In thanking everyone who supported this year’s Wiltshire Music Awards, Eddie Prestidge of Stone Circle Music Events revealed his intentions of continuing with the awards into next yearโฆย
โFirstly, I want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported and got involved in our very first Wiltshire Music Awards,โ he said. โThe enthusiasm, energy, and community spirit were incredible to see.โ
Reflecting on this year’s inaugural awards, he said, โwe want to be open, honest, and transparent about the journey. Did we get everything right? No, and weโre happy to learn and grow. Did we realise how big this celebration would become? No, your support surpassed all expectations!โ
Looking ahead to 2026 Eddie explained, โwe are excited about continuing the Stone Circle Wiltshire Music Awards into 2026. However, we recognise that this celebration now belongs to the wider community, not just to us.โ
โTo help it grow in the right way, we are exploring bringing together a small group of local volunteers to form a community committee, encouraging fair representation across Wiltshire.โ
If you feel you have something positive to contribute and would like to help shape the 2026 awards, please email Eddie here: hello@stonecirclemusicevents.uk
Patrick O’Sullivan of Stone Circle Music Events said, โwhile we could continue running the awards on our own, this event is a celebration of Wiltshireโs music community โ driven by local voices, talent, and passion. Thatโs why we feel a community-based team would help make 2026 stronger and more exciting. Together we can continue to build the Wiltshire Music Awards in order to recognise and celebrate the amazing talent we haveย in Wiltshire.โ
โThank you for supporting the Wiltshire Music Awards! Weโre so grateful to everyone who got involved. Together, weโre growing something amazing for Wiltshireโs music community!โ
โWeโd really love to hear your feedback, what you enjoyed, and what you think we could improve for next time. Your thoughts willย genuinely help us make next year’s Wiltshire Music Awards 2026 event better.โ
Stone Circle Music Events state feedback should be by email, as they wonโt be responding to feedback posted on Facebook, promising to reply to every email politely and respectfully.
Send your feedback to: patrick@stonecirclemusicevents.uk
Featured Image by Giulia Spadafora Ooo, a handclap uncomplicated chorus is the hook in Lady Ladeโs latest offering of soulful pop. Itโs timelessly cool andโฆ
For those weird enough among us to be of an acoustic bent, particularly on the folkie side, the time since the Covid lockdowns has been a bit of a desert.ย Several local clubs which once thrived before 2020, never actually opened again โ Devizes Folk Club, Corshamโs Acoustic Oak, Bradford Folk Club and Trowbridgeโs Village Pump being amongst them.ย Last year the Bradford club finally stuttered into life again, first at the now-closed Swan Hotel, then at other venues, but only as a very low-key weekly sing-around.ย The proper full fat Open Mic nights and Guest Nights seemed to have disappeared from the local scene completely.ย Some of this was due to the โretirementโ of the previous hosts, and some of it (unfortunately) due to the passing of their once-leading lights.ย
The venue itself, known as the Village Pump, at the rear of Wadworthโs The Lamb in Trowbridge, and the mothership of the hugely popular Village Pump and Trowbridge Festivals, recently found a new entrepreneur in our good friend and music promoter Kieran J Moore.ย Kieran has performed wonders in re-opening the venue, in overhauling its sound and lighting infrastructure, and in attracting a whole new range of artists over the past couple of years.ย Audiences have grown, drawn by the inventive programming, and the support for many local up-and-coming new indie bands.ย
And now, at last, a light has re-emerged from the gloom for the folkies with the start of The PumpAcoustic Club as a new pop-up venture at the venue. Running every second Friday of the month, the club promises a welcoming night whether you want to come and play or just rock up and listen. The format is pretty similar to the old VP folk club: the first half is dedicated to acoustic-only (unplugged) floor spots, and the second half to a booked guest. For the Open Mic part, you have to sign up in advance (first come, first served via comments on their Facebook page), and you get time to sing two or three songs each. The running order allows for about ten or eleven acts. Then, following the break, and the inevitable raffle, the second half is a 45-60 PA-supported slot dedicated to a booked artist.
Last month, on the first outing for the Club, we were treated to a great set by local duo Lorna and Darren, playing as Fly Yeti Fly. Anyone there would agree it was a great night and a fabulous start to this new venture.
Last night, for Augustโs booking we had Wings and Whispers, an all-female duo from Bristol. Both classically trained, both admitted to preferring the folkier side of things. Using harp, guitar, whistle and voices, the pair played some fascinating, ethereal music based in folk legends and myths and in the natural world. They wove original compositions together with re-arranged folk classics and covers into a mesmerising set. Superb stuff.
The new Club, set up by Bradford-on-Avonโs Simon Taylor (lately of Water Thieves Trio and Dr. Zeboโs Wheezy Club) and Matt Cook, looks as if itโs hit just the right formula. Both last monthโs affair and last night were pretty busy, with most seats taken both upstairs and down. Itโs ยฃ4 to get in, and ยฃ1 for a strip of raffle tickets, so youโre all done and dusted for a great night out for a fiver โ what more could you want? Letโs hope that now itโs back, folks will continue to support it and make it into the success it surely deserves to be.
Future gigs, as stated, will be the second Friday of each month.ย See their Facebook page for individual events, but hereโs a preview:ย
Friday 12th September Andy Skellam
Friday 10th October Lorikeet
Friday 14th November Brian Stone & The Masters Of None
The premise is really quite simple, the prospect is positively glowing with brilliance, the result remains to be seen, but on Sunday the 4th May Devizes will know for sure where the future of events in the town rests โฆ.. No pressure Devizes Yea team!!
It was never a nice thing to have to announce our beloved Street Festival had to be cancelled due to arts funding cuts, but being as the Market Place was booked for an event on the date, Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts are determined to put on a show regardless.
The fantastic part to all this is that DOCA has brought together teenage volunteers to create a new annual festival in Devizes Market Place, under the name Yea Devizes. The most important thing for all to note about this is, this is not the street festival, nor a replacement for it, it should not be compared to it, and most important of all, it is NOT just for teenagers. Even if the committee of organisers are youths, this event welcomes everyone, of all ages.
DOCA say they โnoticed very few young adults attended traditional local events and therefore sought out youth ambassadors eventually creating Devizes Youth Event Area (Devizes Yea). The youth volunteers wanted to represent their own interests, making local events appeal to our young adults. Theyโre using their skills and collaboration to create this festival, with an aim of bringing together all generations of our community.โ
I met up with the team at their weekly planning meeting, and over a massive map of the Market Place, plastered with sticky notes highlighting all the great ideas theyโve collectively worked on, I was mightily impressed. Under the direction of DOCA expert Annabel, Elsie, Bea, Jo, and Sam are the Devizes Yea core ambassadors, learning the tricks of the events trade, and likely how much hard work goes on behind the scenes to create large scale eventsโฆ. and thereโs more than you imagine.
Jess, my daughter, just joined as press officer, (which puts us ahead of the game of telling you about it!) But Devizes YEA are still looking for teenage volunteers to help in the build-up to and the event itself. So, if you are a young person living in the local area and want to get involved contact: yeadevizes@docadevizes.org.uk or find out more on the DOCA website or Instagram.
โThere will be something for everyone at this outdoor event,โ Devizes Yea promises, โwith a range of live music, circus acts, poetry open mics, plot35 Devizes community gardening, cooking demonstrations, food traders and more. There are also chances for teenagers to get involved on the day with sound tech and learn from professional sound engineers who will be setting up the main stage.โ
We think this is a great idea, and look forward to seeing the results. Oh, and wish them all the best of luck with the first event on 4th May, obviously. This could be the start of something amazing, and I must stress the point once again, that this day is designed and intended to be for everyone, not just our younger residents. Even middle-aged young-at hearts, duty bound to show them how itโs done on the dancefloor; Dad-dancing mode switched to crazy legs… and I’m off, nobody attempt to stop me!!
Without sounding like a stuck record, itโs the same unfortunate news for Devizes Street Festival as it was last year; Arts Council England has not awarded DOCA funding for their programme of summer events in 2025โฆ..
DOCA was sorry to announce today, a spokesperson saying, โfunding across the country has diminished significantly and demand for it has increased. As a result our already small staff team will be reduced to a minimum as we try to secure funding for the future.โ
โThis means that the Street Festival cannot go ahead as intended on 4th & 5th May. We will, however, still be delivering an exciting event in town that weekend. The YEA Devizes project (Youth Event Area Devizes,) which has been funded by National Grid, will present a youth-led event in the Market Place, created and delivered by the incredible young people of our town.โ
Devizes Yea would like to connect with other community groups and individuals, so if you are a young person interested in being a part of it, or an organisation or club that would like to support the event please get in touch at: yeadevizes@docadevizes.org.uk ( For all non-youth related enquiries please use info@docadevizes.org.uk)
Alongside this DOCA will host Grow Devizes that weekend, a concept that encourages and combines both growth in nature, and growth in our community. To this end, the Out and About project will take the performing arts out into a rural village and in turn invite people from those areas back into all they do in town.
โWe are still navigating the best way forward for our other summer events,โ DOCA continues, โsuch as Colour Rush, Confetti Battle, Picnic in The Park and Carnival, working with our partners around town and funders to come up with the best solution. Please bear with us while we consider all available options and weโll update you as we know more about each specific event.โ
This was such a special event in Devizes, loved by all. It is such a shame to hear this terrible news for a second year running. The effects of the governmentโs 16% cut in real terms across the UK to arts funding since 2017 is beginning to impact significantly on free events such as town carnivals and village fetes.
Earlier this month Wiltshire Council confirmed an increase in funding to its arts and heritage partners. The council funds four arts organisations across the county; Pound Arts in Corsham, Trowbridge Town Hall Arts, Wiltshire Creative in Salisbury and Wiltshire Music Centre in Bradford on Avon. Funding also goes to Wiltshire Museum and Salisbury Museum.
We support, of course we do, all additional funding for arts in the county, but Devizes gets zilch for arts. They stated this demonstrates WC, โis committed to the delivery of culture in the county by agreeing to uplift each of its grants to arts and heritage partners by 10% in 2025/26.โ Yet this excludes every charitable event organisation in the county dedicated to providing arts and culture freely, as while many of their heritage partners fundraise for important charities, all events at the venues require tickets.
The failing of funding for community events is the remnants of a conservative austerity ethos that arts and entertainment will only be available to those able to pay for it, and if Wiltshire Council were as thoroughly dedicated to arts and culture as the claim they are, they would provide budgets for town carnivals as well as the ticketed venues affiliated with them. Instead, and to illustrate by example, one of our Conservative town and county councillors and area board managers criticised the beloved Street Festival for not having a โdiverse audience.โ
The statement was, obviously, poppycock and only made to favour profit-making events in the town; Street Festival was, by a country mile, the most diverse event Devizes has ever seen and attracted the most diverse audience, being it was free and open to all.
Street Festival was a true colourful display of music, arts and theatre, and was once a testament to all which can be accomplished freely when a community comes together. It is heart-breaking to have to mention the event in the past tense, but this sad news today casts a shadow over any hope the Street Festival will ever return.
Words by Ollie MacKenzie. Featured Image by Barbora Mrazkova.ย The creative process can be a winding, long, and often confusing journey. Seeing a project comeโฆ
Whoโs ready for walking in the winter wonderland?! Devizes sets to magically transform into a winter wonderland this Friday when The Winter Festival and Lanternโฆ
One part of Swindon was in perfect harmony last night, and I donโt mean the traffic circumnavigating the Magic Roundabout. Rather The Lost Trades wereโฆ
Raging expressions of angered feminist teenage anguish this month, perfectly delivered by Steatopygous via their mindblowing debut album Songs of Salome, I hail as theโฆ
There are only a few tickets left for this yearโs Devizes Festival of Winter Ales, an important fundraiser for DOCAโฆ..
This year DOCA has teamed up with the Southgate Inn, who have provided a fantastic selection of thirty ales and ciders, there are pies from Padfield Porkies and sausage rolls from Pig in the Middle.
Saturday 15th February 2025, is the date, at Devizes Corn Exchange. Thereโs an Early Session โ 11am โ 5pm and a Late Session โ 5:30pm โ 11pm.
This year they welcome Glorious Productions, who are excited to bring a taste of their legendary Social Club Cabaret to the Festival of Winter Ales. While you sip your ales and relax they provide comedy, skills and the unexpected! Compere โ Goldie Fiasco, Cabaret โ Jon Udry and Jude Elizabeth. And Vince Bell and Adam Woodhouse play the early session, while Burn the Midnight Oil and Junkyard Dogs take the later session.
New for 2025: based on attendee feedback, there will be a slight difference between the 2 sessions this year. Both sessions will have the same great selection of beers, alongside brilliant entertainment from bands and cabaret. However, the Early Session (11am โ 5pm) will be slightly more low-key for entertainment, geared more towards those who are mostly interested in beer tasting. The Late Session (5:30pm โ 11pm) will be slightly more entertainment focussed for those looking for a buzzier vibe alongside their beer.
This is a fundraising event to help meet the costs of DOCAโs free annual programme of outdoor arts events and activities, including the Street Festival, Confetti Battle, Carnival, Winter Festival and Lantern Parade.
The Festival of Winter Ales is an 18+ event. The layout will be similar to 2024 with some seating, and some standing. If you require a seat for accessibility reasons, please contact DOCA at info@docadevizes.org.uk
More information on the Winter Ales entertainmentโฆ
Goldie Fiasco โ This yearโs Festival of Winter Ales will be compered by the โwonderfully bonkers and totally endearing!โ Goldie Fiasco. Goldie is a veteran performer with thousands of shows under her belt including โ Glastonbury Festival Circus Big Top, Edinburgh Fringe, The Social Club Cabaret, Bestival, Shambala, Komedia, and Main Stage Redfest. She will preside over a smorgasbord of delectable entertainment for your delight. Sit back and enjoy the ride.
Jon Udry โ There are jugglers. There are comedians. And there is Jon Udry. Jon combines the two to such a brilliant effect that his unique performance has his audience roaring with laughter from entrance to the final curtain. Formerly the British Young Juggler Of The Year and New Act of the Year Finalist 2018, Jonโs skills and stage persona have brought his show onto various television and radio shows, as well as being a regular on the bill at prestigious festivals like Glastonbury.
Jon travels internationally, working on a host of luxury cruise lines, at festivals and events, and โ due to his unique comedy style โ his show is also at home on the domestic comedy club circuit. Jonโs repertoire is not the normal type of speciality act โ instead, itโs young, offbeat, quirky and hugely impressive. His current show โJon Udry Punches Gravity in the Faceโ is quickly becoming his most successful to date with a host of bookings around the UK, Europe and beyond.
Jude Elizabeth โ Jude trained as a professional ballet dancer but turned to Circus over a decade ago specialising in Aerial arts and Handbalance. Now internationally renowned, she has performed alongside Hugh Jackman at The Brit Awards, performed for the Royals and at some of the most prestigious venues in the world. We look forward to bringing her exceptional talent and elegance to our stage.
Vince Bell โ A talented singer-songwriter based in Devizes, Vince Bell is a prominent figure in the local music scene. Known for pouring raw emotion into his songwriting, he creates deeply personal yet universally relatable songs. His music is meticulously crafted and delivered with a captivating sincerity, showcasing his artistry and passion. Drawing inspiration from a diverse range of influences, including the likes of John Martyn, Pink Floyd, Bruce Springsteen, and Richard Thompson, Vinceโs sound is both unique and richly textured, resonating with audiences on a profound level.
Adam Woodhouse โ Guitarist and singer, Adam Woodhouse has a love of country, blues and folk music. As a solo acoustic performer, these influences are always apparent, no matter what musical genre he is playing. Adam covers a wide range of music from across the decades, bringing his own style, vibe and humour to a collection of well-known hits.
Burn the Midnight Oil โ are a powerhouse trio that skim the surface of blues, country, folk, rock and pop with an all-original repertoire.
Junkyard Dogs โ Junkyard Dogs are a group of seasoned musicians with a shared love of Blues and goodtime Rock & Roll. Donโt forget your dancing shoes and let the good times roll!
If weโre nearly out of the prolonged gloom of January, note itโs still winter but weโve climatised and are ready to party. February this year looks positively booming with music events. This weekend alone looks hotter for events than it will probably be climate wise!
Leading us up to the start of the month, Swindon Shuffleโs new wintery thang SwinterFest is covering days all this coming weekend from Thursday and onto the 1st and 2nd; Saturday is at the Castle, Sunday at the Beehive, check the poster for the fantastic lineup. Another amazing fundraiser for Prospect House.
Thursday 3oth Jan
Also in Swindon find Ian Barrett Band with Bare Knuckle Asylum and Tiddles the Hellcat at The Vic. Ignacio Lopez at Swindon Arts Centre, and Jack Deeโs Small World at The Wyvern Theatre.
New Writing Night at The Rondo Theatre, Bath, and Tom Jonesโ favourite singer Mim Grey is at Chapel Arts.
Follow Comedy Club at Qudos in Salisbury, Alistair McGowan at Salisbury Playhouse, and Limehouse Lizzy at Salisbury Arts Centre.
Friday 31st Jan
Jamie Hawkins is at The Bridge in Horton. The Tipsy Gypsies are at The Royal Oak in Pewsey.
The Blunders are at the Pump in Trowbridge, with The Lindup Brothers & Hometown Devilry. Morphew School of Dance presents A Wish Come True at the Civic Centre.
As well as SwinterFest, Last Train Smokinโ are at The Beehive, Swindon. Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde at Swindon Arts Centre,and Cirque Enchantment at The Wyvern Theatre.
Stable at The Rondo Theatre, Bath.
Lucy Loves Liquor at the Coach and Horses in Salisbury. Diamond Froggs at Deacons, andย Barnstormers Comedy atย Salisbury Arts Centre. Salisbury Playhouse has Thatโll Be The Day.ย ย ย
Sound of the Sirens at The Tree House in Frome. Dire Streets at The Cheese & Grain.
Saturday 1st
Falls on Deaf Ears at the Southgate in Devizes, and thereโs a Long Street Blues Club night at the Cons Club with The John Martin Project. Devizes Scooter Club promises a soul, Motown, ska and reggae DJ night at the Football Club, and Mr M & The Original PJ have a soul night also, at the Bear Hotel. DJ Karl Maggs playing club hits at the Exchange.
Bodge It & Scarper at The Bear, Marlborough, Jam Night at The Barge, HoneyStreet.
Three upcoming local DJs, ET Tronic, FLAM and Artoid play a Future Sound of Trowbridge night at The Pump, while Junkyard Dogs are at the host pub, The Lamb. Morphew School of Dance presents A Wish Come True, a matinee at the Trowbridge Civic Centre.
Dโ Ska Assassins are at Prestbury Sports Bar in Warminster.
Mustard Allegro at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon. Colin Hoult: Colin at The Rondo Theatre, Bath.
As well as Swinterfest in Swindon, Mojo plays The Swiss Chalet, Still Marillion at The Vic, and Peter Andre stars in The Best Of Frankie Valli at The Wyvern Theatre!
Thereโs a Winter FiggleFest at Figheldean Village Hall. Jetpack at The Ram, Tidworth.
Wiltshire Creative Comedy Club with Lucy Beaumont at Salisbury Playhouse. Sarumโs Lot at Qudos. Lucas Hardy, Rosie Jay and Rich Butcher at The Avon Brewery Inn Salisbury and Graffiti Classics: The Comedy String Quartet at Salisbury Arts Centre.
Laurence Jones is at The Tree House in Frome, and there’s an Retro Electro at the Cheese & Grain.
Sunday 2nd Feb
Jon Amor Trio with guest Shannon Harris at The Southgate, Devizes.
Everyone Says Hi are Instore at Sound Knowledge in Marlborough, which we previewed.
Super Blue Moon at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon.
The Roy Orbison Story at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.
Sunday Session at The Coach & Horses, Salisbury with Ben Nicholls
Open Mic at George and Dragon, Salisbury.
CSF Pro Wrestling Showdown at the Cheese & Grain, Frome.
But of course, youโd know all this if you keep checking into our event calendar! We are not running the weekly roundups any longer due to it being time consuming which basically just repeats whatโs been listed already. It was just that this weekend seems to have really opened up for events again, and see this as a gentle reminder to keep checking into Devizine, as the calendar is always updating, as fast as I possibly can add listings!
Do contact us if weโve missed your event out, and we can list it free for you.
Bob Marley sang โjamminโ โtil the jam is through,โ Jimmy Cricketโs catchphrase was โcomeโere, thereโs more,โ but it looks like The Southgate in Devizes is combining the two. Jamsters is landlord Daveโs new initiative to provide a Friday night platform for loose groupings and associations created at their regular jam sessions each Wednesdayโฆ.
The inaugural occurrence of this happened in November, with JP Oldfield, Gordon Thompson and Sammi Evans, this Friday, 10th Jan, sees the turns of Ben Borril, Chrissy โSteenโ Chapman of Burn the Midnight Oil, Adam Spanswick and George (not the pub dog!) and they kick off at 8pm. We understand this is to become a monthly occasion,and are happy to hear of it!
Wednesdays jam sessions have been in operation for some years now at the Gate, and have become something of a regular convention for local musicians to gather and network. Perhaps more so even than open mic nights, these jam sessions not only provide entertainment, practice, and the chance of making friends and connections, but are also an opportunity for our local musicians to experiment and see who works well together. During its time weโve seen collaborations and bands formatted from it, such as Pat Ward and Ben Borrillโs Matchbox Mutiny and Tom Harrisโ No Alarms And No Devizes.
Now, with a monthly instalment of this Friday night extension of the jam sessions, we hope to see more groupings form and flourish from it. Through all the current hardships of the hospitality industry, The Southgate continue to buck the trend through their dedication to making the pub a friendly, affordable, and welcoming place and, supporting, not the recognisable big names rather upcoming local musicians; the like whoโll mingle with the punters and be glad you came. Thatโs itโs community feel and thatโs itโs grand appealโฆ I hope to see you down there soon, mineโs a pint of Rosieโs Pig, cheers!!
Itโs nice to hear when our features attract attention. Salisburyโs Radio Odstock ย picked up on our interview with Devizes band Burn the Midnight Oil andโฆ
In thanking everyone who supported this year’s Wiltshire Music Awards, Eddie Prestidge of Stone Circle Music Events revealed his intentions of continuing with the awardsโฆ
Featured Image: Lillie Eiger Frome Festival is launching itsย โ25 for 25โย fundraising campaign with a very special concert featuring three locally based acts:ย Tom Mothย โ best knownโฆ
Iโve got some gorgeous vocal harmonies currently floating into my ears, as The Lost Trades release their first single since the replacement of Tamsin Quinโฆ
Rolling out a Barrelhouse of fun, you can have blues on the run, tomorrow (7th November) when Marlborough’s finest groovy vintage blues virtuosos Barrelhouse releaseโฆ
by Ian Diddamsimages by Ben Swann and Ian Diddams Self-appointed โMoroseโ Mark Harrison was once again on totally top form at Komedia last Sunday entertainingโฆ
Wiltshire Council confirmed Blue Badge holders can park freely in council-operated car parks again, following a vote at the Full Council meeting on Tuesday 21โฆ
With the big C ticked off, thereโs one big push for the final night of 2024. Time to throw off all your aggravations, like who keeps putting the empty wrappers back into the Quality Street container. The busiest Tuesday of the year is coming up fast, and we have thirty-five options in Wiltshire of where to celebrate it, and countingโฆโฆ
Devizes
Starting off at our base, Devizes with a jam potato at the Southgate, where Jamie Hawkins, Tom Harris and Pat Ward are taking them into the New Year. Soundhog Karaoke takes over The Three Crowns. Thereโs a Back to Skool New Yearโs Eve Party at the Pelican. All of these are free. DJs The Original PJ & Mister M have a party at The Bear Ballroom, ticketed. Also on the door, The Exchange has a fancy dress party with DJ Maggs. The Conservative Club has DJ Andy Saunders and live music from The Saga Louts, ticketed.
Around and about Devizes, find a party at Seend Community Hall. The Reason plays The Green Dragon in Market Lavington.
Pewsey
Pewsey area, thereโs a New Years Eve Party at Woodborough Social Club. Woodbridge Inn has the Muddy Drifters, plus guests and a free buffet. And Rich the Ditch is on decks at The Barge on HoneyStreet. Find No Middle Ground at the Royal British Legion Hall in Burbage.
Marlborough
An acoustic NYE at The Bear in Marlborough with Bodge It And Scarper, free. At St Peterโs, thereโs a Great Gatsby New Yearโs Eve Party, ticketed.
Calne
Six OโClock Circus plays the Talbot in Calne. Plan of Action at The Jenny Wren. DJ Caztro at The Wheatsheaf, all free.
Melksham
Free at Melksham Cons Club, The Blue Moon Band. Raindrops at Spencerโs Club, tickets from the club. New Yearโs Eve Party at the Forresters. Band of Others at The White Hart, Atworth.
Chippenham
Burbank at Old Lane, Chippenham. Opera Sulis presents Opera Pops and Broadway Beats with DJ Bobbi for a New Yearโs Eve Extravaganza at Wine Monkey.
Trowbridge
Be Like Will are at The Gloucester Road Cons Club in Trowbridge. Thereโs a NYE party at the Civic Hall. And a Boaty Extravaganza at The Twelve Bells, see poster below..
Hungerford
Static Moves play the Hungerford Town Football Club.
Swindon
In Swindon, if youโre a metaller be at the Vic, where Nu-Call have A Nu-Metal New Years. And ravers head to Levels.
Salisbury
George Wilding is with Jolyon Dixon & Rachel Sinnetta at The New Inn, Amesbury.
In Salisbury, Total Recall is at the Coach and Horses. Lucas Hardy & Paul Furtado at The George & Dragon. Ribble at the New Inn. Tom & The Clementynes at Qudos. Linz Sutton at the Anchor & Hope. Karaoke with Evie at the Greyfisher. The Treblemakers at Laverstock & Ford Sports Club. The Deloreons at Salisbury Arts Centre.
Frome
New Years Eve Party at the Cheese & Grain in Frome, with The Hammervilles.
And thatโs a wrap. I think thereโs plenty to choose from there, but Iโm sure there will be more, so keep your best eye on our ever updating event calendarโฆ.and have a Happy New Year! There’s all the info and ticket links you need on the calendar.
Didn’t find your event here? Did you tell me about it?! Ah, there you are then, new year’s resolution, tell Devizine and get your gig listed FREE!
Being as we received a taster of wintery weather to come this week, I believe itโs okay to use the C-word; yes, Christmas!!
Hereโs everything weโve found to do in and around Devizes, so far, from now until New Yearโs Eve, in addition, of course, to decorating trees, picking all the toffee pennies out of the Quality Street tin, and enjoying watching Hans Gruber fall from the Nakatomi Plazaโฆ.
Do remember though our event calendar is constantly updating, so do keep an eye on it, as more events may well be added when theyโre brought to our attention. And if youโre in another town, check our event calendar for events in your area; sorry you are not included here, we still love you, but thereโs only so many hours in a day!
Lets go from this weekend, but be warned, thereโs a lot to get through. Ongoing photographic exhibition at the Valentina Gallery, opposite SoupChick in the Shambles, ends on 2nd December.
Thursday 21st November sees an Evening of Mediumship with Psychic Medium Nikki Kitt at the Corn Exchange.
Friday 22nd: Public Living Room is open at the Cheese Hall from 1.30-4pm. John Girvanโs celebrated Ghost Walk of Devizes, takes on a Christmas spin. You find tickets at the Wiltshire Museum website. Queen tribute Qween UK plays the Corn Exchange. Recommended trip out of town: boom-bap legends The Scribes are at the Barge on Honeystreet.
Saturday 23rd November: and thereโs a Sighthound Stroll at 12pm. Devizes Eisteddfodโs Junior Showcase at the Town Hall. The FullTone Orchestra is at the Corn Exchange with an 80s special, so get your rah-rah skirts dusted and ready.
The Sylvertones are at The Three Crowns. The Ben Fletcher Band at The Southgate. DJ Emilo is bringing in the sounds at the Exchange. And for a short trip out of town, I recommend The Killer Circus show at Market Lavington Community Hall, with a double-header of mod-indie, britpop and ska with The Killertones Underground and 6 Oโclock Circus. Or The Publicans at the Royal Oak, Pewsey.
Sunday 24th, The Duskers are at the Southgate for 5pm start, same time, itโs nice to see live music back at the White Bear too; Andrew Hurst kicks those Sunday Sessions back into gear.
Tuesday 26th sees Devizes Lions Bingo Night at the Conservative Club.
Wednesday 27th, donโt forget the acoustic jam at the Southgate.
Thursday 28th – do not miss this, the fantastic Ruby Darbyshire is doing a Fantasy Radio Live Lounge from 7pm at The Pelican. The Last Thursday of each month is also open mic time in the Cellar Bar of the Bear Hotel, from 7:30pm.
Friday 29th is the Winter Festival, on go the lights and Christmas begins officially in Devizes!
12:00 โ 20:00: Indoor & Outdoor Markets and Creative Installations. Lantern Parade at 18:30. 19:00 is Christmas Light Switch On. Window Wanderland begins and runs until 2nd Dec. Look out for the Cascade Chandelier, in the Shambles!
There will be several opportunities to get crafty over Winter Festival weekend with bookable artist-led workshops. More workshops will be dropping soon, so keep an eye on DOCAโs social media! Willow Reindeer Workshop from 10am to 4pm at the Yeoman Room, Corn Exchange. Sarah Jayne Edwards works in willow in all scales, she made the Sanctuary that appeared on the Green in Devizes 2023. Spend a day with her where she will support you to create your own beautiful willow reindeer.
All materials will be provided on these creative workshops, no experience needed. Event capacity for each is only 8 people. Participants must be aged 16 years or over. There are 2 free places allocated for low-income participants, no questions asked. If you would like to claim one of these places, please email: info@docadevizes.org.uk
Elsewhere in Devizes, the fantastic People Like Us are at The Three Crowns, itโs the Pour Houseโs official opening party, and karaoke at the Pelican. Big Plus: itโs panto season at the Wharf Theatre with the opening night of Hansel & Gretel; this is superb, Iโve seen the rehearsal, youโre going to love it, young and old. Hansel & Gretel continues until 7th December, tickets are sold out, but you can join a waiting list.
Saturday 30th sees a Devizes Lions book sale at St Maryโs Church.
Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts Winter Festival continues, presenting ‘Crow’ by Avanti Display. ‘Crow’ is a beguiling, genre-defying, beautifully odd show. It teases us with strange images, magical clowning and bewitching visual images. Accompanied by a live inventive score. Video projections expand their comic and curious world, suggesting ideas both profound and absurd. This is a ticketed event at Sheep Street Baptist Church and starts at 6pm.
Also part of the Winter Festival, from 10am to 3pm, thereโs an Outdoor Market with Music & Street Entertainment, and Makery Sessions Craft Workshops at various times. Porcelain Christmas Decorations Workshop at Parnella House from 10am to 1pm, with Geraldine Francis.
Contemporary Wreath Making Workshop at 2pm to 5pm at Parnella House with Nancy Rose Stott, an accomplished maker, best known for her amazing hats. All materials will be provided, no experience needed. Event capacity: 8 people only. Participants must be aged 16 years or over. There are 2 free places allocated for low-income participants, no questions asked. If you would like to claim one of these places, please email: info@docadevizes.org.uk
Thereโs also a Christmas Wreath Making Workshop at Poulshot Village Hall, not DOCA related.
Groovedream at The Three Crowns. Red Light at The Southgate.
And relax, itโs Sunday, but it is December 1st! Curious Kids: Winter Fun at Wiltshire Museum, Devizes. The Pelican has a winter festival Christmas Lunch. JP Oldfield is at the White Bear at 5pm, the Jon Amor Trio residency at the Southgate, same time, and One More Shot at the Black Horse.
Monday 2nd, find a new open mic session at the Pour House, set up by the one and only JP Oldfield; very busy boy atm!
Wednesday 4thDecember: acoustic jam night at the Southgate.
Friday 6th sees a new regular acoustic session on Fridays at The Southgate, this week has JP Oldfield, Sammi Evans & Bryan Davies playing. White Horse Opera presents some Christmas Music at St Andrews. Itโs Christmas Mixup night at the Exchange.
Saturday 7th, thereโs a tour behind the scenes at Wiltshire Museum, and another Ghost Walk Christmas Special with John Griven.
The Shudders are at The Southgate. James Mitchell at The Three Crowns. The Coco Club Christmas Ball at the Corn Exchange. Christmas Party at the Exchange. Recommendations out of town, find a reggae night with Knatti P at the Barge on Honeystreet and Ruby Darbyshire at the Woodbridge.
Sunday 8th sees a family Christmas Party at West Lavington Village Hall in aid of Juliaโs House. Sunflower Events Christmas Fair at the Corn Exchange. Christmas Fayre at The Barge, Seend Cleeve.
Music at the Southgate from 5pm with The Wholesome Soul Trio.
Wednesday 11th, acoustic jam at the Southgate.
Thursday 12th is the second Exchange Comedy Night for The Mayorโs Appeal.
Friday 13th thereโs Devizes Good Afternoon Choirโs Christmas Invitation with Children from Wansdyke School at St Andrewโs Church. Young Curators Club: Mid-Winter Celebrations: Yule and Saturnalia at Wiltshire Museum.
Saturday 14th: Table-top Sale for Camps International to Peru Trip: 12-4pm at The Wharfside. LECTURE: Digging for Erlestoke by Leigh Chalmers and Dr Phil Harding at Wiltshire Museum. And the opening of a new exhibit at the Museum, Megalithic Connections โ Drawings & Etchings by Dave Gunning, which runs until 22nd Feb.
Christmas Market at Hillworth Park, in which Santa is fully booked, but heโs also at, Breakfast With Santa at the Fire Station! Santa! Hey! I know him!
The Big Sound Christmas Concert at the Corn Exchange. Sour Apple at the Three Crowns, The Worried Men at The Southgate. And Karl Maggs has got the Jingle Bangers in the mix at the Exchange.
Sunday 15th, Wish Tree Gathering from 3-5pm at Quakerโs Walk. Devizes Town Band Christmas Party at the Corn Exchange. And Manos Puestas at The Southgate at 5pm.
Wednesday 18th, acoustic jam at the Southgate.
Friday 20th, John Grivanโs celebrated Ghost Walk of Devizes, takes on a Christmas spin. You find tickets at the Wiltshire Museum website.
Devizes most celebrated house nights, Palooza returns to The Exchange.
Saturday 21st: Barrelhouse at The Southgate. Adam Woodhouse at The Three Crowns, and the Long Street Blues Club Christmas Party with the Thomas Atlas Band. DJ Mike Alford is at the Exchange.
