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A word about our listings

A guide for Customers

These days artists and bands tend to book their tours months in advance. In order to give you the best notice of up and coming shows we list events once they have been confirmed by the band or their management

 

The downside of this is that dates can change due to unforeseen circumstances, sometimes at very short notice. We do our best to ensure that this site is kept as up to date as is possible, with updates happening at least once a week.

 

Therefore to avoid disappointment we recommend that you check these listing prior to setting out for your show especially if you are traveling any distance.

 


 

Not listed?
A guide for Artists and Promoters
The quickest way to get yourself included in our listings is to send an email to rideout at stayfree.co.uk once your gig is confirmed.

 

We also need you to do the following -

 

Put the name of the artist or band name along with the date of your show in the email subject line.

 

Attach a reasonable sized photograph. A 72dpi, jpeg, bigger than 200x200 pixels would be fine. Please don't email files over 1mb in size. If in doubt please drop us a line before sending. Let us have your web address so we can link to your site or Myspace page.

 

Send us some text. Whilst we are happy to tidy up spelling or grammar, we don't have the time to write or edit copy for you. Ideally we need a nice concise 'blurb' of between 75-100 words. Please don't send a three page biography, or else we are likely to bounce it back to you. If you have a selection of press quotes send what you have as we can usually easily compile something from them. There are plenty of examples of the sort of thing we need here on the site to help you out.

 

Please note - If you have played at The Musician before and we have text on file, we will continue to use use it for any subsequent listings unless you supply new copy.

 

If you spot any errors please send an email to derek at indiecentral.co.uk.


Coming to The Musician in May

LISTINGS     HOME

 
   

Fri 1
The Paradimes

£9adv £11otd

plus Part Of The Problem, Yoji Munuo and the Heath Robinson String Band
facebook.com/the.paradimes
facebook.com/partoftheproblemuk
facebook.com/yoji.munuo

The Paradimes were formed in 2011 by members of ska band El Pussycat, The Specials and former members of reggae band Stiff Naked Fools. The band play all original songs, with skanking one drop rhythms, gospel vocal harmonies and killer brass lines and are heavily influenced by old skool legends such as Toots & The Maytals, Bob Marley and Prince Buster. Since 2011, the Paradimes have played shows including London's 100 Club, Brixton's Hootananny, The Summer Sundae Festival and the Half Moon in Putney as well as countless shows around their home town Leicester and Birmingham.

   

Sat 2
Mama: The All-Era Genesis Tribute Band
£10adv £12otd

mama-genesis.co.uk

Mama play the music of British supergroup Genesis (both Gabriel and Collins eras) and some pieces by former members. The band is based in the UK and currently plays 20-25 shows a year at venues across the country.

 

The band are led by front man and lead vocalist John Wilkinson, highly acclaimed for his ability to deliver on the Phil Collins vocal sound of Genesis with power, passion and total precision. On keyboards, the group benefits from the technical wizardry of John Comish. Stunning guitars are provided by Mark Comish, backed up with the rock solid technical playing of James Cooper on drums and David Jones on bass.

 

Mama's philosophy is very simple… they are not trying to BE Genesis, they are just five part-time musician Genesis fans, aided and abetted by fans and a loyal crew, playing for other fans!

   

Sun 3

Serpentyne

£10adv £12otd

serpentyne.com

Neo-Folk Techno Mythic Medieval Rock

Serpentyne create a wild fusion of world rhythms, medieval and renaissance songs and contemporary beats.

Modern sounds are interlaced with instruments such as hurdy-gurdy, didgeridoo and harmonium, while Maggie-Beth Sand's voice creates its own special mood with her unique use of digital effects.

Since being formed by Maggie-Beth Sand and Mark Powell in 2010 they have been taking this compelling mix to audiences throughout Europe.

The band's first album, Stella Splendens, was released in March that year, and the second, "Myths and Muses" was released in June 2014.

