2025 on Devizine; Review of the Year; Part 1, Jan-June

If past years seem to be racing by me on roller-skates, now they’re in Formula 1 cars! 2025, in a word, was “average,” though the Devizine annual stats fell for a second year, at 6% lower than 2024; you lot still here?!

I’m not concerned about that, you filthy traitors; you’ve been digesting the clickbait of that Gazelle & Herod again, haven’t you?!! Ah, truth is I have been staying home, hibernating a lot like a lightweight couch potato; probably an age thing, most likely a financial thing too; we’ve got hyperinflation to make Robert Mugabe envious. But we keep a stiff upper lip as the world plummets into chaos, our little corner of it remains a pretty nice place to live (if a bit Tory,) where you can block pavements with hoarding or nick a cardboard sheep from a church and get away with it. None of which we are here to highlight, we focus on the best bits, and slag off the worst with a sprinkling of satire; if you don’t like it, you know where to go!

Hits took a hit because I bit my tongue on many local political or social issues this year, to concentrate more on arts and entertainment, but folk love a good shit stir rather than being told about some talented locals doing good. Plus, I’m sick to the back teeth with any dependence on Facebook shares, it’s become a toxic playground for so-called adults and AI bots pretending to be human to boost propaganda. I think I’m going to be one of those smiling insanely old men, content to feed the ducks in the park, rather than ranting at anyone younger than me within range, but I’ve the right to change my mind on this!

They also took a hit because I’ve been actively engaged in two fantastic major events, RowdeFest and The Wiltshire Music Awards. The latter in particular used up much of my time, but hey, I think they were worth it. The Awards really brought together a wealth of people involved in the Wiltshire music scene, caused me to wear a suit, and we hope to build on this with future years.

The other contributing factor to the downfall of hits to the website might have been me writing a new book, something I rarely get the time for, but was certain I wanted it published by Christmas. I made that deadline and Murder at the Scribbling Horse is officially out; you read it yet? No, didn’t think so!

But lots more happened in 2025, and those we featured are briefed below; we could’ve done more but I think we put out a lot of content; you have to give me some time to play pointless block puzzle games on my phone. Thank you to all our contributors, Ian, Andy, Lois and the few guest writers who have submitted this year. We always need more writers to make this as comprehensive as possible; it is about as flexible as it can possibly be, you can be a fruitcake, we don’t mind, so do get in touch if you can help.

Please continue to support us, we thank you all for your dedication to Devizine; here’s to 2026; try best to avoid the fascist division, millionaires triggered by being disallowed to rip wild animals to death, the US or Russian bombs heading our way, the complete disregard for funding environmental projects while they spend billions fighting for the last scraps of oil, any world leader kidnapping, painting roundabouts, and the usage of anti-terror laws to arrest pensioners peacefully campaigning against genocide.

Just follow us instead, enjoying a pint in a pub and listening to live music, played by real people, focus on youth projects rather than fables of hooliganism, focus on talented individuals doing good rather than bitter clickbait and national headlines, and be here, in the warm and truth, with Devizine; we tell it like it is, and don’t purvey bullshit!

January

Just as this year starts with a review of the last, so did 2025, but not before I took a visit to the Swindon Story Shed. Forestry England invited dog walkers to Nightingale Wood, apparently to celebrate Walk Your Dog Month; surely every month is walk your dog month?! The second feature film for director Keith Wilhelm Kopp and writer Laurence Guy, First Christmas entered development. We covered how My Dad’s Bigger Than Your Dad Festival raised £11,500 for Prospect Hospice, and there’s more….

Jamsters began at Devizes Southgate, an initiative to provide a Friday night platform for loose groupings and associations created at their regular jam sessions each Wednesday. We announced The Beat were to headline Devizes Scooter Rally, that Nick Hodgson formerly of the Kaiser Chiefs’ new band, Everyone Says Hi had an instore at Marlborough’s Sound Knowledge, and we unfortunately said goodbye to the now disbanded People Like Us; sorely missed.

We had new singles from Nothing Rhymes With Orange, a new album from Illingworth, and fuller sessions from Kaya Street. Andy reviewed the first Devizes International Blues Festival, Ian covered Jerusalem at the Mission Theatre, and Veronica’s Room at The Wharf Theatre.

We previewed OakFest at the Royal Oak in Pewsey, La Belle Hélène, White Horse Opera’s Debut at The Wharf Theatre, Devizes Musical Theatre’s Beauty & The Beast, Henge at The Cheese & Grain, and Bradford-on-Avon Green Man Festival which unfortunately this year is in jeopardy, and we welcomed Caffe Vialottie to Devizes, our most popular article of the year.

February

It may be topical now, but we’ve always been supporting the hunting ban, and in February reported how Beaufort Hunters attacked Wiltshire Hunt Sabs’ drone. We sadly confirmed Devizes Street Festival was cancelled for the second year in a row, and The Emporium in Devizes was to close, but Devizes would get a new youth centre.

Previews included, Marlborough School of Languages’ Summer Fiesta, Jazz Sabbath at the Corn Exchange. We announced The Brand New Heavies were to headline Minety, tickets for DOCA’s Winter Ales were running out, and that I was to organise the music for Rowdefest in May, probably my favourite memory of 2025.

We featured Melksham’s teen band Between the Lines, reviewed JP Oldfield’s debut EP Bouffon, Jamie Hawkins’ short film Teeth, and new singles from I See Orange and Sam Bishop. Swinterfest broke me out of my hibernation, and I also got out to see the fantastic Static Moves at the Three Crowns, plus Cephid’s Sparks in the Darkness at The Rondo, which was mindblowing!

March

We announced that Devizes auctioneers Henry Aldridge & Son were relocating to the Old Emporium, Soupchick was to take over The Hillworth Park Cafe, that after the fire in Northgate Street Devizes Kebab Van successfully relocated to Folly Road, that Devizes was to have a new festival, Park Farm Festival, and of course the very first Wiltshire Music Awards.

We featured the Belladonna Treatment, had a wonderful local reflection on the Trump & Zelenskiy meeting from a Ukrainian living in Wiltshire, and it was one of my all-time favourite interviews with eighties legend Owen Paul ahead of a Devizes gig.

We reviewed The Killer & The Catalyst, Devizes author Dave McKenna’s novelette, Gecko’s new album, and singles by Chloe Hepburn and George Wilding.

Previewed Devizes Arts Festival, Exchange Comedy in Devizes, Swindon Palestine Solidarity’s Charity Iftar, CUDS’ Devizes Town Litter Pick for GB Spring Clean, and Hells Bells AC/DC tribute coming to Devizes! We listed the results of Salisbury Music Awards.

I managed to make it out to see The Devil’s Doorbell and JP Oldfield at the Cellar Bar, Ruby Darbyshire at the Southgate, and Cracked Machine with Tom Harris in support, too. Ian gave us Blood Brothers at The Mission Theatre and Flatpack at The Rondo, and Pip Aldridge reviewed our Fulltone Orchestra at Tewkesbury Abbey.

I ranted on the state of the roads, and for fun ran a Take Our Wiltshire Pothole or Moon Crater Quiz Challenge!!

April

Ah, All Fools Day, a golden opportunity for us, in which last year we told the fib that funk godfather George Clinton was exiled to the Wiltshire village of Urchfont, created funk music there and it was covered up by their parish council! You might assume it was hardly viable, but some fell for it, and messaged in their outraged reports of “fake news!”

We looked into DOCA’s new youth initiative Yea Devizes, and while we published our usual extensive list of Easter holiday activities, we also previewed DOCA’s Junk Street drumming workshop.

I visited The Hillworth Park Cafe, where Soupchick took over, hailed Devizes DJ Greg Spencer, the creator of Palooza house nights, who made the prestigious bill of Fatboy Slim’s All Back to Minehead festival, and reviewed the now sadly defunct No Alarms No Devizes playing at the Three Crowns. Discovered Fran Daisy at Swindon’s Plough, and Henge at the Cheese & Grain was a high contender for my gig of the year; out of this world!

We had a guest review from Melissa Loveday on Devizes Music Academy’s Something About Jamie, which though I’m sorry to have missed, I did catch them playing it out at FullTone Festival in the summer. I did attend Devizes Musical Theatre’s Beauty & the Beast at Dauntsey’s School and the opening of Un/Common People, Folk Culture in Wessex, a fascinating exhibition at Wiltshire Museum.

Reviewed Hannah Rose Platt’s album Fragile Creatures, probably the best album we covered last year. The website for Wiltshire Music Awards went live and people held on to cast their votes in May.

We exposed Reform candidate Calne Violette Simpson for her Facebook profile picture showing her hunting antelope in South Africa, and Devizes South Conservative candidate Sarah Batchelor, who committed election fraud, up and left with her tail between her legs and almost running Bishops Canning’s Crown into the ground. Thankfully it seems the new owners are turning it around and recreating the village hub it once was.

May

I was honoured and delighted to organise the music for our village fete, which has in the last few years been run by a lovely independent committee, safe from a questionable parish council. It was a wonderful sunny day and the highlight of my year. I called in some favours and presented an amazing lineup for a free fete, featuring, in order of appearance, The Jubilee Morris Dancers, Andrew Hurst who brought bassist Lucianne Worthy with him, Talk in Code, The Sarah C Ryan Band, Thieves, and Burn The Midnight Oil. Being it was the last day of the month, I didn’t write about it until June.

I paid a Sunday afternoon visit to Devizes amazing record shop Vinyl Realm, when Deadlight Dance were attacked by wasps and still managed an amazing unplugged acoustic set. Ben Niamor reviewed Jake Martin at Swindon’s Castle with SOP, and Ian gave us his views on Sweeney Todd at St. Augustine’s Catholic College in Trowbridge, and the Diary of Anne Frank at The Wharf Theatre in Devizes, which was so good I had to go myself. Lois covered newcomers Kingston Media’s Bands at the Bridge in Horton.

I previewed the Bradford-on-Avon Live Music Festival, despite it clashing with our Rowdefest! Also, Ruby Darbyshire who performed at Silverwood School’s open evening. Andy provided a preview of Chippenham Folk Festival, and Lois provided us with previews of Australian Folk singer Ernest Aines at Swindon’s Deanery Theatre and David Olusoga at the Cheese & Grain.

Announced the opening of voting for Wiltshire Music Awards, that Devizes-based The Big Sound Choir was to perform with Aled Jones at St George’s in Bristol, and that Bird is The Word were taking over music organisation at Bradford-on-Avon’s Boathouse.

We featured how Lucas Hardy was collaborating with Rosie Jay, and Frome’s James Hollingsworth, who was bringing his solo recreation of Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here album to the Devizes Southgate and elsewhere, and reviewed his album with Griffiths, Lost in the Winds of Time.

I reviewed Clock Radio’s album Turfing out the Maniacs, Ruzz Guitar’s Between Two Worlds album, Playing Solitaire; Phil Cooper’s first solo album for five years, Thieves’ debut EP, a new single from George Wilding, and one from Auralcandy featuring vocals from Sienna Wileman. A feature of a Melksham marketing expert launching AI training courses was met with controversy, yeah, I get that!

June

If we were all busy with the Devizes Arts Festival, we were previwing summer events like a new festival for Devizes, Park Farm, clashing with an amazing day at the Three Crowns for an air ambulance fundraiser, and I finalyy got over my hangover and ego, and gave coverage of Rowdefest; highlight of my year!

Andy reviewed White Horse Opera’s Cosi Fan Tutte and The Lost Trades at the Piggybank, Ian did The Mikado at the Mission, The Taming of the Shrew at the Rondo, and of course we all did our bit for the Devizes Arts Festival. Andy also covered an extensive weekend when The Lions were on the Green in Devizes, we had Crammer Watch Day too, and Devizes Arts Festival did a fringe gig at the British Lion; summer lovin’. The highlight of this had to be Where’s the Cat, the Wharf Theatre’s writing group’s hilarious reenactment of the Moonrakers fable at the Crammer, which I felt obliged to cover too.

Eddie and I were guests on Peggy-Sue’s Don’t Stop the Music show on Swindon 105.5, chatting about the awards. We met Henry the chocolate duck raising funds for cystic fibrosis at HollyChocs, previewed Supergrass headlining Frome Festival, a genderqueered Shakespearean performance at Bath’s Rondo, and Swindon Palestine Solidarity events. Lois did Idles at Bristol’s Block Party.

I reviewed The Hotcakes of Wildfire’s album Shoes & Acid, ranted on vocal minorities triggered by events of cultural diversity, and did a No Surprises column promising to return the feature, but promises are made to be broken! There’s simply too much to whinge about, and for my health, I need to see the glass half-full.

That’s all for now, folks. Do not fear, it’s still summer in our minds, and we’ll kick off in July for the second part. I know, our goldfish attention spans cannot take in a whole year in one article, what with so much brilliant stuff which happened over the year, so come back when I’ve officially emptied the Quality Street tin and completed the last half of this review of 2025; but I must say, I think the first half was better!!

Daphne Oram; Devizes’ Unsung Pioneer of Electronic Sound Part 3

read part 1

read part 2

Oramics and its Place in the Progression of Electronic Music

In 1997 I was a 24 year-old factory worker, keen to learn all tasks on the production line to work my way up, but suddenly the run of the ladder was pulled too high for me to reach. Shift managers who had were axed, were replaced by “team leaders,” that of precisely the same duties and responsibilities, though you needed a diploma to apply.

The government tried to thwart my only other life objective three years past, to party; they had failed. I worked in the factory now for one reason, to fund this escapism. Once free, the Criminal Justice Bill ensured someone profited from our jollity, as rave culture was pushed into nightclubs and legal paid events.

If The Prodigy were right, this was music for the jilted generation, perhaps so too was Luigi Russolo in his 1913 futurist manifesto L’arte dei Rumori (The Art of Noises,) when he argued that the ear would become accustomed to a new sonic palette of industrial soundscapes, and musicians would require a new approach to instrumentation and composition. Though I’d not have contemplated the noises of the factory manipulating my music perceptions at the time, I was aware of how Kraftwerk were influenced by the sounds of traffic for Autobahn.

Neither would I have given much thought to the development of electronic music; my time with analogue pop of punk and Two-Tone was short-lived. Through new wave post-punk and electronica to American hip hop and electro, and the rebellion from the hit factories exploiting it; rave culture, I had grown up with electronics as a staple to music and knew no different.

Pre-internet research on the subject would’ve been a needle in a haystack, even if I’d the motivation to study it. In my naivety I assumed one thing, that Kraftwerk created electronic music, because I’d seen a clip of them on the BBC program Tomorrow’s World. Though the show made no claim to this, I was only two on the 25th September 1975, when it originally aired.

Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider’s Kraftwerk were certainly pioneers who popularised the krautrock genre worldwide. The industrial links between Dusseldorf and Detroit and creative ones between Berlin and New York were influences reflected, which turned the cogs of hip hop and house. And now, here I was, in a meadow near Luton, at Universe’s Tribal Gathering, where I figured we’d come full circle.

Kraftwerk played their one and only festival, it was monumental. The once monocultured rave phenomenon had divided into copious subgenres, Universe were the first to fully embrace this with a tent dedicated to each division. Yet from each tent masses united at the main stage, some DJs refusing to play their set because they’d miss this performance. Reflecting back on it now, I cannot deny it was something to behold, but I’ve since discovered they wasn’t the complete roots to electronic music I assumed they were. Its complex international evolution includes too many names to mention, but this fascinating insight has been encouraged by my study into one important innovator largely uncredited, born here in Devizes, Daphne Oram.

We outlined her work briefly in the introduction to this series of articles, and with help from Daphne’s niece, Carolyn Scales, we delved into her upbringing in Devizes, and how influences in engineering meshed with her love of music. Now we need to fit her role into this vast evolution of electronic music, by looking at Oramics, discovering how that influenced the progression, and why it is not as well documented and I believe it should be.

Once Daphne left the BBC Radiophonic Workshop in 1959, she coined the term Oramics, a name for her studio in Tower Folly, a converted oast house at Fairseat in Kent, her technique for creating graphical sound, and the Oramics Machine which spawned from it.

Carolyn described The Oramics Machine as, “an early synthesiser,” but as with Russian engineer Evgeny Murzin who created photoelectronic instrument the ANS synthesizer, historical records rarely reference them. The first commercial synthesizer is credited to American engineer Robert Moog a few years later in 1964. Precursors to Moog mentions Harald Bode who laid the groundwork for separate sound-modifying modules used in the Moog design, the Hammond Organ Company’s Novachord in the late 1930s, Canadian engineer Hugh Le Caine’s Electronic Sackbut, Herbert Belar and Harry Olson’s RCA Mark I and II Sound Synthesizers, and some cite Thaddeus Cahill’s Telharmonium, an electromechanical sound generator from 1897, which weighed in over two-hundred tons.

The original Oramics Machine was the size of an office photocopier, so was also too cumbersome for the average musician. By its definition, it’s a synthesiser but worked differently; the composer/musician drew onto a set of 35mm film strips which ran past a series of photo-electric cells, generating electrical signals to control amplitude, timbre, frequency and duration.

The reason for the omission, Carolyn suggested, was because The Oramics Machine was lost after her passing. “Dr Mick Grierson’s team tracked it down to France in 2008. Working with the Science Museum. Grierson’s study provided the first full contextualisation of the machine, an assessment of its historical importance, and a detailed description of its workings. The machine became a central part of the Science Museum exhibition Oramics to Electronica, originally planned to run for six months in 2011. The show’s press and public uptake saw it extended a further four years.”

Perhaps inspired by Moog’s development of the Minimoog, Daphne worked on a Mini-Oramics, but never completed a prototype. Goldsmiths’ PhD student Tom Richards, who pored over the unfinished project and built it over forty years later, suggested “there were a lot of reasons why she didn’t launch Mini-Oramics. She was working on her own, and wasn’t affiliated to a large organisation or university. She had ups and downs in her life, and at the time she was working on Mini-Oramics, she also worried that her approach to musical research was out of fashion when compared to chance-based and computerised techniques. She was unable to secure the further funding she needed and she eventually moved on to other research.”

If funding and the ferocity of music technology’s progression at this time surpassed Daphne, both her music and written works were visionary. If you thought Pete Tong’s Heritage Orchestra was pushing new boundaries in 2004, Carolyn noted, “in 1948, Daphne created a piece for double orchestra, turntable and live electronics called Still Point, long thought of as the earliest composition to include real-time electronic transformation of instrumental sounds.” Again, Still Point was never performed and was considered lost. “Dr James Bulley found fragments in the Oram archive,” she continued, “and working collaboratively with Dr Shiva Feshareki, began a reconstruction, later finding the full score in the belongings of composer Hugh Davies.”

“A performance was commissioned by BBC Proms and performed by turntablist Shiva Feshareki, Bulley, and the London Contemporary Orchestra in 2018 at the Royal Albert Hall, reaching a substantial audience live and via BBC Radio 3,” Carolyn explained. “The reaction was one of awe, with the piece described as “thrilling”. Critical responses suggested that this realisation of Oram’s previously untested ideas represented a challenge to electronic music’s received history.”

The more I research the more I find examples suggesting Daphne’s work was so avant-garde, abstract or insistent on anthropological creativity against trending dehumanised mathematical methods, she was set apart from the contemporary canon of self-generating computer music, positioning her work in a kind of unique scientific-spiritual space, combining technical rigor with a romantic model of artistic expression. This would frustrate her, when projects were either underfunded or too radical for others to follow, and they were consequently lost in time.

In 1971 she authored a book titled An Individual Note of Music, Sound and Electronics, wherein lies a quote often cited in discussions about music technology: “We will be entering a strange world where composers will be mingling with capacitors, computers will be controlling crotchets and, maybe, memory, music and magnetism will lead us towards metaphysics.”

It was also her dedication to authorial control, while cybernetic-influenced composers embraced self-generating systems with indeterminacy, which caused Oram’s approach to differ from the era’s prevailing trends, despite this cybernetic orientation. Exemplifying the generosity of her father, James, Mayor of Devizes, Daphne actively supported composers’ rights to royalties while she was a Trustee of The Performing Rights Society in the 1970s.

Daphne Oram suffered two strokes during the nineties, and passed away in Maidstone on the 5th January 2003. Yet on Daphne’s centenary, where much of the world remains dubious about the ethics of artificial intelligence, we must debate her legacy, for my final part of the series.

Oh, and if you were wondering, all I saw of Kraftwerk at Tribal Gathering was the fluorescent outlines of their boilersuits!

Rooks; New Single From M3G

Chippenham folk singer-songwriter, M3G (because she likes a backward “E”) 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 journey….

M3G’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 doesn’t just sing, she projects her innermost thoughts and expresses them, angelically. In Rooks, you can literally feel the character’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 they’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, it’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 “a massive step above my other releases. I am so proud of it.” It is on a next level, I’m uncertain what she could do to top it, but assured she will, and I’m certain Rooks will appease her fans and make her find new ones.

Rooks streams tomorrow, 19th December 2025.

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Wiltshire Music Centre Unveils Star-Studded New Season with BBC Big Band, Ute Lemper, Sir Willard White and comedians Chris Addison and Alistair McGowan revealing their classical music talents…..

Wiltshire Music Centre announces new Spring season with some extraordinary listening experiences on offer in the new year. Wiltshire Music Centre is a unique and contemporary 300-seated concert hall in Bradford on Avon. In the heart of rural Wiltshire, the venue’s built an enviable reputation over the years as a professional concert hall of exceptional quality, rooted in community participation and involvement. The Centre also provides a permanent home for local orchestras, choirs and music groups, and works extensively with young people locally through a vibrant and varied Creative Learning Programme in Wiltshire and beyond.

Since first opening in 1997, Wiltshire Music Centre has been a musical hub, bringing the best in live performances to the area as well as providing a home for local orchestras, choirs and music groups. Recently appointed Executive Director, Sarah Robertson and Artistic Director, Daniel Clark have a renewed commitment to creating a space for people to gather and connect through a shared love of music – a space to celebrate the past, present and future of music-making and to nurture a spirit of musical curiosity.

Audiences can look forward to an exceptional lineup of artists, including first-ever WMC appearances by leading pianist Angela Hewitt (30 Jan 2026), opera virtuoso Sir Willard White performing with WMC favourites The Brodsky Quartet (20 Mar 2026), BBC Big Band (17 Apr 2026) showcasing the musical genius of George Gershwin, international cabaret star Ute Lemper (8 Mar 2026), blues legend Eric Bibb (27 Mar 2026) touring his new album, and a WMC debut by the Neil Cowley Trio (11 Apr 2026) who bring their inventive show inspired by Baroque genius, J.S Bach, to the Centre. Meanwhile, Jamie Woon (8 Apr 2026), British R & B and electronica singer/producer returns to the stage after a 10-year break.

Classical and jazz season highlights include “trumpeter extraordinaire” (BBC Music Magazine) Matilda Lloyd performing with the Goldmund Quartet (7 Feb 2026); Nikki Iles and Claire Martin’s new project IG4 (7 Mar 2026); evocative choral works from The Gesualdo Six (28 Mar 2026); stunning vocals from the Grammy-nominated British vocal ensemble VOCES8 (26 Apr 2026); and exciting new jazz sounds from Jazz FM Instrumentalist of the Year Mark Kavuma (28 Mar 2026) and London-based saxophonist Camilla George (22 May 2026), whose music blends Afrofuturism, hip-hop, and jazz.

For blues, folk, and roots fans, there’s a packed programme of must-see gigs featuring both established and emerging favourites, including the powerful father–daughter duo Martin and Eliza Carthy (3 Apr 2026), much-loved folk singer Cara Dillon (8 May 2026), Jon Boden’s project The Remnant Kings (15 May 2026), and Josienne Clarke’s homage to Sandy Denny of Fairport Convention (6 Mar 2026).

Families can look forward to a musical retelling of Benji Davies’s children’s book The Storm Whale with Music in the Round (14 Feb 2026), and the film classic Wallace & Gromit: The Wrong Trousers on the big screen with live music performed by WMC’s flagship West of England Youth Orchestra (10 Apr 2026).

The eclectic programming extends beyond the music alone. Former Royal Harpist Catrin Finch (15 Mar 2026) comes to the Centre with Notes to Self, an evening of music and conservation, while master impressionist Alistair McGowan (12 Apr 2026) and sharp-witted comedian Chris Addison (14 Feb 2026) bring comedy and music with their respective shows. There will also be a series of monthly screenings with the newly launched Adventurers Film Club, featuring Becoming Led Zeppelin (28 Jan 2026), Set the Piano Stool on Fire (25 Feb 2026) — the acclaimed documentary about legendary pianist Alfred Brendel and his protégé Kit Armstrong—and more.

Introducing the new season, Daniel Clark says “Here you’ll find a wide-ranging series of concerts from some of the most exciting voices of the past, present and future of music. From great legends of music-making to rising stars, we’re committed to bringing the best music we can to our special venue, and hope you’ll find something that will transport, inspire and delight you.”

Highlights:

Angela Hewitt: one of the world’s greatest living interpreters of Bach’s music and recipient of the City of Leipzig Bach Medal in 2020 will make her WMC debut. (30 Jan 2026)

Chris Addison’s Incomplete Guide to Chamber Music: Chris Addison brings to life the rich, vibrant – and sometimes bizarre – history of classical chamber music. A musical journey from baroque courts and European revolutions to today’s contemporary composers with some of the UK’s finest musicians and Chris’ brilliant and original facts and insight. (14 Feb 2026)

Eric Bibb: Three-time Grammy nominee and blues legend with a career spanning over five decades tours brand new album, One Mississippi blending blues, folk, soul, and Americana. (27 Mar 2026)

Ute Lemper: International cabaret star brings her show telling the story of Hollywood legend Marlene Dietrich through songs and stories: from the Berlin Cabaret years to her Burt Bacharach collaborations. (8 Mar 2026)

Lau Noah: Beautiful, innovative and evocative vocal and guitar harmonies from self-taught Catalan composer and songwriter who has supported Chris Thile, Ben Folds and Jacob Collier on tour over the past two years. (3 May 2026)

Tickets are now on sale: wiltshiremusic.org.uk/

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Daphne Oram; Devizes’ Unsung Pioneer of Electronic Sound

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Daphne Oram; Devizes’ Unsung Pioneer of Electronic Sound: Part 2

read the first part here

Daphne’s Family & Childhood Connection to Devizes

Celebrations of Daphne Oram have been building in London since the beginning of December, for those in the sphere of electronic music and music technology. On the first Thursday of the month The Barbican held a concert commemorating Daphne’s centenary, where sound and music fair access partner, Nonclassical, in partnership with The Oram Trust and Oram Awards played commissioned reimagined works from various contemporary electronic artists, inspired from tapes in Daphne’s archive. This has been released as the album, Vari/ations: An Ode To Oram.

London university Goldsmiths acquired Daphne’s archive in 2006, bringing her work into the wider public domain, after decades of relative obscurity. In the male dominated realm of electronic music, this has presented a better understanding of Daphne as a visionary in the early development of the genre, and in turn inspired female musicians and producers.

But our story begins rather differently, in the late nineteen-twenties, at Belle Vue House, Devizes, where a much younger Daphne is caught trying to climb inside the family piano! Daphne’s niece Carolyn Scales explained, “she was asked ‘why are you doing that?’ and Daphne replied, she wanted the piano to make a sound between the notes on the keyboard.”

I’m grateful to Carolyn for providing some fascinating background into Daphne’s family and childhood in Devizes, something overlooked by the insurmountable information available regarding her work.

“All the siblings enjoyed listening to classical music but only Daphne had the ability to create music,” she told me. “Ida’s sisters often joined her to play trios and quartets at Belle Vue House while James did learn to play the cello but was happy to stand aside for more competent players. In his defence James’s father’s diaries only mention one musical instrument at their home, a piano declared by a piano tuner as not worthy of tuning. Maybe we underestimate the strength of our Oram artistic genes.”

Daphne at five months, with mother, Ida, brothers *Arthur and John*

Daphne Blake Oram was born on the 31st December 1925, to James Oram (1890-1964) and Ida nee Talbot (1887-1972.) “Ida ,” Carolyn explained, “who at heart seems to have been a natural party goer, was plagued by ill health. Daphne was born in Ivy House Nursing Home not because of a fear of losing Daphne but because of Ida’s problems with her legs. In the first photograph of Daphne she is being held by Ida who is sitting in a wicker bath chair with Arthur and John in front of their new home of Belle Vue House.”

“Ida was born in Braintree, Essex into a family of drapers,” Carolyn said, “who soon moved to a shop on Maryport Street, Devizes, opposite the top of The Brittox, which they ran from 1888 until 1914. Unfortunately Ida’s father Alfred died in 1896 leaving her mother Alice nee Blake to run the business.” She continued to describe Alice’s six children helping at the shop, and its failure, though Ida was in charge of the millinery department, and how later there was a room in Belle Vue House devoted to her hats. Carolyn told of Ida’s painting hobby, in watercolours, oils and other mediums.

Talbot family with parents. Ida on swing with her twin

Daphne’s father, James, was known in Devizes as “Jim” or “Jimmy.” He was not Irish but proud of his upbringing off the coast of County Mayo, and “never lost his soft Irish brogue.” His father Arthur Oram was a farmer and land agent in one of the most deprived parts of rural Ireland, hit hard by the famines of the early 1800s, and as such it was a natural breeding ground for agrarian discontent, later producing some prominent members of the IRA. This caused James to be keenly aware of local injustices.

“In 1961, when James took us to see where he was born,” Carolyn expressed, “he told us he was upset that he was not allowed to go to school with his friends. They were Catholic and he was a Protestant and to highlight the differences James and his siblings had to travel to school in Newport by pony and trap, rather than walk to the local school.”

“I feel sure that our father John was correct in saying that if James had stayed in Ireland he would have become a renowned barrister. Unfortunately, just as James left school there was a change in the family’s fortunes as The Congested Districts Board on behalf of the British Government were, quite rightly buying estates and redistributing the land among farmers living on tenanted, uneconomic smallholdings.”

Therefore, instead of attending university at sixteen James travelled to Devizes, to help his uncle (by marriage,) Alfred Hinxman, the manager of the Devizes branch of a Salisbury coal merchant. James lived in Devizes for the rest his life, managing the coal merchant until his retirement. Overseeing the distribution of coal in the southwest during the Second World War, James was so horrified by the profiteering he didn’t take a penny for his efforts and received a MBE.

“James soon became a trusted member of the community,” Carolyn said, “active in its civic life, as a magistrate and a school governor. This included being Mayor of Devizes during The Abdication and coronation of George VI.”

“James also successfully became involved in many businesses including The Devizes Brick and Tile Co. Somehow James also found time for his interest in local history and was a member of various local societies. He could have become wealthy but instead gave away his excess income after ensuring that his family lived in a comfortable style. Every Sunday dinner during the depression of the 1930s they would discuss the families that the brickworks supported, carefully working out if they would have the money to feed their children. The discussion would end by choosing someone who was struggling to hire to cut the Belle Vue House lawn during the following week.”

*The Devizes Brick and Tile Co.* Photograph by HR Edmonds

James’ generous nature rubbed off on his children. Daphne actively supported composers’ rights to royalties while she was a Trustee of The Performing Rights Society in the 1970s. “In particular,” Carolyn noted, “Daphne helped to set up the PRS Members’ Fund that continues to support those registered with the PRS and their families when they are in need of financial help. During the 1980s Daphne arranged Christmas hampers for these families.”

Before Daphne was born the family lived in rooms above the coal merchant’s office at 7 High Street, Devizes. James wanted Belle Vue House, empty at the time but out of his price range, until the state of dilapidation dropped far enough, which was just as Daphne was being born. The house would have been at the end of Belle Vue Road, now replaced by Waiblingen Way housing estate.

Retired designer Paul Bryant, who still resides locally told me he grew up close to Belle Vue House, and recalled her returning to the family home and, “the excitement that was generated when she was awarded grants from the Gulbenkian Foundation.” Paul expressed “it is heartening to see the ancient horse chestnut tree, then at the end of the Oram’s garden, still surviving in Waiblingen Way.” Meanwhile, local musician Peter Easton has written in request for a blue plaque to be erected in Daphne’s honour.

Daphne, with the grass roller at Belle Vue House, Devizes

Carolyn explained how the sibling’s engineering abilities can also be traced to the Oram side of the family. “Their great uncle John had designed machinery to make barrels for Rockefeller’s oil, and their uncle Arthur oversaw many civil engineering projects in the Indus Valley, now in Pakistan.”

“Arthur, aged 9 and John, aged 5 were to share a bedroom with an adjoining dressing room that James agreed they would turn into a workshop,” Carolyn said. “They had already started their own tool kits and Arthur was delighted when James added a foot controlled fret saw.”

In a letter to John dated April 2003, Arthur wrote it would be the 77th anniversary of their move from the High Street to Belle Vue House: “Every 20th April was the day of an annual fair on the Green, and Hitler’s birthday. That one in 1926 was a very special wet Tuesday for us. Our mother was taken the half-mile in a big closed Bath Chair drawn by a man holding the long handle in front, because of her illness with a bad knee. She was helped into their old oak bed in the drawing room, on the right of the door towards the fireplace. In that room there was placed, near the door, the old radio that our mother had bought some years before from proceeds of her Barbola work, with its two bright emitter valves and six volt battery, from which we had news through the general strike of 1926.”

“Later the workshop became home to John’s lathe and of great interest to Daphne. John told me that he was sometimes very mean to Daphne when she came to the workshop. At first she had to stay outside the open door and be silent, if she passed that test she was allowed to stand just inside the door for a while before coming closer to John and even helping when possible. John taught Daphne to use a lathe and she had one of his old lathes at Tower Folly, albeit by then worn and no longer a precision tool. John also admitted to teasing Daphne over his Meccano set that she wanted to play with. Daphne had to watch John make, say a crane ,then he would tighten all the nuts and bolts before walking away leaving Daphne to dismantle his work.”

Carolyn said, “there were three main early influences on Arthur, John and Daphne namely their father James, mother Ida and their home which gave them space to both work together and follow their own particular interests.”

I’m eternally grateful to Carolyn Scales, Daphne’s niece, for a fascinating insight into Daphne’s early years and family life, and for the photographs too. It seems her curious childhood nature was focused on what makes music, and her engineering skills were honed early, enhanced by her intrigue and not being allowed to assist by her elder brothers. This led her to create the Oramics Machine, her early synthesiser, built in the 1960s, but lost after her death. We should concentrate our efforts on Daphne’s work in the third part, and how it shaped modern music……

Wiltshire Council “Update” on Northgate Street Lane Closure

Yesterday Wiltshire Council published an “update” on the lane closure on Northgate Street in Devizes as the fire which caused it reaches its first anniversary. Only, it’s more a “reminder” than an “update!”

It begins, “the fire, in November 2024, caused significant damage to the Grade II-listed property and since then the council has had to install a single lane closure to keep people safe. The council recognises the inconvenience this is causing and is committed to reopening the road as soon as possible.” Yeah, knew that bit already.

It continued justifiable, stating “the council has no legal powers to compel the building owner to take further action.” Then the Deputy Leader of Wiltshire Council, Mel Jacob, said how frustrating it all was, and how they were “keen to get the road reopened as soon as we can.” Knew that bit as well.

Fair enough, red tape and all that baloney I get, but the remainder of the information simply says what an inconvenience it’s been, and its impact on the community; who knew that bit?!

It suggests they’re in talks, but pledges “more positive news on the road early in the new year.” If the word “update” needs replacing with “reminder,” the word “more” here should be swapped out for “some,” for as of yet it seems there isn’t any news about it at all, let alone “positive” news; just some chatting, possibly over tea and cake. You’ve got a new bus shelter, be happy!

But hey, even if I cannot confirm about the tea and cake, it’s 14 sleeps until Santa, so let’s keep our glasses half-full, and hope he miraculously brings a resolution in his sack. For there’s been a few advantages, such as free town centre parking for the most daring and cheeky!

And think of it this way, the serious risk of turning right into Station Road from the mini-roundabout has been lessened by its more consistent usage; it seems now the occasional driver coming from the town direction acknowledges it as a roundabout, actually observes and obeys that technical hitch in the highway code known to others as “the right of way!”

Before all this a right turn there was a white-knuckle ride only for the daredevil stuntman or those on the school run; there were more bumps there than on the road to Potterne.

But one roundabout up into town, immortalised as “The Brewery Roundabout,” has been a fascinating study into levels of human kindness in Devizes. As whilst drivers can exit the Market Place there, there’s no traffic crossing the roundabout in which to allow them their right of way. At peak times this can be challenging and a smidgen annoying. My last count of human kindness, as traffic flows at a snail’s pace from the congested New Park Street, was a fantastic new record of eighteen inconsiderate to one thoughtful driver!

Those in the know about levels of human kindness in Devizes will nip down the Station Road junction from the Market Place, if they wish to ever exit the town westward, and being this road is narrow with parking spaces, it’s become a two-way rat run, whereby the 20mph limit is considered only for “snowflakes.”

All of which could’ve been avoided if there was a thing called “planning,” whereby Station Road could’ve been reduced to one way coming out of the Market Place, and the single lane from the Brewery roundabout was used for coming into the Market Place. But no worries, because Wiltshire Council are talking about it. It’s not progress, is it? It’s more like poking a dead dog with a stick, hoping it might get up and run.

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 Trowbridge’s Old Town Hall. If you’re already buzzing for the 2026 festival season to arrive, check this March offering…..

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 “pay if can” 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, “reached 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.”

It’s an all day folk-rock festival, happening on Saturday 21st March, tickets are on sale now at £39.50. There’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 Chris’s band Courting Ghosts, of course!

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 “one of the finest Americana acts working today” and hailed their work as “exquisite, elegant and utterly transportive.” Their appearance at 7 Hills Spring Festival promises a rare opportunity to witness a band consistently described as “among the very best songwriters and performers on either side of the Atlantic.”

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 night’s most electrifying sets; and multiple AMA UK Award Winner, Hannah White, widely recognised as one of Britain’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.

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 building’s transformation, but also usher in a bold new chapter for Trowbridge’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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St John’s Choir Christmas Concert in Devizes

Join the St John’s Choir and talented soloists for a heart-warming evening of festive favourites, carols, and candlelit Christmas atmosphere this Friday 12 th December at 7.30pm…..

The spectacular, and oldest church in Devizes, St John’s Church has a Christmas Concert on Friday with All proceeds go to Julia’s House and St John’s Church.

Tickets are £10 for adults, free for accompanied children. Tickets are available via Ticketsource, Devizes Books, or by scanning the QR code in the poster below.

Devizes Assize Court Saved; A New Home for Wiltshire Museum

This afternoon I find myself contemplating what the future holds for historical discovery and learning for all ages, fun and educational exhibits and events in Wiltshire; and it looks positive! Devizes is blessed to have Wiltshire Museum already, but the future looks even better, the future is…. Assizes!

Wiltshire Museum announced today, The National Lottery Heritage Fund has awarded £8.5 million towards the £14.8 million Assizes for Devizes project to transform the derelict Assize Court building into a spectacular new home for the Museum. Derelict for decades, the once huge court house of architectural distinction, on the Heritage At Risk register, The Assize Court has been a sour issue for too long, and in its current condition is sadly an eyesore. The project will restore its historic features, and breathe new life into the building; Wiltshire Museum and in turn, Devizes will thrive.

Since 1874 The Wiltshire Museum has been delighting visitors at Long Street in Devizes, and is home to nationally important designated collections, including stunning treasures from the Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site landscape. It also hosts many exhibits, educational events and lectures for all ages, children’s craft workshops and so much more.

Director of Wiltshire Museum David Dawson said, “we are delighted that the Heritage Fund has demonstrated its confidence in our plans to transform the former Devizes Assize Court into the new home for a reimagined Wiltshire Museum. At last we will be able to give the museum’s internationally significant collections a fitting home, while rescuing an important at-risk listed building and providing a focal point for town centre renewal. We are grateful to National Lottery players, our loyal members and our other funders, existing and future, for their commitment and support.”

Peter Troughton, CVO CBE, Chair of Devizes Assize Court Trust, which initially saved the building by purchasing it in 2018 with the support of generous donors, said, “the National Lottery Heritage Fund award to the Wiltshire Museum is fantastic news! It will transform the museum, save the historic Assize Court building and give the people of Devizes a community hub like no other. It will be an enormous help to the campaign to achieve the vision for the award-winning museum, already supported by the town, Wiltshire County Council and leading charitable foundations.”

Read More HERE

For Now, Anyway; Gus White’s Debut Album

Featured Image: Barbora Mrazkova

My apologies, for Marlborough’s singer-songwriter Gus White’s debut album For Now, Anyway has been sitting on the backburner, and it’s more than worth a quick mention…..

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 Liu’s album Clever Rabbits back in July.

Though, in the short wintery month this album has been simmering it’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 Egberts’ Pure Gold, only in rapture rather than coffee! It’s chock full of cool vibes, that breezy feelgood Sunday morning acoustic which is too darn soothing it’s impossible to criticise. As for Gus’s barista skills, I’ve no confirmation, but going on his music, I could take a wild guess he’s a tea fellow.

Eleven songs strong, put the kettle on yourself, and allow Gus to get on doing his sublime thing! There’s no rise and fall, the melodies flow like the Iguazu Falls. If I pick out individual elements into Gus’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, they’re all so subtly placed. If Gus defines it Third Wave Folk, that’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 you’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, you’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.

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 “trying 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.”

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 year’s is Saturday 23rd May. If he showcases this album there it’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. Don’t procrastinate like me, as I’m sorry I did now I’ve heard it.

Website: guswhitemusic.com
Instagram: @guswhiteproducer
Facebook: IGusWhite

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Butane Skies Not Releasing a Christmas Song!

No, I didn’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, but it’s not a Christmas song, no….

If you’ve had enough debating if Die Hard is a Christmas film with the family, when obviously nothing says Christmas like Hanz Gruber falling from the Nakatomi Plaza, maybe try this stocking filler for size; Not a Christmas Song isn’t a Christmas song, not a jingle bell or a Noddy Holder to hear here. I didn’t ask Santa for a Christmas song anyway.

It is, though, marvellously negative about the commercialisation and the absence of snow, wrapped wonderfully in a theme of seasonal romantic disruption. Oh, but it has the subtlest hints of Yule in reference; folky and in the odd twinkling piano riff, so not entirely a thrashed punk anti-Christmas feel neither. As ironically as Alanis Morissette, and as proficient as her too.

If The Pouges & Kirsty’s seasonal offering was subtle but pimped somewhere along the lines by commercial radio, Butane Skies takes the disguised holly and mistletoe to another level. You could listen to this in June without being told off; clever concept, but then, the composition of the song is equally a stroke of genius and it rolls out all rather wonderfully. Take a listen, there’s no partridges in pear trees yet.

Streaming Options HERE

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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 “large unlicenced music event” at the weekend, (spelling mistake included) in Great Cheverell. Am I the only fifty-something who’s thinking “great, let them be?!” Not according to Facebook comments…..

UME they called it. UME? It was a rave, wasn’t it?! Perish the thought calling it a rave might encourage a resurgence of nineties skullduggery, when we partied without a care in the fields of England. Freedom of expression and the need to take a moment to enjoy life I favour to deem it, during an era of hyperinflation, playing the blame game after committing financial suicide, with media promoting a facist uprising, and a government labelling anyone who campaigns against genocide a terrorist. Can we let our hair down here, mate? Not on your Nelly, I’m confiscating your hi-fi!

