former 11+ healthy active entrances which we originally surveyed some years ago, have never to this date reappeared.โ€

Badgers are an endangered species, uncontrolled destruction of them will wipe them out for good, thatโ€™s why Iโ€™m relaying these claims, and not to upset those in the agricultural industry. There are methods to protect crops, better fences lying further below the surface than badgers can burrow, use natural repellents, or motion sensor floodlights.  

Every fairy-tale needs a happy ending, and the group said, โ€œa couple of months ago, we were delighted to find a new active entrance not far away from the former sett, and finding what is clearly a survivor from the wiped-out clan, we captured some beautiful video, proving the sett to be active.  We once again asked the rural crime team to investigate, and also contacted Natural England as did the police.โ€

But the twist comes thus, โ€œwe are saddened to report that the case has been closed with no action taken, and once again the criminal slaughter of our wildlife goes unpunished. This is why so many people take the matter into their own hands, because we cannot rely on the law, or even those paid to uphold it.โ€

Wiltshire Against the Badger Cull ask for help in the field, or if not, consider making a donation to their fuel and equipment fund, or just buy them a coffee. They conclude, โ€œwe note no licences for this yearโ€™s cull have yet been published, but we know shooters are in fields still killing our badgers every night through the last six weeks, and although this yearโ€™s cull is beginning to draw to a close, we are still out filming and watching our stripy friends and will continue to do so until this whole murderous chapter is finally brought to an end.โ€

Myself, as a nocturnal worker, badgers pass me by, we keep ourselves to ourselves to be honest, they can have a little growl at me from time-to-time, maybe I get too close to their sett, and thatโ€™s understandable. But in all, I have a little banter at the way they waddle, and generally call them out for their chubby bottoms when they run off! Still, the last thing I want is to see my work buddies shot, and possibly become extinct.

Therefore, hats off to Wiltshire Against the Badger Cull for the work they do, and though I donโ€™t understand quite why police have failed to prosecute, likely the lack of evidence excuse, if they donโ€™t go investigating these things, as olโ€™ PCC Wilko Cobra Kai seems prominent in stamping out hare coursing but vauge on fox hunting, they never will have a case, now will they? Much of this opinion piece is based upon the words of the campaign group, Iโ€™ll give you this much, but consider Wiltshire Police, in their special measures, hardly appear to be proactive in abiding to the law against blood sports. Iโ€™ll leave you with this recent photo, to remind you, and for you to make your own mind up, but ask, if Swindon and Oxford football hooligans clashed, would you send an active supporter of either team to police it?!

Dakar Audio Club; Exeterโ€™s African Secret

Such is the universal beauty of Bandcamp, one goes exploring music from another continent and discovers something sublime, from only ninety miles down the M5!

If it’s unlikely there’s an Exeter Audio Club in Senegal, there’s certainly a Dakar Audio Club in Devon, whereby afrobeat fusion knows no boundaries. I mean, I went searching for soukous, more Congolese rhumba-influenced than the dance music mbalax of Senegal, popularised by Youssou N’Dour, but when it boils down to the nitty-gritty, usage of the afrobeat blanket term averts erroneously pigeonholing outside Africa. Providing it’s got exotic riffs and danceable beats, I’m game, and the Dakar Audio Club certainly ticks those boxes.

If mbalax isn’t as frenetic as soukous, Dakar Audio Club partially reflects this; it rocks steady, offering euphoric soundscapes, citing Malian blues, Ghanan highlife and reggae, as well as soukous as key ingredients to its unique melting pot; afro-fusion.

Not put off by the algebra title, B+W is their second full album, released last year, but I’m mentioning it now because I’ve just discovered it, and love shines when tropical ambience washes up on our shores. Viability of catching a band live is problematic for world music fans, unless you’re an international jetsetter or, as is here, the mountain welcomely comes to Muhammad.

They boast as a seven-piece band formed with members from Senegal, Zimbabwe, Seychelles, UK and Ireland. The latter evident in the most diverse track Lines in Desert, which occupies an experimental place between their house style and something particularly eighties two-tone, English pop of The Selecter or Specials. To the untrained ear you’d be excused for imagining this might be Paul Simon’s Graceland influenced by north-western territories rather than South Africa, dashed with Can’t Stand Losing You from The Beat. That said, N’Dour featured on Graceland, so who’s splitting hairs?

Throughout the remaining eight tracks, though, which are far less European sounding, the subtle reggae element is more dub than ska, perhaps nodding to the resistance rhythms of Thomas Mapfumo and chimurenga, as this beautiful album offers hypnotic beats and melodic rhythms, encasing the blend, gorgeously and nimbly executed. In this comes my point, it’s engaging, moreish, absolutely divine and doesn’t stand on convention of any particular genre, which isn’t quintessentially necessary locally anyway.

In a pretend word, itโ€™s Womad-tastic, opening with a jazzy track Howmoco, in which you should imagine as if The Brand-New Heavies were from Zimbabwe, the second tune wears a similar suit, immersing you in the hypnotical rhythm of their wholesale style. Next is aforementioned Paul Simon does Two-Tone Lines in Desert. Buganala though skanks perhaps more, really displaying the reggae influence inherit in many contemporary African genres. Nea Wurri Solo comes over township jive, whereas standout track Dancing The Moonlight, sounds like the soukous I was looking for, though steel drums add a Caribbean influence here, and thereโ€™s a club fashioned remix on offer as a single too.

From there we are treated to a continuation of this gorgeous melting pot of tropical sounds and rhythms, which will bring sunshine into your life on the cloudiest of days. By the penultimate Amuul Solo, Iโ€™m too locked into the flow to bother with categorisation as it wobbles with dub reverbs, but casts the hypnotic seven riffs of Africa, in accordance with Hugh Masekela, with a blissful ambient finale.

I confess, if I have an area of expertise, African music isnโ€™t it, but least I know what I love, and this is it! Itโ€™s one those you have to listen to and get lost in yourself, so do it, and brighten up your Sunday!

Trending….

Thieves Debut EP

Adam Woodhouse, Rory Coleman-Smith, Jo Deacon and Matt Hughes, aka Thieves, the wonderful local folk vocal harmony quartet of uplifting bluegrass into country-blues has aโ€ฆ

As Cool as an Eddie Martin; Blues at The Southgate

It was a typical, standard Saturday night at Devizes Southgate, but a typical and standard night at the Gate equates to an absolutely blinding night in most other pubsโ€ฆ…

Amidst friendly faces, welcoming staff and warm familiar surroundings, the unpredictable drizzling autumn was set aside for Mr Eddie Martin to group with the finest drum and bass section to grace the alcove, Tom Gilkes and Jerry Soffe respectively. And together they blasted us full in face with some sublime three-piece electric blues. An unchanged formula for decades, because it works.

Though Eddie himself is diverse, the last time I saw him he was solo, filling gaps between bands in at The Wiltshire Blues and Soul Club’s grand evening at the Corn Exchange, where clad in golden suit he executed vintage blues akin to Muddy Waters. A high accolade it may well be but fully deserved. With full horn section he went for the big band style recently at the Long Street Blues Club, but here at the Gate, he’s truly rocking the electric blues, in DMs, black jeans and one too many shirt buttons open. He can do this, with apt blue shades and shaved head he looks the part, and certainly sounds it.

With a few blues covers, but nothing immediately recognisable or clichรฉ, Eddie mostly rolled out original tracks from his plethora of albums, in a suitcase at his feet. This matched the appreciation of the slight but blossoming crowd. It was, in short, electrifying yet cool as a cucumber; an electrified cucumber, if you will. In fact, I could skewer the idiom to cool as an Eddie Martin!

Nimble on the strings, with extended instrumental breaks of mesmerising proportions, he polished those songs right there before our very eyes, and it was something to behold. I believe, if memory serves me well, my top drunken exclamation was a rather Punch and Judy, “that’s the way to do it,” because it is.

Not that this was the night I had planned, intentions were to get to Bath for a bit of ska and boss reggae with Ya Freshness, but difficulties with non-existent public transport meant I’d have to drive, and being I’ve galivanted elsewhere the past few weekends, sometimes one desires a few too many ciders, where everybody knows your…erm, cue classic American sitcom theme, because it’s apt. The Southgate is that dependable tavern, which hasn’t failed me yet, and neither on this occasion either.

Eddie, a local bluesman of international calibre knows exactly what he’s doing, Devizes renowned blues circuit love him for it. Not only does he know his way around a guitar, but he also even attaches his harmonica holder stylishly and he knows how to rouse a crowd. Which means I donโ€™t make comparisons to blues legends lightly, but justifiably, and the thought hangs on the Howlinโ€™ Wolf. Needless to say, I had a great night, and even flagged a taxi home with ease, cool as an Eddie Martin, what is this now, 2019? No one gets an unbooked taxi in a rank at midnight in Devizes anymore; luck is a lady!

Trending…..

You; Lucas Hardy Teams With Rosie Jay

One of Salisburyโ€™s most celebrated acoustic folk-rock singer-songwriters Lucas Hardy teams up with the Wiltshire cityโ€™s upcoming talent who’s name is on everyoneโ€™s lips, Rosieโ€ฆ

Bands At The Bridge

Organised by Kingston Media – to raise money for Dorothy House and Wiltshire Air Ambulance – the 3rd of May saw Bands At The Bridgeโ€ฆ

Phil Cooper is Playing Solitaire

Trowbridge singer-songwriter and one third of The Lost Trades, Phil Cooper has actually been doing more than playing solitaire, heโ€™s released a new solo albumโ€ฆ

Devizes Opendoors Starts Regular Woman’s Group

Good to hear homeless and sheltered charity Devizes Opendoors is planning to open a new session every other Tuesday, for women only.

Promising coffee, crafts and pamper sessions, as well as health and wellbeing awareness, it will be the safe space for women in the community to find clothes, common ground, and oh yes, cake! It begins on 8th November from 10am at the Southbroom Centre on Victoria Road.

Great initiative, Opendoors.

Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts; A New Chapter

Threw my cards on the table, and pitched being Father Christmas at Devizes Winter Festival, but was informed that was arranged by the Town Council…. so, that’s that idea well and truly quashed! It was great, though, to meet Annabel, one half of the new management team of Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts, to chat on changes and new visions for carnival and the various other annual town events they organise……

It’s been an autumn since I quizzed former DOCA artistic director, Loz, on whether she had a say on choosing people for the role. I was glad her reply confirmed this, through fear fond events like the street festival might get all ‘village fete.’ Make no mistake, keyboard warriors on social media were quick to sound negativity on decisions taken by DOCA recently, but I’d argue Loz justified these rightfully, did an outstanding job stamping her own mark on DOCA. This came to an apex at this year’s street festival, with the mind-blowing Ceres display telling the Ruth Pearce story, something I’d dub Loz’s farewell gift to Devizes. Annabel was due to be production manager on the project, but caught covid, though she praised Baseline Circus who staged it, explaining sheโ€™d worked with them before and would use them again for DOCA.

Photo: Simon Folkard Photography

And thatโ€™s where we open said episode, continuing from Lozโ€™s input. Iโ€™m partly aware of Annabel’s past experience on the festival circuit, I was as pleased as punch to hear she’s taken on the role, and I came away from our chat at New Society positive this opens a new chapter for DOCA. If one reaction to changes made, such as moving the dates of summer events to spread the workload and effort, not forgoing allowing time for schools to participate better, was this rather insular notion Loz was not from the area. Rather I liked this aspect, Loz bought in acts we otherwise may never have known. Put your pitchforks away, Annabel really is Devizes born and bred. The role though has been split into two, as Bristol-based Ashley takes the artistic side responsible for booking acts; best of both worlds.

“Ashley and I really love that she split the job between us,” Annabel began, “you’ve still got the element of someone who’s got their finger on the pulse of the artists, and I’m from Devizes. But though I’m based here, I’ve got the experience of twenty years of doing different festivals!”

I asked her what festivals, Boomtown, Glastonbury, I knew of. “All of them really,” she responded, “Secret Garden Party, Leeds Festival, and over winter I’ve been working in Edinburgh, so, Hogmanay and their street party. So, quite a lot of variety, but I always come back here.”

Not beating about the bush, my first question was on Street Festival, because personally it’s my favourite! I love that we get these colourful and lively carnival type bands full of brass and blend of gypsy ska-folk type shenanigans, but I’m also keen to suggest the event also highlights local musicians too. I’ve also heard criticism of lengthy changeovers on the stage, where Loz expressed it was to allow for the circus sideshows, of which the sound of would be drained out by bands on stage.

This idea was met in 2019 when Vinyl Realm funded and organised a fantastic second stage, my vision is now driven towards getting local acts on the main stage, rather than it being a ‘bolt-on.’ My pitch suggests if we host a number of acoustic acts between main bands, it wouldn’t drown out the circus acts, would satisfy bar loiterers, and it would highlight our local circuit to an audience who perhaps doesn’t make it out to our pub-venues. Iโ€™m pleased she made a note of this, though it was perhaps better put to Ashley, who wasn’t present. “Ashley’s got some great ideas on that,” Annabel replied, “about bringing in different types of acts from different places, and also keeping it accessible locally as well.“

She toyed with this word, โ€˜accessibleโ€™ extending it to what’s important to her, โ€œparticularly in participation, whatever form that takes, whether it’s volunteering, attending, or performing, I want to make it accessible, finding out what will make it easier for people to enjoy it and in taking part as well.” Fire in the hole, golden opportunity for my summary on people’s, often passionate, feelings about the events, is it’s that delicate balance of pleasing everyone. โ€œThat’s the difficult bit,โ€ Annabel confessed, โ€œunfortunately you’re never going to please all the people all of the time, however I think by listening to people and communicating, would really help.โ€

And in fact, they’ve done precisely this, an online “carnival consultation” survey, which is still open, so too early to analyse results. Based solely on carnival, โ€œbecause,โ€ she explained, โ€œI think there’s a particularly strong feeling DOCA wasn’t always listening to the people of Devizes, which they were to a certain extent, but maybe the communication wasn’t there, so we’re trying to make it as clear as possible, by opening it up and allowing people to have their say.โ€ Annabel moved onto lower participation levels recently, due to difficulties of the pandemic era being โ€œsomething we’d really like to address, and find out how we can make it easier for everyone.โ€ A meeting about the results of the survey will follow, and really, you cannot ask for a better response than this, in my humble opinion!

There was one Facebook rant recently, comparing Devizes carnival with Pewseyโ€™s, something I felt a tad unfair as Pewseyโ€™s renowned reputation has taken decades to build, and a carnival is formed by people, Pewsey works because everyone comes out to play. โ€œIt takes an awful lot to get it to that level and keep it continuing,โ€ Annabel mused, โ€œitโ€™s not a straight forward thing to do, and throwing in the spanner of a couple of years of nothing happening, and, yeahโ€ฆโ€ I trailed back to the tricky subject of satisfying everyone.

โ€œThe way we want to move forward is taking away the concept of us and them,โ€ she expressed, โ€œitโ€™s all of us together, and that collates what you said as well, it needs to be something that everyone can feel they can get onboard with and get involved with, whether itโ€™s something theyโ€™re already familiar with, or shared love of something new.โ€

If only those so quick to criticise could see, what I described as an iceberg, whereby itโ€™s equal in size underwater as it is above, the inner-working of what it takes to stage these huge town events, theyโ€™d not, as dubious they do, take it somewhat for granted. Volunteering at this yearโ€™s street festival, which mightโ€™ve ended with me just clearing bins, opened my eyes to the mammoth task.

โ€œYes,โ€ Annabel agreed, โ€œand when youโ€™re doing a good job, itโ€™s when people donโ€™t realise whatโ€™s going on behind the scenes, the amount of pre-planning, private funding, all of that sort of thing to bring it together, itโ€™s a huge amount, especially these days when youโ€™ve got all the red tape, but we trying to open it up, find out whatโ€™s going to make it easier for people to get involved, and do something about it. Thereโ€™re a few different ideas weโ€™ve outlined in the consolation, one idea was a โ€˜makers week,โ€™ which could be weeks prior to carnival, where people who want to make something for carnival can come together and learn different skills.โ€

โ€˜Togetherโ€™ was becoming a word of the day, Annabel talking a lot on widening the volunteer spectrum to an almost โ€˜festival training coreโ€™ concept, and between this and her parenthood reasons for wishing to reduce her, what she described as โ€œnomadicโ€ festival life and be based here, โ€œbecause I just love it,โ€ is whyI came away positive from our chat.

The Winter Festival will be the proof in the pudding, Annabel and Ashleyโ€™s first DOCA event; had to wonder if this was possibly the most difficult of them to find a balance. โ€œItโ€™s all systems go,โ€ she replied, โ€œbut Iโ€™m really excited about it already,โ€ then told of the anticipation surrounding schoolโ€™s lantern workshops, adding methods for creating similar enthusiasm for carnival.

For some unexplainable reasoning, I commenced waffling about Glastonbury festivals of yore, the different the weather makes, and we settled returning the conversation back to the beginning; changes, after Annabel spoke of Winter Festivalโ€™s indoor craft markets. โ€œitโ€™s difficult,โ€ she responded, โ€œbut times do change. Thereโ€™s a lot to be said for tradition, but a lot also to be said for new experiences; itโ€™s about finding the right balance between the two, and making it work for as many people as possible, for the right reasons.โ€

As I said, I came away from our chat at New Society positive this opens a new chapter for DOCA, and I sincerely wish Ashly and Annabel the very best with their roles in our delightful carnival committee.

Trending….

No Alarms No Devizes, Aptly in Devizes!

If I’ve been galavanting recently, gorging on other local townโ€™s live music scenes, what better way to return to Devizes than a visit to theโ€ฆ

Wiltshire Music Awards Website Goes Live

Last month we were pleased to announce our involvement with the new Wiltshire Music Awards in conjunction with Wiltshire Events UK, details of which areโ€ฆ

Soupchick in the Park

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,โ€ฆ

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 19th- 26th Oct 2022

Hereโ€™s our weekly summary of things to do over the coming week. It saves you surfing every individual event calendar, and saves me waffling on about some unrelated rubbish, which I admit I have a tendency to do, but in the words of the great philosopher, KC, and, of course, his Sunshine Band; thatโ€™s the way, uh-huh uh-huh, I like itโ€ฆ… oh, Iโ€™m doing it again arenโ€™t I?!

Onwards, not forgetting further details and links can be found on our event calendar, itโ€™s too time consuming adding them a second time, and besides, there you can scroll away until your heartโ€™s content, planning future weekends.

Best way to kick off live music early is Swindonโ€™s experimental dub duo, Subject A, are at The Bell on Walcott Street, Bath, on Wednesday 19th; consider it highly recommended. Meanwhile, Beth Nielsen Chapman plays The Cheese & Grain, Frome.

Thursday 20th sees a Very Hungry Caterpillar, on show at Neeld Hall, Chippenham.

Mr Love & Justice are at The Beehive, Swindon, Hannah Sanders & Ben Savage at Chapel Arts, Bath. But the link to Faustus at Salisbury Arts Centre seems to be broken, unsure if thatโ€™s still going ahead.

Friday 21st and Trowbridgeโ€™s Pump is the place to be, Matt Owens of Noah & The Whale headlines, with the amazing Concrete Prairie in support.

The magical Lady Nade plays Pound Arts, Corsham, The Little Unsaid at Chapel Arts, Bath.

Hatepenny at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon, The Reservoir Hogs at The Old Ham Tree, Holt. And in Marlborough youโ€™ll find @59 at The Wellington, and the incredibly good fun, Dr Zebos Wheezy Club at The Bear.

That just leaves me with the tributes, Queen tribute, Majesty at Melksham Assembly Hall, while Fleetwood Bac are at The Cheese & Grain, Frome.

Devizes, I have got nothing at all for this Friday, unless you know different? When near-on every known pub in town put live music on last Friday night, with a guaranteed crowd-puller from Longcroft at the Corn Exchange too! This town isnโ€™t a competition, guys, please try to coordinate, through us, if you like, but it works better for you all if we do. Rant over!

Swiftly onto Saturday 22nd, itโ€™s Trowbridge Carnival, plus Lego Club at Chippenham Museum, free and at 3-4pm every Saturday; everything is awesome!

Thereโ€™s an evening of Irish classics with Asa Murphy and Shenanigans at the Devizes Corn Exchange, and the unmissable Eddie Martin Band is back for some blues at The Southgate.

Daz n Chave at Neeld Community & Arts Centre, Chippenham sounds a laugh, and thereโ€™s a Melksham Rock n Roll Club dance this week, with Glenn Darren & The Krewkats.

Full-Tone Orchestra presents their Symphonie Fantastique at Marlborough College, and if you check the quote on the poster, yes, I said that! Itโ€™s always nice to be quoted, on the rare occasion I say something nice, that is!

Sheer are down the Trowbridge Town Hall, putting on Lucky Number 7 and the Lindup Brothers, with promising local teen band Boston Green in support. Meanwhile The Forgetting Curve play The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon. A tribute to Pearl Jam at The Vic, Swindon, Earl Ham, and Tundra plays The Woodlandโ€™s Edge.

But if you want to boss the night away with some serious skanking, I cannot recommend Bristolโ€™s legendary ska and reggae skinhead, Ya Freshness, of Strictly Rockers Records enough, who is with his Big Boss Band at Odd Down Football Club in Bath. Fiver a shot for a cracking knees up. In fact, what the heck, letโ€™s make this one Editorโ€™s Pick of The Week!

For a mellower experience in Bath, try The Tom Petty Legacy at Chapel Arts.

The Grief Opera, Love Goes On at St Andrewโ€™s, Chippenham, Shift Social presents I Was Born in the Wrong Decade at Salisbury Arts Centre, and a Vintage Bazaar is followed by Moments of Pleasure, The Music of Kate Bush, at The Cheese & Grain, Frome.

Halloween Scavenger Hunt at Hillworth Park on Sunday 23rd October, PSG Choir hold an autumn concert at Devizes Town Hall, and the Chas Thorogood Trio play an afternoon session at the Southgate.

Kavus Torabi, Richard Wileman & Amy Fry at The Vic, Swindon, Richard and Amy appear on our Juliaโ€™s House compilation album, show them your support if possible. Always in for a great night with the Joh Amor Band, who play The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon. And oh, CSF wrestling at the Cheese & Grain finishes our weekend off.

Got nothing through the weekdays Iโ€™m afraid, but lots of updating to the calendar still to do, so check in from time to time. That is, of course, until Wednesday, the 26th, when White Horse Opera presents Lโ€™elisir Dโ€™amore at Lavington School, which is running until 29th October, and also running on the same dates, Female Transport at the Rondo Theatre, Bath.

And thatโ€™s your lot for this week, can I go now?!

Trending…..

Family Easter Holiday Events

Devizine isn’t only about music and gigs for grownups, y’know? It’s about events for everyone. This Easter we’ve lots of things to do over theโ€ฆ

Song of the Day 45: Funkin Hell

Corporate decision made today with our board of directors to bring back our song of the day feature. Once a regular thing here at Devizine, where rather some in-depth analysis review affair, I just waffle completely irelevantly and allow you to make your mind up about the song.

Firstly though, a few FAQs to hopefully settle any concerns you may have.

Why are you restarting song of the day?
I don’t know.

Why did you ever stop doing song of the day?
I don’t know.

Do you really intend to stick by the idea and publish a song of the day on a daily basis, as the title suggests?
I can’t be completely sure.

Are you simply using song of the day to promote your own hardcore rightwing political bias?
That’s a good question, and one which I’d like to address in good time. But first, let me explain this; under a Labour government significantly fewer song of day features were ever posted, resulting in a very costly operation by the Conservative Party to restore the feature in the traditional manner we, as British citizens, love and honour.

Are you currently smashed on Vimto?
That I cannot be sure of.

Hope that clears everything up, anything else troubling you I advise you seek a doctor, a disco doctor. Now, where was I? Oh yes, song of day is from Tom and Dan and gang, continuing their exceptional lockdown Bootsy Collins thang, as Funkin Hell, which is also, as the name suggests, funky as hell, and hell is funk-tastic, fact.

Zip up your boots, jump back and taste the funk while checking out this 12″ disco biscuit, Music is Medicine, which is fact checked, and I’ve got a repeat prescription for, on a payment plan. Morrisons pharmacy take note; don’t make me queue, booging my booty off, then kissing myself. Not while the good lady wife is shopping for a sausage casserole for my tea.

Personally, I have no qualms confessing to you, I officially freaked out; nice wun Tom and fellow funkmasters.

Concrete Prairie Grace the Calne Music & Arts Festival Finale

So, it was a most memorable evening in Calne last night, and thatโ€™s everyone from Devizes leaving the site with insular mumblings of โ€˜ah, you dunt wanna go down thar, probably get licked in a drive-by shooting!โ€™ Now, Iโ€™m not one to get fanatical, but if the mountain wonโ€™t come to Muhammad, Iโ€™ll risk it for the biscuit that is the finale of Calne Music & Arts Festival, because my new favourite thing, Concrete Prairie rang out the rafters with their exemplary blend of Americana.

Witnessing nothing of the preconceptions of smalltown rivalry, Marden House is an architecturally idyllic hall of gardened central location, with grand acoustics to boot. Beneath a plethora of submitted paintings which make up the gallery viewable throughout the fortnight of this long-founded festival, including one particularly striking image from our good friend Clifton Powell, Concrete Prairie played through their exquisite debut album, gave us a taste of whatโ€™s to come, and sprinkled it with a few apt covers. In such, they confirmed, short of me pressing my ugly mug on their limo windscreen as they leave a stadium, screeching โ€œI love you, Concrete Prairie,โ€ Iโ€™ve, in a relatively short time period, become somewhat obsessive about the wonderful local five-piece; and Americana of this country-inspired landscape isnโ€™t usually my preferred cuppa!

Not wanting to scare them too much, I donโ€™t do fanboy stalker, not with my eclectic tenet of promoting the entire local live music scene and the overabundance of talent here. Like my kids, I never announce my favoured drowning in car scenario preferences, but Concrete Prairie, Iโ€™d absolutely jump back in. And it was a more complete concert, rather than the half-hour gig at the sardine tin Beehive during the Swindon Shuffle. Though I mutually agreed with frontman Joe Faulkner, that was a blinding gig, bursting with atmosphere, you wouldnโ€™t want to display your prize paintings on the walls there for the duration! Despite this more concert-based event mayโ€™ve been principled and lesser-so unruly, they met with an encore and rousing applause.