Sunday 22nd is the Tractor & Tinsel Run at the Market Place. Charity Fundraiser with Burn The Midnight Oil, new band fronted by the fantastic Chrissy Chapman at The Southgate, from 5pm.
Monday 23rd: The Unpredictables at The Three Crowns, being anything but unpredictable!
Tuesday 24th: Spend Christmas Eve at The White Bear, where the one, the only Jamie R Hawkins will be singing a few songs with Vince Bell too.
Thursday 26th: The Last Thursday of each month is also open mic time in the Cellar Bar of the Bear Hotel, from 7:30. We assume this will take place as usual.
Friday 27th: Drew Bryant at The Three Crowns. Twixmas Fun Quiz at The Pelican. DJ Stevie MC at the Exchange for an after Christmas Party.
Saturday 28th: The Killertones Underground at The Southgate; nice one!
Tuesday, New Yearโs Eve: find Soundhog Karaoke at The Three Crowns. Back to Skool New Yearโs Eve Party at the Pelican. The Original PJ & Mister M at the Bear Hotel. DJ Karl Maggs at The Exchange, and NYE Party at Seend Community Centre; Happy New Year!
Thatโs your lot, unless thereโs something we missed? Tell us about it, please do, we can add it, it isnโt going to cost you anything more than being nice to me when you see me next! I hope everyone has been good all year, and wish you all a merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Featured Image Credit: Jamie Carter Special guests Lightning Seeds to Support Forest Live, Forestry Englandโs summer concert series presented with Cuffe & Taylor, has announcedโฆ
Wiltshire country singer-songwriter Kirsty Clinch released a Christmas song only yesterday, raising funds for the Caenhill Countryside Centre near Devizes, and itโs already racing upโฆ
It was never just the fervent ambience created which made me go tingly with excitement about Melkshamโs young indie band Between The Linesโ demo singleโฆ
A second track from local anonymous songwriter Joyrobber has mysteriously appeared online, and heโs bitter about not getting his dream jobโฆ.. If this mysterious dudeโsโฆ
Itโs not Christmas until the choir sings, and Devizes Chamber Choir intend to do precisely this by announcing their Christmas Concert, as they have doneโฆ
If Devizesโ celebrated FullTone Festival is to relocate to Whistley Roadโs Park Farm for next summerโs extravaganza, what better way to give it the rusticโฆ
Remember, remember, weโre moving into November; leaves, loads of โem! Being as we are no longer doing weekly roundups, hereโs some highlights of events in Devizes during November, but do pay attention, thereโs lots more listed on our event calendar, from all over our county, and itโs always updating, so keep checking in HERE too!
Daveโs birthday beer festival at the Southgate, for the entire weekend and into Monday. Find Sammi Evans, Josh Oldfield & Gordon Thompson there on Friday 1st, and Courting Ghosts, I believe, are there on Saturday; not sure about the rest, but I think the focus is on the beer; if you can focus on beer! Happy birthday, Dave!
Talking taps, we send our best of luck to The Pour House, taking over the old Vaults in St Johnโs Street, Devizes. Itโs their grand opening on Friday 1st.
On Saturday 2nd, there’s a tap top sale in Couch Lane, we have the Lions Club Arts Coaching Day, and Quakers Walk Community Biodiversity Group are bulb planting and preparing wildflower beds. Sunflower Events host a Christmas Market at the Corn Exchange from 11am to 6 on Saturday, 11am to 4 on Sunday.
While those Roughcut Rebels return to the Three Crowns, and Dave’s birthday beer fest continues at the Southgate, Mississippi MacDonald Band kicks off a long month of gigs at Long Street Blues Club, with Sons of the Delta in support. Isosceles Theatre Company are at the Wharf Theatre on Saturday, with a performance of Murder; Just What the Doctor Ordered. In aid of Swindon & Devizes Sands, thereโs a Back to School disco at the Wyvern Club.
Sunday 3rd, itโs Devizes Fireworks at the Football Club. Jon Amor Trio residency at the Southgate. A concert in Chirton too, see poster below!
Monday 4th, The Opening of the Garden of Remembrance at the War Memorial, 10.45hrs.
Wednesday 6th, the regular acoustic jam night at the Southgate, of course!
Thursday 7th, Devizes Film Club is at The Wharf, with a screening of Finnish film Fallen Leaves.
Friday 8th, Muck & Dunder have a DJ set from Dub Pistol Barry Ashworth. Devizes Arts Festival presents a night of comedy at the Corn Exchange. And The Devizes Eisteddfod opens for Music, Speech & Drama, and runs until 17th November 2024.
Saturday 9th has the Provincial Booksellers Fairs Associationโs Book Fair at the Corn Exchange from 10am. Stone’s Throw are at The Three Crowns. And while Swindonโs amazing folk ensemble SGO are at the Southgate, The Ian Siegal Band are at Long Street Blues Club with Ruby Darbyshire in support, both unmissable!
Sunday 10th: Remembrance in Devizes. 09.15hrs Muster in the Marketplace. 10.00hrs Church Service at St Johnโs Church. After service Reform in Long Street. 11.00hrs Last Post-Two Minutes Silence- reveille Wreath Laying and Parade Marches Back to Marketplace.
Mr Griff & The Grifters play The Southgate, Devizes, from 5pm.
Monday 11th: Remembrance in Devizes. At the War Memorial: 10.45hrs for The National Two Minutes silence.
Wednesday 13th, sees the regular acoustic jam at the Southgate.
Friday 15th find the brilliant Siren at the Three Crowns.
Saturday 16th thereโs a Mynt Image Craft Fair at the Corn Exchange, from 10am. Free entry and a great range of superb quality products.
John Otway makes a welcome return to Devizes, at the Long Street Blues Club, and Billy and the Lowground in support; a different night for the club, highly recommended this one!
Wednesday 20th, sees the regular acoustic jam at the Southgate. Devizes Flower Club is jingling all the way to the Corn Exchange.
Thursday 21st and thereโs an Evening of Mediumship with Psychic Medium Nikki Kitt at the Corn Exchange.
Friday 22nd Queen tribute act, Qween UK at the Corn Exchange, no excuses for spellings from us, that is what it is, lets hope they will rowk you!
Saturday 23rd you can find The Sylvertones at The Three Crowns, but not a lot else I’ve heard about as of yet. Time maybe to pop over to Lavington for this….
Wednesday 27th, sees the regular acoustic jam at the Southgate.
Thursday 28th head down to the Pelican, where Fantasy Radio presents a Live Lounge with Ruby Darbyshire. Also, itโs open mic night at The Cellar Bar, Bear Hotel from 7:30pm.
Friday 29th is DOCA Winter Festival, lights switching on, lantern parade, mulled wine, Devizes Town Band playing Santa Claus is Coming to Town, and all the gubbings; and thatโs when Iโm officially in the Christmas mode! Window Wanderland runs from here until 2nd Dec, and the fun continues into Saturday too!
Double-whammy, the Hazel & Gretel panto opens at the Wharf Theatre on Friday too. Note, due to popularity theyโve added dates, and it runs until the 7th December now. I will be going to see it long before you, and Iโll be here to tell you about it; what? Perks of the job!!
Also on Saturday 30th, ever popular covers unique trio People Like Us will be at the Three Crowns. White Horse Opera at Market Lavington Community Hall.
That’s all for now, folks! Did I miss something out? Did you tell us about it?! We update all the time, so, rest assured more will be added when they come in, and if you cannot find something to entertain you here, you can leave town! In a nice way, you understand, we do have roads and Devizine lists events within range of Devizes as well as in Devizes; so remember, remember, to check the EVENT CALENDER!!
Our very own illustrious orchestra, The Fulltone Orchestra, are staging live performances of Enyaโs 1988 breakthrough album, Watermark in Basingstoke, Bath and Cheltenham later this month. They promise to be symphonic celebrations of the bestselling artistsโ sublime and distinctive sound…..
The Fulltone Orchestra, accompanied by the magnificent female voices of The Cantiamo Choir, revive Enyaโs iconic and pioneering album in a series of live performances, culminating at The Anvil, Basingstoke on the 7th of November, beginning with Cheltenham Town Hall on 31st October, and with a date at Bath Forum in the middle, and that being the 5th November.
This is the unique opportunity music-lovers will cherish. To experience the prevalent and admired blend of Celtic, classical, and ambient soundscapes of Enyaโs ethereal and timeless sound, accomplished with the magnificence of a sixty-five-piece orchestra and the finest singers.
Watermark was not only Enyaโs breakthrough album but debatably her magnum opus. Its commercial success was renowned through its exclusivity, was honoured with glowing reviews and sold over eight million copies.
Now, obviously I’m far too young to remember Enya’s Watermark. With the geographic knowledge of an American box turtle, I only ever knew Orinoco as a Womble, and the single concerned me as to what his “flow” might have referred to!
Arranged by noted pianist and composer, Dominic Irving, this spectacular piece has been specifically written for orchestra and choir, and will transport audiences back to the late 1980s, alongside other hits by Riverdance, Enigma, Clannad and Karl Jenkins.
Conductor Anthony Brown at Fulltone 24. Image: Gail Foster
The evenings will also include the smash hit Lily Was Here, made famous by eighties saxophonist Candy Dulfer, and will be played by legendary sax player, Vicki Watson.
The Cantiamo Choir features Welsh-born vocalist Amelia Jones, recognised for her lucid tone and expressive vocal delivery. The Fulltone Orchestra is a sixty-five-piece orchestra with a variety of acclaimed musicians from the Southwest and is led by Musical Director Anthony Brown. They have past praised performances in venues such as Bath Abbey, Wells Cathedral, Marlborough College and Cheltenham Town Hall, and organise an annual festival, Fulltone, in Devizes; yay, I said Devizes! Editor’s note, the orchestra spawned here; get in, you moonrakers!
Jemma Brown, Fulltone Orchestra Artistic Director said, โWeโre absolutely delighted to be able to bring this much-loved music to audiences across the South this autumn. Watermark catapulted Enya to international fame, with the number one hit, โOrinoco Flow.โ Itโs sure to be a highlight of our performance. Thereโs something incredibly special about the sound created by a full orchestra alongside the voices of Cantiamo, and audiences can expect an exciting evening of music on a magnificent scale.โ
This afternoon sees the inaugural grand ceremony of Stone Circle Music Eventsโ Wiltshire Music Awards taking place at the Devizes Corn Exchange. Itโs a selloutโฆ
In association with PF Events, Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts introduces a Young Urban Digitals course in video mapping and projection mapping for sixteen to twentyโฆ
by Ian Diddamsimages by Penny Clegg and Shakespeare Live โAntony & Cleopatraโ is one of Shakespeareโs four โRoman Playsโ, and chronologically is set after โJuliusโฆ
Unlike Buck Rogers, who made it to the 25th century six hundred years early, Devizesโ most modest acoustic virtuoso arrives at the 21st just shortโฆ
Wiltshire Adele tribute Jodie Evans is all set to ignite the stage on Friday 18th October, at the Bear Hotelโs Cellar Bar in Devizes, with all funds made going to a Devizes School student hopeful to raise enough to visit Ecuador to work over the summerโฆ
Jodie is fast building amazing fan reviews and support for her tribute to Adele, and is taking bookings into 2025 already. Tickets are available at ยฃ10 per person HERE.ย
The Devizes School Student said, โFollowing volunteering within the Devizes area, I am passionate about giving back and I am looking forward to living and working with the local people, to experience first-hand the issues faced by rural communities in Ecuador whilst making a positive and lasting impact. I will contribute to ongoing sustainable projects that help support communities and protect the biodiverse environment in this amazing country – Thank you for supporting my cause.โ
We wish them all the best, and hope ‘someone like you’ can help and buy a ticket (see what I did there?!)
by Ian Diddamsimages by Chris Watkins Media and Ian Diddams Whilst probably best known for his editorship of โPrivate Eyeโ magazine and thirty-five years asโฆ
I mean, Devizes own contemporary blues throwback, JP is getting bookings, and rightly so. He’s off to Trowbridgeโs Lamb next Saturday for a double-bill withโฆ
As the excitement continues to detonate to an exploding point for our very first Stone Circle Music Events Wiltshire Music Awards on 25th October, weโฆ
by Mick Brianimages from Lauren Arena-McCann The playwright Tom Stoppard is probably best known for his work โRosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Deadโ, his absurdist comedyโฆ
The “Business Fit For Future” programme has launched with startups across Wiltshire seizing the opportunity to participate in free online business planning workshops. This initiative aims to support the local economy by providing essential resources and knowledge to early-stage business owners, helping them future-proof their offering.
The programme has already attracted a variety of businesses, including a rural marketing agency, a cosmetics business, a rural cafรฉ, and a social enterprise supporting older gentlemen in building peer networks.
Online sessions are being delivered by lead programme partners the University of Bath alongside techSPARK Swindon and Wiltshire. The workshops focus on foundational business principles, offering aspiring and established business owners alike the tools to build and refine their business plans.
Andrea Kelly, from the University of Bath Innovation Centre, expressed her enthusiasm for the programme, stating, “It’s exciting to see these workshops get underway. At the University of Bath, we want to support businesses in the region through access to expertise, innovation, and funding, and our partnership with techSPARK and The Future Smiths does just that. We would encourage all aspiring business owners or those considering self-employment to explore the options available to them and make the most of the expertise on offer that will help see their dream become a reality.”
In-person programmes will kick off in Chippenham and Salisbury in October and will run for eight weeks, before moving to Devizes and then Holt. The Future Smiths will be delivering these, and topics covered will include business fundamentals from creating a solid business plan, financial confidence to understanding market dynamics.
All workshops are fully funded by Wiltshire Council and the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund The UK Shared Prosperity Fund provides ยฃ2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025.
Aspiring entrepreneurs and local business owners are encouraged to take up the opportunity to enhance their business acumen, ensure success and network with like-minded individuals. To register interest in the upcoming workshops, visit https://www.thefuturesmiths.co.uk/startup
Benefits of having a Mayor who runs a blues club! Devizes blues fans get a late but great Christmas present when Mayor Ian Hopkins brings us this peach, a Devizes International Blues Festival on Saturday January 18th at the Corn Exchange; this news should warm you up!
“This is the biggest show I have everย put on,” Ian told us, and he’s put on a few in his time! It promises to be an all-day festival, starting at 2pm and containing a great line-up of blues stars. Any profits will go to the Mayors Appeal.
“We will be creating a intimate atmosphere of a blues club limited to just 250 tickets. There is a special Early Bird of ยฃ45.00 prior to 1st November when price rises to ยฃ50.00,” he explained, seemingly and understandably excited, you probably are too! Book now at Long Street Blues Club website, or tickets are at Devizes Books and Sound Knowledge in Marlborough.
You might think it’s a laryngologist’s dream come true, this Lewis Capaldi-led decade’s penchant for the blue-eyed soul singersโ melismatic strain to cause Mick Hucknallโฆ
Nothing cruel about our George Wilding; with his perfect match and another local legend of local music, Jolyon Dixon, they’re knocking out great singles likeโฆ
Thereโs a new single from Bristol-based Nothing Rhymes With Orange out tomorrow (Saturday 20th September) which takes the band to a whole new level, andโฆ
The Wiltshire Music Awards are delighted to confirm a new headline partnership with Stone Circle Music Events, who will sponsor the Awards for 2025 andโฆ
Following the excitement and success of the first meeting of โYour Partyโ in Swindon, a second meeting has been arranged for 18th September 7.30 -โฆ
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The Fulltone Orchestra has confirmed today that their annual festival will take place on The Green in Devizes from 25th โ 27th July 2025โฆ.
โItโs hard to believe that exactly one month ago, we were on The Green setting up for what we thought might be the last Fulltone Festival,โ they said today.
โFulltone is run by a small group of volunteers and is funded solely by ticket sales plus a few generous local sponsors. Ticket sales hadnโt been great leading up to this yearโs festival, and we really thought that it might have run its course.โ
Image Gail Foster
A last minute rush on ticket sales for the festival this July, the smooth running of the event, and overwhelmingly positive feedback have been the benefactors which caused the organisers to make a u-turn on not holding a Fulltone Festival next year.
I reasoned based on rumours about camping possibilities it may be relocated outside the central town, but organiser Jemma Brown confirmed it will remain on the Green due to popular demand, and the Rowdy Cow site could become a camping area with a shuttle bus operating to and fro.
Jemma also explained they’ve dropped the word โfestivalโ from the title of the event, and from next summer it will be known more simply as Fulltone โ25. I like this, it’s a unique event and on the reputation it has amassed over the years it needs no more explanation than this.
Image: Gail Foster
Acts are already being considered and booked, and Jemma also mentioned the possibility of fringe events happening in town venues. All exciting developments, and we wish them all the best with these early planning stages for what has become a jewel in the Devizes event calendar.
Fulltone โ25 will take place on The Green from 25th โ 27th July 2025. Early bird tickets will go on sale at 9 am Saturday 24th August 2024.
Next weekend (26th-28th July) is a biggie in our humble town, there’s the FullTone Festival on the Green, and Devizes Scooter Club revs up for their fourth Scooter Rally too. Which one is for you? Are they so obviously such vastly different events, your mind is made up already, or is it a dilemma of which to attend?
We cannot ignore the elephant in the room; do I think it’s a shame there’s a date clash on two of our best events in Devizes this summer? Yes, of course I do, but that’s the way the cookie crumbled, and here I intend in the order of fairness, to reason on both the differences and similarities between them, such that they attract different crowds.
Though both events differ, both also attract people into town therefore are financial assets, and most importantly whichever you attend you’re guaranteed a great time.
Me? I’m covering both, the idea is, at best, to hover between them, it could fail. I’m not ruling that out, but I’m too spontaneous for silly things like planning! Besides, I continually toil with what makes large events such as these good, you know? What are the perimeters on my scorecard when they differ so? It’s not as easy as you may think!
A recent subsidiary of this thought process came via the Minety Music Festival a few weekends ago. I liked that, liked it a lot. It was a level above the โaverageโ festival we hold here. Though neither the Rally nor FullTone can be described as average by any stretch of the imagination. Both punching above their weight and both are possibly the best time you’re likely to get in Devizes, until such a time Disney builds a theme park at Hopton!ย
Fulltone Festival 2023 Image Gail Foster
The premise was that Minety provided three stages and so many other things going on between them. I raced from stage to stage hoping to take in as much as possible, but to see it all was impossible.
I once argued that while FullTone is a monumentally awesome event, it didn’t meet my criteria of being a festival as such, on account it is a single stage hosted by the orchestra though allowing a few other acts in between. It was surely defined better as a conglomerate of concerts. I come from the Glasto school of thought, whereby a festival is multiple elements coming together in one big mesh. But, that’s a pedestal.
I’ve changed my mind on this, as FullTone have extended the ethos of different acts over the years, plus the orchestra and all its elements is a country mile above a set group like a rock band gig. Plus again, it seems these days putting a man with a guitar under a gazebo and flogging undercooked hotdogs constitutes a โfestival,โ and thus I must go along with that even if unwillingly!
You only need to look at the development of FullTone’s program over the past years to know this isn’t a true reflection. Look at the surprise Friday night add-on where Six will be re-enacted and popular youth acts like NRWO and Ruby Darbyshire play. And besides, the upside of the single stage format means you don’t miss any of what you’ve laid down your dollar for, and believe me, you’ll love Ruby, or Talk in Code equally as much as Kerry and Ricardo pulling out a Queen set, or dancing the night away to eighties reconstructions by a full orchestra; that diversity is something you’ll not find elsewhere, in Devizes if not internationally.
Fulltone Festival 2023 Image Gail Foster
Similarly the Scooter Rally is a single stage, but the class acts booked will see something of a rarity in town. You don’t find live reggae or ska acts on the pub circuit here, it’s costly. And being all the acts are tried and tested; All That Soul, for one example, will provide the ultimate tribute to the Motown sound on a level high above others locally, as they did at a Scooter Club night of yore. Overall The Rally is a godsend on our event calendar. Making it a given that both these events, while different, share success because they book the very best entertainers within their separate niches.
It can be the little touches which maketh the occasion. The Scooter Rally providing free transportation to and from the site to Devizes is something other event organisers should take heed of.
Both examples of the assurance quality acts is not something which has been skipped on, serves as mahoosive pros to the single stage format, because you’ll not want to miss any of it trudging from stage to stage. It’s an opinion, rather like a GCSE RE question; there’s no wrong answer.
Last weekend I was in the green room tent at Picnic in the Park, and it’s there which changed my mind on this opinion-based query. I met festival maker Sam, who looked exhausted, dropping off fire extinguishers at various locations, and I pointed out the fact that rarely do organisers get the opportunity to enjoy the event like a punter as there’s always something to be lugged around, moved, and catered for.ย
I had a taste of this when volunteering for a Street Festival of yore, constantly running wheelie bins to and fro like a videogame character, while being asked the bleeding obvious by attendees!
Fulltone Festival 2023 Image: Gail Foster
At Picnic in the Park I also spoke to Simon the sound engineer, chatting about the last Scooter Rally he expressed the work involved in accommodating a ska band compared to the average four-piece rock band. There were so many more lines to collate, what with the usual brass section. This made me ponder the technical requirements of a full orchestra at FullTone, and singers and, crickey, I can’t imagine what else!
The reason I involve myself in events is partially because I’m in communication with the organisers and if they need a hand I’m willing to muck in. The second reason is to understand exactly what, and how much goes into organising such events we promote on Devizine, so I can sympathise with the hard work they do to provide us with such grand entertainment.
So I find myself evaluating between all parts; the punter, the organisers and the acts, trying to find middle ground. Sometimes bands get frustrated with organisers, and visa versa, sometimes punters get annoyed if not everything is perfect, but the reasons for any frustration at events is because bringing all the elements together, ensuring every loop has been tied, and every regulation is accounted for, is a mammoth process taking incalculable hours, intricate planning, and manpower, which punters simply don’t take into consideration at the box office.
True, cost is paramount to the punter, now more than ever. You look at the price and think, what am I getting for my money? I agree, I do this too, it’s only natural. But more and more, as I witness the inner workings of such large events, what efforts are put into them, mostly behind the scenes, or often taken for granted, it never ceases to amaze me, especially being for all their efforts organisers rarely get to sit back and enjoy the day as a punter would.
For example, take FullTone‘s stage. Its shape has become iconic in Devizes. The acoustics are absolutely incredible and unlike any other outdoor event locally. The cost of this, the construction and the managing of it, to bring you an experience you’ll remember forever, is worthy of the ticket price alone, and we’ve not accounted for the numerous site jobs, from the erection of the fence, securing the event to insuring food and bar stalls are rightfully placed, and so much more.
Take the campsite at the Scooter Rally as another example, you’ve got revellers drinking, vehicles moving to and fro, punters enjoying themselves, and everything they’ll not consider has to be considered by organisers, fire safety, first aid, and again, so much more. It’s a headache for the most hardened skinhead!
Conclusion, there’s more than meets the eye in arranging any event or working them, none more than these big ones, and that’s why they cost. You either meet such a cost or lose the opportunity, and then what? Are we reduced to living on Facebook?!
I also accept the idea, as you are a paying customer that it is your right to override such considerations, but hey, as a customer you’ll be the first to complain if things don’t go precisely to plan! I know I will; jump to it, organisers, do my bidding!!
The bottom line is, though for slightly different reasons, both the Scooter Rally and FullTone Festival will be amazing events, among the very best Devizes has to offer, and whichever you choose, the weekend looks set to be a cracker.
Know that FullTone will be the last for a while, and if it does return it pledges to be something quite different. Know also, that, The Rally is highly enjoyable, a hospitable and solely unique event around these backwaters. It doesn’t even adopt the tagline festival, but compares to one in considering it’s way above your average scooter rally. You’ve got seven quality live acts over the two days, most other rallies struggle to provide one cheapest ska or Britpop cover band on their circuit.
But I’m not asking you to stand and stare, or shed a tear for the plight of the organisers, for they do it for the love of it, and if they didn’t they wouldn’t. All I’m saying is, the colossal labour, the attention to detail which goes into staging these occasions should be considered when deciding if you’re going, to either, or if you’re going to stay in with a bag of Lidl cheesy puffs, watching reruns of Come Dine with Me on the telebox, or another annoying show where other people, somewhere else, are enjoying themselves!
You don’t need to concern yourself in what’s in someone you don’t know, or never likely to knowโs knicker draw, when you could be skanking up the Whistley Road like you’re Suggs on a day out in Camden, or lounging in your deckchair on the Green, immersed in the unmatchable acoustics of the FullTone Orchestra, like you’re King Charles in the royal box at The Albert Hall!
Fulltone Festival 2023 Image: Gail Foster
Furthermore, while this particular article concentrates on events within the castle on the dividing line, further options are available to you outside that boundary. Trowbridge Festival, Potterne Festival and even a little occasion called Womad are also set on the same weekend. May this also suit to assure you we report such impartially, and as a labour of love rather than for financial gain. Therefore there is no just reason for us to be dishonest or biassed. Organisers and artists we may oblige, but the priority in retaining said honesty is aimed foremost towards the sake of the customers. Ergo, whilst we’re respectful of all the hard work which goes into event management, we might not condone our analysis of it to be deliberately or unfairly critical, we more simply won’t report on it, we will tell you, the customer, fairly, however, if it rocks our world and would also rock yours.
And now you know where we stand, I hope you can take heed when I repeat myself, which while I accept is a symptom of middle-age, it stands affirmed whatever event we’ve mentioned you should choose to attend, based on previous year’s experience, it comes guaranteed you’ll have a fantastic time!
Phew, I’m glad I’ve got that off my chest. Now, pass me my tie-dye t-shirt and festival jester’s hat, and let’s party!
It’s been six months since Devizes-based young blues crooner JP Oldfield released his poignant kazoo-blowing debut EP Bouffon. He’s made numerous appearances across the circuitโฆ
There’s something to be said for the function duo route with universal appeal, you could be working somewhere hot! Powerhouse vocal harmony duo Reflections areโฆ
Formerly known as Judas Goat and the Bellwether, the now renamed band have announced the release of their latest single, โDrill Baby Drillโ (coming outโฆ
Photograph byย Simon Folkard It’s been a rocky road for Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts (DOCA) these last few years, and I didn’t mean the crushed biscuitsโฆ
What, again?! Another article about Talk in Code?! Haven’t they had enough Devizine-styled publicity?! Are their heads swelling?!ย Didn’t that crazy toothless editor catch themโฆ
The 50th Anniversary of the now legendary Village Pump Festival, which was brought back to the UK festival circuit in 2018 by director Nicholas Reed, are down to their last 100 tickets; be as quick as a quick thing being quickโฆ.
Driven by the uk festival exclusive for the debut duo performance from long time British folk legends Maddy โSteeleye Spanโ Prior, who graced Trowbridge’s Village Pump venue in the early 70s, prior to any fame and fortune and jon โbellowheadโ boden. This incredible partnership gets its first live performance at a venue that kick-started their early careers in what is such a significant moment in the festivalโs history.
Also on the line up are the fast becoming deeply respected The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican, in what is surely a festival headline debut! The Barnsley trio offer up their usual wit and humour, but with recent new addition Jamie Roberts, brother of the wonderful Katheryn Robertโs who will also be performing with her duo with her partner Sean Lakeman.
Itโs a true folkers line up, which includes โGilmore-Robertsโ, โSykes-martinโ, โStonegallowsโ and festival stalwart โKeith Christmasโ. Ceilidh from โSpill the Whiskeyโ, and some world music from the Bath-based klezmer band โNinotchkaโ and โRSVP Bhangraโ.
Unmissable highlights recommended by us at Devizine, and to interfere with an otherwise fine press release with our own opinion, (as we care to do!) would include Gaz Brookfield, Mr Tea & The Minions, Concrete Prairie, Be Like Will, Billy in the Lowground, Fly Yeti Fly, Devilโs Doorbell, The Lost Trades, Thieves, and of course, Ruby Darbyshire and Nothing Rhymes With Orange; this is stellar line-up of tried and tested local talent alongside the headliners.ย ย
Unlike other festivals, Trowbridge offers free camping with their weekend tickets. This offers unrivalled value for money and set in the beautiful Wiltshire countryside, basking in the shadow of Westbury White Horse.
Valedictorian graduate of Bates College in Maine, and with a PhD in neuroscience from Harvard, neuroscientist Lisa Genova self-published her debut novel, Still Alice inโฆ
Swindon’s annual colossal fundraising event The Shuffle is a testament to local live music, which raises funds for Prospect Hospice. If you’re ever going toโฆ
There was a geographical population imbalance this bank holiday Monday in Devizes which risked the entire town conically sloping into the back of Morrisons; noโฆ
Whilst dispersing highly flammable hydrocarbon gases into the atmosphere is not advisory, Butane Skies is a name increasingly exploding on local circuits. The young andโฆ
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Jam-packed July! If thereโs always lots to do throughout the year, July especially so!ย ย
Hereโs what weโve found in the wilds of Wiltshire this coming weekโฆ.
Everything listed here is on our event calendar; go there for links and more info, as it takes too much time to link them all in. It may also be updated as more events come to our attention, so check in later in the week too!
Ongoing: A Wiltshire Thatcher: A Photographic Journey Through Victorian Wessex runs at Wiltshire Museum, Devizes, until the end of August; review here.
The Frome Festival is underway, and ends on 14th July. Cheltenham Music Festival also, ending on 13th July.
Marlborough Open Studios is running until 28th July.
Wednesday 10th
Acoustic Jam at the Southgate, Devizes.
Three Choir Showcase Concert at the Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon, featuring BCG Choir, PSG Choir and the Horizons Choir. Jam at the Boathouse.
A Lunchtime Recital with flautist Klio Blonz at Pound Arts, Corsham.
Cheritang at the Bell, Bath. The Dreamer Live at The Rondo Theatre.
Scott Mickelson at The Beehive, Swindon. Chocolate Theatre presents The Full Monty at Swindon Arts Centre. Infant Voice Festival at the Wyvern Theatre.
Paul Masonโs The Bob Morris Lecture at The Cheese & Grain, Frome.
2000Trees festival opens near Cheltenham.
Thursday 11th
James B Partridge Presents: School Assembly Bangers at Pound Arts, Corsham.
Fly Yeti Fly at The Tuppenny, Swindon. Erin Bardwell & Friends at The Castle.
Richard Herringโs Can I Have My Ball Back at the Cheese & Grain, Frome.
Friday 12th
โSteve Davisโ and โKavos Torabiโ at the Barge Inn Honeystreet.
Marlborough Festival opens and runs all weekend. Comedy Night at the Town Hall. El Toro at The Bear, Marlborough. Luke Gittins with Ash Smith at The Green Dragon.
Double Bill at Pound Arts, Corsham with Ben de la Cour & Holysseus Fly.
Black Charade & Fell Out Boy at The Vic, Swindon. Funkinsteins at The Beehive. Viggo Venn at the Wyvern Theatre.
One Chord Wonders at The Boathouse, Bradford-on-Avon. Future Plan and Lindup Brothers at the Three Horseshoes.
Faith at The Rondo Theatre, Bath.
Peatbog Faeries at the Cheese & Grain, Frome. An Dannsa Dub at the Tree House.
Saturday 13th
Devizes Beer & Cider Festival. Humdinger at The Three Crowns, Devizes. Thomas Atlas at The Southgate, Devizes.
Josh Kumra and Mica at the Bear, Marlborough. On Remand at the Crown.
Reading Dub Club at The Barge, HoneyStreet.
Everything Changes at Melksham Assembly Hall.
Adrenaline Stompers Festival at Club Venom in Westbury.
Characters Stage Schoolโs Annie at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon. Innes Sibun Trio at The Boathouse.
John Hegley: An American in Luton at Pound Arts, Corsham.
Bar Tape at The Rondo Theatre, Bath. The Spirit & Sound of Steely Dan โ Nearly Dan in concert at Chapel Arts. Salt Beef Reuben & Friends at the Bell, Bath.
Hooch at Royal Oak, Bishopstone. Phantom Droid, Thrakian and Hora at The Vic, Swindon.
Miss Kelโs Academy Of Dance: Stars And Stripes at the Wyvern Theatre.
Flash Harry at the Corner House, Frome. Gary Davies Sound of the 80s at the Cheese & Grain.
And Somerset Kaya Reggae Festival at Caryford.
Sunday 14th
Editorโs Pick of the Week is Picnic in the Park at Hillworth Park, Devizes from 12-5pm; hope to see you there! Jamie Williams & The Roots Collective at The Southgate, Devizes straight afterwards.
Wiltshire Young Musicians Summer Festival from 1.30pm at the Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon. Tom Cornnell at The Boathouse. Luna Barge at the Three Horseshoes.
Jon Amor Trio at the Bell, Bath.
Richard Wileman & Amy Fry at Richard Jefferies Museum, Swindon from 1pm. Kitty Langan Studio โ Schoolโs Out at the Wyvern Theatre.
Frome Symphony at The Cheese & Grain, Frome.
The Godney Gathering in Somerset opens.
Monday 15th
B D Lenz at the Bell, Bath.
Tuesday 16th
Alex Vietch Quartet at Jazz Knights in the Royal Oak, Swindon.
Ben de la Cour at the Bell, Bath.
And thatโs your lot, for now!
Important note: events which come to our attention from now on, 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.
Did we miss you out? Did you tell us about your event? Itโs not that we donโt like you, itโs 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 Iโve added it and let me know if not!
The excitement and hope generated by Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana announcing a new political party has reached Swindonโฆ.. A broad range of people haveโฆ
If I was bowled over backwards by Rubyโs teaser single last week, its title, Crowned Lightbringer, now also belongs to this five-track EP, released today,โฆ
Image: John Kisch Legendary songwriter and original Stranglers frontman Hugh Cornwell has announced a run of UK dates this November, accompanied by special guests Theโฆ
Atmospherically anthemic and reinforced with that infectious rhythmic groove weโve come to love Talk in Code for, More Than Friends is chockfull of it, andโฆ
by Mick Brian With Sandcastles Productions marking its debut production with Charlie McGuireโs original play Glass House, the cast and crew behind this production are clearlyโฆ
Hereโs what weโve found to do in the wilds of Wiltshire this coming weekโฆ.
Everything listed here is on our event calendar; go there for links and more info. It may be updated, so check in later in the week.
Ongoing: A Wiltshire Thatcher: A Photographic Journey Through Victorian Wessex runs at Wiltshire Museum, Devizes, until the end of August; review here.
Devizes Arts Festival got off to a great start, it continues through the week, individual events are listed as normal below.
Wednesday 12th
Acoustic Jam at The Southgate, Devizes. Two Devizes Arts Festival events, Kate Webb and Jon Stock โ The Darker Side of Wiltshire at the Peppermill, and Martin Simpson at the Corn Exchange.
Lunchtime Recital: Meg Morley (Piano) at Pound Arts, Corsham.
