Tag: folk

Only The Brave Burn The Midnight Oil

Hurrah, at last! Only The Brave is the debut song from Burn The Midnight Oilโ€™s revised lineup; something Iโ€™ve been anticipating since watching them rehearse at Devizesโ€™ HK Studios, just before last yearโ€™s Awards. But if my expectations of a recording from this new Devizes based phenomenon was perched on the summit of the highest mountain, gaining a sneaky preview before its release on Friday (13th March) far from disappointed, in fact Iโ€™m now soaring above cloudsโ€ฆ.

I know pressing a CD is a financial risk for any upcoming band against bunging it on streaming platforms, but Iโ€™d urge them to go for it. In the relatively short time Burn The Midnight Oil have been gigging under this current format, theyโ€™ve become the kind of band youโ€™d see live and make haste for their merch stand in hope to return home grasping a piece of what you just experienced. Based on this first of a few singles coming out of Martin Spencerโ€™s Badger Set Studio in Potterne, a compilation album would be a real keepsake.

Itโ€™s hasty and gearing, a rich and refreshing design on a timeless formula; the folk-rock-blues combo conveying enduring, moreish and matured pop, with that driving beat, with that irresistible rolling guitar riff, and with the smooth-as-velvet female vocals soothing a biting narrative. Causal listening itโ€™s feelgood, but in depth itโ€™s fighting against the odds and rising above adversities.

Itโ€™s the song for the comeback scene of an epic movie. Youโ€™re on the edge of your seat, identifying with the character, either relating your own experiences, or more simply distinguishing their plight is their drive, but you cannot sympathise, because like Tina Turner, Gloria Gaynor, or Natasha Bedingfield, sheโ€™s weaponised it, risen above it regardless, and taken control of her own destiny; Alanis Morissette of Devizes.

Yet the most marvellous thing about Only the Brave is, Chrissy โ€œSteenโ€ Chapman can equally hold the vocal power of any of the aforementioned female big hitters, kick the meaning behind the song into touch, and her backing band accompanies her with such tight precision, itโ€™s something to behold. In essence, it has the perfect combination for the memorable and relevant tune you wonโ€™t mind having stuck in your head!

I cannot wait to hear the others, but for now, pre-save this beauty HERE. Find them rootin and tootin their thing live by following them on Facebook, HERE.ย Attend CapFest as seen below, for their next Devizes show.

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Thieves Plan Unplugged Gig at Brokerswood

We don’t like many thieves here at Devizine, but we do love Thieves the band! Well, those Thieves have an interesting next gig it’s worthwhile mentioningโ€ฆ..

The first time I saw these Thieves it was a paradox of coincidences. I was hiding in the back of the Wild & Wooley room of Bradford Roots Festival at The Wiltshire Music Centre, and I was suitably wowed by their Americana/UK folk harmonies. I likened them to The Lost Trades at the time, and told the person next to me, only to realise it was Phil Cooper, one third of the Lost Trades! I then proceeded to vocalise my observation that the guy on the banjo looked uncannily like soloist Adam Woodhouse, only for Phil to sigh, โ€œit is Adam Woodhouse!โ€ Should have gone to Specsavers.

Since, the collective of Adam with Rory Coleman-Smith, Jo Deacon and Matt Hughes have gone from strength to strength, regularly gigging, you might have seen them; consider yourself lucky. They gained me enormous kudos when they played so beautifully at Rowdefest last year, it was uplifting and toe-tapping goodness. Oh, and, we fondly reviewed their debut EP.

They’reย  excited to announce a headline appearance at Brokerswood’s Tin Church, near Westbury, on the 28th February, with support from the amazing Feral Beryl. Though the Thieves explained, โ€œwe were lucky enough to perform in this wonderful venue last year as a supporting act,โ€ it’s the first I’ve heard of a gig there, ‘cos no one tells me nuthin’, but I do recall sitting with the kids on the miniature train!

As an outdoor pursuit area, Brokerswood has been a popular attraction for families and campers since 1968, now in an effort to preserve the land, it’s converted into a holiday park. 

With no electricity, The Tin Church is a beautifully unique venue where the musicians are lit solely by candlelight and the original paraffin lamps and perform completely unplugged, taking advantage of the wonderful acoustics of the space. The band say, โ€œitโ€™s an experience like no other and an evening of music not to be missed!โ€

Sounds good to me; who needs electricity when youโ€™ve got beautiful music?! Priced at ยฃ18, it gets even better because it includes canapรฉs, with tickets available from The Cheese & Gain website. But, if you happen to miss this, as it’s a busy weekend what with The Festival of Winter Ales in Devizes and much more, Thieves will be playing this spring festival in March at Trowbridge Town Hall.

Thieves at The Tin Church, Brokerswood

Devizes Sammi Evans in the Shadow of a Debut Single

Being a singer in a tribute or covers band is nerve-wracking. Though tributes can hide behind a mask, a cover band frontperson can be reassured only by the notion that friends are backing them; blame the drummer! But a soloist, singing their mind acoustically is in another ballpark. Stripped back, alone, exposing your innermost thoughts, desires or even personal issues to an audience takes some bottle. It’s a test of courage for the most egotistical, the mental equivalent of standing naked. Yet a majority of those who do, I find, are actually modest and reserved.

In an interview with Peggy-Sue Ford last year, Aberystwyth born now Devizes-based singer-songwriter, Sammi Evans, expressed both her excitement and terror at playing live on the show, opened up about her troubled childhood, ADHD, and being a self-certified โ€œscatter-brain,โ€ and in doing so created one of the most interesting and touching of Peggy’s Don’t Stop The Music shows on Swindon 105.5.ย 

The last time I met Sammi she was showing me the artwork of her upcoming debut single, explaining how the purple background and gothic font gave it a sense of corporate identity, as well, holding her phone with a subtle tremble, telling me how anxious she was about releasing it. That single, The Shadow, came out a couple of days ago, and thus, Sammi has traversed the local open mic nights, jams at the Southgate, and pub gig circuit, to a recording artist; that thought alone would goosebump the least nervous!

The song’s subject reflects this anxiety, it drags you into a dark closet, and hauntingly honest, questions the listener if they experience similar ghostly fears. Sammiโ€™s vocals are academia aesthetic, rich with a focused ethereal and melancholic soundscape. But it is through an impressive arrangement by Martin Spencer of Potterne’s Badger Set studio, which adds to the other-worldly ambience, with a tinkering piano breathing a touch of gothic horror film score, even subtle classical crossover about the otherwise poignant acoustic guitar marvel.ย 

Hey look, Iโ€™ve been to art college and know about light and shadow. If the shadow depicted in this song is metaphorically actualising foreboding as shadows and monsters lurking within them, the quality of the song contravenes its subject, upon its release. It might have felt that way in Sammiโ€™s mind at the time of writing it, but releasing it mightโ€™ve been that face your fear moment of diving off the top board into the pool. And now itโ€™s out there, perhaps more art for artโ€™s sake and prosperity than fame and fortune, she should consider it an exhilaration of accomplishment, because it’s really rather wonderful.

It should then act as the opposite to shadow. This debut single is a light source, beaming directly above Sammi Evans, which casts only a minimal shadow at her footprint, if at all, and, I hope, reduces any seeds of doubt that she can write thought-provoking lyrics and compose them into songs with illuminating results. I look forward to hearing more, Sammi! x

Listen to The Shadow HERE

Rooks; New Single From M3G

Chippenham folk singer-songwriter, M3G (because she likes a backward โ€œEโ€) has a new single out tomorrow, Friday 19th December. Put your jingly bell cheesy tunes on hold for a moment, because this is a beautiful, epic journeyโ€ฆ.

M3Gโ€™s seventh release, Rooks, poignantly pulls on the heartstrings when presented by the rise and fall of a romance, rooks often being a slang for cheating someone. It runs into six minutes, and reflecting the heartbreak of the subject, the song rises and falls accordingly. It creates a spellbinding ambience of both hope and worry equally, and is of magical vocal and acoustic guitar composition, with a gentle cajon drum subtly placed.

Inspired by the likes of Florence Welch and AURORA, Meg was open about her autism in our interview from 2023, and claimed it as the backbone to her creativity. In this, what she creates is completely original, unique, and unequivocally personal. Meg doesnโ€™t just sing, she projects her innermost thoughts and expresses them, angelically. In Rooks, you can literally feel the characterโ€™s heart breaking, causing yours to inevitably go with it.

The hyphen in the term singer-songwriter has never been so apt with another. Sure, I hear lots of brilliant expressive singers and lots of songwriters who can pen a marvel, but no one merges them so seamlessly and forgoes any fear theyโ€™re exposing too much of their innermost thoughts, dreams or desires. You only need to venture ten seconds into Rooks to observe what I mean, and if Meg constantly strives for improvement, causing me to say this is her best song yet each time, here we go again; this is awe-inspiring, her magnum opus to date.

Recorded and mixed by Phil Cooper, his genius registers on it, yet still, itโ€™s Just M3G; layering her backing chants over her main vocals like choral had a singular tense, and who even designed the cover. She says working with Phil is โ€œa massive step above my other releases. I am so proud of it.โ€ It is on a next level, Iโ€™m uncertain what she could do to top it, but assured she will, and Iโ€™m certain Rooks will appease her fans and make her find new ones.

Rooks streams tomorrow, 19th December 2025.

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7 Hills Spring Festival Comes to Trowbridge

Is it time to start thinking about spring? I think so! Bath music promoters 7 Hills are moving their annual spring festival from the city to Trowbridgeโ€™s Old Town Hall. If youโ€™re already buzzing for the 2026 festival season to arrive, check this March offeringโ€ฆ..

7 Hills regularly organise music events at The Night Jar in Bath, a glorious bar upstairs at the Bath Pizza Company, part of the hip Green Park Brasserie close to the railway station. Many gigs there have a โ€œpay if canโ€ policy, and present the likes of Luke De-Sciscio, Elles Bailey and Steve Cradock of Ocean Colour Scene. Their festivals are also usually held in Bath, but this coming year a spring one comes to Trowbridge.

Chris Hoar of Courting Ghosts explained he, โ€œreached out to them initially to say I was planning a festival in the newly renovated Old Town Hall, just to check it didn’t clash with them, and Matt said let’s do it together in Trowbridge as a spring festival.โ€

Concrete Prairie

Itโ€™s an all day folk-rock festival, happening on Saturday 21st March, tickets are on sale now at ยฃ39.50. Thereโ€™s a number of acts new to me on the lineup, which is good; The Delines, Our Man In The Field, Joseph Arthur, Hannah White, Leander Morales Music, Chris Greenhalgh, Bluebeard and the Desperate Hours and Biff Country. Some to tick off my must see list, like AQABA, and others which I will never tire of witnessing, particularly Concrete Prairie, Thieves, Fly Yeti Fly and Matt Owens, with Chrisโ€™s band Courting Ghosts, of course!

Courting Ghosts

Following an extensive and transformative refurbishment, the historic Old Town Hall will host this inaugural 7 Hills Spring Festival, a landmark cultural event marking a renewed era of artistic ambition for the region. Conceived as a celebration of world-class songwriting and contemporary creative excellence, the festival assembles an exceptional line-up of internationally esteemed performers and compelling new voices.

The Delines headline, widely regarded as one of the most evocative and accomplished bands of their generation. Praised for their cinematic soul, lush arrangements and profoundly humane storytelling, critics have called The Delines โ€œone of the finest Americana acts working todayโ€ and hailed their work as โ€œexquisite, elegant and utterly transportive.โ€ Their appearance at 7 Hills Spring Festival promises a rare opportunity to witness a band consistently described as โ€œamong the very best songwriters and performers on either side of the Atlantic.โ€

They are joined by Our Man in the Field, whose transatlantic Americana and increasingly acclaimed live performances have captured audiences across Europe and beyond; the distinguished American singer-songwriter Joseph Arthur, celebrated for his poetic intensity; Matt Owens & The DVP, whose dynamic blend of modern folk, rock, and richly crafted lyricism promises one of the nightโ€™s most electrifying sets; and multiple AMA UK Award Winner,  Hannah White, widely recognised as one of Britainโ€™s most profound contemporary songwriters. Rounding out the bill are Courting Ghosts, an emerging band whose growing reputation reflects a bold and distinctive artistic voice.

Fly Yeti Fly

Showcasing newly enhanced performance spaces, architectural restoration, and a revitalised artistic vision, the renewed Old Town Hall stands as a major cultural milestone. 7 Hills Spring Festival will not merely highlight the buildingโ€™s transformation, but also usher in a bold new chapter for Trowbridgeโ€™s cultural landscape.

With the absence of Bradford Roots Festival this coming year, usually in Feb at The Wiltshire Music Centre, I think I can pad it out until then; maybe go into hibernation until March!

Tickets HERE.

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Rowdefest 26 Lineup Reveal!

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

Agricultural Appropriation with Monkey Bizzle

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

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For Now, Anyway; Gus White’s Debut Album

Featured Image: Barbora Mrazkova

My apologies, for Marlboroughโ€™s singer-songwriter Gus Whiteโ€™s debut album For Now, Anyway has been sitting on the backburner, and itโ€™s more than worth a quick mentionโ€ฆ..

Gus White is a respected folk musician, record producer, festival organiser, and community maker with a deep love for the rooted and the heartfelt. His production credits are the string that ties together an emerging scene that refers to itself as Third Wave Folk, involving a collective of artists which record with Gus at his Wiltshire studio. This includes microtonal and genre-fluid rising-star Maddie Ashman, folk singer Minna, and UK folk-charting artist Ann Liu Cannon. The latter is our connection, fondly reviewing Ann Liuโ€™s album Clever Rabbits back in July.ย 

Though, in the short wintery month this album has been simmering itโ€™s made number twenty-six on the Official Folk Album Charts, making Gus rightfully charting too. An initial listen from yours truly and I can understand why. I do declare it as instant as Douwe Egbertsโ€™ Pure Gold, only in rapture rather than coffee! Itโ€™s chock full of cool vibes, that breezy feelgood Sunday morning acoustic which is too darn soothing itโ€™s impossible to criticise. As for Gusโ€™s barista skills, Iโ€™ve no confirmation, but going on his music, I could take a wild guess heโ€™s a tea fellow. 

Eleven songs strong, put the kettle on yourself, and allow Gus to get on doing his sublime thing! Thereโ€™s no rise and fall, the melodies flow like the Iguazu Falls. If I pick out individual elements into Gusโ€™s melting pot, like the doo-wop-ish structure of middle-track Terrible Things, the bluesy guitar picking in the following song, Head Held High, or jazz drum percolate in Please, Forgive Me, theyโ€™re all so subtly placed. If Gus defines it Third Wave Folk, thatโ€™s what it is; a composition borrowing from Americana and English folk, but neither whole; a gorgeous cherrypick from both. It has the universal folk-rock feel of Goerge Harrison and Cat Stevens, and is equally as uplifting.

Though some themes are negative, the overall ambience is pessimistic; if youโ€™ve a bad day, so what? Watch the rain trickle down the window outside with that lukewarm brew in a slightly stained chipped mug, listen to this and contemplate, life goes on, youโ€™re rising above it.

If the penultimate song on For Now, Anyway, After So Long is rinsed in a dejected romantic memory, Gus carries it as skilled as Tom Petty, and the final song Still Learning lifts the spirit one final time like a contemporary Dr Hook, with that beguiling cheerful chorus. It departs your ears leaving you aching for more; a beautifully and skilled production from someone who comes across as a modest genius tea-drinker. Gus produced, mixed and mastered For Now, Anyway, a defining statement as a songwriter and a prime example of his meticulous production work. 

Image: Jeremey Prout

Authentic too; recorded in 2021, with a live band of friends and local musicians, Gus White approached this stunning album like any other project, stating he was โ€œtrying to capture the magic, and the essence, of the song in a single live performance, in the way real instruments and human voices blend when left to their own devices.โ€

Gus, also a member of folk band Dead Pages, is co-organiser of Late Spring Folk Festival, which celebrated its third iteration this summer at Dummer Down Brewery near Micheldever, since forming at a Wiltshire pub venue. This yearโ€™s is Saturday 23rd May. If he showcases this album there itโ€™s worth the reasonable ticket stub alone.

For Now, Anyway is out now on Man Made Tigers. Available to buy on CD & vinyl exclusively from Sound Knowledge in Marlborough and is available across streaming platforms. Donโ€™t procrastinate like me, as Iโ€™m sorry I did now Iโ€™ve heard it.

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The Lost Trades & Half of One at The Hop, Swindon

One part of Swindon was in perfect harmony last night, and I donโ€™t mean the traffic circumnavigating the Magic Roundabout. Rather The Lost Trades were at the Hop in Old Town, honouring a postponed gig from Septemberโ€ฆ..

SoP Live, who run a regular Thursday night music club at The Castle, plenty of other gigs, and coordinate the Swindon Shuffle and Swinterfest, arranged this eveningโ€™s entertainment at The Hop, the largest of pubs on the Devizes Road area of Old Town with the perfect upstairs function room to turn into a temporary folk club.

A slight music appreciation collective gathered, seated and respectfully keen to value live music of this calibre. On previous occasions when the Lost Trades played here, organiser Ed Dyer explained, โ€œwere packed out,โ€ and factors of the lesser crowd were discussed; it couldโ€™ve been because it was rescheduled. While free pub gigs thrive equally to overpriced pop star concerts, add even the smallest price to less mainstream acts, as this gig did, sadly seems can reduce its attraction. What we all need to be mindful of is the safety net; dedicated and erudite promoters like SoP guarantee tried and tested acts, ergo paying a small ticket stub is worthwhile for a better class of live music than a pub throwing any old band in for peanuts. Ah, you get what you pay for, but to disregard this notion is to lose venues and promoters. The saddest thing is, that is happeningโ€ฆ.now. Support them, or become a skint Swifty, your choice.

Whilst Jamie R Hawkins and Phil Cooper of The Lost Trades are no strangers to playing a pub gig solo, the key to the Lost Trades works best at folk festivals and clubs, and arts centres. It is fantastic to think this local export is nationwide now, and judging on their performance last night, something Iโ€™ve not caught for what seems like an age, itโ€™s thoroughly deserved. Thereโ€™s a sense of elevation in their delivery of these soothing vocal harmonies, a consistent strive of improvement, which if it isnโ€™t at its peak now, the summit would be on an angelic level.

Such a while it has been, Tamsin Quin left the trio and has been replaced by Jess Vincent, and I was yet to see that working live, despite fondly mentioning their latest single, Float Me On Your River. As well as performing some other new songs, they opened with this, and notwithstanding Tamsin has a distinguishable voice, Jess makes the quintessential substitution, an exemplar to the ethos of The Lost Trades. Her wonderful vocal range and proficient percussion complement Phil and Jamieโ€™s expressions on equal terms as Tamsinโ€™s, and so The Lost Trades are once again at the top of their game.

And a sublime performance it was, but not before a support act new to me played a divine set of fiddle, guitar and occasional loop pedal folk covers. Half of One is a Swindon duo, fiddler Geoff Roberts and guitarist Neil Mercer, and theyโ€™ve played together in folk band SGO who recently disbanded, and who Iโ€™m well aware of, and dance band Cowshed Ceilidh Collective. We were treated to some gorgeous English folk pieces, others from the likes of Sam Sweeny, Show of Handsโ€™ Steve Knightly, and a wonderfully delivered Great War song for Remembrance I missed the name of and cannot find online! It was a spellbinding support, which couldโ€™ve been the headline for any folk club.

As folk, The Lost Trades have always stated itโ€™s โ€œmodern folk,โ€ and with electric guitars and some subject matter I see this, but thereโ€™s something uniquely captivating about them which makes it timeless and conjures images of The Carter Family. I may not have been lucky enough to have seen The Everley Brothers or Simon & Garfunkel, but The Lost Trades are vocal harmony perfection to me!

Available at Devizes Books, or message Devizine for a copy!

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Devizes Issues Wants You!

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

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Lady Nade; Sober!

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

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The Lost Trades Float on New Single

Iโ€™ve got some gorgeous vocal harmonies currently floating into my ears, as The Lost Trades release their first single since the replacement of Tamsin Quin with Jess Vincent way back in February, and its immediate impact clearly says a Lost Trades classicโ€ฆ..

If some previous songs of The Lost Trades had a lead vocal, theyโ€™re not the Spice Girls so I couldnโ€™t pick a favourite, and the trio are truly at their best when there isnโ€™t a lead and the song centralises on their astounding harmony! Float Me On Your River is one of those, four minutes plus of a simple sentimental premise with a sublime delivery. The new addition Jess fits like a glove to Phil Cooper and Jamie R Hawkinsโ€™ vocal range, and the song rings out with the quality passionate ambiance we’ve come to expect from the trio.

It comes with an accompanying video from Jamieโ€™s Side Owl video production project which, if nothing else, suggests The Lost Trades like their sandwiches cut into triangles; these things are important to note.

Float Me On Your River Streaming Now HERE

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Kirsty Clinchโ€™s Fundraising Christmas Song Racing Up iTunes Charts

Wiltshire country singer-songwriter Kirsty Clinch released a Christmas song only yesterday, raising funds for the Caenhill Countryside Centre near Devizes, and itโ€™s already racing up the iTunes country music chartsโ€ฆ.

Itโ€™s one thing to get your song out locally, but Kirsty was excited to announce that she, โ€œwoke up this morning, and we are still in the top 10 of the iTunes country music charts and 180 in the overall charts, not only that, last night I saw we hit 7!โ€

In collaboration with the Caenhill Countryside Centre, a charity project which brings countryside learning to children and communities west of Devizes near the Caen Hill locks, The Best Christmas Ever was mastered by Peter Lamb, with Kara Robertson and Lorna Carroll. Kirtsy describes it as โ€œcheesy but addictive, cute but meaningful, and it definitely has a twist dance and country vibe to it!โ€

Founder of First Melodies Music School, Kirsty has even choreographed a fun dance routine to learn too. A video of Kirsty showing us the moves is on social media, (Facebook – Instagram) and encourages children to send their own video of them doing the dance. 

The preferred way to buy it is on iTunes, because itโ€™s raising funds for the charity, and will go towards the future of the farm project and the animals there. โ€œIt makes me incredibly happy and proud as an independent artist,โ€ Kirsty said, โ€œthatโ€™s always been told they are not good enough!โ€ No idea who wouldโ€™ve dreamed of saying this, but they deserve a sack of coal from Santa this year! 

โ€œLetโ€™s keep the hype going until Christmas,โ€ Kirsty says; we agree and send you Christmassy blessings! Christmas number one, I say, with your help: download the song HERE.

Jol Roseโ€™s Ragged Stories

Thereโ€™s albums Iโ€™ll go in blind and either be pleasantly surprised, or not. Then thereโ€™s ones which I know Iโ€™m going to love before the first notes ring out. Quite familiar with Swindonโ€™s beloved Dylanesque singer-songwriter Jol Rose, Ragged Stories is another notch in his sublime discography you simply have to listen to on repeatโ€ฆ.

Similarly thereโ€™s many attempting Americana, a few leave themselves open for criticisms of clichรฉ or authenticity while others refine it with a certain level of finesse, then thereโ€™s Jol Rose. Prolific writer and recording artist, but a perfectionist with that defining quality to paint mind masterpieces through his music. 

Though Jol has no standalone anthem, there never seems to be a magnum opus and fans select a wide range of his songs as their personal favourites. His portfolio is never samey, nor completed. Euro ballad Meet me in Berlin makes an appearance on this new album, and is one of my favourites from last yearโ€™s album, Peace, Love & Americana. But this is a stripped back acoustic version, and thatโ€™s the thread through a variety of themes and temperaments; this Jol, raw.

Thereโ€™s other stories of travels; two songs venturing over to the USA it wouldnโ€™t be Americana without, and some Road Boogie to boot. But itโ€™s not without ditties of homebased subjects too. If Springsteen writes romantically of New Jersey gangland warfare, why canโ€™t Jol humbly justify Swindonโ€™s attractiveness with a certain beguiling jollity?! But if Swindon Saturday Night is tongue-in-cheek, Not My Cherie takes cheekiness to a whole other level, as a jokey French rejection from Swindon Conservative Councillor Cherie Adams.

Yet if Not My Cherie doubles-up as his social political observations and Liars & Thieves, makes its political stab humorously, the others on this sixteen songs strong album are far more poignant than satirical. A battle with corruption, Eucalyptus Lullaby opens the album, with the lines, โ€œAs I lie on a bed made of ashes, and ponder the wreckage below, I survey all the things brought upon us, by ignoring what we should have known,โ€ which confirmed weโ€™re in for brilliantly constructed anti-establishment prose.  

Perhaps none more than Day & Night Collide, underlining our anger and ignorance hiding our fears in regards to immigration. If you only listen to one song before going to a polling station, make it this one.

Afternoon Nightmares, is relationship bittersweet, the most Dylanesque, and yes, Jol tackles romance themes with equal edge. In its simplicity Beautiful Denial is gracefully wonderful, but my biggest surprise came via Love Story, a simple title which does what it says on the tin, and you might recognise it, but Jol stamps his mark, and makes this Taylor Swift cover his own.

Just man and guitar, the pure essence of sole quality, and in Jol Rose it is exceptional, this album showcases it without pretence or ignorance. Heโ€™s a figure of reality in a world gone sour, and he expresses it sublimely.

CD of Ragged Stories is available from Jol Rose’s website HERE.

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St John’s Choir Christmas Concert in Devizes

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

For Now, Anyway; Gus White’s Debut Album

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

Butane Skies Not Releasing a Christmas Song!

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

One Of Us; New Single From Lady Nade

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

Large Unlicensed Music Event Alert!

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

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Vince Bell in the 21st Century!

Unlike Buck Rogers, who made it to the 25th century six hundred years early, Devizesโ€™ most modest acoustic virtuoso arrives at the 21st just short of twenty-six years late! We’re looking at Vince Bell‘s EP, Songs, Poetry and Motivation, as it makes off for a futuristic online adventureโ€ฆ..

Devizes knows โ€œour Springsteenโ€ Vince, loves Vince, unless they’re selling tickets for โ€œThe Bin.โ€ โ€œIt’s three quid to get in,โ€ Vince jests in a song popular with locals, as reasoning for not attending the town’s only nightclub, which is actually quite reasonable these days! Its references strictly imply Devizes, but the concepts could relate to another market town, that song of his. Composed of contemporary scuttlebutt and twisting it into urban legend for intoxicated natives to chant the chorus’ self-mocking punchline about never leaving, back at him, if Vince is, (and deserves to be leaving at least on a national tour,) branching worldwide, this one rightfully doesn’t appear on the EP.

When plugging his new Spotify account to me, we meandered onto the better between the ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64, after he confessed his family encouraged him to put his songs online. A self-deprecating retrospective attitude relayed in Spiderman Pajamas, which also doesn’t appear on the EP, and was likely the reasoning behind the world waiting so long for Vince to give into the virtual realm.

Vince doesn’t have stars in his eyes, he’s an unassuming musician who sees it as an eternal labour of love. Yet in true folk fashion, his guitar finesse is equal to his delivery of some genius wordplay, and that love for more universal observations are of those five tracks which made his own exceptionally high level of EP grade. Songs of local satire or retrospective are adored here, but concentrated observations are more universally acceptable.  

Though the opening title Lisa’s Kitchen has obvious personal, homely connotations. Itโ€™s a five minute sketch comparing the cliche places of solitude to the simplicity of a family kitchen, and an apology for casually acting on promises made in the freedom of this  daydreamy oasis of mรฉnage calm.

The guitar riff rolls intensely after this, and things arenโ€™t so calming. Haunting like embers randomly sparking from a campfire, for First Fire of Winter. This song is a summary of the contemplating sentiments evoked by a fire; of trust and conviction, weakness against strength, pain of loss and fire in a heart of longlost boys homecoming. When Vince mentions โ€œsubmissive machines in a world thatโ€™s gone too farโ€, and โ€œGodโ€™s own simulation,โ€ itโ€™s a vehemence against war, yet while the poetry is poignant enough, itโ€™s the urge in his delivery which drives the sentient home.

With a more lighthearted and playful muse, Monkey Puzzle Tree is a metaphor for the progression of time and the difficulty in the acceptance of ageing. Whereas in Preacher, Leaders and Dealers, the contentment in delivering fear are compared and contrasted from all three classifications, and is delicately expressed with perfect pathos.

Weโ€™re Between Earth & Paradise for the finale to this outstanding EP. Thereโ€™s an instrumental two-minute opening where intricate guitar-work sets a scene of seemingly encapsulating the beauty of nature. Despite the title, thereโ€™s still dark pressure in the narrative in the form of bleak news stories, but it offers an escape with a virtually heavenly premise. And in this, it sums up the EP and Vinceโ€™s impressive ability to conjure and project vivid images and lucid ideas within his music, a rare gift.

Though this is commonplace in the celebrated artist, so too is modesty and undervaluing of oneโ€™s own work, risking it falling into obscurity unless we take it upon ourselves to shout about how engrossed, entertained or enthralled we were, on their behalf. Vince has, and here I am, advising you to take heed, not because heโ€™s a friendly guy locally gigging on my circuit, though he is, but because Vinceโ€™s music is breathtakingly brilliant and deserves a far wider accolade than that which a Wiltshire market town can provide.ย This EP proves it.

Oh yeah, catch him down the Southgate, Devizes, on Thursday 30th October 2025 for a session with Tamsin Quin; see what Iโ€™m on about if you donโ€™t know already!

Five Years in the Cotswolds: Lawton & Mackโ€™s Breathtaking Debut Album

When I put together the 4 Juliaโ€™s House compilation albums a few years ago I decided I shouldnโ€™t pick favourites out of the eighty-one songs donated, but if I had to, it wouldโ€™ve indisputably been Atlantic O by Will Lawton and Ludwig Mack. With the ambience of the gods, this track is such a soothing sentimental earworm it makes you go all tingly as it drifts like a lost ship on the sea. Now the duo have released a debut album, matching the sublimity of Atlantic O. The story behind it is of an absorbing coincidence, and its unique marketing is equally as genius as the musicโ€ฆ..ย 

At the time I was aware of the virtuosity and diversity of Malmsbury musical magician, Will Lawton, from solo performances and fronting The Alchemists. At the time he sent the tune for the project he briefly explained Ludwig was an Argentinian musician he had been working with, but their connection is far more complex and is explained in the book to the album, which is in turn, currently the only way to hear it.ย 

A story of serendipity expressed earnestly through a 36-page hardback, which continues to detail the thought processes of the album, each individual song, and the musicians which accompany them along the titled journey Five Years in the Cotswolds. Then, on the back cover thereโ€™s a QR code to scan, leading you to streaming options; I suggest you do, your ears will love you forevermore.

Enticed by the lure of English music, and his European travelling plans cut short by the pandemic, Argentinian musician Ludwig Mack arrived in the UK from Spain a day prior to lockdown. He had already connected with Will via Instagram, not realising when he settled in Hullavington he was coincidently only a few miles away from Willโ€™s home. They jammed together, the song Atlantic O, and within a year produced the EP Heroes.  

Ludwig explored the UK, and found work whether he could, whilst Will continued with family life, his band the Alchemists and his employment as a music psychotherapist. But Ludwig often dropped in to see Will, and it was inevitable this project would blossom like the opening tune, aptly Blossom, a tender springtime daydream contrasting aging with memories. Itโ€™s as majestic as the morning chorus, and includes a naturally sourced one too.

The fabric of this album continues on this theme, indeed Songbird follows suit into the most gentle flow of concentrated bliss. Itโ€™s the first single released this Friday (10/10) of the goodness of nature rather than societyโ€™s machine, unhinged and timeless piano-based folk, and celebratory of the glory wildlife in all its splendour, wrapped in the warmest serenity. By its very composure it defines the sum of all this goodness and shapes a heart in your mind; if an album was a wander through a springtime meadow, this is a stroll to remember.

It comes as no surprise Will is a music psychotherapist, if the vocation is to improve wellbeing, increase happiness and overcome issues. One listen to Five Years in the Cotswolds is the best remedy. Ten solid tunes, all the like to make the little hairs on the back of your neck stand to attention. Thereโ€™s few artists able to accomplish this, I could cite many, from Bill Withers to John Denver and you will contemplate your favourites when this caresses your senses.

The album lifts with euphoric pace at Godโ€™s Plan, and Iโ€™m left thinking of Marvin Gayeโ€™s What’s Going On as its aperture opens the album to a similar width of beauty. From the guitar chimes of November to the quirkiness of the bluegrass-esque Walk Each Other Home, and from the amorous ambience of Clouds to Freya Everestโ€™s haunting vocal range on I Noticed, this album continues flowing on the theme as a paragon, never meandering off course.

Its production is as crisp as autumn leaves, the arrangements are like sunlight. The composition is a Vivaldi, its versification is W. H. Daviesโ€™ Leisure, the musical expression of a Monet, a pilgrimage to a Constable masterpiece, or all of these wonders capturing the beauty of nature equally combined and consumed, it really is this breathtaking. Devizine

Its production is as crisp as autumn leaves, the arrangements are like sunlight. The composition is a Vivaldi, its versification is W. H. Daviesโ€™ Leisure, the musical expression of a Monet, a pilgrimage to a Constable masterpiece, or all of these wonders capturing the beauty of nature equally combined and consumed, it really is this breathtaking.ย 

Bathโ€™s producer and musician, Rob McLeod, aka Mac Lloyd, Spanish multi-instrumentalist Guillem Mitchel, London based jazz singer-songwriter and producer Freya Everest and drummer Tony Partridge who met Will at Schtumm in Box, are the other collaborators behind this enchanting project, alongside composer and arranger Benjamin Lawton, Willโ€™s son.

Streaming platforms are held off until next year on this, the book to Five Years in the Cotswolds is the albumโ€™s only current access point, and is available on their website, and at upcoming gigs, The Castle, Swindon on 16th October, and Pound Arts in Corsham on 6th November, details of which are also on their website.

Will Lawton & Ludwig Mack

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Winter Festival/Christmas/Whatever!

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

Devizes Winter Festival This Friday and More!

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

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Crowned Lightbringer: New EP From Ruby Darbyshire

If I was bowled over backwards by Rubyโ€™s teaser single last week, its title, Crowned Lightbringer, now also belongs to this five-track EP, released today, and as you might guess, youโ€™re in for a treatโ€ฆ..

Thereโ€™s so much incredible time, effort and adroitness pouring out of this itโ€™s actually scary how talented Ruby Darbyshire is at such a young age, and in pondering the journey her music will take her. Youโ€™re left numb to what to listen to next, in awe, and spellbound by its harmonic perfection. Thereโ€™s also a general theme of journey, often rinsed in ingenious metaphors, which connects you to Rubyโ€™s world and imaginings, the hallmark of a musician who knows what buttons to press to engage an audience and leave them spellbound.

Rubyโ€™s Scottish roots are displayed in a bagpipe instrumental bonus track, The Spirit of Jenny Whittle, the rest relies on her accomplished acoustic mood-setters, and the ambience is as ever, hauntingly choral, layered with dedication, folk emotive and saturninely uplifting soulfully, edifying a matured Ruby, compared to her debut EP. But if Crowned Lightbringer displays a whole new level for her music, what comes next will be anyoneโ€™s guess. It is, in my humble opinion, an EP which needs to be in everyoneโ€™s life.

Vocally itโ€™s faultless too, profoundly as guiding as Nina Simone, as variable and soulful as Billie Holiday; comparisons of such high accolades, I know, I donโ€™t know where else to go to balance her sublime vocal range. Lady Nade and Mayyadda the only contemporary likenesses I could fairly credit. Opening with Timekeeper, as deeply emotive as Crowned Lightbringer, chilling and as distant as an autumn zephyr. With a rustic vinyl crackle, Calling Hades captures a timeless acoustic goodness of underworldly Greek gods, with a romantically liberating hopefulness as its theme.

Black Dog has a deeper blues feel, yet sprinkled with northern celtic, spiritually-guiding us away from the omen of solitary, the Gytrash. Ruby is folk, primarily rooted and understanding of it. Thereโ€™s much to unpick from her beautiful music tapestry here, Iโ€™ve only had a quick listen, couldnโ€™t wait for a complete analysis before telling you how fantastic this EP is, but I believe, in time, this might be my personal fave! But hey, the title track follows, and weโ€™ve mentioned this last week, itโ€™s a metaphoric shanty which depicts perfectly where Rubyโ€™s music is taking her and all the demons which might lurk on her journey.

All I know is this should put Ruby not a local circuit map, but on an international stage; I donโ€™t flatter, and if you donโ€™t take note more fool yourself. Listen, just, listen! 

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REVIEW โ€“ The Pump Acoustic Club @ The Lamb, Trowbridge โ€“ Friday 8th August 2025

Pump Acoustic Nights Are Back!ย 

Andy Fawthrop

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, Corshamโ€™s Acoustic Oak, Bradford Folk Club and Trowbridgeโ€™s 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 โ€œretirementโ€ 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 Wadworthโ€™s 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 Pump Acoustic 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 Augustโ€™s 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-Avonโ€™s Simon Taylor (lately of Water Thieves Trio and Dr. Zeboโ€™s Wheezy Club) and Matt Cook, looks as if itโ€™s hit just the right formula.  Both last monthโ€™s affair and last night were pretty busy, with most seats taken both upstairs and down. Itโ€™s ยฃ4 to get in, and ยฃ1 for a strip of raffle tickets, so youโ€™re all done and dusted for a great night out for a fiver โ€“ what more could you want? Letโ€™s hope that now itโ€™s 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 hereโ€™s a preview:ย 

Friday 12th September Andy Skellam 

Friday 10th October Lorikeet 

Friday 14th November Brian Stone & The Masters Of None 

Friday 12th December Dr. Zeboโ€™s Wheezy Club 

Ann Liu Cannon’s Clever Rabbits

Ann Liu Cannon is the Marlborough success story I hadn’t heard of until yesterday; thanks to local promoter and frontman of the Vooz, Lee Mathews for the tip off! Her debut album  Clever Rabbits was released today, and itโ€™s a mustโ€ฆโ€ฆ.

Brit Award winning Paul McCartney and Tom Jones producer Ethan Jones spotted Ann Liu performing at Camden’s Spiritual Bar, leading her to a publishing deal with BMG. Ann, who now lives in London, represented Whispering Bob Harris at The Great Escape and Black Deer Festivals, featured on Beans on Toast’s stage at Bearded Theory and on his UK tour. She opened for Lewis Ofman in Mexico, played prestigious venues like The Clapham Grand and The Hotel Cafe Hollywood in LA, but delighted to tell me she schooled in Marlborough and grew up in a nearby village; and I thought St Johnโ€™s girls just sat around the Priory Gardens smoking menthols!

Okay, calm yourself. That was just an eighties joke, and you know this! But remain calm for Clever Rabbits because itโ€™s a breathtaking ride, a tapestry of Anglo-Celtic folklore, sacred texts, sonic binaries of modern digital synthesis and Ann Liuโ€™s classic singer-songwriter roots. โ€œI am the rabbit that knows how to kill the hill, and I have only just begun,โ€ she expressed.ย 

Experimentally playful, with two piano-based ballads opening Clever Rabbits, there’s an ambience of musical theatre about them, then with an irresistibly simple drum and bass the title track runs akin to a Mardi Gras iko-iko chant. Lost Ways has the shuffle of South America rhythms, and weโ€™re halfway through these ten uplifting masterpieces with a bittersweet psychedelic swirl called Tangle.

No You Donโ€™t is acoustic blues with a hint of lounge jazz, as gorgeous as the ultimate Norah Jones song. Another tune in, and rather Iโ€™m now pitching this alongside Joni Mitchell; itโ€™s that strong, naturally raw, and yeah, folk, fundamentally.

The album continues in a similar fashion, uplifting jazzy folk under sublime soundscapes and broken wonderfully with snippets of humorous band banter, which usually are outtakes. It lifts in tempo with False Hope, and chills for the penultimate Movement of Standing Stones, which builds in layers of atmospheric spiritual ambience, and finally a minute and half of bizarre with Gobbleknoll, breaks the concept this isnโ€™t really a book by Richard Adams and Ann Liu is not a rabbit after all!

Exploring limits of prescribed identity in a timeless, brave and sensitive challenge of the zeitgeist, the album is inspired by a Chinese idiom โ€œclever rabbits need three burrows,โ€ and the imagery of three rabbits found in Devon’s churches and China’s caves. Clearly, with profound narrative, you would need to dive deeper into this warren to explore. After one listen, though, you will feel it criminal not to. Everything in this melting pot of influences is subtle, the overall feel is a mellowed thoughtful prose sitting somewhere between the exploratory of Kate Bush and punch of Alanis Morissette, both jamming under the aura of Steeleye Span.ย 

This isnโ€™t an album for streaming. This is a take my money album. The attention to detail is divine. The unedited recordingsโ€™ background goings-on authentically puts you in the room. In promoting it, Ann Lui revealed the backstory. โ€œWhen I was ten,โ€ she explained, โ€œmy father gave me records by Ethan. When I turned 21, I got a call from Ethan after Raf sent my music to him. We began capturing these songs, and my father began dying. Today I turn 26, my father is dead, and the record is born.โ€

โ€œIn the first 25 years I found powerlessness in slow, bad, unwanted death. In limbos and dependency. I found power in wilful endings. In choice. Love ran underneath in a welcome riptide, contextualising the hurt and loss. I nursed wounds, read my stories, read other peopleโ€™s stories, broke away, reflected, mourned, rejoiced, set free. The first quarter century has been about endings, leavings, dying, and dying well. This album is a good death. The bin men are smiling. I am smiling, too.โ€

A launch for Clever Rabbits is at Londonโ€™s Lexington tonight. Ann Lui returns to her roots, as she regularly does, with an Instore at Sound Knowledge, Marlborough on Thursday 17th July at St. Peter’s. Entry is FREE but please do let them know to expect you if you’d like to attend, or pre-order a copy of ‘Clever Rabbits’ from them to guarantee your place.

