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Simply The Best; Tina Turner Tribute Coming to Devizes

Ah, the Tina Turner tribute, which turned my criticism of Tina Turner tribute acts on its head, is coming to Devizes in August. In the light of Wiltshire Music Events’ recent successful Corn Exchange takeover with the Marley Experience, it’s set its own pedestal pretty high….

Avid readers of Devizine should know I try, as much as one can in the media, to be honest! They also know and likely produce a deep sigh, I tell a long-winded story! I’m going to manage both today, for your reading pleasure; it’s an age thing, you don’t need to thank me!

Okay, so, once upon a time at the very dawn of Devizine, I was asked to preview another Tina Turner tribute act; it was a lesson learned in the delicate and often problematic balance between honesty for the sake of the readers, and the cajolery towards event promoters. The reason; because, by dammit, there’s no way to butter this up, they were simply the worst!

Accepted, Tina Turner is a popular choice to tribute, likely there’s hundreds out there, but akin to a bomb disposal expert, Tina Turner had such impeccable style, such a unique and powerful voice, it would blow up in their face should they fail.

And, I’m sorry, mentioning no names, but the failure was epic. A second opinion from the better half, I showed her the YouTube clip with a question, “it’s not just me, is it?” The reply confirmed, it was terrible. But then came the dilemma, the dirty bit behind the scenes you don’t get to see; deciding what to do about it. Executive and rightful, I declined, politely. I would not lead readers up a garden path, I couldn’t bring myself to say this particular tribute was anything more than it was.

Backstory complete, I only needed to explain this as it led to my apprehension to the quality of Tina Turner tributes in general; is it even possible to replicate an artist of such calibre with such conviction?

It was also to emphasise my promise not to pull wool over your eyes. You don’t need to be stuck on my heart, baby, but please, hang on every word I say!

I was concerned history would repeat at last summer’s CrownFest when Simply the Best, were due on … how wrong I was. Kinisha Morgan-Williams answered my question through her superb performance; maybe it is possible. She is Tina in this instance; the heels, the strut, the divine attention to detail, and most importantly, the voice of this legend are all defined to perfection with this tribute, and is so astute it’s impossible not to assume you’ve slipped through a time hole to 1984, watching the real thing.

Kinisha, her band, the whole shebang, is a sublime experience for your retrospective entertainment. From Tina’s soulful roots with Ike and the Kings of Rhythm, to her unmatched Queen of Rock n Roll comeback, all the beloved hits are played out, the imitation is impeccable, the show is majestic, and Tina fan or not, you will not leave disappointed. I wouldn’t say it if it wasn’t so!

In this point, I believe, lies the secret to a great tribute act, for it’s not the preconceptions you take in with you, rather it’s the joy and entertainment value whilst there, obviously, but equally, what you leave with. This is governed by personal reflection, how much of a fan of the original act you are. With an artist or band you adored, like me with Bob Marley and the Wailers, the groundwork is laid for them, but for the impartial, one with passing interest, to make an impact on them is the true test. I’m indifferent to Tina Turner, I loved her with no more or less affection than a host of eighties pop legends, but after being wowed by Simply the Best, I came away contemplating just how brilliant Tina Turner was. That’s the benchmark, that’s paying a convincing homage, right there, and Kinisha did this wholeheartedly.

Simply The Best comes to Devizes Corn Exchange on Saturday 31st August. Tickets are a purple one, from HERE. Treat yourself, you’ll love it, if that’s anything to do with it; it’s physical, only logical, and you must try to ignore that it means more than that!

Talk in Code

Wha-oh, Wiltshire Music Events is no secondhand emotion! They’re going from strength to strength! The Kings Arms in Amesbury is a fond venue for them, and they’ve our favourite indie pop originals, Talk in Code there on May 18th. But they’re no stranger to Devizes, hosting CrownFest in Bishops Cannings last year, and a plethora of in-house duo, Illingworth gigs in our pubs; in fact, you can catch Illingworth at the Crown in Bishops Cannings on the bank holiday, 4th May, with a rare appearance from the incredible George Wilding, on leave from his cruise ship work and back to entertain us landlubbers! 

Illingworth

And if you need a fascinating fact to finish on, note John Illingworth and George are uncle and nephew, and 4th May at the Crown will be a rare opportunity to see them on the same bill….Thunderdome!!

George Wilding

The Female of the Species to Fundraise for Rainbow Early Years in Trowbridge

Girls, girls, girls, we love them here at Devizine, especially our esteemed all-female local supergroup The Female of the Species. 2024 will be their ninth annual fundraiser, they announced details of it this week; yay! The grand total raised over the years must be incalculable, has won them Civic Awards and thanks from the Chartered Institute of Fundraising. But what is more, every event is a classic rock n pop n reggae n soul cover showstopper of such breathtaking proportions, I call it unmissable!

The Female of the Species are local girl power on fire; five ravishing frontwomen of five local bands, all of whom I fail every year to get any of their phone numbers! All working together in perfect union, with hints of naughty bantering and quality support acts. Jules Moreton of Trowbridge’s Train to Skaville, Nicky Davis from People Like Us and The Reason, Julia Greenland from Soulville Express, Claire Perry from Big Mamma’s Banned, Charmaigne Andrews from Siren, and the unforgettable Train to Skaville saxophonist, Karen Porter. All being amazing performers in their own right, together they’re an unsurpassable force which appears more harmonic with each year that passes.

Despite having obligations to their individual bands, they put their all into this trailblazing fundraiser, and they come together bang in the middle of Trowbridge, Melksham and Devizes, at Seend Community Hall, on the Saturday 21st September. Tickets are on sale, HERE, for a snip at £15.

This year we gather to raise funds for Trowbridge preschool Rainbow Early Years. They have only months to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds or face potential closure. Wiltshire Council have said the building it leases is “beyond economical repair.”

Rainbow Early Years has been a registered charity since 1993 and currently has 41 children enrolled, aged between two and four years old. Wiltshire Council are offering 25% of the cost of the building, the remaining needs to be found in order to keep the preschool open.

Parent and school volunteer, Cayla Harle told the BBC, “I came here as a child. My twins came here last year, and my little boy Arthur, now comes here too. (I feel) absolutely heartbroken. This place means so much, the staff here are incredible, they don’t deserve it.”

Manager Hayley Galliers told BBC Radio Wiltshire that she is unsure what exactly the problem with the building is. “Wiltshire Council said to us there’s an issue with the roofing, the electrics and the flooring. We’ve recently passed our health and safety inspection, the guy who did it said the flooring is absolutely fine. We’ve recently had our electrics done and also had our roofing repaired, so I just don’t see what the problem is.” Despite several requests Miss Galliers said the council has been unwilling or unable to provide her with the latest survey report, which was completed in 2022.

Councillor Laura Mayes, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Skills, said “We have shared the contents of the survey with Rainbow Early Years but not the actual survey. There is a great amount of detail in the condition survey which would need to be explained, but we are happy to share this and talk through the details with Rainbows.”

Jules Moreton of Female of the Species told us, “when Julia and I met up with the charity, the staff were all really concerned about their jobs.” 

We wish Rainbow Early Years all the very best with their fundraising efforts, but one thing is for sure, The Female of the Species will give it a great boost, and have a whole lot of fun doing it! So be there, get your tickets HERE.

Trending……

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 a…

Six:Teen Edition; Devizes Music Academy’s Historic Pop Blast Showcase!  

Images Used With Permission of Gail Foster

Last night at Devizes Corn Exchange I, and a packed house, witnessed the retelling of the six wives of Henry VIII, in an unique, contemporary and dazzling way. It was as if Andrew Lloyd Webber was directing Little Mix in a musical of Horrible Histories….

Without hindsight I admit, I was apprehensive it would be my cuppa. It was mostly the fact young Jess Self starred in it which drew me to it. Truly a natural born star, I’ve witnessed firsthand the range of dramatics she handles with sublime ease, yet I was concerned her talent may upstage the other students appearing in Devizes Music Academy’s inaugural showcase.

I wasn’t wrong about Jess’s talent, playing the part of Jane Seymour, her solo ballad much in the musical style she’s accustomed brought the house down, but I hadn’t predicted how exceptionally close to that pedestal the other cast members would attain. It was a bonded girl band, to all intents and purposes, akin to the non-uniformed Spice Girls, where each girl’s contrasting characteristics and personalities have the freedom to be played out, but the ingenious part was that both the individuality of each performer, and the characters of the wives of Henry VIII intertwined so wonderfully if the concept is difficult to imagine, it simply worked wonders through their dedication.

Image: Gail Foster

I mean, yeah, Devizes most prestigious stage, the quality of light and sound engineering, and the clever design of the dresses to mesh Tudor styles with contemporary fashion, all benefitted, but the magic truly was in the performance, as they boomed onto the stage brewing with both with the joy of performing and confidence of an established pop band on tour. Backed by the precise choreography of the remaining students, the six wives came out in a force of unison, as did they finalise the show with two additional numbers.

With just enough narrative to inform and not prevent it turning into a full blown play, rather a pastiche of a pop party, they jostled each other for the spotlight with amusing Gen Z banter and staged a song-off battle brimming with historic facts. It was uniquely brilliant.

Image: Gail Foster

Each took a solo pitch in the chronological order of the King’s wives. I tried to keep track of this despite mostly staring out of the classroom window during history lessons! Katherine of Aragon first, played enthusiastically and skilfully with the egotistical diva of Miley Cyrus, by Ruby Phipps, and you’d be forgiven to assume her astute and amusing quips and side-eye glances at the others would be a comical showstopper, much too was the confidence in her vocals.

Amelie Smith as Anne Boleyn followed. A contrasting but equally engaging performance, with the Cockney-pseudo-rap-singing fashion of Kate Nash. It was clear each modern pop sub-genre would be inclusive with each solo, and each performer’s personal attributes would be encased within their characters; the casting was defined with excellence.

Image: Gail Foster

Jane Seymour next, her family-orientated persona perfect for Jess Self to light up the stage with the aforementioned breathtaking musical ballad. Truly a star, but the others, I now know, are too.

It then all went all Europop for Anne of Cleves, adapting her Germanic roots in the House of La Marck as a tekno club intro was a stroke of humorous genius. Played with gusto and inimitable panache, the exceptionally talented Kelsey Husband took no prisoners in a neo-soul blast akin to Missy Elliot come attitude of P!nk in a period drama; wowzers, it was as cool as a cucumber!

Image: Gail Foster

Mia Jepson as Catherine Howard implemented a more punky, indie fusion, as if lead in a Republica style band. The result was spellbinding and contrasting, and performed with confidence, as if singing like a rock legend was child’s play to Mia!

Image: Gail Foster

The final wife Kateryn Parr, played with a certain brilliance by Lisa Grime returned the vibe superbly back to a soulful ballad, and through beautiful vocals the harsh realities of their fates begun to reside over the folly and excitement of fame, exactly the downside of Henry VIII’s wives and contemporary pop stars might equally face. And that was where the unique spin resided. I said from concept to production the idea was a stroke of genius, didn’t I?!

Sure, we’ve seen modern makeovers of biblical or historical stories in musicals, from the Romeo and Juliet adaptation West Side Story to Rice’s Jesus Christ Superstar, but nothing I know of which reflects a Gen Z pop concert to the letter, in so much as it was more a pop concert than play, and this conveyed the preference of the generation, and breathed zest and joy into a head-chopping historic referenced narrative.

Image: Gail Foster

A mahoosive congratulations to director and mentor Jemma Brown, and all the awesome students of Devizes Music Academy. It was absolutely fantastic, enough to take on tour, or perhaps, if you all became presenters of the History Channel, they’d move it to MTV and actually get viewers!!

While there’s many great local options for schools of performing arts, judged from the quality of this show alone, Devizes Music Academy shows real potential in creating current programs which would really engage the youth of today. 

Trending….

Ignore Petty Facebook Posts; The Marley Experience Concert in Devizes Is Going Ahead as Planned

In song Bob Marley made no exceptions. He spoke freely in several songs about the powers that be, trying to hush him. The summit of their disapproval led to an assassination attempt in December 1976…is his message the reason for a loud minority of locals trying to derail a tribute act gig, I mean, really?!!

On the Survival album he chanted about an “ambush in the night, tryin’ to conquer me,” and in the song Keep on Moving he openly told of his heartbreak at having to leave his family to exile in London.

It is not for me to reason why, neither would I dare compare the gravity of his plight with a seemingly petty recent local resistance against the tribute act The Marley Experience coming Devizes Corn Exchange on 13th April, but after complaints to the Council over signage advertising this event, now it seems some people have taken to Facebook to falsely claim the event has been cancelled.

We will not speculate why they have decided to do this, only say the event is most definitely going ahead. Eddie Prestidge of Wiltshire Events, hosting the gig, said, “this is totally unfounded. Unfortunately this rumour has been posted by some malicious individuals for unknown reasons, but the show will go on. There are still a limited number of tickets available.” 

Whatever motives those deliberately trying to sabotage this event have, we really don’t care. There are no valid reasons for it. If you don’t want to go, don’t; simples. We’ve been looking forward to this. I’ve seen The Marley Experience before, and as a lifelong fan of Bob Marley and the Wailers, I will tell you, you will not be disappointed. These petty attacks on the event are counterproductive to their intentions, as they only serve us a darn good excuse to continue plugging this gig!

They’re really scraping the bottom of the barrel for pathetic attempts to derail this gig from going ahead, “Have pity on those whose chances grow thinner.” 

Get your tickets from Devizes Books, Sidmouth Street, or online here:

https://wiltshiremusiceventsuk.onestopwebworks.com/event/bob-marley-event/

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 20th – 26th March 2024

Here’s what’s happening over the coming week in the wilds of Wiltshire, hold onto your hats!

Everything listed here is on our event calendar; go there for links and more info. It may be updated with even more things to do than listed here, so check in later in the week.…

Ongoing: The Mousetrap at the Wyvern, Swindon runs until Saturday 23rd.

Wednesday 20th

Green Grub Club at St James, Devizes. Acoustic Jam at the Southgate.

Daniel Kemish at Chapel Arts, Bath. Tuto Tribe atThe Bell, Bath.

Thursday 21st

Iona Lane and Ella Clayton at the Pump, Trowbridge.

Jim Blair at The Beehive, Swindon. Somerset Velvet & Hatty Taylor at The Tuppenny. 

Memory Sing at Swindon Arts Centre.

Adam’s Apple Jazz Trio at Chapel Arts, Bath.

Sylvertones at the Old Bell, Warminster.

Desperados (Eagles tribute) at The Cheese & Grain, Frome.

Friday 22nd

Devizes Ghost Walk with John Girvan. Eddie Martin Trio at The Southgate, Devizes. DJ Stevie MC at the Exchange.

Open Mic at The Barge, HoneyStreet

Damm! at The Bear, Marlborough

Band of Others at The Grapes, Melksham.

Take The Stage at the Neeld, Chippenham.

Eddie Gripper Trio at the Civic, Trowbridge. Wiltshire Rural Music Fundraiser at Emmanuals Yard.

Pussycat & The Dirty at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon.

Furlined at The Beehive, Swindon. Moving Pictures at The Vic.

Ezio at Chapel Arts, Bath.

Rhythm Presents Funkagenda DJs at 23 Bath Street, Frome.

Saturday 23rd

Easter Egg Hunt at All Cannings. Jumble Sale at St Andrew’s Church, Devizes: 10-11am. John Rutter’s Requiem at St Andrew’s Church.  Eddie Holgate Trio at the Southgate, Devizes.

Spring Concert at St Mary’s Church, Marlborough. Swipe Right at The Bear, Marlborough.

Peaky Blinders at The Pilot, Melksham. Rockin’ The Joint at Melksham Rock n Roll Club.

The Worried Men at The Talbot, Calne.

Radiation Sickness at The Consti Club, Chippenham. Counterfeit Quo, Status Quo Tribute Band at the Neeld.

Kevin Brown’s Shackdusters at the Pump, Trowbridge.

Moments of Pleasure; the Music of Kate Bush at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.

M&W and Underbliss at The Three Horseshoes.

Soul’d Out at Tucker’s Graveyard, Faulkland.

Solarbird at the Duck, Laverstock. Rob Clamp at The Winchester Gate, Salisbury.

Rachael Sage at Chapel Arts, Bath. Paul Foot’s Dissolve at The Rondo Theatre, Bath.

A World Music Club at The Beehive, Swindon. Biffy McClyro at The Vic, Swindon.

Lottery Winners at the Cheese & Grain, Frome. Revelation Roots at the Tree House.

Sunday 24th

Sunflower Easter Fair at Devizes Corn Exchange: 11-4pm.

Josh Pugh’s Existin’ La Vida Loca at Swindon Arts Centre. Jonathan Pie at the Wyvern, Swindon.

Junkyard Dogs at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon.

The F.O.S. Brothers at The Bell, Bath.

Stevie Wonder tribute The Wonder of Stevie at the Cheese & Grain, Frome.

Monday 25th

The Great Big Dance Off at the Wyvern, Swindon.

Kevin Figes’ Wallpaper Music at The Bell, Bath.

Tuesday 26th

Spring Wreath Making at Hillworth Park, Devizes. And, it must be the first time Editor’s Pick of Week is on a Tuesday! The James Oliver Band play Devizes Conservative Club.

Jazz Knight’s Swindon Jazz & Soul Festival Fringe Event at The Royal Oak, Swindon, is a celebration of Grant Green with Chris Cobbson. How Sweet It Is at Swindon Arts Centre. 

Rhod Gilbert & The Giant Grapefruit at the Wyvern.

Sue Harding at The Bell, Bath.

And that’s all we’ve got for now, other than some important things to say: Events listed here are subject to change, we are not responsible for cancellations, errors or postponements in anything listed. 

Important note two, events which come to our attention from now on in, will be updated on the Event Calendar and NOT HERE. So, be sure to check in from time to time, use the Event Calendar to find more info on everything listed on here, and for ticket links, etc. Use the Event Calendar to check for updates and planning ahead.

And planning ahead, don’t forget Devizes Musical Theatre brings us Sister Act at Dauntsey’s School from Wednesday 27th until Saturday 30th March. Next week also sees Vic-Fest at the Vic in Swindon, with a huge line-up, People Like Us are at The Three Crowns, Devizes on Friday, while Nothing Rhymes with Orange headline the Pump in Trowbridge, The Lost Trades are there on Saturday. General Levy at Cheese & Grain Friday, The Wurzels on Saturday!

Nearly into April, where I would recommend Andrew Hurst at St Nicholas Church in Bromham Thursday 4th, Brian Poole at Long Street Blues Club Friday 5th, Mick Jogger at Seend Community Hall on Saturday 6th and the John Hackett Band at the Pump, or Cara Dillon at Wiltshire Music Centre.

Following week, you can find And Then There Were None opening at the Wharf Theatre, Devizes Monday 8th, and the Marley Experience on 13th April at Devizes Corn Exchange; unmissable. 

Did we miss you out? Did you tell us about your event? It’s not that we don’t like you, it’s because Devizine uses many sources to collate these listings, and sometimes we miss a few things. Listing your event here is free, but please make it easier for me by messaging or emailing the info, and then, and this is the really important part, make sure I’ve added it and let me know if not!

Have a good week!

Trending…….

Wiltshire Legends Jesus Jones Announce Co-headline tour with EMF

Think early nineties dance-indie crossover and the Madchester circuit might understandably spring to mind. Yet Pop Will Eat Itself were Brunmies, The Shamen were Scots, but EMF and Jesus Jones were West Country, from Cinderford and Bradford-on-Avon respectively….

International, and bright, but perhaps not quite so young, Wiltshire’s own Jesus Jones announced a first ever co-headline tour with EMF this autumn with Echobelly in support; who said they were rivals?!

Right Here, Right Now two of the 90’s most enduring alternative-rock acts are delighted to confirm they will be going toe-to-toe on what’s shaping up to be an Unbelievable run of shows together. 

Taking over big rooms in Manchester, Bristol, plus a major date at London’s O2 Kentish Town Forum this October, the co-headliners will be sharing a bill for the first time ever. A tour that promises Great Things, EMF and Jesus Jones will also be joined by very Special Guests: Echobelly for the Manchester and London legs of the tour. The full list of dates are below.

Expressing their excitement for the Autumn tour, James and Ian of EMF state:

“We are so happy to finally be announcing these very special shows with our long term friends Jesus Jones, it’s been very hard keeping this news a secret! From EMF at these shows you can expect all the old hits with an added couple of bangers from our new album ’The Beauty and the Chaos’”. 

Echoing their sentiments in a year where Jesus Jones celebrate their 35th Anniversary, frontman Mike Edwards adds: 

“People always assume EMF and us were great rivals – nothing could be further from the truth, we’ve been best friends for more than thirty years! Then, the same people always assume we must have been on the same bill, loads of times. Incredibly, it has NEVER happened before, until now. These shows are going to be fantastic – and having Echobelly on the bill too – it’s a brilliant line-up.”

Sporting over 20x Top 40 hits between them, Jesus Jones, EMF, and Echobelly dominated the charts during a vintage era for indie and alternative-dance music. 

Forged in the cross-over crucible of the bubbling Acid House and Indie-Rock scenes of the time, Jesus Jones were formed in Wiltshire in 1988. Landing a Top 40 smash with their acclaimed debut album ‘Liquidizer’ (1989), the quintet would go on to find huge success in the early 1990s with major hits including “Real Real Real”, “Right Here, Right Now”, “International Bright Young Thing”, “The Devil You Know” and many more across the decade. Releasing their most recent studio album ‘Passages’ in 2018, the band are celebrating their 35th Anniversary this year with a world-wide tour, with shows across the US, Canada, Australia and these momentous UK co-headline shows this year.

Across the border in Gloucestershire, the stars were also aligning for fellow scenesters EMF. Founded in late 1989 the dance-rock quintet would quickly rise to fame with the release of their platinum certified debut album, ‘Schubert Dip’ just two years later. Shifting over a million copies sold and charting at #3 in the UK (and #12 in the US), it featured the infectious debut single “Unbelievable” a track that conquered the charts on both sides of the Atlantic and remains their calling card to this day. From there, the hit singles kept coming throughout the decade, with their next 7 singles all besieging the Top 40 including “I Believe,” “Children”, “Lies”, “Perfect Day”, “It’s You” and more. Releasing a further 3x Top 40 albums, the band would take an extended hiatus following the release of ‘Cha Cha Cha’ in 1995. Reuniting for special live shows and festivals since then, EMF returned with their acclaimed new album ‘Go Go Sapiens’ in 2022. Continuing their hot-streak of recent years, the band have just released a brand new album, ’The Beauty And The Chaos’. The first single from the album, “Hello People” featured a guest appearance by Stephen Fry and gleaned rave reviews. A second single, “Reach For The Lasers” will be released on 8th March 2024.

Fast forward to 2024 and the catalogues of EMF and Jesus Jones remain as vital as ever. Pooling their creative forces and impressive collection of hits for a series of major shows together in 2024, tickets for the EMF + JESUS JONES tour – will go on sale this Friday, 1st March @ 10AM. 

2024 TOUR DATES

Academy Events presents…

25/10/2024 – Manchester O2 Ritz* 

Academy Events presents…

26/10/2024 – London O2 Kentish Town Forum*

Pink Dot & Gigantic presents…

27/10/2024 – Bristol Marble Factory

* w/ Echobelly

*****

TICKETS

Tickets go on sale this Friday @ 10AM here: 

O2 Ritz: https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/event/3E00603800AC2001

Kentish Forum: https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/event/3E00603DF84725F5

Marble Factory: https://themarblefactory.seetickets.com/event/emf-jesus-jones/the-marble-factory/2954083

Peace, Love, Americana and Jol Rose

I trouble procrastinating upon being gifted a previously released CD from an artist for review, unfortunately they land on the backburner, prioritising upcoming news items. I swear to myself, “I must get on and review that,” especially when it’s as brilliant as Jol Rose’s 2023 album, Peace, Love, Americana. So, that’s my box to tick today…..

A surprising brilliance, for while I’m aware of his popularity on the Americana scene, and particularly in his hometown of Swindon, it was only a brief encounter at Bradford Roots Festival in January, where he handed me this beauty. He was on early, see? I could still taste the toothpaste, had to locate the room in the lovely labyrinth of the Wiltshire Music Centre, and once done the room was full and I couldn’t get in until someone left; few did, now I know why.

Ergo, I caught his last few songs, recalling the upbeat, happy-go-lucky and amusingly fruity Make Some Hay, which though on the album, I realise after gorging myself on it’s sublime observations, portrayals and wonderful Dylan-esque folk-rock, happy-go-lucky and amusingly fruity songs is only the tip of the iceberg.

First impressions were, while Bob Dylan-like vocally, even the most troubled of Jol’s characters have escape plans. They aren’t totally dejected and beyond hope like many of Dylan’s. This gives a much more sprightly and sanguineness vibe, and I’m leaning more in nature to the likes of the wild romanticisms or optimism in the face of misfortunes of Springsteen’s storytelling. Either way, despite Jol’s prolificness at an album annually since 2019’s My Nebraska, there’s clearly a lot of time, effort, and thought put into his songwriting. Surely the key to any amazing acoustic folk artist.

Being on the gatefold is a call to “free Julian Assange,” a subject Jol blogs about on his website, rallying his local MP, I realise I must dive deeper into the meanings of his songs, as he has proficiency in weaving poignant narratives, far from simply “making hay!” Still, only subtle political nods in his themes, I detect, are unlike the bluntness of Guthrie. The only exception to this rule I noted, is a closing tune When the Day and Night Collide, for this is truly blowin’ in the wind.

There’s defeatism yet hope, over Dylan’s usual bitter and derisive foreboding, yet romantic interludes are not often forthcoming, as in the opening tune, All Alone Again. It hankers the pit of your soul, an honesty pleading she takes him back home, even if he has trudged all over her flowerbed! Metaphorical or not, Jol, you need to get yourself to Homebase and replenish those Rhododendrons pronto!

Then comes the aforementioned light-hearted upbeat tune, Make Some Hay, followed by an absolute marvel. Meet me in Berlin, tormented touring dreams of it all coming together again, Romeo a personification of his hopes it’ll freshen up, it’s homecoming, delivered with amazing passion; thus the album persists this way, and it’s stunning.

Featuring Rachael Birkin on fiddle, award-winning pedal steel player Holly Carter, keyboardist Jon Buckett and Lewis Lord-Jenkins on drums, Drew Di Fiore on bass and Jason Serious on harmony vocals, this is twelve tunes strong, which does exactly what it says on the tin. There’s authentic Americana throughout, country folk, country blues, and if tunes weave in and out of pace, it flows like a fresh Red River valley song. The Carter Family would save him a space at their dinner table.

Tracks like Let it Roll aren’t the complex riddles of cliché Americana, rather facile sing-a-along, rolling into folk-rock. Other, more cleverly intertwined tunes require thought, often I’m deciding if Jol is subtly reflecting metaphorically, or more simply this romantic longing in the face of doubt. This open-ended prose is the key to the magic, as you interpret it as you will, hopefully bearing relevance to your own affairs, and that’s when the music takes you away. It’s a skill only the best singer-songwriters can muster, if Jol’s music doesn’t take you there, none of the others will. Come on Home, nine tracks in, is the perfect example. Though there’s a running theme of wishing to return home, it’s sublime and as congenial as home itself. It’s a painting on a wall, a permanent fixture hung with love.

I thought Jol was good, I didn’t dream he was this good;  Peace, Love, Americana is a keeper alright! Bag yourself a copy HERE.

Trending….

The Wiltshire Gothic; Deadlight Dance

With howling, coarse baritones Nick Fletcher, the main vocalist of Marlborough’s gothic duo, Deadlight Dance chants, “here comes the rain, and I love the rain,…

LIVE: Holy Popes – The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon, 24/02/2024

It’s great to see a shining review on The Three Horseshoes in Bradford-on-Avon and grassroots venues in general from a nationwide blog like God is in the TV….

Read here:

https://wp.me/p3tFMx-Twf

Gaz Brookfield’s Village Hall Tour Came to Lavington

West-side in the Lavingtons last night, tumbleweeds could’ve blown along the High Street as an army of highway operatives rode into the village with heavy resurfacing artillery. Yet, behind blockades at the village hall, a pocket of gig resistance stood their ground, guided by their temporary sheriff of entertainment, Gaz Brookfield. They were going out-out, even if it meant marching from Littleton Pannell or Rickbarton!

No one’s fault, just unfortunate timing, but I gladly report any clashes between parties was reduced to the mere possibility of some reveller tripping on a traffic cone in the dark – what else can I say of the incident? My mum always told me to watch where I was going!

In this wonderful village hall, though, everyone was made to feel welcome. Warmed with chilli, rice and choice of drinks, curious villagers and local Gaz fans melded for a memorable evening. Armed with just a guitar this all-round entertainer of the singer-songwriter variety fulfilled a promise to book himself into willing village halls as an initial part of a wider annual tour. Who am I to argue town and city venues get all the fun, and this genius idea breathes life into otherwise often quotidian or redundant halls? But the true genius of Gaz Brookfield isn’t only present in marketing concepts. 

Your typical singer-songwriter can be categorised thus; wonderfully creative yet timorous, bold but perhaps not so accomplished, or a pick of both positive qualities, as Gaz clearly falls into, an expert in confidently delivering self-penned marvels. It would seem nothing is off limits as a subject, as life takes its course Gaz reflects on any occurrence or newfound knowledge and views them equally as worthy of writing about. The result is variety. Habitual vow of playing a fun song after a melancholic one, Gaz explains this, as is he summarises the thought process behind each song with a balance of serenity and good humour.

You know what I mean, though? Some singer-songwriters, while talented, stand tense and only address an audience with “this next song is called,” whereas someone like Springsteen will drag a backstory out to epic proportions. Gaz finds the middle ground, a perfect balance. Yeah he gave a locally themed backstory related in his first gigs in a band playing his own village hall, but all intros were a brief synopsis, and on with the associated song.

Everything he plays is original, fans chant them back to him, but every layer of his personality, thoughts and observations are exposed on the stage he commands, that’s his honest beauty. Also worth noting, parallel to Springsteen or folk singers like Seeger, there’s sunny-side of the street, hometown themes, but Gaz confines himself to nada; there’s historic or apocalyptic stories, thoughts of symbolic tree carvings, blues about diabetes, and quite often, frank insights to being a musician. Through the quips and ditties to the sombre or reflective moments, if I’m making this sound as if Gaz is a jack of all trades, he’s not, he’s a king of them, an all round entertainer.

Weaving an audience under his spell, he relates, he engages an audience, makes them feel a part of the show rather than observers. Relaying an anecdote about an ukulele fashioned guitar, he drops off the stage and sings a shanty unplugged. A communal moment of sublimity alongside archetypal latest album plugs, and ending with a selection of previous known and loved works. Gaz is a tricky one to pin down, given the variety and proficiency he plays with, but he certainly ticks every box with a gold star.

A national gemstone from down our way. Expressing a love for the West Country just one tangent he focussed on, an ode to a friend amusing titled “nuggets,” and too many other ingenious prose to mention. Though this was not before a Tilshead support. Mischa of Mischa and his Merry Men arrived without said merry men, calling an opportunity to play some songs he wouldn’t usually do with his accompanying band. Singing of desperation, eco-anarchy though with a mildly blasé approach, and citing seventies electric blues influences in song, Mischa was apologetic about swearing, thrilled to be performing with Gaz, and made an apt and superb support act which would’ve been perfect with his collective as a headliner.

Being I reviewed Gaz’s 2016 album, I Know My Place pre-Devizine for a now redundant newsite, alongside Richie Triangle, Tamsin Quin and Phil Cooper he was fundamental to this voyage of discovery in local talent, I’m glad to finally tick him off the top of my must-see list, but wouldn’t mind at all making his gigs as something of a devotee. Aware of his music before last night, even in reviewing a live album, is a solid base but his ability to deliver a live performance in person borders on legendary.

The village hall tour continues until March, the closet being Hook near Swindon on the 23rd, further dates for his new album Morning Walking Club from April takes in Salisbury’s Winchester Gate on April 6th, and includes full-band festivals such as the My Dad’s Bigger Than Your Dad Festival at Swindon’s Old Town Bowl on July 20th. Find more details HERE, and do, you’ll be glad you did!

Trending….

Let’s Clean up Devizes!

You’ve got to love our CUDS, the Clean up Devizes Squad, hardworking volunteers who make the town look tidy and presentable. Here’s your chance to…

Ashes of Memory; New Single From M3G

The fifth single coming out from Chippenham singer-songwriter M3g on Friday, Ashes of Memory, and if I’ve said in the past what separates Meg from…

1st Worton & Marston Brownies Need Volunteer Leaders and Assistants

Featured image by LoraDore

After an impressive forty-five years of Guiding in Worton, through Brownies, Guides, Young Leadership, and as the Unit Leader there for many years, it’s sad to hear Vicky Earley has made the very difficult decision to hang up her Brownie Wings and pass over the running of the unit to someone new…

Unfortunately, the Assistant Leaders will also be leaving the unit at the same time so they really need a new Leadership Team.

Full support would be offered to anyone who might be interested in taking on this Volunteer role.

They’ve been sharing recruitment advertisements on social media in the hope that it would interest someone to enquire but as yet have no luck…can you help?

If you, or anyone you know, may be interested in a fun, fulfilling Volunteer role, please do get in touch with them, or the unit is at risk of closure. It would be a terrible thing to lose for the children, after being established for sixty years this June, 

The current volunteers are able to stay until the Summer Holidays. “After that if we have not found a new leadership team the unit will be closed,” Vicky said, “we really hope that it doesn’t come to that.”

“I’m not looking for someone to commit for the next 30 years,” Vicky continued, “that was my personal choice, even if someone could just keep it open for the next few years it is better than it closing.”

Rainbows 1st Potterne Unit are also in need of volunteers.

If you would like some information about Girlguiding and what Brownies do these days please check out the website: 

https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/get-involved/become-a-volunteer

https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/what-we-do/brownies

Or you can contact Vicky directly for a chat here 1stWortonAndMarstonBrownies@gmail.com

New Nothing Rhymes With Orange Single

Friday is over, I’m a day late to the party, but there’s a new single from Devizes-own Nothing Rhymes With Orange, and you’ve not heard anything like this from the boys before…..

Starter for ten, Friday is Over sounds four-five notches more professional than anything which went before, a result of 91 Studios in Newbury and a push to obtain a crisper sound for radio by our very own skateboarding Vernon Kay, James Threlfall! (I know, it probably bugs him when I call him that!) But tech is nothing without the skill to use it to your advantage, and from the off Friday is Over twinkles with a surprising eighties synth-pop intro. There’s retrospective elements of what local indie bands like Talk in Code, the Dirty Smooth and Atari Pilot aim to achieve, but not without the archetypical NRWO sound in the forefront.

So, Don’t go off thinking the band are the new A-Ha, the guitars roll and Elio’s vocals build to something we’re familiar with, as Nothing Rhymes With Orange fans. Still though, we’re on another level with this, the bridges and hooks, all chartable stuff from our hometown boys; for crying out loud Devizes Town Council, lets a get a statue of these kids in the Market Place, pronto!

If past tunes filled me with hope for them, this one fills me with assurance, knowing how hard they’ve all worked towards this, and pride too, to say we’ve been following and supporting them since day dot. Friday maybe over, but this is the start of a great adventure and we wish them all the best…. take a listen.

Trending…..

Never Changing the Rules With Atari Pilot

Swindon’s sonic indie popsters Atari Pilot are a prolific bunch, and have a new single out called The Rules Never Change…. And, they don’t. There’s…

Peace, Love, Americana and Jol Rose

I trouble procrastinating upon being gifted a previously released CD from an artist for review, unfortunately they land on the backburner, prioritising upcoming news items.…

Lego Club at Devizes Library Announced

Everything is looking awesome at Devizes Library as they announce the Lego Club for six to twelve year olds will begin on Saturday 27th January!

With bookable sessions each Saturday  from the 27th, at 2-3.30pm, places will be limited so either call in or phone on 01380 826190 to book your place.

In addition, the library will be running a drop in session on Thursdays from 3.30-6pm from the 1st February. There’s no need to book for this session.

My only issue with this is that sessions are suitable for 6-12 years….bang goes my spaceship project! I love this idea, as I loved Lego, still do! Well done, and thank you, Devizes Library.

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 10th -16th January 2024

Christmas, a thing of the past, this in 2024; how’s that working out for you so far?! Never mind, Fishy Rishi is gonna make us all better off, apparently; sense a general election in the air, smell fresh dung pungently emanating from Downing Street?! Oh well, here’s what we’ve found to do in the wilds of Wiltshire this coming week, help take your mind off it…..

All info and links can be found on the event calendar, HERE, and it’s forever(ish) updating so plan ahead, with us!

Ongoing until 17th February, two enlightening exhibits at Wiltshire Museum, Devizes, Lest We Forget: the Black Contribution to the World Wars in Wiltshire, and Eric Walrond: A Caribbean Writer living in Wiltshire. Reviewed Here.

Wednesday 10th

The Southgate, Devizes re-opened Monday, after a well-earned rest, I’m assuming the  regular Acoustic Jam is on. There’s also a Devizes Salsa Beginners Class, at The Old School, West Lavington; work off all those Quality Street in style!

Regular big jam at The Vic, Swindon, and Bella Humphries will headline the Old Town Comedy Club at the Hop Inn.

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry screening at Warminster’s Athenæum.

Monkey Chuckle at The Bell, Bath.

Thursday 11th

Comedy Loft at the Civic, Trowbridge.

Peter Green tribute, Man of the World has sold out at the Tree House, Frome.

Friday 12th

John Primer Band at Long Street Blues Club, Devizes, Editor’s Pick of the Week.

Sleeping Beauty opens at the Civic, Trowbridge and runs across the weekend.

Hidden Comedy Club at The Neeld, Chippenham.

An Evening of Soul with Billy & Louie at Swindon Arts Centre, Pearl Jam tribute, Earl Ham at The Vic.

The Everlys & Friends at Chapel Arts, Bath.

David Olusoga at the Cheese & Grain, Frome.

Saturday 13th

Ceilidh with Random at Seend Community Centre. 

Jonah Hitchens Trio at The Southgate, Devizes, The Unpredictables at The Three Crowns, and Longcroft’s Damian Wilson & Adam Wakeman at Devizes Conservative Club.

Marty’s Fake Family at The Pilot, Melksham.

Wiltshire Jazz Academy showcase at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.

Be Like Will at The Brewer’s, Corsham. National Theatre Live: Skylight at Pound Arts.

Just Floyd at The Vic, Swindon.

Jaz Delorean is solo at Chapel Arts in Bath.

Chemical Dance at the Cheese & Grain, Frome.

Sunday 14th

Jon Amor Trio at The Southgate, Devizes for 5pm.

Deadlight Dance at The Blue Boar, Aldbourne, again, 5pm start.

The Ska Mechanics at the Cider Barn, Draycott.

Panama Jazz Band at The Bell, Bath.

Monday 15th

Hedera at The Bell, Bath.