It also gave the chance for the band to really push the album tracks, express their thoughts behind the songs and give a more comprehensive show. None of this prior to student friend of Joeโ€™s, M Butterfly, a Brighton-based soloist as support, providing some lush acoustic self-penned songs.

Kicking off with an instrumental guitar and fiddle combo, the drums rolled in for the opening track of their album, Pick up Pieces, after which Joe ate humble pie for the usage of the word โ€œshit,โ€ and livened the mood with the upbeat People Forget, which they did, or least forgave. If the audience were informed the opening song was about fatherhood, the second was more coming of age. Then two covers excellently unfolded, Loudon Wainwrightโ€™s Swimming Song, and The Waterboysโ€™ finest hour, Fishermanโ€™s Blues.

The mental health wellbeing themed Bury My Blues followed, and Hard Times took us nicely to an interval. What I didnโ€™t catch at the Beehive was the diversity of Concrete Prairie, all members save drummer Tom Hartley and violinist Georgia Browne, swapping roles and instruments, all taking vocals, particularly the edgier Cash style of Adam Greeves, and accompanying, yet ever as tight and accomplished as they dared. Chatting to them later it was revealed to be too cramped conditions to do such at the Beehive. Here we could really get a better taste of the band, and they exploited this to the full, showing true professionalism in their stage presence and banter.

So, Wine on my Mind bought us back to the stage, with a new song Bound for Heaven, of equal and interesting composition, a solid taster for the sequel album. Joe then revealed a narrative of equality behind I Wish you Well, explaining the Annabel character mentioned was a personification of respect for anyone โ€œdifferentโ€ from them. I mention this to detail the depth of concept in the bandโ€™s riddled writing, perhaps part of a job description for country artists, but they do this with the strength of the classics. Talking of which, a pleasing cover of Glen Campbellโ€™s Wichita Lineman followed; sweet as.

Apologies for losing track at this conjunction, the spellbinding nature took hold, as they drove out their passionate fables with the attention to detail of Springsteen, or mentors, Guthrie and Segar. Often morbid subjects which other bands would refuse to attempt, yes, it can be dark at times. The albumโ€™s penultimate Winter Town being a prime example, yet carried off with such sublime precision, it awe-inspiring, Adam taking lead on this one beautifully.

The finale was, what I consider their magnum-opus, at least to-date, The Devil Dealt the Deck, and it came with a lighter explanation then Iโ€™d have imagined, but still, it stands as a testament to blanket Concrete Prairieโ€™s range, itโ€™s morose, yet builds in layers to danceable proportions of folk. Though of the ending, an encore was unanimous, and surprisingly, they arrived back on stage for a quick version of the Coralโ€™s uplifting Pass it on, led by birthday boy bassist, Dan Burrows.

I was thrilled to catch this band in Calne, of whom Americana UK awarded a ten-out-of-ten album review, because all praise is thoroughly deserved, and their link to the wonderful Calne Music & Arts Festival was revealed by resident violinist, Georgia Browne, stating her mum was a chief organiser, and she appeared here since she was eight. ย The ethos remains for the festival, earlier events promote school choirs and young talent. This was also a marvellous accolade and association, resulting in something of a homely atmosphere, where respect was given. Outside, my opening line in meeting the other band members, aside Joe who I already met, was we really need to get you in Devizes, and they leaked a secret theyโ€™re booked somewhere in town very soon. The Southgate I havered a guess, and I believe, without quizzing Deborah, tis true. When they do, wow, I thoroughly recommend you attend and show them what weโ€™re made of!

Trending…..

Situationships With Chloe Hepburn

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, thisโ€ฆ

Devizes to Host New County-Wide Music Awards

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. Theโ€ฆ

Ruby, Sunday at the Gate

It’s a rarity that I should drag myself off the sofa on a Sunday these days, one usually reserved for the monthly Jon Amor Trioโ€ฆ

๐€ ๐๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ญ ๐จ๐Ÿ ๐Œ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ข๐œ ๐š๐ง๐ ๐Œ๐ž๐š๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ : ๐…๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ญ๐จ๐ง๐ž ๐Ž๐ซ๐œ๐ก๐ž๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐š ๐š๐ญ ๐“๐ž๐ฐ๐ค๐ž๐ฌ๐›๐ฎ๐ซ๐ฒ ๐€๐›๐›๐ž๐ฒ

Review by Pip Aldridge Last week, I had the privilege of seeing the Fulltone Orchestra perform at the beautiful Tewkesbury Abbey beneath the Peace Dovesโ€ฆ

Nothing Rhymes Orange, Fact

Oh, for the enthusiasm of emerging talent; new track from Nothing Rhymes with Orange is a surprisingly garage band delight……

My dad never revealed his feelings about being in an amateur teenage band. Though I knew he was, he played down its importance. Sacrificing his guitar for parenthood, heโ€™d shrug and tell me they were never any good, anyway, then explain it was the trend of the era, everyone tried picking up a guitar. A tendency succumbed to electronica and the pop machine of my youth; we grew up hailing the DJ and the sound system. Yet the DIY ethos of swinging sixties is very much revitalised these days, and if thereโ€™s lots of current notable young bands on Wiltshireโ€™s circuit, one to watch are called Nothing Rhymes Orange.

But, if itโ€™s fact nothing does rhyme with orange, I confess to know little else about this emerging talent, save theyโ€™ve a Devizes connection, recently rocked up Lavingtonโ€™s Churchill and supported Carsick at The Pump, as Sheerโ€™s incentive to promote upcoming locals never fails to spot greatness. And greatness it is, if raw and somewhat undercooked; such is the delight of discovering a garage band, as they come out of Martin Spencerโ€™s Badger Set studio with a blinding original track this week, Chow For Now.

Garage is an appropriate blanket term, I was pleasantly surprised not to hear some expected grunge-inspired thrash, rather the balance of indie-pop akin to the Coral, with occasional nod to post-punk, when fitting. This sounds garage, yeah, basslines of early Jam, even, which rings out a beguiling riff of contemporary sparkle, not forgoing an original concept for theme. Ah, Scouting for Girls, or more; taking on local favourites like Longcoats and Daydream Runaways.

Immediate like from me, guys; one to watch. Aside another two tunes in the works, you can find Nothing Rhymes Orange supporting Harmer James and Chasing Kites at a Freaky Friday down St James Vaults, Bath on 11th November. Link-tree is here, go figure.

This is what picking up a guitar is all about, albeit to suggest it takes perseverance; likely where my dadโ€™s Who-like wannabes failed, but Nothing Rhymes Orange seem to excel. Guess Iโ€™ll never be sure about the first, but Iโ€™m certain of the latter.  

Trending….

Hells Bells! AC/DC tribute in Devizes

With our roads being the state theyโ€™re in, is it any wonder on the 5th April Hells Bells, rated as the UKโ€™s top AC/DC tribute,โ€ฆ

Cracked Machine at The Southgate

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 mightโ€ฆ

Geckoโ€™s Big Picture

In 1998 a pair of pigs escaped while being unloaded off a lorry at an abattoir in Malmesbury and were on the run for aโ€ฆ

Park Farm; New Music Festival in Devizes

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 andโ€ฆ

Results of Salisbury Music Awards

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,โ€ฆ

REVIEW โ€“ Black Sabbitch@ LSBC, Corn Exchange, Devizes โ€“ Friday 14th October 2022

Awesome!

Andy Fawthrop

The Long Street Blues Club season is now in full swing, giving us a second gig within a week, and with several more to come before Crimbo.ย  Last night was a switch of nights to Friday from the usual Saturday, and of venue from the usual Con Club to the more intimate surroundings of downstairs at The Corn Exchange in The Bin.

Our treat for the night was Los Angeles-based all-female tribute band Black Sabbitch.  Theyโ€™re now coming towards the end of their Autumn UK tour, and so they were already at full tilt as they hit D-Town.  They served up a stonking two-hour, one set performance that was brim-full of energy, enthusiasm (and volume) as they ploughed through all things Black Sabbath.

There was no support act, nor was any needed.  It would have been a thankless task for anyone to do the warm-up for a band like this.

Right from the outset we had that trademark loud and grinding rhythm section, provided by Angie Scarpa on drums and Melanie Makaiwi on bass.  To be honest, you couldnโ€™t so much hear the bass as feel it, with every deep note seeming to seep right out of the floor.  Good vibrations โ€“ oops, wrong band, but you get the point!  Lead guitar featured Emily Burton, and the line-up was completed by Alice Austin on vocals and (occasional) keys.  What followed was a master-class in paying homage to a very British band by four very talented and committed musicians.  The Sabbath fans were there in numbers, cheering every intro and mouthing the words to every song.

Picking up some of the doom-laden back-catalogue, they managed to lift the old material and make it shine somehow brighter.  I wouldnโ€™t necessarily count myself as the countryโ€™s greatest Sabbath super-fan, but I couldnโ€™t help but be impressed by how the band managed to nail every number.

It was a rousing set, capped by two well-deserved encores, finished out by (what else?) โ€œParanoidโ€.  The only thing wrong with it was that it didnโ€™t last longer!

Another great night โ€“ an awesome gig.

Future Long Street Blues Club gigs:

Saturday 5th November 2022                     Robbie McIntosh Band

Friday 11th November 2022                        Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse (Corn Exchange, Devizes)

Saturday 19th November 2022                   Hardwicke Circus and The Alex Voysey Trio

Friday 23rd December 2022                         Gee Baby I Love You

Trending….

Static Moves at The Three Crowns Devizes

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 Marketโ€ฆ

Lou Trigg, and Some Flowers

Uplifting and sentimental, Flowers is the new song by Chippenham singer-songwriter Lou Trigg very worthy of your attention and playlist. A chorale delicacy, it trickles along sublimely, like staring thoughtfully through a rain-drenched window, nice and cosy, perhaps with a hand painted chipped-mug of lukewarm but earthy tea.……

Lou is a new one on us here at Devizine, and a welcomed blessing, explaining the idea for Flowers is โ€œabout loving someone in a long-distance relationship. Like my other songs, itโ€™s very honest and close to my heart.โ€ Which is precisely the way it comes across, if only one good reason to give it a listen.

Long distance relationships, though, do they ever work out, I mean, really? Any parallels from my own life I reminisce as infatuations only! But itโ€™s the thought is, here, more than anything; the fervency of passion is expressed exquisitely through Louโ€™s hauntingly acute vocals. There’s a touch of folk, reminding me of Daisy Chapman, somewhat, but this euphoric orchestral ambience is the kingpin.

Thereโ€™s a further five angelic and orchestrally ambient ballads up on Spotify ranging from 2019, unsure if theyโ€™ve all been bought to life by Martin Spencer of Potterneโ€™s Badger Set, but Flowers has, and itโ€™s a little piece of gorgeous.

Trending….

The Emporium in Devizes to Close

If Devizes boasts an abundance of independent gift shops of unique and exquisite or often novelty items in the face of a national pandemic ofโ€ฆ

Mental Rot; New I See Orange Single

Hold on tight, the new single from I See Orange, Mental Rot embodies everything I love about this Swindon grunge trio, and takes no prisonersโ€ฆ..โ€ฆ

RowdeFest 2025!

Okay, I canโ€™t keep the secret any longer or Iโ€™ll pop! While all the hard work is being organised by a lovely committee, because theyโ€ฆ

Events This Weekend; January Into February!

If weโ€™re nearly out of the prolonged gloom of January, note itโ€™s still winter but weโ€™ve climatised and are ready to party. February this yearโ€ฆ

Two-Tone Icons, The Beat Coming to Swindon and Frome

With Ranking Junior now taking centre stage, the mighty Beat will be heading on tour, taking Swindon, Bournemouth, Leeds, and Hull to get audiences dancing to some of the most famous ska and reggae tracks ever written.….

Ah yes, did a song called “Stand Down Margaret,” if memory serves me well; perhaps a change of name and a little history repeating, fingers crossed.

One of the key bands in the UK ska revival of the late โ€˜70s and โ€˜80s, The Beat still bring the near-perfect balance of pop melodies and taut rhythms that made them stars and won them worldwide acclaim.

Based in Birmingham, The Beat released their Smokey cover debut single โ€œTears of a Clownโ€ through The Specialsโ€™ 2-Tone label in 1979. The single went Top Ten in the UK and they soon struck a deal with Arista to distribute on their own Go Feet label.

Their debut studio album โ€˜Just Canโ€™t Stopโ€™ went Gold in England, and included the now-cult single โ€œMirror In The Bathroomโ€. The bandโ€™s ferocious live performances and clever blend of personal and political lyrics continue to make them stars to this day, and theyโ€™ll be diving into their back catalogue at these new year shows.

And they’re skanking up Swindon on Saturday January 7th, at Meca, tickets are up for grabs now. Also at the Cheese & Grain Frome on March 4th, which is (hint) close to my birthday! Tickets here.

Remembrance Service in Devizes, 2022

Featured image: Remembrance Sunday 2019, Devizes by Gail Foster.

With thanks to the secretary of The Devizes Branch of the Royal British Legion, Vera Richmond, we have some details of this year’s remembrance service in Devizes. An important year, 2022, because it’s the first time since 2019 there has been a full remembrance service….

On Monday the 2nd of November there will be the opening of the Garden of Remembrance at 10.45hrs at the War Memorial.

On Friday the 11th of November there will be a short service at 10.45hrs to Join with the Nation for two minutes silence at 11.00hrs for Armistice Day.

On Remembrance Sunday, the 13th of November, there will be an inspection and parade from the Market Place to St Johns Church in Long Street, where will be a service. Afterwards, the parade will reform in Long Street, and around the War Memorial for the Last Post and two minutes silence at 11.00hrs.

The wreaths will be laid by the Representee of the King, Royal British Legion,ย local councils and organizations, after the Last Post. The parade will then return to the Market Place, given the saluteย to the Kings Representee, Mayor and Chairman of The Royal British Legion.

‘God of our fathers, known of old, Lord of our far-flung battle line, Beneath whose awful hand we hold, Dominion over palm and pineโ€”Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet, Lest we forgetโ€”lest we forget!’

Rudyard Kipling

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 13th -19th October 2022

Here we are again, happy as can be, but slightly older, opps, soz, missed a C, slightly colder! Though we are a week older too, but that means nothing, only as old as you feel. Quite aggravated by chipping ice of the car windscreen this morning though, itโ€™s only October for crying out loud; who do I need to write to about this diabolical travesty?

Still, going out is the new going out, and hereโ€™s a lowdown of local stuff to do this coming week. The link you need is HERE, our ever-updating event calendar; you know the score by now.

Thereโ€™s Craft and Chat at Chippenham Library on Thursday 13th October, and Beauty the Beast: The Guardians of the Forest at the Neeld.

Meanwhile lots still happening at the Calne Music & Arts Festival, with the Music Scholars of St. Maryโ€™s School, Calne, The Primary School Choirs present: โ€˜Songs from Disneyโ€™, Kingsbury Green Academy Music Department in Concert and Tim Hughes presents โ€˜120 years of the Blues.โ€™

Dick and Dom, yes, I did say Dick and Dom, are in Da Bungalow at the Cheese & Grain, Frome, while Mitch Bennโ€™s Itโ€™s About Time tour takes to the Rondo Theatre, Bath.

Friday 14th, thereโ€™s an instore session at Sound Knowledge, Marlborough with Rachael Dadd. Sour Apple at The Condado Lounge, Devizes, while Illingworth play The Three Crowns, and Funked Up funk up the Pelican. But all eyes will on the Corn Exchange in Devizes when Longcroft Productions presents the all-female Black Sabbath tribute, Black Sabbitch; if it’s good enough for Dave Grohl it’s good enough for us!

DJ Stevie Mc holds the afterparty at the Exchange below, Friday nights is retro 80s,90s,00s night, free entry before 11pm.

Calne Music & Arts Festival has a piano recital from Helen Davies, and an evening of traditional Andalusian guitar and flamenco dance.

The astounding acoustic rave act, The Showhawk Duo plays Salisbury Arts Centre, while Erlestoke Golf Club has Barry Paull as Elvis!

Billy in the Lowground at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon, The Derellas & Liabilities at The Vic, Swindon, The Chesterfields & Mighty One at the Tree House, Frome, while the Rhythm of the 90s bang out at The Cheese & Grain; sorted.

Impromptu Shakespeare at Rondo Theatre, Bath.

Moving on up to Saturday 15th, when the big Marlborough Mop Fair hits, with Grey Smith at The Bear.

Rockhoppaz at The Southgate, Devizes. Exchange has resident DJ Stevie Mc in the mix. Mick Jogger & The Stones Experience are at Steeple Ashton Village Hall, tickets ยฃ15 from their village shop.

Lego Club, never forget Lego Club at the everything-is-awesome Chippenham Museum, 3-4pm, every Saturday. While Wiltshire Museum, Devizes has a Building Materials conference on Industrial Archaeology.

Trowbridge has their annual Apple Festival at Emmanuelโ€™s Yard, while NerveEndings play the Pump, with support from The Sunnies; ah yes, loud and proud.

Over in Swindon, the long-awaited Swindon Paint Fest begins; really good this looks, for all street art fans, head into Swindon Centre over the weekend. And The Moonrakers has The Specialized Project holding a ska fest too. Peloton play The Vic, and Hip Replacements at The Woodland Edge.

Tributes in Chippenham, The Tom Petty Legacy at the Neeld, and The Beatles for Sale at The Pewsham.

Siren plays The Talbot, Calne, which leads me nicely onto my editorโ€™s pick of the week, in a minute, because the Calne Music & Arts Festival reaches its crowning, after Chris Dunn and Genevieve Sioka have a โ€˜Meet the Artistโ€™ session, and a Photographic Talk titled โ€˜Down the Mekong, Cambodia and Vietnamโ€™ the grand finale is my editorโ€™s pick of the weekโ€ฆ…

Editorโ€™s pick of the weekโ€ฆ…

Concrete Prairie at Marden Hall, Calne

My new favourite thing, Concrete Prairie will be at Marden Hall, Calne as part of the Calne Music & Arts Festival, for a full set. Itโ€™s a tenner, seated event, which is going to be tricky if I go, I might just break into my jig down the aisle! Review of their album here.

Anyway, Apache Smoke at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon, Ion Maiden at The Tree House, Frome, while eighties electronica band Blancmange play The Cheese & Grain; no, never heard of them, far too young!!

Mitch Benn is at Salisbury Arts Centre today, and Rob Autonโ€™s The Crowd Show is at Rondo Theatre, Bath.

I mean, there might be more added as time goes on, but thatโ€™s all I got for now; smaller venues, please submit your event listings to us asap, as you are the important ones which we really need to get the information out about. If you make me come find you on social media it never works, because I donโ€™t know about you, but Iโ€™m getting really narked off about social media at the moment!

Sunday 16th, then, and Wiltshire Soul & Blues Club have their exclusive monthly jam at the Owl Lodge, Swindon Paint Fest continues, and sax lovers, do check Guinea Lane Saxophones, Pewsey Players and Take Five at Pewsey Heritage Centre.

Highly recommended, Jack Grace Band at the Southgate, Devizss and The James Oliver Band plays The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon, and Blackbeardโ€™s Tea Party and Imprints at The Winchester Gate, Salisbury.

Frome Wessex Camera Fair at The Cheese & Grain, with Ned Boulting in the evening.

Monday, I got nought, but nobody likes Mondays anyway. Ban them, ban them all now!!

Tuesday 18th, Assassins opens at Rondo Theatre, Bath, runs until 21st October, Good Luck, Studio at Salisbury Playhouse, and legendary folk at The Cheese & Grain, Frome, with Steeleye Span.

Wednesday 19th, and Swindonโ€™s dub reggae outfit Subject A are live at the Bell on Walcot Street, Bath, Beth Nielson Chapman at The Cheese & Grain, Frome and donโ€™t forget, Wednesday evening acoustic jam at the Southgate, Devizes, ah, yes.

Have a good week, donโ€™t work too hard; that is a direct order!

Trending….

Sustainable Devizes Opens Community Fridge

It’s early days, but it’s great to see the Devizes Community Fridge standing proud in the Shambles today. Running since the beginning of the month as a pilot scheme, Fridays will be the day to visit the fridge, the concept is simple, take out only what you need, put in items which you don’t.…

It has been a success in Marlborough, among a hundred other towns, and stands to cut down on waste and provide food for those in need. The project has been coordinated by Sustainable Devizes and the Devizes Living Room group, as the mastermind of Martin Elliot.

There will an official launch on Friday 18th November in the Market Place, but it really is one of those projects the success of hugely depends on those aware and making good use of it. So, we welcome the community fridge, so pleased to see it there when passing through, and I wish it all the best of success.

And, correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe that is the first time I have ever wished a fridge the best of success!!

Trending…

The Oak Festival; The Best Thing to Hit Pewsey Sinceโ€ฆ..?!

Yet to witness it myself but heard on the grapevine, the blossoming liveliest place to be in Pewsey at the moment, is, apparently the Royal Oak. Wiltshire Music Events, who brought us CrownFest in Bishops Cannings and sold out Devizes Corn Exchange with The Marley Experience, has been at the forefront of furnishing the pubโ€ฆ

Darren Worrow's avatar by Darren Worrow

Devizes Welcomes New Coffee Shop, Caffe Vialottie

Devizes welcomed a charming new coffee shop to The Market Place today, called Caffe Vialottie; I thought it best to drop by, poke my nose inโ€ฆ.. Caffe Vialottie takes over the listed number 35, where the cherished Times Square closed its doors for the final time in June 2024. The walls are adorned with someโ€ฆ

Darren Worrow's avatar by Darren Worrow

La Belle Hรฉlรจne; White Horse Operaโ€™s Debut at The Wharf Theatre

Seems odd the perfect combination between Devizesโ€™ only theatre, The Wharf, and one of the longest-running performance group, White Horse Opera hasnโ€™t linked before, but they are set to do so in March with a performance of Jacques Offenbachโ€™s Opรฉra bouffe, La Belle Hรฉlรจneโ€ฆ.. Okay, this is not exactly true. Barbara Gompels of the Whiteโ€ฆ

Darren Worrow's avatar by Darren Worrow

Boom Bap! The Scribes at The Muck; Hip Hop Lands in Devizes!

What time is it? Time for me to pretend Iโ€™m keepinโ€™ it realz, replace letters S for Z and generally use phrases like โ€œrock da house!โ€ Or, perhaps itโ€™z overdue for Devizes to get diversity in its musical entertainment. For aside the occasions when the Arts Festival or DOCA bring us something different, niche markets rarely extend past blues and folk, and rock which descended from them.

Now donโ€™t get me wrong, I love that Devizes is a blues town, and its connections put it on the blues map. But ever since hip hop DJs The Allergies (here I go) rocked da Muck & Dundar rum bar house, and rammed the place with party people, Iโ€™ve been biding my time, awaiting this moment when the boom bap trio Iโ€™m always hailing, Bristolโ€™s The Scribes will grace us with their presence.

The Allergies @ the Muck & Dundar

I tip my hat to that gorgeous rum bar, the type of place you could believe youโ€™re on some tropical holiday until you spill back out into the Brittox, for theyโ€™ve only gone and done it, and with more secrets up their sleeves Iโ€™m not yet allowed to mention, they present an evening with the Scribes on Saturday 26th November. Tickets are up for grabs now; I strongly suggest you do!

Reasoning: thus, The Scribes are the freshest contemporary rap trio youโ€™ve ever seen, I kid you not, but equally, are not afraid to incorporate classic old skool methods. Far from an ethos of gold, bling, garden tools and other clichรฉ US hip hop subjects, The Scribes affirm UK Hip Hopโ€™s standing as something bought from the original message of carefree fun, particularly within their live shows. Expect banter, impromptu rap, and tongue-twisting genius as the guys really move audience participation in a manner unlike anyone you mayโ€™ve witnessed before, no shit!

The Scribes

They are in short, incredible rappers, the kind Iโ€™ve likened to A Tribe Called Quest, and the Fu-Schnickens, and they come without aforementioned bolshy pretence. ย Earlier this year The Scribes announced the groupโ€™s official signing with the incredible Stimulus Management Agency, joining the ranks of Busta Rhymes, Ghostface Killah, KRS One, Method Man, Pete Rock, Public Enemy, Snoop Dogg, Wu Tang Clan and a star-studded plethora of hip hop legends. Iโ€™ve been โ€œbigging them up,โ€ since day dot, the music press is hailing them the UKโ€™s hottest hip hop act.

But more to the point; I sang the praises of Devizes to frontman Ill Literate last time we met in Trow-Vegas, I promised weโ€™d be knocking back rum cocktails in style, with a packed bar behind them, I told them The Muck & Dundar is the beautiful holiday-at-home experience it is and gave them my word our wonderful little town will get behind them. Do not disappoint me, and I guarantee you now, youโ€™ll not be disappointed when the night is done! Tickets are here, see you there!

The Scribes & Trowbridge Town Hall

Trending…..

Discovering Swindon Story Shed

With Dad’s taxi on call in Swindon and a few hours to kill whilst her majesty is at the flicks, it was fortunate local authorโ€ฆ

The Rise of Winter Festivals

Once upon a time it seemed to me, that folk would grin and bear the winter weather for the sake of a Christmas lights switchingโ€ฆ

REVIEW โ€“ Eddie Martinโ€™s Big Blues Band (with The Little Big Horns) @ LSBC, Devizes โ€“ Saturday 8th October 2022

Big Band Blues

Andy Fawthrop

The Long Street Blues Club season continued last night with some great music.

First up was Kelvin Davies (guitar) and Gary Jones (harmonica), a duo making their first visit to the club.  They delivered an absolutely charming set of upbeat numbers, wandering around blues, folk, country and ragtime.  Kelvinโ€™s guitar-picking was first rate, and he was ably supported by some haunting and expressive harmonica work by Gary.  The audience absolutely loved them, and I wouldnโ€™t be surprised if Ian had them back again in the future.  Great entertainment.

Then onto the main business of the night, and we were treated to a rare, if not unique performance. ย Not that Eddie Martin is any kind of stranger to Devizes audiences, having played at a number ofย local venues over the past few years. ย What was unusual this time however was the format. ย Weโ€™veย seen him play solo, and weโ€™ve seen him play fronting his own trio and supporting various blues-based combos, but last night we were treated to a run-out in a โ€œbig bandโ€ format. ย Eddie shared thatย had actually done this before, but many years ago, but as far as I was concerned, this was a veryย special โ€œone-offโ€ show.