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REVIEW โ€“ The Lost Trades @ The Piggy Bank, Calne โ€“ Tuesday 18th June 2025

Five Have An Out-of-town Experience

You canโ€™t always get that live music experience you crave by simply staying within the walls of D-Town.ย  Sometimes, and especially when thereโ€™s aย  band playing that you simply have to see, you just need to get the gang together and pile into a motor to visit the wilder Wiltshire provinces.ย  And so it was last night that we ventured over the hill to Calne.ย  We found the border post un-guarded, and so we slipped into the town and found our way to The Piggy Bank micro-pub to see The Lost Trades……

The Piggy Bank has been a surprisingly good little venue over the past year or two, featuring some great nights with, among others, The Rob Lear Band, The Black Feathers, Jess Vincent, and Jinder, as well as pop-up dining nights, quiz nights and (a big favourite of mine) Crazy Bird comedy club nights.

Just in case you donโ€™t know them, The Lost Trades are a trio who play folk/ Americana with a cool Laurel Canyon vibe. With a sound that is reminiscent of the California folk scene of the late 60s/early 70s, (weโ€™re thinking here of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young), their three part harmonies have been previously described as “flawless”, “spine tingling” and “magical”.

Formed in late 2019, the global Covid hoo-hah cut short their first tour after just a single sold out gig.ย  The band shrugged their shoulders, and retreated to their respective song-writing rooms to work on what was to become their debut album, “The Bird, The Book & The Barrel”, released in June 2021. The follow up album, “Petrichor” was released in March 2023. Both are highly recommended โ€“ trust me!

Then, just last year, one of their founding members, Tamsin Quinn, decided to leave the trio to pursue other interests.  Bit of a shock.  Was this the end for The Lost Trades, we all wondered?  Not a bit of it!  Tamsin has now been replaced (if replaced is really the right word) by the very talented Jess Vincent, who had recently returned to the UK after a few years away in Bulgaria.  

The result of all that is that The Lost Trades now consist of:

ยท Phil Cooper (vocals, acoustic guitar, electric bass), a performer not unknown in the local area for many years, both as a solo performer, as well in various bands, and a guy who knows his way around a recording studio and the producerโ€™s job;

ยท Jamie R Hawkins (vocals, acoustic guitar, electric bass, ukulele), also massively well-known locally, especially in venues around D-Town, for his wonderful solo performances and some great songs. Indeed a bunch of us had slipped over to The Pulpit (ex The Little Hop) in Old Town, Swindon only last week to witness a really excellent solo performance at that new musical venue;

ยท Jess Vincent (vocals, guitar, percussion, shruti box).  Jess first came to notice singing with Penny Red, before branching out into a solo career that produced several albums (Time Frame, Seesaw Dreams, Shine, and last yearโ€™s Lions Den)  

Between us five weโ€™d seen The Lost Trades in their old formation many times before, but this was to be the first time with new band-member Jess.  How would this all work out?  Would the sound and the dynamic have changed?  And if so, for better or worse?  Well, in sum, we need not have worried.  Despite a massive learning curve for Jess to pick up the bandโ€™s performing repertoire in just a few short months, to say nothing of having to re-blend all of their trade-mark close harmonies, the end result was spectacularly good.  It was neither better, nor worse, just slightly different and more developed and mature.  Right from the first number we knew that the magic had remained intact.

All the old stuff was still there โ€“ the constant and easy interchanging of instruments (including guitar, ukulele, bass and percussion), the close three-part harmonies, the well-worked song material, and the light-hearted intimacy, with the group engaging in comfortable repartee with each other and the audience like a group of old friends. And there were a lot of old friends in the audience to help them along.  And, of course, the many familiar songs.

But there was some great new stuff too โ€“ new songs, a different female vocal line, new instruments, and (obviously) a new personal dynamic between the three performers.  All of them had played The Piggy Bank before, and all to packed houses, so there were no nerves about any of that.  And last night, in front of yet another packed house, they managed to produce a truly spell-binding performance once again.

My only (very slight) reservations about the evening were that I needed slightly less chat (some of the introductions were as long as the songs!) and I would have liked slightly more of Jess (the two boys tended to dominate proceedings at times).  But, hey, these are very simple things to be fixed and developed, and didnโ€™t in any way detract from all the superb quality of the music they delivered in their three sets (or โ€œspasmsโ€ as Phil nicely put it).

There were no lashings of ginger beer, but the music flowed, the craft beer certainly flowed, and a jolly good time was had by all.  Then, under cover of darkness, we fled through the night back to the safety of D-Town, our out-of-town mission successfully accomplished.

Hopefully thereโ€™ll be more music dates to come at The Piggy Bank in the autumn.  But, meanwhile, if you want to see The Lost Trades live in concert (and I strongly recommend that you do!), theyโ€™ll be appearing locally as below:

Future dates for The Lost Trades:

Wednesday 23rd July 2025 @ The White Bear, Devizes

Friday 25th July 2025 @ Trowbridge Festivalย ย 

Friday 26th September 2025 @ The Pump, Trowbridge

Saturday 27th September @ The Hop, Old Town, Swindonย ย 

For more information go to thelosttrades.com/ย 

REVIEW โ€“ Devizes Arts Festivalโ€“ Anna Ling โ€“ St Andrewโ€™s Church – Thursday 5th June 2025

Another Little Sweetie In The Jar

Andy Fawthrop

Well the Devizes Arts Festival is in full swing now, with several events already under its belt.ย  Thereโ€™s stuff cropping up every day, so I took the chance to pop in to a much-underused venue in the town St Andrewโ€™s Church on Long Street.….

After several big-ticket shows in the programme, it was a pleasure to settle down to something a little more modest, a more bread-and-butter item if you like.ย  Mid-week lunchtime isnโ€™t going to be a time to attract a particularly large audience, even on market day, but a good few hardy souls turned up to at least create a good audience atmosphere.

Anna Ling, a performer Iโ€™d not personally come across before, is a guitarist and singer/songwriter.  Her creative work and sense of purpose are deeply rooted in her love of bringing people together through song. This passion shapes her life, guiding her from leading community choirs to performing at venues, care homes, and world-class festivals.

In a concert co-promoted with the charity, Live Music Now, Anna delivered a professional and engaging 50-minute set which featured both her own material along with a few covers.  She worked hard to engage the audience right from the kick-off, inviting us into her world.  The performance was light and humorous, heartfelt and intimate.  And she was determined that we were not just going to sit back and listen to her, but to join in as well.  She had a lovely clear, strong voice, and used it to particular effect when she came down from the stage and abandoned her guitar in favour of an unaccompanied song right from the middle of the audience.

Her lyrics were simple, her guitar chords straight-forward.  This was not a set filled with new arrangements or presenting anything particularly challenging, but an opportunity to listen to a set of songs simply delivered and largely unadorned.  She filled the gaps between the songs with little stories and anecdotes, never lifting her voice very much, and thus drawing you in.

Plain, simple, and thoroughly enjoyable.  Just another little sweetie in the jar from Devizes Arts Festival.  And thereโ€™s plenty more to see and hear yet, so do make sure that you get along to experience something soon. Itโ€™ll all be over before you know it!

Devizes Arts Festival continues until Sunday 15th June at various venues around the town.ย  Tickets can be booked at Devizes Books or online HERE

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Thieves Debut EP

Adam Woodhouse, Rory Coleman-Smith, Jo Deacon and Matt Hughes, aka Thieves, the wonderful local folk vocal harmony quartet of uplifting bluegrass into country-blues has a four track debut EP; who knew?!

I only found out through talking with Adam about a merch table at our forthcoming RowdeFest, where you can, incidentally, find Thieves playing, but at any gig youโ€™re lucky enough to catch them at, I suggest you pick up a copy of this little showcase disc; theyโ€™re our very own resident Carter Familyโ€ฆ.

Opening with Calneโ€™s Jo Deacon on lead vocals, who also sings solo and with soul function band the Midnight Hour, Coming Back For Me is beguiling and uptempo, refreshing bluegrass fashion. Yet Working Man, which follows, slides the divine ambience into mellowed country-rock. With Adam on lead vocals, Iโ€™m thinking Neil Young, the Byrds, and all those irresistible Americana classics, which imagines youโ€™re heading west through Oklahoma on a Harley with Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda.

Probably the highlight of this EP is the penultimate, Now You’re Around. Five minutes of total bliss, with Jo back on vocals and some seriously intricate melodies, combining the talents of Roryโ€™s resonator, Adamโ€™s mandolin, and Mattโ€™s upright bass, you can sense Joโ€™s soul experience, as it rings out as authentically Americana as Janis Joplin playing Woodstock with Crosby, Stills & Nash. And still I hear something decidedly UK folk here too, of Fairport Convention, perhaps. Iโ€™m no connoisseur, just know what my ears like; itโ€™s all a melting pot,ย and Thieves stir it with delicate precision.

And in that, Iโ€™m unsure about the name Thieves. Certainly the genuine sound of America is pinched if not more agreeably heavily influenced by, but it might suggest thereโ€™s something edgy going on, when this is dinkum, universally appealing sunny side of the street melodies; the kind of folk the eldest in the crowd will tap their toes to while children will merrily twirl barefoot on the grass.

It was a series of coincidences when I first saw them at Bradford Roots Festival a few years ago. From a distance I thought โ€˜that guy looks just like Adam Woodhouse,โ€™ (and maybe a smidgen like MacGyver too!) but upon hearing them perform I thought of The Lost Trades, turned to tell the person standing next to me, who just happened to be Phil Cooper of the Lost Trades, who nodded his trilby in approval; a fine accolade indeed. โ€œIt is Adam,โ€ Phil replied! Oh, yeah, so it is; I didnโ€™t need to go to Specsavers, because their wonderful sound pulled me closer.

We finish the EP with a ballad called Lately, which Adam and Jo duet, and itโ€™s so beautiful and moreish, leaving you suspended on whatโ€™s to come from Thieves, but rest assured, hereโ€™s a wonderful quartet which can hold a crowd spellbound.

Find where Thieves are playing on our local circuits by following socials Facebook Insta for gigs, and hopefully catch them at Rowdefest on Saturday 31st May? Itโ€™s free, bring me a haslett and cucumber sandwich, Iโ€™ve arranged the acts, I wonโ€™t let you down.

iTunes Link

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Steatopygous go Septic

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

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All the way from the land down under, Australian Folk singer Ernest Aines is coming to Wiltshireโ€ฆ.

On his fourth tour of the UK throughout May and June, Ernestโ€™s tour coincides with the release of his new single, โ€œJust Onceโ€, coming out on 23rd May. I had the opportunity to give it a listen before the big release, and it is nothing short of fantastic.

The song opens with some plucked guitar strings and then leads into flawless vocals and harmonies. As a whole, it tells the story of an unseen love and all the emotions that go along with it. The minimalist instruments give it a down to earth, human feel and all in all itโ€™s a truly enjoyable listen. I truly would recommend it!

Aines is becoming quite a big name in the Folk world, particularly in his home turf of Melbourne where he has been twice nominated for Australian Artist of The Year, at the Folk Alliance Awards.

Heโ€™s not as big over here in England, so if you do want to check out some of his stuff, I would strongly recommend his 2023 album โ€œSpiral Boundโ€ as a great place to start โ€“ or his new single when it comes out would also be a good starting point.

His tour is taking him all over the place โ€“ from Cardiff concert hall, to live at the BBC studio, but luckily if you do want to see him thereโ€™s no need to travel too far, Ernest is playing at The Deanery Theatre in Swindon on the 24th of May.

With only a guitar and a stomp box heโ€™s known as a master of the stage. As an amateur musician myself, I can understand how difficult it is to fill a stage with just yourself and an instrument, but he has it down to a tee.  

I really do advise getting tickets while you can, or at the very least giving his new song a listen, Iโ€™ve got a feeling weโ€™re going to start to hear a lot more about Aines, and wouldnโ€™t it be cool when heโ€™s worldwide famous to be able to say you heard him first?

Aines will be playing at the Deanery Theatre in Swindon on the 24th May, tickets are available here and โ€œJust Onceโ€, out on the 23rd can be pre-saved here.

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Jol Roseโ€™s Ragged Stories

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

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You; Lucas Hardy Teams With Rosie Jay

One of Salisburyโ€™s most celebrated acoustic folk-rock singer-songwriters Lucas Hardy teams up with the Wiltshire cityโ€™s upcoming talent who’s name is on everyoneโ€™s lips, Rosie Jay, for a charming Sunday morning ballad called Youโ€ฆ..

Ah, newfound love, I remember it well! That ray of peerless positivity, like a sunbeam which cannot be clouded; nothing can spoil your mood now youโ€™ve found that certain someone. Many artists have tried to capture it, many overthink it, but You is simply saccharine, and captures the concept beautifully.

This is staring out of a window of a moving car on a sunny Sunday morning music, contemplating when your longing will be over and youโ€™ll be in the arms of your soulmate again. Thereโ€™s nothing negative here, no hidden concern like many such songs, itโ€™s blissful and an the ideal harmonious coupling weโ€™d love to hear from. Check it out!ย 

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CrownFest is Back!

Yay! You read it right. After a two year break, CrownFest is back at the Crown in Bishop’s Cannings. So put a big tick ontoโ€ฆ

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Phil Cooper is Playing Solitaire

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

Released yesterday (2nd May) Playing Solitaire is Philโ€™s first solo album in five years. The last being These Revelation Games in 2020, which was a varied bunch where Phil experimented extensively. Perhaps lockdown inspired artists to scrutinise and pilot new ideas, though through his part in the Americana harmony trio The Lost Trades, fronting the harder rocking The Slight Band, and BCC project, where Phil dives into synth-pop, heโ€™s never been one to shy away from testing new waters. But the principle beauty of Philโ€™s work lies in the simplicity of his idiosyncratic and solitary acoustic outpourings, a clear and clean line of self-reflection, drenched in honesty and poignancy, and thatโ€™s precisely what youโ€™re getting with Playing Solitaire.

Apologise for the delay in announcing this; I had to take one more listen this morning, before deciding if I should call this his best work to date, as heโ€™s a prolific artist with an outstanding discography already. But I think I can safely say, because of the wonderful way this flows, coalescing in mood and style, I think I can safely suggest that it is.

If an all-out anarchistic thrash of rock n roll is what you require, this isnโ€™t for you. For everyone else Playing Solitaire is beautifully crafted and passive, gorgeously taut and accomplished. Thereโ€™s no whimsical introduction. โ€œLook out world, Iโ€™m here to stay,โ€ Phil confidently announces without warning; good! Because Phil knows precisely how to construct a song, and itโ€™s this dedication to composition where he shines best. The opening song, Still Holding My Breath is quintessential Phil Cooper. Itโ€™s the acme of his observational writing, a homage to the notion hard work pays off, a characteristic we know Phil well for.

Moving to the next tune, romantic dejection is his soft play centre topic, and oh, how you wrote that note, disregarding how it might be interpreted by the receiver; perhaps weโ€™ve all been there. If itโ€™s a personal reflection, you identify, and the magic lies at the feet of this contemplation, the very magic of Philโ€™s words, song and ability to combine them, hard at work. And this is an observation we could make to summarise the whole album.

That Easy Road, is remarkable heart on a sleeve content again, it drifts with a stormy sea metaphor to convince himself heโ€™s loved. Another peace of mind ballad follows, then Bijou comments on struggling grassroots music venues, and even if Iโ€™m not a musician, itโ€™s exceptionally touching and poignant. The passion Phil delivers this with and the construction of the riff, itโ€™s my personal favourite on the album, maybe replacing Road Songs, my past fav Phil Cooper tune. 

Halfway mark of this ten strong album, and weโ€™re in another foreboding place with Beauty in the Cracks, a frustration at progression, perhaps. Uptempo, and weโ€™re on a lighter note next, followed by a live favourite, They Will Call Us Angels. Eric Bogle fashioned or Guthrie, even, if we suggest an Americana route, but weโ€™ve definitely arrived folk inspired by his work with The Lost Trades. Phil glows through a moving account of a frontline medic, and itโ€™s something kinda wonderful.

Maybe Phil lessened on the deeper narrative in the middle of this album and left three moreish golden nuggets to finish on. Directionless is as it says on the tin, it drifts, and rises halfway through. And we finalise akin to where we began, a little self-help guide type lyrics, but hey, Phil is always on-point. It is an almost one-man choral twinkle, defining Phil as a perfectionist.  

If you worked with Phil in an office, he might be the friendly confidant you relay youโ€™ve prepped nothing for this meeting, and heโ€™ll assure you heโ€™s done equally poorly, and then, at the meeting heโ€™d turn up with a full presentation! Not a show-off by any means, just a dedicated precisian, motivated to the hilt, but seemingly oblivious of the haphazardness of the more spontaneous type, and thatโ€™s a rare trait in a musician, making for something individual, solitary, like the one who plays solitaire when they could engage in a two-player game, usually with our Jamie!

Image:ย Andrew Bert Greaves Photography

This album gets top marks as it reflects his personality sublimely, even by title, and you take a little bit of Phil Cooper away with you. In other news, The Lost Trades are back in the picture since the departure of Tamsin Quin. Jess Vincent takes her place as the third Lost Trader, their touring dates are announced, and we look forward to seeing them with the new addition. For now, Playing Solitaire is out, and you can find it HERE.

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Oh Danny Boy!

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

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Un/Common People: Folk Culture in Wessex; Latest Fascinating Exhibition at Wiltshire Museumย 

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 Wiltshire Museum only two minutes late for the preview evening to their latest exhibition, convincing myself itโ€™s often more interesting to go in blind to what the show is all about anyway!

Thereโ€™s graffitied skateboards in the exhibition, embroideries, an abstract canvas, a jesterโ€™s uniform, old ledgers, ships in bottles, straw sculptures, a video of Stonehenge at summer solstice, and many other fascinating items youโ€™d be excused for misunderstanding how they all relate if the rooms was stripped of the information boards and the exhibitionโ€™s title, Un/Common People: Folk Culture in Wessex.

The exhibition opens at Wiltshire Museum from today, Saturday 5th April and runs until Saturday 6th September 2025; plenty of time to pay it a visit, and I recommend you do. 

Fortunately for my ignorance, external curator Mellany Robinson of The Museum of British Folklore was on hand to provide a brief speech explaining the reasoning behind it. All the items on show here are bonded by one concept, that they โ€œtell local, political, expected and entirely unexpected stories to reframe the rich heritage and vibrant present day folk cultures for modern audiences.โ€ And as being folk culture, all the items are created by folk without the disciplines of their craft via official training or education.

Now I can relate! Although I donโ€™t wish to discuss my short-lived art college days, my creative labours are all self-taught, save some advice from cartoonists and writers in my younger days. One piece in the exhibit in particular caught my fascination, as a punk-paste zine-maker of yesteryear; an amateurishly hand-drawn flyer for the 1979 Stonehenge Festival. I strongly suspect, whatever angle you come at this from, whether historian, antique dealer, or folk musician, counterculture artist, or possibly more simply, you hold a passing interest in the origins of local folklore, you will find many objects here on display to fascinate you.

I left feeling enlightened, and perhaps a smidgen abashed by the many things I didnโ€™t know. A Hob-Nob is not biscuit, rather a horse-like costumed fellow in the Salisbury Giant, a midsummer procession first recorded in 1572, for example! I now understand why Great Wishford has Oak Apple Day, and what it means to proclaim, โ€œGrovely, Grovely and all Grovely!โ€

A handcrafted Wiltshire sweetheart pin cushion made by a World War I veteran, a rare ship crafted entirely from straw linking to Pooleโ€™s maritime heritage, and a poignant portrait by a Nigerian artist created while seeking asylum in Swindon, are items the Museum hail are the highlights, but depending on your personal interests, I believe what will constitute the highlight will be open to interpretation, being such a timeless mixed bag of tricks held together only by this theme of folk art; I have plenty of musician friends of whom, I guess, would be fascinated by the instruments, artists who would love the artwork from a community project, and others who would cherish this Wessex folk calendar feel to the whole exhibit, from the Summer Solstice at Stonehenge to the May Day celebrations in Cerne Abbas.

Now Iโ€™m concerned by my overuse of the word โ€œfascinating,โ€ but the boot fits, thatโ€™s what it surprisingly is!   

Curator Mellany Robinson told how the The Museum of British Folklore doesnโ€™t have a fixed venue, and it started because founder Simon Costin was, โ€œpassionate about what museums call intangible cultural heritage, the heritage of folklore which has historically been suppressed, and overlooked. So, when people die, their works get chucked, because it isnโ€™t considered financial value, but it is of huge personal and historic value.โ€ 

Simon Costin founded the The Museum of British Folklore by โ€œbuying an old caravan on Ebay in 2008, and travelled around the country for six months turning it into a museum, to test the response. And we need a Museum of British Folklore because we are one of the very few countries which doesnโ€™t have one.โ€

This project, a collaboration with the Wessex Museumโ€™s collections and the Museum of British Folklore, is more anti-museum than museum in the traditional sense. With many items by unknown creators and certainly all of them unprofessional, itโ€™s more of a hobbit-hole of hidden treasures and curiosities.ย ย 

โ€œWe had to share what we thought of as folk culture because lots of people think certain things of folk culture,โ€ Mellany explained, โ€œbut our definition is; something creative not necessarily tangible, produced by someone who doesnโ€™t have formal training in that medium.โ€ 

Again, we find Wiltshire Museum bucking the preconceived stereotypes of what constitutes traditional aspects of a museum exhibition, and we should consider ourselves lucky to have them on our doorstep here in Devizes, putting the โ€œmuseโ€ in โ€œmuseum!โ€

Un/Common People: Folk Culture in Wessex opens today, and runs until Saturday 6th September. Summer Opening Times are from 10am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday. Entry to the exhibition is included in the admission ticket. Tickets cost from ยฃ8.50 (concessions available,) and itโ€™s free for under 18s. Director of Wiltshire Museumย David Dawson has an online talk introducing the new exhibition on the 8th April.

Do check the Museumโ€™s website for there are many great events upcoming, including the Curious Kids workshops for ages 3-11 and the Museum Explorers Club for 5-7 year olds, lectures, walks and stone carving courses.

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A Quick Shuffle to Swindon

Milkman hours with grandkids visiting it was inevitable a five hour day shift was all I was physically able to put into this year’s Swindonโ€ฆ

Swindon Branch of Your Party is Growing

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

No Rest For JP Oldfield, New Single Out Today

It’s been six months since Devizes-based young blues crooner JP Oldfield released his poignant kazoo-blowing debut EP Bouffon. He’s made numerous appearances across the circuitโ€ฆ

DOCA’s Early Lantern Workshops

Is it too early for the C word?! Of course not, Grinch! With DOCA’S Winter Festival confirmed for Friday 28th November this year, there willโ€ฆ

Ruby, Sunday at the Gate

It’s a rarity that I should drag myself off the sofa on a Sunday these days, one usually reserved for the monthly Jon Amor Trio residency at The Southgate. But beyond doubt my favourite young singer-songwriter right now, Ruby Darbyshire, is down my favourite watering hole, and such an occasion would be unmissable even if she did it weekly; twist my arm, why don’t you?!

This raw and self-disciplined talent when I discovered Ruby a little under two years ago was so breathtaking it caused me to state, โ€œRubyโ€™s music will grow into a phenomenon, and you need to hear it blossoming.โ€ I’m honoured to note it’s quoted on her website, one which everyone took heed of, on our local scene and beyond, and one which we can safely convert to past tense; Ruby’s music has blossomed and is now phenomenal.

Everyone was held spellbound throughout, this is now standard protocol wherever Ruby plays. Though Ruby remains modest and โ€œshowyโ€ simply doesn’t equate for her performances, alongside her refined multi-instrumentalism, her confidence to present herself and engage with an audience has accelerated to level up with the naturally sublime soulful voice she’s blessed with. A voice which may be kingpin to her excellence, but is really only the cherry on a cake with top marks all round.

A cake which covers virtuosos Nina Simone to Freddie Mercury, and makes them her own homages, then flips to bring Rag’n’Bone Man’s magnum opus to an older audience, and slides her own compositions in so effectively it’s divinelyย  encapsulating. Then, there’s the additional nods to her Scottish roots; folk sing-a-longs and her distinctive introduction to the second half of her set, with bagpipes. Even if you know it’s coming, you’ll never tire of it or any of it because that’s simply the magic Ruby brings to any venue.ย  Ruby Darbyshire is the whole deal now.

Bradford-on-Avon Green Man Festival Returns In May

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 on Saturday 10th May 2025 (9.30am to 6pm). And the best part is, it’s free!

Witness over 50 dance groups, including 500 dancers and 120 musicians, featuring Morris dancing and diverse European styles.

Join the whimsical journey of our 10ft tall Jack in the Green and Jill in the Green, visiting 12 town centre venues with bands and fantasy beasts.

You’ll also discover the kid’s zone, artisan market, community hub, pagan arts and crafts.

Groove to a samba band, mummers’ play, Folk Club stage, Wiltshire Music Centre stage at Holy Trinity Church, a great venue with fantastic acoustics, Blues @ The Shoes stage, live pub music with English folk music in The Canal Tavern organised by the regular BoA session players, The Dandy Lion hosting an Appalachian session, French music outside in the sun at Timbrellโ€™s Yard, buskers and more!

A Friday night launch party at the Wiltshire Music Centre is always a great start to the festival. This year it is on Friday 9th May, and theyโ€™ve booked the fantastic John Martyn Project.

The full programme is available on the BoA Green Man Festival website: boagreenmanfest.org

The BoA Green Man Festival has something for everyone โ€“ so dress up for the day and really get into the swing of things.

Date: Saturday 10 May 2025

Time: 9.30am to 6pm

Location: Across Bradford on Avon

Website: boagreenmanfest.org/welcome/

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Talk in Code Down The Gate!

What, again?! Another article about Talk in Code?! Haven’t they had enough Devizine-styled publicity?! Are their heads swelling?!ย  Didn’t that crazy toothless editor catch themโ€ฆ

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The Rise of Winter Festivals

Once upon a time it seemed to me, that folk would grin and bear the winter weather for the sake of a Christmas lights switching on type of event, then batten down the hatches and hibernate like hedgehogs until spring. Nowadays you need not wait till summer for music festivals; winterfests are a thingโ€ฆ..

For those who cannot wait for the blossoming, and need a big fix of music and arts right now, here’s some local winter festivals to unravel their scarves and remove their bobble hats:

Bradford Roots Festival

Firstly, a well established winter occasion, Bradford Roots Festival at the wonderful Wiltshire Music Centre in Bradford-on-Avon. This is happening as a Saturday only event this year, on the 18th January. Our Andy reported on this one some years ago, and I snatched coverage of it off him, realising the โ€œRootsโ€ in its title refers more to hosting local acts of a variety of genres, not just a folk festival as it might be wrongly conceived as. It has become something of an unmissable winter local music convention, especially feeling like this being housed under the one roof of this purpose-built venue.

Wiltshire Music Centre are leaking names for the lineup individually on their Facebook page, the incredible Becky Lawrence being the first reveal. You can rest assured, though, based on past experience, this will be a whoโ€™s-who of local acts, over five stages. WIth an open mic stage, late-night transatlantic folk sessions, a family-friendly daytime with Wassail and childrenโ€™s arts and crafts, food & drink, a mini makerโ€™s market, and more, this is a delightfully warming occasion. You can choose from an All Day ticket (11am โ€“ 10.00pm) or an Evening Session ticket (7pm โ€“ 10.00pm) ยฃ25 / ยฃ13.50 All Day, ยฃ12 / ยฃ7 Evening. U12 free with an adult.ย 

Devizes International Blues Festival

Same date, different town, if Devizes has a penchant for the blues, luckily supports the Long Street Blues Club which hosts international blues artists, and the current Mayor Ian Hopkins is the organiser of the club, you can trust when it comes to the compulsory organisation ofย Mayorโ€™s Appeal events itโ€™s going to be a blast.ย ย ย ย 

Saturday 18th January sees the first Devizes Blues Festival inside the Corn Exchange. It promises โ€œto create an intimate blues club in the Ceres Hall around tables and seating is just limited to 250 guests.โ€ One of the greatest contemporary blues guitarists hailing from the south side of Chicago, Toronto Cannon, Nora Jean Wallace, a Chicago blues singer with deep Delta roots, John Primer, one of the kings of Chicago blues and original guitarist in Muddy Watersโ€™ band, singer Oscar Wilson and harmonica genius Giles Robson, you can guarantee have been cherry-picked by the expertise of Long Street. Tickets on sale now. ยฃ50.00 in advance.

DOCA Festival of Winter Ales

If the Blues Festival is new to Devizes, of course the town has had a winter festival for a number of years, and surprise, surprise, itโ€™s all about booze! The DOCA fundraising WInter of Festive Ales is on Saturday 15th February, early bird tickets are up for grabs and itโ€™s vital to the future of DOCA to support this, if you can. There will be a massive selection of beers and ciders to try with some quality music and cabaret to entertain you, we just donโ€™t know what they are yet!

Figgle Winter Festival

While I confess, thereโ€™s still a lot of updating to our event calendar to be done to bring 2025 to full fruition, and no doubt details of more winter festivals will come to light. Events like Figgle Winter Fest on the 1st Feb at Figheldean Village Hall, with a great and varied lineup of All Floyd, Strange Folk, Break Cover, The P45s, Lump, The Zucchinis, and one of our favourite upcoming stars, Rosie Jay. 

Swinterfest

But itโ€™s over to Swindon where we really need to concentrate, for the Swindon Shuffle is saving one big Christmas cracker for the end of January! The Shuffle offers us a scaled down in quantity but not quality version of their annual fundraiser for Prospect Hospice, on the weekend starting Thursday 30th January. Swinterfest is now a thing, and it looks set to warm live music in Swindon. The Shuffle really is a blessing late summer, when you can wander Old Town and beyond and discover so much live music itโ€™s impossible to take it all inโ€ฆ and itโ€™s free too, save for collection buckets for the hospice. It is therefore a safe bet Swinterfest will be off the scale awesome too!

Swinterfest is scaled down to one pub per day, saves wandering the nippy night air. Thursday at the Tuppenny with Courting Ghosts, Canutes Plastic Army, Will Lawton and George Wilding starts it off in style; we love all this with cherries on. Friday, the 31st Jan and itโ€™s all down The Vic for a punkier gig with All Ears Avow, Modern Evils, Not Warriors, Adder and our personal pick of this bunch, I See Orange.

Saturday night at Swinterfest is down the Castle, with our picks Meg and Nothing Rhymes WIth Orange, and also new ones on us, Stay Lunar, Wild Isles, Oojah, The Vivas and more are promised too. Sunday is the Beehiveโ€™s turn to play host, with our recommendations being Subject A, SN Dubstation, Concrete Prairie, and Fly Yeti Fly, and newcomers to us, Joe Kelly, Carnival Saloon and Sebastian and Me. Swinterfest may be a new venture, but, well, look at the fantastic lineup, the choicest one of all; it beats a brown snowball in the chops, in my humble opinion!ย 

As I said, Iโ€™m sure more winter festivals will come to our attention as time moves on, so keep an eye on our event calendar, but for now I think thatโ€™s plenty to warm your cockles, and massively reduce those post Christmas winter blues.

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Burn the Midnight Oil; New Devizes-Based Band Youโ€™ll Be Hearing a Lot Aboutโ€ฆ.

Far from burning the midnight oil, itโ€™s a weekday afternoon and Iโ€™m with a cuppa, at a rehearsal for a blossoming Devizes-based trio, Burn the Midnight Oil. If youโ€™ve ever thought nothing great comes from open mics, this might be the thing to change your mindโ€ฆ.

Itโ€™s early days, forming in September, theyโ€™ve created a corporate identity, recorded a three-track demo theyโ€™re planning to launch, are busy writing more songs, and sound as if theyโ€™ve been on the local circuit forever. I wanted to catch up with Burn the Midnight Oil to find out how theyโ€™ve come so far so quickly, dig a little deeper into their backgrounds and generally poke my nose into their business.

First clue, theyโ€™ve varying areas and degrees of experience in music, but have found common ground through their medical issues. Front girl Chrissy, aka Steen, spoke of her PMDD, GAD and ADHD, and coming to faith during Covid at Devizesโ€™ St James. โ€œThere was a day I was like, really, really sobbing my heart out, and praying,โ€ she expressed, claiming she heard the โ€œbiggest, boomiest voice ever say โ€˜sing,โ€™ and two weeks later I was having videocall with a huge hip hop artist who was part of Foreign Beggars, which were massive during the 90s and early noughties.โ€ Landing a deal working for a record label Chrissy liaised with drum and bass producers, who asked her to โ€œjump in on the tracks,โ€ and she supplied vocals on tunes from artists like Beskar.

โ€œIt feels a bit serendipitous,โ€ she said, โ€œbecause I had no experience working as a social media manager, I had no business connecting with somebody who’s quite prestigious and I had no right to just jump on some tracks and with my first EP release going straight onto one of the biggest drum & bass labels in the UK.โ€ To which she compared the unforeseen development to meeting the band members, Andy โ€˜Big Birdโ€™ Jacobs and bassist Chris Lane.

Chrissy explained Chris has Marfan syndrome, โ€œI’ve known Chris for a while, but he’s very introverted,โ€ she elucidated, progressing onto finding a mutual neurodivergent connection and being a support system for each other. Chrissy formed a duo with a bassist called One Trick Pony, performed at a few open mics and organised charity fundraisers at the Southgate over the past two Christmases. When the bassist was unavailable due to other band commitments Chris stepped in, and they spawned the idea to reform the duo under a new name. Though not present at the beginning of our chat, Chris did turn up toward the end, either shy or forgetful as to just how many bands he’s currently engaged in!

Present and vocal throughout, lead guitarist Andy, told of a car accident which affected his nerves, and most of the dexterity in his fingers. Prior to this, Andy spoke of being a โ€œvery successful professional guitarist in London,โ€ a session and theatrical guitar player, citing Shirley Bassey as an artist he had worked with.

โ€œI could still play a bit,โ€ he explained, โ€œbut my career was over, which was a bit of a downer.โ€ Playing his part in an amateur blues band, Andy went into social care management, โ€œbut Covid triggered an illness in me called Barry Syndrome,โ€ he told me, โ€œWhich completely paralysed me from my neck down overnight. I was in hospital for six months. My wife was told I probably wouldnโ€™t last the night. On the two occasions I didn’t see her for six months because there was no access, I was told I’d never walk again.โ€

Andy put his recovery down to the bicycle in the gym, and though he didnโ€™t imagine he would play guitar again, he expressed, โ€œit was all a bit tragic and horrible, but slowly I got a little bit back and I started picking the guitar up again. After about six months, I came out of hospital. I just started playing again, just acoustic, and I that’s when I went up to The Crown [open mic at The Crown, Bishops Cannings] and I played a couple of pieces there.โ€ Within those pieces, he asked Chrissy to sing them.

They trialled a drummer, โ€œbut he wasn’t the right fit and he knew he wasn’t,โ€ Chrissy said. โ€œSo he very graciously said I’m going to walk away from this because I’m not the right drummer for you, which is a really nice thing to say. But I think we’re percussive enough with how we play.โ€ Considering their medical tribulations they joked about getting the legendary one-armed drummer from Def Leppard. โ€œYou know, like one arm, one leg, not as long as they’re opposite sides of one another, one each side, that would be silly!โ€

Now, if music is therapeutic, I wanted to gage if that was their reasoning for the band, but burning the midnight oil isnโ€™t best medically advised over a strong cup of coco and an early night! Chrissy explained the band name derived from her staying awake all night drafting the songwriting, rather than the notion they were rock, rolling, and burning the candle at both ends.

Chrissy passionately talked of being a survivor of domestic abuse. โ€œIf you’re a woman with ADHD, you’re more likely to attract people with narcissistic tendencies,โ€ she explained, justifying her โ€œhorrible cycleโ€ sheโ€™s trying to break, โ€œof quite abusive relationships,โ€ and how this is reflected in her songwriting. โ€œThere’s a lot of resilience and hope that comes from the songs. I’m on a journey of healing. I think we’re all on a journey of healing, and Iโ€™ve always used the music as a form of therapy. If I can get my experiences onto paper, it’s like I’m not affected by it.โ€

Andy agreed, spoke of his consistent neurological pain, โ€œbut when I’m playing it just goes. I don’t think about it. I’m just so intense in the music. I mean, it’s just my passion.โ€ He began reminiscing of his instant attraction to guitar when, on his first day at secondary school, the music teacher putting a guitar in his hand, and that was his calling.  โ€œI wanted to be a professional guitar player, and nothing would stop me.โ€

If this is all beginning to feel like Iโ€™m in a support group here, the proof is the pudding, and the three tracks theyโ€™ve put down so far suggests otherwise. With harmonica and wavering strings opening, Lock Up has a rootsy blues feel, Chrissyโ€™s vocals poignantlyย express the theme of the arrival of mysterious and dubious fellow, expertly, and the whole vibe is nonchalant and smooth.

Scapegoat ushers in a more upbeat bluegrass air, with a deadpan subject, and Werewolf posing similar tenet, yet tips back into blues, and probably contains the most beguiling hook. Throughout though, thereโ€™s an intelligent balance between Americana and UK folk-rock, bags of potential, and the stylised promise of a blossoming band heading for something far greater.

In trying to think of a suitable female-fronted comparison, I changed to consider The Doors in the end, for the composition of three individuals with varying influences combining to create a timeless sound is how Iโ€™d pitch them both. On songwriting Chrissy connoted a song she was working on called Devil You Know, โ€œbecause statistically you’re more likely, as a woman, to be raped by somebody you know,โ€ she said. โ€œIt’s not about being dragged into the bushes, and that’s been my experience I’m really trying to connect with, those darker sides of life experiences, because life’s hard, it’s not any an easy ride for anyone.โ€ Using a metaphor comparing a paper cut to a broken leg, Chrissy conveyed an expression she said she was fond of, that โ€œpain is pain. I really want to connect with people of over-shared experiences like this, in the hopes that music could be healing.โ€

It’s the most common conviction of dedicated singer-songwriters to want your audience to identify with your outpourings, otherwise your voice is just an instrument, and you are just a pop singer. Though within the masses of potential for Burn the Midnight Oil I hear scope for commercial viability, itโ€™s through their personal reflections and devotion to support one another which I feel will strengthen their ability to convey the image they desire. After a successful first gig last weekend at The Kings Arms in Amesbury, arranged by Wiltshire Music Events, Burn the Midnight Oil are looking forward to a fundraiser at the Devizes Southgate on Sunday 22nd December. See the poster below, thereโ€™s raffle prizes et al.

Chrissy has a solo set at the Lamb in Urchfont this afternoon (15th Dec) supporting Vince Bell, the most modest of Devizes acoustic legends, who Chrissy cited as assisting her in developing her songwriting talent. Promising things are afoot here, and youโ€™ll be chuffed with yourself to witness it blossoming, I believe.

โ€œSeeing us as a brand and my understanding of working in the industry,โ€ Chrissy figured, โ€œis like, actually the music isn’t the product, we’re the product and I really want to share that journey, make it personal for everybody.โ€

With folk songs drafted about the origins of tiramisu, odes to Morticia and Gomez Addams, Steen justified her thought processes and random muses, the latter being an โ€œepitome of a really healthy, loving relationship,โ€ in a tenacious yet optimistic manner to direct her developing subjects didnโ€™t all focus on โ€œthe bad things that happened to me.โ€ Though I find itโ€™s the ability to use such as metaphoric examples and include them into a combination which will really make the hairs on the back of our necks stand up, and theyโ€™ve the greatest potential to do this.

ย I’m hoping one day I can write a happy song,โ€ she mused, โ€œbut the style is, well, you know, you donโ€™t choose the songs, the songs choose you.โ€ And so ensued a conversation about the differences between the melancholy of Dylan and wild romantic images Springsteen tended to paint, for thereโ€™s always exceptions to the rule, they both broke their own style at times, but pictures, I think youโ€™ve got this one now; Burn the Midnight Oil is a name we will be hearing a lot of over next year.

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New Single: Phil Cooper Still Holding His Breath

If Phil Cooperโ€™s 2018 โ€œThoughts and Observations,โ€ was one of the first albums we ever reviewed here on Devizine, itโ€™s been a while since Iโ€™ve been able to say โ€œa new single from Phil Cooper,โ€ but here we are, and itโ€™s a great place to beโ€ฆ..

As the name suggested โ€œThoughts and Observations,โ€ as Philโ€™s songwriting template, in general, is relatable personal reflection which often provides pointers for his audience, it was brimful of such, and while the new single Still Holding My Breath does likewise, it offers a matured side to Philโ€™s convictions. Plus, it rides that cool acoustic value we know and love him for, remarkably well.

Thereโ€™s a definite and poignant message of perseverance here, opening with the line โ€œlook out world, Iโ€™m here to stay,โ€ and a measure of success whereby the creative mind must continue nonetheless. As is Luke 6:38, the songโ€™s indispensable line, โ€œI still believe the more you put in the more you will get in return,โ€ rewards any labour of love for the hard worker with the notion to keep at it.

Phil is one such hard worker who I see setting himself high goals, and in embarking on many projects, some formulated, others more experimental, has had varied success with them. Perhaps none more than his grouping with Jamie R Hawkins and Tamsin Quin as The Lost Trades. If this modern folk harmony trio has achieved more than the sum of all their parts as individuals, it is with hard work they’ve achieved so and with an โ€œa little help from my friends,โ€ sentiment evident in the depths of this song, and more visually with the excellent accompanying video made by Jamie. The song is, besides the labour applied to The Lost Trades, something wholeheartedly solitary, an introverted savoury sentiment.ย It’s nice to see them take a short break from the trio in order to align themselves once again with their separate identities, as they were before the dawn of The Lost Trades all remarkable within their own rights.

I believe the hard work has paid off for Phil, relatively, making me wonder what his expectations or goals are, what he dreams to achieve, being Still Holding My Breath suggests quintessentially he still has โ€œbarriersโ€ to overcome, but a single this good is surely proof of his worth; it is a valuable song. And in that, this is more an outward facing concept, delivering a message to us.

To the artist personally, do take a deep breath, itโ€™s an outstanding song, Phil; inspiringly evolved from everything which has gone before it. To everyone else, decide for yourself by taking a listen!