Jonathan Pie has sold out at the Cheese & Grain, both Monday and Tuesday nights…why? Because people like honesty, Fishy Rishi, take a leaf out the Pie! Tbh, I don’t think Fishy reads this, not regularly anyway, let me now if you’re out there Rishi; hands in the air!

Tuesday 16th

Jonny Henderson Organ Trio at Jazz Knights in The Royal Oak, Swindon. Legend – The Music of Bob Marley at The Wyvern Theatre; this is a brilliant show if you’re a fan of the Tuff Gong.

Barney Kenny at The Bell, Bath.

And that’s your lot, shut it and be happy! Oh, and let me know what we missed, we can list events for free, but a chocolate muffin works better to persuade me! Lots to look forward to this month, I’ll lob a few posters below, but keep your best eye on the……

Event Calendar!!

Trending…..

Date Set for Devizes Pride

Hear ye, oh, hear ye, with much yet to plan for the event, we’re pleased to announce the date of Saturday June 29th has been…

Rootless; New Single Ushti Baba

Bristol’s fine purveyors of idiosyncratic folk-raving, Ushti Baba, who if you’re in Devizes you might recall played Street Festival in 2022, have a new single…..

Chucking Fairport Convention a human beatboxer is probably not the best idea, neither would handing Mr C a concertina; herein lies the genius of Ushti Baba.

 “A song about the brittle nature of art and of those creating it and the fragility of meaning; the stories we tell ourselves about who we are,” the band describe it, from an idea originating back in 2015 while jamming with other musicians around a campfire outside squatted garages.

I would never advocate anyone covering Sparks’ This Town Ain’t Big Enough For The Both of Us, but if someone’s life depended on it, and it was up to the Afro-Celt Sound System to save them, it might come off a tad like this! Though this remark might sound a smidgen critical, it really isn’t intended to be, because that would be one heck of a tricky number to effectively pull off, and while Ushti Baba’s sound is kooky, it’s avant-garde and beguiling, ergo apt for such a unnatural request. If anyone could make a good job of a cover like that, the Baba could, for which you’ve got to hand it to them!

Trending….

Mantonfest 2024

Images: Gail Foster Whilst festivals around us come and go Mantonfest has been a constant of the Wiltshire music calendar since 2009….. The 29th of…

Timeslips; New Single from Sienna Wileman

With an album review in the pipeline for Dad which includes vocals from Sienna, our Swindon princess of melancholic poignancy has a new single, Timeslips…..

Capturing with certain ease dejected youthful pensiveness, rejecting a birthday cake through fears of ageing, this enchanting song hits its haunting intention and echoes the notion Sienna shouldn’t concern herself overly, as through time each song she puts out illuminates both her songwriting talent and power to deliver it with emotion.

Trending…..

The Lost Trades to Release Live Album

To international acclaim on the folk circuit, we’ve loved to follow the progress of the Lost Trades since day dot, when Phil Cooper enthusiastically told…

Wormwood; Cracked Machine’s New Album

A third instalment of space rock swirls and cosmic heavy duty guitar riffs was unleashed in January from our homegrown purveyors of psychedelia, Cracked Machine.…

The Worried Men Take the Pump

And Morpheus said unto Neo, “unfortunately, no one can be told what the Matrix is. You have to see it for yourself.” Funny cos, I…

Tedworth Hunt Parade Without Permission this Boxing Day in Pewsey

The Tedworth Hunt intend to stage a meeting in Pewsey this Boxing Day, despite not making an application to the Parish Council…..

Their usual meeting place is moved to Fairground Field, behind the petrol station, as the Pewsey Parish Council have not received an application for them to congress at their usual spot, the parish council owned Bouverie Hall car park.

Wiltshire Hunt Sabs will be elsewhere today, but assure any protesters some Action Against Foxhunting members will be present to advise. It seems, provided they do not trespass, they’re legally above board to continue the meet, but to parade certain rules must be adhered to. 

Protesters should record and report any illegal activities to police, such as blocking roads or parking spaces, obstructing pedestrians or traffic, using unlicensed vehicles such as quad bikes on roads. AAF provides a comprehensive checklist HERE.

Trial by social media, it seems keyboard warriors aim to point the finger at the Parish Council for disallowing the meet at the hall, but that’s not the case. Pewsey Parish Council Clerk Ali Kent told Devizine, “I never received any request from the Tedworth Hunt to meet in the North Street car park today. We will never know which way any vote would have gone. Accusations that information has been hidden are extremely offensive to those of us who work hard for all of the community.”

I have to sing some praises for Pewsey Parish Council recently, the construction of the skatepark is a really positive move in creating a space for local youth. On this issue it cannot be judged on speculation. As hunting goes underground it will raise whole new circumstances, but Boxing Day parades are a promotional tool to normalise this barbaric tradition and are being stamped out by local councils. It rests on police to uphold the Hunting Act and prosecute accordingly; a Pandora’s box we’re not opening today!

It is a crying shame the season of goodwill doesn’t extend to our wildlife for these barbaric arseholes, as compelling evidence mounts trial hunting is a smokescreen it is time, in our opinion, to stop this now, by law.

Twas an Average Night Before Christmas in Devizes

It’s an average Saturday night in Devizes, a day before Christmas eve and there’s no grand event at the Corn Exchange, no Long Street Blues night, nothing spectacular to highlight. There’s a festive buzz in town, but it’s slight. Some choose to stay home, only a scattering adorned with tinsel, and fairy lights hats, out on the lash. To say anything is out of the ordinary is pushing the boat out….

It falls, therefore, upon two pubs which have in recent years become the stalwarts of live music in town, to provide us with free entertainment, and two acts who though I’ve seen and mentioned many times before, I never tire of hearing. The bustling and lively Three Crowns has John and Joylen, aka the quality end of the scale for acoustic cover duos, Illingworth, and the ever dependable Southgate has Marlborough’s finest blues ensemble, Barrelhouse. It’s a dilemma to see me hopping to and fro rather than devoting myself to one.

You might require a neon flashing purpose built roller-disco with scantily clad twenty-somethings flashing iPhone torches at a superstar DJ, twiddling knobs like vinyl was never invented, to warrant a good night. Me, I’m content with a conical of cider in a welcoming pub and a live band on a circuit for the love of it. And these two Devizes taverns provide this on such a regular basis, they’ve made it the standard benchmark. Not forgoing, both acts booked for tonight are proficiently entertaining, ergo, when I say it’s an average night in Devizes it’s far from a complaint, rather it equates to a bloody good night as far as I’m concerned!

Geography selected my initial pitstop as The Three Crowns, John and Joylen squashed in a corner to allow for a dancefloor, already underway with duo guitars, familiar classic pub singalong covers apt for the establishment. Del Amitri, then, cool as cucumbers slipping an original in goes unnoticed by a crowd expectant of covers; it’s early, there’s a lot of chatting, it’s Christmas, an engaging topic for discussion.

The guys shine through distractions, such is the impeccable and nonpareil distinctive fashion Illingworth rolls these songs out. To the point I’m intrigued by the excited reaction of some in the pub when John kicks into the Cure’s Boys Don’t Cry, for though clearly born generations after this nugget of eighties goth was released, familiarity has them wiggling and mouthing lyrics. My theory, such songs were timeless blueprints and as more accumulate the more challenging is the objective of creating one, also explains why the Pogues and Kirsty MacColl have,  apparently, the most modern song on the Christmas streaming chart this week.

If Illingworth knows which buttons to press to retain classic songs in the forefront, and pay homage even, Barrelhouse, who’ve rocked up at the Southgate extend this with some songs few of us were alive to recall the release of the originals, of Bo Diddley, Howlin’ Wolf, et al. This is naturally welcomed by punters at the Gate, and isn’t unusual here. But while there’s a few bands on various west country circuits doing this, like those Junkyard Dogs or Mark Green, it’s normally to older blues aficionados, whereas to see Barrelhouse play their hometown of Marlborough, Mantonfest being the ideal location, is to note, they’ve a colossal following many of which are teenage.

It’s something to behold, youth dancing to songs created sixty to eighty years ago, but while Barrelhouse excel in this, throwing originals in or reworking rock classics like Motorhead’s Ace of Spades to fit the agenda equally goes down a storm. Okay, so youths rarely invade the Gate here, save a few weekends ago when Nothing Rhymes With Orange enticed their younger fanbase, but that’s the beauty of Barrelhouse, it’s universally acceptable, and Devizes folk are warming to this notion I picked up on at a Mantonfest of yore. Their grand performance last night confirmed they’ve crossed over these odd local boundaries and rightfully now get the recognition here they’ve had on their turf for donkeys.

Zero doubt this Christmas jumper wearing five-piece, great to see extended to a sixth temporary member when frontman Martin Hand’s girlfriend sporadically joined for backing vocals in the absence of the infamous ‘Barrellettes’ would polish up here at the Southgate, I pulled anchor and set sail in the drizzle to check on Illingworth.

Across the carpark John chanted Hey Jude, so I hotfooted it inside to join the easiest drunken chorus ever. The Three Crowns is heaving as ever. Saturday night in Devizes can be ordinary, but thanks to these two boozers the benchmark for ordinary is punching above its weight for a market town this size.

This leaves me ticking both the going out on the lash box and the hangover one too, now onwards with the family celebrations, the gorging of turkey and Quality Street, and paying my gratitude for new socks and Lynx Afrika, but in turn, wishing you all a merry Christmas!

In Response to a Facebook Post about Giving up Devizine….

You’re so gullible sometimes, you know that?! It’s not even nearly April Fools yet; I wouldn’t know how to abandon Devizine even if I wanted to, and I’m certainly not going let criticism get to me, for if that were the case, I’d have given up years ago!!

Playing the victim card as some do on their little social media groups does wonders for the ego! I thank everyone who made comments or passed wind, convincing me to stick with it. But you should note that the negativity is not from one person or their followers, there was a mountain of hate dumped at my door this year, some of it simply from a Newquest journalist publishing an article about us, because we took a stand against racism and homophobia. Enough said on that matter, but oh, matron…the cheeky scoundrels!!

Here, best explained in photos, is a million-ish (who’s counting?) reasons why I intend to continue creating content on this….ermm, whatever you want to whatchmacallit! And when I now wish you a merry Christmas and Happy New Year, I mean it to everyone, including and especially those who seem upset by what we may’ve put out or at least, how they perceived it…. because that sure wasn’t the intention.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! See you in 2024, and thank you all for your kind support!!

Nothing Rhymes With Orange Storm The Southgate

If The Southgate is Devizes’ finest and most reliable pub music venue, it’s usually favoured by an adult crowd. Yet it’s without doubt that Nothing Rhymes With Orange is the most cherished Gen Z band in town. Having not played Devizes since summer, it was a certainty such a free gig would crash the age demographic of the trusty tavern down a notch or three, never a bad thing, though not a given they’d raise its roof, but, they did that too…

It’s been on the cards for a while. After a long-lost summer Sunday when the band popped in to witness how it’s done, by the expertise of Jon Amor Trio’s monthly residency. Now, being their first time huddled in the infamous alcove, they brought the most diverse entourage we’ve seen at the Gate, and with zest and a righteous sense of confidence, they provided a proficient, high energy show of their unique brand of indie-punk. The atmosphere was fire.

Ageism didn’t turn up, it chose to stay home, cuddling the sensationalised myth blankie of teenage hooliganism other local media will have you believe, for clickbait. The youngest were respectful of the elder regulars, behaved accordingly, the regulars welcomed the youngsters, and surprisingly, behaved too! If Haribo temporarily replaced cider, the Gate issued a statement prior that all under eighteen must be accompanied by an adult, meeting the delicate balance needed. It’s one thing providing a safe space for the fledgling generation to enjoy, and I salute landlords Deb and Dave for this, but another in this economic climate to insure a gig is profitable for a pub through takings at the bar. 

Thus it made a most unusual evening at the Gate, one half as the matured yet lively and hospitable establishment it always is, the other town’s teenage fanbase, who wouldn’t usually frequent the place, dancing their socks off and hailing back the lyrics to the group in unison; the benchmark for any band in vogue.

There’s no mistaking the simple notion, Nothing Rhymes With Orange are at a peak right now, locally. How this widens geographically is down to their motivation and commitment, but I, for one, urge those outside our locality to check them out, as the sensation they’re attracting here is akin to Beatlemania. If their stage presence has flourished, their harmony and ability to execute intelligent and often witty narrative in the present, has always been an accomplishment and goal scorer from day dot.

They look like they really want to be there, that’s the ticket, as it reflects on the audience and reverberates equally to their wailing guitars. Frontman Elijah Eastonl is worshipped when he stands amidst the fans, it’s something to behold. The band play on, lead guitarist Fin Anderson-Farquhar covers the riff, splices vocals, bassist Sam Briggs layers it, enthusiastic drummer Lui Venables sets the pace, but more often than not, it’s their unison which compliments Elijah’s spontaneous spotlight moments.

The first half of this show fire-breathing their beloved originals, Monday, Chow for Now, Creatures, with an alternative downtempo take on Lidl Shoes, I felt a little experimentation was afoot, some crashing endings aliken to prog-rock rather than their archetypal punker base. Was this to appease the Southgate regulars or a new avenue for them, I’m unclear, but it was an interesting move.

After Butterflies, the second half was adroit covers heavy, ending with an encore of Manipulation, their most treasured original for audience participation. The boys are back in the studio soon, after having a brief break, and we look forward to hearing what they come out with, because last night at the Gate, they were positively buzzing, a real stocking filler!

Phase Rotate at the Southgate tonight, and leading up to brussel sprout day, Chrissy Chapman as One Trick Pony has a fundraiser on Friday 22nd, Marlborough’s blues aficionados Barrelhouse return on Saturday 23rd, and that’s always an unmissable one.

Sparks in the Darkness: Cephid Takes Electronica to New Dimensions

Just when I think every musician within a ten-mile radius is under our radar, another one pops up, and usually, they produce electronic music. So, I say, look, I know Devizes is a blues town, but Devizine covers all arts, and besides, I’m an old raver; ergo, if you’re creating music, electronic or not, you’re very welcome here….

Proving I’m an old raver, for photographic evidence is nil and memories vague, West Lavington’s musician and composer Moray Macdonald’s alter-ego Cephid’s forthcoming album, Sparks in the Darkness had me pondering a post on a Facebook group for ravers, which I wouldn’t be on if I wasn’t! Someone posted a video highlighting the work of Delia Derbyshire at the BBC Radiophonic Workshop, another commented rightly she was a pioneer of electronic music, a second added “erm? Kraftwerk?” causing me to rant; it doesn’t take much these days!

Yeah, I’ll give you, Kraftwerk were the primary electronically generated pop group, but Derbyshire’s magnum opus, the Doctor Who theme, an electronic rework of a Ron Grainer composition, predates Kraftwerk’s first commercially successful album Autobahn by eleven years.

This raises a fascinating point; at electronic music’s clunky inception few sought it viable for commercial pop. Fatboy Slim pointed out, You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby. The BBC Radiophonic Workshop created sound effects ideally for sci-fi series. Lesser-known German electronic pioneers Tangerine Dream only became familiar to the masses during the eighties for their numerous Hollywood film scores. Organisation zur Verwirklichung gemeinsamer Musikkonzepte, Kraftwerk’s quirky and pre-synthesizer antecedent, was the crème-de-crème of kosmische Musik, Dusseldorf’s experimental scene of the sixties, but while it took psychedelia and space-rock to another planet, Melody Maker mocked it “krautrock,” a name which stuck as its genre.

Seems rock’s phobia of electronic progression was the reason for Britpop’s retrospection to acoustic instruments once rave came of age. The chalk and cheese mingle side by side in today’s pop; David Gray’s self-dubbed style, folktronica hammered that last nail in.

The relevance of all this is, while immersed in Cephid’s gorgeous complex structures and intense electronic textures, one cannot help but contemplate the combined efforts involved in contributing to this development, as it harks it’s influences and indulges those passed, no matter by Sparks in the Darkness comparisons all would sound timeworn. From the impact the Doctor Who theme must’ve had on the English television-watching nation, to The Art of Noise and Yello, and from avant-garde American electro outfit Newcleus, to Universe’s Tribal Gathering 1997, when I observed every raver ascend from their chosen subgenre tent to pay respects to Kraftwerk. Cephid encompasses these, yet is ultra-modern, uses tech as orchestral, and is as fresh as the Buxton spring; like Jean Michel Jarre came after dubstep, as if 808 State created Tubular Bells!

Futurism and sci-fi remains a large part of marketing presentation for electronic dance music, from the eerie android on the cover of Kraftwerk’s We Are the Robots, to Phil Wolstenholme’s Vergina sun spaceship on the Orb’s 1992 album U.F.Orb, Sparks in the Darkness follows suit with a mysterious red sphere projecting across a cityscape for its cover, strikingly designed by Tiago Marinho.

The album commences akin to ambient house’s finest, floating or bubbling spooky and mysterious layers of atmospheric swirls, but its orchestral build indicates time has passed since the fluffiness of The KLF and Orb. Moray Macdonald cut his teeth touring with progressive rock and metal artists such as That Joe Payne, Godsticks, Kim Seviour and Ghost Community. This is sharper, unsubdued, his harder-edged rock influences will insure bands like Pink Floyd, Hawkwind and the Ozric Tentacles will be acknowledged here; erm, The Prodigy’s punk fusion post-Jilted Generation too, in part. The opening track To Catch the Eye of the Heaven flows into the next, as a raver I note Leftfield, and I’m holding out for it kicking in.

Thirty seconds into the second tune, the single Worlds Before, and it does, and when it does it’s immense, a stomp to make New Order blush, with all the workings of modern technology, you are encased in this, what is a culmination of many years of work, and there’s no going back.

Moray defines it, “soaring melodic leads cutting through spacious washes of synths, while propelled by layers of sequencers, drums, and percussion. Pulverising techno seamlessly giving way to complex progressive workouts and moody, groove-driven soundscapes, all packed with lasting melodic hooks.” Yeah, I’ll go with that! It has the concept album quality in which you must indulge in it completely. By Terminus we’re nodding to up-tempo trance-techno, breaking with vocal coach Angel Wolf-Black’s celestial chants, but behind its entrancing bleeps binds this driving rock drum, either by Emily Dolan Davies, who has drummed for Bryan Ferry, The Darkness and Kim Wilde, or Graham Brown of The Paradox Twin.

Midway the pace lessens and Of Promises trickles into something definably more electronica, of Tangerine Dream’s sombre movie moments, of Don Johnson contemplating his fate as he leans on his white Ferrari looking out across Miami harbour’s night sky. Moray Macdonald has created music for film, theatre and art installations, and it shows.

Strobe takes off from where Of Promises lands us, like the later track Dead Hand’s Decree, it’s The Chemical Brothers on their best behaviour. Moray states, “the Cephid was created as an opportunity to bring diverse influences together into a single coherent artistic statement.” From his work with artists across the modern progressive scene, to his early love of experimental electronic music, many musical facets are represented, but still it flows in one radical and unique package impossible to pigeonhole.

There’s no surplus of talent left out of this project, Placebo’s Shelby Logan Warne, and Jerry Kandiah producer of Killing Joke and The Futureheads have mixed and mastered this, and while its not commercialised, just like Delia Derbyshire’s work in the sixties, it’s too groundbreaking to be ignored.

As The Old Me, plays out, even its name prompts me to imagining myself hearing this in a field somewhere in 1991, amidst matted trilby wearing juniors, eyes the size of saucers and dribbling on a Wrigley’s, it is so innovative, so radical, I’d probably have had a seizure!

“What’s wrong with him!” one raver asks another as I lie comatose.

“He’s had a premonition of the future of electronic music and his fragile mind cannot handle it; somebody get him a Technotronic album, pronto!!!”

The single Worlds Before is out now. Sparks in the Darkness will be released 9th February 2024. Find out more about the project HERE.

Social Media
https://www.facebook.com/cephid.world/
https://www.instagram.com/cephid.world
https://twitter.com/cephidworld
https://mastodonmusic.social/@cephid
https://www.youtube.com/@CephidWorld

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Staying in Devizes This Christmas; What’s Happening?

Featured Image: Tanya Jurkiewicz Photography

Oooh, exciting, are you excited? I know I am; been good(ish) all year, no bag of coal for me. With the DOCA Winter Festival coming this Friday and Saturday, and so long as Devizes Town Band play Stop the Cavalry, that’s my calling and I drop my humbug and start accepting it, and, in the words of the gurt lush Elton, I’m stepping into Christmas, joining together and watching the snow fall forever and ever, though it’s more likely to be this perpetual drizzle. But what’s to do over the yule in Devizes? Well, I think we’ve got it all jingling here, so break out your eggnog……

Now, before we begin and you’re sitting comfortably, note this is for Devizes only, and perhaps our surrounding villages, but more countywide stuff is listed on our event calendar, and it’s updating all the time, so do check that out. Ticket links and more details of all events listed here can be found on the calendar too.

Also, while I’m here, do check out the windows on display throughout this week as part of Window Wanderland. Take a stroll around Devizes and see the fantastic window decorations, dressed to the theme of ‘Look To The Future’. The decorations are up now until 26th November, illuminated from 5-9pm every evening. Look on the map to see where you can find the windows around town, full map available at tinyurl.com/docawindows23

Okay, here we go, this weekend sees the DOCA Winter Festival, incorporating the light switch on, fireworks, markets, music, and of course our lantern parade. Friday, in the MarketPlace, you know the score, you’ve done it before. Oh, and on Saturday too. You can follow this up with the Chicago Blues Trio at Long Street Blues Club, Stones Throw at The Three Crowns, or a Christmas lantern parade Karaoke Party at The Pelican, on Friday that is. Saturday you’ll find Adam Woodhouse at The Three Crowns, and The Worried Men at The Southgate, both come highly recommended from us. Polish off your early Christmassy doings with some rock n roll from the James Oliver Band at The Southgate on Sunday.

And just like some tinselly magic fairy dust, we’re into December with our woolly bobble hats and gran’s knitted mittens. Jack & the Beanstalk is the pantomime at the Wharf Theatre this year, and it opens Friday 1st, running behind you, oh no it it isn’t, oh yes it is, until 9th December, but please do get in quick on this one, tickets usually sell out faster than Santa eats breakfast on Christmas eve.

The Pelican Inn has a Christmas Fair on the 1st December, from 4-9, and a Santa’s Grotto too! Friday night is 80s disco night at the Moonrakers.

Santa’s Grotto at the Pelican Inn, Devizes

Devizes Lions will be out touring the town from Friday 1st to Thursday 21st December with a cheery Santa, lights and music.  Starting at 5:30pm each evening and finishing by 7:45pm at the latest. See below for the routes………

or you can view or download a copy from their website: www.devizeslions.org.uk  You will be able to follow Santa’s route each evening in real time from their Facebook Page.

Santa’s Sleigh will be at the Lidl supermarket on Saturday 2nd December and at Morrisons’ supermarket on Saturday 16th December. Devizes Lions will also have a Christmas collection in The Brittox on Thursday 14th December.

Please Note: 

Cul-de-sacs 

The float will normally wait at the entrance to cul-de-sacs and Santa’s helpers will tell people where he is waiting to greet the children

Times 

The float will start at 5.30 each evening and finish no later than 7:45

Weather 

Devizes Lions cannot guarantee that they will be able to adhere to the published programme due to inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances.

The Truzzy Boys plays the Three Crowns that first Saturday of the month, LunaBarge plays The Southgate and on Sunday Jon Amor Trio will have their celebrated residency, with a special guest.

Christmas Wreath making workshop at Chirton School on Sunday 3rd, and the Groom Family’s Houseparty fundraiser at Devizes Town Hall.

Ah, Soupchick, yay!

Late night opening at HollyChocs in Poulshot, if you want to get really chocolaty on Thursday 7th!

Friday 8th, and there’s a Fun Quiz Night at Wiltshire Museum, the wonderful Strange Folk grace The Southgate, and People Like Us party at The Condado Lounge.

Saturday 9th is Devizes Lions Christmas Fair at The Corn Exchange from 9am-2:30pm. The White Horse Opera Christmas Concert is at St John’s Church, James Mitchell plays the Three Crowns, and Black Nasty are at the Southgate and Soupchick have a feast, see above. Sunday 10th sees Sunflower Events’ Christmas Fair & Craft Market at the Corn Exchange.

Devizes Adventure! The theme for this year is ‘Room at the Inn’

This December, the life-sized Advent Calendar will open once again to reveal a different festive, creative, interactive, and fun display each evening (5:30 – 6:30pm) in the garden of the British Lion pub.

Come and say hello on the 15th December when DOCA will be hosting the Advent Calendar for the evening, and come to see the other fantastic offerings throughout the month – there will be prizes for those who come to all 24 nights.

Friday 15th sees our upcoming favs, Nothing Rhymes With Orange at The Southgate. And on Saturday 16th the first boat launches from the Wharf for the Kenavon Venture Santa Cruise. These run until the 23rd December, but booking in advance is essential. Glad to hear Breakfast With Santa is on again this year at Devizes Fire Station, on Saturday 16th too.

There’s a Christmas Market in Hillworth Park on Saturday 16th too. The SODs Charity Christmas Gig is fundraising for Wiltshire Air Ambulance, at Devizes Town Hall, The Coco Club Christmas Ball at the Bear Hotel and the Big Sound Choir have their Christmas Concert at St John’s. Christmas for you raver families starts also on Saturday 16th, when the Exchange plays host to The Family Ravers Christmas Party, see below….

Aside from all these Christmassy things to do, also on Saturday 16th Fullhouse play Frankie Miller at Long Street Blues Club, Phase Rotate are at The Southgate, and Sour Apple play at The Three Crowns for the birthday boy landlord, Simon.

On Sunday 17th, Devizes Young Farmers Tractor & Tinsel Christmas Market at the Market Place, raising funds for Wiltshire Air Ambulance. Finish this off with an afternoon with Andrew Hurst at The White Bear from 5pm.

Oooh, it’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas now, as by the following weekend, Funked Up have their Christmas Party the Pelican on Friday 22nd, and One Trick Pony has her fundraiser at the The Southgate, see poster. Illingworth are at the Three Crowns on Saturday 23rd, and Marlborough’s finest blues ensemble Barrelhouse blesses The Southgate. Then, and only then, you can open your socks and Lynx deodorant sets!

Barrelhouse looking rather Christmassy!

Christmas Eve all I have so far is this from the Crown at Bishops Cannings:

After the Quality Street tin only has those toffee pennies no one likes left, tribute Mick Jogger has his Rolling Stones Experience at the Corn Exchange on Friday 29th, Sound Hog Disco, Karaoke at the Three Crowns on Saturday 30th, and the only new year partes I know of is The Crown at Bishops Cannings who have the Chicken Teddies, and in town, Devizes Scooter Club’s, at The Cavalier. Triblies off to them, but there must be some others, and some serious updates to this in general, so do tell us if we missed anything and we’ll paste you in quicker than pulling a cracker!

Wass that Brah? Just cos I’m 50 I have you know I can still pull a cracker pretty darn quickly…..you’d be surprised how quickly I can pull a cracker!

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REVIEW – Russ Ballard @ Long Street Blues Club, Con Club, Devizes – Saturday 18th November 2023

LSBC Gave Rock n Roll to Ya!

Review by Andy Fawthorp

The LSBC gigs are coming round thick and fast as the new season gets into full swing.  And there was another packed house last night to welcome the Russ Ballard Band’s first appearance at the club…..

First up was new boy Matt Prior to fill the early support slot.  This was his first outing on stage, and he looked and sounded pretty nervous.  Using guitar, keyboard and backing tracks, Matt worked his way gamely through his set.  I’m not sure that everything worked as well as he might have hoped.  His versions of Bowie’s Life on Mars, Henley’s Boys of Summer and Elton John’s Goodbye Yellow Brick Road were not really to my taste, but the audience gave him good support and a warm round of applause.

Then on to the main offering of the evening.

Russ Ballard has appeared with several bands over the years (the Roulettes, Unit 4+2 and, most famously, heading up Argent in the late 70s).  But his real claim to fame is the large number of hit songs he’s written and recorded, and which have also been hits for other artists (The Shadows, Argent, Rainbow, Kiss, Hot Chocolate, Hello). It’s actually quite surprising just how many famous songs he’s written.

In a single nearly two-hours long set, backed by a tight 4-piece band, he demonstrated his showmanship, and much of his back catalogue.  In among the less well-known, but still highly catchy and sing-alongable numbers, were many of the rock classics – Back In The New York Groove, Hold Your Head Up, Since You’ve Been Gone and (the ultimate singing the house down encore number) God Gave Rock & Roll To Ya.

The whole set was built on a solid, no-nonsense rock and roll-heavy platform, leavened with keyboard flourishes, and some great throaty vocals.  Every number had its catchy riff, and its strong vocal hook.  It was almost impossible not to sing along and join in the party.  The dance floor at the front filled up, and the band looked and sounded to be really enjoying themselves.  There were no long songs, no rambling improvisations, no drum or bass solos – just straight-up pop-song format short rock & roll songs.  The intros were informative, humorous, and short and punchy.  The band were slick, polished and well-drilled.

Another great booking, and a cracking night out.

Future Long Street Blues Club Gigs

Friday 24th November 2023                        Chicago Blues Trio

Saturday 16th December 2023                    Fullhouse play Frankie Miller

Friday 12th January 2024                              John Primer Band

Saturday 13th January 2024                         Damian Wilson and Adam Wakeman

Saturday 10th February 2024                       The Errol Linton Band

Friday 1st March 2024                                    The Cinelli Brothers

Friday 5th April 2024                                       Ben Poole Band

Saturday 4th May 2024                                  Beaux Gris Gris and the Apocalypse

Saturday 22nd June 2024                              KOSSOFF The Band Plays On

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New Exhibit at Wiltshire Museum Opens; Lest We Forget: the Black Contribution to the World Wars in Wiltshire

Intriguing and divergent is my two word summary of the latest exhibition at Devizes’ Wiltshire Museum, from one who grew up with first-hand second World War stories from my family’s East-end perspective and became fascinated with subtle similarities and vast differences to that of rural Wiltshire, this opens a whole new Pandora’s box…..

A double show, the first does what it says on the tin, Lest We Forget: the Black Contribution to the World Wars in Wiltshire, exploring the stories and experiences of the Black community living and working in the Armed Forces in Wiltshire during the World Wars. The second focuses on renowned Caribbean writer Eric Walrond, who lived a period of his later life in Bradford-on-Avon, but poor mental health led him to self-refer to Roundway Hospital in Devizes.

Dispersed by several artefacts the walls tell the often shocking realities and hardships faced by Afro-Caribbean and Afro-American soldiers stationed in the UK in general, and relates them to examples and incidents in our county. I shouldn’t leave spoilers here, for it’s truly something you need to digest in the fullness of the displays, but for an example, the secret government attempts to curb interracial relationships as African American troops mingled with “local white women” are particularly upsetting, and show just how high up ingrained prejudices were. The defence of the realm act was used to prosecute women found fraternising with black GIs on military premises but outside these confounds little could be done to prevent them, especially in rural areas like here. It goes on to show images of orphanages where mixed-race children were abandoned because of the shame it would bring to families and the extent of the abuse their mothers received.

To reflect this to local affairs is to suggest the Afro-American soldiers were far more hospitable and welcomed than their white counterparts, displaying an image of the Three Horseshoes in Burbage, where it was said the Afro-American soldiers would entertain locals on piano while the white GIs tended to remain at the back of the bar not caring to mingle. Such would’ve been social standards in segregated States, sprinkled with jealousy locals found these “negros” intriguing I suspect.

But this is only one of many of the enlightening and frank nuggets of information on display. Amidst uniforms, Caribbean enlistment posters, medals, pins and documentations, these panels bring to life the true accounts with astounding and, more often than not, appalling happenings, yet respectfully pieced together with wonderful and intense research. One such source was Birmingham based The Forgotten Generations, a not-for-profit organisation with aims and objectives to provide historical and current information of British African and Caribbean people for educational purposes. 

I was honoured to meet director and trustee of the TFG, retired Warrant Officer Royal Air Force, Donald Campbell at the opening event, who passionately expressed the story of fellow trustee and WWII veteran Albert Jarrett, of whom he encouraged to re-apply for medals he earned but didn’t care to claim at the time, leading him to be honoured at Downing Street. Sadly Albert passed away soon after, but I was delighted to meet his wife Barbara Campbell, a dietitian and psychiatric nurse during the war.

Albert’s story is one of many displayed, and an installation in this exhibition is thoughtful creative responses from Tidworth’s Crafty Club. Supported by the Army Welfare Service, the community club provides socialising opportunities to explore crafts. There’s a sequential woven decoupage playing tribute to Albert, alongside other artworks.

Centrepiece of the alternative exhibit, of which you can flow between the two, is a portrait of the writer Eric Walrond by Jamaican born local artist Clifton Powell. Clifton is a keen participant of the charity Arts Together, who you may have seen on television recently contributing a portrait of Gilda Oliver to the Windrush Portraits of a Pioneering Generation project for the Royal Collection Trust. The portrait of Eric on display has attracted the attention online of his New Yorken granddaughter Joan Stewart, who thanked Clifton and said “you nailed the eyes, they’re perfect.” But for want of a local connection the bridges of Bradford-on-Avon and the gates of his final resting place, Roundway Hospital in Devizes are depicted within the painting.

Harlem Renaissance writer and journalist Eric Walrond led a busy life, born in British Guiana, he moved from Barbados to Panama and onto New York before ending his days in Wiltshire. His magnum opus being a 1926 novel Tropic Death, stories viscerally charting stone quarry workers and builders of  the Panama Canal. He was awarded the Guggenheim Fellowship and the Harmon Foundation Award for achievement in literature. An early edition of the book is on display, yet also you’ll find a ledger from the Avon rubber factory in Melksham, where Walrond laboured.

Fascinating to note such a renowned author needed employment in a factory, after his often misinterpreted relationship with Marcus Garvey, as a journalist for publications of his Universal Negro Improvement Association in New York, the very foundations of the later American Civil Rights Movement. But that thought is a reflection of the two exhibitions combined, fascinating though it is, the hardships they faced, even on a local level, is one of many often forgotten sides to the history of the world wars. Ultimate respect should be awarded to the creators of these exhibits, especially over Remembrance, one which opens today and runs until 17th February 2024 at Wiltshire Museum, Devizes, do go to see it.

I am truly humbled to have been invited to preview this at the opening evening and meet the researchers and honourable guests, not forgoing the scrumptious Caribbean themed spread, naturally, which was supplied by Abrilli of Tonka Bean; I nipped back inside for seconds when no one was watching! Honestly, you have to keep an eye on me no matter how interesting the exhibit may be….

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Mick Jogs into Devizes; Rolling Stones Tribute to Play Christmas Bash at Corn Exchange

It’s only rock n roll, but if you like it, why not break out the lycra and jog over to the Corn Exchange on Friday 29th of December, where you’ll find Mick Jogger & The Stones Experience bringing you all the classics from the wildmen of the sixties? A Christmas Cracker to work off those turkey sandwiches and Quality Street……

I’ve yet to witness this local phenomenon personally, but popular party-function band Purple Fish have donned the outfits of Britain’s most famous and timeless blues rock band ever, The Rolling Stones, for many years now, so it’s a safe bet they know which buttons to press.

Chatting with Aaron Potter, the Ronnie Wood of Mick Jogger & The Stones Experience, I bent his ear about the time I got “owned” by a Little Mix tribute on social media, arguing a tribute act should be of a past act rather than one currently in their prime. Those even littler mixers responded, “but we provide a safe and affordable environment for youngsters who otherwise wouldn’t be able to see the real thing,” or words to this effect. Had to confess, they made a valid point. Boy, did I hide my head in shame!

I suppose, a Rolling Stones tribute is similar, being the originals seem to be as immortal as Chrispher Lambert on steroids. Still Mick Jagger is eighty, you cannot expect an eighty year old to perform with the zest and vigour of their youth, can you? Okay, perhaps he’s the exception to the rule, but, just like Little Mix, you’re gonna fork out a small mortgage for the pleasure, and the Stones ain’t rolling into Devizes anytime soon!

Aaron replied in agreeance, supposing the Stones are past their prime, and I backed my thoughts with this video (below) of them doing their thing in Hyde Park way back when. You see, the “being in your prime argument” is only a part of a wider doubt I have with any tribute act, the other is unavoidable because you cannot turn back the hands of time, it’s recapturing the atmosphere of the era, the setting.

So, if you watch this video, note the Corn Exchange would be unable to replicate this precisely, health and safety will not permit a mass of gyrating hippies standing on the speaker boxes, neither will the aroma of exotic herbs I strongly imagine would’ve been smelt at this concert be permitted by the town council venue. You could try whipping off your kit and dancing with only flowers in your hair, I’m not going to stop you, but Wiltshire Police have enough on their hands already on a Friday night this close to Christmas without having to find a blanket to cover your wobbly bits with!

But you cannot live in the past, my once playful banter with the worth of tribute acts has been turned on its head this year, and I’ve bore witness to some incredible ones. All we can do is be rest assured satisfaction is guaranteed, Mick Jogger & The Stones Experience will put their all into this and bring the party with them. Please, I asked Aaron after reliving this monumental video of the Stones in action, tell me you do Sympathy for the Devil?!!

“Yes,” he affirmed, “you will hear Sympathy for the Devil.” Pleased to meet you, guys, I didn’t have to guess your names, they’re listed on your website; ah, that’s progress for you!! Tickets are a purple one, from HERE.

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Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 8th – 14th November 2023

Everything to do in Wiltshire this coming week, right in one handy listing, all you gotta do is grab a warm coat….

Okay my little poppies, please be aware this is not comprehensive and new events can and might yet still be added to our blossoming, occasionally updating EVENT CALENDAR; they might not be added here, so do check in regularly. You can also find links to everything mentioned there, and plan ahead.

One other really important thing before we get going, the thing everyone seems to brazenly browse past pretending it didn’t apply to them, we need donations to fund this, so, if you can, please donate a little something to keep us going; awl, thank you. If you love it, don’t lose it, like Bez on a nineties dance floor. For info on how, see HERE. Please and thanking you…

Remembrance this weekend, I’ll pop the agenda for Devizes below.

Ongoing, check out the Dark exhibit at the Forbidden Carnival in Chippenham. 

Wednesday 8th

There’s an online talk with Francis Kilvert and tales of Langley Burrell, courtesy of Wiltshire Museum, Devizes. Acoustic Jam at the Southgate, Devizes, and its opening night  for the Invitation Theatre group’s Pirates of Penzance at the Corn Exchange, running up to Saturday 11th.

Ad Hoc Theatre: Les Liaisons Dangereuses at Pound Arts in Corsham.

Arman Djikolum and Iyad Sughayer at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.

Hegemono Quartet at The Bell, Bath, while Bloody Medea!!! Is the play at The Rondo Theatre.

Women In Rock at Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.

Thursday 9th

The Importance of Being Earnest opens at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon, and is running until Saturday 11th.

Drag ‘n’ Drop at Rondo Theatre, Bath. Guy Davis at Chapel Arts.

Hannah Rose Platt and Sienna Wileman at the Tuppenny, in Swindon. Mad by Mourning with Abstraction Engine at The Vic, and the Bon Jovi Experience at the Wyvern.