In The Night Garden Live at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon. Memory Cinema, for those with dementia, is showing Annie Get Your Gun at Swindon Arts Centre.
The Archive of Dread Revisited at Rondo Theatre, Bath. Solana at the Bell, Bath.
Wheatus plays the Cheese & Grain, Frome.
Thursday 13th
Duo Tutti at the Town Hall, and The Sound of Blue Note, also at the Town Hall, make up Devizes Arts Festival for Thursday. John Lawson’s Circus opens on the Green, Devizes and runs until 16th June.
In The Night Garden Live at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon. Ma Polaineโs Great Decline at The Tuppenny, Swindon.
Jonny & The Baptists presents the Happiness Index and Ten Thankless Years at Rondo Theatre, Bath.
An Evening With Harry Redknapp at the Cheese & Grain, Frome.
Friday 14th
Chocolate Truffle Masterclass at HolyChocs in Poulshot.
The Slambovian Circus of Dreams at Devizes Arts Festival in the Corn Exchange. Mr Griff at The Southgate, Devizes.
Tom Davis & The Bluebirds at The Barge, HoneyStreet.
The Carrivick Sisters at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon. BuckFest over the weekend at The Three Horseshoes, Friday with Kitchen Lover,, Mimi & the Miseries and Bucky Rage.The Karport Collective at The Seven Stars, Winsley.
Jacob & Drinkwater: 10th Anniversary Tour at Pound Arts, Corsham.
The Carpenters Story at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon. An Evening of Mediumship with Psychic Medium Nikki Kitt at Swindon Arts Centre. Oasish & The Stereotonics at the Vic, Swindon.
Jonny & The Baptists presents the Happiness Index and Ten Thankless Years at Rondo Theatre, Bath.
Toyah & Robert at the Cheese & Grain, Frome.
Saturday 15th
Summer Fayre at Bishops Cannings School from 12-4pm.
Huw Williams โ St Johnโs Church Organ Recital at St Johnโs Church Devizes, part of Devizes Arts Festival. Bone Chapel at The Southgate. 6 Oโclock Circus at The Three Crowns.
Pianist Tony James with a lineup you can see the poster below, at Market Lavington Community Hall for a Mathieson Music Trust 30th Anniversary.
The Parade Festival, at the Parade Cinema, Marlborough, with The Vooz and Zoots headlining. Room 101 at the Lamb, Marlborough.
Cacti & Succulent Show at Melksham Assembly Hall
Daliso Chaponda: Feed This Black Man Again at the Neeld, Chippenham. NWSO Summer Concert 2024 at St. Andrewโs Church. Grease and Dirty Dancing tribute night at the Pewsham.
Trowbridge Midsummer Festival at Trowbridge Town Park. Free this one, with the incredible Frankisoul on at 8pm! Dead Zebras and Diversion at the Pump. A roller-disco at the Civic.
Bath Symphony Orchestra at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon. BuckFest at The Three Horseshoes continues with Bucky Rage, Bully Bones & The Pressure.
VRรฏ at Pound Arts, Corsham.
Shepton Mallet Prison Charity Abseil.
Holding Back The Years at Swindon Arts Centre. Judas Rising at the Queenโs Tap. Shepherdโs Pie at the Vic, Swindon. Thereโs a Wanborough Beer Festival too.
Neuroheadz Festival 2024 at Brokenborough opens.
The Vintage Bazaar at the Cheese & Grain, Frome is followed by The Blockheads.
Sunday 16th
Matchbox Mutiny at The Three Crowns, Devizes from 3pm. LeBurn Maddox & Friends at The Southgate, Devizes from 5pm. The Junco Shakers at The British Lion at 2pm, a FREE Devizes Arts Festival fringe, and a The Poetry Slam from 6pm at the Wharf Theatre is another free fringe event which sadly closes the arts festival for another year.
Open Mic at the Red Lion, Lacock.
Perfectly Frank, Frank Sinatra tribute at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.
BuckFest continues at The Three Horseshoes.
Western Players โ Dead Reckoning opens at Swindon Arts Centre, running until 26th June. Kavus Torabi at the Vic, Swindon
Hodmadoddery at the Bell, Bath.
Monday 17th
Devizes Election Hustlings at Devizes School, see poster.
Troy Redfern is at The Tree House, Frome.
Tuesday 18th
Jon Pearson at Crazy Bird Comedy Club in The Piggy Bank Micropub in Calne.
Lost Songs of Scilly: Piers Lewin & John Patrick Elliott at Pound Arts, Corsham.
QOW Trio for Jazz Knights at the Royal Oak, Swindon.
Saskia Maxwell & Sam Sweeney at the Bell, Bath
And thatโs all weโve got for now; fill your boots! Events listed here are subject to change, we are not responsible for cancellations, errors or postponements in anything listed.
Summer Solstice next Thursday 20h June, and thereโs lots to do over the rest of the month, HERE>
Important note: events which come to our attention from now on, 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.
Did we miss you out? Did you tell us about your event? Itโs not that we donโt like you, itโs 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 Iโve added it and let me know if not!
Wiltshire Music announces a new season for Autumn Winter: and the first under the new leadership of Daniel Clark, Artistic Director and Sarah Robertson, Executiveโฆ
If youโve seen Jess Self performing at the Wharf Theatre, singing at the FullTone Festival or elsewhere Iโm certain youโll agree with us; Jess hasโฆ
It’s been a wonderful summer’s weekend, in which I endeavoured to at least poke my nose into the fabulous FullTone Festival, despite being invited toโฆ
Devizes annual orchestral festival, FullTone got underway yesterday afternoon with a showcase of local talent from Devizes Music Academy,ย and finalised Friday night with theirโฆ
A feast of Salisbury musicians have recorded the single Edge of Reason, a powerful tribute to the irreplaceable ThomโฏBelk, a champion of Salisburyโs music sceneโฆ
Devizes Food & Drink Festival launched their 2025 programme of events today. Running from Saturday 20th to the 28th September, the Box Office opens onlineโฆ
Hereโs what weโve found to do in the wilds of Wiltshire this coming week. Donโt forget your sunscreen and a nice party umbrella!
Everything listed here is on our event calendar; go there for links and more info. It may be updated, so check in later in the week.
Ongoing: A Wiltshire Thatcher: A Photographic Journey Through Victorian Wessex runs at Wiltshire Museum, Devizes, until the end of August; review here.
Devizes Arts Festival got off to a great start, it continues through the week, individual events are listed as normal below.
Wednesday 5th
Acoustic Jam at The Southgate, Devizes. Mike Dilger โ One Thousand Shades of Green and An Evening with Adam Rutherford, both at Devizes Arts Festival.
Ignas Maknickas at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.
Big Monthly Jam at The Vic, Swindon.
Dot, the Faun and the Elfin Child at Rondo Theatre, Bath. SKANKt at the Bell.
Thursday 6th
80th anniversary of D-Day, there will be lighting of beacons across the county. One on Marlborough Common, another one Roundway Hill Devizes.
Rum & Records at the Muck & Dundar, Devizes. Hollie McNish โ The Lobster Tour and Lucy Porter at Devizes Arts Festival. Fantasy Radio will be at the Pelican for a live lounge, featuring Andrew Hurst.
Death is a Girl, Ritual Divide & The Belladonna Treatment at the Vic, Swindon. Splat The Rat at The Tuppenny.
Friday 7th
RNLI Lifeboats Event, Polperro Fishermenโs Choir at The Assembly Rooms, Devizes Town Hall. Jo Carley and the Old Dry Skulls at Devizes Arts Festival.
Open Mic at The Barge on HoneyStreet.
Textiles and Stitch around Marlborough are in Lockeridge, see poster below.
CarmenCo: A Pocket Opera at Pound Arts, Corsham.
Ant Trouble at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon.
Rotten Aces at the Queenโs Tap, Swindon. Bring me the Horizon Party at the Vic.
Meltdown by Tom Hardman (Bath Fringe Festival 2024) at The Mission, Bath. The Collected Grimms Tales by Tim Supple and Carol Ann Duffy (Bath Fringe Festival 2024) at The Mission, Bath. Letโs Unpack That at the Rondo Theatre.
Tangled Roots Folk Festival, Radford Farm, Somerset.
Skinny Lister at The Tree House, Frome. The Buzzcocks at the Cheese & Grain. Not Fragile at The Sun.
Saturday 8th
Cable Street Collective at Devizes Arts Festival, Corn Exchange 8pm. The Unpredictables at The Three Crowns, Devizes. Tom Davies & The Bluebirds at The Southgate. Braeside Summer Extravaganza โ Devizes, free entry, for fun activities, delicious food, live music, artisan market and more.
The Monkey Dolls at The Lamb, Marlborough. RNLI Concert at St Peterโs Church.
Parker, Youngest of 3 and Butane Skies at the Pump in Trowbridge. Donโt forget, Youngest of 3 drummer Flo is also a regular contributor to Devizine, reporting on the youth scene, so please show them some support if you can! Sounds of Seattle at the Civic.
Bradford-on-Avon Food & Drink Festival. Fist Full of Rage at The Three Horseshoes.
Magic & Marvels at Swindon Arts Centre. Rockabilly Rumble at The Queenโs Tap, Swindon.
Masa at The Tuppenny. The Chaos Brothers at The Vic.
Catherine Bohartโs Again, With Feelings, at Rondo Theatre, Bath.
Little Pickles Market followed by Paul Jones & Dave Kelly at the Cheese & Grain, Frome.
Sunday 9th
Lions on the Green at Devizes Green. Tamsin Quinn & Vince Bell at The Southgate, from 5pm. Devizes Arts Festival Walk : Sarsens, Soldiers and Sawpits, and two free fringe events, Rumour at the Three Crowns at 2pm, and Annie Parker Trio at St John’s Church at 7pm.
Open Mic at the Red Lion, Lacock.
Matt Bragg & Seb Cooper at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon.
Destination: Old Hag by Bridget Hardy, Penny Rossano and Samantha Houston (Bath Fringe Festival 2024) at The Mission, Bath. The Saint Melonians at the Bell, Bath.
Monday 10th
Ida Pelliccioli at Devizes Arts Festival.
Rock The Tots: Jungle at Pound Arts, Corsham.
The University of Bath Minerva Lecture Series at The Mission, Bath. Scott Lavene at the Bell, Bath (we love Scott here at Devizine, go see this, and if you do, please write back to tell us about it.)
Tuesday 11th
Devizes Arts Festival: Belinda Kirk and The Life-Changing Power of Adventure. And Discovering Antarctica : Heroic tales of Shackleton, Crean and Scott ~ Play on Words Theatre.
Peter Jones & Tom Berge Trio for Jazz Knights at the Royal Oak, Swindon.
And thatโs all weโve got for now; fill your boots! Events listed here are subject to change, we are not responsible for cancellations, errors or postponements in anything listed.
Do check ahead with our every-changing events diary. Isnโt it high time you snapped up some tickets for the Devizes Arts Festival?
Important note: events which come to our attention from now on, 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.
Did we miss you out? Did you tell us about your event? Itโs not that we donโt like you, itโs 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 Iโve added it and let me know if not!
With your standard festivals two-to-a-penny, some consisting of not much more than a bloke with a guitar in a pub selling undercooked and overpriced hotdogs,โฆ
Contemplated headlining this โClash of the Titans,โ but that evokes the idea of a dramatic power struggle with fierce consequences rather than proof Devizes canโฆ
Popular award-winning artisan chocolate business Hollychocs has announced that its Beanery Cafรฉ will close on Saturday 23rd August, marking exactly two years since its openingโฆ
by Ian Diddamsimages by Sandcastle Productions A very new addition to Bath based theatre companies, Sandcastles Productions brings their self penned piece of theatre toโฆ
by Ian Diddamsimages by Ian Diddams, Next Stage Theatre Company and Mike Stevens Florian Zeller is a contemporary French playwright and screenwriter, who received criticalโฆ
Rude to walk into an event sporting another event wristband but the welcome was friendly as ever at the Three Crowns in Devizes. It’s mid-afternoon,โฆ
From the 5th to the 14th July 2024, Frome Festival plans to up the game of this wonderful and lively town with a bumper programme for allโฆ..ย
In over sixty-one venues across Frome and surrounding villages, Frome Festival is gearing up for its biggest ever programme, with 250 events taking place over 10 days. This yearโs theme celebrates 60 years of Roald Dahlโs โCharlie & the Chocolate Factoryโ, featuring artwork by illustrator Sholto Walker depicting Willy Wonka striding down the streets of Frome. To celebrate this theme, five Golden Tickets will be hidden at various Festival events with winners receiving a scrumdiddlyumptious spending spree at Fromeโs local chocolatier and cafรฉ, Choc et al.
The community arts festival has been a popular fixture in the town since 2001 and aims to offer something for everyone, young and old, including different types of music, theatre, comedy, spoken word, art, dance, film, workshops, childrenโs events, and food or drink experiences. Expect a dash of Fromeโs signature quirkiness!
Children can enjoy bouldering workshops, comic art masterclasses, science exploration of pondlife, theatre productions, a Willy Wonka Rave, outdoor shows and so much more.
And Frome Festival is teaming up with the popular Frome Independent Market on Sunday 7th July, taking over their entertainment stages with music, street theatre, and dance.
Sir Willard White
Headliners for 2024 include internationally acclaimed bass-baritone, Sir Willard White, Jenny Eclair, Richard Herring, Paul Mason, Old Time Sailors, Swinging at the Cotton Club, Alberta Cross, Raghu Dixit, Peatbog Faeries. Alongside one of Fromeโs favourite free events, the Festival Food Feast, returning for a celebration of amazing international street food, live music and entertainment. Sponsored by local Frome company Lilleyโs Cider.
Other highlights include hilarious stand-up comic Jenny Eclair at the Merlin Theatre, the first woman to win the coveted Perrier Award at Edinburgh Festival in 1995 and hasnโt stopped banging on about it since. Indiaโs biggest cultural & musical export, Raghu Dixit is returning to the Cheese & Grain for the Frome Festival after his triumphant debut last year.
Jenny Eclair
The spectacular Swinging at the Cotton Club is a visual and musical feast paying homage to legends such as Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, and Count Basie with breathtaking dance routines. In the atmospheric setting of Holy Trinity Church, renowned organ virtuoso David Bednall will provide an improvised soundtrack to the classic 1922 horror movie, Nosferatu.
Thereโs raucous Old Time Sailors, former economics editor of Newsnight and Channel 4 and a regular Guardian contributor, Paul Mason presenting this yearโs Bob Morris Lecture, a keynote speech that is an annual highlight of the Festival programme. Legendary stand-up comic Richard Herring presents his brand-new tour show where he talks bollocks about his recent experience with testicular cancer, at the Cheese & Grain, and Scottish trailblazers Peatbog Faeries also appear at the big Cheese, with a glorious mixture of traditional sounds and dance-floor grooves creating a hypnotic sound that no-one can resist dancing to.
BROCHURES detailing all events are available to pick up from the Cheese & Grain, local libraries, information points and many other locations across Frome and the surrounding area. An online version of the brochure is available here.
If youโve popped into Wiltshire Music Centre recently; for a concert, workshop, screening orย even a meeting, you might have noticedโฏchanges in the foyer: recorded music,โฆ
Photo credit: David Leigh Dodd Pioneers of the indie-rock sound which would lead us into the nineties, Transvision Vamp lead singer Wendy James has announcedโฆ
By Ian DiddamsImages by Luke Ashley Tame of Acadia Creative Around 2 million women are victims of violence perpetrated by men every year, thatโs 3,000โฆ
Family run premier auctioneers of antiques and collector’s items, Henry Aldridge and Son announced a move into The Old Town Hall on Wine Street, Devizes;โฆ
By Ian DiddamsImages by Ian Diddams and Shakespeare Live Is it post watershed? Then I shall beginโฆ The etymology of the word โNothingโ is quiteโฆ โฆ
Amidst another packed summer weekend’s schedule laid that lovable large village Pewseyโs turn to shine; always a law unto itself, things went off; if itโsโฆ
Britpop icons Supergrass will headline Frome Festival as a fundraising event for grassroots community action group โPeople for Packsaddleโ who are fighting to save aโฆ
Hereโs what weโve found to do in the wilds of Wiltshire this coming weekโฆ
Everything listed here is on our event calendar; go there for links and more info. It may be updated, so check in later in the week.
Ongoing: A Wiltshire Thatcher: A Photographic Journey Through Victorian Wessex runs at Wiltshire Museum, Devizes, until the end of August; review here.
The Thrill of Love is currently running at the Wharf Theatre until Saturday, hereโs a review.
Wednesday 15th
Acoustic Jam at The Southgate, Devizes.
Patsy Gamble Jazz Trio at St Nicholas Church in Bromham, preview here.
Jonathan Leibovitz at the Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.
Mohamed Errebbaa at the Bell, Bath
Memory Cinema at Swindon Arts Centre, for those suffering with dementia and their carers, screening The Lavender Hill Mob (U). Latin funk jazz with Starlings at Jazz Knights in The Royal Oak, Swindon.
Thursday 16th
Royal Wootton Bassett Carnival & Fun Fair starts and finishes at the weekend.
Courting Ghosts at The Tuppenny, Swindon. Rusty Goatโs Poetry All-Stars at Twigs Community Gardens. Memory Sing at Swindon Arts Centre. Pete Allenโs Jazz Band at Swindon Arts Centre. Antiques and a Little Bit of Nonsense at The Wyvern Theatre.
Friday 17th
Full On Fridays at the Exchange, Devizes, with DJ Stevie MC.
Medium Nikki Kitt is at Melksham Assembly Hall .
Mosquito at the Aldbourne Social Club.
Pat Sharp Party Night at the Civic, Trowbridge.
Ion Maiden at The Vic, Swindon. Simplicity at the Queenโs Tap. Ashley Blaker at Swindon Arts Centre. Julian Clary โ A Fistful Of Clary at The Wyvern Theatre.
Ruzz Guitar Trio at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon. Karport Collective at The Boathouse.
Bath International Music Festival begins today, running until 26th May. Bootleg Bee Gees at Chapel Arts. Daliso Chapondaโs Feed this Black Man Again at The Rondo Theatre, Bath.
Dutty Moonshine DJ Set at The Tree House, Frome.
The Chilled Out Motorhome and Camper Weekender in Cirencester opens.
Saturday 18th
Devizes Vegan Market at The Market Place from 10am-3pm. Mynt Image Craft Fair in the Corn Exchange. The Dirt Road Band at Long Street Blues Club. Canuteโs Plastic Army at The Southgate, Edโs pick of the week this one. Adam Woodhouse at The Three Crowns. Caztro is in the mix at the Exchange.
White Horse Soapbox Derby in Westbury.
Mosaic Dogs at The Lamb, Trowbridge.
Talk in Code at The Kings Arms, Amesbury.
Rachel Newton at Pound Arts, Corsham.
Black Wendy at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon. Vocal Works Gospel Choir โ live at 21 at the Wiltshire Music Centre.
Shelf is at the Rondo Theatre, Bath, with a kids version, then teenage men version. Roxy Magic at Chapel Arts.
The Bowie Experience at The Vic, Swindon. Awakening Savannah at The Queenโs Tap.
The Soul Strutters at the Woodlands Edge. Drew Bryant at the New Inn. The Blackheart Orchestra at Swindon Arts Centre. eMotion Dance Competition at The Wyvern Theatre.
Frome Memorial Theatre Open Day followed by Jive Talkinโ. John Lydon is at the Cheese & Grain. ZZ Toppd at the Tree House.
Sunday 19th
The Hoodoos at The Southgate, Devizes from 5pm.
Open Mic at the Red Lion, Lacock.
Shot by Both Sides at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon.
Eddie Martin at the Bell, Bath.
Lee Hurst โ Sweet Sorted Lovely at Swindon Arts Centre.
The Frome International Climate Film Festival at the Cheese & Grain.
Monday 20th
Tony Remy, James Morton & Anders Olinder at the Bell, Bath.
Steeleye Span at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.
Tuesday 21st
Letโs Walk โ Caen Hill & Jubilee Wood
Crazy Bird Comedy Night at The Piggy Bank Micropub, Calne.
Gareth Williams Trio for Jazz Knights at The Royal Oak, Swindon.
Ash Mandrake & Jenny Bliss at the Bell, Bath.
And thatโs all weโve got for now; fill your boots! Events listed here are subject to change, we are not responsible for cancellations, errors or postponements in anything listed.
Shindig Festival at Dillington Park begins next week, the last Shindig festival, have a good one from me.Also find upcoming Chippenham Folk Festival 24th-27th May. Love Saves the Day in Bristol. Beer and Cider Festival at Swindon & Cricklade Railway. Cursus Festival 2024 Dorset. Chris Moyles 90s Hangover Festival at Swindon Town FC.
In Devizes Nothing Rhymes With Orange makes a homecoming at The Three Crowns on Friday 24th. And isnโt it high time you snapped up some tickets for the Devizes Arts Festival at the end of the month running into June?
Important note: events which come to our attention from now on, 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.
Did we miss you out? Did you tell us about your event? Itโs not that we donโt like you, itโs 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 Iโve added it and let me know if not!
Another Triumph for WHO Andy Fawthrop Following the excellent recent production of La Belle Helene at Devizesโ Wharf Theatre back in March (see here), Whiteโฆ
Five Have An Out-of-town Experience You canโt always get that live music experience you crave by simply staying within the walls of D-Town.ย Sometimes, andโฆ
By Ian DiddamsImages by Josie Mae-Ross and Charlotte Emily Shakespeare wrote several plays that were termed in the late nineteenth century โProblem Playsโ. These wereโฆ
Together in Electric Dreamsโฆ. at The Corn Exchange Fashionably late for Devizes Arts Festival, I’d like to thank Andy and Ian for informative coverage ofโฆ
by Ian Diddamsimages by Ian Diddams, Play on Words Theatre, and Devizes Arts Festival Who was paying attention in history at school when they coveredโฆ
Itโs beginning to look a lot more like spring now; you are officially cleared to go outside! Hereโs what weโve found to do outside, in the wilds of Wiltshire this coming weekโฆ
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: A Wiltshire Thatcher: A Photographic Journey Through Victorian Wessex runs at Wiltshire Museum, Devizes, until the end of August; review here.ย
Wednesday 8th
Acoustic Jam at The Southgate, Devizes
Trowbridge Job Fair.
Nick Helmโs Super Fun Good Time Show at The Rondo Theatre, Bath. O. Love & The Affair at the Bell, Bath. Nurse Georgie Carroll: Sista Flo 2.0 at Komedia.
Big Jam Session at The Vic, Swindon. And the Swindon Festival Of Literature opens with Anne-Marie OโDwyer at Swindon Arts Centre, and Jessica Fostekew: Mettle.
Thursday 9th
Devizes Film Club at the Wharf Theatre, screening The Quiet Girl.
Comedy Loft 9 at the Civic, Trowbridge.
Hannah Sanders & Ben Savage at Pound Arts, Corsham.
The TigerFace Show at The Rondo Theatre, Bath. Hayseed Dixie and The Zipheads at Komedia.
Butcombe Festival Of Laughs At The White Hart, Wroughton. Coopers Creek at The Beehive, Swindon. Swindon Festival Of Literature: Elizabeth Oldfield and Mark Rutterford at Swindon Arts Centre, followed by The Metamorphosis at Swindon Arts Centre.
Friday 10th
People Like Us at The Condado Lounge, Devizes. Palooza are back at the Exchange nightclub, great night of house music, great vibe, last time.
The Future Sound of Trowbridge #9 at The Pump, with FLAM and Artoid. TrowFest at Trowbridge RFC.
Miss Kill at the Old Road Tavern, Chippenham.
Counterโs Creek at Pound Arts, Corsham.
Warming up for the Green Man Festival on Saturday, I Smell Burning at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon. The Full Motley at The Boathouse. Lindisfarne at Wiltshire Music Centre.
Benji Kirkpatrick at Chapel Arts, Bath. My Secret Sister at The Rondo Theatre. Craig Charles Funk & Soul House Party at Komedia.
Jordan Red, Webb and Boss Cass at The Vic, Swindon. Peloton at the Queenโs Tap.
Swindon Festival Of Literature at Swindon Arts Centre โhas Marcus Du Sautoy, Hilary Bradt, and Felice Hardy.
New Purple Celebration โ The Music of Prince at the Cheese & Grain, Frome. Gary Stringer of Reef at The Tree House.
Saturday 11th
The Stert Country House Collectables and Car Boot Sale in aid of Cancer Research at Stert near Devizes. Kirris Riviere & The Delta Du Bruit at The Southgate.
Five Lanes Summer Fete in Worton. The Unpredictables at Potterne Social Club.
The Famous Hangover Sessions atThe New Lamb Inn, Marlborough. Open Mic at The Barge on HoneyStreet.
Martyโs Fake Family at Gloucester Road Club, Trowbridge. Rural France, Ravetank, Clock Radio and Fela Dekota all at The Pump.
The Fureys at The Neeld, Chippenham.
Bradford on Avon Green Man Festival, Preview HERE. Also find Strange Folk at The Three Horseshoes. Be Like Will at The Boathouse.
Westbury Food & Drink Festival
โThe Mystery Guest Tour Featuring Lady Nade, Daisy Chute, and Izzue Yardley at Pound Arts, Corsham.
Talk in Code at The Castle, Swindon with KGB and The Racket. Here Comes the Crows at the Queenโs Tap. Rush Hour at the Woodlands Edge. Faux Fighters at The Vic. Swindon Festival Of Literature at Swindon Arts Centre has Tony Hawks and a Flash Fiction Slam!
A rally for Palestine in Bath. Sherlockโs Excellent Adventure at The Rondo Theatre. Ma Bessie and her Pigfoot Band at Chapel Arts.
Kings of Lyon and The UK-Strokes at the Cheese & Grain, Frome.
Sunday 12th
Devizes Lions Sponsored Walk. Jack Grace at The Southgate, from 5pm.
Open Mic at the Red Lion, Lacock.
Melksham Record Fair at Melksham Assembly Hall.
The Ultimate Commitments and Blues Brothers Experience at The Neeld, Chippenham.
Mustard Allegro at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon. Cantamus Chamber Choir Chichester Psalms at Wiltshire Music Centre.
Schtumm presents AQABA at The Queenโs Head in Box. Mambo Jambo at the Bell, Bath.
Legacy at The Kings Arms, Old Town, Swindon. Swindon Festival Of Literature has a Children & Families Day at Swindon Arts Centre, and the Festival Finale.
Tellison at The Tree House, Frome.
Monday 13th
The Thrill of Love opens at the Wharf Theatre, Devizes. Preview HERE. It runs until 18th May.
Rock The Tots: Movies at Pound Arts, Corsham.
Jack Grace at the Bell, Bath.
Teenage Sequence at The Tree House, Frome.
Tuesday 14th
The Black Feathers at The Piggy Bank Micropub, Calne.
Pale Blue Eyes at the Tree House, Frome.
And thatโs all weโve got for now. Events listed here are subject to change, we are not responsible for cancellations, errors or postponements in anything listed.
Snap up tickets time: we recommend on Wednesday 15th, the Patsy Gamble Jazz Trio in Bromham, preview HERE. Jonathan Leibovitz at Wiltshire Music Centre.
And the weekend sees Bath International Music Festival begin, The Chilled Out Motorhome and Camper Weekender in Cirencester, Devizes Vegan Market at The Market Place, Dirt Road Band at Long Street Blues Club, with Ruby Darbyshire in support, and Canuteโs Plastic Army are at The Southgate. White Horse Soapbox Derby, Westbury and Talk in Code make their debut at The Kings Arms, Amesbury. John Lydon, yes, John Lydon is at the Cheese & Grain, and thereโs lots more on our event calendar to boot!
Important note: events which come to our attention from now on, 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.
Did we miss you out? Did you tell us about your event? Itโs not that we donโt like you, itโs 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 Iโve added it and let me know if not!
Have a good week, and don’t forget, the Devizes Arts Festival box office is open and waiting for you!
Poulshot’s Award-winning chocolate studio Hollychocs is proud to launch a heartfelt charity campaign in support of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust UK, with a charming chocolateโฆ
Events with diversity, be they ethnic, cultural, or life choices, must be welcomed, encouraged and viewed positively as assets offering variety in our local calendarโฆ
Swindon Palestine Solidarity continues to call for a ceasefire in Gaza and for aid to be allowed to enter Gazaโฆ.. Their three recent roadside signโฆ
I want Devizine to be primarily about arts and entertainment, but Iโm often pathetically persuaded by bickering political factions to pass opinion on local politicsโฆ
A group of local women and their families are gathering together to lay a huge installation of childrenโs clothes outside the office of Justin Tomlinson MP this month.…
The peaceful installation, which will be open to the public on Saturday 11th May, aims to visualise the catastrophic extent of the killing in Gaza, with a particular focus on the innocent children whoโve lost their lives. Each item of clothing will represent one of the precious lives of all the children killed since October 7th in the Israel-Gaza conflict – now over 15,500 Palestinian children and 36 Israeli children.
The organisers, made up mostly of women, are from many different races, religions and backgrounds, unified in their heartbreak of the loss of life in the Gaza-Israel conflict. They are calling on other compassionate locals to come and take part in what they hope to be a hugely impactful event.
Theresa, a spokeswoman from the group said, โWe realise that it is almost impossible to visualise the number of child deaths in this conflict, so this memorial is about helping people get to grips with the scale of what is going on.ย We also want to make it clear to Justin Tomlinson – who previously voted against a ceasefire – that just like 76%* of UK residents (*YouGov.co.uk), the vast majority of his constituents are calling for a meaningful ceasefire in Gaza and we need him to represent our voices.โ
The installation will be placed outside Tomlinsonโs North Swindon office at the Orbital Shopping Centre from 10am-10pm, ending with a candlelit vigil, on Saturday 11th May with full permission from the Orbital Management Team and with all clothes being donated to charity after the event.
Theresa continues, โThis will be a peaceful, family-friendly memorial and we hope that our community will come and support us. We will need lots of people to achieve this, including the tidy up on Sunday 12th May. Everyone is welcome, so please do come along with any unwanted childrenโs clothing to add to the installation, or simply stop by and join us in a moment of reflection and solidarity.โ
For further information on how to get involved or to volunteer, please check out the Facebook event on Swindon Palestine Solidarity page or email clothesmemorial@icloud.comย
Photo credit: ยฉ Rondo Theatre Company / Jazz Hazelwood A gender-queered production of William Shakespeareโs classic play, โThe Taming of the Shrewโ, will be performedโฆ
The first full album by Wiltshireโs finest purveyors of psychedelic indie shenanigans, Clock Radio, was knocked out to an unsuspecting world last week. Itโs calledโฆ
Bradford-on-Avon Town Councilโs annual festival, aptly titled The Bradford on Avon Live Music Festival is back this weekend, championing local talent with an eclectic line-upโฆ
by Ian Diddamsimages by Chris Watkins Performing Sondheim isnโt the simplest of tasks. Or, rather, singing Sondheim isnโt the simplest of tasks. With his dissonantโฆ
The phenomenally talented Ruby Darbyshire is performing at Silverwood School in Rowde on 27th June. Ruby has kindly offered to support Silverwood Schoolโs open evening…..โฆ
Adam Woodhouse, Rory Coleman-Smith, Jo Deacon and Matt Hughes, aka Thieves, the wonderful local folk vocal harmony quartet of uplifting bluegrass into country-blues has aโฆ
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 Trowbridgeโs Train to Skaville, Nicky Davis from People Like Us and The Reason, Julia Greenland from Soulville Express, Claire Perry from Big Mammaโs Banned, Charmaigne Andrews from Siren, and the unforgettable Train to Skaville saxophonist, Karen Porter. All being amazing performers in their own right, together theyโre 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 ยฃ15.
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 โbeyond economical repair.โ
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, โI 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.โ
Manager Hayley Galliers told BBC Radio Wiltshire that she is unsure what exactly the problem with the building is. โWiltshire 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.โ 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 Childrenโs Services, Education and Skills, said โWe 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.โ
Jules Moreton of Female of the Species told us, โwhen Julia and I met up with the charity, the staff were all really concerned about their jobs.โ
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.
This summer David is returning with a brand-new show “Historyโs Missing Chapters”, a show made to uncover why, throughout history, some people and events haveโฆ
Under the new management, live music will be making a triumphant return to The Boathouse in Bradford-on-Avon and that Cracking Pair, Claire and Chloe ofโฆ
Always a happy place, our traditional record shop Vinyl Realm in Northgate Street Devizes is back in the game of hosting some live music afternoons.โฆ
One of Wiltshireโs Best by Andy Fawthrop Looking for something to do next weekend? One of Wiltshireโs biggest festivals is happening just up the roadโฆ
If weโve had a keen eye on Swindonโs Sienna Wilemanโs natural progression as an upcoming singer-songwriter since being introduced to her self-penned songs via herโฆ
Here we go with what weโve found to do in the wilds of Wiltshire this coming week, exciting stuff, I know!
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.….
Wednesday 17th
Acoustic Jam at The Southgate, Devizes.
Emmanuel Coppey and Antoine Prรฉat at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.
Two times BBC Folk Award winner Daoirรญ Farrell is at Chapel Arts, Bath.
Memory Cinema, for those with dementia, at Swindon Arts Centre are showing A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum. Tom Houghtonโs Itโs Not Ideal at Swindon Arts Centre. Peppa Pigโs Fun Day Out at The Wyvern Theatre.
Show Of Hands โ Full Circle Farewell Tour at the Cheese & Grain, Frome.
Thursday 18th
Quiz Night at the Peppermill, Devizes in aid of The Cotswolds Dogs & Cats Home.
PSG Choir taster session at the King Alfred Hall, Chippenham.
Thieves & Skiddy at The Tuppenny, Swindon. The Big Fat Monthly Quiz at the Vic.
Memory Sing at Swindon Arts Centre. Primary School Assembly Bangers Live! at Swindon Arts Centre. Peppa Pigโs Fun Day Out at The Wyvern Theatre.
Fretn Keyz with Dave Howell at Rude Giant Beerhouse, Salisbury.
Friday 19th
Youth Work Auction Fundraiser at John OโGaunt School, Trowbridge.
Take the Stage at the Neeld, in Chippenham. Chippenham Beer Festival too.
Bradford Roots Special at The Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon with Billy in the Lowground, Daisy Chapman and Thieves; Edโs pick of the week, that one is! Preview here.
The Droogs & John E Viztic at The Three Horseshoes in Bradford-on-Avon.
People Like Us at Prestbury Sports Bar, Westbury.
Swindon Jazz & Soul Festival, preview here. Draining The Swamp at Swindon Arts Centre. Barrelhouse & The Leon Daye Band at the Vic.