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The Mist; New Single from Meg

Chippenhamโ€™s young folk singer-songwriter Meg, or M3G if you want to get numeric, will release her 6th single The Mist on Friday 18th October, and itโ€™s got me thinking about the film Rain Manโ€ฆ.

Showing my age, I saw it at the flicks in 88! Tom Cruise was everywhere in the late eighties, and this film began like any other. Cruise, an egomaniac businessman, but in his reassociation with his lost brother, played by Dustin Hoffman, surprisingly bucked the trend of Cruiseโ€™s Hollywood template. For the masses it was an awakening, raising awareness of and offering a fascinating insight into autism.

In an interview for Devizine conducted by my daughter, this celebrated upcoming singer-songwriter was comfortable discussing her autism. โ€œI honestly donโ€™t think I would be doing this if I wasnโ€™t autistic, in a weird way,โ€ Meg explained, โ€œAll of my songs are about me in some respect and itโ€™s a part of me I canโ€™t escape.โ€ The Mist echoes this sentiment, precisely and wholeheartedly.

At the time of the 2023 interview, Meg figured the single they were discussing, Together was the only song she had written about autism, but connoting her later tunes, I believe others are, perhaps none more than The Mist. It is the most evocative and poignant on the subject, and being, as Meg said herself, โ€œitโ€™s part of who I am and I really value that part,โ€ Iโ€™ll boldly declare this is the best of her singles to date.

Weโ€™ve come so far since Rain Man in understanding, identifying, and accepting autism spectrum disorder. The most important factor, I believe, is that everyone is an individual. Ergo, while at the time we may have considered Rain Man this insight into the autistic mind, it was, actually, only ever an insight into the character of Rain Man.

This song is on a similar level, as Meg opens up and expresses her deepest thoughts on sociability and correlation versus serenity and solitary, angelically. The line in the song, โ€œmy piece of mind got up and left my side, said Iโ€™d be better off without them,โ€ is a haunting example. It is also a fascinating insight, to Megโ€™s sentience, yet in essence, it too is a beautifully crafted song with powerful ambience.

In thoughtful prose it drifts, still as the night air, and candidly as chilly, as if Meg invites you into the depths of her consciousness. It is a tested formula, astute honestly in songwriting, to leave a listener believing theyโ€™ve taken a piece of the singerโ€™s life with them, and in turn, identified with it. Yet Meg does this so utterly uniquely it could only be her thoughts done her way, thatโ€™s the only hook needed; weโ€™ve all put a square peg in a round hole. The solitariness of her delivery matches the theme and it combines into something wholesomely composed, yet sublimely forsaken.

Even the production matches the solitary of the sound, Meg provides her own backing vocals, to create layers of angelic voice, choral, like her thoughts reverberating, questioning or venerating her meaning. She will also produce and master her own work, so it is solely her outpouring, untainted by anotherโ€™s input. And that is what makes it work so wonderfully. That is why Meg can hold a crowd willing to intensively listen, spellbound; Iโ€™ve witnessed this first hand, first time at the Pump, last time at the Tuppeny, it is something worth savouring timeover. If The Mist is a metaphor for the hindrance which obscures Meg from relating to others, it is also our musical Rain Man, a fascinating insight to how oneโ€™s personal autism conducts their innermost thoughts. And that, my friend, is how you write a masterpiece!

The Mist is out Friday 18th, check in then, on M3G’s Spotify page to hear it!

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Rachel Sinnetta & Rosie Jay at the Crown, Bishops Cannings

Must confess it felt somewhat odd to return to The Crown in Bishops Cannings for my weekly ration of live music. The only pub in the village has been closed a short while, since verbal pitchforks and torches from a crotchety minority who wanted the tavern to be little more than a museum artefact drove the previous landlords outโ€ฆ..

Prior it was a bustling community hub run immaculately with gusto and enthusiasm, hosting a variety of events and raising funds for charities. Seemed crabby witches and even a lord of a manor were prepared to gang-up, lie to police, and misquote Devizine when we failed to appeal to their better nature. It backfired, they didn’t own one, but let’s not dwell.

New landlords are in, pleasant and keen to maintain the pub’s reputation amidst the prying Karens. Sarah, the new landlady praised her new chefs, and the pub hosts an open mic every first Thursday of the month, Tuesday evening quizzes, and intends to begin a men’s mental health group and possibly a football team.

Tonight, however, will be the new owners first live music night, and they’ve wisely hoisted in promoters Wiltshire Music Events to organise it. Though without much advertising unfortunately the crowd was slight. Never the simple accomplishment it may seem when established venues have the monopoly through a regularity of gigs, to sporadically host will require endless bashing about it on social media. It is, however, easier with the increased 49 bus service, that a night bus will drop into villages enroute, of which you should take note.

I’m in attendance not only to support and encourage the importance of entertainment in villages, save the thought of losing your local watering hole. Rather it is because Wiltshire Music Events is hosting two new acts on their roster, one who’ve yet to explore outside of their Salisbury circuit. A wise choice being the neighbouring church is a mini replica of the cathedral to make the bishop feel at home in the Cannings, or at least so the myth goes!

Firstly, in support, young singer-songwriter Rosie Jay, one I’ve been dying to meet and see live since fondly reviewing her first two singles. Rosie didn’t disappoint despite the pedestal I’ve put her on. Her self-penned songs are rippled with the poignancy of the classic template acoustic wordsmiths who made it big will follow; concentration on the hook, something even more essential with the attention span of the Tik-Tok generation.

Her voice is rich, affectionate, and she delivers songs with passion and blossoming stage presence. An interesting choice of covers from a young artist, often, she explained to the audience, inspired by their usage in films. Okay, Elvisโ€™ Can’t Help Falling in Love is timeless romantic, and The Cranberriesโ€™ Zombie is most formulaic, but Dylan’s It Ain’t Me Babe, is a cynical rare choice to pull from her magician’s hat. Though it relates in theme to Rosie’s first song, I Don’t Give a Damn, and her general subjects. Rosie nailed them all, beautifully, with particular evocative expressions in the reclusive and heartfelt jaundiced emotions of Dylan, and likewise her own intelligent compositions.

Currently pursuing a Level 3 Diploma in Music at Wiltshire College and University Centre, Rosie told me of her work on local radio, and was enthusiastic about her forthcoming EP. Part of the growing Wiltshire Music Events family now, as Joylon Dixon has worked with her to produce it. And Joylon accompanies the next performer, the incredible Rachel Sinnetta.

Renowned for a two-year stint supporting Gerry & The Pacemakers, singing to Prince William and recording with Pete Townshend, Rachel intended to tour aย  “Wuthering Heights: The Music of Kate Bush,โ€ project which unfortunately fell through.

Music teacher Rachel  set to tour this tribute extensively throughout the UK; that’s what the blurb told me. All I know is Kate Bush is the vocal epitome of singularity, the individuality debatably overlooked in today’s pop industry, as the penchant to sound akin to Whitney Houston seems paramount.

Just like Dolly, Cher, Tina Turner, Stevie Nicks, Tom Jones, Alanis Morissette, even KT Tunstall et al, you need a seriously powerful vocal range to convincingly take on a Kate Bush cover. And Rachel did, sublimely delivering Running Up That Hill, and popular hits of all the aforementioned. Seemingly having her own deal with god, Rachel naturally reaches the notes with ease, her husky yet divine rock voice is the eloquence and faculty able to adapt to take those powerhouse ballads on with such precision and poignancy, particularly with the female giants. She even rinsed Arthea Franklinโ€™s Natural Women, and left me tingling, Chaka Khanโ€™s Ainโ€™t Nobody too simply wowed. Proud Mary in the key of Tina Turner; who would dare attempt them in an intimate gig such as this?! Rachel Sinnetta made them look childsplay.

Sassy with Tom Jonesโ€™ Kiss, joyful with Erasureโ€™s A Little Respect, covers came thick and fast, coupled with the secret legendary Jolyon Dixon without rehearsal was a match from heaven, and the whole shebang was utterly blissful; shame only us, a few regulars and their dogs were there to witness it. Such is the uphill struggle for new landlords to plant their establishment into a local music circuit, partially my reasoning for doing this blog.

So, take heed now, especially everyone in Pewsey; this wonderful formula, Rosie Jay followed by Rachel Sinnetta with Jolyon Dixon will be continued at the Royal Oak, in Pewsey, with a free gig from 8pm, next Saturday, the 19th October; they are in for a treat.

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IDLES’ at Block Party

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

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Billy in the Lowground are Halfway Up The T-Shirt

Itโ€™s been on my to-do list far too long, overdue to tick it off. Foot-tappin’ West Country folk ensemble, Billy in the Lowground released this album at the end of August, apologies for not mentioning it sooner, but it is worth mentioning, very worth mentioningโ€ฆ.

Rather than baked bean stains halfway up most of my T-shirts, this seven track release Halfway Up the T-Shirt, refers to festival billing. โ€œWhenever we play a festival,โ€ they explained, โ€œwe always look for our name on the official merch, and after thirty-odd years, we’re finally working our way up, away from the bottom line.. Hooray!โ€ 

To be frank, we donโ€™t care where any festival organiser places them on the T-shirt, with an appealing brew of weighty Scrumpy & Western barefoot fiddles and banjo shenanigans, theyโ€™ll lift any T-shirt to expose a rotund hairy belly of upbeat Irish folk, and we love them for that here at Devizine Towers!

Ambiguous is the name, a phrase in a poem about William of Orange defeating the Irish Catholic forces at the Battle of the Boyne, knee-deep in a river, most likely, but other suggestions, like the poem being a parody of Hamlet’s soliloquy, a folk song about William the Conqueror, even “Billy” being slang for a Yankee soldier in the US Civil War, have been passed about, but you didnโ€™t need to know that!ย You only need to know Billy in the Lowground have been musically ploughing their field since 1991, and have consequently become hugely proficient at it.

Halfway up the T-Shirt is seven strong tracks of goodness, not quite an album length but longer than an EP, a novelette if it was work of literature. โ€œFact is, we could only afford to get seven tracks finished before we ran out of cash,โ€ they said, so buy this if only to get them more studio time, because itโ€™s a worthy seven tracks to leave you yearning for more.

Follow My Road is a ripping opening, with guest guitarist Rob Fawcett. Itโ€™s a hard rock groove, a blues theme, with the uplifting riff of The Levellers at their finest. All Hail the Clown follows suit, it rolls heavy with a healthy dollop of sublime fiddle. So the Story Grows, three tracks in, takes us in an irresistible, rootinโ€™-tootinโ€™ bluegrass melody. With Be It Good, Be It Bad the fiddles and twangy guitars of bluegrass continues, but this one really brings out the Dylan-esque rawness of Chris Hibberdโ€™s gritty vocals, uptempo and reminding me somewhat of Subterranean Homesick Blues, if it was recorded live at County Louthโ€™s Ti Chairbre. Unsure why, as the whole album has that raw energy; itโ€™s a Billy in the Lowground trademark, and itโ€™s beguiling.

The album is stylised and flows on a lofty level, given this, Billy should be at the collar of the shirt. Fallen Queen is a monster to hail along to, fire you up akin to The Poguesโ€™ Transmetropolitan, but paced. The penultimate Part of The Show builds in layers unlike the others, and for this itโ€™s the most epic. Already released as a single, the finale, No Chance for a Slow Dance does what it says on the tin. Billy in the Lowground at their finest, it bears all the hallmarks of a magnum opus. Itโ€™s rinsed with upbeat fiddle and banjo, it takes you on a journey similar to The Dropkick Murphy’s, and impossible to stay still to; yet the whole album is gold, sprinkled perhaps with some mud kicked up from the field youโ€™re dancing to it in.

I saw them at the Bradford Roots Festival, in that purpose-built breezeblock beauty. The acoustics in there are incredible, but next time I see Billy in the Lowground Iโ€™d favour it being in an ancient west country boozer where the carpet smells of wet dog hair and the odour of campfires drifts through the windows. Where the cider is passed around a packed crowd of steaming boaters, the band play stacked on top of each other in an alcove, knocking brass plates off the wall behind them! That said, they are at The Three Horseshoes in Bradford-on-Avon on 11th October, not that Iโ€™m calling anyone names!


Chatting with Josh Oldfield on Blues, Inspiration, and Drums in Suitcases!

I was chatting to Josh Oldfield last week, a Devizes singer-songwriter I believe weโ€™ll be hearing a lot more of. Though this interview was pending before Iโ€™d had the opportunity to see him perform, coincidentally the Sunday before I was fortunate enough to, at a private partyโ€ฆ.

And it was worth a fortune, Josh has confident stage presence, a guitar soloist with soothing baritone vocals, white shirt and waistcoat, and a vintage suitcase foot-drum akin to a travelling Southern bluesman of yesteryear. ย Connoting retrospective style, the drum gives depth to an otherwise acoustic set, and the show is quirky, but oozing with professionalism, like a one-man skiffle band. Itโ€™s something different from the norm, locally, which was the starting point to our chat.

Josh amended my description as โ€˜slightly different,โ€™ โ€œit’s a fair bit different,โ€ he suggested, โ€œand I didn’t mean to do it on purpose, it’s just naturally how it came out.โ€ Fresh from Peggy-Sueโ€™s local showcasing Don’t Stop the Music Radio Show on Swindon 105.5, he said it went โ€œfantastic; there seemed to be people into it. And I don’t actually know what I’m doing, but it’s something different!โ€

Pinning his sound only for want of conveying it to you, I jested he caused me to think a โ€˜skiffle George Ezra!โ€™ Said with upmost respect, despite Ezraโ€™s commercial success, he never waivers his style, possibly opening a door to others with deep vocal range. Josh ducked the Ezra comparison, concentrating on the skiffle and deepness of his range. โ€œSkiffle’s perfect. It’s something I should have realised with gigs; people seem to like originally. Years ago I’d try and move away from how deep my voice is, because it’s not popular. Professionals and singing teachers will tell you, that because my voice is baritone, they’re like, oh, you got to learn higher range for popular music.โ€

I supposed that was the appeal. โ€œWell, yeah,โ€ Josh continued, โ€œturns out people like hearing the lower ranges, as it’s not so common, and maybe there’s a comeback now, where people are kind of picking that up a little bit more.โ€ We waffled for some considerable time on the templates and expectancies of modern pop vocals, compared to a unique time of yore when a voice was a personal signature. Josh cited Tom Waits and Nick Cave as influences, favouring โ€œobscure stuff,โ€ over contemporary pop.

He first picked up a guitar at thirteen. โ€œMy dad just had a guitar knocking around the house. He used to play a bit, but didn’t really play anymore,โ€ but stressed he didnโ€™t start singing until recently. A couple of months ago he sang at the open mic at the Cellar Bar, โ€œthe first time my mum ever heard me sing, and I’m like thirty now. Singing is not something I’ve been doing naturally throughout the whole thing.โ€

Josh comes across an earnest perfectionist, one who solitarily hones his craft and doesnโ€™t unleash anything until itโ€™s mastered, ergo heโ€™s new on the scene but โ€˜oven-readyโ€™ to give an impressive show. If now is that time to break the local scene, thereโ€™s a valid reason. Given the all-clear from being diagnosed with testicular cancer last year, at twenty-nine years old, Josh expressed, โ€œessentially that’s what ended up pushing me to want to pursue music. I was like, โ€˜I’ve kind of been given a second chance,โ€™ you know? That was the main drive.โ€

At the party Josh pulled some finely penned originals out of his bag as well as adapted covers of crowd-pleasing pop, such as Tainted Love; the set was instantly prodigious. On writing he expressed songs were, โ€œflowing out. They’re just coming. I was being asked last night, what’s this song about? I don’t really have a clue what they’re about. They’re just literally being put down on paper and then, there’s a meaning in there somewhere, you know? It’s more like transposing them. There was a song I wrote on Monday, and I played it on Tuesday on the radio, because it just kind of happened. But then, when I was trying to look at what it was about it, well, I mean, I was watching Clarkson’s Farm the day before. So, there was some stuff about a farm in there, so maybe it’s linked to that in some way!โ€

Capturing a moment no matter how inconsequential at the time, naturally crafting art sourced from it when inspiration strikes, and being as impossible to summarise how and why as it is to transmit a dream, is key to creative genius. That question put him under the spotlight, but he came up trumps!

Our conversation diverted to breaking the local circuits, the balance of adapting to certain venues and niches, as while many want cover bands, few prefer original acts locally, and I affirmed Joshโ€™s self-penned vintage style would suit the matured blues aficionados of Devizes. Though we covered the upcoming more youthful indie-punk scene and talked of Kieran at the Pump. โ€œThat’s more what I remember,โ€ Josh stressed after hearing me on the blues penchant of town. โ€œBack in the day, the whole Sheer Music thing in Devizes. When that disappeared, I thought music in Devizes had disappeared. I thought it was all just, you know, pubs getting cover bands. But getting into it, there’s quite a big scene. It’s just finding it.โ€

Thatโ€™s why we, and people like Peggy-Sue are here! Josh is sourcing all the right channels and appears on Fantasy Radio on the 10th of October.

We continued onto the one-man band thing, and that authentic suitcase drum. โ€œIt’s from America,โ€ Josh explained, โ€œit’s a suitcase with the basic drum built in. There’s a Pan American drum company, only two companies in the world that do it.โ€ I imagined axemen of yore stopping at the crossroads and selling their soul to the devil with it! โ€œWell, yeah, that’s the thing,โ€ he replied, โ€œI want to play instruments where I can take them anywhere. So I got the kazoo as well. I can take that anywhere. I can play acoustic guitar anywhere. I can sing anywhere. When I think blues, thereโ€™s electric, but then there’s the kind of, sitting on the front porch, playing kind; playing just cause you want play,โ€ which led us onto old-archaic bluesmen, of which there could be no doubt Josh has done his homework, alluding to RL Burnside and others. โ€œNo one knew about him until he was like sixty something. He was a sharecrop farmer, and he just lived out there. He had like sixteen children or something, you know? But he didn’t care. And that’s really for me where that kind of foundation comes from,โ€ he said, explaining the story of a blues song he played at the party.

โ€œThat old style of blues, I’m trying to lean towards, to be honest, has a lot in common with punk,โ€ he said and triggered a tangent on pigeonholing when roots intertwine, which developed onto open mic nights.

โ€œEveryone I’ve met has been through the open mics, and I like playing them,โ€ Josh reacted. โ€œThere’s this kind of community around it. Yeah, it can be a bit musician convention, and again, you mentioned Vince Bell, you know that’s where I met Vince. Me and him are looking to play a couple of shows together hopefully later this year.โ€

Playing with the ethos of taking music back to its roots makes Josh flexible, his music fits into folk and blues, so itโ€™s apt to work with acoustic folk singers like Vince, and Josh mentioned working with Jamie Tyler of The Worried Men too, electric blues, a different kettle of fish, but still fits like a glove. โ€œThe live reaction to stuff seems to be great,โ€ he added. โ€œIt’s that people like the music, to be honest, more than anything else that always surprises me. It’s like we were getting messages in while I was on the radio yesterday and people saying that they were really loving it and stuff and that’s surprising.โ€

If Josh Oldfield is modest and wears his heart on his sleeve, itโ€™s a common sign of a creative prodigy. He admitted, โ€œI’m very reserved, introverted. In fact, part of the reason I like playing music is because I don’t have to be in the crowd. I don’t like being in crowds. So if I’m playing the music, I’m not in the crowd!โ€ Thereโ€™s logic there, but in the brief time I saw Josh play, Iโ€™m convinced of what I said at the beginning, I believe weโ€™ll be hearing a lot more of him.

Book Josh Oldfield with Marland Music HERE.

Follow him on social media, links are here Facebook. Instagram

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Jazz Orchestras and Senegalese Kora to Musical Bingo; New Autumn-Winter Program at Wiltshire Music Centre

Seems like an age since I last visited Bradford-on-Avonโ€™s wonderful Wiltshire Music Centre, though Iโ€™ve been listing their vast range of events on our calendar. Maybe itโ€™s a good time for you to check out whatโ€™s going on there as theyโ€™ve just released their autumn-winter programโ€ฆ.

From contemporary and folk to jazz and classical, thereโ€™s a massive variety. I’d go out on a limb to suggest you’ll not find such diversity in any local music venue. The season begins with some Northumbrian pipe folk with Kathryn Tickell & The Darkening on Wednesday 2nd October. Pupils of The Yehudi Menuhin School, a global leader in music education, present a varied showcase of talent and skill from their young musicians on Sunday 6th.

While Friday 11th gets choral with innovative and creative vocal ensemble The Marian Consort, telling the story of Renaissance art through sound, renowned Pink Floyd tribute All Floyd recreates the Division Bell album on the Saturday at St Margaret’s Hall, while Syrian โ€œQueen of the Qananโ€ Maya Youssef returns to the centre.

BBC Folk Musicians of the Year Andy Cutting and Sam Sweeney group with Rob Harbron on Wednesday 16th for some freeform folk under the guise Leveret. Food critic and MasterChef judge Jay Rayner arrives Saturday 19th as a pianist with a penchant for jazzy โ€˜80s pop; who knew?!

Catherine at the Music Centre really wanted me to highlight the Charity Musical Bingo night on Wednesday 23rd October. โ€œItโ€™s very new for us,โ€ she told us, but if, like me, youโ€™re thinking โ€˜bingo, really?โ€™ note, she explained the spin on it, โ€œweโ€™re planning it to be glitzy and fun, with an added fancy dress competition, live music from quirky covers band FLQ, plus food from Feast Brothers. Itโ€™s a fundraiser for the Centre; instead of numbers on a bingo card, we play snippets of pop songs from the 50s onwards and if they are on your card, you mark them off until you win.โ€ย  That’s my kinda bingo!

Bringing together an electrifying seven-piece band of influential Senegalese musicians and vocalists, master kora player and singer Seckou Keita could have you swaying to the beat of his latest album, Homeland, on Friday 25th October, while The Urban Folk Quartet mix Celtic tune forms, traditional song and cross-genre influences like Afrobeat, Bluegrass, funk and rock, on Saturday 26th.

Kasai Masai at Wiltshire Music Centre, December 2023

October ends with the classical, a lunchtime concert from Italian string musicians Trio Chagall, and weโ€™ve only mentioned the first month. November sees Sir Stephen Hough, The Bristol Ensemble, both Trowbridge and Bath Symphony Orchestras, and Bachโ€™s Brandenburg Concertos with Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. For folk thereโ€™s Calan and Manran, thereโ€™s a homage to Simon & Garfunkel, and a big weekend of jazz.

And weโ€™ve not yet covered all the family events like Voices for Life where 200 children from local primary schools sing with BBC Young Chorister of the Year, Belinda Gifford-Guy, or youth projects like Wiltshire England Youth Orchestra and Wiltshire Youth Jazz Orchestra.

Weโ€™ve not touched upon the sterling work of the Zone Club at the centre, offering Monthly creative sessions for learning disabled young adults. Thereโ€™s probably more amazing work going on at Wiltshire Music Centre I donโ€™t even know about, but you cannot deny, itโ€™s a fantastic place with a heart of gold. And you need no other reason to pick up some tickets and support their fundraisers, safe in the knowledge youโ€™re supporting a rather special organisation pushing boundaries in local arts and music.

For full program details, and to book tickets, see HERE.

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Information Camouflaged by Three Daft Monkeys

Daft monkeys, three of โ€˜em, and I was proved wrong. It seems monkeys are indigenous to Cornwall, and they bring their monkey business to you with their stupendous new album, Information Camouflageโ€ฆ

Believing is not always seeing; I see four members of Cornish gypsy-folk Three Daft Monkeys, assuming one doesnโ€™t wish to identify as simian, at least not a daft one! Describing their latest release as โ€œa rich, life-affirming tapestry that masterfully blends world folk inspirations with wild punk-infused energy and modern storytelling,โ€ theyโ€™re not fibbing about that, itโ€™s fast, furious with pithy prose and bonkers beats.

Imagine Dylan warbled The Times They Are A-Changin’ with samples, brazen fiddles, a cidered Cornish choir and breakneck Balkan beats at a west country festival chock full of drunken jester-hat wearing revellers, if you care to, and youโ€™ll be nowhere near as potty as the opening to Information Camouflage, Power to the Peaceful, causing me to believe, as I suspected, Iโ€™m going to like this, a lot.

Iโ€™m going to like it because Iโ€™m eclectic and yearn for the alternative, the quirky and curious counterculture, and this bears such hallmarks. But importantly, it does so proficiently, with traditional punkish elements, but not amateurishly, as punk was, debatably, in days of yore.

Dipping into a melting pot of whatever happens to tickle their fancy without the confines of mundane normality, the title track follows, levels down the tempo, slightly, with a gypsy-ska bounce. Itโ€™s continuing with the trenchant epigrammatic against tedious and deceitful conventions, a running theme which intensifies. The Fiji Mermaid, which follows, however, is dreamy psychedelic vaudeville, and frivolous.

First formed at the dawn of the millennium, they regularly supported The Levellers, and the next three songs reflect that tension and angered resistance to conformity. Thereโ€™s an acute and poignant side to 3 Daft Monkeys, itโ€™s fierce and floods you in fiddles and free party vibes, yet retains subtle elements of circus noir. In other words, no deep meaning is going to prevent you jigging barefoot in mud, with no idea or care what happened to your boots.

But itโ€™s not the meld of the opposite sides, fun and seriousness, for thatโ€™s common, rather the balance of the two. If Bob Marleyโ€™s Kaya is joyful and Survival is militant, Exodus finds that perfect balance, Information Camouflage is 3 Daft Monkeysโ€™ Exodus. This is My Call, is a prime example of this, rising and falling musically and equally in mood. Easily, which follows eight tracks in, returns us to the airy, with subtle bhangra vibes.

Itโ€™s from a vast melting pot of influences which makes the best-defined โ€œscrumpy & westernโ€ brew of UK folk, 3 Daft Monkeys stir the pot with gusto, edge and expertise. The final three tunes to this eleven track strong masterpiece doesnโ€™t wait for you to get onboard, itโ€™s a frenzied fiddles finale, a west country hoedown, with an acapella last tune.

All this album has done, other than entertain me highly, is confirm that, if they were playing a festival Iโ€™m at, and my mates wanted to go do something different, Iโ€™d be saying โ€œsee you later,โ€ and making haste for the stage 3 Daft Monkeys are on!

3 Daft Monkeys funded this project with a huge independent CrowdFunder campaign, showing clearly how loved this band is by their ever-increasing global fan base.

Information Camouflage is available now as download and CD from www.3daftmonkeys.co.uk/SHOP .Release date for online streaming platforms: 1st November 2024. Thereโ€™s an autumn tour on their website, closest to here is the Exchange, Bristol on November 2nd.

โ€œThis is not just an album, but an experience,โ€ the band explained, โ€œa kaleidoscopic journey through sound and emotion that celebrates life, love, and the resilient human spirit. Itโ€™s a testament to 3 Daft Monkeysโ€™ dedication to their craft and their unwavering connection with their fans, offering a soundtrack that invites you to dance, reflect, and revel in the magic of music.โ€

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Tickets for Calne Music & Arts Festival on Sale Now

Running from the 4th to 13th October, The Calne Music & Arts Festival celebrates its 50th anniversary, and tickets for the varied events are on sale nowโ€ฆ.

Arts Festival President Carole Browne said, โ€œin the year that we celebrate our 50th anniversary, our Patron, Dame Judith Weir, who was composer in residence at the 1975 festival, will be handing the baton to another prestigious composer, Brett Dean, who will take up the position in 2025.โ€

โ€œWe are indeed fortunate to have so many musicians and artists who have made their home in Calne. This is a year of many anniversaries. 40 years ago the iconic Harris factory, established in 1770, which dominated the centre of Calne and became its biggest employer,was demolished. Joseph Priestley โ€˜discoveredโ€™ oxygen in Calne 250 years ago. We will mark these anniversaries with special concerts and a community art project featuring over 500 pigs, painted and decorated and on view all over the town.โ€

โ€œAn exhibition in the Heritage Centre throughout October will catalogue, with brochures and press cuttings, the past 50 years as well as featuring a selection of chosen piglets.โ€

As usual there will also be the art exhibition at Marden House, presenting hundreds of pieces from beginners to internationally exhibiting artists from in and around Calne. The exhibit is open at various times throughout the festival.

Festival week starts with a free family day at Marden House, on Saturday 5th, with a 360-degree immersive Theatre Dome experience, Calne Samba Band, Clareโ€™s Circus, a variety of activities by Calne Wordfest, Music and Art workshops throughout the day, an art treasure hunt, stilt walker and more.

Irish Soprano Michelle Sheridan Grant and Scottish Bass-Baritone Peter Grant bring you an eclectic musical evening, also on the 5th. A Gala concert which will be followed by tea, The Ridgeway Ensemble – ‘Walk in Beauty’ on Sunday. Thereโ€™s also a free life drawing session, and Evensong at St Marys.ย 

Accomplished soloist, passionate chamber musician and repetiteur for Opera Ddraig, George Fradley will perform Beethoven’s Sonata Op.109, Chopin’s Ballade No 4 and the Bach-Busoni Chaconne in D Minor, on Monday 7th October. Also The ‘Major Minors’ is a community choir bringing together children from primary schools in Calne and surrounding villages under the direction of Bethan Fryer. They will be joined by Cherhill Youth Theatre and the school choir of Heddington school on Monday. Thereโ€™s โ€œdrink & drawโ€ sessions, and Calne Wordfest Writersโ€™ group joins the celebration of Priestley 250.

Tuesday 8th sees Music Scholars of St. Mary’s School, Calne, then some banjo with the Leon Hunt Trio. Wednesday an Art Talk by Gail Brown and Isla String Quartet. Thursday,ย  Music Scholars of Marlborough College and world music with Eastern Strings and Nabra Trio. Friday 11th sees a clarinet recital with local clarinettist Simon Parker, Opera Anywhereโ€™s Gilbert and Sullivanโ€™s Patience.

Saturday 12th sees Australian now Calne artists Brett Dean and Heather Betts in conversation with Genevieve Sioka, an evening of traditional Andalusian Guitar and Flamenco dance with Flamenco Loco, Calne Choralโ€™s Cloud Messenger from Gustav Holst Gloria-Vivaldi, and a grand finale party!

The Calne Music & Arts Festival box office is open now, you can see the full program and book tickets from HERE.

What else is occurring, dudes?!

Thieves Debut EP

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

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Some Days with Paul Lappin

Paul’s self-made cover to his latest single, Some Days depicts a fellow sitting under a tree pondering life, while an autumn zephyr blows leaves around him, and perfectly sums up the mood of the singleโ€ฆ.

It’s breezy, everyday contemplation, and as smooth as Fonzie in a health spa, as is Paul’s distinctive, euphoric style! A style which he cites Britpop as an influence, a genre I’m not so knowledgeable about, ergo can’t think of a suitable comparison within it, hence the reason I dub Paul’s prolific outpourings as unique, and also suggest it’s artists like Paul who’ve redirected my attention to its worth.

Maybe you could think of a Britpop group similarly so leniently exquisite, but I always hear an edgy wailing guitar in even the most saccharine. I feel the pink moon rising, this is akin to my most favourite of Paul’s flavoursome releases, the intimateย Live at Pink Moon Studios EP recorded during lockdown.

Paul Lappin

There’s a sunny side of the street narrative, in the face of challenges to wreck your optimism, apt for the mood of the sound. In a way, like Elbow’s One Day Like This. Paul levels it up a notch, though, throws his curtains wide but puts his boots on and actually goes out for a sunny ramble! I get the impression that’s when his inspiration strikes, as it feels so honest and homey! And this is the result, try it for size, and check his backlog discography too, for everyone is like this, a winner.

Paul was from Swindon, his Bandcamp bio still suggests this, but he now lives in the South of France. His output reflects the finer quality of life there, such that updating his Bandcamp bio is easy forgotten against wine, good food and music! But to note we’re supposed to review local artists, there’s a tenacious Swindon link to justify mentioning him, and when you hear his beautiful songs you’ll understand why I’m reminding you!

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You; Lucas Hardy Teams With Rosie Jay

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

Bands At The Bridge

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

Phil Cooper is Playing Solitaire

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

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Canuteโ€™s Plastic Army; Hollow Children of Men

New single out today from Swindon-based gothic-folk duo, Canuteโ€™s Plastic Army, and itโ€™s three yeses from meโ€ฆCan one person give three yeses? Iโ€™m way past caringโ€ฆ.

If youโ€™ve loved the previous single Wild, like me, or caught them gigging, usually in Swindon (but they did grace us with their presence at the Southgate in the spring,) Hollow Children of Men is a seven-minute chronicle from Anish Harrison & Neil Mercer, chock full of enchanting wisps and ethereal acoustic moods. It rises and falls, itโ€™s epic, and if itโ€™s not a magnum opus, I want to be there when they release such a song.

Itโ€™s the kind of song which takes you on a journey, through darkened woods, in mist, and leaves you spellbound, unable to leave the forest it drifted you intoโ€ฆ. And if that all sounds like whimsical wordplay for the sake of flattery, take a listen for yourself why don’t you?!

Sing Another Love Song with Rosie Jay

Second impressive single from young Salisbury singer-songwriter Rosie Jay is released today. Sing Another Love Song; a sound of the summerโ€ฆ..

Her debut breakup track I Don’t Give a Damn, had an interesting hook, this has too, but is far more optimistic, and eternally beguiling. It is, technically, the better of the two, revealing a potential for eminence in its confident and outstanding delivery.ย 

If it hints of connotations the infatuation of the theme is one-sided on the part of the author, itโ€™s open-ended for interpretation; maybe the love interest simply doesnโ€™t share their passion for a good love song?! Thatโ€™s their issue! 

For thatโ€™s what this is, breezy and cool, acoustic and pop-folky, with the perfect flowery scent of Kirsty MacColl in both theme, musically and vocally. Such is the magic of local producer Jolyon Dixon, to filter the inner superlative of an upcoming artist and nurture it to the forefront. And in such youโ€™ll hear a similarity with Rosie to his duo Illingworth with John Smith, should youโ€™ve caught them on our live music circuit. Then again, the whole gypsy-esque vibe, there’s hints of Irish, and I’m awarding the Corrs as another comparison; as with MacColl, these are high accolades indeed!

Here this now, itโ€™ll brighten up your day. Yet, gorgeous as this song is, with the blossoming potential it displays, I believe itโ€™ll be rudimentary in a short period of time, and the best of Rosie Jay is yet to come. You need to be here to hear it when it does. 

what else is occurring?!

Soupchick in the Park

And there was me thinking nothing good comes out of a Monday! Today local bistro Soupchick, popular in the Devizesโ€™ Shambles opened their second branch,โ€ฆ

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Family Easter Holiday Events

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

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Last Remaining Tickets for Trowbridge Festival

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 quickโ€ฆ.

Driven by the uk festival exclusive for the debut duo performance from long time British folk legends Maddy โ€œSteeleye Spanโ€ Prior, who graced Trowbridge’s Village Pump venue in the early 70s, prior to any fame and fortune and jon โ€œbellowheadโ€ 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 festivalโ€™s 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 Robertโ€™s who will also be performing with her duo with her partner Sean Lakeman. 

Itโ€™s a true folkers line up, which includes โ€˜Gilmore-Robertsโ€™, โ€˜Sykes-martinโ€™, โ€™Stonegallowsโ€™ and festival stalwart โ€˜Keith Christmasโ€™. Ceilidh from โ€˜Spill the Whiskeyโ€™, and some world music from the Bath-based klezmer band โ€˜Ninotchkaโ€™ and โ€˜RSVP 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, Devilโ€™s 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.

Trowbridge Festival runs from 26th-28th July.

Those last few tickets are HERE, folks!

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Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 10th – 16th July 2024

Jam-packed July! If thereโ€™s always lots to do throughout the year, July especially so!ย ย 

Hereโ€™s what weโ€™ve found in the wilds of Wiltshire this coming weekโ€ฆ.

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 Masonโ€™s 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 Herringโ€™s Can I Have My Ball Back at the Cheese & Grain, Frome.

Friday 12th

โ€˜Steve Davisโ€™ and โ€˜Kavos 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 Schoolโ€™s 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 Kelโ€™s 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

Editorโ€™s 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€“ Schoolโ€™s 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 thatโ€™s 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? Itโ€™s not that we donโ€™t like you, itโ€™s because Devizine uses many sources to collate these listings, and sometimes we miss a few things. Listing your event here is free, but please make it easier for me by messaging or emailing the info, and then, and this is the really important part, make sure Iโ€™ve added it and let me know if not!

Have a good week!

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Ruby, Sunday at the Gate

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

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

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

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REVIEW โ€“ Devizes Arts Festival โ€“ Martin Simpson @ Corn Exchange 12th June 2024

Masterclass

by Andy Fawthrop

Devizes Arts Festivalโ€™s programme continued last night, and it was the turn of another big name to grace the stage of the Corn Exchange.

Martin Simpson is, in the contemporary folk world at least, the equivalent of Royalty, or a National Treasure.ย  Heโ€™s been performing and recording for over forty years, and Iโ€™ve personally had the pleasure of seeing him live in concert and at music festivals several times over the years, so I was very much looking forward to this one.

Martin is the consummate singer/ songwriter. His performances are always filled with remarkable intimate solo guitar playing in the finger-picking style, and each gig is a masterclass.  One of the hardest-working people on the folk/ roots circuit, he travels the length and breadth of the UK and beyond, giving audiences passion, sorrow, love, beauty, tragedy and majesty through his playing. Equally at home playing English traditional folk, American folk and blues, or his own compositions, he is consistently named as one of the very finest fingerstyle guitar players in the world.

Nor is he an artist who sits still for very long, averaging a brand new studio album almost every two years.  His latest offering โ€œSkydancersโ€ is his 12th full length solo record since 1992.  Recorded in his home town of Sheffield, the album collects new, self-penned originals alongside 18th century broadside ballads and reverent re-workings from the songbooks of (amongst) others, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Woody Guthrie, Nancy Kerr, June Tabor and Craig Johnson.

Last night โ€œSkydancersโ€ featured heavily, as might have been expected, with several tracks to the fore, narrated laconically with the story behind each one.  The early numbers were laid-back, contemplative and without introduction, but then Martin took the audience into his confidence, and talked us through his thinking. There were a couple of political jibes at the state of the current Government, but largely he stuck to the song-writing and the music-making.  And with hardly any noticeable shift, we switched from the traditional across to the modern, to Bob Dylanโ€™s โ€œBuckets of Rainโ€.

His singing was strong, with the familiar nasal twang, but it was the guitar-playing that really caught the imagination.  Even his tuning-up trills, and introductions were little classics.  His fondness for tuning and re-tuning (by ear) is legendary in the folk world, but last night it was more disguised as he regaled us with stories relating to the genesis and/ or the content of each song.  There were birds such as the hen-harrier (the โ€œskydancerโ€), kites, swallows, and buzzards.  There were trees and hills.  There was the Wessex Ridgeway and Slapton Sands. There were real and legendary historical characters.  There were name-drops.  It was all fascinating stuff.  And then, after what had only seemed to be twenty minutes, more than twice that time had actually passed, and we were into the interval, where The Mighty Simpson Marketing Machine swung into action.  (This just meant Martin himself selling CDs in the foyer and chatting to fans, but it sounds good).

The second half brought more of the same, but with perhaps more of an Appalachian, Americana feel to several numbers.  We had covers from Jackson C. Frank and Leon Rosselson, Anne Briggs.  We had re-worked traditional songs, including an Easter carol, and we had more self-penned material.  Again, the audience was rapt, and there was never any doubt that there would be huge applause and an encore.

Another absolutely sparkling night of world-class entertainment.  Another hit for the Arts Festival.

You can find out more about Martin at www.martinsimpson.com ย 

The Devizes Arts Festival continues until Sunday 16th June at various venues around the town.ย 

Tickets can be booked at Devizes Books or online at www.devizesartsfestival.org.ukย 

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Results of Salisbury Music Awards

All images: ยฉ๏ธ JS Terry Photography An awards ceremony to celebrate the outstanding musical talent within the city, aptly titled The 2024 Salisbury Music Awards,โ€ฆ

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Lady Nade at Devizes Arts Festival

If the opening Friday evening of Devizes Arts Festival was amazing for lively pirate-punk craziness, Saturday night was too for precisely opposite reasons. Bristol’s soulstress Americana virtuoso, Lady Nade arrived, and in a word, was mesmerisingโ€ฆ

I’ve put her ladyship on the highest pedestal since reviewing her lockdown album Willing, longing to see her perform. With a firm handshake she thanked me for the review at the interval, and I was truly honoured. Yet the grand venue was rather scarce on audience; you should take heed that I don’t do flattery for flattery’s sake, I’m aware it was a busy weekend for events, but you missed the single most mind-blowingly sublime gig in town I’ve witnessed in Devizes for a long time.

A few minutes late due to the unreliable bus service, at least one thing was reliable, the divine sound blessing the Corn Exchange, as Lady Nade stood in the middle of an archetypal country vocal and guitar harmony trio. I felt an immediate emotion rush through me, imagining I was witness to Nina Simone performing in her heyday, of the southern state persuasion of gospel artists like Ray Charles to record country, fuse Appalachian folk into jazz, and open the melting pot of pop.

Like a tour guide to her psyche, Lady Nade narrated her life story and innermost thoughts when inspiration struck. Her reasons for writing her pending songs gave clarity to the narrative, yet is often conveyed with wry banter. She referenced her influences too, Nina Simone and Ella Fitzgerald, jokingly snapping at one chap getting up for a drink, just as Nina commanded. Through all the subject’s solemnity, from the state of today’s music industry to dealing with grief, splices of stand-up comedy were thrown in. Whatever the angle, whatever the art, though, they conveyed it astutely and professionally.

Even with all these perfectly delivered elements combined, none are more impressive than Lady Nade’s sublime vocal range, the expression and conviction of her own words, and the accompanying harmonies. The rarity of contralto, to border mezzo-soprano, and countertenor; hey, I’m no expert on such technicalities but the depth rewards them my โ€˜in a wordโ€™ evaluation of mesmerising.

Dealing with the passing of her caring grandparents, to thoughts of mental well-being were the most touching. The audience took away a little part of Lady Nade and related them to their own stories, and that is the mark of genius. This communal experience came to a summit at the finale, when she unplugged her acoustic guitar and sauntered through the audience singing. As her songs flowed through me, I closed my eyes and saw my father, smiling back at me, forever grateful to anyone with the power to evoke such reverie through song.