Ruby Wax – I’m not as well as I thought I was, at the Cheese & Grain, Frome.

Friday 10th

Sour Apple plays the Kings Arms, Hilperton.

Open Mic at the Barge, HoneyStreet from 8pm.

Moroccan evening with guest Chef Peter Vaughan at The Parade Cinema, Marlborough.

Free entry at the Pump, Trowbridge, with Ed Dyke, Becky Lawrence and Rich Onyett; nice one!

Fulltone Festival: Becky Lawrence. Image by Gail Foster

Nota at The Boathouse, Bradford-on-Avon. 7 Crowns and Scene Killers at The Three Horseshoes. Bristol Ensemble at Wiltshire Music Centre.

Moscow Drug Club at Newton Tony Memorial Hall.

Pierre Novellie’s Why Can’t I Just Enjoy Things? at the Rondo Theatre, Bath. George Harrison’s Music, ‘All things must pass’ Duo at Chapel Arts.

Abstract Engine at The Castle, Swindon, Furlined at The Beehive, The Achievers & Greg Brice at The Hop Inn, and Ruby Wax’s I’m Not As Well As I Thought I Was, moves onto the Wyvern.

The Bonsai Pirates at The Winchester Gate, Salisbury.

Chris Jagger Band at The Tree House, Frome, Huey Morgan’s 50 Years Of Hip Hop at the Cheese & Grain.

Saturday 11th

Wiltshire Museum, Devizes opens a double-whammy exhibit, running until the 17th February, Lest We Forget: the Black Contribution to the World Wars in Wiltshire and Eric Walrond: A Caribbean Writer living in Wiltshire, of which I hope to be at the preview evening to bring you news about as soon as.

There is also the monthly Young Curators Club at Wiltshire Museum, and the Museum Explorers Club too.

The Last Post at the Wharf Theatre for one night only, please see our preview HERE.

The fantastic Courting Ghosts make a debut at The Southgate, Devizes. And there’s a last minute booking at the Three Crowns. Blues band The Zac Schulze Gang have a huge national following and have recently moved to Devizes from Kent; let’s welcome them to town!

But my Editor’s Pick of the Week goes to The Muck & Dundar in Devizes who have a dub reggae night with the awesome Omega Nebula. If you’ve been reading our review or seen the posters wrongly listed as the Eskimo Nebula instead, that is because the duo have recently changed their name. Tickets Here.

Static Moves at The Barge, HoneyStreet, The Chao Brothers at The Lamb, Marlborough.

Life in Mono with Ophelia Waiting at the Pump, Trowbridge. Be Like Will at The Kings Arms, Hilperton. Endless Love, The Lionel Richie and Diana Ross Story at the Civic.

The Lollypops & Moptops Show at Melksham Assembly Hall.

Corsham Christmas Market.

Wiltshire Jazz Academy at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon, and Sansara Traces of White Rose. Bucky Rage, The Kosher Pickles, and the Reverse Cowgirls at The Three Horseshoes.

Room 101 at The Castle, Swindon, Sons of Liberty at Underground, Cydonia Knights at The Vic, Rich Hall’s Shot From Cannons at the Wyvern.

Jon Amor Trio at the Royal Oak, Bath. A Life in the Theatre at The Rondo Theatre, Martha Tilston with support from Nathan Ball at Chapel Arts.

Amy Winehouse tribute at the Tree House, Frome, Oas-is at the Cheese & Grain.

Sunday 12th

The Museum of Marvellous Things at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon. Frankie & The Buzzcats at the Three Horseshoes.

The White Top Mountain Band at The Bell, Bath.

Sensational 60’s Experience at the Wyvern, Swindon, Juliette Burton at Swindon Arts Centre and Dirty Sound Magnet at The Vic.

Frome Chocolate Fair at the Cheese & Grain.

Monday 13th

Kirris Riviere Blues Band at The Bell, Bath.

That’ll Be The Day Christmas Show at the Wyvern, Swindon.

Tuesday 14th

Filskit Theatre: Wonder Gigs (Weather) at Pound Arts, Corsham.

Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the Wyvern, Swindon.

That’s all got this minute, but more will be added, I’m sure, to the event calendar as the week goes on. Didn’t see your event here, maybe you didn’t tell us about it, and if you did, my apologies, do give me a nudge, or a Cadbury’s Fudge and I’ll make sure it’s amended; have a groovy kind of love week!

Trending……

Wiltshire Music Centre; Proper Job!

Devizes celebrated rum bar, The Muck & Dundar are hosting a dub reggae night with Omega Nebula on Saturday, and received this week’s prestigious award…

Palestine Solidarity March in Swindon on Saturday 4th November

Residents from communities across Swindon are organising another show of solidarity with the people of Palestine…..

They are inviting everyone to join them at 2pm on Saturday 4th November at Regents Circus. There will be several speakers and a march through the town centre, setting off at 3pm.

Numerous mosques, unions and Swindon Palestine Solidarity have called for a big presence to demand a ceasefire and to let aid through to Gaza.

Abdul Khalique, Chairman, Board of Trustees, Hazrath Shajalal Central Mosque in Swindon said on behalf of the board, ‘This is an Urgent Call for Justice in Palestine. Hazrath Shajalal Central Mosque Swindon issues a heartfelt plea for global solidarity in addressing the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Palestine. As homes are demolished, families displaced, and lives disrupted, we stand united against oppression and advocate for the basic human rights of the Palestinian people.”

Hazrath Shajalal Central Mosque urgently calls for:

  • End the Violence: Cease hostilities immediately, paving the way for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
  • Humanitarian Aid: Facilitate the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid to alleviate the suffering of those affected by the crisis.
  • Restore Dialogue: Encourage all parties to engage in constructive conversations for a sustainable and just peace.
  • International Intervention: Call on global leaders and organisations to intervene, ensuring a fair and equitable resolution.

Hazrath Shajalal continued, “This is not just a political issue; it’s a universal concern. We invite individuals, organisations, and governments to join us in this call for justice, as we work towards a world where the rights of every individual are respected.”

Mehmet Guvercin, Chairman of the Wiltshire Turkish Community said, “It is always the innocents that suffer in a conflict. The innocent people in Gaza are completely stuck there and cannot escape. We cannot just watch on our TV’s. Even if we cannot stop this conflict, we have to help the innocent people of Gaza. What is happening in front of our eyes has to be looked at from a humanitarian point of view.”

A spokesperson from Swindon Palestine Solidarity said, “We are organising these events from a framework of supporting the application of international law and principles of human rights. These principles also lead us to stress with utmost vehemence that our grievance is with the actions of the Israeli state and those governments that are complicit with its crimes – we condemn absolutely any attempt to victimise communities in Britain in this context. We act from a sincere wish to see an end to all violence, especially violence against civilians, but we recognise that this will never be achieved unless the root causes of that violence are addressed. We do so from a foundation of our enduring support for the right of the Palestinian people to freedom, self-determination and return.”

“This will be a peaceful event with families and children attending, with people from different religions and none; people of differing races and backgrounds from across our communities. The police and council have been notified of the event. We ask that you invite your friends, family and community to stand with us in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Palestine.”

Trending…..

Snakebite Tune From The Dirty Smooth

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Steve Vick International have Renewed their sponsorship of Wiltshire’s Youth Orchestras at Wiltshire Music Centre

Steve Vick International (SVI), a leading innovator in pipeline engineering solutions, is thrilled to announce the renewal of their sponsorship agreement with the Wiltshire Music Centre (WMC). This renewed commitment reflects SVI’s dedication to supporting the local community and nurturing the next generation of musical talent….

Since January 2020, SVI has proudly sponsored Wiltshire Music Centre, and they are continuing their commitment as major sponsors of the West of England Youth Orchestra and the Wiltshire Youth Jazz Orchestra. SVI, headquartered in Bradford on Avon, is deeply rooted in its local community, and has a strong desire to give back through charitable support.

Steve Vick, Chairman of Steve Vick International, expressed his enthusiasm for the sponsorship renewal, “We’re very excited to continue supporting the West of England Youth Orchestra and the Wiltshire Youth Jazz Orchestra. Their exceptional musicianship has consistently impressed me. Our connection with Bradford on Avon is significant to us, and we’re dedicated to being an integral part of the community. We are particularly passionate about fostering young talent and helping them achieve their full potential.”

James Slater, Artistic Director of Wiltshire Music Centre, echoed Steve Vick’s sentiments: “We are extremely grateful to Steve Vick International for their support. Partnerships like this are crucial to our mission of providing high-quality opportunities for music engagement at the highest level.”

Wiltshire Music Centre is not only a cultural gem but also a vital institution that plays a pivotal role in the community. With over 150 concerts each year and the participation of over 1,000 professional, community, and young musicians, the Centre’s purpose-built auditorium is celebrated for having “the finest acoustic outside London” (Sean Rafferty, BBC).

As part of their renewed sponsorship, Steve Vick International plans to be actively engaged in the local cultural scene by offering their staff opportunities to attend concerts throughout the year. This involvement underscores their commitment to fostering a vibrant arts and music culture within Bradford on Avon and its surroundings.

This interview is courtesy of Steve Vick International, the Major Sponsor of the Youth Orchestra at Wiltshire Music Centre.

To celebrate the renewal of their sponsorship, SVI recently conducted an exclusive interview with Gabriel Vick, the talented son of Steve Vick, who currently holds the leading role in “Mrs. Doubtfire” in the West End. This interview highlighted the Vick family’s deep-rooted love for music and theatre, which has been a driving force behind their continued support of Wiltshire Music Centre.

Can you share with us how your journey into the world of theatre and music began? What sparked your interest in this field?
“My parents were always creators of theatre, and my earliest memory is when they were part of a theatre company that staged “A Christmas Carol” at the Merlin Theatre in Frome. I was 4 and played “Ignorance”. I learned piano at 8 years old and really took to it. I loved playing Oliver at the age of 10 at my local prep school and then auditioned to be a chorister at Wells Cathedral School and was offered a scholarship to sing in the cathedral choir. I learnt so much about how to read and interpret music. I took up trumpet too.”

Growing up in a family where music and the arts are a prominent part of life, how did that influence your passion for
music and theatre?
“My parents had taken two shows (and us!) to the Edinburgh festival in 1989 and 1990. They were a regular part of the local village theatre production company and I was part of many productions directed by my mother in the late 90’s. They had weekly tickets to the theatre Royal Bath on Thursday nights but didn’t always want to see what was on and would let me go instead. So, in my teens I watched so many musicals and this attracted me to musical theatre.”

Were there any specific artists or mentors who played a significant role in inspiring and shaping your career in the
performing arts?
“Paul Denegri at Wells Cathedral school was a real pupil’s favourite; he taught brass but was more of an agony aunt. My choir master Anthony Crossland (who now lives in Bradford on Avon) was someone I looked up to along with the support of Andrew Nethsingha (now organist of Westminster Abbey). Roland Robertson was a fantastic director of music at Prior Park allowing pupils to take centre stage whilst being an excellent musician providing many opportunities for us to play and sing. Acting was always more of an instinct to me and so I can’t really single out a mentor or artist. I did train at the Royal Academy of music and Mary Hammond and Karen Rabinowitz were champions of mine.”

You’re currently playing the leading role in “Mrs. Doubtfire” at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London Can you tell us about your experience preparing for and performing in such a beloved production?
“I auditioned for Mrs Doubtfire by stringing together 10-12 impressions with jokes to make the panel laugh. These were not in the script, but I knew they were looking for playful manic improvisation and a love of character voices. I got hold of all the script and song material as early as I could even though I didn’t even have an audition yet. All 5 auditions were done in a week as the American team were limited by Covid. I had a feeling this was the role for me but I really had to hustle for it! The character is a beloved gift which I am careful to treat with respect so that the audience get who they came to see. However, over the course of the play they soon feel comfortable with my interpretation, and we generate so much joy in that theatre together.”

“Now that I am some months into a year-long run of the show I treat myself like an athlete. There are 28 costume changes, tap dancing, break dancing, countless impressions and singing which is a huge demand on my body physically and mentally. I monitor everything I eat, my weight, water consumption, supplements, I have vocal massages, vocal training, physio, strength training and I sleep long and well. It is safe to say I work very hard to be in peak condition for each and every audience.”

What advice would you offer to aspiring young musicians and actors who are just starting their journey in the world of performing arts?
“Try everything and be prepared to risk looking silly. A diversity of playing experiences helps you hone in on what you are good at and some things may surprise you. Be strong, be patient and work hard.”

Your father, Steve Vick, is sponsoring the West of England Youth Orchestra at the Wiltshire Music Centre. What does it mean to you to see his passion for music and arts support the next generation of talent?
“I am so glad that my father is supporting music for the west country youth; he has certainly seen it benefit me. He has cried
many times at my singing in Wells cathedral to now on the west end stage! Dad took up saxophone about 20 years ago and
loves to play in an orchestra himself. There is a joy to simply making music together, young, and old.”

Could you share a little about the impact organisations like the West of England Youth Orchestra and the Wiltshire Music Centre have on fostering young talent and the importance of their work?
“In the late 1990’s I benefitted from an orchestra called “Bath Baroque” in which I played natural trumpet. Sadly, it ran out of funding but I learnt so much and was enriched by meeting a wider community of musicians. I expanded my repertoire and learnt musicianship skills but also the practical personal responsibility that it takes to commit to an orchestra. The music festivals were also an important part of our calendar taking place at venues just like Wiltshire Music Centre.”

As a performer deeply connected to both music and theatre, do you believe there are valuable lessons or experiences that young musicians and actors can learn from each other?
“I found in my youth that my peers were inspirational. I took up trumpet because my friend encouraged me to do so. It also helped foster friendships and sharing of musical influences. I believe through my experiences I have learnt that everything in life is a collaboration; we are all standing on the shoulders of giants.”

Finally, what can the audience expect from your performance in “Mrs. Doubtfire,” and do you have any upcoming projects or aspirations you’d like to share?
“Mrs Doubtfire is the role all my skills culminate in. It truly is a gift and one that I give everything to; I am on stage practically the whole time, so you see a virtuosic performance of singing, dancing, comedy, impressions and even a new musical instrument! I am happy to say I have no immediate projects beyond this as I am living in this fantastic moment of my career.”

Steve Vick International’s commitment to Wiltshire Music Centre demonstrates their dedication to building a brighter future for musical talent in the region and ensuring that the arts continue to thrive. With this renewed sponsorship, SVI and WMC look forward to inspiring and nurturing the creativity of young musicians, enabling them to reach new heights.

Trending……

Devizes Library Hopes To Start Lego Club

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Shakespeare Live – Autumn Tour

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Devizes Town Council Pledge on Single-Use Plastics

Devizes Town Councillors voted unanimously to adopt a Single-Use Plastic Policy and appointed Councillor Vanessa Tanner as the Plastic Free Champion for the town, at a planning committee on Tuesday…..

The policy includes measures to reduce the amount of plastic used in the town, starting with the Town Council buildings. Officers and Councillors will work with event organisers, local businesses as well as schools, charities and other organisations to be more sustainable.

A couple of the suggestions are to introduce a reusable Festival Cup, create a Devizes Plastic Pledge as well as presenting awards for reducing plastic use. Councillor Vanessa Tanner said, “plastic is one of the greatest environmental challenges faced worldwide so we are excited to be one of the first towns in Wiltshire to have a plastic policy. We will use it to make our town cleaner and greener.”

On the festival cup idea I asked Vanessa if this was just for DOCA events, or would they encourage other event organisers in town to adopt the cup, albeit both the DOCA-Stealth Brewery Festival of Winter Ales and the CAMRA Beer and Cider festival use glass. “That’s my plan,” she told us, “we provide them with the cups so their beverage providers can use them. The details need ironing but the agreement to get the cups is there in principle.”

This is great news for our town’s events, but is there a motion to tackle plastic usage from a more daily basis, such as the takeaways, I asked. “Yes,” Vanessa replied, “I’m hoping to work with local businesses to reduce plastic. They should be anyway, Government legislation which started on the 1st of October outlaws many plastic serve-ware items.”

Businesses can be fined for continuing to use single-use plastics, but there are exemptions, if you are supplying them to another business, or the items are packaging pre-filled at point of sale, such as salad bowls or ready meals packaged in a tray, a plate filled at the counter of a takeaway or a tray used to deliver food. This causes me to wonder if the ban goes far enough, it seems there’s a number of loopholes.

An opportunity to plug my favourite Chinese takeaway, Ocean City, I asked them if they can reuse the containers should customers return them. Unfortunately they said not for food, but they reuse them for coins with their delivery drivers. Thankfully they do, however, use recycled plastic, which is great because I get through them! You can reuse them at home, as we do, or if you accumulate too many, they are recyclable using your blue bin, according to Wiltshire Council. I guess it is up to all of us to check the packaging you receive from local businesses is recycled, as it is with Ocean City; damn, I fancy some sweet & sour chicken now!

Trending….

Retro Relics Games Cafe Opening In Lavington

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A Chap-Hopping Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah Day at The Pump, with Professor Elemental and Devil’s Doorbell

Every weekend there’s a dilemma on what to do, but one thing for sure, I’ve been busting to get back down The Pump like an ale tester needs a wee break….

Far from the name-dropping star-studded spacious venue of hipsters, The Pump is a renovated shack in Trowbridge blessed by vintage instruments as décor, and a hospitable ethos of hosting unorthodox, local or obscure acts, tried, tested, and needing to be on your radar; the latter certainly evident tonight. The thought this weekend that Brighton’s whimsical chap-hopper Professor Elemental was to take centre stage making it too tempting not to hang in Devizes. We rarely have hip hop let alone chap-hop here; the guaranteed and perfected over time simultaneous dancing and laughing this professor of rhyme evokes unto an audience, unsuspecting or not, is a joyful oddity we’re missing out on.

So there I was with a generous handful of others, those music lovers in the know, The Pump is a special and exclusive haven. Okay, I’ve seen the Prof before, an evening back when Sheer Music’s Kieran Moore hosted at the town hall, which ended with the professor rapping through a novelty horse’s head while the audience bounced blow-up unicorns around the room. Not your archetypal hip hop gig, the very reason I’m so eager to recapture it. I’ve also seen the support act, at the Sustainable Devizes Fair, though describing the offbeat setup doesn’t do it justice.

Laying it on the line, Devil’s Doorbell consists of a duo of bananas boater partners, one with a kazoo, ukuleles, a penchant for antique jazz and all the woobie doobas, the weebie deebie doos and shoobideedoos of Louis Prima on a Disney contract! The other, a jolly, jelly-legged bassist he’s profoundly in love with and vocal about, with a homemade instrument consisting of a lawnmower cord tied between a broom handle and a vintage washtub. If I’m not selling it to you, conformist, it’s a little piece of charm you need to hear for yourself.

Taking the ethos of New Orleans street jazz at its conception, a poverty-stricken time when musicians made their own junkyard instruments, Devil’s Doorbell not only explains this carefree and witty sound, but delivers it with such passion, it rubs off on you like melted Malteasers. It is, in short, a cheeky, Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah scat carnival to make James Baskett blush, and a set which is impossible to dislike, unless you’re as stiff-necked and Grumpus Maximus as Katie Hopkins in a neck brace at a mosque.

So after being teased by this dynamic duo of carefree jazz, in which no cover is more than ninety years old, yet remains buzzworthy and comical, attired in his uniform skyblue suit with clouds, and matching pith helmet, the Professor came, saw and did his thing sublimely. With minimal props this time, his charmasia and rib-tickling anecdotes and audience heckles flow between bursts of waxing lyrical, the sort of rhymes most rappers wouldn’t dream of toasting. It is a delightful thing, unique and wholesome, exhaling positivity into the air with his sunny side of the street prose.

If there’s a technical error, the professor uses it, if there’s an impromptu diversion, he’s on it like a cat on a mouse, giving his show the authentic and communal feel your average pretentious hip hop gig would avoid at all costs, and the dope beats your average comedian would shudder at. But most of all, it’s a big bag of fun.

Though kazoo blowing boaters plucking a lawnmower cord to Duke Ellington songs, and a leftfield comedian rapper with a distinctive debonair of Brighton’s avant-garde spirit and a bucket load of bizarre merch, may be as unusual at the Pump as anywhere else locally, it was of a quality you can take as standard at Trowbridge’s offbeat yet finest venue. Next week at the Pump psych-indie rock arrives in the shape of Bristol’s uber-cool My Octopus Mind with the Message in support, on Friday, and Saturday is reserved for folk rock, when Ameila Coburn, with two of the young, upcoming folk artists I’ve been raving about, Ruby Darbyshire and MEG in support; either is worthy of your attention.

Where the common venue prioritises profit and aims to attract and appease with a renowned name, The Pump will be the one introducing you to the next name, supporting the local circuit, ensuring your entertainment is affordable, and to pay it a visit is to be a human participant to the experience, rather than herded cattle. Hear thee, hear thee, I would warble if I were the Trowbridge town crier, long live the Pump, but I’m not, though right now feeling like I should yell it anyway! 

Trending…..

The Big Sleep Out In aid of Devizes Opendoors

Join Devizes Opendoors for The Big Sleep Out 2023 and raise funds to help homeless and vulnerable adults here in Devizes get the support they need…..

You’ll experience a small taste of the difficulties homeless people have to deal with including freezing cold, vulnerability and the difficulty of carrying on your day with little sleep. And of course, you’ll be raising money for a great cause.

Here’s all the ways you can get involved:

Join The Big Sleep Out – Friday 13 October 7.30pm to 7.30am – Follow this registration link

Sleep out at St James’ Church in Devizes. There will be some hot food and drinks, and you’ll need to provide your own warm clothing and sleeping bags. All children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Raise money by asking friends and family to sponsor your Big Sleep Out.

Organise your own Big Sleep Out – Follow this registration link

Why not plan your own Big Sleep Out at work, at school or at home in the garden?  They’ll give you a handy ‘how to’ guide and you can raise funds by asking everyone to sponsor your Big Sleep Out.

Pay to stay in bed – Follow this registration link

Want to support Devizes Opendoors but can’t sleep out? Don’t worry – you can donate to ‘stay in bed’ instead! Simply head to their website to make a donation.

Whatever you choose to do, every penny you raise will go to Devizes Opendoors services providing hot meals and showers, clothing, food and support for the most vulnerable adults in our community.

Trending……

Swindon Rocks for Children In Need

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Song of The Week: Meg

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Devizine Podcast Sept 23

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Beyond Reverence: Deadlight Dance’s Debut Album

According to the confines of youth cultures of yore, I shouldn’t like Marlborough-based duo Deadlight Dance’s debut album, Beyond Reverence, as while attempts to fit into my new surroundings of Marlborough meant my teenage musical tastes meandered in a rock direction, I drew the line at “goth,” but on matured and eclectic reflection, still don’t like this, I love it……

Released on Friday (15th September 2023) the sublime Beyond Reverence will be digitally available via Ray Records. You can download it via Bandcamp, stream from all platforms, and a special small run of limited-edition CDs will be available through the band; I suggest you take one of these options, it goes way beyond my expectations.

The two-and-a-half-minute sombre bassline peregrination overture to the opening track, Nice Things sets mood and pace, and I’m knee-deep in retrospective melancholy, the desired effect I’d imagine. Contemplating growing up in suburban Essex, a friend of my elder brother, so cool attired in the look of the new romantic, all frilly shirt sleeves, black eyeliner, all Adam Ant, whereas I? Standard hand-me-downs! He gave my brother a new wave electronica mix tape I adored. Echoing the pop of the era, ergo, I was unaware though already accustomed, to a degree, just later washed away with the carefree and whimsical hip hop and electro fashion, pre-acts jumping the incensed bandwagon post Grandmaster Melle Mel’s The Message.

To reaccept the dejected goth element of new wave electronica would take puberty, frustration at the bling and gun direction hip hop was heading and attempts to acclimatise to the west country rural village I found myself dumped in. Solace in the wild romantic fantasy of soft metal and general rock like Springsteen I discovered, but those “goth” pupils of St Johns would require a radical shift to modify myself to. One of those St John’s pupils was Tim Emery, one half of the Deadlight Dance duo, something we can laugh about now, but then, I wasn’t ready for the plunge, no matter how newfound schoolfriends supplied me with Sisters of Mercy and The Fields of the Nephilim tapes. I ventured as far as the Cure, but only to improve my chances of getting off with girls; it failed miserably, but that’s another story for another time!

The origins of Deadlight Dance stem back to 1989, the year I left St Johns, when Tim formed a short-lived Sixth Form goth band with Nick Fletcher. Friends for the best part of thirty-five years, the two periodically worked on music together. Born from lockdown, Deadlight Dance is a project to merge their favoured retrospective bands, The Cult and The Mission, with contemporary acts like Bragolin, Actors, Twin Tribes and Molchat Doma.

Story goes, during an initial jam Tim “finally convinced Nick to sing,” a turnaround from the original collective idea to source guest singers. But it’s in Nick’s deep growling vocals and the elegant synths of the second tune, Innocent Beginnings, and up-tempo haunting Infectious where I get these reflections of the roots of gothic, the ominous, Bowie-esque component of new wave electronica, particularly of Joy Division, and herein lies my reasoning for taking to Beyond Reverence, even if I’m not about to dye what’s left of my hair black anytime soon!

At eleven tracks strong the album is epic, evolved from an original intention to record an EP, another crisp and proficient achievement for Nick Beere’s Mooncalf Studios. While the sound is retrospective themes are of contemporary social conscience, Innocent Beginnings comments on the environment, the following, Dark Circles about autism. Though the single Missives from the Sisters sticks to true goth prose, a classic tale of misogyny set in the time of witchcraft, and being “goth” it levels on this topic appropriately, and duly sullen. Though there’s a lot here which suggests you need not be in the niche, it has wider appeal than I imagined it might.

There’s an interesting instrumental interlude, Samuri Sunrise, which reprises a Sunset at the finale, with four tunes between them, two unorthodox cover choices. A quirky interpretation of Lou Reed’s I’m Waiting for my Man I get, but the latter I was far from suspecting, a sorrowing rendition of Heartbreak Hotel you must hear for yourself!

Deadlight Dance are picking up radio play, and while usually they go out with pre-recorded synths and drum tracks, they equally operate acoustically on mandocellos and mandolins. If you came to my birthday bash early enough to find me semi-sober, you’ll have seen them, they’re opening the Saturday shift at the Beehive at Swindon Shuffle this weekend, alongside Concrete Prairie, the Lonely Road Band, Atari Pilot and Liddington Hill. Thursday 21st sees them at Nick Beere’s open mic at the Mildenhall Horseshoe, and Saturday 23rd they support Ghost Dance at Bath’s coolest record shop Chapter 22. They are delighted to be included on the bill of the legendary All that is Divine VI Festival in London in 2024, and with big plans I’m left with no doubt this album will push this the maximum.

Beyond Reverence is up for pre-order on Bandcamp, released tomorrow 15th September 2023. Find Deadlight Dance’s Website HERE, and on Facebook & Instagram. Find your inner goth and cheer them up a bit with this nice present, I enjoyed it so much I’m going to see if my lace trim gothic corset still fits and try it with this spikey rivet leather neck collar; somebody draw me a pentagram pronto!  

Trending……

Ed Byrne: Tragedy Plus Time

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A Heroic Homecoming: Nothing Rhymes With Orange Live From The Exchange, Devizes.

Nothing Rhymes With Orange on stage for their headline slot. Four lads local to the Wiltshire area have been letting their presence be known of late. With the indie music scene of the region needing fresh artists, Nothing Rhymes With Orange have really begun to seize their opportunity.  An abundance of live shows as well […]

A Heroic Homecoming: Nothing Rhymes With Orange Live From The Exchange, Devizes.

Song of the Week: Meg

Chippenham’s folk singer-songwriter Meg gets our early song of the week this week, and The Cycle is only her debut single….

I’ve spoken twice to Meg, and she expressed her excitement at going to the studio, both times! This builds in layers and composition, again as in her live performances, there’s some empyrean prose, delivered with a certain unique charm. It’s great Meg, we love it here.

To find out more about Meg, check out our interview with her, and a later live review at the Neeld.

Link to streaming sites HERE

Trending….

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Some Work Experience At The Southgate!

Not as the title might suggest….

Since I peaked too soon over the bank holiday, coupled with working it, yeah, I sadly missed Monday’s entertainment at our trusty Southgate. Deborah plonked a cheap-as-chips scrumpy on the bar for me, to cure my Southgate withdrawal symptoms, and rubbed salt into the wound by telling Well Hung Heart was her “gig of the year.” Never would’ve guessed!

Across Devizes pubs sought to cater for the dregs of carnival-goers with discos and karaoke, no other thought live music might be an idea, and on those justified grounds attending the Southgate was a no-brainer.

I assumed the Gate might bring in something more generalised, but punk was promised from a Chippenham trio called Work Experience, (who I’d yet to witness,) and punk we got. Though playing to a majority regular who was around for the punk era, mixed verbal reviews came across, because the contemporary pop-punk pigeonhole is a far cry from its roots, and I get that, time moves on, but they were proficient, beguiling and more importantly, loud!



They bought an entourage to lower the age demographic, which is (wink) no bad thing! Though it is The Southgate, and you’re guaranteed a great atmosphere even if Sir Patrick Stewart was reciting War & Peace.

While the band name is new, it’s a reformation of JCJ, brainchild of frontman Julien Biddulph, alongside him, drummer Theo Lender-Swain and bassist Charlie Gibbons. They’ve recently supported Nothing Rhymes With Orange and Lucky Number Seven in two sold-out shows at The Pump, and that’s all I got on them, but never doubt Kieran of Sheer’s word on such matters.

Julien came across well-mannered and passionate about his craft, but behind the instruments, they belted out some refined and (what sounded like) intelligent originals with the hook in perfectly coordinated steady riffs. Yet as common to the genre, the rather subdued vocals could’ve been notched up a bit, nothing a good technician couldn’t solve. It’s the Gate dammit, and we like it rawer than Ol’ Dirty Bastard, and there’s a joke in there to boot; don’t make me spell it out!

They sprinkled the set with some covers, too, few of which I knew, but if Stacey’s Mom is the Wonderwall of pop punk, they delivered it without cliché, and it never fails to amuse.

Okay, so holding onto the bar at the end badly preaching history on Don Lett’s Roxy was at least done subtly to someone of equal age and I didn’t embarrass myself by thickly layering my Uncle Albert moment on the band. You’d be fooling yourself, hoping for a Clash cover, for Blink 182 is an equal classic to this generation, and I’m fine with that, honest, guv.

One surprise was Work Experience stripping back for a fantastic acoustic Tom Petty cover. Yeah, Free Falling, doesn’t matter who covers it, always will love it. And this point leads me neatly onto the support who simply introduced himself to me as Jonah, unnecessarily twisted my arm with a pink shot like a mini McDonald’s shake, as he blessed the Gate with some thought-provoking self-penned acoustic magic.


Honestly, sweet liquors don’t sit on the palate well while drowning oneself in scrumpy, but it was only in the absence of tequila, we did what we did! Nevertheless, like the shot, Work Experience was a gamble for a carnival night, and it paid off in my opinion.

You can catch them this Friday at The Pump with Start the Sirens supporting Lewis Poole, but full praises to the Southgate, as ever, felt so good to be back after venturing the summer festivities. They played a wildcard, introduced and hosted an enthralling, young upcoming band, and aside from being the friendliest boozer in town, I support that notion and their dedication… me? I’m vegging out for the rest of the day!

Song of the Week: Becky Lawrence

Song of the week, on a Saturday, yeah I know, but this one’s just been released yesterday, and I’m a little behind, and opening myself up for a Bart Simpson styled joke with that, I‘m fully aware, thank you!

Becky Lawrence, asking you not to come at her with your bad vibes, which I rarely have any anyway, and there’s nothing to project bad vibes about this, this tune is immediately lovable, crying out to be song of the week….

Becky at Full-Tone Festival Image: Gail Foster

Contemporary Americana with a kick, self-defined as “swamp-sassy-country,” Bad Vibes produced by Honey B. McKenna comes with guitar assistance from Jordan, and is a nugget of beguiling wonderful with a hook, undoubtedly the best yet from this emerging local artist.

Those in Devizes might’ve seen her play it at Full-Tone last weekend, James has spun the tune on BBC Music Introducing in the West; it’s a hit with us too!

LinkTree

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All Aboard for Imberbus on Saturday !

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Dylan Smith: Cruel to be Kind

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Junkyard Dogs are Let off Their Leashes

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Beyond Chippenham Streets

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Meg at The Neeld in Chippenham 

Yeah I know, those Nothing Rhymes With Orange lads were pepping up the Crown in Devizes for a Fantasy Radio live lounge last night, and we’re devoted to singing their praises, but over in Chippenham young folk singer-songwriter Meg was doing an intimate set in the Neeld bar, and since my daughter Jess did a fantastic interview with her a few months ago, I was eager to cross Meg off my never-ending must-see live list….

Glad I did, Meg was everything I’d expected and a tad more. Self-penned marvels of whimsical contrasts, between abstract prose of youthful dreams and harsher realities, make for a mostly melancholicus muse, thoughtful and delivered so utterly beautifully it encapsulates you like every good folk singer should, but Meg most definitely does, and Meg most definitely is only at the beginnings of a fascinating journey and one I suspect she’ll document diary-like in song.

Bags of potential here, for her audience to mature with her words, as Potterheads have with Rowling’s, in which Meg is often
quizzically humble, as if asking her audience the kind of questions your teenage self might’ve pondered alone on a ruffled duvet. It causes it to connote honesty, opening her innermost thoughts and desires to you, and the result is spellbinding. So much so, there’s times you assume the song has ended and she’s breaking the fourth wall with customary annotations, but Meg will smile a special smile, and continue the piece, and it’s touching in a unique manner; I’ve never seen another blur the lines between song and chat as well as this.



Yet the most engaging element is the passion in which she performs. In Jess’s interview, Meg was keen to express the connection between her music and her autism, suggesting it was part of her, so she didn’t think she would have one without the other. It equates to a channelled joyful passion, which unavoidably rubs off to her audience.

Look out for Meg, regularly support act at Trowbridge’s Pump and a keen open mic participant at The Old Road Tavern’s.

Foxbaroque; Sally Dobson Drops Us A Message, and a New EP!

Even if you were once on our local music circuit but you’ve escaped the wilds of Wiltshire, you are always welcome here! It was lovely to hear from Sally Dobson last week, as she dropped us a message to show off her new project Foxbaroque, and the EP stemmed from it, Calamity Jane……

Once a stalwart acoustic soloist of our local circuit, staying in Pewsey at the time, Sally gave us a broad gothic angle, yet always with a cheery outlook personally. Foxbaroque continues in the vein of her previous solo songs under the alias Salamander, and of that as the electronica goth duo Strange Tales. In fact, one of the three tunes, No Wrong, is already on our last 4 Julia’s House compilation, which you can grab here; wow, told you we had exclusives!

Sally, bottom right, at Saddleback’s Battle of the Bands in 2018. With John Edwards, George Wilding, Claire, Mike Barham, Jordan Whatley, Jack Moore, Tamsin Quin, and Jamie R Hawkins.

Calamity Jane flows expressively, like Kate Bush meets Siouxsie Sioux, and it’s produced by Curtis Simmons, released through Satellite Kid Records, with drum and percussion from Romain Delettre. Twelve minutes well spent, Foxbaroque is a unique sound swirling of post-punk progression, ardent hooks and expressive and sincere.

https://open.spotify.com/album/6GMHgZRxy8qr2hgA1QgcIp?si=wNqEMXrySuG4TCII2QIelw

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¡Viva La Devizes Salsa; Eso!

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Atari Pilot New Single

A drifting retrospection of sonic electronica new wave from Swindon’s purveyors of cool, Atari Pilot, is out today. A single with a Peter Pan fashioned…

The Lucky Stars of The Radio Makers

Bristol-based The Radio Makers have laboured over their forthcoming album Lucky Stars (Got My Radio) for four years, and it shows; you’ll find out for…

Devizes Scooter Rally 2023

Have rally will travel; seemingly the scooterist’s motto, chatting to various friendly clubs nationwide, and individuals too, such as a dapper lone mod who rode…

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All Aboard for Imberbus on Saturday !

Since sending out our last Imberbus email earlier this week, we have had several new subscribers to our mailing list, partly due to some advance press coverage yesterday. We therefore thought that we would send the email out again for their benefit and also share with you the answers to a few of the questions […]

All Aboard for Imberbus on Saturday !

Song of the Week: Ruzz Guitar’s Blues Revue & The Mike Eldred Trio

Ah, I reckon we’ve had Ruzz and the Revue up here for song of the week more than once before, but here’s a decidedly syncopated five-accent hambone rhythm of Bo Diddley beat the like you’ve never heard him play before….at least I’ve not! Must be their recent US tour rubbing off, all that playing in the desert malarkey!

Hailing from LA, The Mike Eldred trio consists of Mike on guitar and vocals, Chris Smith on bass and drummer Brian Fahey. Casting a spell alright!

Find Ruzz doing his birthday show at the Cheese & Grain, Frome on 10th February, but if you can’t wait that long, how’s about The Southgate, Devizes, where the Ruzz Guitar Trio will be there to entertain you on the big bank holibobs, Saturday 26th August….yes, that is a fortnight away!

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Weekly New Songs Roundup

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Who Knows, RAE?

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Subject A Takes us to Paradise

What’s four years between releasing new material?! We fondly reviewed Subject A’s album Writer’s Eyes back in 2019; they’ve a new single out this week,…

Wharf Writers’ Group Release First Podcast

Folks at the Wharf Writers’ Group, based in Devizes’ Wharf Theatre, release a new series of podcasts, Where’s The Cat? the first one published today….

There will be twelve weekly episodes, each a short play written and performed by members of the group. In this inaugural episode by John Osborn, a man is looking to redeem his birthday present of a time travel voucher. Warning – contains strong language. You can find it on Apple Podcasts HERE.

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Becca Maule’s Teenage Things

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Simply the Best, CrownFest!

If last year I trundled off the 49 at Bishops Cannings in a blazing heatwave alone, this time things were different; the bus was heaving…

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 16th – 22nd August 2023

Last week I predicted summer 23 had finally arrived, now, well, it doesn’t look smashing now, does it?! Ah, here’s what we’ve found this coming week to do in wonderful Wiltshire…..

Usual gubbing, all the info and ticket links are on our jam packed event calendar, HERE, and you can plan ahead too. Any updates after today will also be put on there, so do check in later in the week too, as this is not exhaustive or comprehensive, or other such long words like that!

Do pay a visit to Wiltshire Museum, Devizes, for the Anna Dillon exhibition; reviewed HERE.

Also The Forbidden Carnival in Chippenham has a street art inspired exhibit, Reviewed HERE.

Ongoing until 29th Sept, The Incredible Quizzical Bath Pub Tour. 

Wednesday 16th:

Acoustic Jam at The Southgate, Devizes. Devizes Salsa Class in West Lavington.

Mango Factory, Latin flavoured grooviness from double-drama-vocalist party patrol, arrive at The Bell, Bath. 

Johnny Marr is at The Cheese & Grain, Frome.