And how great it was.  Setting up as a 7-piece, fronted by Eddie on guitar and harmonica, the band featured drums, bass, keyboards, trumpet (Phil Storer), trombone (Andy Wrathbone) and saxophone (Patsy Gamble).  And what a lovely fat, rich sound they produced.  It was funky, it was full-on and it carried some real heft.  Paying his usual tributes and homage to such masters as Elmore James, T-Bone Walker, Muddy Waters, Johnny โ€˜Guitarโ€™ Watson, Muddy Waters and Pee-Wee Ellis, Eddie led the band through two superb sets of funky blues, with some great early 60s dance rhythms.  I was put in mind at times of Southside Johnny & The Asbury Dukes, which in my book is a big compliment.

We had some quite jazzy sections, the musicians playing off each other and taking their well-deserved solos, and all the while looking as if they were thoroughly enjoying themselves. ย Eddieย himself, turned out in his usual dapper style, with his trademark gravel voice, absolutely led from theย front, chatting with the audience between songs and working the room with some call-and-responseย material.

We had some great-titled songs โ€“ โ€œTough Timesโ€, โ€œSomeoneโ€™s Making Money, But I Know Itโ€™s Not Meโ€, โ€œThe Birds And The Beesโ€ and โ€œWith A Big Enough Lever You Can Lift The Worldโ€.  The set concluded with a standing ovation and a fully-deserved encore.  Cracking stuff, and a great nightโ€™s entertainment.

And if you want to catch Eddie again, heโ€™s playing The Southgate, this time as a trio, on Saturday 22ndย October. ย I suggest you get yourselves along there โ€“ you wonโ€™t be disappointed.

Future Long Street Blues Club gigs:

Friday 14th October 2022  Black Sabbitch (Corn Exchange, Devizes)

Saturday 5th November 2022  Robbie McIntosh Band

Friday 11th November 2022   Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse (Corn Exchange, Devizes)

Saturday 19th November 2022   Hardwicke Circus and The Alex Voysey Trio

Friday 23rd December 2022 ย Gee Baby I Love You

Talk in Code: The Big Screen

Talk in Code’s second album has been out a while, overdue to mention it……

January 2019, and I find myself making several eighties cultural references in reviewing Resolve, the debut album by Wiltshireโ€™s own Talk in Code. A band which turned my aged preconceptions of the โ€œindieโ€ pigeonhole on its head.

For me, wedged in the nineties, imaginings of that somewhat depressing outlook of the riot-grrrl, the post-gothic period of indie my rave fixation required an abhorrence of by default. Though it was hardly mods and rockers in that era, as in we didnโ€™t fight, โ€œraversโ€ and โ€œindie kidsโ€ simply didnโ€™t recognise each other until the remerging of the crossover, through the likes of the Chemical Brothers and Prodigy, yet, reflecting, it was always there with Madchester and the progressive Primal Screamโ€™s Screamadelica.

So, whoโ€™s up to debate it, does any of it matter now? I likely chewed the ears off of guitarist Alastair Sneddon on the most memorable occasion of a road trip with the band last March! Weโ€™re in a period where the trend is to cast-off that nineties flavour in favour of citing influences like U2 and Simple Minds, and Iโ€™m game for that, even if the band tend to name more modern inspirations.

The point is, Talk in Code build on this ethos, their sound ever strives towards it, ergo, everything after Resolve increasingly adds to this method, of its standout single Oxygen and its gorgeous dreamy emotions akin to a John Hughes soundtrack, and gradually onward. Yet somehow this panache isnโ€™t regressive, forgive the eighties references, itโ€™s retaining freshness in the contemporary, just allowing a serious nod toward early to mid-eighties feelgood pop.

It’s a fashion which Talk in Code hooked me onto bands like Longcoats, Daydream Runaways and Atari Pilot too, and a scene has developed to the point Swindonโ€™s pop darlings are now Talk in Code; they played the Coleview Music Festival this weekend, entertained crowds during the interval of the Wildcats ice-hockey game at the Link, and generally, the excitement is consistently blossoming for them, and deservedly so.

Back on our outing to Portsmouth they stressed the importance of both gigs and recording, and since their connection to Regent Street Records, there was a keenness in the band to grab wider appeal in anticipation of the forthcoming album, The Big Screen. The release of it was pushed back to accommodate this collaboration but has been up-for-grabs since last month. Having already reviewed many of the tracks of singles Iโ€™ve been biding my time, apologies to Talk in Code, but here it isโ€ฆ.

To begin, The Big Screen has had nearly as many singles coming off it as Jackoโ€™s Bad, yet the comparisons end there. The opening title-track though, is exclusive, and it rings as the perfect intro as all the shaping Iโ€™ve described above. Illogical chronologically follows, their last single released, which I defined at the time as summing up โ€œtheir undeviating style, upbeat and optimistic,โ€ and suggested it was more danceable than the previous singles.

One of my personal favs follows, Talk Like That, came out back in January 2020, of which I suggested would โ€œblow your diddy-boppers off!โ€ Track four is Hindsight, an album track, perhaps, least one I havenโ€™t heard of, but again, listening to it everything just falling so neatly into place. Talk in Code are so stylised, this flows as an album rather than a collection of singles, and nothing here will disappoint.

April 2020โ€™s single Courage (Leave it Behind) is followed by a cooling new song, Someone Elseโ€™s Shoes, which takes on the Wham boys at their earlier best. This is a drifter, but yeah, I said Wham, I donโ€™t know about you, but it got me reminiscing the greatness of Everything She Wants, a hidden gem of their discography often obscured by later hits.

But Save It returns to paced euphoric, and one canโ€™t go wrong towards the finale, as the last three tracks are recently celebrated singles. The Molly Ringwald moment of Young Loves Dream, autumn during lockdownโ€™s neon song Secret and ending on the summery Taste the Sun, dripping in fun, and sunshineโ€ฆ. club tropicanaโ€™s drinks are free, yโ€™ know? And in that, a certain moreish finesse weโ€™ve come to accept as standard from Talk in Code shines on.

In all, despite reviewing the singles as and when they were released, itโ€™s worth revisiting as together in the compilation of The Big Screen, you can hear what Iโ€™ve been waffling on about with each and every single review, about the tightness of the band to create this uniformed joyous chic of universal pop appeal. Honest, in a Tardis, feels like you could pull out a Smash Hits poster of Talk in Code and blu-tac it to your wall, and your dad will approve. Whatever did happen to Terrence Trent Dโ€™Arby?!

Get the album here, s’ only seven quid.

Trending….

In Retrospect With Gary Martian

So yeah, not only has Cracked Machine and Clock Radio drummer Gary Martin added a letter A to his name to make it sound moreโ€ฆ

Christmas Greetings From Devizine!

Here’s our Christmas video Greeting, ho-ho-ho! Filmed on location at DOCA Winter Festival, Devizes, 2024 by Jess Worrow. Merry Christmas everyone!

Excelsior and Some Worried Men

Patiently awaiting the school run to take a listen to Excelsior, this new album by The Worried Men, after witnessing them at a blinder down Devizesโ€™ live music ever-faithful, The Southgate, as I strongly suspected it’d be best designated as โ€œdriving music.โ€ You know the Eye of the Tiger, Holding out for a Hero sort, of which those two classics have probably been the cause of many a speed awareness course.

Thus, suspicions confirmed; Iโ€™m bossing the school run with shades, and right arm causally hanging from window like a cool rocking daddy! Careful to keep the speedometer to restrictions, mostly so I’d get enough time to digest as much of this timeless nugget of rock n roll as I could; my daughter will immediately switch the car’s Bluetooth for her own phone, and brand of contemporary pop……rock n roll philistine!

I couldn’t rightly keep the engine running so the music will continue pumping, through fear groupie-like MILFs might piggyback each other, waving their band T-shirts above their heads, and no kid need see that; their topless mum posted on TikToc outside their school gates. But it certainly hits that spot. I managed to get to six tracks in, an emotive and paced instrumental called Dangerous Vision, after a fairly eighties raunchy-rock inspired, mullet-feel first couple of tunes, which was unexpected. You know the sort, where the โ€œsoft metalโ€ pigeonhole revitalised chart success for harder bands, to leave their stage makeup on the dresser and comeback commercially, yet full force. The foundational Aces & Eights does it with bells on, feelgood air-punching, riding an AC-DC wave from โ€˜86.

Despite they do this with certain finesse, going on the live performance I was expecting something more seventies prog, least electric blues, the latter of which I got the very next song, Blodwyn and three songs in, Meadow Stone is where it really kicks, frenzied ZZ Top fashion meets surf-rock. Two awesome instrumentals ticked, Manacle Alley stands out, again exemplifying the ZZ Top feel, it’s vocally superior and most experimental to-date.

But the further we descend into this showcase of frontman Jamie Tyler’s sublime guitar work, the deeper the rabbit hole goes. Oddly grammatical, The Cat That Walks By Themself notches towards the electric blues I was expecting, Gershwin-esque, with some breath-takingly soulful female guest vocals from Julie Richards. Nova is a nugget of wonderful, an almost flamenco guitar intro drifts into something heavier afterwards, as if Santana recorded Floydโ€™s The Wall.

Two more tunes in this tenfold treasure, and we are truly rocking again, the first comes like a sonic Quo at their finest hour, the finale mellows you, leaving your air-guitar moment aside, youโ€™re mystified and inspired as the journey comes to an end. An end you can follow-up though, since formation in 1994, The Worried Men gig relentlessly on our local circuit, and the wealth of experience and talent is something to behold. I believe I said this of the Southgate gig, โ€œJamie holds an expression of concentration, occasionally looking up at you through these spellbinding Hendrix fashioned excursions, as if to ask โ€˜is that alright for you?โ€™ Like a dentist with his tools stuck in your gum, you feel like responding, โ€˜yes, fine, thank you doctor.โ€™โ€ Well, this album does everything to compliment the live show, itโ€™s a musical anaesthetic.

Though Iโ€™m unsure where to pick the album up from, usual Amazon and iTunes I believe, their website is here, theyโ€™re busy on Facebook, but I think as timeless as their music is, so too is their antiquated ethos, and the best place to pick this up is to ask them at a gig!

Trending…

Chapters, New Single From Kirsty Clinch

Okay, so, Iโ€™m aย  little behind, recently opting to perfect my couch potato posture and consider hibernation, meaning Iโ€™ve not yet mentioned Kirsty Clinchโ€™s newโ€ฆ

Picnic at Hanging Rock, Via The Wharf Theatre

Opening on Halloween and ending on Guy Fawkes Night, the next production at Devizes Wharf Theatre promises to be a mysteriously eerie….

Written by Joan Lindsay adapted by Tom Wright and directed by Debby Wilkinson, Picnic at Hanging Rock takes place on St Valentineโ€™s Day in 1900, when a group of schoolgirls from Appleyard College set out for a picnic at Hanging Rock, a volcanic beauty spot in rural Victoria, Australia.

After lunch some of them climb into the blaze of the afternoon sun, pressing on through the scrub into the shadows of the rock.ย  However, their idyllic day turns into a nightmare when three of their number inexplicably vanish, never to be seen again.

The question remains and intrigues audiences to this day โ€“ is the plot an eerie re-telling of a real event?ย  ‘Hanging Rock’ exists, as do the surrounding towns mentioned; the boarding school is loosely based on Clyde Girls’ Grammar School in Melbourne, which the author attended and there was reportedly a case of two girls who went missing in the 1800โ€™s.ย  Or could it be that the author simply dreamt the plot, as she once said? Shrouded in mystery Picnic at Hanging Rock remains a firm favourite with film and theatre audiences alike.

In this Wharf production five female narrators perform all parts and recount the mystery of the disappearance and looming hysteria as the illusion of genteel society is torn apart. Tom Wrightโ€™s adaptation pares down the events and uses evocative and poetic language to create an edgy and mysterious play and Debby Wilkinsonโ€™s incredibly strong cast bring a wealth of experience and talent.

Get your tickets here, before they mysterious disappear!

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 6th -12th October 2022

Hereโ€™s what weโ€™ve found to do round and about Wiltshire this coming week, unless you like staying home, scowling at your electric smart meter as it ticks down pounds like a stopwatch attached to a timebomb.…..

In a week where our illustrious MP Danny Kโ€™s words of reassurance blazed a rim-job op-ed in the trustworthy journal Gazelle & Herod, that we need not worry, he doesnโ€™t think the illusory budget car-crash will affect votes for the Conservative Party next election, and heโ€™s probably right too, thereโ€™s much slander of opposition to be done, lots of backhanding persuasive mainstream media to convince you starving to death is all for the best for Britain.

One point I would like to make, for all in Devizes, is we are saddened to hear about the violence last Saturday. Devizine is not here to report such incidents, but we wish the victims well. I was shocked, though, by the Gazetteโ€™s completely superfluous reasoning to use a stock image of the British Lion free house, as the event did NOT even happen there, rather further along the road.

If a bike was nicked in the same area, would they post a piccy of Bikes N Boards, or if a dog bit a cat, would they pin it on the vets? What if a Hawaiian pizza started chucking its pineapple onto an unsuspecting pepperoni one, would they launch an attack on Dominoes?! I hope you get my point, The British Lion is a wonderful pub, and for numerous times Iโ€™ve visited, over decades, and I donโ€™t know about you, but Iโ€™ve never once seen the slightest bit of trouble there, not so much as one fellow tickling another inappropriately with a feather! The British is a great and safe pub, donโ€™t be persuaded by wonky journalism, they didnโ€™t even get the name right and called it the Red Lion, for crying out loud into a sick bucket!     

These days, provided you take Shanksโ€™s pony, itโ€™s probably cheaper to go out than heat your home, so on we go. Donโ€™t forget all details and links can be found on our magical updating event calendar, HERE.

And just to note, my plug-in crystal ball is whacking up leccy bill, so excuse me if I didnโ€™t have a premonition of your event, perhaps tell me about next time, eh?! Itโ€™s free to be here, weโ€™re all friendsโ€ฆ. most of the time. Of the few Karens I did joyfully nark on Facebook this week, one had the audacity of calling me a snob, which was so funny I had to get all Iain Wallis on her!

Now Iโ€™m waffling, donโ€™t mind me. Thursday 6th October, find Jambon Chapeau, a new duo of Mike Pickering and Derrick Jepson of Paradox at the Three Crowns, Devizes for a Fantasy Radio Live Lounge from 7-9pm.

Chippenham Community Conference in the Neeld. Two days of guest speakers, networking, priority setting and celebrating the work of the community and voluntary sector in the Chippenham area.

If not, The Moscow Drug Club play The Cheese & Grain, Frome; you mayโ€™ve seen these guys at Devizes Arts Festival.

Friday 7th and Calne Music & Arts Festival opens, a fortnight with lots going on, and ending next Saturday with the amazing Concrete Prairie, more on individual events with this as we go.  

 The London Philharmonic Skif๏ฌ‚e Orchestra play at The Wharf Theatre, Devizes, and staying in town thereโ€™s options, options, people.

Sheer Music is back in town with a freebie at The Exchange, our very own NervEndings with Lucky Number 7; that will be loud, and Iโ€™ve rumour you might be able to remain hiding in a corner when the nightclub kicks in afterwards!

Meanwhile the wonderful Sour Apple play at The Pelican, a gig postponed after the Queenโ€™s Funeral.

Over in Trowbridge, Jol Rose supports the Often Herd at the Pump, while The Soul Strutters strut to The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon, tribute All Floyd play Salisbury Arts Centre, and Beatles tribute the Prefab Four play The Vic, Swindon.

Staying in Swindon, Coleview Music Festival has sold out for the Saturday, but thereโ€™s still some Friday tickets and Sunday is pay on the door with familiesโ€™ welcome. Friday has Go Span Duran, Tasha Leaper as Madonna and Talk in Code, Sunday find Pink Mac, Splat the Rat, Disco Dollz and Busy Fools.

Saturday 8th, and Chippenham Museumโ€™s Lego Club is from 3-4pm, every Saturday. Happy 40th to The Royal Wotton Bassett Orchestra, who play at St Bartholomewโ€™s Church.

The first Mop Fair in Marlborough, the following is next Saturday 15th.

Time for some Long Street Blues Club in Devizes, when Eddie Martin brings his full Big Blues Band to the Conservative Club. Over the road, the wonderful The Hoo-Doos play The Southgate. Things promise to get ska, a little way down the hill, at Potterne Social Club, when Andy McGowan does his One-Man Nutty Boys Tribute.

The Britpop Boys are booked to play The Consti Club, Chippenham, but do check ahead on this one, The Consti Club have been going through some changes, have sadly axed some event organisers from their books, and Iโ€™m not to speculate the reasoning, but some events might not be going ahead. Back to Calne Music & Arts Festival, they have a Family Day, and Opera Anywhere presents The Magic Flute.

In Trowbridge the Pump presents the Finn Collinson Band, and Sonic Alert are at Stallards. The Blunders at the trusty The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon, and if youโ€™re in Bath, well, Iโ€™d highly recommend Rosalie Cunningham at Bath Arts Centre.

The Rondo Theatre has an Andrew Oโ€™Neill tour, with the strapline, โ€œwe are not in the least bit afraid of ruins; we carry a new world in our hearts.โ€ Jen Brister tour, The Optimist at Salisbury Arts Centre.

Mad Dog McRea at The Cheese & Grain, and Sweet Machine at Tree House, Frome.

Operation 77 @ The Woodland Edge, Swindon, and staying in Swindon, do check FatFest at Level III. Fatfest rock event is in support of Fatboyโ€™s Charity, raising money to help kids dealing with cancer and leukaemia. Confirmed to appear so far are Dan Reed Trio, Revival Black, Twister and local band Fall From Ruin.

Onto Sunday the 9th, and Pewsham Scarecrow Trail begins, The Worried Men play The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon, and Herman Dune plays The Cheese & Grain, Frome.

For Calne Music & Arts Festival, thereโ€™s The Serenata Guitar Trio, and Even Song at St. Maryโ€™s Parish Church. The festival continues Monday, with The Yehudi Menuhin School In Concert, The Kassia Trio, Louis Stephenson Piano Recital, and a Drink & Draw.

Tuesday 11th and find the regular Improvers Art course at The Cause, Chippenham. Calne Music & Arts Festival brings you Music Scholars of Marlborough College In Concert, and Kit Hawes and Aaron Catlow at Marden House.

Bird watchers might like RSPB: Pura Vida โ€“ Costa Ricaโ€™s Magical Birds at Salisbury Arts Centre.

Wednesday 12th, Calne Music & Arts Festival has the Calne Singers โ€˜Songs from the Shows,โ€™ and The Roaring Trowmen.

Donโ€™t forget Wednesday night is acoustic jam night at the Southgate Devizes.

Salisbury Playhouse has The Wellspring, and Rondo Theatre, Bath has The Greatest Magician, and no, thatโ€™s not Kwasi Kwartengโ€ฆ. A snob, honestly, did you see them call me that, on the book of Face?! Oh, my years, could you get any less snobby than me, Iโ€™m picking my butt crack as I write this shit?! Hey, you have a good weekend now, take care out there.

Trending….

Devizes Writers Group Win Silver Award

Congratulations to Rosalind Ambler and Paul Snook from Devizes Writers Group… At the National Community Radio Awards held in Cardiff on 16th November Together!, theโ€ฆ

Hansel & Gretel: Panto at the Wharf!

Images: Chris Watkins Media It was lovely to spend Sunday afternoon at Devizesโ€™ Wharf Theatre, to see how this yearโ€™s pantomime Hansel & Gretel, isโ€ฆ

No Worries; Worried Men at The Pump

Long overdue a visit to the Pump in Trowbridge, Jamie Thyer, frontman of the Worried Men twisted my arm Friday night and there I was,โ€ฆ

Ian Siegal at Long Street Blues Club

Devizes is often spoiled for choice when it comes to live music. Swindon folk ensemble SGO at the Gate would’ve been an excellent decision forโ€ฆ

Bishopโ€™s Cannings Crown Forced to Cancel Events

You’d be forgiven for assuming The Crown at Bishop’s Cannings desire a gothic exodus of drugged and depraved heathens sacrificing virgins into a hellfire den of iniquity on a daily basis, if you believe the pitches of complaints by a sole villager. When, in reality, all that’s really happening is the occasional small gathering with some music, lasting only until a respectable hour.

If the pitchforks at dawn is beggar’s belief, Wiltshire Council’s undemocratic decision to restrict the licence to a mere five events a year is the stuff of inequitable despotism, and they should try applying Mr Spock logic that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. Far from me to suggest this one objector has some kind of association with Wiltshire Councillors, but the thought is.

And it is a need, for many, living in an area hardly Ayia Napa. Without a hub of a community what’s left, rows of houses of slouching mindless hermits masticating on a Lidl bag of Cheesy Puffs, relying on ITV broadcasting a new series of Love Island?

Seriously, does this look anything like a den of iniquity to you?!

The endgame is the village loses a charity fundraising pub, and employer, likely in favour for a Facebook page, for thatโ€™s the reality. Tempting me to hold my position in the debate in the key of Harry Enfield’s Angry Frank character, โ€œis that what you want, cos that’s what’ll happen?!โ€ There are enough villages around here where their local pub is badly managed, offers little in the way of community spirit and help, ergo Bishopโ€™s Cannings should be grateful for what the landlords Gary, Jazzy and Chi have achieved. But the key point here is, most of the villagers are.

On Facebook, folk have gathered in support of the Crown upon announcing the cancelation of their next live music date, set for October 4th, leaving villagers disheartened, charities they were fundraising for and the musicians out of pocket, all thanks to one person who couldn’t compromise on a single night’s full beauty sleep; a real player in the spirit of community. I’m not suggesting they were a pioneering acid house DJ in the heady warehouse rave era, but ponder they must’ve, at some point in their life, held the basic desire to have fun, surely?!

The musicians whoโ€™ve played there have also rallied in support of the Crown, Liam Woolford on Plan of Action said, โ€œthis is an outstanding pub with some of the best landlords we have the pleasure to deal with, Jazzy has said it nail on the head, with hard times ahead for pubs etc we need to support these businesses otherwise they wonโ€™t be around much longer, such a shame one individual thinks they can ruin that.โ€

This guy, Illingworth, entertaining the crowds, clearly off his nut on Tizer!

Tunnel Rat Studios, who organised the music at CrownFest this summer said, โ€œJazzy Gary and Che have turned the Crown around to be the best music venue in Wiltshire. All the hard work putting on shows over last summer raising much needed funds for local and national charities.โ€

And Derrick Jepson, frontman of Paradox got virtually primeval with his thoughts, โ€œyou have been exemplary in your reserve and calm when there are those around you who seem hellbent on closing you down for trying your level best to make something fantastic that serves the musicians of this world who only want to perform their art form and express themselves in a manner that dates back since the dawn of time.โ€

Look at these lot, why don’t you? Clearly Satanists!

When this summer saw CrownFest I’d be so bold as to suggest this was the local event of the year, at least in my top five, hospitable and well-organised, with a variety of volume-controlled music hardly constituting a thrash metal anarchist’s ball. Though it might not be Glastonbury, the weight of whinging is near equal, a wrangle Michael Eavis regularly solved by going ahead regardless and paying the fine, an option not viable when hosting the kind of small affair, the proposed gigs at The Crown hope to do.

All this in a weekend where Wiltshire Police shut down an illegal rave at the nearby village of Great Cheverall, evoking my questioning; if you cannot be allowed to organise a music event through official channels, what choices are to be made by people who simply want entertainment? If the authorities donโ€™t wish for a repeat of the nineties, maybe they should consider a compromise.

In a word it is a shame, a crying shame that one tiny and equally petty groupuscule can kick up such a fuss about such a storm in a teacup. The best thing The Crown can do is, when the occasion allows, hold the best party, like, ever!

Trending….

Wiltshire Music Centre Announces New Joint Leadership

Wiltshire Music Centre is delighted to announce the new appointments ofย Danielย Clark as Artistic Director, andย Sarahย Robertson as Executive Director.ย Danielย andย Sarahย join Wiltshire Music Centre in a new co-leadershipโ€ฆ

What’s Happening During November in Devizes?

Remember, remember, weโ€™re moving into November; leaves, loads of โ€˜em! Being as we are no longer doing weekly roundups, hereโ€™s some highlights of events inโ€ฆ

REVIEW โ€“ The Brook Street Band @ St Marys, Devizes โ€“ Saturday 1st October 2022

Baroque & Roll

Andy Fawthrop

The last time I was in St Maryโ€™s church was well before the C-thing to see TiTCo perform Spamalot, and not a lot has changed to the venue since then.ย  Itโ€™s still a largely a disused church, with all the religious fixtures and fittings still in place, and with exactly none of the trappings one might expect of a proper music venue, nor of (letโ€™s hope sometime) a real Arts Centre.ย  But thatโ€™s a whole different story for another day.

In the meantime, The St Mary Trust had done their best to make the place as hospitable as it could be on a cold, rainy October night.ย  The guests for the evening were the Handel-inspired The Brook Street Band, come to bring us a wonderful short programme of baroque music.ย  Their presentation was built around the idea of musical nights from 18th Century Leipzigโ€™s Kaffeehaus culture, featuring pieces from Handel himself, Bach and Telemann.

The performers โ€“ Lisete da Silva Bull (flute & recorder), Kathryn Parry (violin), Tatty Theo (cello) and Carolyn Gibley (harpsichord) โ€“ turned in a polished and professional performance.  The quartet, formed back in 1996, have been regulars on the BBC and have played at all the principal classical venues across the UK and Europe.  Making the best of the chilly conditions in this large church, the four of them took to the six pieces with great humour and enthusiasm.  The pieces were not only introduced and explained, but so were their individual baroque instruments.  Thus we had both entertainment and some education thrown in for good measure.

Despite the technical difficulties presented by the tunings needed for the various pieces (the explanation of which was way over my head), what we got was a programme that was up-tempo, light and uplifting.  My partner-in-crime Gail used the word โ€œcheerfulโ€ and I wasnโ€™t about to disagree with her.  My particular favourites were the first Telemann piece (Trio Sonata in G Minor) and the final Handel (Op. 2 No. 4 in F).

On the down side, the acoustics of the church are not currently of the best, it was definitely quite chilly in there, and the audience of about 50 could have been larger.  But on the positive side, we had a really excellent and uplifting recital of baroque music.  Well done to St Mary Trust for staging this event.