Lesser emotional moments were equally as entertaining. Critical of the mechanics and monopolising of streaming music, the trio covered Gillian Welch’s Everything is Free, and the opening song to the second half was decidedly upbeat soul, akin to The Jackson’s I Want You Back. Yet the concentration overall was dulcet, euphonious and soulful vocal harmony, original yet reminiscent of the gospel-country fusion of yore, naturally spliced with Bristolian banter!

There is an unusual angle to Lady Nade’s creativity, she associates her songs with food, focussing a recipe relating to each song. If that sounds a tad bonkers, perhaps, but in this performance, like all her reasoning, the back story provides the logic!

It was a breath-taking performance, only Nina Simone between Simon & Garfunkel could’ve equalised. Signing in this year’s Devizes Arts Festival beautifully, in which there’s a fortnight of greatness yet to come. There’s two fringe events today, Sunday, seed detective Adam Alexander at the Peppermill, and loop guru Eddie Allen at the Bear for 7pm.

I know and accept the struggle is real, all promoters are at risk when putting food on the table is priority, but if you can, don’t overlook our brilliant Arts Festival this year, check out the programme and treat yourself, else we seriously face losing this opportunity in future, alongside others.

As it was, last night I had time to drop into the Southgate, to hear for the first time Salisbury’s The Duskers, an extremely proficient five-piece twisted folk roots ensemble, and they were euphoric in their fashion of elongated mellow-driven compositions. I could, and would have otherwise been there from the start.

Meanwhile: The Duskers at the Southgate

The pub circuit in Devizes is second-to-none for a local town this size, live music thrives here freely, yet while I know this is all awesome, organisers of annual events like the Arts Festival will bring superiority in sound, professionalism and variety of acts to our town our trusty pubs couldn’t. Last night with Lady Nade proves this, but unfortunately such greatness costs to stage, ergo we back ticketed events with equal gusto as those free pub gigs. I believe there’s room for all, but only if we support the ones funding themselves through tickets too.

Devizes Arts Festival looks to be a cracker this year. I’m still in awe of Lady Nade this morning, but there’s lots more to come!

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Rosie Jayโ€™s Debut Single Doesnโ€™t Give a Damn!

With a rolling hook in the chorus, piano riff over acoustic guitar and a heartfelt narrative, hereโ€™s a promising debut single from Salisburyโ€™s young singer-songwriter Rosie Jay out today. Iโ€™m getting Kirsty MacColl vibes here, and if you think thatโ€™s a pretty high accolade, youโ€™ll just have to have a listen and decide for yourself!

โ€œWho are you trying to convinceโ€ folktronica break-up song, ironic Against All Odds in theme, earnestly expressed. Rosie has the confident and steadfast vocal range, with accompanying angelic backing to make this work, and it does with cherries on. It was recorded at Jolyon Dixonโ€™s home studio, if you know Jolyon you know I need say no more.

โ€ฆ.but I will, because I have a tendency to waffle, but for all the right reasons, this is a beautiful song. I believe weโ€™re on the verge of discovering another talented local musician here, and I think thereโ€™s something greater to come too; we look forward to hearing more, Rosie, this is a winner from me!ย 

Link Tree

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RowdeFest 2025!

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

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Land Ahoy! Jolly Roger Opens Devizes Arts Festival with Fire in the Hole!

Land ahoy me hearties! Devizes Corn Exchange was boarded last night by Cornish punk pirates Jolly Roger, for a frivolous and swashbuckling opening to Devizes Arts Festival; the face that launched a thousand ships was witness to itโ€ฆ.

That’s me, if it wasn’t obvious, landlubbers, the face! For although it’s Devizine assemble, to bring you coverage of the forthcoming fortnight of music, comedy, talks and walks, for this splice of the mainbrace you lucky lot have got the toothless editor to shiver yer timbers. And blow me down, those buccaneers battened down the hatches and gave us a cheerful chantey carousel, at least, I liked it!

Under the ethos of what being a pirate in the 21st century means, Jolly Roger is precisely as claimed on the tin, and in that,ย  the balance between the punk element and shanties of yore will always be a debatable matter. I’d imagine a few elders in the audience favoured them leaning on folk, and a ragged old sailor spinning yarns under gentler rhythms. Yet while themes included pirate subjects and phrases, including Davy Jonesโ€™ locker, et al, and they practise audience participation diligently, Jolly Roger are contemporary, and punkish shenanigans offsets the balance. That’s the method I’d savour, and in this it was never clichรฉ.

It was loud and sprightly unpretentious punkish tomfoolery with a pirate theme, yet, at times there was concentrated and thought-provoking narratives in their original material too. Euphoric tunes such as the most poignant Silent Mountain temporarily broke the frenzy, whereas characters like a bloke who props up the bar, conveyed this is a three sheets to the wind partying band to be taken tongue-in-cheek, but, dressed as pirates kinda gave that game away!

It’s not experimenting, rather pounding classic ground akin to Ferocious Dog, joyfully and professionally. For if Adam Ant broke the bitter reality hook of punk by incorporating fun subjects like pirates, native Americans or anything else he read about in Look-In, and folk blended a regional sound we affectionately dub scrumpy and western, here’s a dandy, and fun-filled fusion worthy of your attention. Think the Pouges-lite with a pasty and tricorne, for while there were a few expletives, it was hospitable enough to cater for open minded children of the festival.

Yet, it was a show perhaps best suited for a rowdy corner pub in a Cornish back lane, where the scent of salt air melds with that of wet dog hair carpet; such is our Arts Festival’s penchant for presenting us diversity, noteworthy when scanning the forthcoming programme. There’s something for everyone, it just needs everyone to take heed of this notion and throw away any preconceptions you may have about this wonderful occasion in Devizes. For instance, tonight Lady Nade arrives, an international act hailing from Bristol, who if you haven’t heard before, take it from me, her songwriting skills and soulful expression sublimely blesses Americana in something wholly unique and unmissable. So, tickets are on the door, don’t miss it!

As for Jolly Roger, well it was a superb performance and a grand opening for Devizes Arts Festival. Onlookers gazed at this fiery swashbuckling gang as their infectious jigs ordered them to break rank and jiggle. The band tour extensively across the UK festival circuit, do look out for them, with a telescope in the crow’s nest if necessary! These pirates of Penzance were a fire in the hole, excellently entertaining, me hearties!

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Courting Ghosts Debut Album: Falling My Friend

Images used with kind permission of Pacific Curd Photography

West Wilts and Somerset folk-rock collective Courting Ghosts are about to release their debut album, Falling my Friend in Juneโ€ฆ..

If the name Courting Ghosts conveys something twisted and gothic, the band name may be a smidgen deceiving to their style. Subjective though, what’s in a name; if I was courting a ghost Iโ€™d imagine sheโ€™d be the scariest, like The Lady in White, mysteriously motionless with unkempt hair over her face; creepy stuff like that. Whereas if Lindisfarne were courting a ghost itโ€™d likely be Casper!

Iโ€™m thinking thereโ€™s more Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze shenanigans going on here than either The lady in White or the friendly ghost, because, whilst Lindisfarne can be rather quirky seventies, yet are undeniably an accolade to UK folk-rock, Courting Ghost’s Falling my Friend is earnest and steadfast, feelgood folk integrity; no messing about. The narrative is amorous and the ambience refreshingly strolling along the sunny side of the street. Your pottery is going to be smooth listening to this at the wheel, Demi!

Iโ€™m getting more the romanticism of Springsteen, the breeze of Tom Petty, and the drift of Lynyrd Skynyrd. Still, the Americana component is subtle at best, in sound the balance tips largely on the UK folk scene, particularly of their roots in the West Country. So let’s lob in the honesty of Hothouse Flowers too, for good measure. It’s a gentle flow rather than all twangy banjos and knee-slapping, for sure.

Image: Pacific Curd Photography

Frontman and guitarist Chris Hoar and Marcel Rose on acoustic guitar hail from Trowbridge, and they make the original duo. The five-piece was formed a little under two years ago by networking via open mics. Dave Turner on keys and backing vocals from Frome, bassist Andy Maggs from Bath. Drummer Tim Watts, while skiving off the photoshoot, provides the Devizes connection. Combined it’s a force of professionalism.ย Additions to the line-up includes Holly Carter, a marvel on the peddle steel, and a rather splendid guest vocalist who will be revealed shortly!

Courting Ghosts are not trying to bedazzle you with daring experimentation or cryptic wordplay, itโ€™s an elementary formula. This is walking back to your festival tent after a mellowed afternoon music. Itโ€™s unassuming, tranquil. Itโ€™s dew on the grass precipitating under a spring sunrise.ย 

They kick it off with the luxuriate title track, nine others succeed and follow suit. Every Time, the third song in, raises the bar with a particularly beguiling hook. Following this Close my Eyes ups the sentimental notch a level. A ballad with delicate keys, vocally harmonised to perfection with the fantastic Lorna, one half of the duo Fly Yeti Fly.

Image: Pacific Curd Photography

Sheโ€™s Alright, some eight tunes along this beautiful journey is as uptempo as it gets, at least it rolls on the strings. Itโ€™s an unspecified ode to that one person who will always cheer you up. Sentiments abound is a running theme, as it cools to a close with an air of feelgood ambience. 

If you catch them gigging, the CD will be available to buy in June, I suggest you treat yourself and your drive home through our rolling downs will be complemented with an apt soundtrack. Courting Ghosts are going to drop a track per month on Spotify starting from the end of May, with the whole album becoming available for streaming planned for September or October. Keep up-to-date on this album by checking the bandโ€™s socials, Facebook. Instagram.ย 

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Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 22nd- 28th May 2024

Hereโ€™s what weโ€™ve found to do in the wilds of Wiltshire this coming week, with a bank holiday in the mix!

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.

Ongoing: Bath International Music Festival: 17th – 26th May

Wednesday 22nd

Acoustic Jam at The Southgate, Devizes.

The Wizard of Oz at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-onAvon.

Starting a run until the 25th May, I Love You Because at The Rondo Theatre, Bath. The Barefoot Bandit at the Bell, Bath. And the Mission Theatre begins SparkFest with two shows, The Sofa and Dead End.

Big Jam Sessions at The Vic, Swindon. Irish House Party at Swindon Arts Centre.

Thursday 23rd

Runny Snotts Acoustic Sessions at The Neeld, Chippenham.

Nick Helmโ€™s Super Fun Good Time Show at Pound Arts, Corsham.

Here Come the Crows at The Vic, Swindon. Luke Combs at The Wyvern Theatre. Confessions Of Sweeney Todd at Swindon Arts Centre.

SparkFestโ€™s Independent Digital Screenings at The Mission, Bath.

And the last Shindig Festival opens at Dillington Park, have a great time if youโ€™re going to that.

Friday 24th

Chippenham Folk Festival opens and runs until 27th May.

Nothing Rhymes With Orange at Devizes Street Festival

Nothing Rhymes With Orange are back on their home turf, playing The Three Crowns, Devizes, which we make Edโ€™s pick of the week. Full on Fridays at the Exchange in with resident DJ Stevie Mc in the mix.

Shilts & Friends at the Civic, Trowbridge.

Jessica Fostekewโ€™s Mettle at Pound Arts, Corsham.

Capโ€™N Rustyโ€™s Skiffle City Rockers at The New Inn, Amesbury.

Hatepenny at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon. Call The Shots at The Boathouse.Bach Week: at Wiltshire Music Centre, with Quartetto di Cremona The Art of Fugue.

Biggles Sound System is at St James Wine Vaults, Bath. Fleetwood Mad at Chapel Arts. MacPlebs is the SparkFest show at The Mission.

Tyrants at The Vic, Swindon. Nick Helmโ€™s Super Fun Good Time Show at Swindon Arts Centre. Rock It at The Queenโ€™s Tap. And thereโ€™s a Beer and Cider Festival at Swindon & Cricklade Railway.

Be Like Will at Tuckers Grave Inn, Faulkland.

Carsick are at The Tree House, Frome.

Cursus Festival opens in Dorset.

Saturday 25th

Chris Free at The Southgate, Devizes. Sam Briggs joins Stevie MC in the mix at the Exchange.

Capโ€™N Rustyโ€™s Skiffle City Rockers at the Crown, Bishops Cannings.

Mick Jogger and The Stones Experience at Edington Charity Ball at the Three Daggers.

Family Fun Day at Spencerโ€™s Club Melksham from 11am-4pm.

80s Disco at the Talbot, Calne.

Lonely Road Band at Gloucester Road Cons Club, Trowbridge.

Molly Chambers at Hawkeridge Village Hall near Westbury.

The Reason at Prestbury Sports Club, Warminster.

D-State at Tuckers Grave Inn, Faulkland.

aKa Dance: A Real Fiction at Pound Arts, Corsham.

Larkhall at Kington Langley Village Hall.

Steve Backshall begins a few dates at Longleat running until 2nd June.

Biaritz at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon.

Chris Moyles 90s Hangover Festival at Swindon Town FC Rockabilly Rumble at the Vic. The BeatRoutes at The Queenโ€™s Tap. Sonic Alert at Woodlands Edge. Daliso Chaponda โ€“ Feed This Black Man Again at Swindon Arts Centre. Daniel Oโ€™Reilly: Out Of Character at The Wyvern Theatre.

The Ciderhouse Rebellion at Chapel Arts, Bath. SparkFest at The Mission has Stage Fright, CYCLOPS: More Than Meets The Eye, and The Chipping Norton Incident.

Love Saves the Day at Bristol.

Jeremy Healy at The Cheese & Grain, Frome. The Hammervilles at the Tree House.

Sunday 26th

Muddy Manninen & Pasty Gabble at The Southgate, Devizes from 5pm. People Like Us at The Three Crowns.

Open Mic at the Red Lion, Lacock.

Pete Lane and the Sailing Stones at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon.

Luke Philbrick & the Solid Gone Skiffle Invasion at the Bell, Bath. Bath Fringe Festival shows
The Demeter by Lewis Cook at The Mission.

Could Be Real Tribute Festival at Swindon Town FC. Lonely Road Band at the Richard Jefferies Museum, free entry. Mrs Smith โ€“ See Me! at Swindon Arts Centre. Punt and Dennis at The Wyvern Theatre.

Bank Holiday Monday 27th

The Popup Youth Cafe will be on the Green in Devizes from 2-4pm. Funked Up at The Three Crowns, Devizes.

Tom Odell โ€œBlack Fridayโ€ at The Memorial Hall, Marlborough, check ahead I think this may be cancelled.

Open Mic at The Old Road Tavern, Chippenham.

Wonder Gigs: Sky at Pound Arts, Corsham, followed by John Robbโ€™s Do You Believe in the Power of Rock n Roll.

Bruton Packhorse Fair.

Car Show at Tuckers Grave Inn, Faulkland.

Big Chimney Barn Dance at the Bell, Bath.

Tuesday 28th

Half Term Reduction Linocut Workshop at Hannah Cantellow Studio, Devizes.

Exhibition on Screen โ€“ Painting the Modern Garden: Monet to Matis at Pound Arts, Corsham.

Pop Princesses at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon. Fleur Stevenson Quartet at Jazz Knights in the Royal Oak, Swindon.

And thatโ€™s all weโ€™ve 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 ever-changing events diary. Isnโ€™t 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? Itโ€™s not that we donโ€™t like you, itโ€™s because Devizine uses many sources to collate these listings, and sometimes we miss a few things. Listing your event here is free, but please make it easier for me by messaging or emailing the info, and then, and this is the really important part, make sure Iโ€™ve added it and let me know if not!

Have a good week!

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Dirt Roads, A Plastic Army, and a Ruby; Saturday Evenings in Devizes Still Rock!

A joint effort of Darren Worrow and Andy Fawthrop

Buses, huh? Last time I strolled to the dual carriageway to catch one it was four minutes early and didnโ€™t hang around for listless fogies with an appetite for entertainment. I glumly watched it blur past from fifty yards down the lane. This time I hotfooted it, my ageing heart pushed to its limits, and the delayed bus left me standing there for fifteen minutes! Once in Devizes, although far from Broadway, options for quality music and drink still overpowers those of neighbouring market towns; something we should be proud ofโ€ฆ.ย ย 

Post vegan market and a craft fair at the Corn Exchange, as evening sets in The Pelican prepares for its beloved karaoke, a couple of hobos strum a ditty by the fountain, and the amazingly talented Adam Woodhouse arrives at The Three Crowns. Yet I must bypass such significant options, itโ€™s over to Long Street Blues Club, because when Ruby Darbyshire is in town, thereโ€™s no compromise from me.

I give a nod to Joe Hicks, likely the best support act Iโ€™ve witnessed at Long Street to date, yet at seventeen-years old, Ruby Darbyshire, I believe mayโ€™ve topped it. Her first time at the legendary club, she practised two blues songs to play them, one by Beth Orton, another more classic, although by subject her own composition Insomnia could be perceived as blues, and her overwhelming vocals blessed the club with these and a sprinkling of popular covers.

Thereโ€™s a double-whammy of congratulations to organisers of Long Street, councillor Ian Hopkins who this week became Mayor, and his now wife, Liz, for their marriage in the same week. We wish them many happy years together. But dilemma dawns for me; though keen to hear a group composed of legends Horace Panter, Steve Walwyn and Ted Duggan, by name alone itโ€™s fair to suggest accolades as standard, whereas itโ€™s the first time Swindonโ€™s gypsy-folk Canuteโ€™s Plastic Army are in town. Theyโ€™re down our trusty Southgate, and since hearing a handful of their most impressive singles, and our ethos of supporting local acts, I must depart the club with haste.

Much as I would love to pretend this was all part of careful planning, it wasnโ€™t! Believing our fantastic regular reviewer and part of the furniture at Long Street, Andy Fawthrop was still on his holibobs, I endeavoured to stay as long as possible in order to give fair praise to The Dirt Road Band, when all the time he was hiding behind me! So, it gives us an opportunity to merge our words and be comprehensive about a typically great Saturday night in Devizes.

After Ruby did her thing, which never fails to leave me suspended in awe, I stayed for two songs from The Dirt Road Band. Ruby rinsed beautiful versions of Joni Mitchellโ€™s Big Yellow Taxi, and Princeโ€™s Nothing Compares 2U, as regulars in her set, yet again, itโ€™s in jazz renditions such as Erroll Garnerโ€™s Misty and Nina Simoneโ€™s Feeling Good, where her sublime vocal range is let loose, is something to behold, and the very reason Iโ€™m here at the club. Crowds flock this shy prodigy during the interval with congratulations, clearly itโ€™s not just me who thinks this.ย 

The Dirt Road Band came on all guns blazing, in an impressive electric blues-rock fashion. I favour my blues rootsy, though tip my hat for their aptness to the Clubโ€™s favoured mode. Here below, is Andyโ€™s take on them; I salute plus thank him for his expert thoughts, as ever.ย 

A recently-formed modern (super-)group, consisting of gig stalwarts Horace Panter (The Specials) on guitar and vocals, Steve Walwyn (DR. Feelgood) on bass, and Ted Duggan (Badfinger) on drums, these guys had all been around the block a few times. They knew how to play, how to drive a set-list and how to work the audience. 

They took a couple of numbers to really get going, but once they hit their groove there was nothing stopping them. Playing a single ninety-minute set they ripped through both original material and a few great covers. It was rock, it was blues, it was boogie-woogie, and they shifted these styles around with seemingly no effort.

Keeping the audience to a chit-chat to a minimum, they frequently segued from one number to another. There were some great riffs on the new songs, and there was a definite Feelgood vibe going on at times. It was no-nonsense, professional stuff, highly enjoyable. A cheering, standing ovation was rewarded with Get Your Kicks on Route 66.  By comparison to Beaux Gris Grisโ€™ near three-hour performance the other week, ninety minutes felt very short, but it was quality not quantity that was on offer here. Good gig, good value. Definitely a band worth checking out.

Eyes back on me, then; thanks Andy! Without cloning technology I missed this, hot footing it again, this time to the Southgate. Dirt Road Band originally asked to play here, landlady Deborah thought theyโ€™d be better suited to Long Street, and so we are blessed with the presence of Canuteโ€™s Plastic Army, I understand itโ€™s their inaugural visit tour trusty answer to a Devizesโ€™ O2, though the guitarist plays also with welcomed regulars Sโ€™GO.

Based upon both the Army part of their name, and the strength of a few singles Iโ€™ve heard from them, such as the incredible Wild, I was first surprised to see they were but a duo! Nevertheless, through Anish Harrisonโ€™s intense and consuming vocals and the intricate guitarwork of Neil Mercer, they build layers through loop pedals and sheer expertise, to produce the euphoric gothic folk one would expect a full band to have produced.

There were a few technical hiccups with the PA, yet through warts and all, the duo gifted us with an inspiring, beautifully accomplished and unique sound. Whimsically gliding like fairies in mist, ringing out choral from just one voice, or bittersweet, they were reciting influences in subject from folklore and mythical prehistory in breathtaking splendour. I changed my mind, they are indeed an army, armed with allegory and an elated passion to deliver it.   

Itโ€™s Anglo-Saxon, or Celtic Pagan, reverberations of times of yore, wrapped punk and pirate-like. At times I likened them to Strange Folk, at others The Horses of the Gods, but mostly it was individual expression, and thatโ€™s the icing on their cake worthy of our perusal.

And thatโ€™s a wrap with dirty roads, a plastic army, and a gemstone. Through unforgettable acoustic goodness to an exclusive gothic folk duo, via a legendary supergroup of blues, you have to award Devizes, weโ€™re still punching above our weight when it comes to valid options for a great night of live music, and, sadly, I didnโ€™t even get the opportunity to head over to The Three Crowns for Adam; cloning technology, see? Get to it scientists, now!

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Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 15th-21st May 2024

Hereโ€™s what weโ€™ve found to do in the wilds of Wiltshire this coming weekโ€ฆ

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, hereโ€™s 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 Goatโ€™s Poetry All-Stars at Twigs Community Gardens. Memory Sing at Swindon Arts Centre. Pete Allenโ€™s 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 Queenโ€™s 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 Chapondaโ€™s 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. Canuteโ€™s Plastic Army at The Southgate, Edโ€™s 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 Queenโ€™s 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

Letโ€™s 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 thatโ€™s all weโ€™ve 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. 

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 isnโ€™t 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? Itโ€™s not that we donโ€™t like you, itโ€™s because Devizine uses many sources to collate these listings, and sometimes we miss a few things. Listing your event here is free, but please make it easier for me by messaging or emailing the info, and then, and this is the really important part, make sure Iโ€™ve added it and let me know if not!

Have a good week!

Trending…..

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Poppy Rose, Ready Nowโ€ฆ.

Not being able to hold a note myself, I tip my hat to any musician in a band. Yet thereโ€™s something so much more valiant, rudimentary, and intrinsically honest about the solo singer-songwriter, the personal touch of an acoustic performer; as the title of her debut album suggests, Poppy Rose has thisโ€ฆ..

The key to a good singer-songwriter lies in the proximity of thoughts between the artist and their audience, and how they relate. If done well, the listener feels they know a little something about the singer. Iโ€™ve never met Poppy. I came across her music via a Facebook chat. But Iโ€™ve come away after one sitting of her new album, Iโ€™m Ready Now, thinking that I know her, and thatโ€™s the goal rather than the benchmark of an amazing acoustic singer-songwriterโ€ฆ.. 

The album opens with No In Between, elucidating Poppy doesnโ€™t do moderation, she is an all-or-nothing girl, and weโ€™re off, getting to know the innermost thoughts of this twenty-five-year-old creative soul from Bath.ย 

Itโ€™s thoughtfully played out prose, with intelligent metaphors which build throughout the ten tracks, but more importantly, itโ€™s dreamily unique and divinely expressed. The metaphors of the intimacy in the second tune are rinsed in personal observations, the third tune, more dejected in romantic theme; Fool is her first single released from the album. If these are characters in her narrative they appear to bear her own crosses and devotions equally, either this or Poppy can write classic fiction akin to Jane Austen!

Similar to what Chippenhamโ€™s Meg is putting out in both content and delivery, itโ€™s first-hand folk, idiosyncratic reflection, and we love what Meg is putting out, itโ€™s impossible not too, in my honest opinion. The confusion, trickery and learning of it within the game of love never wanes with age, but thereโ€™s something coming of age in Poppyโ€™s subjects, perhaps none more so than The Wrong One, which even states her naivety in the words. If youโ€™re not young (like me!) you still relate, because you lived it, and survived to tell the tale, though, Poppy tells it expressively in haunting songs, and itโ€™s something to behold.

Poppy poses in Resolution Records in Bath, looking deservedly chuffed! You can find limited edition gold glitter cassettes of “I’m Ready Now” in there!

Five tunes in and weโ€™ve swapped guitar for piano, complimenting her heart-clenching and soulful vocals better may be debatable, either instrument works, but piano always rewards it a more europic ambience, as the songs tend to sit in the more dejected moods of Poppy. Seven songs in now, Fragile suggests this honesty, the title track following this lifts the pessimism.โ€ฆslightly, but whatever the mood, Poppy sets it sublimely and evocatively.

If โ€˜body shamingโ€™ is a Gen Z construct, it is so only by modern terminology. If you think mocking people for their body shape or size is a new thing youโ€™ll be sadly mistaken. But it is something highlighted as harassment far less abstract and taboo nowadays, and dealing with such bullying inspires Poppyโ€™s penultimate song on Iโ€™m Ready Now. I Love my Body is a poignant reflection of wellbeing, a calling to anyone suffering misgivings about themselves physically. Whilst still a solitary deliberation, this track is perhaps the standout as it contains a universal message.

What surprises me most is Spotify has this tune, I Love my Body, listed as a previous single, dated 2019. I know Iโ€™m not so good at maths, but if this places Poppy aged twenty when she wrote this, she is truly a prodigy. As I said at the beginning, I donโ€™t know Poppy, but to express such a sentiment and deliver it so profoundly as a message to others at any young age, is nothing short of magical.

So to not leave us downhearted, Poppyโ€™s final tune, Joy, is brimful of romantic optimism, including a geographical reference akin to Springsteenโ€™s The River. This album is homemade lemonade, moreish, yet in recording oneโ€™s thoughts so young I believe, and hope weโ€™re only skimming the surface of what is to come from this skilled wordsmith and performer. Have a listen, see what you think, because I’m blown away!

Find Poppy’s Music on Facebook or Instagram

LinkTree HERE

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REVIEW โ€“ Peter Knightโ€™s Gigspanner @ Pound Arts Centre, Corsham โ€“ Friday 3rd May 2024

A Knight To Remember

Andy Fawthrop

Gigspanner are in the middle of their UK Spring Tour 2024, and the Pound in Corsham has becomeย one of their regular stopping points….

I last saw them here in November 2022, but I also caught themย several times over the last twelve months at other venues and festivals around the country. ย And ย plenty of musical water has flowed under the bridge during that time. ย Apart from forays with theirย GBB (Gigspanner Big Band) format, which includes the Edgelarks duo of Philip Henry and Hannahย Martin, and the wonderful Saltlines tour, Peter Knight has been fully occupied with a wide range ofย solo and duo side projects with other artists. ย The man never seems to stop working.

But, last night, we were back in the old familiar and original trio format.  Gigspanner, if you werenโ€™t already aware, is the full-time musical project of ex-Steeleye Spanโ€™s violin genius, Peter Knight.  Having gradually become slightly exasperated with the repetitive nature of Steeleyeโ€™s musical repertoire, despite the occasional new album, Peter left in order to pursue his own musical interests.  His trio, which includes guitar and technical wizard Roger Flack, and percussionist Sacha Trochet, can now only be described as being at the very top of their game.  The trio format gives the three musicians the time and the space to explore the themes in their music more deeply, to extemporise with flowing solos, and to make even the regular material sound fresh every time they deliver it.

Last night was no exception.  I was perched right at the front, almost on the stage itself, in front of more than a hundred fans, and it was more than obvious that there has developed between these three guys a deep personal harmony, and an almost telepathic musical understanding.  Their two sets were based deep, deep in the heart of the most traditional of folk music standards, and yet developed and explored in a way that took you a very long way indeed from the โ€œoriginalsโ€.  Thereโ€™s an almost jazz-like feel to the way the three guys take these songs and tunes, and move them along into an almost completely different genre.

We had the folkie-based classics of their repertoire like โ€œShe Moved Through The Fairโ€, โ€œThe Bows of Londonโ€, โ€œThe Bonnie Birdieโ€ and (as a grand and sweeping finale) โ€œThe King Of The Fairiesโ€, but leavened and interleaved with other old favourites such as โ€œSeagullโ€, โ€œThe Butterflyโ€, the spell-binding โ€œSharp Goes Walkaboutโ€ and the stunning party-piece of โ€œLouisiana Flackโ€.  

The latter has to be seen to be believed: whilst Peter plays the basic tune on his violin, Roger simultaneously plays a fast staccato rhythm on the frets of the same instrument using drumsticks. The two guys have to absolutely trust each other in terms of timing and movement in order to carry out this difficult trick, and their joint concentration, staring into each otherโ€™s eyes as they knock out the rapid tune, is really something to behold.  Iโ€™ve seen them do this a dozen times or more over the years, but it never ceases to capture the imagination, and (as always) elicited a huge cheer from the audience as they finished it. Itโ€™s a breath-holding moment, and watching them carry it off from just a few metres away was even more amazing.

Peter interspersed the tunes with his usual laconic, comical style, talking to the audience as if they were old friends.  And I guess a lot of them were.  There was a lot of love in the room, and just the same warmth later as the three guys manned the merch table and chatted away to the fans.

Theyโ€™re a band, and a grouping of superb individual musicians, who are continuing to explore the boundaries of their music, developing even standard numbers in their repertoire with every new performance.  They never seem to stand still, and they never seem to stop working.  Theyโ€™ve reached a stage now where Iโ€™d say that they are very difficult to categorise or to pigeon-hole.  Their musical interpretations continue to evolve, and long may it be so.  If youโ€™ve never seen or heard them, Iโ€™d urge you to rectify that omission as soon as possible.

Absolutely top night of entertainment.

Their future gigs are listed on www.gigspanner.com/.  Next chance to catch them locally, in the Saltlines format, would be in Marlborough on 30th May.  Definitely worth the trip up the A4 Iโ€™d say.

And, finally, just a word about Corshamโ€™sย The Pound Arts Centre. ย Itโ€™s a small, but beautifully-formedย venue with a complete programme of events across drama, film, music, comedy, childrenโ€™s activities,ย art exhibitions, workshops, and classes. ย It also has an excellent cafรฉ & bar just off the foyer. ย Look onย their website for future music artists and online ticket information.

Trending….

YEA Devizes: DOCA New Youth Project

Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts announced their upcoming project, YEA Devizes today. Made possible by a grant from National Grid Electricity Transmissionโ€™s Community Grant Programme, theโ€ฆ

The Mist; New Single from Meg

Chippenhamโ€™s young folk singer-songwriter Meg, or M3G if you want to get numeric, will release her 6th single The Mist on Friday 18th October, andโ€ฆ

REVIEW โ€“ The Lost Trades @ The Piggy Bank, Calne โ€“ Tuesday 16th April 2024

by Andy Fawthrop

The Start of Something Big?

Off and on weโ€™ve been writing about The Lost Trades for a couple of years now. ย Combining theย individual musical talents of locally-based Phil Cooper, Tamsin Quin and Jamie R Hawkins, weโ€™veย always been impressed with both their digital recordings and with their live performances. ย Lastย night, as part of their current UK tour, they came to perform what was basically the first live musicย gig at Calneโ€™s premier craft beer bar The Piggy Bank.

Although the Piggy is fast approaching its third birthday, this was the first ever dedicated live musicย night. ย Previously there had been pop-up food nights, quiz nights and comedy nights, but finally itย was time to combine the two finest complementary ingredients โ€“ fabulous acoustic music and greatย quality craft beer. ย And what a success it was. ย The local Calne crowd, who had always supportedย these events from the start, turned out in droves on a chilly Tuesday night. ย Sold out some weeksย ago, the room was packed. ย This is after all a micropub, and not a concert hall, so space for bothย performers and audience was at a premium. ย But was that a problem? โ€“ not a bit of it. ย It was, letโ€™sย say โ€œcosyโ€, and all the better for that.

Describing themselves as a โ€œvocal harmony and multi-instrument trio with a cool Laurel Canyon vibeโ€, with a sound that is reminiscent of the California folk scene of the late 60s/early 70s, The Lost Tradesโ€™ three-part harmonies have been described as “flawless”, “spine tingling” and “magical”.  And with very good reason.

Playing tracks from studio albums 2021โ€™s โ€œThe Bird, The Book and The Barrelโ€, and 2022โ€™sย โ€œPetrichorโ€ and their very recent live album, the Trades delivered a sparkling night of musicalย entertainment. ย Their performance included the now-expected frequent swapping around ofย instruments, with each of them playing bass, guitar and percussion at different points in the show,ย and the usual relaxed, easy rapport both amongst themselves, and with a very willing audience. ย Theyโ€™re clearly comfortable now with their material, and obviously relaxed in each otherโ€™s company. ย This closeness pays dividends. ย As ever, their harmonies were spot on, with lovely acapella sectionsย suddenly emerging in the middle of many songs.

Taking it in turns to introduce and explain the songs, and the meaning behind the lyrics, the three friends took the audience with them.  There was a wonderful intimacy established in the room as their three sets progressed, and the audience (usually quietly spell-bound during the songs) responded with loud and warm enthusiasm.  Iโ€™m no expert, but Iโ€™m pretty sure they made a lot of new friends last night!

An encore was an absolute formality.  A nice feature of such a packed room was that there wasnโ€™t really the space for the band to do that formalised โ€œletโ€™s walk off the stage and then come back on againโ€ routine.  There could be no pretence in such an environment.  The three of them were pinned to the stage, duly delivered their lost song, then took a well-deserved bow before a cheering crowd.

Difficult to top that โ€“ a simple ten out of ten from me for a great nightโ€™s entertainment.

So โ€“ is this the start of something big for both The Lost Trades, and for The Piggy Bank as a new Tuesday night music venue?  Time will tell, but both have now got the wind in their sails, so watch this space!

For more info you can always head over toย thelosttrades.comย andย piggybankpub.co.ukย ย 

Future gigs at The Piggy Bank are listed below. Most are already filling up, with only a few tickets left, so if you want to grab some top-class keenly-priced entertainment in Calne on a Tuesday night,  you know what you need to do!

Future music (and other) events at The Piggy Bank:

Tuesday 14th May  The Black Feathers

Tuesday 21st May  Crazy Bird Comedy Night

Tuesday 18th June  Jon Pearson โ€œWhat Have You Been Up To?โ€ (Comedy)

Tuesday 25th June  Jess Vincent & Katie Whitehouse

Tuesday 16th July  Crazy Bird Comedy Night

Tuesday 23rd July   Rob Lear Band

More information on these gigs (and tickets) are available via the pubโ€™s Facebook page or on https://www.piggybankpub.co.uk/music

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Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 17th-23rd April 2024

Here we go with what weโ€™ve 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 Houghtonโ€™s Itโ€™s Not Ideal at Swindon Arts Centre. Peppa Pigโ€™s 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 Pigโ€™s 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 Oโ€™Gaunt 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; Edโ€™s 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.

Martyโ€™s 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 Catโ€™s Pyjamas at Wiltshire Music Centre.

Pop-Up Bowie at Chapel Arts, Bath.

Driftwood at Tuckerโ€™s Grave Inn, Faulkland.

Junkyard Dogs at The Kingโ€™s Arms, Amesbury. Are You Worthy & Grant Sharkey at the Winchester Gate, Salisbury. Salisbury Pride Fundraiser at The Hope & Anchor, Salisbury.

Rosie Holt โ€“ Thatโ€™s Politainment! at Swindon Arts Centre. Wrong Jovi at the Vic. The Worried Men at The Queenโ€™s 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 Iโ€™m 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 thatโ€™s all weโ€™ve 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? Itโ€™s not that we donโ€™t like you, itโ€™s because Devizine uses many sources to collate these listings, and sometimes we miss a few things. Listing your event here is free, but please make it easier for me by messaging or emailing the info, and then, and this is the really important part, make sure Iโ€™ve added it and let me know if not!

Have a good week!

Trending…..

Autumn-Winter Comedy in Devizes

Comedy in Devizes is a rare thing, unless you count visitors turning right at the Shaneโ€™s Castle junction, reading opinions on the Devizes Issues (butโ€ฆ

Forestry Operations Due to Start at West Woods

Featured Photo: Forestry England/Crown copyright Planned timber harvesting is set to begin at popular walking destination, West Woods, from the end of September until Marchโ€ฆ

Swindon Gets Shuffling!

Despite the population of Devizes throwing confetti and paint at each other in their most celebrated annual ritual, I believe I picked the right weekendโ€ฆ

Ashes of Memory; New Single From M3G

The fifth single coming out from Chippenham singer-songwriter M3g on Friday, Ashes of Memory, and if Iโ€™ve said in the past what separates Meg from the average singer-songwriter is her stark individuality, this one stands out as the perfect paragonโ€ฆ.

Thereโ€™s a choric aura in the undertones of this acoustic dream, evocatively expressed as ever, but perhaps more ambient and succinct than any of Megโ€™s previous winsome outpourings. Itโ€™s rich with poignant and lucid definition, hope in turning a metaphorical new page in her life, and the sorrowful trajectory which succeeds fades into tears, literally.

Itโ€™s one of those three-minute marvels that leaves you breathless and in a dilemma of quite what to do now itโ€™s over. Meg played many local festivals, and has supported the likes of Gaz Brookfield and Amelia Coburn; any musician following her better pray she doesnโ€™t finish on this one!ย 

Find her Spotify page below, follow, or at least return here on Friday to hear it and judge for yourself, I think it’s a beauty!

Trending…..

The Juggernaut Delivers Back at The Southgate

If there’s been welcomed stand-ins for the monthly Jon Amor Trio residency at the Southgate in Devizes recently, Ruzz Evans and Eddie Martin, Jon โ€œtheโ€ฆ

Deadlight Dance New EP Chapter & Verse

Marlborough gothic duo Deadlight Dance are due to release an EP of new material. Itโ€™s called Chapter & Verse and itโ€™ll be out on Rayโ€ฆ

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 28th February- 5th March 2024

Come on spring! Oh well, hereโ€™s whatโ€™s happening over the coming week in the wilds of Wiltshire, hold onto your hats, thereโ€™s lots to get throughโ€ฆ.

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, letโ€™s jump right into the weekโ€ฆ.

Find a podcast of everything listed, sprinkled with some great local music below. Itโ€™s only a half hour long, trial thing, see how it goes, give it a listen, let me know what you think, especially if youโ€™re the kind of person who cannot be bothered to read this! Music comes from Ruby Darbyshire, Canuteโ€™s 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.

Canuteโ€™s 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 90โ€™s โ€“ Kevin and Perry lookโ€“alikes 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 Queenโ€™s 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 theyโ€™ve 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. Martyโ€™s Fake Family at The Greyhound. 

Back to the 80s party night at Spencerโ€™s Club, Melksham. Twice Bitten at The Pilot. 

Phantom Lymb at The Talbot, Calne.

North Wiltshire Symphony Orchestra at St Andrewโ€™s 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 Woodlandโ€™s Edge. Dear Zoo at the Wyvern, Swindon.

Trowbridge Symphony Orchestra at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.

Full Tone Orchestraโ€™s 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- Motherโ€™s Day – donโ€™t forget!!

Kate at The Three Crowns, Devizes.

The Worried Men at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon.

Motherโ€™s 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 โ€˜Actually 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 thatโ€™s all weโ€™ve got for now, other than some important things to say: Events listed here are subject to change, we are not responsible for cancellations, errors or postponements in anything listed. 

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

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

Have a good week, and please listen to the podcast, itโ€™ll be fun, pinky promise!

Peace, Love, Americana and Jol Rose

I trouble procrastinating upon being gifted a previously released CD from an artist for review, unfortunately they land on the backburner, prioritising upcoming news items. I swear to myself, โ€œI must get on and review that,โ€ especially when itโ€™s as brilliant as Jol Roseโ€™s 2023 album, Peace, Love, Americana. So, thatโ€™s my box to tick todayโ€ฆ..

A surprising brilliance, for while Iโ€™m aware of his popularity on the Americana scene, and particularly in his hometown of Swindon, it was only a brief encounter at Bradford Roots Festival in January, where he handed me this beauty. He was on early, see? I could still taste the toothpaste, had to locate the room in the lovely labyrinth of the Wiltshire Music Centre, and once done the room was full and I couldnโ€™t get in until someone left; few did, now I know why.

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

First impressions were, while Bob Dylan-like vocally, even the most troubled of Jolโ€™s characters have escape plans. They arenโ€™t totally dejected and beyond hope like many of Dylanโ€™s. This gives a much more sprightly and sanguineness vibe, and Iโ€™m leaning more in nature to the likes of the wild romanticisms or optimism in the face of misfortunes of Springsteenโ€™s storytelling. Either way, despite Jolโ€™s prolificness at an album annually since 2019โ€™s My Nebraska, thereโ€™s clearly a lot of time, effort, and thought put into his songwriting. Surely the key to any amazing acoustic folk artist.

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

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

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

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

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

I thought Jol was good, I didnโ€™t dream he was this good;ย  Peace, Love, Americana is a keeper alright! Bag yourself a copy HERE.

Trending….