   

Mon 4

Dave Mackay Group

£8adv £10otd

davemackaygroup.com

Dave Mackay Group (DMG) are an instrumental   jazz/rock band based in New York City. Combining delicate piano melodies, heavy guitars, gritty synth lines and dynamic drum solos, they are known for their distinctive sound, energetic live performances and   larger-than-life productions. Formed by pianist Dave Mackay in 2010, the band features Aman Khosla (guitar), Antoine Katz (bass) and JP Bouvet (drums), with all four members representing a different country (UK, India, France and USA). In 2013, the band embarked on a nationwide tour of the U.S. and performed at some of the country’s most prolific venues including The Cabooze, The Legendary Dobbs, SPiN New York and the Berklee Performance Center.

   

Tue 5

The Lovely Eggs

£7adv £9otd

plus Brassick Bears and Jesuscarfish

thelovelyeggs.co.uk

facebook.com/brassickbears

facebook.com/jesuscarfish

The Lovely Eggs are an underground punk rock duo from Northern England. They have a fierce punk rock ethos that music should have no rules. For Holly and David being in a band is a way of life. True to this, they live the way they play. Fiercely, constantly in search of good times.

 

“You won’t hear another band like this anywhere between now and the end of the millennium. The Lovely Eggs are just brilliant!” - Huw Stephens, Radio One

 

"They have the off the wall look that is perfect pop and the cutting stripped down dynamic of a cool art crew in love with underground rock n' roll” - JohnRobb

 

"This is my friends is fucking brilliant. It’s grunge - but not as you know it” - Everett True

   

 

Wed 6
Closed

   

Thu 7

Cale Tyson

£7adv £9otd

plus Luke Tuchscherer and Luke Whittemore

caletyson.net

luketuchscherer.co.uk

facebook.com/lukewhittemoremusic

Cale Tyson is a singer and songwriter from Nashville, TN. Born in a small town in Texas, he was raised in Fort Worth, the home of Townes Van Zandt and the place where he first heard the classic country sounds that have inspired and enriched his gentle, melancholy, and undeniably whiskey-soaked sound.

In 2013, Tyson released High On Lonesome, his debut EP, which features Kenny Vaughan (Marty Stuart) on electric guitar. The release was featured on CMT.com and in American Songwriter Magazine, as well as numerous other outlets. Tyson has recently been opening shows for Dwight Yoakam on the road, in addition to wrapping up a new record which heavily features Robert Ellis on guitar and vocals. In April 2014, Tyson was featured as one of PolicyMic’s “9 Real Country Music Stars of Our Generation.” In October 2014, Rolling Stone featured Tyson as one of the "10 New Country Artists You Need To Know."

 

"Tyson channels all the woe and despair you could find in his native Texas on the album, crafting meandering and warbling ballads that harken back to the heartbreak songs of old country." - American Songwriter Magazine

   

Fri 8
Voodoo Room (Hendrix/Cream Tribute)
£8adv £10otd

voodoo-room.com

Voodoo Room are a stunning power trio featuring some of the UK's finest musicians. Their individual credits include the likes of Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Duran Duran, Fish, Thunder and Chris Difford.

 

Paying tribute to both Hendrix & Cream, they perform an incredible, high energy show, delivered in the true spirit of these two legends from the world of classic blues/rock.

 

"This is the closest you will get to the sounds of the real thing! As this band don't try to be Hendrix or Cream, this makes it more of an appreciation rather than a tribute. Wonderful music, beautifully and faithfully played!" - Charlie North Lewis, Manager, Tivoli Theatre

 

"Really excellent show, great touch, tone feel and grooves - Cream & Hendrix refortified!" - Pete Feenstra - The Boom Boom Club, London

   

Sat 9

Grohlfest: The Food Fighterz + Novana

£8adv £10otd

foodfighterz.co.uk
novanauk.com

Grohl-fest features two of the UK's best tribute acts

The Food Fighterz are the UK's premier Foo Fighters tribute act.

Based around the Leicester area, these guys pride themselves on being authentic to the sound/image and stage presence of the real Foo Fighters and are the closest thing you're gonna get to seeing the Foo Fighters live in your own back yard.

The Food Fighterz high energy live shows include all the classics from the very first album right up to the current album, Sonic Highways.