For kids on school hols, Pound arts has a Sketch and Doodle session, but Lego Animation workshops at the Wiltshire Music Centre in Bradford-on-Avon have now sold out, though Sing Your Head Off still has places.

Thursday 17th:

Tom Speight is Instore at Sound Knowledge in Marlborough.

There’s the Summer Youth Project at the Wyvern Theatre, Swindon, with The Wizard Of Oz.

Showstoppers at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon, and Australia’s most admired and versatile songwriters and instrumentalists, Liz Stringer is at Chapel Arts in Bath.

Friday 18th:

Devizes and Marlbroough are playing swappies, Marlborough-based Trash Panda will make a Devizes debut at The Three Crowns, and Ben Borrill and Pat Ward now known as Matchbox Mutiny, play the Wellington in Marlborough! 

There’s Jazz at the Cafe in Trowbridge Civic Hall listed on the calendar, but I’ve drawn a blank link to this, so check ahead with the Civic Hall.

‘The Chas and Dave Story’ featuring Rockney at Chapel Arts, Bath

Fantastic Marillion tribute, Marquee Square Heroes play The Vic, Swindon.

And for a camping trip, consider The Baa in Combe Bisset near Salisbury, which has live music weekend with Captain Accident & the Disasters headlining; I must check this place out!

Saturday 19th:

Devizes gets colourful, yes, it’s DOCA’s Colour Rush & Confetti Battle!  

The Jake Leg Jug Band appear for one night only at The Wharf Theatre, Devizes, Mark Smallman play The Southgate. 

Sausage and Cider Day at The Brewery Inn, Seend, where those Junkyard Dogs will be.

Absolutely Elton at the Consti Club, Chippenham.

It’s the MidLife Krisis Summer Family Event at Supermarine, Swindon; best of luck with this one, guys, I know how hard you’ve all worked towards it. Meanwhile, Down & Dirty play The Vic, Rio at the Woodland Edge, and Michael Jackson tributeJay Styles at the New Inn, Stratton.

Calf2Cow presents Lewis Carroll’s Jabberwocky & Other Nonsense, at Pound Arts in Corsham.

Be Like Will are playing a free BBQ at True Story, unit 7 of the Curtis Centre in Westbury. 

The songbook of Marvin Gaye starring Nate Simpson, at Chapel Arts, Bath.

Meatloaf tribute, Maet Live & The Never Neverland Express at the Cheese & Grain, Frome.

Sunday 20th:

The Jon Amor Trio welcomes Bennett Holland to the unmissable monthly residency at The Southgate, Devizes.

The Convulsions at the Bell, Bath.

There’s also the Mid-Somerset Show 2023.

Monday 21st:

I got nought as of yet, other than 6 1 6 1, wunder-drummer Matt Brown’s  new band debut at the Bell, Bath. But you know, early days, stuff might change as the week goes on, this is why you have to keep one eye on our updating Event Calendar! 

Tuesday 22nd:

Pete Canter Quartet play Jazz Knights at The Royal Oak, Swindon.

And that’s that, folks! Of course, the county is gearing up for a bank holiday next weekend, so next week’s rodeo roundup will be jam packed, but really, you wanna start planning now.

Even Wednesday leading up to it is solid, with not only the acoustic jam at The Southgate, but Bristol gipsies Fromage en Feu at the Bath Bell, Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse playing the Tree House, Frome, and Iago Banet, Galician king of acoustic guitar at Chapel Arts. Oh, and Joe Pasquale at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon!

And the week goes on like this, the weekend is exploding! Friday, Bluey visits Hillworth Park, Plan of Action visits The Three Crowns, Blondie & Ska visit The Pelican, People Like Us do the Condado Lounge, and that’s just Devizes!

HoneyFest kicks off at The Barge on Honey-Street, not forgetting the Reading Festival, and a host of other great gigs and events. Saturday sees the magical Fulltone Festival in Devizes, where Ruzz Guitar Trio also returns to The Southgate.

CastleFest at The Castle in Bradford-on-Avon, and into Sunday with Potterne Festival, TalbotFest in Calne, and too many gigs to list. Bank holiday Monday sees Black Rat Monday at the British Lion in Devizes but also, Well Hung Heart at The Southgate and The Reason at The Three Crowns; options, people, too many to choose from!! And I was thinking about popping over to Box for Box Rocks at the Queens Head, Dammit, someone clone me, at least six times!

And then it’s into September, back to school and the Pump’s Future Sound of Trowbridge, a series of gigs supporting upcoming local bands and musicians, Swindon Shuffle, and a new season for Long Street Blues Club.

Until then, hold your horses, and I hope to see you out and about! Have a great week!

Trending……

Mantonfest 2023; Best One Yet!

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Devizes Hosts First Pride

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Michelle Donelan Out of the Chicken Run for New Devizes-Melksham Constituency, But What Difference Will These Changes Mean?

So, the Boundary Commission for England’s final recommendations for new Parliamentary constituencies, which carves the Devizes constituency into three unequal parts, was submitted to the House of Commons for their perusal in June, and it’s time for MPs to scramble for the safest seats, which Westminster dubs “the chicken run.” But what, at great taxpayer’s cost, will these changes really mean for us? 

Not much to be honest, other than confusion as to who your MP is. And as a majority in the Devizes area will come under the newly formed Devizes-Melksham constituency, which Chippenham MP Michelle Donelan wants her claws in, less chauvinistic attitudes and using parliamentary persuasion to indoctrinate antiquated evangelist beliefs, perhaps. Though looking into Donelan’s backstory, she’s hardly an advocate for equality, not the personification of Amnesty International, unfortunately.

But if ol’ Danny K signed his own death warrant by segregating and offending half the population of his constituency according to gender, time is a healer. Here comes the Tory girls; it stands that our existing constituency is the safest Conservative seat in the area, and they’ll fight tooth and nail for the shards of it.

It makes sense with depleting support for the Tories nationally, that constituencies like Devizes will split to shoulder neighbouring constituencies which might possibly be lost to the opposition otherwise. Donelan’s Chippenham constituency would lose Bradford-on-Avon and Melksham, gaining the thinner ice of Royal Wootton Bassett and Calne, so it makes sense to jump ship.

Hence why Michelle is keen to abandon Chippenham and defect to Devizes-Melksham. This Westminster parlance, or  “chicken run” is no new thing. The phrase was coined in the years leading up to New Labour’s 1997 landslide, when several Conservative MPs, fearing a tricky contest on home soil fled for greener pastures.

Question is, what’s Michelle Donelan like as an MP? Well, although a Christian too, her online persona doesn’t preach like our Danny K, rather is filled with feelgood shares of constituents raising funds for worthy charities; as if the corruption of the current government she supports hasn’t been kingpin as to why we need such charities and now is the time for us all to dig deeper and fundraise, because we’re all so affluent, aren’t we?!

Online Donelan comes across as hard working and responsive to pleas from her constituents, but against her hardlined Conservative voting record this feels like a facade, and with a previous career in media marketing she would be of a professional standard to sell ice to Eskimos.

Currently serving as Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, she’s also had her mitts in the Johnson government as Minister of State for Higher and Further Education, but under Truss bunked off after less than 36 hours in her new role, resigning, writing Johnson had, “put us in an impossible position.” No shit, Sherlock, you certainly took the long route around to unearth this revelation of subterfuge!

Michelle is no stranger to debunking after a devastating loss. In her first, the 2010 general election, the safe Labour seat of Wentworth and Dearne in South Yorkshire, she took only 17.6%, to Labour MP John Healey’s 50.6%, shoved her tail between her legs and headed for the gold-paved streets of Chippenham!

Hardly Amazonian demigoddess Princess Diana of Themyscira here to save us from, erm, though Wonder Woman had no arch-nemesis, Cheetah was a popular supervillain, so let’s call Danny K it, for the purpose of this analogy! Donelan’s voting record (TheyWorkForYou) doesn’t convey the people-person connoted passionately on her Facebook page, sadly. 

This shows a militant xenophobic, homophobic Brexiteer, always voting against a right to remain for EU nationals already living in the UK, against more EU integration, against UK membership of the EU, and consistently voting for military action against ISIL, and against investigations into the Iraq war. 

It shows Michelle as utterly reprehensible on asylum seekers, and mistrusts the more general population, consistently voting for requiring the mass retention of information about communications.

A general running theme through her voting record reveals the common Conservative thread of giving large corporations a leg-up and down-treading the working class, voting for increasing the rate of VAT, reducing capital gains tax, and for restricting regulation of trade union activity. She voted for a reduction in spending on welfare benefits, and against paying higher benefits over longer periods for those unable to work due to illness or disability.

Selling off the NHS to the highest bidder is something she also appears passionate about, and voted against allowing the terminally ill to be given assistance to end their life; Michelle likes to see you squirm in pain from beginning till the very end.

Hardly the people-person she makes out locally, voting against equal gay rights, and against laws to promote equality and human rights. You try to find me media coverage of Chippenham’s first openly gay mayor Declan Baseley’s MP observing the etiquette of welcoming a new mayor to the position, I challenge you!

And, fracking hell, don’t even get me started on her appalling stance on environmental issues, we may as well abandon the planet now, as she will with Chippenham!

But, why, why all this hostile ethos to the important matters, besides making sure businesses profit? Okay, what if I told you Michelle Donelan’s partner is Tom Turner, Commercial Head of Stronghold Global, exposed by the Good Law Project for involvement in the PPE procurement scandal? Does it ring any alarms? Or, his father Benjamin Turner, who has also landed lucrative Government PPE deals, as director at Toffeln Ltd, a shoe-making firm which landed a £1.1m contract from the DHSC in April 2020 to suddenly supply visors despite no previous experience. Ah, no conflict of interest there, nothing to see here, move along and accept your hopeful new MP, Devizes.

What the hell, Devizine, she’s wearing a blue rosette?! Sigh; it’s like talking to a brick wall. You’d vote for a 4×4 plinth of plywood scrawled with Satanic worshipping slogans if it was wearing one of those; the very reason she’s coming our way. What would it take to change the minds of a majority, to think away from their traditional blind voting agenda? Because a government whose incompetence drastically increased deaths during a pandemic and partied while you watched granny snuff it on video call doesn’t seem to have had any impact at all.

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Song of The Week: Beskar

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Junkyard Dogs are Let off Their Leashes

If I’ve spent some days now, highlighting a wealth of local talented teenagers, forming new bands, and creating a blossoming scene, this isn’t one of those days. And if I’ve reviewed musical releases breaking new ground, this isn’t it either. This is about the Junkyard Dogs, a popular Trowbridge based blues band who kindly posted their CD, Off The Leash, through my letterbox…..

It’s nice to receive something other than bills from Pat, and I’m mature enough to recall a day pre-spotty-fly and Deezer-not-a-geezer, when all music for reviewing was sent via this antiquated method; it’s nice to have something to hold too, something physical. And if I convey ageism I’m hypocritically in the same boat, but on the grounds they’ve a self-penned song titled Too Fat, too Old, Too Bald, I’d imagine and pray they don’t mind; old enough to know better, too old to care, they are Junkyard Dogs, after all.

For I was wondering, when they announced they had an album coming out if they’d polished their pub circuit act and glossed it with a studio makeover, and I furthered it with intrigue but also with concern that this route may not have had the same dynamic blast of their live show. Which is justified, it can and has happened to others.

But it hasn’t here, they’ve rightfully opted to give us a disc recorded live, at The Mason Arms in Warminster last year, only mastered at Sonic Temple, and this simply works, as I don’t believe it’s the kind of groundbreaking CD to be rushing off the HMV shelves, rather the kind of keepsake you pick up after being blown away by a stupendous show, and can happily take a little piece of it back home with you; a secret treasure.

So, if you do catch these guys live, do also beg them for this CD, it has a cover parodying Tarintino film Reservoir Dogs, despite this being a blessing on the ear rather than the slicing of one as seen in the film, and you will love it!

I trust myself to divulge this fact, as many readers are Devizes based, and Devizes is a blues town, I’ve mentioned before what I call the Mel Bush Effect. But personally, I love it because I love my blues rooted, and though the Dogs are electrically amplified their style is deeply rooted too; harmonicas aplenty.

The opening song proving my point, the 1955 prototypical rocker Flip, Flop and Fly, Big Joe Turner’s similar follow-up arrangement to Shake, Rattle and Roll, a tune covered by Bill Haley which essentially spurred a musical revolution, but quintessentially was originally deemed jump blues.

And I favour that term above the later coined rhythm and blues, as it defines it, it encourages a jump rather than melancholic contemplation of delta blues, and it makes for a massive percent of the Dog’s set, it’s lively, it’s carefree, it’s songs about long-legged women, ambiguous usage of the term jelly roll, and flying by the seat of one’s pants; I rest my case. 

Off the Leash is the kind of truckload of fun which could instantly turn a reading room into a juke joint! This said, there’s a fair quantity of this on our circuit, I accept the point, but few do it with the gusto, proficiency and authenticity of Junkyard Dogs.

Mostly self-penned nuggets of blissful blues, other covers include Dale Hawkins’ Susie Q, definably from the golden age of rockabilly, and Robert Parker’s rhythm and blues signature Barefootin’, but the most adroit is the finale of the gospel classic Jesus on the Mainline, originally recorded by Rev. Gatemouth Moore, but covered extensively by the likes of Ry Cooper and Fairport Convention. The tune features Cindy Wilson on vocal harmonies with Jonboy, Craig and Danny, and it highlights a certain diversity in Americana the Dogs will stretch too, making a poignant finale. 

But for the most part, this CD is about letting the good times roll, and for this it works a treat. Who, who, who, whoever lets these dogs out, need walkies themselves, to go see them live, this album only stands a testament to why. 

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Devizes, We Are Sustainable!

Bingo, someone came up to me in the Market Place while I was chatting with Devizes Greens chief, Margaret Green about all random matters of…

We’ve Found You, Danni W!

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¡Viva La Devizes Salsa; Eso!

Looking back over the years of Devizine, I’ve engaged myself with more ‘loco’ undertakings than I care to count, things I wouldn’t have otherwise considered attempting; all part of the fun. More often than not I come away thinking it was alright, but seldom follow it up with a burning desire to continue, it’s sadly onto the next story. Today though was incendio; I’m enthralled by a trip to the Muck & Dundar to meet the Devizes Salsa Group, only kidding myself to assume I’ll be sitting there taking notes…..

Fantasy Radio DJ Michael Linford twisted my arm to give it a try, still naturally I was apprehensive, sauntering in. Though I love to dance, it’s best defined freestyle dad-dancing, and I’ve never taken so much as a single instructed step. Not forgoing, whenever I see those salsa dancing champs at any Latino styled Devizes Arts Festival events my two left feet plod feels upstaged; I just nod in awe; wowzers, they look so cool, as I shamefully retreat from the dancefloor! Though when I left today I can hardly profess to being Jim Carrey’s The Mask, I certainly had a lot of fun!

Upon expressing my initial anxiety to Karen, who runs the group, she reassured me, “we want everyone to come and have fun, we don’t want it to be strictly for people who can do all the moves, it’s not about that, we do a bit of freestyle, but it’s mostly about new people to come and give it a go.”

Now, if you know me you’ll hazard a fair guess I tried to hinge myself to the rum bar, but was hoisted front and centre from the off, next to instructor Phil, who makes it look childsplay, and me like Mr Blobby on a bender, yet took us all through the basic steps timed perfectly, and more importantly, gradually! Up here for thinking, down there for dancing, pal; lo and behold I was side-to-side, backstepping, occasionally doing it to the rhythm too!

Am I here to promote the group, are they desperate for new members? While there was no indication of flailing appeal, the group could do with a few more masculine dancers; can I say men, without getting in trouble with the PC brigade?! Sometimes the ‘masculine dancers’ need to take two partners to compensate, (if that’s not an incentive enough, guys.) I should stress having a partner is something, but you’ll be equally welcome not having one.

As a whole, an ensemble gathered to chat, but they’re bustling, and eager to break out some moves on the floor. Unlike a more formal dance workshop, salsa is not ballet, only subtly ballroom related, the structure is paced to suit all ages and experience, and the ethos is to enjoy yourself… which I did, thank you, thoroughly!

Karen tells me it’s been running for seven years, “but it was a different group, I wasn’t running it then. We started up again, after lockdown, in Market Lavington.” The group meets on Wednesdays at the Old School on Church Street in Market Lavington, today at the Muck & Dundar was a drop-in session for newcomers to get a taster. On a previous taster session such as this they broke out of the Muck and swamped the Brittox with an improv Fame moment of dancing in the street, a video of which captured the attention of Devizes Facebook users.

While there’s no membership fees, it usually costs a fiver to cover hall hire costs. Karen was keen for me to note her involvement was purely for the love of it, “I just want the world to throw off their cares and dance,” she expressed; yeah, me too but you do with it style, Karen, I usually just bob up and down like a buoy in a stormy sea!

Men versus multitasking argument away, getting to grips with the basics wasn’t so simple, and when I thought I clinched it, it was but a warm-up! Encouragement was plentiful, though, with no pretence, the members made me feel so very welcome; I didn’t step on any of their feet! Karen underlined the importance of it being a social group, and it certainly was this.

Salsa is this though, cool fun. An American coined blanket term for all Latino style dances, so we danced mambo, pachanga, and rumba, at least I think we did! “We cover all basic salsa,” Karen explained, “LA salsa, and there will be Bachata, which we all love because it slows it right down, so, you know, we can’t keep it going all night, and then, towards the end we go into full flight and all hell lets loose, going into merengue, and even reggaetón.”

Bachata is typified by a slow, sensual beat, similar to Cuban bolero, which meant my two left feet could keep up while concentrating on the choreography, just; it was the changes which threw my sieve-for-a-brain, but something about old dogs and new tricks, I enjoyed learning something new today, and it’s Sunday! Yet as described, the pace picked up a bit as the session progressed; while freestyling, to a degree, least it wasn’t so regimental to keep to the steps, and never did I fear I’d be told off Lydia Grant style (Google her, whippersnappers!) the exuberance gave flavour to the overall enjoyment of it all. Reggaetón I can improvise!

And dammit, it was fun, and addictively engaging, on watching Phil, Karen and other senior members go for it, all of whom were so helpful and non-judgemental, I felt if I could perfect this enough, you know, to get over those initial first steps, the enjoyment would be multiplied, friendships here will be made, even if I never make it to Patrick Swayze level, least I’ve had the time of my life-ish!

If you fancy being the next salsero or salsera of Devizes, here’s a link to the Facebook Group with all the info on it. Might even see you there, though, not wishing to put you off the idea, you don’t have to dance with me! Oh, those poor Devizes Salsa Group dancers, they’ll be wearing steel toe-caps if they know I’m coming back!!

Trending…..

Atari Pilot New Single

A drifting retrospection of sonic electronica new wave from Swindon’s purveyors of cool, Atari Pilot, is out today. A single with a Peter Pan fashioned postulation anyone within their target audience would surely identify with, despite the title sounds a bit too mathematical!

If 4x /22 equals 88 back in class, rather this tune refers to the immature wishes of a forty something supposing they’re going on twenty-two; in your dreams, pal! But in most middle age dreams, I’d imagine.

Going by the song that’d pitch me at the mental age of early thirties and I can shrug, mentally I’d wish younger still, but not so much that I’d be back at school, no, thank you. About twenty-five would suit me, please, Atari Pilot, make it so. Failing that, just continue prodding my time travelling reverie with your catchy tunes!

Even if I’d consequently be but a Sega Megadrive gamer at that era, with a blue mohican, collecting golden rings with gusto, rather than an Atari pilot per-say, it’s still a nice thought to plant in my mind, and done nicely with a beguiling grower of a track.

It’s up as a name-your-price download on Bandcamp, give it a whirl, you big kid, you! 

Trending…..

Summer Roots Festival….In Keevil?!

You may know the tiny village of Keevil, the name of which will never cease to remind me of Evel Knievel, for its airfield steeped…

CSF Professional Wrestling returns to Devizes

CSF Professional Wrestling returns to Devizes, on Sunday 25th June for a very special edition of CSF SHOWDOWN! Following multiple sellouts of the venue, The…

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 2nd – 8th August 2023

August already, Christmas before you know it. I bet you’ve done your Christmas shopping already, haven’t you?! Me? I can’t remember what I had for dinner yesterday. But I do have what’s happening across wonderful Wiltshire this coming week, and here it is…..

Usual gubbing, all the info and ticket links are on our jam packed event calendar, HERE, and you can plan ahead too. Any updates after today will also be put on there, so do check in later in the week too, as this is not exhaustive or comprehensive, or other such long words like that!

Do pay a visit to Wiltshire Museum, Devizes, for the Anna Dillon exhibition; reviewed here.

Wednesday 2nd:

The regular acoustic jam at The Southgate, Devizes.

Blackberry Wood at The Bell, Bath.

Thursday 3rd:

It is the annual Lawrence Art Society Exhibition at Devizes Town Hall, and congratulations to them, for it is their 70th year. Running until Saturday 5th August.

Emergency Awareness Training from Wiltshire Air Ambulance at Hillworth Park, Devizes.

Wilderness Festival near Chipping Norton opens, likewise does the Outcider Festival near Bristol.

Friday 4th:

Sound Affects are at The Pelican, Devizes.

Open Mic at the Barge, Honey Street.

Post 12 at the Queen’s Tap, Swindon.

A paw-fect open-air theatre show for all the family, Dr Dolittle is at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon, followed by The Great Gatsby in the evening.

Whitesnake UK is at The Cheese & Grain.

Saturday 5th:

Curious Kids at Wiltshire Museum, Devizes

Women’s World Cup – Girls Football Tournament at Wiltshire FA Green Lane, Devizes

6 O’clock Circus at The Three Crowns, Devizes.

Chaz Thorogood Trio at The Southgate, Devizes.

People Like Us at The Lamb, Marlborough.

Cooper’s Creek at the Crown, Aldbourne.

Jive Talkin Perform The Bee-Gees at The Neeld, Chippenham.

Editor’s Pick of the Week, The Embrace All Festival at Old Town Bowl, Swindon, a festival open to all, but designed especially for people with disabilities. See the poster, previewed HERE, they’ve got some great acts and wow, it is such a wonderful idea too!

Rotten Aces at Queen’s Tap, Swindon.

Fall From Ruin plus Our Last Goodbye at  the New Inn, Stratton, Swindon.

Rave Against The Regime at the Woodland Edge, Swindon.

The Dung Beatles at Chapel Arts, Bath.

Sunday 6th:

Jon Amor Trio at The Southgate, Devizes

Flats & Sharps at The Bell, Bath.

Courting Ghosts at The Electric Bar, Bath.

Monday 7th:

Devising Drama workshop at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon, and a Rock The Tots Summer Party too!

Summer at Queen’s Park, Swindon has The Jabberwocky & Other Nonsense! From 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm.

Lady Noir at The Bell, Bath.

Tuesday 8th:

Fidgety Feet Dance & Drama at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.

Robin Hood at Old Town Bowl, Swindon.

The Kim Cypher Quartet are atJazz Knights in The Royal Oak, Swindon.

And that’s all I have so far, folks, but more will be added to the calendar throughout the week, I’m sure; have a great week!

Trending…..

Ajay Srivastav at Devizes Arts Festival 

“Do you know of anyone else doing something similar to what you’re doing?” I asked him as he crouched by the Cellar Bar’s vinyl banner,…

41 Fords Park Up at The Southgate 

With the happenings at the Arts Festival taken care of, and twenty/thirty something’s pilgrimage to The Three Crowns for the delights of our most famed…

Film Review: Translations

by Helen Edwards For those that are too busy to read this film review and to help our tech-conditioned ‘keep-it-quick’ minds please see the one liner…

Weekly New Songs Roundup

Ah, let us have a shiny new feature, being I’m trying to keep up with all the lovely new songs coming out, and failing because I’m putting them as individual articles when I could be rolling them into one, maximising my productivity and giving me some breathing space! Here’s a selection of tracks recently out or forthcoming from our bank of local talent!

Ruzz Guitar Blues Revue: 10-31

Staggering new track from Ruzz and the Blues Revue, featuring Chris Smith and Brian Fahey. Available worldwide on all download and streaming services from June 10th.

The Two Man Travelling Medicine Show: I’m So Angry I Could Vote

Punky folky bluegrass shenanigans … here’s the new single, from Dorset’s finest, The Two Man Travelling Medicine Show; I’m So Angry I Could Vote! Available from Weds 16th August.

Deadlight Dance: Infectious

Infectious is the third single from Deadlight Dance, a Wiltshire, UK-based ’80s alternative/goth duo compromised of Nick Fletcher and Tim Emery. The song was written by Deadlight Dance, and produced by Nick Beere and Deadlight Dance at Mooncalf Studios. The video was made by Haunting The Atom. The zombie shots in the news report were produced by Cottonbro Studio.

William The Conqueror: Shots Fired (From Heaven) 

Okay you got me, not local, but coming to Marlbrough tomorrow, via Sound Knowledge, preview here. From the album ‘Excuse Me While I Vanish’ – out now https://wtc.lnk.to/EMWIVID

The Sunnies: Relapse

Just out, and added last minute, Melksham’s finest indie-punkers, The Sunnies have dropped Relapse, check it out!

https://open.spotify.com/album/1tw2mRSt5nAsVxyCoV1ELK

If we missed one, please send it to us and it will make the next Weekly New Songs Roundup, pinky promise… today’s was just a little experimental prototype and besides, I’m off out in a minute, honest guv!!

Trending…..

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 31st May –  6th June 2023

Moving swiftly into June, with bank hols and street festival done and dusted in Devizes town, this weekend is all about arts and organs; let’s see what’s going down in our hood over the next week shall we? Bearing in mind, this list is never comprehensive and events will come to our attention  throughout the…

by Darren Worrow

Devizes Street Festival Day 2

Devizes Street Festival 2023 came to a glorious close in the Market Place yesterday with the unique and dynamic brass, keys and guitar combo, Misha & His Merry Men, a collective of varying musicians on a theme of peace and love, which made for the perfect summary of the event as a whole; our waffle…

by Darren Worrow

HAVING A BABY AND THE S**T THEY DON’T TELL YOU

26th and 27th May 2023Wharf Theatre, DevizesPerformed and written by Lou Cox Review by Helen Edwards I will start this review with a trigger warning. The proceeds from this, Lou Cox’s hilarious and devastating show, are being donated to The Grand Appeal, the official Bristol Children’s Hospital charity. Whilst the audience laughed loudly at the…

by Darren Worrow

Going on a Michael Rosen Hunt at The Cheese & Grain!

By Florence Lee

To be able to capture the attention of an age group from little children and grumpy teens to parents and even grandparents is not something that everyone can do. But Michael Rosen is not just everyone.….

He was completely charismatic and had the audience in stitches for his whole show. He grew up surrounded by education, learning, and books, as his parents were primary and secondary school teachers. As he told the audience, when he was younger, he had ‘three parents.’ His mum, dad, and then his older brother, Brian. Brian is older than him by four years, and liked to tell him about his day at school, but also teach him everything he had learnt. Rosen shared the memory of sitting in their shared room whilst his brother would imitate their father at the breakfast table. Within seconds, the whole room was lit up with laughter.

No one was sat without a smile on their face. His impression was animated and came to life as soon as his mouth opened. Everyone was transported into a world of childhood memories.

Michael was born in London and came from a family that was filled with love. He was always interested in writing. He wrote poems for his mother to help her when he came back home from university, and these poems were collected to make his first book. His father was always a bit of a performer, but Michael only found out that he was a performer after writing his first book: ‘Mind Your Own Business.’ He was put in front of around 300 children and completely changed his way of thinking while these 300 kids sang his poem in rhythms and sounds; it was a new way of writing poems.

It was clear to see that as soon as Michael stepped out onto the stage, he wanted to get to know his audience and fans. He instantly pointed out people eating ‘Haribo’s’ in the front row and got to know ‘Henry,’ a young fan eagerly watching for his next joke. Rosen then introduced himself as Michael Raisin and asked the audience questions about their opinions on raisins. Everyone, once again, was laughing as soon as he made a joke.

Michael talked about how he named his books and told stories about people asking him what it was called and having to reply, ‘Mind Your Own Business.’ This caused an eruption in the hall, but he continued to when people asked him about his second book. This time, he would say ‘Wouldn’t You Like To Know,’ and getting the response: ‘Yes, I would like to know.’
Not only did he interact by talking to the audience, but he also made the audience speak and act out his poems with simple movements. Even ‘the dads.’

His captivating poems had everyone doing exactly as he said. As I said earlier, capturing everyone’s attention is a very hard thing to do, but it seems to me that Michael did it with ease. Had Michael not gone into writing, stand-up comedy would have suited him perfectly. If anyone has the chance to spend an hour with this enthralling author, don’t hesitate to go. You will not regret it.

Box Rocks; Spend August Bank Holiday Monday in Box?

Not a typo, even if my irritating grammar check says it’s so, and not ruling out some might like to spend bank holiday Monday “in a box;” each to their own. But Box Rocks, at the Queen’s Head, in Box is an institution, and this year is looking decidedly tempting…..

Forever a bank holiday Monday thing, Box Rocks actually started on Whitsun in 1994. The idea, concocted over a few drinks between like-minded musicians, was to perform a charity gig on the roof overlooking the gardens and car park at The Queens Head in Box; their very own Apple HQ, Savile Row!  

The First Box Rocks, 1994!

“After the first few years,” they tell, “we were advised that putting musicians and alcohol eight feet in the air was not the best idea, so we moved the stage into the garden at ground level!”

In 2002, due to the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, it was shifted to the August Bank Holiday, and due to its blossoming attraction, moved to the carpark, where it remains to this day, with the slogan “8 bands over 8 hours.”

Over the years Box Rocks has raised thousands of pounds for the RUH Forever Friends appeal and other local charities, the past couple raising over £7,000 for Dorothy House. 

Danni W

But enough of the history, Box Rocks goes ahead come rain or shine, on Monday 28th August this year, it’s a fiver or more donation to the Dorothy House on the gate, no animals except guide dogs, only food and drink purchased on the grounds and under 18s must be accompanied by an adult.

Nothing Rhymes With Orange

And the lineup is looking a little something like this: from 2pm the Phoenix River Band kick off, 3pm is Danni W, whose album we recently fondly reviewed but yet to catch live, Tom Petty homage, Petty Minded from 4pm, a fine choice, sirs, Nothing Rhymes With Orange take the 5pm slot, followed by The Sunnies, indie-punkers similarly taking the Sham by storm, and From Jovi at 7pm, which may/may not be a tribute act!

The Sunnies

After dinner, those fantastic Bristolian new wavers The Radio Makers at 8pm, still got their forthcoming album to review, I’m getting to it, honest! And a finale of Fleetwood Mac, with Fleetwood’s Back. So, yeah, might catch you there, if they let me out of my box.

Trending….

Devizes Street Festival; Day One

If I can, which I think is best after one too many visits to the Stealth bar, sum today in Devizes up in a word,…

Deadlight Dance: Innocent Beginnings

Marlborough’s darkwave-goth duo, Deadlight Dance push their boundaries to new limits with their second single, Innocent Beginnings this week, and it’s a corker of goth…

Nothing Rhymes With Orange have Butterflies

If Lidl Shoes, April’s blast from our aspiring homegrown four-piece indie-punkers, Nothing Rhymes With Orange certainty raised the rafters with energetic enthusiasm, I held subtle…

Song of the Week: Canute’s Plastic Army

Swindon’s acoustic Celtic folk duo Canute’s Plastic Army played the Southgate in Devizes last Saturday; though firmly on my never-ending must-see-list, even just the name…

Female of the Species Announce 2023 Date!

For eight years on the trot, minus the lockdown year no one needs reminding of, local all-female supergroup, The Female of the Species have performed…

The Future Sound of Trowbridge; The Pump Calls for Young Talent

The Pump in Trowbridge, is a music venue called such because it is a renovated pump room, but I always like to think the pump disambiguation should also be a metaphor for the heart, for it is the heart of live music in our county town, and it sure has a lot of love to give!

I’m delighted today to be able to announce the Pump’s search for the next generation of Trowbridge’s best and brightest musical stars, and they’re naming it The Future Sound of Trowbridge!

Already renowned for their unrivalled and at times blistering live music experience, The Pump is hoping to continue to inspire and educate the next generation of music stars, by offering our venue and platform. Giving young people the agency and opportunity to present and perform their music and art to their peers, in a professional environment.

Skill level and performance length aren’t an issue; But the desire to get up and perform is essential! The Pump will provide an exceptionally safe space for people to perform in, with expert help at hand to assist any musician through their technical requirements to be in the best possible position to perform their music live!

Now, I always figured if any local venue has done most to encourage youth already, it’s been The Pump. Sheer Music’s promoter, Kieran Moore, tells me, “be that as it may, we want to formalise it in the shape of a project, and here it is!”

“There are no limits on the style, type or size of the music,” he continued, “we aim to unearth what latent talent we have in Trowbridge and offer the opportunity to SHINE!”

You could be the next pioneer of the spoons, an aspiring violinist or an Avantgarde psych rock, pedal noodler. You could even be a rapper or DJ. The options are limitless, but the opportunity is here and now!

You must be aged between 14 and 25, and not already in an established* band. 

Pre-existing local musicians will be able to perform.

There are also opportunities for those who wish to be involved with the delivery of the events. Aspiring sound engineers or lighting engineers are welcome to contact The Pump.

You may be a photographer, or zine writer or blogger. You may be a graphic designer. All of these skills are valued and can be explored and developed with your peers, to gain experience and contribute to your community! 

More information can be found at;

http://www.thepumptrowbridge.co.uk/ or you can email: 

thepumptrowbridge@gmail.com

The first event has already been confirmed, with young indie hopefuls Nothing Rhymes With Orange set to perform on Friday 1st September, with a line up including more young musicians from the area.

The Future of Rock and Roll is in your hands, the future of Music is YOU!

Trending……

Waiting for Godot @ The Mission Theatre

By Ian Diddams Images by Playing Up Theatre Company Samuel Beckett’s existential work is performed in the round this week in Bath’s Mission Theatre, by…

Carmela’s Wonder Wheels Challenge

Cyclists of all abilities are invited to ride with our inspirational fundraiser, Carmela Chillery-Watson on their very own Wonder Wheels Cycling Challenge 100km around Wiltshire….…

Kyla Brox; Throw Away your Blues

By Ben Niamor  Long Street Blues Clubs’ offering for the coronation weekend.. Kyla Brox….. The bunting is still up for those keen to celebrate, personally…

Helen’s Poem on BBC Upload

A quick one from me today, offering our congratulations to our new writer, Helen Edwards from Devizes, who read out her poem “Motherhood,” on BBC…

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 19th – 25th July 2023

Is this…..is this….summer, pray tell?! Here’s what we’ve found to be doing locally this coming week……

Here’s a thing, all the info and ticket links are on our jam packed event calendar, HERE, and you can plan ahead too. Any updates after today will also be put on there, so do check in later in the week too, as this is not exhaustive or comprehensive, or other such long words like that!

Ongoing through the month, Marlborough Open Studios, countywide artist open studios, where you can invite yourself  into many artist’s homes for free to see their work and what biscuits they have! Open Studios runs on the first four weekends in July between 11am and 5pm.

Do pay a visit to Wiltshire Museum, Devizes, for the Anna Dillon exhibition; reviewed here.

Ongoing until Sunday, the Westbury Festival continues until Sunday, with lots going on there.

Wednesday 19th:

The regular acoustic jam at The Southgate, Devizes.

Memory Cinema at Swindon Arts Centre screening Goodnight, Mr. Tom, this for anyone who suffers dementia, and their carers. Tea & Tour of Wyvern’s Spotlight Room in Swindon.

A Craig Crofton Quartet at The Bell, Bath.

Thursday 20th:

Girls Like That opens at The Wharf Theatre, Devizes, The Wharf Youth Theatre presents this, directed by Lou Cox and running until Saturday 22nd. If I’m rushing out this week’s roundup, it is because I’m off to the dress rehearsal, so please look for a review of it tomorrow!

Amadeus Orchestra at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.

Peter and the Test Tube Babies at the Tree House, Frome, The Bluetones at the Cheese & Grain.

Shades of Silver at The Tuppenny, Swindon, and Do You Believe In Ghosts at The Wyvern Theatre.

Friday 21st:

Summer BBQ with Plan of Action at Seend Community Hall.

Just Jinny at The Pelican, Devizes, Sour Apple at The Three Crowns.

The Korgis with The Lost Trades and Rachel Hill at The Laverton in Westbury.

IGGZ Create My Own Lane EP Launch Party Ft Wordlife And Friends at The Pump, Trowbridge.

Highly recommended, Siouxsie and the Banshees tribute Painted Bird with Ian Dury tribute Dury Duty at The Vic, Swindon, Andrew Lawrence’s I Forgive You at Swindon Arts Centre.

Scott Lavene at Pound Arts, Corsham, highly recommended from us!

Bite The Hand at The Three Horseshoes in Bradford-on-Avon.

Rory McLeod at The Bell in, Bath and This Flight Tonight – A Tribute to Joni Mitchell at Chapel Arts.

The Guns N Roses Experience at The Cheese & Grain, Frome.

Saturday 22nd:

Arty Kids at Hillworth Park, Devizes. Match Box Mutiny, newly formed duo of Ben Borrill & Pat Ward at The Southgate.

Marlborough Festival has been postponed until 2024, but find Static Moves at The Lamb, Marlborough. 

Rave Against the Regime at The Barge on Honey-Street.

The Accidents at Melksham Rock n Roll Club.

Twist of Rock at The Pewsham, Chippenham.

Dr Zebo at Victoria Garden, Westbury, Junkyard Dogs at The Angel.

Cider, Reggae & Rum Festival in Trowbridge. Trowbridge Repair Café at the Town Hall.

The Brackish at Pound Arts, Corsham.

Westward Plus! at The Boathouse in Bradford-on-Avon.

Mutter Slater Band at The Bell, Bath, The Jake Leg Jug Band at Chapel Arts.

But all eyes on Swindon this Saturday, for Editor’s Pick of the Week: My Dad’s Bigger Than Your Dad Festival at the Old Town Bowl.  

Plus, Coopers Creek at The Moonrakers, The Flashback Band at The New Inn, Dragoneye at The Queens Tap, and Mean As Custard at The Woodland Edge. The Kirsty Farrow Dance Academy’s This Is Me at The Wyvern Theatre, and Prime Theatre Showcase presents Dreamland at Swindon Arts Centre.

Sunday 23rd:

Sound Affects are doing an afternoon at The Southgate, Devizes, from 5pm, usually.

Coopers Creek at The Electric Bar, Bath.

Revolution Performing Arts – The Golden Ticket Spotlight Show! at Swindon Arts Centre, and Kitty Langan Studio – Oh What A Night! at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.

Monday 24th:

Radio Banska at The Bell, Bath.

Tuesday 25th:

Jazz Knights at The Royal Oak, Swindon has Chris Cobbson’s African Jazz Project, and 

Bridesmaids of Britain at The Wyvern Theatre.

And that’s your lot, unless you know different? Listings are free, get in touch!