Fulltone Confirmed For 2025 in Devizes

The Fulltone Orchestra has confirmed today that their annual festival will take place on The Green in Devizes from 25th โ€“ 27th July 2025โ€ฆ. โ€œItโ€™sโ€ฆ

Get ‘Lifted’ by Chandra

Chandra, Hindu God of the Moon, with his own NASA X-ray observatory named after him, and also frontman of a self-named friendly Bristol-based four-piece pop-punkโ€ฆ

Local Book Review: Dadโ€™s New Dress

Spent most of Pride month, and the following month too (what? Iโ€™m a slow reader and a busy chap!) reading an apt book, given toโ€ฆ

Some Days with Paul Lappin

Paul’s self-made cover to his latest single, Some Days depicts a fellow sitting under a tree pondering life, while an autumn zephyr blows leaves aroundโ€ฆ

Vince Bell at the Southgate Inn, February 25 2024

Ian Diddams

Regular readers of Devizine may be well accustomed to hearing the name โ€œVince Bellโ€. For those less frequent readers or those that have recently moved to this particular corner of the universe, grab a cuppa and sit back โ€ฆ

Vince is a Devizes based singer-songwriter of excellent โ€“ and well deserved โ€“ local repute. He hides his substantial light under a huge bushel (and it needs to be huge to hide his phenomenal talent) but rest assured, if you donโ€™t already know, when you see a gig of his advertised then itโ€™s a gig worth cancelling weddings, baptisms, bar mitzvahs and other sundry celebrations for, in order to get down to.

Where do you start to review a gig by Vince, when that path has already been beaten by others before?

My Oasis of Calmโ€ฆ Vince Bell at the Southgate Devizes โ€“ devizine.com

REVIEW โ€“ Tamsin Quin & Vince Bell @ The Southgate, Devizes โ€“ Sunday 26th June 2022 โ€“ devizine.com

A Detonation at the Southgate with Vince, Tamsin, Phil and Jamie โ€“ devizine.com

Jamie, Tamsin, Phil, Vince and Ed Too; Five Go Adventuring to The Southgate โ€“ devizine.com

REVIEW โ€“Vince Bell โ€“ 7th July 2019 @ The White Bear, Devizes โ€“ devizine.com

The more eagle eyed and inquisitive amongst you will have noted the above rather neatly represents a review every year since 2019โ€ฆ  and so, I find the niche for this reviewโ€ฆ. One for 2024 and thus to keep the tradition alive.

Vince was justโ€ฆ wellโ€ฆ  Vince. In the Oxford English Dictionary, under โ€œSublimeโ€ it merely says โ€œSee Vince Bellโ€. True.


Vince pens his own bitter-sweet songs about life, relationships and family with complex fingering and philosophical lyrics. It has been said of him, that he has enough lyrics in just one song for an entire album (ยฉ Fraser Tilley) and certainly Vince is not one to use half a dozen lines when several dozen will do even better. But in between his own works Vince throws in a cover or two โ€“ but these are no ordinary coversโ€ฆ  these are Vince Bell covers, covers like you never heard before. Vince may take anotherโ€™s song, but he makes it all his own. At times, itโ€™s difficult to tell if the cover is a cover particularly if itโ€™s from one of his personal favourite musicians which may not be Radio 2 material and globally familiar.

Back to Vinceโ€™s music. Some older songs of his, some newer. Including one of his latest pieces, a work in progress he is anxious to point out, to celebrate the recent publication by friend, Sorrel Pitts, of her new book โ€œBroken Shadows.โ€  Naturally, as ever, it is as โ€ฆ  wellโ€ฆ  sublime as everything else Vince writes and plays.

The late afternoon soon swept past as it is wont to do and as the set end approached Vince asked the crowd which of his two particularly light-hearted songs we would like to hear โ€“ โ€œSpiderman Pyjamasโ€ or โ€œDevizes Song.โ€  The answer was obvious of course โ€“ there could only be one answerโ€ฆ.  BOTH! And Vince duly provided. Like everything Vince writes of course these are not however just light-hearted pieces. Listen to the lyrics properly and they tell hugely poignant tales. Nothing from Vince is just a glossy faรงade โ€ฆ  everything has onion skins of depth if you take the time to go peeling within themโ€ฆ  with surgical precision โ€ฆ  so to speak.

From an old man at his table, to what real heroes are โ€ฆ

Trending…..

Imberbus is running this Saturday !

Following on from last monthโ€™s email, this is a final reminder that yearโ€™s Imberbus service will be running this coming Saturday โ€“ 17th August 2024.โ€ฆ

Marlborough, I’ve Seen Your Pants

โ€œWe can’t stop here. This is Tory country,โ€ I chuckled while fiercely yanking the handbrake, as if Dr Gonzo was in the car. We canโ€ฆ

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 21st-27th February 2024

Hey, teacher! Leave those sausage rolls alone. Hereโ€™s whatโ€™s 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 muckersโ€ฆ..

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, letโ€™s jump right into the weekโ€ฆ.

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 Fostekewโ€™s 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, Bishopโ€™s Cannings.

Devizes Film Club at the Wharf Theatre, screening Official Competition.

Runny Snotโ€™s 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 Operaโ€™s Top of the Ops at St Joseph’s School.

Mark Morriss plays the Pump in Trowbridge with Sound Affects in support. Sax Man โ€˜Shiltsโ€™ 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.

Thatโ€™ll 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 Andrewโ€™s, 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 โ€™59 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. Clareโ€™s Circus at King Alfred Hall. Hidden Canvases โ€“ โ€˜Street Art and the Cityโ€™ A talk by Doug Gillen at the Platinum Hall. Letโ€™s 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. Martyโ€™s 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 Adewaleโ€™s Cataplufโ€™s Musical Journey at Wiltshire Music Centre.

Mollyโ€™s 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 Queenโ€™s Tap. 

Glamarama at The Woodlandโ€™s Edge. MetSon at the Swiss Chalet.

Martin Rowsonโ€™s 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 Marenghiโ€™s 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 Tunnicliffeโ€™s 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 Scottโ€™s All Stars โ€“ Soho Songbook at the Wyvern Theatre. Connor Burns at Swindon Arts Centre.

Sam Thomas at The Bell, Bath.

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

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

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

Have a good week! 

Gaz Brookfieldโ€™s Village Hall Tour Came to Lavington

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

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

In this wonderful village hall, though, everyone was made to feel welcome. Warmed with chilli, rice and choice of drinks, curious villagers and local Gaz fans melded for a memorable evening. Armed with just a guitar this all-round entertainer of the singer-songwriter variety fulfilled a promise to book himself into willing village halls as an initial part of a wider annual tour. Who am I to argue town and city venues get all the fun, and this genius idea breathes life into otherwise often quotidian or redundant halls? But the true genius of Gaz Brookfield isnโ€™t only present in marketing concepts.ย 

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

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

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

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

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

Being I reviewed Gazโ€™s 2016 album, I Know My Place pre-Devizine for a now redundant newsite, alongside Richie Triangle, Tamsin Quin and Phil Cooper he was fundamental to this voyage of discovery in local talent, Iโ€™m glad to finally tick him off the top of my must-see list, but wouldnโ€™t mind at all making his gigs as something of a devotee. Aware of his music before last night, even in reviewing a live album, is a solid base but his ability to deliver a live performance in person borders on legendary.

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

Trending….

Ruzz Up The Gate!

I was intending to start this along the lines of โ€œyou don’t need me to provide another reason why I love The Southgate,โ€ but thisโ€ฆ

Sing Another Love Song with Rosie Jay

Second impressive single from young Salisbury singer-songwriter Rosie Jay is released today. Sing Another Love Song; a sound of the summerโ€ฆ.. Her debut breakup trackโ€ฆ

Cotswold Water Park to be Renamed

Here’s a prime example as to why I could never be a councillor….. Cotswold District Council will vote on changing the name of Cotswold Waterโ€ฆ

Devizes Scooter Rally Rules, OK?!

If it’s been a fantastic weekend on Devizes Green with the orchestral Full-Tone Festival, further out of town scooterists, mods, skins and anyone else withโ€ฆ

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 14th – 20th February 2024

Hereโ€™s whatโ€™s happening over the coming week in the wilds of Wiltshire, hold onto your hats, letโ€™s lots to get throughโ€ฆ..

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.

Look, if itโ€™s all the same to you, I cannot choose an Editorโ€™s Pick of Week; too much great stuff happening. Iโ€™m doing a Chocolate making workshop at HollyChocs in Poulshot on Friday (see here,) then off to see Gaz Brookfield at West Lavington Village Hall, (Preview) which has to be one. Saturday, if you loved Adam & the Ants, you need to get to The Vic, Swindon for Ant Trouble (previous review) and if you love hip hop get down the Pump in Trowbridge for the Scribes (preview) but saying all this, when SGO come to the Southgate, Devizes, which they are on Saturday, itโ€™s always a pleasure (past review.) Huge dilemma, ergo, can I have five Editorโ€™s Picks of the Week this 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.

Potterne Pantomime presents Robin Hood at the Potterne Village Hall, running until Saturday. 

Wednesday 14th

Seed Bomb Making at Hillworth Park, Devizes, and the regular Acoustic Jam at The Southgate. 

Glad to hear The Charlton Cat at Charlton St Peter has a grand reopening on Wednesday.

Counterfeit Sixties Show at the Neeld, Chippenham. Love Stories in Chippenham, don;t know where, One Chippenham your website seems to be down! 

A lunchtime recital with violinist Madeleine Mitchell at Pound Arts, Corsham.

Sterling Elliott at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.

Ghost The Musical at The Athenaeum, Warminster.

Memory Cinema at Swindon Arts Centre screens Miss Potter (PG.) The Big Jam Session at The Vic.

Carrie the Musical at Rondo Theatre, Bath. Diddy Sweg at The Bell, Bath.

Thursday 15th

Open Mic nights return to The Cellar Bar, Devizes.

Seend Fawlty Players Presents Aladdin at Seend Community Centre, opening today, running up till Saturday.

Kid Carpet and the Noisy Garden Centre at Pound Arts, Corsham.

B-Sydes, Heartwork & Ed Poole at the Tuppenny, Swindon. Bob Porter Project at the Beehive. The Magic of Terry Pratchett at Swindon Arts Centre. Frankie Boyleโ€™s show opens at the Wyvern Theatre and runs until Saturday.

Bath Bachfest opens and runs until Saturday with lots of concerts across the city.

Friday 16th

Innes Sibun Trio at The Southgate, Devizes. Disneyโ€™s Frozen Jr runs at the Wharf Theatre on Friday and Saturday.

Gaz Brookfield plays West Lavington Village Hall.

Ward Thomas at the Wyvern Theatre, Swindon. Collateral with Zac & The New Men at The Vic. Soulphia, new name for Sophia Bovellโ€™s Soul Rebels, plays The Cow in Swindon.

Classic Rock American Highway Show at Chapel Arts, Bath.

Bootleg Blondie at the Cheese & Grain, Frome. Liam Helm & The Hang Ups at The Tree House.

Saturday 17th

The Melksham & Devizes Primary will be in Melksham town centre from 10am-noon.

Sorrel Pitts will be signing copies of her new novel Broken Shadows at Devizes Books. Reviewed HERE. Thereโ€™s a Devizes Town Hall Ghost Hunt. The Truzzy Boys are at The Three Crowns, and Sโ€™GO at The Southgate, reviewed here. Oh, and of course, itโ€™s DOCAโ€™s Festival of Winter Ales.

The Devilโ€™s Prefects Album Launch at The Barge on HoneyStreet.

Operation 77 at The Lamb, Marlborough.

The Scribes Boombox reaches the Pump in Trowbridge, preview here.

The George Ward School Reunion Disco Class of the 1970s, at the Spencer Club, Melksham.

Wiltshire Police Band at St Andrewโ€™s Church Chippenham. Valentines Concert in Chippenham, at the Neeld, perhaps? One Chippenham, your website is down.

Gwilym Simcock Trio at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.

Framed! And Help! I Think Iโ€™m a Nationalist! at Pound Arts, Corsham.

Fleetwood Mac & Tom Petty The Legacy Show at Swindon Arts Centre. Apache Cats at Queens Tap. 12 Bars Later at Swiss Chalet. Ant Trouble at The Vic.

Deadlight Dance & Steve Mercy are art Chapter 22 Roots & Records, Bath. Joe Wilkinson 

At the Rondo Theatre. This Flight Tonight โ€“ A Tribute to Joni Mitchell at Chapel Arts.

Cover Stories at Salisbury British Legion Hall. The Wiseguys at the Rising Sun, Wimborne.

Even N Song at The Ship, Shipton Bellinger.

Judge Jules is at The Cheese & Grain, Frome.

Sunday 18th

Chantelle Smith is with Richard Wileman & Valve at The Vic, Swindon. Brian Conley at the Wyvern Theatre.

The Woodlanders at The Bell, Bath.

Monday 19th

Buffy Revamped at the Wyvern Theatre, Swindon

Swingle-Tree and Whistling Treason at The Bell, Bath.

Tuesday 20th

Ian Bateman Quartet plays Jazz Knights at the Royal Oak, Swindon. Miles Jupp at the Wyvern Theatre.

POETIKA poetry slams at the Winchester Gate, Salisbury.

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

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

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

Have a good week- thatโ€™s the last important thingy to say!!   

Trending……

The Next Season at the Wharf Theatre

Featured image byย Chris Watkins Autumn, finish your ice lolly, as we need to to start thinking about it! Our wonderful, one and only, theatre inโ€ฆ

A Perfect Picnic in the Park

A perfect sunny(ish) Sunday at Hillworth Park in Devizes, if not to overcome one’s fear of public speaking while dressed in a giraffe onesie andโ€ฆ

Gaz Brookfield to Release More Tickets For Sold Out Show in West Lavington

Breaking news, and it’s not often I get to say that here! As part of Gaz Brookfield’s Almost All Village Hall Tour, which kicked off last night in Kidderminster, he arrives at West Lavington Village Hall this coming Friday, the 16th Feb. It is likely that you know this already, hence why it’s sold out. But, be quick, Gaz plans to release a further twenty tickets for the gig…..

Quick-fingered Gaz fans keep your beady eyes fixated on this here ticket link, as while it might say it’s sold out at the moment, after returning home from a show in Devon tonight, tomorrow he will add twenty more tickets, and they could be yours!

West country basedย Gaz Brookfieldย is predominantly an independent solo musician. Although, on occasion you will find him on stage with his band,ย The Company of Thieves.

Gaz Brookfield photo

Since winning Acoustic Magazine’s singer/songwriter of the year back in 2010 he has spent his time on the road, building a strong and loyal following all over the UK and beyond. He was the first independent musician to sell out Bristol’s, The Fleece, (450 cap), and The Bierkeller, (750 cap), and SWX, (1000 cap).

Gaz has an impressive back catalogue of nine studio albums. The latest of which, Morning Walking Club, went straight in at #1 in the Official UK Folk Album Charts, #3 in the Official UK Indie Breaker Charts, #6 in the Official UK Download Charts, #10 in the Official UK Indie Album Charts, and even #37 in the Official UK Album Sales Charts.

He’s one artist I picked up on BD (before Devzine!) when the precursor rant column ran out of negatives and I begun hunting for more positive stories, finding myself on a voyage of discovery into a local music scene I had no idea existed. It was Devizes gigs for Richie Triangle and Tamsin Quin which got the ball rolling, and before long I was penning album reviews for the likes of Gaz and Phil Copper. I believe I splashed some fond words about the 2016 album, I Know My Place, but the website finished and all traces of it have bitten the dust.

While Gaz has sporadically featured here, I regret to say our paths haven’t yet crossed, so after seven years since reviewing the album I’m looking forward to being able to knock up a live review. Here’s hoping The Tale Of Gunner Haines is on his setlist, if he has one, prolific and quite the master of improv I believe he is!

The Almost All Village Hall Tour takes in twelve rural UK locations in a bid to get his music out beyond towns and cities, and begun with a Facebook post asking for village halls to stand up and be counted. West Lavington’s Community Hall on Sandfield makes the perfect space, a hall with so much potential, and I for one, am glad to see it on the shortlist. Ever a grand idea, getting gigs out to the villages, Gaz, and we wish you all the best with it.

Now, readers, stop reading this and keep one eye on the ticket link!

Trending……

The Pleasure was all Minety!

Broke my Minety Music Festival cherry, and it was gurt lush! When it comes to live music and festivals, I initially set a highโ€ฆ

DOCA Picnicing in the Park!

With the unfortunate cancellation of Devizes International Street Festival this year due to Arts Council cuts, all eyes are on our wonderful Hillworth Parkโ€ฆ

Michelle Gonelan Makes History

Last political rant from me for a while, given all that happened today, pinky promise! Hitler shot himself, then, as requested, he was dousedโ€ฆ

MantonFest Magic, Again

With the danceable penultimate act attracting a packed crowd, I observed a young teenager, who, on spotting a disregarded beer bottle, picked it upโ€ฆ

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 7th -13th February 2024

Hey you lovely lot, bit warm for Feb, innit? I wouldnโ€™t do anything too daring, like break out your mankini yet, I expect there will be at least one more wintery blast to come. Hereโ€™s whatโ€™s happening over the coming week in the wilds of Wiltshireโ€ฆโ€ฆ

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.

Thereโ€™s 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 Pughโ€™s 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. Editorโ€™s 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 Guitarโ€™s Blues Revue at the Cheese & Grainโ€ฆoh yes!

Sunday 11th

March for Palestine at Regent Circus, Swindon at 12pm.

Jon Amor Trio & Guest at The Southgate, Devizes from 5pm.

Nโ€™Faly Kouyatรฉoโ€™s Rรฉ-Gรฉnรฉration at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon

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

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

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

Have a good week- thatโ€™s the last important thingy to say!!   

The Lost Trades to Release Live Album

To international acclaim on the folk circuit, weโ€™ve loved to follow the progress of the Lost Trades since day dot, when Phil Cooper enthusiastically told me about the vocal harmony trio union of our three singer-songwriters, with Jamie R Hawkins and Tamsin Quin, one heady night down the Southgate. Then, if memory serves me right, Phil swore me to secrecy until they were ready to announce it!

Cat has long been out of that bag now, and if two fantastic award-winning albums later, one thing I bid you donโ€™t miss is their live shows. From March 1st youโ€™ll be able to kill two birds with one stone, a terrible idiom I know and apologise for using, but hey, no animals were hurt in this announcement that the Lost Trades are producing a live album; yay!

Thirteen songs strong, recorded during their Spring 2023 tour, the album includes two previously unreleased songs. But you need not wait for this boat to come in (see what I did there?) you can pre-order it on Bandcamp now.

Trending……

Devizes Arts Festival Rules, OK?!

Alas, it’s been a long week since the Devizes Arts Festival called time. It feels a little like when my Dad would take the Christmasโ€ฆ

Daisy Chapman Took Flight

Okay, so, if I praised the Bradford Roots Festival last weekend and claimed to have had a fantastic time, itโ€™s all as true as Harrison Ford retelling Daisy Ridley about the Force, with one embarrassing hiccup!

Finally, for a brief moment between closing fire doors I met Trowbridge-based singer-songwriter extraordinaire, Daisy Chapman. She was going in, with her daughter badgering her for ice cream, and I was wandering out, assuring her Iโ€™d check the release date of the album she had kindly sent me for review. All a bit embarrassing on my part, I shouldโ€™ve checked prior, She Took Flight came out in May last year, so opps, apologies, Iโ€™m late for the party, again!

Maybe this Daisy has equal power over the Force as Daisy Ridley, granddaughter of the Sith emperor Palpatine, or maybe sheโ€™s thinking, please donโ€™t make Star Wars references when reviewing my album, you stupid fanboy! but wowzers, this is one magically epic and euphoric seven-track strong album only a Jedi couldโ€™ve made!

I wasnโ€™t going in blind though, fondly reviewing her 2017 album Good Luck Songs, albeit belated again, in 2021. By way of comparing the two, Iโ€™d say while as the name suggests, Good Luck Songs is a sublime selection of songs with random muses, She Took Flight is concentrated on a theme and flows much better, with an overall narrative of life, motherhood, loss and love. Far be it to suggest it’s a concept album, but the thought, perhaps, is.

Dare I also suggest, akin to how Taylor Swift has financially benefited bending the folk rulebook to incorporate pop, Daisy folds similar, uniquely through dramatic piano and violin to define a confident euphoric and epic sound, like a musical classic. Though, with elements from so many sources and influences, to create something inspiring and enchanting, something she defines as “anti-folk,” I call it, in a word, enchanting. The uplifting musical reference is particularly true in the opening tune, Starlight, itโ€™s a grand start.

Porcelain draws again on the epic, though incoming is Daisyโ€™s refined and expertly crafted writing, often of arduous or dejected souls. This song drawn from a diary entry of the day her father died in hospital. Though there’s optimistic prose, as if life is starting over, only to be knocked back by the darker, probably most beguiling tune of the album, Womxn.

Over a subtle drumbeat the piano cruises like a well-oiled machine, and Daisyโ€™s voice enchants like Kate Bush at her finest. Womxnโ€™ chronicles a list of women
whose work was credited by men.

At the summit of the album lies the only cover, a perfect rendition of The Kinksโ€™ Waterloo Sunset, this sunny side of the street against all odds concept is gallantly captured, and Daisy makes this song her own. I couldnโ€™t think of another song so absolutely fitting for this journey, which mood changes with such gorgeous subtly, itโ€™s breath-taking.

The Gashlycrumb Tinies will then twist the narrative of the theme. An abject abecedarian, inspired by Idilia Dubb, a girl who met her fate trapped up a tower in 1851, and various other historic tragedies. Herein lies Daisyโ€™s writing influence, the likes of Leonard Cohen, and her ability to weave magic in her wordplay.

Wind Horses takes on the penultimate melancholic trip to insure youโ€™re suitably impressed before this amazing album ends, a poignant piece, a cinematic nod to all whoโ€™ve attempted to climb the worldโ€™s highest peaks.

Then thereโ€™s something downhearted lounge-room jazz about the building layers of Ballad of a Distracted Mother finishing you off in no uncertain terms, Daisy Chapmanโ€™s voice is breathtaking, her writing astute and perceptive, and the dramatic string arrangements over her own ‘Nymanesque’ piano makes a this harmonic composition truly something to behold.

After forming bands at University in Bristol, Daisy released her first solo album
in 2004, a collection of sombre songs for just vocals and piano. Her cover of Cohenโ€™s Halleujah proved hugely popular at the time on the iTunes chart and caught the attention of German label โ€˜Songs & Whispersโ€™ who have since formed a 15 year relationship with Daisy, booking her shows across Europe and beyond.

Another cover song, Umbrella, received her an International Independent Music Award (USA) in 2009, which inspired a self-booked tour of coffee houses up and down Highway One on Californiaโ€™s Pacific Coast. Upon returning to the UK, Daisy was asked to be part of super-group Crippled Black Phoenix alongside members of Portishead and Hawkwind.

Iโ€™m sorry to have her performance at Bradford Roots, and wonder why they put an artist of this calibre on so early, but after hearing this I endeavour to catch her live as soon as, and I believe you will too.ย ย Find out more about Daisy Chapman, here.

Trending……

Talk in Code are All In for New Single

Swindon indie pop virtuosos Talk in Code released their brand new single, All In, Yesterday, via Regent Street Records. And We. Love. Talk in Codeโ€ฆ

Rootless; New Single Ushti Baba

Bristolโ€™s fine purveyors of idiosyncratic folk-raving, Ushti Baba, who if youโ€™re in Devizes you might recall played Street Festival in 2022, have a new singleโ€ฆ..

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

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

I would never advocate anyone covering Sparksโ€™ This Town Ainโ€™t Big Enough For The Both of Us, but if someoneโ€™s life depended on it, and it was up to the Afro-Celt Sound System to save them, it might come off a tad like this! Though this remark might sound a smidgen critical, it really isnโ€™t intended to be, because that would be one heck of a tricky number to effectively pull off, and while Ushti Babaโ€™s sound is kooky, itโ€™s avant-garde and beguiling, ergo apt for such a unnatural request. If anyone could make a good job of a cover like that, the Baba could, for which youโ€™ve got to hand it to them!

Trending….

Timeslips; New Single from Sienna Wileman

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

Capturing with certain ease dejected youthful pensiveness, rejecting a birthday cake through fears of ageing, this enchanting song hits its haunting intention and echoes the notion Sienna shouldnโ€™t concern herself overly, as through time each song she puts out illuminates both her songwriting talent and power to deliver it with emotion.

Trending…..

Lady Nade at Devizes Arts Festival

If the opening Friday evening of Devizes Arts Festival was amazing for lively pirate-punk craziness, Saturday night was too for precisely opposite reasons. Bristol’s soulstressโ€ฆ

LilyPetals Debut EP

One of many young indie bands which impressed me at Bradford Roots Festival, and proof thereโ€™s more than the name suggests at The Wiltshire Musicโ€ฆ

Courting Ghosts Debut Album: Falling My Friend

Images used with kind permission of Pacific Curd Photography West Wilts and Somerset folk-rock collective Courting Ghosts are about to release their debut album, Fallingโ€ฆ

The Magic Teapot Gathering

Okay, so there must be a truckload of local social and political ranting to cover, but itโ€™s new yearโ€™s day, Iโ€™m going to waffle about magic teapotsโ€ฆ..

When you put out a piece highlighting local festivals happening over the next year itโ€™s inevitable youโ€™ll miss a few, and good folk will email, hoping their shindig can be listed. Naturally, weโ€™re always happy to hear from them, and will endeavour to add them to the list. But being this is such a fantastic concept, and besides, itโ€™s called The Magic Teapot, how could I refuse a little extra attention?!

In the economic plight stationary music venues face troubled times, hereโ€™s a mobile venue, which goes from festival to festival, hosting its own little festival inside it; magic indeedy! The Magic Teapot, though, hosts its own annual festival too, happening in the Mendip Hills from the 3rd to 6th May. I put to its creator, the aptly named Joseph Peace, he could put a model of a festival inside the festive teapot, making it like those Russian dolls!

He replied he liked the idea and would ponder it, but more importantly, after I had calmed down from the excitement of hearing from a magic teapot, Joseph told me The Magic Teapot has been running since 2017. โ€œWe currently take The Magic Teapot to around 18 festivals each year,โ€ he said, โ€œThe Gathering is the only event of our own we currently run, hiring a campsite to do it. It’s quite an undertaking so once a year is enough at the moment. When we get our own land we will be doing regular small events ourselves, hopefully that can happen sooner rather than later, fingers crossed.โ€

This is the third year of The Magic Teapot Gathering, why am I last to hear about these things?! A totally acoustic, amplifier-free festival in four Magic Teapot structures which can easily accommodate everyone in the case of poor weather. Headliners for 2024 are 3 Daft Monkeys, Noble Jacks and Mobius Loop; lovely. Lots of opportunities to join in with playing and singing and each venue features a real piano and a warming central fire.

You can help with building the wicker man, which burns Saturday night, or join the Maypole dancing on Sunday morning. Ticket price includes camping, car parking, showers, sauna and hot tub. Adult ticket, ยฃ100, teen ticket ยฃ25, kids free, campervan ยฃ15.

Make no mistake just โ€˜cos itโ€™s new yearโ€™s day, Iโ€™m partially frazzled and 2024 hasnโ€™t got off to a great start what with my daughter assaulting me with a teacake to the face last night, I absolutely love this festival with charms on, this whole Magic Teapot idea, and Iโ€™m all tingly with just how communal and beautiful it all looks; somebody put some dandelions in my hair, pronto!

Trending……

Waiting for M3Gโ€™s new Single…..

So yeah, I thought Iโ€™d be funny by commenting โ€œcanโ€™t waitโ€ on Chippenhamโ€™s upcoming folk singer-songwriter Megโ€™s Facebook post announcing her latest single, because, you see, itโ€™s called Waitingโ€ฆ. okay, Iโ€™ll get my coatโ€ฆ.

Released tomorrow, Friday 8th December, thereโ€™s nonsense in my comment because, perks of Devizine, Iโ€™ve already heard it, and promise, youโ€™re in for a pleasant surprise. Reason I say this is, it showcases everything I love about what Meg, sorry, M3g is producing. Itโ€™s solemn, solitary, and distantly unique.

Infatuation, admiration from a distance, fearing a possible negative outcome should the object of your desires find out, but the aching of knowing, are emotions present in Waiting, not only in subject but in the innocent and irreproachable way Meg expresses them. The conclusion is poignantly beautiful, personal, and touching. Meritoriously uncommon, Megโ€™s discography is building into something she should be proud of, and Waiting is a great example.ย 

If I drop her Spotify link below, do listen to the past songs, and return to it tomorrow, when the Waiting for this new one is over โ€ฆ.dammit, I did it again, my life is one big pun! Follow M3G on Insta, Facebook.

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 29th November –ย  5th December 2023

To look around our beautiful landscapes youโ€™d be understanding of visitors who assume itโ€™s a barren outback with nothing going on, but we know different; look and thee shall find. Weโ€™ve a packed week ahead as we move into December, the fun never stops! Hereโ€™s what weโ€™ve found to do in the wilds of Wiltshire this weekโ€ฆ.. 

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 didnโ€™t apply to them, we need donations to fund this, so, if you can, please donate a little something to keep us going; awl, thank you. If you love it, donโ€™t lose it, like Bez on a nineties dance floor. For info on how, see HERE. Please and thank youโ€ฆ

Ongoing: Two exhibits at Wiltshire Museum in Devizes: Lest We Forget: the Black Contribution to the World Wars and Eric Walrond: A Caribbean Writer living in Wiltshire. Reviewed Here.

Artist Clifton Powell with his portrait of Eric Walrond, on display at Wiltshire Museum

Wednesday 29th

NHS Blood Donation Clinic at The Corn Exchange in Devizes, between 1:30 and 7pm. The regular acoustic jam at the Southgate, Devizes.

Roy Chubby Brown is at The Civic, Trowbridge.

Keith Jamesโ€™ Every Human Heart at Swindon Arts Centre.

Piano Phase Project Sound Meditation at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.

Ushti Baba at The Bell, Bath. Opening at The Rondo Theatre, A Streetcar Named Desire, which runs until Saturday 2nd.

Far From Saints at the Cheese & Grain, Frome is now sold out.

Thursday 30th

Open Mic at The Crown, Aldbourne.

Wiltshire Air Ambulance Christmas Market, Trowbridge. Open Mic at Stallards.

Adele Cliff at Chippenham Comedy Club at The Old Road Tavern, Chippenham.

Christmas Memories at Melksham Assembly Hall.

Jam Night at The Boathouse, Bradford-on-Avon.

FitkinWall: Harpland at Pound Arts, Corsham.

Grubb & Eedens at The Tuppenny, Swindon.

Chris Diffordโ€™s โ€˜Not Only But Alsoโ€™ at Chapel Arts, Bath.

Voodoo Room at the Tree House, Frome.

Friday 1st December

Friday sees a Christmas market and Santa’s grotto at The Pelican Inn, Devizes, from 4pm to 9.

Itโ€™s the opening night of Jack & The Beanstalk at the Wharf Theatre, running until 9th Dec. Youโ€™re going to be hard pushed to grab a seat for this now, but do try Devizes Books or join the online waiting list on their website. We look forward to reviewing this on Thursday. 

Vamos is at the Old Road Tavern, Chippenham, bringing you the fantastic Will Lawton & The Alchemists with Mac-Lloyd in support, this will be one cool gig, highly recommended; please pay what you can for it. Living Spit: A Christmas Carol at the Neeld Hall.

Tribute to Dire Straits, DS:UK at the Melksham Assembly Hall.

Operation 77 at The Talbot, Calne.

My Fair Lady opens at the Civic in Trowbridge, running up to Sunday.

I Fagiolini Angels & Demons at the Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon. The brilliant Monkey Bizzle at the Three Horseshoes with Cara Means Friend.

Chris Difford is at Pound Arts, Corsham.

Alice Armstrong is a Chapel Arts, Bath.

Ed Tudor Pole at The Winchester Gate, Salisbury.

Jon Amor Trio at the Beehive, Swindon.

Ozric Tentacles & Gong at the Cheese & Grain, Frome, now sold out, but The Specialised are at The Tree House.

Saturday 2nd

Calne River Warriors’ Wreath-Making Workshop at the Pocket Park, Calne.

Christmas Market at Avebury Barn.

Devizes LunaBarge at The Southgate Inn, Devizes. The Unpredictables at the Three Crowns, and the Moonrakers 80s Disco at The Moonrakers, Devizes.

Marlborough Concert Orchestra at St Marys, Marlborough.

Splat the Rat at The Barge Inn, HoneyStreet.

Christmas Light Switch on in Melksham with Plan of Action, on at 5:30pm.

Gary Stringer and Ella Clayton at The Pump in Trowbridge are sold out, and find the 41 Fords at Stallards. 

The Dynamos at the Consti Club in Chippenham.

The Reason at Prestbury Sports Bar, Westbury.

FitkinWall: Harpland at Pound Arts, Corsham.

For Editorโ€™s Pick of the Week we head over to the Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon for some African drumming with Kasai Masai in concert, and a drumming workshop beforehand.

Hell Death Fury at the Three Horseshoes in Bradford-on-Avon, with support.

Oye Santana at Chapel Arts, Bath, and Junction 18 have a 100th gig fundraiser for Bath Foodbank at St Mark’s Church.

Panto time at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon, Snow White runs until 31st December. Charlie Baker at Swindon Arts Centre. One Trick Combo at The Woodlands Edge. Operation 77 at The New Inn.

Salisbury Music Awards at The Winchester Gate. 

The Lanky Divas have an album launch at The Sun, Frome. Billy In The Lowground at The Tree House. The Counterfeit Beatles at the Cheese & Grain.

Sunday 3rd

Chirton School has a wreath making workshop.

The monthly residency of the Jon Amor Trio at The Southgate, Devizes. The Groom Familyโ€™s Houseparty at Devizes Town Hall.

Christmas Market at Avebury Barn.

Charity Christmas Fair & Santaโ€™s Grotto at The New Inn, Winterbourne Monkton.

Christmas Fayre & Santaโ€™s Grotto at Chippenham Sports Club.

Really Big Really Clever plays the Pump, Trowbridge with NervEndings in support.

Budapest Cafe Orchestra at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon. Mike Hoddinott Trio at The Three Horseshoes.

My Darling Clementine at the Cheese & Grain, Frome.

Monday 4th

Mark Watson at Swindon Arts Centre.

Tuesday 5th

Callum Smith organ Trio, for Jazz Knights at the Royal Oak, Swindon

And thatโ€™s all weโ€™ve got so far, but more stuff is added all the time, so keep a beady eye on 

THE EVENT CALENDAR!!!! And PLAN AHEADโ€ฆ..

Get your tinsel out and have a great week!

Trending……

Poppy Rose, Ready Nowโ€ฆ.

Not being able to hold a note myself, I tip my hat to any musician in a band. Yet thereโ€™s something so much more valiant,โ€ฆ

Ruby Plays Glasgowโ€™s Barrowlands with The Charlatans

How did you celebrate your seventeenth birthday? Did you pop up to Glasgow to accompany The Charlatans, on bagpipes, at the historic Barrowlands ballroom, and then have your latest single spun by Chris Hawkins on BBC Radio 6?!

Being honest, the memory of my seventeenth birthday is vague at best, but Iโ€™m pretty certain it wasnโ€™t even in the same ballpark! A huge happy birthday, then, to our upcoming superstar Ruby Darbyshire, and an even huger โ€œwowzers;โ€ although this is amazing news, itโ€™s fully deserved in my humble opinion. In what she dubbed her โ€œbiggest gig yet,โ€ on social media, last weekend was a huge success, playing with The Charlatans at Barrowlands.

Ruby now lives on a narrowboat on the Kennet and Avon Canal near Bath with proud dad, Brian, who happened to call me with this astounding news last week. Exploding in exhilaration, he then told me I would have to wait to publish it. I think he just wanted to relay the story to someone, to best contain his understandable excitement!

Previously from Dumfries, Ruby used to busk in Buchanan Street, Glasgow, on many Saturdays, playing guitar and singing, where she raised thousands of pounds for Save the Children. Taken under the wing of the wonderful Pipe Major Jim McConnechie in Dumfries at the age of eight, while Ruby loves playing traditional music, for Remembrance Day, Burns suppers and other fitting occasions, sheโ€™s also known for using the pipes for rock music.

Homeschooled, Ruby now studies music at Bath College, and has become an accomplished multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter and Highland bagpiper. You may well have seen her busking in the Brittox of Devizes, and various other local locations. Particularly memorable in town, was her impromptu appearance with Wayne Cherry on his one-hundred hours of Remembrance fundraiser. You may have been lucky enough to see her play live locally, after listening to and reviewing her debut EP, Donโ€™t Give Up Now, Weโ€™re Nearly There, I made it top priority to attend her next gig, supporting Amelia Coburn, with Meg, at Trowbridgeโ€™s Pump.

On the couple of occasions Iโ€™ve had the honour to meet Ruby she remains modest about the attention, but if she doesnโ€™t like to blow her own, erm, bagpipes, journalist for the Times, Nick Fraser reviewed the Charlatansโ€™ gig, stating her guest appearance as the โ€œmost startling momentโ€ of the event. 

Her forthcoming single “Caller Unknown” was made possible by the support of Tim Burgess of The Charlatans who spotted Ruby at Kendal Calling Festival, and through his new charitable initiative, Help Us Help Bands, Ruby won a recording session at the Cheese & Grainโ€™s Bert Jansch Studio in Frome. I, for one, canโ€™t wait to hear the latest song, once Iโ€™ve gotten over how simply fantastic this is for our locally-based artist; Iโ€™ve gone all goosebumpily! Well done Ruby, we are rooting for you.

Trending……

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 22nd – 28th November 2023

Everything to do in Wiltshire this coming week, right in one handy listing, you know the drill, jump to it, preferably before putting your Christmas tree up, it is, after all, only mid-November; take a chill pill!

Okay, 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 didnโ€™t apply to them, we need donations to fund this, so, if you can, please donate a little something to keep us going; awl, thank you. If you love it, donโ€™t lose it, like Bez on a nineties dance floor. For info on how, see HERE. Please and thank youโ€ฆ

Ongoing: Dark, the latest exhibit at the Forbidden Carnival in Chippenham runs until 26th November.

Two exhibits at Wiltshire Museum in Devizes: Lest We Forget: the Black Contribution to the World Wars and Eric Walrond: A Caribbean Writer living in Wiltshire. Reviewed Here.

Wednesday 22nd

Acoustic Jam at the Southgate, Devizes.

Memory Cinema at Swindon Arts Centre showing Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

Running until Friday 24th Voices for Life Extraordinary at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.

Kroke at Pound Arts, Corsham.

Clusterfunk at The Bell, Bath. Former ELO 2 Frontman Phil Bates Up Close And Personal Solo UK Tour at Chapel Arts.

Thursday 23rd

Kim Emery at La Bobina, Marlborough.

Dead Man’s Whiskey with  Wicked in support at Underground, Swindon. A Christmas Carol at Swindon Arts Centre, Jake Leg Jug Band at the Beehive. Luna Barge at the Tuppenny.

Entertaining Angels at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.

Hear my Voice, the LGBTQ+ poetry night at The Rondo Theatre, Bath.

Passenger Club at The Winchester Gate, Salisbury.

Friday 24th

Continuing into Saturday but the main show is Friday, folks, the DOCA Winter Festival in Devizes is always a wonderful evening. With the lantern parade, light switch on, Devizes Town Band and market, itโ€™s my obvious choice for editorโ€™s pick of the week!

Staying in Devizes, Chicago Blues Trio at Long Street Blues Club, Stones Throw at The Three Crowns, and a lantern parade Karaoke Party at The Pelican.

But itโ€™s Marlboroughโ€™s light switch on and market too, and Mean as Custard plays the Bear. 

Writing and Researching a novel with Keith Stuart at Chippenham library, music cafรฉ at the Cause, and Kate Lomas, with Laissez Faire and others play a fundraiser in support of the new Chippenham Arts Centre, No.7.

Sad Dad Club at Stallards, Trowbridge. Parker plays the Pump, with A Bottle of Dog and Happy Dogs in support. And thereโ€™s jazz with the Stilts at the Civic.

Carmen Co at St Michaelโ€™s Church, Mere.

Red Light at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon, The Remnants at The Boathouse, Bradford-on-Avon.

Running to Saturday, The Bean Spillersโ€™ Improvised Musical at The Rondo Theatre, Bath. Sheer Music is at Moles with Pet Needs, the Glitchers and Nothing Rhymes With Orange in support.

Oasish Vs Stereotonics at The Vic in Swindon, Phantom Lymb at the Beehive.

Frome Lantern Parade and Christmas Light Switch on too, with The Membersโ€™ โ€œSound of the Suburbs tourโ€ coming to the Tree House.

Saturday 25th

Thereโ€™s a lecture at Wiltshire Museum, Devizes called The Hunt for Stourton Castle.ย ย Adam Woodhouse is at The Three Crowns, The Worried Men at The Southgate.

Alex Roberts is at The Barge on HoneyStreet. Trash Panda at The Lamb, Marlborough,ย 

Static Moves at the Burbage Legion Hall, The Crofton Stokers at the Woodborough Club, 

Billy & Louie at The Crown in Aldbourne, and the Ramsbury Christmas Food and Artisan Market .

The Heart Beats at Melksham Rock n Roll Club. 

Freepeace at The Red Admiral, Trowbridge, Ed Byrneโ€™s Tragedy Plus Time tour at the Civic.

Chippenham parkrun at Monkton, Wiltshire College & University Centre Chippenham Campus Open Day also in Chippenham. Chippenham Christmas Market at the Old Road Tavern. Spotlight 3: Modern & Contemporary Art from the Collection of Chippenham Museum, and a Pre-loved Clothes Event at Hardenhuish school. 

The Fairytale Ceilidh: A Fantastical Dance Party at Pound Arts, Corsham, and Carmen Co at Grittleton Village Hall.

Bradford-on-Avon Floating Winter Fair today, with Bath Symphony Orchestra at Wiltshire Music Centre, and Borrowed Time & The Sinictones plays The Three Horseshoes.

Justin Adams & Mauro Durante at The Bell, Bath.

Moon at The Vic in Swindon, the World Music Club at the Beehive. Stephen K Amos at Swindon Arts Centre, Swindon Old Town Comedy Club has a Winter Showcase, Gaz Brookfield is at The Hop, Post 12 at the New Inn, and The Flashback Band hold an 80โ€™s night at The Woodlands Edge.

Craig Charles Funk & Soul House Party has sold out at the Cheese & Grain, so has Depeche Mode tribute The Devout at the Tree House, Frome.

Sunday 26th

James Oliver Band at The Southgate, Devizes.