“Officers were called to reports of the event at approximately 12.50am on November 30th,” they said. In other words, some comfortable living, curtain-twitching huckmucker got their knickers in a twist that they might not be able to hear a pin drop in their chocolate box village, for one lone night out of a kazillion.

“There were approximately 100-150 people present and a moderately advanced set up with generators, large speakers and stage area,” the Devizes Police report informed Facebook users, and G&H reporter Jason jumped the bandwagon for further hopeful outcry and clickbait. Hold on a cotton-picking minute; didn’t they call it “large?” At the summit of the rave era in 1992, 40,000 revellers attended Castlemorton; let’s keep this in perspective, eh? It wasn’t a rave or a “large UME,” it was some friends throwing a party, wasn’t it?! You can fit more people into the Devizes Conservative Club!

Sensationalism continued upon the announcement, “three people have been arrested for drug related offences.” Hold the front page. Police could make more arrests for drugs on a single night in any of our town centres, and you know this.

Though it is with great respect for the police, we gratefully hear externally that they turned up three times but the event was allowed to continue. “Due to the event taking place on MOD land, officers liaised with the military, and an effective plan was put in place to minimise the disruption to the local community and address the illegal gathering,” the Police continued.

And that’s the correct action to take in my honest and experienced opinion. Police providing a presence is usually welcomed for the need of safety and advice. No one really wants to piss off the neighbours, they just want to party.

“On this occasion, we seized a large amount of sound equipment and generators from the site,” they also said, which is a shame, because such equipment is expensive and it undermines the motivation to put such events on. Do police confiscate the horns and hounds of the Beaufort Hunt as they rampage across the countryside slaughtering wildlife for kicks?

I raved through acid house and into jungle, and no matter how many years rack up between those happy daze and now, I can never comprehend how or why the authorities concluded we were doing as much harm as they claimed we were. Sure, it was rebellious, it was unlicensed, and uncontrolled, but we policed ourselves, we tided up afterwards, we respected the land and the residents too.

It was only later, post Castlemorton, when the government clamped down, restricted us, and forcibly closed down parties that anarchy and anger against the system ensued, just as did in the early eighties with the free festival scene. Let’s learn from our mistakes and prevent history repeating, again.

The trick surely is then, to call a compromise, accept that people want to party and not all can afford festival tickets, and allow these events some leeway. For there’s a lot worse they could be doing. Judging by the positive comments on these reports’ shares on Facebook, I’m not alone in that notion.

Being honest with myself though, I’m unsure if I’m more hacked off with police confiscating the equipment or the fact I didn’t go myself, but really, who needs an Uncle Albert in the corner, reciting his memories of parties of yore?!!

Walking at the Devizes Winter Wonderful Festival

Oh…a slice of onion from my bratwurst plopped into my mulled wine; where does one go to complain about this?! Other than that, Devizes Town Council and DOCA’s Winter Festival was the best one for many years, officially opening yuletide in Devizes…..

Over time the simple premise of switching the Christmas tree lights on has become a large-scale event which differs in traditions from town to town, possibly competitive even. Some here envy the Sham’s monstrosity of an electronic tree sculpture, others favour our real tree. Wotton Bassett hosts great lively rock bands, like Barrelhouse this year. But while I love those guys, nothing says Christmas to me more than Devizes Town Band brassing off the seasonal Shakin Stevens classic. And, face it, Trowbridge’s lantern parade was an idea they nicked from us, which we may/may not have pinched from Chinese New Year, but who’s splitting hairs?!

In the modern era I’ve no experience of other town’s shenanigans in which to compare Devizes’ efforts with. I just know and am more than content with the spectacular show we stage here. A massive well done and thanks to all involved, it was a magnificent occasion, much better than last and other previous years.

To start at the end, fireworks were welcomed back after last year’s dubious light show replacement. Despite them being dubbed “silent fireworks” the effect was near equally impressive. Perhaps Fantasy Radio blasting out the decibels made up for the lack of explosions, and everyone’s dogs could join in the fun. I thought the radio could’ve been turned down a notch, during intervals of the Devizes Town Band playing, to enhance them when they did, but there’s no telling radio DJs!

And as for light shows, St John’s looked absolutely magnificent. It’s one thing to project images onto a wall, it’s another to use it to compliment a 900 year old beautiful church, where children and PTAs usually just collect their lanterns and wait in relative darkness!

The Market Place was also transformed into a visual feast, a bustling market with plenty of food and drink options. Devizes Town Band proudly showcased on a grand stage was a new great idea, and excited faces of all ages gathered to watch the lantern parade. It is a wonderful, popular family occasion, this year being one of the very best.

The town came out to play. Folk gathered at the end of the lantern parade by The Corn Exchange, though, were unfenced and naturally pushed forward so Santa’s sleigh on a trailer was forced to stop there and let the lantern bearers pass behind it, rather than park sensibly by the stage. This was the only technical error, as their view of the lanterns were now obscured by Father Christmas and the Mayor offloading with a stepladder! But Devizes is Devizes, and we retain our astute sense of humour regardless. As Santa dismounted and the lanterns passed behind, folk shouted in jest, “get out of the way Santa!” “You can’t park there!” and “it’s not all about you!!”

And from the basic children’s lanterns to the regular spaceman, chickens and even the odd Minecraft Ghast, the parade swept through the Market Place gloriously, and we cheered Father Christmas as we counted down the moment the tree lights would glitter and Christmas in Devizes begins for another year.

But it’s not just about wandering through the stalls, deciding what food and drink to treat yourself to and perhaps buying fudge, or auntie a jar of chilli jam, because while you did, entertaining street theatre and glittery ladies on stilts (who I failed to pick up the phone numbers of) bustled through.

The best had to be those giant stockings moving around and charming the kids with puppet bears chatting; that was a stroke of genius. I know if I was five and saw that I’d probably have wet myself with excitement, but now I’m fifty-something…well, best check for a wet patch just to be certain!! No, that was a mulled wine spillage as a piece of onion plopped into it; thought I’d told you that?!

I did bump into Santa though who was off-duty and, at the time, mysteriously carrying a stepladder. Being as I’ve been good-ish all year, I acted like I’d met Mick Jagger and posed for a photo with him; a quality occurrence which made my night!

But it wasn’t any one element of the event which made it, it was the colossal show they staged, all the elements so well coordinated and coming together in unity which caused this to be so magical. The expressions of joy on children and drunk’s faces was priceless and from the maker’s market to the teacup rides, everyone seemed to be having fun, even the weather was agreeable!

If I was triggered in the week by Facebook whingers witch-hunting DOCA, the newspaper reporting it, or anyone else they could blame, (like, bizarrely, Americans) for their own agitations at the name of this event, for not, apparently, being religious enough, and I said I hope they don’t come if they were only to wine-hole, I’ve changed my mind. I wish they did come now. They’d have seen for themselves the evening had plenty of Christmas spirit and Christmassy elements to it, whilst embracing many other aspects of winter too, and nobody really gave thought or the slightest botheration to its name, they just wanted to enjoy the moment. And they did.

The work that went into this by all involved, mostly volunteers, was absolutely incredible, and I hope it will pave the way for a new chapter in the work of DOCA, of which Devizes should be grateful and proud.

So, until next year we’ll be rockin’ around the Christmas tree, letting the Christmas spirit ring, having pumpkin pie, later, and possibly doing some caroling; if that’s still not Christmassy enough for disgruntled keyboard warriors next year I’ll dress up as the Archangel Gabriel, if they so wish, so they can winch me up and suspend me across the Market Place where everyone below will see my Grinch boxers….don’t tempt me!!

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Gus White Burbage’s Smithy Art Forgery with Ann Liu Cannon and Esmé White

Words by Ollie MacKenzie.

Featured Image by Barbora Mrazkova.

The creative process can be a winding, long, and often confusing journey. Seeing a project come to fruition from scrappy origin to a packaged, marketable, and well-rounded piece of work can feel daunting – or even impossible. It took Gus White six years of honing his production skills, amassing an arsenal of musical machinery, and developing a community of talented musicians to bring his album ‘For Now, Anyway’ into existence….

At its core, it’s a breakup album, which could feel strange to complete and release so far after the original ‘break’, but speaking to Gus it appears the space has allowed him to finish the album at a much more present and content time in his life. He’s settled into a different existence – he’s in a new relationship, he’s a dog owner, and has played a large role in building a thriving music scene across the venues, pubs, and houses of Wiltshire.

This brings us to the Smithy Art Forgery in Burbage, a kooky yet loveable cultural venue operating out of a 375-year-old house that currently operates as a jeweller. Located on the side of a quiet village road, it’s adorned with nondescript street parking, burgers served off a BBQ, and vegetable curry to order made in the owner’s kitchen.

It’s these types of places that are few and far between according to Gus – a true grassroots venue for musicians, a haven from playing dusty forgotten corners of pubs where the landlord and patrons don’t even really want you there anyway. It was why it was there on the 14^thof September that Gus hosted his album release party.

Taking place in the back garden of the venue, attendees were seated under a marquee packed with various sofas, stools, and garden furniture that faced onto an embankment where the stage was set. Copious instruments lay there waiting, tucked underneath an array of tarpaulin and teepees to shield them and the musicians from the bipolar weather conditions of the changing season.

The atmosphere was intimate – maybe fewer than 100 in attendance – but one that felt lively and far from empty. Friends of friends of friends made happy introductions and chats to one another, waiting for the music to start. Two support acts opened the day. First, a solo and entrancing guitar performance from Grace Elizabeth Harvey, followed by a sort of double act from Ann Liu Cannon and Esmé White, the two swapping between lead vocal spots all the while backed by a mandolin player – the first of many off-kilter instruments to litter the performances.

Then it was Gus’s turn to play. The performance brought about the live, interactive feel of the album, with a high range of instruments on display — trombones, sublime guitar passages, the double bass, a kazoo solo, and even a set of pots and pans, just to name a few. The music felt sonically based in the past, a careful homage to folk and rock formats from americana, country and indie, exhibiting a range of influence from the 50s all the way to the 70s. Despite its seemingly traditional backdrop, the performance was unmistakably modern, with the lyrics carrying the music firmly into the present. Packed with new-age irony and technological references, Gus’s dry, irreverent humour was centre stage throughout the performance, both in the songs and in his preambles — though this didn’t disguise the sincerity of the music or the performer. Balanced amongst the tongue-in-cheek lyrics were very straight to the point personal accounts of his former relationship, that through their intense and biographical nature revealed a relatability that would be shrouded behind overt poeticism. Though typically robust and amusing, Gus’s songwriting shows a capability of reaching into the elegiac also. The solo encore of ‘Josephine’ makes the case for Gus’s well-roundedness as a song smith; a poetry laden tribute to his partner that drew much of its effect from its earnestness and folk-style imagery.

Gus closed the concert with a rendition of ‘Please Forgive Me’, a rousing finish that allowed each band member their moment to show off, before the crowd sung the concert to a finish. It felt an appropriate end, where Gus, the producer, allowed others to have their moment through his handiwork, sitting back and revelling in the fun of it all. For a set of songs about breaking up, Gus seemed married to the moment, an artist revealing himself at a perfect time to a welcoming group of friends and strangers alike.

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Devizes Winter Festival This Friday and More!

Who’s ready for walking in the winter wonderland?! Devizes sets to magically transform into a winter wonderland this Friday when The Winter Festival and Lantern Parade opens in the Market Place; excited?! Well, I say magically, it actually takes a lot of hard work to put on; thank you to DOCA and all the volunteers. A spokesperson for DOCA was confident things were all good last week, and was only worried about the weather forecast…..

At present my thoroughly unreliable weather app suggests a 43% chance of rain, but keep your glass of mulled wine half full at least, that’s considerably less than 50%, and going on current climate, the rain is sporadic and light. DOCA promises the festival to be “our most enchanting yet, with a full day and evening of festivities, creative workshops, stunning street performances, and a mesmerizing lantern parade.” Looking into it with a bit more detail and including everything else going on might yet put me on the good list!

The grand finale, the Lantern Parade & Fireworks details firstly. Father Christmas will be making a special appearance at St. John’s Churchyard from 5:30pm to 6:10pm. At 6pm the parade gathers at St. John’s Church Gate. 6:15pm the parade starts, winding through the town centre. 7pm is the Light Switch-On at The Market Place. 7:05pm there will be silent fireworks, best viewed from The Market Place; I’ve not seen silent fireworks before, certainly not heard them!

As is tradition, Devizes Town Band will entertain while the Market Place will be alive with market stalls, tasty tucker and drinks, and shopping opportunities. The Makery Market will be showcasing unique, handmade treasures from local crafters and makers from 12 noon to 8:30pm Friday, and from 11am to 6pm on Saturday, at the Corn Exchange.

The beloved winter warmer, DOCA’s famous mulled wine stall will be running on Friday only, from noon to 8:30pm. Of course, lots of our shops, cafes and bars will remain open. Someone did post a request for a list of shops staying open on local Facebook groups, like they can’t do this without Google Maps! You got legs? Use them! Be like Dora and explore! But hey, here’s what we know…..

The Shambles is a magical place at Christmas, with projections by Young Urban Digitals & PF Events, a specially created animated light artwork made by local young people. Savannah Sweets, Biddles, SoupChick and Sunabody Care pottery and bodycare will be open. Cositas Bonitas, The Healthy Life and many other shops will stay open late across town. Cafes too, including the new beauty salon come cafe, Velvet & Bloom, and hot rum totty outside The Muck and Dunder.

There’s a mystery “live band” outside The Pour House, and a choir concert at St Andrew’s Church. The Unpredictables at The Three Crowns comes highly recommended, DJ Random at The Southgate too, and a Lantern Parade Disco Party at The Pelican Inn. Snow White is the running panto at The Wharf Theatre, and it’s brilliant!

From 5pm onwards, find some spectacular street performances around the Market Place. Bristol’s infamous roaming band, The Ambling Band will bring infectious energy with their blend of pink and brass. The Glitter Belles are dazzling high-rise performers with sculptural creations straight from the 1970s disco era. Keep your eyes peeled for Stockings Up, a pair of gigantic Christmas stockings bursting with presents and magically strolling around town, two women on stilts covered head to toe in glitter ball costumes and silver glitter, a woman in a red coat talking to a puppet bear in a larger than life sized Christmas stocking and The Flying Buttresses, an illuminated tree with books that light up attached.

From 4 to 8:30pm find, at St. John’s Churchyard, an Illuminated Garden, an enchanted world of light and magic with stunning lanterns created by DOCA community workshops. Another light installation will be Chirp & Drift by Kathy Hinde, a mesmerizing installation where illuminated instruments chatter in Morse code messages, accompanied by gentle harmonies from accordion reeds hidden within. After a few glasses of mulled wine you might also be chattering in Morse code!

Also look out for an old piano also by Kathy Hinde, a kinetic sound sculpture with videos of birds projected onto the strings, and Emergency Exit Arts’ Giant butterflies; but remember, a giant butterfly is for life, not just for Christmas.

Creative Workshops also feature. Wellard & Wild Botanical Workshops on Friday 28th at various times. From Kokedama to terrariums, epiphytes to festive wreaths, learn traditional methods to create beautiful botanical designs. Contemporary Wreath Making on Friday 28th from 2pm to 5pm at The Ceres Hall of the Corn Exchange, where you can create your own stunning, brightly-coloured wreath using repurposed plastics, berries, and sequins. Learn millinery flower-making techniques with accomplished maker Nancy Rose Stott. And there is Tin Can Brooch Making on Sunday 30th from 2pm to 5pm, at The Southgate Inn, where you can design and sew a unique brooch using reclaimed materials.

Don’t forget the Window Wanderland Trail, running from Friday 28th November to Monday 1st December. For more info on all this and to book workshops, check out DOCA website. For everything else going on locally, keep this frequency clear and love Devizine!

Other stuff going on: Saturday there’s a jumble sale in St Andrew’s Church. A clothes swap in The Shambles. Lights Switch On in Waiblingen Way. Innes Sibun is at The Southgate, the Buzzing Fridges at The Three Crowns, and The Liverpool Echoes at The Conservative Club.

Let’s get Christmassy; cue the Shakin’ Stevens, children playing, having fun, it’s the season, love and understanding, but not too much snow falling please, Shaky!

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

One part of Swindon was in perfect harmony last night, and I don’t mean the traffic circumnavigating the Magic Roundabout. Rather The Lost Trades were at the Hop in Old Town, honouring a postponed gig from September…..

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 evening’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, “were packed out,” and factors of the lesser crowd were discussed; it could’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 happening….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 I’ve not caught for what seems like an age, it’s thoroughly deserved. There’s a sense of elevation in their delivery of these soothing vocal harmonies, a consistent strive of improvement, which if it isn’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 Jamie’s expressions on equal terms as Tamsin’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 they’ve played together in folk band SGO who recently disbanded, and who I’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 Hands’ 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 could’ve been the headline for any folk club.

As folk, The Lost Trades have always stated it’s “modern folk,” and with electric guitars and some subject matter I see this, but there’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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Snow White Delight: Panto at The Wharf

Treated to a sneaky dress rehearsal of this year’s pantomime at Devizes’ one and only Wharf Theatre last night, if forced to sum it up in a word, the word would be “delightful…..”

With Ian dedicated to all things theatrical here on Devizine, panto is reserved for my tuppence; that has become as much a Christmas tradition as Brussel sprouts! Snow White is the choice to loosely base the crazy and fun shenanigans around this time, and while I usually attend just to announce what a treat you’ll miss out on unless you’ve a ticket, this time the Wharf has doubled the run to a fortnight, so it’s not sold out … .yet. The question remains, is it worth your while?

The answer is not hiding behind you. Oh, yes it is! Of course it’s worthwhile, silly!

The time, dedication and professionalism which goes into each and every pantomime at the Wharf is something the team behind them should be proud of. This year sees some unity with various local theatre groups, and their talents bless the show. “This year we see people coming from Stagecoach, Potterne Panto, Pewsey Vale Amateur Dramatics Society, Centre Stage Dance Academy, Devizes Musical Theatre, Bristol Old Vic, and Melksham Music and Drama,” director and chairman of The Wharf Theatre, Pete Winterton informed, and with additional scriptwriting from Helen Pritchard, Pete wrote and directed this year’s panto.

Helen plays the face of the magic mirror, brutally honest yet cheeky with the Evil Queen, played with passion and skill by Georgina Watson, from PVADS and who undoubtedly performs the best solo. Yet a truly magnificent antagonist is never a thing without a trusty sidekick, and, no stranger to the Wharf and Stagecoach, twelve-year-old Gigi Underwood takes that role superbly.

Georgina Claridge, perfect to play Snow White, choreographed the show, which, even at the dress rehearsal stage, looked polished. Archer Lee plays the prince, Rory Lee is his chaperone Dandy. There’s a delightful team of seven young dancing villagers, Kira Drezanics, Maisie Lee, Bea Stacey, Myrah Williams, Madeleine Newman, Phoebe Newman, and Coco Fuller, ranging from nine years to thirteen years old and bubbling with talent.

Of course there’s also seven, only slightly smaller people, a running copyright infringement gag, which mysteriously fades after time, and they’re returned to being called dwarfs without explanation, or hopefully, lawsuit, but does a panto need explaining?! If the show is loosely based on Snow White, the seven “associates” of Snow White are a unit of parodies, the most bizarre being Corrin Bishop, who plays a politician version, wittily just waving and shaking hands with the audience akin to a silent film star. Jessica Bone as Nurse seems the natural leader, but Jenni Prescott and Ben Byran add humour with roles called Misery and Snorey, respectively. Kelly Williams and Cameron Williams are either shy and throaty, but the icing on this cake is the youngest and smallest, Smiley, played by Stagecoach student Ella Cook, whose natural flair for dramatics charms.

Then, even more important than any plot, for there is a basic runoff narrative from Uncle Walt’s adaptation of the Brothers Grimm’s Sneewittchen, is the comical Dame and their sidekick. There can be no other team better chosen from these wild woods than Adam Sturges, who dons the drag so divinely, to play Dolly, and his partner Oli Beech to play their son James. Oli and Adam are stalwarts at the Wharf, playing apart they both shine but as a duo they are comical genius, naturally proficient at improv and breaking the fourth wall to take these essential roles, delivering them with hilarity, and binding the panto with joyful audience participation.

If panto at the Wharf follows its own methods which bucks traditions of pantomime, Snow White is no exception, and that is what makes it unexpectedly fun. Nitpicking, I thought it unorthodox to not end the first half with a song, though they right this wrong with such a fantastic musical finale it makes up for it. But, I’m left wondering if slapstick is a thing of the past. Because, cliche or perhaps not politically correct, there was a lack of visual humour in this show; is it too risque for modern kids to see a custard pie in the face?!

Though little ones will not tire of this, it’s fantastic, yet summarised, and doesn’t extend to unnecessary proportions. The humour rests majorly on gags, many of local direction; mocking neighbouring towns, etc. But there are the customary encouraged singalongs, games, and fun pop song adaptations for all ages to love. There’s amusing treats, like the mysterious characters appearing from the woods, and the ingeniously adapted characters’ traits.

Pantomime is the golden opportunity to introduce young people to the theatre, and is the one occasion when those not regular theatre-goers will take a chance. Snow White is a delight, an enjoyable family treat; go see it and start Christmas. The children will be delighted; I was and I’m a 52 and three quarters-year old kid!

Snow White opens on Tuesday 25th November and runs until Saturday 6th December. Curtains at 7:30pm, two matiness at 2:30pm on the Saturdays. Tickets HERE or at Devizes Books.

Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas at The Rowdey Cow!

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at the Rowdey Cow cafe and ice cream parlour; their Christmas Tree Light Switch On is this Friday, the 21st November…..

If you thought an ice cream parlour was restricted to summertime, think again! It’s the first time the Rowdey Cow near Devizes has held a Christmas light switch on event, and we wish them all the best with it. The fun begins at 5:30pm, and the lights will sparkle at 6pm.

Ice cream might only be for the daring, but they’ve marshmallow toasting and festive food & drinks, plus gift stalls, Christmas crafts, and a cozy Christmas film of which they’re asking children to vote for their favourite on their Facebook page; I’m voting Arthur Christmas, hands down!

Free mince pies and mulled wine if you turn up before the big light switch on at 6pm. They promise a very special guest too. I think I might be able to guess who it might be, and I’ve been good all year, well, good-ish!

And if you cannot make it, there’s lots of chances to have Breakfast with Santa at various dates in December, see HERE.

The Rowdey Cow is at Lower Farm, Devizes Road, Rowde, Devizes, SN10 2LX 01380 829666 info@rowdeycow.co.uk

Steatopygous Album Marks Pinnacle for Sketchbook Records

Raging expressions of angered feminist teenage anguish this month, perfectly delivered by Steatopygous via their mindblowing debut album Songs of Salome, I hail as the pinnacle of Sketchbook Records to date. But it’s only been a year since Simon formed the label. It’s DIY, a contemporary local counterculture ethos; welcome to the Wiltshire underground of the now; there’s more to discover….

There was me, showing my age, assuming Gen Z required Google to know “cassette tape!” But, due to the expense of pressing vinyl and burning CDs, Sketchbook’s Simon looks towards this affordable format, with digital downloads also, to showcase the upcoming talents he finds working at Trowbridge’s Pump.

December marks the label’s first year. A demo by Steatopygous was put onto hand-designed cassettes to punt to Pump visitors last year, but Simon has taken on other bands to feature. Yes, we must praise Steatopygous’ album, but we must also highlight the others too, as they’re released onto Bandcamp for all to access….and buy, people, buy!

“Vinyl has gotten way too expensive and takes way too long to manufacture to make it feasible for short runs,” he explained when chatting about the Steatopygous demo. “For this release, Kieran recorded the band for free, it cost less than £80 for the blanks which I’ve dubbed at home myself. Eliza’s making the inlays by hand and we’ve been able to turn it around in 3 weeks. A 7″ would be, like, £800 for 100 copies and take months to arrive. A cassette means I can just give the band twenty or so tapes to sell themselves, knowing I can make the money back on the rest, and even if I don’t, it’s been such a fun thing to do that it really doesn’t matter. And that’s punk rock, right?!”

Take it from someone who contributed to more punk zines than I care to recall, that is precisely punk! The trading of tapes was the pre-internet equivalent of file sharing, and similarly with photocopied zines, with good intentions variably more sharing or swapping, their distributors sucked it up as a labour of love. I know I did, but I’ve a cathedral of tapes, vinyl, zines and comix, which hold sentimental value, mostly from swapsies.

It may seem surprising to note the DIY ethos remains today, and I’m glad to hear of it. In reviewing them I take into consideration these are produced on shoestrings, that they’re young upcoming acts, and it’s going to sound raw. But just like Ol’ Dirty Bastard in more ways than one, I like it raw!!

Working backwards through the discography then…..

Steatopygous: Songs of Salome

Recorded and mixed in summer 2025 at Nine Volt Leap Studios with Dominic Bailey-Clay, and released this month, Songs of Salome, is a brave and stupendous collection of six outrageous riot grrrl screamo punk tracks, from a Devizes-based female-fronted young band named after the state of having substantial levels of tissue on the buttocks and thighs! Implying, not only a running theme on the psychoanalysis of body image and society’s expectations, but also that they don’t give a flying fuck if you think they create nothing more than a “screamy noise,” will twist any such misdemeaning negatives into positives, and post them as stories on their social media; just one of the two-fingers up at the status quo aspects I love about Steatopygous!

Yet it’s not only the idea if they’re not pissing someone off they’re not doing it properly which makes them punk, there’s solid riffs of what I shouldn’t describe as “traditional punk,” because that’s surely an oxymoron to be spat at; nothing about punk was ever traditional, but I guess what I mean is, it reflects punk’s origins honourably, while still pushing the anger it conveyed to future generations. And in this, I cannot compare them to another of the same subgenre and ask them to excuse my ignorance of nineties riot grrl bands, like Bikini Kill or Bratmobile, though they’ve inspired me to listen to them now, and my finding is, if Steatopygous strives to be an English equivalent, they’re not just on the right road, they make them look tame by comparison.

No one I know of is expressing their poetic frustrations quite like Steatopygous, these six songs prove it. If you identify, if you rethink, it’s in your face if you want it or not. Wall Plug Slug is self-harm themed, depressing in ballad, but still easing us in gently. Cassowary takes no prisoners of patriarchy and sexual relationships, something which rings throughout the album. Marie’s Wedding Song takes us to riffs and themes The Slits might have, but Little Boy is the most poignantly contemporary…. and screamy, making grunge sound like easy listening!

Sceptic really raised an eyebrow when I reviewed it earlier this month, Female CD simply thrashes out till the end of this monster; it’s breathtaking, doesn’t come up for air, and overall, Steatopygous are provocateurs against what’s acceptable, and Songs of Salome launches it back at you in a desirable frenzy, and I don’t believe they care.

It’s an outstanding debut of which I encourage them to drive more in the same direction, avoiding any requests to sell it out.

Until the Last Sunflower: Between Maturity

If mainstream labels require a textbook style artists are contracted to adhere to, the beauty of counterculture is there are no barriers. Until The Last Sunflower is Trowbridge’s Joshua Allen. Between Maturity was recorded in a bedroom early 2025, released in May, and is so vastly different from Songs of Salome it’s at the opposite side of the scale.

It includes tags unfamiliar to me, but “sadcore” and “slowcore” speak for themselves. Lo-fi ambient rock, I’d best pigeonhole it; poignant shards of thoughts and observations from a young eye, dubbed with basslines, piano or acoustic guitar, sometimes building layers, harking back to Spiritized or even the mellowed nu-cool of Bristol’s nineties trip hop scene at its jazzier moments.

Yet its eight tracks literally require horizontal listening. With the deep prose of Syd Barrett being dumped at sixteen years old, I’d have to have had a really shit day to totally appreciate this, but shit days aplenty and Morrisey is a prick anyway; this is melancholy done smoothly!

The lengthy lowercase track names attend to the curious: perks of being a wallflower, please let me forget this memory; just this one, i miss my selfish and ignorant youth, and particularly, cupid vs disgusting men who take advantage of little children. And it certainly takes a gulp of melancholic dejection in an ambience more provoking than chilling. For this, it bucks positivity like raindrops, happy to watch them dribble down a window pane; sombre, emotive, mindful music, I like, on a particular day.

Hurts Worse: Love is Death and Death is all that’s Left

Released last April, Hurts Worse are Mikey and Emma, from Nebraska. A not so sober Simon messaged them to ask if they wanted to do a tape, “and somehow they said yes,” he explained!

This is a collection of eight from their various singles and EPs. Again, dark slowcore, you might gather from the title. Death, graves, bleeding hearts and the one tune most commercially viable called “if you love me please check yes next to the skull carved in my desk,” give an overall of morose subject matters, but it rolls so smoothly, gloomy and angry but not bad tempered in sound. It’s romance at its most bitter, Coldplay gone sour, and for such it’s unique and moreish.

Kurt Alexander: I stepped out into the world and it no longer exists and all was good.

Also released in April, this is a compilation of two albums, originally released late in 2024. Again, best pigeonholed as slowcore punk, though there’s moments upping the tempo, akin to folktronica. It’s dreamer than the others and breaks for some refined bridges of funky bass guitar, electronica and voice samples of poetry or recordings of phone calls.

It’s seventeen tracks strong, often short, experimental in that one blip is the previous tune backwards, and in production I get vibes of Money Mark’s Keyboard Repair. Though I think the downtempo Bristol nineties scene also takes an influence, probably why I’d favour it over the previous two mentioned, personally. But there’s rock here too, crashing metal guitars and acoustic guitar tunes over violin, but so subtly dubbed, it really is an interesting melting pot. If there’s emotive prose like the past couple mentioned it’s done soulfully, and less bitter. Think; Tricky was an indie kid.

Nobody’s Dad: Mixtape

“Not a dad?” this band asks on their Insta account, “don’t worry, neither are we,” leaving no explanation what to do if you are, but you still love this band! I reserve my right to play this mixtape on the school run in dad’s taxi; see how they like that!! The thing is, age is only a state of mind, I absolutely love this, so does my son!

Released in January, this is undoubtedly the most universal and commercially viable of Sketchbook’s back catalogue. That enthral shoegaze sound, female-fronted, drifting and dreamy with hints of grunge. Angel opens the four tracks, with a kick, and I’m contemplating The Cranberries as a comparison. Margo is a please return to me ballad, and is sublime.

You Don’t Communicate, and You’re all I Ever Wanna Be rock it back out, smoothly with those gorgeous grunge layers, akin to I See Orange, and leaving you aching for more. I think I’ve found a new favourite thing. Nobody’s Dad deserves a renowned producer to refine this, as it’s yeah, raw, but booming with so much potential, and that’s the nature of a DIY label like Sketchbook, opening eyes to upcoming talent without the professional angle of “how can I make money from this?” Nobody’s Dad, huh?! Topping this dad’s playlist now.

Kurt Alexander’s cassette covers are individually unique hand-dubbed with green or orange paint and they used a typewriter for the text. Eliza from Steatopygous hand designs their covers and a number of others too. There’s a timeless and individual charm about DIY punk culture which Sketchbook embraces, and in days of AI this is wonderfully personal, genuine, and uncommercially dedicated to a fashion of yore.

I look forward to hearing what’s next, and of course, Sketchbook presents gigs at The Pump, the next is a Christmas party with Nobody’s Dad, Parkii and Kurt Alexander on Saturday 13th December; the kids are alright.

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Cheerio Wilko; Wiltshire’s PCC is Shown the Door!

The only good to have come from Wiltshire having a Police Crime Commissioner was proof The Conservatives used their power to reward their elite bum chums and family with overpaid, high power and often completely unnecessary penpushing jobs….

A Devizes Conservative town councillor once told me if I “get the chance to interview Philip (Wilkinson) you should take it. He is a good man and has huge respect for Mike (Rees) and sympathy that he has had to refinance due to the previous election.”

I never had the chance, neither did I want the chance or chase it up, worrying it wouldn’t end well. I did once chat online with the predecessor candidate, Jonathan Seed, and that was enough talking to selfish entitled Tories for one lifetime.

Seedy revealed, “nobody has wanted to talk about hunting other than trolls online.” This opened a closet of unfortunate skeletons for him, which began with the speculation as a convicted illegal huntsmaster he only wanted the position to encourage police to turn a blind eye to hunting, and ended with the national press unearthing lots of other unpleasant facts about his past, such as his drink driving offences.

The fact that despite the controversy he still won the election was proof at the time that if you put a blue rosette on Satan’s pet pig they’d have won. His post-election disqualification caused the Wiltshire taxpayers four million pounds for a re-election, yet still didn’t upset the blind Tory voters; second time unlucky, his Conservative assessor Phillip Wilkinson won too. This was my reasoning, alongside the cascade of national scandals like Partygate, for not wishing to platform another Conservative. I believe and stand by my thought that it’s justifiable on those terms.

The fact others drew Phillip into question on his thoughts around hunting, and despite not admittedly hunting himself, he supported hunting, attended hunt balls, and set about unfairly lambasting anti-hunt organisations caused not only the brushing under the carpet of allegations police officers were turning a blind eye to hunter’s violent attacks on protesters at the Boxing Day hunt in Lacock, and furthermore, other officers proved to be active members of hunt organisations, but also reasoning for my suspicions he was not the “good man” the councillor suggested he was. Entitled, yes, good, I’m afraid not.

“Philip should have been the candidate last time and wasn’t, it’s a mistake but it can’t be changed. We have to move on and make sure people get a fair choice,” reckoned the Councillor who banned anyone merely uttering the name Mike Rees, the independent candidate for the PCC, on the Facebook group he admins. Though, Mike suffered much further from the propaganda machine, excluding him from volunteering to administer lateral flow Covid tests because it was believed to be political point-scoring, when Mike runs a boxing club to engage youths, a charity for children with cancer, and while Seedy was throwing out campaign leaflets funded by the Conservative Party, Mike was delivering food packages for homeless charity Devizes OpenDoors.

Hum, we do not “have” to move on at all in my opinion. The Councillor might’ve wished to, so these suspicious affairs could be archived into a filing cabinet in a dark backroom, bulging with other inconsistencies and matters of outrageous behaviour from the circus of thieves he backs. Rather we should rather dwell on the notion that it cost us four million quid, only for the end result being not so far from the original outcome, and now it’s to be scrapped anyway. What a terrible misuse of public spending.

An ex-military man, Phillip Wilkinson’s entire aptitude and ethos was unsuitably hostile for a civil role which surely requires creating a bond between police and the public, and initialising trust in the force with the public. His reactionary replies to criticism on his Facebook page led him to lie about other candidates, silence the critics, claim absurd notions as facts, such as the time he stated unemployment was a choice, and at one point he even boasted about shooting people; the latter, while in the official line of duty, still isn’t a good look for the civil service.

His angle on the PCC role was to marginalise us, attack groups he took a personal dislike to, and militarise the force; noted as failures by the communities he was supposed to have served. Mike’s vision for the role was hands-on, telling me, “If you’ve got a demoralised police force, it doesn’t matter what policies and procedures people are coming up with, nothing’s going to work. You’ve got to sort your workforce out first, and get them to follow you, be inspired by you.”

Liberal Democrat candidate Liz Webster said Mike was “going for the wrong job!” And if Phillip’s interpretation of the role matched the job description, it was a political position rather than being active in the police, she was perhaps right. Philip served to be an overpaid government puppet, rock up to formal occasions, state the obvious, ramble on about how something had to be done about an issue, and retired to the kind of salary officers like PC Nicola Crabbe, who disarmed a knife-wielding attacker and dived into the canal to rescue a person in distress, could only imagine. A medal of bravery doesn’t put caviar on the table, Wilko!

Talking many times to Mike, I couldn’t imagine sympathy was what he wanted or needed. In fact he was adamant the PCC role was not needed and their salary could be better spent elsewhere in the force. Something the Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has realised, and motioned to scrap the position, freeing up an extra £20m to fund front-line policing. If we had a government which knew the difference between a protester and a terrorist, I might have faith the money would be distributed to the appropriate channels. Finger’s crossed.

But Phillip went bleating to Tory-biased BBC Wiltshire, crying, “It’s going to mean a less effective, less efficient and more politicised police force.” If his paradoxical belief taking away a political role in the police force would somehow politicise it isn’t proof he was clutching at straws, there’s a taste of irony in his consistent splatters about how much he required a higher budget to police Wiltshire, when Rees contradicted this with the notion it’s not about what’s budgeted but how it is spent. And unnecessarily spending a whooping chunk of it for a bloke to wander around the county like royalty, idly vowing to solve this problem or that, surely would have the opposite effect?!

Much ado about nothing. So, cheerio Wilko.

It’s no great revelation that his bygone strategies failed in the past, ergo, held no clout nowadays either. Seeking to punish individual drug dealers, for example, only leaves a gap in their turf another will step into, and isn’t really solving the bigger issue of getting drugs off our streets. We could debate if more radical moves need taking, but he was too stuck in the mud to ever take heed. Wilko was out of touch, whereas officers are on our streets witnessing and dealing with crime, and their opinions should count.

His attacks on youths tarnished them with the same brush, when that simply isn’t true, is counterproductive, and matches the troubles we were victimised for when we were younger. Then, hypocritically, he grabbed a photo opportunity last week at the newly opened Devizes Area Youth Lounge, where he immediately accentuated youth crime, suggesting anti-social behaviour was done only by youths and this would prevent them “hanging around the streets and getting into trouble.” Far from the actual notion the centre was created to give all youths a space to socialise for the sake of their wellbeing and mental health.

With polarised views from people like him at the top of the hierarchy, at a time of financial instability and hyperinflation, conveniently caused by the party he backs, rebellious attitudes and crime will surely only worsen, by people of any age.

Youth programs will attract only those who wish to pursue them, and they tend not to be those troublemakers he cited. You cannot stop them, but you can reduce the peer-pressure and turn their petty crimes away from being a spectator sport, by providing safe spaces for those affected by them. Youths are not only the criminals but more often than not the victims of them too, and that was something sadly overlooked in Wilkinson’s wonky thought process, and the reason I salute the notion to rid ourselves of these unnecessary and pompous roles of Police Crime Commissioners.

Does that make sense to you?! I wish Wilko well, and say cheerio. I’m certain his pension will not see him walking those dangerous streets paved with wayward youths, and he’ll still be able to enjoy luxurious banquets with his fox-hunting chums.

Sarah C Ryan Band’s Radio Silence

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My Radio Silence, recorded for a session at Crescent Records Studio in Swindon, back in July 2024, has recently been published on YouTube for prosperity, and shows precisely why I so absolutely, totally 100% love this band! It’s so breezy and cool…. I’m going to shut my cake hole and let you enjoy the video…..

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Chatting With Burn The Midnight Oil

It’s nice to hear when our features attract attention. Salisbury’s Radio Odstock picked up on our interview with Devizes band Burn the Midnight Oil and they gained air time, but the interview was published short of year ago now, and the band have had significant changes to the lineup and their style. So, I the time is nigh to poke my bulbous nose in and interrupt their rehearsal again…..

Formerly a trio, bassist Chris Lane remains with Chrissy Chapman up front, but guitarist Andy Jacobs sadly passed away this year. “Andy was an amazing musician and really helped carve out our initial sonic signature,” Chrissy told me. “We’ve always wanted to acknowledge his creative contributions, given that music ran through him like the letters in a stick of rock. However, for reasons I can’t discuss out of respect for everyone involved, the band collectively decided that it was no longer suitable for Andy to remain involved. We’ve made every attempt to show him grace since that decision but there was a negative backlash. Regardless, we were all very sad to hear he passed away shortly after, and our sympathies remain with his family and loved ones. We’re committed to remembering him in the best light.”

“There was definitely concern about doing the songs justice after we parted ways with Andy,” Chrissy continued. “Eventually, though, we made a conscious effort to develop a new sound that honoured the music while allowing John the creative freedom. The core of our sound now focuses on doing the songs justice rather than trying to replicate what Andy originally brought to the table and embracing the natural evolution of our sound that draws from all of our influences.”

The Original Trio of Chrissy, Chris and Andy

John Lane joined as guitarist, but was making me a cuppa while I was chatting with Ron Riordan, the new drummer. They’ve both been instrumental in forging a new direction for the band, literally! John said of Andy’s passing, “as part of getting through that phase the band has grown,” and Ron added it had “evolved.”

Turning to Chrissy I jested that when we did the original interview, she had suggested they didn’t need a drummer! “Well,” she explained, “we always needed a drummer, but we were able to perform at the time without a drummer because we were percussive enough. And it went down really well. A couple of venues, we did three gigs before we got Ron, a brilliant drummer!”

Ron stepped in immediately at a crossover period between Andy and John, a proficient drummer who told me he had played in a few ska bands in Swindon, “I started playing drums when I was about nine, in orchestras and learnt to read music, that type of thing.” I smiled; he looks like he can blast a Two-Tone riff. “That’s the thing though,” Chrissy said, “because straight away we had DOCA’s Winter of Festive Ales booked. So it was like, everybody had to jump on really, really quickly. And we wanted to use that as an opportunity to do the originals.”

It was on the strength of the demo I asked them to play RowdeFest, I hadn’t seen them performing before. But the committee was encouraging me to find a covers band. “We followed your advice about doing the covers,” Chrissy said, though it wasn’t really advise, rather a way to get them booked! I’m so glad they did, they were dynamite and feedback was overwhelming. The kind of band you’d think had been on the circuit for years. “I felt that we were at the party at the end of the day!” John remarked, and they certainly was.

“What was nice about that is it the focus was about ‘let’s give people a show’ rather than it just being about ‘let’s get our songs out’,” Chrissy explained. “Your influence was about getting a show to give to people, keeping people up on their feet, so and not allowing those breathers.” I did encourage them to ensure they blasted some originals out too, though, which they did!

“We tried to dress it on different levels of the visual,” John stressed, “wearing the outfits, the recognition of known songs, and the come on, party time!”

“Yeah, it worked, didn’t it?” I replied, a template to liven up a pub gig, and Burn the Midnight Oil are certainly getting them. The Queen’s Tap in Swindon and Kings Arms in Amesbury their recent outings, but how do they feel about how far they’ve come?

“Given that the new face of us being coming up a four piece with Andy’s departure in January, to get that in the space of a year, well, less than a year,” Chrissy said, “as a new lineup, I think it’s quite incredible.”

It’s the added drums which changes it, I supposed, surely essential for a harder rock feel.

“It changes the scale of the presentation,” John added. “It’s now got drive and rhythm rather than being listening for the lyric. It’s actually motivated, it hooks into people’s natural sense of rhythm, and you can’t help it. First thing people take in is rhythm, then melody, last of all, lyrics. So if you hook the first bit, you don’t get the second one, then they come back for the lyrics. So we’re attacking it from the best angle.”

Here was were I felt a healthy division between John and Chrissy’s perspective, as she began to speak on where she drew inspiration from in the writing and a change in direction from intrapersonal to interpersonal. She drew from personal relationships and her faith, implying her writing was key, but the difference was never confrontational and a good blend of opinion is surely necessary to compose the elements of a song professionally.

“I had a tsunami of a creative spell, and wrote twenty songs in as many days. So we’re now, everybody’s having to play catch up, trying to get them polished!” Chrissy explained. She labelled her past songs as an “angsty teenage phase,” and felt her songwriting about “good guy/scumbags” had evolved and matured into “something more universal. It’s not so much like a diary, it’s definitely becoming more cryptic. It’s pulling in a different kind of imagery and symbolism. And then, because I’m faith-based as well, I’ve given a lot of inspiration taking verses from the Bible that have really helped me through difficult times. I’m weaving them, not to be preachy, but just to be like, this is my story.”