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 6th – 11th July 2023

Bit drizzley innit? Usually waits until after the kids break up from school, so maybe the sun will put his hat on then, or perhaps this will just continue until the rainy season in autumn; who can tell? One thing we can tell you though, there’s lots to occupy yourselves around these backwaters with this coming week, and here it all is…..

Don’t forget nothing is comprehensive, other events might well be added during the week as and when we discover them, so check in on our event calendar, for more info and links on these, updates and planning ahead.

Ongoing through the month, Marlborough Open Studios, countywide artist open studios, where you can invite yourself  into many artist’s homes for free to see their work and what biscuits they have! Open Studios runs on the first four weekends in July between 11am and 5pm.

Running until the 8th July, Bradfordians’ Amadeus at the Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.

Wednesday 5th:

Acoustic Jam at The Southgate, Devizes.

Christ Church Primary School Summer Concert at the Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.

Starting today, running until Saturday 8th July, Henry VI at the Rondo Theatre in Bath; two Devizes actors in this, Lucy Upward and Ian Diddams, break a leg, guys!

Starting today, running until Friday 7th July, Wilkes Academy showcase at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.

Thursday 6th:

Live music every Thursday at The Tuppenny in Swindon, this week it’s The Rigmarollers.

The Nell Bryden Trio, plus support from Isabella Coulstock at Chapel Arts, Bath.

And hip hoppers fav, the Nass Festival kicks off all weekend at Shepton Mallet.

Friday 7th:

Alexander Kai exhibition at St Marys, Devizes runs until Sunday. Hope to have a preview piece up by Thursday on this, see poster.

DOCA Carnival Quiz at The Shambles in Devizes.

Innes Sibun is at The Southgate, Devizes.

Find a Music Weekender at The Barge, Honey-Street.

Shot by Both Sides at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon.

Moscow Drug Club at Chapel Arts, Bath.

Sefrial at Pound Arts, Corsham.

Moving Pictures (Rush Tribute) at The Vic, Swindon.

Funke and the Two-Tone Baby @ The Cheese & Grain, Frome.

Saturday 8th:

Lacock Scarecrow Trail begins.

Wessex Airscapes, an exhibit from the unique Anna Dillon at Wiltshire Museum starts,and runs until October.

But we hope to be at Editor’s Pick of Week, CrownFest at The Crown in Bishops Cannings. Be quick in getting a ticket for this, it may already be sold out. Preview HERE.

Chaos Brothers play The Three Crowns in Devizes.

Howlin Matt is at The Southgate, Devizes.

There’s a Family Festival at The Parade Cinema, Marlborough, with Ann Liu Cannon, The Zoots, Crystal Tides, The Vooz, Hip Route and Nothing Rhymes With Orange.

Chippenham Food & Drink Festival

Wilton Carnival

@Fest at The White Hart, Atworth. Plan of Action headline a Dorothy House Hospice Care fundraiser there.

Lunchtime Piano Recital with Andrew McCormack at Pound Arts, Corsham.

Hugh Pascall Quintet at Pound Arts, Corsham.

Bath Minerva Choir presents Feasts and Fables at  Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.

Dreamwave plays The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon.

Miss Kel’s Academy’s The Best of British at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.

Chocolate Theatre’s Grease at Swindon Arts Centre.

Shepherd’s Pie play The Vic, Swindon.

Threshold’s Party In The Park at Old Town Gardens, Swindon, with an Abba tribute.

I Can’t Believe it’s not Buddy, Buddy Holly show at Chapel Arts, Bath.

Straighten Out, Stranglers Tribute at The Tree House, Frome.

Sunday 9th:

Model Folk plays The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon.

Wiltshire Young Musicians Summer Festival from 1.30PM at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.

Tanwood Performing Arts’ Dancing On Sunshine at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.

Monday 10th:

Wizard of Oz Drawing Event at The Little Hop, Swindon.

Rumours of Fleetwood Mac at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.

Frome Festival begins, with Raghu Dixit at the Cheese & Grain.

Tuesday 11th:

Jazz Knights at The Royal Oak in Swindon has Gethin Liddington and the Dave Jones Quartet 

Rhythm of the Dance at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.

And that’s all we have so far, do check into our event calendar for updates, and have a great week!

Trending……

Song of the Week: Snazzback

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Devizes Town Council Welcomes New Councillor

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Carsick Pump It!

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Devizes Gearing Up For Street Festival

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Bournemouth Writing Festival 2023

A festival goer’s perspective Helen Edwards  A first. A first for Bournemouth and a first for me.  The event, brain (and heart) child of Ildiko…

Ooh Ah, Shuffling to My Dad’s Bigger Than Your Dad…

If you fancy having a whole heap of fun while helping raise some funds for Prospect Hospice, who have provided end of life care to the people of Swindon and north east Wiltshire for over 40 years, you have two exciting festival options.…..

Firstly lands in your lap on Saturday 22nd July, when Swindon’s Old Town Gardens plays host to My Dad’s Bigger Than Your Dad Festival. Bit long-winded name for a festival, but it’s certainly original and stands out, provided the idea of primary playground sayings for festivals doesn’t trend on the back of it and we have The My Dad’s a Blackbelt in Karate Festival, or even worse, The Ooh Ah Lost my Bra in my Boyfriend’s Car Festival!

In its third year the festival is a tribute to Dave Young, the former landlord of The Victoria and 12 Bar who died in early June 2021 at Prospect Hospice after a hard-fought battle against cancer. The festival has raised over £24,000 for Prospect Hospice in its first two years.

Headline sponsor this year will be Future Planning, an independent financial planners and mortgage advisers based in Swindon. Acts include countywide favourite rockers, The Ukey Dukes, Kova Me Badd, The Vooz, and Splat the Rat, ska and reggae cover giants Train to Skaville, sonic indie darlings Atari Pilot, upcoming indie post punk favourites Viduals, The Pop-Punk Revolution Tour, crazy rappers Imperial Leisure, and in a comedy rock subgenre of their very own, we can never forget the Real Cheesemakers. Plus there’s acoustic goodness from Hip Route’s Jim Blair, Drew Byrant, Joel Rose, Meg, Jules Hill, Shedric.

If this isn’t enough for you, Swindon Paint Fest will be hosting an area of creativity with six fantastic local artists demonstrating their talents by live painting in the Sunken Garden. There will also be a guided spray paint and acrylic pen workshop led by Emma from Old Town’s Mams gallery where  participants will be able to have a go with using the spray paint and acrylic pens onto a canvas board creating an artwork which they are able to take home. 

Caryn Koh from Swindon Paint Fest said, “We at Swindon Paint Fest are excited to collaborate with My Dad’s Bigger Than Your Dad event which is a great initiative raising money for Swindon’s Prospect Hospice.”

Food and drink vendors, including Gurt Wings, have been brought in to keep revellers fed and watered, as well as an independent business market and a funfair area for children.

Adult tickets are a purple one, £20 from their website mydadsbiggerthanyourdad.co.uk . Paper tickets are also available from Holmes Music, The Tuppenny and The Castle Inn.

Second option is in September when, from Thursday 14th to Sunday 17th, Swindon’s Old Town comes alive with locally-sourced live music in a pub stroller type fashion with Swindon Shuffle. The lineups at five music venue boozers, The Victoria, The Hop Inn, The Beehive, The Tuppenny, and the Castle basically reads like a who’s who of local music, and it’s all free, provided you spare a little cash for Prospect Hospice buckets scattered around the venues. Fringe events are also to be found at Baristocats and the Prospect Hospice Books & Media shop.

“This year’s event is shaping up to be the biggest ever and includes something for pretty much everyone out there,” The shufflers say, and they’re not telling fibs. Swindon Link, Sheer Music, Swindon Folk Club, and many others all muck in to help create the enormous homage to David Young and raise funds for Prospect. I made it down last year for just Saturday. I’m thinking I might need to find a B&B this year and a sudden attack of skivalitis from work this time around!

From alt-rock of All Ears Avow and Modern Evils, to the sludge doom of Phantom Droid. The likes of Stay Lunar, Moon UK, Viduals and Chasing Dolls keep the indie-kids dancing and there are first shuffle experiences for up and coming bands Trippy Kicks, I See Orange, and  Mirrored Faces UK.

If something rootsier is more your thing, you are also well-catered for with the widescreen americana of Matt Owens Music & The Delusional Vanity Project and Concrete Prairie headlining stages, along with folkier offerings from the likes of Fly Yeti Fly, Canute’s Plastic Army and Splat The Rat.

Subject A bring a touch of Ska and Reggae to proceedings and there is creative and impossible to pigeonhole music from Will Lawton and the Alchemists, Richard Wileman / Karda Estra & Amy Fry Music and new band The Wheel 2!, who feature many of the faces behind the amazing and much missed Diagonal People. Thud and Bone Chapel bring some blues to proceedings and Swindon Folk Club again curates a stage.

With over sixty acts on the main bill you need to put this in your diary, but for now, whether your Dad is bigger than my Dad, or not, all eyes are focussed on 22nd July, when the wonderful park venue of the Old Town Bowl comes alive….and to think, there’s some wonky folk who groan Swindon is a cultural void, same ones still probably trying to get their bra back from their boyfriend’s car, ooh ah!

Trending….

The Vintage Bazaar is back in Devizes!

On Saturday 24th June from 9.00am to 2pm, its regular home The Corn Exchange in Devizes, Wiltshire will once again be filled to the brim…

Age of the Liar; The Burner Band

Okay, so it’s been a little over two years since I fondly reviewed the debut album, Signs & Wonders, from Leeds’ alt-country come Americana outfit,…

Song of the Week: Ålesund

Back-tracking a week for this, as it was two great tunes came along simultaneously; like buses, in another county, don’t get me started on the…

Across the Water with Paul Lappin

Remotely possible he misses all the roundabouts, Paul Lappin came from Swindon, now resides in the South of France, yeah, across the water, which is…

Devizes New Chair to Area Board of Wiltshire Council…Guess Who?!

Last night Wiltshire Councillors voted in Councillor Iain Wallis as the Chair to the Area Board for Devizes. Meaning any grants to community groups, youth organisations, sports clubs and local charities, have to go through him.

Much as I would like to offer my congratulations to councillor Wallis, I feel it is imperative to question many aspects to this with regards to community led projects, other town councillors, youth project workers and the many various other residents who he seems to neglect the opinions of by silencing them and banning them from his Facebook group, the local legendarily biassed, Devizes Issues.

Part of his new job description reads thus: “to provide a local platform for local engagement and conversation.” Will the Devizes Issues be this platform, if he doesn’t allow any opinion differing from his own? Let’s make no mistake here, opposition councillor’s election campaigns have been slandered on this Facebook group, the independent PCC and all of his supporters were barred from posting, a Devizes-based Covid support group was banned from the group, all by this councillor’s hand.

Wiltshire Council’s website explains “area boards exist to work alongside other organisations to make things happen in the community. These groups can include town and parish councils, voluntary and community groups, youth organisations, sports clubs and local charities,” groups as such which he has attempted to silence, including a residents committee set out to solve issues regarding the Crammer.

The description of what the Area Boards do continues, “An important role of the Area Boards is to provide grants to community groups. There are three main funding streams, which include community capital grants, youth grants, and older and vulnerable adult grants.” Yet we know faithful local youth worker Steve Dewar, who works tirelessly school mentoring, liasoning with Devizes Police, Wiltshire FA, RW Football School and Wiltshire YFC and has independently setup a youth pop-up cafe providing free facilities for local youth, also received the honorary ban from Mr Wallis’s “local platform for local engagement and conversation.”

You are within your rights to complain about this decision, but being he is also on the standards committee, you will most likely be better off talking to a brick wall.

Let’s go through what the Wiltshire Council website says about the overall focus of the tasks of the Area Boards:

“Develop a strong, well established and highly functioning network of local partners, organisations, and residents. Generate an in-depth understanding of our local communities, including the demographics and the issues faced by the residents. Empower and facilitate community led action. Recognise the talents, expertise, and knowledge of our communities, trusting and supporting them to co-deliver local services. Ensure decisions are taken in consultation with and close to the residents that they affect.
Effectively share data and intelligence at a local level. Provide a local platform for local engagement and conversation.
Deliver an opportunity for residents to gain an understanding of the way the council works. Finally, help deliver the Wiltshire Council business plan at a local level with the involvement of communities.”

Now, I ask you, does any of these match with the manner in which he has conducted himself on his Facebook group? Suggesting that time, he would go ahead and continue publishing town council matters regardless of if the council voted individual councillors should refrain from posting such information or not; remember that ickle controversy?!

We will continue to question the suitability of Mr Wallis in this position, given the factors expressed in the opinion piece, and I see this as justified criticism, not, as he himself has stressed on more than one occasion, as “harassing and bullying” him, for that is both not our intention, and indeed, an outright lie. In order to undergo this task effectively, as clearly stated on the website, engaging with the community would, in my opinion, mean everyone within that community and not only the ones who agree with him personally, otherwise that is most certainly not impartial to political and social sway, as proved by the governing of his social media group.

We publish this as a concerning development which seriously risks the future of community led events, organisations and schemes within the Devizes area, as any councillor who seems only focused on pushing the agenda of one national political party will endeavour to allow only those who back them too, and agree with his opinion. This we have discovered by the manner in which he controls his social media group, which would be totally his prerogative to do so, of course, if he wasn’t in such a conflicting position of power.

It does seem such a shame, that this essentially hardworking and proactive councillor cannot seem to overcome this issue of allowing an entire community to communicate freely without the threat of being silenced for simply disagreeing on a particular issue. We too face this terrible predicament, any good work we do at Devizine, whether it be charity, promotion of events, schools and community groups, they will always remain blocked and heavily criticised in order to make way for some grand pipedream of creating an “official’ council run website which basically rests under his control but steals our ideas and input, and you, the council taxpayer will fork out for. God bless us all, for we are going to need it!!

Drag Queen Story Time in Swindon Sparks Counter Protest

By T.B.D Rose

The LGBTQIA+ community bravely showed their support for Drag Queen Story Hour at the Wyvern Theatre yesterday, by staging a counter protest to the fascists who were blasting bigoted lies accusing drag performers of being groomers and of sexualising children, when in fact, pantomime dames and drag queens have been a staple of family entertainment for decades.….

Attacking drag queen events is clearly camouflage for a campaign of homophobia (according to Swindon Advertiser, one fascist could be heard saying that: “It’s against the natural order for a man to be with another man”) directed at all LGBTQ friendly venues and spaces, and fascist scapegoating of minority groups is always a Trojan horse to normalise violent political repression.

The discrimination LGBTQIA+ people experience in society and even from their own families is endemic and a truth those comfortable with heteronormative privilege such as myself can never fully understand, which is exactly why we all need to do what we can to allow people
to live their lives and be themselves unencumbered by prejudice or bullying of any kind.

Businesses and supermarkets putting up rainbow flags, nice as it is to see, is not enough when the government, media, and extremist groups are expressly targeting anything and everything LGBTQ.

Pride is a protest and a wonderful expression of community, let’s keep it that way until homophobia is history and love is the order of the day on a fair and free planet. This article is dedicated to my loved ones in the LGBTQIA community.

For more information on Swindon Pride click HERE.

41 Fords Park Up at The Southgate 

With the happenings at the Arts Festival taken care of, and twenty/thirty something’s pilgrimage to The Three Crowns for the delights of our most famed cover band, People Like Us, I’m in Devizes for the wildcard; Trowbridge trio of nutty rockabilly/skabilly 41 Fords are playing The Southgate; arm twisted for a cider or three.….

Currently camped at some festival or another as they accidentally double-booked, they hot-footed it from the site delighted to be here. Told me of their love for the Gate, not the only thing we have in common. Though they regularly play our hospitable and stalwart, offbeat live music pub, it was never intentional that I missed them, but going on the strength of their debut album, Not Dead Yet, which we fondly reviewed back in April, 41 Fords were understandably on my must-see list.

Job ticked off and far from disappointed, they shook the rafters with high-energy rockabilly adaptations of a wide selection of pop hits. A guitar, drums and double-bass trio, it’s a simple template to stamp their own style on everything and anything from Adam Ant’s Goody Two Shoes to Green Day, and The Primitives’ Crash to Hall & Oates, but dammit if it doesn’t work like a charm. Rousing the slight audience with lively upbeat versions, the fun simply doesn’t stop, other than for a twanged guitar string; they couldn’t even cover Ben E King’s Stax classic Stand By Me without a frenzied rise of tempo!

To be niggly, I looked forward to some originals from said album, but they felt it best to do covers, a trusted judgement paid off, and besides, Deborah had chalked them up as such on the board. If flat-caps worn with anything other than country-gent attire usually connotes the cheekiness of a cockney sparrow, and there were a lot of them floating about tonight, similarly does a double-bass without it being an orchestra. Given said instrument is adorned with second gen ska’s checkerboard black & white tiles and a slogan reading “get lucky” in friendly font, you get the general gist this is punk-fused rockabilly, yet without the grave characteristics associated with psychobilly. It is, simply, as much fun as you could possibly squeeze into a gig, the result was precisely that.

Unusual their trump card, as the drummer tended to vocal the cheesy eighties pop covers, aforementioned Adam Ant, but Tracey Ulman’s Breakaway being particularly amusing, whereas the guitarist vocalising on the earlier or more apt classics, from the Jam to Tears of a Clown bending on The Special’s version, and probably the golden nugget tonight, Dion’s Runaround Sue. The double-bass player simply displayed the cheeky grin of Jason Statham as Bacon in Lock Stock, but anyone spinning a double-bass wins, they don’t got to say anything!

By the time the second half of this frenzied show of confident and proficient uniqueness played out, it really didn’t matter what they covered, they could’ve done Save All Your Kisses for Me for all it mattered, though I don’t believe they did. Everything was fantastic, 41 Fords are undiluted footstompin’ goodness and bring the party with them as standard issue. What a lively fun-filled night at The Southgate, as ever!

Don’t forget, it’s the monthly Jon Amor at the Southgate today at 5pm, and you can find 41 Fords at Devizes Scooter Rally.

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 31st May –  6th June 2023

Moving swiftly into June, with bank hols and street festival done and dusted in Devizes town, this weekend is all about arts and organs; let’s see what’s going down in our hood over the next week shall we?

Bearing in mind, this list is never comprehensive and events will come to our attention  throughout the week, which is why you need to check in with our updating event calendar HERE, to get ahead of the game and also for more info and links.

Ongoing: Hail the Curious at The Forbidden Carnival in Chippenham. Do check this out, previewed here.

Wednesday 31st:

The regular acoustic jam at The Southgate, Devizes; bring your instrument.

Seas of Mirth at The Bell Inn, Bath and The Rabbitts at Chapel Arts, and Jack & Jordan’s Sketch Show is at the Rondo Theatre.

Zoo Co: Bossy at Pound Arts in Corsham.

Thursday 1st:

Another fabulous booking at The Tuppenny in Swindon where The Blue Highways go back-to-back with one our favourites, Concrete Prairie. Alternatively, Swindon’s mind-blowing guitar virtuoso, Webb is at the Vic, with Them Bloody Kids and Land Captains, which you can also catch at the Pump in Trowbridge on Friday. TJ Klune is in conversation with Bert’s Books at Swindon Arts Centre.

David Gibbs-Family-Jukebox at Pound Arts, Corsham.

SuRie’s Cover Me tour comes to Chapel Arts, Milo Edwards is at the Rondo Theatre, Bath.

Friday 2nd:

The popular open mic night at the Exchange in Devizes, plus it is time for Devizes Arts Festival to open its doors; our editor’s pick of the week. Running until 17th June, today starts off with An Evening of Tango Calor, 8pm at the Assembly Room of the Town Hall. Tickets are £12, Tango Calor is one of the most exciting tango bands performing in the UK. The trio was started by bandoneon player Mirek Salmon in Bristol in 2016 with jazz pianist and film composer Daan Temmink and Cuban vocal sensation Indira Roman.

Tom Davies & the Bluebirds pull into the Barge on HoneyStreet. As I said Webb is with Them Bloody Kids at the Pump, Trowbridge. Find Illingworth at Brown Street, Salisbury.

Jack Mac’s Funk Pac at the Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon; love the name! Will Duggan’s Iceberg comes to the Rondo Theatre, Bath, while Chapel Arts has Cool Britannia – a ride through the swinging sixties.

Find Cooper’s Creek at The Queens Tap, Swindon, and Enjoy the Silence UK at the Vic.

Saturday 3rd:

It’s the annual Southern Organ Festival on the Green, Devizes on Saturday and Sunday, and Canon House have a summer fete.

Devizes Arts Festival presents polar adventurer and motivational speaker Sue Stockdale – A Life of Adventure, 1pm at St John’s Church, and An Evening with Sir Willard White with the Kymaera Duo at the Corn Exchange at 8pm; one of the best-loved and most versatile opera stars of the last 40 years, Sir Willard White’s illustrious career has taken him to the most prestigious opera houses and concert halls throughout the world.

People Like Us are at The Three Crowns, and the 41 Fords at The Southgate; spoiled or choice again Devizes!

The Boot Hill All Stars play The Barge, Honey-Street, Static Moves are The Bear, Marlborough, with Barrelhouse at The Lamb, and the Elcot Festival at Marlborough Town FC.

Great Free Live Music Festival at Lamb Yard in Bradford-on-Avon, with Concrete Prairie and others, see the poster below. LP Swing Orchestra’s 100 Years of Big Band at Wiltshire Music Centre, and Mikey Ace & The Wild Cards in the evening.

Patrick Duff at Rondo Theatre, Bath, The Fleetwood Mac Songbook at Chapel Arts, and Roots Reggae Culture night at the Weston Hub.

Wilkes Academy Under 16s at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon, We Are What We Overcome at Swindon Arts Centre. Old Friends play the Woodlands Edge, Shepherd’s Pie at The Queens Tap, and Midlife Krisis have Diversify 23 at The Vic; rave on.

Picnic the Park at Alderbury in Salisbury, with Train to Skaville headlining.

Sunday 4th:

Devizes Arts Festival have a Festival Walk across Roundway Down, and two free fringe events, Texas Tick Fever, 2pm at Three Crowns, and one I’m looking forward to, Ajay Srivastav, 7pm at the Cellar Bar, of the Bear Hotel.

Having said this, it’s also time for the Jon Amor Trio ‘s monthly residency at The Southgate, and he’s doubling up the guestlist this time around.

It is Calne Pride and Castlefields Park, and a Cherished Vehicle and Family Fun Day, from 11am in the fields at Meadow Farm Nurseries, Langley Burrell, Chippenham.

Kavus Torabi at The Vic, Swindon, with The Blackheart Orchestra at Swindon Arts Centre.

Monday 5th:

Devizes Arts Festival presents Graham Short: My life as a Micro-Artist, 8pm at the Assembly Room. Graham Short is the world’s most talented living micro-artist. His pieces take between three and nine months to make, and the work is so tiny, it’s indiscernible to the naked eye.

The Longplayer Monthly Album Listening Club at The Vic, Swindon.

Airbourne at the Cheese & Grain, Frome.

Tuesday 6th:

Devizes Arts Festival presents Onarole Theatre: Jesus, My Boy! 8pm at the Merchant Suite, Corn Exchange. This is the story of Jesus seen through the eyes of Joseph, an ordinary and down-to-earth man, dismayed about how his image is later portrayed in Christian art work! Both humorous and moving, it is a beautifully-written one-man one-act play originally performed by Tom Conti.

We have weeks of Devizes Arts Festival, so please take a look at our calendar where it’s all listed, and/or their website, and get ahead of the game, some great stuff on offer there. 

What with Pride Month and just well, well, being June, we are going to be busy but will try to keep up with all that’s going on. If you can help pen a preview of review of something, please do, thanks and have a great week!

Trending……

King Alfred’s Tower Charity Abseil

This summer SOS Africa will host a 160ft charity abseil fundraising event from King Alfred’s Tower at Stourhead in celebration of the organisation’s 20th birthday! Taking place…

Thirty Years in the Dreadzone

Dreadzone, the Phoenix rising from the ashes of Big Audio Dynamite’s success, when drummer Greg Roberts and keyboardist Dan Donovan teamed with Julian Cope’s sound…

41 Fords are Not Dead Yet!

Damp morning, about 3:30am I’m descending Pelch Lane in Seend, like a sack of potatoes dropping. If you don’t know the track it’s a steep…

Alex Roberts and Fly Yeti Fly @ The Barge Honeystreet

Ben Niamor 

First time for me in the barn venue, it’s a great space. Alex is no stranger to this place, and it feels like a really relaxed gig among friends. Alex played a good bit of material from his most recent release for us, Meridians and superpowers, the title track among the very best. And a mix of older songs and the odd cover. 

I love One More Miracle, inspired by terrorist legislation changes a little way back and how Jesus,  should he of come back at that time, could have been mistaken for a terrorist.. as usual some deeper thinking with wry humour infused to keep it positive and the lyrics flowing. 

“He said he couldn’t walk on water, I said he should learn to surf like me..!?” Understated and reflective as we have come to expect. 

Hacking back to the wild – about the peregrine falcon, words reflecting on the beauty and majesty of wild birds of prey. 

Love too strong, a sincere note of adulation to his wife. Sharing such a heartfelt song whilst his muse is in the room is a wonderfully inclusive thing to offer the rest of us, and always feels special somehow. 

I have highlighted but a few of the wonderful songs in this set, enough for any curious mind to look into this incredible musician, an artist I share with many looking for music that’s meaningful and well considered. 

Gorgeous harmonious three piece tonight, Fly Yeti Fly, with a cello alongside. Relatively new to me, but well known in the folk scene, and playing some great venues. A light hearted and delicate touch with the audience, some great songs with a running thread of nostalgia and positivity. 

They sang songs about his dad, his old man a hippy soul, who they quipped if he had visited Honeystreet would most likely never of left, and Blue yonder – a fun ode to the thoughts of our dogs… rousing and I think accurate musing in the mindset of dogs and their wanderlust and passion for adventure and new friends. Something reflected in the lives of many folk fans I think. 

Songs of mischievous mermaids luring Cornish choir boys to the icy depths in an incredibly harmonious manner …

Firewood – about the harder aspects of life on the cut. The cold and the worries of being iced in.

Thankfully most of us will not experience tough times on the water, that result in burning our furniture for warmth. 

But it makes for a bloody good folk song. 

I could ramble on about this lovely band, but this is just a snapshot of a good evenings live music, a fix of the kind of music that helps balance all our daily concerns and strife with some free thinking and perspective often with an historical context. Surely that’s a definition of the folk tradition? And one pleasingly well upheld by these artists and this well established venue. Thank you all.

Exploring Frome at Night; Does Every Town Need a Cheese and Grain?

Finally crawled out of my Hobbit-hole this weekend after a shilly-shallying period of making do with BGT on the telebox, and what better way to kick my sorry-ass back into gear than to finally pop my Cheese and Grain cherry?

Hold your gasp, I know, mate, inspecting the South West’s flagship venue was still surprisingly on my Devizine roadshow to-do-list, and a little tour of Frome’s back streets on a Saturday night with a former resident to direct me off the tourist track was also on the cards. For I’ve mindfully put Frome, particularly the Cheese, on a pedestal, and was eager to see if it lived up to expectations.

Firstly, the invite was for a sellout night with eighties premier Scottish rockers, Big Country, of whom I could only cite one hit from memory, conveniently self-titled, but if far from their biggest fan, the support came from another eighties band, who had minor chart success with a post-punk synth type style, Spear of Destiny, and I’d never heard of them. Neither, I confess, were my cuppa, but the opportunity to cross the border and see Frome in all its heavenly glory was my motivation.

Frome conveys a happening liberal, alternative arty and counterculture reputation, its hipster value far outweighing any Wiltshire market town, something which has developed fairly recently, and can be likened to Somerset’s own Brighton, pebbly beach converts to cobbled streets, and the Cheese effectively their Pavilion. But should we bow in envy at its proud accomplishments? Perhaps.

Our initial pitstop was a necessity burrito calling, placing me with pleasant first impressions. As a train pulled into Frome Station and people offloaded, we took to a renovated hanger nearby, called the Station, where various street food outlets surrounded an alternative art gallery. It was no issue Burrito Boi was the only one open, as per guide’s recommendation, it was what we were here for.

Burritto Boi, you boss!

Even with a view of the gigantic B&M sign, your gaze is ever-easily diverted from commercialisation in Frome, it’s colourfully aesthetic. We met a chatty musician type, of the acoustic punk covers band Raggedy Men, a Frome band, it was told, which rarely gigs further than they can effectively crawl home from, amidst folk gathered alfresco on benches, under a casual reggae beat! Burrito Boi’s bar and eatery wasn’t exactly cheap, but damn, that was one tasty burrito, as worthy of your attention as any beef and rice wrap can possibly be.

And there it is with a general nutshell of Frome, like Italy, to suggest it’s cool and hip is no fib, but whatever you do is hefty on the wallet; shrug, sign of the times.

The ticket stub for The Cheese and Grain tonight stood at a sizable thirty-five notes, a pint has reached the inevitable fiver as standard, but dammit, it bears its wires as to where your dollar goes, and you have to hand it to the place, it’s the kind of wonderful to leave you contemplating if every town needs a Cheese and Grain.

While immersed in an adequate free overnight car park, one vocal regular with khaki shorts and floppy pink and silver mohican informed me she had never seen it so full, only to be further confirmed Big Country attained a devoted fanbase in meeting a couple who’d travelled from London, and delighted to shock us that there’s “nothing quite like this in the capital.”

Such is the reputation of this big cheese, the kind of venue to host the Foo Fighters, or a spontaneous pitstop for Sir Paul McCartney to drop in for a gig on his way to Glasto, and frequently too, The Pretenders graced this grand hall last Friday. It is a comparable rural answer to a city venue, such as Bristol’s O2. Though you may find a ticket stub at a smidgen less at the latter, supposing because it has a larger capacity, the further fuel and parking fees will far tipple over the price for the Cheese.

So, if you like your live music bold and with celebrity or legendary status, The Cheese and Grain is the choicest thirty-five minute drive away, as it’s the only venue here so majestically respected to host such big names. As at an eight hundred capacity, the mechanics of any larger venue are unavoidably bound by regulations, to make you feel like herded cattle, at the Cheese you’re relatively of the organic free-range variety. The hall is a huge open space with a grand purpose-built stage and marvellous acoustics, as the sound reverberates like a bass bin, the effect is awesome. But the surroundings are equally appeasing, the outside area is bustling, with an aroma of freshly-cooked pizza; it is, just, nice.

The slim age demographic inside reflected the double bill of acts popularised in the eighties, and thus an older crowd appeared spaciously divided, so late comers were standing watching beyond the fire doors for want not to be ageing sardines, and thus I felt little atmosphere developing. Both bands accomplished yet hardly groundbreaking now, and with little knowledge of their works for me it lacked the retrospective appeal it clearly did for the fans; I was a tender thirteen in 1983, and favoured Grandmaster Flash!

Though I will say, if a post-punk support felt unmatched for the aficionados of this harder rock band, even if of the same era, Spear of Destiny where equally as great, expressively vocal and perhaps closer to the general rock sound of Big Country than I’d bargained they would be.

Big Country though, were only partially the real McCoy. With former Skids original frontman Stuart Adamson passed away in 2001, Simon Hough made for a great alternative, as they worked through their magnum opus album, The Crossing, on its forty anniversary. As for the fans, well, they lapped it up.

Of course, on another evening, with a different line-up I’m gathering The Cheese & Grain converts to suit the punters, ergo given when Ruzz Guitar plays there, or when Dreadzone pays a visit, the crowd will relate appropriately to the tenet of the act. See, to me, June 16th-17th’s Frome ska and reggae weekender has my name all over it, and you should browse their website or our event calendar to find something to fill your boots too, because I know you will!

With the pull of acts to play the Cheese, such as Big Country far greater than our humble blog, it’s futile to provide you with a detailed analysis of them, as also as suggested, I appreciate they played well to the fans but it wasn’t my cuppa. I ask myself, would I have preferred to be in one of our cosier, grassroots venues, backing an upcoming act, like at The Pump, or down the trusty Southgate back in Devizes? Actually, being not one to chase the big names, yeah, I believe I would have.

With that box ticked then, it was decided to do a bunk; I was keen to see what else was on offer in Frome on an typical night. Yet, it was surprisingly quiet elsewhere, as if the Cheese has the gravitational pull of Jupiter and anything else surrounding it was merely a moon.

I didn’t think at this point to check the sister venue, the Tree House, who had a Muse tribute, rather we sauntered the town, mostly upwards cobbly streets. While told to avoid The Blue Boar, and some class and glass fronted wine bar, Eight Stony Street, which looked city-like and not within the character of the town, we wandered through the partial club-bar 32 Bath Street, which catered for a younger, perhaps less affluent, and with drum n bass playing out, young at heart, I loved it there!

Of course, the busiest was a taste of home, Wadworth’s grand George Hotel, and we passed by The Sun, which appeared welcoming, and had some locally sourced live music on, to the cobbled legendary Lamb & Fountain, which I was told was the best pub in town. Yet it was an acquired taste, uniquely appropriate, akin to said Southgate, or Swindon’s Beehive, it has its independent feel which wouldn’t change on request, a local of locals, it was sawdust-on-the-floor welcoming. Nought Wetherspoons about any of them!

I left feeling sometimes, perhaps, less is more. Clearly Frome attracts more lively characters, bohemians and oddities than any neighbouring towns, but overloaded with options of things to do, I fear, aside the outside pull of The Cheese, if it has the population to sustain them all, as the biggest niggler was, unlike cities like Brighton, the streets felt comparatively void of activity.

Maybe we could attribute this to being a weekend before a bank holiday, or a general sign of these hard times which all towns are experiencing. I don’t know, just felt, though it was an adventurous evening exploring a town I know little about, and only had time to scratch the surface of, while Frome has this city-sized event programme feel to it, it only weighs in approximately eight thousand larger in population to Devizes, and less than half the size of Chippenham.

I’m kinda thinking, if I lived there, with all this on my doorstep, would I simply take it for granted and rarely engage as much as I assume I would? And would my wallet allow me to?

Ah, it’s debatable for sure, but take Devizes on a Saturday night, where options are comparably limited, at least plenty will gather at what beauties we do have, I’d wager great nights were had, as ever, at the Three Crowns and The Southgate. So even without a regular Cheese and Grain on our doorstep, we make do with what we do have, and use them more regularly. And on those special occasions like next week’s Street Festival, Devizes will put on the amazingly colourful parade we know it to be, and all will join and rejoice there, freely.

Or I could just be on a grumpy Sunday rant cos you can’t get a burrito that tasty for love nor money in Devizes; you decide, but yeah, Frome, don’t go changing just to please me!

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Devizes Town Council Welcomes New Councillor

Since the recent byelection for Devizes East, Guardian Vanessa Tanner was welcomed to The Town Council this month; Guardians of the Galaxy ensemble, or, maybe just Guardians of the Devizes, but you get the general gist! 

“Not everyone would stand in an election,” Vanessa said, which is a good start because I wouldn’t want to; I could sit in one, maybe slouch a bit and snooze until it was time to hit the pub, but that’s about it!

Apologies, ignore my silly edits to bulk this out; Vanessa continued, “by putting yourself forward as a representative for your community, you may open yourself up for criticism along with praise. We are hard-wired to remember the bad over the good so for your own self-preservation, you need to develop a tough skin and constantly remind yourself why it is important.”

“So why was it important for me to stand as a candidate in the recent by-election? I wanted to really engage in Devizes and be part of the community. I’m not a local born and bred, but Devizes has become my home and I love living here. Shortly after moving in, I met a group of people who are passionate about ensuring this little part of England remains beautiful and thriving. Those people are The Devizes Guardians. Each one of them with a story to tell about why they wanted to become Town Councillors.”

“My story is simple. I want to represent the people in my local area, to bring issues to the table and hopefully find solutions. Also, I’m already involved in a number of community groups, (Sustainable Devizes, CUDS, Devizes in Bloom, Dorothy House) so I wanted to represent them on the Town Council, to ensure their voices are heard. All that remains now is to do what I promised to do. Be a decent, honest and effective Councillor. Roll on the next couple of years.”

Roll on indeed, in our pre-election interview, well, I called it an interview, was more of a nice chinwag, I genuinely came away positively knowing Vanessa would make the perfect town councillor. Leader of the Guardians Jonathan Hunter commented, “we are grateful for the magnificent support shown by constituents in East Ward, along with the superb encouragement from those across the wider community who supported Vanessa Tanner’s positive election campaign.”

“It was a hard fought campaign between the Conservatives, Labour and Devizes Guardians but despite lacking the resources of a national party, Vanessa won the election with an impressive 44% of the vote. The postal vote was incredibly strong, as was the strength of support for Vanessa on the doorstep.” 

It was a testament to what can be achieved; though for the Guardians to have lost this seat, it still would not have tipped the balance to a Conservative majority. Local councils do not need persuasion from national political parties. They should be about what is best for the town. The Guardians are a conglomerate of independents. Jonathan touched on this point too, noting, “residents expressed their dissatisfaction with national and county politics and were keen to back an energetic and community-focused candidate from a party that champions local issues and campaigns for a better deal for Devizes and the local community.”

“Devizes Guardians recognise the selfless public service from former Devizes Guardian and Town Councillor, the late Jane Burton, whose sad passing triggered this by-election.

Standing in an election isn’t an easy decision and I would like to thank the other candidates for their efforts and support.”

We wish Vanessa all the best with her new role! 

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The First Ever Devizes Pride Announced

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Devizes Gearing Up For Street Festival

Less than a month away now until the best day out in Devizes, our International Street Festival; who’s overexcited, who wants to know what’s happening there, and who just wants to get bladdered?! Previous DOCA artistic director Loz Samuals set the bar pretty high, the new DOCA team have a lot to live up to, and I know they’ve been hard at work to get this show on the road, or better, on the Green and in the Market Place!

Dates, before I waffle, is Saturday 27th May, which will take place on the Green, and Sunday 28th at the Market Place, if you’re new or travelling through, this is our mardi gras, Devizes style crop-over and it’s all free! Details of the many acts coming to our town can be found on the DOCA website HERE, I’ve had a browse and I must say it’s just as ever before, mighty impressive and inviting.

Some highlights of this mega meld of international street theatre, music, circus, arts, dance, puppetry, comedy, workshops, environmental talks, food, drink and crafts market, and of course bars, this year is the thirty foot Willow Sanctuary on the Green, designed by artist Sarah Jane and built by the people of Devizes, so you can guarantee it will be as strong as a horse! This temporary event space will be used throughout the whole festival, for acoustic music, a series of environmental talks and a space to relax and reflect; in my era’s slang call a spade a spade, it’s a chill-out space!

But the beauty here is it’s a 100% recyclable chill out zone, and after the event the willow will be, and DOCA invites anyone to take some home for their own gardens and allotments. Really though? I envision this and it tickles me pink to think of those who usually have difficulty navigating themselves home; view carrying a hoard of willow over your shoulder as a challenge! The kind of It’s a Knockout finale which might yet be the icing on the cake!

Or perhaps leave the circus acts to the professionals, DOCA certainly have them in abundance this year, as ever, but it doesn’t end there, you could be flying the trapeze yourself with Above and Beyond, who as well as performing both days will be providing free lessons; here, hold my jesters hat and Black Rat!