The Stu Henderson Trio: Jazz at the Horseshoe, Mildenhall, Marlborough.

Melksham Record Fair at Melksham Assembly Hall.

Mark Simmonsโ€™ Quip Off The Mark at Swindon Arts Centre.

Wiltshire Youth Jazz Orchestra Concert with Steve Banks at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon. Ruzz Guitar Trio makes an appearance at The Three Horseshoes.

Schtummโ€ฆ. presents Sarah McQuaid at The Queenโ€™s Head, Box. The Schmoozenbergs are at The Bell, Bath.

Frome Vegan Fair at The Cheese & Grain.

Monday 27th

David Celia at The Bell, Bath.

Tuesday 28th

Sarah McQuaid at Swindon Arts Centre, and thereโ€™s a bebop blowout for Jazz Knights at the Royal Oak, with special guests Ian Bateman & Alex Clarke, to remember the great Jazz promoter David Knight on what would have been his birthday.

And thatโ€™s all weโ€™ve got so far, but more stuff is added all the time, so keep a beady eye on 

THE EVENT CALENDAR!!!!

Have a great week!

Trending……

A View to a Thrill

“The Thrill of Love” at the Wharf Theatre by Ian Diddamsimages by Chris Watkins Media Just over a year ago, the Wharf theatre performed aโ€ฆ

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 15th – 21st November 2023

Everything to do in Wiltshire this coming week, right in one handy listing; you might need wellies, or a small sailing vessel!

Okay, 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 didnโ€™t apply to them, we need donations to fund this, so, if you can, please donate a little something to keep us going; awl, thank you. If you love it, donโ€™t lose it, like Bez on a nineties dance floor. For info on how, see HERE. Please and thanking youโ€ฆ

Ongoing: Dark, the latest exhibit at the Forbidden Carnival in Chippenham runs until 26th November.

Two exhibits at Wiltshire Museum in Devizes: Lest We Forget: the Black Contribution to the World Wars and Eric Walrond: A Caribbean Writer living in Wiltshire. Reviewed Here.

Wednesday 15th

Devizes Flower Club presents A Classic Christmas, a festive floral evening at the Corn Exchange, Devizes. The regular Acoustic Jam at the Southgate.

Fashion Reimagined at The Parade Cinema, Marlborough.

Marmen Quartet at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon.

James Mortonโ€™s Groove Den at The Bell, Bath. Caught n the Hop begins at The Rondo Theatre, running up to Saturday.

A Lunchtime Recital with pianist Helen Farrar at Pound Arts, Corsham, followed by Gerard Loganโ€™s Hauntings.

Uncanny: I Know What I Saw at the Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.

Thursday 16th

Open Mic night at the Crown, Bishops Cannings, with Jamie R Hawkins, Will Foulstone and Chrissy Chapman. 

Jol Rose & Friends at The Tuppenny, Swindon.

Elf Lyonsโ€™ Raven at Pound Arts, Corsham.

Tubular Bells Plus extracts from Dark Side of the Moon for the Moog Synthesizer 50th Anniversaries at Chapel Arts, Bath.

Massive Wagons at the Cheese & Grain.

Friday 17th

Running from today until Sunday, Devizes Eisteddfod. James Hollingsworthโ€™s Pink Floyd Night at The Southgate, Devizes.

Folk Club at the Barge, HoneyStreet. Open Mic at The Parade Cinema, Marlborough. Josh Kumra at the Bear.

Rock for Heroes at Melksham Assembly Hall.

Christmas Market at the Civic, Trowbridge. Trowbridge Lantern Parade & Light Switch on.

Siren plays The Boathouse, Bradford-on-Avon. Really Good Band at the Three Horseshoes.

Tom Robinsonโ€™s Up Close and Personal at Pound Arts has sold out.

25 year reunion gig for Roundabout at the Castle, Swindon, Editor’s Pick of the Week.

Tailgunner, Heathen Kings and Ambrius at Underground, Shades of Seattle at The Vic, Funkinsteins at the Beehive, Swindon. Phoney Towers at Swindon Arts Centre, Genesis Connected at the Wyvern.

The Roy Orbison Experience at Chapel Arts, Bath.

Dr Beatroot at The Winchester Gate, Salisbury.

Splintering Heart plays Marillion at the Tree House, Frome, while The Orb are at the Cheese & Grain.

Saturday 18th

Saturday sees a Christmas Country Fair at Market Lavington Community Hall.

Window Wanderland begins across Devizes. The Russ Ballard Band at Long Street Blues Club, Devizes, Junkyard Dogs at The Southgate, and Drew Bryant at The Three Crowns.

@59 are at the Barge, HoneyStreet. Broken Dolls at the Lamb, Marlborough.

Sonic Alert at The Pilot, Melksham.

Kevin Brownโ€™s Shackdusters at the Pump, Trowbridge.

Josie Field at The Old Road Tavern, Chippenham. Get Carter atThe Consti Club. 

Wonk Unit, 2 Sick Monkeys and Anyminuteno at The Vic, Swindon. Rave Against The Regime at The New Inn. Everybody Singโ€™s One Day More at the Wyvern, and Chloe Petts โ€“ If You Canโ€™t Say Anything Nice at Swindon Arts Centre.

Eco Fest at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon, with Saltlines Raynor and Gigspanner. Birdman Cult, Charleston Lane, and Future Plan at the Three Horseshoes.

Takeshi Matsumoto: Club Origami at Pound Arts, Corsham, and Goldust Productions: The Mayhem Cabaret 2023.

The Kate Bush Songbook at Chapel Arts, Bath

Brian Bilston at the Cheese & Grain in Frome, plus From The Jamโ€™s โ€˜All Mod Consโ€™ 45th Anniversary Tour, and Supalung at the Tree House.

Sunday 19th

Sunflower Events; Christmas Fair & Craft Market at the Corn Exchange, Devizes.

Wiltshire Soul & Blues Club Monthly Jam in Lacock.

Courting Ghosts at Stallards, Trowbridge.

Kentwood Christmas Cracker at the Wyvern, Swindon. The Bootleg Shadows at Swindon Arts Centre. Strays Without Borders fundraiser at the Vic, and David Celia at the Beehive.

Trowbridge Symphony Orchestra at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon. Dry White Bones at the Three Horseshoes.

Rev. James and the Swingtown Cowboys at The Bell, Bath. 

100 Years of Silents: Salomรฉ at Pound Arts, Corsham.

An acoustic set from Snuff at The Tree House, Frome.

Monday 20th

NHS Blood Donation Clinic at the Corn Exchange, Devizes.

Rock The Tots: Numbers at Pound Arts, Corsham.

Leburnicus at The Bell, Bath.

Sally-Anne Haywardโ€™s Egg Shortage at Swindon Arts Centre.

Tuesday 21st

Exhibition On Screen: Klimt And The Kiss (Encore Screening) at Pound Arts, Corsham.

The Glen Manby Quartet at Jazz Knights in the Royal Oak, Swindon.

Annie Gardiner at The Bell, Bath.

Thatโ€™s all weโ€™ve got so far, but more stuff is added all the time, so keep a beady eye on 

THE EVENT CALENDAR!!!!

Have a great week!

Trending…..

The Folkadelica of a Two Man Travelling Medicine Show

Contemporary folk rock in the UK tends to come in three formats which never the twain shall meet, usually. Firstly you’ve got your acoustic goodness with melancholic tales of woe and thoughtful romantic prose. It’s more often than not gentle, quirky and despite being either optimistic or pessimistic themed, it’s generally sprinkled with daisy chains and barefoot bearded bumpkins. 

The second sort is the all-out frenzied banjo plucking, fiddler frolicking, footstompin’ no bars held scrumpy and western or Celtic fashion, which drags you on to a dusty dancefloor kicking and screaming, but rarely offers intelligent content or narrative. And third, Americana, the idea someone from Chipping Norton can get away with yodelling songs about boxcars and dustbowls while donning a Stetson hat in Waitrose.

If you’ve ever desired something in the middle, something which resets the balance, or cherrypicks the best elements of all and fuses them with a flow so neat it’s like they never parted company at all, you’ve come to the right place. Recorded and mixed entirely in a dark Dorset barn, Folkadelica is the irresistible new eleven strong tuned album from those rootsy alchemists the Two Man Travelling Medicine Show, and it’s released tomorrow (Friday 10th November) on Hangover Hill Records; hold on to my bowler hat, there’s a good fellowโ€ฆ

This is a lukewarm tea in a chipped floral mug, resting on a log near a campfire kinda album, it’s probably got an earthy taste but it’ll sure bring you round. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, never attempts to patronise, but in this it offers intelligent and crafted wordplay, against a backdrop of wonderfully entwined banjo string snapping folk, and twisted with a dash of psychedelia. Largely upbeat even when the chips are down in its narrative, it’s carefree danceable but should you cross examine the subjects, there’s plenty of colourful and intriguing characters played out here.

If it kicks off decidedly punky folk with a banger called the Second Law of Thermodynamics, the in-your-face element doesn’t linger quite so abruptly, musically, yet the album contains a punkish ethos, least its fury, in the narrative throughout. This one is to check youโ€™re awake.

Second tune in is the single which attracted me to it, a self-confessed “apathetic middle England rubbish protest song,” called I’m so Angry I Could Vote. The tongue-in-cheek singalong lambasting the bizarre notion recent government inactions might cause even abstenters to vote relies on the reactionless middle classes creating an anthem, and for the sheer ludicrousy that might happen is its amusing charm. You realise from the off your satirical preferences are in reliable hands, and Folkadelica will take no prisoners.

Thereโ€™s a glass-half-empty suspiciously biographical tale of a failed musicianโ€™s flopped feelings of grandeur called A Lot of People Hate Me, it amuses more than enough. You will find at least one observation you identify with here if not this one. Talk is Cheap is a downtempo gem of Pink Floyd-esque sound with a Positively 4th Street sentiment, amidst uptempo tracks besides the nature of their themes. Beguilingly melancholic and dejectedly romantic in subject are few tunes here, but the middle trio, Stand by the Road, King with No Throne and Starting Again, particularly stand out for broody prose.   

Fatalistic raver inspired Smokescreen borders bluegrass and weโ€™re back to footstomping. Repeat is perhaps the most engaging and reflective, if we all have a betraying friend who hit the bottle. Then itโ€™s a vaudeville fashioned poverty commentary, a masterpiece of catchiness on shoplifting. Itโ€™s at this conjunction close to the finale, you consider just how idiosyncratically beautiful this trip has been, like returning home from an offbeat holiday.

Well, you have been trekking with a Two Man Travelling Medicine Show, what did you expect?! The conclusion to this makes you feel like youโ€™ve been sitting on that log by the campfire, with your chipped mug, taking heed of this kooky duoโ€™s words, their tales of grief, betrayal, and their slants on the state of politics, or the worth of shoplifting, all warped neatly in sublimely delivered carny DIY ether. Do check it out or continue to live your life influenced by the idiots this album lambasts so eloquently, passionately and satirically; either way, this doesnโ€™t persuade you, merely angles your cuppa in a certain direction, and for that alone, I love it.

Folkadelica: Available digitally everywhere on Friday. Pre-save Spotify.  

Two Man Travelling Medicine Show Website . Facebook . Instagram . YouTube

Trending……

The Tap at The Peppermill to Host Open Mic

Two local musicians have joined forces as Nightingale Sounds to host their first Open Mic Night at the new Tap at the Peppermill in Devizesโ€ฆ.โ€ฆ

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 1st – 7th November 2023

Boo! Weโ€™ve got everything to do in Wiltshire this coming week, right in one handy listing, as usualโ€ฆ..

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 didnโ€™t apply to them, we need donations to fund this, so, if you can, please donate a little something to keep us going; awl, thank you. If you love it, donโ€™t lose it, like Bez on a nineties dance floor. For info on how, see HERE. Please and thanking youโ€ฆ

Ongoing, Dark is the latest exhibit at the Forbidden Carnival in Chippenham, running until 24th November.

Wednesday 1st

Acoustic Jam at the Southgate, Devizes.

Lunchtime Recital at the Wyvern Theatre, Swindon, followed by Jimeoin: The Craic.

Track Dogs at Chapel Arts is sold out, but the Gin Bowlers play the Bell in Bath, and opening night of Sheila’s Island at the Rondo Theatre, running until Saturday 4th.

Thursday 2nd

Rich Hallโ€™s Shot from Cannons at Melksham Assembly Hall.

Sayers & English Weather at The Tuppenny in Swindon, Geoffrey Wansellโ€™s Monsters In Our Midsts at Swindon Arts Centre, and Shock Horror at the Wyvern.

Martin Simpson โ€“ A Master of His Art at Chapel Arts, Bath.

Friday 3rd

Calne Bonfire & Fireworks at Beversbrook.

Marlborough Fireworks at Marlborough Town FC.

Devizes LGBTQ+ Drag Queen Bingo Disco @at The Wyvern Club, Devizes. Poet Henry Normal and very special guest Nigel Planer at Devizes Corn Exchange. Susan Santos & Alastair Greene at Long Street Blues Club.

Gaz Brookfield is at the Pump, Trowbridge, sold out Iโ€™m afraid. Meg and Oxygen Thief in support there.

2 Tone All Ska at The Consti Club, Chippenham.

Rosie Hood Band at Pound Arts, Corsham, and Mitchell and Vincent at Fovant Village Hall.

The Terrace Soul Weekender at Alexandra House in Swindon. Get Carter at The Vic. 

Hejira is celebrating the music of Joni Mittchell at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon. Karport Collective are at The Boathouse, and Severed Illusions, Peruvian Necktie, Dystopian Dread & Accelerated Mutation all at The Three Horseshoes.

Ignotis, Feedback & Nothing Rhymes With Orange play Burdall’s Yard, Bath.

The Hot Damn! at The Tree House, Frome, The Blues Others โ€“ A Tribute to the Blues Brothers at The Cheese & Grain.

Saturday 4th

Curious Kids: Victorian Homes at Wiltshire Museum, Devizes. Thereโ€™s the Swap Shop at St James from 11-2pm. An extraordinary piece of theatre telling the story of Britainโ€™s Womenโ€™s Land Army of World War II, Lilies on the Land at the Wharf Theatre, and No Fixed Abode play The Three Crowns.

Midlife Krisis Bonfire Night at The Barge, HoneyStreet.

Apache Cats at The Wheatsheaf Inn, Calne.

Chippenham Kickboxing Academy: Hero of the Hall at Melksham Assembly Hall. Raindrops at Melksham Conservative Club.

Martin Jenkins Groove Ensemble at the Old Road Tavern, Chippenham.

Be Like Will at The Wiltshire Yeoman, Trowbridge. Franki Soul at Emmanuelโ€™s Yard.

Two Diamond Souls โ€“ an evening with Odin Dragonfly at the Old Rectory Stanton St Quintin.

Nick Harperโ€™s Tempus Fugitive with support from Patrick Duff at Pound Arts, Corsham.

There will be a Palestine Solidarity March from 2pm, meeting at Regents Circus, Swindon. Mortellica at The Vic. Myra DuBois: Be Well at Swindon Arts Centre. Trois Amigos at The Woodlands Edge.

But we stay in Swindon for Editorโ€™s Pick of the Week, when Talk in Code, The Dirty Smooth, Kotonic, and Mirrored Faces join together at Underground (formerly Level III) for a BBC Children in Need fundraiser. 

Fistful or Rage at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon.

Young Francis Hi Fi at the Royal Oak, Bath, Santarnal at The Bell. A free party at The Queenโ€™s Head in Box.

Out In The Streets Launch Night: Drum & Bass & Jungle at Salisbury Guildhall

Martin Stephenson & The Daintees at The Tree House, Frome, and Fleetwood Bac at the Cheese & Grain.

Sunday 5th

Day course of Wood Engraving with Robin Mackenzie at Wiltshire Museum, Devizes. Devizes Bonfire Night at Devizes Town FC. The Grand Order of Water Rats presents a Charity Variety Spectacular at the Wharf Theatre. And itโ€™s the Jon Amor Trioโ€™s monthly residency at the Southgate starting at 5pm, special guest is Adam Holgate.

Blondie & Ska at The Royal Oak, Corsham. Stories In The Dust at Sherston Village Hall.

An Evening with Glenn Hoddle at the Wyvern, Swindon.

Patsy Gamble Collective at The Bell, Bath.

Monday 6th

The Opening of the Garden of Remembrance by the Royal British Legion at the War Memorial in Devizes, I shall leave further details of days and times of services relating to Remembrance below. 

Dave Gormanโ€™s Powerpoint To The People at the Wyvern, Swindon.

The Good Stuff at The Bell, Bath.

The Hunna at the Cheese & Grain, Frome.

Tuesday 7th

Simon Spillett & Ross Hicks Trio at Jazz Knights in The Royal Oak, Swindon. I am The Manic Whale at The Vic, Hancockโ€™s Half Hour at the Wyvern.

Marina Elezovic at The Bell, Bath.

Ondara is at The Tree House in Frome.

Thatโ€™s all for now, folks, but our event calendar is updating, and to plan ahead, check it out. Devizine is going out to over 100K local folk and listing your event will remain free, nudge me if youโ€™ve told me and itโ€™s still not listed, all you have to do to insure it is here is to tell us about it!

Have a spooky week!

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 18th – 24th October 2023

Gliding through October at colossal speed, with temporary bursts of cold spells hinting winter at us, and some, some I repeat, faintly whispering the C word; we’re gathered here today not in anticipation of the yule but to look at what’s going on this coming week and weekend, as we usually doโ€ฆ..ย 

Okay my little poppets, 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 as regular your digestive system after a vindaloo throughout the week, or you might miss something really up your street. 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 didnโ€™t apply to them, we need donations to fund this, so, if you can, please donate a little something to keep us going; awl, thank you. If you love it, donโ€™t lose it, like Bez on a nineties dance floor. For info on how, see HERE. Please and thanking youโ€ฆ

Wednesday 18th

Acoustic Jam at the Southgate, Devizes.

An Evening With Harry Redknapp at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon, Fiona Allenโ€™s On The Run at Swindon Arts Centre.

Monkey Chuckle at the Bell in Bath, and award-winning youth theatre company Merriman Theatre Group presents Six Teen Edition, a full-length adaptation of Toby Marlow and Lucy Mossโ€™ international phenomenon SIX, modified for performance by teen actors for family audiences, opens at the Rondo Theatre, Bath, running until 21st October. 

Wrecking Ball: A Nashville Experience at the Cheese & Grain, Frome.

Thursday 19th

Kevin Bloody Wilson at The Wyvern Theatre, and Tom Stadeโ€™s Natural Born Killer at Swindon Arts Centre. Dark Prophecy and Ritual Divide at The Vic, and Kid Carpet & Grasslands at the Tuppenny, Swindon.

Wildlife photographer Doug Allanโ€™s Itโ€™s a Wrap at the Cheese & Grain, Frome.

Friday 20th

Tom Harris and Pat Wardโ€™s new venture No Alarms & No Devizes at The Barge on HoneyStreet.

Yes, Scouting For Girls are in Marlborough on Friday, thanks to Sound Knowledge, but it sold out like ages ago; youโ€™ve got to be quick on these things! Though you can find the duo Stripped at The Lamb. 

Willow Hill at the Civic Hall, Trowbridge. 

A relaxed and BSL Interpreted performance of The Gruffaloโ€™s Child at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.

Fleetwood Mac & Tom Petty Legacy at Chapel Arts, Bath. Bluesoul are at the Boathouse in Bradford-on-Avon.

Genesis Visible Touch at the Cheese & Grain, So Toto at The Tree House, Frome.

Saturday 21st

Matchbox Mutiny at The Three Crowns, Devizes, The Will Edmunds Trio at The Southgate, Big Blue This at The Crown.  CSF Pro Wrestlingโ€™s Deadly Draw 2023 at The Corn Exchange, Devizes.

Nothing Rhymes With Orange play The Bell, Great Cheverell.

Editorโ€™s Pick of the Week goes to The Female of the Species, local super-groupโ€™s annual outing at Seend Community Centre, this year is for Alzheimer’s Supportย  and has the theme, the MTV Years, and will be a-maze-zing! Tickets are ยฃ12.50 and selling fast, from HERE.

Colin Paul & The Persuaders at Melksham Rock n Roll Club.

Itโ€™s also Trowbridge Carnival, and thereโ€™s a Pipe & Slippers Rave at the Civic.

Women In Rock at The Neeld, Chippenham.

Rhys Jamesโ€™s Split Milk at Swindon Arts Centre, Matty One Man with The Forgetting Curve and Here Come the Crows at The Vic, 2-ToneAllSkas at The Woodlands Edge, Metaprism, Drallion and Grove Warden at Underground, Homer plays The Bakers Arms, Post 12 at North Swindon Club, and One Trick Combo t the Queenโ€™s Tap.

Ward Knutur Townes Trio at Chapel Arts, Bath.

Mini Ravers Lil Monsters Halloween Party at the Cheese & Grain, followed by The Freddie and Queen Experience. Junkyard Dogs play The Sun in Frome.

Sunday 22nd

Manos Puestas at The Southgate, Devizes from 5pm.

Sound Knowledge presents Bombay Bicycle Club at St. Peterโ€™s Church, Marlborough.

Sunbirds play The Neeld, Chippenham.

Knives, LagunaGoons, Modern Evils and Viduals at The Vic, Swindon, Legends of American Country at The Wyvern Theatre, Rockabilly Rumble at North Swindon Club.

Jake Leg Jug Band plays the Bell in Bath.

Independent record store Raves from the Grave in Frome have a mega “we’ve run out of space” sale at the Assembly Rooms from 10-3pm with DJs and refreshments.

Monday 23rd

Based on John Godberโ€™s Yorkshire grandparents, and other members of his family, Happy Jack is a memory play, which examines the relationship between Jack and Liz, and opens at The Wharf Theatre, Devizes on Monday, running until October 28th. We hope to bring you a review on this prior to the opening on Monday.

Flibbertigibbet Theatre: Babble at Pound Arts, Corsham.

Hot Club of Avon at the Bell, Bath.

Tuesday 24th

Half Term Tennis Holiday Camp starts at Devizes Tennis Club, running until 26th October.

John Law Re-Creations at Jazz Knights in The Royal Oak, Swindon, Lilโ€™ Jimmy Reed with Bob Hall & Hilary Blythe at Swindon Arts Centre, and La Bamba at The Wyvern Theatre.

Sue Harding is at The Bell, Bath.

Thatโ€™s all weโ€™ve got for you so far, but remember to keep an eye on our event calendar for updates. Iโ€™m delighted to rap stats with you, and announce Devizine is flying over the record-breaking annual hits from last year, and thereโ€™s still two and half months to go. Devizine is going out to over 100,000 local folk and listing your event will remain free, all you have to do to insure it is here is to tell us about it!

Have a great week!

Trending…..

The Wiltshire Gothic; Deadlight Dance

With howling, coarse baritones Nick Fletcher, the main vocalist of Marlboroughโ€™s gothic duo, Deadlight Dance chants, โ€œhere comes the rain, and I love the rain,โ€ฆ

Clapping Out of Time at The Pump, with Amelia Coburn, Ruby Darbyshire and M3G in support!

Escaping the Vizes for a second week on the trot, I found myself back down Trowbridgeโ€™s lovable Pump, but if last week it was all comedy hip hop, kazumpet and washtub bass, tonight was going to be a smidgen more seriousโ€ฆ.

Understandably concerned Iโ€™m going to be part of the furniture at Wiltshireโ€™s finest alternative music venue, they welcomed this silly old chap anyway, a silly chap with a local event calendar who still managed to get their dates mixed up! Thankfully it was Ruby, the girl who today would set proceedings off by making a grand entrance with bagpipes, who corrected my senior moment and told me last week that this gig was next week, being this week, when I thought it was next week this week, and now Iโ€™m confused again; pass me my meds!

Whatever date it fell on I had enthusiastically bookmarked this gig, on the strength of the support acts alone. Anything else would be a bonus ball, and indeed was, a boulder-sized bonus ball the like to make Indiana Jones peg it. But to start at the beginning, upon meeting Ruby Darbyshire and dad, Brian, at Soup Chick, I fondly reviewed her EP, making it impossible not to want to hear her perform live. Though, yes, she came in all bagpipes blazing, something you may have recently caught her playing in Devizes Brittox supporting Wayne Cherry on his 100 Hours of Remembrance, she swapped to guitar on the stage, promising something completely different, and proving sheโ€™s no one trick pony.ย 

And it was a fantastic all-female acoustic showdown. To have a blasting six-piece cover band behind you is one thing, but stripped back to you alone, offloading your woes and ponderings, on a stage with just a string instrument, takes paramount talent and a whole sack of courage. In this, young Ruby seemed understandably nervy, apologised for a cold, then pulled out the most expressive and wonderful set of originals, the like of which could warm up emperor penguins during their incubation chore!ย 

Starting off with her own song, a personification of the Pandoraโ€™s Box idiom, which I summarised thus in the ep review, โ€œnails the process of a labyrinthine of issues once pursued generates greater problems, and itโ€™s conveyed sublimely,โ€ Ruby talked passionately about her thought process and journey, including her winning recording time at the Cheese & Grain via the Kendal Calling festival and paid homage to Justin Hayward. A few more fabulous originals followed, with a spell-binding tribute to Sinรฉad O’Connor, a Hozier cover and encore of The Cranberriesโ€™ Zombie. If you consider the latter to be a cliche choice, reconsider upon me explaining, Ruby played it on Scottish smallpipes while her dad   accompanied her on guitar.    

With every right to repeat myself, when I said last week, โ€œwhere the common venue prioritises profit and aims to attract and appease with a renowned name, The Pump will be the one introducing you to the next name, supporting the local circuit, ensuring your entertainment is affordable, and to pay it a visit is to be a human participant to the experience, rather than herded cattle,โ€ is not only an age thing, but perhaps a statement more apt this week than last. For if Ruby is an upcoming must-see local musician, M3G followed her and again the same rule applies.

My daughter proved the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree when she interviewed Meg, and I caught her once before performing at The Neeld. Though Chippenham based, she appeared more at home at the Pump; Kieran and his team ensure the supportive ethos to rising stars, as do the crowd. It is perfect for this kind of occasion, a trio of wonderful acoustic folk performers. Meg delivered with passion, in her unique way, her set of original songs, and it is ever something engaging. She introduced her newest song, Reader, and you couldโ€™ve heard a pin drop during breaks as she held the audience in awe. Her songs are often dejected in prose, the contemplation of coming of age, dealing with autism or relationships, yet her commanding, confident vocals are idiosyncratically beautiful, solitary and distinctive.

If both Ruby and Meg were a pleasure to listen to and the reasons I was here at The Pump, knowing this was enough for me, the headline, Amelia Coburn, I had deliberately refrained from researching. I used to do this at record fairs, randomly buy an album, and go in blind. Kieranโ€™s recommendation is plentiful, and has never failed me yet. Pleasantly unsurpised, solo with just an arrangement of ukuleles, Amelia was knockout entertainment.

A prolific Middlesbrough artist, Amelia had visited The Pump before and understandably gained a returning audience, some of whom wished to drop the bombshell to me, confirming how wonderful she was. But through songs of exceptionally crafted and imaginative sunny-side-of-the-street narrative, her ability for stage banter and audience participation was second to none. For example, upon requesting secrecy for her unreleased song, Seesaw, that no one filmed it, over the stage lights she spotted a phone waving and called them up on it mid-song, only to realise it was her own manager!ย ย 

But perhaps the funniest moment was her recollection of her last performance at the Pump, when she encouraged the audience to clap along, and had to kindly ask one out of time and distracting chap to stop! You cannot write a coincidental punchline like the notion the same chap was sitting in front this time too, and despite her light-hearted warning, again clapped out of time, to again futilely attempt to continue without giggling. But herein was the delight of this performance, her carefree and optimistic mannerisms within her improv stage presence and nature of her songs are a blessing, comparable to a stereotypically folk singerโ€™s sombre tenet. Encouraging the audience to sing along to a song about her being nacho cheese should the doctor tell her you are what you eat, is one of many zany examples!

But Amelia is creatively inventive when serious too, wonderful originals, Nodding Dog, Perfect Storm on a stick dulcimer, and a whimsical tribute to Harry Nilsson, was polished off with an outstanding encore of Bowieโ€™s Life on Mars. With dashes of Americana, bluegrass, and particularly Irish folk, it’s predominantly lovable English folk, spiced with Midland banter, but it’s confidently delivered and highly entertaining.

Another satisfying experience at The Pump, Trowbridge has never had it so good.

Trending….

The Drum n Bass Huntr/s of Old Devizes Town

In true Royston Vasey style, unfortunately due to time and resources we donโ€™t review international music as we did during lockdown, choosing to focus moreโ€ฆ

Let’s Clean up Devizes!

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

Ashes of Memory; New Single From M3G

The fifth single coming out from Chippenham singer-songwriter M3g on Friday, Ashes of Memory, and if Iโ€™ve said in the past what separates Meg fromโ€ฆ

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 11th – 17th October 2023

Here I am again, like Huey Lewisโ€ฆ..with the news. No national headlines though, no, thatโ€™s all too depressing, just the lowdown on things to do this coming week across our gurt lush county of agricultural rolling downs, neolithic monuments, and a seemingly endless succession of Greggs bakeriesโ€ฆ..

Okay my little sausage and bean melts, 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 as regular your digestive system after a vindaloo throughout the week, or you might miss something really up your street. 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 didnโ€™t apply to them, we need donations to fund this, so, if you can, please donate a little something to keep us going; awl, thank you. If you love it, donโ€™t lose it, like Bez on a nineties dance floor. For info on how, see HERE.  

Final days to pay a visit to Wiltshire Museum, Devizes, for the Anna Dillon exhibition; reviewed HERE, this ends on October 15th.

Oh, and this above, and this below, clowns, in Chippenham, a must-see!

Wednesday 11th

Regular Acoustic Jam at the Southgate, Devizes.

Calne Music & Arts Festival continues. The Avebury Vocal Ensemble, and a Calne Wordfest Writersโ€™ Group at Marden House during the afternoon, and standup comedy with Graham Coulam introducing Paul Ricketts and Steve Gribbin in the evening.

Thereโ€™s a lunchtime recital at Pound Arts, Corsham with pianist Simeon Walker.

Opening at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon and running until the 15th, Salos Presents Elf, The Musicalโ€ฆtoo early? Too late! 

Thursday 12th

Calne Music & Arts Festival has The Primary School Choirs in concert at Kingsbury Green Academy Hall, and Calne Speech and Drama School present โ€˜Sea, the Fool, the Devil and the Catsโ€™ by Ted Hughes at Marden House, followed by some jazz with The Nick Sorensen Trio.

Sean Collinsโ€™ Smokin Funny arrives at Swindon Arts Centre, Andy Oliveri & Kizzie at The Tuppenny, Swindon.

Kiki Dee & Carmelo Luggeriโ€™s The Long Ride Home Tour comes to Chapel Arts, Bath.

Friday 13th

Join Devizes OpenDoorsโ€™s Big Sleep Out and help raise funds to support homeless and vulnerable adults in our community. You can sleep out at St Jamesโ€™ Church in Devizes, organise your own sleep out at work, at school, even in the garden at home, or pay to stay in bed by making a donation. Find out more and register at devizesopendoors.org.uk

Thud and Adam Woodhouse at the Southgate, Devizes, Mike Zito & Albert Castiglia with Band @ Long Street Blues Club.

Calne Music & Arts Festival has Ukrainian Jazz Harpist Alina Bzhezhinska in Concert at Marden House, followed by The Lost Trades.

Wilts & Berks Canal Trust Quiz Night at The Neeld, Chippenham.

My Octopus Mind plays the Pump in Trowbridge, with The Message in support.

Jazz at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon, with Dario Napoli Hot Club. Start the Sirens & Ophella Waiting at The Three Horseshoes. 

An Evening Of Mediumship With Nikki Kitt at Swindon Arts Centre, Soulweaver Reigniting The Fire at Underground, formerly Level III, Bedrock at The Queens Tap, Evanescence of Fire at The Vic.

Rusty Shackle, Ninotchka and Concrete Prairie play Komedia, in Bath, Damien Oโ€™Kane & the Ron Block Band are at Chapel Arts. 

Saturday 14th

Marlborough Mop Fair. The Magnitones play St Michael’s in Aldbourne. 

Itโ€™s the Lions Arts Coaching Day in Devizes, and a first, I believe, for Danny & The Randoms who play at The Three Crowns, and The Unpredictables, Finely Truslerโ€™s new ensemble play the Moonrakers.ย The Jack Grace Band is at the Southgate.

Pig Race night at Erlestoke Golf Club! Bring your own ketchup!

Dub roots reggae at The Barge on HoneyStreet with Jah Lion Movement.

Be Like Will play Stallards in Trowbridge.

Editor’s Pick of the Week is Amelia Coburn is at the Pump in Trowbridge, with Ruby Darbyshire and MEG in support.

Thereโ€™s seven acts playing Hullavington Live at The Village Hall, and itโ€™s free entry.

At Calne Music & Arts Festival, โ€œFlowers in art from Botticelli to Hockney,โ€ a talk by Gail Brown followed by โ€˜Meet the Artistsโ€™ with Cathy and Nick Pearce and โ€˜HMS Pinaforeโ€™ โ€“ presented by Opera Anywhere. 

Taylor Swift tribute Katy Ellis at The Pewsham, Chippenham.

Back to the eighties party night at Spencerโ€™s Club, Melksham.

Iโ€™ve Every Whitney at Kingsdown Golf Club, Corsham.

Brodsky Quartet 50th Anniversary of the Shostakovich Cycle at Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon. Dreamwave at The Three Horseshoes.

Happy Dogs at HMV Bath at 3pm.

Carl Hutchinson โ€“ Watch Till The End at Swindon Arts Centre, David Flynn Memorial night at The Vic, Swindon, Concrete Prairie at Rodbourne Cheney Social Club, The BeatRoutes at The Castle, Rockabilly Rumble at The Queens Tap, Homer at the Rolleston, Dimensions at North Swindon Club, Vicky Jackson is PINK at Underground, and Swindon Ska Fest at The Moonrakers.

Sunday 15th

All About The Music Record Fair at Devizes Conservative Club from 10am-4pm.

PSG Choirs are at Marlborough Town Hall for an Autumn Concert. Starts at 6pm, tickets are ยฃ8.

Gothic Acoustic Matinee with Deadlight Dance at the Blue Boar, Aldbourne.

Calne Music & Arts Festival has Evensong at St. Maryโ€™s Parish Church, and a Photographic Talk โ€“ โ€˜Arcticaโ€™ with Pam and Eddy Lane at Marden House.

Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon have Groove Baby Grooving With Pirates!

Below the Salt at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon.

Waterlines at Underground, Swindon, an Elvis tribute at The Castle, and Damn at the North Swindon Club, and SGO at The Tuppenny.

Monday 16th

Sounds of the 60s Live with Tony Blackburn at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.

Tuesday 17th

Do You Believe In Ghosts at The Wyvern Theatre, while the Eric Mylod Okafo Quartet take the Jazz Knights at The Royal Oak, Swindon.

Thatโ€™s all weโ€™ve got for you so far, but remember to keep an eye on our event calendar for updates. Iโ€™m delighted to rap stats with you, and announce this week Devizine has hit level on the record-breaking annual hits from last year, and thereโ€™s still two and half months to go. Devizine is going out to over 100,000 local folk and listing your event will remain free, all you have to do to insure it is here is to tell us about it!

Have a great week!

Trending….

Never Changing the Rules With Atari Pilot

Swindonโ€™s sonic indie popsters Atari Pilot are a prolific bunch, and have a new single out called The Rules Never Changeโ€ฆ. And, they donโ€™t.โ€ฆ

Peace, Love, Americana and Jol Rose

I trouble procrastinating upon being gifted a previously released CD from an artist for review, unfortunately they land on the backburner, prioritising upcoming newsโ€ฆ

A Typical Saturday of Live Music in Devizes is a Beautiful Thing!

If Devizes was a woman, my patient and understanding wife would be livid because I’m smitten, and I’m about to explain my reasoning. Please humour me best you canโ€ฆ..

Starter for ten, ignore the sensationalising of a few roadworks by the local press, it’s having no negative effect on congestion, and ignore political sway, for the corruption is nationwide. I’m about entertainment in our humble market town, of which comparatively we’re punching well above our weight, on any atypical evening such as this.

Such causes me the dilemma of what pub to pick and what live music to enjoy. A problem I sought to solve by attempting to trundle between all three, though with questionable repercussions; I don’t get to witness and report on an entire set for any of them. A personal niggly I’m willing to shoulder, for the average punter either choice saw a great night of talented musicians doing their thing. Devizes is open for business, and is highly flammable!

Yes, I’d have loved to have dropped into the Pump in Trowvegas, Wiltshire Music Centre, and the Crown in Bishops Cannings, where they hosted a free all-dayer with Talk in Code and Purple Fish, but this takes driving, and occasionally, I want a cider, or four! There’s a thing, doing this is a hobby, you wouldn’t deprive me of sticking around the Vizes and enjoying a jar, would you?!

There is no grand public event in town tonight, as often there is, just three honest and wonderful pubs putting on free live music. My starter was the Southgate, where, after guesting at a particularly memorable Jon Amor Trio residency, Philadelphia-born axeman LeBurn Maddox made a welcome return. Justified as my top choice, because while I’ve witnessed the other two more local acts in The Lamb and Three Crowns before, the chance to catch this bluesman doing his thing is far rarer. And boy, can he play the electric blues with passion and plentiful saucy banter; a sublime performance in our lively juke joint, a longstanding blessing to Devizes.  

Another outstanding night at the trusty Southgate, which despite having the most varied and regular music programme in town by a country mile, predominantlyย remains favourable to the Mel Bush effect of Devizes being a blues town, appreciated by the regulars and reverberating this afternoon when Jon Amor makes his regular residency.

But though I coulda-shoulda stayed for the duration, I gotta dust my broom and make haste for The Lamb. Once the go-to pub in town, the birthplace of Sheer Music in the Fold, and historically simply a functioning and aesthetic tavern, it’s recently waned in popularity, but while it’s certainly true tonight, they’ve attempted to bounce back and have the breathtaking gothic-folk-rock four-piece Strange Folk to assist. Hailing from Hampshire, this proficient band we’ve seen playing these backwaters at the Gate, and on the Vinyl Realm stage at a DOCA street festival of yore, still, they’re not widely known here, ergo attracting wider appeal to a pub rarely providing music was never going to be a simple task.

Strange Folk are tight in performance, unified in sound. With the hauntingly impassioned vocals of Annie, a kind of PJ Harvey or Kate Bush, they polish covers with uniqueness, such as the apt Stones’ Gimmie Shelter, and have a repertoire of epic, mind blowingly emotive original pieces. Think Fairport Convention doing a Siouxsie and the Banshees tribute in the vein of Pink Floyd with Evanescence, if your imagination stretches that far!

Bottom line, Strange Folk deserved a bigger audience. Getting a foot on the first runner of live music in a small town with two other venues renowned and currently trending for it is no easy task. I suggest The Lamb books acts popular locally to attract a returning crowd before an outside chance such as Strange Folk, wonderful as they are.

Leaving the Lamb with reservations, if we don’t use this iconic tavern do we risk losing it to another antique shop?! I’m not willing to let it happen, not the Lamb, it’s legendary.

With the night coming to its cumulation, I hotfooted it across the carpark to the rear of the Three Crowns, echoes of Illingworth covering Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here growing as I approached, upset this is usually the outro to their set, but too steadfast to check the time! 

It unfortunately was, my consolation being I’ve seen the Illingworth duo play a number of times, and you can guarantee the creme de la creme of acoustic era-spanning covers, the kind of setlist to appease the broad demographic of the Three Crowns. Here’s a town pub currently winning the race, deservedly. Food served late, efficient cashless bar, its spacious, comfortable, covered, and heated yard has an epoch of supporting wider-appealing local live music acts. The benchmark for booked bands is literal here; blast nostalgic Britpop covers to attain tabletop dancing!

It was as rammed as expected there, my only reservation being I only caught the finale of Jon and Joylen, a duo you cannot fault. Still, I downed a Thatchers haze, got a cuddle and good chat with them both, and blagged a haven for eating the best chicken sandwich in town, from the most excellent Kebab House, in Jon’s van, which he gratefully dropped me home in; what an utter legend!

In conclusion, even if there’s no grand ticketed event at the Corn Exchange, Devizes is happening, and is the perfect town for a great night out, thanks to wonderful pubs like the Southgate, the Three Crowns, encompassing other lively options such as karaoke in the Pelican,ย  and I sincerely hope and pray, The Lamb rejoins the list too, we simply have to support it. Please keep an eye on our event calendar and weekly roundup articles .The next music night there will be advertised, and I hope to catch you there then.

Song of The Week: Meg

Quick one from me today, you’ll be happy to hear! Song of the week comes from Meg, dreamily expressing her romantic thoughts, hidden from the rain; how apt for today!

Okay, we’ve mentioned Meg quite a bit recently, she got song of the week for the last single, saw her perform at the Neeld, and my daughter interviewed her prior, see here; I believe it’s thoroughly deserved, have a listen and decide for yourself….

Link Tree

Song of the Week: Canute’s Plastic Army

Swindon Celtic folk at it’s finest, Anish Harrison and Neil Mercer smash it again, this one is sublime, it’s called Wild, no spoilers, just listen, immerse yourself, and perhaps buy it for a quid, you can’t even get a chocolate bar for that these days!

Canute’s Plastic Army played Swindon Shuffle last night, too early for me to to get down there, so this single makes up for it. Got to catch them live as soon as feasibly possible, stick it on my never-ending must-do list for me, there’s a good chap.

Trending….

Date Set for Devizes Pride

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

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 13th – 19th September 2023

With the last minute heatwave looking as if it MIGHT be packing its bags, we move into autumn still with lots to do locally, the silver lining of the clouds aboveโ€ฆ..ย ย 

Not comprehensive, as I tell you each time, more will be added to our event calendar as we move through the week and they come to our attention, so check in on it from time to time. If you donโ€™t let us know about your event you cannot expect it to be here, drop us a line and guarantee itโ€™s listed here, it costs nothing.