Once again D-Town had thrown up a little musical gem out of (it seems) absolutely nowhere.  Yet again proof, if it were needed, that the building of St Marys could (and should) be refurbished and re-used as what I think will be a great venue for the town.

Trending…..

YEA Devizes: DOCA New Youth Project

Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts announced their upcoming project, YEA Devizes today. Made possible by a grant from National Grid Electricity Transmissionโ€™s Community Grant Programme, theโ€ฆ

The Mist; New Single from Meg

Chippenhamโ€™s young folk singer-songwriter Meg, or M3G if you want to get numeric, will release her 6th single The Mist on Friday 18th October, andโ€ฆ

Devizes Public Living Room Finds New Home

It’s great news today, as the social circle Devizes Public Living Room has been offered The Cheese Hall to continue their weekly gatherings, by Devizes Town Council.…

Living Room projects like this have been running across the world, pre-pandemic, and can be a lifeline for communities, providing nonspecific engagements, activities and a meeting point. There are no requirements, no age, gender or any limitations. Active member Angela Giles told me what she loves about the group, “there is no agenda and no labelling. We just come and be ourselves. Free to chat about whatever we want to, or not, and basically all over a cuppa!”

Originally operarting in the Shambles, the group have been meeting outside at the Wharf for a few months, as the Shambles was no longer an available option. With concerns of the changing season, the group have been concerned about finding a new base.

Angela Giles together with other members, Thomas Green and Nic Ola approached Devizes Town Council at a meeting yesterday evening, and their request was granted to use the Cheese Hall.

Councillor Jonathan Hunter said, “Iโ€™m absolutely delighted that a great facility can be used to benefit others and promote social inclusion. I thank my fellow councillors for believing in this group and supporting the request for a safe space for Devizes Public Living Room to call their home.”

You’d be forgiven for assuming, if you’ve been following certain local Facebook groups recently, that the concentration of Devizes Town Council meetings have been preoccupied by a petty squabble over social media policy. This great and righteous permission goes some way to illustrate the content of Council meetings are far from the temper tantrums being hypocritically portrayed, and positive outcomes can be reached.

Here at Devizine, we would like to thank the town council for their decision, and congratulate the camerados of the Devizes Public Living Room group; put the kettle on, guys, as soon as you’re settled in the big cheese I’ll bring some custard creams over!

Unless, of course, you prefer bourbons?

For more info about Devizes Public Living Room, follow their Facebook page, here.

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 28thSeptโ€“ 4th Oct 2022

Here we go for this coming week, excuse me for not waffling, really not in the mood. Oh, okay, just one whinge then, if you insist!

Itโ€™s just the power-hungry draconian admin of Facebook groups, again. Now Iโ€™ve been banned from โ€œThe Devizes Issue,โ€ not to be confused with โ€œDevizes Issuesโ€ which Iโ€™ve been banned from for yonks, and โ€œDevizes Issue,โ€ โ€œDevizes Issues (but better,)โ€ โ€œDevizes Got Issues,โ€ โ€œThe Issues in Devizes,โ€ or any other originally titled local Facebook group. One has to wonder if thereโ€™s really that many issues in Devizes which warrants so many Facebook groups with the words โ€œDevizesโ€ and โ€œIssues,โ€ or perhaps, just perhaps, that there is the very issue in Devizes; canโ€™t we all just get along?!  

I was banned for sharing our article about an upcoming comedy show by Devizes Arts Festival, likely because the headline comedian was the guy who handed Theresa May a P45. With the Gazelle & Herod concentrating on The Jeremy Kyle Show returning to some TV channel no oneโ€™s heard of, media here highlighting all the good stuff going down locally is becoming increasingly limited, and Facebook groups are untrustworthy, ask the town council! So, stick around, and Iโ€™ll get onto whatโ€™s happening shortly.

First you should know, is, more info and ticket links to everything listed, and for planning ahead, the one link you need is our updating event calendar, or least two links this week as we delve headlong into October.

Wednesday 28th thereโ€™s a Lunchtime Recital at Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.

Sustainable Devizes will at St Andrewโ€™s Church for a free community film screening on the story of plastics. Starting at 7, Iโ€™ll drop the poster below.

Thursday 29th and thereโ€™s a Jazz Social at Salisbury Arts Centre, the ultimate music quiz at The Cheese & Grain, Frome. The Lawrence Society of Art begins an art exhibit at Devizes Town Hall, free entry, running until Saturday 1st October.

Friday 30th September, the exceptionally talented Adam Woodhouse is at the Pelican Inn, Devizes, while those Somerset crazy folked up hip hoppers Monkey Bizzle bring the noise to The Southgate; this is a hilarious show, throw preconceptions aside and join the fun.

Jen Bristerโ€™s The Optimist is at Pound Art in Corsham, while you can find The Music of Carole King at the Wyvern Theatre, Swindon, and the regular Barnstormers Comedy at Salisbury Arts Centre.

Stay Lunar play The Vic, Swindon, The Toasters play The Tree House, Frome, with Toyah at The Cheese & Grain. Illingworth play The Royal George in Salisbury.

Pinch punch and build, Saturday 1st October sees the regular Lego Club at Chippenham Museum from 3-4pm, but real Lego enthusiasts should head to Steam, Swindon, for The Great Western Brick Show. Happening Sunday too, and always amazing!

The Brook Street Band come to St Maryโ€™s Devizes for some Kaffeehaus Culture, expect some Bach, Handel & Telemann.

Meanwhile, editorโ€™s pick of the week comes from Icarus Theatre Collective, who bring a touring, award-winning dark comedy to The Wharf Theatre, called The Lesson.

Icarusโ€™ blistering, magical and award-winning production of Eugene Ionescoโ€™s classic dark comedy returns to the stage, following sold out runs at Teatrul de Comedie in Bucharest, among others. A mild-mannered professor takes on a new pupil, and swiftly descends into tyranny, becoming bent on her destruction. A comically surreal exposรฉ about power, knowledge & those who hoard bothโ€ฆ. but thatโ€™s not only why Iโ€™m picking this as my pick of the week.

Performances are enhanced by a bold projection design that features exciting new Creative Captioning Technology, which is supported by Arts Council England. It ensures that every performance is now accessible to deaf and hard of hearing audiences as well as enhancing the creative story and encapsulating the beating heart of Ionescoโ€™s text; which is a fantastic initiative I hope will find its way to more productions.

If some mod covers are more your thing, Devizions, check Six Oโ€™clock Circus live at The Three Crowns, always kicking up a stink, and the Roughcut Rebels are at The Churchill in West Lavington.

Sheer Music is at Trowbridge Town Hall with The People Versus, Pecq and Fly Yeti Fly in support, will be amazing.

Regular fav, Faze is at the Bear, Marlborough, Fire Gazer at the Barge on Honeystreet.

Thereโ€™s writer Jim Read and performer Louise Jordanโ€™s afternoon of memorable monologues exploring what it is to use paths and pavements at Salisbury Arts Centre, with Pavement Life.

Homer are at The Phoenix Bar, Wotton Basset, Shepardโ€™s Pie play The Vic, and Barrelhouse at the Rolleston in Swindon, with Mortellica next door at Level III, while Devizes Road Oktoberfest goes off at The Tuppeny, Swindon, while the Bell in Bath also has an Oktoberfest.

Junkyard Dogs at the Bear in Bradford-on-Avon, Bully Bones at The Three Horseshoes, and CHK CHK CHK play The Cheese & Grain, Frome. The Zucchinis play Brown Street, Salisbury.

Sunday 2nd and find Melksham Climate Fest at the Assembly Hall, The Great Western Brick Show continues at Steam, Swindon, Magpie Market at The Cheese & Grain Frome, and Saba Douglas-Hamiltonโ€™s In The Footsteps of Elephants shows later there too. Funky MH at The Three Horseshoes Bradford-on-Avon, Chai For All & Radio Banska at The Queen’s Head, Box.

But itโ€™s all down to the Southgate in Devizes, where Jon Amor holds his monthly residency, this time featuring guest Dan Moore, whoโ€™s played keys for everyone from Tom Jones to Massive Attack; ding dong!

Monday 3rd, sees the regular dream club at the Vic, Swindon, Tuesday find Improvers Art Sessions at the Cause, Chippenham and Spike at Salisbury Playhouse.

And thatโ€™s your lot for this week, enough to keep you amused for a weekend?! Keep an eye out for updates, I do do them, occasionally! And donโ€™t forget, support Devizine with all your might! Times like this we need you sharing, caring and sending us your event details too, donโ€™t make me come find you! Have a great week.

Trending….

Autumn-Winter Comedy in Devizes

Comedy in Devizes is a rare thing, unless you count visitors turning right at the Shaneโ€™s Castle junction, reading opinions on the Devizes Issues (butโ€ฆ

Devizes Arts Festival Annouce November Comedy Night with Simon Brodkin

Devizes Arts Festival pokes its head out of its nest this autumn, with a one night only comedy gig on Friday 4th November at the Corn Exchange, headlining Simon Brodkin, the genius who handed Theresa May a P45 at the Conservative Party Conference.

Hilarious at the time, but after three years of Boris Johnson, which felt like thirty, and some new spanner in number ten, I forget her name now, maybe better the devil you know. The stunt put Simon Bodkin on the mainstream comedy map, and heck, I think we all deserve a good laugh right now.

London doctor-turned-comic, and professional hoaxer, Simon Brodkin also showered Sepp Blatter with dollar bills at a FIFA press conference, and is famed for creating quirky characters, such as the annoying chav, Lee Nelson.

Supporting Simon is Stella Graham, a naturally funny stand-up comedian, writer & actor. Shameless, charmingly aggressive and unladylike, sheโ€™s the funniest half Sri Lankan gal from Coventry.

Stuart Goldsmith is an absolute top level comedian who has performed all over the world. Heโ€™s the regular studio warm-up comic for the Graham Norton Show (BBC), which is apparently even more fun than it sounds!

Compere for the evening is Bristolโ€™s finest, James Redmond, who you might have seen on BBC TVโ€™s West Country Sitcom, The Outlaws. James is a dry, slick and subtle stand up who delivers unexpected twists with a distinct West Country tinge to his routine.

“Well good” tickets are just a tenner, live from their website from 3rd October.

SoupChick’s Georgian Feast Got me Contemplating Usage of The Shambles

Spud-gun is an amusing epithet underutilised as much as the Shambles often is in ol’ Devizes town, in my honest opinion. Spudgun, best describes the far removed from reality councillor who suggested a mezzanine floor is what’s needed to ensure the longevity of The Shambles. Is there even room for a second floor? I gazed upward to answer my own question, with a sigh of possibility, but would enough traders come and fill new units, if they did would it compensate for the cost of adding a second floor, and would shoppers even accend it to explore? Not forgoing lessening the aesthetic value of the building’s glorious height, it sounds like an impractical soultion focussed only on unachievable profit.

Having a feast in the Shambles casted a whole new perspective on the hidden beauty of this building, for me, and its possible usages too. SoupChick hosted a knockout supper there last night for near-on forty guests, celebrating owner Anya’s Georgian roots with an inspiring presentation from her artist mother, followed by a banquet of Georgian cuisine, but somehow, in that wonderfully tall hall, akin to a feast in the great hall of Vaulhalla!

I haven’t enough flowery shirts to be Jay Rayner, but I know what I like, and this was an experience my tastebuds will love me forevermore for! Pampered with a consistent stream of wine and gorgeous dishes, no expense was spared to show off the skills of Anya and her team in a unit the size of a bedsit kitchenette, and confirmed SoupChick is about as close to dishing out a mug of Cup-a-Soup as a daytrip to Canvey Island constituents a tropical holiday!

I feel for you if you missed this exclusive dinner, but keep abreast of their Facebook page or posters, as this was inaugural with future events planned, a Greek one, followed by an Italian, Anya’s partner Marc informed me.

Aside the continuing Devizes Food & Drink Festival, which coincidentally kicked off yesterday too, we’re somewhat limited for world cuisine here, like many rural areas, so this is a welcomed additional option, and just like the art show they organised back in November, it goes a long way in making perfect use of The Shambles.

Proof, I believe, that surely we should keep our feet on the ground, concentrate on what we have got? Starter whinge for ten, the entrance from the Market Place is hardly whetting the appetite, hardly screams come in here and take a look around; just some tables and chairs in a dank hall, occasionally occupied by a trader or two on market days. I accept an open space is practical and convenient, but this needs to occupy the rear end of it while those fantastic units in the middle and rear-end should greet passers-by at the beginning, much less it needs a lick of paint and some decoration.

Vibrant market halls of yore send me on a memory bliss, of sauntering Camden Lock, or the Lanes of Brighton. But this isn’t the nineties, and it’s Devizes, certainly not Brighton or Camden. And with that a chilling thought comes to me, of a couple of weeks ago, decending into the once bustling indoor market in Trowbridge town centre, to find it 99.9% desolate, my daughter reminding me it’s the after effects of the pandemic. By comparison with this, and not a bustling bygone city market, The Shambles is a wonderful market hall, and we shouldn’t take it for granted.

I’m guilty myself, I rush through it on my way elsewhere, but to add lively communal events, to welcome, as it once did, community groups like Devizes Living Room, and the addition of a piano were real positive moves. I’d like to suggest extending this, to welcome buskers, put some acoustic musicians in there, Devizes has plenty to offer.

I say they should encourage a flow of foot traffic through the Shambles by concentrating on adding arts, entertainment and street food, make it colourful and lively, add events such as book or record fairs, the possibilities are endless, let’s have a self-publishing zine convention with affordable tables, let’s have a creche, play area, and things to do for our younger generations, let’s go for it, and visting folk will bookmark Devizes as an even more fantastic day out than previously anticipated.

But hey, you know me, just a thought! For the best part of this is to thank SoupChick for a wonderful meal, it was interesting and an experience, I know now about Georgia, it’s culture and art, and certainly had the best possible taste of its food. All in good company, here’s a local event with a difference, truly tantalising the tastebuds, so much so I took to donning my modest gladrags, much to the shock of regulars at the Southgate, where I bee-lined afterwards for the contrasting headbanging thunder of Plan of Action!

The band were fantastic, though I wasn’t there for long enough to fairly justify a fuller review this time, mentioning it here it is only a method of expressing what a wonderfully diverse calendar of events we have in Devizes, and after last weekendโ€™s gig excursion to Swindon, it was great to return. If buildings like the Shambles can be used as an addition for events, I believe we should make full use of it, diversify and celebrate the talent we have here inside it; go figure, miss-firing spudgun!

Devizes Food & Drink Festival, Back with a Dollop!

Though risky, weatherwise, September seems to be the month The Devizes Food & Drink Festival has settled on, returning again this year on this pleasant Saturday with their grand opening of the food market, and gifting the bustling Devizes Market Place with the beautiful aroma of street food; who am I to resist a stroll through, and maybe a brownie or two?

Though the Gourmet Brownie Kitchen has its own shop now in town, still they put their regular stall up, and I felt the urge for their delicious stodgy bites, though I didnโ€™t see any competition for them there, as there has been in the past. That said, a lot of the stalls seemed to be reappearing from previous years, but if youโ€™ve a winning formula why change it?

The circuit had changed slightly, with stalls facing the street, and folding back into the Market Place carparking area, perhaps not containing browsers so well, but encouraging more from their daily shopping. Paella to burger, itโ€™s all there, chocolate pizza, gin and churros, you name it.

If last year I winged โ€œFromeโ€™s eclectic-influenced folk four-piece, The Decades made for the perfect entertainment, but again, they were the same band which played there in 2019,โ€ they were there again this time too, and throughout my time there they were taking a break. I couldnโ€™t help feel, though the array of food stalls were plentiful, sitting and eating is rather dull if thereโ€™s no entertainment, and a little more concentration could be taken on this, although I know and accept the focus is on food and drink, being the Food & Drink Festival and all.

Wadworth takes the beer sponsor, an arrangement previous done by Stealth Brewery, who ensured consistency in music, with a selection of local talent, and Iโ€™m certain Waddies could take from their example, and provide as they did with their own WadFest in the summer. Otherwise, itโ€™s just, go get some lunch there and wander off.

But itโ€™s far from the bee-all-and-end-all of the festival, with huge options for ticketed side-events, which youโ€™d better be quick to get yourself in on, here. Me? Iโ€™m dining on a Georgian feast at SoupChick tonight so didnโ€™t want to overdo it, a brownie Iโ€™m out of there, apologies to the organisers but Iโ€™d like a further selection of stalls Iโ€™ve not seen before, Iโ€™d like to be entertained, and Iโ€™d like to be buried under free samples, of which maybe a sign of the times, but I saw much less of this year. Still, busy though, and a joy to have in Devizes at the end of summer.

@ The Pelican, Devizes

Trending….

Forestry Operations Due to Start at West Woods

Featured Photo: Forestry England/Crown copyright Planned timber harvesting is set to begin at popular walking destination, West Woods, from the end of September until Marchโ€ฆ

Swindon Gets Shuffling!

Despite the population of Devizes throwing confetti and paint at each other in their most celebrated annual ritual, I believe I picked the right weekendโ€ฆ

The Best He Could Do at The Time, Joe Hicksโ€™ Debut Album

A little late for the party, as ever, Iโ€™ve been procrastinating, and my computer is equally as listless; failing to save my original words on this. Meanwhile Newbury good guy, but welcomed regular on our circuit, Joe Hicks has been busy with a debut album launched yesterday, worthy of a rewriteโ€ฆโ€ฆ

Titled The Best I Could Do at The Time, Joe is seriously playing it down, like the nerd at college who tells you they โ€œhavenโ€™t done muchโ€ for their assignment, so you follow suit only to find them offering a feasible cure for all known diseases in a presentation with U2 providing the soundtrack, while the best you can offer is a scribbling of your pet cat, which you did on the bus journey there.

The opening tune, Sail Away, for example, is far punchier than David Grayโ€™s appellation of the same name, and we wonโ€™t contemplate sailing down the Rod Stewart route. Though itโ€™s best pigeonholed like Grayโ€™s, as folktronica, thereโ€™s a whole lot more going on here from this stalwart who could just as easily fit comfortably into a blues dance as he could a folk festival, and does.        

The blurb suggests The Best I Could Do at the Time is โ€œa journey through many of the emotional peaks and troughs we go through as humans,โ€ Joe explained, โ€œand more specifically me as a musician in such uncertain times. Itโ€™s about acknowledging them, living in those feelings for a while and ultimately finding the hope we all have within us to take control and rise above the worst of them. Itโ€™s about doing the best we can with the tools that we have.โ€

The first thing to hit you is the sheer production quality, a euphoric yet upbeat anthemic joy from the off, Sail Away, sustains the timeless pop formula, making him balance on the edge between aforementioned folk and blues, and allowing this album to flow tidy, but traverse any given pop subgenre at will, while retaining originality and stylised inimitability.

If One More Step, the timeless pop second track is a prime example, it builds on layers like a contemporary hit of say a George Ezra-Bruno Marrs hybrid, Maybe When Itโ€™s Over follows, and this stretches back further, reeking of unruffled seventies soul, like Curtis Mayfield.

Four tracks in and youโ€™re safe in knowledge to accept anything, Pieces is sublime acoustic fluff, and there was a line in the subtle skank of Lost in Love, โ€œoh, such a reckless emotion,โ€ where I paused for thought on a comparison which I couldnโ€™t quite put my finger on, until it came to me; the velvety vocals of Paul Young, especially when he sang Come Back and Stay.

Mirror Mirror reflects an indie side-order, while Out of My Mind surprisingly nods of township jive, designating a hint of Paul Simonโ€™s Graceland. Hand in Hand settles the pace once again to this euphoria, so that even if the narrative traverses the downhearted at times, itโ€™s always a musical ride with the glass half full. And herein is my point; this is ageless pop goodness, borrowing from what went before, but fresh and contemporary throughout, which is the even balance of magnitude.

The final trio of tracks on this eleven-strong album returns to the early eighties pop formula with, Alive, folktronica goodness with the inspiring Make It Home, and Weightless polishes it off with the pop roll of The Corrs, or something along those lines, though the whole shebang holds itself in its own pocket.

Itโ€™s a wonderful album, deservedly to be considered a remarkable achievement; The Best I Could Do at The Time huh? Well, the time is nigh. Having made a name for himself as a session guitarist, Joe Hicks was ‘BBC Introducing Artist of the Weekโ€™, directly from his first solo single in 2017. Since heโ€™s built up a sizable online following, touring the UK and Europe, appearing at CarFest, The Big Feastival, Are You Listening? Festival, Pub in the Park, over thirty Sofar Sounds shows and slots supporting Sam Fender, James Walsh and Starsailor.

Here in Devizes, heโ€™s regularly appeared at Long Street Blues Club and Saddleback, and is always a delight to chat with; just a genuine modest talent, of which this album truly blows the lid off his cover. I got your number, Hicks; bloomin’ amazing album, my son!

Link-Tree to Buy

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The Juggernaut Delivers Back at The Southgate

If there’s been welcomed stand-ins for the monthly Jon Amor Trio residency at the Southgate in Devizes recently, Ruzz Evans and Eddie Martin, Jon โ€œtheโ€ฆ

Deadlight Dance New EP Chapter & Verse

Marlborough gothic duo Deadlight Dance are due to release an EP of new material. Itโ€™s called Chapter & Verse and itโ€™ll be out on Rayโ€ฆ

Swindon Paint Fest: Live Street Art in October

Though Ken White’s murals have been seen across Swindon for decades, particularly his Golden Lion at the Whale Bridge roundabout on Fleming Way, contemporary street art in Swindon lives in the shadow of neighbouring city Bristol, where the legend of Banksy is crowned. But all that could be set to change, as the Wiltshire town is to get it’s inaugural street art festival, Swindon Paint Fest…..

Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th of October sets the date, Swindon Paint Fest takes place at the Wharf Green in the centre of town, has a GoFundMe, and been organised by an artist collective, Artsite the Post Moden, who provide studio space at the Post Modern in Theatre Square.

It’s free, and promises an array of works and live demonstrations from some six breathtaking artists nationwide and some Wiltshire born, like Inca Mole and Tim Carroll.

With a BA in Fine Art from Leeds University, Tim has completed several local projects, the documentation and renovation of public art for Swindon Borough Council, and an extremely well-received series of paintings, ‘100 Views of Swindon’, now available as a book.

Inca spent time in Greece working as a tattooist where his abilities and potential were encouraged and further inspired in the art world.

Peter Cowdy, will be working with a few youths to create his piece.

British painter and sculptor, Jenna Fox also features. With an MA from the Royal College of Art and currently researching fine art for a PhD, Jenna’s work reflects interactions with people about shared life experiences and journeys. She was selected for Wells Contemporary 2022 and shortlisted for the High prize 2021. Her work has been shown at The Sunbury Gallery, The National Trust, The RSPB, Earley Station, Trowbridge Town Hall, Cromwell Place Gallery and The Crypt Gallery London, and is on permanent display at South Western Rail, The Sculpture Park Farnham, The War Horse memorial at Royal Ascot and Frimley Park Hospital. She has had two residencies at Stand Point Gallery, London, and stills finds time to edit a zine called Haus-a-rest.

Predominantly a spray painter, painting as Lost Dogs for fun and trading as You Pay I Spray, we find another featured artist with a love for sci-fi, comic books and bright colours.

Unless my maths is as wonky as my own typography, I count five featured creatives, who’ve been gradually introduced on the Swindon Paint Fest Facebook page, so we await the final announcement. Until then, stick the date in your diary, favourably in a large colourful graffiti font!

Weekly Roundup of Events 21st-27th September 2022

Apologies, I missed publishing last weekโ€™s roundup, one thing gets on another and so on and so forth; Iโ€™ve really no excuse, but you know you donโ€™t have to wait for it, itโ€™s all listed on the frequently updated event calendar, where if youโ€™re new here, youโ€™ll find ticket and info links to everything I will waffle on about here.

Those paying particular attention will find the calendar has been extended to December 2023, if anyone is still alive by then, but I wouldnโ€™t bother too much browsing too far in the future just yet, as Iโ€™ve not added much stuff onto it; one stage at a time people!

So, back to this week and weekend. I was delighted to attend a dress rehearsal of a play called Hedda Gabler at The Wharf Theatre in Devizes last week. This show is running until Saturday and is very worthy of your attention.

ย Wednesday 21st, then, and The Temperance Seven play tuneful jazz classics and original numbers with a Pythonesque, deadpan tomfoolery at the Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.

Don’t forget the regular acoustic jam down the Southgate, Devizes.

Thursday 22nd and Chris Wood plays Pound Arts in Corsham. Chris Wood is an uncompromising writer whose music reveals his love for the un-official history of the English-speaking people. With gentle intelligence he weaves the tradition with his own contemporary parables.

Grand Slam headline and Sons of Liberty in support at The Vic in Swindon, while the Buddy Holly story is told at the Wyvern Theatre with Thatโ€™ll Be The Day.

Oh, and The Seth Lakeman Band play The Cheese & Grain, Frome; nice.

Friday 23rd sees the opening of Bath Childrenโ€™s Literature Festival, running until Sunday 2nd October, it is Europeโ€™s largest dedicated childrenโ€™s literature festival with a vibrant array of talks and activities for children.

Iโ€™m sorry I cannot be at this one, but the long-awaited new album from Swindonโ€™s indie-pop favourites, Talk in Code gets a launch night at The Vic, with Riviera Arcade and Tom Moore.

Also, The Ultimate Boy Band Party Show at Wyvern Theatre, is not really for me, truth be told, but I thought Iโ€™d mention it.

Salisbury Arts Centre announced a gig called Ukraine a Go Go!! But Iโ€™m having trouble with that link, sorry, it mayโ€™ve been cancelled.

Dreamwave at the Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon, Dirt Road at The Bear.

Humdinger are playing The Lamb, Marlborough.

At the Cheese & Grain, Bon Gioviโ€ฆ. quite; no prizes for guessing.

Saturday 24th and my tummy is rumbling already; yea-ha, barbeque my ham-hocks! The Devizes Food & Drink Festival kicks off with the Grand Market in the erm, Market Place. Running until Sunday 2nd October, itโ€™s not just about this freebie, thereโ€™s a fantastic, super-sized programme of events happening, do check the website.

Once stuffed, Devizes, youโ€™ll find Plan of Action at The Southgate, highly recommended, I am due to stuff my face, again, at SoupChickโ€™s Georgian feast in the Shambles, but I firmly believe I might yet be able to fit all these in, weโ€™ll see.