“We’d like the two songs we did at the award ceremony, to polish it up more, get a scratch track done, and then we’re going to go back to Matt Miller’s Dusty Shed, who did the original three.”

“We can’t really use the original EP anymore. And also, it’s fair to say with John’s influences, and the way that we’re allowing space for his creative flow to come into it, it just sounds different.”

John pointed out his mixer was adequate when I pondered if they needed a producer. Chrissy replied while it would be “fantastic,” she crunched numbers and said they, “really want to get onto the festival circuit, and that means having tracks done ASAP.”

Captivating to listen to Chrissy delving deeper into the inspiration behind her songwriting and the maturity she felt it levelling to, in which she exclaimed with much delight, “it’s definitely been refreshing having John’s influence, him sharing how he sees it as a viewer. Because you write what you know, and unfortunately, I’ve been exposed to quite a lot of things that I don’t think many people would ever want to be exposed to. And being able to find hope and joy in some of the songs and being able to write happier songs. For the first time ever, I’ve written two love songs! I’ve never written love songs before! So, there definitely seems to be more universal themes.”

Yet as fascinating as it is, hearing Chrissy’s writing motivations, John revealing the technical side to their development, Ron adding splices of drummer-fashioned wit, and together them trying to summarise their change in direction whether it be a more rock-blues or dark-country, only to finally decide it unnecessary to pigeonhole it anyway, it makes for a laborious read, so I thought I’d inject a light-hearted, more physical observation with Chris, who otherwise, I suspect, would’ve remained silent, save occasionally strumming his bass!

It was that I heard Jimi Hendrix had extremely long fingers, I noted so too did Chris, and wondered if he considered it an asset to playing guitar! John jested, “it’s like watching a spider running up and down a hot plate!” Ron pointed out his stumpy fingers, “I’m a drummer; I’ve just tried to learn the bass guitar and I can’t get my hands anywhere round the neck of the guitar like Chris can!”

Chris exampled pianists’ tendency to have stumpy fingers. “You look at Elton Joh or Les Dawson, they’ve all short fingers, but they can play like crazy! I can get away with some stuff, but some of it’s more, arguably, bad habit than good! But I can get away with having long fingers rather than good habits!”

A fellow of far fewer words than the front girl, evidently, but when he does its witty self-mocking is worth it’s weight in gold and sparked a humorous angle to the interview in which, while Chrissy justified his dexterity and nimbleness, Ron favoured to joke about Chris’s dancing on stage, “which is brilliant. I love it!”

John praised the firmness of Chris’ bass, “you’re methodical, you’re listening. I’m done wondering if he’s bored to death as I explain something to him, as he’s sitting there taking it in. It’s not till you go and think he’s got it.”

They all seemed content with each other, and John effectively “keeping them in line,” and this brought up the subject that they abstained from drinking while performing. “One rule I was pretty adamant about,” John explained while Chrissy and Ron laughed about being “hyper,” “is drink and music don’t mix. If you’re going to load it up, don’t expect to be any good at the music. Because we’re there to make the party for everybody else.”

“Yeah,” Chrissy joshed, “so I’m not allowed to have a pre-shot of tequila, which is really good because I definitely noticed a habit where I needed the Dutch courage in order to get up and I started realising, this is a bad habit that I don’t want to become dependent on. So it’s two-wayed. You were definitely enforcing it. And I tried to be more mindful of it and just get up despite feeling nervous. And I get nervous every single time still.”

Aside the notion everyone gets butterflies, we moved between passionate subjects like the local circuits and venues and getting further afield, and we ventured back into songwriting inspirations, but I wanted them to nail it into a summary. “In a nutshell,” Chrissy said, “we’re focusing on rhythm and melody so that the lyrics can shine through. And we’re drawing inspiration from real life. Trying to make them more universal and a punchy sound. Rocky, bluesy, layers musically and lyrically; say that, Darren!”

Okay, I will! And if you want to hear this band progressing, follow their socials for gig updates. They’ll be in Devizes on Sunday 14^th December, at that tropical holiday resort in the Brittox, The Muck & Dunder, with a fundraiser for Ugandan orphanage His Grace Children Centre Bugiri, which they’ve organised themselves.

In true Christian spirit Chrissy annually organises a fundraiser around the yuletide, which she did as a soloist ironically titled One Trick Pony. Ironic because, she lent her vocals to drum n bass tracks, returned to town to learn guitar and perform acoustically, and now there’s Burn the Midnight Oil; a proficient four-piece who, merging experiences in varied genres, refuse to pigeonhole their developing style, and has an angelic vocalist with a penchant undaunted to delve deep into her psyche and faith for inspiration, and oh yeah, a bassist with long fingers!

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A Quick Shuffle to Swindon

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Local Author’s Book Reveals Why Devizine Isn’t Funny Anymore

Devizine can reveal how a new book by a local author might possibly be the reason why Devizine isn’t as funny as it used to be….

Devizine, it used to be funny, but sadly it seems it’s not so much anymore. Who took the banana skin from under its flip-flop? Who failed to give it a raspberry on the bouncy belly? Editor and creator of Devizine, Darren Worrow might have discovered why.

He said, “It’s a disgrace. This so-called author Darren Worrow has channelled all his pathetic attempts at humour into his new book Murder at the Scribbling Horse, and hardly bothered sharing anything the slightest bit amusing here on Devizine, as he once did; typical liberties from a loony leftie! And now he expects me to blow my own trumpet and sing his praises; what a pretentious twat! Shamelessly plugging his own book on his own website is surely proof.”

“Set in the fictional Wiltshire market town of Slapam-on-the-Fye, which is nothing like any real Wiltshire market town you might know of, it claims to be a murder-mystery, but the only true thing it murders is English literature.”

“Neither is there any subtlety in it either, like there is with Devizine,” Worrow waffled on sorrowfully wallowing. “Worrow takes no prisoners, has gone all out and created an absolute work of filth; an offensive joke book with a sham narrative, just so he can say disgusting things about various celebrities, politicians and anyone else he doesn’t like, despite the good honest work they’re doing to keep Britain free from logic and empathy.”

“With the mouth of a sailor, it downright disregards any level of intelligence locals might possess, and paints them all as so utterly idiotic the narration of the story has to be conveyed through the point of view of the pub dog; I don’t think that’s funny at all. The dog is a depressing nihilist, who uses the opportunity to put the human world to rights, rather than getting on with telling the story, that’s why it stacks up over 500 pages. 500 plus pages of meandering woke filth, I might add.”

“Using a facade of a murder mystery, in which the frontman to a tribute act is murdered in the pub whilst they organise a fundraising music festival, as the plot thickens like moulded yogurt around his genitalia, it goes as far as disgracefully making a mockery out of petty local politics too. It’s the biggest crime against pop since David Bowie and Mick Jagger’s cover of Dancing in the Street. I’d rather lick that yogurt off than buy this book, but that’s probably what this sick perverted tyrant wants us to do.”

“You’re not going to enjoy reading it, as tea can scold you if dropped in your lap through laughing too much. Therefore I call upon Steer Karma and the government to ban this book for health and safety reasons.”

“This thing wouldn’t have been published under Farage, you know? And thousands of flagpoles will now have to be erected to counteract the unpatriotic damage done, at the taxpayer’s expense too.”

The author of the book, Darren Worrow, rebukes comments made by the Devizine editor, Darren Worrow. “That guy is as thick as a Boxing Day turd and pissing into the wind,” he said. “Other than the fact I have released a new book, the rest is slanderous lies and Devizine will be hearing from my lawyers. Murder at the Scribbling Horse is a fascinating psychological study and critique of the modern world, questioning our nonacceptance of aging and the social and political issues it raises; with added knob jokes.”

The author became irate, claiming, “for eight long years I’ve been tirelessly promoting everyone else for peanuts. I’ve not even had the opportunity of taking a bath since, and I look like a Yeti past its sell by date. It’s about time I thought about myself for a change, and everyone can bloody well return the favour by buying my book!”

Eighties post-punk sensations Johnny Bunion and the Verrucas’ most successful album, The Legend of Castle Grey Scholl, 1981.

Whatever happened to Johnny Bunion? His legend burnt out long before his candle ever did.

But the more pressing question must be, was it connected to the murder at the Scribbling Horse public house in the narrow-minded Wiltshire market town of Slapam-on-the-Fye, some forty plus years later? And if so, how?

To answer this you’ll need to research, and my book, Murder at the Scribbling Horse will be the only way to do that.

If there’s ever any proceeds from the book, they will go to a much needed new Lynx Africa deodorant set, and a Brazilian back, sack and crack wax for the obnoxious author; the twat needs it, he looks like Posie from the Flumps’ rustic vajazzle.

Seriously though, being funny is the only thing I’m serious about. If you laughed at any part of this internal press release you’re a bit weird, and the ideal target audience for my book! You’re going to laugh a kazillion times (that’s a zillion zillions) more with a copy Murder at the Scribbling Horse in your grubby mitts. And even if you’ve no sense of humour, you know a good Christmas present idea when you see one!

You can buy the paperback online here. And the e-book here. It’s out for global distribution but buying direct from Lulu cuts out the middle man and gives the best royalties to the authors.

Not for sale to children or the over sensitive, though; as if I needed to say!

Murder at the Scribbling Horse is available at Devizes Books for a reduced price of £20, and next Saturday 22nd November, I’ll be in the shop praying to the Norse god of biscuits someone might stop by and purchase a signed copy at the super reduced price of £20!

If you cannot make it, you can message me and I’ll personally deliver you a copy if you live locally. I still need to work out posting & packaging costs, so message me if it needs posting and I’ll let you know about that asap. Happy reading…well, I say that but do I really mean it, I mean, really?!

Trending…..

Yesterday’s Tomorrow; Debut Album From Ursa Way and its Launch at the Tuppenny

If the eonian motivation of youths picking up guitars and forming bands has hit Gen Z enough that they’re two to a penny, I’m in the right place to discover one new to us, The Tuppenny…. An adept drummer pinched from Bristol, with the remaining homegrown members formed a youthful and hopeful Swindon indie-rock four-piece…

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Winter Festival & Lantern Parade Confirmed for Devizes

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I See Orange….And Doll Guts!

There was a time not so long ago when I See Orange was the most exciting new band in Swindon. Their latest offering released at the end of August, a single entitled Doll Guts, truly positions them way above that pedestal and I predict and hope, onto the international market…. Though there’s a nod to…

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MP Brian Matthew Invites You to Have Your Say on AI and the Future of our Creative Industries

Next week, MP for Melksham & Devizes Brian Mathew will be taking on Skynet and raising a question in Parliament about the impact of Artificial Intelligence on the creative sector. From writers and musicians to designers and artists, he invites local creatives to have their say….

Only a few weeks ago a Facebook page which posts material about music legends took a picture from a Devizine review of an Adam & The Ants tribute act, Ant Trouble, at Swindon’s Victoria and, believing it to be the real Adam Ant it used it to illustrate a post about him! You can tell from the mechanical writing style it’s totally AI generated, so, who do I sue? Metal Mickey?!

I’m not suing anyone, I laugh it off, but there’s a serious side to all this. Brian explained, “I’ve already received a number of emails and messages from constituents who are deeply concerned that AI could undermine creative jobs and that copyrighted material is being used to train AI systems without fair payment or permission.”

“Before I take this issue to Westminster, I want to make sure your voices are heard. Please take a few minutes to fill in my short survey. Your input will help shape the questions I put to ministers and ensure that the concerns of our creative community are represented in Parliament. Your voice matters.”

The form is here, prove you’re on the side of the humans and fill it in!

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The Lost Trades Float on New Single

I’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 classic…..

If some previous songs of The Lost Trades had a lead vocal, they’re not the Spice Girls so I couldn’t pick a favourite, and the trio are truly at their best when there isn’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 Hawkins’ 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 Jamie’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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Barrelhouse are Open for Business with New Album

Rolling out a Barrelhouse of fun, you can have blues on the run, tomorrow (7th November) when Marlborough’s finest groovy vintage blues virtuosos Barrelhouse release Open for Business, their third studio album indicative of their astounding live show…..

Tim and Stuart’s dramatic guitar riff from the off, Dave Growcott’s drums kick in and Open for Business doesn’t wait around for you to hang your barn jacket on the juke joint’s hall tree. Nick’s growling harmonica strides into the room next, all guns blazing, and we’re like a greyhound out of the traps when Martin grits his teeth and presents his deep encapsulating howl.

If the black cat bone mentioned as the title of the opening tune is a hoodoo lucky charm for protection and luck, it’s unnecessary, expeditiously it magically assures you’re in for a rocky ride to the dusty crossroad, with minimal pitstops and without the need of any such luck.

It doesn’t calm the zest frenzy until the third track either, an absolutely sublimely haunting cover of The Beatles’ Come Together, where Hedi’s backing vocals compliment Martin’s with such unbelievable harmony it smooths out the pace welcomingly.

Things go country for a ballad to Lydia, which I snooped through the interweb searching for an original version only to be informed by Nick Beere, more than just a mouth organ, rather the producer and engineer behind the album via his studio Mooncalf, that guitarist Tim wrote the song. Reason for my research being, it’s magnificence is instant, it simply sounds like a singalong country classic akin to The Band’s The Weight, which is also superbly covered penultimately on the album, btw. Then it’s back to full steam blues workout when they repropel Muddy’s mojo, a second Muddy classic into the melting pot, and belt the living daylights into Canned Heat’s On The Road Again.

Classic Americana come edgy blues rock cover choices, the ambience of Barrelhouse I’m illustrating you might wrongly convey in generalisation as “they’re a serious bunch of hard rock dudes,” but there’s a subtle frivolousness in their delivery which charms a crowd. Their labour of love is reflected joyfully outward to an audience without a pretentious mood, and fondly thrown back at them with an enthralled response, making their shows atmospherically interactive and thrilling. The experience in comparison to your atypical morose blues band is one rather of danceable merriment; a tick from me.

If a song is original it’s hard to distinguish them from classic covers, Barrelhouse combines them into a seamless show, and makes an irresistible party album. A party appealing to Mantonfest’s youthful fanbase, who’ll invade the dance area when Barrelhouse mount the stage, and impress the matured Devizes blues aficionados with equal measure.

A Bo Diddley beat polishes this album as a grand finale, but if polished ramped serious blues cuts melds with an effervescent delivery is their working formula, its true beauty rests in the simplicity of its production. There’s no technical studio skullduggery here, no manufactured overdubs; what you hear is what happened in real time. Each song is recorded in a single take, making it not just authentic but the perfect representation of their energetic and entertaining live show. Something the band pride themselves in. If you’ve ever seen an amazing band live, only to be disappointed by the CD you brought because it didn’t match the splendour rawness of their performance, this is not the case here. Open for Business is taking the Barrelhouse show home with you. That’s why it’s a keeper.

But don’t take my word for it, next Saturday (15th Nov) sees the album launched at St Peter’s Marlborough, with support from 7pm. It’s free and copies of the album will be available on CD and vinyl. And if you can’t wait for that, this coming Saturday (8th Nov) Barrelhouse will turn the Devizes Southgate into their own juke joint, a legendary occasion blossoming in modern folklore, as Devizes loves the blues and word got out via a toothless milkman.

Failing these options, they’ll be donning Santa hats and bringing out the tinsel at the Bear in Marlborough on 20th December, when you can almost taste the pigs in blankets in the ether.

Misinformation Alert: Wiltshire Council’s Lift on Paid Disabled Parking Will Not Affect Your Council Tax

Wiltshire Council confirmed Blue Badge holders can park freely in council-operated car parks again, following a vote at the Full Council meeting on Tuesday 21 October; you might think the majority would support the notion, but misinformation against it is being spread by an ex-Wiltshire Councillor and current Devizes Town Councillor on their popular Facebook group…..

Confirmation on the lift was published on the Wiltshire Council website, 22nd October 2025, stating “with full Council now backing the change, Blue Badge holders are once again able to park free of charge in all Wiltshire Council car parks.” The scheme forcing disabled blue badge holders to pay for parking was introduced by the former Conservative-led council in 2022.

Cllr Martin Smith, Cabinet Member for Highways, said, “I’m delighted that Full Council has supported this important change. Reinstating free parking for Blue Badge holders is a significant step towards making Wiltshire a more inclusive and accessible county. There are more than 30,000 Blue Badge holders in Wiltshire, many of whom face mobility challenges or rely on others for transport. This policy recognises the barriers they face and promotes fairness, independence and dignity. We know that many Blue Badge holders also experience lower levels of income, and this policy change will help them financially, too.”

But it was matters of finance which sparked debate on local social media groups last week. Devizes Town Councillor Iain Wallis published a statement on his own-managed Facebook group Devizes Issues, claiming Wiltshire taxpayers will foot the bill in their council tax. I thought I’d fact-check this because I pondered that simply lifting the charges surely wouldn’t incur too much cost, if anything.

It seems the ‘subsidising’ of Blue Badge holder parking comes out of the general car parking revenue account, NOT our council tax.

M&D Lib Dem Campaign Organiser Nathan liaised with some councillors to provide some clarity. It seems the ‘subsidising’ of Blue Badge holder parking comes out of the general car parking revenue account, NOT our council tax. “Any surplus from that account is reinvested into transport schemes,” he continued to explain, “so if anyone is subsidising it, it’s other car park users. However, what it does is allow blue badge holders better access to shops and other facilities, which should lead to better profits, so more corporation tax is paid in.”

The Wiltshire Council press release stresses, “we’re updating the signage as soon as we can,” so obviously there’s a small cost there, but otherwise, it actually stands to potentially generate revenue via corporation tax gained by better retail profit. But aside, the bottom line is, the cost to update signage wouldn’t have been necessary at all if the previous Conservative-led Wiltshire Council hadn’t enforced parking charges on disabled drivers in the first place.

Dammit, Janet, this is going to backfire on the Tory ex-councillor with a reputation for banishing users of his Facebook group who spread apparent “misinformation,” but then, he should not be spreading misinformation himself, surely?! Ooh, could I speculate the spread of misinformation on Devizes Issues is acceptable if it fits a certain narrative approved by the admin? Who’d have possibly imagined it?!

Looky here, the last thing I want to do, or would ever do, is make verbal personal attacks on anyone. Though, when calling out the spread of misinformation concerning local matters, this one town councillor and ex-Wilsthire councillor’s name pops up frequently. While he may favour playing the victim card, as he has done with us in the past, this serves only to fact check claims made, and is not intended to be a personal attack. It never was personal and it certainly isn’t now.

It is simply that, even if you are fit and able to walk or travel by bus, and you think disabled people paying for parking doesn’t affect you, it might one day not be the case. Ergo, if you are fit and able, you are perfectly within your rights to find free parking elsewhere even if it means a short walk and you pay nothing towards the small cost of changing some signage; storm in a teacup!

Disabled people may not have that option, and therefore the introduction of parking charges for blue badge holders was an unjust stealth tax by the former Conservative-led Council. In conclusion, it is evident and unfortunate that you should take what you read on Devizes Issues with a pinch of salt. The move by Wiltshire Council should be viewed as a benefit to the communities it serves, and they should be congratulated for reversing the decision to charge disabled people for parking fees.

Kirsty Clinch’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 it’s already racing up the iTunes country music charts….

It’s one thing to get your song out locally, but Kirsty was excited to announce that she, “woke 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!”

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 “cheesy but addictive, cute but meaningful, and it definitely has a twist dance and country vibe to it!”

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.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kirsty Clinch (@kirsty_clinch)

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

“Let’s keep the hype going until Christmas,” Kirsty says; we agree and send you Christmassy blessings! Christmas number one, I say, with your help: download the song HERE.

Duality; Debut EP From Melksham’s Between The Lines

It was never just the fervent ambience created which made me go tingly with excitement about Melksham’s young indie band Between The Lines’ demo single Fading Time, it was the profusion of potential. A latent driving me to Swindon Shuffle this year, where they’d be playing at The Hop, but now a manifest for all to hear the reason for my tingle, as Between The Lines release their debut EP Duality………..

Four tunes including the demo Fading Time, flowing on an exceptionally defined style of breezy, female-fronted indie pop-rock. Age makes me contemplate Fleetwood Mac, younger might cite Florence & The Machine, I’m left thinking of The Corrs, particularly the opening track of hurt heart, Personal, with subtly building rich layers akin to grunge, but subtle and so incredibly cool.

I interviewed bassist Belle upfront, lead guitarist George, and Ethan and Louis, who both switch between drums and guitars, the latter being the rhythm guitarist, back in February and their professionalism impressed me enough to go in with high expectations for this debut. I was expecting goodness, I got my earful and it was even better than I imagined it might be. This is delightful magic with universal appeal, charming yet biting with tender guitar riffs.

Debatably Fading Time has the snappy hook, but Stuck in This is melodiously superior, the metaphorical drowning theme. Oh my, Belle’s vocals reflect off the water on this. I’m going out on a limb here to suggest something comparable to Kirsty MacColl, but don’t assume that’s sacrilegious or exaggeration until you’ve listened, please.

I worry I’m overusing the word sublime recently too, possibly reducing its impact, but I happen to like it, and can find no word more apt to describe Duality, and for a debut that it’s a fantastic achievement, an accolade they should all be very proud about.

But they saved the best till last. Simply titled Your Love, the final song is an uncomplicated rolling pop ballad, rich in ambience, and possibly the most durable, accomplished technically, and commercially viable. While fresh and contemporary with smooth indie-pop vibes, the EP flows akin to something timeless, even prog-rock, and if Your Love is the one to be accompanied with a dreamy showcasing video, which I believe it deserves to be, I’d like a slightly extended bridge, to really show the listeners what they’re made of.

And to meet Between The Lines isn’t the zesty teenage gang with stars in their eyes encounter, rather a modest and humble unity who seem thoroughly at ease with their talent, and while there’s a confidence which needs blossoming on stage, given the quality of Duality, it remains the boost they will naturally attain. I’ve high hopes, this is beautifully constructed and produced.

Joyrobber Didn’t Want Your Stupid Job Anyway

A second track from local anonymous songwriter Joyrobber has mysteriously appeared online, and he’s bitter about not getting his dream job…..

If this mysterious dude’s August invective track at racist talk show host Jeremy Kyle, and his patronising attitude, it feels like him telling me he’s “not one for holding a grudge,” might have a smidgen of irony too! His grungy pop-punk response to his career rejection might be biting satire, but amusing with it.

Eight and a half years ago, he claims, he was cruelly denied his dream job by what appeared to be a corrupt interview process. Perhaps it was to take over from Kyle, but Joyrobber reveals nothing, even after I badgered him for a clue to his identity.

What we do know is it was produced by Sugarpill Productions, a parody of hip hop pioneering label Sugarhill, has the vocal engineering talents of Jolyon Dixon, and is rather catchy with a highly amusing hook. I Didn’t Want Your Stupid Job Anyway is indicative of how we all might feel after a failed interview but being British, we bit our tongue. A bolshy after-contemplation with dry implications, in a Weezer skater-punk two-fingers up fashion.

I don’t believe for a second he’s pleading for sympathy, just to get the frustration off his chest by thrashing a guitar at it. If you’ve been there too, you’ll identify, making me like this more than the debut single, because I’ve an incalculable history of bodged job interviews, likely because they were all knobs as well!

It’s up on Spotify, downloadable from Bandcamp with a “name your price” option, and it’s Marmite, love it or hate it, it remains a sticky spreadable extract to get over your dysphoria, but not sing at the Job Centre.

Devizes Chamber Choir Christmas Concert

It’s not Christmas until the choir sings, and Devizes Chamber Choir intend to do precisely this by announcing their Christmas Concert, as they have done since they were founded in 1978…..

Devizes Chamber Choir is a group of around thirty singers, with a broad repertoire from acapella, through chamber works to major choral masterpieces including The Creation and Elijah. Their programme comprises of three seasonal concerts annually, a spring concert of standard classical works, a summer concert of lighter music and a seasonal Christmas concert of carols, and obviously it’s the latter which is coming up next; deck the halls!

The Devizes Chamber Choir’s Christmas Concert of Seasonal Carols and Songs will be held on Saturday 6th December 2025 at St. Andrew’s Church, Long Street, Devizes, with Music Director and Conductor, Shaun Holley.

Concert evenings offer a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere with refreshments available during the interval. Tickets can be purchased by clicking HERE.

They are a non-auditioned choir, so there is no singing test, but they do expect an ability to read music and of course an enthusiasm to sing. If you are interested in joining the choir, come along to a rehearsal to meet them. Look at them on the featured photo, it doesn’t look like they bite, (though Devizine cannot be held responsible if I’m wrong!) They rehearse on Tuesday evenings between 7:30pm and 9:30pm, at St. Andrew’s Church, Long Street, Devizes.

More information on Devizes Chamber Choir HERE.

A Positive Week After Wiltshire Music Awards

All Images By Helen Polarpix

Best part of a week since Stone Circle Music Events’ Wiltshire Music Awards and I’m still at one thousand feet about what we achieved, and dealing with a cascade of feedback. While some of it has been appreciated constructive criticism, that crazy playground called social media is such that some comments have become unfair, misinformed or even blatantly untrue. I prefer to remain positive, thanks all the same! And here we are, beginning to see positive after effects of the whole grand shebang……

I’ve loved seeing winning and runner-up acts, if not just posting pictures and videos of themselves proudly grasping their trophies, but using their win as an accolade on gig posters and bios. If that’s not a positive outcome in a time when the whole hospitality industry is at its knees, I frankly don’t know what is. Try proving me wrong on this, I double-dare you and might even throw in a Twix for first prize!

There was also the whole “convention” side to the event too, which saw networking between musicians and venues, radio stations and promoters, and the general get-together of folk usually individually dispatched to their respective gigs on a weekend. I have already seen gig posters with added support acts who didn’t know each other before last Saturday, and radio plays for bands featured.

From my good friend Charlotte reuniting with Lifetime Achievement winner Peter Lamb, the producer who took her hopeful nineties girl band under his professional direction, to Fantasy Radio DJ, Mark Lister, who mentioned the awards on Scott Mills Radio 2 morning show, the attention the awards are seeing is phenomenal and the after effects are beginning to flourish.

If Sunday’s piece was a reflection on the night as a whole and a statement of the issues we unfortunately faced. Let today be about our fantastic acts who performed, for that’s where sparks flew and obviously the nature of what we were celebrating.

Ruby Darbyshire

In order of appearance. Go on, admit it, you didn’t know the sublime Miss Ruby Darbyshire would be present, did you? I managed to not let the cat out of the bag about our opening special guest, despite my excitement!

At eighteen, Ruby is as her name suggests, a gemstone on our circuit. A multi-instrumentalist with bagpipes under her championship belt, a singer-songwriter with an exceptionally soulful voice which puts expression into her diligently crafted writing. Originally the plan was for Ruby to blow a tune of her own choice from her bagpipes and scoot off to another gig in Bradford-on-Avon, returning later in the evening. But we couldn’t let her go without at least another song, her magnum opus to date, Crowded Lightbringer, and then she played a second. It was the best opening ever, even if I was blindly operating the curtains like a bell ringer!

The Britpop Boys

Hey, honestly, I was a raver in the nineties and viewed Britpop as regressive, but I now see its worth and respect the succeeding generation who see them as classics. Being such, we see a lot of cover bands performing Britpop anthems, with varying degrees of skill. The Britpop Boys have been on my must-see list for donkeys but our paths hadn’t crossed before. I’m glad that’s sorted and sound, for they were off the scale brilliant and totally ‘avin’ it are kid.

I was sitting on the stage’s sideline in awe of The Britpop Boys, it could’ve been Madchester in 1996. The sound and appearance held me spellbound, and I felt I should write to The Oxford Dictionary to redefine the word “cool” as “see Britpop Boys!” Yeah, they did Wonderwall, of course they did, but if it’s a cliche cover choice for most, it’s because it’s a beautiful crowdpleaser, and had to be done given only three songs. The ultimate thing about this was, they knocked it out of the Corn Exchange and into the stratosphere; I’ve never heard it done with such attention to detail and precision to honour the original.

Burn The Midnight Oil

If I’ve seen one new band begin wobbly and develop over time I’ve seen a hundred. But Burn the Midnight Oil is one of my most favourite newcomers to the Wiltshire music scene, for the simple reason that it feels like they’ve been here forever, as their ability to deliver crisp blues-rock originals and stamp covers with their own divinity is something to behold. Like mobile phones, you think, how did we ever survive without Burn the Midnight Oil?!

It’s as if they honed their skills over decades and perfected the harmony of a classic rock band in their eighties which toured since their twenties, even if they might have, they did so individually, but that seam never shows. Their perfect performance proved this, it was nothing short of brilliant, fresh and invigorating, showing us what they’ve been working on, a beguiling harder rock sound; they look the part, they sound it too, I have high hopes for them.

Matchbox Mutiny

Ben was great as a soloist, Pat was too, together it’s a magical connection to charm the pants off a donkey. This cover act could easily work anywhere, from crusty cider festival to wedding reception, it’s got universal appeal. Their set was amazing, Ben might have accidentally hit me on the head with his guitar but they were awesome, and I’ve had worse on my rock n roll journey!!

It might’ve knocked some sense into me, but I know what I liked anyway, and Matchbox Mutiny are high on that list.

George Wilding

George went next, and yeah, this is where we had technical sound issues. Professional till the end, George worked through it, and as a stalwart spirit on our circuit, George is modestly legendary, for his back catalogue of sublime originals and new songs flourishing to his entertaining interactive solo covers show. See our mention of the warm up gig from Friday at the Three Crowns, if you don’t already understand why we love Mr Wilding!

Lucas Hardy

With various issues arising the evening was in need of a reset. I apologise, I announced an interval, thinking Lucas could prepare and we could hold a team talk. Just like George Wilding, Lucas is professional and motivated to the core. He came out like a boxer for a championship belt fight, psyched up for it and couldn’t wait for the bell! Therefore I attempted to recall the interval idea as quickly as possible, because Lucas Hardy was like a greyhound out of the trap! And what an outstanding performance, rinsed with sheer brilliance, Lucas is no stranger to award winning, it’s easy to see why.

Nothing Rhymes With Orange

As it was it was impossible to estimate how much time the award giving and other acts would take, I apologise if we wrongly assumed time was against us and lengthy speeches were deemed something unpredictable enough to encourage people to keep them short if at all. The original plan therefore was that our Devizes homegrown heroes, the teenage band which shook the rafters of this market town and deployed their exceptional talent to Bristol to further the phenomenon of Nothing Rhymes With Orange, were to play out until the end.

We finished earlier than expected, the barriers broke down, and there to help create a needed frenzy of excitement, ready and eager, was this successful Devizes export, for a hometown return like no other. Nothing Rhymes With Orange were mindblowingly fantastic before they left for Uni, now it’s a monster.

I was ecstatic to see the guys again, and they threw everything into their solid performance, as they always do. They return to Devizes for the Arts Festival, something we would’ve been singing from the highest tree about anyway, but after last Saturday, it’s surely unmissable.

I’ve given my thanks already, I’d like to do it again, to all our performing acts, for you made the ceremony, you furnished it with your brilliance, and that was what the night was always supposed to be about; cheers!

Steatopygous go Septic

If you believe AI, TikTok and the rest of it all suppress Gen Z’s outlets to convey anger and rage, resulting in a generation of anxiety and mental health concerns, I might take your point as marginally valid, but I’d add politely as I possibly could, “have you, perchance, had the pleasure of listening to Steatopygous? They’re from Devizes, don’t you know?!” Then I’d await the pending detonation of a shocked expression…..

That’s punk, and what it set out to do decades ago, and that is the quality hidden within the rolling drums, raging guitars and screaming vocals of this homegrown riot grrrl four-piece who with their latest single Septic will shake the foundations for as far as it’s willing to travel. Septic, if anything previous from Steatopygous will be the baseplate on how they move from here. Whilst it remains DIY, as it should, it has the produced balance of natural progression and leaves you anticipating what’s to come from this emerging band.

It’s punk on a SmallTown Tigers level, in your face and demanding you pay attention.

On the theme of body image, it takes no prisoners. Fronted by Poppy Hillier with bassist Eliza Brindle, drummer Ewan Middleton and an additional Rufus on guitar who wrote the song, Steatopygous, you’ve really gone and done it now; this is a pinnacle track to your development as a force to be reckoned with, this is outrageous, and I love it!

The Wurzels To Play At FullTone 2026!

If Devizes’ celebrated FullTone Festival is to relocate to Whistley Road’s Park Farm for next summer’s extravaganza, what better way to give it the rustic feel than The Wurzels, who have just been announced on the line-up?!

If Somerset’s Scrumpy and Western genre has fermented longer than a cider press from folk roots, it’s surely The Wurzels who brought mass attention to it with their number one parody of Melanie’s Brand New Key, The Combine Harvester. The staggering thing about this is, it was in 1976, but what’s more staggering, is people are still singing it today, and likely will be at FullTone Festival on 11th & 12th July 2026!

Organiser of FullTone, Jemma Brown said of the booking, “there’s not much more we can say to that!” But you know me, I’ve always got something to say, and I’m saying that is a fantastic surprise which only remains to add to the already brilliant show the orchestra and guest acts will deliver.

What else we do know at this early stage, is the huge fifty-piece orchestra will play through sets of Holst’s The Planets & Star Wars, a Symphonic Queen with Ricardo Afonso, The Best of Motown, an eighties spectacular and Devizes-own BBC radio DJ James Threlfall will be on the dance anthems.

If I wonder what songs the Wurzels will play, top choice has to be I’ll Never Get a Scrumpy Here, which contains the line, “’Cos you never get surprises livin’ in Devizes,” and spurred my rant column of the same name, you might remember it. I did write to them to ask permission, they were too busy drinking cider to be in any way concerned. I asked if it was sly stab at our brewery, or that Devizes was as far eastward they favour to venture, but they explained it was used because it rhymed! Well, they’re venturing here in July, and if they give us the key, we can all have a brand new combine harvester.

Wiltshire Music Awards: Results and Ups and Downs

Well, we did it! I sincerely hope you had a great night at the first Wiltshire Music Awards as we filled the Devizes Corn Exchange with a cross-section of people involved in the music scene of Wiltshire, musicians and fans. Positive feedback already, and a few teething issues, noted, which we must take onboard and learn from….

But for those who unfortunately couldn’t make it, I guess you are eager to hear the results. Let’s do this easy bit first! But before we do, I ask you, please, to take a few issues into consideration. Firstly, there was a monumental process to arrange, coordinate and launch during and also months prior to the ceremony. From the voting process and organisation of a panel of judges, to decorating the tables and corresponding all those trophies to each category.

So many volunteered their time to help with this, and we are extremely grateful to them. Overall, the management of the whole process and ceremony was carried out by Eddie Prestidge of Stone Circle Music Events. Eddie worked arduously on this project, and was dedicated to creating an extravagant event to be remembered. With the help of so many volunteers, myself included, stage tech and the staff of the Corn Exchange, I believe we achieved this to the best of our abilities, and a fantastic evening was had by most.

There should have been one more trophy, it should’ve been big, extra shiny, and presented to Eddie for his dedication and the tireless work he put into this. Exhausted, Eddie fell ill a few days before the ceremony, but strode through it the best that he could. The end result of this was that he was rushed into hospital a few hours prior to the conclusion of the ceremony. I have heard from him this morning, and he’s doing okay.

If you witnessed me on the sideline, rushing up and down the stairs like a headless chicken, it wasn’t my step aerobics workout, it was because I was honouring my part as co-host on stage but attempting to coordinate the floor as well, as best as possible, as Ed seriously needed to take a step back. Whilst the beginning therefore went to plan, as the evening progressed we stumbled on issues, but I ask you to please take this into consideration if you’re intending to criticise the evening on social media. I apologise for any breakdowns in communication, but the condition was out of our control and we strived through best we could.

Results

The results, then. Congratulations to everyone who bagged an award, commiserations to those who did not. To those unable to attend, we have trophies reserved for you and will arrange the best way to get them to you as soon as possible.

Best Venue. Sponsored by Pat Robertson of Trowbridge Motor Supplies ltd.

Runners Up: The Royal Oak, Pewsey. The Vic, Swindon.

Winner: The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon.

Best DJ: Sponsored by Mark Anthony Burdge.

Runners Up: Maurice Menghini – DJ Mister M. Mark Lister of Fantasy Radio.

Winner: Paul Alexander of Solstice Sounds, This is How We Do It Entertainment.

Best Drummer.

Runners Up: Tom Gilkes. Callum Rawlings.

Winner: Jamie O’ Sullivan.

Best Bassist. Presented by Alex Morgan of Waldrop Salisbury Sounds.

Runners Up: Nick Gorman. Nick Beere.

Winner: Mark Turner.

Best Guitarist.

Runners Up: Alastair Sneddon. Nick Beere.

Winner: Jolyon Dixon.

Best Duo.

Runners Up: Jolyon Dixon & Rachel Sinnetta. The Sylvertones.

Winner: Matchbox Mutiny.

Best Covers Band. Sponsored by Simon Woolley of The Three Crowns, Devizes.

Runners Up: Pinky & The Slapcats. The Unpredictables.

Winner: The Brit-Pop Boys.

Best Original Band: Sponsored By Peggy-Sue Ford of Don’t Stop the Music on Swindon 105.5 Radio.

Runners Up: Nothing Rhymes With Orange. Burn The Midnight Oil.

Winner: Talk in Code.

Best Tribute Act.

Runners Up: Painted Bird. BC/DC.

Winner: Mick Jogger & The Stones Experience.

Best Female Artist.

Runners Up: Sammi Evans. Rosie Jay.

Winner: Ruby Darbyshire.

Best Male Artist. Presented by Lesley Scholes of Fantasy Radio.

Runners Up: Lucas Hardy. Vince Bell.

Winner: George Wilding.

Best Original Song.

Runners Up: I Don’t Give a Damn by Rosie Jay. Do I Really Have The Blues by JP Oldfield.

Winner: All In by Talk in Code.

Best Instrumentalist.

Runners Up: Ruby Darbyshire. Andrew Hurst.

Winner: Jolyon Dixon.

Rising Star New Comer.

Runners Up: Ruby Darbyshire. Rosie Jay.

Winner: JP Oldfield.

Best Vocalist.

Runners Up: Chris Stevens. Lucas Hardy.

Winner: Rachel Sinnetta.

There were four special awards given out on the evening which didn’t receive runner-up places as according to the information given to the hosts. If there was an oversight about this, we apologise.

Outstanding Contribution to The Wiltshire Music Scene was won by Colin Holton of Salisbury Live.

Outstanding Contribution to Music in the Community was won by Jo Baines Robbins.

A Special Award was given to Wiltshire Hop & Harmony, The Wotton Bassett Dementia Choir. The Second Special Award was presented to Brian Mundy of BMS Stage Tech.

A Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Peter Lamb.

Ruby Darbyshire opened the evening with a bagpipe song and two others, as a surprise special guest.

We also had live performances from Nothing Rhymes With Orange, Burn The Midnight Oil, Lucas Hardy, Matchbox Mutiny, George Wilding, and The Britpop Boys. Due to technical issues, Jolyon Dixon and Rachel Sinnetta were unable to perform.

I would like to sincerely thank our panel of judges.

And, Ruby and Brian Darbyshire

The Britpop Boys

Burn The Midnight Oil

Matchbox Mutiny

Lucas Hardy

Jolyon Dixon & Rachel Sinnetta

George Wilding

Nothing Rhymes With Orange

Sponsors:

Val Bewley VB Arts Studios

Alex Organ Wardrop Salisbury Sounds

Colin Howton Salisbury Live

Pam Robertson – Trowbridge Motor Supplies

Simon Woolley – Three Crowns, Devizes

Peggy-Sue Ford – Swindon 105.5 Radio

Mark Jones & Lesley Scholes- Fantasy Radio

And a sponsor and our host DJ Mark Anothony and wife Sandra.

Thanks to Anya and Marc of Soupchick.

To Ian and all the staff at the Corn Exchange

To Brian Mundy and BMS Stage Tech.

To everyone who got behind this, I thank you.

Anthony & Jemma Brown for helping us set up.

Charlotte & Moray MacDonald for help on the front desk.

But massive thanks goes to Eddie Prestidge and Stone Circle Music Events

And finally, thank you for coming, supporting the local live music scene.

Wiltshire Music Awards Begins with George Wilding at The Three Crowns

This afternoon sees the inaugural grand ceremony of Stone Circle Music Events’ Wiltshire Music Awards taking place at the Devizes Corn Exchange. It’s a sellout show celebrating our county’s music scene, with a lot of local acts performing between the announcements of the results of a public voting system. The legend who is Mr George Wilding kicked off proceedings with what was supposed to be a warm-up party last night at The Three Crowns…..

The temperature dropped and the rain came in, and if that didn’t make the term “warm-up party” seem a smidgen dubious, I’m not sure if anyone else attending the awards other than myself, Jolyon Dixon setting up the PA and George himself made it to the evening; best guess they’re saving themselves for the big day today! Nevertheless, it was a fair turnout and those who did come were treated to Geroge’s human jukebox show and came up trumps, singing and dancing the October chill away.

Equally ambiguous as the warm-up is the term “human jukebox” to describe Geroge’s show, for if a jukebox doesn’t have the song you want it cannot play it. George has a plethora of classics in his repertoire, the audience are encouraged to shout them out, and should they request something George hasn’t a handle on, he’ll attempt it anyway, play a riff of it, and declare he doesn’t know it in his droll way. He might try a medley of the parts he does know with other songs of the same artist, he might look to the audience to help with lyrics, and if all this fails it becomes part of his amusing and interactive show.

Far from a man with a guitar and a setlist who frowns at the idea of requests, does his shift and pulls out. George took no break, played overtime, and seemingly adored every minute. I gather this was his mainstay while working the cruise ships and imagine the cruisers delightedly returning each evening, but such voyages for George are on the backburner and while he doesn’t mind running a covers show, he’s otherwise in the studio with producer Jolyon Dixon building a catalogue of original tracks in which he is toying with the idea of releasing as an album.

But the Three Crowns love a covers show, and George delivered such in this interactive way there can be no arguing his brilliance to entertain and his skill as a musician. So, should an audience member request, as one did, The Eagles’ Hotel California and he ponders it’s a bit slow to fit with the pace of previous songs, he’ll up the tempo. An apt Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head opened the show, and George will set the ball rolling, but once the audience catch the drift, he’s never without a request, and will either attempt the most obscure or tell them in the most charming way that they’re really testing him!

As it was I requested The Ronnettes’ Be My Baby, aware the soulful doowop earworm was a personal favourite George used to regularly put in his set and put his own stamp on. He nodded in fond remembrance, and the regulars approved, dancing on the cobblestones. But I only asked for one, the rest left up to the modest crowd, really feeling they were part of something unique and special, because that’s George’s ability and that’s what has made him one of our fondest favourites on the circuit for many a moon. “Total ledge,” I understand is the gen z terminology!

I cannot tell you if he is to receive an award tonight, but I believe he deserves to; I will announce the winners here as soon as I recover tonight, for those who cannot make it! If you’ve not got a ticket for the awards, there’s a whole list of events happening on our event calendar; just look at it! Just look and see how many are music gigs, and realise the strength of our local music scene. That is what we celebrate tonight, and yeah, George will be singing a song, along with many others. I’m on curtain duty! See you there!

Wiltshire Council in Turmoil…Apparently!