Please, if you can donate a little something to keep us going, do, thatโ€™s 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.ย ย 

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

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

Di & Viv & Rose opens at the Wharf Theatre in Devizes on Monday, and continues until Saturday 16th.  

Abigailโ€™s Party continues at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon until Wednesday 13th.

Wednesday 13th

Acoustic Jam at The Southgate, Devizes, bring an instrument, voice, or just do as I do, just sit back, perhaps joke about playing the triangle, and enjoy the musicians doing their stuff!

Rosalie Cunningham comes to Chapel Arts, Bath, weโ€™ve seen Rosie at MantonFest, groovy, psychedelic rock n roll, loved it! The Bobby Kennedy Experience at the Rondo Theatre, and 

Dusk Art Rhythm Quartet at The Bell, both in Bath too.

Thursday 14th

Melksham Music & Drama presents Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at Melksham Assembly Hall, opening Thursday, running till Saturday.

Editorโ€™s Pick of Week made easy this time, Swindon Shuffle not only raises funds for Prospect Hospice, itโ€™s free, and a virtual cathedral of our local live music circuit. In the words of the great Zaphod Beeblebrox, โ€œeveryone who’s anyone is going to be there,โ€ albeit he was referring to Millways the restaurant at the end of the universe, weโ€™re only on about Swindon, still, it fits! feat your eyes on the poster below, enough said….

Running across the various pubs over the entire weekend, kicking off on Thursday, Iโ€™m not going to list them all, because hereโ€™s the poster and that says it all.

Elsewhere in Swindon, The Story of Guitar Heroes  at The Wyvern Theatre, and Andrew Birdโ€™s Taken Seriously at Swindon Arts Centre.

The Annie Keating Band at Chapel Arts, Bath, plus support from Steady Habits. Markus Birdmanโ€™s Platinum at the Rondo Theatre.

Friday 15th

Seend branch of the Royal British Legion hosts the Pop Pickers at the Seend Community Hall.

The Future Sound of Trowbridge series sees a third instalment at The Pump, with Rae and Foxymoron supporting The Sunnies.

Rockabilly Rumble at North Swindon Club, John Kearnsโ€™ The Varnishing Days at Swindon Arts Centre, The Ultimate Boyband Party Show at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon, and the Shuffle continues throughout the weekend.

Aretha & the Soul Sisters with Lisa Grand & the Jezebel Sextet at Chapel Arts, Bath, Will Collierโ€™s Chet Baker Project at the Rondo Theatre.

Peter Doherty plays the Cheese & Grain, Frome.

Saturday 16th

Devizes Heritage Day, leaflets are available from participating venues and also Devizes Books, and Wiltshire Museum. Devizes RFC V Chosen Former Pupils at  Devizes Rugby Club.

Dr Zeboโ€™s Wheezy Club at The Southgate, Devizes.

Live Music and Family Funday for Wiltshire Mindโ€™s 30th Anniversary at The Pilot, Melksham,  and a Psychic & Crystal Fayre at Melksham Scout Hut, 10am-4pm.

Heritage Open Day: Hidden on the High Street  at the Neeld, Chippenham, and a new exhibit by Si Griffths at the Forbidden Carnival, see poster.

Sour Apple plays Kings Arms, Hilperton. Matt Owens and Courting Ghosts at The Pump in Trowbridge.

Train to Skaville are at Swindon Underground, formerly Level III, Simplicity at The Woodland’s Edge, 80s Mania at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon, And Solo at the North Swindon Club, and of course the Shuffle continues throughout the weekend.

Roving Crows at Chapel Arts, Malone Sibun unplugged at the Rondo Theatre, Bath.

These Wicked Rivers at the Tree House, Frome.

Sunday 17th

Eddie Martin plays a Sunday session at The Southgate, Devizes from 5pm.

Ruzz Guitar Blues Revue at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon from 3pm.

Warminster Heritage Open Day at the Athenaeum

Emerald Storm at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon, Ska Katz @at North Swindon Club.

The Glad Rags at The Bell, Bath.

Monday 18th

Thatโ€™ll Be The Day at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.

Lewis Barfoot at The Bell, Bath.

Tuesday 19th

Psychic Sally at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon, and Jazz Knights has Roger Beaujolais & Tom Berge Trio at The Royal Oak.

Thatโ€™s all folks, but there are lots more to come!! Let the sunshineโ€ฆ..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!

Trending…..

Mantonfest 2024

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

Swindon Palestine Solidarity Hold Charity Dinner

On Saturday, people from across Swindon came to Swindon Palestine Solidarityโ€™s charity dinner to raise funds for Medical Aid Palestine and raise awareness of theโ€ฆ

Song of the Week: Meg

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

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

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

Link to streaming sites HERE

Trending….

The Lost Trades to Release Live Album

To international acclaim on the folk circuit, weโ€™ve loved to follow the progress of the Lost Trades since day dot, when Phil Cooper enthusiastically toldโ€ฆ

Wormwood; Cracked Machineโ€™s New Album

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

The Worried Men Take the Pump

And Morpheus said unto Neo, โ€œunfortunately, no one can be told what the Matrix is. You have to see it for yourself.โ€ Funny cos, Iโ€ฆ

Daisy Chapman Took Flight

Okay, so, if I praised the Bradford Roots Festival last weekend and claimed to have had a fantastic time, itโ€™s all as true as Harrisonโ€ฆ

Donโ€™t Give Up Now, Ruby Darbyshire

As discoveries of young local talent never seem to wane here at Devizine, hereโ€™s one with a difference, weโ€™ve not featured yet; you may have seen Ruby Darbyshire busking a showstopper with bagpipes, but itโ€™s far from the limits of this girlโ€™s mind-blowing talentโ€ฆ.

Her live studio recording is a four track EP, acoustic folk originals, titled Donโ€™t Give Up Now, Weโ€™re Nearly There, and itโ€™s something you simply MUST listen to, I order you to! My benchmark for a great writer is imagining myself at the same age merely attempting to scribe something on par, the conclusion being the profoundness and emotive expression of Ruby here crosses the winning line while Iโ€™m not even off the starting block, and me, with bagpipes, donโ€™t even contemplate it!

Using a comfort blanket as a metaphor, a pensive ditty called Insomnia opens, the title explaining the lucid theme, first person prose reflection on growing up and fatigue. The EP ends with the struggle for self-control customarily portrayed as the devil on one shoulder, angel on the other, but perhaps questioning her impulsive behaviour moreso. Devil Doesnโ€™t Want This leaves you aching for more, itโ€™s edgy and darker than the two relationship subjects between them.

Pandora is perhaps the deepest dimensionally, a personification of the Pandoraโ€™s Box idiom, Ruby nails the process of a labyrinthine of issues once pursued generates greater problems, and itโ€™s conveyed sublimely. Donโ€™t Want to Hear You Cry is less abstract, but equal in emotive, matured outpouring. In summary of the whole EP, itโ€™s a beautiful thing, sublime.ย 

Echoes of Opportunity Knocks winner and Paul McCartneyโ€™s first venture into production, Mary Hopkins in her delivery, Ruby bears all the hallmarks of a classic female folk singer, ofย Holly Near, vocally, of Joni Mitchell in calibre and of Dar Williams in emotive outpouring, akin locally to the rapturous Daisy Chapman.

Often seen busking or at open mics with her dad, Brian, itโ€™s clear Rubyโ€™s music evolved from a musical family at a tender age, a prodigy flourished, to hear the results is blissful. Gig dates can be found on her website, here. Sheโ€™s at the George in Lacock on Wednesday evening (6th Sept.)

Ruby supports Amelia Coburn at the Pump on Saturday 14th October, with Meg, she writes to tell me she โ€œjust heard yesterday that I’m on stage at the Bradford Roots Festival in January,โ€ and goes onto explain Tim Burgess from the Charlatans, organiser of the Kendal Calling festival asked to return next year, donating her a day’s recording at the Cheese and Grain, with musicians and Freddie Cowan from the Vaccines as producer. Full-gone conclusion, in my opinion, Rubyโ€™s music will grow into a phenomenon, and you need to hear it blossoming.

Trending now…

New Nothing Rhymes With Orange Single

Friday is over, I’m a day late to the party, but there’s a new single from Devizes-own Nothing Rhymes With Orange, and you’ve not heardโ€ฆ

Learn the Art of Chocolate with HollyChocsย 

Devizes-based chocolate engineer Holly Garner, 2023 Chocolate Champion for the Southwest, has launched her new chocolate classes for the first half of 2024โ€ฆโ€ฆ From learningโ€ฆ

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 6th – 12th September 2023

Schools are back, summer has finally arrived, hereโ€™s what weโ€™ve got this coming week……

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 6th.

The regular Acoustic Jam at The Southgate, Devizes.

Ruby Darbyshire at The George, Lacock.

ShakShak at The Bell, Bath.

Thursday 7th.

Priscilla, Queen of the Disaster at the Civic, Trowbridge.

Robyn Hitchcock at Rondo Theatre, Bath.

InAir and Kotonic at The Vic, Swindon.

Gavin Osborn is at The Tuppenny, Swindon with Meg in support.

The Serial Killer Next Door with Emma Kenny at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.

Friday 8th.

Burbage & Easton Royal Cricket Club has a beer and cider festival  with Kova Me Bad and The Zoots.

Goatfest opens at Goatacre, Calne.

Lewis Poole plays the Pump in Trowbridge with Start The Sirens and Work Experince.

Peloton at The Vic, Swindon.

The Wonder of Stevie at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.

The Tannahill Weavers at Chapel Arts, Bath.

Grace Petrieโ€™s Butch Ado About Nothing is at the Rondo Theatre, Bath

Shindiggers have a Shimmy Discotheque at Club Lomah, Bath.

Lou Coxโ€™s celebrated Having A Baby โ€“ The Sh!t They Donโ€™t Tell You In Books comes to the Frome Memorial Theatre.

The Sunbirds are at the Tree House, Frome.

Saturday 9th:

Trowbridge RFC V Devizes RFC at Trowbridge Rugby Club

King Alfredโ€™s Tower Charity Abseil for SOS Africa is taking place on the 9th, 10th 16th & 17th September.

Bit hot for cosplay, but thereโ€™s a Sci Fi Day at The REME Museum, Lyneham.

Thereโ€™s a Twilight Cinema at Hillworth Park, Devizes, screening Top Gun Maverick.

Autumn Fabric Pumpkin Making Workshop at the St Johnโ€™s Parish Rooms, Devizes.

Grizzly Rhys plays The Southgate, Devizes.

Chloe Jordan and Pete Lambโ€™s Heartbeats play a Wiltshire Air Ambulance fundraiser at The Corn Exchange, Devizes.

Long Street Blues Club, Devizes opens for a new season with The Ian Parker Band.

Bristolโ€™s boss reggae and ska legend Ya Freshness & The Big Boss Band are at Devizes Scooter Club in the Cavalier.

The Boot Hill All Stars are at The Barge on HoneyStreet, with Whistling Treason.

Barrelhouse play The Lamb, Marlborough.

Mantonfest 2023

Saili Katebe at the Yelde Hall, Chippenham.

Bobbiโ€™s Academy Of Dance โ€“ Dance First Think After at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.

Salisbury RFC have their Beggar’s Bash.

The Unravelling Wilburys play Chapel Arts, Bath.

Frome 80s Festival at the Cheese & Grain.

Lifesigns are at The Tree House, Frome.

Sunday 10th.

Hillworth Park Proms with Devizes Town Band at Hillworth Park, Devizes.

The Jon Amor residency at the Southgate, Devizes from 5pm, guest this month is Adam Phillips. 

Nothing Rhymes With Orange plays at The Exchange nightclub, with Stoneface and Ignotis in support.

Pewsey Carnival Week begins, running until 17th.

Daisy Chapman, with Carrie Martin and the Gordon Wood Band at Schtumm, Queenโ€™s Head, Box.

Old Baby Mackerel at The Bell, Bath.

Swindon Recital Series at Swindon Arts Centre.

Bridget Christieโ€™s Who Am I? at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.

Monday 11th:

Di, Viv & Rose opens at The Wharf Theatre, Devizes, running until the 16th.

Wiltshire Motorcycle Rally at Salisbury Rugby Club.

Abigailโ€™s Party opens at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon, running until the 16th.

Von Wildenhaus at The Bell, Bath.

Tuesday 12th

Kosta Burgess at The Bell, Bath.

Libor Smolds & Daniel Newberry Quartet at Jazz Knights, The Royal Oak, Swindon.

Thatโ€™s all folks, but itโ€™s early days for September, and there is lots more to come!! Let the sunshineโ€ฆ..but do check in on our event calendar too, as updates will be on there, not here, this is just a guide.

Trending….

Richard Wileman on the Forked Road

Fashionably late for the party, apologies, the fellow Iโ€™m not sure if he minds me calling โ€œthe Mike Oldfield of Swindon,โ€ though itโ€™s meant asโ€ฆ

Lego Club at Devizes Library Announced

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

Rootless; New Single Ushti Baba

Bristolโ€™s fine purveyors of idiosyncratic folk-raving, Ushti Baba, who if youโ€™re in Devizes you might recall played Street Festival in 2022, have a new singleโ€ฆ..โ€ฆ

Timeslips; New Single from Sienna Wileman

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

Gazelles: Follow-up Album from Billy Green 3

Our favourite loud Brit-popping local Geordie and gang are back with a second album. Theyโ€™re calling it Gazelles, after the previously released single opener Endlessโ€ฆ

The Magic Teapot Gathering

Okay, so there must be a truckload of local social and political ranting to cover, but itโ€™s new yearโ€™s day, Iโ€™m going to waffle aboutโ€ฆ

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 30th August – 5th September 2023

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; hereโ€™s a roundup of events this coming weekโ€ฆ..

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:

Thereโ€™s 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:

Thereโ€™s an Open Mic at the Barge on Honey Street.

Too Complicated at The Wellington, Marlborough.

Letโ€™s 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 Beerโ€™s 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, itโ€™s Devizes Carnival: The parade departs from the Green at 5:45pm, with an environmental theme.

Julien Biddulphโ€™s trio, Work Experience debut at the The Southgate, thereโ€™s karaoke at The Three Crowns, and a Carnival Disco Party at the Pelican.

Swindonโ€™s 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 Oโ€™Toole from 10pm.  

Trash Panda plays Great Bedwyn Cricket Club.

And itโ€™s 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 Yanniโ€™s 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.

Swindonโ€™s 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 Maryโ€™s 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.

Thatโ€™s all folks, but itโ€™s 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!

Trending…..

Devizine Review of 2023

Here we are again with another year under our belts and me trying to best sum it up without restraint; I reserve my right toโ€ฆ

New Single from Billy in the Lowground

The third single from Billy in the Lowground in as many months was released today, they’ve been ploughing their own furrow since 1991, been meaningโ€ฆ

The Closing of Cooper Tyres

By T.B.D and D Rose for Devizine.The author can be reached at housetyg@gmail.com This month the historic Cooper Tires factory in Melksham which began theโ€ฆ

Full Time for Full-Tone Festival 2023, Hereโ€™s to Next Year!

All images ยฉGail Foster

It may be a wrap for another successful Full-Tone Festival in Devizes this bank holiday weekend, but talking to conductor Anthony Brown, seems like itโ€™s full steam ahead for next year, with a few changes. With such a busy weekend in general, the one possibility I believe we can leak is it may not be on the same date, other than this youโ€™ll have to wait to see!

And it was a busy weekend, alas I didnโ€™t get the full-on Full-Tone experience I shouldโ€™ve done and looking through Gail Fosterโ€™s awesome snaps today I see what I missed, including the wonderful Becky Lawrence who we absolutely love here at Devizine Towers. Fortunately, we do have some coverage, as our equally wonderful writer Helen Edwards dropped in on the Saturday, and then I made haste for the Green on Sunday, as soon as I washed the dishes, as is my part of the bargain with the very patient and understanding Mrs Devizineโ€ฆโ€ฆ

Becky Lawrence ยฉGail Foster

Full-Tone Festival: Saturday: Helen Edwards

Day one at the festival was fantastic. When I arrived the magnificent Full-Tone Orchestra was in full swing with Jemma Brown (one of the key organisers of the festival) at the microphone – and what an incredible voice she has!

ยฉGail Foster

The vibes were chilled, and family focused, the food and drink options were varied and reasonably priced and the tunes were banging.  Perhaps thatโ€™s the wrong word for the earlier afternoon classical proms and TV & movie music but by the end of the evening the dance anthems were pumping out. The crowd in front of the huge Glastonbury-esque stage was thronging, glow sticks in hand with face glitter and fairy-light flower headbands adorned. Those festival goers not dancing were sat in their camping chairs chilling with mates or queuing for food, all bopping their heads to the music. All except those of school age. They were hanging with their friends, the older ones walking laps around the site enjoying the freedom and festival atmosphere.

I left before the end and saw that the entertainment and enjoyment on The Green had spread past the impenetrable, black sheeted fencing. There were many set up on the opposite side of the road with their blankets laid and tents erected enjoying the music from afar.

Pete Lamb’s Heartbeats @ Fulltone Festival 2023 – Day One ยฉGail Foster

I got talking to people in the food and drinks queues to ask their thoughts about Devizesโ€™ only two-day bank holiday festival.  I spoke to a couple who live locally and, also, a few who had travelled from neighbouring Calne, Trowbridge and Westbury to attend. Hereโ€™s a few of their comments:

โ€˜I donโ€™t enjoy the bigger festivals; thereโ€™s too many people and I feel overwhelmed. This is my second year here.  Itโ€™s got such a safe atmosphere and amazing and varied musicโ€™.

โ€˜Itโ€™s brilliant! I canโ€™t wait to get to the front and dance!โ€™

โ€˜Itโ€™s such a welcoming festival, everyoneโ€™s so friendly.โ€™

Fulltone Festival 2023 – Day One ยฉGail Foster

The sound engineers got the balance spot on; the orchestra was majestic throughout, yet the singersโ€™ voices were clear (and brilliant). If youโ€™ve never heard a 50-piece orchestra playing modern music from the movies and TV through to dance anthems, then youโ€™ve got to get to get yourself a ticket to Full-Toneโ€™s next festival.

The people who put their efforts and passion into its success have given Devizes an annual festival to be proud of. Itโ€™s become an event that brings our community together, gives a phenomenal orchestral experience and makes the โ€˜what to do over bank holidayโ€™ decision even harder!

The sound is unforgettable, the vibes are perfectly chilled and itโ€™s a great value for money weekend.

Fulltone Festival 2023 – Day One ยฉGail Foster

Full-Tone Festival: Sunday: Darren Worrow

Day two of the Full-Tone Festival here in Devizes, and I’m afraid they’ve got me rocking up this time around, the big bad editor to cast my beady eye on matters; itโ€™s Sunday and Iโ€™m grouchy, God dammit!

Allow me thus, to summarise the magic with a story, as I annoyingly tend to do (what? Itโ€™s an age thing, you donโ€™t gotta read it!) An anecdote which sees me front and centre absorbing those overwhelming acoustics, bumping into a friend Georgie Devon, who was looking stunning in black dress and glitter, causing me to wonder if she was up there singing on that magnificent stage, and I was right, she was, but I had no idea she could sing!

Fulltone Festival 2023 Day Two ยฉGail Foster

For Chris, Snedds, Titch and Jambo, aka the southwest’s champion indie-pop band, Talk in Code, they’ve arrived semi-fresh from the Victorious festival in Southsea, they’re no stranger to a stage, and naturally, they rocked it. For a smidgen over half-hour, they stole the stage, wowing an audience perhaps unaccustomed to festivals, least hoping for classic singalong covers, with their irresistible originals. Talk in Code donโ€™t do covers, they’re an originals band, but both their catchy songs and energetic stage presence holds said audience spellbound, as if they got what they wanted. What Iโ€™m suggesting is you might well be induced into some John Hughes eighties soundtrack, for Talk in Code rinse in the retrospective charm of the era so much I find I liken them to bands like Simple Minds, rather than something contemporary.

Talk in Code @ Fulltone Festival 2023 Day Two ยฉGail Foster

Apt then, for them to be placed prior to a set by the orchestra and guest singers of eighties classic pop, which was both โ€œradโ€ and โ€œwicked,โ€ in the eighties slang meanings of the words! Unlike you lucky lot, I had to work this morning, and had Heartโ€™s Alone, perpetually looped in my head, a particularly adroitly performed cover amidst the many wonderful renditions of a very best of Now, Thatโ€™s why I Call Music compilation; utterly brilliant, Full-Tone. I loved that song, and all the big-haired soft rock chicks; how would Heart get me alone? Well, they only had to ask!

Fulltone Festival 2023 Day Two ยฉGail Foster

Back to knowing those Talk in Code guys to seal my overall angle on this piece. It was a no-brainer their set would be this electric, but for the occasional and amateur singers, such as Georgie, the opportunity to deliver a song here on this now iconic stage for the town, amidst a full orchestra, is golden, not to mention the cherry on the cake as to why Full-Tone is so Devizes, and so magical.

Even when star in the making, Jess Self, gets up there, the thrill on her face says what I’m trying to convey, and this young star is accustomed to the stage. The ensemble of these musicians and performers is a monumental occasion for our humble market town. For those not from Devizes, or who hasnโ€™t been to a Full-Tone, imagine, if you will, The Proms, mix it with Pete Tongโ€™s Heritage Orchestra, add a spice of community festival, and stir in a pot of village fete.

Jess Self @ Fulltone Festival 2023 Day Two ยฉGail Foster

Then some keyboard warrior goes on Facebook clutching at straws to find any minor issues to whinge about the event. โ€œThe least the orchestra could have done was to prevent the rain and stop the traffic,โ€ I joked with chief organiser Jemma Brown, as the rant included the grass was wet and there was noise from the road!

The Full-Tone Orchestra can musically pull a rabbit from a hat, but they’re not gods! Just a collection of talented individuals, a majority of which are local, and the coming together on this scale, the logistics in organising it, the opportunities it provides, the attention to detail, from first aid to side stalls and from portaloos to one man standing conducting a variety packed programme for a full weekend is bonkers amazeballs, and to nitpick unavoidable paltry I can only imagine is based on pathetic jealousy.

โ€œHere’s a man who needs his bed!โ€ I guesstimated to conductor Anthony Brown as he approached to greet me. I had one question for him, as we stood next to this impressive stage surrounded by a mass of crowds clearly enjoying themselves without an inkling or care of online rants. The stage has become iconic, the event has become ingrained in just a few short years in our town’s culture, as I predicted after the inaugural one. The million-dollar question for him; where do you take this next?

Fulltone Festival 2023 Day Two ยฉGail Foster

Anthony elucidated it would continue annually but was keen to express there would be some changes. Yet what is important right now, Full-Tone this year was an extension of its previous success rate, it was spectacular on a level apt for a mass audience to enjoy and was a cherry on top of the cake already baked through previous years.

Unlike DOCA events it gets no arts grant, so it must put a price on it, and as we said prior, comparatively it’s reasonable. It is what it is, and I’m not going to suggest it’s everyone’s cuppa, even, but plonk yourself in the middle of it, witness those having fun or stand in awe of the talent and the acoustics they breath into it, and you cannot put a justified complaint in, impossible! Full-Tone works, and Full-Tone is enjoyed by the masses, masses which wouldn’t usually consider an orchestral occasion or festival, for this it is magical, and as Anthony hinted, here to stay; wonderful.

Fulltone Festival 2023 Day Two ยฉGail Foster

Trending…..

Nothing Rhymes With Orange Storm The Southgate

If The Southgate is Devizesโ€™ finest and most reliable pub music venue, it’s usually favoured by an adult crowd. Yet it’s without doubt that Nothingโ€ฆ

Waiting for M3Gโ€™s new Single…..

So yeah, I thought Iโ€™d be funny by commenting โ€œcanโ€™t waitโ€ on Chippenhamโ€™s upcoming folk singer-songwriter Megโ€™s Facebook post announcing her latest single, because, youโ€ฆ

Bradford on Avon Green Man Festival

Featured Image: Colin Rayner Photography If Iโ€™ve recently been singing the praises of arts diversity in Bradford-on-Avon, centred around the Wiltshire Music Centre and notโ€ฆ

Meg at The Neeld in Chippenhamย 

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

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

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



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

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

When William the Conqueror Came to Marlborough

By Florence Lee

William the Conqueror might not be a band known by everyone, but quite simply should be. With Ruarri Joseph on vocals and guitar, Naomi Holmes on bass and vocals and Harry Harding on drums and vocals, their heavenly harmonies, beautiful music and captivating performance quite literally conquered all expectations the audience walked in with….

Their newly released album โ€˜Excuse Me Whilst I Vanishโ€™ was mixed by Barney Barnicott (Arctic Monkeys, Stereophonics, Sam Fender) and recorded on vintage equipment to create a sound unlike other Indie Rock artists. Their idiomatic approach to music is refreshing to your ears, especially when being played in the beautiful venue of St Peters’ Church in Marlborough.

It is obvious to see that all band members are and have been friends for a very long time by the ease in their music and performance, but it also clear to see the individual influence on certain songs and performances. With influence coming from all over the music industry, their albums take on a sound unlike others. Mixing blues, folk, punk and groove music hints to artists like Saint Etienne or Joe Bonamassa. Personally, I think the vocals sounds like a slow Antony Kiedis song.

Thanks to Sound Knowledge, I was lucky enough to be able to interview these talented musicians. Read below:

Why are you called William the Conqueror?

โ€˜A combination of being supremely confident and stupid. Sort of what I was like as a child โ€“ so it just to represent that youthful confidence with also youthful idiocy. I was very brave calling us William the Conqueror, but very stupid as well.โ€™

How and why did you come together as a band?

โ€˜That was quite a natural thing that happened. We were all in Cornwall at the same time. We sort of met each other on the Cornish music scene many years ago and started playing together. It was all quite natural. Kind of accidental. Started playing together and then it just became a band โ€“ It is the best way.โ€™

How do you go about writing you music and do you have any tips?

โ€˜Just always have a pen in your hand; you donโ€™t know when some idea might come to you. Late at night generally, on my own with nobody interrupting me. Tired and about to go to bed and suddenly an idea will come and I will stay up for the night. Though, they are usually finished in a soundcheck.โ€™

Where does your inspiration come from?

โ€˜All over. No one place. We are like a Frankenstein band. Naomiโ€™s comes from a kind of disco, groove background. Harry more like funk and soul, mine some blues and folk. We try to chuck it all in and see what happens.โ€™

How did each of you get into music?

โ€˜Just listening. I have always just loved it since I was small. You just react to music and have a love for it. It just takes you over and consumes you and before you know it, you are doing this.โ€™

โ€˜I donโ€™t ever remember thinking โ€˜right I am going to become a musician.โ€™ If you are passionate about it, it just happens.โ€™

If you could play with one band or artist who would it be?

โ€˜Tom Waits โ€“ I would love to play with Tom Waits.โ€™

โ€˜I would like to just be friends with a lot of people. I am not sure I would love to play with them as it would be a bit terrifying. Being around that process would be very interesting, you would learn so much. But I would just sit behind them and worry the whole time.โ€™

One for the drummers: What drum sticks do you use? [Editor’s note: essential question from our wonderful new writer, Florence is drummer for local upcoming band Paradigm – so please, shower their insta with follows!]

โ€˜Well, I use 7aโ€™s, because they are lighter and you can then play light. I like 5aโ€™s because they are a bit more like explosion sounds. I donโ€™t ever use nilon tips, I only use wooden tips because I prefer the sound. Anything I like the feel of really. I use Vic Firth a lot. Tonight I used Vaterโ€™s.โ€™

Thank you very much Sound Knowledge to let me meet these incredible artists,

Florence.

Forthcoming Events and InStores at Sound Knowledge:

Sunday 22nd October 2023 – BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB @ St. Peter’s Church

Friday 1st September 2023 – HANNAH GEORGAS Instore

Saturday 26th August 2023 – WILLIE J HEALEY Instore

Thursday 17th August 2023 – TOM SPEIGHT Instore

Trending…..

Viduals Release New Single

Is that ex still playing on your mind? It’s been an age, mate, but no amount of friendsโ€™ attempts to console you will help, orโ€ฆ

12 Bars Later Pop into The Badger Set

Mustโ€™ve been a sweaty August night last year at our trusty Southgate, when I turned up on the off chance, and staggered home mightily impressedโ€ฆ

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

August already, Christmas before you know it. I bet youโ€™ve done your Christmas shopping already, havenโ€™t you?! Me? I canโ€™t remember what I had for dinner yesterday. But I do have whatโ€™s happening across wonderful Wiltshire this coming week, and here it isโ€ฆ..

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

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

Wednesday 2nd:

The regular acoustic jam at The Southgate, Devizes.

Blackberry Wood at The Bell, Bath.

Thursday 3rd:

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

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

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

Friday 4th:

Sound Affects are at The Pelican, Devizes.

Open Mic at the Barge, Honey Street.

Post 12 at the Queenโ€™s Tap, Swindon.

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

Whitesnake UK is at The Cheese & Grain.

Saturday 5th:

Curious Kids at Wiltshire Museum, Devizes

Womenโ€™s World Cup โ€“ Girls Football Tournament at Wiltshire FA Green Lane, Devizes

6 Oโ€™clock Circus at The Three Crowns, Devizes.

Chaz Thorogood Trio at The Southgate, Devizes.

People Like Us at The Lamb, Marlborough.

Cooperโ€™s Creek at the Crown, Aldbourne.

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

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

Rotten Aces at Queenโ€™s Tap, Swindon.

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

Rave Against The Regime at the Woodland Edge, Swindon.

The Dung Beatles at Chapel Arts, Bath.

Sunday 6th:

Jon Amor Trio at The Southgate, Devizes

Flats & Sharps at The Bell, Bath.

Courting Ghosts at The Electric Bar, Bath.

Monday 7th:

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

Summer at Queenโ€™s Park, Swindon has The Jabberwocky & Other Nonsense! From 2:00 pm โ€“ 4:00 pm.

Lady Noir at The Bell, Bath.

Tuesday 8th:

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

Robin Hood at Old Town Bowl, Swindon.

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

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

Trending…..

Skanking Up The Muck with The Omega Nebula

What an electric and energetic night of dub-fuelled goodness at the Muck & Dundar in Devizes, with Omega Nebula; I need a historical rewind toโ€ฆ

Wiltshire Music Centre; Proper Job!

Devizes celebrated rum bar, The Muck & Dundar are hosting a dub reggae night with Omega Nebula on Saturday, and received this weekโ€™s prestigious awardโ€ฆ

William The Conqueror to Invade Sound Knowledge, Marlborough!

Yeah, not really who youโ€™re thinking of, you history swot! Rather the Cornish Americana/English alternative folk-rock trio of multi-instrumentalists Ruarri Joseph, Naomi Holmes, and Harry Harding, whoโ€™s unique blend of genres from both sides of the Atlantic can be heard on albums such as 2017’s Proud Disturber of the Peace and 2021’s Maverick Thinker.

Yeah, them, well, theyโ€™re paying an in-store visit to Marlborough on the 29th July, via Sound Knowledgeโ€ฆ. theyโ€™re also at Bexhillโ€™s Musicโ€™s Not Dead the day before, if you want to get historically appropriate and as geographically close to The Battle of Hastings and still see this quality band!

Theyโ€™re there as part of an album launch tour, โ€˜Excuse Me While I Vanishโ€™ released on 28th July, via Chrysalis Records. The story of the album goes along the lines of frontman Ruarri Joseph finding himself cocooned at home during lockdown, ruminating on an uncertain creative future, watching on as his wife Mandy, a valiant mental health social worker, engaged with the all-too-real dilemmas of the pandemic-riven here and now. Her example motivated Joseph to become a temporary care worker, an experience which would provide renewed focus and influence the songwriting on the new album.

โ€œMy wife was insomniac for the first six months of lockdown, which made it impossible for me to moan or grieve the fact that everything Iโ€™d been working on for the last five years had come to a standstill,โ€ he explains. โ€œIt was a much-needed perspective and made me realise what a selfish undertaking William had been โ€“ navel-gazing with my head in the clouds when what people needed was boots firmly on the ground, preferably on the feet of someone like Mandy.โ€

But, the bandโ€™s fourth album finds the indie-rock trio firing on all cylinders as Joseph confronts the thin line between creativity and madness, inspired by compassion for the real-life angels of the world.

Produced by the band in a playground of vintage gear, and mixed by Barny Barnicott (Arctic Monkeys, Sam Fender, Kasabian), the resulting albumโ€™s ten tracks marry earworm tunes with insistent, imperious, soaring rock shapes, punctuated by chorus hooks that are simultaneously nuanced and anthemic. Josephโ€™s compelling semi-spoken vocals and swamp-blues-Seattle-scuzz guitars are propelled by the rhythm section of Naomi Holmes and Harry Harding as โ€˜Excuse Me While I Vanishโ€™ delivers an effortlessly winning blend of melody and ensemble dynamics, the most accomplished William The Conqueror album to date.

With William The Conquerorโ€™s live performances drawing wildly enthusiastic comparisons to the likes of Kings of Leon, Nirvana, Buffalo Tom and The Marshall Tucker Band, the trio performed to a packed room at The Great Escape earlier this year and recently completed a European tour with Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats.ย 

The band will also play at Latitude Festival this month, before embarking on a nationwide in-store tour in support of the albumโ€™s release across July and August and a full headline tour in October. Other venues close to us include Bristolโ€™s Rough Trade on 30th, and Oxfordโ€™s Truck Store on 1st August, but the all live shows are based in larger towns and cities, you have to hand it to Roger and his team at Sound Knowledge, the ones who brought George Ezra to Trowvegas, theyโ€™re bringing in the names only cities would get the pleasure to witness, and this particular gig is certainly one the eye for olโ€™ Haroldโ€ฆ..sorry, I couldnโ€™t resist!

The trio will be playing a short set at St. Peter’s Church, Marlborugh on Sat 29th July. It’s a FREE event, but let the record store know if you’d like to attend by sending them a message or popping a note in with your album pre-order, HERE.

Trending…..

Snakebite Tune From The Dirty Smooth

Snotty nose, change of weather, otherwise Iโ€™d have dragged my sorry ass down to Underground, formerly Level III in Swindon for last weekendโ€™s Children inโ€ฆ

Just Meg; an Interview

by Jess Worrow

I confess a few nerves about my first interview, in a coffee shop in Chippenham, however after meeting folk singer-songwriter Meg, it became more like a chat between two friends. Meg is appearing on the line-ups of many local festivals and venues, from Trowbridgeโ€™s Pump, Chippenham Pride and Folk Festival, to MDBTYD festival in Swindon.….

I asked her which gig she was most looking forward to, โ€œthe Minety Festival is where most of my focus is, as it’s the closest,โ€ she explained. Meg is playing the Minety stage on Friday night alongside other upcoming artists such as Boston Green and The Sunnies, and amidst legends like Dodgy, Reef and Scouting For Girls.

But which are her favourite venues and most memorable gigs? โ€œIt’s a difficult question, I find gigs better when there are friendly people and a good environment. I did a gig with Boston Green at Newark Hall in Chippenham; they were amazing!โ€ Meg was passionate about the Pump in Trowbridge, which presents opportunities to upcoming and diverse musicians. โ€œKieran,โ€ she said, โ€œwho runs it is really involved in helping young musicians.โ€

I was keen to understand the difficulties for younger people getting local bookings, at sixteen it must be hard to get gigs being many venues are pub-based. โ€œAt times it can,โ€ Meg said, โ€œI’ve had a few venues whoโ€™ve said no because theyโ€™re 18 plus, so, like bars and clubs, as legally it would be very difficult. Then getting the fan base in because many of them are younger as well.โ€

Whatโ€™s Megโ€™s favourite thing about performing? โ€œThe fact I can do it and that there’s an audience who cares enough to actually listen, and who will come up and talk to me afterwards; itโ€™s really sweet. And of course, I love it! I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t love it.โ€

Glastonbury is a dream gig for any artist, Meg included. โ€œThough I don’t think I’d like to go there unless I was playing,โ€ she remarked. Meg cited Florence and the Machine and Aurora as influences, โ€œthey have been hugely influential on my personal style. When I was first going out, I didn’t have many originals, mainly doing Florence and Aurora covers.โ€ But now Meg is a prolific writer. โ€œAt this point,โ€ she expressed, โ€œI’m doing all originals, but this time last year I only had two and was doing mainly covers. I actually wrote a bunch of songs whilst doing my GCSEs! Itโ€™s a good way to relieve stress. So, I have a lot more material now.โ€

Enough for an album, and at such a young age? Meg was thrilled about an opportunity to record her songs, โ€œI mean thatโ€™s got to be exciting, right?โ€

โ€œI’m so excited for that!โ€ Meg expressed, โ€œI’ve got two days booked, so hopefully I’ll get all the songs I’ve got going at the moment recorded. Yess, there’s going to be an album! We are going to aim to start releasing around September, and then the album will probably come out between then and Christmas.โ€

โ€œI feel like the music industry isn’t always that accessible to become successful in, but at my age, I think I have the freedom to put a lot of time into it, and I’m obviously still supported by my parents, and I love them so much; they help me a lot with it!โ€

I wondered where Meg got her inspiration. โ€œInspired by the work of Aurora and Florence and the Machine,โ€ she began, โ€œI love nature so that can sometimes help. And rain, whenever it rains I seem to get ideas! A month ago it was really misty and I wrote a song which is called Mist, which is one of my favourites. When inspiration strikes you just have to write; I often find Iโ€™ll be writing songs in the back of my school books!โ€

Where did it all begin? โ€œThis probably sounds cliche,โ€ Meg replied, โ€œbut it’s always been there, as soon as I could talk I started singing! I was four when I wrote my first little song. I would always sing with my mum when I was younger which really helped get me into it and my dad played musical instruments so that helped too.โ€

Mist being her personal fav, Meg continued, โ€œThere is this one that’s a calm one; some people say it’s sad, but it’s very nostalgic for me. It’s called Hide in the Rain. There is also another one that’s really helped me through a lot of things, called Together, because Iโ€™m autistic the song has helped remind me I can unmask, I don’t have to pretend to be someone else and it’s fine to be me.โ€

Mentioning Together, about her autism, I asked Meg when she is writing her songs does she try to represent autism? โ€œI think Together is the only song I’ve written about it. But I do quite openly talk about it and I don’t think it should be something people are scared to talk about. For me personally it’s part of who I am and I really value that part of me. It’s made some parts of life difficult but it’s made parts of my life better. I honestly don’t think I would be doing this if I wasn’t autistic, in a weird way. All of my songs are about me in some respect and it’s a part of me I can’t escape.โ€

Does Meg get performance anxiety? โ€œSometimes, it often depends on the gigs. At new environments like a festival Iโ€™ve never been to, or when I’ve got a lot of new songs I haven’t performed, I found then that it can be very nerve-racking.โ€

It was lovely chatting to Meg, I asked her what her proudest musical accomplishment was, so far. โ€œI’m not sure. It’s hard to say, but coming second in Take the Stage in Chippenham, when I was fifteen has to be up there!โ€ And Iโ€™m sure there will be many more!

You can find Meg performing at Minety, Trowbridge Festival, MDBYTD and The Shuffle and regularly at The Pump. 

Follow MEG on Instagram Facebook

Trending……

Devizes Library Hopes To Start Lego Club

Everything is awesome upon hearing that Devizes Library is hoping to start a regular Lego Club, and they are asking folk to donate unwanted Legoโ€ฆ

Shakespeare Live – Autumn Tour

An early and rarely-performed play, ‘Two Gentlemen of Verona’ has feisty heroines, lovelorn & bickering young men, dictatorial parents, foolish suitors, cross-dressing, letters galore, wildโ€ฆ

REVIEW โ€“ Devizes Arts Festival โ€“ Hawes & Catlow @ St Andrews, Chris Ingham Trio @ Town Hall 15th June 2023

Andy Fawthrop

The Hot & The Cool


Devizes Arts Festival headed towards the end of its second week with a double-dip into the chocolateโ€“box of goodies. At lunchtime we had some hot folk, and in the evening we had cool jazz……

St Andrews was the venue at lunchtime as Kit Hawes (guitar, vocals) and Aaron Catlow (violin, vocals) played an absolutely wonderful set of folk tunes and songs. This was no ordinary duo though โ€“ what we heard was absolutely spell-binding stuff. It was largely fiddle-led instrumentals, supported by a wonderful picked guitar, as the two musicians really leaned into their set. Between songs, the pair were chatty and engaging, charming the audience with their laid-back style. The only thing wrong with their set was that it was too short! However, we could forgive them as the guys had to get away because, following this performance, the duo were due to visit two care homes to meet and perform for the residents, courtesy of the performing music charity, Live Music Now. Absolutely sparkling stuff.

For the evening we moved just across the road to the Assembly Room of The Town Hall for The Chris Ingham Trio and an altogether cooler, more laid-back experience. The trio featured Chris himself on piano, vocals and commentary, with Joe Pettitt on upright bass, and George Double on percussion and (soprano) vocals.

Their programme was based around the jazz compositions of the beloved comic actor Dudley Moore (1935-2002). Whilst being more famous for his comic sketch acting on TV and in films, often with his co-comic Peter Cook, Dudley was also one of the UKโ€™s most dazzling, swinging jazz pianists and a composer of wit and depth. The decision to revisit Mooreโ€™s music in The Jazz Of Dudley Moore, with sounds from the fabulous 1960s Decca trio albums, the TV show โ€œNot Only But Alsoโ€ (1965-70) and the brilliant movie soundtracks for โ€œBedazzledโ€ (1967) and โ€œ30 Is A Dangerous Age, Cynthiaโ€ (1968) was a good one, and it made for an excellent evening of jazz, that was both instructive and thoroughly entertaining.

During the evening we (well definitely me!) learned a lot about Dudley Moore and his life. Moore was a vastly under-rated and prodigious jazz talent. He was a working-class Dagenham boy, which always left him feeling somewhat second-best next to the highly intelligent and Cambridge educated co-conspirators Peter Cook, Jonathan Miller and Alan Bennett. He felt he could not always communicate as well as his peers, and music was his outlet for his feelings, his desire to love, and his need to be loved (see โ€œLove Me!โ€). There is much melancholy there, and his psychological profile was of a man who was lonely, and whose emotions were fragile. He spent much of his life in therapy of one sort or another. His inner demons drove his manic comedy, his drinking and his womanising. Yet he was possessed of immense personal charm and playfulness.