Look no further for the ultimate Foo Fighters tribute act.

Novana
the UK's first and finest Nirvana tribute act.

A touring band dedicated to bringing the music of Nirvana to people of all ages who may not have had the opportunity to see the real thing back in the 1980/90's.

   

Sun 10

Martha Bean

£5adv £7otd

plus Reuben Wisner and Shadowplay

Doors 7pm

marthabean.com

guyjonesmusic.com

soundcloud.com/shadowplay-music-1

“Think Kate Bush with a hangover” - Steve Bennett, Acoustic Magazine

Martha’s debut album released in early April has already caught the interest of critics throughout the national press and radio, with Northern Sky Magazine proclaiming it “the sort of debut album most singer/songwriters probably dream about making… an utterly enchanting debut.”

Her live shows have been going from strength to strength. The 200+ people who attended a recent album launch show at the city’s Y Theatre got to see Martha perform with a 7-piece band, and the same line-up will feature for this gig - her final UK tour date. Not to be missed.

“An album filled with the sort of exciting and enigmatic music that starts off every one of the Spy movies.” - Tim Stokes, Americana UK

“The album will make you want to catch a train to the shore and watch the scenery go by slowly.” - Guestlist.net review

   

Mon 11

The Abrams Brothers

£6adv

plus The Ruby Doos

theabramsbrothers.ca

facebook.com/therubydoos

John and James, The Abrams, are the fourth generation of professional musicians in their family. Barely into their twenties, they have been touring for over a decade. The Abrams come from a strong tradition of Bluegrass and Americana music, and have since created a signature sound that brings Country, Rock and Pop all together in one place.

Starting very young and having already performed at Nashville’s iconic Grand Ole Opry by the age of 12 and 15, The Abrams have gone on to international success, performing for devoted audiences in Canada, the United States, the UK, Europe and Israel and sharing the stage with artists such as Feist, The Dixie Chicks, Brad Paisley, Alan Jackson, and Tom Cochrane.

   

 

Tue 12

Closed

   

 

Wed 13
Sheehans Private Event

   


Thu 14

The Young 'Uns

£10

plus Paul McClure

theyounguns.co.uk

paulmccluremusic.com

The Young ’Uns are a force of nature on stage.  Their irrepressible humour, infectious love for harmony singing, passion for storytelling and commitment to maintaining the tradition of social commentary has quickly made them one of the most sought after acts on the English folk scene with the rare ability to make audiences laugh and cry in equal measure.

2015 sees the release of their fourth album and a major tour to celebrate their 30th birthdays. Another Man’s Ground celebrates working class heroes of the past and present with powerful and poignant tales of struggle, poverty and peace.

Supporting will be the Rutland troubadour, aka Paul McClure.  A master of the intimate setting, particularly house concerts, his dry wit and engaging personality allied to some great songs are making him a significant player on the UK roots scene.

   

Fri 15
Stax Of Soul

£7adv £9otd

staxofsoul.com

Formed 20 years ago following a casual discussion between friends over a pint in a local pub, Stax Of Soul was originally only going to be a side project but soon took over as the gigs just kept on coming! The band have matured over the years to become one of the country's best soul tribute bands and have played to audiences varying in size from private birthday parties for 20-30 people to playing at the Stadium of Light, home of Sunderland FC to an audience of 25,000.

   

Sat 16

VJT Promotions presents...

Original Bands Showcase: Grand Final

£6guestlist £7otd | Doors 7:30pm, show starts 8:00pm

feat. Ash Mammal, Not My Good Arm, Beneath The Lights, Ali Clinton Band, English Guns, Dig Lazarus and Ladies

 

Back in 2015 for its 11th year, the Original Bands Showcase is set up for unsigned bands and artists of all genres. An independent music event that takes place annually in Leicester, the OBS first launched back in 2004. Its main aim is to give a platform for local live bands and an opportunity to increase exposure and fan base under the umbrella of a series of organised and well supported nights of live music. It has now become an established and credible event on the live music calendar.