Has anyone else noticed this media trend, or is it just me? There was a time, back when Tories held the majority at County Hall, when I felt like Michael Knight, a lone crusader championing criticisms of the council. Now the Lib Dems have taken command, every man and his blog are jumping the bandwagon claiming Wiltshire Council has descended into chaos and mayhem. From Kenny J Plebb’s local gutter press to… well, I’d expect no less from Newsquest…..

Maybe it has, but more likely, it’s media bias showing its true colours. What I’ve seen coming from the council since the takeover has been mostly positive. Roads being repaired for the first time since the Roman invasion of Britain. Recreation centres and town halls are being renovated and reopening. They’ve reversed the censorship regulations placed on White Horse Publications, such as Melksham News. Wragg’s Visit Wiltshire gets funded again, to bring back that profitable thing called “tourism” you’ve probably forgotten all about. Disabled folk don’t need to trot four miles to get a loaf of bread from the shop. Wiltshire parents and carers are getting free courses, kids can swim free again. They approved a new Air Quality Supplementary Planning Document and switched to an electric fleet of vehicles.

To me, this sounds far better than the previous council who laughed off six million pounds of taxpayer’s dosh which went mysteriously missing on their watch, of which the media conveniently swept under the carpet, spent four million on an unnecessary PCC re-election after their first attempt was a drunk-driving huntsmaster, just to maintain Conservative presence in the force, couldn’t fix a pothole yet proposed a six billion pound project to tunnel underneath our most famous ancient monument, and awarded their families top roles in the council.

Yet the media will have us believe it’s all falling apart, despite progress clearly being made, that they’re hiding secrets despite holding public forums, and rewarding themselves massive pay rises, despite it was only allowances in line with inflation, and their wage not being great to begin with for the work they do and criticisms they have to face, kind of bringing us full circle!

Let’s face it, if there’s any turmoil within Wiltshire Council it’s the few remaining Conservatives hanging on like a milk tooth on a nerve, bitter about losing, and the ten stronghold Weebles who insist we should forget about human extinction and convert to fascism.

But whoa, Conservatives completely hijacked a motion set by Liberal Democrat portfolio holder for arts and culture, Liz Alstrom, supporting the LGBTQIA+ community, and it was sadly rejected. Meanwhile, Reform councillors are singing from the rafters with big sheets of wool to pull over our eyes that they didn’t vote for a pay rise, but took it anyway, and virtual-signalled how righteous and humble they pretend to be; this is an educated state, not a trip a Trumpton!

Provided a dedicated Council is working hard to create better services for us all, perhaps they deserve a bit more pocket money, but should a councillor temper-tantrum against unity and equality, because someone likes to wear Cuban heels, or is a shade too dark for their liking, and resists progress because it doesn’t fit their narrow-minded prejudice rhetoric, maybe a sack of coal is all they deserve from Santa this year.

Take Lib Dem Cllr Jon Hubbard, for example. He might look like he’s doing a paper round, but the guy has done more good for this county than an entire Conservative Vogon Constructor Fleet! Give this dude a rise, so he can get himself a new fleece! Left to the opponents poor children would drown, then who will deliver their future Hadley Rose luxury home furnishings, huh?!

We all wouldn’t mind a pay rise, and probably wouldn’t refuse one either, unless we were funded by Russian oligarchs. Basically it’s a whole lot of hot air from the deceitful Reform ten, who it seems, from locations they’ve miraculously achieved a majority, would rather spend thousands on flags they can shag, than social care, road safety or education facilities.

Yet Calne Reform nut-job, Cllr Augusta Urquhart-Nicholls insists with that age-old malapropistic ultranationalist pufferied slogan, that they’ll “Make Wiltshire Great Again,” when most of its residents would agree, it’s never not been great, just a little misguided since the Conservatives donned the captain’s cap twenty-six years ago.

And being most of the reject Musk androids called Reform councillors merely shifted their rosettes from indigo to sky blue to keep their jobs, perhaps what we need to allow this Lib Dem majority is a little bit of time to repair the damage, get a nice trim and organise themselves, before we burn down Bythesea Road’s Reichstag, arrest anyone opposing and remove their civil rights, huh?!

But what we must definitely do, is stop believing the media claptrap and propaganda; “Wiltshire Council in Turmoil,” you say? Go paint a roundabout. Like it ever wasn’t before?!

DOCA’s Young Urban Digitals

In association with PF Events, Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts introduces a Young Urban Digitals course in video mapping and projection mapping for sixteen to twenty years olds….

It’s an introductory session on video mapping and projection mapping, hosted by PF Events and run by a professional video engineer. These sessions will cover the basics of projection mapping and introduce attendees to the software used to create beautiful works of technological art.

These will be preliminary sessions used to build the content for the final video map that will be projected onto St Johns Church on the night of the lantern parade on the 28th November.

This is an opportunity to gain an Arts Award certificate while training and learning. You’ll produce a record/log to tell the story of your journey through the process of making this work of art. You’ll learn about relevant artists who create similar work, and share your journey with others.

Training will be at The Lounge on 25 Sidmouth Street, Devizes SN10 1LD, on dates 15th, 22nd and 28th of November, from 09:30 – 13:00 and 14:30 to 17:00, 16:30 to 20:20 on event day, 28th November. Ages sixteen to twenty are welcome and up to twenty-five for SEND participants.

There are limited places available so enrol quickly to avoid disappointment!

Enrol HERE

Jol Rose’s Ragged Stories

There’s albums I’ll go in blind and either be pleasantly surprised, or not. Then there’s ones which I know I’m going to love before the first notes ring out. Quite familiar with Swindon’s beloved Dylanesque singer-songwriter Jol Rose, Ragged Stories is another notch in his sublime discography you simply have to listen to on repeat….

Similarly there’s many attempting Americana, a few leave themselves open for criticisms of cliché or authenticity while others refine it with a certain level of finesse, then there’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 year’s album, Peace, Love & Americana. But this is a stripped back acoustic version, and that’s the thread through a variety of themes and temperaments; this Jol, raw.

There’s other stories of travels; two songs venturing over to the USA it wouldn’t be Americana without, and some Road Boogie to boot. But it’s not without ditties of homebased subjects too. If Springsteen writes romantically of New Jersey gangland warfare, why can’t Jol humbly justify Swindon’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, “As 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,” which confirmed we’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. He’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.

Trending…….

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Vince Bell in the 21st Century!

Unlike Buck Rogers, who made it to the 25th century six hundred years early, Devizes’ 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 adventure…..

Devizes knows “our Springsteen” Vince, loves Vince, unless they’re selling tickets for “The Bin.” “It’s three quid to get in,” 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. It’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 ménage calm.

The guitar riff rolls intensely after this, and things aren’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 “submissive machines in a world that’s gone too far”, and “God’s own simulation,” it’s a vehemence against war, yet while the poetry is poignant enough, it’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.

We’re Between Earth & Paradise for the finale to this outstanding EP. There’s an instrumental two-minute opening where intricate guitar-work sets a scene of seemingly encapsulating the beauty of nature. Despite the title, there’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 Vince’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 one’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 he’s a friendly guy locally gigging on my circuit, though he is, but because Vince’s music is breathtakingly brilliant and deserves a far wider accolade than that which a Wiltshire market town can provide. 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 I’m on about if you don’t know already!

Stone Circle Music Events Wiltshire Music Awards 2025: Programme

Less than a week to go until the first ever Stone Circle Music Events’ Wiltshire Music Awards at the Corn Exchange, Devizes. We’re not printing a programme of events, so here’s everything you need to know about the ceremony this coming weekend….exciting, isn’t it?!

Firstly, all tickets have now sold out, sorry! But if you’re coming or not, there will be a free warm up party on Friday 24th October at the Three Crowns Devizes, where we will be entertained by the incredible George Wilding. Everyone is welcome!

And now onto Awards Ceremony on Saturday 25th October 2025.

The doors open at 17:30pm. The bar will be open, and we have scrumptious tucker available from Soupchick. Chilli beef or vegan alternative with rice, with nachos, cheese, sour cream and guacamole toppings; £7:50 for a bowl, I’m in!

Please arrive as soon as possible so we can get everyone seated. There will be music in the hall. I’ve come over all Jive Bunny, and created a mega-mix of local music! I’ve tried to display the diversity and quality of the Wiltshire Music Scene and cram as many songs as I can into one hour; it’s been no easy task.

Being I accept you’ll all be chatting rather than listening, I’m kinda proud of my virtual DJ skills, so for prosperity I’ve leave the mix here so you can listen at your own risk!

Tracks are listed here; apologies if your song isn’t there, I tried to include as many as possible.

Jamie R Hawkins – Not Going Anywhere, Gaz Brookfield – Tale of Gunner Haines, Tamsin Quin – Home, Griffiths & Hollingsworth – Ocean, Andrew Hurst – Tower of Fallen Heroes, Timid Deer – Shallows, Kirsty Clinch – Stay With Us, Deadlight Dance – Samurai Sunset, Will Lawton & Ludwig Mack – Atlantic ‘O, M3G – Waiting, Phil Cooper – Bijou, Concrete Prairie – I Wish You Well, JP Oldfield – Magpie, Jol Rose – Make Some Hay, Thieves – I’m Coming Back, S’Go – King of The Fairies, Sarah C Ryan Band – Woman in White The Worried Men – Manacle Alley, Junkyard Dogs – Suzie Q, Deadlight Dance – Love Will Tear Us Apart, The First Book of English Magic – Richard Wileman, Barrelhouse – Mainline Voodoo, Aural Candy & Sienna Wileman – Mirrorball, Jon Amor – Peppercorn, Daisy Chapman – Waterloo Sunset, Canute’s Plastic Army – Hollow Children of Men, George Wilding – Dirty Dream Balloon, Ruby Darbyshire – Don’t Give Up Now, 41 Fords – Emily, Liddington Hill – Maid of Mayhem, Ursa Way – Chasing the Sun, Boot Hill All Stars – Night Bus, I See Orange – Doll Guts, The Belladonna Treatment – Bits of Elation, NervEndings – Democracy Manifest, Nothing Rhymes with Orange – Monday, Talk in Code – All In, Cephid – Terminus, Subject A – Paradise.

Now, the Awards Ceremony begins at 18:30…. on the dot!

Please make sure you are seated by 18:20. If this sounds all a bit like orders barked at you from your cub scout leader, there’s good reason: We’ve got a lot to squeeze in, and secondly, you don’t want to miss the opening of the show, believe me!!

We’re not revealing our very special guest opening the show, so don’t even try bribing me with booze! Then you’ll meet the hosts, DJ Mark Anthony and myself.

Stone Circle Wiltshire Music Awards Event Schedule

18:30: Opening Act (Nope Still not Telling!)

1. Best Music Venue

2. Best DJ

3. Best Covers Band

Live Performance: Britpop Boys

There’s a champagne supernova trip back to the nineties with The Britpop Boys, renowned for blasting those sing-a-long anthems across the county and beyond.

1. Best Drummer

2. Best Bassist

3. Best Guitarist

4. Best Duo

Live Performance – Match Box Mutiny

Ben Borrill and Pat Ward, aka Matchbox Mutiny, will be there, the lively Devizes-based duo who never fail to charm.

1. Best Original Band

2. Best Tribute Artist

Live Performance – Burn the Midnight Oil

Devizes own Burn The Midnight Oil will be playing. They’ve come so far in such a short space of time with their own brand of breezy blues-rock, and they’ve a new song to play us; we’re excited to see them perform.

1. Best Solo Female Artist

2. Best Solo Male Artist

Live Performance – George Wilding

Our lovable legend George Wilding is a name most of you should know, and he’s coming to play a few songs, of course he is!

1. Best Original Song

2. Rising Star Newcomer

3. Best Instrumental

4. Best Vocalist

Live Performance – Jolyon Dixon and Rachel Sinnetta

Then there’s Salisbury-based Joylon Dixon and Rachel Sinnetta – a duo who raised the roof off the Three Crowns recently, but I knew it was coming as Rachel’s supreme vocal range and Joylon’s professional accompanying will enthral all.

1. Outstanding Contribution to the Wiltshire Music Scene

2. Outstanding Contribution to Music in the Community

3. Special Awards (1)

Live Performance – Lucas Hardy

Award winning Lucas Hardy is coming too. Loved on the Salisbury circuit, Lucas will delight you, for what will be, I believe, his first time playing in Devizes; I could be wrong!

1. Special awards (2)

2. Lifetime Achievement Award

Live Performance: Nothing Rhymes with Orange

Devizes homegrown indie-rock phenomenon Nothing Rhymes With Orange will polish off the evening. They created a storm locally a few years ago as a teen sensation, the likes of which I claimed to be the “Beatlemania of Devizes!” Now studying together at Bristol Uni, their popularity has spread nationwide. Back home they have inspired a new generation to form bands, and we welcome them back delighted.

Evening closes around 11:30pm, when you have my permission to drag me down to the Exchange nightclub below and buy me a Bacardi Breezer!

I look forward to seeing everyone on Saturday, and I hope you all enjoy the evening.

I would like to thank our sponsors: Stone Circle Music Events. Trowbridge Motor Supplies. DJ Mark Anthony. VB Art Studios. The Three Crowns Devizes. Don’t Stop The Music Radio Show. Our guest announcers, Ian and the staff at the Corn Exchange, Devizes Books, and Fantasy Radio.

Deadlight Dance New Single: Gloss

You go cover yourself in hormone messing phthalates, toxic formaldehyde, or even I Can’t Believe It’s Not Body Butter, if you wish, but it’s all the same soap but in a different bottle to me. Lab mice with slap and economical slaves in sweatshops, so unethical multinational bastards can prey on your vanity, when unless you can photoshop yourself for real you’re never going to look like the girl in the magazine; the actual girl in the magazine doesn’t even look like the girl in the bloody magazine! Ah, our dynamic gothic duo Deadlight Dance are onto them, with a brand new single out today….

Edgy and with synths heavy enough to make New Order blush, Gloss attacks the beauty industry, its harmful lies and unrealistic standards, in an era most pop stars are encouraging it; good on them…. Deadlight Dance that is, not the pop star!

Punk enough to meet the Stooges, yet the dark electronica of Joy Division mostly, it comes in laden for its three and a half minutes entirety. Nick and Tim state it’s not strictly typical of the forthcoming album that the band is releasing in 2026, yet they always apply a unique and innovative narrative, so we look forward to whatever direction it takes.

For now, though, Gloss is a storming dark sound, with Nick’s howling vocals somewhere in the distance, sighing the same thought-provoking lyrical content we’ve come to love Deadlight Dance’s for. It’s a monster in Dior.

The duo have held our attention only last week with a great gig at Devizes’ Cellar Bar with JP Oldfield. But if the live show is blossoming, Gloss does likewise for recordings. Ah, top production again from that purple-bearded legend Nick Beere at Mooncalf Studio.

Out on Ray Records and streaming worldwide across all platforms from Friday 17th October 2024. Gloss is accompanied by a video on the band’s YouTube page, another collaboration with Haunting the Atom.

Deadlight Dance suggests it’s a new chapter for the self-styled Wiltshire Gothic; I welcome it, and as I’ve said before, whilst I was a mere window-shopper to gothic rock in its heyday, Deadlight Dance caused me to realise what I missed.

Right, review done, I’ve got to go shave my eyebrows off, and draw them back on with a Sharpie…..

Things to Do During Halloween Half Term

The spookiest of half terms is nearly upon us again; kids excited, parents not quite so much! But hey, as well as Halloween, here’s what family fun and activities we’ve found locally to pass the time, save on Haribo and prevent wine 0’clock overloading…..

There’s a list of pumpkin patches at the end! What more do you want?!

Have a fangtastic fortnight, and oh, and come back to spook this list again soon, as I’m sure more will be added!

Wed 15th

Okay, let’s kick off early, Wednesday 15th, school gates still open, but St Thomas’ Church Trowbridge has a Brownie Trail session from 6:45, find the link below…..

Brownie Trial Session

Rag and Bone Arts CIC‘s recurring event in Chippenham for ages 12+.
You can do art and design or acting improvisation, delivered in 10 week blocks. Taught by professional actor Rebecca Osborne, learn how to think on your feet, respond and listen and make up scenes using just your brilliant mind and spontaneous ideas.

https://onechippenham.org.uk/event/youth-acting-improvisation/2025-10-15/

Youth Art & Design

Pete Firman: Tricks & Giggles @ The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon

With over 4.5 million social media followers and countless TV appearances under his belt, Pete Firman is the UK’s top comic magician. Join him for an evening of ‘Tricks & Giggles’, as Pete brings his trademark blend of magic and comedy from the small screen to stages around the UK with this brand-new show. Expect impossible feats, sleight of hand and big laughs from one of magic’s most exciting performers! As seen on Amazon’s Good Omens, ITV1’s Tonight at the London Palladium and The Next Great Magician, BBC1’s The John Bishop Show and The Sarah Millican Television Programme. He’s probably also popped up on your social media feeds with his mind-boggling and regularly viral magic videos. Age restriction: 11+.

Fri 17th

Rock the Tots: Spooky Fun@ The Rondo Theatre, Bath

Steph & Craig Mitchell presents a spooky and ghouly edition of their Gigs for little ones… and their grown-ups!

We’re edging closer to Halloween, and Steph & Craig are back with all things spooky and ghouly! Don’t worry – nothing too scary for the babies and Littles… or grown-ups for that matter! But there will be some seasonal bangers – think Monster Mash, Ghostbusters and The Cranberries to name a few.

Get into the mood and come in spooky fancy dress. Who ya gonna call? Rock The Tots!

Sessions are approximately 1 hour long, without an interval.
Suitable for children aged 0-6, and their adults. Under 1s go free!

Journey to the Centre of the Earth @ Pound Arts, Corsham

Standard: £15

Lamphouse Theatre presents … Journey to the Centre of the Earth!

Take a break Rick Wakeman, back to your trailer Brendan Fraser, watch and learn Jules Verne, Lamphouse are going on a journey all the way to the centre of the Earth! Two intrepid explorers, one impossible mission (featuring at least one joke about a big hole), and no special effects budget whatsoever. What could possibly go wrong?

From the makers of War of the Worlds (On a Budget) and Frankenstein (On a Budget) this new comedy take on Jules Verne’s classic novel will be one epic night out, full of belly laughs, brand new music and really impressive* dinosaurs.

Featuring Tom Fox and Becky Owen-Fisher, the familiar faces behind the On a Budget series, Journey to the Centre of the Earth will be another fan favourite. Expect silly jokes, catchy tunes, ridiculous costumes and lots and lots of cardboard.

*not actually that impressive

Suitable for 10+

Journey to the Centre of the Earth

Sat 18th

Devizes Halloween Bingo

Come along to the 1st Devizes Halloween Bingo for an afternoon full of treats and spooky fun at 1st Devizes scout hall 29 Southbroom Rd Devizes SN10 5AD. Eyes down 4pm–6pm. Bingo games for everyone. Fancy dress – come in your best Halloween costume! Prizes & goodie bags. Yummy food and refreshments. Raffle with lots of surprises. The perfect way to enjoy Halloween with the whole family!

It’s Trowbridge Carnival, see the link below for details!

Trowbridge Carnival

Brick Creative Club with Trowbridge Library

A recurring feature for Trowbridge Library, for all those little builders.

Brick Creative Club with Trowbridge Library

Sun 19th

Storytime: The Dinosaur That Pooped A Monster!

Join Waterstones, 29 Borough Parade, Chippenham SN15 3WL for their Sunday afternoon storytime where they will be reading the slimy ‘The Dinosaur That Pooped A Monster’ by Tom Fletcher and Dougie Poynter. All are welcome.

Mon 20th

Rock the Tots: Spooky Fun @ Pound Arts, Corsham

Steph & Craig Mitchell presents a spooky and ghouly edition of their Gigs for little ones… and their grown-ups!

Get into the mood and come in spooky fancy dress. Who ya gonna call? Rock The Tots!

Sessions are approximately 1 hour long, without an interval.
Suitable for children aged 0-6, and their adults. Under 1s go free!

Rock The Tots: Spooky Fun

Tues 21st

Online 1 Year GCSE Food and Nutrition Courses

GCSE Food and Nutrition

Know Your Chalk Horse!

Our friendly historian Brian Edwards has a talk on white horses in Pewsey. I’m not sure how family-friendly this will be, but budding historians might find it of interest.

(-25th) Blood Brothers@ The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon

Running until Saturday 25th. Written by Willy Russell, the legendary Blood Brothers tells the captivating and moving tale of twins who, separated at birth, grow up on opposite sides of the tracks, only to meet again with fateful consequences. Few musicals have received quite such acclaim as the multi-award winning Blood Brothers. The production ran for more than 10,000 performances in London’s West End, one of only five musicals ever to achieve that milestone. It has been affectionately christened the ‘Standing Ovation Musical’, as inevitably it “brings the audience cheering to its feet and roaring its approval” (The Daily Mail). The superb score includes Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe and the emotionally charged hit Tell Me It’s Not True. Age Guidance: 12+

Wed 22nd

(-25th Oct) SIX: Teen Edition@ The Rondo Theatre, Bath

Wed 22 – Sat 25 Oct • 3pm & 7:30pm • Admission £15 • Community Theatre

By Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss
Presented by Merriman Productions

His-story’s about to get overthrown… again! Back by popular demand, Merriman Productions present SIX: TEEN EDITION; a full-length adaptation of Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss’ international phenomenon SIX, modified for performance by teen actors for family audiences.

Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived. From Tudor Queens to Pop Icons, the SIX wives of Henry VIII take the mic to remix five hundred years of historical heartbreak into a euphoric celebration of 21st-century girl power! This new original musical is the global sensation that everyone is losing their head over.

Thurs 23rd

Kid’s Spooky Half Term Art Club @ Wiltshire Scrapstore, Lacock

All children must be accompanied by one adult per child. If you have multiple adults coming (parents/grandparents), we kindly ask that they wait in the café for the workshop to finish.

Numbers are limited. Booking is essential and due to limited spaces please book early to avoid disappointment. Sessions are £9.50 per child. Refreshments will be available from our coffee shop to purchase. Our age recommendation for our Art Clubs is 3-11.

Fri 24th

Lunchbox Buddy is back in Devizes!

Devizes Ghost Walks – October 2025

I’m not sure how child-friendly John’s famous ghost walks are, bit if you dare!!

Kid’s Spooky Half Term Art Club @ Wiltshire Scrapstore, Lacock

All children must be accompanied by one adult per child. If you have multiple adults coming (parents/grandparents), we kindly ask that they wait in the café for the workshop to finish.

North Bradley Pumpkin Trail 2025

North Bradley Pumpkin Trail 2025

Sat 25th

Autumn in the Park @ Hillworth Park, Devizes

Autumn in the Park | Sat 25th October

Our awesome Parks and Open Spaces crew is rolling out their tractors, electric vehicles, and cool machinery for you to explore – talk about a joyride!

This year, we’re joined by Arty Kids Pottery Painting, Crazy Cheeks face painting and Chloe’s Mobile Farm. And don’t forget to flex those brain muscles with our Halloween themed word search – go on a letter hunt around the park and see if you can conjure up the spooky words!

Dress to impress in your Halloween finest! The Deputy Mayor will be on the lookout for the best costumes at 1:30pm right outside the Café – and there are prizes up for grabs in these categories:

Ages 6 and under

Ages 7-12

Ages 13+ (adults, unleash your inner ghoul!)

Come for the fun, stay for the spooky vibes – see you in the park!

Woodbridge Inn Halloween Fest, North Newnton

This October half term, The Woodbridge Inn is bringing the community together for a spooktacular celebration—and everyone’s invited!

Dates:
Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th October
Thursday 30th & Friday 31st October
Fest opens at 12PM | Fun until 6PM

What’s waiting for you:
Pumpkin Picking
Craft & Produce Market – handmade gifts, bakes, jams, plants, sweets & more
Sweet & Cake Stalls
Arts & Crafts Activities
Face Painting & Hair Braiding
Burgers, Hot Dogs & Autumn Eats
Fun Tarot Readings
Live Music & Autumn Vibes
Beer, Wine & Seasonal Sips from the Bar

Whether you’re here to shop, snack, sip, or simply soak up the spooky atmosphere, this is a celebration for all ages. We’re proud to support local businesses and bring our community together for a few days of festive fun.

The Parade Cinema Marlborough Family Halloween Trail

Our annual halloween trail makes it’s return on Saturday 25th October at The Parade Cinema Marlborough!

Each ticket purchase for Corpse Bride or Hotel Transylvania on the 25th October gives a child a free spot on our yearly Halloween Trail around Marlborough, open from 11am to 2:30pm. We expect the trail to take around 45 minutes to complete, so last entry for the trail will be 1:45pm.

Book your tickets now… if your dare! www.theparadecinema.com 01672 646232 (Between 10am & 7pm)

Longleat Ghost Tours

This October Half Term, Ghost Tours are making a spooky return during Longleat’s Great British Autumn event. Longleat House was built between 1567 – 1580, and it is believed to still have people who featured in its history making their presence felt. Discover the supernatural stories as expert guides reveal the tale of Lady Louisa Carteret, known as the Grey Lady, who is said to still walk the corridors searching for her lover.

https://www.longleat.co.uk/events/ghost-tours

Trowbridge Musical Theatre presents Robin Hood – A Pantomime Adventure!

Robin Hood – A Pantomime Adventure!

Brick Creative Club with Trowbridge Library

North Bradley Pumpkin Trail 2025

Kids’ Halloween Spooktacular @ Broadtown Brewery – Hop Chapel and Hop Gardens, Lydiard Tregoze

Bring the kids along to The Hop Chapel on Saturday 25th October from 1 – 3pm as we transform The Old Brewhouse into The Old BOO-house!!

🎃 We’ll have two whole hours full of Halloween fun, with pumpkin carving, ghoulish games and more (all treats no tricks, we promise – we don’t want to scare your little ones!)

👻 We’ll have a prizes up for grabs for the best pumpkin design, best pumpkin carving and the best dressed, so don’t forget your costumes!

https://allevents.in/lydiard-tregoze/kids%E2%80%99-halloween-spooktacular/200028572175743

The Three Little Vikings @ Salisbury Arts Centre

Presented by Wrongsemble. Salisbury Arts Centre. Tickets from £12 (£10 for children) Family show suitable for children 3-9 years olds.

October half term bug trail at Dyrham Park

from 25th Oct to 2nd Nov 2025, get out into the great outdoors this October half term for an insect-themed trail around the 270 acres of parkland. £2.50 per trail (normal admissions apply). Booking not required. Running 10am to 4pm, with last entry at 3pm.

Sun 26th

Robin Hood – A Pantomime Adventure!

Mon 27th

Half Term Chocolate Experience@ Hollychocs, Poulshot, Devizes

Autumn Half Term Chocolate Experience at Hollychocs
A cosy, hands-on chocolate-making adventure for grown-ups and children aged 5 & up to enjoy together

Looking for a fun and creative way to spend time with your child or grandchild this October? Our Autumn Half Term Chocolate Experience is the perfect school holiday activity—designed for adults and children aged 5 & up to enjoy side-by-side.

Hosted by The Southwest’s Chocolate Champion, Holly Garner, this joyful and cosy experience is all about making sweet memories together as the autumn chill sets in.

🍫 Start with a hot chocolate treat
Warm up with a choice from our Ultimate Hot Chocolate Menu—featuring 12 indulgent flavours to begin your chocolate-filled day.

🌍 Discover where chocolate comes from
Taste raw cocoa beans, sample our signature blends, and learn how chocolate is made—plus how we support small, ethical cocoa farms around the world.

👉🏻Make & decorate your own chocolates
Roll up your sleeves and create your own delicious chocolate treats to take home (if they don’t get eaten first!).

🎁 Enjoy a special shopping discount
Take home even more chocolatey joy with an exclusive Hollychocs discount on the day.

Rowdey Cow Halloween Festivities

Perfect for parents, grandparents and carers looking for something memorable to do with their children this autumn. Whether it’s bonding time, a school holiday treat or a special birthday surprise—this is time well (and sweetly) spent.

Join us at the Rowdey Cow for our halloween festivities

Pick a pumpkin from its patch & come in to carve your spooky artwork!

27th – 31st October

9.30am – 11am

£5 per pumpkin

***No need to book

The Farm Cookery School Halloween Holiday Club

4+ OCTOBER HOLIDAY CLUB – HALLOWEEN FUN

9+ OCTOBER HOLIDAY CLUB – HALLOWEEN FUN

Arty Pants in Sutton Veny

Lights Up, Sounds Down Days at the REME Museum

Join us for a more relaxed visit at the REME Museum during this special opening outside of our regular hours.

We have designed these ‘Lights Up, Sounds Down’ days to reduce sensory input for individuals who would prefer a quieter experience. These sessions are primarily for, though not limited to, anyone who has sensory processing disorder; autism; social, emotional or mental health needs; dementia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or any other sensory needs.

During these days we will have:

Lights On – our overhead gallery lighting will be turned on, without spotlights, to create a brighter environment in which to explore.
Sounds Down – we will reduce sound effects throughout the museum as much as possible by turning off most ‘surround sound’ interactives and reducing volumes.
Sensory maps – we have marked out any areas around the museum where you may find louder interactives or visual effects that we cannot turn off. This means you can choose your own route and avoid any areas as you wish.

If you would like to bring any sensory items (including but not limited to ear defenders, magnifying glass, book, squeezy toy) that will help you or your loved one to enjoy their experience better, please feel free to do so, just make sure you hold onto it and take it home with you!

Lights Up, Sounds Down – Quiet Opening

Wonder Gigs: Bigger Kids @ Pound Arts, Corsham

Child: £6 Adult: £6 Under 1s: FREE

Join Filskit Theatre for an uplifting and relaxing hour with a talented live musician playing beautiful acoustic versions of well-known folk, jazz and pop songs. Enjoyable for both big and small ears alike there’ll be beautiful, atmospheric sensory visuals perfect for even the youngest audience members. And, as it’s halt term, bigger kids are welcome too so bring them along for this hour of fun and sensory play for the whole family.

Wonder Gigs: Bigger Kids

Tues 28th

October Holiday Activities @ Wiltshire Museum Devizes

October Holiday Activities Lecture Hall 28th October 2025 10:30 am – 12:00 pm 10:30 am – 12:00 pmCome along to our spooky Halloween activities for ages 3 to 11: pebble skulls spooky ghosts paper pumpkins and puppets…

Book Online October Holiday Activities Lecture Hall 28th October 2025 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm 1:30 pm – 3:00 pmCome along to our spooky Halloween activities for ages 3 to 11: pebble skulls spooky ghosts paper pumpkins and puppets.

Art Workshop in Rowde

On Tuesday morning, the 28th of October, from 9am to 12 noon, an Art Workshop takes place, at The Mind Tree Cafe in Rowde. It’s creative fun with collage and mixed media, hosted by Nancy Rose. It’s £30 for the session, and you must book in advance by emailing nancyrosehats@yahoo.com

This October Half Term, join us at the REME Museum for spooktacular STEM and crafts activities for all the family to enjoy.

https://www.rememuseum.org.uk/

‘Rocket Powered’ – Tuesday 28 October
Drop-in, Education Suite

Design and launch your own bottle rocket or air powered car, using the same principles of engineering in rocket science! Led by our Education Officer, Andrew.

Miniature Assault Course – Every day 28-31 October
Drop-in, outdoors

Take on our miniature army-style assault course! Race your way across the course or take your time and enjoy the challenge! Please note: This activity is weather dependent.

Princess Pirate @ Pound Arts, Corsham

Adult: £10 Child: £10 Under 2s: FREE

Pirate Princess is a heartwarming story of hope against adversity told with physical theatre, clowning and circus. This brand new solo show by circus performer and professional idiot Gemma Bond tells the tale of poor shipwrecked Princess Poppy. Can she overcome a big dress, extreme weather and the ultimate test of strength to see her way to safety?

Inspired by strong and inventive women of history, Poppy must transform physically and mentally if she is to have any hope of rescuing herself from eternity on an island in the ocean. The show encourages all to reuse, repurpose and recycle as Poppy reinvents her outfit and her mindset to overcome her predicament.

A visual feast of colourful costume and a unique crow’s nest on a pole prop, this is a fun filled show for children aged 5 to 11 and their families.

Princess Pirate

Wed 29th

October Holiday Activities @ Wiltshire Museum Devizes

Come along to our spooky Halloween activities for ages 3 to 11: pebble skulls spooky ghosts paper pumpkins and puppets…

+11 Holiday Club @ The Farm Cookery School

11+ HOLIDAY CLUB

Pumpkin Painting @ St Peter’s, Marlborough

Pumpkin Painting at St Peter’s

Pumpkins in the Park, Warminster

Pumpkins in the Park 2025

This October Half Term, join us at the REME Museum for spooktacular STEM and crafts activities for all the family to enjoy.

https://www.rememuseum.org.uk/

LEGO® Engineering – Wednesday 29 October
Pre-bookable sessions, Education Suite

Unleash your inner engineer and build a vehicle from LEGO® that will actually drive! Recommended for ages 7 and above.

Thurs 30th

Kid’s Spooky Half Term Art Club @ Wiltshire Scrapstore, Lacock

All children must be accompanied by one adult per child. If you have multiple adults coming (parents/grandparents), we kindly ask that they wait in the café for the workshop to finish.

The Sheep Ate Up The Fairies @ Trowbridge Museum

3 days of captivating talks, hands-on crafts & engaging activities start today!

The Sheep Ate Up The Fairies

Wonderful Wands and Quivering Quills – Neurodivergent/Quiet Session (ages 5+)

This October Half Term, join us at the REME Museum for spooktacular STEM and crafts activities for all the family to enjoy.

https://www.rememuseum.org.uk/

Meccano Makes – Thursday 30 October
Drop-in, Education Suite

Get hands-on with Meccano construction sets to engineer your own vehicle, equipment and more! Recommended for ages 7 and above.

Fri 31st

Kenavon Venture (Halloween Children)

Kenavon Venture

A one hour boat trip on Friday 31st October at 16:00 and 18:00 along the canal packed with fun and games for the children. Fancy dress welcome.

Please Note:
Dogs are accepted at the discretion of the Skipper on the day who will check with other passengers first. Family tickets not available.

Children must be accompanies by at least one adult.

Kenavon Venture is a wide beam boat, seating up to 38 passengers, operated by volunteers of the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust.
To book a private charter of this or any other trip, please send an enquiry via the main website.

Devizes Halloween Ghost Walk – October 2025

Cook Together with The Farm Cookery School

COOK TOGETHER (ADULT & CHILD) – HALLOWEEN

Halloween Disco at Trowbridge Civic Centre

Halloween Disco

This October Half Term, join us at the REME Museum for spooktacular STEM and crafts activities for all the family to enjoy.

https://www.rememuseum.org.uk/

‘Build a Tank’ Junk Modelling – Friday 31 October
Self-led, Creation Station

Come and create your own special REME-inspired vehicle to take away with you! Get creative and see what you can make from recycled materials. The only limit is your imagination!

Pumpkin Patches

Farmer Mark’s Pumpkin Patch

4.9(21) · Pumpkin patch

Marlborough”Lovely variety of pumpkins and gourds to pick, at very reasonable prices.”

Lotmead Pick Your Own

4.5(750) · Farm shop

Swindon

Closes soon ⋅ 5 pm · 01793 790137″Great small farm, we picked a good piece of pumpkin for Halloween.”

Pumpkin picking patch

5.0(10) · Farm shop

Chippenham

Closed ⋅ Opens 8:30 am Sat”We visited early this year and grabbed us a nice variety of pumpkins.”

A Parsons & Son Farming/Pumpkin Picking Patch

4.9(19) · Farm

Salisbury

Closed ⋅ Opens 9:30 am Sat · 07887 642801″Great valve and a massive selection of top quality pumpkins“

Easton Farm Pumpkin Patch

5.0(4) · Farm

Pewsey

Closed ⋅ Opens 10 am Sat · 07964 860741″Farm beef also available to purchase.”

V & P Collins Farm Shop

4.5(170) · Farm shop

Chippenham

Closes soon ⋅ 5 pm · 01380 850228″A great farm shop, they have a massive amount of pumpkins on off right now.”

Pomeroy Pumpkin Patch

5.0(6) · Pumpkin patch

Trowbridge

Closed ⋅ Opens 10 am Sat”Bring wellies!!”

Roves Farm

4.5(1.1K) · Tourist attraction

Swindon

Closes soon ⋅ 5 pm · 01793 763939″Entry fee was nearly &60 for 3 Adults and two toddlers.”

Allington Farm Shop

4.5(419) · Farm shop

Chippenham

Open ⋅ Closes 5:30 pm · 01249 658112″The kids get so excited it helps getting them up and out early!”

Ansty Farm Shop

4.5(186) · £1–10 · Coffee shop

Salisbury

Closed ⋅ Opens 10 am Wed · 01747 829072″Fun place to go with super friendly staff, loved the pumpkin picking.”

Pound Farm

4.7(82) · Farm shop

Chippenham

Closed ⋅ Opens 10 am Thu”My boys enjoyed picking out their own pumpkins.”

Bath Pumpkin Patch

4.4(63) · Farm

Bath

Closed ⋅ Opens 10 am Wed”… recommended well organised friendly good quality pumpkins“

Stourton Farm

4.4(7) · Farm

Trowbridge

01380 870484″Great excuse to pick up a dozen duck eggs.

Allington Farm

4.8(4) · Farm

Chippenham “Lush coffee and walnut cake!”

Pick of the Patch

5.0(7) · Pumpkin patch

Devizes

Temporarily closed · 07970 781828 “A fabulous few hours picking pumpkins with kids.”

“A Bunch of Amateurs” at the Wharf Theatre, Devizes, October 13th-18th 2025.

by Ian Diddams
images by Chris Watkins Media and Ian Diddams

Whilst probably best known for his editorship of “Private Eye” magazine and thirty-five years as a team captain on the BBC’s wonderfully satirical “Have I Got News For You”, Ian Hislop has also over time turned his focus to screen and playwriting. Amongst the five plays he has co-written probably the widest known is the one that has also been made into a film which starred Burt Reynolds, “A Bunch of Amateurs”. This week the Wharf Theatre, Devizes, performs the stage play albeit without Burt Reynolds!

The general plot of the play is a simple one – ageing, fading, Hollywood ex-A lister signs up to star in Shakespeare’s “King Lear” at “Stratford” to find that in fact it isn’t the Royal Shakespeare Company he will be performing at, but a village hall one hundred and seventy miles away at “Stratford in Pigshit”, where the local amateur dramatic society are trying one last dig at surviving by attracting a celebrity to perform with them to boost ticket sales.

The play’s style and plot follows in the grandest traditions of British comedies of creating a nonsensical scenario and running with it as if it was thoroughly possible, with the usual hilarious misunderstandings, fallings-out and fallings-in along the way before a glorious finale where everything pans out perfectly and everyone is happy ever after.

Directed by Lyn Taylor, there is a delicious irony – or indeed really homage – in a play about an amateur company being put on by an amateur company… and here we can look at that label “amateur”. As an adjective to the noun “dramatics” the combined term often has a negative inference amongst many, but the reality is such consideration is to malign high standard productions and consummately skilled performances. To quote from a google search on the etymology of “amateur”

‘The word “amateur” comes from the French “amateur”, which in turn comes from the Latin “amātor”, meaning “lover”. It originally described a person who loves and practices an activity for the passion of it, rather than for money.’

And there is the nub of it all – in this play, “King Lear” is being performed by a group of people that are doing so through love for the art form, and of course Lyn’s direction and perfect casting has brought together a group of amateurs performing this play for love of the art form. And talking of cast …

Gary Robson plays the allegedly professional Jefferson Steel, contracted to play King Lear himself, encapsulating the arrogance and insouciance of the Hollywood star in self denial to his waning star. He embraces the personality shift of his character’s journey from self centred egoist to life embracing acceptor bringing a palpable warmth to Steel’s persona. Steel’s daughter, Jessica, is delightfully and impishly played by Megan Hughes who herself moves her character’s unforgiving, surly teenager to loving offspring while taking the opportunities presented her with aplomb, as we can see mirrored in her deserved inclusion in the cast.

The inevitable ultimate love interest is superbly provided by Ange Davis as Dorothy Nettle, director of “King Lear”. Ange really drives the show along as the pivotal character for decisions and actions within the plot and she delivers this smoothly and thoroughly believably, with warmth and understanding when portraying Dorothy’s insecurities allied to the protagonist’s passion. Dorothy’s total opposite within the company is Nigel Dewbury, excellently represented by Matt Bragg as the loathsome, self promoting and supercilious solicitor with pretensions. Its kudos to Matt that he has created a perfectly toe curling portrayal of Nigel, as well as sporting an extremely fine collection of bow ties during the show!

Two more depictions of lovers of their art, both full of over the top keenness and desire to become closely associated with Steele are from Steve Brookes as handyman and low key jobsworth Denis Dobbins, and Claire Abraham as local B&B owner Mary Plunkett. Steve’s comic timing for Dennis’ daft ideas is sublime, and his mobility scooter driving skills are thoroughly fine tuned to boot! Claire is simply brilliant with her initially gushing and fawning spinster acting, turning to surly and spurned grump!

But all productions need finances and so enter stage left Louisa Davison as the slightly slimy, cocksure marketing type Lauren Ball whose husband’s brewery is bankrolling Steel’s visit, with appropriately named bottled beers including “King Beer”! Louisa encapsulates Lauren’s executive-going-nowhere-slowly persona with ease and aplomb.

The whole show is kept smoothly on the rails by Stage Manager Jess Sneider who also arranged the genuine beer bottle labels mentioned above, with tech delivered perfectly as ever by “The Tech Team” on the simple but highly effective set built by John Winterton and his team and all wrapped up with music by Sam Warner.

“A Bunch of Amateurs” is a simple to follow, laugh out loud, gentle and inoffensive comedy that will appeal to everybody – it’s easily worth the two hours plus interval of your life to sit back and enjoy the silliness in the lovely Wharf Theatre, Devizes.

“A Bunch of Amateurs” runs from October 13^th to 18^th at 7.30pm each evening, and tickets are available from https://www.wharftheatre.co.uk/show/a-bunch-of-amateurs/

JP Oldfield & Deadlight Dance Down The Cellar

I mean, Devizes own contemporary blues throwback, JP is getting bookings, and rightly so. He’s off to Trowbridge’s Lamb next Saturday for a double-bill with Joe Burke. Likewise our favourite Goth duo Deadlight Dance too, Tim showing me some fetching snaps from Friday night’s gig at Frome’s Tree House. But sometimes it’s nice to play an intimate home gig you DIY, so we’re down The Bear Hotel’s Cellar Bar, reviving a once beloved venue with alternative options to Devizes’ status quo…..

And it was; Nick Fletcher and Tim Emery were on the cobblestones first, attired marvellously macabre with whitewash faces; All Hallows’ Eve comes early for goths, and they don’t require Haribo! Equally terror-fically tenebrous was their set, sublimely shadowy synths, then their gloomy guitar rhythm fragments darkened by Nick’s howling vocals. When they came for air you could hear a pin drop.

Deadlight Dance found my inner-goth and devoured it some years ago, still their show improves like a fine Dracula’s blood-wine ….with age and nightly kills! They worked precisely through several tunes from their three albums, concentrating particularly on Chapter & Verse, last year’s gothic literary inspired outpouring. They sprinkled the set with covers, a synth-driven Cure’s Just Like Heaven, for example, quite different from the acoustic version on their breathtaking homage album, The Wiltshire Gothic.