All of this Chris and the boys attempted to convey in words, and illustrate through the music. Chris could never (in his own words) play piano in exact imitation of Dudley, so the idea was to give โ€œanother run-out to the spirit of the manโ€™s musical styleโ€ โ€“ playful, and committed to swing, often with a bossa nova groove.

Chrisโ€™s commentary between songs was erudite, yet chatty and witty. His playing was spirited, yet sympathetic, as he led the trio through โ€œBedazzledโ€, โ€œCornfieldโ€, โ€œSong For Suzieโ€, โ€œWaterlooโ€, โ€œSad One For Georgeโ€ and many others. A well-deserved encore of โ€œGood-byeeeโ€ simply put the cherry on the cake of a really wonderful evening.

The Devizes Arts Festival continues for only two more days until Saturday 17th June.

Tickets can be booked at Devizes Books or online at www.devizesartsfestival.org.uk

Trending……

Retro Relics Games Cafe Opening In Lavington

With a wide selection of family-friendly and retro board games, RPGs such as Magic the Gathering, Warhammer and Pokรฉmon,ย and serving tea, coffee, cakes and, oh,โ€ฆ

The Sisters and The Brothers at the British Lion

by Ben Niamor with images by Andy Fawthrop

Continuing the tradition of great quality Devizes Arts Festival fringe events in the wonderful town centre beer garden of the British lion, Devizes this year we were treated to a cracking bluegrass band.…

Hats off to the arts festival for finding outstanding artists in any given field. It takes more than a check shirt to carry off the traditional sound of bluegrass, especially if you are from our side of the pond!

A six piece bluegrass outfit comprised of Steel guitar, double bass, banjo, fiddle, mandolin , and acoustic guitar and everyone lending vocals.. laid out here and played in delightful harmony. Bluegrass often celebrates the darker side of life, in such a way the brain can wonder how these stories can give us such fun? But fun it was, great fun.

Songs of life, loss and whiskey.. Gotta get drunkโ€ฆ sung by the wonderful gent on steel guitar, those ensembled agree the fact heโ€™s sat down and enjoying the great beer means heโ€™s best suited to sing this.. A bunch of self penned tunes were interspersed within some classic genre covers such as Jolene, some more unusual Bob Dylan, and some classic roots songs across three sets.

All in a fantastic gig, and way to enjoy several hours, even the weather played ball and held off with a sunny flourish for the last set! Thankyou to the excellent band, our wonderful host for the garden, beers and charity barbecue, and of course the arts festival.

Devizes Arts Festival continues until Saturday 17th June. Tickets HERE.

Trending….

Summer Roots Festivalโ€ฆ.In Keevil?!

You may know the tiny village of Keevil, the name of which will never cease to remind me of Evel Knievel, for its airfield steeped in spitfire history, but there are some things in the village deeply rooted to the ground. One is a rather exclusive folk club regularly held in the village hall.…

It first came to my attention when the Lost Trades announced it as a date on their ambitious album tour, leading me to gulp, Keevil, you mean the Keevil, for like Christopher Lambert in Highlander, there can be only one? Yes, came their reply like a Facebook whisper, as if it was all as top secret as Area 51. A low key affair, I was told, hardly exploited on the social media sites Iโ€™m addicted to sourcing all known information from. And, if Iโ€™m honest, Iโ€™ve never had need to physically pass through there; for fear of treading on a Trowbridge patch, my milk-float turns around at Bulkington, which incidentally will never cease to remind me of the Lipps Inc disco classic, you know how it goes; โ€œwant to take you to, Bul-kin-town!โ€

However, away with such disco and American stuntman silliness, we did receive an email from Rachel Howe about next week’s Keevil Summer Roots Festival, which aside elucidating the folk nights were a, โ€œsmall affair; only 76 allowed in our village hall with tables and chairs,โ€ this event will be open to a larger audience, and itโ€™s free during the day, other than a fiver to park.

So, from 3pm next Saturday, 17th June, the village welcomes their inaugural Summer Roots Festival, on the Barnfield Recreation Ground. Find afternoon activities and entertainment on the Recreation Ground, completely free to enter, with happenings catering for all ages including children’s activities, tug-of-war, crafting corners, artisan gift stalls, food van, ice cream, Festival Bar, โ€œmuch more.โ€

That โ€œmuch moreโ€ includes the Wilshire Police Band, so behave yourselves, and Forest of Dean acoustic duo Jan & Ian.

Then from half-past five, thereโ€™s an evening of live music in the village hall, and tickets are ยฃ15 from HERE.ย 

Raymondoโ€™s food truck, the Festival Bar and doors open at the village hall, ready for the music to start at 6pm. The tried and tested at their regular folk club musical haul includes Wiltshire based foot-stomping five-piece Stoneโ€™s Throw, with a Keevil-own drummer they will be playing classic rock and pop anthems. Grassroots folk singer songwriter Alan Hinds. Westburyโ€™s easy-listening family duo MGB, Frome-based ukulele renditions of classical tunes marvels The Frukes, and Bathโ€™s lounge jazz duo, Body & Soul, local acoustic eyeopener Ian Rayney, ragtime and music hall aficionado, Hilary Pavey.

Keevil may be one of the smallest villages in Wiltshire but, thanks to the tireless efforts of a group of volunteers, it seems theyโ€™ve packed a punch. Wishing they could do more with theirย  Recreation Ground. They are excited to be bringing this festival-style celebration of local creative talent to the village, and we wish them all the best with it. So, put that in your pipe, Evel, who never did attempt the Grand Canyon jump!

Trending……

Swindon Rocks for Children In Need

Saturday 4th November Underground, 73 Commercial Road, Swindon, SN1 5NX Swindon’s biggest indie pop Talk In Code are working alongside Underground, based on Commercial Road in Swindon, ourโ€ฆ

Song of The Week: Meg

Quick one from me today, you’ll be happy to hear! Song of the week comes from Meg, dreamily expressing her romantic thoughts, hidden from theโ€ฆ

Devizine Podcast Sept 23

Pinky promise or idol threat? I’ll let you decide, but the aim is to produce a monthly podcast after prototypes at the end of lastโ€ฆ

Song of the Week: Canute’s Plastic Army

Swindon Celtic folk at it’s finest, Anish Harrison and Neil Mercer smash it again, this one is sublime, it’s called Wild, no spoilers, just listen,โ€ฆ

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 7th – 13th June 2023

Trouble, troublemaker, yeah, thatโ€™s your middle name, oh-oh, sings my homeboy Olly, but really, I ask you, what kind of a parent gives their kids a middle name like troublemaker? Ah, well, sign of times; hereโ€™s the lowdown on everything weโ€™ve found to be doing around these backwaters this coming weekโ€ฆ.

Donโ€™t forget thereโ€™s more info on these, ticket links and irregular updates on our sparkly Event Calendar, so plan ahead. But this week we haveโ€ฆdrum rollโ€ฆ..

Ongoing, Hail the Curious, the inaugural exhibit at The Forbidden Carnival in Chippenham; check it out by the end of the month.

 Wednesday 7th

Devizes Arts Festival still going strong, with Welsh, Polish and Belgian influences, the Aglica Trio explore exciting works by lesser-known composers as well as delving into the standard classical repertoire. 8pm at Devizes Town Hall.

Regular acoustic jam at the Southgate in Devizes.

Dragons And Mythical Beasts at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.

San Reetam at Komedia, Bath.

Thursday 8th

Devizes Arts Festival has cello and guitar duo Dieci Corde at 12:30pm in the Town Hall, and Lucy Stevens is Gertrude Lawrence in A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening, 7:30pm also at the Town Hall.

Meanwhile over at The Wharf Theatre, it’s the opening night for Watson and Brownโ€™s Little Big Band, running until Saturday 10th.

Also running until the 10th, The Marlborough Players Presents Ian Hislop & Nick Newmanโ€™s A Bunch of Amateurs at Marlborough Town Hall.

The Overmorrow play The Tuppenny in Swindon, The Zoots are at Swindon Arts Centre with some Sound of The 60s, and Alan Fletcherโ€™s The Doctor Will See You Now is at The Wyvern Theatre.

Comedy Drag Bingo with Charlie Hides from Ru Paulโ€™s Drag Race at Komedia, Bath, Human Nature at the Rondo Theatre, Luke De-Sciscio is at Chapel Arts, with support from Ella Clayton.

Friday 9th

Major British comedy talent Marcus Brigstocke is at Devizes Arts Festival, 8pm at the Corn Exchange. Plan of Action plays The Southgate, Devizes, and Gaz Brookfield is at The Barge on Honey-Street.

Mobile Blackout at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon, Quartetto Di Cremonaโ€™s Italian Postcards at the Wiltshire Music Centre.

Living Spit presents One Man and His Cow at Pound Arts, Corsham.

Celebrate Me at the Rondo Theatre, Bath, Mississippi MacDonald at Chapel Arts, and Kalopsia, Intrusive, Sharpie & Dreamcaster all at Moles.

Grunge Tribute Shades of Seattle at The Vic in Swindon, a change from the Chaos Brothers as previously advertised, Oasish at Coleview Community Centre, and 

An Evening And A Little Bit Of Morning with Mark Steel at The Wyvern Theatre.

Saturday 10th

Marden Village Fete. Thereโ€™s an Antique Sale at Devizes Market Place from 9am-3pm, and the Devizes Arts Festival continues with a free fringe event at 2pm in the Condado Lounge, Jukebox James,  Tessa Dunlop, 3pm at the Town Hall, and folk-influenced Americana with Noble Jacks at 8pm in the Corn Exchange. Noble Jacks are a rip-roaring alt.folk band with roof-raising energy, whose warm electro-acoustic interactions fuse together a mixture of folky footstompinโ€™ rhythms and engaging lyricism.

Elsewhere in Devizes, the Eric Bell Band Band play Long Street Blues Club, Lewis Clark is at The Southgate, Ben Borrill at the Moonrakers, a One Chord Wonders and The Killertones for a Cavalier special, see poster.

Time for The Famous Hangover Sessions at the Lamb in Marlborough, with Splat the Rat, The Station, The Vooz and of course, Pants.

North Wiltshire Symphony Orchestra Presents a Summer Concert at the Neeld Hall in Chippenham. John Morrissey memorial gig at the Consti Club in aid of Dorothy House.

The Stones, tribute at the Civic in Trowbridge, oh, and this….

Nadine Khouri at Pound Arts, Corsham.

Itโ€™s the Bradford-on-Avon Food & Drink Festival, Vonj at the Three Horseshoes. 

Boorish Trumpson at the Rondo Theatre, Bath, Untamed Burlesque at Chapel Arts.

King Awesome at The Vic, Swindon, Kentwood Choir t Swindon Arts Centre, and 

Elizabeth & Philip โ€“ A Story of Young Love, Marriage, and Monarchy at The Wyvern Theatre. 

Nearly Dan โ€“ The Spirit & Sound of Steely Dan at the Cheese & Grain in Frome.

Sunday 11th

Lions on the Green, Devizes Lions Clubโ€™s annual car show and fun day at Devizes Green. Devizes Arts Festival, Festival Walk โ€“ Wansdyke Wanderings. Briefing at 10.20am. Thereโ€™s a free fringe event, 2pm at the British Lion, hard stompinโ€™, bluegrassy, old-timey playing of The Sisters & The Brothers.

Friggit at The Tuppenny in Swindon.

The Jon Amor Trio play The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon.

Adam Giles Levy is at the Electric Bar in Komedia, Bath, Josh Berryโ€™s Sexual Politics at Rondo Theatre, Flamenco Express at Chapel Arts.

Monday 12th

Devizes Arts Festival have An Evening with furniture restorer, Will Kirk, primarily known for his work on BBCโ€™s phenomenally successful restoration programme The Repair Shop.

7:30pm at the Corn Exchange.

Rock The Tots: Whatever The Weather at Pound Arts, Corsham.

Wiltshire Schools Dance Festival at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.

Tuesday 13th

Devizes Arts Festivalโ€™s Lois Pryce: Revolutionary Ride โ€“ One Womanโ€™s Solo Motorcycle Journey around Iran at the Bear Hotel, the Elles Bailey Band play the Corn Exchange at 8pm.

McCartney โ€“ The Songbook at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.

Thatโ€™s all I got for you, trouble, troublemaker. I know youโ€™re no good, but youโ€™re stuck in my brain, or Brian, or whatever. So, just for you a reminder this list is not exhaustive, and more events will undoubtedly be added to our event calendar as and when we discover them. So keep an eye on it, just the one though, be safe and have a good week.

Trending….

Ed Byrne: Tragedy Plus Time

SYNDICATED INTERVIEW By Jason Barlow Images: Roslyn Gaunt Is there no end to the manโ€™s talents? A staple of revered panel show Mock the Week,โ€ฆ

Song of the Week: Meg

Chippenhamโ€™s folk singer-songwriter Meg gets our early song of the week this week, and The Cycle is only her debut single…. Iโ€™ve spoken twice toโ€ฆ

Atari Pilot are Waiting for the Summer

Kempston joystick! There’s a new single from Swindonโ€™s sonic indie-rock blasters Atari Pilot, and it seems theyโ€™re waiting for the summer to fall. Hint, guys,โ€ฆ

Donโ€™t Give Up Now, Ruby Darbyshire

As discoveries of young local talent never seem to wane here at Devizine, hereโ€™s one with a difference, weโ€™ve not featured yet; you may haveโ€ฆ

Some Work Experience At The Southgate!

Not as the title might suggest…. Since I peaked too soon over the bank holiday, coupled with working it, yeah, I sadly missed Monday’s entertainmentโ€ฆ

Song of the Week: Becky Lawrence

Song of the week, on a Saturday, yeah I know, but this oneโ€™s just been released yesterday, and Iโ€™m a little behind, and opening myselfโ€ฆ

20’s Plenty Says Devizes Town Councillors

Let’s face facts, they’re not referring to their average age here, are they?! Todayโ€™s topic is belting through town like a headless chicken escaping Colonelโ€ฆ

REVIEW โ€“ Devizes Arts Festival โ€“ Texas Tick Fever @ Three Crowns, Devizes, 4th June 2023

Andy Fawthrop

Free Fringe Frolics

Another day, another venue, and the Devizes Arts Festival is now getting into its stride. ย Thisย afternoon was the first of the five FREE events in this yearโ€™s programme, and what a cracker itย turned out to be.…

Texas Tick Fever hail from that there Stroud, up in the Wild North Country, and rolled into town full of energy on a beautiful sunny afternoon in the courtyard of The Three Crowns.  The Vize was about to be treated to some bluegrass, yโ€™all.  Although theyโ€™re a firm fixture on the roots music circuit, theyโ€™re a band Iโ€™d not personally run into before.  Took โ€˜em about two numbers and I was quickly hooked.

The boysโ€™ marketing BS had talked about their music being โ€œmoonshine-fuelledโ€, but this being Theย Vize, it was more Wadworth 6X and ice-cream-fuelled. ย Not that that mattered in the slightest, asย they were on absolutely top form.

Their blend of Americana/ roots/ hillbilly/ Appalachian/ backwoods/ hayseed and good old bluegrass quickly had the crowd applauding.  With plenty of wise-cracking and self-deprecating humour on the side, this was just perfect stuff for a lazy afternoon at the pub.  Featuring banjo and guitar, occasional harmonica, kick-drum and harmonising vocals, the guys made some great music.  There was new and original stuff, and plenty of covers, including Sittinโ€™ On Top Oโ€™ The World, It Takes A Worried Man, Down In Mississippi and (believe it or not, older readers look away now) that old theme to The Beverly Hillbillies.  Amazing.  And who could forget their fully-deserved encore of Duelling Banjos?  Terrific stuff.

Theyโ€™ve also won my โ€œBest Introduction To A Songโ€ Award for one of their intros.  Following a decent re-telling of the urban myth, where legend has it that Robert Johnson met the devil at a crossroads and gave him his soul in exchange for mastery of the guitar, Stretch leaned into the mic and grinned, saying โ€œwell, anyways, this next song has absolutely nothinโ€™ to do with thatโ€.  Comic timing at its best.

Absolutely terrific entertainment, and an early highlight of the Festival for me.

And thereโ€™s more FREE Fringe next Saturday 10th June in Condado Lounge with Jukebox James, next Sunday 11th June in the British Lion with Sisters & Brothers, and the following Saturday 17th June with Carrie Etter Poetry.

The Devizes Arts Festival continues at various venues around town until Saturday 17th June.  

Tickets can be booked at Devizes Books or online atย www.devizesartsfestival.org.ukย ย 

Has Swindon’s Liddington Hill Created Celtic Grunge?!

Explosive new EP from Liddington Hill released tomorrow, Edge of Insanity, begging the question, have they created a whole new subgenre?

As an impressionable Essex teenager coming from a hip hop background, thrust unwillingly into an eerie Wiltshire village like Sam Emerson in the Lost Boys, I endeavoured to align myself with the musical tastes of the natives. Yet, while I pre-gained a penchant for soft metal, the pop charts latest exploitation, I never envisioned lying semi-subconsciously under a fallen Christmas tree with a gang of crusty kids, while the needle stuck on the last notes of the Pouges’ Transmetropolitan, and everyone too drunk on Cinzano to change the record.

Fair to assume The Pouges belted me hard in the bum-fluffed chops, it would be unthinkably embarrassing to show affection for folk music, surely? But this, this was fast and furious, like the punk of a bygone childhood, and turned my preconceptions on its head. Now it’s commonplace, the Celtic punk of Flogging Molly and The Dropkick Murphys are instant likes, but I’ve become immune to their ferociousness; the violent police response to break up parties, and mass of abandoned fires burning across a post-apocalyptic looking Glasto main stage after The Levellers spoke out about not letting the travellers in that year made sure of it.

Yet a want for angry music never extended to grunge by the time it arrived, though I now see it’s worth and power, I was a raver, and felt reggae was the only meaningful source left I’d consider; dance music was blithe and fantastical. So, as I’ve only ever been a window shopper of grunge, I confess dubiousness when Matthew of Liddington Hill emailed me, “it’s a bit grungier.” Not forgoing, it’s been two years since we featured them last, reviewing their debut EP Cow, and if I liked it, which I did, there was always a niggly its songs of traditional Irish shanty and tales of Swindon pub crawls lacked that archetypal anger commonly associated with Celtic punk; they’ve sure made up for that now.

New EP then, out tomorrow (2nd June) called Edge of Insanity, rips a new hole in the fabric of what’s acceptable and very possibly creates a subgenre, for Google searching โ€œCeltic Grungeโ€ doesn’t amass much more than separate Celtic punk and grunge offerings. The Swindon five-piece ask on their blog, “is Celtic grunge a thing yet?” It is now, well done you, because it works, take it from someone for whom grunge is not usually their cuppa.

With some band changes and maternity leave, Edge of Insanity goes much further up Liddington Hill. Peering down on themes of serial killers and the Aberfan disaster, it takes no prisoners itself, carelessly teetering on the edge, as it suggests on the tin. The Celtic riffs against grunge chords is a match made in heaven and a wonder no one thought of it before, bands like Ferocious Dog only meeting part of the way. It’s this blend staring us in the face which makes it for me, bending my grunge preconceptions of โ€˜yeah Nirvana was great, but I’m delving no deeper than the baby on the cover;โ€™ Iโ€™m a Celtic folk hussy, add a slice of it and I’m yours!

Another winner is, beneath the dark and angry dispositions on offer, thereโ€™s historical gospel in the narrative. The opening tune In Rosie’s Room concerns a real mid-19th Century prostitute in gold rush America who tried to steal from a gold mine with her lover. With a hypnotic riff it rings how this EP is going to play out; indignantly dynamic and in your face.

Hold onto your hat though, as itโ€™s about to get real screamy. Keep Hold of your Heart really is a furious thrashed punk expression from the perspective of an inmate in a Sanitorium. Illustrates my point though, usually my toes would curl at this intensity, but given this Celtic roots riff running through it, I can get aboard; it makes The Pouges sound like Brotherhood of Man!

The edge chills off, slightly, Capped in Black is the Aberfan themed song, possibly the ace of spades here, the balance of grunge and Celtic punk is refined and the anger within comes to a dramatic close leaving you aghast at the notion this disaster was allowed to have happened; the effect is achieved.

American serial killer Aileen Wuornos under Liddington Hillโ€™s radar next, the track Maid Of Mayhem is perhaps my personal favourite, retrospectively punk with their new bassist Alannah on first person vocals and making a wonderful job of it, itโ€™s akin to Siouxsie Sioux reworking Springsteenโ€™s Nebraska, on fire!

The 1940s Lipstick Killer, William Heirens is next on the bandโ€™s unglorified hall of serial killer fame with the finale, Lipstick. The band explained, โ€œLiam, for some reason became inspired after reading about a few serial killers and the reasons behind such terrible actions. So he wrote a few songs and we put some together with a couple of other heart-wrenching songs we’d written.โ€ The grunge element seems to wane in favour of upfront punk rock, as we progress past Keep Hold of your Heart, and Iโ€™m grateful for this. Lipstick polishes this explosive caliginous EP off, suitably akin to The Stooges or even early Ramones, while retaining this Celtic folk riff credited to The Pouges, and for this, plus itโ€™s astounding step up in expression and production, is a yes from me.

Free entry to the Vic in Swindon on Thursday 15th June for the EPโ€™s launch party with support from Lucky Number Seven and Dark Prophecy. Find out more info about tomorrowโ€™s release on Liddington Hillโ€™s website, HERE and Facebook HERE.

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As Sweet as HoneyFest!

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Meg at The Neeld in Chippenhamย 

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All Aboard for Imberbus on Saturday !

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

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

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

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

Wednesday 31st:

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

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

Zoo Co: Bossy at Pound Arts in Corsham.

Thursday 1st:

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

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

SuRieโ€™s Cover Me tour comes to Chapel Arts, Milo Edwards is at the Rondo Theatre, Bath.

Friday 2nd:

The popular open mic night at the Exchange in Devizes, plus it is time for Devizes Arts Festival to open its doors; our editor’s pick of the week. Running until 17th June, today starts off with An Evening of Tango Calor, 8pm at the Assembly Room of the Town Hall. Tickets are ยฃ12, Tango Calor is one of the most exciting tango bands performing in the UK. The trio was started by bandoneon player Mirek Salmon in Bristol in 2016 with jazz pianist and film composer Daan Temmink and Cuban vocal sensation Indira Roman.

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

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

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

Saturday 3rd:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sunday 4th:

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

Having said this, itโ€™s also time for the Jon Amor Trio โ€˜s monthly residency at The Southgate, and heโ€™s doubling up the guestlist this time around.

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

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

Monday 5th:

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

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

Airbourne at the Cheese & Grain, Frome.

Tuesday 6th:

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

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

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

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Wharf Writers’ Group Release First Podcast

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Junkyard Dogs are Let off Their Leashes

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Beyond Chippenham Streets

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John Watterson Keeps The Music of Jake Thackray Alive, in Pewsey

Chansonnier Yorkshireman Jake Thackray is paid tribute in Pewseyโ€™s Bouverie Hall on May 26th by fellow Yorkshireman John Watterson, aka โ€œFake Thackrayโ€ฆโ€ฆโ€

An adopted YorkshiremanJohn Watterson, grew up on the Isle of Man, which is where he first met Jake Thackray in 1975. Recalling the performance at his local folk club, which John explains, โ€œhad the audience in stitches,โ€ chatted with a very modest and self-deprecating Jake at the interval, describing him as โ€œa big man and a huge talent, clearly embarrassed by the standing ovation, Jake preferred to have a pint at the bar with the punters and didnโ€™t really see what the fuss was about.โ€

Influenced by the likes of Jaques Brel and Georges Brassens, Thackray wrote and performed unique folk songs recognisably rooted in the English countryside, at times painfully funny, yet often sad, tragic, rude, irreverent, and incisive, and all these things at the same time. His performances in folk clubs led to appearances on The Frost Report, Braden’s Week and That’s Life. In nearly thirty years of performing he made over 1,000 radio and TV appearances ranging from a topical song in magazine programmes to broadcasts of live concerts on both radio and television. His EMI catalogue produced seven albums between 1967 and 1991.

On learning of Jakeโ€™s passing in 2002, John decided that the songs were too good not to be kept alive, so he set about learning more of them. Performing them at a memorial evening in Monmouth, and John is currently researching and writing a biography on Jake with the help of members of the Thackray family. This is where tribute act really takes on a favoured notion of true homage, his appreciation and love of Jake Thackray’s music reflects in this show he has toured with Fairport Convention nation-wide tour, and has performed twenty shows at the Edinburgh Fringe. He has also been delighted to support Ralph McTell, Richard Digance, Vin Garbutt and many more of his music heroes.

Tickets are ยฃ12.50, and include a light supper in the interval. Available from Around the World, Woottons and the newsagent in Pewsey (cash only please) Or call 07876 230 540.

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Atari Pilot New Single

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The Lucky Stars of The Radio Makers

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Devizes Scooter Rally 2023

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Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 2nd- 8th May 2023

Whoa, decided today, Thursday, Iโ€™d have to start planning this one immediately, because thereโ€™s soooo much going on, and all, or mostly all, because of that King bloke, who I just thought had a pop hit in 1984 with โ€œLove & Pride,โ€ but apparently itโ€™s a smidgen more complex than that, the guy is royalty or something. So, grab your celebratory mug, wrap it around your bunting, and letโ€™s have it out nowโ€ฆ..

Firstly, I must interject and explain; our article highlighting coronation-related events  received criticism from anti-royalist keyboard warriors who either didnโ€™t digest if bothered at all to read the article, just jumped to conclusions, they did. If you think for one second Iโ€™d support a defective archaic institution which uses tax-payerโ€™s money to bail-out nonce family members then you donโ€™t know me at all. I do, however, despite being as anti-royalist as the next anti-royalist, support the Coronation for all the local entertainers and small businesses which will benefit from getting bookings, only a couple of short years after having no revenue at all. So, wind your neck in, and I hope thatโ€™s cleared that up!

Thereโ€™s plenty of stuff to do this coming week, if you want flag-waving or not, so letโ€™s drop the subject and get on with listing them. Donโ€™t forget, all links and info can be found on our event guide, and updates through the week will be added, so keep abreast, and up-to-date; this article is not conclusive.

Ongoing from Monday 1st to 7th May, is the Swindon Festival of Literature; lots happening there worth checking out.

Opening night for Zog at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon, on Tuesday 2nd, and running until Thursday 4th, family entertainment based on the book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.

Wednesday 3rd, is the regular Acoustic Jam at The Southgate, Devizes.

Seeds of Memories is a wistful and uplifting show packed to the brim with puppetry and poetry. It offers a gentle exploration of losing a loved one and dealing with grief through the magic of the memories they leave behind, and itโ€™s at the Rondo Theatre, Bath.

Thursday 4th: Sees Derailer & Dangermind at The Vic, Swindon, the Hothouse Flowers at The Cheese & Grain, Frome, and some raw, open and honest but most importantlyโ€ฆfunny comedy at the Rondo Theatre, Bath with Richard Hardistyโ€™s Silly Boy.

Friday 5th: and King Charles Coronation kicks off, with a school art exhibition at St Peters Marlborough, events at Hilperton Village Hall, and the Junkyard Dogs are in Bromham.

The Blackheart Orchestra are at the Pump in Trowbridge, Sack Sabbath tribute at The Vic, Swindon. A homecoming for Will Lawton & The Alchemists at Malmesbury Town Hall. Six O’clock Circus at The Three Crowns, Devizes.

Rock For Heroes at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon, and an extra show for John Kearnsโ€™ The Varnishing Days at Rondo Theatre, Bath.

Saturday 6th: Wiltshire Farmersโ€™ Market in Devizes.

King Charles Coronation continues, youโ€™ll find live music from 4pm at The Crown, Bishops Cannings with White Horses, Tom Davis & The Bluebirds, and Plan of Action, other events include Urchfont, Picnic in the Park at King Georgeโ€™s Playing Fields in Melksham, Coronation Live Screening at John Coles Park, Chippenham, at Foxham Reading Room, Seend Village Community Centre, The Parade Cinema in Marlborough, The Cooperโ€™s Arms Pewsey have a great music programme, in Westbury Be Like Will are at The Players, and Westbury Cons Club has a party too. Picnic in the Park at The Rec in Calne from 10am-9pm, looks amazing, Coronation Celebrations at Devizes Market Place from 10:30-4pm.

Away from all that, find the Leon Daye Band at The Southgate, Devizes, and Kyla Brox Band at Long Street Blues Club; it’s all too royal with cheese for me, so yeah, Kyla Brox, Long Street you got my Editor’s Pick of the Week, hands down!

Acoustic punk band, Abdoujaparov of ex-Carter USM guitarist Les Carter headline the Pump, Trowbridge, with support from former Browfort frontwoman, Claire Kearley, and โ€œSong for Trowbridgeโ€ hero Gavin Osborn.

Rammlied at The Vic, Swindon, Sonic Alert at the Queens Tap, Homer at The Sun in Coate, Rosie Holtโ€™s Womanโ€™s Hour at The Wyvern Theatre.

Jah Wobbleโ€™s Invaders of the Heart take the Cheese & Grain, Frome, nice.

Sunday 7th: King Charles Coronation celebrations at Ogbourne St George Primary school, Ludgershall, All Cannings with Alfredโ€™s Tower, Rowde with People Like Us, Parade House Trowbridge, and Spring in the Park at Westbury. Devizes Town Band have a coronation concert at the Corn Exchange, called Animal Magic.

Unmissable monthly jaunt for Jon Amor & Guests at The Southgate, Devizes. Phil Samuelโ€™s The George Michael Experience is at the Bridge Inn, Horton, Devizes.

Open Mic night at the Barge on Honey Street.

The King’s Reggae at The Castle & Ball, Marlborough, with Razah-I Fi; ding!

Courting Ghosts & Becky Lawrence are at The Stallards Inn, Trowbridge.

Sour Apple at The Kings Arms, Amesbury.

Blues Jam at The Vic, Swindon.

Magpie Market at The Cheese & Grain, Frome.

Monday 8th: King Charles Coronation at The Crown in Bishops Cannings with Illingworth, also a Produce Show at The Village Hall.

By the time you read this Iโ€™m predicting it a sell-out, but worth checking, opening night for The Railway Children The Wharf Theatre, Devizes, running until 13th May.

Tuesday 9th: Seven Drunken Nights at The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.

And thatโ€™s your lot, enough for you to do?! Hereโ€™s to the king, let us hope his reign is long and healthy, even if only so I donโ€™t have to type all that for one weekend again for a while!!

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Subject A Takes us to Paradise

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41 Fords are Not Dead Yet!

Damp morning, about 3:30am Iโ€™m descending Pelch Lane in Seend, like a sack of potatoes dropping. If you donโ€™t know the track itโ€™s a steep one, with a bend which keeps on giving; not the ideal place to whip out your phone and change the tune when youโ€™re pinning down a heavily-ladened milkfloat! So, first taster of the debut album from Trowbridgeโ€™s 41 Fords, Not Dead Yet goes on loop, and I shrug, as itโ€™s no hardship, โ€œlet it roll for another round.โ€

I wasnโ€™t sure what to listen to next anyway, and to be honest, this took me by pleasant surprise. Sure, weโ€™ve registered their name on our gig list several occasions, regulars down the trusty Southgate (next date is Saturday 3rd June), but Iโ€™ve not had the opportunity to pay them a visit. I see now theyโ€™re on the roster for Devizes Scooter Clubโ€™s annual rally in July, which if I had of noticed before it mightโ€™ve given me a closer inkling what to assume.

coincidently, wristbands have just gone on sale for this!

But psychobilly was unexpected, neither is it a subgenre which usually floats my boat. Akin to heavy metal, the late-eighties fusion of rockabilly and punk is characterised with negative symbolism; itโ€™s all ultraviolence, death, B-movie horror pastiches, and other delinquent and discouraging subject matters, and I like to think Iโ€™m optimistic, least too old, to relish in morbidity.

But if I am to pigeonhole the 41 Fords, itโ€™s unlike the wrecking of The Meteors, or the all-out hellish nature of Demented Are Go, and not as offbeat as the skabilly of Roddy Radiation; this is matured psychobilly with all the negativity stripped away. It retains the lively rockabilly stance, the foot-tapping upright double-bass, the nods to western swing, jump blues and boogie-woogie, and breathing fresh air into it with punkโ€™s insolence, and gypsy folk goodness.

Yet their themes tend on maturing romantic affairs, often generation X mod-pop in nature. And for this blend, itโ€™s truly unique, beguiling and for want of sitting down, youโ€™ll be incapable; my highest point-scoring goes on the sheer energy these guys never seem to let up on.

Recorded at Nine Volt Leap studio in Melksham, Not Dead Yet is out on 1st May, and you really need to look out for this, I bloody love it! To break down exactly why isnโ€™t simple. The album kicks off mod, think hillbilly The Jam with double-bass, perhaps. A girl-infatuation themed Emily, opens, and from the off itโ€™s got me hook, line and sinker. For itโ€™s upbeat throughout, captivating, and optimistic; this is The Housemartins do psychobilly, and I mean this in the best possible taste, for you cannot prevent foot-tapping to Happy Hour, surely?!

The subject of reunion with a former partner is slam-dunked next, F. Scott Fitzgeraldโ€™s Daisy Buchanan style, The Great Gatsby offers nothing more than Emily in topic, only the literatural reference. Yet while romance is a running-theme, ballad doesnโ€™t appear in their vocabulary; 41 Fords do not come up for air. Marriage problems raises its ugly head, against a penchant for nightlife in the following track, and another girlโ€™s name title, Tabitha continues this sunny side of the street mood. ย 

If it goes on this leitmotif for a staggering twelve tunes, it all hinges on their magnum-opus for pop catchiness, the fifth tune, Peaky Blinders. Surely anthemic, it takes the humorous route of Del-boy lovable rouges; Chas & Dave does the Cockney Rejects!

Through this three-minute hero, you might wonder if cockney musical hall will continue being cited, but while Not Dead Yet maintains everything which has so far made this album sheer brilliance, 41 Fords swerve gradually into a more Anglo-Irish folk feel, like Shane MacGowan finished his pint and jammed with these Housemartins, doing psychobilly, with an overall Merton Parkas type fusion.

Ah, see now Iโ€™m worried Iโ€™ve given the impression this is all sounds cluttered, like thereโ€™s too much going on, but na, me old China plate, this is flows, smoothly operated with such individuality itโ€™s a tricky one to pin down. If, like me, youโ€™re willing to take onboard the Cramps, and be done with psychobilly, this offers a maturity in themes, wrapped in addictive danceable congeniality.

The Wonder of The Sky is perhaps the standout track towards the finale, for it encompasses everything great about the 41 Fords, who know precisely what buttons to press to write and deliver a pop song with retrospective wow, but refuses commercialisation. It doesnโ€™t verve to create a Stairway to Heaven or a dub-lampoon either, each tune is kept at the three-minute proximity, and each one does what you expect it to do; charges 240 volts into your blue suede shoes!

A Christmas Song, titled thus, finishes, and yeah, it has a Fairy-tale of New York feel, really bringing out the folk oblique which I believe breathes something local into it too, like Somersetโ€™s proclivity for Scrumpy & Western. In all, you could fit 41 Fords into a scooter rally bill, but equally into a Somerset cider brawl with the Boot Hills. And in that, if pigeonholing matters not when youโ€™re in the moment and the music takes you on a dancing voyage, 41 Fords are seamless. This album truly is a must-have.

Bung them a like on Facebook, for updates, and Iโ€™ll thread this review with links when the album comes out in May; youโ€™re in for a treat!

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Simply the Best, CrownFest!

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

Weekly Roundup of Events in Wiltshire: 29th March – 4th April 2023

Here we go, headlong into April with lots to do.….

Said it before, Iโ€™ll say it again, more stuff will be added, this is published on Mondays so youโ€™ve time to grab any tickets for ticketed events, but live music in pubs and things like this will no doubt come to our attention through the week, so please keep in the loop with our event calendar as itโ€™d be impossible if not very cluttered to post individual events onto our social media pages.

The one link you need is here, our event calendar, or two perhaps, March and April, for planning ahead, more info and ticket links.

Opening night tonight at The Wharf Theatre, Devizes, for Shakespeareโ€™s lots play, Measure for Measure, and this continues until Saturday 1st April.  

Wednesday 29th is the opening night of Devizes Musical Theatre production of Doly Partonโ€™s 9 to 5, also running until Saturday at Dauntseyโ€™s in West Lavington. Regular acoustic jam at the Southgate, Devizes.

The Sing Spaceโ€™s Musical Theatre Choir has a Greatest Showman & Prosecco Masterclass at St Maryโ€™s Church in Marlborough and welcomes new members. Details are here.

Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman play Chapel Arts in Bath, while Annie Gardiner supports Sci-Fi, post-jazz rhythmists Run Logan Run at The Bell on Walcot Street, and the Rondo Theatre have Whimsi-Co Theatreโ€™s Escape to Wonderland, running until 30th March.

Award-winning garden designer and Gardenersโ€™ World presenter, Adam Frost is at the Wyvern Theatre, Swindon.

Thursday 30th sees Funke & The Two-Tone Baby at the Pump in Trowbridge.

In Swindon, Lile Rode & Rob Beckinsale play The Tuppenny, Preacher Stone & The Sons of Liberty at The Vic, The ELO Experience at the Wyvern Theatre, and Mike Bubbins at Swindon Arts Centre.

Friday 31st thereโ€™s live music at the Pelican in Devizes, with The Thieving Magpies, so watch your pint! And oh, I love the name, darling, Camilla Parkyaballs brings their live show to The Exchange for a Devizes LGBTQ+ night.

Six Oโ€™clock Circus play The Pheasant in Chippenham, while itโ€™s heat 4 of Take the Stage 2023 at the Neeld.

Sour Apple play The Castle & Ball in Marlborough.

Pussycat & The Dirty Johnsons at The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon, while Ashley Wass plays Wiltshire Music Centre.

Jayde Adams: Men, I Can Save You already sold out at Pound Arts, Corsham.

Hannah James & Toby Kuhn at Chapel Arts, Bath, with global folk collective Mishra Featuring Deepa Nair Rasiya at Rondo Theatre.

Nikki Kitt at Swindon Arts Centre, a Total 90s night at the Wyvern Theatre.

Tribute, Absolute Britney at The Cheese & Grain, Frome.

All Fools Day, Saturday 1st April, sees Devizes Farmer’s Market from 9:30-3pm, Devizes Lions Sports Coaching Weekend, where children in school year groups 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are invited to try one of up to 16 different sports that they might not otherwise can experience and with tuition provided by qualified coaches.

Open Day at The Wharf Theatre in Devizes is free from 10am to 2pm. Corinthian Casuals play The Southgate, Roughcut Rebels at the Three Crowns.

Ravers young and old, head to The Barge on HoneyStreet where the Midlife Krisis crew are in effect. This guarantees to go off, if I break out a whistle and some white gloves I could rekindle my youth, embarrassingly or else just sulk in self-pity in the chill-out room! Nevertheless, I think itโ€™s high time we made Midlife raves our Editorโ€™s Pick of the Week; anyone got any Veras?

Six Oโ€™clock Circus play the Wheatsheaf, Calne, The ELO Encounter at The Neeld, Chippenham, GM Liveโ€™s A Tribute to George Michael at Melksham Assembly Hall.

Sour Apple are at The Rose & Crown, Warminster.

Sansara Vox Machina at Wiltshire Music Centre in Bradford-on-Avon, while thereโ€™s an all-out triple bill at The Three Horseshoes with Hell Death Fury, Kings Alias, and Felis Margarita.

Long For the Coast at Chapel Arts in Bath.

Aniimalia play The Vic, Swindon, with Seek Harbour in support, comedian, and actress Jayde Adams at Swindon Arts Centre, while a retelling of the classic film Die Hard from Fringe First-winner, London poetry slam champion, BBC Audio Drama Best Scripted Comedy Drama award-winner Richard Marsh presents Yippee Ki Yay at the The Wyvern Theatre.

Sunday 2nd sees Devizes Half Marathon, with an 8:30am start, and Devizes Strongest 2023 at Devizes Town Football Club, usually only a couple of quid to spectate, I usually donโ€™t like to lift a finger on a Sunday!

The fantastic James Hollingsworth plays The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon.

One for the little ones, Sing-A-Long-A Encanto at The Wyvern Theatre, and Easter panto, Rapunzel, while Sheila Harrod presents 7 Guys and a Piano at Swindon Arts Centre.

Monday 3rd and thereโ€™s more fun kidโ€™s stuff Iโ€™d secretly like to do myself, with a Lego Animation Workshop at Trowbridge Town Hall.

Open Mic at The Lamb in Marlborough at 8:30pm.

Look out online for the wonderful Strange Folk are at Visual Radio Arts, and is estimated to be out on this day.

Tuesday 4th is bounce day, as you’ll find Devizes Bouncy Castle Kingdom, Inflatable Park on the Green, and this continues through to Thursday.

Also sees the Ukrainian National Operaโ€™s Carmen at The Wyvern Theatre, and Eshaan Akbarโ€™s The Pretender at Swindon Arts Centre.

Thatโ€™s all I have for now, but like I say, more will come in so keep checking our event calendar, and if thereโ€™s something weโ€™ve missed do tell us and I might, for chocolate cake, add it!

Have a great week, things to look forward to in April? Yeah, I can do that too: Vic Fest at the Vic I Swindon comes next week, Jon Amorโ€™s monthly residency is on Sunday 9th this month at The Southgate, Devizes, and The James Oliver Band plays The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon same day, Eddie Martin is in Bromham on Thursday 13th, Swindon Jazz & Soul Festival is coming, White Horse Opera, and Nothing Rhymes With Orange make a hometown call on 22nd April, and lots more, and Iโ€™m getting over-excited, so check the calendar, donโ€™t make me tell you again!!

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