   

Sun 17

Stone Foundation

£8adv £10otd

plus The Firewalkers

stonefoundation.co.uk

It's been a strange old journey for Stone Foundation. From once playing half empty bars to the present day, in front of sold out arenas supporting the Specials, their story and progression is still unfolding.

 

The Midlands-based seven-piece outfit bring their unique brand of soul back to the Musician. Featuring a perfect blend of electric guitar, Hammond organ and horns over a solid soulful (stone) foundation, the time has never been better for Stone Foundation to spread their gospel further afield.

   

Mon 18
The City Acoustic Club
Free open mic night

 

Joy Division special

 

For up to date info and news please join The City Acoustic Club Facebook group!

   

Tue 19

Moon King

£6adv £7otd

plus Ash Mammal, Aztec Temples and Collossloth

facebook.com/o.moon.king.o

facebook.com/ashmammal

Comprised of Toronto native Daniel Benjamin and collaborator/co-conspirator, Maddy Wilde, the duo have been making music together for most of their lives. As Moon King, the two singers weave dreamlike harmonies over buzz-saw guitars and electronic percussion, their live performances capturing a raw-nerve intensity that verges on ecstatic. While they have ties to a handful of other Canadian projects - Majical Cloudz, Grimes, Austra - they more obviously share a sonic affinity with the alien androgyny of Cocteau Twins, MBV and The Breeders. Many of Daniel’s songs appeal to our darker subconscious desires, revelling in the embrace of fear and ego as a means of escape. Daniel also frequently performs with his brother Airick's group, Doldrums.

   

Wed 20

Youth Man

£5

plus Grey Hairs, Velocity and Potato Legends

facebook.com/youthmanband

Grey Hairs on Soundcloud
facebook.com/velocityuk

Youth Man are the loudest live band in the UK and will gladly accept challenges to that claim.

The addition of new bassist Miles Cocker in June of 2014 has cemented Youth Man as one of the most formidable and exciting live bands in the country, who leave a trail of trashed instruments, feedback and ringing ears in their wake.

 

Their early shows in 2012, opening for Them Wolves, Bovine, Shapes, PINS, Fair Ohs, Sauna Youth and Her Parents among others, quickly built the band a rabid and loyal following in their home town. Headwounds and trashed stages ensured the word spread quickly.

 

Youth Man are the band you will wish you saw in years to come. Their live show is a shrieking, thrilling wrecking-ball of human bodies, flailing limbs and chaos. With their currently emerging plans for 2015, and the band more inspired and revitalized than ever, brace yourself for much more from them.

   


Thu 21

Chris Smither

£13

plus Louise Jordan

smither.com

louisejordan.co.uk

Chris Smither is one of the few musicians who justifies the term "legend".  A master of the acoustic guitar, his songs have been recorded by the likes of Bonnie Raitt, Emmylous Harris, Diana Krall amongst others.  His albums are widely acclaimed and a tribute album released in 2012 attracted the artists of the calibre of Mary Gauthier, Dave Alvin and Tim O'Brien.

Live his peerless playing and frequently philosophical songs make each show unique and a real night to remember.  This is one of only four dates on his UK trip, don't miss it!

Support is provided by Louise Jordan, justly described as "absolutely, totally and competely brilliant" by Mike Harding. Her four albums have all met with great acclaim so get there early!

   

Fri 22

The Laurence Jones Band + The Della Grants

£6adv £8otd

laurencejonesmusic.com
thedellagrants.com

Laurence Jones Is 22 years old and is already making a big name for himself. The young gunslinger of the blues, Laurence Jones has sensationally signed a deal with "Ruf Records". His Debut album for the label and 2nd album for Laurence was recorded at the Legendary Dockside Studio in Louisiana. A catalogue of big names appear on the album including Walter Trout, Aynsley Lister, Yonrico Scott, Charlie Wooton and producer Mike Zito.

The Della Grants produce and perform original modern blues music that harks back to the golden age of British RnB, and American Blues alike. The response to their first CD from both reviewers and music magazines was better than they could have hoped for and the second CD is now out and proving even more successful.