They finished on their ghostly reverberating post-punk makeover of Heartbreak Hotel, because if you’re a goth duo planning to cover an Elvis Presley song, one about a lonely man jumping from a hotel window is apt. Then they stripped it back for an acoustic wandering through the crowd encore.

Herein lies the connection which made a double-bill of post-punk goth and rootsy blues work; JP Oldfield duties the plaintive projection of original southern blues, often termed gothic. Therein the expression of rural, economically disadvantaged African-American communities, and through his gorgeous bass vocal range, the metallicity of his resonator and pounding suitcase drum, it’s about as authentic as you’re going to get on our local circuit.

Yet if JP’s writing is foreboding and disquietude, in line with its influences, some of the darkest corners of his debut Bouffon wasn’t inclusive at this live show, and replaced by some outstanding, intricate and rightfully resonate guitar-work; plus there’s always the kazoo and his natural banter to brighten things up.

His latest single polished off an amazing set, No Rest, indeed. It embodies everything progressive about this rising star’s skill and bittersweet panache; a fellow who can hold an audience spellbound despite being, perhaps, an acquired taste. But I challenge anyone critical to stay whilst JP thrusts out House of the Rising Sun, making it his own, as it’s so befitting to his encapsulating style. Yet the broadest evaluation of JP Oldfield is simply that, through his dedication and blossoming experience he continuously improves. It is this then which encourages me to call this gig in, slight in attendees which it unfortunately was as the chills of autumn blast through, the best and most passionate I’ve seen JP play.

Mind you, I groaned about the weather shift to Nick of Deadlight Dance, who replied with positivity. Apparently, he likes Autumn, I joked, “that’s because you’re a goth and I’m a milkman!”

I do hope we can find more gigs down the Cellar Bar, and bring it back to its former glory, a sentiment I believe will be reflected by the live music hunters of Devizes.

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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 onto the 4th July 2026 in your diary, and maybe jot down 1st November this year down too, because that’s when the first set of fifty early-bird tickets will go on sale, a snip at just twenty quid….

With an iffy weather forecast for July, one Saturday in 2023 I found myself waiting for bus 49 in Devizes, and met with a group of kindly but disorientated folk attempting to get to Bishop’s Cannings for the second Crownfest. I assured them I was heading there too, so all they needed to do was follow my lead.

As it was you couldn’t miss it; the bus stopped right outside. On the journey a number of people were wondering which stop to get off at and so I assured them too. It was at that point I addressed the entire bus, as everyone looked up for a party, “is anyone here not going to Crownfest?!” Seemed only the driver wasn’t, and probably would have if he wasn’t working!

That poor bus driver would’ve loved it, as it was a far better attendance than the inaugural one the previous year. Even torrential downpours didn’t stop the fun, as its fully deserved outstanding reputation had blossomed. It was a fantastic event, check my words on it HERE. Unfortunately due to a change of ownership Crownfest wouldn’t see its way to a third this sumner. But every cloud, literally, has a silver lining. Crownfest is back and recharging for 2026; Bishops Cannings has never had it so good!

Save the date and Stone Circle Music Events will save the day. With camping available, this is a golden nugget on this summer’s local festival hotlist. The only returning act will be Kinisha, the Tina Turner tribute act called (and undoubtedly is true) Simply The Best. Kinisha turned my head around about Tina Turner tributes; we don’t need another hero if we’ve got her headlining, oh, but we have…. lots of heroes.

Firstly, while we’re on tributes, this one is my recommendation; someone listens to me! It’s Ant Trouble, the Welsh Adam & The Ants tribute which I’ve been dying to get a gig locally since I witnessed their lively and precise volcanic eruption at Swindon’s Vic in February 2023. This is so good when some Facebook wombles prompted AI to write a piece on the real Adam Ant, it nicked my photo of Ant Trouble! I dunno, who do I sue for that, The Terminator?! Nevertheless, prepare for some ant music.

The remaining lineup consists of only the toppermost acts on Stone Circle’s books. If I say indie-pop darlings Talk in Code will be there, that’s surely enough to entice you. But there’s pioneers of ukular fusion with Mother Ukers Ukuele Band, The Tipsy Gypsies will enthrall with lively folk goodness, and it’ll get all Celtic when the sublime Publicans get on that stage. Five-piece Salisbury rock band Innovator will be there, alongside acoustic goodness from George Wilding and Lucas Hardy.

Fantastic lineup, wonderful pub with great tucker, camping, or with that trusty 49 bus running later now, you could potentially bus it there and back, provided the bus driver isn’t Tina Turner’s number one fan, feels an uncontrollable compulsion to dance like there’s no tomorrow, and shouts “end of the line!” What more do you want?!

Does Pop Music Really Stand The Test of Time? Sixties Tribute Night at Devizes Corn Exchange Could Be Our Only Hope!

All Pop Master T-shirt wearers would like to think it does, but will the music of an era stand the test of time? Make a record, seal the deal, surely? True, your songs will be immortalised, but will they be remembered, or will they sadly be sadly archived, to slowly fade through generation gaps…. unless Ed Sheeran covers one?!?

Growing up in the eighties we ransacked our parent’s records. Ergo, I know my fair share about the music of the sixties, despite only being an itch in that decade. Similarly, my daughter can name a whole list of groups, singers and songs from my era, the eighties, but can she go further back? Can the younger generation even begin to imagine their grans and grandads frolicking at a love-in with eyes the size of saucers and wearing nothing but flowers in their hair, racing helmet-free on motorbikes into the night, drinking whiskey from a bottle until they dropped, then waking up in Mick Jagger’s bed with four others?!

With three teenagers loitering on my sofa I thought I’d get all Tony Blackburn on them, and distract them from TikTok to find out. That’s the knives’ edge I live on in order to provide you with such engaging content! Being there’s a triple headline sixties tribute act bonanza forthcoming at the Devizes Corn Exchange on the 31st October, with tributes to The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and the Who, I thought I’d ask if the Gen Z of my family were remotely aware of any of them, or if they were more Gen Zzzz!

The result, though far from surprising, was a smidgen disheartening. My daughter knew of The Beatles, and named one averagely obscure song which happened to appear in a Marvel movie soundtrack. The boys didn’t have the foggiest, so I wasn’t holding any chances for the others. My daughter’s fella had heard of the term “rolling stone,” but didn’t realise it was a band name. My son shrugged at the lot, and all asked “who?” when I name-dropped The Who; unsure if that was clarification or coincidental!

Incidentally, they all knew the 2010 Maroon 5 song, “Move Like Jagger,” but only my daughter guesstimated Jagger might’ve been the frontman of one of the bands I was referring to!

Without getting any satisfaction, unless I resolve to forcibly thrusting pop history down their throats like it was on the GCSE curriculum, yesterday all my troubles seemed so far away, as it seems all of them will get fooled again, know not of the pinball wizard’s supple wrist, Ruby Tuesday or Lucy in the sky with diamonds, and I wouldn’t even attempt to explain why I’d like to be under the sea in an octopus’s garden in the shade. Where’s Jack Black and his school of rock when you need them?!

Streaming music might affect future generations from becoming aware of music before their time. Without physical copies who knows where this will end, music will be throwaway, and maybe the nineties welcomed that concept in. But everything is online, even if Sgt Pepper might have adverts for Marks & Sparks Food Hall, it has to be worth trying to educate our youth that pop music would sound a whole lot different if it wasn’t for the sixties and bands like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and The Who!

So, here’s food for thought; though you might presume this Ceres Promotions triple headed sixties tribute show might be something for the Saga holidaymakers, perhaps you should reconsider, and see it more family outing, a vital history field trip?! Musicians of the sixties fired all their guns at once and exploded into space like a true nature’s child, whereas ours are content browsing Instagram with a bag of Haribo. We cannot stand idly by and allow this to happen!

Tickets are HERE fill your boots made for walking, that’s just what they need to do, and march them to the Corn Exchange on Friday 31st October rather than trick or treating, or one of these days these boots are gonna walk all over you!

Fantasy Radio to Attend and Broadcast from the Inaugural Wiltshire Music Awards

As the excitement continues to detonate to an exploding point for our very first Stone Circle Music Events Wiltshire Music Awards on 25th October, we are thrilled to announce that Fantasy Radio, Devizes’ own beloved local broadcaster, will be joining us on the night in a special media partnership role…..

Represented by Lesley Scholes and Mark Jones, Fantasy Radio will be interviewing winners and nominees throughout the evening, capturing the stories, emotions, and celebrations as they unfold. These exclusive interviews will be broadcast on Fantasy Radio after the event, giving listeners across the county a chance to share in the fantastic moment.

In addition, Fantasy Radio will proudly display promotional banners inside the Corn Exchange on the day of the event, further cementing their support of local music and community talent.

One of the event organisers Eddie Prestige, UK Director for Stone Circle Music Events expressed his delight at the collaboration. “We’re honoured to have Fantasy Radio involved in our inaugural awards. Their passion for local talent aligns perfectly with our mission to celebrate the incredible music scene here in Wiltshire. We’re especially grateful for Fantasy Radio’s offer to assist during the evening. It’s this spirit of community that makes the event so special.”

The Wiltshire Music Awards will take place on October 25th at the Corn Exchange, Devizes, bringing together musicians, industry supporters, and local media for an unforgettable night of recognition and entertainment. All tickets have now sold out, unfortunately, but the demand continues and excitement builds.

To add my own tuppence as one of the organisers, “it’s great to see Fantasy Radio onboard with this project, and I’m over the moon to watch the attention for this event blossom, from our early planning stages with Eddie and myself, to the point we’re at now, with a sold-out Corn Exchange, seven live acts performing for the evening, plus lots of surprises and guest appearances. I’m also delighted to say as well as the bar, Devizes-own Soupchick will be preparing a few delicious dishes for attendees to tuck into.”

Stay tuned to Fantasy Radio in the coming weeks for updates, and after the event to hear the exclusive interviews with Wiltshire’s rising stars! Obviously we will be reporting live from the scene too, as much as possible in-between hosting and presenting!

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Five Years in the Cotswolds: Lawton & Mack’s Breathtaking Debut Album

When I put together the 4 Julia’s House compilation albums a few years ago I decided I shouldn’t pick favourites out of the eighty-one songs donated, but if I had to, it would’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 music…..

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.

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 there’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 Will’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. It’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. It’s the first single released this Friday (10/10) of the goodness of nature rather than society’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. There’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 God’s Plan, and I’m left thinking of Marvin Gaye’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 Everest’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. Davies’ 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. Davies’ 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.

Bath’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, Will’s son.

Streaming platforms are held off until next year on this, the book to Five Years in the Cotswolds is the album’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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Six Reasons to Rock in Market Lavington

Alright yeah, it’s a play on band names and there’s only really two reasons to rock on Friday 17th October at Market Lavington Community Hall; Six O’clock Circus and The Reason. See what they did there? Genius! But, they’re two of the heaviest heavyweight headline acts you should discover on our local cover circuit, so, as for the sum of the entertainment you’ll receive by attending, you could deservedly multiply them by at least three, and make six! (I do maths too!)

Big time Calne mod-Britpop loving lads Six O’Clock Circus will raise the roof, and Westbury’s The Reason, with a penchant for timeless rock classics only intend to double it. Fronted by Nicky Davis, formerly a member of People Like Us and co-founder of the Female of the Species fundraising supergroup, find The Reason gigging locally and strap yourself in for a party! Not usually a function band, likely because they’d upstage the reason for the actual function, (ambiguously the story behind their name?!), they recently performed at Melksham’s proudest country-rock singer-songwriter Becky Lawrence’s wedding, where the bride simply had to join in!

Likewise with Six O’clock Circus, find them gigging locally everywhere. A longstanding band of friends knocking guitar frenzied indie-mod-pop-rock favourites out of any park they care to stop by, and a few others along the way! I appreciate there’s already been a lot of maths for a Sunday article, but this is simple; tickets are £12 a pop. The show starts at 7:30pm (NOT 6′ o’clock like the circus) at Market Lavington Community Hall, next Friday 17th October for a highly recommended party!

Bonnie Weather: New Single From Swindon’s RnB Star, Weather

You might think it’s a laryngologist’s dream come true, this Lewis Capaldi-led decade’s penchant for the blue-eyed soul singers’ melismatic strain to cause Mick Hucknall to issue a health and safety warning, but to Swindon’s Brandon Clarke, aka Weather, it appears to be a natural and phenomenal gift…..

This short and to the point new single from Weather, Bonnie, Be Mine, remains a prime example. Awash in contemporaneous RnB silkiness, Brandon’s vocal range is impressively evocative and weaponises a defence against any criticism of contemporary pop. If Alex Warren is the millennial solitary Bieber from across the pond, Weather is more the Solomon Burke of Swindon, which I believe is a deserved higher rewarding accolade by a country mile!

Yet, despite the sombre emotional outpouring of a hopeful romance, there’s a subtle carefree attitude in Weather’s tenet which awards his sound with a nonchalant sunny side of the street feel, and it’s positively contagious.

This was displayed with panache at Swindon Shuffle, where he blasted the Tuppenny with his prerecorded tracks and toasted merrily over them, enticing the crowd. If it might sound overtly conceited and is something I’d usually turn away from, to a generation where hip hop is an ancestral baseplate it’s acceptable, but with Weather’s delivery it was so confident and indulgently cheerful it affixes a compulsory smile and an irresistible urge to stay to watch.

Even the cover to Bonnie, Be Mine displays an irony of Weather, if his sound is refreshingly modern nu-soul slash indie, with AI it conveys the retrospection of a Donald McGill postcard. So, if you’re reaching that far back before I make a comparison, Brandon, rather than eighties blue-eyed soul boys like George Michael, or even Motown/Stax artists like Wilson Pickett, with this humorous element could we go as far as someone he’d probably have to Google, like Louis Jordan and his Tympany Five?! You might think it’s audacious of me, but considering the whimsical merriment of rap trios like A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul are forty years old, why not?!

Whatever the weather, it’s a great single and being Weather is prolifically pushing out professionally clasped greatness, we look forward to hearing more.

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Jon Amor & Friends; Juggernaut at Long Street Blues Club

Oh yeah, invite me to a place with a bar, throw some of the best blues this side of New Orleans at me and then hope I’ll articulate some words about it next morning, why don’t you?! It’s okay readers, it’s become standard protocol for me, I’ve got this…with help from Ben and Vicky!

…Here goes my bit; it was the opening of the new season at Long Street Blues Club in Devizes last night. Homegrown blues legend Jon Amor paid it a visit, bringing along his proficient drum and bass section, Tom Gilkes and Jerry Soffe, respectively, a handful of special guests wise in the ways of instrumenting sublime blues, and an intention and motivation to pull an extravaganza from the anticipation in the ether. Irresistible prospect, had to witness, savour, and shake my tail feather to, like it was going out of fashion. Ol’ Frankie Valli couldn’t describe it better, oh what a night.

Four to the floor electric blues was the order they marched out to, each one a showstopper yet the show didn’t hang around for the audience to contemplate. Musicians aplenty popping out of the stage door, grabbing instruments and jamming on a rotation akin to an ice hockey game. Johnny Henderson seated at the Hammond organ, Tom Jones guitarist Scott McKeon strumming with Will Edmunds, Craig Crofton blowing that sax, and precision sound engineering all enhanced the usual trio’s show, elevating it to a phenomenal stance.

There were times Jon smoothed it with rarely played ballads, such a superbly protracted Happiest All-Time Low, from his 2018 album Colour in the Sky, but for the most part the Juggernaut and his overload appeased the crowd with expeditious renditions of his beloved sprightly favourites, and newer The Turnaround album tunes he recorded last year with Jerry & Tom, easiest to pick out being the swinging Rideau Street and the hard stomping riffs of the explicit Miss James. I don’t know who Miss James is, but the passion Jon puts into this, and every song, leaves you wondering what her phone number is!

If this Indian summer is subtle outside it was a furnace inside. Ex-Hoax guitarist Jon, a testament to Devizes’ Mel Bush effect, an immutable adoration of blues, is a stalwart on stage, delivering blues in a style only he could. The aforementioned gubbings only added to the trio’s splendour, and a truly fantastic opening evening for The Long Street Blues Club’s new season.

But don’t take my word for it, here’s what Ben Romain and Vicky thought about it, as we got our wires crossed and both wrote about it, but it was such a gig it deserves two reviews anyway!

Stand up and shout! Blues is what it is all about, laid back and loving Blues in D-town!

In my many years as a fan of Jon’s music I’ve seen him play many venues in Devizes and nearby. We are blessed of course with a monthly residence at The Southgate Inn, where the majority of this ensemble has at some point graced the stage. This evening was a change of a little more space to get some friends together, at our very own Blues Club.

A fine opening set from Leonardo Guilliani, a rapidly rising star, hailing from Southampton. No stranger to the club, having opened for Watermelon Slim previously.

Some great original songs from his album, and new songs from an upcoming release recorded at Abbey Road Studios! I particularly liked the new song ‘Angel’, a soulful reflective song, with a gentle tone, blues of a sort but melodic and soothing in a contemporary Blues vein. A few well-chosen covers too, with some resounding classic electric blues. Overall, a perfect opener for this gig! I look forward to seeing him again along the road.

As Jon introduces the extended band to the stage, I am reminded of countless gigs in Devizes and beyond, where I have enjoyed all these musicians. This ensemble has between them played an unbelievable range of genre defining big names, and it shows……with the confident ease they poured into this session.

There are the Jon Amor Trio set regulars like ‘Miss James’, ‘Juggernaut’ and ‘Birds Nest on the Ground’, some less regular but great additions such as Jon’s ‘Red Telephone’ and ‘Happiest All time Low’. This entire two hour plus set revelled in and resounding with the connectivity of the scene.

When Will Edmunds and Jon share ‘Lovin’ Cup’ a rousing dance friendly classic we get to enjoy the best of this sense, a classic in the sets of Jon and Will in their regular haunts, sharing as they do, many gigs the might of Gilkes and Soffe.

We’ve enjoyed Jonny Henderson guest slots here in Devizes and with another Devizes and author’s favourite Elles Bailey amongst others, we’ve seen the wonderful Scott McKeon guest with Jon, and for a bonus Devizes point with Jon’s former bandmate Robin and Beaux Gris Gris and The Apocalypse and most commonly known for playing with Tom Jones.

I could ramble enthusiastically all day about the good vibes of this gig but there’s a wider point to acknowledge before I run out of type space….that of the community and connectivity both with musicians and audiences.

We have an unusually high level of gigs, especially blues leaning gigs in our town. We have some pretty heavy hitters in the UK blues past and present around here which doubtless helps, but we are also blessed with venues born of passion, people who support those opportunities as much as they can, so we are known in Devizes for putting up a good audience.

Our little world faces challenges like all venues and scenes across the UK, yet on the whole we are bucking the trend and attracting fine music from the brave upstart to the big established names and something to be rightly proud of.

There’s weekly amazing music at the Southgate and these incredible seasons of blues at Long Street, pub gigs, even occasionally music in bars and coffee lounges!

Key to the future of all of it, is people getting involved. I could name around a third of the crowd last night, and know most of the band from past gigs, with all of the craziness of the world, when many conscious or not are affected by loss of community, unity and shared positive experience….we have all that right here at home, every week.

I am now twelve years or so into my passionate support of local live music, it offers so much more than huge mega money gigs, and it supports through shared venues other aspects of our towns offer.

So, if you missed this incredible gig look at listings here, Facebook or wherever, message venues, talk to friends, there’s always a solid welcome, and you may find your new favourite band or next best friend in the crowd!

Thanks Ben, that is exactly what it’s all about! And now a “further reading” related rant to finish on!

When I published a preview of Long Street’s new season I highlighted this gig in particular, because Jon is loved by the residents of Devizes as this native hero. It was inevitable, and something I had discussed with both Ian, organiser of Long Street, and Dave at the Southgate, that someone would comment on the social media shares of it, questioning why they would pay to see Jon at Long Street when his monthly residences at the Southgate are free. Being I suspect there’s others that share this understandable view, and that money is a benefactor to deciding what to and what not to attend in these trying times, I thought I’d answer it with my opinion, for better or worse.

Starter for ten, we love the Southgate, we love the fact they host these regular sessions with the Jon Amor Trio and usually a special guest, and we’ve covered them many times. In fact, The Southgate has probably had more reviews from us than anywhere else. Dave and Ian are friends, they attend each other’s gigs and liaison to avoid clashes of similar gigs. The Southgate will pay what they can for an artist from money they make at the bar, most pubs operate this way, it is up to the artist to accept this or decline to play. The Southgate, like others, will hand around a tip hat, to top up the performers’ earnings. That is the way we get free gigs, but it is not how it works with event organisers who must pay for acts from the revenue of ticket sales. No matter how great this residency is at the Southgate, they are on Sunday afternoon when gravy is tipped onto your roast! Personally, due to work commitments I’m unable to let my hair down over more than a pint, like I can do on a Saturday night; that’s the time they let me out! I’m sure others find themselves in a similar situation.

Aside this, with the capacity of the club greater than the pub allowing folk room to move, the enhancement of the show via additional guests forming an eight piece band at times, the perfection of the sound engineering, and the uninterrupted presentation, are all benefits you are unlikely to get in any pub environment. Saturday night proved this, for it was a cut above what any performer would be capable of in any pub. It was a fantastic night, if you were there you would know it was and accept it was total and utter class. If you weren’t, well, you only have my and Ben’s words it was so.

And with that notion we can put the final slither of their comment to bed, that Long Street has “zero” atmosphere. Yes, I understand there are a few longstanding devotees who favour to remain seated and silent, the root to my little regular jest labelling them “the Devizes blues appreciation society!” But the atmosphere is what YOU make it! We danced the night away, I loved it, Ben and Vicky clearly loved it, people around us loved it. No one bothered us in doing so and no dancer bothered those who opted not to. When compromise is necessary, no less punters at Long Street adhere than might in a pub.

There’s no hard feelings, the comment remains as we don’t delete fair opinions. I’m no Nostradamus, but I suspected someone might suggest this, just a little irked to understand the reasoning for posting it. If it was to encourage others to side with them I genuinely think that’s a shame, as it risks the continuation of this wonderful club. No one is forcing anyone to go anymore than anyone is forcing anyone else to write such a comment.

Hey, I might see them at the Gate sometime, but they should note some regulars there attended this one, and others who might not frequent the Southgate, they did too; why deny their chances to see an act they claimed to love themselves, like most of us in Devizes? Because, and here’s the killer line, when Jon and his extended team blasted out the customary Juggernaut finale, feet were stomping, sweat rinsed shirts, and expressions of sheer joy blessed the faces of those in attendance. It was blissfully brilliant, the best night in Devizes I’ve had for a long time; long live Long Street Blues Club, but yeah, other options, such as The Southgate are available and come highly recommended too. What a petty fiasco!

You’re So Cruel; New Single From George Wilding

Nothing cruel about our George Wilding; with his perfect match and another local legend of local music, Jolyon Dixon, they’re knocking out great singles like it’s child’s play…..

You’re So Cruel is out today and is a prime example. It’s an upbeat two minute blast of feelgood indie-pop, seemingly unfazed by the cruelty of the subject in the song, just you know, pointing it out, getting it off his chest! In subject it’s more akin to George’s earlier songs than the previous recent ones. Yet George seems to have captured the rule of not overthinking and keeping it to a simple hook. Yeah, rocks!

Add it to your playlist, even if you’re the cruel person in the song!!

Shearwater: New Single From Nothing Rhymes With Orange

There’s a new single from Bristol-based Nothing Rhymes With Orange out tomorrow (Saturday 20th September) which takes the band to a whole new level, and it has got me thinking back to their Devizes roots…..

You know, I really cannot remember how this thing started, if they contacted me or if I found them. It was three years ago, at a time when local media seemed rampant with scare stories sensationalising teenage hooliganism. Folk jumped the bandwagon, naming and shaming wayward youth on Facebook like it was modern gallows, and making fearmongering sweeping generalisations, classing every child as a psychotic delinquent.

I figured this wasn’t the same picture I was seeing. That there’s always been a handful off the rails, but in comparison to previous generations, most Gen Z were passive, thoughtful, and creative. So I set out to prove this wonky narrative wrong, and in doing so found many aspiring teenage bands to use as examples, but none so accomplished and motivated as Nothing Rhymes with Orange.

There was always something staunchly between the members of this Devizes School band, frontman Elijah Easton, Sam Briggs, Fin Anderson-Farquhar, and drummer Lui Venables, an unequalled camaraderie which combined their honing skills harmoniously. Their calculated sagacity writing painted a blithe picture of Gen Z, equal to how punk bands like The Newtown Neurotics summarised life for generation X, and it spawned a zeitgeist.

Moments after reviewing their debut single, Chow for Now, they launched an equivalently impressive EP called Midsummer. I figured it was overdue to check them out live, as they organised their own gig at West Lavington Village Hall. Divided between parents and youth I witnessed the birth of a local phenomenon. I dubbed it “Beatlemania in Devizes.” Teenage fans chanted the chorus of Manipulation back at them, as Elijah jumped from the stage relishing in the moment.

I encouraged teenage budding writers and photographers to record this blossoming movement for us, as alongside bands like Melksham’s The Sunnies, they were inspiring a new generation of musicians too. And for the adults, I wanted them to quit whinging about youth, by showcasing NRWO in an environment free from age division, where they could see for themselves this emergent youth fandom and the local band which created it. I urged our carnival committee that their annual “International” Street Festival in Devizes should showcase such a local act, and pride overcame me as I introduced them to the masses gathered in the Market Place, because alongside their excellent self-promotion, Devizine expressed with honesty that townsfolk should support this spectacular homemade band, and they did.

The lads released several new songs, all of which were tiny progressive steps to a maturity in their sound. At a gig at The Three Crowns in May 2024 Devizes-own BBC DJ and presenter, James Threlfall gave me constructive criticism regarding their production levels, suggesting it wasn’t quite to the level necessary and in comparison to upcoming bands across the southwest. I also worried at this time, moving along that adolescent rocky road generally was the make or break of a young band, usually the latter.

Delighted that they planned to study together in Bristol Uni, I finished off our local angled reporting of them with a parting interview, safe in the knowledge both the uni and bustling life in Bristol would open new doors for them and hopeful it would perfect their skills to the level James so honestly pointed out. A huge festival touring summer at Dot 2 Dot, Golden Touch, 110 Above and Camper Calling, returning to Studio 91 for the session which produced their new ear-invasive single, Shearwater, out at 6pm on 20th September across all streaming platforms, surely proves they have.

Shearwater signifies a hotly-anticipated next chapter, one of huge guitar sounds, jacked up drums and Elijah’s desperate vocals, evoking stories of fiery lust and explosive aftermaths. This is the single which will do for an international audience what Nothing Rhymes With Orange did locally three years ago. The spritely frenzy is replaced by the concentrated rhythmic flow and evocative ambience of the kind of timeless indie-pop anthem a multitude of audiences will shine their phone torches too. The layers are divine, the composition professionally crafted.

I’ve never needed to exaggerate my appraisal nor flatter NRWO for encouragement. I saw this potential, as did their local fanbase. And tomorrow you can hear the fruits of their labour in full bloom, a categorical advancement of Devizes export to the world, and it makes me feel proud to have backed them to this point, what the future holds is answered in this track, and it looks orange!

But don’t just take my word for it; chatting to James Threlfall just yesterday, I pointed out this single felt like the entry level we were talking about last May, and he agreed, telling me they’ve landed a featured artist spot on BBC Introducing South and West, which is live at 8pm tonight (Thursday 8pm.) The single will be debuting live at their upcoming headline show, 26th September, at The Old England, Bristol. There’s also an exciting word on the grapevine: an album is the pipeline. Oh, and don’t forget they’re playing our Wiltshire Music Awards on 23rd October here in Devizes, and will be at Devizes Arts Festival next summer like Bruce Springsteen returning to New Jersey!

For me, I’ll always have those early moments, like blagging a Sharpie from the sound engineer at street festival, so teenage girls could have their T-shirts signed (not by me, you understand?!!)

All Back to Sidmouth Street: The Olive Pizza & Grill

We are creatures of habit here in old Devizes. We’ll stand in the Market Place wearing a vacant expression, wondering where we can bag ourselves a good kebab in town now the Kebab House is sadly no longer. I urge you to think Sidmouth Street, think The Olive….

Yeah, I get you. Save the longstanding New Pacific Chinese, the previous takeaways in Sidmouth Street didn’t receive great appraisal, causing the street to be considered a no-go zone for the peckish. Well, times change. With Mustafa Suna, the once owner of the Kebab House content to be relocated a hefty trek away at the Garden Trading Estate, the new option is The Olive Pizza & Grill; you best believe it.

It was newly opened a couple of months ago. By name, it sounds fresher and natural, but does it live up to its name? I thought I’d drag my tastebuds there to find out…..

Shenol Redzheb is the owner of this tidy little takeaway where Acropolis once toppled. He cut his teeth at Chick-O-Land, where he spent thirteen years, but was adamant about building his own new legacy here. It certainly was spotless and hospitable, with everything freshly prepared right before your eyes.

The range is fantastic, too. The standard range of kebabs, combo or wraps, burgers, and chicken, but with a pizzeria too, choices are ample for the most fussiest of families, like mine! One apple of my eye opted for a cheeseburger, the other a pizza, and the wife and I went for the donor kebab, though she favours garlic mayo on hers; sacrilegious! I say this because the homemade chilli sauce here is to die for, really rich, perfect level of hotness and tomatoey; yummy, yummy, yummy, love in my tummy.

In fact, everything was well received. The boy’s burger was apparently “ummm,” and despite explaining I needed a bite for the purpose of the review, he wasn’t giving it up without a fight! The daughter praised the pizza, and she’s the Jay Rayner among us, but she especially adored the chips, describing them as crisp, and they were, I concurred. Perfectly cooked little beauties, and cut just the right size to be best considered “chunky fries.”

The kebab was lovely too, meat, tasty, a good range of fresh salad, and oh, did I mention the chilli sauce?! It’s worth mentioning twice!

Portions generous, all at a competitive price, the family were happy. I’ll be back faster than Schwarzenegger for an uzi 9mm. You should give this local owner’s new enterprise a try. There’s vegetarian options, phones, and an online ordering website HERE, and they deliver right out to the sticks, at around a four mile radius; dinner sorted!

The Olive Pizza & Grill is at: 26 Sidmouth Street, Devizes, SN10 1LD, UK

Opening Hours
Mon-Sat: 4pm-11pm
Closed On Sundays

Website

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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 Swindon Shuffle. Apologies, but it was plenty to tell they knocked it out of the park again this year…..

They don’t even need a park. Just a selection of Old Town’s finest watering holes, live music hunters, bucket collectors, sound technicians and only the damn finest collective of musicians we have around here. Such is the magnitude of this beast if you camped on the roundabout at the top of Vic hill for the whole thing you’d still miss something. I measure its success by the expression of fatigue on chief organiser Ed Dyer’s face and kindly remind him he still has a day to go, but I can only tell you what I saw.

The Shuffle is a Swindon institution, a convention for local musicians, and an opportunity for me to meet with other media types like Jamie of the Ink and Dave of Dancing About Architecture. It also serves as an indication that if Eddie Prestidge and myself have spawned The Wiltshire Music Awards this year, our sponsorship with Stone Circle securing its future years is essential, because we’ve only scratched the surface of the quality and quantity of talent in our area. For the most though, it’s a free and unmissable local music showcase raising vital funds for Prospect Hospice.

I divide the options into three variables; safe bets I’ve seen before, ones I must cross off my must-see list, and ones where I’m taking a gamble and going in blind. My only dilemma is the arrangement of them. Thankfully, while clashes are inevitable, the program is so neatly designed with consideration and expertise, each pub staggering their individual schedules every quarter of an hour, and daytime and evening sessions in neighbouring locations, so there’s the potential to stagger and catch at least a bit of all.

Harmony Asia

Safe bets firstly. My rush to get into Old Town, park up and get to the Pulpit was for Chippenham’s soulful singer-songwriter Harmony Asia. Harmony had just taken to the fireplace setting and was performing her succinct and poignantly self-penned acoustic marvels. If they’re written concisely in plain and contemporary language without cryptic riddles, it’s the delivery of them which holds a crowd spellbound. And they were, Harmony charms.

Jol Rose

The only other assured expert I paid a visit to was again at The Pulpit, a comfy new bar on Devizes Road, and that was Americana marvel Jol Rose. Stalwart and reputable, Jol is Swindon’s answer to Woody Guthrie and only a fraction away from that level of brilliance.

A Dylan-esque genius in all modest manners and labour, who’ll encapsulate his audience with ease, and deliver the diverse offerings of a sublime yet prolific wordsmith. Jol is a testament to the wealth of an acoustic singer-songwriter, who could pen a dejected romance song, or, as he also did, make a social or political statement with poetic divinity.

Between The Lines

Hey look, I’ve been here before, aware the evening was young, and a plethora of accomplished bands would shake up the Beehive, Castle and Hop. Tuckered out and the patient and understanding wife twisting my arm with the promise of a homemade lasagne, I confess, I caved, it’s an age thing; but was determined not to until I crossed Between the Lines off my must-see list. If decisions are standard with the Shuffle’s exhaustive roster, this was the best one I made.

Rarely a debut single would be rewarded with an interview on Devizine, yet Melksham’s upcoming indie-rock quartet Between the Lines impressed me to be that rarity, back in February. Since I’ve been dying to catch this band I hailed “Melksham’s next big teen sensation.” So, I’m at the grand looking Hop, and they didn’t lower my expectations any.

Rather, picking up on their fantastic universal appeal live, I might have to take back the “teen sensation” label, because they played out their beguiling originals sprinkled with some aptly chosen covers with such skill, any age could appreciate. One an early Beatles classic covered accurately, another, Tears for Fears’ Mad World, which they truly made their own.

Between The Lines appeared no more hesitant nor timid than I’d have expected; accosting them outside prior with the excitement of Spongebob probably didn’t help! All aged around seventeen, being recognised on the streets of a town they’ve never played in by an aging toothless baldy could have a negative impact! But I’m confident stage presence will come naturally with experience, because they absolutely rocked it as the crowd grew, nodding to the obvious potential of this promising band.

With an EP in the pipeline, I’m not going to shut up about them until you take heed.

Emma Doupé

The second welcomingly crossed off the must-see list was also the biggest surprise; attired punk-goth was deceiving to any preconceptions I may’ve brought with me. I’ve heard of Emma Doupé but was oblivious on what to expect. Needless to say, Emma has been called into action by the Shuffle team four times in a row, ergo, it was a nice surprise.

Goth, she might go there, but from the off it was clear she has the skill and experimental daring to go wherever she chooses. So diverse, any signs of any subgenre at all were subtly placed. Rather, Doupé is a sublime vocalist with dynamic range, to perform her originals soulfully or operatic soprano at will, and over loops, Stratus piano and autoharp, her fashion is unique and inspiringly alternative.

Her band, The Crystal Wolf Project would showcase her in an alternative electronica trio later at The Hop, apparently. Missed it, shameful I know, but her solo performance at The Tuppenny was enough to swap Emma Doupé into my safe bet category, with or without backing.

Weather

Another topping my must-see list marked safe from being dull. I heard a Weather track on Peggy-Sue’s Don’t Stop The Music Show when attending, and kept one eye on Brandon Clarke since. With the vocal style of Lewis Capaldi and boldness of Rag n Bone Man, this is damn good contemporary crossover pop you cannot ignore.

A forthright charismatic millennial Swindon showman, Weather is one you must watch if you want or not. His singles are heartfelt and moving shifts of emotive indie-nu-soul. In a lively pub environment it may not have gone down so well as when recorded or at a venue gig dedicated to his following.

Opting then to sing, rap and encourage the crowds over his prerecorded tracks like James Corden with swagger, seems Weather is here for the laugh, and it’s delightfully infectious. He could rouse a crowd of librarians to stage dive! The Tuppenny was positively bouncing….at around 6pm!

Ellis Evason

For the other few I was going in blind. Had to wonder how Ellis Evason would top Weather’s astounding crowd-pleasing blast, then realised I was jesting with him outside, and he was abruptly confident he would; such is hip hop’s general bravissimo. He had such, but was far from the archetypal rapper.

If he upstaged was debatable, but he certainly equalled Weather. Meatloaf in appearance, Eminem in rap mode, Ellis Evason undoubtedly entertained, and raised the roof with raps reflecting exactly this contradiction; surely a stroke of jazzy genius. Chunky bass-driven beats, lyrically waxed to hone his identity and purpose with precision, Ellis Evason pulled in an entourage and rocked the remaining punters respectively. It was a showstopper.

Dave Corrigan

Between Harmony and Jol was a name I’d heard but not seen. The guide describes David Corrigan as a “reasonably reclusive singer-songwriter” who more recently has been concentrating fronting the renowned Astral Ponies, so maybe that’s the reason. He performed with certain ease, though, stripped back Astral songs, a few new ones, and was a delight to catch, if only for a few songs.

Grasslands

If we’re onto the gambles, I navigated the road block to arrive at The Tuppenny, a wonderful new favourite Swindon pub for me, where if the music isn’t to your taste you can read the DIY Beano comic wallpaper in the loo with fond memories! But rarely will it be. One man band Grasslands is wafting gorgeous and mellow experimental rock and folktronic soundscapes, in a fetching fluffy wolf hat; enjoyable.

Summary

For the novice local live music hunter, Swindon Shuffle is one of the most revealing voyages of discovery around the Southwest, and likely the only one without a fee attached. For the more experienced it’s an unearthing of upcoming acts and a vital reunion. For the musician it’s a convention. For the Prospect Hospice it’s a lifeline. For all its amazing, simple. You only need to attend an afternoon to suss this. Someone get me a campervan for next year and book me the weekend off work!

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Wiltshire Music Awards 2025 Partnership with Stone Circle Music Events

The Wiltshire Music Awards are delighted to confirm a new headline partnership with Stone Circle Music Events, who will sponsor the Awards for 2025 and into 2026.

As part of this agreement, the event will be rebranded as: Stone Circle Music Events – Wiltshire Music Awards.

This collaboration reflects Stone Circle Music Events’ ongoing commitment to supporting music in Wiltshire, and across the wider UK and Ireland. Their involvement will provide significant opportunities to raise the profile of the Awards, enhance the experience for participants, and strengthen engagement with the wider music community.

Benefits of this partnership include:

• Brand Visibility: Prominent placement of the Stone Circle Music Events name across all event materials, press releases, and social media campaigns.

• Audience Reach: Direct engagement with a diverse audience of musicians, industry professionals, and the public.

• Prestige & Influence: Recognition as the headline supporter of one of Wiltshire’s most anticipated music events.

• Networking Opportunities: Closer ties with event partners, sponsors, and stakeholders.

• Catalyst for Growth: The presence of a strong lead sponsor encouraging further sponsorship and increased scale for the Awards.

Eddie Prestige of Wiltshire Music Awards said, “we are thrilled to welcome Stone Circle Music Events as our headline sponsor. Their passion for supporting music and culture perfectly aligns with our mission to celebrate and elevate the incredible talent across Wiltshire. This partnership will allow us to grow the Awards and create an even more impactful event in 2025 and beyond.”

Darren Worrow of Wiltshire Music Awards added, “This is great news, and we hope it secures a future for the awards.”

Managing Director of Stone Circle Music Events, Patrick O’Sullivan said, “Stone Circle Music Events are proud to support the Wiltshire Music Awards as headline sponsor. Music is at the heart of what we do, and this partnership reflects our commitment to nurturing local talent and strengthening the live music community in Wiltshire, the UK, and Ireland. We are excited to be part of such a vibrant celebration of creativity.”

This partnership represents an exciting step forward for the Wiltshire Music Awards, helping to secure its long-term success and cement its place as a key celebration of musical talent in the region.

Swindon Branch of Your Party is Growing

Following the excitement and success of the first meeting of ‘Your Party’ in Swindon, a second meeting has been arranged for 18th September 7.30 – 9.30pm at Broadgreen Community Centre…..

Almost double the expected amount of people attended the first meeting. There was so much to discuss and the organisers ensured that everyone had an opportunity to share their thoughts. This resulted in the last session on the agenda being pushed over to the next meeting.

Ed Colton, one of the organisers said “We ran out of time because so many people had so much to say! For anyone who missed the first meeting, we’ll be giving a short presentation of what happened, what people’s main concerns were, and what local issues were most pressing. Then we’ll continue where we left off. This next session is all about filling roles, deciding on local actions and discovering the skills, experience and connections people have, to build ‘Your Party’ and become part of the landscape in our communities.”

At the first meeting, cards of welcome were signed for asylum seekers in Swindon, which were delivered the week after. This act of humanity, solidarity and friendship has prompted the group to organise a collection of sweets and fruit for them. Please bring a small gift along to the meeting if you are able.

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 circuit since and created an impressive following. Today sees him on the next leg of his musical journey, a brand new single aptly titled No Rest…..

If the kazoo created a unique identity for Josh, quirking up otherwise darker themes than the novelty songs you’d except the instrument to be found in, this idiosyncratic move may have caused some criticism from traditionalists who simply didn’t get it. Not me, inherent in the belief rules are made to be broken, I’m of the reckoning JP Oldfield is a contemporary rarity, a misunderstood genius finding his feet. A dedicated axemen with an axe to grind, and a singer-songwriter unafraid to explore and expose every detail of the melancholic mind maze in the encapsulating way blues legends did before him.

With this in tow, I’d argue the jukejoint authentic sound created with his haunting grizzly vocal tones, that steel guitar and beaten up suitcase pedal-drum is Marmite. Love it or hate it, JP forged an imitable style, ranging from Cash to Tom Waits and Nick Cave in comparison. I’d draw any critic’s attention to a track like Last Orders, a heart-wrenchingly honest tune which takes on the drunkard’s misery of a relationship break-up in true mellowed delta blues fashion, without kazoo. But hey, now we’ve got No Rest, a level up certainly in production and indicative of all the greatness he’s already achieved; it rocks.

There’s the sombre spiritual blues theme we’ve come to expect, but it’s a foot-stomping pace with a killer rolling riff, kazoo-less yet a perfect balance of everything else JP throws at his music. It’s deliberately raw, perfectly hard-hitting and undoubtedly JP on the best form we’ve ever seen.

In our interview a month short of a year ago, Josh gave me the impression he was something of a perfectionist. A lot of work has gone into this full bodied five minute marvel, and it shows, in its crisp sound, this composition of elements making said perfect balance, and also a enlightening video accompanying it, by Jamie R Hawkins’ Side Owl Productions. This cones out around 6pm tonight, I’ll add the link to it here, so return after your potato waffles.

The video has a different narrative from the song, rather ‘the story of the song;’ a fascinating showcase of JP’s session at Mooncalf Studios, where Nick Beere engineers the kind of tune which we might suggest JP’s feet have been found. We look forward to hearing the other songs from this session in good time, but for now this is plenty to indicate this Devizes bluesman is heading in the right direction. But Nick brought out the best in musicians while I was still doodling boobs on my school rough book!

He’s JP Oldfield, I’m just old, but I know what I like. I could dance barefoot in a barn grasping a bottle of bourbon to this, and when it gets to that irresistible bridge I’ll procrastinate my repent, letting my sins roam free for a day; though I haven’t drawn a boob on a school book for quite some considerable time!

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 will be a number of creative workshops and makery sessions, not forgetting the creation of those wonderful handmade lanterns for the parade; here’s some early sessions in which you can get creative…

A number of lantern making workshops in the run-up to the Winter Festival Lantern Parade have been allocated. Including open-to-all workshops at different venues with materials provided – all they ask is a small donation. DOCA suggests £5 for a small lantern, which requires one light, but you are welcome to pay as you feel.