Another unique most brilliant concept is The Actual Reality Arcade in which video-games will be interpreted into life sized interactive activities, so you could be shooting space invaders, dodging barrels like Mario, building Tetris walls, and running from ghosts like Pac-Man; are DOCA trying to tell us they intend to encourage gamers to divert their eyes from their consoles and interact with reality? This I have to see!!

With a socially charged exciting reggae-ish voyage laced with messages of peace, love & unity, we see live music from Mischa & His Merry Men, and global underground Balkan reggae and ska from The Cabarats. An award-winning UK folk duo, called Good Habits who seemed none too fussed to be stranded in New Zealand during the pandemic, where they  forged their style, and are bringing it back for us. There’s also the protocol brassy goodness with Tuba Libres. But one thing not on their program which concerns me, and one which I urge you to help me with here, is Devizine’s suggestion for a local upcoming band to be featured on the main stage.

I’m so glad DOCA have taken heed of this, this year. Amidst this wonderful array of international performances, which I truly welcome, for while I wouldn’t want this event to turn insular and simply run with our standard circuit, I do believe some space should be made available on the roster to also highlight some of the talent we have at home. Is it just me, just an age thing?! I genuinely welcome your feedback on this, as I push it to DOCA every year as I believe it is important, and I intend to continue to do so. Hopefully our suggestion for the one local upcoming band who I think deserves to be up on the main stage will become an annual occurrence.

Nothing Rhymes With Orange Image by Gail Foster

So, your help is needed, as we presented Nothing Rhymes With Orange to DOCA and they stand to play at 1pm on the Sunday in the Market Place, despite unfortunately not being listed on the DOCA website. I really don’t know the reason for this, but whatever it is, I need you, good people of Devizes, the followers of Devizine, and the fanbase of Nothing Rhymes With Orange to gather en masse at the Market Place at 1pm, and really show DOCA the worth of introducing this fantastic bunch of local youngsters, and the idea we support local live music. This will not only prove to be a fantastic set by the band, but hallmark a new era whereby upcoming local bands have the opportunity to play on the main stage at our Street Festival.

Okay, said my piece, must jog on, but yeah, DOCA, it looks fantastic yet again, a mahoosive well done from me. From a man and a woman hanging from rusty steel springs to a giant Octopus atop of a tricycle, and from a theatre full of theatrical surprises appearing from under the petticoats of an enormous women’s skirts to the weaving and flowing patterns of traditional Welsh folk-dancing, combined with the pulsating energy of queer nightlife, is erm, not something you see everyday in Devizes Market Place, usually just the 49 bus pulling in and the odd market stall selling ham! 

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Girls Like That: Wharf Youth Theatre Group in Bold Reality-Driven Drama

As part of our ongoing series exploring youths in our area doing good, to backwash this current trend by local media to sensationalise only the wayward minority for clickbait, I wanted to draw your attention to the final performance on the summer season programme at the fabulous Wharf Theatre in Devizes, “Girls Like That.”

Under the direction of Lou Cox, who is finishing her masters degree in Theatre from Guildford School of Acting, graduated Bath Spa University with a BA(Hons) in performing arts and has a ACTL teaching diploma from Trinity College London, this is a performance by the Youth Wharf Theatre’s senior acting company of teenagers aged between ten and fourteen.

What I think is really great about this is they don’t mention the Youth Theatre element on their website, and it stands as Wharf Theatre production as much as any other. Nothing is condescending here because this is not the sort of play you might be expecting. Speaking to Lou, she joked, “they could’ve done James & The Giant Peach, or something like that, but we wanted something they could relate to!”

Girls Like That is written by Canadian-British playwright Evan Placey and was named Best Play for Young Audiences at the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain Awards 2015. A phenomenal, contemporary play, depicting the social pressures, digital impact, and gender double standards; I’ve read this and it is intelligently gritty, reality-driven stuff. Exploring the pressures on young people today in the wake of advancing technology, the synopsis being protagonist, Scarlett, finds her naked photograph going viral and becomes the centre of attention for all the wrong reasons. But while rumours run wild and everyone forms an opinion, Scarlett just stays silent. 

You can also help the youth group by voting for this performance at this TicketSource Community Event. Please vote HERE.

The Youth programme at the Wharf has been running for just under two years now, this play will really show its worth, giving young people in our area something to inspire them, something they can relate to, as this is not so uncommon today, as well as a stark warning to take care when online. It is running from July 20th to 22nd, tickets are just £10-14, available now. “The girls in the group have been working really hard towards this,” Lou explained.

A freelance drama teacher at various schools in the area and a LAMDA examiner, Lou Cox has recently started exciting projects with Banardos adoption agency, using drama as a training tool for adoptive parents and a refugee charity in Swindon. She is notable for singing professionally at Glastonbury festival and stand-up comedy, and should you want a taste of the latter, you can find her one-woman not for the faint-hearted self-penned and performed show, “Having a Baby and the S**t They Don’t Tell You,” at The Wharf on May 26th and 27th.

This comedic and brutally honest show takes the audience on an emotional and, at times, highly entertaining rollercoaster. From morning sickness to hypno-birthing classes to labour, you won’t find this stuff in the pregnancy books! No holds barred; get ready for a whirlwind of witty anecdotes and graphic storytelling with an ending no mother could ever imagine…. (editor’s note: of course, none of this is as bad as man-flu!)

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Bournemouth Writing Festival 2023

A festival goer’s perspective

Helen Edwards 

A first. A first for Bournemouth and a first for me.  The event, brain (and heart) child of Ildiko SpinFisher and Dominic Wong ran from last Friday 21st April to Sunday 23rd April (aptly Shakespeare’s birthday)….

Amongst the team of organisers was Anna Farthing who used her prior experience, of promoting Creative Arts across NHS trusts’ in the South West of England, to help collaborate and coordinate writers, illustrators, editors, agents, academics, volunteers (and many more) to put on the festival.  Anna expertly compèred and facilitated the talks, workshops and panels running at the Palace Court Theatre (PCT) – the main site – with her professional and warm delivery whilst wearing what became her trademark bright blue Greatest-Showman-esque blazer.  She, to me, became synonymous with the festival.

I arrived at the event with no expectation other than the knowledge that I was going to have a wonderful time away from the responsibilities and roles of home.  Thank you Bournemouth Writing Festival for putting on your inaugural event the day after my birthday. By choosing this date you gave me permission to allow myself to shed my mum-ing, wife-ing and life-ing skin to inhabit a new identity for three days. I.e. to ditch the homestead and have a mini break. On. My. Own. And by choosing this date I am now left with a creative fizz deep inside that feels sustainable. With a belief that one day I too may be able to call myself ‘a writer’. 

Navigating the golden triangle of the main venues (the PCT, the Avenue and ThisWorkspace) with my head in Google Maps, I was transported back to university days.  I was ready and eager to learn.  The fees to attend were extremely low (much less than other, comparable events) yet the line up was first class. I had FOMO before I even booked with clashes between talks, which meant I couldn’t get enough of the sessions on offer. Therefore I found myself on a tight schedule to get around the 16 events that I did attend (and eat)…(and sleep).  Constantly weighing up the opportunity cost of going to one talk over another was my overriding festival dilemma. A bit like that scrambling feeling at Glastonbury whilst power wading from stage-to-tent-to-stage in a heightened state of excitement and creeping exhaustion. 

I can only talk in detail of what I went to at the festival and for that reason I won’t.  It wouldn’t be fair to all those speakers I missed.  There were c.70 events in total.  However I will shout out a few.  Sue Cheung author of ‘Chinglish’, thank you for your energised, riveting and humorous talk and for giving me your dog-eared copy of ‘Chinglish’ afterwards because I couldn’t be a**ed to walk across town to pick up a copy.  That was above and beyond.  Maxine Gee, your enthusiasm and positivity about A.I. and using it as a tool to create bigger and better was inspiring. Jeannie Duncanson and Diane Hull, what an inclusive and interactive workshop on children’s book writing – your sparkly eyes revealed the joy your chosen profession brings you (and made me want a bit of the same please ;). Tim Clague and Danny Stack, the screenwriting collaborators, spoke my language – I loved how straight talking and commercially minded both were. I only went to this talk because I thought ‘why not?’ and I left thinking ‘yeah, I want some of that too!’.

How generous all the speakers and panelist’s were to share so many of their tips with us all. A true abundance mentality pervaded. Non-existent was my previous (albeit limited) experience of the pomposity and condescension that can come from some established writers/academics.  You have refreshed my view of the industry (and made me want to disrupt some areas too).  I’m honestly not sure if an MA or an Undergrad degree would have given us as much in three months, or even a year, as we had in three days.  Except the actual writing bit of course! Pah, that’ll come right?!

The festival has given me a dip-dive insight into many things writing. From novels to memoirs, screenwriting to kids books media, marketing, publishing and poetry and a fantastic exploration into artificial intelligence, plus all the stuff I missed.  It was all there. I am still trying to slow my mind down and meditate my heart post the event.  A creative fizz is a lovely feeling but if it’s going to stay it will have to be of the gentler Berocca varietal rather than a Lush bath bomb explosion.

It would be remiss of me not to mention the additional festival highlights:
Obsidian, local creative pub/events venue, for making a pop-up refreshments café in the PCT with always a smile and a chat at the breaks.

The volunteers at the event who were brilliant. And who all had a passion for writing with often impressive experience.

The other festival-goers, my peers, who were varied, interesting, international (from Peru-to-Iran-to Oz), collaborative and friendly.  I’m sure a lot of fledgling and future connections have been made. 

Sitting by the blue-skied beach on the Sunday evening as the festival drew to a close I reflected.  But before that I considered (for perhaps a beat too long) whether I should do a ‘Shirley Valentine’ to prolong the amazing escapism I’d been afforded over the weekend. I feel as though I’ve had a holiday. An exciting, exhausting, mind altering and fully immersive trip – like skiing on acid.  And now I’m on the comedown. Now I actually need to write!

I will be back in 2024 and predict the audiences to swell off the back of this year’s success.  Thank you Bournemouth Writing Festival and the amazing team of volunteers. 

I left to journey back to Wiltshire in my ancient car with an entirely new skin in place. One that whispered: ‘I am a writer, I am a writer, I am a writer’ as I bumped over Salisbury plain.

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Gen-Z Party; Nothing Rhymes with Orange and Guests In Lavington

Images by Gail Foster

I could’ve guaranteed myself a great night with peers and those purveyors of space rock, Cracked Machine down the trusty Gate, or danced socks off with twenty/thirty-somethings at the Three Crowns to the unique take on covers of the ever-entertaining People Like Us. But, oddly if not in the know, I opted for a Saturday night at West Lavington village hall, nodding my approval as frontman Elijah Easton mingled with a gen z frenzied crowd singing back to him their beguiling magnum opus, to-date, Manipulation, for an encore the fans will forever cherish…..

For if it’s Devizine’s intention to highlight all that’s great about our music scene, it’s surely a priority to point out what’s upcoming, and Nothing Rhymes With Orange are the freshest squeezed fruit on that tree right now. I’ve been singing their praises since reviewing their EP Midsummer, unseasonably released last November, and now I can tick catching them live off my must-do-list I’m only going to enforce my words on how astoundingly awesome these youngsters are.

With blow-up orange segments bouncing between them on stage and their enthused blossoming fanbase, I figure I’m witness to a burgeoning local phenomenon akin to the roots of any mainstream band, left pondering the pensioners once screaming teenagers at Liverpool’s Cavern Club, when Beatlemania was imminent. If you consider that’s a tall order for comparison, I’d shrug, but while NRWO can clearly rouse the crowd, it feels like the building hysteria is a newfound blessing for them and they’re unsure how to react. This is a wonderful inaugural experience for a blossoming band, exposing them to reactions to the hard work they’ve clearly put in, and digesting those streams are from real kids, appreciating their sound.

Nothing Rhymes With Orange

For the fanbase so young in our rural zone, it’s not so simple just to rock up to venues, particularly pubs, and if the village hall is kinda “village hall like,” it’s because it is, but it’s an adequate space with a hospitable outlook. The band and their families have self-organised this sell-out gig with the intention of making this a homecoming atmosphere for a local band venturing to Bristol, Bath and Trowbridge’s Pump, and who will undoubtedly take that road a lot further in the near future. 

For the time being, they are here and they are now. If seeing Springsteen in the eighties was an amazing experience, seeing Springsteen play New Jersey was another ballpark, ergo in this case, Lavington is those Badlands.

The sound is frenzied indie-pop, but not all-out ferociously punk, they find the perfect middle-ground; easy on the palate for any age demographic. Precisely why they’re subject to my highest acclaim, homing in on what the kids want, is, historically, the recipe for success. They did this with bells on, belting out their known EP tracks, a couple of defined Arctic Monkeys covers, their latest release Lidl Shoes, and treated the crowd to a sneak at the forthcoming two singles.

But not before a triple bill of support they’re introducing to home fans. First up Dauntsys own Paradigm, who, though I only caught the final couple I’d suggest are a promisingly tight young band to watch out for.

Paradigm

Secondly Frankcastre from Portsmouth with a frontman originating locally, even penning a song named after Great Cheverall, which has to be a first! Perhaps as oddly as their name, to generation X a band attired in Fred Perrys and skinheads might connote mod influences, but the confident frontman was looking decidedly teddy-boy!

Frankcastre

Trivial is the significance of the uniforms of youth cultures of yore to this era, their originals came fiery and skater-punk; they refined the contemporary noise with brewing confidence and it was welcomed by the NRWO fanbase, particularly the girls. Two covers either side of their set though revealed a penchant for sixties blues-rock, covering firstly The Doors’ Break on Through, and The Animals’ version of House of the Rising Sun, with gritty vocals and devine accuracy. Something for the parents to acknowledge, perhaps, though the frontman delighted to elucidate his fondness for the era to me and I had nothing but to accept his knowledge on the subject. Their sudden usage of a keyboard, for example, to replicate The Animals classic was different, tilting it to one side while playing was beyond Jerry Lee Lewis; put him in your Google search bar!

Arguably the more accomplished of the two, Bath’s StoneFace produced lengthier original compositions, evoking mood with pitch and tempo alterations. With an air of neo-emo Stooges, interestingly with saxophone, damn they looked the part of Iggy Pop to envy!

Though sounding as good as they looked, this volatile style didn’t seem to wash down quite as well with the teenagers as Frankcastre, who, like punk, seem to favour the frenzied three-minute hero, though I personally fished with their hook. Introducing a new track Blue for You, and a particularly adroit one called Cave, the downtempo was plodding indie of perhaps a previous generation, but they did it exceptionally.

StoneFace

To conclude, those in local media sensationalising a minority of hooliganism for click-bait would’ve had their tails between their legs if they’d bother to attend this last night, for all I saw was the new generation, clean-cut by comparison of formers, thoroughly enjoying themselves and causing no issues in the slightest. Just in awe of four of their own, who’ve worked tirelessly to perfect a cooperative brand and inspire others. The forthcoming single Rishi speaks volumes for a current tongue-in-cheek satire they’re intelligent self-penned anthems extend to, though for the most part politics are avoided in favour of topics relative to gen z, like romantic interludes breaking down, and for this Nothing Rhymes With Orange prove their diversity.

It was an astounding achievement, bringing some class acts to Lavington’s youth, and onwards for NRWO I’m pleased to say in collaboration with DOCA, Devizine is proud to now annually suggest a best upcoming local act to feature on the main stage at the Devizes Street Festival, and you can bet your bottom dollar they are the chosen ones to get that ball rolling on Sunday 28th May.

You can also catch them next Saturday, 29th, at the Pump in Trowbridge, Bath’s Party in the City at St James’ Vaults on 12th May, at Corsham Rugby Club’s CorrFest on Sunday 17th June, The Barge on Honey-Street on Saturday 1st July, Marlborough Festival July 8th, and Urchfont’s Boundary Bash on the 15th July…. The future is bright, and doesn’t rhyme with orange!

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Wiltshire Save The King! Local Coronation Celebrations in May

Apparently, some bloke is doing the Queen’s old job; well, that’s wokeism gone crazy if ever I’ve seen it!

But whatever your opinions are about royalty, every town and village is gearing up for The Coronation celebrations and that’s all good for our local entertainers and food purveyors, as the drive to put on a great show feels like it’s getting somewhat competitive…pass the cucumber sandwiches, there’s a good chap.

So, with social media looking rather cluttered as each town and parish council frantically post their events, let’s try our best to collate them, and see who’s performing where and when.

Some places get the ball rolling on Friday 5th May.

Hilperton: at their village hall, from 6pm, have free inflatables for children, the bar will be open and a barbecue from We Meat Again, or bring your own picnic.

Marlborough’s weekend starts with a school art exhibition at St Peter’s, which runs all weekend.

Hats off to Bromham, who have the awesome Junkyard Dogs playing their event in a marquee on the Jubilee Field, and promise some special guests, raffle and ask you to bring your own drinks. This one is a fiver, the Dogs are at 8pm.

Saturday 6th May.

Urchfont: 10am screening at the village hall. Free to attend but ticketed to determine numbers for catering. At 2pm there will be a family fun afternoon in the paddock behind the village hall with entertainment, a family dog show followed by an “Urchfont’s got talent a talent show,” and at 7pm Bandoke will be providing entertainment in a collection of hits from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s.

Seend: the Community Centre goes for a bar, hog roast and bouncy castle combo, highlights are magician and balloon modeller Dave Hickory, and from 7pm, music from Ian Rayney and the awesome rock covers band, Siren. All free.

Pewsey: Looking good at the Cooper’s Field, screening followed by traditional fairground stalls, tugs of war and kid’s football. Pablo & Teos and The Good Food Van at this, with a great musical lineup from Static Moves, Hooch, and Humdinger.

Marlborough: Screening at the Parade Cinema, a prom at St Mary’s and street party in Manton.

Melksham: Picnic in Park at St George’s Playing Fields from 10:30am, sees a confetti battle at their extravaganza, which will feel a bit of plagiarism for Devizes folk! But lots more going on, fairground rides, and live music promised, we’ve not yet been tipped off as to who is playing.

Chippenham: Screening at John Coles Park, picnic and The Derek Nash Band will play live from the bandstand afterwards, with a showing of Disney’s Lion King (2019 live-action version) for everyone to enjoy.

Trowbridge: Yet to hear that the town council are doing anything other than supplying shops with bunty and floral displays to create a “Highgrove on the High Street!” Though Paxcroft Mead are having a street party and barbecue, and those Junkyard Dogs are at it again, at Ben & Tom’s Coronation party at the Wiltshire Yeoman on Chilmark Road at midday.

Calne: town council have really pulled it out the bag, with a picnic at Recreation Ground with a great lineup of music, with Six O’clock Circus, Rave Against the Regime, Operation 77, and the Chaos Brothers. Prior they’ve lots of street food, and entertainment, with stilt walkers, illusionists, balloon modeller and a bubbleologist, including the Lynham Military Wives Choir and a dance performance by 45 Star Dance.

Devizes: town council have there’s in the Market Place from 10am to 4pm, but are quite vague about what we can expect, promises a screening on a large screen, live music, food and drink and children’s activities, but it’s as of yet any details is a mystery, which may be not bad thing; surprises are nice! And besides, if it all goes Pete Tong rather than Charles Windsor, Leon Daye Band play The Southgate later and Kyla Brox Band are at Long Street Blues Club.

Sunday 7th May.

Marlborough: Big Lunch on the High Street with a street party.

Rowde: has a fete from 12:30 at the small playing field, with Chris Ashburn and the fantastic People Like Us – great booking Rowde Parish Council! Plus morris dancing, children’s fancy dress, a circus workshop, barbecue and more.

All Cannings: have also got a great sounding event at the village green, with a children’s circus and cooking competition, and the highlight there is a great newly formed band we’ve been excited about hearing more from, Alfred’s Tower.

Monday 8th May.

Bishop’s Cannings wait until Monday for a celebration at the Crown, dog show, duck race tugs of war, and lots more!

There are more events going up on our event calendar all the time, so keep checking in, today was supposed to be a sneaky taster at those towns and villages really pulling a rabbit from their hats for the king! 

Did we miss out your village or town’s do? Do let us know.

It does seem at present, akin to jubilee celebrations, everyone is fighting for the best event as if Charlie himself will be cruising around to judge them! And in this, many local villages have bettered the market towns. When what really should be occurring is town and parish councils working together, so free transport can be provided for those in smaller villages and housing estates a distance from town centres can unite in a bigger and better celebration in the larger villages and towns, because surely this should a coming together of people, rather than them segregated into small communities. But hey, that’s just my opinion!

Age of the Liar; The Burner Band

Okay, so it’s been a little over two years since I fondly reviewed the debut album, Signs & Wonders, from Leeds’ alt-country come Americana outfit, The Burner Band, when I labelled it “foot-tapping bluegrass fun” with, unusually, added elements of punk. This new seven track album Age of the Liar takes a massive step forward in poignancy…..

This said, I cannot now recall how we became acquainted, but lucky for us we did. Because while, Age of the Liar kicks off pretty much where Signs & Wonders left us, and waits for no man with insatiable foot-tapping bluegrass, there’s an underlying notion intelligent prose is at work here, as the lyrics, concerning the unquestionable loyalty to militancy rides this track like a trooper.

If the opener came as no surprise to me, the second track, Living in Fear certainly did, as while continuing the Americana roots forefront, it rides an offbeat like reggae, lowering the tempo, and taking an ecological topic, a “state of the world today,” it’s akin to the subject matter of punk and reggae too.

The mechanics of Living in Fear is also a hint towards the title track seven tunes in, which positively beams back reggae’s influence over punk; if the Clash did Americana, this is what it would probably sound like. Greatly overlooked in today’s mainstream, the social and political commentary of the era, once a prominent feature in both punk and reggae is put on the line here, satirically mocking the ludicrously of misinformation and propaganda of right-wing leaders, be it Trump or Bojo, it could go either way.

Throughout the album the desperation of contemporary issues is a running theme, even if it best works with these two offbeat songs. Dark and Lonesome Street takes us back to what the Burners do best, still as the title suggests there’s darker undertones. Even if the immediately lovable Hot Dog King has a rockabilly swing, the carefree mood isn’t all it seems, relaying a true story of New York hot dog vendor Dan Rossi, who fought against unjust licencing laws.

I love this concept, that the Burner Band aren’t afraid to explore and break confines of subgenre and pigeonholing, and it blends pleasantly on the ear. There’s elements of early Springsteen on the Asbury Park scene, often breezing into soul and blues, but never straying from the country backbeat.

This is truly is a modern take on roots and Americana, at times the definitive article, twangy geetars, or referencing American culture, but teetering the edge, there’s so many nods to a British roots scene, the punk, rockabilly and reggae movements of the early eighties, even down to the three-minute hero ideal, no tune tries to rule the album, all staying at the statutory running time. If the debut album touched on these influences too, it was subtle at best, this time the balance is perfected.

Social commentary continues to cover prejudices, immigration, stereotyping disabilities, yet no matter how complex the subject, tracks like Big Hole don’t baffle you in riddles, the messages are simple and direct, creating a beguiling and enjoyable ride with poignancy. I’ve yet to dive deeper into this, but suspect as I do more backstory and hidden gems will jump out at me, but I’m overdue mentioning it, as it came out the end of March, so presenting it to now is a honour; great foot-stomping stuff with the perfect balance of contemporary thoughtful prose and subject matter; yee-ha, it’s a keeper!

Website – Facebook – Bandcamp

Song of the Week: Ålesund

Back-tracking a week for this, as it was two great tunes came along simultaneously; like buses, in another county, don’t get me started on the bus service around these backwaters!

Ah, and relax, save that for another time; Ålesund‘s emotive and immersive soundscapes will do the trick. New single from, as I suggested, lat week, Never Enough, and it’s dreamy and drifting, with those driving vocals and rolling drumbeats, the ambient-indie of the post-triphop Bristol scene, harking back to Portishead, peppered with Evanescene’s drench of neo-gothic yet carrying contemporary freshness.

Ålesund first came to my attention when Kieran Moore was at Trowbridge Town Hall, a few years ago, playing with similar fashioned band Agata. This single proves I wasn’t imagining how wonderful this collective are.

Link-Tree to the track HERE

Website – Facebook – Bandcamp – YouTube

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Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire 17th -24th April 2023

Things are all a bit upsidey-down as Devizine catches up with the 21st century. Something about old dogs and new tricks, I’ve streamlined with a new computer, which roughly translates to I don’t what the heck I’m doing! So, bear with me as I pretend everything is running as smooth as a baby’s bottom and bring you all the stuff we’ve found to do over the coming week here in wonderful Wiltshire…..

Still the same ballpark though, don’t take this as final, updates will come through and all that and links to the stuff listed here can be found on our event calendar, HERE.

Monday 17th April then:

You can sit back in the comfort of your own home and enjoy a live stream from those professors of video technology Visual Radio Arts, as they bring you a set from the fantastic Strange Folk

Tuesday 18th:

Nadiya and Kai – Once Upon a Time at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon, and opening at Swindon Arts Centre is the Swindon G & S Society’s Lolanthe, running until the 22nd.

Wednesday 19th:

Devizes Books Presents… ‘Venice’ The play of light at a canal’s curve, the slap of water against the hull of a gondola, the all pervading smell of the sea. This is Venice. Liz Light will shed light on its glories, its children, its history and its future. At Wiltshire Museum, Long Street, Devizes. Tickets £6.00 available from Devizes books, or book by phoning 01380 725944, or pay cash on the door.

Staying in Devizes, don’t forget it’s the regular Wednesday evening acoustic jam at The Southgate, bring an instrument.

And Tony Blackburn is still at it! Sounds of the 60s Live at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.

Thursday 20th:

Amazing Thursday night in Swindon when The Sarah C Ryan Band play The Vic, with Atari Pilot in support, and Fly Yeti Fly are at The Tuppenny. Also, Russell Kane’s The Essex Variant comes to The Wyvern Theatre.

Friday 21st:

KenAvon Quiz Night at the Rennie Room, on Devizes Wharf, see poster for details. White Horse Opera at Devizes Town Hall.

The Roughcut Rebels play The Pack Horse, Chippenham

Wrong Jovi at The Vic, Swindon.

Gluehorse at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon, while you’ll find Shadows of Santana at The Boathouse.

LGBTQ+ Poetry night at Rondo Theatre, Bath.

Dreadzone’s 30th Anniversary tour at the Cheese & Grain.

Saturday 22nd:

Wonderful, People Like Us at The Three Crowns, Devizes, Cracked Machine play The Southgate.

Spoiled for choice enough if it wasn’t for Nothing Rhymes with Orange at the West Lavington Hall, with Stoneface, Paradigm and Frankastre; the guys have put this event on themselves to appease their young fanbase, and I think that’s a real special effort. I’m tipping these best upcoming act of year, ergo it has to be Editor’s Pick of the Week; this was your opportunity to check them out, I told you about it ages ago, but tickets are all gone, now; soz.

The White Horse Opera moves across to St Peter’s at Great Cheverell.

A bold 21st century reimagining of Homer’s Odyssey by Wiltshire writer Florence Espeut-Nickless, developed with and performed by the local community, at Trowbridge Town Hall, with The Four Winds.

Tom Jenkins with Luke De-Sisco and Hannah Rose-Platt at The Pump in Trowbridge.

Hillbillies  up for a barn dance, The Barge at HoneyStreet style!

Fireballs UK play Melksham Rock N Roll Club.

ÍMAR at  Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon, Strange Folk for real this time, at The Three Horseshoes.

Tankus The Henge at Chapel Arts, Bath

My Secret Sister at Rondo Theatre, Bath.

Maximum Output at Prestbury Sports Club, Warminster.

Ion Maiden at The Vic, Swindon.

Rising Aspirations Academy Of Performing Arts presents Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.

Vintage Bazaar at The Cheese & Grain, Frome, with The Inspiral Carpets in the evening, and Just Radiohead tribute at The Lime House.

Sunday 23rd:

Melksham Record Fair at Melksham Assembly Hall.

Two Man Ting at The Southgate, Devizes.

Snake Snake Snake at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon.

Have a great weekend!

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REVIEW – Billy Walton Band @ LSBC, Con Club, Devizes – Saturday 15th April 2023

A Trip To New Jersey

Andy Fawthrop


Tonight we‘re in the land of Springsteen, Van Zandt and Southside Johnny. We’re on the New Jersey shore, swinging with the band. It’s late, it’s hot, the room is absolutely rammed and The Billy Walton Band are in town. Well, only just, after a late-afternoon scare when their van broke down on the way to the gig. But, hey, that’s rock n’ roll, that’s life on the road. Unfazed, the band played on, and what a show they gave us….

But first things first. Support act for the evening, all the way up from that there London were new (to me) Interstellar Duo. Consisting of sisters Charlotte and Heather Sterland on every combination of piano, viola, violin and vocals, the pair presented something very different indeed. Finalists for UK Country Duo 2022, the two girls gave us some absolutely beautiful, haunting and delicate harmonies. Both vocals and instrumentation were precise and stripped back, reducing the massive crowd to a hushed and respectful silence during the performance, and loud applause as they finished. A hot, noisy blues club may not be the best platform for their brand of vocal harmony, but they absolutely nailed it anyway. Nearest thing I could compare them to was early Kate & Anna McGarrigle, but that might slightly undersell the beauty and ethereal quality of a great performance. Hats off!

Billy Walton is described on his website as “an accomplished guitar master from the vibrant New Jersey Shore music scene. He earned his stripes in the rock & roll trenches, playing lead guitar for many years with Jersey icon, Southside Johnny. He has also shared the stage with music legends; Little Steven, Gary US Bonds and Steven Tyler, to name a few”. Well – wow! That’s a huge reputation to live up to, but there was nothing for us to worry about. The man turned up with a five-piece band behind him and simply let rip with his winning brand of bluesy rock n’ roll.

On stage with him were bassist William Paris, Tom Petraccaro on sax, Eric Safka on Hammond B3, Shane Luckenbough on drums, and vocalist extraordinaire Destinee Monroe. As a unit they were tight, musically adept and extremely powerful, helping Billy to drive forward through a great show.

With his musical background it would have been all too easy to fall back on the old Southside Johnny classics, but instead were treated to a lot more recent material. Yes there were a couple of covers (I Can’t Stand The Rain and I Feel Good), but these blended seamlessly into a near two-hour set of sheer entertainment and showmanship. There was plenty of chat, lots of humour, and great audience interaction. There were deliberate false intros – Stairway To Heaven, Smoke On The Water, Kashmir and even (unbelievably) Puff The Magic Dragon – just to pull the laughs and the applause. We even had a couple of rounds of Happy Birthday! But whilst these guys sure knew how to fool around, they sure as hell knew how to be serious and to deliver a truly great set.

Destinee shrieking high-octane vocals, answered note for note by a wailing keyboard was one of the highlights for me, but this was no one-trick pony. Whilst there were always the wham-bam-thank-you-mam numbers, the band also displayed a lot of depth and texture, mixing up the slower tempos with faster, driving boogie-woogie rhythms.

Lots of applause, dancing, a standing ovation, and an almost psychedelic encore. What more could you possibly want? Yet another great gig at Long Street Blues Club, and what live music is all about.

Future Long Street Blues Club gigs: (but more to be announced/ confirmed next month – watch social media!)

Saturday 6th May 2023 Kyla Brox Band
Saturday 27th May 2023 Gerry Jablonski Band
Saturday 10th June 2023 Eric Bell Band
Friday 13th October 2023 Mike Zito & Albert Castiglia band
Saturday 28th October 2023 Susan Santos

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King Alfred’s Tower Charity Abseil

This summer SOS Africa will host a 160ft charity abseil fundraising event from King Alfred’s Tower at Stourhead in celebration of the organisation’s 20th birthday! Taking place on the 9th, 10th 16th & 17th September 2023, the abseil event will be the charity’s highest to date and the first time that this iconic historical venue will be open to public abseiling courtesy of the National Trust.

King Alfred's Tower Charity Abseil Fundraising Event for National Trust & SOS Africa

Throughout this highly anticipated 4-day charity abseil, brave fundraisers from across the Southwest and beyond will climb the tower’s 205 steps and descend from the top of this iconic monument dressed as their favourite historical figures. Before touching down at the base of the tower they will be able to savour breath-taking views across the surrounding counties.

Built by Stourhead Estate Owner Henry Hoare II in 1772, the folly was constructed at the site of Egbert’s Stone, the folkloric landmark where Alfred the Great rallied his Saxon troops in 878AD to hold off a Saxon invasion. Constructed with over a million red bricks, the tower has become the pride of the 2650-acre Stourhead Estate.

Children Sponsored by the SOS Africa Children's Charity

Since it was first founded by Shepton Mallet student Dr Matt Crowcombe in 2003, each year the SOS Africa Children’s Charity and experienced instructor Aardvark Endeavours have hosted fundraising challenges from iconic venues from across the southwest of England including Glastonbury Festival Pyramid Stage, Shepton Mallet Prison and Wells Cathedral, raising hundreds of thousands of pounds to educate disadvantaged children across South Africa.

“SOS Africa’s Alfred’s Tower event will be the charity’s most challenging abseil to date from one of the most well-known monuments in the southwest. Growing up in Shepton Mallet and Bruton, there were few moments when I could not see the tower standing proudly on the horizon. We are extremely grateful to the National Trust for embracing this exciting event and we cannot wait to start raising funds for 2 very important causes.” Dr Matt Crowcombe (CEO/Founder, SOS Africa)

Alfred's Tower Charity Abseil: SOS Africa and National Trust Volunteers

Stourhead General Manager Philip Niemand has supported the event from its inception and cannot wait to welcome the brave abseilers to Alfred’s Tower this September:

“Alfred’s Tower was built 250 years ago, reputedly marking the spot where King Alfred raised his standard and rallied his troops before setting off to defeat the Vikings at the battle of Eddington. This moment in time started our societal journey of freedom and democracy. We now have an exciting opportunity to raise valuable awareness of and funds for communities that are not as fortunate. The SOS Africa Abseil from the Tower is itself a unique call to action, an opportunity to join the charity’s most challenging event to date from one of the most iconic monuments in the Southwest, raising funds for two very important causes.” Philip Niemand (General Manager, Stourhead)

Charity Abseil Fundraising Event from King's Alfred's Tower, Stourhead

To participate, each abseiler is required to pay a £20 deposit to cover Aardvark Endeavours Instructors fees and raise £100 per person. To enter as an individual or team, please contact Event Organiser Matt Crowcombe by email (matt@sosafrica.com) with the following details:

Matt will then confirm your abseil date/time, set up your online fundraising page and add it to our Event Fundraising Page where you will be able to track the progress of your fellow abseilers and event fundraising total. No previous abseil experience is required, fancy-dress is optional and all abseilers must be age 9 or over (under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian). Although plenty of time will be allowed for abseilers to climb the 205 steps to the top of the tower, a reasonable level of fitness will be required.

This is likely to be a popular event and places will be limited so we recommend signing up and sending your deposit as soon as possible to avoid missing out. Thank you for your support and we look forward to welcoming you to the top of King Alfred’s Tower in September…

For more information, check HERE

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Thirty Years in the Dreadzone

Dreadzone, the Phoenix rising from the ashes of Big Audio Dynamite’s success, when drummer Greg Roberts and keyboardist Dan Donovan teamed with Julian Cope’s sound engineer Tim Bran, were the prolific electronic dance triumph of post-rave….

Owing their accomplishment to the fine blend of reggae into the contemporary melting pot of dance culture, harking back to Two-Tone yet too encompassed the burgeoning breakbeat house scene which in turn would fuel drum and bass. But Dreadzone never went there, the final piece of the jigsaw was bringing in vocalist Earl 16, and they stuck to their guns producing memorable anthems of techno-reggae dub bliss, particularly unforgettable being Little Britain sampling Carl Orff’s Auf Dem Anger.

But if you, like me, were bouncing around a muddy field like Zebedee on a day out from the magic garden to a 1937 classical symphony you might not appreciate me reminding you, Dreadzone celebrate their thirtieth anniversary this year; but it might cushion the blow by letting you know you can join the party at Frome’s Cheese & Grain on Friday 21st April.

Still in the forefront of the festival scene, in 2022, Dreadzone refocussed their show after MC Spee was forced to step back from touring and they explored different aspects of their history and catalogue ahead of their 30th anniversary this year. With a reconfigured line-up for 2023, the band’s live shows will feature core members Greg Dread and original bassmaster Leo Williams, plus legendary reggae vocalist Earl 16, as well as Bazil on technology and Blake Robert (Greg’s son) on guitar.

They have been releasing albums and progressively bettering, refining, and perfecting their own unique and inimitable take on dub since their inception in 1993. Dreadzone opened the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury in 1994, though if memories of that are hazy at best, I fondly recall a night at Shepard’s Bush Empire in 1995 when I was still dancing to an imaginary dubplate in the cloakroom queue!

With plans for their 30th Anniversary firmly underway, standby for a new studio album later in the year too.

Tickets are on sale now and priced at £25.00+BF, available here.

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 12th – 18th April 2023

Speeding through April come sunshine, rain or a little bit unpredictable changing between the two, such is the season.…..

Said it before, I’ll say it again, more stuff will be added, this is published on Mondays so you’ve time to grab any tickets for ticketed events, but live music in pubs and things like this will no doubt come to our attention through the week, so please keep in the loop with our event calendar as it’d be impossible if not very cluttered to post individual events onto our social media pages.

The one link you need is here, our event calendar, for planning ahead, more info and ticket links.

Tuesday 11th wildlife presenter Gordon Buchanan’s 30 Years in The Wild at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.

Opening night Wednesday 12th and running until 13th April, An Evening Shared with Jasper Carrott & Alistair McGowan at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.

Also Wednesday, The Rondo Theatre, Bath has something for the easter holidays, Top Secret: The Magic of Science children’s show matinee, and BBC’s Live at the Apollo North London comedian Emmanuel Sonubi in the evening with his tour Emancipated.

Never forget though, it’s the regular acoustic jam at the Southgate in Devizes every Wednesday.

Thursday 13th incredible bluesman Eddie Martin plays a special set at the church in Bromham, for a fundraiser for social centre rebuild which burnt down a couple of years ago.

One to watch out for, The Blackheart Orchestra plays Chapel Arts in Bath, while Tatty Macleod, better known as, ‘That French TikTok Lady,’ tours Fudge (WIP) at the Rondo Theatre.

And choir Ten in Bar start a three nightery at Swindon Arts Centre, running until Saturday 15th.

Friday 14th sees Hadrian’s Union at The Southgate, Devizes. Trash Panda at the Coopers, Pewsey. Phil Cooper & Jamie R Hawkins Get Schwifty at The Bear in Marlborough.

Quiz Night from the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust at The Neeld in Chippenham.

Brakelight play The Poplars in Wingfield near Trowbridge.

Fire, Rain & American Pie at Chapel Arts, Bath, with Sophies Duker’s Hag tour at the Rondo Theatre

Hairy MacLary Adventures with Weyo, sees conductor Tim Redmond and his brother Tom Redmond, who together present the Royal Albert Hall’s My Great Orchestral Adventure series, join the West of England Youth Orchestra for a fun-filled interactive family concert at the Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.