Due to the obvious, Pewsey Carnivalโ€™s legendary illuminated procession has been moved to this Saturday, 24th, and find the funfair running and Humdinger at an afterparty on Cooperโ€™s Field.

The Pump has folk-rockโ€™s Merry Hell, part of Trowbridge Festival, tickets are ยฃ16 from the Trowbridge Festival site. The Reservoir Hogs play The Dursley Arms and find Junkyard Dogs at The Wiltshire Yeoman on Chilmark Road. ย 

Another recommendation, 12 Bars Later, play the Talbot Inn, Calne. The Setbacks headline a triple bill at the Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon, with Bottlekids and Prison Wives.

Cliff Richard tribute at Neeld, Chippenham; Simon Goodall and the Bourne Again Shadows.

This Ukraine a Go Go!! at Salisbury Arts Centre crops up again, I must have got this news from somewhere! But if in the spire, Ed Gamble plays Salisbury Playhouse.

The Wedding Present commemorate the 30th anniversary of the release of their album Seamonsters, at The Cheese & Grain. Recorded in just twelve days during 1991, the record reached No. 13 in the Official Album Chart, hailed by many as a true classic. Meanwhile, Iโ€™d thoroughly recommend Bathโ€™s indie-pop sensation Longcoats, playing at the Cheeseโ€™s sister venue, The Treehouse.

That just leaves Swindon, where Al Murrayโ€™s Gig For Victory tour is at the Wyvern Theatre, thereโ€™s a rave, up at The Vic, when Midlife Krisis drop their milk-float round; thereโ€™s always a rave when that happens.

But also, onto our Editorโ€™s Pick of the Week, where I dream of doing anything I wanted, VIP access and all gubbings, even if itโ€™s not true! The Jazz Knightโ€™s daring extraordinaire on Saturday, Swindon Folk & Blues Festival at Christ Church in Old Town. Line-up is truly grand, Ruzz Guitar, Lost Trades, Fly Yeti Fly, Joel Rose; did a half-preview with the Shuffle, here.

Sunday, 25th September, and thereโ€™s a record fair at The Cheese & Grain, Frome, Hip Route are at the Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon and Wyvern Theatre in Swindon presents Dave Gorman: Powerpoint To The People.

And thatโ€™s about all Iโ€™ve found for the weekend, unless you know different; have a good one. The Best of Queen at Wyvern Theatre, Swindon on Monday, 26th, and When Darkness Falls at Salisbury Playhouse on Tuesday, with Crimes On Centre Court at the Wyvern. From then on in, you know what to do, check the event calendar! But thereโ€™s two things you need to know about in Devizes on Wednesday 28th, Iโ€™ll drop the posters below, cos Iโ€™m fed up with typing now!

Trending….

Fulltone Confirmed For 2025 in Devizes

The Fulltone Orchestra has confirmed today that their annual festival will take place on The Green in Devizes from 25th โ€“ 27th July 2025โ€ฆ. โ€œItโ€™sโ€ฆ

Get ‘Lifted’ by Chandra

Chandra, Hindu God of the Moon, with his own NASA X-ray observatory named after him, and also frontman of a self-named friendly Bristol-based four-piece pop-punkโ€ฆ

Local Book Review: Dadโ€™s New Dress

Spent most of Pride month, and the following month too (what? Iโ€™m a slow reader and a busy chap!) reading an apt book, given toโ€ฆ

Some Days with Paul Lappin

Paul’s self-made cover to his latest single, Some Days depicts a fellow sitting under a tree pondering life, while an autumn zephyr blows leaves aroundโ€ฆ

I Shuffled in Swindon, and I Liked It!

Yep, It’s Swindon Shuffle weekend, and so I thought it best to poke my nose in…..

Voice recognition they call it, I call it defective verbal dysentery. My precise articulation fails on a number of letters and numbers from my vehicle reg, and I’m wound up. Parking apps; pet hate, so, call a number, it says, fuck you, nonhuman Noddy, I’m relocating, to a known carpark where you put these primative nuggets of bronze into a machine, wondering why I, aging country bumpkin that I am, bothered to come to the smoke of Swindon centre in the first place. Though it was a passing aggravation, my only rant about the Swindon Shuffle, and hardly their fault anyways…..

Like a lukewarm sea, once you’re immersed it’s lovely, and if the ground I once frequented is so alien, Swindon College, Regent Circus, now an underground carpark unpermitable for technophobes with a neon multiplex atop, one step up the hill and dependable Old Town greets you. Dependable because other than a few shop facades changing, it’s prettty much the same as it always was, the one safe haven within the roundabout-infested sprawling metropolis with its name derived from “pig hill.” Apologies Swindonites, I’m tetchy only about your carparks, and every large town has them.

So now I’m decending Vic Hill with the pleasent scent of kebab houses, on a misson to cram myself into the sardine tin which is The Beehive. It’s my first port of call, a bee line, (gettit?) after reviewing the singlemost amazing debut album from a local act, I was coming to see Concrete Prairie no matter the machine, urbanisation and rammed public house.

But it’s the most welcoming sardine tin, it has to be, the bustling Beehive is a wonderful no-frills pub making do with the space it has, adorned with quirky decor, and filled with smiling faces there for this legendary fifteenth Shuffle, a multi-venue long weekend testimonial to local live music, in aid of Prospect House. I’m immediately feeling homely in this hospitable watering hole, if a tad sultry.

I have to grab a word with chief coordinator Ed Dyer, in which he reveals this time legwork is reduced by having a promotor at each venue, though every year it’s rammed like this at most of the venues. Took me to pondering if a mere market town of Devizes populas could ever accommodate such a scale event without a severely dispursed crowd in each individual venue, but here, it works.

And it works with half-hour sets, timed somehow, with precision engineering, this colossal musician assemble spanning too many names to mention, let alone amass a comprehensive coverage. But such was yours truly impressed with what I did manage to injest, I’m contemplating if I should make Swindon Shuffle a B&B getaway next year.

It was good to bump into Kelly Adams, of Lacock’s Wiltshire Blues and Soul Club, hosting this venue’s entertainment, old friend and newspaper entrepreneur Jamie Hill, and Joel Rose, whose set I unfortunately missed. The question was if Concrete Prairie could, in this petite space, recreate the magic of said album, and they did, with bells on. One cover, and a few peaches from the album was all it took to convince me this is a band we so desperately need to get into our town, their stage pressence was topnotch, their timing impeccable and original compositions just melt.

One silver lining to the parking botheration is I’m closer uphill to my car once settled in the reliable Victoria, which is where I’m hotfooting it to next. Keen to catch Salisbury’s upcoming recommended CarSick, though skate-metal-punk not my preferred cuppa I’m game for those who do it well. You wouldn’t believe me if I told you; CarSick pulled a sicky, though no reports it was actually in any kinda vehicle.

Instead, Kieran Moore, coordinator for this legendary venue under his stalwart Sheer banner, flew in a young three-piece called InAir, who thrashed it out professionally, in a most pleasing fashion, so one could feel the bass rumble under one’s feet; I like that in any genre.

For where the Beehive is a welcoming but crammed bustling hive, The Victoria has a large pit aback, geared toward gigging. While slightly more conventional, and certainly more spacious, it still holds charm and you know when you decend those stairs into the black magic box, The Vic will pull a rabbit from its hat.

Proir to InAir’s blown away set, I spotted the man himself, fronting the Saturday headliner at the Vic, it’s impossible to miss him. “You’re out of Devizes?!” he cried in mirth; am I not allowed to be?!

Mike Barham towered, chatting enthusiastically, while bassit Rob McKelvey stood smiling, a position he’d compromise before the finale by circular squirming the stage floor while strumming his last notes. Yeah, with missing drummer Luke Bartels, who’d arrive on the scene soonishly, complaining of the after-effects of the pre-gig curry they’d had, the one InAir promised themselves on stage never to do again, ah, bless, the joys of reuniting with the NervEndings lads on neutral ground.

And they did their thing, loud and proud as before, though slightly more professional I hassen to add, with boundry-pushing banter. It’s one hardcore band easy on my acceptance, because there’s a blues influence. Mike nodded to Devizes’ affection for blues, and attempted a tune geared that Jon Amor way, but it fell short of a younger crowd, there to mosh and roll, or whatchamacallit. A quick switch rammed the dancefloor again, and those purveyors of noise were at it, superbly. Something Devizions need not miss when Sheer takes the Bin for free, on the 7th October.

To conclude, for what bore witness to mine eye, Swindon Shuffle is more than worthy bounding over the downs for, and what’s furthermore, you’re best leaving any ill-conceived notions at home. For loutish hooliganism, I saw none, just a mass of widespread age demographic live music aficionados, relishing the moment of strolling Old Town in bliss. Bouncers, I saw one, happily munching on a salmon sandwich.

There’s no prentious big names, no grand finale tribute act wandering around like they’re the real McCoy, no ethos to let the local orginal acts do their thing early and get sloshed awaiting a mainstream headliner. This is wholly dedicated, not just to a worthy charity, but to promoting upcoming local talent, which is precisely the kind of thing we love here at Devizine Towers; go Swindon; it continues today, (Sunday.)

Furlong Close Celebration

Residents of Furlong Close in Rowde mingled with staff, the new owners, villagers, councillors, and many of the campaigners which made up the Familes and Friends of Furlong Close steering group, at a party to celebrate the saving of the Close from closure….

It has been a drawn-out battle with former owners HFT, since October 2020, when, in the midst of the pandemic, the residents of Furlong Close, their families and friends were thrown into a state of anxiety and despair at the news Furlong Close was to close, and its thirty vulnerable residents forced to leave their happy and settled homes.

In July, the group were delighted to announce Furlong Close had been saved. The site had been acquired by a new owner, Specialised Supported Housing, and new care provider, Agincare, took over the provision of care to the residents.

Chair of the campaign group, FAFF, Antonia Field gave a heartwarming speech, thanking everyone for their efforts, and MP Danny Kruger reflected on the national mourning, suggesting this occasion was “what England is all about.” For me, personally, getting the chance to meet and talk with some of the residents put all the sterling efforts of the group and villagers into perspective.

The residents of Furlong Close are a welcomed part of the village community, always have been, the gathering today proved this, a truly monumental occasion for Rowde.

The ribbon was cut, symbolic of a new, brighter era for Furlong Close, and a marvellous example of how people-power can turn a negative into a positive.

I tried to chat with a representative of Agincare, but she was preoccupied talking to a resident about the Marvel film “Thor, Love and Thunder!” Along with the sunny autumn afternoon, this said it all for the occasion, giving me faith in the new owners and thier relationship with the residents.

Sheer Music Grand Return to Devizes

Ah, it’s on the grapevine alright; godfather of Wiltshire’s millennial live indie scene, Kieran Moore isn’t sneaking in the back door with his tail between his legs like the prodigal son, rather he’s returning to Devizes, the origins of his promotional stamp Sheer Music, in a blaze of heavy rock glory.

Not content with setting the soul of live music in the bright light city of viva Trowvegas on fire, or getting those stakes up higher at Komedia in Bath and legendary venue the Vic in Swindon, he’s
just a devil with love to spare…. for his roots!

It’ll be loud and proud, that much is for sure, when Sheer takes the Corn Exchange on Friday 7th October, and, hold your breath, it’ll be a free gig, yes I said free. When was the last time you got in the Corn Exchange for nought? Obviously as chief blagger I’m not at liberty to answer that question myself, but you catch my drift I hope!

They’ve got that kick-ass skater punk collaboration of Trowbridge, Devizes, Westbury and Wotton Bassett,ย Start The Sirens as support. A promising upcomer we handsomely reviewed their debut “Just the Beginning,” back in June.

Next up is two-thirds homegrown purveyors of noise NervEndings, who should need no introduction locally, abielt to note the boys are creating quite the stir forever further abound, headlining this Saturday at the very same Victoria, for the Swindon Shuffle.

Plus hard-rocking contemporary punkers Lucky Number Seven, which I’ll confess is a new one to me, but they certainly sound like a belter, featured alongside NervEndings at the Shuffle, and who tore Bristol’s Fleece apart at the beginning of the month.

Kieran labels his promo posts with “shit the bed, Devizes,” leaving me pondering; are you sure you’re ready for this, Devizes? Stage diving all the way to Chick-O-Land?!

Hedda Gabler at the Wharf is Seriously Thought-provoking

Featured Image: Chris Watkins Media

Home after previewing a dress rehearsal at The Wharf Theatre, Devizes last night, I kissed my wife goodnight. She didn’t understand the relevance, but Henrik Ibsen’s magnum opus, Hedda Gabler is one seriously thought-provoking playโ€ฆ…

They didn’t have Billy Joel’s doo-wop fad in nineteenth century Norway, see, otherwise the protagonist’s husband, George Tesman could’ve benefitted by taking heed of the lyrics of Tell Her About It, such as the line “let her know how much she means.”

Image: Chris Watkins Media
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Whereas it’s typical for a fellow to be wilfully pig ignorant in taking their partner for granted, George, played impeccably by Chris Smith, is seemingly oblivious of his psychological man-shed. In modern terminology one might suggest he’s on the autistic spectrum, but definitely, this academic lacks common sense over a work obsession. This is expressed rather amusingly in the opening scene with the assertive “Aunt Ju-Ju,” grandly represented by Jessica Bone.

She interrogates him in pompous nineteenth century mannerisms, in the hope of gaining some pregnancy gossip, but poor old George just doesn’t take the hint any more than Frank Spencer.

Seems he proudly spent his lengthy honeymoon researching for his new book, much to the dismay and rancour of his rather stubborn wife, Hedda, who, longing for a spirit of adventure and drama, finds herself feeling trapped, lonesome and unloved; it’d be an epic fail for Match.com!

Together, her frustrations and his nescient glee, combined with four other exceptionally well-defined characters, twists the kind narrative Ricky Gervais needs to be taking notes from. Character-driven, elements might feel comical at first, but subtle black humour is gradually collapsing into tragedy; such the reason you’ll come away from it realising its stroke of genius.

Image: Chris Watkins Media
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A feminine Hamlet, perhaps, as the plot thickens to a dramatic climax, but I’ll relax my waffling for fear of spoilers. Though if the plot relies on conflicting characters, this wasn’t the case behind the scenes. Director, Lewis Cowen delighted to tell me the casting immediately fell into place effectively, and indeed this convincing team bounce of each other so well it’d be impossible to extract their real personalities. There’s no way I’m going to attempt to obtain trigger-happy lead role Ange Davis’s phone number, for instance, not after witnessing her sublime expressions of bitterness and contempt for her fellow characters! Her second stint at the Wharf Theatre after appearing in Revlon Girl in March; in layman’s terms, Ange takes on the protagonist roll like a boss.

Pete Wallis wonderfully plays the woeful Eilert Lรถvborg expressively, personifying the bleeding heart of the artist. With his heart on his sleeve and love for the bottle, he’s easily convinced, but the kingpin to George’s jealousy.

The weak and diffident Thea Elvsted is played to perfection by Anna McGrail, her despair at her broken marriage is paramount to yield Hedda’s vengeance and bullying nature.

Undoubtedly housemaid Bertha, acted subtly but professionally clownish by Merrily Powell, retains the comedy noir while it spirals into tragedy, via her shocked expressions, omniscience but knowing her place to remain silent.

The unscrupulous and advantageous persona of Judge Brack, played sternly by Rob Gill, pitches him as the dark horse, the archetypal baddie, if there has to be one. Rather the depth of all the characters, needy or lusting after Hedda in their own way, here shows far more layers to them then the typically flatness of the Hollywood template.

Image: Chris Watkins Media

For if said template is becoming tiresome for you, you know the sort; a couple or amount of people with conflicting personalities come together with an abhorrence of each other but thrust unwillingly into a set of circumstances find mutual ground and befriend with a happy ending, perhaps you should grab up a ticket for Hedda Gabler, running at the Wharf Theatre from the 19th to the 24th September. Because if the cliche template is a reversible jumper, akin to classics such as Easy Rider or Quadrophenia, this intelligently crafted dark play turns it inside out.

I mean, I’m no theatrical critic, just know what I like, but if the hospitable and non-pretentious Wharf Theatre welcome me to assess such quality productions as this, on our doorstep, I’m game!

If opposites attract, love is calmly discussing and accepting your differences, but the escape clause wasn’t so simple in days of yore, and in the confines of the era’s strict conducts, a terrible entrapment can twist a person; that’s the contemplation I took away with me after this engaging and quality production; go see for yourself.

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Imberbus is running this Saturday !

Following on from last monthโ€™s email, this is a final reminder that yearโ€™s Imberbus service will be running this coming Saturday โ€“ 17th August 2024.โ€ฆ

Marlborough, I’ve Seen Your Pants

โ€œWe can’t stop here. This is Tory country,โ€ I chuckled while fiercely yanking the handbrake, as if Dr Gonzo was in the car. We canโ€ฆ

Ruzz Up The Gate!

I was intending to start this along the lines of โ€œyou don’t need me to provide another reason why I love The Southgate,โ€ but thisโ€ฆ

A Baroque Blast at St Mary’s!


Kaffeehaus Culture comes to St Mary’s, Devizes on the 1st of October, bringing you some Bach, Handel & Telemann……

The acoustically rich space of St Maryโ€™s Church, Devizes, will be filled with music from the best-known baroque masters on Saturday, 1st October.

Playing on traditional instruments The Brook Street Band will transport the audience back to the mid-18th century as they perform pieces by Bach, Handel and Telemann – three of the most famous German composers from the period.
The programme reflects the rhythm and harmony of these baroque giants whose music was regularly heard at the famous Zimmerman Kaffeehaus in Leipzig.

The Brook Street Band takes its name from the street in Londonโ€™s Mayfair where composer George Frideric Handel lived and composed for most of his life.
Since its formation in 1996, the ensemble has established itself as one of the countryโ€™s foremost interpreters of baroque music performing at many of the UKโ€™s major chamber music venues, as well as at Early Music Festivals in the UK and Europe.

The group has released eleven CDs, all receiving high critical acclaim; the Bandโ€™s debut disc โ€œHandel Oxford Water Musicโ€ was selected as Gramophone Magazine Editorโ€™s Choice, as was its โ€œJS Bach Trio Sonatasโ€.

The St. Mary Project

The Church of St Mary the Virgin, Park Street, Devizes, dates from the Norman times and is one of the most important buildings in the town, with the church tower a particular landmark.

The building is listed Grade I, putting it amongst the top 2.5% of listed buildings in the country. The St.Mary Future Group is working hard to turn this wonderful building into an arts and community space that will become a hub for future generations.

Doors open 7pm for 7.30pm; tickets ยฃ18. See www.stmarydevizes.or.uk for booking details. email: info@stmarydevizestrust.org.uk

The Queen, Some Footbridges and Wiltshireโ€™s Wackiest Race; Chatting to the Creator of Devizesโ€™ Boto-X

โ€œWhen the Queen came to open it, the boat which was doing the ceremonial opening was on the lock below the Waterways Board yard. The approach was through there, where she met the union members, and they walked out along the bank, above the first of the top of the Boto-X lock. She met people who were lined up along the bank, trying to not to push each other into the water! She came to the footbridge but didnโ€™t go over, she got in the boat, cut the ribbon, and the canal was open. But she was introduced to people, and she was laughing, I mean, Jill said it โ€˜looked as if she was having a day out,โ€™ not on official business.โ€

โ€œShe was introduced to me as the chap who organised this ridiculous race up and down the locks, before there were boats going along it. She said โ€˜oh what was it?โ€™ So, I started to explain. I was facing down the locks, and she was facing me. It was no good trying to explain it without seeing it, so I asked her if she would mind turning around, so I could show her. I stood beside her, which apparently wasnโ€™t permitted, and I illustrated vigorously with my hands how the starting gun went, and everybody jumped to their boats, charged down the hill, fell into the boats, getting very wet in the process, paddled like hell, climbed out the other end, over the hill, and by the end, she was in fits; Iโ€™ve actually got a picture of her laughing. I was told afterwards that you should always face the Queen when speaking to her, and you shouldnโ€™t wave your hands around rather keep them decorously by your sides. So, I was expecting to be arrested for high treason! I asked Bill to send her my apologies, but he said, you donโ€™t need to do that, she was having a day off!โ€

Some forty-five minutes into our chat, John Petty apologised for taking up too much of my time, which I wouldnโ€™t accept, I couldโ€™ve listened all day to his fascinating recollections. For John wasnโ€™t feeling up to what heโ€™d planned this weekend, visiting Devizes for nostalgic reasons and to plan a presentation on what he is renowned for here; being the brainchild of the legendary Boto-X.

If you take the Devizes stretch of the Kennet and Avon Canal, and the beautiful surroundings of the Caen Hill locks for granted, you might be surprised to know for decades after the coming of the railway, once the motorways of their day, canals were left to dilapidate. The Caen Hill Flight was reopened for leisure purposes in 1990, by the Queen. But prior to this much campaigning and fundraising had to be done, and as well as most likely the largest annual event ever in Devizes, the Boto-X was instrumental in that campaign.

โ€œThis was something specific, something which could only be done in Devizes; thatโ€™s what we tried to find.โ€

John Petty

If it wasnโ€™t Devizes, I mightโ€™ve not believed my wifeโ€™s memories of the Boto-X when she relayed them some years ago, how โ€œeveryone came out.โ€ Itโ€™s surely a story essential to archive, not only because due to health and safety regulations the chance of reviving it would be minimal, but the fact that, as well as the Queen, thousands upon thousands of people laughed, and thousands upon thousands of pounds were raised over the near decade it ran for.

John now resides in Exmouth. He came with his wife, Jill, to the Devizes area in 1978 from Ipswich. John was employed to run engineering firm, Roundway Mill. Having holidayed on canals, they were inactive members of the Canal Trust. The Trust at this time had moved their headquarters to Devizes, and so Jill became the Membership secretary, and John soon took the post of chairman of the local branch. At this time, John explained, โ€œtheyโ€™d done a lot of the restoration, from Foxhangers to Bath, and from Devizes up to Reading; but they were left with the twenty-six blooming locks, all forlorn with empty gates and side ponds.โ€

โ€œWe used to get annoyed, walking down the flight, thinking nothing was happening, but they needed another ten million quid, or something, to buy gates; we wished somebody could do something.โ€ The Caen Hill Flight wasnโ€™t used as parkland, โ€œyou went down the Flight, you couldnโ€™t get across the locks, with no gates on them, and the other side the ponds had all been cleared out and were barren.โ€

The Rotary Club were assigned to organise an annual fundraising event. โ€œIt was suggested,โ€ John chuckled, โ€œwe should have a dance, at Dauntsyโ€™s School. We looked at each other and thought, bugger that, weโ€™re not into doing dances!โ€ Adamant an event needed to relate to the canal, inspiration came from the already well-established Devizes to Westminster canoe race, as they had to get out and carry the canoes around the locks. But John explained, โ€œit was quite a gung-ho event, commandoes, army cadets, ranger scouts and pretty tough people. It was a great event, but it did nothing for Devizes, because people arrived about 2am, setting sail in the dark, and were gone.โ€

It’s unlikely the Flight would be the attraction it is today without Johnโ€™s pitch to the union for footbridges. The only way across the canal before this was climbing over the lock gates which was forbidden through safety factors. At the time public assistance was reduced to pruning brushes, since the union didnโ€™t want work taken from labourerโ€™s hands. Because youโ€™d need twenty-six bridges, they werenโ€™t in the tight budget. As an engineer, John asked, โ€œif I could get them made, would you blokes put them in? They all looked at each other and replied, โ€˜yeah, why not?โ€™โ€ Management approved his plans. โ€œEach bridge had a plaque with the name of the donators on them; we had Pewsey Primary School, all sorts of schools and colleges, workplaces, volunteers from all over the place, arriving with a Land Rover and trailer with a footbridge on it. As soon as they were in, people started walking their dogs, and the place started to come alive.โ€

Asked by the Trust to raise some money, The Rotary thought, โ€œwhy not do something big and bold?โ€ And the idea for the Boto-X was born. There is little information about it online; to Google โ€œBoto-Xโ€ will get you cosmetic surgery sites, a practise which came along during the reign of Boto-X, and John joked, they suggested suing them for taking their name! Though the name of this event is pronounced โ€œboat-o-cross,โ€ like Motor-X.

For those grown up here, this will be a trip down memory lane, for others new to the area, like me, what exactly the Boto-X was can be best explained by this video, submitted to YouTube by Noel Woolrych, who also played a major part in the Boto-X. It was, in short, and by tagline, โ€˜the Wackiest Race in Wiltshire!โ€™

The two-day event ran from 1985 to 1994, encompassing the grand opening of the Caen Hill Flights in 1990. But John reminded us at the time the pounds were dry. โ€œI went to my friends in the Union,โ€ John continued, โ€œwho were friendly, because they liked their footbridges, and said โ€˜if you drop the stop planks into five locks, what would happen?โ€™ โ€˜Well, donโ€™t be silly,โ€™ they replied, โ€˜theyโ€™d fill up with water, wonโ€™t they?!โ€™ So, I said, โ€˜would you do it?โ€™ โ€˜Suppose so,โ€™ โ€˜would you have to ask anyone?โ€™ โ€˜Not really!โ€™โ€

The original idea was a raft race, but people would have to build the rafts. โ€œYou couldnโ€™t have canoes either, because theyโ€™d be terribly unwieldy,โ€ he clarified. Avon Rubber Company from Melksham supplied dinghies. โ€œThis had never been done before,โ€ John delighted to tell us. โ€œWe got just about every local charitable organisation, The Lions, Round Table, Rotary, Ladies Circle, Motherโ€™s Union, scoutsโ€™ groups, everybody got the message, without mobile phones and internet.โ€ In a quest for publicity, John borrowed the boats a couple of months prior, and asked beneficiary surgeons to paddle across the pond for the sake of newspapers, television and radio. This was also an aid to finding out how long it would take to complete the course.