Winginโ It at The George & Dragon, Salisbury. A Murder Mystery at Salisbury Cathedral.
Johnny Cash Revisited at Chapel Arts, Bath.
ex Wishbone Ash, Martin Turner is at The Tree House, Frome.
Saturday 20th
Roma Antoine Exhibit and Art Sale at Tonka Bean, Devizes. Devizes Swap Shop at St James Church. The Bren Jones Big Band at the Wharf Theatre. Strange Folk at The Southgate. Down the Hatch at The Three Crowns. DJ Tappa Tappa at the Exchange.
Oriental Antiques Indigo Antiques Open Day at Manningford Bruce, Pewsey. Dutty Moonshine at the Barge on HoneyStreet. @59 at The Woodborough Social Club.
Martyโs Fake Family at The Pilot, Melksham.
The Future Sound of Trowbridge #8 at the Pump in Trowbridge; preview Here.
Mighty Magic Animal at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon. Griff Rhys Jones: The Catโs Pyjamas at Wiltshire Music Centre.
Pop-Up Bowie at Chapel Arts, Bath.
Driftwood at Tuckerโs Grave Inn, Faulkland.
Junkyard Dogs at The Kingโs Arms, Amesbury. Are You Worthy & Grant Sharkey at the Winchester Gate, Salisbury. Salisbury Pride Fundraiser at The Hope & Anchor, Salisbury.
Rosie Holt โ Thatโs Politainment! at Swindon Arts Centre. Wrong Jovi at the Vic. The Worried Men at The Queenโs Tap. The Tin Shack Band at The Woodlands Edge.
The Shires at the Cheese & Grain, Frome is sold out, so too is Bare Jams at the Tree House. Try the 41 Fords at The Sun; we love the 41 Fords!
Sunday 21st
Mr Griff at The Southgate, Devizes from 5pm. Devizes Town Band Showtime Sensations at the Corn Exchange, Devizes.
Open Mic at Red Lion, Lacock.
Jazz on Sunday Afternoon at Little Cheverall Village Hall.
The Dirty Weather Blues Revue at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon.
VW Campfest begins at Stonehenge.
Mini Ravers โ Spring Tour at The Cheese & Grain, Frome.
Monday 22nd and Tuesday 23rd
I got nothing, yet; keep a keen eye on our updating event calendar, as Iโm way behind updating it, and still got the front garden to sort out! Weeds, huh? I used go out to the garden to smoke de grass, nowadays I just go out to the garden to cut de grass!!
And thatโs all weโve got for now, other than some technical gubbings 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.
Did we miss you out? Did you tell us about your event? Itโs not that we donโt like you, itโs 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 Iโve added it and let me know if not!
One of Salisburyโs most celebrated acoustic folk-rock singer-songwriters Lucas Hardy teams up with the Wiltshire cityโs upcoming talent who’s name is on everyoneโs lips, Rosieโฆ
by Ian Diddamsimages byย Chris Watkins Media One could argue that Anne Frank is possibly the most well-known civilian of the WW2 years, and certainly ofโฆ
Trowbridge singer-songwriter and one third of The Lost Trades, Phil Cooper has actually been doing more than playing solitaire, heโs released a new solo albumโฆ
An effervescent musical, full of promising young talent Written by: Melissa Loveday Images by: Gail Foster After the success of SIX last year, Devizes Musicโฆ
A photo is circulating on X of Calne’s Reform UK candidate Violette Simpson, which for some reason doesn’t appear on her election campaign….I wonder why?โฆ
Big congratulations to Devizes DJ Greg Spencer this week, the creator of Palooza house nights at The Exchange nightclub, for he made the prestigious billโฆ
First week of April, thereโs no fooling you, hereโs what weโve found to doโฆ..
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.
Wednesday 3rd
Crafty Kids in Hillworth Park, Devizes. RAF Cadetsโ Easter Egg Hunt continues across Devizes until 14th April. Easter Bouncy Castle Kingdom on the Green until 5th April.
Acoustic Jam at The Southgate, Devizes.
Eric Walrond: A Caribbean Writer in Wiltshire โ Free Talk at Melksham Library.
Screening of The Royal Opera Madama Butterfly at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.
Simon Munneryโs Jerusalem at Swindon Arts Centre.
Thursday 4th
Thereโs Easter themed holiday activities at Wiltshire Museum, Devizes. Rum & Records at the Muck & Dunder, Devizes.
Andrew Hurst is at St Nicholas Church, Bromham.
Hooch at The Tuppenny, Swindon. Subhumans at the Vic. Griff Rhys Jones: The Catโs Pyjamas at Swindon Arts Centre. The Illegal Eagles at The Wyvern Theatre.
Salisbury Open Mic at the Winchester Gate, Salisbury.
Plumhall at Chapel Arts, Bath.
Friday 5th
Brian Poole at Long Street Blues Club, Devizes.
Teenage Halloween, Start The Sirens and Trashed at The Pump, Trowbridge. Open Mic at Newtown Social Club.
12 Bars Later at The 3 Brewers, Corsham.
The Forgetting Curve & Little Villains at the Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon. Kammerphilharmonie Europa at the Wiltshire Music Centre.
Swindon Old Town Comedy Club at Christ Church. Black Parade at the Vic. Phil Ellisโ Excellent Comedy Show at Swindon Arts Centre. King of Pop starring Navi and Jennifer Batten at The Wyvern Theatre.
Martin Carthy at Chapel Arts, Bath.
Norman Jayโs Norman Soul at the Cheese & Grain, Frome.
Saturday 6th
Jamie Williams
Jamie Williams & The Roots Collective at The Southgate, Devizes. The Clones at The Three Crowns. SIX: The Musical โ Teen Edition at the Corn Exchange. Back to the 80s party night at the Bear Hotel.
Mick Jogger & the Stones Experience at Seend Community Centre.
Siren at The Pilot, Melksham.
John Hackett Band at the Pump, Trowbridge.
Cara Dillon at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon. Desperate Measures, The Setbacks & Death Traps at the Three Horseshoes.
John Otway & Wild Willy Barrett at The Merlin Theatre, Bath.
The Beatles Complete Tribute Show at the Athenaeum Centre, Warminster.
Gaz Brookfield is in the Tent, at the Winchester Gate, Salisbury.
41 Fords at Tuckerโs Grave Inn, Faulkland.
Motley Crude at the Vic, Swindon. Swindon Recital Series at Swindon Arts Centre. Northern Live โ Do I Love You at The Wyvern Theatre.
A Band Called Malice at The Tree House, Frome.
Sunday 7th
Jim Blair at The Southgate, Devizes from 5pm.
Open Mic at The Red Lion, Lacock.
Little Wander PresentsโฆRia Lina at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon. The Ben Fletcher Band at the Three Horseshoes.
Dreamboys at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.
Monday 8th
And then There Were None opens at the Wharf Theatre, Devizes, running until Saturday.
Tuesday 9th
Fish n Chip Supper & Quiz Night in aid of RNLA at Devizes Conservative Club.
Cafรฉ Concert at St Andrewโs Chippenham.
Swindon Jazz & Soul Festival Fringe, a Celebration of Wes Montgomery with Nigel Price at Jazz Knights, The Royal Oak, Swindon.
And thatโs all weโve got for now, other than some technical gubbings 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, while we’re planning ahead, April is hotting up, believe me, loads of good, good, even gooder stuff and stuff gooder than them! Have a look at the coming month HERE.
Did we miss you out? Did you tell us about your event? Itโs not that we donโt like you, itโs 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 Iโve added it and let me know if not!
Melksham & Devizes Conservatives released a statement on the 7th April explaining an internal audit revealed one of their candidates was โnot qualified by residenceโฆ
Last month we were pleased to announce our involvement with the new Wiltshire Music Awards in conjunction with Wiltshire Events UK, details of which areโฆ
And there was me thinking nothing good comes out of a Monday! Today local bistro Soupchick, popular in the Devizesโ Shambles opened their second branch,โฆ
Stuffed my dinner, scanned the brief, headlonged out the door, forgot about the road diversion into the Market Place, made a u-turn, arrived at Wiltshireโฆ
It was a fantastically successful opening night for Devizes Musical Theatre at Dauntseyโs School for their latest show, Disneyโs Beauty and the Beast, and Iโฆ
After a larger quantity of social media teasers than previous years, Devizes Arts Festival has today revealed their full line-up for 2024. Better take a peaky sneaky gander at it, keep in their good books, because it looks rather special! Based on previous experience they usually range from pretty awesome to super-duper lights are gonna find me awesomeโฆso here goesโฆโฆ
The festival runs from Friday 31st May to Sunday 16th June, and never fails to bring us a diverse programme of separate events within the arts, music and theatre, but also takes in talks and walks. Some come with a worthy price tag, but thereโs lots of free fringe events also. All it takes is for you to support it.
I donโt know about you, but the first one I got excited about when I heard, was Bristolโs soulful indie-folk singer-songstress Lady Nade, who plays the Corn Exchange on Saturday 1st June. I put this Lady on my must-see list after fondly reviewing her album Willing back in 2021. Iโve not yet had the opportunity to see her live. Yet it is not for that reason Iโm grateful to the Arts Festival for booking Lady Nade, rather in contemplation of the elevated sentimentality channelled through her Americana-fuelled songs.
I summed up the album at the time, with โwritten during the pandemic, thereโs a secluded ambience echoing through these eleven sublime three-minute plus stories of friendship, love and loneliness lost and found, reflecting the fact it was recorded in multiple studios and engineered by all the musicians in isolation. Yet to hear it will hold you spellbound in a single place, till its conclusion.โ
If that doesnโt tempt you I donโt know what will! But Lady Nade is not before a high-energy Penzance sea-punk grand opening to the festival, with Golden Gnome award winning Jolly Roger, at the Corn Exchange on Friday 31st May; blistering barnacles, Captain Haddock, that sure sounds like some swashbuckling shenanigans.
History of Market Lavington, anyone? Sunday 2nd has a festival walk, followed by the first two free fringe events, consummate story-teller Adam Alexanderโs Seed Detective at The Peppermill from 2pm, and a solo loop pedal show with Eddy Allen, 7pm at the Cellar Bar.
Likely the best known name on the roster, comedian Lucy Porter comes to Devizes on Thursday 6th June, and Iโm sure youโre all aware of her distinctive, bouncy, feel-good comedy from TV and radio panel shows, and being victorious on Celebrity Mastermind.
Lucy Porter
Prior to this headliner, NHS doctor, journalist, broadcaster, speaker, campaigner and comedian Dr Phil Hammond on Monday 3rd June presents โHow to Fix the NHSโ and โThe Ins and Outs of Pleasureโฆโ Iโve my own suggestions on the subject, donโt get me started, but maybe add Prime Minister to Philโs already impressive rรฉsumรฉ!
Wiltshire based multiโinstrumentalist, the Edward Cross Quintet at the Assembly Rooms on Tuesday 4th June. Liz Grandโs superb, funny, moving, sensitive and informative portrayal of Clementine Churchill, also on Tuesday at the Merchant Suite.
Wednesday 5th June sees English naturalist, ecologist, author and broadcaster Mike Dilger, known as the wildlife reporter on The One Show, doing a talk on One Thousand Shades of Green, his quest to find 1000 different British plants in a calendar year and assess how our flora is faring in modern Britain. Geneticist, author and broadcaster, Adam Rutherford, who frequently appears on science programmes on both radio and TV, also gives an engaging, provocative and informative talk the Arts Festival promises to be unmissable.
Hollie McNish. Image: Kat Gollock
Poet and author Hollie McNish presents her Lobster Tour on Thursday 6th June at the Town Hall; Iโm just chatting about her with the legend who is Kieran J Moore, seems Hollie played Bath Komedia recently, he recommends, and you canโt get a better local recommendation than that.
The weekend sees a blues, skiffle, calypso and rockabilly mesh, apparently with a sweeping vaudeville twist, which sounds like a beguiling and exhaustive blend I must say!ย Jo Carley and the Old Dry Skulls are at the Corn Exchange Friday 7th June.
Jo Carley and the Old Dry Skulls
Londonโs Cable Street Collective headline Saturday, an intriguing one, their sound mixes African-influenced guitars and beats with soulful female vocals, socially conscious lyrics and western melodies, creating an idiosyncratic alt-pop sound thatโs all their own.
Sunday 9th June sees a Festival Walk into the West Woods; Sarsens, Soldiers and Sawpits. Two free fringe events, an Americana band from West Midlands called Rumour, from 2pm at the Three Crowns, and a fresh and lively approach to jazz at St Johnโs Church from 7pm with the Annie Parker Trio.
The final week of the festival sees world-renowned concert pianist, Ida Pellicciolo on Monday 10th June at the Town Hall. Belinda Kirk, world-record holding explorer, researcher and a leading campaigner promoting the benefits of adventure on wellbeing, talks at the Town Hall on Tuesday, along with intrepid Antarctic explorer Tom Creanโs story brought to life in a dramatic and humorous solo performance by Aidan Dooley from Play On Words Theatre Company, at the Wharf Theatre.
Two best-selling Wiltshire-based authors, Kate Webb and Jon Stock, discuss their craft at The Peppermill Hotel on Wednesday 12th June, and thereโs a remarkable intimate solo guitar performance from Martin Simpson at the Corn Exchange.
Duo Tutti, a classically-trained flutist and pianist duo who combine well-known classical tunes with interesting sounds to create a unique concert that is accessible to all, at the Town Hall on Thursday. Terry Quinneyโs Sound Of Blue Note accurately recreates jazz and the aesthetics which defines Blue Note Records, also on Thursday 13th June at the Town Hall.
Friday 14th June thereโs an organ recital at St Johnโs with award-winning organist and conductor Huw Williams, and we have the intriguingly titled Slambovian Circus of Dreams at the Corn Exchange, an electrifying live performance of moody but upbeat alt-roots rock.
The final Saturday of the Arts Festival, 15th June, we have something altogether different, hypnotist Matt Hale presents an 80s Spectacular, where Matt promises to have you partying like itโs 1985, humm, whether you like it or not. Iโm not sure about hypnotists, I might stand at the back!
Matt Hale. Image: DG-Imagery-3
Soulful and electrifying rhythm and blues band The Junco Shakers at the The British Lion on
Sunday 16th June at 2pm, and Clive Oseman and Nick Lovell, creators of Oooh Beehive, the number one spoken word and poetry open-mic night in Swindon, have a Wham! Bam! Poetry Slam 6pm at The Wharf Theatre; two free fringe events polishing off another spectacular Devizes Arts Festival.
Itโs only the beginning of the Easter school holibobs and your little ones are already making a racket upstairs; what do you do? Is it wine oโclock already? Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts might have another answer – a free drumming workshop! From Monday 7th April to Wednesday 9th, DOCA have Junk Street Drumming workshops withโฆ
You’d be forgiven for believing funk music came out of Detroit in the early seventies, when it is a little known fact, obscured and deliberately hidden, likely for the prestige of the American city and the ignominy of the village, that funk music was actually created in the Wiltshire village of Urchfontโฆ. Funk pioneer Georgeโฆ
Renowned Devizes auctioneers and valuers, Henry Aldridge and Son announced today they are relocating their auction rooms to The Old Emporium, a Grade II listed property that backs onto the iconic 16th Century St Johnโs Alley, which, as a long-running gift shop, sadly closed last monthโฆ.. In 2024 the company sold the two highest-priced itemsโฆ
Four months on from the tragic fire on Northgate Street in Devizes which took out the popular Kebab House, owner Mustafa Suna and his dedicated team have set up a mobile unit, The Devizes Kebab Van at The Garden Trading Estate opposite the Travelodge. Business is as busy as ever, and the kebabs are asโฆ
To suggest I’m knowledgeable about the music of the 1920s because I lived through the era is plain cheeky, though I wouldn’t put it past you! I like to think I know just enough to hold my own in a drunken waffle on the subject. Such is that Jellylegs Johnson suggested a resurgence of 1920sโฆ
by Ian Diddamsimages by Ann Ellison. What can possibly be better than watching a performance of โBlood Brothersโ by Willy Russell? Watching TWO performances of โBlood Brothersโ by Willy Russell of course! Next Stage Youth performed their dress rehearsals at The Mission Theatre last night, and with two casts we were treated to both ofโฆ
by Ian Diddamsimages by Josie Mae Ross and Richard Fletcher John Hodge is well known for his screenwriting of โShallow Graveโ, โThe Beachโ, โA Life Less Ordinaryโ and โTrainspottingโ, as well as plays such as โCollaboratorsโ which played at the Rondo Theatre last June. This week sees his latest play โFlatpackโ appear at the sameโฆ
On impulse I speculated, just short of a quarter way through this book and at the conjunction the format of the narrative is sussed, that if the author, Devizesโ Dave McKenna, has a favourite Quentin Tarantino film it might be my favourite too, the lesser acclaimed Jackie Brown. Not for its plagiarism of blaxploitation norโฆ
One of Swindon’s premier grunge pop-punkers, The Belladonna Treatment released their debut single, Bits of Elation, with London-based SODEH Records earlier this month. I spoke about the single, the band and local circuits with the bassist in the band, Ian James, as he was the most punctual at a recent gig at the Vic! Bitsโฆ
A second single from Swindon Diva Chloe Hepburn, Situationships was released this week. With a deep rolling bassline, finger-click rhythm and silky soulful vocals, this is the definite RnB sound of now, with nods to nineties RnB like Macy Gray and Mary J. Bligeโฆ. Though this is fresh, I believe itโs fair to compare Chloeโฆ
Salisbury-based event organisation Wiltshire Music Events has been ordered to remove posters advertising the Marley Experience gig at the Devizes Corn Exchange on 13th April, by Wiltshire Council, because they were unauthorisedโฆ..
Company director, Eddie Prestidge said, โwe have been told by Wiltshire County Councilย to remove our posters from their present positions around Wiltshire or we will be fined ยฃ250 per poster, per day! When we designed the posters we carefully took into account where we would safely place them, and to make them of a sturdy and waterproof material, so they would be asย safe as possible. We have monitored them daily in case the weather affected them, but it is with regret that we will have to remove all of our advertising posters by Sunday.โ
Environmental Enforcement of Wiltshire Council notified the company, stating โthe display of such advertisements does not benefit from exemption or deemed consent under the above the regulations and is therefore unauthorised.โ It then threatens the company with liable action should they fail to remove the posters within three working days. โThe Council therefore trusts you will take immediate steps to remove the authorised advertisements, and insure that, neither these or any other unauthorised signs shall be displayed at any location in the control of Wiltshire Council,โ going on to explain it will not give the company a warning next time before prosecuting.
It should send out a stark warning to all, if you havenโt permission to display your advertisements it will be considered flyposting, illegal in the UK. UKGov states, โit is illegal to display advertising material such as posters or placards on buildings and street furniture without authorisation. It is not only unsightly but can also cause danger to pedestrians and road users.โ
But I have to have sympathy for Wiltshire Music Events, an event poster such as the one in question is hardly neon glowing Piccadilly Circus, and no more potentially dangerous to road users than many of our other permitted event signage, from our Arts Festival to DOCA or FullTone, even some brown signs like the one advertising the Old Potato Yard on Andover Road which seriously obscures the view for those turning out of Ostlerโs Yard.
If it all seems a tad harsh, given the town is plastered head to toe with other advertising signage, the rules are the rules, but I wonder if all said signs are situated on the ownerโs own land, or granted permission to be on Council land. And even if they are, should they not still be monitored for being โunsightlyโ or dangerous? Mr Prestidge sadly told Devzine that he feels โvictimised.โ
I consider if this is more โcross my palm with silver,โ than monitoring potential unsightliness or danger, and in this, ironically, if the words of Bob Marley, even through a fantastic tribute act to him, might be deemed too reactionary for the delicate situation the Conservative top-heavy county council find themselves in with a forthcoming general election and masses rising against the political ethos they stand by?
It could be; see this is an opinion piece razzled by the notion that both the hospitality and music industry is suffering enough post-lockdown, that it wouldโve been a kinder resolute for the Council to have waived it this time, with a wrap on the knuckles to say donโt do it again?
However, Wiltshire Music Events promises โthe show will go ahead as planned,โ and we will be here to sing it from the highest heights, as loud as we can, not because it appears it’s an event the authorities wish to poo-poo, rather because we need events like this in our town, we want to celebrate events like this coming to our town, and we want to thank all those promoters for sifting through the bureaucratic piffle in order to host them. Plus, Iโve seen the Marley Experience, and support act Illingworth, and Iโll let you know now, if you come along youโre in for an unforgettable night of entertainment!
If you have any prominent position in and around Devizes, and would let them display their poster, Eddie states, โperhaps we can come to some arrangement with a couple of free tickets for this event!โ Do get in touch with us, and weโll gladly pass the message on, or comment in our social media shares of this article, thanks. ๏ฟผ
So, three cheers to Wiltshire Council for giving us an excuse to promote this event again, with a disconcert and quite frankly unjustified angle! As Bob said himself, โwhy’s this fussing and a-fighting? We should really love each other, in peace and harmony, instead, we’re fussing and fighting, and them workin’ iniquity.โ
I hope to see you on April 13th at the Corn Exchange, Devizes; please do what you can to support live music in our town, share and invite your friends to events, that is the way to get word out.
I’m delighted to announce Devizine will be actively assisting to organise a new county-wide music awards administration, in conjunction with Wiltshire Music Events UK. Theโฆ
Can You Find The Wiltshire Potholes From The Moon Craters?! Now, at Devizine Towers we are far too mature and sensible to mock Wiltshire Councilโsโฆ
Review by Pip Aldridge Last week, I had the privilege of seeing the Fulltone Orchestra perform at the beautiful Tewkesbury Abbey beneath the Peace Dovesโฆ
If many space-rock acts have more band member changes than most other musicians change their socks, Hawkwind are the exemplar of the tendency. There mightโฆ
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 show your gratitude and help out tooโฆ..
In line with Keep Britain Tidy’s Annual GB Spring Clean Campaign, Be a LitterHero, the CUDS have their own Devizes Town Litter Pick on Saturday 16th March from 10:30-12:30, meeting on the Green.
At last year’s annual litter pick they pledged to fill fifty black bags of litter (3750 litres) but managed seventy-five bags, that’s an amazing 5,625 litres of rubbish off our streets! Well done all.
Given this, 2024 they’re upping their game, pledging seventy-five bags to be filled. With the support of Devizes Town Council all the collected litter will be sent off for recycling.
The litter pick is open to all, and the CUDS would like as many people as possible to help them out. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult, parents, grandparents, nephews, nieces, etc. Equipment, bags, and all you need will be provided; all you have to bring is yourself!
There is a Facebook group you can join to find out more, HERE.
The second single from Georgeโs sessions with Jolyon Dixon is out today, Isnโt She Lonely. With the vaudeville ambience of Queenโs later material and sprinklesโฆ
A new music festival is coming to Devizes this July. Organisers of the long-running Marlborough based festival MantonFest are shifting west across the downs andโฆ
All images: ยฉ๏ธ JS Terry Photography An awards ceremony to celebrate the outstanding musical talent within the city, aptly titled The 2024 Salisbury Music Awards,โฆ
Monsieur, with these Exchange Comedy night you are really spoiling us, for usually comedy in Devizes is just what we make ourselves; laughing at visitorsโฆ
A drone operated by Wiltshire Hunt Sabs was attacked by a second drone, twice, while surveying The Beaufort Hunt, after it recorded them illegally huntingโฆ
Come on spring! Oh well, hereโs whatโs happening over the coming week in the wilds of Wiltshire, hold onto your hats, thereโs lots to get throughโฆ.
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. Nothing ongoing on our list, so, letโs jump right into the weekโฆ.
Find a podcast of everything listed, sprinkled with some great local music below. Itโs only a half hour long, trial thing, see how it goes, give it a listen, let me know what you think, especially if youโre the kind of person who cannot be bothered to read this! Music comes from Ruby Darbyshire, Canuteโs Plastic Army, Fly Yeti Fly, Ruzz Guitar with Peter Gage, and the Birdsmens.
Wednesday 6th
Green Grub Club at St James, Devizes. Acoustic Jam at the Southgate.
Eldermirth, the elderly daytime comedy show at The Neeld,Chippenham.
Cantaloop at The Bell, Bath.
Swindon Old Town Comedy Club at The Hop Inn with: Alex Kitson. Ross Noble at the Wyvern, Swindon. The Western Players โ Outside Edge at Swindon Arts Centre, running until 9th March.
Thursday 7th
Editor’s Pick of the Week; Jon Amor Trio Special with Ian Siegal at The Southgate, Devizes. Rum & Records at the Muck & Dunder.
PSG Choirs free taster session at King Alfred Hall, Chippenham.
Junkyard Dogs at The Old Bell, Warminster.
Canuteโs Plastic Army at The Beehive, Swindon. Mark Harrison at The Tuppenny. Taylormania at the Wyvern.
North Sea Gas at Chapel Arts, Bath.
Mobius Loop at 23 Bath Street, Frome. Sam Sweeney Band at The Tree House. Paul McKenna: Success For Life at the Cheese & Grain.
Friday 8th
Devizes Ghost Walk: with John Girvan. Cobalt Fire at The Southgate, Devizes. Palooza house night at The Exchange.
Seend Village Get Together at Seend Community Hall.
Frankisoul at the Pump, Trowbridge, with Syncopation Station.
Take the Stage at The Neeld, Chippenham.
Rewind to the 90โs โ Kevin and Perry lookโalikes at Venom Nightclub, Westbury.
Brasher, Eat Your Own Head, & Bad News First at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon. Junkyard Dogs at The Boathouse.
Rob Heron & The Tea Pad Orchestra at Chapel Arts, Bath. The Living Room, Jim Godfrey at the Grapes.
Shepherds Pie at The Vic, Swindon. At-It at The Queenโs Tap. Showaddywaddy at the Wyvern.
Saturday 9th
Wiltshire Climate Alliance’s Green Open Homes event opens and runs until 17th March. It is an opportunity to ask a local resident about an energy saving improvement that theyโve made, and see if it might work for you. On an event day, people who have made energy saving improvements open up their homes to share their experiences.
Matt & Tom at The Three Crowns, Devizes. Ruzz Guitar Trio at The Southgate. Matchbox Mutiny at the Moonrakers.
Fly Yeti Fly at Keevil Folk Club.
Pancho & Bear at Woodbrough Social Club.
Static Moves at the Lamb, Marlborough.
Scott Doonican at the Pump, Trowbridge. Martyโs Fake Family at The Greyhound.
Back to the 80s party night at Spencerโs Club, Melksham. Twice Bitten at The Pilot.
Phantom Lymb at The Talbot, Calne.
North Wiltshire Symphony Orchestra at St Andrewโs in Chippenham. Abba Sensations at the Neeld, Chippenham.
The Saga Louts at the Swiss Chalet, Swindon. Ghost UK with Phantom Droid at The Vic.
Black Rose at The Woodlandโs Edge. Dear Zoo at the Wyvern, Swindon.
Trowbridge Symphony Orchestra at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.
Full Tone Orchestraโs The Queen Symphony at Bath Abbey. Mumma Quiche and LC Hammered at The Bell, Bath.
Baskery at the Tree House, Frome. Mad Dog Mcrea at The Cheese & Grain.
Sunday 10th- Motherโs Day – donโt forget!!
Kate at The Three Crowns, Devizes.
The Worried Men at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon.
Motherโs Day Jazz concert feat. trumpeter Laura Jurd & WYJO at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.
Joli Blon at The Bell, Bath
RPA Level Up Present โActually I Canโ at Swindon Arts Centre. Dear Zoo at the Wyvern, Swindon
Monday 11th
Chippenham Film Club March feature.
Escher Steps at The Bell, Bath.
Tuesday 12th
Dom Franks Quartet at Jazz Knights in The Royal Oak, Swindon.
The Spoonful at The Bell, Bath.
And thatโs all weโve 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.
Did we miss you out? Did you tell us about your event? Itโs not that we donโt like you, itโs 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 Iโve added it and let me know if not!
Have a good week, and please listen to the podcast, itโll be fun, pinky promise!
Bit Wintery, innit? Calendars are going forward, weather is going backwards! Hereโs whatโs 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. Nothing ongoing on our list, so, letโs jump right into the weekโฆ.
Okay, all being well, below, find a podcast of everything listed, sprinkled with some great local music. Itโs only a half hour long, trial thing, see how it goes, give it a listen, let me know what you think, especially if youโre the kind of person who cannot be bothered to read this! Also, I thought it might be good for anyone with sight or reading issues, but they will have to put up with me waffling! Music comes from Meg, Jol Rose, Phil Cooper, The Worried Men and Junkyard Dogs.
Wednesday 28th
Green Grub Club at St James, Devizes. Acoustic Jam at The Southgate.
The Importance Of Being Earnest at the Wyvern Theatre, Swindon, running until 11th March. Big Jam Session at The Vic.
Earl Okinโs Legend at Rondo Theatre, Bath. Buffoโs Wake at The Bell, Bath.
National Theatre Live at the Merlin, Frome, with Vanya.
Thursday 29th
Open Mic at The Crown, Aldbourne
Phil Cooper at the Tuppenny, Swindon. Alan Clayson & Chanson at the Beehive. Frank Carducci & The Fantastic Squad at The Vic. Daniel Foxx at Swindon Arts Centre.
Keith James โ โSolid Airโ โ The songs of Nick Drake & John Martyn at Chapel Arts, Bath. Tam Lin Retold at the Rondo Theatre.
Leaps of Faith at the Merlin Theatre, Frome.
Friday 1st March
The Cinelli Brothers at Long Street Blues Club, Devizes.
Technicolour Steam Train & Ed Dyke at The Pump, Trowbridge. Shape of You – Ed Sheeran Tribute at the Civic.
Jennifer Pike and Martin Roscoe at The Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon. Samantics at The Three Horseshoes.
Green Haze- Green Day Tribute at The Vic, Swindon. The Worried Men at The Queens Tap. Static Moves at the Deerโs Leap.
FearFree Fest 2024 at The Bell, Bath with DreamCaster, Kane Pollastrone, Mobscure, Louie Greensmith and Sharpie helping to support FearFree, a local charity breaking the cycle of abuse.
Free Community Festival at Komedia, Bath.
Saturday 2nd
CapFest at St James, Devizes. Plan of Action at The Three Crowns. Junkyard Dogs at The Southgate. The Music of Simon & Garfunkel at The Wharf Theatre.
Sam Cronin at The Barge, HoneyStreet. Open Mic at The Kings Arms, All Cannings.
Apache Cats at The Bear, Marlborough. Homer at The Lamb. Chuckle at the Church โ Comedy Night at St Peterโs.
The Chaos Brothers at The Grapes, Melksham
The Future Sound of Trowbridge #6 at the Pump, Trowbridge with Nobodyโs Dad, Sharpie and Sebastian & Me.
Spiers & Boden at The Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon. The Derellars at The Three Horseshoes.
Mid Life Krisis, Diversify at The Vic, Swindon. Trios Amigos at the Swiss Chalet. Sonic Alert at The Queens Tap. Post 12 at The Woodlandโs Edge.
The Saviours Collective at Chapel Arts, Bath.
Witchfest Market at the Cheese & Grain in Frome, followed by Maniac Street Preachers Vs StereoIronics. The Blink 182 Show has sold out at the Tree House. Martha Tilston at Rook Lane Chapel.
Sunday 3rd and Monday 4th Iโve got nothing, but do keep a check on the event calendar for updates.
Update: Just in, there’s an open mic at the Lamb in Marlborough from 8pm on Monday 4th March.
Tuesday 5th
Jazz Knights presents Alan Barnes Quartet at The Royal Oak, Swindon.
ADHD and Women with Dr Samantha Hiew at The Cheese & Grain, Frome.
And thatโs all weโve 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.
Did we miss you out? Did you tell us about your event? Itโs not that we donโt like you, itโs 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 Iโve added it and let me know if not!
Have a good week, and please listen to the podcast, itโll be fun, I promise you!!
Hey, teacher! Leave those sausage rolls alone. Hereโs whatโs happening over the coming week in the wilds of Wiltshire, hold onto your hats, there be lots more than your average sausage roll to get through, yer filthy muckersโฆ..
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. Nothing ongoing on our list, so, letโs jump right into the weekโฆ.
Wednesday 21st
Green Grub Club at St James, Devizes. Regular Acoustic Jam at The Southgate.
Carducci Quartet at Wiltshire Music Centre in Bradford-on-Avon.
Jessica Fostekewโs Mettle at the Rondo Theatre, Bath. Amadou Diagne & Group Yakar at The Bell, Bath.
Lunchtime Recital at the Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.
Thursday 22nd
Open Mic at the Crown, Bishopโs Cannings.
Devizes Film Club at the Wharf Theatre, screening Official Competition.
Runny Snotโs Acoustic Sessions at the Neeld, Chippenham.
Fin Taylor at Swindon Arts Centre. Adam Rowe at the Wyvern Theatre. Stone Soup, Modern Evils and Phantom Droid at The Vic. Larkham & Hall at the Beehive. Oxbowlake and Jess Marie at The Tuppenny.
Avalon Comedy Network’s Pierre Novellie, Tessa Coates, Huge Davies and Jake Baker at Pound Arts, Corsham.
Paul Cowley at Chapel Arts, Bath. Cindy Stratton Band Everything Changes album launch at the Rondo Theatre.
Rob Newman at the Cheese & Grain, Frome.
Friday 23rd
Devizes Ghost Walk: with John Girvan. White Horse Operaโs Top of the Ops at St Joseph’s School.
Mark Morriss plays the Pump in Trowbridge with Sound Affects in support. Sax Man โShiltsโ at the Civic.โ
Drink and Draw at 31.Co.Work in Chippenham, opening the fringe February events across the town this weekend. Instant Wit โ A quickfire comedy event at The Constitutional Club. Heat 2 of Take the Stage at the Neeld Hall.
Thatโll Be The Day at the Wyvern Theatre, Swindon. The Retro Rock Show at Swindon Arts Centre. The Hamsters from Hell and the Vooz at The Vic. Jay Styles is Michael Jackson at The New Inn.
Shoun Shoun & Venice Treacle at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon.
Nanny Folio Theatre and The Amazing Bubble Man at Pound Arts, Corsham.
CharmType at the Winchester Gate, Salisbury.
Rock the Tots Family show at Rondo Theatre, Bath. The Jake Leg Jug Band at Chapel Arts.
Eddie & The Hot Rods at The Tree House in Frome. Absolute Bowie โ Greatest Hits at The Cheese & Grain.
Saturday 24th
Seed Swap at St Andrewโs, Devizes. Editor’s Pick of Week: Deadlight Dance arrives in Devizes with an instore at Vinyl Realm from 11am, and they play The Southgate in the evening. The Wharf Theatre has The Lonnie Donegan Story. Kennet Gateway Club has the Rockinโ Bandits at Devizes Conservative Club.