Find Bully Bones at The Three Horseshoes, also in Bradford-on-Avon.

Sour Apple play The Crown in Westbury.

Green Day tribute, Green Haze at The Vic in Swindon, while Tanwood Youth Theatre presents Musical Mayhem at The Wyvern Theatre.

But focus your eyes on this treat, Editor’s Pick of The Week, it’s Jazz Knights’ third Swindon Jazz & Soul Festival at the Christ Church in Old Town. Friday night is soul night headlined by OMAR and QCBA with elements of Jazz, also featuring sessions from Eric Mylod-Okafo, Jack Baldus, Marvin Muoneké Duo. The fun continues Saturday.

Saturday 15th The Wharf Theatre, Devizes will be Walking Back to Happiness, with Kevin Dean’s Hot Band, who will breathe new life in the wonderful sounds of The Shadows and The Tornadoes.

Staying in Devizes, Billy Walton Band play Long Street Blues Club, Triple JD Band at The Southgate, Funked Up at The Three Crowns, and Ben Borrill at the Moonrakers.

Ska-punk at The Lamb in Marlborough with Operation 77.

The Will Blake Band with Junkyard Dogs in support at The Landsdowne Hall in Derry Hill.

Wiltshire Police Band’s Spring Concert at Seend Community Hall, Helena Softley @ The Barge, Honey-Street.

Eco-Future Fest at The Neeld in Chippenham.

Kova Me Bad play The Vic in Swindon, One Chord Wonders at The Queen’s Tap, Francis Rossi has Tunes & Chat at The Wyvern Theatre.

And Editor’s Pick of The Week, Swindon Jazz & Soul Festival continues at The Christ Church with a whole day and night of live jazz from across the genres, and African themed live music featuring artists from Zimbabwe, Ghana, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Caribbean artists from Dominica and Trinidad.

The Clare Teal Four at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon, The Butt Monkeys at The Three Horseshoes.

Two Beatles play Prestbury Sports Bar, Warminster.

Folk Rock Experience Tour- The Songs of Sandy Denny at Chapel Arts, Bath, while Garrett Millerick’s Just Trying to Help show comes to the Rondo Theatre.

Sunday 16th sees Devizes Lions’ Sponsored Walk, and some amazing music around the county….

A gothic acoustic matinee with the fantastic Deadlight Dance at The Blue Boar in Aldbourne.

Another unmissable, John Otway & Wild Willy Barrett at The Pump, Trowbridge.

The Worried Men play The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon, and that’s awesome too!

Axel Blake’s In Style at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon, while Long For The Coast & Drew Bryant play The Tuppenny.

And Monday 17th, I got nought!

Tuesday 18th sees Nadiya and Kai’s Once Upon a Time at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon, and the opening night of the Swindon G & S Society’s Lolanthe, which runs until 22n April at Swindon Arts Centre.

But you know, I’m sure there’s more to come so keep your eye on the event calendar!

Gorillas and the Pissed in Bishops Cannings!

A minority of disgruntled villagers falsely accuse a pub of stealing a gorilla statue from Scotland to use as a memorial to a lost friend in order to sabotage their business….you can’t write comedy this gold…

Something fast becoming a legendary Bishop’s Cannings village vendetta, with a small minority of widely dispersed residents and others who simply like to whinge against the alleged evil of creating a lively community and often fundraising hub at their only public house, The Crown Inn, stooped to a new level of low this morning, as valuable police time was wasted when they reported a gorilla statue erected in the pub’s beer garden as a memorial was stolen….

The gorilla was hailed by most as a “wonderful gesture to remember their great friend, loyal customer and all round good egg Kevin Wilson who sadly passed away last year.” Kevin was a founder of the inaugural CrownFest last year but sadly passed away from cancer prior to the event; an emotional tribute to him was made by landlady Judith Macfarlane.

The critical few knew no bounds or respect for the significance of the gorilla when they set about slamming its presence in the beer garden as “inappropriate” on a local Facebook group. Yet no one could elucidate exactly why they found it so offensive, only that it was within the vicinity of the renowned St Mary the Virgin Church.

Whilst many a village pub in the county is suffering financial issues and forcibly being closed down, The Crown at Bishop’s Cannings has for the past two years enjoyed a lively community-driven ethos, with camping available and has become a flagship fully supported by a majority of villagers. But the handful opposed to new landlords, Judith and Gary, have attempted to sabotage their efforts since they took over the Crown.

They systematically complained about noise, a building application for an outside bar, and caused the pub to restrict its live music licence to the bare minimum. But last night, as the pub welcomed back celebrated acoustic duo Illingworth, who play with guitar and cajon combo, hardly executing a deafening noise, they rallied against the pub, digging up a BBC article about a similar gorilla statue stolen from a garden centre in Scotland, in March, tenaciously linked it to the pub’s statue and called the police to report it as the stolen artefact!

As if the idea of driving a giant gorilla statue all the way from Scotland to publicly display in a pub 500 miles away isn’t ludicrous enough, and a massive waste of police resources, landlady Judith explained the gorilla “has been here for over two months, just not out on display. We paid for him in December.” Three months prior to the mass-produced statue being stolen!

They bought him from a garden centre in Surrey, Judith told us, “The police needed to see the receipt.”

The Crown is to hold a second annual CrownFest on 8th July, after last year’s huge success. One resident told us, “The pub has had the busiest weekend of the year so far, and they want to ruin it for everyone.”

We’re of the opinion that it is a crying shame a minority wishes to spoil what little entertainment the village has, by consistently attempting to sabotage it, and they should count their lucky stars they have such a dedicated team behind their local pub, for it’s a rarity in our villages.

The level they will stoop to apparently knows no bounds when it subjects falsely reporting a memorial to police. But the pub shrugged the incident off as laughable, and with the insane allegation, they drove a stolen gorilla statue from Scotland to place in their beer garden, we tend to agree! It’s a King Kong cockup!!

41 Fords are Not Dead Yet!

Damp morning, about 3:30am I’m descending Pelch Lane in Seend, like a sack of potatoes dropping. If you don’t know the track it’s a steep one, with a bend which keeps on giving; not the ideal place to whip out your phone and change the tune when you’re pinning down a heavily-ladened milkfloat! So, first taster of the debut album from Trowbridge’s 41 Fords, Not Dead Yet goes on loop, and I shrug, as it’s no hardship, “let it roll for another round.”

I wasn’t sure what to listen to next anyway, and to be honest, this took me by pleasant surprise. Sure, we’ve registered their name on our gig list several occasions, regulars down the trusty Southgate (next date is Saturday 3rd June), but I’ve not had the opportunity to pay them a visit. I see now they’re on the roster for Devizes Scooter Club’s annual rally in July, which if I had of noticed before it might’ve given me a closer inkling what to assume.

coincidently, wristbands have just gone on sale for this!

But psychobilly was unexpected, neither is it a subgenre which usually floats my boat. Akin to heavy metal, the late-eighties fusion of rockabilly and punk is characterised with negative symbolism; it’s all ultraviolence, death, B-movie horror pastiches, and other delinquent and discouraging subject matters, and I like to think I’m optimistic, least too old, to relish in morbidity.

But if I am to pigeonhole the 41 Fords, it’s unlike the wrecking of The Meteors, or the all-out hellish nature of Demented Are Go, and not as offbeat as the skabilly of Roddy Radiation; this is matured psychobilly with all the negativity stripped away. It retains the lively rockabilly stance, the foot-tapping upright double-bass, the nods to western swing, jump blues and boogie-woogie, and breathing fresh air into it with punk’s insolence, and gypsy folk goodness.

Yet their themes tend on maturing romantic affairs, often generation X mod-pop in nature. And for this blend, it’s truly unique, beguiling and for want of sitting down, you’ll be incapable; my highest point-scoring goes on the sheer energy these guys never seem to let up on.

Recorded at Nine Volt Leap studio in Melksham, Not Dead Yet is out on 1st May, and you really need to look out for this, I bloody love it! To break down exactly why isn’t simple. The album kicks off mod, think hillbilly The Jam with double-bass, perhaps. A girl-infatuation themed Emily, opens, and from the off it’s got me hook, line and sinker. For it’s upbeat throughout, captivating, and optimistic; this is The Housemartins do psychobilly, and I mean this in the best possible taste, for you cannot prevent foot-tapping to Happy Hour, surely?!

The subject of reunion with a former partner is slam-dunked next, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Daisy Buchanan style, The Great Gatsby offers nothing more than Emily in topic, only the literatural reference. Yet while romance is a running-theme, ballad doesn’t appear in their vocabulary; 41 Fords do not come up for air. Marriage problems raises its ugly head, against a penchant for nightlife in the following track, and another girl’s name title, Tabitha continues this sunny side of the street mood.  

If it goes on this leitmotif for a staggering twelve tunes, it all hinges on their magnum-opus for pop catchiness, the fifth tune, Peaky Blinders. Surely anthemic, it takes the humorous route of Del-boy lovable rouges; Chas & Dave does the Cockney Rejects!

Through this three-minute hero, you might wonder if cockney musical hall will continue being cited, but while Not Dead Yet maintains everything which has so far made this album sheer brilliance, 41 Fords swerve gradually into a more Anglo-Irish folk feel, like Shane MacGowan finished his pint and jammed with these Housemartins, doing psychobilly, with an overall Merton Parkas type fusion.

Ah, see now I’m worried I’ve given the impression this is all sounds cluttered, like there’s too much going on, but na, me old China plate, this is flows, smoothly operated with such individuality it’s a tricky one to pin down. If, like me, you’re willing to take onboard the Cramps, and be done with psychobilly, this offers a maturity in themes, wrapped in addictive danceable congeniality.

The Wonder of The Sky is perhaps the standout track towards the finale, for it encompasses everything great about the 41 Fords, who know precisely what buttons to press to write and deliver a pop song with retrospective wow, but refuses commercialisation. It doesn’t verve to create a Stairway to Heaven or a dub-lampoon either, each tune is kept at the three-minute proximity, and each one does what you expect it to do; charges 240 volts into your blue suede shoes!

A Christmas Song, titled thus, finishes, and yeah, it has a Fairy-tale of New York feel, really bringing out the folk oblique which I believe breathes something local into it too, like Somerset’s proclivity for Scrumpy & Western. In all, you could fit 41 Fords into a scooter rally bill, but equally into a Somerset cider brawl with the Boot Hills. And in that, if pigeonholing matters not when you’re in the moment and the music takes you on a dancing voyage, 41 Fords are seamless. This album truly is a must-have.

Bung them a like on Facebook, for updates, and I’ll thread this review with links when the album comes out in May; you’re in for a treat!

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Do you remember the wonderful sounds of The Shadows and The Tornadoes beaming across the airwaves from Radio Caroline with their spellbinding instrumentals; Apache, Foot Tapper and Riders in the Sky?

If you do then you will not want to miss the star guest at Devizes’ Wharf Theatre on 15th April, Kevin Dean, who recreates those nostalgic guitar sounds of swinging Britain which have since become the sound track to many people’s lives. The show takes its title from the Helen Shaprio classic, Waking Back to Happiness, and, woopah oh yeah yeah; we could all do with a little of that!

Accompanied by The Hot Band, this wonderful show also features talented musical entertainer, impressionist, guitarist and banjo virtuoso Warren James, in company with your chirpy, musical host Mike Martin, who himself has spent a life time in show business including part of Wharf favourites, London Philharmonic Skiffle Orchestra. 

This light-hearted and foot-tapping show features the fabulous songs of Johnny Cash, Buddy Holly, Eddie Cochran, The Everly Brothers, Lonnie Donegan, Joe Brown, The Seekers, Tommy Steele and many more hit parade heroes.

There’s two show times on Saturday 15th April, evening starts at 7:30pm, and a matinee at 2:30pm. Tickets are between £10 and £14, with a booking fee, from HERE.

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REVIEW – Thomas Atlas @ LSBC, Con Club, Devizes – Saturday 25th March 2023

Bestriding The Stage

By Andy Fawthrop

Seems like an absolute bloody age since the last run-out for the Long Street Blues Club, but here we were back on the old stomping ground again.  So good to be back and see some familiar faces.  

What a shame to have to choose between LSBC and the Southgate (who had Concrete Prairie playing at the same time) but that’s perhaps just a reflection of D-Town’s vibrant live music scene at the moment.  In fact, it was at one of The Gate’s recent Jon Amor Sunday residences that I first ran into Mr. Atlas.  His performance with Jon that afternoon was the very thing that inspired me to buy a ticket for this gig. Hey, ho.

First up in the support slot was the returning local favourite Ben Borrill.  Ben’s been working hard recently, plying his trade in some of our local pubs, and tonight he was rewarded with a larger more attentive audience than he might usually get in the pub.  He’s a singer/ songwriter who’s not afraid of hard work.  Here he seemed to struggle over his first couple of numbers, but then hit his stride with some great covers.  Numbers from Tom Petty, Chris Isaak, The Killers, Radiohead, Wheatus and Ronan Keating were delivered with increasing confidence.  Personally I wish someone would finally put Mr. Brightside out of its misery (mainly by just not playing it), but that’s just my personal taste.

Then on to the main fare of the evening – two sets from the returning Brummie Thomas Atlas.  He was back with a great young band (Andre Masine on keyboards, Jack Bowles on drums, and Sam Rogers on saxophone).  Thomas was on lead guitar, of course, and also handled all of the vocals.   Right from the off Thomas’s sparkling guitar work set the scene with some wonderful funky stuff, with the band filling in some nice textures.  There was no flash, no histrionics, just some solid down-to-earth hard work from a band that was tight on the set passages, but equally comfortable loosening up for the jazzier solos.

Thomas himself was clearly very happy to be there.  Apart from repeatedly telling us that he was really enjoying playing for us (they all say that, don’t they?), his face was the proof of the pudding, constantly lit up by one long beaming smile.

There was plenty of original material, leavened with occasional covers/ reinterpretations.  The two that stood out for me were Bob Marley’s Stir It Up, and The Stones’ Miss You.  The guitar work was faultless, often reminding me of Clapton on the more flamboyant pieces and Robin Trower on some of the more languid solos.

And, of course, in one of the worst-kept secrets of the night, Jon Amor was not only in the room, but also up on stage, jamming and repaying the favour from The Southgate gig a couple of months back.

All in all a cracking gig, and a return to form for LSBC after a long lay-off.

Future Long Street Blues Club gigs: (but more to be announced/ confirmed next month – watch social media!)

Saturday 15th April 2023  Billy Walton Band

Saturday 6th May 2023   Kyla Brox Band

Saturday 27th May 2023   Gerry Jablonski Band

Saturday 10th June 2023   Eric Bell Band

Friday 13th October 2023  Mike Zito & Albert Castiglia band

Saturday 28th October 2023  Susan Santo

See Behind the Scenes: Open Day at The Wharf Theatre

Saturday April 1st, between 10am and 2pm The Wharf Theatre in Devizes are holding their second ever open day, it’s free and open to all. Whether you’ve been in the theatre before, or not, everyone is welcome to come and see what goes on at the Theatre and what goes into putting on a show…..

There will be a collection of costumes, and guided theatre tours – even to darkest depths of the Wharf visitors don’t usually see, like the tech box and green room.

An entirely free event which will be offering refreshments. If you’re interested in joining the theatre groups, either on the stage or behind the scenes, people will be on hand to chat about the various roles, but even if you fancy popping in for a cuppa and a look around, they’re welcome.

Publicity director Karen said, “following the lockdowns, when it looked for a while that we might not survive, we were saved with the help of the lovely local people who donated to our Just Giving Page, we would like to think that we are the little theatre who the town took to its heart and helped to save.”

Next show at The Wharf is hidden Shakespearean gem, Measure for Measure, running from March 27th to the open day on April 1st. See our preview here.

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While The Trussell Trust created the first food banks in 2000, under Tony Blair, usage of them rose by a staggering 2,612% during David Cameron’s term as Prime Minister. It didn’t stop him barefacedly posing for a Tweet mucking in with Chipping Norton’s “Chippy Larder.”

Devizes MP Danny Kruger joined the food poverty hypocrisy voting against Marcus Rashford’s campaign to extend free school meals over lockdown. Speaking in defence of ministers’ continuing refusal to U-turn the policy, he reasoned in the Gazette & Herald, “the problem is generous, unconditional, universal benefit entitlements trap people in dependency on the state and rightly enrage people who are working hard for themselves. That’s why I believe in a more flexible, community-led approach to welfare.”

To address local causes of financial hardship, community organiser at Devizes and District Foodbank, Alex Montegriffo, arranged a meeting with Danny Kruger last month, with members of Devizes community, and representatives from local charities; let’s see these “generous, unconditional, universal benefit entitlements,” panning out in the real world, shall we?

One hot topic was people living on houseboats, who’ve not had access to the £400 Energy Bills Support Scheme since it began. Out of the estimated 550 people living in houseboats in Wiltshire, only houseboats with a permanent residential mooring are now able to access the fund, leaving regulations for those in non-residential moorings, like marinas, in the dark, literally.

Danny Kruger agreed to write to the Canal and River Trust about using their database of houseboat license fees to distribute the £400 payment, by taking it off license fees, and potentially using their offices as permanent addresses for those with continuous cruising licenses.

Another topic was the insufficiency and lack of flexibility of the social security system, with benefits like Universal Credit often leaving applicants below destitution level. A member of Devizes community spoke, “every day I see my husband come back from work exhausted. He counts all the bills and has said, if prices rise again, he doesn’t know what to do. He uses some of my disability benefit to pay his bills, and then pays me back when he gets paid. That shouldn’t be right in this day and age.”

If claimants get into debt, even more money is taken away from their Universal Credit allowance, leaving sometimes just £100 a month or less for food and electricity.

Long and complicated application processes, even for small amounts of money or basic support, causes barriers for those who need help but are unable to fill out forms, or feel stigmatised by the process. As a result, there’s £10 million of unclaimed Pension Credit in Wiltshire, a benefit which unlocks Cost of Living Payments. Attendees heard Wiltshire Council are currently in discussion with the community organiser of Devizes and District Foodbank to simplify the application process of one of their support schemes, the Local Welfare Provision, to alleviate this issue.

A couple from Devizes described their frustration at not being encouraged to work, and feeling judged as ‘lesser’ for not being able to work. Volunteering is not counted as work, despite the attendees contributing significantly to their community, spurring a discussion on the topic of the impact of part-time work versus full-time work versus volunteering on benefits, where the taper rate for Universal Credit discourages part-time work, and leaves some people better off not working if they cannot work full-time due to health conditions or disability.

Localising the social security system, so there’s more human contact and agency for recipients, as well as better advertising of support through local trusted individuals, was also discussed. Proposing how schemes such as The Homes and Money Hubs of Barking and Dagenham could be adapted to Devizes, as the Integrated Care Alliance already brings together some departments of Wiltshire Council with social prescribers.

If those with second homes have received their Energy Bills Support Scheme payments, but people living in houseboats are struggling, if people need more support than ever in the current cost-of-living crisis, if people feel they’ve no one to talk to, or are unable to get through on the phone for help with applications, clearly there’s lots of work to do; the food bank isn’t just about giving out tins of beans.

Suggestions were made of a community hub in Devizes, with support for applying for and receiving benefits, or developing the several organisations existing at the St James Centre further. Here’s a group conversing specific topics and looking for solutions to this cost-of-living crisis in Devizes. They meet again on Thursday 30th March, 2:30-3:30pm at the Cheese Hall in Devizes Town Hall to plan and implement a project in Devizes addressing issues raised, which might be adopted in the rest of Wiltshire; if you feel you can assist, please attend.

“It would be great to get more people there to plan a project, and also be consulted on uses of the Community Fridge in the Shambles,” Alex explained, “although Danny agreed to do one action, which I’m not sure has been done or not, we agreed that sometimes it was quicker to do things ourselves.”

Attendees agreed to act, as they can quicker than local authorities and government. Cameron’s defunct socio-political soundbite “big society,” in action during these trying times, I could scoff, but tip my hat to all involved with this, for their enthusiasm and dedication. Not only Alex, but Suzanne Wigmore of Citizens Advice Wiltshire, Richard Oliver of Devizes Opendoors, Graham Martin of Sustainable Devizes, Martin Elliott of Warm Spaces Devizes and Devizes Community Fridge, Kate Brooks, Sarah Cardy and Rachel Clarke of Age UK Wiltshire, and those active members of Devizes community, thank you.

Day-to-day, though, we can all help, supporting Devizes & District Food Bank. Currently supporting an average 220 people per month, over 1,980 meals per month are supplied, which wouldn’t happen without donations. You can download a BanktheFood app to keep up to date with their shortages while shopping, and drop off points for items can be found here.

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Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 15th- 21st March 2023

Windy but warm, no, not me, the weather, I mind my manners, I thank you! Here’s what’s going down this coming week across our green and (mostly) pleasant land……

You should know the score by now, adding links here, ain’t nobody got time fer dat! You can find all that, details, links for tickets and stuff over on our main event calendar, and you can use it to plan ahead, good huh?

Wednesday 15th Memory Cinema, wonderful idea, dementia friendly film screenings, at Swindon Arts Centre, this one is Dad’s Army.

New York’s musician and writer Franz Nicolay, member of cabaret-punk orchestra World/Inferno Friendship Society, the Hold Steady, Balkan-jazz quartet Guignol, and co-founder of Anti-Social Music, comes to the Pump, Trowbridge with Aimless Arrows in support.

Acoustic jam at The Southgate, Devizes.

Original music at The Bell, Bath with world-folk into jazz artist Solana.

Thursday 16th is comedy night at Trowbridge’s Civic.

Dirty Sound Magnet at The Vic, Swindon, while the The Rosellys play The Tupenny.

Will Page plays Chapel Arts in Bath.

Friday 17th find Sour Apple at the Condado Lounge in Devizes, and The Truzzy Boys play The Bridge Inn, Horton.

Damn! at The Bear in Marlborough, with Al Jenkins at The Green Dragon.

Melksham Assembly Hall prepares for Giants of Rock.

Sound Affects play for St Patrick’s Day at The Talbot in Calne.

Junkyard Dogs at Old Road Tavern, Chippenham.

Upcoming local punk-based Foxymoron are at the Pump, Trowbridge; you need to see these guys rock, and they’re with The Easy Peelers and Lonely Daughter. Be Like Will play the West Wilts Conservative Club in Trowbridge.

Hacksaw & Hot Pink Sewage & Altermoderns at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon, while Karport Collective are at The Boathouse, and Ineza Women’s Words, Sisters Stories is what’s in store at Wiltshire Music Centre.

House Above the Sun at Chapel Arts, Bath, and our Full Tone Orchestra are at Bath Abbey Churchyard with Karl Jenkins Adiemus.

The Unravelling Wilburys at The Cheese & Grain, Frome.

Come What May is the play at the Wyvern Theatre, Swindon. The Pre-Fab Four Beatles tribute at the Vic.

Saturday 18th is the opportunity for families to see what the fabulous Calne River Warriors get up to, and join in raft making and a woodland hunt, see poster below. In the evening, Six O’clock Circus take over The Rec Club in Calne.

The Hoodoos are at The Southgate, Devizes, with Rev at The Three Crowns, Ben Borrill at The Moonrakers, and Southern Ruin at The Dolphin. Smackdown at The Corn Exchange with CSF Superstar Wrestling, and DJ Flash is in the mix at the Exchange.

Pink Floyd night at The Barge on Honey-Street.

Songwriter’s Circle at the Pump in Trowbridge provides us with Editor’s Pick of the Week; with Annie Dresser, Lucy Grubb, Dan Wilde, and Luke James Williams.

Find Custyard Pye at Stallards, also in Trowbridge.

Orange Skies Theatre offer some riotous, narrative cabaret with Wild Onion at Swindon Arts Centre, while the musical theatre concert tour of Beyond The Barricade is at the Wyvern Theatre.

The awesome Barrelhouse play the Queens Tap in Swindon, Chop Suey bring nu-metal vibes to the Vic.

Some Indian classical music with Pooja Angra’s new project Creative Unity, with vocalist Karan Rana, sitar player Baluji Shrivastav OBE, and tabla player Mitel Purohit, at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon. Ragged Union play The Three Horseshoes.

Jenny Colquitt plays Chapel Arts in Bath.

Blur tribute Blurd at The Tree House in Frome, with Hayseed Dixie at The Cheese & Grain, and Be Like Will at the Artisan Pub & Kitchen on Christchurch Street.

Sunday 19th sees Trowbridge Symphony Orchestra play Wiltshire Music Centre, in Bradford-on-Avon, and find Bob Bowles at The Three Horseshoes.

The FOS Brothers play The Bell in Bath.

Arch Garrison at The Vic, Swindon.

And a record fair at The Cheese & Grain, Frome.

Monday 20th and Sue Harding & Gabriel Moreno’s Troubadour Bandits play The Bell in Bath.

Tuesday 21st and the regular spoken-word open-mic Poetika is on at The Winchester Gate, Salisbury, every third Tuesday of the month. This session with guest poet, Claire H has a Through The Looking Glass theme.

That’s all folks, but remember do check ahead for those ticketed events, keep on scrollin’ our event calendar and watch out for updates. Have a fantastic weekend. Tell us if we missed anything, it’s free to list here, but you must send me some details, I’m not mystic Meg.

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Opps, it didn’t occur to me until afterwards, we only had the lads play for us at my birthday celebration at the Three Crowns on Saturday. Not intentional, just the way the cookie crumbled, but it’s no coincidence that today, my actual birthday, falls on International Women’s Day!

Like any other industry, the history of the music biz’s treatment of women may be questionable, but it’s fair to say as far as creative output goes, girls have been at the forefront since pop begun. There are so many talented females on our local circuit, so boys, go vegetate with your X-Box for a moment while we give a deserved roll-call to as many of our favourite girls on the scene as I can think of…… (in alphabetical order so there’s no arguments or hair-pulling!)

Annalise

Oh, for the haunting vocals of Annalise, fronting Salisbury’s purveyors of folk-gothic rock, Strange Folk. So captivating, so evocative; think Amy Lee of Evanescence, and you’re not far off the mark.

Becca Maule

Promising Salisbury teenager Becca is an acoustic singer-songwriter who has been known to occasionally strap a band of friends together. Coming from a post-punk angle, there’s some chatty punk-rock Kate Nash-fashioned vocals on some astutely self-penned songs and covers. Themes include contemporary teenage anguish, climate change and mental health.

Becky Lawrence

Drifted from the shores of the Isle of Man to anchor in Wiltshire, I first heard country singer-songwriter Becky Lawrence supporting the annual Female of The Species fundraiser. A young Becky started out in musical theatre, then trekked to London to attend London School of Musical Theatre. This training shows in her confident and accomplished solo show, and within powerful original compositions. Again, themes of maturing and relationships are key, and if you think this is somewhat cliché, Becky puts her stamp on them with poise and exquisiteness. Her first single You Say reached the number 1 spot in the UK Country Music Charts on iTunes, her second gained over 90K streams on Spotify, but her latest my favourite, Loud and 17 is what kept me in awe of her performance.

Belinda Lee

Fronting Bristol soul four-piece Belle Day, this is a new one on me though they’ve been on the southwest circuit for some years, and I’m happy to report being blown away by these breath-takingly powerful vocals, of the classic Stax-Motown era. It’s smooth blues flavour is ballroom jazzy with a hint of R&B.

Charmaigne Andrews

Melksham’s premier rock soloist, tattoo artist, and one-fifth of The Female of the Species, Charmaigne is a force to be reckoned with. Powerful, soulful vocals enrich either solo performances or her newfound rock covers four-piece, Siren.

Chole Jordan

Perhaps the odd one out amidst these pop performers, but when you hear music teacher and classically trained soprano Chloe sing, angels will come down from the heavens to listen, officially!

Claire Connor

Show me a female-fronted Muse trump card, and I’ll raise you Trowbridge based acoustic trio Be Like Will. Popular on our pub circuit, they’ve already got some originals under their belt, as well as their popular rock covers. Claire controls the lads, and will hold you captivated too! Book these guys.

Claire Grist

Formerly of People Like Us, Claire now performs with six-piece function band LiveWired.

Claire Perry

Self-described as “barking!…daft…loyal…technophobic…achey chunk!” we love Claire, for her outrageous onstage banter, and her contribution to Female of the Species. Find this devilish diva fronting Melksham’s most popular cover band, Big Mamma’s Banned.

Evie Halpin

I’m yet to catch Evie play live. Pewsey’s resident Joss Stone, she brings soulful vocals to her solo show, the like you wouldn’t believe; ergo, Evie is on top of my must-see-list. A singer-songwriter citing Billy Holiday and Nina Simone as influences, so expect some blue soul. You can find Evie regularly at the open mic nights at The Exchange in Devizes, often playing the Moonrakers in Pewsey.

Harmony Asia

Folk with a touch of soul for this knockout singer-songwriter and acoustic musician from Chippenham, look I’ll leave you a YouTube link from Mr Moore’s days at Trowbridge Town Hall, and you can make your own mind up, but we think Harmony Asia is really something special!

Helen Carter

One half of husband and wife Devizes blues trio, 12 Bars Later, this wonderful couple can hold the kind of crowd spellbound which would usually take a six piece supergroup of legends!

Julia Hanratty

Frome-based Julia Greenwood is probably the vocalist of the Female of the Species I’m least familiar with, but through her soul ballads she wows me every year. Lead singer from Soulville Express, it is as it says, Julia can hold the note of Aretha Franklin with remarkable ease.

Julie Morton

Ah, our Jules, jewel in the ska crown of Wilsthire. Train to Skaville is the longest-running, chugging along since 2011, bestest ska and reggae cover band in the county, and let the lord Walt Jabsco strike me down if it isn’t so. Also, key member of charity fundraising supergroup, Female of the Species, Jules skanks and we love her for it!

Katie Mills

Be it as a solo performer or with acoustic guitarist Sue in the duo Sour Apple, Katie commands any generation-spanning cover with all the power and finesse of the original. Breath-taking to think Katie will attribute a Whitney Houston set with certain ease, and her powerful vocal range I liken to Alison Moyet. Yet through her work in Sour Apple, the duo has set about creating many a sublime original, and works them into a set with equal passion. Prolifically gigging locally they’re the up-coming name which can accommodate any kind of venue or pub, and bring their shine to the punters.

Listen to their recent interview with Peggy-Sue of Swindon 105, here.

Kirsty Clinch

What can we say about Westbury’s finest musical export, Kirsty Clinch that we haven’t already? Concentrating on her children’s music school First Melodies primarily these days, on the rare occasion our wonderful country singer-songwriter and music teacher is performing, you need to be there when she does. Kirsty is prolific in releasing some of most beautiful songs to bless my ears, and is astute with her business plans, self-managed, self-promoter and recently launching her own brand of clothing and merchandise.

Lorraine

Chippenham based duo, David and Lorraine take tribute acts to the next level. Lorraine makes the perfect Blondie, but they’ll add popular two-tone ska covers in too, making for a highly entertaining show. Blondie and Ska will liven your pub up, and get everyone up dancing.

Lucianne Worthy

Plan of Action are the Wiltshire rock, blues and alternative band which pack a punch. It’s loud and proud, and for every loud and proud rock band you need a killer bassist, the only girl in the group, Lucianne is the personification of rock bass!

Naomi

Lead singer with Salisbury’s nu-cool indie sovereigns, Timid Deer. Arguably the most underrated local band, Timid Deer’s unique sound is enchanting, Naomi’s vocals are stunning, and this band does to indie-rock as Morcheeba did to trip hop.

Nicky Davis

Last but by no means least, we come to our final contributor to fundraising supergroup Female of the Species, Nicky Davis. Whether upfront vocalist or behind her landmark red keyboard, Nicky is a powerhouse. Fronting function band The Reason and lifetime member of our celebrated covers band, People Like Us, entertaining our pubs since 2016, Nicky, we love you!

Sally Dobson

Haven’t heard from Sally for a while, I know she moves about a bit and believe she resides closer to Oxford. Still her wonderful acoustic sets a few years ago justify her presence on this here hall of fame, and her work with the gothic duo Strange Tales, which seems a little inactive of recent. Still, I never forget a talented musical lady when I meet one!

Sarah C Ryan

The Sarah C Ryan Band describe themselves as “melodic low slung rock pop with a country/folk tinge,” and I always feel they sell themselves down, unaware of how completely mind-blowingly fantastic they are. This, if you perchance to see them at a gig adds a delightful element of surprise. If the name comes over a tad “function band” too, you should take heed, they’re far from run-of-the-mill. Recently did one of the best Visual Radio Arts features I’ve seen, I see if I can drop the link to it……

Sara Vian

Frome based Welsh hippy-chick singer/songwriter Sara Vian is in her element singing jazz, soul and blues with a fabulous sunny vibe which charms and disarms with a distinction all her own, and she rides this with bells on.

Collaborating with the Graham Dent Trio, Sara has also released a number of singles over the Lockdown, and wonderfully acoustic goodness they are too!

Sienna Wileman

Daughter to Swindon’s answer to Mike Oldfield, Richard Wileman, an incredibly prolific composer of pre-symphonic rock band Karda Estra, where there is nothing vertical or frenetic about his musical approach, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Though where singer-songwriter Sienna differs is theme, we hear topics of adolescence, youthful relationships, and perhaps their collapses, in this angelic voice of reason. Sienna’s music is experimental too, easy-going, and ambient, and I predict great things from one the most promising young artists locally.

Sophia Bovell

Sophia & Soul Rebels

Swindon’s astounding and versatile singer of soul, Sophia has many guises, as lively five-piece soul, Motown, disco, and reggae band, Sophia & The Soul Bothers, formerly Soul Rebels, and more recently a jazz ensemble simply called Sophia Bovell – Jazz. Sophia can hold that note like the great soul divas, and with skilled backing can put the funk into any event.

Sue Harding

I first met Sue as an interviewer at the now based in Devizes, Visual Arts Radio, but soon came to realise she is a magnificent Celtic and Americana acoustic folk singer-songwriter too, of the Wilts-Somerset border.

Tamsin Quin

Last in our alphabetical hall of fame, but certainly not least! One third of our beloved acoustic modern country vocal harmony trio, The Lost Trades, Tamsin is the stalwart female acoustic singer-songwriter on our circuit, and her flair partly the reason for me starting Devizine as this voyage of discovery into the mostly undocumented wealth of local talent we have here. It should be pointed out the combo was created out of their many collaborations with each other in the past, and each of them, Phil, Jamie, and Tamsin, have had and continue to pursue solo careers aside The Lost Trades. Since highlighting all the individuals of this fantastic trio, The Trades continue to go from strength-to-strength, and are bonded so specially I cannot now visualise life without their wonderful harmonies in it! And Tamsin is the connecting link between the guys, and long may be so.

I do ask Tammy about a second solo album, since the amazing Gypsy Blood debut, and while she never brushes off the notion, her dedication to the Trades is paramount; yeah, I totally get that!

That’s about all I think of, and I like thinking about girls! But I know a few are going to say, hey, you missed me out! I’m sorry if I did, and can edit it if you let me know! Have a great International Women’s Day, and to everyone listed on this “hall of fame” just keep it up, girls, continue the amazing contributions to our music circuit, for without you the guys would probably just be hanging around a kebab van wondering if they’re on yet, and asking where is the gig anyway!

What Passes for Entertainment in Seend, Rolling Naked in Muck Heaps?!

Got to be the most bizarre village group Facebook post of the week, when Seend resident Amy Plumb caught a fellow rolling in her neighbour’s muck heap on Sunday evening, stark naked!

They’ve got their community centre and two great pubs, is this what passes for entertainment in Seend, or just in the Cleeve, I wonder, or was he just trying to keep warm?! More worryingly, could this become something of a trend? Are you contemplating a liberating naked roll in a muck heap anytime soon, and now you’re gutted because this guy beat you to it?! Provided it’s not a satanic worship sort of thing, we’d love to hear from you, after a shower, that is. This is Wiltshire street theatre gold.

After his solo romp in the steaming heap, Ms Plumb told the Facebook Seend Village Group, “he jumped in the car covered in it!” Probably made him late for work at county hall!   

Noted residents didn’t recognise the vehicle sounds like an attempt to divert any media coverage from suggesting it’s exclusively a Seend kind of pastime to me, they’ve probably been at it for centuries! While Seend village is considered sophisticated, it’s those Cleeve lot you’ve got to watch out for! Some residents said they were glad they’ve spread theirs, others pointed out it’s where you find the best eggs!

“Keep an eye on your muck heaps,” is the worthy advice given, for who knows when or where this mysterious naked muck heap rolling prankster will strike next! What a mucky imp.

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Song of the Week: Sara Vian

Normally Wednesday, Song of The Week, but I was having one of those Wednesday days, you know the sort, too middley aren’t they, bit gloomy? Couldn’t find a recent single release, whinged about it on Facebook, no one helped, then remembered I had this beauty from Frome folk singer-songwriter Sara Vian, out last week. It’s called Brighter Days, and what could be a more perfect fit?

Save it on Spotify here, it features David Setterfield guitarist from Strange Folk, it’s very spring, wonderful.

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Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 22nd – 28th February 2023

Last week of February, then; winter, do one! Lots going on as ever, so let’s not beat around the bush, because left to my devises I know I tend to waffle, and no one ever just stops me and gives it, “just get on with telling what’s happening, for crying out loud, man!”

I do need to say this though, as usual, more information and ticket links can be found at our ever-updating event calendar. If your event is not on there you didn’t tell us about it, no fault of mine! I do this shit for free, but I ain’t going to chase you up! Tell us about it next time, bring cake.

Wednesday 22nd and Visual Radio Arts stream one of our favourite bands on the circuit, Concrete Prairie, into the comfort of your own front room. If you’ve not seen this band before, do not miss this. Meanwhile it’ll be the regular acoustic jam at The Southgate, Devizes.

Theatre Accord in association with The Production Exchange Ltd. Presents She at Swindon Arts Centre, charting the experiences of different women from childhood to old age, these stories, each with an intriguing twist, are visceral, poignant, and laced with humour.

Prue Leith’s Nothing in Moderation is at Bath Forum, with Grace Campbell’s A Show About Me(n) at Komedia.

Thursday 23rd sees an open mic at Stallards in Trowbridge.

National Theatre Live with Othello at Pound Arts, Corsham.

Concrete Prairie’s name crops up again, they’re with Cooper’s Creek at The Tuppenny, Swindon, while Kotonic and Failstate play the Vic, with a debut tour for comedian Chloe Petts at Swindon Arts Centre.

Tribute Local Cohen play the Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon, while Eleanor McEvoy is at Chapel Arts, Bath, “Swiftogeddon,” Taylor Swift club night at Komedia, and Michael Jackson tribute show at Bath Forum.

Regular children’s Music 4 Fun session at Brown Street, Salisbury.

Friday 24th Always a great night with the Celtic Roots Collective, who play The Pelican in Devizes.

Over in Trowbridge, chap-hopper Thomas Benjamin is at the Pump.

Native Harrow: Old Magic Tour at Pound Arts, Corsham.

The Jerry Lee Lewis Story at Chapel Arts, Bath, while The Fleetwood Mac Story is at Bath Forum, and cabaret night at Komedia with The Ministry Of Burlesque.