They even created a free newspaper to promote the idea, an eight-page broadsheet which the Ladies Circle raised money for through advertising. โ€œNoel [Woolrych] took over from me as chairman,โ€ John explained, after also telling me about the programme. โ€œThe Boto-X News was just a single A3 fold, Noel was Raynet, the emergency communications people, and provided radio communication.โ€   

Finally, after this amazing origin backstory, we got to talking about the actual race! โ€œWe had teams of eight, and each eight was given a three-man inflatable,โ€ John recollects, โ€œbecause that was cosy!โ€ Split into two, half the team raced down five locks, while the others raced back up. โ€œWe had the start and finish lines in one place, so we only needed one stopwatch. We also said we wanted them to get sponsored hereto very worthy causes, weโ€™re trying to finish the canal off, and trying to get money for the Bath Cancer Unit.โ€ Put into assorted sets, teams could be made up of girl guides competing against commandoes, โ€œit didnโ€™t matter!โ€

The heats were timed, the money was counted, ten of the fastest teams of each category got a plaque, and the best sponsorship handicap too. This equated as the money raised divided by the time taken, โ€œso that you could go very fast, and not raise much money, but perhaps win, or you could raise a lot of money going ever so slowly, and still lose.โ€ The winning teams of heats were put into semis and a grand finale, and cheques were awarded to the beneficiaries there and then. โ€œWe raised nearly ten grand the first year, from scratch, and it poured with rain the whole weekend!โ€

โ€œThe ladies all arrived in their best summer dresses and high-heels, and by the time they got to the locks they were plastered in mud, and it was so wet, and so muddy that everyone ended up in hysterics!โ€

โ€œThe ladies all arrived in their best summer dresses and high-heels, and by the time they got to the locks they were plastered in mud, and it was so wet, and so muddy that everyone ended up in hysterics!โ€

John Petty

I wondered if the idea came from programs like Itโ€™s a Knockout, but John said not. โ€œThis was something specific, something which could only be done in Devizes; thatโ€™s what we tried to find.โ€

This historically astonishing extravaganza, which at its peak attracted around 25-30,000 people, sadly ended. John recalled after twelve events, though records suggest it started in 1985 and ended in 1994. It folded because of the finding of viral disease in the water. โ€œJill and I were involved for five years, then we were punch-drunk, thought it needed reviving and passed it over to Noel Woolrych, under very good committee.โ€

โ€œIt was Devizes event of the year,โ€ John proudly said, so I asked him if there were many large-scale events in town at the time, other than carnival, of course. โ€œNope! I donโ€™t think there was even a carnival at the time, or if there was itโ€ฆ.โ€ John trailed off at this point, to continue affirming, โ€œthe Boto-x was the biggie of the year, no doubt about it. As I say, it was always the canoe race which got Devizes mentioned, but it had gone by the time people woke up on Saturday morning. Whereas we had beer tents, helicopter rides one year, and we had teams from RAF Lyneham.โ€ At about 4:20pm on the Sunday before the award ceremony, John explained, โ€œif you looked down the flight towards Trowbridge, you could see a little black dot, and that was a Hercules, which would do a flightpath up the Boto-X course!โ€

The Boto-X remains confined to history books, surely to revive this, or to organise something like this today through modern health and safety regulations would be a minefield. Though, John was quick to express, โ€œwe never had any complaints, locally, about traffic, bad behaviour, anything. And the thing, this โ€˜wackiest race ever,โ€™ they called it, it must have been in contravention of health and safety regulations, but we were careful, we had a lifesaver in every pond. We were careful and so well organised, I donโ€™t how we managed it!โ€ Wiltshire Constabulary sent one cadet to police the entire thing, John fondly giggled, โ€œI can remember her coming, this sweet little girl, who said โ€˜Iโ€™ve come from Wiltshire Constabulary to look after you!โ€™ There she was, in a crowd of what must have been twelve thousand people, that was our law and order!โ€ ย ย 

We breezed over methods of documenting this event, and I hope my efforts today will be a catalyst to discussion, photos and memories being posted on social media to build more attention to this, absolutely astounding event, perhaps otherwise lost in time. Then, people looking online for Botox will be completely confused by an overload of images of people falling from dinghies, into muddy Wiltshire ponds!

@ The Pelican, Devizes

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Sing Another Love Song with Rosie Jay

Second impressive single from young Salisbury singer-songwriter Rosie Jay is released today. Sing Another Love Song; a sound of the summerโ€ฆ.. Her debut breakup trackโ€ฆ

Cotswold Water Park to be Renamed

Here’s a prime example as to why I could never be a councillor….. Cotswold District Council will vote on changing the name of Cotswold Waterโ€ฆ

Devizes Scooter Rally Rules, OK?!

If it’s been a fantastic weekend on Devizes Green with the orchestral Full-Tone Festival, further out of town scooterists, mods, skins and anyone else withโ€ฆ

Devizine 5th Birthday!

Right then you lot, Devizine is five years old today, or at least it was when I begun this monumental mission of reminiscing on how, why and what the hell I was thinking when I started it in the first place. Question is, do you want the short story, or the long, drawn-out one?

Oh well, that’s just tough luck then, isn’t it?! You can’t stop me in full shit stream, because, everyone’s good at something, mine is endlessly waffling on about crap, so that’s what I’m going to do. In the words of the unforgettable Lesley Gore, it’s my party I can waffle on about crap if I want to, or something like that.

In consolation, I’ve sprinkled this piece with a lot of lovely photos, well, itโ€™s been five years and weโ€™ve a lot to show off about. And what a wonderful ride it’s been; dancing, dodging, meeting so many wonderful and talented people, rattling a few cages, and I hope it will continue to be so, if I do say so myself.

Best, if any, place to start is childhood aspirations. Note, I never had any dreams of writing, let alone journalism. English at school was a pet hate, like every other subject, especially spelling, I was atrochous…… atreechois…. really bad at it.

Though I have to humour the media industry, I’d grow to detest Fleet Street wank-stains. To be a cartoonist was the thing for me, the like of Charles Schultz or Jim Davis favourably, they did, after all, make the most money. But I’d write for magazines, zines and FINs I submitted cartoon strips for in support, because they needed writers…. bloody slave drivers.

As time moved on and I created my own comic, reviewing works of other creative types within it was an aid to networking, and, most importantly, getting freebies. I also suffered with a lack of writers but plenty of artists, so I’d script for them, and gradually the writing took prominence over the artwork.

Self-publishing is a labour of love, and any excuse for procrastination was on the cards. Unpredictably stumbling upon family life was the perfect excuse for giving it up; there were nappies which needed changing before cross-hatching a nudy caricature of Cameron Diaz, and besides, I’d grown out of the psychedelic nature of the zine; fatherhood can change a lad. Word of warning, whippersnappers.

But once bitten, the creative cannot help but create, that’s why they call them creatives, see? I picked self-publishing up again when eBooks came around, as it was easy, and not so time consuming. As an author I spaffed out more books than Boris Johnson did lies, happy as a method of improving my writing skills; though it’s still a learning cuve…. curth… bendy thing. And okay, that’s the same joke, get used to it.

Devizine came about simply for looking at other avenues in which to offload my wobbly words to the unfortunate world. I pitched to satirical, (or “fake news,” to gammons of which satire is above their understanding) websites, but was only sporadically successful, even lesser-so my attempt to create my own satirical website, called Poop Scoop. Until I noticed a new local news-site called Index;Wiltshire. There, finally through this insane waffling lies the kingpin to Devizine.

The editor wrote to me, “you’re the most powerful person in Devizes,” as my weekly rant column amassed a thousandfold more hits than MP James Gray’s did. Dishonest flattery works; I marched on, slagging off everything that was shit about Devizes as I could possibly think of, for humorous effect, you understand? Some didn’t, and Monday morning hate-mail filled my inbox, which was amusing to start with but being grew tedious.

Aside common complaints from any medium-sized market town, the joke wore thin due to decreasing ammo. Devizes is actually a great place to live; could be better, like freewheeling Frome, or like Tijuana, the murder capital of the world, it could be worse. The need to keep the ideas flowing caused me to post a gathering material question on a local Facebook group. It was Jemma Brown who raised the most important point: why didn’t I focus on the positives about living in Devizes? Of course, she was bang on the money, but it simply wouldn’t do, for that’s not the nature of satire, that’s not the idea of “No Surprises Living in Devizes.”

At the time, I’d just crawled out from my hermit hole and seen for myself talent lurking in the mists of this Tory haven. Richie Triangle played The Black Swan, spurring me to meet Tamsin Quin, who was crowdfunding for a debut album. Jemma, naturally was aiming my attention to her productions, as the TITCO theatre company. I wrote of my findings in an ever-increasingly heavily edited version of my rant column, claiming I was spinning the negatives around, though it was lagging in ethos, because to know me is to know I’m happy-go-lucky, and I couldn’t keep the pretence of being some kind of left-wing Alf Garnett any longer.

The column suddenly became more about what events were forthcoming in Devizes, rather then ranting about how rubbish everything was. I think at one point I joked, โ€œwhat do I look like, some kind of event guide now?!โ€ Not realising Iโ€™d predicted the outcome.

Frustrated the column was so heavily edited, now a new editor took over, I took to publishing them on a personal blog, but blogs need love and attention, in other words shameless self-promotion. Devizine though, as I came to knock up a new blog with the idea of doing precisely what we do now, promotes itself, as featured creative types share the fact they’ve been featured, and generally, people seemed to flock to this gap in the market. The first ever article was an unedited version of the that weekโ€™s column, the second was about Tamsinโ€™s Crowdfunder.

I never understood, and probably never will, why aside perpetual splashes on national news stories as an aid to fund submissions to scoop sites, regional newspapers here couldn’t at least mention, or give credit to all the talented people here too. There’s room in a newspaper for both surely? But their downfall is our triumph. Devizine is now the go-to to what to do, the rest of it is me just mucking about!

This, coupled with our policy of brute honesty, will always be why Devizine has become something of a (slightly) respectable local institution. Though it may not have started out this way, because a few who were supposed to be responsible for what’s on sections of local media outlets fell short of lifting a finger, and thought it better to sought to trash Devizine’s pending reputation. Funny world, I thought Devizine would be welcomed, and I opened, and still do, my arms to the chances to work with them regardless; c’est la vie.

I believe it’s levelled now. Hardly anyone posts on local Facebook groups, “any live music going on tonight?” And if they do, rather than being directed to Devizine by yours truly, someone else beats me to the recommendation. Which brings me nicely on to the ten zillion quintillion thank you accreditations.

For aside my waffling, the bulk of this article is nothing more than a tedious clip show, which has taken longer to load up than I planned, probably be the sixth birthday by the time I publish it! Maybe we’ll refer to it as a โ€œphoto gallery in dial-up connection speed!โ€

Cider in one hand trying applause without spillages, my photography skills are best avoided whenever possible. Though I do believe I’m getting better, nothing illustrates a review better than a professional or semi-pro photographer. We’ve used and abused so many, and other than Nick Padmore, who makes me sit on his knee, most of them allow us to use their wonderful snaps for free! Which is handy, cos Devizine has not made millionaires out of us, quite yet.

So, a massive thank you, which would deserve a huge hug, if I wasnโ€™t to wonder if that was a zoom lens in their pockets, rather than them being pleased to see me, and also an apology, there’s so many photos here it’d be a minefield wracking my miniscule mind recalling who took what, so excuse me, I hope that you donโ€™t mind, I’ve not been able to credit them individually. Take it as red, though, the out of focus ones are likely from me. The rest I owe to so many photographers, some mentioned here and now: Gail Foster, Nick Padmore, Simon Folkard, Helen PolarPix, Ruth Wordly, Matthew Hennessy, Abbie Asadi, and Chris Dunn of Inscope Design. Please give them a virtual applause and go check out their work via their websites and social media.

But everyone needs a thank you, donโ€™t they? So many good people have come to my rescue, submitted reviews, scoops and content, to make Devizine both comprehensive, and how I see it; a community-led, erm, thingy. I’d appreciate any help I can get, I’m totally overloaded here, and apologise to things I’ve missed, but Mrs Miggins has to get her pint of semi, also. You know you run a what’s on guide when Facebook pings the notification, “you have 55 events this weekend!”

Sporadically then writers have contributed, and I have Ian Diddams, Jemma Brown, TD Rose, Jenny Dalton, Phil Bradley, and Helen Robertson to sincerely thank too. But none more than our esteemed man in the field, the brilliant Andy Fawthrop, for his constant bombardment of most excellent reviews have been a godsend, to the point we need a statue of the good fellow here, front and centre of the lobby in the prestigious Devizine Towers. Seriously, if I cannot get hold of any marble, though, it might have to be made of paper cups.

All I have to say now is thanks everyone, everyone who has supported us, everyone I missed on the roll-call, contributed in some way, and that’s a long list, folk like the ones who’ve helped us out with technical bobs and bits; Ida McConnell, and musically, Dean Czerwionka, Mike Barham, Cath, Gouldy and the DayBreakers, Clifton Powell and Nick Newman, Daydream Runaways and The Roughcut Rebels.

Or those who’ve given their time to play for us at one of our fundraising gigs, the above mentioned, plus, Chole Jordan, Will Foulstone, Tamsin Quin, Phil Cooper, Jamie R Hawkins, George Wilding, Bryony Cox, Lottie Jenkins, Mirko Pangrazzi, Bran Kerdhynen, Finley Trusler and Sam Bishop.

And I think I’ve waffled enough; sorry if I missed anyone, but they know who they are. Bloody love ’em too, I do; group hug.

Being the Wiltshire Air Ambulance bear, touring homemade breweries, the Palace cinema, spending a day with Clifton Powell with Arts Together, going behind the scenes with DOCA, a day on tour with Talk in Code, press screening of Follow the Crows, riding an E-bike with Sustainable Devizes, meeting Neville Staple backstage, plus all the event invites, and so much more my brain is aching, there’s been so many fond memories, but I think, if you had to ask me to pick just one, it’d have to be the time I did my milk round in my Spiderman onesie and met with Carmela Chillery-Watson and her lovely family. A day I’ll never forget.

It leaves me now, to sign off, you must be tired looking at all those people having fun, but I did pre-warn you about my waffling! Enjoy the remaining pictures in our picture show, maybe you’ve spotted yourself in there, five or less years younger. If so, I want you to know, you’re still that gorgeous, gorgeous for showing us your support and partying with us; here’s to another five years, gorgeous!!

Trivia: What is the most popular article on Devizine to-date?

A: The April Fools Day joke 2021, when I announced, McDonalds was coming to Devizes. I believe that one broke the internet! Sad, but true.

Trivia: When did you first force Andy Fawthrop against his will and better judgement, to write reviews?

A: I believe it was October 2018, and the first review was Joe Hicks at the Three Crowns; I maybe wrong, I often am.

Trivia: Who was that country looking gent who used mascot on Devizine?

A: I donโ€™t know, stop hassling me with inane questions like a fanboy at a Star Trek convention!

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 8th-14th September 2022

Slight seasonal changes, wetter but still warm, slight Prime Minister changes, dryer but still a narcissistic numpty; ah well, letโ€™s see, a day later than usual I know and apologise, whatโ€™s happening in Wiltshire over the next weekโ€ฆ…

The one link you need as usual, is our event calendar, where itโ€™s all listed with ticket and info links, and itโ€™s updated (fairly) regularly, so bookmark the beast and remain as you will be after reading this; in the know. ย 

Thursday 8th and thereโ€™s the Swindon Comedy Club at Kioki, with headliner Abi Clarke.

Friday 9th Hedda Gabler begins at the Wharf Theatre, Devizes and runs until 24th September. Hedda Gabler is recognised as one of the worldโ€™s great plays written by one of the worldโ€™s great playwrights and is generally regarded as Ibsenโ€™s masterpiece. Hedda, on the face of it, is not your archetypal tragic heroine. Starting quietly, and quite humorously, the drama builds to its terrifying and riveting climax, involving the presentation set of pistols that Hedda inherited from her father.

One to watch, Sour Apple play the Pelican in Devizes on Friday, and look out for a new music program called Vamos, at The Old Road Tavern, Chippenham, theyโ€™ve got the wonderful Harmony Asia supporting Hoggs Bison. And find Illingworth at The Royal Oak in Marlborough, all free gigs.

โ€œHurrah, they are back to Schoolโ€ runs the tagline of the end of summer barbeque at Seend Community Centre.

Our renowned house DJ, George G Force is at Marston Park, Frome, while tribute The Smyths play The Cheese & Grain. Festival season hasnโ€™t quite closed yet, itโ€™s The Mucky Weekender Festival at the Winchester Bowl.

Meanwhile, In Swindon, Dangerous Kitchen play The Vic, The Salts at Swindon Arts Centre, and A Country Night in Nashville at the Wyvern Theatre.

Saturday 10th and back by popular demand, the start of the legendary Pewsey Carnival, yay! Procession is next Saturday 17th, with the Wheelbeero race on Thursday 15th, but this Saturday is Pewsey Carnival Wine Race.

Our editorโ€™s pick of the week; Party for Life, Melksham

A world suicide prevention day fundraiser in the Sky Bar at Melksham Town FC. The Soul Strutters, Blind Lemon Experience and Roughcut Rebels play this big one, with DJs and pizza and others; sounds fantastic, we did preview it a while back, and I believe a few tickets are still up for grabs, follow their Facebook page for more details.

Staying in the Sham, The Pilot has a Family fun day with music and, fundraising for MIND, see the poster for details.

Crafts, stalls and entertainment are promised at Devizes Rotary Clubโ€™s Health & Wellbeing Showcase on the Small Green from 11am-3pm on Saturday, and for a musical evening in Devizes, rock covers band Black Nasty are at The Southgate, while People Like Us do their awesome thing at the Three Crowns.

Time also, for the Burbage Beer, Cider & Music Festival.

Another upcoming local band to watch is Salisbury indie-kids Carsick, who plan to blow the lid off of Trowbridge Town Hall.

Contrasts in Swindon as Rage Against the Regime play The Vic, while Shape Of You brings the music of Ed Sheeran to the Wyvern Theatre.

You might have caught him at Devizes Arts Festival this summer, Alfie Mooreโ€™s show Fair Cop Unleashed comes to Salisbury Arts Centre.

No prizes for guessing who Motorheadache is attributing, theyโ€™re at the Cheese & Grain, Frome, while Dana Gavanski plays their sister venue the Tree House, with Cornelia Murr in support.

And unfortunately, The International Comics Expo, ICE in Birmingham which Iโ€™ve still got listed, has been cancelled, Iโ€™m just being too lazy to delete it!   

Sunday 11th, after terrible weather last Sunday postponed Devizes Town Bandโ€™s Childrenโ€™s Proms in the Park at Hillworth, it will be combined this week with the planned main Proms in the Park.  

And save a Recital Series at Swindon Arts Centre, also on Sunday, that about wraps it up for the weekend, unless you know different? Unless you dare to tell me that I missed something?! Please do, I donโ€™t bite, at least only a nip, on the bum; itโ€™s free to list stuff on Devizine, just message us, weโ€™re in it for the love.

Through the week Iโ€™ve not got much, but you know updates of the event calendar occasionally happens, though Iโ€™m currently undergoing the arduous task of getting next yearโ€™s calendar up and running, so bear with, bear with.

Tuesday 13th, Iโ€™ve got Kaleidoscopic at Salisbury Arts Centre and a RSPB: A Victorian Birderโ€™s Wiltshire at the same venue.

Next week though you can look forward to Pewsey carnival, Swindon Shuffle, and the White Horse Opera is back too, along with lots more events to get your teeth into; Iโ€™ll catch you around at one sometime, maybe? What else are you going to do, โ€œSimpsoniseโ€ yourself with a phone app; get real?!!

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The Next Season at the Wharf Theatre

Featured image byย Chris Watkins Autumn, finish your ice lolly, as we need to to start thinking about it! Our wonderful, one and only, theatre inโ€ฆ

A Perfect Picnic in the Park

A perfect sunny(ish) Sunday at Hillworth Park in Devizes, if not to overcome one’s fear of public speaking while dressed in a giraffe onesie andโ€ฆ

Big Events Like Confetti Battle are Great for Devizes, But Where Can the Disabled Park?

I believe I speak for most of us, when I say we all love that Devizes punches above its weight when it comes to hosting some grand universal events, such as yesterdayโ€™s historic, if bizarre local ritual, Confetti Battle. DOCA and others, such as the Devizes Food & Drink Festival, use the Market Place to be exactly what it was intended for, free social gatherings. They take a lot of organising, and are open to everyone to enjoy, or are they?

When the parking places in Market Place are occupied by an event and carparking is closed there, there is no provision or replacement for the absence of disabled bays, and a lack of them causes some disabled people to be unable to attend.

I spoke to Claire, who is disabled and lives in Devizes. Claire wouldโ€™ve liked to attend the Confetti Battle this year, โ€œI would like to attend Christmas events too,โ€ she said, โ€œbut there is no option for disabled people to park.โ€

โ€œI do appreciate how hard people work to make our lovely town fun,โ€ Claire expressed, โ€œbut I had to miss last night because there was nowhere close enough to park.โ€

I must confess, in promoting our events I hadnโ€™t stopped to consider this, and would like to be clear, this is, I suspect, an oversight on Devizes Town Councilโ€™s part. Therefore, Iโ€™m not out to point fingers and play the blame game, (ha, not this time!) rather to suggest some provision is introduced so when disabled bays are closed for events, suitable temporary bays can be created specifically for disabled badge-holders. โ€œEven if one extra disabled person could enjoy the events,โ€ Claire stated, โ€œthis will make a difference to someone’s life, rather waiting to see it all in Facebook, which is what I do.โ€

This is unfortunate and unfair, certainly unintentional, but Iโ€™m confident with some awareness spreading itโ€™s easily resolved. Iโ€™d be interested to hear any town councillorโ€™s views on this, their feedback would be helpful; hey, no, their feedback is essential! I will call out ignorance on the issue if not, (they know that by now!)

No large-scale event goes ahead without meeting requirements for the disabled, simple as. Iโ€™d suggest perhaps arranging a booking-in system so a specific number of parking bays can be reserved, this way everyone with a blue badge who wants to attend can, and needless spaces wouldnโ€™t be used as disabled bays. That would take one DTC admin and one spreadsheet five minutes to produce.

โ€œThese events should be for all,โ€ Claire asked me, โ€œwouldnโ€™t you agree?โ€ That doesnโ€™t need answering, Claire, not from me Iโ€™m afraid, Iโ€™m with you fully, and Iโ€™m here to pitch the same question to the powers that be. Perhaps there is some provision already in place that we donโ€™t know of, but Iโ€™m happy to publish any such answer too.

Iโ€™m aware Wiltshire Council is introducing paying for disabled parking in their carparks, but that is a different topic for another time, donโ€™t even get me started on that. Weโ€™re here today to assume something as simple as allowing space for disabled folk to accessibly park to be able to enjoy the events as we do, be resolved. Whether or not they have to pay for that space is the responsibility of Wiltshire Council, who, to be honest, Iโ€™m at my tethers end with anyway.

โ€œI had to cancel plans this weekend in town,โ€ Claire continued, โ€œbecause I couldn’t park close enough. Not even close enough to get to the pharmacy, so I went without my pain relief.โ€ We await your response with thanks, Devizes Town Council.

Click to buy Vol 2 of our compilation album; all proceeds go to Julia’s House

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The Pleasure was all Minety!

Broke my Minety Music Festival cherry, and it was gurt lush! When it comes to live music and festivals, I initially set a high bar.โ€ฆ

DOCA Picnicing in the Park!

With the unfortunate cancellation of Devizes International Street Festival this year due to Arts Council cuts, all eyes are on our wonderful Hillworth Park nextโ€ฆ

Michelle Gonelan Makes History

Last political rant from me for a while, given all that happened today, pinky promise! Hitler shot himself, then, as requested, he was doused inโ€ฆ

MantonFest Magic, Again

With the danceable penultimate act attracting a packed crowd, I observed a young teenager, who, on spotting a disregarded beer bottle, picked it up andโ€ฆ

Keeping Your Feet Dry, with The Lost Trades

New single from The Lost Trades, due out on those streaming sites next Friday, 9th September, but our lovable folk trio decided as itโ€™s the celebratory โ€œBandcamp Friday,โ€ theyโ€™d get it on there earlyโ€ฆ.and I thought Iโ€™d get a breather today!

Is this a conspiracy? Is there a secret WhatsApp group where local musicians gang up on me and decide to all release their new material in the same week?! So much new music being pushed my way, I love it, but repetitive strain injury of the typing digits, people, think about that for a second! This, though, is more than worth mentioning.

Iโ€™ve been listening to it for a few weeks, holding my breath from mentioning it until next week, seems now I can exhale and tell you just how absolutely awesome this new single from The Lost Trades is. I even, at one point, had it playing in the car when nipping out for Derrickโ€™s Deals at the Spar shop in Devizes, windows down, when I was struck with terror someone might overhear this exclusive early, and like the automatic blinds of the Lego ideas office, I fastened the gap!

Last time around, on All Fools Day, the tune was called Daffodils, and I dubbed it a โ€œlost trades mark,โ€ trying to be clever and play on words, but for the simple reason it summed up everything which was great about their debut album, The Bird, the Book and the Barrel, in one single, stating โ€œthis wonderful sunny side of the street tune is a neat little package tallying up the brilliance of the Trades.โ€

So where do we go from here? Iโ€™m going to big it up, you know that, because the trio havenโ€™t yet disappointed, ever, and Iโ€™m therefore obviously going in with high expectations. But it had been one of those days, you know the sort, we all have them, and night was drawing near when I remembered I still had the single to listen to, and despite all said prospects, I just fell headlong into it, like tumbling into a blissful dream. It lifted me out of the swirling thoughts of that sort of day, it elevated me above cloud nine, and hereโ€™s whyโ€ฆ.

It’s the production this time around, yes Phil, Jamie and Tamsinโ€™s, while Tamsin takes the lead vocal, least most predominate, voices are truly merged into one harmonious glory, the production of this single, a real step up. The entire mood surrounding it will engulf you, whether or not youโ€™ve been following the progress of this exceptional trio or not. This is the way forward, it knocks spots off of anything which mayโ€™ve gone before in their building discography, and that, like Bananrama once said, is really saying somethingโ€ฆ. not that thatโ€™s a comparison, by the way!!

It needs no comparison other than with their own material, now, though it got me contemplating Roger McGuinnโ€™s โ€œBallad of Easy Rider,โ€ theme-wise, if rivers are a common metaphor in folk; the lyrics Dylan infamously gave to The Byrds, but declined credit in the film as he didnโ€™t like its ending. But, I digress, with a โ€œmissing youโ€ theme, Keep my Feet Dry is a boost in the right direction for the Trades, it drifts, a thing beauty, uplifting, with a chorus immediately sing-a-long. The guitar riff sooths, and every element fits together perfectly; wowzers, you only need bring your ears, and they will love you for it!