@59 at The Lamb, Marlborough.
Wet Franc at The Pilot, Melksham. The Fabulous โ59 Ford at Melksham Rock n Roll Club
Toodles and the Hectic Pity, Charlie Gillman and Luke De-Sciscio at the Pump, Trowbridge. Adult Panto Alice in Wonderland at the Civic.
The REAL nursery rhymes and songs โ toddler to KS1 at Wiltshire Swindon History Centre, Chippenham. Clareโs Circus at King Alfred Hall. Hidden Canvases โ โStreet Art and the Cityโ A talk by Doug Gillen at the Platinum Hall. Letโs build LEGO Chippenham! at Wiltshire Swindon History Centre, Chippenham. Rock the Tots: Baby Boogie atThe King Alfred Hall. Toddler Tango at The King Alfred Hall.
Steppin Thruโ Time โ Mary Lou Revue at The Yelde Hall, Chippenham. The Rosellys at Rivo Lounge. Daft Laffs โ A night of comedy greats at The King Alfred Hall. The Old Road Tavern has a Mega Fringe fest, see poster below.
Louise Farrenc plays Symphony number 3 at Corsham Town Hall. Martyโs Fake Family at The Royal Oak. Shake It Up Theatre presents The Improvised Shakespeare Show at Pound Arts, Corsham.
Holy Popes, Shin Splintz & Big Byrd at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon. Adriano Adewaleโs Cataplufโs Musical Journey at Wiltshire Music Centre.
Mollyโs Chamber at Prestbury Sports Bar, Warminster.
Science Museum: The Live Stage Show at the Wyvern Theatre, Swindon. Straighten Out at The Vic. World Music Club at the Beehive. Danny & The Randoms at The Queenโs Tap.
Glamarama at The Woodlandโs Edge. MetSon at the Swiss Chalet.
Martin Rowsonโs Giving the Gift of Offence at the Rondo Theatre, Bath. Phoenix River Band at Chapel Arts, with Sophie Rose in support.
The Sunbirds at the Tree House, Frome. The Beat featuring Ranking Junior at the Cheese & Grain.
Sunday 25th
Vince Bell at The Southgate, Devizes from 5pm.
Melksham Record Fair at the Assembly Hall.
Open Mic at The Old Road Tavern, Chippenham. Shed-ache Dance Theatre at The Constitutional Club Chippenham. Elvis in Blue Hawaii at the King Alfred Hall.
Bandeoke at Prestbury Sports Club, Warminster.
Schtumm presents DG Solaris & Courting Ghosts at the Long Room in Box. 3 Daft Monkeys Duo at The Bell, Bath.
Garth Marenghiโs Incarcerat at the Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.
CSF Pro Wrestling: Showdown at the Cheese & Grain, Frome.
Monday 26th
Rock the Tots Family at Pound Arts, Corsham.
Josienne Clarke at Swindon Arts Centre,
Ben Tunnicliffeโs Nowhere Ensemble at The Bell, Bath.
Tuesday 27th
Valuation Day with Paul Martin at The Athenaeum in Warminster.
Sophie Stockham Quartet at Jazz Knights in the Royal Oak, Swindon. The Ronnie Scottโs All Stars โ Soho Songbook at the Wyvern Theatre. Connor Burns at Swindon Arts Centre.
Sam Thomas at The Bell, Bath.
And thatโs all weโve 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.
Did we miss you out? Did you tell us about your event? Itโs not that we donโt like you, itโs 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 Iโve added it and let me know if not!
Whilst festivals around us come and go Mantonfest has been a constant of the Wiltshire music calendar since 2009.….
The 29th of June 2024 will once again see the Manton Water Meadow, near Marlborough transformed into a festival field providing an affordable family friendly music picnic by day and a more traditional music festival by night. Most people arrive and pick their spot between 11 am and 12 noon. The live music starts at noon and there will be something for everyone.
Unlike many music events, festival goers can bring their own food and drink or make use of the many food and drink facilities on site. With an eclectic โmarketโ of local traders and of course the band merchandise tent this event has a real buzz from start to finish.
Mantonfest 2023
The 2024 Line Up
This yearโs line up is now complete. Headlining are The Bohemians a world class Queen tribute act. Badness return by popular demand (or should we say instance) after wowing everyone last year. Forever Elton and The Fab Four will get the whole field singing across the afternoon and evening. Local jumping blues band Barrelhouse will be getting the field moving with a blend of reworked classic and their own material and Jose and the Radio Tones plus The Bergamots will get the afternoon mood set perectly.
Mantonfest 2023
Young Talent Development Slots
Once again, this year Mantonfest is pleased to announce the continuation of its young talent development slot. Last year saw an impressive array of talent wow the audience and this year will continue the trend.
Mantonfest 2023
Chairmanโs Comment
Chairman Roger Grant says โ โThis yearโs event is one of our most ambitious and ticket sales are going very well. The event is managed by a volunteer committee who are supported by a range of villagers who help set up, steward and break down the festival. Without them we would be lost. Itโs amazing that we have hosted the likes of Toyah, The Animals, The Swinging Blue Jeans, Katrina and the Waves, Dr Feelgood and many world class tribute acts across the years. As ever profits made will be donated to good causes including Cancer Research. The primary aim is to provide a great day out for those attending from near and far but we like to make donations where possible.“
Without sounding like a stuck record, itโs the same unfortunate news for Devizes Street Festival as it was last year; Arts Council England has notโฆ
Bussing into Devizes Saturday evening, a gaggle (I believe is the appropriate collective noun) of twenty-something girls from Bath already on-board, disembark at The Marketโฆ
Once the demonic entity Spring-Heeled Jack entered folklore it became subject to many books and plays, diluting the once real threat of this Victorian bogeymanโฆ
Devizes singer-songwriter Jamie Hawkins, famed for poignant narrative in his songs and one-third Lost Trade, has always had a passion for filmmaking; Teeth is theโฆ
There are only a few tickets left for this yearโs Devizes Festival of Winter Ales, an important fundraiser for DOCAโฆ.. This year DOCA has teamedโฆ
Hey you lovely lot, bit warm for Feb, innit? I wouldnโt do anything too daring, like break out your mankini yet, I expect there will be at least one more wintery blast to come. Hereโs whatโs happening over the coming week in the wilds of Wiltshireโฆโฆ
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 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 7th
Acoustic Jam at The Southgate, Devizes.
Thereโs a screening of The Royal Ballet Manon at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.
Whitney; Queen Of The Night at the Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.
Peter Knight & John Spiers at Chapel Arts, Bath. Suntou Susso at The Bell.
Thursday 8th
Instalment 6 of the Comedy Loft at the Civic, Trowbridge.
Omid Djalili at Pounds Arts is listed, but sold out, sorry.
The Kahunas at the Tuppenny, Swindon. Jon Amor Trio at the Beehive. A Memory Move at Swindon Arts Centre, Jody And The Jerms play the evening there.
Josh Pughโs Existinโ La Vida Loca is at the Cheese & Grain, Frome.
Friday 9th
All Floyd make a welcome return to The Bell on the Green, Devizes.
The Future Sound of Trowbridge #5 at the Pump, The Sunnies headline, with Ignotis and Cult Python in support.
Counterfeit Sixties Show at the Neeld Hall, Chippenham.
Syd Lawrence Orchestra: Big Band Brass at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon. Band of Others at the Boathouse.
Wizards of Oz and Black Rose play The Vic, Swindon. Limehouse Lizzy at Swindon Arts Centre. Rave On โ The Rise Of Rock And Roll at the Wyvern Theatre.
Ed Tudor Pole at the Winchester Gate, Salisbury.
Alfie Moore at Rondo Theatre, Bath. Martin Harley at Chapel Arts.
Andy C has sold out the Cheese & Grain.
Saturday 10th
Music for Meninggitis at Seend Community Hall.
Courting Ghosts have had to cancel the gig at The Southgate, Devizes, find Grizzly Rhys Morgan there instead. Editorโs pick of the week takes us to Long Street Blues Club, where The Errol Linton Band makes a welcomed return. One of my best nights ever at Long Street last time they played, see a review Here.
The Kast Off Kinks at Melksham Assembly Hall.
Jaz Delorean at the Pump in Trowbridge, with Swingletree in support. And Sound Knowledge hosts Declan McKenna at the Civic.
Cultural Assembly; the Art of the Sustainable and A Family Business at Pound Arts, Corsham.
Purple Fish play Westbury Cons Club.
Max Output at Prestbury Sports Bar, Warminster.
The Makings of a Murderer at the Wyvern Theatre, Swindon. Nabil Abdulrashid at Swindon Arts Centre. Nervendings, Toast and Arizona Law at The Vic. Mojo at the Swiss Chalet.
Love is Enough at the Winchester Gate, Salisbury.
Wifi Wars at Rondo Theatre, Bath
Billy in the Lowground at The Sun Inn, Frome. Ruzz Guitarโs Blues Revue at the Cheese & Grainโฆoh yes!
Coyote Country at Prestbury Sports Bar, Warminster.
Bill Smarme Rock’n’Roll Trio at the Bell, Bath.
Ukrainian National Opera โ Madama Butterfly at the Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.
Monday 12th
Filskit Theatre: Wonder Gigs at Pound Arts, Corsham.
Cameron Pierre at the Bell, Bath.
Tuesday 13th
Potterne Pantomime presents Robin Hood at the Potterne Village Hall, running until Saturday.
Paper Moon Quartet plays Jazz Knights at the Royal Oak, Swindon.
Maddie Storvold at the Bell, Bath.
And thatโs all weโve 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.
Did we miss you out? Did you tell us about your event? Itโs not that we donโt like you, itโs 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 Iโve added it and let me know if not!
Have a good week- thatโs the last important thingy to say!!
Hey you, Feb already, hereโs whatโs happening over the coming week in the wilds of Wiltshireโฆโฆ
Everything listed here is onour 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. Oh, and accept no substitute, this is the definitive guide to what’s really happening around these parts!!
Ongoing until 17th February, two enlightening exhibits at Wiltshire Museum, Devizes,ย Lest We Forget: the Black Contribution to the World Wars in Wiltshire, and Eric Walrond: A Caribbean Writer living in Wiltshire. Reviewed HERE.
The Importance of Being Earnest is currently running until Sunday at the Wharf Theatre, Devizes. This is sold out, Iโm afraid, reviewed HERE.
Wednesday 31st
Modern & Contemporary Art from the Collection of Chippenham Museum.
Acoustic Jam at The Southgate, Devizes.
โFull Circle Part IIโ โ Phil Beer & Steve Knightley at Chapel Arts, Bath. Tight Lipped Combo at The Bell.
Truck at the Vic, Swindon, with the Belladonna Treatment and Nostomo. Viggo Venn at The Wyvern Theatre.
Thursday 1st Feb
The Tap Opening Night in Devizes.
Pound Arts, Corsham are screening Sherlock Jr. (1924) with live piano score by Meg Morley.
Cousins, Skiddy, Blair, Lynch at the Tuppenny, Swindon. Sebastian & Me, Talk in Code and Mirrored Faces feature at the Vic as part of Live Music Venues Week. Beyond The Barricade at the Wyvern Theatre.
Allโs Well That Ends Well at Rondo Theatre, Bath. Nigel Wearne (AUS) at Chapel Arts, with support from Simeon Hammond Dallas.
Open Mic at The Winchester Gate, Salisbury.
Friday 2nd
Devizes Youth Action Group has their first event at the Devizes Corn Exchange. U18โs only, all-teen bands, Shox, Steatopygous, and BellaDonna play, with DJ Flam. Well done for organising, we fully support this initiative, and our own youngest reporter, Flo, will be there to give us the lowdown on it. Karaoke starts up at the Exchange nightclub below for the so-called grownups(!), with Karl Maggs on the wheels of steel. This will be a regular thing, the first Friday of each month.ย
Also on upcoming bands, check the first heat of Take The Stage at Chippenhamโs Neeld Hall, only costs a fiver entry.
Travis Waltons at the Pump, Trowbridge, with Martyโs Fake Family and The Earth & Me.
One Chord Wonders at The Boathouse, Bradford-on-Avon.
All Ears Avow, Death is a Girl, Fluff and Ritual Divide all play the The Vic, Swindon. Thereโs a Swindon Old Town Comedy Club at Christchurch, Old Town. Calling Planet Earth, Duran Duran tribute at the Wyvern Theatre, Dire Streets at Swindon Arts Centre.
And the In-Cider Festival begins at Weston-Super-Mare! Weston-Super-Mare, Eddie!
Saturday 3rd
The Thomas Atlas Trio takes over from the postponed LeBurn Maddox at The Southgate, Devizes. A darn good replacement, expect some amazing blues. Our trusty duo, Funked up will be at The Three Crowns, guaranteed good night at either. DJ Stevie Mc is in the mix at the Exchange.
Kieran doesnโt know it yet, weโll see if he reads this religiously, but Iโm invited to the Pump by frontman Jamie, so for this reason and for many others, this gets my Editorโs Pick of Week!ย ย
The Worried Men play the Pump, Trowbridge, with FuTuRe PlaN in support; anyone going up from Devizes? I needs me a lift!!
From the European Union Chamber Orchestra, Wiltshire Music Centre in Bradford-on-Avon presents Yuzhang Li.
Still Marillion at the Vic, Swindon. Apache Cats the Rat Trap. The Thinking Drinkers at Swindon Arts Centre, and The ELO Show at the Wyvern Theatre.
Itโs Duckfest at the Duck in Laverstock, a Salisbury Live Beggar’s Bash thingy.
Phoebe Troup is at Chapel Arts, Bath.
Dylan tribute The Bob Villains at Tree House Frome Retro Electro at the Cheese & Grain.
Sunday 4th
All-family bike ride, Kidical Mass, from Hillworth Park, Devizes. Lewis Clark at The Southgate from 5pm.
Chasing Dolls, Lucky Number Seven, Better Heaven, Liddington Hill, and Oui Legionarries at The Vic, Swindon. Whitney Queen of the Night at the Wyvern Theatre. Ania Magliano at Swindon Arts Centre.
Monday 5th
Open Mic at the Lamb, Marlborough.
An Evening With Jasper Fforde at Swindon Arts Centre.
Tuesday 6th
Daniel Newberry Trio for Jazz Knights at the Royal Oak, Swindon. An Evening With Jeff Stelling at the Wyvern Theatre.
And thatโs all weโve 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.
Did we miss you out? Did you tell us about your event? Itโs not that we donโt like you, itโs 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 Iโve added it and let me know if not!
Have a good week- thatโs the last important thingy to say!!
A sublime evening of electronic elegance was had at Bathโs humble Rondo Theatre last night, where Cephidโs album, Sparks in The Darkness, was played outโฆ
I caught up with an excited Jonathan Hunter, leader of Devizes Town Councilโs independent party The Guardians, and local loyal youth worker Steve Dewar toโฆ
Experience the Bradford on Avon Green Man Festival, a vibrant, family-friendly community gathering featuring traditional dance, music, song, and folklore throughout the town centre onโฆ
If Iโm considering reviewing worldwide music again, why stop with this planet?! Though Iโve reasoned two tenacious links to mention this madcap Scottish interstellar outfit;โฆ
The team behind popular all-day music extravaganza, My Dadโs Bigger Than Your Dad Festival, can now reveal that nearly ยฃ11,500 was raised for Prospect Hospiceโฆ
By Ian DiddamsImages by Jeni Meade No aficionado of 1960s and 1970s horror films would have missed seeing โRosemaryโs Babyโ, a story of Satanic pregnancy,โฆ
Hey frozen duckling, hereโs whatโs happening over the coming week in the wilds of Wiltshireโฆโฆ
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 until 17th February, two enlightening exhibits at Wiltshire Museum, Devizes,ย Lest We Forget: the Black Contribution to the World Wars in Wiltshire, and Eric Walrond: A Caribbean Writer living in Wiltshire. Reviewed Here.
Wednesday 24th
Acoustic Jam at The Southgate, Devizes.
Big Jam session at the Vic in Swindon. Rhod Gilbert & The Giant Grapefruit at The Wyvern Theatre.
Apricity Theatre Turns Ten The Rondo, Bath. John E Visticโs Country Club at The Bell, Bath.
Screening of The Old Oak at the Athenaeum in Warminster.
Thursday 25th
Runny Snotts Acoustic Sessions at The Neeld, Chippenham.
Mark Simmons: Quip of the Mark at Pound Arts, Corsham.
Ellis Evason at the Tuppenny, Swindon, Adult Panto โ Beauty And The Big Beast at The Wyvern Theatre.
Andrew Birdโs tour Taken Seriously is at The Rondo, Bath. Gordon Giltrap at Chapel Arts.
The Farewell Tour โ An Evening With Sir Geoff Hurst at the Cheese & Grain, Frome.
Friday 26th
Lucky Number Seven are the Pump, Trowbridge, with LXRDVIRS and Notre Dame of Tokyo. John Lawโs Re-Creations at the Civic.
BlueSoul at The Boathouse, Bradford-on-Avon.
Avalon Comedy Network: Stuart Laws, Lucy Pearman, Heidi Regan & Josh Weller at Pound Arts, Corsham.
This is Your (Improvised) Musical at The Rondo, Bath. Reggae vibes at St James Wine Vaults with the Biggle Sound System. Australiaโs Ernest Aines at Chapel Arts.
King Awesome at The Vic, Swindon, Texas Tick Fever at the Beehive. Stranger Sings at The Wyvern Theatre.
Saturday 27th
Phereakers at The Southgate, Devizes, Donโt Frett at The Three Crowns.
Josh Kumra at the Bear, Marlborough. Broken Dolls at the Lamb.
Bo Walton Band at Melksham Rock n Roll Club.
A Big shout out to organiser John McConnachie, as Editorโs Pick of the Week is at Calne Liberal Club for the annual 7 Bands in 7 Hours. The Killertones, Real Cheesemakers, Mike & the Misfits, People Like Us, 6 O’clock Circus, Homer and the Chaos Brothers join forces for this fundraiser. This year itโs supporting two young children Hartley, diagnosed with Down’s Syndrome and Fletcher who suffers bowel disorder. The mini-festival comes with a suggested ยฃ5 donation, and starts at 4pm. If you canโt make it you can still donate here.
Martyโs Fake Family at Gloucester Club, Trowbridge. Samantics with Devilโs Doorbell at The Pump.
Junkyard Dogs are at The Consti Club in Chippenham.
Shakespeareโs Fool at Pound Arts, Corsham.
Band of Others at Warminster Conservative Club.
Stranger Sings at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon. Papa Shango at The Vic with Here Comes The Crows in support.
Ukrainian Benefit Evening at The Bell, Bath. Ania Maglianoโs I Canโt Believe Youโve Done This at The Rondo.
Snuff at The Winchester Gate, Salisbury. Wilton Live all dayer at Wilton Community Hall, see poster. Sam Fraser is at Follow Comedy at Qudos.
Hugh Cornwell and special guests The Primitives at the Cheese & Grain, Frome, Bruce Juice, Bruce Springsteen Tribute at The Tree House.
Sunday 28th
Vince Bell at The Southgate, Devizes.
Screening of The Royal Operaโs Rusalka at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.
South West Hotel and Careful Spider play a Schtumm at the Long Rooms in Box. Andy Burden Band at The Bell, Bath.
An Evening with Glenn Hoddle at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.
Monday 29th
Is the opening night of The Importance of being Earnest at the Wharf Theatre, Devizes. This is running until Feb 3rd, and we will bring you a review of it before it opens; watch this space!
Rock The Tots โ โThe 1990sโ at Pound Arts, Corsham.
Most Haunted Live at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.
Brooks Williams & Aaron Catlow at The Bell, Bath.
Tuesday 30th
Stop Making Sense at Pound Arts, Corsham.
Tom Clarke-Hill Quartet plays Jazz Knights The Royal Oak, Swindon. I See Orange at the Vic. Most Haunted Live at The Wyvern Theatre.
Pete Morton at The Bell, Bath.
And thatโs your lot! Let me know if we missed anything, we can list events for free, but a chocolate muffin works better to persuade me! Lots to look forward to this month, Iโll lob a few posters below, but keep your best eye on theโฆโฆ
In November last year I was mightily impressed with Bristol soul-reggae producer Kaya Street, and reviewed their EP The Soul Sessions, read it here forโฆ
Another Stunning Week-End For Live Music Andy Fawthrop Normally Iโd be raving about just how good the live music was at The Southgate on Sundayย afternoon.โฆ
Developed in Devizes, blossoming in Bristol, as well as a snazzy new website, indie-punk phenomenon Nothing Rhymes with Orange released their next single, and itโsโฆ
Seems odd the perfect combination between Devizesโ only theatre, The Wharf, and one of the longest-running performance group, White Horse Opera hasnโt linked before, butโฆ
V busy week ahead, too busy to type the word โvery,โ (though I just did type the word โvery,โ) despite the cold spell, nothings gonna stop us now, reminding me somewhat of Ollie & Jerryโs theme โBreakinโ, thereโs no stopping us.โ
Not that it takes me much to be reminded of Ollie & Jerry – I think about them all the time, I wonder where they are and what theyโreโฆ..okay, letโs push on, we donโt need you to be like Turbo, no one to dance with other than a broom, (youngsters pipe down and Google it!) hereโs whatโs happening over the coming week in the wilds of Wiltshireโฆโฆ
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 until 17th February, two enlightening exhibits at Wiltshire Museum, Devizes,ย Lest We Forget: the Black Contribution to the World Wars in Wiltshire, and Eric Walrond: A Caribbean Writer living in Wiltshire. Reviewed Here.
Artist Clifton Powell with Eric Walrond portrait at Wiltshire Museum
Wednesday 17th
The Melksham & Devizes Primary have a new year meet at the Kings Arms, Melksham; we recently did an interview with them, a really important issue, check it out here.
The regular Acoustic Jam at The Southgate, Devizes.
Lunchtime Recital Series at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon, with Babatunde Aleshe in the evening.
Opening night of The Wind in the Willows at The Rondo, Bath, running until Sunday the 21st. Meanwhile, Starlings play The Bell in Bath.
British Lion are at the Cheese & Grain, Frome.
Thursday 18th
M3g plays The Tuppenny, Swindon, Zamba Lando at The Beehive, John Otway at The Vic, a memory sing at Swindon Arts Centre, and Get It On at The Wyvern Theatre.
Friday 19th
Borrowed Atlas plays the Pump, Trowbridge, with Ravetank in support.
Cara Dillon is at Pound Arts, Corsham.
Forbidden Nights at Melksham Assembly Hall, ladies!
Stompers at The Boat House, Bradford-on-Avon.
Littlemen at Chapel Arts, Bath.
Dark Prophecy at The Vic, Swindon, UK Pink Floyd Experience at The Wyvern Theatre.
Saturday 20th
Day course: Wood Engraving with Robin Mackenzie at Wiltshire Museum, Devizes.
An album launch gig for Cracked Machine at the Southgate, Devizes, with Clock Radio in support. Siren at The Three Crowns. Real Music are at the Bear, with a Soul, Motown Disco.
Open Mic at The Barge Honeystreet.
Chippenham Record Fair, at The Citadel on Bath Road; free entry.
Editorโs Pick of the Week is Bradford Roots Festival at the Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon; Iโve been saving myself since new year for this! Incredible line-up, all day Saturday and Sunday, preview here, hope to see you there?
Cara Dillon is at Pound Arts, Corsham.
Ian Diddams and Wendy Dopheide take Happy Jack to the Athenaeum, Warminster for a two night run, Saturday and Sunday; hereโs a review from when this show was at the Wharf in Devizes.
The Korgis โ Time Machine at Chapel Arts, Bath.
Apache Cats at The New Inn, Swindon, The Rolling Clones at The Vic. Abba Forever at The Wyvern Theatre, and an RPA Golden Ticket Show at Swindon Arts Centre.
Sunday 21st
Manos Puestas at The Southgate, Devizes.
Bradford Roots Festival continues.
Sing-A-Long-A Matilda The Musical (PG) at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.
Gordie Tentrees & Jaxon Haldane at The Bell, Bath.
Monday 22nd
Giovanni Pernice at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.
The Swing Vote at The Bell, Bath.
Tuesday 23rd
Vasilis Xenopoulos & Tom Berge Trio for the regular Jazz Knights The Royal Oak, Swindon.
Giovanni Pernice at The Wyvern Theatre.
And thatโs your lot, 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, Iโll lob a few posters below, but keep your best eye on theโฆโฆEvent Calendar!! Also note, we have a new page for weekly events including clubs and activities, here: it’s new so we need to list some more, tell us what you know!
Featured Image Credit: Stewart Baxter Riot predictor Nick Hodgson formerly of the Kaiser Chiefs has a new band, the charmingly named Everyone Says Hi, andโฆ
Bob Marley sang โjamminโ โtil the jam is through,โ Jimmy Cricketโs catchphrase was โcomeโere, thereโs more,โ but it looks like The Southgate in Devizes isโฆ
The second feature film for director Keith Wilhelm Kopp and writer Laurence Guy, First Christmas enters development, to be produced by Shropshire-based production company, Askโฆ
Image credit: Forestry England/Crown copyright. Forestry England Nightingale Wood invites dog owners to celebrate Walk Your Dog Month this January….. Walk Your Dog Month isโฆ
Boo! Weโve got everything to do in Wiltshire this coming week, leading us into Halloween and the end of the monthโฆ..as we always doโฆ.boo! Itโs that time of year when I get repetitive strain injury from typing โHalloween Party!โ
Okay my little pumpkins, 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 didnโt 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, donโt lose it, like Bez on a nineties dance floor. For info on how, see HERE. Please and thanking youโฆ
Happy Jack is running at the Wharf Theatre, Devizes, until Saturday, weโve a review of it HERE.
Wednesday 25th
Devizes in Bloom invites you to plant a bulb for Christmas, at Hillworth Park. Donโt forget the regular Acoustic Jam at the Southgate, Devizes.
Music for Miniatures has a Bubble Bach at The Neeld, Chippenham.
Changing Times: The Impact of Total War in Wiltshire and its effects Post-War, 1939-1955, with Julie Davis at Pound Arts, Corsham.
Memory Cinema, films designed in a setting suitable for those with dementia, are showing High Anxiety (PG) at Swindon Arts Centre, while thereโs a Quiz Night at The Castle.
Mike Oldfieldโs Tubular Bells and Pink Floydโs Dark Side of the Moon are reenacted at the Rondo Theatre, Bath, and the Sun Kings play The Bell.
Thursday 26th
Those wonderful River Warriors of Calne invite families to the Pocket Park for half term autumn activities. Thereโs also a Demonstration of Mediumship at Calne Town Hall.
The Brewery Inn, Seend start their Halloween Haunted Garden, which runs until 31st October, which is HalloweenโฆBoo!
Open Mic at Stallardโs, Trowbridge. Open Mic at the Crown, Aldbourne.
Hags: A Magical Extravaganza by Scratchworks at Hullavington Village Hall, and Luke Wrightโs Silver Jubilee at Pound Arts, Corsham.
Spontaneous Potter at The Wyvern Theatre in Swindon, while Nervendings and Fluff play the Vic. Fran McGillvray & Mike Burke at the Tuppenny.
Parameter Promotions Presents Lewis Poole Live at The Electric Bar, Bath, and the Rondo Theatre has Butchered.
Friday 27th
Friday sees the opening of a new exhibit at the Forbidden Carnival in Chippenham, called Dark, and it runs until 26th November.
Devizes Arts Festival Comedy Night at The Corn Exchange, Devizes, and theyโre celebrating Daveโs birthday at The Southgate with an ongoing Beer & Cider Festival all weekend with lots of music, no doubt. Halloween Party at the Bridge, Horton.
Trash Panda at The Coopers Arms, Pewsey. Static Moves at The Bear, Marlborough, and Marcus N Kellie Lutener is at The Lamb with a Halloween Party.
A Festival of Remembrance concert at the Civic, Trowbridge, while the Pump another round of The Future Sound of Trowbridge with Mobscure, Ravetank and LXRDVIRS.
Halloween Family Disco at The Neeld, Chippenham.
Abbamania at Melksham Assembly Hall, Halloween Party at the Pilot.
Hags: A Magical Extravaganza by Scratchworks at Hawkesbury Upton Village Hall.
Highly recommended Siouxsie and the Banshees tribute, Painted Bird at The Vic in Swindon, Sister Sister at North Swindon Club, Bad Good Times at The Queens Tap.
Sean Collinsโ Smokinโ Funny at the Rondo theatre, Bath, Josienne Clarke at Chapel Arts.
Bon Giovi at the Cheese & Grain, Frome, Faux Bonamassa at the Tree House.
Saturday 28th
Autumn in the Park at Hillworth Park in Devizes. The Four Sopranos have a CPRE fundraiser at the Town Hall. Susan Santos at Long Street Blues Club. The Southgateโs ongoing Beer & Cider Festival, with music from Red Light and Free Peace.
The celebrated Halloween Party at The Three Crowns, Puscifer Presents Global Probing Halloween Bash at The Snuff-Box.
Editorโs Pick of the Week!
But, if youโre going to a Halloween party Iโm a firm believer you should pick it up as a ska-loween one! Therefore it makes purr-fect sense that the Skaloween at Devizes Scooter Club HQ, the Cavalier should be Editorโs Pick of the Week, with ska band Skamageddon. In case you were wondering, the music is ska, the theme is halloween!!
Dorothy House fundraiser at The Lamb in Urchfont, with Humdinger.
Oktoberfest at Seend Community Centre.
Hooch at The Coopers Arms, Pewsey.
Apache Cats at The Talbot, Calne.
The Monster Ball at Melksham Assembly Hall.
Shivers and Shadows at The Neeld, Chippenham, followed by the Emeralds Boxing event.
The Worried Men at the Pump, Trowbridge, Train to Skaville at The Gloucester Road Conservative Club, Halloween with the Buttmonkies at Stallards, Be Like Will at The Red Admiral.
A mod, northern soul and ska night at The Players in Westbury. Band of Others, with optional Halloween fancy dress at the Cock Inn, Warminster.
Triple JD Band at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford On Avon.
Rachel Fairburnโs Showgirl at the Rondo Theatre, Bath. Steven Brinbergโs celebrated tribute to Barbra Streisand, Simply Barbra, is at Chapel Arts. Siren plays The Devonshire Arms.
The Vintage Bazaar at the Cheese & Grain in the daytime, but with Glenn Hughes sold out, people of Frome need to head for 23 Bath Street for the Frome Fair Fundraiser, a Night of BOO! – Boot Hill All Stars will entertain you.
Jo Caulfield at Swindon Arts Centre. Destination Anywhere has a mod-soul-ska club night at The Vic. Down & Dirty Halloween Party at The Woodland Edge, the amazing SexJazz at The Castle, and Damn at the North Swindon Club.
Sunday 29th
Thereโs a Haunted Hayride at Poulshot Village Hall; now, that sounds fun!
Devizes Town Band at The Corn Exchange, with Chloe Jordan for an autumn themed concert. Blues at The Southgate, Devizes with Thomas Atlas.
Guinea Lane Saxophone Quartet at the Heritage Centre, Pewsey.
October Jam at The Wheatsheaf, Calne.
Thereโs a fundraiser for Friends IVF treatment at The Vic, Swindon, with Mirrored Faces, Copper Creek, Thieving Magpies, N/SH, and more.
Junkyard Dogs play the Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon.
King Dinosaur at The Bell, Bath.
Monday 30th
Rock The Tots: have some Spooky Fun at Pound Arts, Corsham.
Reverend Richard Coles: Borderline National Trinket at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.
Nightshift at the North Swindon Club.
Mobrasuto at The Bell, Bath.
Tuesday 31st
Trick or treat! It is Halloween and I know of no Halloween party; weโve exhausted ourselves already rather than exorcised ourselves!
There are the regular Jazz Knights at The Royal Oak, Swindon, with the Robert Fowler Quartet, Gigspanner Big Band at Swindon Arts Centre, and Gary Delaneyโs Gary In Punderland at The Wyvern Theatre.
Then, Bobโs your dadโs brother itโs November, and though I confess thereโs still a lot of updating to do, which I must stop playing online backgammon and get on with, thereโs lots to be keeping you out of trouble, so keep an eye on our event calendar for updates for next month.ย
Devizine is going out to over 100K local folk and listing your event will remain free, nudge me if youโve told me and itโs still not listed, all you have to do to insure it is here is to tell us about it!
Salisbury acoustic singer-songwriter Rosie Jay released her debut EP today, taking its title from her first single from June this year, I Donโt Giveโฆ
Summer is done and dusted, youโve got to lower yourself onto the toilet seat that little bit steadier, as we move into autumn. Still, the silver lining is thereโs always lots to do locally; hereโs what weโve found coming up this weekโฆ.
Not comprehensive, as I tell you each time, more will be added to our event calendaras we move through the week and they come to our attention, so check in on it from time to time. If you donโt let us know about your event you cannot expect it to be here, drop us a line and guarantee itโs listed here, it costs nothing.
Please, if you can donate a little something to keep us going, do, thatโs all I ask. We need to fund this, and any extra will be put into hosting events, something we would like to do more of but without financial support it makes it impossible. Any donations will be kindly accepted, you will get special attention, and we thank you. For info on how, see HERE.
Pay a visit to Wiltshire Museum, Devizes, for the Anna Dillon exhibition; reviewed HERE, this ends on October 1st.
Ongoing until 29th Sept, The Incredible Quizzical Bath Pub Tour.
Clown Soup exhibit by Si Griffiths at the Forbidden Carnival in Chippenham.
Devizes Food & Drink Festival is up and running, until 1st October.
Wednesday 27th
Acoustic Jam at The Southgate, Devizes.
Subject A at The Bell, Bath.
ZambaLando at โMoose Hallโ Old Town, Swindon, Lunchtime Recital at The Wyvern Theatre, with Ed Byrneโs Tragedy Plus Time in the evening.
Thursday 28th
Devizes Film Club Presents Lunana at The Wharf Theatre, and thereโs a Murder Mystery Dinner at The Corn Exchange.
Marlborough Literature Festival opens, running until 1st October.
The Unravelling Wilburys at Melksham Assembly Hall.
The Last Baguetteโs Playtime! at Pound Arts in Corsham, with the The Jackie Oates Trio in the evening.
Zambalando plays Savernake Street Hall, Swindon, Guy Tortora at The Tuppenny, Cooper Creek at The Beehive. Big Drink, One Man Boycott, Liddington Hill and the Starkers at The Vic. Magic Of Motown at The Wyvern Theatre, and the Phoenix Players โ โI Thought I Heard A Rustlingโ at Swindon Arts Centre, running until Saturday 30th.
Ed Byrneโs Tragedy Plus Time goes to the Cheese & Grain, Frome.