Come along to one of their open public workshops to make a lantern in preparation for the parade. All materials are provided, and all are welcome.

Held at Wiltshire Museum, Long Street, Devizes, the workshop Schedules are:

Saturday 20th September – 10:15am – 13:15pm, 14:00 – 16:30.

Sunday 21st September – 10:15am – 13:15pm, 14:00 – 16:30.

More info HERE!

Book your session HERE

Yesterday’s Tomorrow; Debut Album From Ursa Way and its Launch at the Tuppenny

If the eonian motivation of youths picking up guitars and forming bands has hit Gen Z enough that they’re two to a penny, I’m in the right place to discover one new to us, The Tuppenny….

An adept drummer pinched from Bristol, with the remaining homegrown members formed a youthful and hopeful Swindon indie-rock four-piece called Ursa Way, and they’ve ploughed two years into their debut album Yesterday’s Tomorrow, launched on the night in question. Now was the time to show it off, and they did in an exceptionally accomplished and entertaining way.

If an early start to a Friday evening one weekend before the celebrated Swindon Shuffle was risky, especially being Thursdays are usually the favoured live music nights for The Tuppenny, seems the band are risk-takers, as diving straight in with a twelve track album is ambitious.

Generous to a loyal fanbase when the archetypal EP usually appears first, for the same fiver pricetag, but equally generous are the young punks and an assortment of others who’ve gathered to see them, as they applauded their efforts as if a new wave of hysteria was imminent, which it could well be. Though, this is Old Town, the epicentre of Swindon’s nightlife, where they’ve ingeniously adopted road closure blockades to create Swindon-fashioned alfresco dining areas!

Ursa Way played out their album, but unlike the shameless enterprise of a legend, I predict it was the bulk of their repertoire, and that’s acceptable for an upcoming band. More importantly they did it with bells on; the composition tight, the delivery confident. They seemed most comfortable with a melodic pace rather than thrashing it out, but at perkier tunes they still held it harmoniously.

In a roundabout way they confessed many of their songs were sporadic and spontaneous muses rather than poignantly planned thought processes, which was both amusing and honest, perhaps ironic too I figured after listening to the album. But not as amusing as complimenting Swindon, only to then ironically knock it in a song called Shit Town of Swindon!

While not the poetry of Keats, many of their co-written songs rise above the mocking of their hometown, which if only a standout track for its satirical title, others convey more concentrated narratives. There’s a sense of irony throughout though, if Yesterday’s Tomorrow is surely today, the title track is the penultimate one, and depicts a hungover hope of new horizons of a romantic interlude, in a Britpop style.

The album kicks off with Southbound, an evenly-paced contemporary punk-pop attitude sourced from millennial indie bands like Busted and McFly. Though this album flows brilliantly, it’s onto something decidedly more traditional punk two tracks in, then the aforementioned Shit Town of Swindon continues the style, Britpop influences gradually building. This one has to be anthemic in good time, particularly for their Swindonite fanbase.

Chasing the Sun four tunes in really picks up the pace, again with a comment on their hometown, but with optimism riding the narrative; there’s a clever and simple hook equal to the previous one here, proving these boys know how to construct a pop song with energy and enthusiasm.

A ballad, Just a Game follows, balancing the pace, and again proving something, that Ursa Way are no one trick pony. Noah’s Nosey Neighbour takes an almost prog-rock style to Britpop, creativity abound here too, this rocks with surprising substance, and we’re only halfway through this twelve-tracks-strong brilliant debut album.

With adroit contrasts in riffs, mainstream rock influences, perfectly placed hooks and intelligent lyrics, there’s promise in this album that Ursa Way are destined to create something much more memorable, but right now the potential signs are all encompassed in Yesterday’s Tomorrow. It ends with Another, a monstrously clever drifting Britpop tune seemingly about jealousy, dripping with edge and emotion.

They played this album out at The Tuppenny on Friday, reflecting the feeling we’ll be hearing more of this young band in the future, and the gig felt like a groundbreaking moment for them, in respect of that notion.

LinkTree to Ursa Way

I love the Tuppenny, a hospitable tavern with universal appeal. Thursdays are the live music nights usually, but as I said, it’s Swindon Shuffle next weekend, see my recommendations here, I’m certain some were at the Tuppenny!

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I See Orange….And Doll Guts!

There was a time not so long ago when I See Orange was the most exciting new band in Swindon. Their latest offering released at the end of August, a single entitled Doll Guts, truly positions them way above that pedestal and I predict and hope, onto the international market….

Though there’s a nod to the band’s roots in the accompanying picturesque video, in the way of stage show clips from Swindon’s premier venue The Victoria, it’s consolidated with professional storyboard shots of their playfully cute mien, contrasting their macabre component, commonly associated with grunge. It’s an original design identity they’ve manufactured to great success, but never has it been so symbolically recognisable as in this song, and video. The title alone reflects the winsome-dark contrast and their penchant for dolls, and horror, yet that’s only one element which causes me to hail it their greatest song to date, and the next level up.

Doll Guts is perhaps more melodiously memorable than anything I See Orange has put out in the past, the moreish affiliation of pop, without watering down those gorgeous roaring guitar riffs and thumping drums; greater than the chord simplicity of The Cardigans’ Losing My Favourite Game, but equally punchy. Imagine Hole writing the theme of Twin Peaks; this is evocatively fantasised themed, with a singalong chorus, rising and falling like the paragon of classic grunge, yet their own divine spin.

I loved the drive of Mental Rot, the spookiness of Witch, but Doll Guts is the delineation, incorporating all the elements and symbolism of I See Orange’s design and launching them back out there in true colours. You have to love this, everyone in the human race, surely?! You don’t have to be the number one Nirvana fanboy. In fact, while mawkish soft metal turned me away from rock in the late eighties, causing me to miss out on grunge, it has been through local bands like I See Orange, Life in Mono, The Belladonna Treatment and Liddington Hill, which has opened my eyes to its power and worth, so, thanks for that!

I See Orange match with a chemistry every band must envy. Formed in 2022 when frontgirl Giselle, originally a folk-pop singer-songwriter moved here from Mexico, and an impromptu rehearsal session with Cameron and Charlie established potential magic. Inspired by nineties and millennial alt-rock, they add their own unique post-grunge flavour. I have believed it works for sometime now, an accolade burgeoning with pace, seeing them gig in London and beyond, and this song confirms the praise they’re gaining is fully deserved.

JPU Records Link

Find Digital Streams and Downloads HERE

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Didn’t that crazy toothless editor catch them at The Vic in Swindon just last week? And now The Southgate in Devizes? Isn’t that his second home anyway?!

Hold back your keyboard warrior typing fingers from those vicious comment sections, critic, I will attempt to answer these burning questions I falsely imagine straining from your lips, in a short piece about a Sunday gig well worth mentioning…..

Yes, again, it is another article about Talk in Code. It’s either that or I risk playing a brain training game on my phone; it’s Monday, and my brain refuses instruction.

Yes, they’ve been showered with love from us, but being this an opinion based blog, I reserve my right to express my honest opinion; they deserve it! I have succumbed to being a T-shirt embossed “talker,” a more family fashioned classification than fanbase.

If the idiom of enlarged heads implies they have a conceited, exaggerated sense of self-importance due to our consistent splatters of flattery, that’s the biggest untruth you could suggest about them. I only said it in ironic jest; woe is me for my fractured sense of humour; pinch of salt, please!

Whilst their performances are showy, that’s pop; they’re the most down to earth bunch you’ll ever have the pleasure to meet … .especially musicians!! Observe them engaging with their audience, young to old. Observe the attention they attract wherever they happen to play as being a product of their universal brilliance. If they appear excitable about this, it derives from their dedication, motivation, and the deserved positive feedback from their audience, not a two-bit blogger!

So what, yeah I was at the Vic last week for their awesome single launch gig, when I said it was the best I’ve ever seen them play, suggesting perhaps because it was on their home turf. I’m considering taking this back after catching them yesterday, for two reasons, firstly but less important, Swindon is only home to two of them, Snedds is home here in Devizes, or as near as dammit. Secondly, pop grows on you, the more you listen the more the hook catches you, and they have this down to a T, so maybe the level of skill they’ve attained has now become standard as more fans amass; it certainly seemed that way Sunday at the Southgate. They rocked it with professional ease, just as they did the Vic, as they always do, and it was only a Sunday afternoon at Devizes’ answer to the O2 arena. Given the actual O2, I predict they’d rock that one, too!

Matter of fact, I’ve not been down the Gate for what feels like ages, honest, mum! This occasion was purely circumstantial; I was in town to attend the dress rehearsal of an emotionally sobering play at the Wharf. It is fantastically evocative and reflects a sad time for me personally. See the review to understand, and go see the play. I needed cheering up, and being that it ended when the gig was kicking off, I thought I could sit in the back row and scribe some thoughts on my phone with a pint. It didn’t quite work out this way, not for the want of trying, because Talk in Code’s sound is irresistible, and yeah, it cheered me up a treat.

I’ve not been down The Gate recently, what with a summer season of festivals, a family holiday and inflation mugging us all off. But being the Southgate is so insatiably irresistible, friendly, and affordable too by comparison, I slip back into its gorgeous rustic appeal like a glove, anyone would.

I’ve stated numerous times how my honest opinion casts it as the best pub locally, these facts stick more than mud, and perhaps it hasn’t been that long, it only feels like it has! George seemed to remember me as a gullible accessory to doggie biscuit snatching crimes. Autumn drawing in, save me the cosy chair.

All hail Talk in Code and The Southgate too. The first play top class indie-pop within a more humble local scene than following a national pop star and praying you can mortgage your home for a ticket to see. The latter is a cathedral to our humble scene, and lively pub culture too, with a rich history of showcasing local musical talent, one all our writers have been disciples of since day dot.

There’s so many artists still to mention, pinky promises I will, all in good time, but a Talk in Code gig at The Gate, despite catching them only last week, was still too good not to drop into!

Still Alice at The Wharf Theatre Raises Dementia Awareness

Valedictorian graduate of Bates College in Maine, and with a PhD in neuroscience from Harvard, neuroscientist Lisa Genova self-published her debut novel, Still Alice in 2007. Acquired for publishing two years later, Still Alice made The New York Times Best Seller list, was adapted for the stage by Christine Mary Dunford of Chicago’s Lookingglass Theatre Company, and spurred a 2014 movie by Memento Films, winning Julianne Moore an Academy Award. Under the direction of John Winterton, The Wharf Theatre brings this poignant play to Devizes……

It’s lovely to be back at Devizes’ cosy and communal theatre. Ian assigned himself our theatre critic and while his brilliant inside knowledge is gratefully appreciated, I figured I fancy this one, as I have a personal angle on the plot. Alzheimer’s Society suggests “every 3 minutes someone in the UK develops dementia,” therefore I imagine many others will find relevance in it too, and if not, might one day.

We found it amusing at the beginning, my Nan in Dad’s car still wearing her slippers for a party, and other trivial mishaps. But the last time I saw her I was saddened to note she didn’t remember me, as she spoke to me of her “husband,” rather than address him as “grandad.” My children were young and understandably apprehensive about going into the care home. But when they plucked up courage my boy stood before her and she was delighted to be face-to-face with who she assumed was me. Here was the relieving point; I realised she hadn’t forgotten me, she just didn’t recognise me because thirty-plus years was missing from her memory; thank you genetics!

The journey between these two points in time was arduous for her and our family. For her it went from confusion to frustration and onto an immune state of obviousness. Lisa Genova wrote Still Alice in first person narrative from the point of view of Alice, a university professor at the height of her career who is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease; it mirrors what we went through, and sheds a fascinating light onto what my Nan must’ve gone through too.

The play honours the narrative perspective by an ingenious method of a personification of Alice’s psyche. With a dual-Alice on stage, the real Alice, played sublimely by Linda Swann, says what she believes she should say, while her conscious shadowing her, equally delivered with skill by a younger version of Alice, Sophie Kerr, offers the audience an insight into what she is thinking. Just as I suggested, with the lost time of my Nan’s mind, Alice perceives herself as being younger, so this age gap works as her sense of reason, until reason runs short in her mind and her consciousness is reduced to the childlike drawing of pictures.

There are many elements to the happenings in the play which anyone who has experienced a loved one going through Alzheimer’s or dementia will recognise, and tears might trickle. There’s periods of thought-provoking awkward silence, intense confrontation at others, when the confusion turns to frustration. There’s poignant reality and touching scenes as the family come to terms with Alice’s deteriorating mind. There’s thought processes from Alice exposed, causing you to identify with her greater than that of her family; a window into the mindset of anyone suffering with this terrible condition.

Overall, akin to a film like Schindler’s List, this is a play you might not want to face, oh, but you must, and you should.

Still Alice is evoking brilliance, you will leave impelled to discuss the subject further. It raises awareness of this horrifying condition and doesn’t meander from this for any purposes of entertainment. On the impaired particularly, the sentiment is pragmatic, but also in her relationship with her family and their emotions, all poignantly represented and acted with believable precision by John Myles, as the calm under pressure husband, Adam Sturges as the solicitude son, and Kezia Richards as the estranged daughter.

Still Alice raises awareness about Alzheimer’s or dementia in a similar way as Barry Levinson’s Rain Man raised awareness of autism, but only if we could have seen into the mind of Raymond would it be any more comparable. That’s the beauty of theatre, this is a play with the power to change you.

Still Alice runs at The Wharf Theatre, Devizes from September 1st until September 6th 2025, Tickets HERE or at Devizes Books.

World Alzheimer’s Day is Sunday 21st September. You can find more information about local dementia groups at Alzheimer’s Support, and sign up for their Walk to Remember at Wilton House, HERE.

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Recommendations for when Swindon gets Shuffling

Swindon’s annual colossal fundraising event The Shuffle is a testament to local live music, which raises funds for Prospect Hospice. If you’re ever going to spend a weekend in Swindon, believe me, the 11th-14th September is the one…..

An entirely free stroller festival centred in Old Town; saunter the eight venues at your leisure and discover a wealth of talent, mostly ĺocally sourced. Pop some cash in the buckets and help raise some funds as Old Town comes alive with the sound of music!

As usual I’m going to be the judge and jury for this piece, and recommend those who I personally know who will deliver great sets to amaze you. But in no way is it an exhaustive list, for there will be many others and sometimes you have to put your little toe into the waters and find acts unbeknown to you, for the surprise element; an event of exploration! Whatever you do discover you can rest assured, every act is cherrypicked by the Shuffle Team, of Ed Dyer, a promoter who knows his stuff, Jamie Hill of Swindon Link, Kelly Adams, Paul ‘Paj’ Jellings, Avril Jellings, Linda Gulliford, and Paul Gemmill, all equally as aware of what makes Wiltshire rock.

There’s a printed program, online too; I’m working off that. Given the fantasy scenario of having the whole weekend to attend and choose between the huge lineup, here’s how I would tackle the mammoth task of maximising my experience…….

Without further ado, then, Thursday 11th of September belongs to The Tuppenny on Devizes Road, and the Hop, literally a hop across the road. A clash already, 7:15 at the Hop, Bath’s spacey indie outfit Aqaba kick off proceedings, while Swindon soul singer Chloe Hepburn is at the Tuppenny at half past; tricky disco to begin, but Chloe has been on my must-see list for a while!

8pm at the Hop, Sebastain and Me is a deffo, but you’ve only a quarter of an hour to drink up and catch the amazing Joli Soul at the Tuppenny. Again, I would be wearing out the traffic lights or flipping a coin. I’m unaware of all the headliners from there at both fantastic venues, yet the Tuppeny seems more funky soul and jazz while the Hop is indie, so it would be whether I packed my jazz hat or not!

Friday 12th September again is at The Hop, The Vic aptly on Victoria Road, and the Castle on Prospect Hill. Easy picking to begin with, it’s our favourite Marlborough’s goth duo Deadlight Dance, on at 7:15 at the Castle.

In fact, I’d feel inclined to stay at the Castle unless I’m feeling like Dora the Explorer (which is surprisingly common for me!) as after a new one on me, Loophole, the amazing mod/new wave/britop cover band, who’ve just begun recording originals, Static Moves is on at 8:45, followed by Black Hats, new to me but promising something skanking, and SN Dubstation, who as the name suggest is Swindon’s premier contemporary reggae export. The Hop is mostly folk on Friday, the Vic is indie-punk-rock and the Castle is alternative and reggae. If I was to fancy venturing off to The Vic, it would be at 10pm for Viduals, an emerging indie rock band who play it hard!

Saturday 13th then, when reality checks in, for this is the only day I’m likely to be able to make it up to Swindon for realz! You can get a bus from Devizes, you know, they run late now!

All guns blazing, The Tuppenny and the Pulpit rule the daytime, from 2pm until dinnertime, and The Hop, The Castle and the Beehive on Prospect Hill take the evening shift.

The great Jim Blair starts at the Pulpit, a new venue to me, but hey, Chippenham singer-songwriter Harmony Asia plays at 3:15 and that’s simply unmissable in my honest opinion. Oh but oh, I’ve heard so much good stuff about Swindon’s pop star Kate X, who is on at The Tuppenny at 3:30, and seriously recommend her too!

Shedric and David Corringan at the Pulpit are two I’d love to see, and Swindon’s answer to Dylan, the incredible Jol Rose is a must-see at 5:30, but dammit, at the Tuppenny has Emma Doupe at 5pm, followed by the freshest indie-pop fellow I simply must touch base with, Weather at 5:45pm. Ed Dyer, what are you putting me through here, or has Swindon got free cloning booths on every street corner now? We’re a little behind the times in Devizes!!

Saturday evening, and right, and I’ve made my mind up about how to attack this, though it’s always subject to change. Bit of cheese, sir? At the Castle from 7:15 with Calne’s comedy rock band The Real Cheesemakers is tempting, Gromit, but there’s a young Melksham band called Between the Lines on at 7pm at The Hop. I cannot lie, these winners of Take the Stage I wanted to play the Music Awards, for while they weren’t nominated, they should have been and I wanted folk to know why. I’m heading that way and will report on my findings, hopefully bring them to Devizes by hook or by crook!

The Hop continues with lots worth exploring, I’ve heard particularly good electronica things about The Crystal Wolf Project, there at 9:15, and I’ve seen headliners Trunk who will ram the place with devoted fans. But look, The Beehive might be my final Saturday resting place. Dulcet Tones at 8pm, then Bristol’s Hannah-Rose Platt; look, just read my album review HERE and you’ll understand this is without doubt a must. And, double-whammy, she is preceded by one of my all time favourite Swindon bands ever, the dark twisted country of Concrete Prairie. Always a must, especially at the Beehive at 9:30pm; save me a quarter of an inch to squeeze into, somewhere near the Tardis.

After that I’m anyone’s cheap date! Maybe I’d check out the Castle, as it’s downhill and looking like hard rock underfoot with Lucky Number Seven coming the most personally recommended, at 9:30pm and followed by Modern Evils.

Then there’s Sunday 14th September, doesn’t Swindon Shuffle know when to stop?! Wowzers it gets better; The Pulpit, Tuppenny and Beehive are up for your attention. Daytime, 1pm at the Tuppeny for Plummie Racket, stay there for Sienna Wileman and you’ll be glad you did. But pop across to the Pulpit for 2:15 where Devizes is represented by our most excellent blues crooner and kazoo blasting JP Oldfield. I love this guy; Devizes man-hug!

It’s a Chippenham takeover from then at The Pulpit, Mexican Dave I’d recommend at 3pm, but M3G is a must and one of my personal favourite singer-songwriters on the local scene right now. Just prior to M3G though, be very tempted to nip back to the Tuppenny at 3:15 when Richard Wileman and Amy Fry do their thing, and that’s worth its weight in gold.

Across to the Beehive for the finale to what looks like another unforgettable Shuffle, 6pm, Canute’s Plastic Army is unmissable, and so too is Joe Kelly & the Royal Pharmacy at 7:30pm.

No forgoing the fringe events, a Shuffle quiz night at the Beehive on Wednesday 10th, the Shuffle Community Ceilidh with The Cowshed Ceilidh Collective Saturday night at Eastcott Community Centre from 7pm, and open vinyl DJ sessions at The Prospect Hospice Book & Music Shop on Victoria Road, each day midday till 4pm.

Then, you’ve only got to wait until the end of January for the Shuffle’s winter version Swinterfest! Swindon Shuffle is a who’s who of local music, a convention and an institution, a fundraiser like no other, and you won’t even have to navigate the Magic Roundabout, pinky promise!

Info about Swindon Shuffle and full line-up HERE

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The Next Season at Devizes’ Long Street Blues Club

The lawn is still frazzled but the apples and leaves are falling; the weather might not know what season it’s supposed to be running, but all is not lost as we look at what Devizes blues appreciation society, Long Street Blues Club has to entertain us throughout the next season, or three….

Their season doesn’t end until January, actually making it more like half a year, and we’ll find John Otway and Wild Willy Barrett on stage, kicking off the summer season in June, but there’s a lot to get through heading up to that, gigs and a number of specials.

Jon Amor & Friends

Firing on all cylinders for a grand start, doors crash open on Saturday 20th September 2025 when Leonardo Guiliani supports homegrown Hoax member Jon Amor at the Conservative Club. A local legend who needs no introduction to Devizes blues aficionados. You can rest assured Jon will be bringing his trio, drum and bass comrades Jerry Soffe and Tom Gilkes, and an abundance of special guests cherrypicked from his vast circle of legendary friends, including John Baggott, pianist for Portishead and Robert Plant, organist Johnny Henderson, Scott McKeon guitarist for Tom Jones, guitarist Will Edmunds, and Craig Crofton on sax.

What a way to begin, but predictably popular, so early booking is advised. Advance Tickets are £18.00 from usual outlets or book online (online booking fee applies) Tickets £20.00 on the door. The deal is the same for all Long Street Blues gigs at the Conservative Club, unless otherwise stated.

October sees three entirely different gigs. On Saturday the 4th The Dirt Road Band returns, by overwhelming popular demand. The brainchild of guitar legend Steve Walwyn, mainly known as the longest serving guitar player in Dr Feelgood, The Dirt Road Band recruited the services of Ted Duggan, a professional since the 60s, including stints with Badfinger and world techno giants Banco de Gaia, and bassist Horace Panter, better known as a founding member of The Specials.

Saturday 18th October Ben Poole is back. A young act to watch, Ben Poole and his band return to the club after a sensational night in April. Jeff Beck called them “f***ing amazing,” need we say more?!

Rock & Roll Circus

Observing all health and safety regulations, on Friday 31st October Long Street Blues Club members march girl-boy, girl-boy across to the Corn Exchange for a special trip back to the sixties. Unusual to see tribute acts organised by the club, so while it might be a wildcard, it’s not to be trifled at, because a Rock & Roll Circus is promised; the gig that never happened!

The very best tributes to three British rock giants, The Who, The Beatles and The Stones, namely Who’s Next, The Beatles For Sale and The Rollin Stoned, will surely wriggle you down memory lane!

With the aid of authentic stage wear and instruments, Who’s Next recreates a magical point in time in the early 1970s when many believed that The Who were the greatest pop and rock group on Earth. Similarly The Beatles For Sale pride themselves on replicating the Fab 4’s onstage image, sparing no expense with their equipment and outfits, with the ultimate intention to recreate the magic of the Beatles in their sixties heyday.

The Rollin Stoned have toured their affectionate tribute to The Rolling Stones for over 27 years, sharing billing with the likes of Dr John, Status Quo, Suzie Quatro and Jerry Lee Lewis.

Advance Tickets are £30.00 for this great night out, from usual outlets or book online (online booking fee applies) Tickets £35.00 on the door.

Into November, no hanging about, as Last Train Smokin’ pulls into the station to support The Ian Parker Band on Saturday 1st November 2025. Another returning favourite.

Aberdeen’s finest are back on Saturday 22nd November, The Gerry Jablonski Band with support from Firekind.

Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse

Then, an early Christmas present. Yes, it’s a California-Devizes crossover, with favourites Beaux Gris Gris & The Apocalypse at The Corn Exchange on Friday 5th December. Hoax member Robin Davey returns to his hometown with Louisiana born and bred, award-winning vocalist Greta Valenti and their band, and it’s something to behold. I strongly suggest you get in quickly with this one if you wish to start winter in style.

Advance Tickets are £25.00 from usual outlets or book online (online booking fee applies) Tickets £28.00 on the door.

If that doesn’t warm your winter cockles nothing will, but their Christmas party is actually on Saturday 20th December 2025 when the “perfect band for our Xmas party” Dino Baptiste & Night Train appear. A highly energetic London soul and boogie-woogie pianist, Dino Baptiste has a smattering of Ray Charles, and will get the club jumping.

And into the new year we find Oregon harmonica player Curtis Salgado, the man who taught John Belushi the blues while on set at the filming of 1977’s Animal House, team up with European multi award-winning blues harmonica virtuoso Giles Robson.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest blues and soul singers to have emerged in the last fifty years, Curtis Salgado is finally getting the recognition he deserves. Long Street Blues is one of only three dates he is playing.

That’s Saturday 17th January 2026; work off some Quality Street, because the next gig isn’t until Monday 8th June, with John Otway and Wild Willy Barrett on stage. Yet one thing is for sure, Long Street Blues Club are quenching the thirst for blues in Devizes folk, and they usually have a big appetite for it!!

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Black Rat Monday at The British Lion; Not Just For Lions and Rats!

There was a geographical population imbalance this bank holiday Monday in Devizes which risked the entire town conically sloping into the back of Morrisons; no one seemed the slightest concerned! It’s Black Rat Monday at The British Lion, the stuff of Dorothy House fundraising burgers, potent beverages and contemporary folklore….

Recorded here for prosperity, as it’s dubious that other accounts of the event would be recited with much precision when passed through the generations, that once upon a time in ye olde Devizes, natives satirically dubbed their annual street festival ‘Black Rat Monday.’

The name derived from a scrumpy brand popular at a bar run by CAMRA award-winning and stalwart Devizes freehouse, The British Lion. Contractual matters one year caused a breakup between the carnival committee and the pub. Being ‘Black Rat Monday’ was a folk eponym, ergo in the public domain, and the committee likely never appreciated it anyway, The British Lion adopted the name for an occasion of their own making, and the rest is history.

It’s a fable of self-reliance, apolitical empowerment, and mass consumption of scrumpy, though other drink options are available! Leading to a meek event of anti-consumerism, save the Black Rat Monday t-shirt and drink, community-driven subversion, and a crowded beer garden full of merriment, whilst it would seem the elaborate original festival has fallen by the wayside due to arts funding cuts.

This particular year saw the event blossom to bursting point, attracting townsfolk en masse, under the simple premise, it’s now as much of a “Devizes thing” as raking barrels of contraband brandy out of the Crammer or annually lobbing confetti at each other in a peculiar frenzy.

Reasoning why roots to the pub itself, because while other taverns change according to trends, else end up as antique shops or housing estates, the simplest of systematics of The British Lion stand firm, equable and imperishable. And Devizions love ‘gurt’ tradition. If it’s not broken…..

But what helps, and always does, is acquiring the most suitable entertainment; usually locally sourced, not this time, but equally as welcomed. Long-standing and living legend landlord Mike Dearing revealed his heuristic thinking was to provide an act we’ve likely not seen before on our circuit.

For the universal audience the conventional is best, therefore, primarily a function party band, Bristol’s The 789s made a perfect choice. They were lively, proficient, exceptionally accomplished and seemingly pleased to be there. With a vast repertoire spanning every corner of classic singalong pop, they joyfully delivered them all, for sweaty hours, and until Sweet Caroline finalised the cumulation, by which time the crowds were chanting it back to them and dancing on whatever small patch of sun-bleached grass they could suitably fit into.

A punk cover band planned to follow, which duty-bound as Dad’s taxi, I had to miss unfortunately. But The 789’s had roused the audience to a conclusion that there was little doubt anyone could now falter this year’s Black Rat Monday; I’d go out on a limb to suggest it was the best one to date.

There was Parklife, there was Red, Red, Wine, The Proclaimers’ marching song, I’m Gonna Be, and every crowd-pleaser sublimely covered by both male and female vocalists, but only one of them sporting butterfly sunglasses. I don’t want to get all decimal on you after such a strenuous scrumpy surfeit, but The 789’s truly turned it up to ten, at least. For which they were rewarded a gallant cheer of Devizes-fashioned appreciation as they sauntered through the crowds back to the pub, akin to newlywed couple they had undoubtedly performed for many times before!

This respectful display of gratitude, and the whole shebang in general genuinely makes me honoured to document what happens in our lovely, lovely town. For you can bicker on Facebook pages all you want, you can thrash out the rights or wrongdoings of graffiting flags on mini-roundabouts, or pin the blame on someone for a road closure, but Steve Dewar’s brilliant popup youth cafe had kids enjoying a climbing wall on the Green, the sun was shining, and humble folk in the British Lion were laughing and singing, for we all live under that same sun, and that captures the true Devizes spirit, right here in The British, surely?!

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Tidy: Talk in Code at The Vic with Riviera Arcade and Flora Flora

It was only ever supposed to be a single launch gig but it could’ve been for a gold-crested gatefold triple LP, because Talk in Code were larging it last night at their hometown premier venue, Swindon’s Victoria. The crowd was ecstatic and the atmosphere was highly flammable…..strike a light!

If witnessing a great band on their own turf adds a communal elevation to the thrill of seeing them at all, Talk in Code certainly pulled out all the stops, even if the je-ne-sais quoi of these masters of indie-pop perform with sublime quality anywhere they happen to appear.

If this crossing the friend barrier themed quintessential grower, More Than Friends sits perfectly into their eighties vibe discography, we were leaked forthcoming singles might venture somewhere slightly different, but right here, now, at The Vic, Talk in Code was rewarded equal rapturous praise in throwing it out there as they were marching triumphantly through their beloved anthems.

Tunes which, like the best memorable pop, have universal and timeless appeal. At a Talk in Code gig you could mute the sound and still comprehend that the individual takes what they want from their style by observing the diversity of the demographic present. Here, this tight group of musicians evoke memories of everything gorgeous about eighties pop from Ah-Ha to Simple Minds, for me. One generation younger, especially when they backtracked to Oxygen, might wallow in nineties indie, and likewise youth will recognise their own contemporary influences.

If homeliness provides confidence to experiment, we were treated to something I’ve never seen Talk in Code do before; as the band Twix breaked, dynamic Adidas- sponsored frontman Chris Stevens proved he was no one trick pony, and blessed the Vic with an immaculate acoustic number, an original he called We Remain.

If appreciation was a pair of knickers, Talk in Code would have a visible panty line, as devotee “Talkers” in blue sunglasses and merch amassed between Vic regulars, equally relishing their vibrant, danceable and electric hoedown! And all took home a CD embossed goodie bag akin to a toddler’s birthday party, save a slice of squashed sponge cake!

Yet if there’s an honourable family-fashioned ambience surrounding this band, where Talkers would follow them to the four corners of the globe, else create Lego fan-videos or shower them with deserved fondness, the mood for a quality evening was pre-set by two awesome support acts TiC cherrypicked.

Gloucestershire soloist, songwriter and model Flora Flora opened the gig with acoustic splendour. New to me, I’m now keenly following her socials. Not because she took control of my phone from my intoxicated sausage fingers to ensure I did, though she did, but because I’ve since come to realise there’s subsequent levels to her talent than the perfection of her rocking performance last night!

An inspiring Gen Z Swifty wordsmith, crafting evocative songs praised and played by our hero James Threlfall on BBC Introducing. A new one drops on streaming platforms on 29th August but is available now on Bandcamp, Need to Say; it’s far more ethereal than Flora Flora’s edgier performance, and you’ll be foolish not to bookmark it as a favourite; fill your ankle-length boots.

Penultimate act, Bristol-Swindon longstanding five-piece rockers Riviera Arcade, I must confess, I preconceived to be a fair, hard rock band; they certainly came out like one. It only took near to the completion of the first song for me to come to complex reasoning why they’re punching well above that weight. Multi-layered precision with captivating guitar riffs set me contemplating subtle nods to eighties mod or punk, sometimes skanking, but still, it heralded heavier rock. They’ve a 2022 album Gone By Ten on stream, so you can hear what I’m waffling about.

An interesting and certainly unique style which, while I was thinking The Police or Costello, they finalised their set of beguiling originals with an apt and superbly delivered cover of The Stones’ Paint it Black, a perfect summary to their ethos. I returned home as a newfound fan, a bit wobbly on my feet and Notra-Dame bells ringing in my ears fan, but deffo a fan!

Talk in Code was officially on the best form I’ve ever had the pleasure to witness, but it was the combination of acts, venue and atmosphere which famed this fantastic night too; The Vic is renowned for doing so, historically. Owner Darren Simons assured me, though the venue is up for grabs, it’s only going to someone prepared to continue in his shoes, so this flagship to Wiltshire live music should thankfully continue to reign; dodge magic roundabouts and onwards to The Shuffle!

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“Flatpack” at The Rondo Theatre, Larkhall, Bath, March 26th-29th 2025.

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Revealing the Line-Up For The Wiltshire Music Awards 2025

As a result of probably the most productive meeting yet, yesterday, about The Wiltshire Music Awards, we can now reveal the most amazing line-up of local music acts who will be performing between the announcements at our grand ceremony on Saturday 25th October at Devizes Corn Exchange, and a few other points we should mention too…..

Easy bit first for our glitzy and glamorous night, there will be professional sound and lighting provided by Brian Mundy and his team at BSM Stage Tech, and a bar, in which you won’t have to buy me a drink because I’m hosting and I don’t want to slur my words, word my slurs or anything along those silly lines!

It makes us all very proud to announce this wonderful lineup. Devizes own Burn The Midnight Oil will open the evening’s entertainment. They’ve come so far in such a short space of time with their own brand of breezy blues-rock, we’re excited to see them perform.

Our lovable legend George Wilding is a name most of you should know, and he’s coming to play a few songs, of course he is! Award winning Lucas Hardy is coming too. Loved on the Salisbury circuit, Lucas will delight you, for what will be, I believe, his first time playing in Devizes; I could be wrong!

Ben Borrill and Pat Ward, aka Matchbox Mutiny, will be there, the lively Devizes-based duo who never fail to charm. Then there’s Salisbury-based Joylon Dixon and Rachel Sinnetta – a duo who raised the roof off the Three Crowns recently, but I knew it was coming as Rachel’s supreme vocal range and Joylon’s professional accompanying will enthral all.

There’s a champagne supernova trip back to the nineties with The Britpop Boys, renowned for blasting those sing-a-long anthems across the county and beyond.

And here’s our last big secret exposed, Devizes homegrown indie-rock phenomenon Nothing Rhymes With Orange will polish off the evening. They created a storm locally a few years ago as a teen sensation, the likes of which I claimed to be the “Beatlemania of Devizes!” Now studying together at Bristol Uni, their popularity has spread nationwide. Back home they have inspired a new generation to form bands, and we welcome them back delighted.

Make no mistake, all these acts have had a tremendous year, and deserve to be nominated for awards, as are the many other names hiding in our golden envelopes too. Myself, DJ Mark Anthony and possibly a few guest names will be announcing the winners and runners-up, and these wonderful acts will perform just two or three songs each between the announcements; it’s going to be a show!

A show which, we hope, showcases, highlights and celebrates the wealth of musical talent we have here in Wiltshire, in a manner more celebratory than competitive. While many others and not just those performing have high chances of bagging a trophy, by no means is it exhaustive. There are so many others, producing music, promoting, hosting and creating amazing initiatives to fundraise and to teach, we know this, and I intend to highlight as many as I can at the ceremony, because the list is lengthy enough already to cram into one evening, making it comprehensive is a minefield!

The results of the awards was set by public votes and a panel of expert judges, which we genuinely believe to have been a fair system, causing it to be agonising for us to see the entire county trimmed to this much, but if everyone supports this we hope there will be subsequent years of Wiltshire Music Awards to follow. Years in which we will continuously review in order to improve on.

One point, whilst feedback has been overwhelmingly supportive, one niggly raised was tickets. We have to fund this one way or another. We are asking for sponsorships, many have helped and we thank them. In order to make this work, yes, we are asking everyone who wishes to attend, including those nominated, to buy a ticket, of which we have made as reasonably priced as possible. If you have been nominated for an award within our top ten, you are cordially invited to attend, but along with everyone else we do ask you to please purchase a ticket; there is no other expense asked of you other than this.

As much as we would love to see all the winners and runners-up in person, or a representative on your behalf, on the night to be presented with an award, if you cannot make it due to other commitments we understand, and your award will be given to you at a suitable date thereafter. Important point then: You DO NOT need to attend the ceremony to receive the award if you do not wish to, but please consider that we have to fund this, that we have worked hard on getting this off the ground, and would appreciate your support with it. Wiltshire Music Awards has been created by a genuine team dedicated to the local music scene. Allow me to get all Charles & Eddie on your ass at this conjunction, “would I lie to you, baby?!!”

Whoa, back on the positives; thankfully I won’t be singing but the experts will, this is going to be cracking night, one for the history books, and I hope to see you there! Saturday 25th October at Devizes Corn Exchange, tickets HERE.

Wiltshire Music Awards 2025

A Busy Week For Lunch Box Buddy!

It was great to bump into Lunch Box Buddy in Devizes today. Last week was hectic for him; first BBC Wiltshire stopped by his stand in the Brittox, which was busy dishing out free lunches for children during the summer holidays, as is Buddy’s mission. Then came an appearance on Points West, and even Jamie Oliver shared his social media posts…..

Has the media exposure gone to his head?! He modestly agreed with me, that it was nice, “it shows I’m being acknowledged,” he smiled, and continued to help children decide what sandwiches they fancied. And therein lies the magic, there was never a feeling in meeting Buddy that he was here for prestige.

“He’s not doing it for media attention,” Buddy’s mum Emily clarified, “in fact he finds that quite overwhelming. He’s doing it because there’s families who need it, and that’s the reality of it. And if he can help those families to make it a little easier then that’s all he wants to do.”

There were sandwiches with various fillings, crisps, biscuits and fruit, even some toys. Folk gathered, no questions asked, no condescending notions, just a brilliant idea being put into motion by a teenager and his family. I asked Buddy if it was his idea, and how he came up with it.

“It was my idea,” he replied, still handing out apples, “and it originated from seeing some friends who were on free school meals, needing that extra help during the holidays too.”

Buddy and his family began funding it themselves and now it relies on sponsors and private donations. There may be a few charity-led organisations doing similar in other areas, but Buddy is the first person we’ve heard of individually taking this gesture of goodwill on themselves. I asked Buddy, not if he wanted to head a national charity doing this, for we joked he might end up sitting in an office! Rather if he feels he has, or will, inspire others to do likewise in other areas.

“Yeah, I could inspire some people, I hope so,” Buddy told me. “I’m doing it as an individual. I’m here three times a week, every week for the summer holidays, and there’s a thought I could do it at Christmas time.”

“It would be lovely if he did inspire other people,” Emily explained, “but his primary goal is to make sure that anyone who needs food in Devizes has food.”

In these trying times, I forever find myself shocked at rising supermarket prices. Accepted, I cleaned my rose-tinted specs declaring how big Wagon Wheels once were, and how they were ten pence, but this inflation issue is not showing evidence of slowing anytime soon. “Yes,” Emily agreed, “some schools and councils do provide ten pounds for the school holiday, but you cannot buy much for ten pounds, so what Buddy is doing really does make a difference.”

It really does. I left with a lump to the throat, and somewhat lost for words; rare for me, I know!! What a thoroughly decent, philanthropic and selfless way for a fourteen-year-old to spend their summer holiday. What an absolute legend, Buddy! Thank you.

Two things remain: firstly to any family in need, Lunch Box Buddy is outside Haine & Smith, next to Cafe Nero, in Devizes town centre, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, for the duration of the summer holidays, from 11:30-12:30. Follow him HERE for updates, Facebook HERE.

Secondly, to Devizes Town Council; you know I love you all, (wink!) this lad deserves a Civic Award, imho!

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Wither; Debut Single From Butane Skies

Whilst dispersing highly flammable hydrocarbon gases into the atmosphere is not advisory, Butane Skies is a name increasingly exploding on local circuits. The young and aspiring Frome “a little bit emo, a little bit not” four-piece released a debut single Wither last month (while I was on my jollies.) So, even though this mention of it might be belated, it’s worthy of your attention, as I predict Butane Skies is a name you’ll be hearing a lot more of…..

If the name suggests an all-out fireball of frenzied rock you should note it’s taken from a line in the My Chemical Romance song Skylines & Turnstiles, and akin to their emo influence there’s delicate rising and falling sections of emotive outpouring in Wither. With a dystopian themed desperation, perhaps metaphoric, this is intense yet melodic, as exquisitely composed as Evanescence, and as genius as Frank Turner.

There’s an intricate piano, blessing it with a sense of optimism above the emo melancholy of the subtly placed fuzzbox riff and the powerful vox harmonies of a double-Alanis Morissette. I’m thinking I’ve not heard local emo quite as good as this since Life in Mono, but not to typecast within the emo pigeonhole, there’s something more universally indie about them too, Muse-fashion.

Such high accolades deserved, Wither firmly places them on the first runner of the local recording artist ladder, and while an impressive kick start, it’s moreish and patent they’ve more tricks up their sleeves. Butane Skies established themselves in 2022 after school duo Amaya and Ash collaborated at just 14 years old, and bassist Mia and drummer Alex joined. They’ve notched numerous gigs and festivals since Future Sound of Trowbridge at the Pump, and winning Riverbank’s Take The Stage in 2024 with the prize to perform at Minety Music Festival.

Other appearances at Festival on the Farm, Figglefest, Bradford Roots, Corrfest, Chippenham Pride and Sounds at the Ground, and at venues such as The Boathouse, The Neeld, Frome’s Tree House and a number of local stages at Glastonbury sees them Bristol-bound for The Louisiana and Komedia Bath’s Electric Bar soon. They are nominated for our Wiltshire Music Awards, and now top of never-ending must-see list!

Here’s a band with a track you must listen to, but the ambience feels something wonderful is blossoming; Butane Skies are yet to hit their magnum-opus, be there when they do.

LinkTree

Crowned Lightbringer: New EP From Ruby Darbyshire

If I was bowled over backwards by Ruby’s teaser single last week, its title, Crowned Lightbringer, now also belongs to this five-track EP, released today, and as you might guess, you’re in for a treat…..

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

Ruby’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 anyone’s guess. It is, in my humble opinion, an EP which needs to be in everyone’s life.

Vocally it’s faultless too, profoundly as guiding as Nina Simone, as variable and soulful as Billie Holiday; comparisons of such high accolades, I know, I don’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. There’s much to unpick from her beautiful music tapestry here, I’ve only had a quick listen, couldn’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 we’ve mentioned this last week, it’s a metaphoric shanty which depicts perfectly where Ruby’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 don’t flatter, and if you don’t take note more fool yourself. Listen, just, listen!

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Find Out The Winners of Wiltshire Music Awards

Results of the public vote have been put to our expert panel of seven judges in our inaugural Wiltshire Music Awards, and now the judges have decided. I bet you’re wondering who has won and who the runners-up are, aren’t you?