Riot Ensemble at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.

Gary Delaney’s Gary in Punderland comes to the Wyvern, Swindon, while tribute Dire Streets play Swindon Arts Centre, and Rush tribute Moving Pictures are at The Vic.

AC/DC tribute Livewire at The Cheese & Grain, Frome, and an intimate evening with Will Varley at The Tree House.

Saturday 25th and it’s Devizes Lions’ Fashion Show at the Devizes Conservative Club, Gardna arrives at The Muck & Dunder, Bone Chapel are at The Southgate, Scott Browne is at The Three Crowns, and Sour Apple play at The Lamb. The Wharf Theatre hosts the Apollo Theatre Company’s Ode to Joyce, about the songs and monologues of Joyce Grenfell.

As if there wasn’t enough to choose from in Devizes, I’m out of town for our Editor’s Pick of Week; Will Lawton and the Alchemists are at The Pump in Trowbridge, and it’s a double-whammy if I’ve correctly sussed the anagram of the support act; “Slotted Hearts!”

Hairy Stars at The Neeld, Chippenham.

Mickey Ace & The Wildcards play Melksham Rock n Roll Club, and Mixed Bag play The Pilot.

Phoenix River Band play Chapel Arts, Bath, while Suzanne Vega is at Bath Forum.

Ravers head for The Vic, Swindon, where Midlife Krisis crew are in effect, with a Diversify night.The Blind Lemon Experience play The Swiss Chalet.

Salisbury Arts Centre have Looking For Me Friend: The Music of Victoria Wood.

And a Retro Electro night at The Cheese & Grain, Frome completes our Saturday.

Sunday 26th sees Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club at the Wyvern, Swindon, while there’s a secret session at the Vic, with Mickelson.

Simon Brodkin’s Screwed Up is at Komedia, Bath.

Monday 27th sees Gigspanner Big Band play Swindon Arts Centre.

Tuesday 28th and KT Tunstall is at Bath Forum.

That’s all I got folks, tell us about anything we missed and I’ll slip it in! Don’t forget I’m getting close to 50, and that might mean it takes a little longer, but you’re all invited to laugh at me at the Three Crowns in Devizes on March 4th; oh yeah, we’ve got some amazing live music too, naturally.

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Recreational Trespass with N/SH

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Brave New Broken Hearts Club at St Johns, Devizes

by Helen Edwards

Picking our way around the back of St John’s church in the dark, unsure where the gig was being held, I was reminded about how I’d walked down that long aisle years earlier. About my children’s christening there and the more recent funeral of my father-in-law. So, as we entered the grand church’s side door, despite my quip about having ‘the blood of Christ’ as my BYO drink, I was feeling deeply reflective. I was open to what was to come.

After making ourselves comfortable in the pew, pouring our drinks and looking around at the congregation, faces lit by trails of fairy lights, the music began.

First, came the singer/songwriter, Pearl Fish. Now that I write that name I wonder if this is her given name or a performance muse [Editor’s note; yes, she told me it was her real name!] Either way it is very apt. Pearl exudes a coy, bouncy, and ever-so-slightly ethereal energy.  She shines but in a subtle and gentle way. When introducing her songs, she seems to have an intriguing mix of shyness and self-assuredness. And when she sang these qualities, showing vulnerability with an undercurrent of solid confidence filled the church. Her words, many of which escape me now, reflected this feeling and as an initial doubter (to explain; I gravitate towards a more rock-ier vibe) I was converted. Pearl’s voice is floaty and soft and helped take you away to reveries within yourself. I especially liked one song which changed tempo and sang like a cross between a folksy ancient tale with a sea-shanty beat.  I will be downloading Pearl’s album and feel delighted that my open mind allowed my heart to consume Pearl’s creative output.  I do think the church ambience helped with that.

A little more unholy wine later and Neil of Brave New Broken Hearts Club (I so want to write ‘Band’ at the end of that!) took the space of Pearl and the vicar’s usual spot.  The church was growing colder in the February night but Neil’s warmth, his fun and gentle manner and his evident kindness filled the atmosphere.  His conversational chat between songs bought smiles to all of us watching and gave an insight into this seemingly self-deprecating but obviously deep thinking and amusing guy. I bet he’s a great crack to sit and have a drink with.  Anyway, on to the music….

Neil is an accomplished songwriter.  He tells a story with each of his tunes and touches a chord in his audience with themes that we can all relate to.  I spoke to him afterwards to say it was lovely to hear the personal journey he is on, that he showed through his songs. As with Pearl and one of Neil’s favourite thinkers, Brene Brown, he has exposed his vulnerability and in doing so has produced some magnificent music.  His tunes are catchy, melodic, and chilled and his voice is awesome; clear and engaging with (my favourite bit) a heart-warming London accent.

An unexpected night and one of unearthed pearls (sorry bad pun) and catchy thoughtful songs.  Who knew the power of the-gig-in-the-church.  I will be part of their secret promoting crew when they are next in town by persuading my friends to join me.

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Devizes Town Council Reject Proposal for a Safety Sign on The Crammer

In the same week Corsham Town Councillor Ruth Hopkinson unveiled a sign, warning drivers to slow down for their peacocks, designed by a schoolgirl via a competition, a swan on Devizes Crammer flew into a passing car and died. Residents called upon Devizes Town Council for signage warning of the dangers, but the idea was doggedly rejected by councillors at a meeting on Tuesday….

Friends of The Crammer campaign group thanked members of the public for attending the meeting. The application was discussed at great length, often meandering. Campaigner Sally Noseda said “it got off to a good start with one Councillor [Cllr Bridewell] saying she thought it was a good idea and proposing it. Then, there was a barrage of objections from several councillors – too much signage there already, warning signs never work, too distracting, swans die all over the town, its people’s fault for feeding them, too expensive, etc., etc.”

Councillor Iain Wallis said that whilst he believed the whole council supported making the area safer, he did not think that signs were the way to do this. Making one wonder what hairbrained invention would be deemed suitable, perhaps training swans to push the traffic-light button with their beaks?!

He felt that signs would not work as drivers should already be alert in this area; well, duh, alertness is best while driving anywhere! They also questioned the need (the need for basic road safety, duh again?!) and warned about overloading the area with signage, when it’s no more overloaded with pointless signage than any other area of the town centre. So, he poo-pooed the idea, which is what he said he would do on his bias Facebook group, therefore meeting about it was a complete waste of oxygen, as his proposal was seconded by Councillor Hoult, supported by Councillor Nash, who raised the financial pressure on a council who recently forked out far more for some oversized flower pots in the Market Place!

A member of Friends of Crammer group contacted Barefoot Signs for a quote, which pushed the boat out to a staggering £30 plus VAT! But Sally explained, “the council were mostly thinking about formal Ministry of Transport wildfowl signs and the costs attached to those. I couldn’t really put in an official application for “unofficial” signs – they would need to be done afterwards. So, the discussion was based on official signs. Having said that, all the nonsense about costs, history, swan behaviour, swans dying in other areas of the town, too many signs… They threw everything at it, aided and abetted by the mentioned member of the public.”

Cllr Giraud-Saunders felt that feeding the swans by the road may be making the issue worse so suggested that maybe feeding could take place in another area, which is, with all due respect, total piffle; with the railings in place, the larger birds only have one exit-entrance from the water to the land, and that is at the roadside so to get to another area would still mean travelling along the roadside! Now, I’m no expert, unlike others I’m not pretending to be, but you only must go and look at it to work that out!

Cllr Greenwood, who was Charing, (not charming!) felt this was something that could be looked at under Cllr Wallis’ proposal. Well quite; ideas have been put before via Crammer Watch that, ideally, the Crammer needs to be swizzled around, so the wildfowl’s access to the water is on the grass rather than direct onto the road, but this would obviously need a huge investment, and being the council are doing everything in their power to reject a simple signpost might suggest anyone with the slightest faith this will happen is not living in Devizes, but cloud cuckoo-land!

The minutes then go onto say, “the member of the public who brought the item forward said they understood the council’s position, but was concerned that the crammer working party may not deal with the issue in a timely fashion.” Now, at this stage we need to point out, if you’ve not already guessed what’s coming, this crammer working party set up Devizes Town Council consists of…. wait for it…. councillors Iain Wallis and Chris Greenwood!!

Cilla Black level of surprise, surprise; the very one’s campaigning against every proposal put by any member of the public concerned about recent happenings at The Crammer, the two who blatantly lied about the suspected bird flu outbreak and DEFRA’s imaginary collection of the dead swans on their Facebook groups. Facebook groups which have seen anyone disagreeing with Mr Wallis outright banned from the group, even the Crammer Watch page set up to support the Crammer! The councillor who encouraged the public take matters into their own hands and reprimand anyone feeding the swans, knowing full well without a natural food source they would’ve died anyway, bird flu or not! You can’t make bureaucratic gobbledygook like this up!

And, sigh, the minutes conclude: Following the public statements Cllr Wallis amended his proposal to add a timeline to the working parties brief with a first report due in six weeks’ time at the next Recreation & Properties meeting. This was passed with two abstentions. In other words, although the proposal for the most proactive doable solution was squashed, they’d all sit around and talk about it at later date, which is what I thought they were doing there and then?!

It feels like “Crammer” is a swearword at Devizes Town Council, any mere mention of it, for some unexplained reason breathes fire from the mouths of certain councillors, and their apathy towards any issue arising from the Crammer is questionable. How councillors can outright lie leaves me beyond hope for a simple solution, and I believe they should be held accountable for their dishonesty. As Sally expressed to the Friends of the Crammer group, “I was looking at a circle of rather disinterested faces. I did accept Iain Wallis’s offer to bring it into the WP remit – but stressed that this was an urgent matter and I was unhappy at how long they’d taken to get this far with the Working Party.”

Working party, indeed, shirking party I think you’ll find! One of the best responses from The Friends of the Crammer Facebook group stated, “I think DTC need to show some interest and love for the Crammer. They give the impression that they don’t care about this special, historic, and beautiful spot of nature right in the centre of the town. Everything that has been asked for (which is very little and low cost as far as I can see) they appear to have resisted or turned down or gone very slow. This group has gathered 210 members in a very short space of time in a small town and I’m sure there are a lot of others who are equally concerned. DTC are the servants of the town. Surely these little things being asked for aren’t a big deal and would be of some help in protecting the wildlife on the Crammer. It is worth a try and would certainly go some way to alleviate this problem. Just put up a few small signs what harm would it do?”

But perhaps the best comment came from neither the group nor council, but from the unrestricted local page, Devizes Issues (but better) in which someone added something along the lines of, “it’s just swans on a pond fffs!” adding there were more important issues, and I agree, after feeling driven to type a thousand words on it, for if they can pass off public ideas of such a simple notion as a signpost, what poppycock will they make of the bigger issues?!

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My Dad’s Wackier Than Your Dad – a night of nostalgia and karaoke at The Castle Inn, Old Town

The team behind My Dad’s Bigger Than Your Dad Festival are hosting a night of karaoke at The Castle Inn, Old Town on Saturday 4th March as part of their efforts to raise funds for Prospect Hospice.

My Dad’s Bigger Than Your Dad Festival, organised in association with South Swindon Parish Council, is held in tribute to Dave Young, the former landlord of The Victoria and 12 Bar who died in early June 2021 at Prospect Hospice after a hard-fought battle against cancer.  

During his tenure at The Victoria, Dave’s Wacky Wednesday fast became one of the most popular nights of the week amongst Swindon revellers, with Dave regularly coming up with themes such as ‘Christmas in July’ and ‘Barnyard Fancy Dress’, much to chagrin of his staff who had to tidy up the next day.

Festival co-organiser and ex-employee of Dave and his wife Anna, Gemma Denley-Doswell said “Wacky Wednesdays came up in a lot of people’s fondest memories of Dave when he passed away and so we knew we had to recreate it at some point for the people who used to attend back then. We’re all sadly much older now and not quite brave enough to attempt it midweek anymore so picked a Saturday and luckily Audrey and the team at The Castle volunteered to host us!”*

My Dad’s Bigger Than Your Dad Festival’s Raffle is also being launched at the event, after last year’s raffle of a guitar clock made and donated by Holmes Music raised nearly £1000 for Prospect Hospice.

This year there are several prizes to be bagged including another guitar clock from Holmes Music plus a haul of other fantastic gifts kindly donated by local businesses.  

One lucky winner will net a year’s free membership to Anytime Fitness in Hooper’s Place, Old Town, with the gym generously providing another two three-month memberships to add to the prize list.

Also up for grabs is a Photoshoot Experience Day from Marlborough based Imagine Photography and a spa voucher from the newly-refurbished Sorella Spa located in the Swindon Marriott Hotel.

Other prizes are yet to be announced, with the final draw being held in July after the festival. Tickets are £1 each and will also be available at Holmes Music, The Tuppenny and The Castle after the 4th March.

My Dad’s Bigger Than Your Dad Festival 2023 is being held on Saturday 22nd July in The Town Gardens, Old Town. Already announced on the line up is Imperial Leisure, True Strays and The Real Cheesemakers. Follow the festival’s social media pages for regular updates.

Get your My Dad’s Bigger Than Your Dad Festival 2023 tickets now by visiting the website mydadsbiggerthanyourdad.co.uk  

Prospect Hospice, based in Wroughton, provides palliative and end of life care for people across the region and has to raise the majority of its costs through fundraising. My Dad’s Bigger Than Your Dad Festival has raised over £24,000 for Prospect Hospice in its first two years.

*Gemma added “For those who can still handle staying up late on a school night, The Victoria is still proudly flying the flag for Wacky Wednesday to this day!”

Painting With Sound; Will Lawton & The Alchemists New EP

Perhaps you’ve noticed of recent, my overuse of the word “sublime?” I could apologise, and worry abusing a word lessens its clout, despite happening to like it, but I ask you humour me; I’m going to use it again today, in a thoroughly slamming-my-fist-on-the-desk-like-I-really-mean-it type way! Malmesbury’s purveyors of cool, Will Lawton & The Alchemists have an EP due for release on 3rd March, and yes, I’ll confirm now without thesaurus, it’s erm, sublime!

They’ve contributed to both our Julia’s House compilations and though I shouldn’t pick favourites…. ahem, and to note our roving reporter Andy has had the pleasure of fondly reviewing these guys live. I confess it remains on my to-do-list, but via Alchemy, this new three-track EP, I’ve knocked it up in priority to top of the list, above the heading.

Our given press release enlightens the EP’s title Alchemy “is a reference to the alchemical process of creativity with this EP being a fusing of Will’s masterful song-craft and the band’s dextrous flair for instrumental flourishes and lush, subtly evolving arrangements,” and I couldn’t put it better myself. Not for weird explosions in fogs of coloured smoke, but for the tentative and inventive melodious architecture, this is a Sagrada Família of sound.

 It opens with haunting piano and Will’s sonorously equable vocals. An eight-minute masterwork called Daughter, will invoke imaginings of the most memorable parental occasions, the unconditional love, as subtle drumbeats roll over this drifting euphoric sonic soundscape, akin to Pink Floyd’s finest hour.

Alchemic as in experimental, naturally, as the texture of drum timings fragment from piano for the second tune, then conjoin to a fix. The single pre-release out now, Black Bricks, rolls into something exceptional, an unsolidified musical edifice, overlapping layers and smooth vocals on social commentary of the ordinary, bad day. The discomforting, yet almost satirised theme perhaps makes this the standout tune, this is rich and creative genius.

Cast Iron is the final tune, cryptic and abstract, it evokes the quest to fulfil dreams and ambitions and the sense of powerlessness that emerges from this questing. The only downside is it ends, for this is incredibly morish, and leaves you dripping to dry, but quality above quantity is key, and again, this is as smooth as a well-oiled boob! We’re treated to Eastern promise through subtle tabla in the introduction to the finale, amidst these gorgeous established layers of electric guitar, rolling drumbeats, both male and female uplifting vocals, and simple beguiling keys. But what becomes in this song, as best example for the EP, is of no standalone individual element or instrument, rather the composition, for this is the musical equivalent to Da Vinci.

Seriously, Will’s profession as a music therapist means he has a high degree of self-awareness when it comes to the cathartic, healing power of creativity. Ergo, if art students are taught the eight pillars of composition are balance, contrast, focus, motion, pattern, proportion, unity and rhythm, the only images this EP will blissfully summon in your mind’s eye would be BA standard and you’d be exhibiting in the Louvre in no time! This is how to do it; this is painting with sound.

Will Lawton & The Alchemists have steadily built a solid live following with shows across the South West of England, and garnered support from Scala Radio, BBC Radio Wiltshire, BBC Radio Bristol, BBC Radio Gloucestershire, BBC Radio Somerset, and BBC Introducing for the West. They recently supported Brit-pop legends Space to great acclaim.

The EP is produced by Patrick Phillips at Play Pen Studios, Bristol, mastered by Pete Maher at Top Floor Productions, and released via Supermarine Music. It will be supported with a tour, dates below.

Alchemy EP Tour Feb/March 2023

16th Feb: The Old Stables, Cricklade

25th Feb: The Pump, Trowbridge

27 Feb: The Prince Albert, Stroud

2nd March: The Railway Inn, Winchester

4th March:The Hop Inn, Swindon

Recent….

Song of the Week: Sienna Wileman

Okay, I admit it, our Song of the Day feature was too optimistic, and failing every day to post a tune meant it fell by the wayside.

Song of the Week, think I can manage that, just! Let’s reintroduce it now, every Wednesday without fail, pinky promise, and do the first one right about now! Swindon Songstress and actor Sienna Wileman released this gorgeous song, For Nobody Else, this week.

And bonus, the video has some shots of Devizes in it, which doesn’t give her extra points, but then again, it doesn’t need them, it’s a hauntingily angelic song, as is Sienna’s style. You can find her first single, Petals, opening our Julia’s House compilation album, volume 2.

This one echoes that beauty and improves on it, too. Keep up the great work, Sienna!

Marlborough’s Lamb Landlord Farewell Gig Will Be Pants!

Marlborough News reported “in the Seventies, Marlborough boasted well over twenty pubs. Now there are just six,” in an article about the retirement of longstanding landlords of The Lamb, Vyv and Jackie. Marlborough being Marlborough, most of these remaining pubs are aesthetically pleasing, least that’s my apprehensive hypothesis! But for the 100 billion years, or 43 to be more accurate, their stay at the helm of the Lamb is surely a testament to the notion the landlord maketh the pub….

Being local rock comedy band Pants will be playing their farewell gig at this historic testament on to how run a great pub, on Saturday 4th February, I asked their blickum Dan Tozer, and guitarist and paediatric first aider, Fal Carmichael, who is criticised by the other band members as a “thoughtless bastard,” for never trimming the ends of his strings, and leaving them “dangling about like a bunch of sentients, malicious, jangly antennae ready to take someone’s fucking eye out or stab someone in the neck,” if they agreed; I think you can imagine where this interview is heading!

“I would,” Dan replied, adding, “we have had other good landlords in Marlborough, well, when they let us play there! Trevor Stannard was a hero too in that respect. But for longevity, Vyv tops the lot, and never moaned when we trashed the gaff with confetti cannons and other explosive toys! And he still paid us!”

It takes me back to my days in Marlborough, when the Lamb was the choice of watering holes, and in those hazy recollections, I seemed to remember Pants thrashing out a heavy metal version of the Mr Blobby single. For this is their panache and ethos, if they own them; covering cheesy pop songs in a metal fashion. And the result is, while accomplished, highly amusing. They didn’t seem to recall covering Mr Blobby, “although we did once play Bob The Builder,” and thus my diluted memory stands corrected. “Apparently, our first ‘performance’ was 1996……. but we did drink a bit in those days so it might have been earlier.”

Recently the band have covered Boney M’s Rasputin, Cliff’s Devil Woman, and the BBC Snooker theme, I wondered if anything was off limits. “Nobody will let me play the Jim’ll Fix It Theme,” Fal expressed, “bunch of squares!”

To wonder if Pants are more Spinal Tap than Barron Knights, conversant Dan informed, “we try to be a combination of the two. A few old favourites and some new stuff, all bolted together by TV themes and poor-quality heavy metal, plus the occasional Christmas Carol.”

If Scott Garcia recorded speed garage track, “it’s a London thing,” Pants are the Marlborough equivalent; strictly a Marlborough thing. I asked them if anyone else ever booked them, other than the Lamb and the football club, and if so, did they regret it?!

“We did gig outside Marlborough in our earlier years when we had a mate with a van. We’re lucky if we play twice a year these days and, as we all suffer from acute travel sickness, prefer to stay local. And I think anyone who booked us would have regrets!”

As well as Fal and Dan, the band consists of Sean, “sometimes Steve,” with the bonus of Moose Harris, former bassist with New Model Army and The Damned. When the focus of the article centred on Moose, as “Moose’s band,” the exasperated reaction of the band was priceless, so I figured I’d add salt to the wound, enhancing “according to a recent Marlborough News article, it was all Moose’s doing and you others just came along for the ride!” But they didn’t take the bait!

“That’s a little harsh on Moose!” Dan gasped, “I’m sure he wouldn’t want to take the blame! I seem to remember that Fal, Moose and myself were having a quiet lemonade, and decided it might be a laugh. We stole Sean from some other crummy old band that he was wasting his time in.”

See, Pants come across how I promoted my books, this self-mockery banter. If I remember Mr Blobby so vividly, but it was Bob the Builder, it can mean only one thing; they’re a bunch of liars, and essentially, they rock!  

It’s a fashion questioned by an American book reviewer who commented on a cover sticker saying in small letters “this will never be a” and in much larger letters “major motion picture.” Their argument was I was deliberately selling myself down, suggesting I was actually a pretty good writer and only using this kind of twisted irony as self-promotion, which I think is a similar ethos to Pants. So, I put this in a two-part question, if Dan and Fal think this reflects Pant’s tenet too, and if they, like me, think twats like that should fuck off?!

“We always think we’re crap,” was the revelation, “but people seem to like it! Well, we can play I suppose, and all of us have for years. We do subscribe to the “by the seat of our collective pants” ethos, and so things do go wrong. I suspect that adds to the enjoyment for the audience as much as us. And I speak for all of us when I say ‘Yes! Fuck Off Twats!’ – which at my age pretty much includes everyone.”

It goes without saying, we wish Vyv and Jackie all the best for their retirement, and thank them sincerely for the wonderful times at The Lamb. Though we hope this will not leave Marlborough pantless, and some nutter will book them. This is legacy we’re talking about here, a very serious issue. So, as a final reflection on the future, I ended noting there’s a trend of all-female tribute acts doing the rounds, wondering if they could you foresee “Knickers,” and if so, what colour would they be, but I believe they got the wrong idea; the knobs.

“We rock like navvies in a cradle using pneumatic drills. It’s dangerous but in a slightly unstable comfortable setting. And we’re bound to have an accident,” Dan expressed creatively, with emojis and everything. “By all means, throw your scanties our way. But only if they’re clean! The only skid marks on our Pants will be ours! (Preferably red!) See you all at the Lamb on Feb 4th.”

Safe to bet, taking all this seriousness on board, the farewell gig will be historical and hysterical in equal measure, as the members in Pants signed off with, “when I said red, I meant the pants, not the skid marks!”

Note they’ve even got merchandise, HERE is their online shop with the slogan “either buy something or fuck off.”

Truly was a class and memorable interview!

Trending….

Sad Day for Melksham Assembly Hall

The stalwart venue of Melksham is being viewed more like just a wart by town councillors, in a sad day which could see the closing…

Flowers in the Snow; Paul Lappin’s New EP

For want of content during lockdown I broke borders and publicised about music worldwide, gradually crawling Devizine back to its original ethos of focussing on…

Old Wharf Café to Become Meeting Room

The Kennet & Avon Trust today revealed plans to convert the old café on Devizes Wharf, Couch Lane, into a meeting facility; how exciting!

It is now available as a meeting facility, charged out at competitive rates. It also offers the opportunity to service light refreshments.

More specific details on availability and charge-out rates can be obtained from Carolyn Calder at devizes.chair@katrust.org.uk and on 07739 330159. There’s plentiful pay carparking, but personally I’d like to think the beautiful space could be better used for arts, events, or charity purposes, but we all need a nice meeting every now and then, don’t we?!

Argh, I’m so excited about this I simply don’t think I can contain myself and I’ve come over all management speak; moving forward to some blue-sky thinking, then….

Trending….

Tutored Wine Tasting at St Mary’s

Discover new tipples at a professionally-led tutored tasting. Communion wine won’t be among the offering at a tutored tasting in St Mary’s Church, Devizes, on…

Broken, with Billy Green 3

Rain after a heatwave can be “refreshing” rather than its normal, “annoying.” Save drizzle, though forecast, we’re still waiting for the storm. If it’s refreshing…

Ten Lost Characters Funko Pop Forgot

If Forbidden Planet is, as I suspect, owned by Dick Turpin, I report those nauseatingly cute figurines, Funko Pops, have escaped and now they’re every-bloody-where.…

Here’s Your Festival of Brexit!

It doesn’t even look like a monster, just a monstrosity, but hey, here’s your Festival of Brexit, then. Ha, and you thought you’d be clinking…

Delicate, Like A Psychedelicat

What is a psychedelicat, a tin of magic mushroom flavoured Felix?! His picture on the tin certainly displays some suspiciously dilated pupils, but this exaggeration maybe just artistic licence for commercial purposes. In any case, they’re not as dilated as the kitty on the cover of a new album by Marvin B Naylor and Rebsie Fairholm, a Gloucestershire-Hants duo who operate under the pseudonym Psychedelicat; justice sufficient to take a listen……bring out the lava lamp……

Because, a kindly Manchester chap who was always sending me seriously outrageous noises he dubbed “psychedelic” has finally got the message. I don’t mean to be unfair, but music, whether it be as described, a mess of every known subgenre since rock n roll, or not, it must have harmony and melody, or it is borderline industrial noise. Seriously, listen to it under the influence of a single aspirin will likely find you gripping onto the sofa suffering a psychotic episode!

I felt he lacked the concept of psychedelia, for it is surely supposed to be benign, calming and mellowed, inducing a positive karma, rather than a full-blown Cheech and Chong fashioned freak out. On the other hand, when Marvin sent us the opening track of this album, Like a Delicate Psychedelicat, called Ark, as a submission for our Julia’s House compilation, while I was impressed, I wouldn’t have branded it psychedelic; mellowed and beautiful, but nothing particularly Sgt Pepper about it.

So, in the dark wee hours in a village on my milk round, I wedged the air-pods in with the illusion it wouldn’t be half as psychedelic as it said on the tin, especially with this Anthony Burgess approved cat on the cover, the pet of Alex or his droogs. But the glorious Mike Oldfield chimes and reeling soft vocals of Marvin and Rebsie of Ark are merely characteristics of the anticipation of an LSD trip, and before long I was beginning to suspect another milkman had dropped some liberty caps into my travel-mug of tea!

By track two, Steer by the Stars, you begin to obtain the illusion that you might not be in total control of your own mind, as you would if indulging in hallucinogens, without actually having to. That’s the exquisiteness of this, it’s a beautiful journey, to Itchycoo Park. Unlike the excruciating juxtaposition of random noises of our Manchester friend, this just flows gorgeously, like the perfect mellowed trip. If I go AWOL now, they’ll likely find me swaying cross-legged on the village green with flowers in my hair like it was some 1969 San Francisco love-in! “Oi, where’s my pint of semi-skimmed?”

“Like, hey, man, just, like swirling among the milky way, tee-hee; come, sit, can you see it?!”

A pipes and acoustic guitar instrumental flows for the next couple of minutes, then the soothing vocals of Rebsie returns for Green Adieu, to make The Byrds sound like death metal! “Don’t be deceived by the opening track-Ark,” Marvin messaged me far too late, I’m horizontal now, “there are several different styles!”

With a delicate beating drum, Icy Window is trippy, as we move positively from beatnik to hippy, to the sounds of the renaissance. It’s the little chimes and swirly effects amidst the tunes which exhales this impression of underground counter culture of yore, yet still there’s more going on. Sixteenth century triple-time dance shanty unexpectedly comes into play, with a version of John Dowland’s Captain Digorie Piper His Galliard, which Marvin describes as “complete with a psychedelic freak-out, and lots of harmony singing throughout,” akin to what The Horses of the Gods are putting out.

This is an accomplished eleven track strong album in which Marvin and Rebsie are clear on their approach, and if it’s lost in time against everything since the rise of punk, I suspect that is precisely the aim. As Like a Delicate Psychedelicat settles to a conclusion, you are immersed in its gorgeous portrayals of pliable soundscapes, lost in its forest of musical delights. Of harpsichords, twanging guitar on Promenading to the ambient finale, Bright Hucclecote, the only issue with this superb album for the counterculture bohemian of yore, is what to listen to afterwards.

Drained of inspiration, there’s a comedown on the horizon; abruptly you cannot connect the dots of your modest explanation for the meaning of life involving a dreamcatcher and some leftover twigs, and hey, who dumped that milk-float in the middle of Stonehenge?!

Trending…

The Rondo Theatre does Macbeth

Review by Mick Brian Photos by Gail Foster “It will have blood, they say; blood will have blood.” So says Macbeth to Lady Macbeth following…

Top Marks For CrownFest

Sitting by a controversially purple outside bar, contemplating my debatable definition of the term “festival,” yesterday in Bishop’s Cannings, while Freddie Mercury sauntered past and…

Jon Amor, Friends, and the Southgate

Jeepers. No one works that hard on a Sunday, surely? Even if your boss shoves a Sunday shift unwillingly on you, you brush as much…

Hooch on Streaming

Once a cover band, east Wiltshire’s rootsy four-piece Hooch have moved to writing and recording original material. Their discography goes onto music streaming sites today…

Full-Tone Stands Alone

Full Tone Festival August Bank Holiday then, penny for your thoughts on that one…… Five irritating wannabes handpicked for their conflicting personalities vote on each…

Devizes School; We Will Rock You Review

By Bill Green

Devizes School excelled during the week of 05 December 2022, putting on a spectacular rendition of the West End show ‘We Will Rock You’...

The Main Hall thrummed with expectation as the compere announced some housekeeping rules, including flash lighting and actors moving amongst the crowd, which had the audience murmuring with anticipation, then silenced as the lights dimmed.

The show then opened in a dystopian world, three hundred years into the future, where music has been banned, and all records (pun intended) deleted by the evil Globalsoft corporation, headed by the sinister Killer Queen played by Ella Petherick.

A chorus of students across all year groups burst onto the stage for the opening song, which set the pace for a break neck ride through a set list of Queen songs, which narrated the tale of our protagonists Galileo and Scaramouche searching for hidden instruments, heralded by lyrics heard in Galileo’s dreams. The Killer Queen instructs her Chief of Police – Khashoggi played by Imogen Newcombe – to find the ‘Dreamer’ and stop his quest. Galileo and Scaramouche search for the instruments with the help of a group of outlaws, and on the way find an unexpected love for each other, despite their opposing characters.

And it’s this juxtaposition which carries the plot with wit and warmth, with Izzy Lane and Ella Phillips delivering note perfect and emotional renditions of both upbeat Queens songs – bringing the audience to their feet, arms in the air – and reducing the assembly to silence and tears during the more introspective tracks. Both leads have incredible and complementary voices, chiming perfect harmonies, a real accomplishment given the complexity of Queen’s songbook. The ensemble cast were all on cue and on song, whip crack humour delivered by the cast, not in the least due to the underlying in joke of the contrasting characters named after unexpected real-life stars, Ozzy, Britney etc. The show ends with a full-on singalong of ‘We Will Rock You’, everyone on their feet, and sheer joy showing in all the cast’s faces – above all these kids had a ball, as did the audience.

The production was a fantastic interpretation of a technically complex show, delivered with ease, belying the work behind the scenes in the intense rehearsals leading up to the opening night, balancing studies and home life. The aim of entertainment is to lose the audience for a couple of hours, take them out of the routine and transport them to a place of joy, and all the players and team delivered note perfectly.

Trending….

REVIEW – Devizes Arts Festival 2022

A Great Festival – Now What About The Future? Andy Fawthrop Well, the 2022 Devizes Arts Festival has now drawn to its successful close.  Thanks…

Weekend Roundup: 30th June – 3rd July 2022

Full throttle into July, then; here’s what the weekend looks like around these parts. These parts of cultural void, so it’s claimed, we say otherwise….…

Miracle at MantonFest!

Ah yeah, Paul McCartney whisked Bruce Springsteen and Dave Grohl out of his hat at Glasto, and no one can top that, no one dare…

Gastard’s Billionaire’s Tax Free Mine

I thought it’d be nice to have a localised “did you know” type article today, during this era where everyday folk die on our streets waiting for an ambulance, nurses cannot afford the petrol to get them to work, pensioners huddle together in community-led halls to keep warm, and a government which blames everything from a pandemic through to gas prices, Russians, and unions rather than its own incompetence that there’s “systems in place to help,” so, on a completely unrelated note, here goes…..

Did you know between the villages of Whitley and Gastard, on the Melksham to Corsham road, there’s what looks like a modest warehouse with a sizable office atop called Cert Octavian?

From ground up it looks like any other small business premises, other than the high security fence and gatehouse, but inside there’s a goods train which decends into a mine, of over a million square feet.

During the war the mine was used to store munitions, today, because of its constant ambient temperature it’s the perfect environment to store wine. Cert Octavian are a logicistics company, storing bonded wine from worldwide collectors and traders. Their collections are recorded, photographed and documents are sent to the clinet. Then it’s stored underground, millions of pallets of it. Anything from twenty to fifty pallets can arrive there daily, from every corner of the globe but mostly, obviously, from the Châteaus of Bourdeaux. Pallets of eight crates a layer, seven high, each crate with twelve bottles inside, ranging an average of £1,000 a bottle and gaining value with every second that passes.

The owners of the wine rarely see any of it, let alone drink it. A tiny fraction of their collection might be called on for a special occasion, but more likely its traded with another collector, so it will be bought to the surface, sent to the clinet, or to Sotherbys, Christie’s in New York, or similar auction and sent back to Cert Octavian to restore by a different customer, or more generally, simply bought to the surface, relabelled with the new clinet’s details, and sent back down again.

Traders usually buy in yen and sell in US dollar to achieve maximum profit, but why you may ask. Why have all this wine, so much wine they or their conceited bum chums couldn’t possibly drink it all in their lifetimes?

Because they are not wine conissours at all, and have no intention of ever taking so much as a sip. If they pose as them it’s a smokescreen. They’re worldwide investors, and as wine is a liquid assest they pay no tax on it; not a stitch, not a single penny. Billions upon billions of untaxable stock, just sitting down there, collecting profit and dust. Dust, sitting atop more money than you or I could possibly imagine.

The only people who will ever see it are the warehouse staff. Ask me how I know; I was, for a short peroid, one of those staff members; even honoured to drive the train once, choo-choo, which wasn’t as much fun as it sounds!

I saw it with my own eyes, saw the millionaire contracts from a single crate, and when I left they asked I return the polo shirt workwear they gave me!

Not that it’s for me to suggest the sickening inequality, a tenacious link between this economic recession and the greed of billionaires, simply because they, quite literally, want the shirt off my back. Neither is it for me to suggest how much revenue taxing this vast stock would procure, or the effects if a government had the balls to demand it’s now taxable, or even weighing it up against the NHS or the £2,436.7 billion national deficit, though I’m sure it’d cover both with enough spare to throw a party or twenty.

Or further still, not that it’s for me to suggest the billionaires could engage in what us peasants are asked of us; to “pull together for the good of the country.”

No, of course not, it’s not for me to suggest at all, anymore than the notion the trillions of untaxed pounds stored under Gastard is but a small player in the global untaxed wealth stashed in offshore accounting, tax loopholes, bogus company money laundering and illegal trades of drugs or weapons, but, you know, just thought it was an interesting bit of local historical information, that’s all. You have a good day now, you hear? Work on, pay your taxes,  choose between heating your home or feeding your kids, and be bloody grateful!

Former Devizes Resident Brings His Broken Hearts Club to St Johns Church

Brave New Broken Hearts Club is the acoustic folk-indie project of Neil Phillimore, who might sound as cockney as Ray Winstone singing Any Old Iron on his Facebook videos, but says he’s a former Devizes resident, and he’s returning for a one-off gig at St Johns, Friday 10th February…..

With his trademark brand of “engaging storytelling and warm, affecting songwriting,” he brings waterways London folk poet-singer Pearl Fish with him too.

Promising “an intimate evening of beautiful songwriting and human connection,” tickets are a tenner, HERE.

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 4th -11th January 2023

Well, as you could probably imagine, after yule celebrations the start to the new year is kind of quiet. At least, that’s what we’re seeing; it’s all broken, all over, only empty wrappers and toffee pennies left in the Quality Street tin, your Lynx Africa deodorant set is in the cupboard, Christmas cracker hat left on the floor of the bedroom where it fell, red wine-stained glasses on the side but no refill. You might just as well go back to work……

Wednesday 4th, Thursday 5th I got nothing for you, I’m afraid, enter sad face emoji.

Friday 6th and there’s open mic at the Barge on Honey-Street, while Shades of Seattle’s MTV Unplugged set featuring Alice in Chains, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots and more at the Vic, Swindon.

Saturday 7th and you’ll find the talented Adam Woodhouse at The Three Crowns, Devizes.

The Beat play MECA, Swindon, which must be Editor’s Pick of the Week, told I was going, but still no official invite! What the hell is that all about?! January blues really kicking in now!

Meanwhile, The Bowie Experience play the Vic, and there’s magical comedy at the Wyvern with The Mind Mangler’s Member of the Tragic Circle show.

Sunday and Monday, I got nothing to report, but Tuesday 10th there’s a lunchtime piano recital at Pound Arts, Corsham with Emma Abbate & Julian Perkins.

Wednesday 11th and being the Southgate reopens on the Monday, the usual acoustic jam will be on.

However, after this first week, things are really beginning to look up, so keep in the loop, check out our event calendar, it’s a noticeboard of upcoming fun!

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, “balaclava 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.” In September though, the anti-hunt individuals were acquitted. Judge Dickens said, “ultimately, the evidence is pretty thin, wafer thin…While there is just about a case to answer, the evidence is wafer thin and it won’t get any better, and for those reasons I won’t be able to be sure they were not acting in self-defence.”

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

It’s beginning to look a lot like…. another week in early December; bar humbug! Therefore, here’s what’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? It’s free to be listed on Devizine, just drop us a message.

Ongoing, is Sustainable Devizes’ 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, it’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 John’s.

Thursday 8th, there’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 Hewerdine’s Understudy Tour happens at Chapel Arts, Bath, with The Wurzels’ Christmas Tour comes to Komedia.

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

Little Red Riding Hood – 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 it’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 Pine’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 – Doves Peace Choir & Ebonite. And there’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 that’s all I got so far, folks, but we do update regularly, so keep one eye on our event calendar. It’s also good for future planning, just keep on scrollin’, 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 you’ll be hard pressed for tickets to Bublé at MECA or The Sweet at the Cheese & Grain on that day.

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

Have a great weekend but behave; he knows if you’ve been bad or good!

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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.

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!