Friday 29th
The Unpredictables are at The Churchill Arms in West Lavington.
Autumn Beer Festival at The Bell, Lacock.
Open Mic at Marlborough Town FC. El Toro at The Bear, Marlborough.
Sice Boo from The Boo Radleysโ โThe Secret of Happinessโ at The Pump in Trowbridge.
Martin Kempโs Back to the 80s at The Civic.
Thereโs a 24 hour Danceathon at Cumberwell Park Golf Club in Bradford-on-Avon, for the Fearless charity.
The Unravelling Wilburys at The Athenรฆum, Warminster.
Diverse Disco, a party for disabled and learning difficulties, at The Tree, Swindon. The Britpop Band at the Vic, The Heretic Order and The Self Titled at Swindon Underground (formerly Level III,) Devizes Road Oktoberfest at the Tuppeny in Swindon continues all weekend. Echo at the Queenโs Tap. Tea & Tour of the Spotlight Room at Wyvern Theatre, followed by Babatunde Alesheโs Babahood.
LGBTQ+ poetry night, Hear my Voice at Rondo Theatre, Bath, The Alter Eagles at Chapel Arts.
The Tom Petty Legacy at the Tree House, Frome, with Graham Parker & the Goldtops at the Cheese & Grain.
Saturday 30th
Leburn Maddox at The Southgate, Devizes, Illingworth at The Three Crowns, Strange Folk at The Lamb.
Thereโs also a grand lineup at The Crown, Bishops Cannings, with music from 4pm, Steve Morano Band, Talk in Code and Purple Fish. they’ve a fire-dancer between the acts, BBQ and pizza, free entry, splendid pub, twist my arm, why don’t you?!
Thereโs the Hillbillies at the Barge on HoneyStreet, and The Monkey Dolls at The Lamb, Marlborough.The Monkey Dolls @ The Lamb, Marlboroug
Josh Kumra @ The Bear, Marlborough
Pete Lambโs Heartbeats play an Alzheimerโs Support fundraiser at The Spencers Club in Melksham. Seriously Collins at The Melksham Assembly Hall.
Truckstop Honeymoon at the Pump in Trowbridge, with Swingletree in support, The Jon Amor Trio at The Red Admiral, Hilperton. Scout Killers at the Civic and Be Like Will at The Greyhound.
Ultimate Meatloaf at The Consti Club, Chippenham.
Six Oโclock Circus at Calne Liberal Club.
Sarah-Louise Young: The Silent Treatment at Pound Arts, Corsham.
The Lone Sharks at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon. And a Bradford Roots Sessions evening at the Wiltshire Music Centre, with Concrete Prairie, Courting Ghosts, and Fly Yeti Fly, proper job, ed’s pick of the week that one right there be, oo-argh!
The Spooky Kids and Korn Again at The Vic, Swindon, Tundra at The Woodlands Edge, And Solo at North Swindon Club, Click at The New Inn, Hush at The Queens Tap, and Sh!t-Faced Shakespeare โ Much Ado About Nothing at The Wyvern Theatre.
Celebrate Zappa : Treacherous Cretins at The Tree House, Frome, Motรถrheadache at The Cheese & Grain.
Sunday 1st
Monthly residency for the Jon Amor Trio at The Southgate, Devizes, with guest Ruth Hammond.
Fireman Sam is at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon, and Victorius at Underground.
Interstate Express at The Bell, Bath.
Monday 2nd
Ope
Billy Billingham MBE โ Always A Little Further at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon
Orfic at The Bell, Bath
Tuesday 3rd
Calne Music & Arts Festival starts with the Nonpareil, a Local Photography Group Exhibition. It runs across the festival until 28th October, at the Heritage Centre, Calne. Open 10:00 โ 16:00 Tuesdays to Saturdays (closed Sundays & Mondays) Visit the Heritage Centre to see the exhibition of photography by โNonpareilโ, a small group of very experienced local photographers. It includes Award Winning Images from their Exhibitions and Salons that have been exhibited around the country. The festival lineup is in full on our event calendar.
100 Years of Silents: Our Hospitality (1923) with live musical score, at Pound Arts in Corsham.
Queenz โ The Show With Balls! at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon, with
The Haunting at Swindon Arts Centre.
Thatโs all folks, but there are lots more to come!! Let the sunshineโฆ..but do check in on our event calendar too, as updates will be on there, not here, this is just a guide. Have a great week whatever you do do!
And hey, we’re doing a monthly podcast again now; a bit of fun and some great local music on there, please take a listen…. at your own risk!
Bank holiday done and dusted, hope you had a good one whatever you did. But Wiltshire shows no signs of letting up on great things to do moving into September; hereโs a roundup of events this coming weekโฆ..
Not comprehensive, more will be added to our event calendar as we move through the week, so check in on it from time to time.
Pay a visit to Wiltshire Museum, Devizes, for the Anna Dillon exhibition; reviewed HERE.
Ongoing until 29th Sept, The Incredible Quizzical Bath Pub Tour.
Wednesday 30th:
Acoustic Jam at The Southgate, Devizes.
Devizes Salsa at West Lavington Village Hall; new members welcome!
The Deadnotes play the Pump in Trowbridge with The Sunnies and Lindup Brothers
Thursday 31st:
Thereโs an Open Mic at The Crown, Aldbourne.
Happy Kingsley plays The Neeld Bar in Chippenham from 8pm.
End of the Road Festival in Salisbury opens, running until Sunday.
VirginMarys & Lucky Number Seven play The Vic, Swindon.
Friday 1st:
Thereโs an Open Mic at the Barge on Honey Street.
Too Complicated at The Wellington, Marlborough.
Letโs Rock this Country with Shania & Friends at Melksham Assembly Hall.
The Pump in Trowbridge begins its series of Future Sound of Trowbridge gigs, with Nothing Rhymes With Orange, Feedback and Paradigm.
Queen 2 at the Neeld Hall, Chippenham, The Blue Moon Band at The Old Lane.
41 Fords at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon.
2 Sick Monkeys at The Castle, Swindon,Blind River Scare at The Beehive, State of the Quo at The Vic, and the Deprivation Festival at Underground, formerly Level III.
Phil Beerโs 2023 Solo Tour at Chapel Arts, Bath.
The Scribes play The Winchester Gate in Salisbury.
Ion Maiden at The Tree House, Frome, with Aynsley Lister at the Cheese & Grain.
Saturday 2nd:
Devizes RFC V Thornbury at Devizes Rugby Club.
And, of course, itโs Devizes Carnival: The parade departs from the Green at 5:45pm, with an environmental theme.
Julien Biddulphโs trio, Work Experience debut at the The Southgate, thereโs karaoke at The Three Crowns, and a Carnival Disco Party at the Pelican.
Swindonโs Apache Cats make their debut at The Bell in Great Cheverall.
Over The Lamb in Marlborough we see the second Famous Hangover Sessions, with a great lineup, Royal Soul from 12pm, George Wilding from 1pm, Jimmy Morre at 2:30, Jolie & the Souls at 4pm, Rivera Arcade at 5:30, Nothing Rhymes With Orange at 7pm, Mick OโToole from 10pm.
Trash Panda plays Great Bedwyn Cricket Club.
And itโs Pewsey Pride at The Coopers, with The Reason and, of course, Miss Luscious Lips!
The celebrated homemade festival, Party on the Drive 3 is in Chippenham, and Yanniโs Old Skool Reggae Night at The Neeld.
Be Like Will play Southwick Sports & Social Club, Shot By Both Sides at Stallards in Trowbridge, and From Jovi are live at Trowbridge RFC, with The Sunnies as special guests.
Swindonโs second annual Paint Fest will be happening across the town centre. Blitz Kids with Head Noise and Thee Acid Tonguea offer a night of new wave and synth, psychedelic punk at The Vic.
Hatepenny at The
Dire Streets tribute at Chapel Arts, Bath.
41 Fords are at The Sun in Frome, Sex Pistols Exposรฉ at the Tree House.
Sunday 3rd:
Gunina Lane Saxophone Quartet with The Pewsey Players, Take Five and Pewsey Winds at St Maryโs Bishops Cannings.
The White Horse Vehicle Show, Westbury.
Old Town Street Foods Festival, in Swindon, with Absolva and Furyhead offering some melodic metal at the Vic.
Monday 4th:
I got nothing, yet, keep an eye on the calendar!
Tuesday 5th:
Curious Kids at Wiltshire Museum, Devizes.
Thatโs all folks, but itโs early days for September, and there is lots more to come!! I’m telling you, next Saturday you are seriously spoiled for choice, you lucky, lucky, people!
Somewhere just outside Westbury a sizable barn hosted the most memorable new year’s eve raves in the mid-nineties, but Iโd never have imagined then, thatโฆ
A Scooby snack-sized pinch punch, first day of the month came from Minety Music Festival this morning upon announcing their headliner for 2025, The Funโฆ
by Ian DiddamsImages by Josie Mae-Ross and Infrogmation Tennessee Williamsโ quasi autobiographical drama โA Streetcar Named Desireโ was first performed in 1947 as the worldโฆ
Purveyors of perfect motion, house music promoters Palooza return to The Exchange in Devizes on Friday 20th December, for its grand finale of the yearโฆ..โฆ
Okay, so, Iโm aย little behind, recently opting to perfect my couch potato posture and consider hibernation, meaning Iโve not yet mentioned Kirsty Clinchโs newโฆ
Last week of February, then; winter, do one! Lots going on as ever, so letโs 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, โjust get on with telling whatโs happening, for crying out loud, man!โ
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 didnโt tell us about it, no fault of mine! I do this shit for free, but I ainโt going to chase you up! Tell us about it next time, bring cake.
Wednesday 22ndand Visual Radio Arts stream one of our favourite bands on the circuit, Concrete Prairie, into the comfort of your own front room. If youโve not seen this band before, do not miss this. Meanwhile itโll 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 Leithโs Nothing in Moderation is at Bath Forum, with Grace Campbellโs 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 Prairieโs name crops up again, theyโre with Cooperโs 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, โSwiftogeddon,โ Taylor Swift club night at Komedia, and Michael Jackson tribute show at Bath Forum.
Regular childrenโs 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 Delaneyโs 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 itโs Devizes Lionsโ 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 Companyโs Ode to Joyce, about the songs and monologues of Joyce Grenfell.
As if there wasnโt enough to choose from in Devizes, Iโm out of town for our Editorโs Pick of Week; Will Lawton and the Alchemists are at The Pump in Trowbridge, and itโs a double-whammy if Iโve correctly sussed the anagram of the support act; โSlotted Hearts!โ
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 Scottโs Jazz Club at the Wyvern, Swindon, while thereโs a secret session at the Vic, with Mickelson.
Simon Brodkinโs 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.
Thatโs all I got folks, tell us about anything we missed and Iโll slip it in! Donโt forget Iโm getting close to 50, and that might mean it takes a little longer, but youโre all invited to laugh at me at the Three Crowns in Devizes on March 4th; oh yeah, weโve got some amazing live music too, naturally.
With Black Friday just a few weeks away, Wiltshire based Blackmore Computers Ltd, is encouraging people to think pre-loved if theyโre planning on buying laptopsโฆ
If rural West Country had a penchant for trance in the happy daze of the mid-nineties, heady nights of fluorescent-clad crusties with eyes like flyingโฆ
Congratulations to Rosalind Ambler and Paul Snook from Devizes Writers Group… At the National Community Radio Awards held in Cardiff on 16th November Together!, theโฆ
Two of the county’s top retrospective cover bands meet for a double-bill of action in Market Lavington This Saturday. Calneโs indie rock five-piece Six Oโclockโฆ
Again we find ourselves congratulating and thanking young Chloe Boyle for fantastic fundraising efforts for Devizes homeless charity OpenDoorsโฆ. With friends and family she spentโฆ
Images: Chris Watkins Media It was lovely to spend Sunday afternoon at Devizesโ Wharf Theatre, to see how this yearโs pantomime Hansel & Gretel, isโฆ
Sheffieldโs DIY punk queer emo five-piece, Slash Fiction will be at the Pump in Trowbridge on Wednesday 20th November as part of their nationwide tour.โฆ
by Ian Diddamsimages by Playing Up Theatre Company When is a mousetrap not a mousetrap? When itโs written by Tom StoppardโฆIf you have seen โTheโฆ
Happy Valentineโs Day, hopelessly romantic yet gullible consumers. If youโve any money left after your overpriced chocolates and cut-off plants purchases, here is whatโs happening this coming week in Wiltshire.….
Snowdrops, though, to do my usual weather comment, Iโve seen snowdrops, and moths; is this spring already, or am I asking too much? But we can confirm, moth-action, sir, moth-action, bring on the warmer weather.
Also, as usual, details and links to everything listed here can be found on our event calendar, which scrolls through the future like a plutonium-fuelled DeLorean, so do go with it as if your name was Marty, for if you wait for this weekly update tickets for ticketed events might well have sold out.
Wednesday 15th sees the regular acoustic jam at The Southgate, Devizes.
Recommended for children aged 5+ and their families, Squashbox Theatre presents a cosmic Journey to the Stars at The Neeld, Chippenham, while ex-special forces soldier and star of TVโs SAS: Who Dares Wins, Jason Foxโs talk, Life At The Limit is at the Wyvern, Swindon. This show also plays Bath Forum on Thursday.
Scottish band acclaimed for their dynamic, sonically adventurous post rock, Mogwai play Bath Forum, with comedy from Hal Cruttenden at Komedia; Itโs Best You Hear It From Me.
Some Irish folk at Brown Street, Salisbury with Sharon Shannon.
Thursday 16th is opening night for Seend Fawlty Playersโ production of the Frog Prince at Seend Community Hall. Their 43rd village pantomime runs till Saturday.
Fantasy Radio will be at The Three Crowns, Devizes. Comedy night at the Civic, Trowbridge.
Splat The Rat play The Tuppenny, Swindon, and Prue Leithโs Nothing In Moderation comes to the Wyvern; who knows you might be sitting next to baby-face Danny Kruger, nudging you and telling you itโs his mummy up there!
Ah, anyway, (Iโm sorry, couldnโt resist it!) Over at Wiltshire Music Centre in Bradford-on-Avon we have The Bradfordianโs presentation of Fantastic Mr Fox. And staying on foxes, the aforementioned Jason Fox is at Bath Forum, Lissie at Komedia.
Friday 17th Trash Panda play The Bear, Marlborough, Bob Bowles at The Green Dragon.
Duran at Swindon Arts Centre, Dreamboys, ladies, Dreamboys I say, at the Wyvern!
Itโs a big happy birthday to Ruzz Guitar, who plays at The Cheese & Grain, Frome with his full Blues Revue, Pete Gage, and The Real John Lewis as support; that will be something else; got to be editorโs pick of the week! All roads lead to Frome, though, as The Lost Trades play The Treehouse as well.
Alex Carsonโs The Idiot Tour at Chapel Arts, The Musical Box at Bath Forum. Fleetwood Bac @ Salisbury Arts Centre.
Saturday 18thand itโs DOCAโs Festival of Winter Ales at The Corn Exchange Devizes; youโll be like Charlie Bucket to find a golden ticket to this now, but good luck anyway! Staying in Devizes, The Eric Bell Band, due to play Long Street Blues Club has been postponed, and the amazing talent we witnessed as guest at the Southgateโs Jon Amor monthly residency last Sunday, Thomas Atlas brings his band from Birmingham, and that will be a brilliant swap. Talking Southgate, Black Nasty plays there.
Improvised comedy for one night only at the Wharf Theatre with Instant Wit, a bunch of very Unusual Suspects, forever on the run from the Comedy Police!
Find Ed Cox at Woodbrough Social Club.
Robbie Williams Live at Knebworth 20th Anniversary Tribute tour is screened at Melksham Assembly Hall. Sarah Keyworthโs Lost Boy at Pound Arts, Corsham. Homer play Westbury Cons Club. Tequila Mockingbird at Stallards in Trowbridge. Junkyard Dogs play The Three Horseshoes in Chapmanslade.
Stranglers tribute, Straighten Out at The Vic, Swindon, Click at The Swiss Chalet, and Six Oโclock Circus at the New Century Club. Babatunde Alesheโs Babahood at Swindon Arts Centre, Buddy Holly tribute show Thatโll Be The Day at the Wyvern.
The Korgis Last ever complete performance Kartoon World at Chapel Arts, Bath, with Fairport Convention at Bath Forum, Clare Hammond at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.
A Salisbury Live 2023 fundraiser, The Beggars Bash at Salisbury Arts Centre.
Judge Jules on the wheels of steel at The Cheese & Grain, Frome, while Eagles tribute The Alter Eagles are at The Tree House.
Sunday 19thsees Mr Griff at The Southgate, Devizes.
The Amazing Bubble Man at Swindon Arts Centre, Tap Factory at the Wyvern. Babatunde Alรฉshรฉโs Babahood tour moves over to Komedia, Bath.
Monday 20thLord of the Rings in Concert at Bath Forum.
Tuesday 21stIโm Sorry I Havenโt a Clue at Bath Forum.
And thatโs a wrap, folks, unless I missed anything, do let me know. Have a good week, donโt worry, be happy!
Wiltshire Music Centre is delighted to announce the new appointments ofย Danielย Clark as Artistic Director, andย Sarahย Robertson as Executive Director.ย Danielย andย Sarahย join Wiltshire Music Centre in a new co-leadershipโฆ
By Mick Brianphotos by Chris Watkins Media Disney aficionados will need no introduction to โThe Little Mermaid,โ Disneyโs 1989 film about mermaids falling in loveโฆ
Remember, remember, weโre moving into November; leaves, loads of โem! Being as we are no longer doing weekly roundups, hereโs some highlights of events inโฆ
The simple answer is yes, very concerned. Following the publication of an article in Melksham Newsโs last issue questioning the councilโs public notice policy, Wiltshireโฆ
February, not hotting up much temperature-wise, nevertheless plenty of stuff going on across the county and beyond; hereโs what weโve found to satisfy your soul this weekโฆ.
You know the score, no links here, find them on our event calendar โ something you need to keep an eye on as it has been known to get updated from time to time! If we missed anything you told me about, I apologise, let me know and I can add it. If I missed anything you failed to tell me about, thatโs your own lookout, but still, if youโre nice I might add it, but it will cost you a cupcake.
Letโs not mess about, Wednesday 8th sees the regular acoustic jam at the Southgate, Devizes, an over 60s event at The Neeld, Chippenham, Macie J Kulakowski at the Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon, Chris McCauslandโs Speaky Blinder at Komedia, Bath, and a folk open mic at Brown Street, Salisbury.
On Thursday 9th we welcome back Devizes Film Club, who are setting up camp at The Wharf Theatre, tickets for the film, Minari have sold out, please note upcoming screenings, here.
Pound Arts in Corsham have a triple bill of folk, Flo Perlin, Daisy Chute and Fern Maddie.
The Tuppenny, Swindon, have one on my hitlist, Canuteโs Plastic Army, with the wonderful Harmony Asia in support.
Phil Beer plays Chapel Arts, Bath, and Terence Blacker presents The Shock of the Old at Rondo Theatre.
Opening night for How The Other Half Loves at Salisbury Playhouse, running until 4th March.
Friday 10th sees the acoustic folk-indie project of now London-based but former Devizes resident Neil Phillimore, Brave New Broken Hearts Club come to St Johns in Devizes for a one-off gig with London folk poet-singer Pearl Fish. Previewed Here.
Upcoming bands battle it out for heat two of Take the Stage 2023 at The Neeld, Chippenham.
The Corsairs play The Bear in Marlborough.
Emily Breeze plays the Pump in Trowbridge for Sheer Music. You need to get in quick on any events at the Pump, they will sell out before you know what’s-what!
Guitar enthusiasts head for Swindon Arts Centre for a show celebrating 50 Years of Fender, while The Shudders play The Vic, with Celtic folkers Liddington Hill and Death is a Girl.
Aaron Azunda Akugbo plays Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon, Sara Pascoe appears at Bath Forum, while thereโs a free indoor fest at Komedia, featuring Year of the Dog, Nookee, Drop in the Ocean, Ryan DโAuria and Bohosapiens, and at the Rondo Theatre thereโs a play called Thirst, running over the weekend.
Jolyon Dixson & Steele play The Royal George in Salisbury, Break Cover are at Brown Street, and Jarlath Regan and Garrett Millerickโs Work in Progress at Salisbury Arts Centre.
Henge at The Cheese & Grain, Frome.
Start your Saturday 11th with some deliberation, as the Devizes Town Council Roadshow meets at The Market Place, 10am-1pm! In the evening, find Ben Borrill at The Three Crowns, and Junkyard Dogs at The Southgate.
Big Mamaโs Banned play the Pilot, Melksham, Be Like Will play The Wiltshire Yeoman in Trowbridge, while The Worried Men are at the Pump.
Dave B & The Bop Wonโt Stop presents The Ultimate Shakinโ Stevens Tribute at Chapel Arts, Bath, and thereโs a West End Winter Show at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.
If thatโs not enough difficult decisions already, Don Letts is guest at The Cheese & Grain in Frome, as the Dub Pistols headline.
Find Six Oโclock Circus at The Phoenix in Wotton Bassett, Thickcut play The Swiss Chalet in Swindon, and Bella Notte features Bel Canto, Belle Voci and Bella Musica in an evening of songs from shows and popular music in Everybody Sing at Swindon Arts Centre.
However, Editorโs Pick of Week will see us trek to Swindon, unless a serious hurricane-blizzard-tornado hits, where Adam Ant tribute Ant Trouble play the Vic. If you want a lift from Devizes, give me a shout, but you’ll have to help with my war-paint! Iโve been looking forward to this for ages, rekindling my youth with some ant music… we are the family!
Sunday 12thsees Bee-Gees tribute Jive Talkin at the Wyvern, while Tom Stade takes The High Road at Swindon Arts Centre.
Phil Cooper is live in Session at The Electric Bar, at Komedia in Bath, while comedian Lloyd Griffithโs One Tonne of Fun play the main hall. Eliza Carthy & The Restitutionโs 30th Anniversary tour comes to the Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.
On Monday 13th Strictly Come Dancing champion Giovanni Pernice invites you to join him on a journey to his homeland for his production of Made in Italy at the Wyvern, Swindon.
Tuesday 14th sees The Classic Rock Show at the Wyvern, Swindon. Bath Phil & Jeneba Kanneh-Mason at Bath Forum and Future Cavemen at Komedia.
Into The Future…..
Thatโs all for this week folks, should be something to please everyone there, I think, but nothing will beat some kings of the wild frontier in my honest opinion!
Do scroll through the event calendar, some things you should take note of; Devizes Winter of Festival Ales is near-sold out, you best hurry. Seend Community Centre sees it 43rd village pantomime, The Princess & The Frog start on Thursday 16th and runs the Friday and Saturday.
Friday 17th in Frome, though, with birthday boy Ruzz Guitar at The Cheese & Grain, featuring The Real John Lewis and Peter Gage, and over the road, The Lost Trades play The Treehouse; wowzers! Talking of birthdays and Ruzz, don’t forget, Devizes people, not only is Ruzz playing his own birthday, he’s playing mine too! All welcome on March 4th to the Three Crowns where we’ll have a daytime open mic, the fantabulous Talk In Code will playing too and you can laugh at me reaching the half-century mark.
Spoiled for choice in Devizes on Saturday 18th, Thin Lizzy founder and guitarist Eric Bell arrives at Long Street Blues Club, head-to-head with Devizes Festival of Winter Ales, fantastic improv comedy with Instant Wit at The Wharf Theatre; decisions, decisions, but you need to make your mind up and get tickets, though if you fail, Black Nasty is at our trusty Southgate.
Dumping pumpkins in the woods is bad for wildlife says Forestry England. As millions of pumpkins hit supermarket shelves and make their way to gardens,โฆ
If Phil Cooperโs 2018 โThoughts and Observations,โ was one of the first albums we ever reviewed here on Devizine, itโs been a while since Iโveโฆ
Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts announced their upcoming project, YEA Devizes today. Made possible by a grant from National Grid Electricity Transmissionโs Community Grant Programme, theโฆ
Alberta Cross, along with the up-and-coming local bands Something Moves and BroccoliBoy, will perform at a charity gig on Saturday 30th November at 23 Bathโฆ
Chippenhamโs young folk singer-songwriter Meg, or M3G if you want to get numeric, will release her 6th single The Mist on Friday 18th October, andโฆ
Our very own illustrious orchestra, The Fulltone Orchestra, are staging live performances of Enyaโs 1988 breakthrough album, Watermark in Basingstoke, Bath and Cheltenham later thisโฆ
So, Rishi Sunak is prime minister, eh, how about that for diversity? Last time, a woman, of sorts, now an Asian chap. A tax-avoiding billionaire Asian chap with a name which sounds like a brand of orange fizzy-pop, but one nonetheless. You’ve got to wonder who it’ll be next week.
My money is on a Klingon, but I must commend the Tories, seems they’re not quite as prejudice as Nazis after all. It doesn’t matter, age, gender, race or religion; providing you’re working class they’ll shit on all of us from a-high, but with a degree of equality.
It would’ve been nice if Liz Truss could’ve stuck around for another week, if only for topical pumpkin carving purposes, because yes, it is the ancient American-over-commercialised Gaelic feast of Samhain, or Halloween to Christian cultural thieves.
After a family outing to pick our own pumpkins on a farm near Rowde in torrential rain last Saturday, confirming I married into a rural family, and kids who consider themselves too matured to trick or treat, I’d like to go out on creepy tiles (see editor’s pick of the week) but tickets are being grabbed fast, and I’m not sure how I’ll feel by the weekend after being brutally attacked last Saturday by a hanging basket.
Where were Wiltshire Police when the attack took place, you cry? Nowhere to be seen, that’s where. Typical, and that hanging basket is still at large somewhere, be warned. Needless to say, I sustained a surprisingly substantial head injury, though not the reason I’m talking complete toilet; I’m always like this.
I did manage to see a doctor. After a reply I pre-empted to be a telephone appointment sometime in May 2023, going by social media rants, I was invited to Southbroom surgery faster than I could change out of my Paddington jimmy-jams, and within the hour I was let back on the street. Not forgoing I retain a sore head with bolts of pain shooting through it upon the slightest of movement, but I’m after no sympathy. It’s the worry of 50 coming like a rocket over the hill at me. Any previous age and I’d have been, like, ah, just a bump to the noggin, be right as reign come morning. But now, any slight aliment and I’m drafting my bucket list; though I’d suspect Kylie Minogue won’t respond favourably in any case.
Onwards with what’s happening this creepy weekend, before I dose myself in more paracetamol. As usual the only link you need for more info and tickets is our event calendar HERE. If thereโs stuff going on Iโve not mentioned below, stay tuned to the guide as I might yet update it through the week, and if itโs your event I missed, thatโs likely because you didnโt tell me about it.
Wednesday 26th, and itโs the White Horse Operaโs opening night of Lโelisir dโamore at Lavington School, which runs until 29th. And the Rondo Theatre, Bath has Female Transport, also running the same dates.
On Thursday 27th Devizes Lgbtq+ hold their Drag Queen Bingo, Halloqueen Edition at The Exchange in Devizes, which was a sell-out last time, so get in quick.
Find reggae at Level III, Swindon with the Erin Bardwell Three, and Grim Slickers at The Vic.
Friday 28th, Halloween Family Disco at The Neeld, Chippenham. LGBTQ+ Halloween night at The Exchange, Devizes.
Violin, rapper and loop artist, Mike Dennis is at The Pump, Trowbridge.
Bit confused as Iโve a poster from the Specialised Project, advertising Monkey Ska at the Vic, Swindon, but listings show Getrz, Vicuals and I See Orange playing there too, so perhaps the first one has been cancelled, unsure. The Terraplanes Blues Band play the Rolleston Arms, though, that much I do know!
Also find Barnstormers Comedy at Salisbury Arts Centre, Muze at The Tree House, Frome, while The Freddie & Queen Experience are at the Cheese & Grain.
Saturday 29th, everything is awesome at Chippenham Museumโs Lego Club, 3-4pm every Saturday. Itโs Autumn in the Park at Hillworth in Devizes, see poster, and St Johnโs Michaelmas Fayre too.
Getting very Halloween now, with Halloween Karaoke at The Pelican Inn, Devizes, Devizes Scooter Clubโs Skalloween at the Cavalier, a Halloween party with DJ James Therelfall at the Muck & Dunder, Thriller Halloween party at the Exchange, and The Monster Ball at Melksham Assembly Hall.
Kind of optional creepy fancy dress at Editorโs Pick of The Week: The Female of the Species 7th Annual Fundraising Gig at Seend Community Hall.
Tickets are going like hot cakes for this annual extravaganza from our lovely all-female local supergroup, now packing a punch at Seend, so get in quickly, it is always an amazing show.
Away from Halloween vibes, those masters of vintage blues, Barrelhouse play The Southgate, Devizes, Trash Panda, The Bastard Son of Humdinger & My Mateโs Band play The Coppers Arms, Pewsey. Strange Folk at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon.
Stop Stop at The Vic, Swindon, Judas Rising at the Rolleston.
Congress at Salisbury Cathedral, Spritato โ Inspiring Bach at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon. Oh, and The Lightning Seeds play The Cheese & Grain, Frome.
Sunday 30th, The Innes Sibun Band arrive at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon, guaranteed knockout.
Spooky stuff continues as Monday 31st is the opening night for Picnic at Hanging Rock at The Wharf Theatre, Devizes; of which Iโm hoping to get a review of out by Monday, or Tuesday latest. Running until 5th November, preview here.
And weโre into November, Wednesday 2nd donโt forget, acoustic jam at the Southgate, Devizes, and Jordan Bak is at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.
Keep on scrolling for future fings to do, hopefully Iโll join you real soon, hanging basket though, I ask you, evil hanging basket; why canโt they just plant flowers in the ground like normal folk? They should be brought to justice! Have a good week, the doctor told me to stay off devices and screens, so Iโm outta here, going to take up badminton instead, which is an extreme sport to me!
Forget the feud between Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur, this is England’s West Country rivals The Skimmity Hitchers and Monkey Bizzle in a vicious rapโฆ
Itโs been a fantastic summer for Wiltshireโs indie-pop favourites Talk in Code. I think Iโve caught them live at least four times, and only onceโฆ
I was chatting to Josh Oldfield last week, a Devizes singer-songwriter I believe weโll be hearing a lot more of. Though this interview was pendingโฆ
by Ian Diddamsimages by Josie Mae-Ross Noel Coward is probably best known for โBlithe Spiritโ but he in fact wrote sixty-five stage plays over aโฆ
Comedy in Devizes is a rare thing, unless you count visitors turning right at the Shaneโs Castle junction, reading opinions on the Devizes Issues (butโฆ
Seems like an age since I last visited Bradford-on-Avonโs wonderful Wiltshire Music Centre, though Iโve been listing their vast range of events on our calendar.โฆ
Hereโs our weekly summary of things to do over the coming week. It saves you surfing every individual event calendar, and saves me waffling on about some unrelated rubbish, which I admit I have a tendency to do, but in the words of the great philosopher, KC, and, of course, his Sunshine Band; thatโs the way, uh-huh uh-huh, I like itโฆ… oh, Iโm doing it again arenโt I?!
Onwards, not forgetting further details and links can be found on our event calendar, itโs too time consuming adding them a second time, and besides, there you can scroll away until your heartโs content, planning future weekends.
Best way to kick off live music early is Swindonโs experimental dub duo, Subject A, are at The Bell on Walcott Street, Bath, on Wednesday 19th; consider it highly recommended. Meanwhile, Beth Nielsen Chapman plays The Cheese & Grain, Frome.
Thursday 20th sees a Very Hungry Caterpillar, on show at Neeld Hall, Chippenham.
Mr Love & Justice are at The Beehive, Swindon, Hannah Sanders & Ben Savage at Chapel Arts, Bath. But the link to Faustus at Salisbury Arts Centre seems to be broken, unsure if thatโs still going ahead.
Friday 21st and Trowbridgeโs Pump is the place to be, Matt Owens of Noah & The Whale headlines, with the amazing Concrete Prairie in support.
The magical Lady Nade plays Pound Arts, Corsham, The Little Unsaid at Chapel Arts, Bath.
Hatepenny at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon, The Reservoir Hogs at The Old Ham Tree, Holt. And in Marlborough youโll find @59 at The Wellington, and the incredibly good fun, Dr Zebos Wheezy Club at The Bear.
That just leaves me with the tributes, Queen tribute, Majesty at Melksham Assembly Hall, while Fleetwood Bac are at The Cheese & Grain, Frome.
Devizes, I have got nothing at all for this Friday, unless you know different? When near-on every known pub in town put live music on last Friday night, with a guaranteed crowd-puller from Longcroft at the Corn Exchange too! This town isnโt a competition, guys, please try to coordinate, through us, if you like, but it works better for you all if we do. Rant over!
Swiftly onto Saturday 22nd, itโs Trowbridge Carnival, plus Lego Club at Chippenham Museum, free and at 3-4pm every Saturday; everything is awesome!
Thereโs an evening of Irish classics with Asa Murphy and Shenanigans at the Devizes Corn Exchange, and the unmissable Eddie Martin Band is back for some blues at The Southgate.
Daz n Chave at Neeld Community & Arts Centre, Chippenham sounds a laugh, and thereโs a Melksham Rock n Roll Club dance this week, with Glenn Darren & The Krewkats.
Full-Tone Orchestra presents their Symphonie Fantastique at Marlborough College, and if you check the quote on the poster, yes, I said that! Itโs always nice to be quoted, on the rare occasion I say something nice, that is!
Sheer are down the Trowbridge Town Hall, putting on Lucky Number 7 and the Lindup Brothers, with promising local teen band Boston Green in support. Meanwhile The Forgetting Curve play The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon. A tribute to Pearl Jam at The Vic, Swindon, Earl Ham, and Tundra plays The Woodlandโs Edge.
But if you want to boss the night away with some serious skanking, I cannot recommend Bristolโs legendary ska and reggae skinhead, Ya Freshness, of Strictly Rockers Records enough, who is with his Big Boss Band at Odd Down Football Club in Bath. Fiver a shot for a cracking knees up. In fact, what the heck, letโs make this one Editorโs Pick of The Week!
For a mellower experience in Bath, try The Tom Petty Legacy at Chapel Arts.
The Grief Opera, Love Goes On at St Andrewโs, Chippenham, Shift Social presents I Was Born in the Wrong Decade at Salisbury Arts Centre, and a Vintage Bazaar is followed by Moments of Pleasure, The Music of Kate Bush, at The Cheese & Grain, Frome.
Halloween Scavenger Hunt at Hillworth Park on Sunday 23rd October, PSG Choir hold an autumn concert at Devizes Town Hall, and the Chas Thorogood Trio play an afternoon session at the Southgate.