Well, I’m not going to tell you….yet! Ah, clickbait of ye gods; beat that Newsquest (who haven’t even bothered mentioning this crucial local extravaganza, I might add!) Truth is, I don’t know the results any more than you do, as I kindly requested to remain in the dark for the genuine element of surprise on the night, and it’s the night I want to remind you of!! Because, if you want to find out the winners you need to grab yourself a ticket to the presentation ceremony, the Awards Evening on Saturday 25th October at Devizes Corn Exchange; proper job!

There’s table tickets as groups, and single tickets available for our gurt lush Wiltshire Music Awards, the first of its kind. A night of music, celebration, and unforgettable moments. Bring your family, friends, and supporters! We’ve some top local acts confirmed, all performing a song or three, with intervals where I and special guests will be announcing the winners. There’s seventeen categories to get through, wine to drink and partying to be done in honour of all the amazing musical talent we’ve got hiding in our rural county; please, help us to achieve this.

Ticket and info HERE, I look forward to seeing you on the night.

Musicians: please use our top ten to see if you’re nominated, and good luck to all!

REVIEW – The Pump Acoustic Club @ The Lamb, Trowbridge – Friday 8th August 2025

Pump Acoustic Nights Are Back!

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. Several local clubs which once thrived before 2020, never actually opened again – Devizes Folk Club, Corsham’s Acoustic Oak, Bradford Folk Club and Trowbridge’s Village Pump being amongst them. 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. The proper full fat Open Mic nights and Guest Nights seemed to have disappeared from the local scene completely. Some of this was due to the “retirement” of the previous hosts, and some of it (unfortunately) due to the passing of their once-leading lights.

The venue itself, known as the Village Pump, at the rear of Wadworth’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. 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. Audiences have grown, drawn by the inventive programming, and the support for many local up-and-coming new indie bands.

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 August’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-Avon’s Simon Taylor (lately of Water Thieves Trio and Dr. Zebo’s Wheezy Club) and Matt Cook, looks as if it’s hit just the right formula. Both last month’s affair and last night were pretty busy, with most seats taken both upstairs and down. It’s £4 to get in, and £1 for a strip of raffle tickets, so you’re all done and dusted for a great night out for a fiver – what more could you want? Let’s hope that now it’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. See their Facebook page for individual events, but here’s a preview:

Friday 12^th September Andy Skellam

Friday 10^th October Lorikeet

Friday 14^th November Brian Stone & The Masters Of None

Friday 12^th December Dr. Zebo’s Wheezy Club

Swindon Palestine Solidarity Host Summer Fete

Swindon Palestine Solidarity will be hosting a summer fete on Saturday 23rd August, at 12.30pm – 3.30pm. They need volunteers from 11am – 4 pm. at The Broadgreen Community Centre, Salisbury St, Swindon SN1 2AN….

Bring the family to float a boat for Gaza, send a postcard to Gaza, or play ring toss, ball toss, or knock down alley, knocking down injustice one throw at a time! There will be food, Palestinian embroidery, Arabic calligraphy, face painting, and henna. Have a go at tumbling the apartheid wall or on the watermelon shy!

Funds are being raised to send Swindon Palestine Solidarity delegate Liaquth Ali as a volunteer, joining the A thousand Madleens to Gaza flotilla.

In response to the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the ongoing illegal siege imposed by Israel, a historical global initiative – The 1000 Flotilla: Call to break the siege – is being launched to mobilise an unprecedented international civil fleet to challenge the maritime blockade and deliver life-saving aid directly to the besieged people of Gaza.

This initiative calls upon civil society, humanitarian organisations, trade unions, faith-based movements, maritime workers and peace loving individuals from every continent to contribute ships, crews, medical supplies, food and solidarity.

The aim is to assemble a thousand vessels, symbolic of the global unity and determination, to peacefully defy the blockade and demand an immediate end to the collective punishment of over two million Palestinians.

Liaquth Ali said, “I’ve decided to join the flotilla because I believe this could be Gaza’s last chance at survival. If we don’t act boldly and urgently, the suffering will only spread, and the West Bank could be next. I can’t sit back while children are bombed and starved, but I’ve also seen hope, our Swindon community and people across the UK rising with courage and solidarity. The world is waking up. Now is the time for action. Every bit of support matters.”

A recent protest by Doctors Against Genocide said, “We are living through a catastrophe unlike any in history. 90% of Gaza’s population has now reached stage 5 malnutrition, the most severe and deadly level. At this stage many cannot be saved.”

Lynn Boylan Member of the European Parliament said “For me, the deep frustration is that the EU has had ample opportunity to do the right thing and they have failed to do that. They have failed to take a single action against Israel. They have a list of actions that they could do, and they are not doing a single one. I hope that they witness, through this flotilla, through the people power, through the mobilisation of people on the streets, that they are on the wrong side of history. They should implement every single item on that list: no trade with Israel, a two way arms embargo, sanctions on the Israeli government, and upholding the ICC arrest warrants.“

To support this cause and help send the Swindon Palestine Solidarity delegate from Swindon, please join Swindon Palestine Solidarity at the fete. If you would like to volunteer on the day, or have any questions, please contact Swindon Palestine Solidarity on Facebook, Insta @swindonpalestinesolidarity or email info@swindonpalestinesolidarity.org

Stranglers Frontman Hugh Cornwell Coming To Cheese & Grain

Image: John Kisch

Legendary songwriter and original Stranglers frontman Hugh Cornwell has announced a run of UK dates this November, accompanied by special guests The Courettes, and it includes Frome’s Cheese & Grain on Saturday 15th…..

Golden Brown, Strange Little Girl, Always The Sun… sound familiar? All big hits, all great songs, all penned and performed by Hugh Cornwell, the songwriter behind the legendary early eighties punk band The Stranglers.

When future historians of music draw up a list of the movers and shakers who changed the modern musical landscape, Hugh Cornwell’s name will no doubt be amongst them. As a pioneering musician, songwriter and performer, his pervasive influence persists in the record collections of music aficionados, across this spinning globe’s radio waves, and on stages around the world. Hugh’s presence is unquestionable.

As the leader of The Stranglers, Hugh was the main songwriter of all of the band’s most memorable songs across ten stellar albums. After their 1977 debut Rattus Norvegicus, follow-up albums such as No More Heroes and The Raven consolidated Cornwell’s stature as a unique songwriter and musician. His multi-layered lyrics to Golden Brown, from La Folie, remain a songwriting masterclass.

Hugh embarks on his Come And Get Some tour in November, appearing at Frome’s Cheese & Grain on Saturday 15th. A full band show with Stranglers choice cuts and solo delicates, plus support from The Courettes, an explosive group from Denmark and Brazil. With Flavia Couri on vocals and guitar and Martin on drums, they provide the perfect blend of Wall of Sound, Girl Group Heartbreaks, Motown and R&B. Imagine the Ronettes meeting the Ramones at a wild party in the Hitsville echo chamber, that’s the Courettes!

“Cornwell’s still doing things his way and often with striking results,” said Mojo, “Thunderously tribal garage rock… the ex-Strangler not yet gone soft,” Uncut provided.

Kicking off at Epic Studios in Norwich on 6th November, Hugh Cornwell will be playing favourites from his time with The Stranglers as well as a range of solo material, including his 1979 album ‘Nosferatu’ in full. The record saw Cornwell teaming up with Captain Beefheart’s Robert Williams to create a record as gothic as the film it takes its name from.

Throughout November, Cornwell will make stops at beloved venues up and down the country including Hangar 34 in Liverpool, Concorde 2 in Brighton and Islington Assembly in the capital. He’ll be joined on the road by retro-inspired punk rock duo The Courettes, helming from Denmark and Brazil.

Tickets are on sale HERE

Hugh Cornwell UK 2025 Live Dates

6th Nov – Norwich, Epic Studios

7th Nov – Holmfirth, Picturedome

8th Nov – Liverpool, Hangar 34

13th Nov – London, Islington Assembly

14th Nov – Coventry, Warwick Arts Centre

15th Nov – Frome, Cheese and Grain

16th Nov – Brighton, Concorde 2

20th Nov – Glasgow, St Luke’s

21th Nov – Dunfermline, Carnegie Hall

22nd Nov – Newcastle, Digital

Talk in Code Announces New Single; More Than Friends

Atmospherically anthemic and reinforced with that infectious rhythmic groove we’ve come to love Talk in Code for, More Than Friends is chockfull of it, and it’s their latest single, to be released on Friday 22nd August 2025 via Regent Street Records….

Even if you’re accounted for now, happily married and matured like a fine wine, the recollections of a blossoming relationship and the eagerness versus apprehension it provokes will never be pushed down a dark alley of your memory lane; successful or epic fail, they live inside the mind forever, I’m afraid! Frontman, Chris Stevens said of the single, “we’ve all been there, in a situation waiting for the other to make the first move, to validate our feelings, or save face!”

I could tell you a few stories, but will save you the agony! Especially as the earliest would be set in the eighties, about getting hot under the collar over girls in rah-rah skirts, leg warmers and dippy-boppers! But that’s the beauty of this song’s simple premise; if you’re older the irresistible eighties feel to the sound assists you in extracting the emotions needed to savour a memory or two, and you’ll stare back up at your Morten Harket or Kim Wilde poster, should the blu-tac not have dried out, praying they’ll bless you with a cure to your longing!! Billy Joel, you charlatan, it isn’t that easy to tell her about it!

Whereas if you’re younger and, as gen z generally are, far more practical to be praying to Smash Hits pullout posters, you might relate the song’s narrative to a newfound emotion, sharable on TikTok. But the eighties vibe still functions as a mechanism, because, let’s face it, musical innovators of the eighties are the catalysts to contemporary pop. I was careful here not to suggest eighties music was better, though with my rose-tinted specs on, the thought was!

And that’s what makes Talk in Code so universally engaging; it bridges a needed gap between eighties new wave electronica and nineties indie pop. In goes the synths, guitars riffs, the immortal choruses and rousing hooks, and what it exhausts is fresh and pumping, modern yet as timeless as Chris’s Adidas jackets, like someone slipped a rocket between the bum cheeks of Tony Hadley, and whip, zoom he’s top of the download chart faster than you could cry Oasis.

For the reflective mood to the band’s artistry, which this track seems to strengthen, More Than Friends might be considered typical for the band’s direction, but as ever, they are growers, and after a listen or three you’ll find the quintessential is challenged with each new release, because this band are tight, they’re professional, and bounded by great PR, management, and a truly loyal fanbase. A base which will be singing this back to them, in blue sunglasses, at their numerous live performances within the next month!

The single’s launch party is at the Vic, Swindon, on Friday 22nd August. Tickets HERE

Another cracker, Talk in Code. For everyone else, pre-save it HERE!

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Female of the Species Return for the Last Time

“More deadlier than the male” is my usual corny pun for this, but if supergroup Female of the Species returns to Melksham this September, it looks like the last time I’ll be able to use it….

September 2017, when Devizine had merely eight articles published, I previewed a charity fundraising event in Melksham, The Female of the Species, and I’ve loved it and supported it since. A supergroup composed of the frontwomen of various local bands, they were already in their second year, but after ten years they announced this one will be their last….

Julie Moreton from Trowbridge’s ska and reggae covers band Train to Skaville, formed the supergroup Female of the Species with Nicky Davis from Warminster-based The Reason, Glastonbury’s Julia Greenland from Soulville Express, Frome’s Claire Perry from Big Mamma’s Banned, and solo artist Charmaigne Andrews, for an annual fundraiser at the Melksham Assembly Rooms; it became a much-loved institution and has raised over an estimated £25-30K for various local charities chosen annually.

It’s an incredible amount, but Julie revealed she wasn’t sure of the grand total over the combined years. “We’ve never really kept a total of what we’ve raised,” she modestly told me, “we sang a few songs, and someone’s life got a little better is how we think about it.”

Their tenth and final time performing the fundraiser as The Female of the Species will be at The Melksham Assembly Hall on Saturday 13th September 2025, and will be raising for Voices, a Bath-based charity supporting survivors and overcomers of domestic abuse and violence to recover and thrive. Tickets usually sell out quickly, you can grab yours HERE.

And you’ll be glad you did, the accumulation of five talented singers from different bands, coming together for a sizzling melting pot of all pop’s subgenres, from rock, soul and reggae, blended with some filthy banter is something to behold, a whole lot of fun and dancing. There’s always a quality support act too, the likes of Plan of Action, Becky Lawrence and Dylan Smith have all warmed up the audience in previous years, but the girls have called in Laura Jayne, their first ever support act, who has carved out her own career as a vocalist.

With only months to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds or face potential closure due to the building it leased being beyond economical repair, in 2024 Female of the Species raised funds for Trowbridge preschool Rainbow Early Years. 2013 was for Alzheimer’s Support, and previous years they’ve supported Mind, Young Melksham, Wiltshire Air Ambulance, and one very close to our hearts here at Devizine, Carmela’s Stand Up to Muscular Dystrophy.

They received a Civic Award in 2019, a letter from the Queen Consort, and thanks from the Chartered Institute of Fundraising. For a couple of years, with a misinformed council, they made the move to Seend Community Hall, but in 2024 they headlined Melksham’s Christmas light switch on and are now back at the Assembly Hall. Although, where and why did it all begin?

“I started The Female of the Species because I didn’t like the way women were perceived on the local music scene,” Julie Moreton told us. “Out with Train to Skaville, at a couple of local festivals I noticed I was the only female on the stage, so I went into the green room and asked ‘anyone got any girls in the band?’ The reply was, ‘we don’t have girls in our band because they’re unreliable, always gotta find a babysitter!’ At another festival I asked the same question, this time the reply was, ‘we get a few girlie’s in when we want some backing lyrics done!’ It bugged me for about a year, then I decided to do something about it, spoke to my co-founder Julia Greenland, we booked the Civic Hall, without really knowing what we were doing!”

They only ever planned the gig as a one-off in 2014, but went on for ten years. Julie concluded, “the rest is history,” until hilarious force of nature Claire “Big Mamma” Perry had to butt in with her welcomed thoughts too!

“I joined this crazy bunch after their first year of performing,” Claire informed me, “with, I have to admit, some apprehension!!” and continued to explain her reasoning; being “badly burnt” by another woman in a band; I didn’t dare delve deeper!

“But after Jules and Julia convinced me,” she continued, “I thought I’d be mad not to, ‘cos it’ll be fun! I have to say….I’ve never looked back, well, maybe once or twice, to tell the drummer he’s too friggin’ loud, or asleep, or pissed!”

“It’s been hard work every year, to get the time needed to rehearse, as all the band have their own commitments be it musically, or with their own families and lives, but what a privilege it’s been every year to raise not only awareness of our chosen charities, but of course the money that has helped them all, in whatever way they chose to put it to use.”

“I think, if I may speak on behalf of all of us, what being in the Female of the Species has done for us, is to firmly secure the respect, admiration, and amazing friendships we have made amongst us all. Every year, we come out, smiling, (teeth & tits!!) to our trusty, and loyal audiences, professional to a fault, to put on, what we hope- will be a great show…but often hiding, or certainly masking, our own sometimes sad or heartbreaking dilemmas!”

Claire described how every year one of the members had issues in their personal lives, “whether that be, broken hearts, broken limbs!” and here I recollected the year Nicky Davis hobbled out with a broken leg, and stunned the audience standing for her solo, but Claire reflected back three years past, when she lost her mum the night before the show.

“Ten years at the top of our game, we hope we can raise the rafters on this, our big celebration of music, friendship, and helping decent people, working to help others in chronically under funded charities, and get the place bouncing!! For me, it’s been a blast, boosted my confidence and morale, and it’s made me proud of what a bunch of musos from the West can do, when we put our collective skills in the pot. Over the last ten years we have been The Female of the Species band, we have raised somewhere in the region of 30K for some very deserving people. It’s been a slog, it’s been a grin, but most of all…it’s been a pleasure!”

The pleasure has been ours, as we turn the final page, The Female of the Species will become an historical landmark on Wiltshire’s music scene, and I still didn’t get any of their phone numbers. For one last time you’re invited to help them raise the roof of the Melksham Assembly Hall on Saturday 13th September 2025, but you need a ticket from HERE.

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Crowned Lightbringer; New Single From Ruby Darbyshire

Ruby, Ruby, Ruby! So good the Kaiser Chiefs wrote a song about her, or if not, at least brilliant enough to silence the most rowdy venue into an utter state of jawdropping awe! A video of a new tune, a metaphorical sea shanty, Crowned Lightbringer teasing us for a forthcoming EP, is out today…..

A diary jam-packed, gigging across the South West to Scotland and beyond, her natural talent is off the scale, and deservedly gaining attention. With youth on her side, raw determination, and a twinkle in her eye, whatever avenue she might choose to take to get there, everything screams future legend about Ruby Darbyshire. I predicted this from day dot, Crowned Lightbringer confirms.

They whisper, “oh, I’ve not heard her play yet,” and not wishing to present them with a spoiler, I reply, as Ruby tunes up, “just, don’t go anywhere.” Seconds later, another instant Ruby Darbyshire fan has spawned!

For her most treasured song to date, Insomnia, uses the inventively crafted metaphor of a blankie to represent a relatively adult issue, even breaks the solemnity with a comical line, it remains the simple premise of an intelligent childlike product in comparison to Crowned Lightbringer.

A rowing boat in a storm, a race against sea monsters, the lighthouse diverting ships from a bay; this is multi-layered and richer metaphorically than anything we’ve heard from Ruby in the past, and projects a maturing sentiment, with a fleshed, lost character and a sombre, inspiring narrative. The mood is chilled in darkness and euphorically hopeful to be guiding towards light. It’s a sublime voyage of discovery, and overlapping looped harmonies echoing Ruby’s soulful vocal range insists you come aboard.

The tempo mellowed to ghostly, the sentiment interwoven into this rich theme of the implications of maturing; blues, in essence, with silk and steel strings? I’m no expert, but I do know the result is breathtaking, perfection on every level. It feels personal yet outwardly reflecting, and leaves you longing for this forthcoming EP.

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Wiltshire Music Centre Announces First New Season Under New Leadership

Wiltshire Music announces a new season for Autumn Winter: and the first under the new leadership of Daniel Clark, Artistic Director and Sarah Robertson, Executive Director….

Since first opening in 1997, Wiltshire Music Centre has been a musical hub, bringing the best in live performances to the area as well as providing a home for local orchestras, choirs and music groups. The upcoming season will feature returning WMC favourites while also spotlighting exciting new artists and expanding the programme, signalling a fresh direction and commitment to musical discovery.

Audiences can look forward to internationally recognised artists including a first visit to WMC by King’s Place resident ensemble and Southbank Resident Orchestra, Aurora Orchestra (21 Nov) a rare UK appearance by the phenomenal Bill Frisell Trio (22 Nov), classical season opener by Roderick Williams, one of the UK’s most sought after baritones, alongside the Carducci Quartet, (28 Sep) and experimental folk singer-poet Richard Dawson (9 Nov), among others.

Other classical season highlights include celebrated Baroque violinist Rachel Podger performing with Brecon Baroque (8 Oct) and returns to the WMC stage by virtuosic pianist, Jeneba Kanneh-Mason (Sun 26 Oct) and I Fagiolini, who bring their musical storytelling back to the stage with leading local choir, Bath Camerata (13 Dec). The Young Artist Programme supporting the brightest young stars is back with Classic FM 2024 Rising Star and violinist Nathan Amaral (17 Dec) and Syrian-British pianist, Riyad Nicolas (12 Nov), exploring piano works from Bach, Beethoven and the Arab World.

A season of sensational jazz kicks off with Giacomo Smith and an all-star line-up celebrating 100 years of Louis Armstrong (27 Sep), a tribute to Nina Simone by Lady Nade, contemporary jazz and inventive improv from Danish Jazz Awards winners Jasper Hoiby’s 3Elements, and much more. 

Alongside traditional folk offerings of Gypsy, folk inspired music by Budapest Cafe Orchestra (15 Nov) and “world-folk” by Dallahan (31 Oct), the line-up also features contemporary sounds, including spellbinding Welsh triple harpist and vocalist Cerys Hafana (18 Oct), the critically acclaimed duo The Breath (2 Nov), and London folktronica band Tunng (19 Nov).

Families can look forward to CBeebies Musical superhero and Podcast host, Nick Cope and his festive themed show (7 Dec) while earlier in the year, there’s a Halloween special for all the family with The Paper Cinema (1 Nov) and their immersive puppetry and visuals.

Referring to the Centre’s rich history, Daniel Clark says “With these concerts, we have aimed to honour the spirit of musical curiosity so present in those early days, with a diverse programme spanning past, present and future. In our next season, you will find a collection of extraordinary musical experiences, handpicked for our wonderful auditorium and marking the start of our own journeys as stewards of this special venue.”

Daniel Clark joined in January this year, alongside Sarah Robertson. Sarah was previously Director of Communications and Special Projects at Bristol Beacon, leading the marketing and rebranding of the venue’s £132 million transformation. Daniel, with over 25 years in the arts as a Creative Director, composer, and musician, formerly led the Creative Programme at the Story Museum in Oxford.

Highlights:

Aurora Orchestra: one of the most innovative and boundary-breaking ensembles in classical music make their WMC debut performing Mendelssohn’s much-loved “Italian Symphony”, and Prokofiev’s expressive Violin Concerto No 2 with Chloe Hanslip – all performed from memory. (21 Nov 2025)

Bill Frisell Trio: Wiltshire Music Centre welcomes legendary jazz guitarist and composer and his acclaimed trio featuring Thomas Moran on bass and Rudy Royston on drums. This will be just one of a handful of UK performances, that includes the London Jazz Festival. (22 Nov 2025)

Artist Residency: Groundbreaking clarinettist, active educator and composer Giacomo Smith performs a series of concerts: “The 1925” (27 Sep) celebrating 100 years of Louis Armstrong featuring UK’s jazz talents, Joe Webb and Laura Hurd; Giacomo Smith + Wiltshire Youth Jazz Orchestra (12 Oct), a special afternoon of brilliant big band magic with talented young musicians; Giacomo Smith & Mozes Rosenberg “Manouche” (14 Nov), a special quartet project paying homage to Djanjo Reinhardt’s musical legacy.

Penguin Cafe Plays Music from Penguin Cafe Orchestra: The sounds of Music from the cult avant-pop band of the 80s & 90s is played by group founded by Arthur Jeffes, son of the original creator, Simon (18 Nov)

Little Rituals presents Heliocentrics: Special event presented by Bradford on Avon’s coolest coffee shop, Little Rituals: an evening of psychedelic-funk-jazz, audio-visuals, pop- up vinyl shop run by Melksham’s indie record shop, Doubles and cocktails. (29 Nov)

Tickets are now on sale from HERE.

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Announcing The Top Ten Nominees of Wiltshire Music Awards 2025

Yeah, I hear you! An update on our inaugural Wiltshire Music Awards is overdue. So my partner on this monumental project and the guy doing all the work while I take the credit, Eddie Prestidge of Wiltshire Music Events, has taken off his shoes and socks and provided a top ten shortlist for each category….drum roll, and perhaps a generous spray of Febreze!

Excited? I know I am, but then I’m easily excitable. Firstly you should know by now, despite the umpteen “where can I vote” questions still fired online at us daily, that the voting has closed; closed, people; pay attention!

We are now in the process of collating those thoughtful public votes, and handing the top three winners of each and every category to an expert panel of judges either selected for their keen involvement in the Wiltshire music scene, sporting a purple goatie, or both.

We thank those who took the time to cast their votes. We had over 700 votes, proving the music scene of Wiltshire is vast and enjoyed by many, has more talented people than a night out with The Venga Boys, and there’s a few Swifties and generally silly people who didn’t get the memo that this is Wiltshire Music Awards and not the Pennsylvania one….unless you can find me a suitable connection between Wiltshire and Taylor Swift?!

Hey, look, let’s be honest, I’d be happy to hand her an award, perhaps in exchange for her phone number, but we have to keep things in perspective.

On our Facebook group over the past week or so, Eddie has been listing the results, precisely as they were written in the boxes by the voters, so you can see, warts, spelling mistakes, and those spoiled ballots by a minority of silly sausages were included. We’re aware, due to stage names, variations, and the state of the education system, some names appear twice or more, and it’s been a task to collate them.

The thing is, and always was, that the voting boxes should be left blank rather than those annoying drop-down option thingies. While the combined minds of Ed and I is both something to behold, and a virtual encyclopedia of the Wiltshire music scene, we can’t pretend to know everyone, and therefore some of the choices made by you, the voters, we were unaware of. And that’s the beauty and ethos behind these awards, networking foremost. Making the scene competitive is the bottom of our priorities, Wiltshire Music Awards is about recognising and celebrating local talent, and showcasing it.

Personally I reckon anyone with the guts to get out there and entertain Wiltshire folk deserves a big shiny medal of bravery, and perhaps one of those right posh giant Toblerones! There’s a number of artists and bands missing that I’d personally liked to see up there, I guess that’s the way the cookie crumbles.

So, enough of my warbling, cue the Gregory Isaacs song, “Though she isn’t in my top ten, still she is on my chart, Sitting in the back bench still she’s a student of my class,” or not perhaps; political correctness! Here, anyway, is the Top Ten from each category; fill yer boots, no squabbling, and the very best of luck to everyone mentioned below….

Listings are alphabetical. Those eagle-eye Action Men might notice not all categories contain ten; where the final one or two contains multiple entries with the same amount of votes, they’ve been omitted.

Come and help us celebrate the winners and runners up with a star-studded lineup of music, announcements, perhaps even yours truly as host (a polished turd in a tuxedo,) and a special celebrity guest or three, by grabbing some tickets for the grand ceremony at Devizes Corn Exchange on Saturday 25th October.

Best Male Solo Artist

Vince Bell

Giles Halski

Lucas Hardy

Josh Kumra

JP Oldfield

John “Illingworth” Smith

George Wilding

Adam Woodhouse

Best Female Solo Artist

Harmony Asia

Ebony Bell

Chrissy Chapman

Sammi Evans

Ruby Darbyshire

Chloe Hepburn

Rosie Jay

Tamsin Quin

Rachel Sinnetta

Best Originals Band

All Ears Avow

Be Like Will

Burn The Midnight Oil

Dark Prophecy

Deadlight Dance

Cephid

The Jon Amor Trio

Nothing Rhymes With Orange

Talk in Code

Best Covers Band

Be Like Will

The Britpop Boys

Marty’s Fake Family

The Midnight Hour

No Alarms And No Devizes

Pinky & The Slapcats

Static Moves

The Unpredictables

Best Duo

Deadlight Dance

Fly Yeti Fly

Illingworth

Jolyon Dixon & Rachel Sinnetta

Lauren & Hardy

Matchbox Mutiny

Millers Daughter

Rackham

The Sylvertones

Best Rising Star/Newcomer

Sam Bishop

Burn The Midnight Oil

Cephid

Chole Hepburn

Sammi Evans

Fran Daisy

JP Oldfield

Koerie Willsdon

Rosie Jay

Best Tribute Artist/Band

The Bowie Show

BC/DC Breakcover

The Britpop Boys

50 ft Queenie

Mick Jogger & The Stones Experience

Just Elton

Painted Bird

Plastic Fantastic

Rebjorn

Best Music Venue

The Pump, Trowbridge

Qudos, Salisbury

The Royal Oak, Pewsey

Stallards, Trowbridge

The Southgate, Devizes

The Three Crowns, Devizes

The Three Horseshoes, Bradford-on-Avon

The Victoria, Swindon

Best Original Song

The Bitter Mass – I’ll Wrap You

Burn The Midnight Oil – Lock Up

Butane Skies – Innocence

Gaz Brookfield – Hook Village Hall

Lucas Hardy – The Below

Rob Sadler – I Wrote a Country Song

Rosie Jay – I Don’t Give a Damn

Talk in Code – All In

The Vivas – Saint Swithens

Best Vocalist

Amber Coleman

Tom Corneill

Elijah Easton

Lucas Hardy

Chloe Jordan

Rachel Sinnetta

Chris Stevens

Tom Thornton

Best Guitarist

Jon Amor

Nick Beere

Joe Burke

Jolyon Dixon

Andy Hill

Howard Hughes

Jack Lowe

Innes Sibun

Alister Sneddon

Best Bassist

Mark Turner

Nick Gowman

Nick Beere

James Hinsley

Lucianne Worthy

Jerry Soffe

Ed Docherty

Richard Hunt

Thomas Noke

Best Drummer

Dean Creighton

Ed (Solar Bird)

Tom Gilkes

Andy Naish

Jamie O’Sullivan

Thor Porter

Callum Rawlings

Jane Truckle

Best Instrumentalist

Mike Barnett

Nick Beere

Jolyon Dixon

Claire Hopkins

Cailien Hunt

Andrew Hurst

Chris O’Leary

JP Oldfield

Sara Stagg

Wade (from Brakelight)

Best DJ

Paul Alexander

Mark Anthony

Chloe Grist

Guy Griffiths (DJ Bong)

Kevin – (Odstock Radio)

Mark Lister

Maurice Menghini

Andy Saunders

James Threlfall

Lifetime Achievement Award

Jon Amor

Nick Beere

Vince Bell

Jolyon Dixon

Colin Holton

Ruth Jones

Michael Johnson

Pete Lamb

Darren Simons

Talk in Code

Outstanding Contribution to the Wiltshire Music Scene

Jo Baines

Nick Beere

Colin Holton

Ian Hopkins

Tom Mallard

Solstice Sound Music Studio

Talk in Code

The Three Horseshoes

Darren Worrow

Outstanding Contribution to Music in the Community

Jo Baines

Robb Blake

Jemma Brown & Fulltone Orchestra

Saun Dobson & The Three Horseshoes

Ross Gooding

Colin Holton

The Royal Wottonn Bassett Dementia Choir

Talk in Code

West Wilts Radio

Darren Worrow

That’s all folks, save the most important part for you; come and help us celebrate the winners and runners up with a star-studded lineup of music, announcements, perhaps even yours truly as host (a polished turd in a tuxedo,) and a special celebrity guest or three, by grabbing some tickets for the grand ceremony at Devizes Corn Exchange on Saturday 25th October.

To make this as glitzy as we want it to be, you can help us also by sponsoring a category, more information about this and everything else to do with Wiltshire Music Awards, see HERE.

Wiltshire Music Awards 2025

Devizes Rising Star Jess Self in Final for West End Kids

If you’ve seen Jess Self performing at the Wharf Theatre, singing at the FullTone Festival or elsewhere I’m certain you’ll agree with us; Jess has that star quality which lights up the stage…..

At 13 Jess won Vernon Kay’s Talent Nation, studied performing arts at Trowbridge’s Stagecoach and has appeared in many productions including Devizes Music Academy’s Six:Teen, The Railway Children and lead roles in more pantomimes at The Wharf Theatre than I could name!

We’re delighted to hear Jess has made the final seven hopefuls for West End Kids, the UK’s renowned pre-professional company for musical theatre training and elite performance. From hundreds of entries, the final seven young contestants are decided by public vote, to win a scholarship for their training programme.

Jess said, “the first show I ever went to watch was Matilda when I was 9, after the show I said I want to do this’ and I haven’t stopped singing since. This would be a dream come true for me!”

Now, this is where you come in, interactive which we are! Please help Jess reach the dream, vote for her and support local talent. Vote HERE by entering your name, and confirming by email. Voting ends this Sunday, 3rd August, so don’t delay.

We wish you the very best of luck, Jess!

WEK: Star National Singing Competition – Final 7

Devizes Scooter Rally; Best Yet, Ranking Full Stop!

If there’s been hearsay and ballyhoo about the date clash of two major but individually different events in Devizes this week, I hold my hand up for stirring the pot, yet try to attend both and find fair balance. But at the dawning of them, as magical as the FullTone Festival is, it cannot be argued, Devizes Scooter Rally was the success story this weekend…..

My afternoon was spent, Muck & Dundar piña colada in hand, in the magnificence of FullTone’s mighty stage, Vivaldi’s Four Seasons striking out with the acoustics of the gods, in awe at glitter-faced violinist Katy Smith and the orchestra behind.

It is unquestionably a fantastic event. Though Devizine isn’t my employment, neither a public service, it’s a hobby, its opinions driven by the personal preferences of the authors. As much as I pretend to be classically cultured, there’s another gig I’m impelled by preference to explore; Devizes Scooter Rally.

Handbags and gladrags for a cider guzzling retrospective camping adventure on the future site of FullTone, Park Farm. The scope for expansion for FullTone is available here, even if townsfolk accustomed to a freebie from their deckchair on the small green might whinge, at least the date will not clash and Devizions can enjoy both next year, if they so wished. Yet if the clash must remain, my devotion is towards the Rally, because it’s more my cuppa.

I’m standing upfield with the “Colonel” of Devizes Scooter Club Adam Ford and his partner Lauren Gibbs, watching the sun setting across the vast expanse of tents, campers and scooters; neither sure nor fussed over stats, but the site is at least 25% fuller than last year, which was recordbreaking too. They, club members, and volunteers have been here all week, setting up this magnificent spectacle, now feeling the fatigue but maintaining smiles, and the bar staff continue regardless of lost voices and aching feet. The club built the fantastic bar themselves, and once the rally is opened this testament to their conscientiousness never creates a dull moment.

The sound reputation the rally has built, both locally and nationwide has boosted attendance figures, the headlining of Ranking Jnr’s incarnation of The Beat assisted. A bold move to introduce a renowned name, but the Club needs to discuss just how willing they are to expand the rally, the issues it may raise, but in general the consensus seemed to be that in fear of losing the communal and hospitable atmosphere, this year’s Rally might be as large as they are willing to take it. I like this, for the atmosphere is sublimely buzzing, yet it retains a friendly, family vibe.

The spirit of the attendees, or the overall “vibe” is key to its success, and something no matter how much dosh you throw at the mechanics or promotion of an event, you can’t manufacture. It just happens, via the altruism and motivation of the organisers, presenting an affordable occasion welcoming all. The scooterists flock here from every corner of the country, the locals are now keen to come too, because there’s no boundaries or prejudices dividing them. It is also, undoubtedly the nostalgia they all love, a merger of youth cultures of yore, and, for the younger attendees, its influence on today. This, and the certitude ska, reggae, and soul is irresistibly danceable, and for the locals, genres something rarely provided here.

Devizes Scooter Rally is top of its own class. Other largescale rallies have debatably lost their communal atmosphere through their expansion, and those at the lower end of the scale do not pack the same powerful punch. Five bands are booked, there’s lengthy breaks between them filled with the renowned DJ Terry Hendrick, and no one batters an eyelid in botheration. This isn’t exactly a festival even though it might appear so, more a gathering of likeminded, out to party like there’s no tomorrow! They gather to chat, drink and be merry; that’s the motto reflected.

The Butterfly Collective, the penultimate Saturday night act seemed far more polished and diverse than last year, and took us on a grand historic musical journey of covers, relevant yet era-spanning and anthemic. What would finalise the live acts was bubbling the anticipation and excitement of the crowds jamming themselves into the marque.

Two-Tone pioneering bands striving towards chart success in the early eighties attempted it in different ways. The Specials upheld politically-motivated teenage anguish, The Bodysnatchers used their frontgirl for feminist awareness, Madness locked into a carefree fairground sound to appease the youngest, but The Beat achieved it by combining musical styles which would change the nature of pop. Punk, ska, soul and reggae, even Latino influences were not off the cards for The Beat. Though, as seemingly mandatory of the Two-Tone style, an Afro-Caribbean toaster was provided, and his unforgettable name was Ranking Roger.

2019 Ranking Roger sadly passed away aged just 56. We heard a heartwarming homage to him in both speech and song from his son Matthew Murphy, aka Ranking Junior, and though subtle not to sombre the mood, it was emotional. The remaining time was spent absolutely and categorically rocking the crowd with a combination of self-penned songs in the skanking fashion of The Beat yet updated with subtle dancehall and obviously classics from the original lineup when the concentration leaned on his father rather than Dave Wakeling. In so much we weren’t treated to tunes like Can’t Get Used to Losing You, but at the height of the party mood, Mirror in the Bathroom, Full Stop, Hands Off…She’s Mine and an updated Stand Down Margaret did more than suffice.

It was off the scale, a perfect balance of testament to his father and his own progression, akin to Ziggy Marley, a high but deserved accolade. Through his youthfulness was the drive in the show, the same zest and raw energy his father would’ve delivered in his prime, and that was simply delicious, respectful and infectious.

Once the steam had lessened and the night bit in, Terry would supply the other end of the musical difference of contemporary scooterists, Northern Soul. So if the soul dancers were persuaded by genre to hover outside while Ranking Junior’s The Beat took on this timeless extravaganza, the dancefloor was now theirs to show off their fancy moves, and they did!

What a fantastic, peaking blinder on our doorstep, I only hope I’ve done it justice trying to express how bloody marvelous it was, especially the afternoon after the cider I consumed! Devizes Scooter Club, friends and family sure know to throw an unforgettable shindig, and maximum respect to them for the diligence and efforts they put into putting this rally firmly on the map, again. It just gets better each time!

Static Moves Crawling Back With Debut Single

In a way it’s more intriguing when a cover band sends an original song than one already producing originals. For if original bands can sometimes be critical of the desire of pub venues to value cover bands over them, yeah, your average cover band is heeding the call for their bread and butter, but are often equally passionate about music, and turn to recording some of their own wares. And when they do it’s natural to pay homage to the particular style they play in, as guaranteed, that’s their calling and influence…..

Certainly true of Marlborough-based Static Moves, who released a debut single today, full of the retrospective energy they’re celebrated for at live shows. They turned a cold February night at the Three Crowns in Devizes into a volcano, as they regularly warm crowds at a plethora of local venues with a repertoire of welcomed new wave to Britpop covers.

The concern is that the raw energy doesn’t transfer to the recording, but you have no worries here; it’s the dog’s bollocks. Crawl Back, as they’ve called it, belts out an accomplished potential anthem of precisely what they’re loved for on the circuit. A matured and modern indie-rock spliced “Turning Japanese” by the Vapors, with a carefree attitude of the Merton Parkas. It’s got the new wave mod-punk crossover of the early eighties splashed across it like two-tone trousers and Fred Perry T-shirts never went out of fashion. And it didn’t, because you can hear its influence crying out for attention in contemporary indie-rock bands, ergo, the appeal of Crawl Back reaches beyond nostalgic middle-aged to youths today.

With a theme of the tail between your legs sympathy vote, forgiveness is key when you still fancy the wrongdoer, forget the three minute hero, this weighs in at four and a half, and it waits for no man to catch up with it. In a way the length of this whopper is more indicative of modern punk bands, but you cannot help but imagine you’re at a musky gig in 1981, it costs two quid to get in, you’ve only got one and half a packet of fruit Polos to trade with the glue-sniffers hanging outside drinking tins of Tennents!

Static Moves promises more of their, indeed, moreish raw energy captured, and if there’s more in the pipeline, an EP would be welcomed, an album worth would be knockout, because they could, and should, slip this into their covers set and no one would be any the wiser it wasn’t an album track from Modern English or a nineties influenced crew like The Coral or Supergrass; it’s on that level of excellence too, and that’s why they’re all over our local circuit like Dr Martens were in 1981.

Salisbury Musicians Record Fundraising Single in Memory of Thom Belk

A feast of Salisbury musicians have recorded the single Edge of Reason, a powerful tribute to the irreplaceable Thom Belk, a champion of Salisbury’s music scene who sadly passed away at the end of 2023….

“Thom’s passion for local talent lit up this city, and this song is our way of keeping that flame burning bright,” explained Salisbury punkers Lump, organisers and main artists of the single.

You can download the track for £2 from Bandcamp, and every penny goes straight to The Rose Gale Trust & The Thom Belk Community Fund, helping young people in South Wiltshire follow their dreams. Tickets to the Salisbury Victoria Park fundraiser on Saturday August 16th are also available from this link, by Salisbury Live.

Wilton based former Salisbury FC staff member, DJ and chef, Thom Belk passed away in December 2023, aged just 36. A firm supporter of the Salisbury music circuit, and the Salisbury Music Awards.

‘Edge of Reason’ was written, recorded and performed by Lump, with a rap section written and performed by Gavin Roberts (MC Daytripper.) Other vocalists featured on the track are Alex Morgan-Wardrop, Helen Maple, Mr H, Ruth Jones, Matty Priest, Becs Marchant, Cam Walker, Ellie & Emerson andMC Daytripper. The single has fiddle by Wen Archer and Andy Boulton as lead guitarist.

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Devizes Food & Drink Festival Programme of Events Released

Devizes Food & Drink Festival launched their 2025 programme of events today. Running from Saturday 20th to the 28th September, the Box Office opens online and at Devizes Books on August 11th; can you wait that long or is your tummy rumbling already?!

The free Street Food and Artisan Market will take place in the Devizes Market Place on Saturday 20th, opening the festival. There’s tales and food of Greece, cheese & wine tasting, a teddy bear’s picnic, an exploration of the culinary traditions that have bound French and Russian cuisine together, lunch in the Men’s Shed, local nutritionist and personal trainer Matt Fruci, lunch of Indian street food at Indigo Antiques, Polly’s lunch on the Water Gypsy, The great Foodie Quiz, a Wadworth tour, a murder mystery dinner, Come Dine With Us, and lots more.

The festival ends with the usual World Food Day, something I very much enjoyed last year when I got my fill! That’s free entry at the Corn Exchange on Sunday 28th September. 12.30 they say, but get there early as the queue will be huge and so might your appetite!

More info on the events HERE.

Strange Days Festival Brings Brian Blessed and Henge to The Barge on HoneyStreet in September

With your standard festivals two-to-a-penny, some consisting of not much more than a bloke with a guitar in a pub selling undercooked and overpriced hotdogs, folk are hunting for the unique and often quirky exceptions. Accept The Barge at HoneyStreet always goes the extra mile as a fact. With camping and weekly events so good it’s like a little festival there most of the time, and their homemade HoneyFest still looming on our calendar this September one caught both my eyes and ears; it’s not just unique, it’s otherworldly…..

Our legendary and beloved Barge Inn, long considered a nexus for crop circles, cosmic curiosity, and canal-side wonder, will host the inaugural Strange Days Festival, a bold new gathering of curious minds, music, and mystery; intrigued huh?!

And leading the charge into the unknown? They’re truly blessed to have none other than the inimitable Brian Blessed, Britain’s booming-voiced national treasure. As a headline speaker on the Saturday afternoon, Blessed, known for his larger-than-life presence and deep fascination with both earthly and cosmic exploration, not to mention his own real-life cryptid investigations, is surely worth the ticket stub alone. If “Gordon’s alive,” let’s hope he’s not moored at the Barge in September!

“Strange Days Festival is a celebration of the unexplained, rooted in the Fortean tradition: a space where the strange is taken seriously, but not solemnly,” organiser Matt Page of Area 51 explained, and he should know. Area 51 Design provides world-class performances, costumed characters, and cutting edge themed decor to events worldwide, from Glastonbury to the Seychelles.

I had a gander at their Facebook page and was left in awe at their quality bizarre installations, pioneers in this art movement to create feasts for the eyes of festival-goers. But back to Strange Days, indeed.

There’s talks and panels on cryptozoology, folklore, the paranormal and other such shenanigans. This includes legendary underground cartoonist Hunt Emerson, an inspiration to me in my scribbling days of yore, cryptozoologist Richard Freeman, Ian Simmons, editor of Fortean Times, and various other podcasters, artists, authors and researchers.

The festival’s ethos invites attendees to question the world around them, with curiosity, critical thinking, and a sense of cosmic humour. But we’ve only just got started, for when day turns to night, the mystery turns to music. With an electrifying line-up of live bands, DJs and performance art, our interstellar heroes Henge headline.