By the way, Jamie of the Lost Trades is at the Southgate, Devizes, Saturday, while Tamsin is playing the Barge on HoneyStreet; make your own mind up, I can’t help you with this dilemma!

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Devizes Arts Festival Rules, OK?!

Alas, it’s been a long week since the Devizes Arts Festival called time. It feels a little like when my Dad would take the Christmasโ€ฆ

Recreational Trespass with N/SH

Arriving just in time to catch Swindon schoolteacher Garri Nash by weekday, ambient acoustic musician N/SH by gig-nights, at one of the early mini-festivals of The Crown at Bishop’s Cannings this summer, I’d missed local covers band Paradox play before him. It perhaps wasn’t the most appropriate follow, Paradox roused the audience with lively renowned covers, and N/SH is at best a niche market of downtempo original compositions.

Though it’s in the recording studio, or at a music venue geared towards original and acoustic artists where we see him shine. Recreational Trespass is out today, up on Bandcamp with pressings forthcoming from Genepool Records in Plymouth. It’s an album amidst a prolific discography, though Garri himself states he’s โ€œstill the โ€˜new boy on the blockโ€™ out there as far as music is concerned.โ€

And what he does is new, not least unique, if the track Afterstorm on this release gives you goosebumps about the intro to U2’s The Streets Have no Name, yes, it sounds similar, but stays with that introโ€™s mood, symbolically N/SH’s style, it doesn’t bang into the heavy rock riff, it rarely โ€œgoes off.โ€ Neither is dub a component, with its wildly adjusting tenors and erratic tempo changes. This just softens, simple as electronica outfits such as Tangerine Dream, but with rockโ€™s ingredients to boot.

They all glide mellowly, fragments of abstract thought, and also, unlike the ambient house of The Orb, or KLF, I find myself scrambling for comparisons with, neither do they linger too long. There’s no soundscape of winds blowing, or a dog barking in the distance for twenty minutes prior to a beat kicking in, they’re comparatively shorter, clips, often hazy and artistically composed; when one chain of thought expires, the song does too, occasionally abruptly, and it’s onto the next, like a rough book of juxtaposed ideas.

If I’m to make comparisons, you’d have to imagine Cat Stevens with modern tech. N/SH’s innermost mind must be a perpetual swirl of ideas, if he wrote comedy, it’d a sketch show rather than a sitcom. But comedy doesn’t come into play here, dunno why I mentioned it really! Solemn and dejected the themes wallow, often hinging on limb, lo-fi and distant, as if you’re only a passer-by in this reverie.

I tried to address where this inimitable style came from. Passing off my ambient house acquaintance, of student days of yore, Garri explained โ€œfor me, the ambient is more influenced by Sigur Ros, Fink, etc, which is more chilled. I know Ambient House has its own genre but Iโ€™m told mine is indie, alternative. BBC use this for my genre, and now some electronic.โ€

โ€œFolktronic,โ€ I said was a term penned by David Gray, and I like this tag, but N/SH felt it sounded too Americana to suit. โ€œIโ€™m definitely not that,โ€ he expressed, โ€œor folk, which Iโ€™ve been labelled with before but hey, itโ€™s what people hear.โ€ Though a lengthy conversation pursued around precise genre-labelling, we found common ground on the ethos of nah, mate, against pigeonholes, they’re for pigeons only; Iโ€™m just trying to pin it down for descriptive purposes here.

Yet I find myself troubled in pinning it, it’s acoustic with soundscape backing tracks, it’s artistic expression equally as much as music, and I’m a sucker for the alternative rulebreakers. For others, I guess it’s Marmite; that said, I blow their advertising slogan out of the window, because I can take it or leave it!

Engulfed in this album though, it takes a few listens, adjustments from the norm, and there’s a lot going on subject matter-wise, poetically dishevelled and sporadically misplaced, it makes for an interesting listen. Alone on a showery eve, it’ll make your cup of tea go cold, as you stare at raindrops descending down the window, consenting it to draw you into its melting portrayals.

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Talk in Code are All In for New Single

Swindon indie pop virtuosos Talk in Code released their brand new single, All In, Yesterday, via Regent Street Records. And We. Love. Talk in Codeโ€ฆ

The Scribes on a Journey

In the distressing event of a relationship breakdown some take to drinking their sorrows away, others might venture off to โ€œfind themselves,โ€ whereas creative types often channel their innermost moods into their art. Themes of love lost are commonplace, arguably clichรฉ, but where Phil Collins sang, โ€œtake a look at me now, thereโ€™s just an empty space,โ€ Bristolโ€™s multi-award-winning hip-hop trio, The Scribes, geographically map that space, using the metaphor of being shipwrecked on an island, in a new four-track EP called โ€œThe Journey.โ€

We love the Scribes here at Devizine, but this really is frontman Ill Literate solo and on top form. It’s out today, 2nd September, folks, forming a continuous narrative over four tongue-twisting tracks, the first of which, The Shipwreck is out as a 7″ picture vinyl and has the perfect accompanying music video. Forget the Streetsโ€™ Dry Your Eyes, this is a punchy boom-bap emblematic work of art, this is as if Wu Cheng’en teamed up with Emily Bronte and wrote Nasโ€™ Undying Love after being dumped by TikTok video, perhaps add a dash of Robert Louis Stevenson on samples!

As said, the character associates their breakup with being shipwrecked, track one, waxing lyrical like the rolling waves, itโ€™s knee-deep in similes crafted with perfection, and it moves onto the second tune, The Desert, with a snake-charming pungi the condition of lostness beats our poor character down. Then itโ€™s onto the Forest, perhaps the darkest of beats on offer here, as the โ€œpull yourself togetherโ€ stage takes hold, using a slice of Grandmaster Melle Melโ€™s itโ€™s like a jungle. The finale elements on โ€œmoving on,โ€ rather than revenge, time is a healer, and the Return compiles the previous songs, headlong into facing the future positively. Yeah, he stuck on the island but heโ€™s climatised.

Created with GIMP

This hip hop odyssey is both written and performed by The Scribes frontman Ill Literate and produced by digger and producer Risk1 Beats, from Pontypridd. The EP will be available on Spotify and online retailers from Friday September 2nd, and it is a journey worth making, the quality of hip hop is sublime, of which weโ€™ve come to expect, but the โ€œconcept albumโ€ complement takes it to a whole new level.

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Ace-High Debut Album from Concrete Prairie

Some albums are an immediate love at first listen, but as time passes you start to see holes. Others take time to digest, growers; you learn to love them. Going in blind on this one, I’ve seen the Swindon-based band name floating around locally, favourites at The Tuppenny, Trowbridgeโ€™s Pump, and they knocked it out of Town Gardens at My Dad’s Bigger Than Your Dad. I’ve listed them on our event calendar, and well, guess I just liked the ironic rootsy name, Concrete Prairie, reminding me of Marley’s Concrete Jungle. I was more than pleasantly surprised.…..

It did both, an immediate love, ever-growing. Thereโ€™re no holes here, their self-titled debut album, out tomorrow (2nd September) is made from solid rhinestone. Solemn when needed, indignantly peppy otherwise, but always chiaroscuro and earnest. Americana, folk noir, of the like of Johnny Cash, vocally akin, with the depth and command of Jim Morrison, and, I kid you not, dammit it’s on that greatness level too.

There are secret treasures buried here, though lyrics chant, โ€œyou know when shit hits the fan, I’ll be the man who’s picking up pieces,โ€ its humble Nashville-esque beginnings doesn’t prepare you fully for the finale. The Devil Dealt the Deck is an ambitious tragedy-come-rhapsody ending, it is their Stairway to Heaven, bronc-riding Othello, sublimely moreish.

Betwixt them are eight other solid and lengthy tunes, caringly crafted, exceptionally well delivered. Ballads of Bakersfield backbeat like I Wish you Well roll into the particularly Cash sounding Day by Day, merging into acoustic fingerstyle backwood blues rock by the haunting Hard Times, when things suddenly head foot-stomping bluegrass. By the upbeat People Forget youโ€™re fully immersed in its evocative depictions, as it weaves and blends all subgenres in-between, wonderfully wrapped in this aforementioned dark prose.

Astonished I messaged them, to confirm this was their debut album, all too easy to perceive this as the project of legendary rock stars who hoisted in the best producer to reconnect their roots after decades of golden discography. They did in fact, find the ears of John Reynolds, producer for The Indigo Girls, Damien Dempsey and Sinead Oโ€™Connor.

Take the forlorn howl of Guthrie in his darkest moment, there’s broken characters of Springsteen’s Nebraska in the narrative too, yet somehow those desperate nuances here rise above both their melancholic murmur; it’s got edge but at best times it rides it frenetic and fierce; rootinโ€™, tootinโ€™ and a-shootinโ€™!

Joe, from the band tells me, โ€œItโ€™s been a few years in the making due to some somewhat global delays!โ€ But comparable to an artist who cannot leave a painting alone for finishing touches, it’s obvious after a listen, there’s a serious amount of work gone into this. Yet no one creates their magnum opus so early, surely? I confess I liked Springsteen’s inaugural The Wild, The Innocent and The E Street Shuffle, or Floyd’s Meddle better than the matured Born to Run or Dark Side of the Moon, but I accept their place is lesser popularly; if this then is the par of those, I want to be around when they do their masterwork.

There’s a fair bit of clichรฉ Americana around and about, wishy-washy mediocre, but these guys aren’t sitting around a campfire with a can of beans playing the fart game here, this is concentrated, solid material, a real sheriffโ€™s badge. This is how it should be done, if you catch my drift, and its equal distance away from Achy Breaky Heart as acid-techno is!

Launch day is tomorrow, across streaming platforms. CDs are up for pre-order on Amazon and the album will also be seeing a vinyl release: link here.

They’re play Swindon Shuffle, and thereโ€™s an album launch at Moles, Bath, Saturday 3rd September with Barney Kenny in support. Tickets here, are just a fiver.

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Lady Nade at Devizes Arts Festival

If the opening Friday evening of Devizes Arts Festival was amazing for lively pirate-punk craziness, Saturday night was too for precisely opposite reasons. Bristol’s soulstress Americana virtuoso, Lady Nade arrived, and in a word, was mesmerisingโ€ฆ I’ve put her ladyship on the highest pedestal since reviewing her lockdown album Willing, longing to see her perform.โ€ฆ

Rosie Jayโ€™s Debut Single Doesnโ€™t Give a Damn!

With a rolling hook in the chorus, piano riff over acoustic guitar and a heartfelt narrative, hereโ€™s a promising debut single from Salisburyโ€™s young singer-songwriter Rosie Jay out today. Iโ€™m getting Kirsty MacColl vibes here, and if you think thatโ€™s a pretty high accolade, youโ€™ll just have to have a listen and decide for yourself!โ€ฆ

Land Ahoy! Jolly Roger Opens Devizes Arts Festival with Fire in the Hole!

Land ahoy me hearties! Devizes Corn Exchange was boarded last night by Cornish punk pirates Jolly Roger, for a frivolous and swashbuckling opening to Devizes Arts Festival; the face that launched a thousand ships was witness to itโ€ฆ. That’s me, if it wasn’t obvious, landlubbers, the face! For although it’s Devizine assemble, to bring youโ€ฆ

LilyPetals Debut EP

One of many young indie bands which impressed me at Bradford Roots Festival, and proof thereโ€™s more than the name suggests at The Wiltshire Music Centreโ€™s winter convention of local music, Bristol-based LilyPetals released their debut EP this weekโ€ฆ. Firing on all cylinders, thereโ€™s five three minute heroes and one slightly longer tune on thisโ€ฆ

Courting Ghosts Debut Album: Falling My Friend

Images used with kind permission of Pacific Curd Photography West Wilts and Somerset folk-rock collective Courting Ghosts are about to release their debut album, Falling my Friend in Juneโ€ฆ.. If the name Courting Ghosts conveys something twisted and gothic, the band name may be a smidgen deceiving to their style. Subjective though, what’s in aโ€ฆ

Become part of a movement calling for Affordable School Costs for all

We’ve been chatting with the Community Organiser and Campaigns Manager of Devizes and District Foodbank, Alex Montegriffo, about an important free community conversation on Monday 3rd June, on the subject of the rising costs of school uniform…… A local campaign group of parents, guardians and carers in and around Devizes has been speaking to schoolsโ€ฆ

โ€œSister Actโ€ at St. Augustineโ€™s, Trowbridge May 29th-June 1st

By Ian DiddamsPhotos by Gail Foster In 1971 Ken Russell enchanted film audiences with โ€œThe Devilsโ€, which incorporated nuns in the story โ€“ somewhat controversially. This was six years after Julie Andrews, aided and abetted by yet more nuns, thwarted the Nazis in โ€œThe Sound of Musicโ€.  By 1980 nuns had become less controversial, lessโ€ฆ

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 29th May 4th June 2024

Hereโ€™s what weโ€™ve found to do in the wilds of Wiltshire this coming week, heading in June, just like Terry! Everything listed here is on our event calendar; go there for links and more info. It may be updated, so check in later in the week. Ongoing: A Wiltshire Thatcher: A Photographic Journey Through Victorianโ€ฆ

Homecoming Gig for Nothing Rhymes With Orange at the Three Crowns Devizes

Friday evening in the liveliest of Devizes pubs, The Three Crowns, with Devizes best upcoming band, Nothing Rhymes With Orange pulling a two hour set out of the hat like a magician pulls a rabbit out of theirs. Surely a perfect match and an unmissable occasion; but, ah, shoot, did I do a cidered-up speech?โ€ฆ

St James Devizes Vicar Keith Brindle Honoured as a Canon of Salisbury Cathedral

In recognition of his selfless ministry and leadership of St James Church, where the community and residents are at the core of everything, birthday boy Keith Brindle was honoured on Thursday as a Canon of Salisbury Cathedral, double whammy! I caught up with Keith to find out why, what it means for St James, andโ€ฆ

Party For Life Reveal Final Lineup

It’s been a few months since we announced Party For Life are back in the biz of vital fundraising, with a Suicide Prevention Day fundraiser at Melksham Town FC on Saturday 10th September. So, take this as a gentle reminder, this event looks awesome, and besides, organiser Clare McCarthy has just sent us the final line-up details…. looky here, below; need I say more?!

Using the hashtag #STAY, Party For Life is hoping to make this a series of events,ย โ€œbecause,โ€ย Clare explained,ย โ€œthose impacted by suicide have one big wishโ€ฆthat their loved ones #STAY another day.โ€ย Likeย their Facebook pageย for details. Tickets are ยฃ25, book via email to: tickets@partyforlife.co.uk or by Text: 07786 344 553.

Let’s help this event be a sell-out!

Wharf Theatre Opens For Autumn/Winter Season with Hedda Gabler

The wonderful Wharf Theatre in Devizes is reopening this month for a new autumn-winter season; I know, don’t say “winter,” not yet!

Hedda Gabler is the first production, running from 19th to 24th September. It’s written byย Henrik Ibsen with a translation byย Michael Meyer. The Wharf’s chief director, Lewis Cowen is on this one, and it’s the second work of Henrik Ibsen to be performed at our trusty theatre.

In 2007 The Wharf Theatre staged an adaptation of the highly successful โ€˜A Dollโ€™s Houseโ€™ by acclaimed Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen.ย  They are now delighted to introduce, perhaps, his greatest work, Hedda Gabler.

Having its world premiere, in Germany 1891, the play initially opened to mixed reviews however, a more sympathetic, naturalistic London production three months later was a triumph. Now considered a masterpiece within the genres of literary realism and 19th century drama it is rarely out of the repertoire of the great theatre companies of the world.

The title character herself remains one of the greatest female dramatic roles and has been portrayed by some of the biggest names in theatre and film, including Ingrid Bergman, Peggy Ashcroft, Dianna Rigg, Geraldine James and, more recently, Sheridan Smith.

Sometimes described as a female version of Hamlet, Hedda is a character firmly set against the backdrop of the Victorian era when women could only achieve success vicariously through the men in their lives. The daughter of a General and national hero, Hedda idolises her Father but harbours her own political ambitions. She attempts to achieve these by influencing firstly her husband and later an admirer

A drama which starts quietly and humorously gradually builds to a riveting and terrifying climax.

Tickets can be purchased by ringing 03336 663 366; from the website Wharftheatre.co.uk and at the Devizes Community Hub and Library on Sheep Streetโ€ฆโ€ฆand donโ€™t forget to follow them on Instagram and Twitter

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 1st-7th September 2022

It might not be bank holiday, but itโ€™s not blank holiday, if you see what I mean? Nah, forget it; hereโ€™s whatโ€™s happening over the next week in Wiltshire.

Pinch punch, Thursday is the first of September, and Iโ€™ve got nothing, yet! Do keep a check when updates come into our event calendar, the one link you need for info on all the stuff below and for planning future events.

Friday 2nd is the Wax Palaceโ€™s Kaleidoscope Festival in Erlestoke, ravers, thereโ€™s also the End of the Road Festival, Salisbury way on the Dorset border, and the Punchbowl Festival in Codford.

Closer to us, The Devizes Living Room has a โ€œbloc-party,โ€ on the Green, all welcome. Potterne Social Club has People Like Us, The Roughcut Rebels play The Barge Inn at Seend Cleeve, Navajo Dogs are at The New Inn, Winterbourne Monkton.

Comedy at The Boathouse, Bradford-on-Avon with Sally-Anne Heywood.

And over in Swindon, youโ€™ll find the Groove Club Collective at The Vic, Mac N Cheese at the Queenโ€™s Tap, and The Total Stone Roses playing Level III.

Saturday 3rd, and itโ€™s the start of Salisbury Art Trail, running until 18th September.

Itโ€™s Malmesbury Carnival, the Melksham Food & River Festival, and Tripwire Presents Bristol Comic Con over the weekend. Lego fans check out The Cheese & Grain, Frome where thereโ€™s a Lego show and market, Brickinโ€™ It!

Editorโ€™s Pick of The Week

In Devizes itโ€™s Confetti Battle time, and the Colour Rush, yay! No tokens this year, so you will just need to line up to buy you confetti so arrive early to avoid the queues. Youโ€™ll still need to line up to collect your confetti prior to the 8pm kick-off.

As far as we know Devizes is the only town in the world that has a Confetti Battle tradition. No one can remember the first official battle but we know its roots date back to the old Devizes Carnival in 1913, where confetti and rose petals were thrown by the crowd at people in the procession. The tradition evolved into a fully-fledged battle around 1955 when it was started by Jim Jennings; should make it my editorโ€™s pick of the of the week really.

This year the Confetti Battle continues to grow and the colourful chaos has been added to with the introduction of the Colour Rush, an amazing 5 km mixed terrain fun run โ€“ what better way to arrive at a Confetti Battle than covered in multi-coloured powder!

There is no โ€˜battleโ€™ as such, just a very silly half-hour during which a lot of fun is had, and a lot of confetti is thrown about. Expect to get โ€˜attackedโ€™ by complete strangers throwing paper!  The Battle continues to gain popularity and 2017 saw over 3500 people take part. The event takes place at the finish line of our new Colour Rush 5k run so expect to see some exceptionally colourful visitors in the crowd.

Jennings funfair is in the Market Place on Friday 2nd September until Sunday 3rd of September operating between 5.30 pm until 11.00 pm.

The DOCA website says โ€œkeep your eyes peeled when collecting your confetti as one lucky person will receive a Golden Ticket in a confetti bag,โ€ it continues so say, โ€œthis will entitleโ€ฆโ€ and then it ends, so Iโ€™ve no idea what the golden ticket entitles you to! Maybe they need to keep their eyes peeled on their typos, but I guess theyโ€™re too busy making fun for us all, and I, for one, bless them for it.

Staying in Devizes for confetti free events, Jamie R Hawkins will be at The Southgate, while Paradox plays The Cellar Bar of the Bear Hotel. Tamsin Quin plays the Barge on HoneyStreet.

Wiltshire BKA Honey Bee Health Day at Market Lavington, some Carnival Music by Jenny Bracey at The Crown in Aldbourne. Local Heroes Inc play Prestbury Sports Bar, Warminster.

In Swindon Moonwire and Lung at The Vic, Dragon Eye at The Rolleston, Larkhill at the Queens Tap, Echo at Coleview Community Centre and Dreuw & Will Killen at The Hop Inn.

Sunday 4th September, and thereโ€™s a RSPCA fun dog show on the Green in Devizes, and the monthly residency of Jon Amor at the Southgate at 5pm, featuring guest Nat Martin.

Composer-pianist and creative coder, Larkhall will be taking his innovative live show to venues across the UK this year, he comes to Schtum in Box on Sunday, and playing Pound Arts in Corsham on the 9th.

White Horse Classic and Vintage Vehicle Show in Westbury, and Minety has a Beer & Cider Festival.  

Rainbow Fest at The Olive Tree Cafe in Swindon, promises crafts, live Music and poetry for ยฃ2 entry (under 12 free) with all funds going to charities supporting LGBQIA+. Meanwhile, local acoustic duo Sweet Nightingale play Queens Park.

And thatโ€™s your weekend, folks. Monday 5th sees a live art Demonstration by Artist Paul Oakley at Devizes Conservative Club, organised by the Lawrence Society of Art. And that for now is all I have for midweek, but I promise to do some digging and update the event calendar more often, pinky promise.

Okay, that leaves me with stuff to get prepared for, that means buying tickets, dammit! September 10th sees the Party For Life fundraiser at Melksham Town FC, details here, get yourself a ticket for this, raising funds and awareness of Suicide prevention.

Also, the Wharf Theatre opens for its Autumn/winter season with Hedda Gabler running from 9th to the 24th. Bath Children’s Literature Festival, Devizes Food & Drink Festival, Swindon Shuffle and Swindon Folk & Blues Festival; itโ€™s still happening, summer isnโ€™t throughโ€ฆ. yet!

And if you’ve still found nothing to interest you, stay in and listen to our new volume of the 4 Julia’s House compilation album, which we released last week. 35 amazing, locally-sourced songs, and all the proceeds go to Julia’s House Children’s Hospices; thank you!

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Poppy Rose, Ready Nowโ€ฆ.

Not being able to hold a note myself, I tip my hat to any musician in a band. Yet thereโ€™s something so much more valiant,โ€ฆ

Opera Meets House at Devizes Full Tone Festival

Featured image above by Gail Foster

It has been undeniably a variety music show at the Full Tone Festival this bank holiday weekend on the Green in Devizes, of tremendous proportions and matchless quality.

The stage I’ve previous dubbed “like something out of the Jetsons,” was once again erected, deckchair city assembled around it, with a bustling collection of food and drinks stalls beyond, and the sun with his hat on, shining down on all the shiny happy people.

It is a remarkable achievement and something to be truly proud of, to have here in our humble market town. The Full-Tone Orchestra taking their show to prestigious venues like Bath Abbey and Marlborough College, returned home, looking even more professional than ever. Conductor Anthony Brown waving his hands around like manual control of the world’s air traffic; it was, in a word, magical.

Highlights came thick and fast, Dominic Irving thrilled, heading a Tchaikovsky concerto on piano, for an opening of obligatory classical elements. The stage emptied as Will Foulstone took control of the keys, solo. Full Tone platforms young talent, like TikTok trumpeter Oli Parker, on Sunday, to an audience majority unlikely to know what TikTok is. Similarly, Will performed some videogame themes among Coldplay and contemporary pop, which is better in reality than it sounds to my generation bought up on ZX Spectrums or Mega Drives!

Will’s finale was an astounding cover of Elton John’s I’m Still Standing, and the orchestra realigned for a concentration of movie scores, largely dependent on the western themes of the late Ennio Morricone; liked this.

Then, BBC Introducing DJ skateboarder, James Threlfall took to digital wheels of steel and blasted the zone, and across the road to the chippy, with a set of contemporary and commercial high-energy house; lights came on blazing like the Green was the Ministry of Sound. Here is where I need to revert to my reviewing template, which resides on two major contributories. One is, did the event appease me personally, the second, more importantly is, did it do what it said “on the tin,” i.e., was it everything it posed to be. For the latter, the Full Tone Festival 2022 hit top marks, without a doubt. I watched the joy on hundreds of faces, as they danced the night away to James and the following Full-Tone Orchestra set of “nineties smash hits.”

The grand finale of Saturday night was certainly intrenched with nostalgia, perfected by an orchestra where no penny was left unexpended, no rehearsal was spent playing tiddlywinks, where the professionalism is first rate and the atmosphere was nothing short of sublime. The Full-Tone Festival was superb last year, this time around comes the typical stigma of a sequel, the โ€œhow can we ever top that” enquiry, and I’ve a duty to be honest, based upon the imperative Saturday evening, I’m not completely certain they did, on personal reflection, you understand?

Image: Gail Foster

Song choice at this conjunction was the only thing which let it down, for me. Started off okay, the Britpop beginning I can tolerate, but as it progressed to the pop hits of S Club 7, Britney Spears and Cher’s I Believe, et al, these, for me, were the excruciating pop slush of a generation below; I detested them at the time, and retain said detestation.

It was a far cry from the club anthems of last year’s, because that’s the point where creatively, electronic music technology truly challenged the orchestra. But, sigh, it’s all subjective, I told you about the hundreds of faces, didnโ€™t I? They matter, it did what it said on the tin, with high gloss, it just wasn’t my cuppa.

Image: Gail Foster

I’m sorry I couldn’t make it to Sunday’s extension, we don’t all have bank holidays y’ know? But I can rest assured with the years of rock n roll experience of Pete Lamb’s Heartbeats, Kirsty Clinch’s angelic country vocals, and the fact Jonathan Antoine has been done BGT, it’d have been alright on the night.

Image: Gail Foster

Feedback on the orchestra’s big band showcase has been fantastic, with particular praise of vocalist Will Sexton. On opera, spellbinding local soprano who could turn even me to opera, Chloe Jordan, said, “it was my dream to sing ‘Song to the Moon ‘Resulka with an orchestra. Thank you so much to The Full Tone Orchestra for allowing that dream to come true!” And that, in a nutshell, is the kingpin to assessing this spectacular; if dreams come true there, you can’t argue how special an occasion it was.

Image: Gail Foster

Though the headcount was slightly lesser-so than last year’s, trouble to many events this, as a sad reflection on economic issues, here’s hoping this awesome weekend on the Green will be enough to convince Full Tone to make this a permanent fixture on our event calendar. Devizes loves you Full Tone, that much is certain.