Kavus Torabi, Richard Wileman & Amy Fry at The Vic, Swindon, Richard and Amy appear on our Juliaโs House compilation album, show them your support if possible. Always in for a great night with the Joh Amor Band, who play The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon. And oh, CSF wrestling at the Cheese & Grain finishes our weekend off.
Got nothing through the weekdays Iโm afraid, but lots of updating to the calendar still to do, so check in from time to time. That is, of course, until Wednesday, the 26th, when White Horse Opera presents Lโelisir Dโamore at Lavington School, which is running until 29th October, and also running on the same dates, Female Transport at the Rondo Theatre, Bath.
And thatโs your lot for this week, can I go now?!
Wiltshire Music Events UK has hosted tons of memorable events locally, from CrownFest and The Marley Experience at Devizes Corn Exchange, to more everyday gigsโฆ
The “Business Fit For Future” programme has launched with startups across Wiltshire seizing the opportunity to participate in free online business planning workshops. This initiativeโฆ
Featured Photo: Forestry England/Crown copyright Planned timber harvesting is set to begin at popular walking destination, West Woods, from the end of September until Marchโฆ
Despite the population of Devizes throwing confetti and paint at each other in their most celebrated annual ritual, I believe I picked the right weekendโฆ
The newly drafted forest plan for West Woods and Collingbourne is open for public consultation until Monday 7 October. The plan outlines how each woodland willโฆ
If there’s been welcomed stand-ins for the monthly Jon Amor Trio residency at the Southgate in Devizes recently, Ruzz Evans and Eddie Martin, Jon โtheโฆ
Woe is me; tis a fortnight did pass since the beloved Devizes Street Festival. I did happen to saunter through the market lodging Saturday, peered ov’r to whither the main stage once gallantly did stand, but ‘t wast just parked cars and a bank faรงade; insert depress’d visage emoji…..
Because thatโs it, folks, thatโs your bloominโ lot; there is nothing else happening in Devizes this summer, nought, nadaโฆ.
Okay, that probably didnโt work, youโre nobodyโs fool, and you probably know these already, but hereโs a quick guide to the BIG events in Devizes and surrounding villages over the summer months; you know, so bods donโt whinge on social media, โI didnโt hear about this, I took my dog out for a poo and ka-blamo, without so much as a warning some kind of social event hit me square in the chops.โ
Oh, and before I commence the proceedings be aware thereโs always something on, some little events here and there, like free music at The Southgate every Saturday for instance, do keep in tune with our event calendar, but for this particular outing, weโre thinking BIG (ooh, matron.)
Sunday 15th May: Devizes Town Bandโs Fantastic Journey at the Corn Exchange.
Their first outing of the year, Devizes Town Band plan to get all Phileas Fogg and beyond, taking the Corn Exchange on a fantastic journey from the depths of the ocean into space and everything in between, and you could onboard! Tickets are ยฃ10 here: http://devizestownband.com/
Saturday 21st May: Indecisionโs Last Hoorah Tour at the Corn Exchange.
Popular covers band on the local circuit and beyond, Indecision, has indeed made a mutual decision to split up, but not without going out with a bang; theyโre hosting a โLast Hoorahโ gig at Devizes Corn Exchange. Proceeds go to Wiltshire Search and Rescue and the Fatboys Charity.
Running till May 28th, Lovesong is the story of one couple, told from two different points in their lives, as young lovers in their 20s and as worldly companions looking back on their relationship. Their past & present selves collide onstage as we witness the optimism of youth becoming the wisdom of experience | Love is a leap of faith. Freddie Underwood brought Things I Know To Be True to the Wharf stage in 2019. Movement has become Freddieโs personal stamp within her productions and Lovesong will be similar to her previous work which fuses movement & music, partnering within the work of the text.
Saturday 28th May: Hardyโs Wessex: The Landscape Which Inspired a Writer, Exhibition at Wiltshire Museum
Running until 30th October, this exhibition opens 28th May, and will explore how Hardyโs writing merged his present with the past. Within this ancient landscape, old beliefs died hard and Hardyโs plots are set against a background of superstition. Hardy felt that these past ways of life were important, helping us understand ourselves and our relationship with the environment; he also made a film outside the Bear Hotel, like a TikTok-obsessed teenager up for a rumble. Okay, that last bit isnโt strictly true!
Note: The first week of June is the Jubilee, where thereโs so many village or town street parties to list here, so check your village magazines and social media sites for archetypical clipart bunting posters, and gawd bless โer, guvnor.
Thursday 2nd โ Monday 6th June: Honey Folk Festival @ The Barge Inn, HoneyStreet
Bit of prequel to Julyโs HoneyFest, as you might expect from the trusty Barge, itโs a folk fest with a difference. Acts here range globally and incorporates the loose pigeonhole world music too, so much so itโs like a mini-Womad!
Saturday 4th June: Bromham Carnival
Friday 10th – Sunday 26th June: Devizes Arts Festival
A fortnight long arts festival on your doorstep! Including Baila La Cumbia, Rockin Billy, Tankus the Henge, The Scummy Mummies Show, Asa Murphy and so, so much more; we do love Devizes Arts Festival. Do check our preview, and links to The Devizes Arts Festival for more details of separate events and tickets.
Saturday 11th June: Sustainability Fair
Arranged by Sustainable Devizes, there will be a day celebrating all things sustainable in the Market Place and Shambles; letโs get green.
Sunday 12th June: Lions on the Green
Talking of green, itโs always a fantastic free day out with the Devizes Lions, on the Devizes Green, with a car show, beer tent, and whole lot more.
Sat 18th June: Saddleback Music Festival with LottieFEST
Yes, Saddleback is erm, back! This one stealthily popped up out of nowhere, which is good if youโre a Shaolin assassin but not if you want people to come to your festival; a little bit of notice on this wouldnโt go amiss, guys, like a marketing strategy and erm, telling your friendly neighbourhood Spider-event guide!
So, you may not have heard; Devizes Sports Club in full force with a blues extravaganza. Jon Amor & King Street Turnaround, Ruzz Guitar Blues Revue, Joe Hicks, No Manz Land, Carolyn McGoldrick & Friends, Matt Peach, Public Eye and The Best of Ratcat feature, with DJs until the early hours, which is different but I guess thatโs where the Saddleback incorporates LottieFEST too, a celebration of the life of Lottie Rapson, who sadly passed away aged just 27 from Friedreichโs Ataxia. Tickets are ยฃ30, with ยฃ5 donated to Ataxia UK & the Lily Foundation.
Thurs 23rd June: The World under the Wood @ Wharf Theatre, Devizes
Running until June 26th; Jodie meets a magical talking Tree, as you do, who asks for her help, as they often do. The wood seems to be dying and Tree thinks the incredible World under the Wood may hold the answerโฆ Jodie is whisked away to a super-world where life moves super-fast. But she discovers that this world is failing too; the super-humans have been collapsing and productivity is down. Jodie and Harley the dog must now journey between worlds to find an answer. Can the mega-multiplier plants restore the wood? And what is the mysterious โSourceโ?
A magical story of courage, friendship & unity to inspire a greener generation โ For everyone 6+; of which I fall into this age-group, just.
Always a lovely carnival in a lovely village, that’s on the 4th June, but bonโt forget their Teddy Bear Trail from 25th โ 26th June, this yearโs theme will be โSomeone Beginning With B,โ with 40+ Teddies around the village, created and generously sponsored by local businesses and individuals. See how many you can guess!
Saturday 25th June: MantonFest
A tad further out, this side of Marlborough, but always worth a big mention, cos itโs such a well-organised community-driven yet professional one day music festival; certain I did a preview about it, here, and yeah, I might be going too but donโt let that put you off; you donโt have to talk to me if you donโt want to.
Saturday 3rd July: DOCA Picnic in the Park @ Hillworth Park
Picnic in the Park is DOCAโs traditional start to the festival week. Itโs a chance for the community to get together in the beautiful surroundings of Hillworth Park. Thereโs top quality music, stalls and a bar. You can also buy snacks, ice-creams and hot drinks from the cafรฉ on the park. Bring your friends and a picnic, for the perfect Sunday afternoon.
Acts include a travelling duo of a Dubliner and a songwriter in the vein of Tom Waits or Leonard Cohen, called The โGraveโ Diggers, bluegrass Americana with The Stemville Ramblers and Bristol based trio Boogaloo String Band.
Artist and performer Boogaloo Stu, too, while weโre on boogaloo, who promises to gets up-close and personal with Puppet Paramour, a one-to-one session of craft activity and psychic surgery to create your ideal partner in sock-puppet form.
And resident artist Libertine, a free-motion embroider who specialises in social commentary and out of the box thinking which is reflected in her work. She will take up residence at the Picnic and gather your musings on the last year, the year โweโ missed, she will commit them to fabric and thread.
Saturday 9th July: Devizes Carnival
Devizes comes alive carnival day, need I say more?
Saturday 9th July: CrownFest @ the Crown, Bishops Cannings
Queen tribute Real Magic headline this mini-festival with serious clout, not so far from carnival, in Bishops Cannings. Some awesome acts, check the poster, Including Illingworth, George Wilding, Humdinger and local legend Pete Lamb & the Heartbeats. This is such a nice setting; it has to be done.
Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th July: Market Lavington Vintage Meet Family Fun Weekend
Ah, big steam engines, proper job!
Saturday 23rd July: Devizes Beer & Cider Festival
Details of this still in the pipeline, but thatโs no excuse for not putting the date in your diary for this historic wharf-side beer fest; Iโve still got my half-pint glasses from the early noughties!
The Devizes Scooter Club have worked tirelessly through lockdown postponements and beyond to recapture the magic of their first scooter rally in 2019, which went way beyond the archetypical scooter rally and border-lined festival with the supreme acts it booked; hereโs hoping they achieve this again, but I can pre-empt it will just by the line-up, most of which have been tried and tested at former Devizes Scooter Club gigs, the poignant Motown covers band All That Soul, Orange Street, who were the pivotal act at the last rally, The Specialized Specials tribute, local sure-things, The Roughcut Rebels, and a wildcard; Slade tribute Sladest!
Saturday 13th July: Seend Fete 2022
Always a real community-feel to Seendโs fete, a great family out!
Thursday 25th till Sunday 28th July Honey Fest @ The Barge Inn, HoneyStreet
Again, the annual kingpin at a campsite, wharf and pub which is like a mini-festival all year around! You can guarantee this will be amazing.
Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th August: Fulltone Music Festival
OMG Super-Proms….Can they do it again? Go compare, I think they can! The funding and effort put into last yearโs Full Tone Festival on the Green was truly the jewel in Devizesโ event calendar, a memorable history in the making. To help replicate the magic thereโs a bigger line-up of other acts as well as the Full Tone Orchestra. Including our favourite country solo singer Kirsty Clinch, Pete Lambโs Heartbeats again, DJ James Threfall and itโs great to see local piano virtuoso, young Will Foustone heading the bill.
Also note my pun above, as an opera section with a host of guests including local music school owner, the breath-taking Chloe Jordan and Welsh soprano Wayne Evans, better-known to gogglebox slouchers as the Go Compare man!
Saturday 3rd September: Devizes Confetti Battle and Colour Rush
If you donโt know what this most bizarre event of Devizes calendar consists of, youโre not from Devizes!
For those who arenโt, please come and see what itโs all about: This year the Confetti Battle continues to grow and the colourful chaos has been added to with the introduction of the Colour Rush, an amazing 5 km mixed terrain fun run โ what better way to arrive at a Confetti Battle than covered in multi-coloured powder!
There is no โbattleโ as such, just a very silly half-hour during which a lot of fun is had, and a lot of confetti is thrown about. Expect to get โattackedโ by complete strangers throwing paper! The Battle continues to gain popularity and 2017 saw over 3500 people take part. The event takes place at the finish line of our new Colour Rush 5k run so expect to see some exceptionally colourful visitors in the crowd.
Enjoy yourself on Jennings funfair in the Market Place on both Saturday 31st of August and Sunday 1st of September operating between 5.30 pm until 11.00 pm.
Buy tokens to exchange for the confetti before the event โ look out for our stand and get your tokens in advance to reduce queuing time during the event. Youโll still need to line up to collect your confetti prior to the 8pm kick-off.
Keep your eyes peeled when collecting your confetti as one lucky person will receive a Golden Ticket in a confetti bag, info about the prize will be announced soon.
Saturday 24th September2nd October: Devizes Food & Drink Festival
More food than I can reasonably stuff into my oversized cakehole, and trousers for afterwards, and thatโs really saying something more than Bananarama. Saturday 24th kicks straight off with the free market in the Market Place, and thereโs a packed lunch full show of events, including designing a sandwich fit for the Queen, workshops, talks, meals, foraging, Come Dine with Us, and a Teddy Bearโs picnic; details of which are on their website.
And thatโs about it, summer over, batten down the hatches for autumn; unless you know any different? Something we missed? Why didnโt you tell us about it? Too late nowโฆ..unless you twist my arm, editing on this article is strictly and unashamedly governed on favouritism!
Supporters of local live music know, least they should do by now, that Swindon is the place to head this following weekend, 12th-15th September, becauseโฆ
Devizes-own indie-pop-punk youth sensation Nothing Rhymes With Orange smashed the Exchange on Friday as a farewell to their local fanbase. They pursue a music courseโฆ
Reports of another road traffic accident at the notorious Black Dog Crossroads near Lavington today coincides with Wiltshire Councillor for the Lavington constituency, Dominic Munsโฆ
For that certain some-Karen who drove through town last weekend, jumped on social media to waffle off the clichรฉ rant โnothing happens in Devizes,โ butโฆ
Trowbridge-Devizes finest musical export for a decade or two, acoustic folk vocal harmony trio, The Lost Trades, step out for a nationwide tour this September.โฆ
Fantastic and spooky image of St Johns, Devizes, used with permission from Simon Folkard Photography
I say everyone, but itโs the inbetweenies always at a loss during Halloween, I tend to find. Too old for patronising trick or treating, only a handful of idiots, sulking at their lack of Harbio, who opt for the terrorising old folk kind, which spoils it for them, and for younger kids too, when everyone under the age of eighteen is tarnished with the same witchโs broom.
Yet too young to attend adult Halloween parties, which we all know, generally end up as mindless drunken satanic orgies, full of naked chicks pouring the blood of scarified male counterparts over themselves in a hellfire pit of inequity to the sound of evil giggling, and thrash metal roaring from the raftersโฆ. at least, in my mind it does.
What?! Iโm speculating, I wouldnโt know whether they break out the leather, or not. I grew up in a household where the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain was considered American commercialisation, and since escaping the nest I built my own, whereby on All Hallows’ Eve I don a beanie and wander aimlessly in the background, as โprotectorโ parent of hyperactive children, getting ecstatic about being out under street light.
I awkwardly grimaced at housekeepers like a vagabond, as neighbours loaded their pumpkin-shaped buckets with cheap confectionary they donโt like anyway. Weโd join chains of other trick or treaters, my watchful duties waning with each grouping; safety in numbers Iโd suppose perfunctorily, as I tire and they run off in merriment and sugar-fuelled frenzy. Responsibility is a bitch.
Iโve got cheap, Wilkos luminous paint on my jersey from a leaking zombie, whose mask is sagging where they broke the elastic, otherwise I blur into the background and children organise themselves, until one genuinely gets scared, and I get to return home, ignore door-knocking and slope on the sofa, groaning like a headless horseman, wishing one day theyโll grow out of it.
And before you know whatโs what, they do, and you pity the complaining, realise you miss the thrill in their eyes, and await the welcomed subsequent phase, grandchildren, when you hope them to provide the perfect excuse to get back out trick or treating again; by this age you need no mask or makeup, but you can return them sugar-bursting; mwahahaha!
Anyway, enough of my problems, you came here wanting to hear about all the spooky events and monster mashes going down over the Samhain, and thatโs what Iโm about to do, just, you know, had to get that off my chest.
Although if Iโve missed yours, I can always add them, if you liked, just message, email or howl under the full moon when the wind is blowing my direction, but the first โhalloweenyโ type event weโve found, is All Canningsโ Pre-School Half term Halloween Trail, starting on 23rd October and running until the 30th. Take your little ones to All Cannings, buy a trail map from the village shop and walk the village looking for clues to spell a spooky word! Put your completed maps into our box at the back of the village hall for your chance to win a Halloween prize.
Leading up to the Halloween weekend, Crazy Pโs Ron Basejam brings some Halloween disco to Komedia on Thursday 28th, but Saturday is when the spookiness really comes out to playโฆ.
In Devizes, the trusty Cavalier have a childrenโs Halloween fancy dress disco, with prizes for the best dressed boy and girl. Youโll need a ยฃ3 ticket, available here.
Forgive me if Iโm wrong but I believe wonderful DJ, Holz Stone will be on the spooky wheels of steel for the Halloween fancy dress disco at the Wyvern Club. Thereโll be hot dogs, burgers and sweet bags, a novel hook-a-skull game, guess the weight of the pumpkin and whatโs in the box, as well as best dressed prizes. This oneโs ยฃ2 per child, on the door.
For Devizes grownups, over 21s, thereโs a DJ set from Houses of Joy Soundsystem at The Muck & Dundarโs Zombie Cocktail Special night. Free entry, walk-ins, favourably like a zombie, and feel free to dress up or down. I think theyโll need an exorcist like me, to purify those spirits!
And of course, the traditional Krazee Devil Halloween Karaoke Disco will be down the The Pelican, Devizes. Only numbers are limited this year, so if you want to Party Pelicano style this Samhain then shout Sarah-Jane on (01380) 723909.
The Truzzy Boys welcome fancy dress at their Halloween Party at the Churchill Arms in West Lavington, also on Saturday. Honey-Streetโs Barge have a monster mash rock ‘n’ roll Halloween party, with Little Miss Blue Bass, Mutley and Rockin Rich. Best dressed wins a ยฃ20 bar tab, which beats a bucket of Freddos. They want only ยฃ6 off you for the pleasure, tickets here.
Meanwhile, over misty graveyards and ancient burial mounds to Bradford-on-Avon, where the Three Horseshoes host Strange Folk for a Halloween party. If you checked them out last weekend at the Southgate, or read our review, youโll know this will be a great, and very apt Halloween venture. It should go without saying by now, its fancy dress, with a prize for best dressed.
In spooky Swindon, The Swiss Chalet have one hell of a show from 2pm onwards. Train to Skaville, The DayBreakers, Hip Replacements and Mark Colton bring the skalloween tunes, all in aid of the fantastic Big Yellow Bus Project. Door tax is just a quid, with mac n cheese and a chance to win a Nintendo Switch!
Vampires and zombies of Frome only need head to The Cornerhouse, where theyโll find the highly recommended Back Wood Redeemers, with a dark country, twisted blues and religious fervor eve of Halloween. Expect special guests and theyโll be introducing the MagiGant Ska Sound System. There will be dancing afoot! Bring your relevant body parts and dress up should the whim arise… you’ll be in good company.
But not everyone wants dancing afoot, and for a relaxed meal-type Halloween event, Rowdeโs legendary George & Dragon have a Rocky Horror Tunnel Party, in, as the name suggests, their secret, aptly spooky, tunnel. Dress up in your favourite horror costumes for a three-course BMF supper, and a party to follow.
And on the Sunday, the 31st, The Roebuck Inn, Marlborough, has a Halloween Open mic Night, while over in Market Lavington’s Green Dragon, there will be all sorts of spooky bonkers things going on all day, perfect for kids and grown up kids alike; with the fantastic People Like Us playing from 8pm.
Iโm sure that list isnโt exhaustive, and Iโll add your event if you tell me about it. Otherwise have a grand Halloween, and as I say, Iโll be maxing relaxing, safe in the knowledge my kids now consider themselves too old for the trick or treating fiasco. I mean, Iโm not naming and shaming, but one of my nippers must be the only person who can lose a tooth bobbing for apples, for crying out loud into the cold night air!
The Fulltone Orchestra has confirmed today that their annual festival will take place on The Green in Devizes from 25th โ 27th July 2025โฆ. โItโsโฆ
Chandra, Hindu God of the Moon, with his own NASA X-ray observatory named after him, and also frontman of a self-named friendly Bristol-based four-piece pop-punkโฆ
Paul’s self-made cover to his latest single, Some Days depicts a fellow sitting under a tree pondering life, while an autumn zephyr blows leaves aroundโฆ
Itโs when you hear those American addresses, like house number 21,456 Park Avenue, you realise Long Street in Devizes is a long street only comparableโฆ
Impressive, in a word, is the Lawrence Art Societyโs annual exhibition at Devizes Town Hall this year, in both quality and quantity; you’ll be amazedโฆ
Following on from last monthโs email, this is a final reminder that yearโs Imberbus service will be running this coming Saturday โ 17th August 2024.โฆ
If July saw the gradual return to normality, and cautiously events crawled back with a welcomed but awkward feeling, while it may be hugely debatable if weโre doing the right thing, or not, August is warming up to be stonker. Events of all types are flung up each day, itโs hard to keep track and up-to-date, nevertheless I try.
Fingers crossed it doesnโt go Pete Tong. Such a divided issue with good arguments on each side, Iโm not about to start ranting for either, but I salute everyone organising events, at great risk to themselves financially. All I will say is, it is vital for the success of any event and the continuation of them in general, that we still apply certain rules, restrictions set by the organisers, and adopt the necessary etiquette when attending them. We know what the precautions are, theyโre second nature now. The government passed the buck, it is up to us, each and everyone of us to think for ourselves, respect otherโs decisions on how to act, but I appeal, act responsibly and long may this continue.
Without further-a-do then, hereโs what weโve found on Devizine for August. Itโs far easier to knock this article up with providing too many links, they can be found at the event calendar, and for family events throughout the school holidays, check here; but please do check for updates, itโs never an exhaustive thing, new events are being added. Said that bit before, but it is even more vital to check ahead, to ensure events are going ahead as planned, and what restrictions might be in place at them individually. Have a great August, stay safe.
Week 1:
Kicking off on Monday August 2nd with the +5 Holiday Club at The Farm Cookery School. Tuesday 3rd and running until Thursday 5th August, RW Football School Summer Football Camp are at Green Lane, Devizes, ages 6-11.
Wednesday August 4th, then. Chippenham Museum host a Childrenโs Art Walk. Take a walk, through Monkton Park for this fun arty session. You will receive a pack with pencils, crayons and plenty of paper and join local artist Kirsty Jones to explore the wonderful setting of the park.2pm โ 3pm. ยฃ4 per child. Recommended age 6 and above, all children must be accompanied. Meet at the town bridge entrance to Monkton Park. Thereโs also the +8 Holiday Club @ The Farm Cookery School.
Wednesday also sees the first Junior Actors with Lucia, for school years 6-9, for the Youth Theatre Summer Workshop at the Wharf Theatre, Devizes.
Thursday 5th and the Summer Kidโs Art Club at Wiltshire Scrapstore starts on Bowden Hill, Lacock. Sessions from 10:30 am โ 12:00 pm, run every Thursday and Friday through August.
Our first August festival starts Thursday, Wickham Festival in Hampshire, where Van the Man headlines, and the Love Summer Festival at Plympton, Devon starts Friday.
Thereโs an interesting-sounding new family musical written and produced by Mel Lawman staged at Bathโs Forum on Friday 6th -Saturday 7th Miss Red. Devizes folk support this, because our homegrown talented twelve-year-old, Jessica Self from Centre Stage Academy of Dance in Devizes and Stagecoach Trowbridge is in the cast, playing Daisy Blewitt. We wish you all the best, Jessica.
Friday 6th also sees the Salisbury Comedy Festival start, Black Sabbath tribute, Supernaut play the Vic in Swindon, and HoneyStreetโs Barge will be kicking as the Mid Life Krisis Collective head down there.
On Saturday 7th time for Sheer Music to put aside their lockdown TV presenting skills and get on with what they do best, hosting gigs. And what a way to start, itโs Frank Turner at the Cheese & Grain. Also, catch the amazing Kevin Brown the Southgate, Devizes, and those mods, The Roughcut Rebels play the Greyhound in Trowbridge.
The wonderful Strange Folk are at The Three Horseshoes in Bradford on Avon. Concord Drive, Transfer Window and Man in Vest play Swindonโs Vic, Jive Talkinโ perform the Bee Gees at Chippenhamโs Neeld Hall and itโs The Bath Festival Finale Weekend, where McFly headline.
For Sunday chilling, on the 8th, get down to the Queens Head in Box where Schtumm presents The Lost Trades with support from Lee Broderick, alternatively the Neeld play The Rod Stewart Songbook.
Week 2:
Monday 9th August thereโs a +8 Holiday Club, The Farm Cookery School and +11 on Tuesday.
Wednesday sees another Youth Theatre Summer Workshop, at Devizes, the Wharf Theatre, check their website for details. Chippenham Museum also hosts a Writing & Performance Workshop with performer Ruth Hill, for ages 8 and above. More Summer Kidโs Art Club at Wiltshire Scrapstore on Thursday and Friday, and The Cake Lady takes The Farm Cookery Schoolโs +8 Holiday Club.
Friday night, Iโve got Stop Stop playing Swindonโs Vic, and thatโs it so far.
Saturday 14th, Cobbs at Hungerford have a charity Emergency Service Day, should be fun for the little ones. For the grownups, cider fest at the Civic in Trowbridge with the Mangled Wurzels.
Lewis Clark is at The Southgate, Devizes, Shepardโs Pie at Wanboroughโs The Harrow, and Webb, formally known as Ryan Webb has this EP launch party at Swindonโs Vic, with Broken Empire and Land Captains in support. Hope to get a copy of this for reviewing, some clog in the pipeline at the moment. But hey, itโs also Buckfest at Marlborough The Roebuck where the loud and proud Humdigger headline.
Bedpost, Transfer Window and Pool play the Vic in Swindon on Sunday.
Week 3:
+11 Holiday Club at The Farm Cookery School on Monday 16th, and the RW Football School are in Melksham. Suitable for ages 6+, Pound Arts welcome Scratchworks Theatre Companyโs joyful and mischievous show to Corsham Almshouses, for an outdoor performance of The Grimm Sisters.
A welcomed return of events at Melksham Assembly Hall on Thursday 19th, with Neil Sands Bringing Back the Good Times; olโ time favourite show tunes from the 40s, 50s & 60s and a heart-warming tribute to Dame Vera Lynn.
Friday 20th and Jack Deeโs new show, Warm Up is at Chippenhamโs Neeld Hall. Iโve nothing else for Friday night yet, but Saturday21st, woah, festival time!
First up, is where I plan to be, Mantonfest, near Marlborough, with Blondie tribute Dirty Harry, Dr Feelgood, Barrelhouse, Richard Davies & The Dissidents and many more. Over the downs, OakStock at Pewseyโs Royal Oak is another safe bet; Amy Winehouse, Rag n Bone Man tributes, alongside the brilliant Illingsworth.
Meanwhile the rescheduled Bath Reggae Festival takes place, with Maxi Priest, Aswad, Big Mountain, Dawn Penn, Hollie Cook and more. AnneโMarie, Dizzee Rascal and Clean Bandit headline Live at Lydiard 2021.
Howlinโ Mat plays The Southgate, Devizes, while Sex Pistolโs tribute Pretty Vacant are at Swindonโs Vic, with support by The Half Wits and Subject Ex.
Week 4:
Monday 23rd August is +8 Holiday Club at The Farm Cookery School, and Tuesday is11+.From Tuesday until Thursday, The RW Football School Summer Football Camp returns to Green Lane, Devizes, for ages 6-11.
Chippenham Museum has a one-hour workshop to create your own simple mini scrap book inspired by their latest exhibition on Wednesday, for ages 6+.
Thursday and Friday itโs Summer Kidโs Art Club at Wiltshire Scrapstore. And Thursday 26th August sees an Olympic Gold Medallist, Alex Danson running a Hockey Masterclass at Devizes Hockey Club. Open to all hockey players aged 11-18 โ you donโt have to be a member of DHC.
All weekender at The Barge on Honeystreet, when Honey Fest kicks off Thursday, with a grand local line-up, including The Lost Trades, The Blunders, and Chicken Shed Zeppelin, to name but a few.
The Southgate is the place to head towards on Friday in Devizes, where my personal indie-pop favourites, (not that I should have favourites) Daydream Runaways are booked in. Also, the highly anticipated FullTone Festival returns to Devizes Green, all weekend, with the Full Tone Orchestra and Pete Lambโs Heartbeats appearing Sunday.
A theatrical outdoor re-telling of Kenneth Grahameโs classic, Wind in the Willows on Saturday 28th August at Corshamโs Pound Arts. And Sunday, a Magical show where beautiful Princesses become Pop Stars, Pop Princesses comes to Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.
Meanwhile, itโs the welcomed Triple JD Band at The Southgate, Devizes and HarrowFest at Wanboroughโs The Harrow, featuring Jamie R Hawkins, The Blind Lemon Experience and moreโฆ
So, who told the April showers that the lockdown applied to it? Come on, I want names! Last month of lockdown was dry and clement, as soon as things starts opening up again, it phased between drizzle and downpour; you canโt make it up.
Yes, I wrote this too soon; bang on cue, here comes the sun for June.
I reviewed Cornish psych-punkers The Brainiac 5โs album Another Time Another Dimension, Trowbridgeโs Sitting Tenants album A Kitchen Sink Drama. Also, Sam Bishopโs great EP Lost Promises, a single from Stockwell, Storm Jae and Noryโs called Canโt Come Home, and a new track from the Longcoats, Nothing Good. We also did a great interview with Dave Lewis, one half of Blondie & Ska. Reviews in the next few days will be an EP of Celtic punk from Liddington Hill, some awesome punkish blues from Elli De Mon, and the new album from The Lost Trades, due on 2nd June.
Blondie & Ska
I started a new Sunday series, being the last one was so popular. No satire this time, just a reflection back thirty years to the era of the rave, from a personal angle; Iโm having lots of fun with this, if it does make me feel old! This continues into June. So, without further to do, hereโs whatโs occurring in June.
Old Skool Rave
Firstly, staying at home we can entertain you too. Iโm gradually working through writing promotional material and sleeve notes for our compilation album, 4 Juliaโs House, which, as it sounds, all proceeds will go to Juliaโs House. This has proved more work than I anticipated for me, due to the most amazing line up of talent who has kindly donated a song. The penultimate entry was an exclusive rock steady track by Blondie & Ska, and the latest entry is by none other than Richard Davis & the Dissidents. See what I mean now, donโt you? Absolutely fantastic, massively hugely massive this is going to be, over three hours of genre-crossing music; something for everyone on there. Okay, Iโll copy and paste the artists featured; hold onto your jawbone.
Richard Davis & The Dissidents
A mahoosive thanks goes to: Pete Lamb & Cliff Hall, King Dukes, Erin Bardwell, Timid Deer, Duck n Cuvver, Strange Folk, Strange Tales, Paul Lappin, Billy Green 3, Jon Veale, Wilding, Richard Davis & The Dissidents, Barrelhouse, Tom Harris, Will Lawton & the Alchemists, Jamie Williams & The Roots Collective, Kirsty Clinch, Richard Wileman, Nigel G. Lowndes, Kier Cronin, Sam Bishop, Mr Love & Justice, Barmy Park, The Truzzy Boys, Daydream Runaways, Talk in Code, Longcoats, Atari Pilot, Andy J Williams, The Dirty Smooth, SexJazz, Ruzz Guitar Blues Revue, The Boot Hill All Stars, Mr Tea & The Minions, Cosmic Shuffling, Blondie & Ska, The Birth of Bonoyster, The Oyster, The Two Man Travelling Medicine Show, Julie Meikle and Mel Reeves, Meru Michae, Cutsmith, The Tremor Tones, Big Ship Alliance, First Born Losers, Dutch Money(s), and last but by no means least, Neonian, who is working on a track as we speak.
Phew, so, yes, who is as out-out as Mickey Flanagan in June? I know right, how surreal. I went to a pub, an actual pub, and heard live music last Saturday; down the trusty gate for those Daybreakers. Bloody fantastic it was too. Hereโs some things to be looking forward to over this month. Note, this is in no way exhaustive, (which is what Iโm going to be trying to keep up to date with it all!) You must continue to check our event guide, for details of all events listed here, updates of events, and even live streamed.
Half term sees us into June, ongoing from Tuesday 1st thereโs holiday activities at Wiltshire Museum, which we welcome their reopening, and program of forthcoming events.
Also, back in business is the Nether-Streetโs Farm Cookery School, who has a parent and child class called Cake Lady on Thursday 3rd.
The weekend sees The Devizes Lions Sports Coaching Weekend at Devizes Leisure Centre, IndieDay happening across Devizes town centre, meanwhile Devizes Southgate welcomes Texas Tick Fever.
Thereโs a Court Room Cabaret at Trowbridge Town Hall, Talk In Code play Swindonโs Level 3, with Atari Pilot, and Rude Mood are at The Vic.
Eddie Martin is live at The Bell in Bath, and we wish the Bath Reggae Festival a successful first event, letโs hope itโll become an annual thing.
While weโre on about festivals, the following weekend, from Friday 11th is Kite Festival at Kirtlington Park, Oxfordshire. Closer to home, Trevor Babajack Steger is at The Southgate, Devizes on Saturday, and donโt forget Lions on the Green in Devizes, Sunday 13th; letโs support their brand-new fund-raising event. Joh Griven also has a guided tour of the Heritage Walk of Devizes.
This sounds fun too, Mustard Brass Band live at The Bell in Walcott Street, Bath
Monday 14th thereโs an important meeting online, a progress report on Wiltshire Museumโs hopeful move to the Assize Court.
Summer Solstice weekend, (solstice being 4:30 on Monday 21st) kicks off the Bigfoot Festival at Ragely Hall, Warwickshire. Closer to home, as it goes to press, the Kington Langley Scarecrow Festival is still happening. The HoneyStreet Barge presents Troyka, on Saturday 19th, Jon Amorโs King Street Turnaround at The Southgate, Devizes and Ruzz Guitarโs Blues Revue with the Pete Gage Band at The Cheese & Grain, Frome.
There are also two great charity fundraising events, Caroline Lowe as Amy Winehouse at Swindonโs Swiss Chalet, in aid of The Specialized Project, which acts as a fundraising portal for many charitable causes and projects. And at The Rose & Crown in Worton, Chloe Jordan, Mistral and the Celtic Roots Collective have a fundraiser for MacMillan Cancer Support.
To the last weekend of what will, fingerโs crossed, be an amazing return to normality, on Saturday 26th, The Southgate, Devizes welcomes Blind Justice, and the brilliant Blondie & Ska play The Greyhound, Trowbridge. But Iโm hopefully saddling up and heading east, for geetars and corset swinging fun at the Barge on HoneyStreet, where those Boot Hill All Stars plan to moor up, with Dry White Bones; that one will go off!