If you’ve not witnessed their high-energy, intergalactic spectacle before, what planet are you on? I trekked to The Cheese and Grain to investigate them, here’s my take on it, and the bonkers support I mentioned, Paddy Steer is also playing Strange Days. With their message of peace, rave, and galactic unity, Henge are the perfect sonic ambassadors for the spirit of Strange Days.

Plus, naturally, if QTV’s Quentin Smirhes and Comfrey aroused your unnatural senses and turned your head towards social distancing worm helmets during lockdown, you’ll be concerned Sean Reynard will be there, along with Calne’s Real Cheesemakers, with or without their tortoise.

“This isn’t a conspiracy circus or a sci-fi cosplay,” Matt promises. “It’s a space for real inquiry, meaningful discussion, and a very good time. We’re bringing together the serious and the surreal, the cerebral and the celebratory.” Okay I get that, but you know those human fans of Henge will bring the plasma ball hats anyway!!

If aliens are to visit us, this is surely the best weekend to do so. Therefore I’m going above and beyond our usual local network, calling all galactic lifeforms, space cadets and fortean fans, for this, on our doorstep, looks more like a porthole to another world rather than the typical half-baked efforts at a festie!

Strange Days Festival is at The Barge on HoneyStreet from 5th to 7th September 2025. Tickets and info HERE, or at your nearest interstellar space port, located near Alpha Centauri.

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Schools Out For Summer: Here’s Some Things to Do in Wiltshire!

Schools out for summer, yelled a man called Alice, but that was in 1972. We’re about what you can do THIS school summer holiday with those little munchkins; here’s what we’ve found…

Please note as soon as we publish this we’ll be bombarded with events we have missed; at least that’s what usually happens! So, bookmark this article as it will update, as will our event calendar, as soon-(ish) as they come to us! Do not fear, we’ll help you through this period, parents, and prevent you having bored kids and compulsory wine-o’clock!

WC says school hollibobs begin Thursday 24th July and parents are freed on Monday 1st September, but we’ve found stuff from Monday 21st, so let’s get this ball rolling from there…..

Ongoing throughout the summer hols….

Boomerang, Melksham

Kids Activities at Bowood House

Longleat Summer Carnival

Friends of Jesus Children’s Summer Holiday Club @ Southbroom School, Devizes

Mon 21st July

Wed 23rd July

BSO On Your Doorstep Concert @ Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon

Fitzgraham Academy of Dance – Mythos @ The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon

(26th July) The Jungle Book @ Salisbury Playhouse

Fri 25th July

Sat 26th July

Mon 28th July

Tues 29th July

Summer Chocolate Experience (Adult & Child/Teen) @ HollyChocs, Poulshot

Thurs 31st July

Wiltshire & Bath Air Ambulance Teddy Bear’s Picnic @ Semington Base, Trowbridge

Fri 1st August

Kid’s Summer Art Club @ Wiltshire Scrapstore, Lacock

Threads: Clothing, Memory and Identity

Origami Aeroplanes Workshop @ Trowbridge Museum

(-6th Aug) Devising Drama @ Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon

(-8th Aug) PLUK Song-Writing Club @ Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon

(-8th Aug) LEGO Stopframe Animation Workshop @ Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avo

The Most Perilous Comedie of Elizabeth I @ Old Town Bowl, Swindon

Sat 2nd August

Brick Creative Club with Trowbridge Library

The Arc Open Day

Ice Cream & Bubbles Festival

Circus Skills Workshop @ Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon

Friends Summer Tea Party @ Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon

Mon 4th August

Lights Up, Sounds Down – Quiet Opening

Tues 5th August

COOKERY CLASS FOR ADULTS & TEENS WITH COMPLEX NEEDS

Summer Holidays: Autism Friendly Quiet Time

Trio Paradis Family Concert: Planes, Trains & Automobiles

ATBShop Warminster Skate Park Event

Craft Day @ The Shires, Trowbridge

Wed 6th August

Drama Tots @ Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon

Little Piccolos @ Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon

Exhibition On Screen: Vermeer: The Greatest Exhibition

Thurs 7th August

Summer Pirate Cruises From The Wharf, Devizes

COOK TOGETHER (ADULT & CHILD) – ITALIAN FEAST

Kid’s Summer Art Club @ Wiltshire Scrapstore, Lacock

Children’s Tie Dye T-shirt Workshop @ Trowbridge Museum

Rock The Tots Summer Party @ Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon

Fri 8th August

Kid’s Summer Art Club @ Wiltshire Scrapstore, Lacock

Mermaid Dance Party @ Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon

Paddington’s First Concert @ Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon

Sat 9th August

Curious Kids: Under the Sea @ Wiltshire Museum, Devizes

Seend Fete

Story Time @ Trowbridge Library

Swindon & Wiltshire Pride

Tues 12th August

Make your own musical – (14-18’s) with Emily Malcolm

Writing (and performing?) your words – (11-14’s) with Saili Katebe

Wed 13th August

Junk Modelling (ages 5+) @ Trowbridge Museum

Thurs 14th August

Kid’s Summer Art Club @ Wiltshire Scrapstore, Lacock

Balloon Modelling @ The Shires, Trowbridge

Pewsey Moviola at the Bouverie Hall

(-14th-16th Aug) Annie @ The Wyvern Theatre, Swindon

Fri 15th August

Kid’s Summer Art Club @ Wiltshire Scrapstore, Lacock

Fearlessly Taylor @ Town Gardens Bowl Town Gardens, Swindon

Sat 16th August

Colour Rush

Confetti Battle

Sun 17th August

Mon 18th August

Holiday Club at Southbroom St James Academy, Devizes

A Churches Together in Devizes Holiday Club is taking place from Monday the 18th to Friday the 22nd of August at Southbroom St James Acadamy in Nursteed Road. The sessions are from 9.45am to 12.30pm each day, and it’s for children going into school years one to seven in September. Go along and make new friends this summer. There’ll be Bible stories, games, activities, crafts, songs, drame, and much more. There’s a suggested donation of £1 per day. Email devizeschurches.holidayclub@gmail.com for further information and booking details.

(-22nd Aug) Musical in a Week! @ Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon

Tues 19th August

Crafting with Leather @ Wiltshire Scrapstore, Lacock

11+ 2 DAY COOKERY CAMP – AUGUST

Make-up for stage – (11-14’s) with Anna Randall

Wed 20th August

Horrible Histories: Gorgeous Georgians and Vile Victorians @ The Wyvern, Swindon

Thurs 21st August

Kid’s Summer Art Club @ Wiltshire Scrapstore, Lacock

COOK TOGETHER (ADULT & TEEN 14+) – ASIAN FEAST

Comedy writing (and performing?) – (14-18’s) with Angie Belcher

Costume design/making – (11-14’s) with Lottie Bywaters

Fri 22nd August

Meet Stitch & Bluey at Hillworth Park! | Fri 22nd August

Kid’s Summer Art Club @ Wiltshire Scrapstore, Lacock

https://thefarmcookeryschool.co.uk/event/cook-together-adult-child-pastry/

Bat & Moth Evening at Baydons Meadow

Vicky Jackson as Pink

Sat 23rd August

Summer Fete at Devizes Scout Hall

The Last Baguette: Bin Rat at The Corsham Almshouses

In The Night Garden Live@ The Wyvern, Swindon

Sun 24th August

Crofton in Steam – August Steaming weekend

Mon 25th August

Balloon Modelling @ The Shires, Trowbridge

Tues 26th August

4+ SUPERSTARS

7+ SUPERCOOKS

Acting improvisation and creating scenes (14-18’s) with Deepraj Singh

Instruments and DJ’ing – (11-14’s) with Mark Lodge

Wed 27th August

11+ HOLIDAY CLUB

Flowers And Friendship Bracelets – The Ultimate Pop Concert @ The Wyvern, Swindon

Thurs 28th August

COOK TOGETHER (ADULT & CHILD) – SUMMER TREATS

Fri 29th August

Hot Air Balloon Weaving (ages 5+) @ Trowbridge Museum

Sat 30th August

Devizes Carnival Parade

Kennet & Avon Summer Floating Fayre @ the Barge, HoneyStreet

MELKSHAM FOOD & RIVER FESTIVAL

Calne Food Festival

Malmesbury Carnival

West of England Youth Orchestra with Leia Zhu @ Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford-on-Avon

The Amazing Bubble Man

That’s all Folks! Back to school. Parents, breath out and relax!

Devizes Dilemma: FullTone or Scooter Rally?!

Contemplated headlining this “Clash of the Titans,” but that evokes the idea of a dramatic power struggle with fierce consequences rather than proof Devizes can peacefully contain two major events on the same weekend, and, potentially, everyone comes up smiling because they attract different target audiences. But if the practicalities and ethos of both events differ enough for townsfolk to calculate a decision on which they’d prefer to attend, when you think about it there’s also some striking similarities between the two….

Next weekend sees two major Devizes events happening simultaneously, FullTone Festival and Devizes Scooter Rally. Me? My eclectic tastes and desire to impartially cover as much goings-on as possible puts me in a dilemma, but for most it’s a no-brainer which they’d rather go to. FullTone, central in town, celebrates our homegrown orchestra, with classically trained and theatrical musicians and singers. Though it leans towards representing pop too, classical is the root, and you can chill among friends on a deckchair absorbing the magnitude of something akin to Last Night of the Proms, whilst close to both home and some lardy cake!

Whereas The Scooter Rally, out on the Whistley Road, appeases scooter enthusiasts from near and far, though not exclusively, but either usually have a retrospective penchant for soul, reggae, and dancing to it like there’s no tomorrow! If production is slighter here, it’s ample for its needs; technically engineering sound for ska bands with a brass section, keys and all other gubbings can be nearly as challenging as an orchestra, but the Rally has never failed us yet with precision and high quality output. You. Will. Have. A peaky blinder, guaranteed!

Slide and Decide!

On cost, yes, FullTone comes at a price, but as I’ve stated many times before, when you’re held spellbound in the epicentre of that domed stage, captured by its acoustic magnificence, you’ll soon see where the money is spent; on matchless production, coordination, planning and the highest quality performances. The Scooter Rally prides itself on affordability, but somehow doesn’t skip on quality, which is miraculous in itself. There you will feel like part of something really rather communal and will never be left feeling anyone is out to rip you off; similar to FullTone under the premise “you get what you pay for.”

The ambience this creates at the Rally is second to none; drinks prices match the fairness of the ticket stub, camping is included, showers are provided free, and unlike any preconceived notion, mods and skinheads would rather cuddle you than nick your purse!! As an orchestral event it goes without saying, Fulltone also has the hospitality Hagrid would get returning to Hogwarts. Still, the music offering and type of crowd are vastly different, we could suggest by social class, but again, there’s a good mix at both too.

Fulltone Festival 2023 Day Two Image: Gail Foster

So, where’s the other similarities, you ask, or I’d imagine you might, as they sound completely different kettles of fish, agreed.

I’ll tell you the easiest comparisons first, both are in Devizes; yay! Secondly, both are blooming fantastic, worthy of your hard-earned cash. Both are about the same age, and have become stalwart and beloved annual occasions, both locally and further afield. The attraction nationally of both benefit the town financially.

The other major similarity is uniqueness; if there’s nothing else quite like either in Devizes, it’s fair to argue there’s not much quite like either nationwide. Where else would you find an entire magical weekend covering every aspect of the capabilities of a seventy-piece orchestra, theatrical productions and additions catering for a wider demographic? I cannot think of another event anything like FullTone.

Similarly, scooter rallies tend to only come at two ends of the extreme. There’s long established overpriced rallies of glorious magnitude, and then there’s a pub selling undercooked hotdogs for a tenner, with an uninspiring local mod band perpetually playing Wonderwall. Devizes Scooter Rally sits between the two. You might pay the same price as the lower end of the scale, but you’ll receive all the glory of the upper end, and with a hospitable, local feel to it. I’m not making this up. I’ve spoken to folk who travelled up from Cornwall and folk who trekked down from Manchester to attend Devizes Scooter Rally simply because, and I quote “there’s nothing quite like it.”

And “highest quality performances,” did I state about FullTone? This year Devizes Scooter Club has only gone and booked The Beat! Yes, The Beat, the legendary Two-Tone popsters remembered for hits like Mirror in the Bathroom, Hands off She’s Mine, and Can’t Get Used to Losing You. Although Ranking Junior, son of the late Roger Charlery, aka Ranking Roger has settled into the shoes of his father and fronts a reformation of The Beat, it’s a welcomed addition for the Rally to pull in a big name. They are joined by four other bands including Specials and Small Faces tributes, and top northern soul DJs. Devizes Scooter Rally has the space to expand, booking such a renowned headliner suggests they’re willing to take it on.

Meanwhile, FullTone this year has concentrated efforts on exhibiting the orchestra’s projects, which they’ve exported to other towns and cities, such as a homage to Enya’s Watermark album, and Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, rather than introducing local acts outside of the sphere of orchestral music. Although Friday offers a youth showcase and organiser Jemma Brown’s Devizes Music Academy production of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Saturday hosts the Big Sound Choir, and Sunday finds the Gloucestershire Youth Orchestra on stage at 1pm. If FullTone feels a tad more inclusive this year, it doesn’t need nor has the capacity to expand, it is an incredible experience within itself, as it is.

Tickets for FullTone next weekend (25th-27th August) are HERE. For Devizes Scooter Rally, also next weekend (26th-27th July) Facebook message the Devizes Scooter Club, or call 078088 49965.

Not forgoing both The Trowbridge Festival and Swindon’s My Dads Festival are also next weekend and come highly recommended from us. Wiltshire Soul & Blues Club have Owlfest at their secret Lacock location on Sunday, and Tidworth have a freebie festival. And if you cannot make your mind up, or gawd bless you cannot afford any of these, on Friday 25th find The Elvis & Orbison at Devizes Corn Exchange. Saturday sees The Reason at The Three Crowns, Barney Kenny is down The Southgate, there’s an Elton John tribute in Potterne, and Verdi’s La Traviata at Seend Community Hall….but you’d know all this if you checked the Devizine event calendar, and you’d be informed of everything going on!

Clashes over summer months are inevitable, we’ve a busy schedule around here and it is an honour to bring them all to your attention. Yeah, there’s similarities between these two giants, but at the same time, they’re different enough to not affect the sales of each in these trying times, I hope, and whatever you choose it’s better than staying home, crying into a bag of cheap cheesy puffs and watching “Pointless Celebrities;” (there’s a clue in it’s very name!!)

Or am I being too nice and impartial for Devizes with this article?! It’ll never get a Facebook share without some conflict. No, the secret is out, we all know which is the better of the two, “there can be only one;” let the fight to the bitter end commence!

Goodbye to The Beanery but Hollychocs Lives On

Popular award-winning artisan chocolate business Hollychocs has announced that its Beanery Café will close on Saturday 23rd August, marking exactly two years since its opening in Poulshot, near Devizes….

Founded by award-winning chocolatier Holly Garner, Hollychocs has become a much-loved fixture in the local community, known not just for its handcrafted chocolates but for creating a warm, welcoming space for chocolate lovers to connect, indulge and experience the very best chocolate in the Southwest.

“This decision hasn’t come lightly,” said Holly. “Sam and I have poured so much into the café—working long days, championing other small businesses and suppliers and welcoming thousands of people through our doors. The support from our community has meant everything.”

The closure comes amidst rising costs that have impacted many small businesses across the country. “We’ve tried everything—from constantly creating new menu offerings, to introducing special offers,” Holly added. “In the end, the increased labour costs paired with price increases across the board, have made it time to focus our energy on a future that’s sustainable for us, our chocolate, and the people behind it.”

Yet this opens a new chapter for Hollychocs. Although the café will no longer offer drop-in visits, Hollychocs will continue to host a wide range of bookable chocolate experiences from their studio just outside Devizes. These include guided tastings, chocolate-making workshops, and sit-down afternoon teas—already popular with locals and visitors alike.

Hollychocs’ full product range will also remain available for UK-wide delivery and click & collect. She’s just released a Hollychocs version of the viral sensation Dubai Bar and has plans to increase her postbox-friendly chocolate gifts which are an increasingly popular way of sending a thoughtful gift.

They will also be focusing more on Corporate Gifting and Wholesale opportunities both locally and nationally.

“We’re not going anywhere,” Holly assured. “We’re simply shifting focus—putting our efforts into the parts of the business we know can sustain us in the long term.”

The final day of trading at the Beanery Café will take place on Saturday 23rd August, and the team welcomes the community to pop in for one last drink or treat.

“We’d love to see some familiar faces before we close the doors,” said Holly. “We’re so proud of what we’ve built—and incredibly grateful to everyone in Wiltshire who’s supported us on this journey.”

Devizine wishes Holly and the team all the best with progressing this delicious brand. It’s a shame to hear about The Beanery but I believe they’ve made the sensible decision.

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Christmas Greetings From Devizine!

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Right Here, Right Now; Fatboy Slim Tribute at Salisbury Fundraiser

A smidgen fuddled over a tribute to a DJ, but Fatboy Slim is no ordinary DJ, he’s a superstar, constructing hits from samples and remixes, rams Brighton beach and is loved for largin’ it. So, when Salisbury Live and The Sounds of Salisbury radio get together for a live summer extravaganza at the city’s Victoria Park, you might fancy being right there, right then; Victoria Park, Salisbury on Saturday 16th August…..

The extravaganza boasts nine acts across two stages, Norman Cook tribute Fatboy Tim, The Absolute Stone Roses, and Salisbury bands In Colour, Love is Enough, Southbound, Signature Vision and Corellian, with Rob Clamp. There’s a bar, food stalls and stuff for the kids promised.

Tickets available for £10, Under 12s free. The event supports The Rose Gale Trust and the Thom Belk Community Fund.

Park Farm; Mantonfest Came to Devizes!

The first Park Farm Festival happened Saturday, it was fabulouso, and in some way Mantonfest came to Devizes; conveniently for me as I had to unfortunately miss Marlborough’s gem a fortnight ago…..

Weather and festival organisers aren’t besties. Organisers quiveringly check forecasts months prior, usual concern being moisture. Daytime at the inaugural Park Farm Festival just outside Devizes, where they positioned a professional looking stage some distance between where punters took shelter in beer tents and sun-shaded tables, Southwest’s premier Chicago blues replicators, aptly named Chicago 9 blasted a wonderful set to distant onlookers whilst the zone between better resembled an African savanna where no man dare tread from fear of being frazzled!

I suspected many events this weekend subtly suffered from the heatwave despite the prospect favoured over torrential downpours, and one look during the day might suggest placing the stage so far away was an error. But by sunset that area will be filled with a selection of locals particularly from surrounding villages, heavy rock or grunge fans, regular Mantonfest attendees knowledgeable these guys have 25+ years of experience at hosting the most hospitable and welcoming local festival we could namedrop, or perhaps those who ticked more than one of those multiple choices. It was at this point you realised, despite July’s event clashes, a flooding of the festival market, and Park Farm being a first timer, numbers in attendance was averagely high and everyone was up for a good time.

I met with Mantonfest’s organisers some months ago where I was concerned replicating Mantonfest this side of Devizes might have a dubious impact, yet it seemed all was alright on the night, tribute acts are welcomed once the beer flows and Park Farm Festival set a high bar, recreating the friendly atmosphere expected at Mantonfests of yore, where everyone had an amazing day. It now takes me to blow the secret, this intends to return annually and I would seriously consider jotting it onto your calendar.

If Lower Park Farm will be a camping site for freewheeling soul and ska mods and skins in a fortnight, when the Devizes Scooter Club’s celebrated annual rally takes hold, this weekend is dedicated to a range of rock aficionados. Sadly I missed Essex’s finest Jamie Williams & The Roots Collective, welcomed regulars to The Southgate, though, I’m safe in the knowledge these guys know what strings to pull.

Barrelhouse followed Chicago 9, keeping the blues flow with the unique yet highly entertaining hoedown of groovy vintage blues, standard issue at Mantonfest now adored throughout the county.

Double-booked as usual, at this point I took advantage of the free shuttle bus, headed into town to poke my nose into The Three Crowns’ fundraiser, details set to follow. Meanwhile here, Josie & The Radiotones played and I returned for sixties heroes The Swinging Blue Jeans.

Seen these before, legendary rock n rollers who make universally entertaining a crowd look like childsplay, blasting their timeless hits and others which influenced them, as even the younger dared to dance under the beating sun.

Legends ticked it was time for the evening’s tributes, and judging the amount of Nirvana t-shirts against those of AC-DC ones was tight. A sudden quantum leap forward three decades and Nirvana UK did the most accomplished task of recreating those pioneers of grunge, loudly and proudly. Yet if you came here for authenticity in a tribute, AC/DC.UK might’ve thrown contemporary sound engineers with their usage of original eighties amps, but they sublimely recreated the heavy metal sound of the period and knocked it out of Park Farm!

Personally, heavy metal was never my bag, and through Swindon’s modern grunge scene, bands like I See Orange, The Belladonna Treatment and Liddington Hill have turned my head onto something I also sorely missed in the ravey nineties. Therefore my preference lay in Nirvana UK rather than the headliner, but judging on doing what it says on the tin, AC/DC.UK absolutely rocked that finale.

Yet the whole shebang must be hailed as putting this inguinal festival on the map for following years. For anyone who winces at the price tag, it’s standard in this era of hyperinflation, blame a government not organisers, and know, just like big sister Mantonfest, you’ll see where your money was spent if you attend; quality tried and tested acts, the highest quality production and nice touches like clean toilets and the shuttle bus.

For Grist and his team, financial risk is a thing in any competitive market and it can be surprising how narrow festivals can be; it’s a five-year plan minimal where research is crucial, and the reward is you’ve created enjoyment. Hats off to them, for this was an amazing beginning.

Pitstop at Air Ambulance Fundraising Mini-festival at The Three Crowns Devizes

Rude to walk into an event sporting another event wristband but the welcome was friendly as ever at the Three Crowns in Devizes. It’s mid-afternoon, Park Farm Festival‘s shuttle bus took me into town, cheekily I used it to poke my nose into the Air Ambulance fundraiser here, their first real multi-act day, I believe, save perhaps my 50th birthday, which if you remember any details of, you could always fill me in!

It was a necessity, if only to see Ruby Darbyshire, as it’s been a while, not a long while, but long enough for me. First time playing the venue and she went down a storm, unsurprisingly. Such a rich, natural talent, vocals made from silk, expressive and forever a joy to listen to; be they either covers, a Portishead one being a particularly breathtaking one, or her intelligently constructed originals, of which she dropped a couple of new ones I’m eager to review here in good time.

There were hugs all round upon my entrance; Ben Borrill and Pat Ward finished a set as Matchbox Mutiny, a shame to miss, because those gorgeously talented guys pull a crowd and hold them. At the moment I did arrive I was delighted to catch Rachel Sinnetta & Jolyon Dixon doing their thing with Andy Fellows accompanying on guitar, as it’s always impressive and highly entertaining. It was a stellar lineup with cupcakes, lollipops, children’s face-painting, and tried and tested acts at the Three Crowns, save Ruby, who I’m assured would be welcomed back.

Rumour was Devizes Male Choir was intending to do a flash mob bit between Ruby and the grand finale, the ever lively Funked-Up. Unsure if this happened, as unfortunately, I was duty bound to return to Park Festival, but you can rest assured Funked-Up got the crowds dancing the night away. I wish I could’ve stayed.

The spirit of The Three Crowns remains toppermost in town; the go-to pub in Devizes for a good night, an unpretentious, friendly atmosphere with the widest age demographic which never clashes. It’s trouble-free fun, it’s live music program set to enthral, and not forgetting gourmet burgers; it’s an all-round winner on any night, but more of this all-day stuff, please kind sir!

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 it’s a must…….

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 John’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 it’s a breathtaking ride, a tapestry of Anglo-Celtic folklore, sacred texts, sonic binaries of modern digital synthesis and Ann Liu’s classic singer-songwriter roots. “I am the rabbit that knows how to kill the hill, and I have only just begun,” she expressed.

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 we’re halfway through these ten uplifting masterpieces with a bittersweet psychedelic swirl called Tangle.

No You Don’t is acoustic blues with a hint of lounge jazz, as gorgeous as the ultimate Norah Jones song. Another tune in, and rather I’m now pitching this alongside Joni Mitchell; it’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 isn’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 “clever rabbits need three burrows,” 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.

This isn’t an album for streaming. This is a take my money album. The attention to detail is divine. The unedited recordings’ background goings-on authentically puts you in the room. In promoting it, Ann Lui revealed the backstory. “When I was ten,” she explained, “my 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.”

“In 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 people’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.”

A launch for Clever Rabbits is at London’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.

LinkTree Website

Striking Photographic Portrait Exhibition Celebrates Five Years of Impactful Creative Work with Older People at Wiltshire Music Centre

If you’ve popped into Wiltshire Music Centre recently; for a concert, workshop, screening or even a meeting, you might have noticed changes in the foyer: recorded music, the cafe-bar open at peak times during the day, and currently, a striking photographic exhibition of black and white portraits…..

The ‘Men in Conversation’ exhibition presents portraits of members of the Trowbridge Creative Conversations Men’s Group, a creative arts and heritage group for men aged 65+ held in Trowbridge Library. Facilitated by professional artist practitioners, Creative Conversations sessions bring together isolated older people to share their experiences and creative ideas in a friendly and welcoming environment. So, when Stuart Brook, one of the members of the Trowbridge men’s group shared his interest in photography, it wasn’t surprising that it inspired the participants to take portraits of each other. The results were so impactful, uplifting and moving, that they’re now on display at Wiltshire Music Centre until the end of July, before moving to Trowbridge Library, all made possible by funding from The Trowbridge Town Trust.

The free-to-visit exhibition contributed to a Celebration event, marking the impact of the Celebrating Age Wiltshire partnership from 2020-2025. The event, attended by partners, funders, artists and community champions, showcased some of the many outcomes achieved through this project, funded by the National Lottery Reaching Communities Fund. Artworks, as well as the exhibition included songs, spoken word, and art and heritage pieces, introduced by Creative Producer, Rebecca Seymour.

It was an opportunity for Wiltshire Music Centre to thank everyone that has contributed to this project to this point, including funders, The National Lottery Reaching Communities Fund, Wiltshire Council Area Boards, Town Councils, Wiltshire Community Foundation, Arts Council England and other Trusts and Foundations. Partners, Pound Arts, Wiltshire Creative, Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre, AgeUK, Wiltshire Council and Libraries and Community First, Creative Producer Rebecca Seymour and our staff team, volunteers, community champions and community organisations past and present, and, of course, the sixty-five artists!

In August, Wiltshire Music Centre will hand over the leadership of this award-winning, county wide project to AgeUK Wiltshire, who will continue to reach isolated older people through creative arts and heritage events and workshop groups. We look forward to continuing to partner in this incredible project, as it continues to grow.

More Information HERE

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Henry Aldridge and Son to Move Into Devizes Old Town Hall

Family run premier auctioneers of antiques and collector’s items, Henry Aldridge and Son announced a move into The Old Town Hall on Wine Street, Devizes; a move which will see them return to their roots…..

Alan Aldridge started Henry Aldridge and Son from the first floor of The Old Town Hall thirty-five years ago. They’re delighted to be coming home having completed the freehold purchase of the property. “It means so much to us as a family,” Chrissie Aldridge told us.

“The Old Town Hall, a stunning Grade II* neoclassical property will serve as the principal location for the collation of our Titanic, Liner and iconic memorabilia auctions. We will also host weekly free valuation days on Thursday market days.”

“The first stage of our move will take place next month with our main operation relocating to the Old Emporium in October.”

Henry Aldridge and Son host free valuations in Devizes every Friday with their Head of Valuations, TV’s Paul Martin. Paul, who hosted BBC’s Flog It for nearly twenty years is available to cast his expert eye over your prize possessions.

The Old Town Hall dates to 1752, first commissioned as a market hall, the ground floor was the town’s cheese market. By 1785 the first floor was an arsenal for the Royal Wiltshire Militia, and has also been the mess hall of the Devizes Loyal Volunteers, and a Sunday school.

Why is it called Wine Street? By 1836 the building was leased for commercial use, acquired by wine merchants, Messrs Cunnington, who used the basement and the vaults below for storage. The building has also been the museum, library and reading rooms of the literary and scientific institution. But many will remember its use by TSB, Hen House and the Wine Street Gallery.

“Much Ado About Nothing” at Cleeve House, Seend, July 7th-12th 2025.

By Ian Diddams
Images by Ian Diddams and Shakespeare Live

Is it post watershed? Then I shall begin… The etymology of the word “Nothing” is quite… interesting… aside from meaning “zero” such as is today, historically it has had other meanings and pronunciations including “noting,” the writing down of musical notes… and in Shakespeare’s era it had another totally different meaning, that being a slang term for female genitalia. So, with this in mind, Will’s comedy about the pursuit of female companionship and the alleged capriciousness of the distaff members of the human species, “Much Ado About Nothing” takes on a somewhat slightly different nuance …

Trawling the web for relative popularity of Shakespeare’s plays holds few surprises with regards which gets performed the most etc. Unsurprisingly maybe “Romeo & Juliet”, “Macbeth” and “Midsummer Night’s Dream” feature highest (google is your friend here), and that trend continues with other “obvious” plays until we reach number seven in the list and “Much Ado About Nothing”, his tale of marital pursuit, deceit, jealousy and spurned love that all comes good in the end. The plot of such a Shakespeare standard needs no explanation here and YouTube can easily fill in the blanks for you, and so we move onto the beautiful background of Cleeve House, Seend, for this week’s performances by “Shakespeare Live.”

Directed by Gill Morell, her vision has set the play in pre–English Civil war times where tensions were rising and families’ split along royalist and parliamentarian lines. This is wonderfully portrayed here with the family’s soldier’s clearly cavaliers, with the opposing Don John and his entourage as parliamentarians. This is perfectly and simply set by some sumptuous costumes revelling in the brightness and pageantry of the Royalists, and the simplistic, wide collared black clothing of the Roundheads. The physical setting is regal too – with Cleeve House as a backdrop to the stage area we feel we really could be back in time, including use of the house’s own windows for the bedroom scene.

The entire play of course is premised on spying and eavesdropping – some for comedic value of course as both Beatrice and Benedick are spoon fed falsehoods as they eavesdrop on the knowing conspirators, but also surreptitious spying in the bedroom scene which in itself is a subterfuge akin to the likes of “Operation Mincemeat”. After all, the first casualty of war is truth.

There are three basic groups of characters in Much Ado – the family, the soldiers, the villagers. The family is portrayed by Alison Paine as a strong Leonata, the matriarch, Jeremy Reece as her brother, Antonio, Sarah Horrex superb as Hero, Leonata’s daughter, the wonderfully tempestuous and feisty niece Beatrice by Phobe Fung, and Kerensa McCondach as Margaret the gentlewoman and erstwhile friend to Hero.

The soldiers are more than well provided by Laurie Parnell as Don Pedro the prince, Peter Emuss as lovestruck Claudio, Oli Beech as Claudio’s best friend and Beatrice’s sparring partner and love-hate interest, Adam Sturges as Balthasar and Napoleon as the sneaky, jealous and conniving Don John, aided and abetted in his fifth column activities by Roger Hames as Borachio and Lucy Perry as Conrad.

That just leaves the villagers made up of the unflappable Simon Reeves as the equally unflappable Father Francis, and of course, the best part of the show (personal opinion here! ) the Watch consisting of Paul Batson as Dogberry, Graham Paton as Verges, Penny Clegg as Seacole, Caroline Emuss as Pyke, and David Morrell as Oatcake,

Tech is provided by the ever resourceful Rich Carter, Alex Latham and Ellen Read, the previously mentioned wonderful costumes by Hermione Skrine, Caren Felton, Helen Holliday and Ellen Williamson, Music by Laurie Parnell. This was all kept running smoothly by the dream team of stage management James Dennis and Connor Palmer.

The play finishes with all loose ends neatly tied up and for those that don’t know the plot, no particular spoilers here though following a brief discourse at the eventual wedding scene I was reminded that as Tina Turner once sang… “We Don’t Need another Hero“

This is a well delivered rendition of Much Ado in a stunning setting – it really doesn’t get any better than this. The show runs all week until July 12^th, including a Saturday matinee, and tickets are available from https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/shakespearelive

Live in Pewsey, at the First Oak-Fest

Amidst another packed summer weekend’s schedule laid that lovable large village Pewsey’s turn to shine; always a law unto itself, things went off; if it’s good enough for King Alfred…..

The Royal Oak has filled a gap, hosting quality regular music nights under the production of Wiltshire Music Events, but this Saturday was the true test, transforming it into an inaugural carpark-festival, an icing on an already delicious lardy cake, though equally a learning curve.

Programming by Eddie Prestidge, so passionate about spreading word of musicians south of the county, inevitably overbooks, as is his desire to showcase as many as feasible. He called me Friday, delightedly informing me George Wilding was added to the already jammed schedule; but how will he fit him in?!

Thinking big; quality stage production, security, generous VIP hospitality, two food outlets, and hopeful punters would flood the site. The latter being the only dubious thing about the event. All the right ingredients there, comparable, the price reasonable, certainly got your money’s worth, but to debate only a sprinkling were attracted is opening a Pandora’s box to a general plight of austerity, flooding the festival market, or a combination of the two; every man and his dog are putting them on and there’s only so many individuals can reasonably attend.

Therefore, established festivals may well appeal over the risk of testing a new one, but I was assured here, as I suggested you should be too; Wiltshire Music Events has hosted many great ones in various locations; your money goes on production and ensuring musicians are paid their fair share, something sadly overlooked by other organisers. CrownFest and Salisbury Market Place were the most memorable, plus, whenever The Marley Experience is in the area that’s where I’m gonna be, sir!

A win-win for me, who was due to attend the fantastic Minety but work and family commitments shadowed this; possibly an argument supporting pub mini-festivals over larger established festivals. Convenience for the middle-aged wrought with unpredictable employment culture or family commitments, above the intense arrangements necessary for a three-day camping extravaganza, such as the beautiful Minety. The mini-festival goer can be spontaneous; it’s Saturday, my only day off, sleeping in a tent is for younger nutters. I’ve been otherwise occupied on recent weekends, so, like Peter Pan in spirit but not in body, I’m determined to make up for it this weekend!

There I be, Pewsey, dammit, in an apt Bob Marley tee, watching the grand finale ignoring the timetable; Bird is The Word captured the moment on camera! The Marley Experience professionally captivated and caused the slight crowd to appear larger, with their infectious and irresistible homage to Bob Marley & The Wailers; a matchless show, the band tight, expressive and clearly adoring the limelight of what a decade of dedication has perfected into a sublime tribute act.

But there was magic in the air prior, which opened with Pewsey-own The Little Big Band, and was followed by Rosie Jay and Leon Daye, all of which, due to aforementioned commitments, I missed; and I love Rosie Jay. Though her last single we reviewed was a duet with Salisbury’s award-winning newcomer Lucas Hardy, and on that ground alone I was delighted to catch the end of his superb set. With George Wilding penultimately added, I saw a similarity in Lucas to George’s early years, a natural and unpretentious talent who can engage an audience with a guitar and smile.

Returning from cruising tours, George Wilding doesn’t plan, doesn’t need to, he just charms as usual; if he’s an interactive human jukebox, he’s one of those polished decorative American ones from the fifties. Shout your requests, George knows it, or will give it a try, make it his own, and you’ll love him for it, you won’t be able to help yourself!

Between those two, then, a basic four-piece setup from Andover with a repertoire of rock classic covers sprinkled with a folk tinge, called The Tipsy Gypsies. Their music commanded I’d come to the right place. The premise sounds simple, the effect was far from it. They owned the stage with accomplished showmanship, stylised renditions, and a barrelful of fun.

Gypsies tipsy perfect for what would follow, a Somerset Pogues tribute known as The Phogues. Now things were going to really liven up, as, warts, a spilled round of whiskey shots, and all, were divinely caricatured. The Pogues uniquely blended Irish folk with punk, others mimicked it, overshadowing the blueprint. When Phogues return to the originators, you recall why it was copied aplenty; a stern yet fun reminder to the heyday of Shane and band’s drunken skullduggery, and the music which somehow spawned from it!

Despite being off-season, they told me they had to do “that song,” and I supposed they did. So, between Streams of Whiskey, Fiesta, Sickbed of Cuchulainn and just about every favourite Pouges song of mine, they drafted in the assistance of unsuspecting Claire Grist, singer and self-proclaimed “right tit” of Bird is the Word music promotion, to be Kirsty MacColl, and who made a good job of it. Was their female vocalist absent? No, it’s a gimmick to invite anyone from the audience to take the position, they explained to me, but hey, they didn’t need gimmicks, they did a fine job of bellowing out the beloved Pogues songs far sober than the originals ever did.

Time for a change of direction, as local indie-pop favourites Talk in Code rocked up for a lengthy set of eighties-inspired synth-rock bombs, ate complimentary curry, and lit up the stage with their electric presence. If you’ve come to an event expecting cover bands, Talk in Code don’t go there, but their infectious originals cause you to wonder if you’ve heard them before, on some Now, That’s What I Call Music compilation album from 1986. Here’s the lads in perfect sync, jumping, flaunting their perfection, as ever, doing what they love and engaging any audience from roughneck boater to FullTone Festival punter; they never fail to obtain admiration.

Time pushing on, George Wilding entertained while The Marley Experience prepared, and did their amazing thing, exploding the finale with irresistible reggae vibes. Oak Festival, Pewsey Live, or whatchamacallit, could’ve been more affordable, by skipping on some of the magic, but they chose to showcase the lot, that paid off to those there, but I suspect, as videos and images emerge, folk not there will be wondering how and why they missed it. They could have overplayed their social media promotion, and a striking poster might’ve been advantageous, yet I believe there’s a delicate balance which sees one event sellout and another left threadbare, and it’s debatable what causes this. For what it’s worth, I’ve seen lesser attended first time festivals, much less, and the slight crowd’s merriments made for a population tenfold from the reality!

There was a kebab van, but the delicious waft of curry from a stand, by Tale of Spice on Pewsey’s North Street, twisted my arm. There was little in alternative entertainment, insufficient pub loos, but with concentration on the lineup, this was a welcoming, fun and lively occasion, a showcase of Wiltshire Music Events’ quality and varied artists, and petty issues one can shrug off uncaringly when the vibe is this alive.

Pewsey rocked into the cooling night, possibly later than planned, but no one whined on social media, because this is Pewsey, not Devizes; a carnival village where rather than rant you cannot hear your pin drop, you get your slippers on and join in!

Trending….

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Free Charity Fundraising Festival at The Three Crowns Devizes

With the Three Crowns being the liveliest pub in Devizes for some years now with live music every weekend and the Brewery Shop as a new neighbour, it seems sensible to upgrade the idea to a free Wadworth mini fundraising festival ….yay!

On Saturday 12th July The Three Crowns will pull all stocks out, with a free mini-festival supporting Wiltshire Air Ambulance and Julia’s House. Wadworth has a beer tasting table, Chirton School is doing a cake sale, and they promise other stalls. The music starts at 11am with a children’s disco and face painting until 1pm.

The best tried and tested locally sourced music lineup includes Matchbox Mutiny, who starts the music proceedings at 2pm, followed by Jolyon Dixon and Rachel Sinnetta at 3:15pm. Ruby Darbyshire at 4:15pm. Headliners Funked Up at 7pm.

Agreed, there’s a gap between Ruby and Funked Up – maybe there’s something they’ve forgotten to tell me, maybe it’s a surprise, or maybe it’ll be time to grab one of their fantastic gourmet burgers?!

REVIEW – White Horse Opera’s Cosi Fan Tutte @ Assembly Rooms – Saturday 21st June 2025

Another Triumph for WHO

Andy Fawthrop

Following the excellent recent production of La Belle Helene at Devizes’ Wharf Theatre back in March (see here), White Horse Opera (WHO) have triumphed yet again by bringing their production of Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte to D-Town.

Così fan tutte is an opera buffa in two acts by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. It was first performed on 26 January 1790 at the Burgtheater in Vienna, Austria. The libretto was written by Lorenzo Da Ponte (who also wrote Le Nozze di Figaro and Don Giovanni). Così fan tutte, literally means “So do they all”, using the feminine plural (tutte) to indicate women. It is usually translated into English as “women are like that”. We’ll get to that in a minute.

Mozart and Da Ponte used the idea of “fiancée swapping”, which is a recurring theme dating back to at least the 13th century; notable earlier versions are found in Boccaccio’s Decameron, and Shakespeare’s play Cymbeline. Elements from Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice and The Taming of the Shrew are also present. Whilst it’s likely that nowadays we’d see such an idea as somewhat “problematical”, in opera terms such unacceptable behaviour is seen merely as a comic problem to be resolved with a neat and happy ending.

So it was that White Horse Opera (WHO) brought this sparkling jewel to life last night in the elegant surroundings of the Assembly Room in the Town Hall. Unlike many operas requiring a large cast, chorus and orchestra, Cosi Fan Tutte can be played with only six singers and a pianist, and this made it a perfect piece to transport into a smaller, intimate atmosphere. Using a simple backdrop, a few screens and virtually no props, the production was allowed to breathe. The spoken dialog and the songs (all in English) were straightforward and easy to follow, allowing the comedy to shine through (although there was a helpful synopsis in the programme too). This minimalist approach, thanks to Lewis Cowen’s staging, and Roland Melia’s musical direction, kept it all as light as a feather.

All six singers excelled in their roles, and it would be invidious to single any one of them out. Seriously – they were all on cracking form. The solos, duets and ensemble pieces were all well-delivered, glittering like jewels in a crown. And the “seventh” member of the cast, pianist Tony James, who was on-stage throughout every scene in this two-act production, provided exactly the right supportive, yet under-stated, musical platform for the singers to really shine.

I loved this production – it was a chance to get up close to the stage and the mechanics of the performances, and to chat with the performers during the interval and afterwards. It was as far as it was possible to be from the “grand idea” of opera – i.e. a big cast production in a large gilded opera house with all the social trimmings and conventions. It proved, if proof be needed, that such a stripped-back delivery can provide all of the good things about opera, but without the concomitant fripperies.

To take such themes as love, trust, fidelity, deception, betrayal, forgiveness and reconciliation, to say nothing of the supposed “weakness of women”, and the cynical view of Don Alfonso that (to quote someone more contemporary) “if you can’t be with the one you love, then love the one you’re with”, and to deliver all this up in less than two and a quarter hours, was no mean feat. Leaving aside the dubious morality of testing fidelity by swapping girl-friends, using (deliberately risible) disguises, the manipulation if others by the main character, and the portrayal of women as weak characters who simply can’t help themselves, sits uncomfortably with a modern audience. But, hey, this is comic opera, and you need to join in with the joke. Yes, it’s all very contrived and very silly, but that’s how comic opera works. And you can see exactly where Gilbert & Sullivan were coming from when they unleashed their satirical take on many of these devices.

So – an absolutely spiffing and hats-off production by WHO. Sparkling staging and singing, and all completely accessible. Do go and see them whenever you get chance. We’re so lucky to have such a talented outfit working in and around our town.

Bravo!

CAST

Fiordiligi– Barbara Gompels

Dorabella– Paula Boyagis

Guglielmo – Jon Paget

Ferrando – Robert Felstead

Despina –Toni Johnstone

Don Alfonso – Robin Jukes

Musical Director Roland Melia, Stage Director Lewis Cowen, Pianist Tony James

White Horse Opera are based in Devizes and regularly perform operas around Wiltshire and beyond.

Find out more HERE