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Shut the Front Door and Catch a Bus Month with Wiltshire Council!

The lunacy, much less the audacity to suggest it, of Wiltshire Concillors, and their inability to accept reality, is highlighted in September by the singlemost insane campaign to-date; Catch a Bus Month.

“A double-decker bus can take up to 75 cars off the road and switching just one journey in 25 to the bus would save two million tonnes of CO2 emissions,” the article on their website begins, because everyone in Wiltshire has been waiting for them to tell them this.

Assuming it’s us neglecting environmental concerns as the reason we don’t take the bus, as opposed to the utterly appalling and unaffordable service available to us, in their infinite wisdom they’ve invented “Catch the Bus Month,” where “Wiltshire Council is taking part to encourage more people to change their travel habits by taking the bus and celebrate it as a sustainable, inclusive and accessible form of transport.” Seriously promoting this hairbrained scheme on social media seemingly without the foggiest notion of the backlash of criticism anyone with a working brain cell would’ve forseen.

A flourish of negative responses errupted, some stating how their village bus service was cut, others complaining it’s simply not affordable or accessible. Others telling stories of being thrown off buses before their stop to make way for other passengers, being rudely addressed by drivers and their issues not being dealt with by the bus companies.

Personally I’ve found bus drivers of extremities, they’re either exceptionally happy and willing to please, or grumpy as sin; there is no middle-ground. One once sped off before I could get my daughter seated, and her pushchair collapsed in time, a toddler at the time, resulting in her hitting her head. My complaint fell on deaf ears. Now they’re at senior school the bus fee would be over a thousand pounds each, annually; a journey I can drive for far less. And that is the unfortunate reality.

Everyone knows if you’re relying on the local bus service you’re best taking a tent, and for shift workers the bus simply wouldn’t get them to work on time, even if they were reliable to turn up. Forgo reliability for a second and consider the timetable, imagine a night bus, but keep your disillusionment, most stop running by 5pm at the latest; everybody, tea and time for bed.

“The Department or Transport’s (DfT) National Bus Strategy requires local authorities to form enhanced legal partnerships with bus operator,” it says, “and the council is working on a Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) to achieve a vision for a better bus network.”

Cllr Laura Mayes, Deputy Leader of Wiltshire Council, said: “We’re delighted to be working in partnership with the bus companies with a combined aim of increasing usage and improving the service across Wiltshire.”

Here’s a thought, and it is just a thought, then, not that I’m the expert, but how about Wiltshire Council actually improve the service first, then have this “celebratory” Catch the Bus Month when it’s done and it’s actually reasonable and affordable to catch the damn things?! Unless, of course, you’re collecting laughing emojis on your social media posts… I know I am, but that’s intentional.

Catch the bus month, oh, my years. It’s Wiltshire Council who need to take a bus journey, to another county, and see how much better they’re doing!

12 Bars Later at The Southgate

Could be a pub crawl, more likely the chord progression of blues, but my drunken jesting query met with a shrug from the guitarist, the name 12 Bars Later means either, whatever!

I might not have been so far from a truth, in that over this bank holiday 12 Bars Later nail four bars; played the Crown at Bishop’s Cannings Saturday afternoon, switched to The Southgate later, and Sunday it’s over to Calne to play the Talbot’s mini-fest at 2pm, and the Gurkha Baynjan Restaurant at 8. Given a few more days I reckoned they could’ve shaken the rafters of a further eight!

Why is this narrowboat three-piece Wiltshire blues band fully-booked for gigs this weekend? Proof in the pudding, arm twisted, I nipped to the Gate to find out for myself.

Arriving late due to FullTone, it was immediately obvious, jigging up to the bar like the crows in Dumbo, their sound in its simplicity is irresistible, their stage pressence is immediately likeable. Confident Female fronted bassist, Helen Carter, banters well with the slight crowd and has the gritty vocal range of Joan Jett, while drummer and guitarist work in unison,ย  and we’re grinding to some down and dirty electric blues.

Yet there’s something more universally appealing here, 12 Bars Later will hook any classic tune duck, and ease it out of the pool with a blues makeover. The prize on the butt of said duck for anyone who books them will be enthused and delighted punters. This could be because they were once known as The Blue Rose Band, a seemingly more function band type name.

So yeah, while Howlin Wolf, Muddy Waters and obviously apt Rolling Stones covers were adroitly delivered with passion and a deserved hard-edge, they applied the same ethos to some well-crafted originals, of which they’ve recently recorded for a forthcoming debut, and what was more for the supportive audience, sing-along covers like Elvis’ Burning Love, You Never Can Tell by Chuck Berry, and even Eddie Floyd’s Knock on Wood. The latter of which they amusingly claimed was “as close to disco as we get!”

It’s an appropriate rebranding, for a highly entertaining pub band; certainly floated my boat, and likewise the blossoming crowd at The Southgate, as FullTone closed and folk headed over. For me, as acomplished and professional the sound of a full orchestra pushing pop hits is, it was of a generation next, for me, and I couldn’t nostalgically relate to Britney and Spice Girls covers any more than I did at the time. The Southgate was my safe haven, and boy, 12 Bars Later fit there like a glove, cumulative to another fantastic night at our dependable best pub in Devizes for the down-to-earth music aficionado.

September in Swindon; Shuffles and Jazz Knights

Wowzers, someoneโ€™s put a musical rocket up Swindonโ€™s you-know-where, and is due to ignite it over September! Youโ€™ve never had it so good, Swindonites, as Swindon Shuffle announce their line-up ahead of the weekend of 15th-18th September AND an inaugural Swindon Folk & Blues Festival is announced by The Jazz Knights the very following Saturday, 24thโ€ฆโ€ฆ

Itโ€™s the glorious kind of whoโ€™s-who of local music you annually expect from the free festival, Swindon Shuffle, which spans across eight separate venues; The Hop Inn, The Tupenny, The Victoria, The Castle, The Beehive, Baristocats and the Eastcott Community Centre, and all in aid of Prosect Hospice.

This testament to Swindon and Wiltshire talent is simply too large for us to go into every nook and cranny, Iโ€™m going to leave the poster below, and I believe youโ€™ll see what I mean. But you’re best following them on Facebook at the moment, as the website isn’t updated; fresh off the press type stuff here at Devizine, y’know?!

See what I mean now? Wowzers, proper job, innit?!ย 

On a separate note, the renowned alternative folk act, Wildwood Kin are heading to Swindon as part of their UK Tour, the following weekend. They headline the Swindon Folk & Blues Festival, which is the Saturday after the Shuffle, 24th September, at Christ Church.

The launchpad of a brand-new festival for the town is one year late, postponed due to Covid, so be quick to grab a ticket for this one, as original tickets bought for the 2021 event will be granted entry. But wow, itโ€™s another tantalising line-up…. stuff like this didn’t happen all the time I lived in Old Town, we only ever had Eastender’s Ian Beale switching on the Christmas lights!!

Sister event to the already established Swindon Jazz & Soul Festival, organisers are those corduroy-armoured Jazz Knights, who prove you can do jazz-hands with gauntlets, and theyโ€™ve a staggering bill including our favourites, Ruzz Guitar Blues Revue, Jon Amor Trio, The Lost Trades and Fly Yeti Fly, along with The People Versus, The Bellflowers, Fay Brotherhood (of Spriggan Mist), Mark Harrison and local talent such as Hip Route, Bob Bowles, SGO, and Bone Chapel

Festival Director Evie Em-Jay from Jazz Knights said, โ€œwe are really proud to be hosting Wildwood Kin’s as part of their UK Tour together with a packed line up of nationally known acts as well as local talent and I can’t wait to be back in the stunning venue of Christ Church where our last event sold out. We really hope that the public support live music in what has been a devastating few years for the music industry.โ€

Co-Director Ed Dyer from Songs of Praise called it โ€œa privilege to be able to host a band as talented as Wildwood Kin. To be able to do it in a venue as spectacular as Christ Church is an added bonus. It is a perfect combination that is sure to create a truly magical musical event.โ€

All this comes as The My Dadโ€™s Bigger Than Your Dad announces their 2023 date, in July, and tickets are up for grabs; affirming Swindon on the live music UK map, and demolishing any wonky preconceptions itโ€™s just a collection of roundabouts. Go, Swindon!

For the record, I like all the roundabouts, Swindon, keeps the traffic flowing.

Please click to download; all proceeds go to Julia’s House

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Richie Triangle; Imposter Syndrome

Coming around to Devizineโ€™s fifth birthday has got me reminiscing on how all this started in the first place, who is really to blame?! It wasnโ€™t Richie Triangleโ€™s fault, really, for he cannot help who comes to see him play, but as for our mainstay support of local live music, a hefty portion transpired from a rare occasion the better half and I dropped into the Black Swan and was surprised and blown away to hear some live music in town, this good.

Here’s the thing, there is and always was a lively music scene in Devizes, I know this now, but I went from the raver-clubber into parenthood and neither of them warrant the angle to have gone searching for a band in a pub, not that it was something I disliked, far from it. At the time my local rant column for Index;Wiltshire was becoming tiresome and heavily edited, it was time to spin it around, reflect on what was good about living in Devizes. Richie Triangleโ€™s residency at the Black Swan was the catalyst, and I ventured off to find Tamsin Quin, and the rest erupted from there.

Times move on, landlords of pubs do, and so did Richie, now residing on the Kent coast, yet, I still think we owe it to him to mention his latest album, Imposter Syndrome, released this week. Itโ€™s a far cry from the acoustic young man belting out Irish folk songs and pop covers in the same format. Richie is a force to be reckoned with, an intricately weaver of wordplay and original compositions, and if David Gray coined the term folktronica, Richie has epitomised it.

Here’s your for instance; twelve songs blending acoustic goodness into pop, with echo-delays of dub, an acapella intro with oddities of voice synthesisers, followed by The Tide, a modish-come-country angle, much in the flavour Elvis Costello, or what Jon Amor achieved with Red Telephone. From there thereโ€™s really no pigeonholing, Trying to Get Home rolls with a slither of old eighties soul-disco, and Richieโ€™s not afraid to add a rap.

It gets a deeper melting pot track by track, Hope in your Eyes, definitely electric blues rock, while Sign of Times, hints of electronica of yore. From there oneโ€™s ear settles on this wavering style, but thereโ€™s surprises again towards the ends, nothing is off the cards as folky goes rap and a non-compliance theme and jazzy piano bridge. Itโ€™s systematic, purposely blending and experimental, the finale characteristic of Adrian Sherwoodโ€™s On U Sound, who while Iโ€™m unsure if this is produced by them, Richie has worked with them in the past.

All I do know is, even if you recall attending Richieโ€™s regular gigs at the Black Swan as he camped out the back of the Devizes pub, or not, hereโ€™s a upcoming marvel, who once graced our town with his presence, and proved himself as a inimitable talent then, this album is a pleasure to listen to; itโ€™s long overdue you checked in on him again.

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A View to a Thrill

“The Thrill of Love” at the Wharf Theatre by Ian Diddamsimages by Chris Watkins Media Just over a year ago, the Wharf theatre performed aโ€ฆ

Devizes Church Helps People Steward our Planet

Devizes church and arts centre, St Maryโ€™s is hosting a series of talks in September aimed at helping local people play their part in caring for our planetโ€ฆ…

ย The talks series is entitled โ€˜Stewards of our Planet – Practical Local Initiativesโ€™ and will be held on four successive Thursday evenings in September at St Maryโ€™s Church, New Park Street, Devizes SN10 1DS. The talks will start at 7.30 pm, and last for an hour including time for questions; doors will be open and refreshments available from 7 pm.

 The Revโ€™d Jonathan Poston, Rector of St John with St Mary in Devizes, said: โ€œWith news of our degrading environment everywhere, many people want to learn how they can help protect the planet practically in their own community. Our talks aim to help people to do just that.

 โ€œThey are open to everyone regardless of their religious views or whether they have any faith. All are welcome to attend.

 โ€œThe talks are part of our creationtide activities at St Johnโ€™s and St Maryโ€™s. Creationtide is the period in the annual church calendar, from 1st September to 4th October, dedicated to God as creator and sustainer of all life. Many churches choose to use this time of year to hold special services and events to give thanks for God’s gift of creation, and to renew their commitment to caring for our one planet home.โ€

Talks and Other Creationtide Events for 2022

Sunday 4 September: Creationtide kicks off at the 10.30 am Sunday morning service at St Johnโ€™s on Long Street.

Thursday 8 September: โ€˜Can you recycle that? Yes we can?โ€™ given by Sue Roderick of Avon Road Recycling. 

Learn about an innovative local initiative to recycle all manner of household items โ€“ reduce your own waste whilst helping charities and the planet too.

Thursday 15 September: โ€˜What if we had a Community Fridge?โ€™ given by Martin Elliott of Sustainable Devizes.

Learn about food waste and how community fridges bring people together in reducing it.

Thursday 22 September: โ€˜Green Prescriptionsโ€™ given by Damien Haasjes of the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust.

Explore how nature has a positive impact on all of us.

Sunday 25 September: Harvest Festival at the 10.30 am service at St Johnโ€™s on Long Street. People of all faiths and none are welcome at this special celebration of Godโ€™s gift to us in creation.

Followed at 12 noon by a Parish Harvest Lunch in the Parish Rooms. ยฃ5 per person, places will need to be prebooked.

Thursday 29 September: โ€˜Growing Flowers for Insectsโ€™ given by Paul Jupp of Meadow in my Garden.

A practical guide from a guerrilla gardener.

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Volume 2 of Devizine 4 Juliaโ€™s House is Out Now!

Long overdue and only waiting for me to pull my finger out, Iโ€™m glad to announce the second volume of our compilation album series, 4 Juliaโ€™s House has been released as a download on Bandcamp. As of volume 1, which is still available, all the proceeds will go to Juliaโ€™s House Childrenโ€™s Hospices in Wiltshire & Dorset.

The second volume is out now, you can download it here. Weighing in 35 tracks, thereโ€™s a great deal of acoustic rock and folk greatness, but we donโ€™t stand on convention, you have to have eclectic tastes to run Devizine; all genres are represented here, as the compilation whisks through them, with love.

Juliaโ€™s House is not a typical childrenโ€™s hospice. We provide practical and emotional support for families caring for a child with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition, providing frequent and regular support in their own homes, in the community or at our hospices.

I hope youโ€™ll support this wonderful cause, and bag some great songs too. As much as the project is fundraising for the hospices, it also exists to promote and highlight all these great artists whoโ€™ve so kindly donated a tune to us. Many youโ€™ll have heard of, many have featured on Devizine in the past, but others are new to us, which is of equal delight, and now theyโ€™re here we will support them in any way we can, cos Iโ€™m so grateful for them sending them in to us.

Thank you to everyone who has helped and contributed to this project. I know everyone will be aching to read the track listings and hear the songs on show. So, without further aโ€™ waffling, hereโ€™s the songs, and their creators in the order they appear on the album; we will feature seven each article over the coming weeks, if my maths is correct that’s five articles, which if I listed them all here in one ginormous gert great list, it just gets too long-winded and if you’re anything like me, you’ve the memory of a goldfish!

Click the cover to download

1 – Sienna Wileman – Petals

2- Nick Harper โ€“ Riverside

3- Will Lawton and Ludwig Mack – Atlantic-O (acoustic version)

4 -Paul Elwood & Alice Simmons – Andromeda and Perseus

5 – Amy Fry โ€“ Home

6 – Josh Lobley โ€“ Glorious Mind

7 – Nigel Mines – Land on Mars

8- N-SH – Elemental Times

9 – Rebsie Fairholm & Marvin B. Naylor – Ark

10 โ€“ Sean Amor โ€“ Follow Your Own Way

11 – Bob & Amanda Condrey โ€“ No Barriers

12 – Lawrence Williams โ€“ Love Will Carry On

13 – Fly Yeti Fly โ€“ Shine a Light

14 – Daisy Chapman โ€“ Generation Next

15โ€“ Illingworth โ€“ Mockingbird

16 โ€“ Onika Venus – Reaper Man

17 โ€“ Hooch โ€“ Aluna

18 โ€“ Aural Candy โ€“ Arabella Whitely

19 – 80 Proof Mojo โ€“ A New Trick

20 โ€“ The Dirty Smooth – Black Jack City

21- The Sarah C. Ryan Band – A Woman in White

22 โ€“ Talk in Code โ€“ Young Loves Dream

23 โ€“ Subharmonic Ensemble – Worm Holes

24 – Brillstereodeck (produced by Robert Ellis) – Sunset

25 – Victims of the New Math โ€“ Twilight

26 โ€“ Zaia – Can it Be True

27 – Monkey Bizzle โ€“ Oi Mate!

28 – The Hotcakes of Wildfire โ€“ War of Words

29 โ€“The Birth of Bonoyster โ€“ No Love Law

30 – Chloe Glover โ€“ Silver Lining

31 โ€“ Catfish โ€“ Clifton

32 โ€“ Salamander, feat Curtis Simmons – No Wrong

33 – Peter Lamb & Cliff Hall (Rob Walden-Woods)- Flying High

34 – Richard Wileman – Butterfly

35- John Wright – Little Nell

1 – Sienna Wileman โ€“ Petals

We open with a song which proves talent is hereditary, for Sienna is the daughter of Richard Wileman, a musical alchemist Iโ€™ve described in the past as โ€œSwindonโ€™s answer to Mike Oldfield.โ€ His work under the banner Karda Estra is experimental soundscapes, yet he also performs more archetypically under his own name. Richard appeared on volume 1, but this time has sent us three tunes, one from him, another from musical partner Amy Fry, and this wonderful song Petals from Sienna.

This song knocked me for six when I first heard it in February, itโ€™s hauntingly winter, a chilling echo of passion through the eyes of youthful romantic desperation, clinging to a teetering relationship, and Sienna expresses the emotive sentiment sublimely, using her voice as Kate Bush could, to resonance the desolation of the moment. Thatโ€™s why itโ€™s our opening songโ€ฆ.

2- Nick Harper โ€“ Riverside

Obviously, I was over the moon when folk legend Nick Harper offered us a song, though he was a smidgen too late for inclusion on volume 1, he suggested adding it as bonus track, but I favoured if weโ€™re going use his song, which we absolutely have to, it must be the start of a second volume. So, hereโ€™s the catalyst to volume 2, a handy bit of guitar work, expertly executed. The Times stated once that Nick, โ€œdoes things to his [guitar] that would have had Segovia weeping into his Rioja.โ€

Riverside is taken from his 2016 album Instrumental; I was astounded by itโ€™s almost flamenco influence, its drama, and the tension in it. Wow, eternally grateful to you Nickโ€ฆ. and Sienna, hereโ€™s the proof of my hereditary comment, Nick has become prominent, especially locally through his dedication to fundraising through Avebury Rocks from 2011 until 2019, but was inspired by his father, the legendary Roy Harper, of whom giants of rock will cite as an influence, from Jimmy Page & Robert Plant to Pete Townshend, Pink Floyd, and the aforementioned Kate Bush.

Website: https://harperspace.com/

3- Will Lawton and Ludwig Mack – Atlantic-O (acoustic version)

Will Lawton

Okay, I know I shouldnโ€™t pick a favourite, but letโ€™s just say this track is way up there, this acoustic exquisiteness is an absolute knockout. Like David Grayโ€™s Skellig last year, it rolls like its marine theme, crashes like waves on a moonlit shore, so you could almost taste the salt in the air.

Will met up with Argentinian guitarist Ludwig Mack in October 2020, through Instagram. Mack had travelled to the UK to meet British musicians but arrived just hours before the first national lockdown. Stranded in a cottage in Hullavington, the duo realised they lived only a few miles away from each other and began collaborating before recording and releasing a four track EP called Heroes, recorded and produced by Lucas Drinkwater at Polyphonic Recording in Stroud. This breath-taking song, Atlantic-O is taken from this EP.

Website: https://www.willlawtonmusic.co.uk/

Heroes on Apple Music

4 -Paul Elwood & Alice Simmons – Andromeda and Perseus

Virtuoso of the five-string banjo, Paul is a composer with a love of the processes and syntax of contemporary writing, from Colorado. Past collaborations with the Callithumpian Consort of the New England Conservatory, bluegrass legend John Hartford, drummer Matt Wilson, Famoudou Don Moye of the Art Ensemble of Chicago, French musicians Jean-Marc Montera, Raphael Imbert, Simon Sieger, Pierre Fenichel, and Thomas Weirich, make up a prolific discography.

If youโ€™re now thinking, wow, big up the Worrow for this campaign reaching out as far as Colorado, or otherwise getting all Royston Vasey on me, this is a local compilation for local people, the connection is with singer Alice Simmons, who lives in Wiltshire.

They teamed up and have been writing a number of winter-themed tunes for the past couple of years. Alice recorded her parts here in Wiltshire, and sent them over to Paul in the US and France.

We are delighted to have this fantastic, dreamy folk song on our compilation album, and thank them both for reaching out.

Website: http://paul-elwood.com/

5 – Amy Fry โ€“ Home

Written, produced and performed by Amy Fry.
Drums – Tony Fry
Guitar – Shedric

As promised, the second track Richard Wileman sent from his musical family in Swindon, then, long-time collaborator Amy Fry on vocals, and with her rolling clarinet sound, this is another corker, and Amyโ€™s voice echoes gloriously. Quite exclusive this song, I’m led to believe, and I love songs about home, especially this one, Amy, thank you for sending it.

6 – Josh Lobley โ€“ Glorious Mind

Having returning artists and ones known to us is always a pleasure, but what is equally as great of this project is that we at Devizine are introduced to new artists by it too. Unsolicited come thick and fast, Iโ€™m beginning to worry I may have missed a few emails attempting to keep up with the influx.

Iโ€™m glad to have picked up on brilliant folk-rock singer-songwriter Josh Lobley from the hills of Shropshire. Platformed on Dying Ember Records, Joshโ€™s 2019 EP Chapters can be found on Amazon, here. This song is not on this EP though, seems like quite a newer one, from July, and it rings of Billy Brag at his peak, its selfless prose is simply tantalising. Recorded, mixed and engineered by Andy Lowe of Hope Sounds. Plus, it’s got the most wonderful video accompanying it made by Dirtbox Productions, which I’ll leave here….

7 – Nigel Mines – Land on Mars

I love the honest expression of Trowbridge singer-songwriter Nigel Mines, of self-labelled One Cat Broke. Land on Mars is drifting acoustic, Bowie-esque, perhaps, but assured a beautiful song. Find Nigel on his favouring platform SoundCloud for more.

Thatโ€™s all for now folks, Iโ€™ll be posting all about the next seven songs as fast I can get them sausage fingers typing again; we’re only skimming the tip of the iceberg. Until then, please buy the album anyway, see for yourself. But it is crucial for us if you could share this with your friends, family and even people you’d don’t like that much but put up with anyway! We love feedback, Do let us know what you think of it, thanks!

And oh, musicians whoโ€™ve not made it onto this release should note, this is an ongoing venture, we will bring out further volumes as soon as weโ€™ve collected enough tracks, so feel free to send us your tune, but do ensure weโ€™re informed that you wish it to appear on the album, and not just wishing a review. Of course, we could do both if you like! Thanks.

REVIEW โ€“ Skinny Molly @ LSBC, Devizes โ€“ Saturday 20th August 2022

What A Sell Out

Andy Fawthrop

Seems ages since we were last turning up at the Con Club for Long Street Blues, but last night the new Autumn/ Winter season began, and there we all were again.  And what a way to start, with a cracking US band and a ticket sell-out….

The place was, therefore, obviously packed out. Whilst it might suit the music โ€“ hot & sweaty โ€“I think itโ€™s time that the Con Club looked into installing some air-con.  Just like the The Homingโ€™s gig back in June, as part of the Devizes Arts Festival, the room was really stifling and airless.

Nevertheless we had some great entertainment to distract the huge crowd. ย First up were Koerie &ย Andy, a duo new to me, introduced by host Ian Hopkins as recently discovered busking. ย As might beย expected with such a heritage, they were a little raw and rough around the edges, but very effectiveย and entertaining for all that. ย Using guitar, vocals and harmonica, they delivered a string of covers,ย including โ€œWild Thingโ€ and โ€œShould I Stay Or Should I Go?โ€ ย The crowd gave them a good listen and aย good welcome, and hopefully weโ€™ll see them again.

But that was as nothing to the roar that went up went Skinny Molly finally hit the stage to start their 75-minute one-set performance.

This band, hailing mostly from Tennessee, is a major force on the US Southern Rock scene.  They were formed by guitarist/vocalist Mike Estes (formerly of Lynyrd Skynyrd and Blackfoot), original Molly Hatchet guitarist Dave Hlubek (who has since left the band) and drummer Kurt Pietro (who also played drums for Blackfoot).  By 2008, the line-up was solidified with the addition of Blackfoot guitarist/vocalist Jay Johnson and  Grand Ole Opry stalwart bassist Luke Bradshaw.  And this was the line-up featured last night.

Skinny Molly’s mantra is apparently “Never let one fan leave a show disappointed” and they set about trying to fulfil this promise right from the outset, with a string of rock-infused blues and country numbers. There was newer SM material, mixed in with some older Skynard classics, and some covers.  Freeโ€™s โ€œWishing Wellโ€ was perhaps a surprise, less so Steve Earleโ€™s โ€œCopperhead Roadโ€, but the biggest cheer of the night of course came about an hour in when they launched in to probably their biggest hit โ€œSweet Home Alabamaโ€.  But there was nothing one-dimensional about their material โ€“ we had a good old Southern gumbo of different ingredients, including southern rock, old country, blues, hard rock, and general Americana.

They built up the mood and the atmosphere, and there were soon plenty of folks rocking along and dancing. They kept the inter-song chat to a minimum, instead focusing of packing in as much music as possible, culminating in a standing ovation and well-deserved encore. I donโ€™t think anyone went home disappointed, so I guess they did exactly what they said on the tin.

Future Long Street Blues Club gigs:

Saturday 8th October 202-   Eddie Martin’s Big Blues Band

Friday 14th October 2022  Black Sabbitch (Corn Exchange, Devizes)

Saturday 5th November 2022  Robbie McIntosh Band

Friday 11th November 2022   Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse (Corn Exchange, Devizes)

Saturday 19th November 2022   Hardwicke Circus and The Alex Voysey Trio

Friday 23rd December 2022  Gee Baby I Love You