ย As far as I know, the legendary Black Uhuru at Fromeโs Cheese & Grain, and Sunday 27th Blondie & Ska will be at the Royal Oak, Corsham. But as I say, loads more will be listed by the time we know whatโs what, and hopefully a summer to remember is on the cards; just have to take responsibility for adhering to regulations and observing social distancing. Have a great June.
Hereโs our bitesize look at whatโs happening in the wilds of Wiltshire this coming weekโฆ. Everything listed here is on our event calendar; go thereโฆ
by Ben Niamor A first outing on Saturday to Sound Knowledge for Devizes favourite Elles Bailey, whose latest album dropped Friday, and this mini tourโฆ
Tickets are limited and selling fast for a staged reading of Oscar Wildeโs most renowned comedy masterpiece, The Importance of Being Earnest, performed in theโฆ
People from the Swindon community flocked to protect their town and itโs residents, in anticipation of the rumoured far right anti-immigration march through their townโฆ
New single out today from Swindon-based gothic-folk duo, Canuteโs Plastic Army, and itโs three yeses from meโฆCan one person give three yeses? Iโm way pastโฆ
Steve Marshโs ball of masking tape has reached 60mm in diameter, some doughnut drove their car across the footpath of Marlboroughโs green to avoid the pelican crossing; these Facebook posts are not about the corona virus, why are they appearing on my newsfeed?!
Iโve been in the โkeep calm, carry on, and wave little flags at Europeansโ arena of this current outbreak, but media flimflam is twisting my melon; I might actually have to wash my hands now. The very fact I found myself agreeing with Boris Johnson and his mob of insensible sociopaths must surely mean my lax perspective on the issue is wrong and I should start worrying, about stockpiling bog roll at any rate.
So, yeah, in order to keep up with the Jonesโ of mass-media hullabaloos, Devizine has succumbed to the clickbait and decided to write an article about the Corona Virus. Not that Iโm in any way informed, or have found a substantial or even relevant angle in which to write; dammit Jim, Iโm a writer not a doctor. Expect content from Devizine if I need to self-isolate, but without any subject; otherwise the better half will have me doing the gardening. Actually, quite fancy the self-isolation bit, stick a crate of milk outside my house for customers to take, conceal myself under the duvet till May with a Sandra Bullock boxset and family-sized packet of Frazzles.
Yet, we are here to promote and acknowledge events and things to do locally, that is our mission statement, if we had one, which we donโt, but if we did. Just broken my winter hibernation too, and what becomes of our calendar of events, and the one person who reads it? Fairly, many have ignored the advice of the government to ignore the advice the rest of the world is following, and self-regulate their events; all part of Cameronโs โbig society.โ Weโll be out in polypropylene suits fixing the multitude of Vredefort crater-sized potholes next. Wiltshire Council who now?
I apologise that Iโve dragged you here, then, with the false notion youโll gain some worthy advise about this mild-by-comparison epidemic, all I know is what Iโve been told; wash your hands, buy more bog roll and itโll blow over in two weeks. All I will say in seriousness, which is rare, is take the precautions, take care, we really donโt want to lose our friends and family, but we do want to get out and about too. The effect on local business will be devastating if we don’t, but something for the government to blame recession on. Most promoters are going ahead with events locally, but itโs advised to check ahead as everyday the news gets worse; if Steve Marshโs ball of masking tape gets any bigger it might still come under EU safety standards, for instance.
Both White Horse Opera and the Devizes Lions have sadly cancelled their Spring Concerts, hereโs hoping for a mid-summer one. The Lions have also decided to cancel their sports coaching weekend scheduled for April, because of โuncertainty surrounding the outbreak of coronavirus and to help mitigate the risk of it spreading.โ Karaoke will be off until further notice at the Cross Keys in Rowde as they explain, โpassing microphones to person to person could pass on any bugs.โ Itโs my personal opinion that banning karaoke is an upside from this virus, but impartially accept itโs a popular amusement.
Other than this, many events this coming month are still going ahead. We must respect all decisions made by organisers, and Iโll endeavour to inform you of them, if I spot them. Though, I still believe, mostly, and despite it being in line with Boris and cronies, that we shouldnโt let it piss on our chips, for want of a cruder idiom, and provided we take care and abide by the cautions, hopefully, the coming months wonโt be as dull as predicted. If you choose to stay in and post your twenty favourite album covers or movie scenes on Facebook thatโs your prerogative. Me, Iโm nipping out this weekend, making the most of it before it might be like the end scene of ET. If you see me horizontal, please put me back on the bar stool, phone home, and Iโll lob you a half-price bog roll as a thank you; just ยฃ8 to you, sir!
ยฉ 2017-2020 Devizine (Darren Worrow)
Please seek permission from the Devizine site and any individual author, artist or photographer before using any content on this website. Unauthorised usage of any images or text is forbidden.
Huzzah, hurrah, hurray, whoop, bravo, hoot, shout, shriek, hosanna, alleluia and other synonyms for expressions of delight which Iโve shamelessly purloined from Wordโs dictionary. Do I care? Itโs March, time of the Mad March Hare, spring springing, birds a-singing in the blossoming treetops; after such a damp winter itโs refreshing to look forward to the April showers season!
Why do we even call them April showers when they tend to carry through from March to June?! Nevertheless, itโs warmer rain, with momentary lapses of sunshine, those little teasers of spring; donโt blink you might miss them. Still, just like a bear, Iโm awakening from my hibernation, and heading downstream for a salmon supper!
In celebration of the feast, hereโs some choosiest stuff to do over the coming month, as fished from our event calendar. The list is by no means comprehensive, you know the score by now, itโs updated (nearly) every day, so do try to keep up. Facebook is a good idea, if you do that, our page pumps posts out like Dwayne Johnson on a promise. Also, consider signing up for a weekly email, I donโt spam you, just once a week bulletin of what weโve done and whatโs to come.
First fortnight in March then, here it comes; the second half will followโฆ… I say that, then like a goldfish itโs a notion thatโs gone in three seconds! Also, I canโt provide the links, but itโs all listed on our home page with links; itโll take till April to do that, computer running at the speed of snail and all!
Devizes: First of the month is Sunday, nice way to ease into it. Georgina, Landlady of the White Bear, is running the London Marathon for Dorothy House, so thereโs a pub quiz at 6:30pm to fundraise; ยฃ2.50 per person, max. 6 people on a team. Great Scott! St James Church hosts the monthly Devizes Silver Screen Film Club; Back to the Future showing this month. A great social meeting for our elders, and Driving Miss Daisy can provide transport.
If youโre looking for something wilder, The Three Horseshoes in Bradford on Avon is the place to head, where those Back-Wood Redeemers will be twisting those dark country and blues riffs into their splendid frenzy. Highly recommended from Devizine, tell them we sent you!
PSG has their regular Monday โDevizes session of Pop Soul & Gospel Choir,โ at the Parish Rooms on Long Street, from 8pm until 9:30pm. Incredibly welcoming, PSG currently expect between 25 and 30 members on a Monday, and inform us โit’s a fantastic sound!โ Join them for a fantastic start to your week!
Tuesday 3rd then, and itโs Devizes Film Club at the Town Hall. The Farewell (PG) from China, 2019. Director: Lulu Wang. To western eyes, this film has a curious plot but it becomes understandable in the telling. Billi has left China aged six, to be brought up in New York. Twenty-four years later, she is called back to attend a wedding that has been arranged purely to conceal from her grandmother that she is dying of lung cancer. Such kindly subterfuge is apparently common practice but Billi finds it hard to accept. She sees again many family members and it is her gradual reacquaintance with her Chinese heritage that provides this compelling, spiky exploration of family duty. A heartfelt, funny, emotional and rewarding film. The screenplay and production are wonderful, prompting The Irish Critic to call it the Best Film of the Year.
Edgelarks
Wednesday is the regular acoustic jam at the Southgate. Marlboroughโs folk-roots club has Edgelarks at the Town Hall; duo Phillip Henry and Hannah Martin combine exquisite folk with influences as diverse as the blues and Indian classical slide guitar, to create a sound that is โsubtle, atmospheric and bravely originalโ (The Guardian.) Alternatively, one of the most romantic operas ever written, La Bohรจme is showing at Bath Forum.
Even if not for the weather, Thursday 5th should get heated. Extinction Rebellion Devizes and Marlborough debate with MP Danny Kruger at St Maryโs Devizes.
Friday night in Devizes looks loud; hard-edged vintage blues with Barrelhouse at the Southgate will yowl like the Howlinโ Wolf. To contend, AC/DC tribute, Hellโs Bells play the Exchange, but want for a local, loud, classic rock cover-band, the awesome Homer play The Crown at Bishopโs Canningโs, and youโll probably hear them from the Market Place!
Buddy Holly and The Cricketers
Lighter rock n roll tributes come from Melkshamโs Assembly Hall, where youโll find Buddy Holly and The Cricketers. Or Bath Forum has Elvis show, The King is Back, and Johnny Walker presents Sounds Of The 70s at Swindonโs Wyvern Theatre.
The 7th, first Saturday of the month then, here it is: A songwriter genuinely literate, sometimes almost literary, Ian Parker is an original craftsman. Expressed through a distinctive bitter-sweet vocal delivery, Ian’s songs hold nothing back. His ability and willingness to share with his audience, naked honesty and genuine emotion, is what sets him apart, and The Long Street Blues Club welcomes him and his band back. Meanwhile, a little more light-hearted, Teachers Pet Rock Show comes to The Cavalier Community Hall. If youโve seen School of Rock, expect an East/West Midlands styled tribute, promising to be a โgut busting, face melting glorious rock show that’s suitable for all ages!โ
Thereโs acoustic fingerpicking, electric guitar thumping rhythms, harmonica and a loop pedal at the Southgate with Jon Pollard, while Marlboroughโs Lamb has the high-energy classic rock covers band, The Electric Troubadours. Down tโother end of that enlarged High Street, The Wellington has its Welly-Fest; check their Facebook page as thereโs stuff going on the whole month long. Comes to ahead for reggae fans though, on Saturdayย when our friends Razah and Knati P bring their sound system; oh yes.
Tributes in Trow-Vegas with Abbamania at The Civic. Whereas itโs a Britpop tribute double-header at the Melksham Assembly Hall with Oasis Maybe and Ultimate Stone Roses, and always worth catching, The Blue Rose Band play The Talbot Inn, Calne.
Would you Adam & Eve it, Sunday March 8th is my birthday? Thank you, itโs just a number. Not spoiled for choice as Iโve only one gig listed at the moment, but I do love the White Bear, where Phil Jinder Dewhurst continues their regular Sunday Sessions. Talking Sunday sessions, Swindon promoters Songs of Praise do similar at The Tuppenny, find the Richard Wileman & the Amy Fry Experience there this Sunday 8th.
Week 2
Second week of March then, then weโre done and you go vacuum the hallway, or whatever else is outstanding; never ends, does it? Extinction Rebellion Devizes and Marlborough holds workshop โRoots of a Regenerative Culture,โ Monday 7pm at The Barge on Honey Street. This training demystifies how to make everything we do regenerative and, as such, it is the key to understanding how to build resilience within ourselves and our communities.
Tuesday 10th there be a Quiz Night at The Vaults, Devizes in aid of Opendoors. And the Devizes Film Club has a Mexican movie, The Chambermaid (15) at the Town Hall. Director Lila Avilรฉsโ first film quietly pulses with life in a multi-storey luxury hotel in Mexico. We see the engrossing work of a young, single mother trying her best to be promoted by thorough work, and to study in what spare time she is allowed. There is no life-saving Hollywood romance, just the drudgery of her daily work, problems with her fellow workers and managers and her efforts to improve her life. Cartol acts with sublime understanding of her role. With persistence and wry humour, she rearranges her tasks for variety, wickedly teases the window-cleaners, goes to evening classes and reads Jonathan Livingston Seagull. A subtle gem of a film, beautifully shot against the boring and colourless back-rooms, lush guest-rooms and the stunning city views.
Wednesday 11th at Marlboroughโs Merchants House Michael Hart presents โProtestantism and the English Character.โ While one of the most intriguing and exciting collaborations on todayโs folk scene, Peter Knight, legendary violinist and ex-Bellowhead member John Spiers brings an evening of improvisation and invention of mysterious tunes to Pound Arts in Corsham. In Devizes, itโs time again for the acoustic jam at the trusty Southgate.
Blossoms
Blossoms play the Bath Forum on Thursday 12th, revealing their new album, Foolish Loving Spaces. They explain, โThe album is a pure celebration of love in all of its splendid and baffling guises, toying with the so-called sins of lust and forbidden infatuation. Itโs inspired by a summer spent listening to โStop Making Senseโ, โThe Joshua Treeโ & โScreamadelicaโ.โ If youโre in Swindon though, head for The Tuppenny, where the awesome Jake Martin and Jess Silk perform acoustic. Acoustic, made for Thursday, eh? If you disagree, check out the Winchester Gate, Salisbury where top Ramones tribute, The Ramonas are guaranteed to liven it up.
The Lost Trades
Friday is the night when the county finally gets ready for the debut gig of super-group The Lost Trades. Highly anticipated amalgamation of our good friends, Phil Cooper, Jamie R Hawkins and Tamsin Quin. We wish you the very best of luck, guys. Theyโll be supported by Timid Deer and Vince Bell at Trowbridgeโs Village Pump.
Meanwhile, keeping Kalm โnโ Kind in Devizes, thereโs a Restorative Yoga class with Kim Pierpoint, a Fundraising Quiz Evening for Opendoors at 7.30. Philippa and Declan Morgan are running the quiz at Wiltshire Museum. Tickets ยฃ10, including nibbles and a glass of wine. Reserve your ticket online and pay on the door! https://devizesopendoors.yapsody.com/event/index/533176/quiz-evening
On my never-ending list to do is get to โPelly,โ kudos for putting on live music gigs, guys, just got work early in the mornings! Drew Bryant is live at The Pelican Inn on Friday, Lewis Clark & The Essentials with folk, soul, and blues at The Southgate, and thereโs a Queen tribute called The Bohemians at the Corn Exchange. Comedy Night at Bradfordโs Boat House with Jake Lambert, and the amazing Frank Turner plays Bath Forum.
Lewis Clark & The Essentials
Tuesday is St Patrickโs Day, but Devizesโ Cavalier canโt wait, and present a St Patrickโs theme weekend with those brilliant Day Breakers in the Community Hall on Saturday 14th. On the other side, three-piece rock originals, the Lightninโ Hobos play The Southgate, and if youโre not spoiled for choice this Saturday, I donโt know when you will be, as the one and only Pete Gage plays with Innes Sibun and Jon Amor, all backed by Ruzz Guitar Revue at the Sports Club, corrrrr, thatโll be awesome.
Extinction Rebellion Devizes and Marlborough are back at the The Barge, Honeystreet for a gathering, where the evening presents a stripped back, 3-piece version of Troyka Bristol, Troyka Mala. They play a stormy mixture of traditional and original songs and rhythms from the former Yugoslavia and the Balkans with brushes of Klezmer and the Middle East; intrigued? I am.
Powerhouse Gospel Choir play Melksham Assembly Hall while Jon Hopkins is at Bath Forum. For something more off planet, stoner rock and electro art-punk are promised at the Three Horseshoes, Bradford on Avon, with Head Noise, Conspiracy of Chaplains and The Forgetting Curve.
Thatโs about all, we will follow this up with the final fortnight of March, when I get around to it. I do, though wish Iโd stop promising these things! One thing you can depend on, Saturday in Swindon will rock with Splat The Rat at The Merlin on Drove Road, unfortunately, I cannot recommend Talk In Codeโs new single Talk Like That enough, see our review. Note, the launch party is at the Castle on this particular Saturday, the 14th, and I canโt think of a better way to finish this lengthy roundup off!
ยฉ 2017-2020 Devizine (Darren Worrow)
Please seek permission from the Devizine site and any individual author, artist or photographer before using any content on this website. Unauthorised usage of any images or text is forbidden.
Hark, the darling buds of May. Already looking quite blossomy isnโt it? Well, blossoming too is stuff to do in and around our local neighbourhood, and a few weeks ago I presented you with a lengthy look at whatโs on during the first fortnight; see here.
Now though, sit down and brace yourself for some shocking news. I have, actually produced the second part of the monthly preview, and here it is! Though promised with previous months, I tend to side-track, or just plain scatter-brain and not carried it through. Not so this time, you donโt have to thank me, unless you have a choc n nut Cornetto.
Week 3: Mon 13th โ Sunday 19th May
Regular sing-a-long at Devizes Folk Club in the Lamb, Devizes on Monday, similar on Tuesday if your go to the Bradford Folk Club, 8pm in the Cellar Bar of the Swan Hotel. Meanwhile, St James Wine Vaults in Bath where Radical Westie Productions presents Daisy, Television Villain, Ravetank and Devizine favourites Nerve Endings; ยฃ3 door tax.
Wednesday 15th, and Peter Vaughan does pasta at Vaughanโs Kitchen Cookery School, later donโt forget the acoustic jam at The Southgate, Devizes.
Thereโs Bach Suites by Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment: Young Artists Anima Fidis Quartet at the Wiltshire Music Centre Bradford on Avon.
Thursdayโs is acoustic night at The Royal Oak, Corsham. Hannah Rose Platt and Black Sheep Apprentice at The Tuppenny, Swindon or tribute night with The Quo Experience at The Cheese & Grain, Frome.
Thereโs a barn dance on Friday 17th at the West Lavington Hall. Usually wouldnโt make a song and dance out of such, but all proceeds go to the wonderful charity Arts Together; read about my visit, and the great work they do, here. Please support Arts Together, theyโve music, buffet, bar and raffle, see the poster for details. Future Devizine Presents nights will also like to donate to Arts Together.
Sheer Music is back in Devizes, the Cellar Bar has Smokinโ Donuts; one-part Carter USM and tโother festival cult hero, Doozer McDooze. Brilliant indie-pop Talk In Code and the talented Jezilyn Martyn support. ยฃ7 advance from Sheer Music, a tenner on the door.
But if you thought Devizes was a one-gig Friday town, youโd be very much mistaken. Thereโs Johnny 2 Bad, an eight-piece boasting to be the UKโs number one UB40 tribute at The Cavalier Community Hall. Except the reggae train-spotter in me upheaves that Johnny Too Bad is actually by The Slickers and only covered by UB40, eh? Bit of reggae in the Vizes, though; never going to knock it. ยฃ10 in advance and should be great night.
Itโs rather retrospective in the Southgate too, with sixties garage and Mod band, Absolute Beginners at The Southgate playing a debut in the town. Three-piece playing covers of songs by The Who, The Small Faces, The Kinks, The Eyes, The Creation, The Jam, Secret Affair, Squire, and The Purple Hearts.
Without a cinema, the Assembly Hall in Melksham shows movies, The Favourite is on Friday. Break Cover are at The Talbot, Calne. An Open Mic at The Pump, Trowbridge. Comedy Night at the Boat House, Bradford on Avon. Tensheds live at the Rolly in Swindon and amusingly named Antarctic Monkeys at the Cheese & Grain, Frome.
Back on reggae for Saturday, although other events are available, itโs Devzineโs second gig of the month, a reggae and ska night at the Cellar Bar with Knati P and Razah and Iโll be warming up for them with a ska show live. Look, again Iโm asking you to come along, listing door damage as a fiver but as long as you give us what you can, thatโs good enough. For all the proceeds go to homeless charity, Devizes Opendoors. For want of a quieter evening Opendoors also have a Quiz Night from 7pm at Nursteed Community Centre.
Those Truzzy Boys play the Conservative Club in Devizes, ยฃ3 on the door, Drew Bryant at The Southgate, and Sound Affects support the Dusk Brothers at the Cavalierโs Ameripolitan Music Club. Meanwhile, The Wharf Theatre welcome back Hancock clone, James Hurn, with new scripts.
Brother from Another at the Woodbridge Inn, Pewsey, and Woodborough Social Club has Humdinger. Blues Bros & The Commitments at Melksham Assembly Hall. Cรฒig at the Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford on Avon while the Neeld Chippenham has medium Derek Acorah.
Fresh from Montreal LG Breton and drummer Marco Dionne joins Phil Cooper for his Vise-Versa tour, closet to us is Saturday at the Village Pump, Trowbridge, other dates here: http://phil-cooper.co.uk/tour-dates
Sunday 19th sees the Chippenham Soap Box Derby and John Etheridgeโs Sweet Chorus is at the Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford on Avon.
Week 4: 20th -26th May
Devizes Folk Club down The Lamb on Monday, An Evening with Graham Gooch at the Neeld, Chippenham on Tuesday. Acoustic Jam at The Southgate, The Royal Balletโs Mixed Triple Bill at Wiltshire Music Centre, and The Waterboys @ Bath Forum on Wednesday.
Thursday is Acoustic Oak night at The Royal Oak, Corsham. Boxing Day and All Better play Level III in Swindon, and Carus Thompson is at The Beehive. But if you ever doubted summer is on its way, the bank holiday truly kicks off festival season, with Bearded Theoryโs Spring Gathering in W. Midlands, or most fruitfully funky and stunningly popular dance fest, Shindig starts in Bruton. Shindig Festival is a glorious mash up of a gig, a house party, circus show, comedy night, a wellbeing retreat and kidโs party. No main stages, just an arrangement of stretch marquees, so you can be in amongst it, or chill on the grass. Kids can learn to DJ, breakdance and urban art.
This crazy weekend sees Chippenham Folk Festival starting Friday, as does Lechlade Festival. With Salisbury Live beginning, and Fromeโs R&B festival with Frankie Millerโs Full House at the Cheese & Grain, youโre spoiled for choice.
Back in Devizes, Friday 24th, Bob Drury pays tribute to Neil Diamond at The Wharf Theatre. Adriano Adewele, Gwilym Simcock and Jason Rebello are at the Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford on Avon. While in Swindon, the Wyvern Theatre presents The Rolling Stones Story, Sheer Music has Press To Meco at Level III and thereโs a Skaโmageddon at the Vic with SN Dubstation and Kingโs Alias @ The Vic, but for real roots adventurers, try RDK Hi-Fi meets Roots Inspiration @ Black Swan, Bristol. Iโm steering clear of Bristol as thereโs too much to list, but that one will go off.
Saturday then, the 25th. Long Street Blues Club celebrate the music of one of rockโs best-loved icons Paul Kossoff, with May Kossoff the band. A chilled but robust night is promised at the Southgate, with Nick Tannโs British folk take on Americana heartland traditions.
Itโs also time for Bromham to host the second combined cider and music extravaganza, OwlFest at the Owl, obviously. Did this last year, loved this last year, although Iโve no line-up info for you, you can bet your Bromham dollar thisโll be great. Another to watch is Marlandโs showpiece, Gladstonebury at the Gladstone Arms, Chippenham, expect Steve Morano, the Sweet Swing Trio, The Chicken Teddys and Burbank.
Loud soulful, happy vibes will come from The Pilot, Melksham where Big Mamaโs Banned play. The Gimme Gimme Gimmes and Devizine favs, The One Chord Wonders are at St James Wine Vaults, Bath, Fromeโs R&B Festival continues at the Cheese & Grain with Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band.
The old English spelling of Savernake Forest, Safernoc inspires an intriguing event in Marlborough on Saturday too; โviolin, voice and banjo music from the 16th century to the present day, world premiere of Paul Elwoodโs Safernoc; a series of compositions for mezzo soprano Alice Simmons and violinist Tam Coates by composer Paul Elwood. Both Simmons and Coates live near the forest and both have found inspiration in the shadows of that ecosystem. The text by the composer is a play on trees and an imagined impression of Savernake taken from Dante, Berniniโs sculpture of Daphne transforming into a tree, and Mexican painter (Sister) Juana Beatriz de la Fuenteโs, โThe Tree of Life.โ Admission ยฃ10, email contactamitytrio@gmail.com for tickets.
Alex Roberts Live at The Southgate on Sunday 26th, the wonderful Sugar Motown returns to the Three Crowns. While Dr Feelgood plays the Frome R&B Festival at the Cheese & Grain.
End of May, Mon 27th โ Friday 31st
Proper West Country, itโs the Coopers Hill Cheese Roll at Brockworth on Monday, Fromeโs R&B Festival has Nick Lowe & Los Straightjackets.
With Bandeoke at Chippenhamโs Neeld and Jackie & Felix Byrne at the Bradford Folk Club, that makes up Tuesday, while Wednesday itโs the World Music Club at The Beehive in Swindon, and of course, an acoustic jam at The Southgate, Devizes.
You can Meet the Gruffalo at Hillworth Park in Devizes on Thursday 30th, for his 20th birthday, Devizes Books bring the books, with a trail around the park, a prize draw and guest appearances, should be fun for kids of all ages.
Acoustic Oak at The Royal Oak, Corsham and Jonathan James is Discovering Music at the Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford on Avon, while tribute The Commitments Experience are at the Neeld, Chippenham and Gaz Coombes is at the Cheese @ Grain.
Thatโs the month of May done, Friday 31st the Brodsky Quartet are at the Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford on Avon and Salisbury Live continues. Other than this, seems like a quiet Friday, save for the fact itโs time for the opening of the Devizes Arts Festival, I think itโs the best line-up yet, starting with An Audience with John Simpson at Corn Exchange. Check our preview of the festival here, and I will be highlighting some of the separate events as the month goes on.
More details of all events here are on our event calendar which makes up Devizineโs busy home page, but bear in mind this is not a exhaustive list, the calendar is updated (nearly) every day, so keep checking for updates; too much of it to continuously post to Facebook, you need to check in every now and then, or you might miss something you need tickets for.
Have a grand and blossoming May, itโs building up to a great summer ahead!
Birds singing, the blossom on the trees, and that first cut of the lawn (groan!) Spring is here and itโs time to venture out and about, without snood and snowshoes. This summer sees some great events and gigs, but whatโs on offer this early? Letโs take a look at whatโs to be doing this April.
Itโs always worthwhile heading to the Southgate in Devizes on a Wednesday if you like acoustic music, youโll discover regular acoustic jam sessions, where any of our great local musicians may just turn up and improv.
But this Wednesday 3rd, thereโs also open mic at New Inn Semington, or the Lamb in Devizes hold their fourth vinyl listening night with Pete from Vinyl Realm. From 7:30-9:30pm you can join this social gathering with a log fire and nibbles. Take your favourite album along to play and natter about all-things music with other vinyl lovers. Itโs free, nibbles too, and theyโve a raffle.
For a fiver a pop, the weekend kicks off on Friday with Sheer Music back down the Cellar Bar for the second in a series dubbed Subterranean. Young indie band Falling Fish and Devizine favourites Larkin support Clock Radio. Meanwhile thereโs raw roots blues with the king of cigar box guitar, Howlin Matt down the Southgate. But if you want to get dancing, itโs good to hear house music returns to town, itโs Funky Sensationโs launch at the Exchange with DJโs George G-Force, Nina LoVe and Stach; preview here.
Itโs also good to see People Like Us returning to their former place of residency, The Waterfront in Pewsey, while George Michael fans need to head for the Assembly Rooms in Melksham for Fast Love and lovers of a golden era of music from the 1920s and 1930s need check out the Pasadena Roof Orchestra at the Neeld, Chippenham.
But most eyes focus on Swindon, ska fans in particular, with The Erin Bradwell Collective at the Castle and Ska-Bucks at the Vic, but also, their Fringe Festival begins. Running from Friday 5th to Sunday 14th, thereโs a truckload of variety across Swindonโs finest venues, from the Groovy Pig Festival, and our friends at The Ocelot with their regularly hosted comedy nights at The Vic, to bizarre theatrical performances at the Artsite, The Olive Tree Cafรฉ, and nerdy night of action figure archive show, After Dusk: An Improvised Twilight Zone at The Incredible Comic Shop. Check out the website, too much to list here!
Saturday night is owned by Devizes, with the Billy Walton Band at the ever-popular Long Street Blues Club, The Duskers live at The Southgate and of course, The Full Tone Orchestra are at St Johns being Big, Bold & Russian. That said, Iโm cannot wait for Iโll be at Asa Murphyโs Buddy Holly Lives show at the Corn Exchange, in honour of Bruce Hopkins, oh boy, thisโll be a knockout; preview. (Apologies, terrible pun, could’ve at least pre-warned you!)
But rock n rollers are spoiled for choice Saturday as Melksham Rock n Roll Club brings us The Hurricanes at the Spencer Sports & Social Club from 7pm. while Local Heroes Inc at The Jenny Wren in Calne, and Port Erin at The Lamb, Marlborough also come recommended, rum n reggae fans need to head for Wotton Bassett, where Razah-I-Fi and Knati P are blasting some sound system culture at the Cross Keys.
Sunday is Devizes Half Marathon and Fun Run, Iโm certain โfun-runโ is an oxymoron, but cโest la vie! Be Well, a Holistic Wellbeing & Spiritual Event is at Corn Exchange, but Iโd consider PSG Choirs for Alzheimerโs Support @ The Neeld, Chippenham.
Aprilโs Second week sees the highly-anticipated production of Made in Dagenham by The Devizes Musical Theatre at Daunsteyโs. Running from Wednesday 10th to 13th, this uplifting British musical comedy about friendship, love and the importance of fighting for what is right is inspired by a true story and based on the hit movie, Made in Dagenham. Book a Ticket here.
Friday 12th is all about Sheer Musicโs favourite American, Olivia Awbrey down the Cellar Bar of the Bear, Devizes. To be honest, Saturday looks rather quiet, so far, Fret โnโ Keyz are at The Southgate while country fans will enjoy Zenne and Shooting the Crow at the Cavalier.
Meanwhile Marlboroughโs Sound Knowledge celebrates Record Store Day. This year’s list is available online: https://recordstoreday.co.uk/releases/rsd-2019/ Theyโll be open from 8am with hundreds of titles from the list. Get in touch with Sound Knowledge and let them know what you’ll be hoping to pick up on the day, they cannot reserve anything, but it insures correct ordering. The fun continues on Sunday, with an amazing live music roster from midday, including The Leisure Society, LION, Tom Speight, Little Geneva, and Wilding. Itโs free entry, and has a Bar and barbeque.
Melkshamโs newest pub, The Hiding Place hosts song-writing and touring legend, Henry Priestman, a founder member of punk band Yachts in the 70s, and The Christians in the 80s. This is at The Rachel Fowler Centre in Melksham, the venue is so beautiful and yet few people even know it’s there. ยฃ10 per ticket, can be bought at the bar in The Hiding Place or over the phone. Eighties soft metal fans meanwhile could take in Bon Jovi Forever at the Assembly Hall.
If youโd rather not thrust your bad habits at your children, grab a ยฃ10 ticket to the Neeld in Chippenham on Sunday, when itโs Pongoโs birthday party! A colourful farmyard is the setting for these loveable puppet characters; Pongoโs Party is a family show particularly suitable for 2 โ 7-year olds, and includes a special guest appearance by the Easter Bunny!
If that all seems a tad too much, adults could try cross-border folk multi-instrumentalists and festival favourites, The Shee at the Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon. An exceptional all-female band boasting powerful and emotional vocal performances and instrumental prowess.
The third week of April sees another Devizes Books Presents event on Wednesday 17th. The theme is Shopping! Women are supposed to love it, men to hate it. Both have written about it. Hear India Knight on its joys, G.K Chesterton on how much he hates grocers, and Sophie Hannah on what she got up to in bookshops. Much more, including Dalgit Nagra, Bill Bryson, Fanny Burney, Evelyn Waugh, Radcliffe Hall plus a guest appearance by a local poet, (that our man, Andy?) 7 for 7.30 Tickets ยฃ6 to include a drink and nibbles. Over in Swindon, the Wyvern have a Celebration of eighties soul idol, Luther Vandross.
Thursday 18th rock fans could try The Sultans of Swingers @ The Bear Hotel, Chippenham, while space rock fans head to The Bell by The Green, Devizes for Pink Floyd Tribute, All Floyd; itโs a fiver on the door. BUT -If you missed Little Genevaโs album launch at the Cellar Bar in March, or youโre just in Marlborough and thinking, I want some raw, passionate blues, Little Geneva are at Club Thirty8, tickets are a fiver too, and you get the incredible George Wilding supporting.
Ska fans point your boots and braces in the direction of Swindon, where the Erin Bardwell Collective play to their home fans at Beehive before heading for the London Ska Festival. That or, Vic Fest 2019 at, The Vic, where else?! Mod and scooterist fun continues on Friday when the Exit 17 Scooter Club do an Easter egg run, with local sixties garage band, Absolute Beginners at the Consti Club afterwards.
In Devizes town Honeytrap return To the Southgate, and Vinyl Realm Presents their second drum & bass come house bash at The Fold in the Lamb, with Harry B (Gyro Records) James Threlfall (Mini Rig) and Rappo (b2b/Retrospect.) These nights are quite exclusive, with 50 fiver tickets for each event, 30 spaces on door, but fear not, for Saturday theyโre doing it again with a house/trance night with DJโs Rappo, Morgosis and Shaun Ashley of Rapture recordings.
You havenโt got to go raving though, people of Devizes; Sam and Finley are back together as Larkin Live at the Southgate, or Katy Ellis is at the Devizes Family Club in the Cavalier donning two tributes, Katy Perry and Taylor Swift.
Easter Sunday book your kid into the Hillworth Park Easter Egg Hunt quick, as itโs limited, and at ยฃ3 at pop, going to be popular. Adults hide away in the Three Crowns with People Like Us. If contemporary reggae is your thing, try Reggae Wiltshire’s Easter Sunday Reggae night at The Skybar Melksham Football Club; Reggae, RNB, Soul & Ragga mixed by Reggae Wiltshire’s exclusive DJ Mister M.
All is rather quiet while we digest our chocolate eggs or else spew them up on mumโs fluffy white stair-carpet. Friday 26th April then, Devizes has King Louie at The Southgate, while The Cavalier have Abba tribute, Abbaโs Angels, and its Open Night at the Pump in Trowbridge.
Before youโll know whatโs what itโll be May, with the Devizes Lionโs May Fair, Hopdog Fest at the Woodbridge, Urchfont Scarecrow Festival, Born to Rum at the Wyvern Club Devizes, The Seend Beer Festival with Train to Skaville, Melksham TownFest, All Roads Lead to Frome at Cheese & Grain, Chippenham Soap Box Derby, Shindig Festival, Chippenham Folk Festival, Lechlade Festival, OwlFest, and loads more from the Coopers Hill Cheese Roll to Jason Donovan, yes, Jason Donovan at the Cheese & Grain, and when youโre done with that, itโs Devizes Arts Festival. Keep one step ahead with Devizine, continue to scroll the home page where events are added, like, nearly all the time!
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