   

Sat 23
Cantaloop
£10adv £12otd

plus Weekend Sun

cantaloop.net
facebook.com/weekendsun

Having been part of the Funk Nation family for some time now, Midlands-based funk outfit Cantaloop have already performed across Europe at such well-known festivals as Glastonbury and the Montreaux Jazz Festival, as well as supporting the Fun Lovin' Criminals on their tour of Ireland. With a new single out this year, this long established group mixes a perfect blend of funk, soul, hip hop and R&B to create their own inimitable sound that has won them fans throughout the UK and further afield. Following on from their inspiring stage show at last year's Craig Charles Funk and Soul Club at Streetlife, be in no doubt that you'll be in for a funky live treat with this long-established group! 

 

Signed to Hero Records, Weekend Sun are the type of band you won't come across everyday. If you like Smoove and Turrell, you'll really enjoy this group, and they happen to hail from the same area, with this Darlington seven-piece mixing live instrumentation and samples to devastating effect. Powerful female vocals, a quality live DJ and percussion are all quirky features of what is an impressive live show. 

 

As ever, our resident Funk Nation DJs will be spinning the best in funk, soul, rare groove, acid jazz, breakbeat, northern soul, motown and much more til late!  

   

 

Sun 24

Closed

   

Mon 25
The City Acoustic Club
Free open mic night

 

For up to date info and news please join The City Acoustic Club Facebook group!

   

Tue 26

McMahon

£8adv £10otd

plus Edd Saffell and Mikey Kerslake

mcmahonmusic.com

facebook.com/eddsaffell

facebook.com/mikeykerslakemusic

McMahon is a Cork born singer songwriter whose debut EP ‘Deep Down’ reached No 1 on the Irish iTunes in 2013. He has toured with the likes of Tom Jones, Imelda May, Toploader, Gavin James, Foy Vane and Matt Cardle, as well as festival performances at last year's Festival No.6 and Snowbombing Road Trip (where Ed Sheeran had featured just 12 months before).

His new EP 'Hummingbirds And Yellow Things' was produced by Andy Wright (Simply Red, The Script, Simple Minds, Imelda May, Mick Hucknall, Eurythmics) and Gavin Goldberg (Imelda May, Mick Hucknall, Simple Minds, Simply Red).

“Half Blind is a gorgeously uplifting experience.” - Music News

“Deep Down paints a musical picture of how music can have a deeply monumental impact on someone.” - The Rocker Magazine

“Absolutely amazing” - Dan Roberts, BBC London

   

 

Wed 27

Terry Reid

£12.50adv £15otd

plus Matty Coles

terryreid.com

Terry Reid, or Superlungs as he's affectionately known, is without doubt one of the greatest rock/soul voices this country has ever produced or is indeed likely to.

 

The legend is of turning down the front man's job with Led Zeppelin, recommending his mate Robert Plant instead, a similar offer and rebuff to Deep Purple, of Aretha Franklin's statement that The Beatles, Rolling Stones and Terry Reid were the best England had to offer in 1968, of two World Tours with The Rolling Stones, US tours with Cream and UK tours with Jethro Tull and Fleetwood Mac.

 

All true, but the full story includes numerous collaborations with Graham Nash, covers of Reid songs by Marianne Faithfull, The Hollies, The Raconteurs, film soundtracks and a catalogue of 6 studio albums, including the seminal album 'The River' plus much more besides. Don't miss this chance to see a true Musician's Musician and a legend to boot.

   

Thu 28

Pete Morton

£8

plus Sheila Mosley

petemorton.com

Pete Morton is a songwriter, singer and ‘folk rapper’ with a wealth of great songs and stage presence. His live shows are dynamic and thought provoking, while remaining approachable and fun loving.

 

With his well known songs such as ‘Another Train’, ‘The Shepherds Song’, and ‘When We Sing Together’, he constantly tours. His ‘Frapping’ (folk rap) technique of marrying traditional folk choruses with rap have been well received and feature highly on the new CD ‘The Frappin’ and Ramblin’ Pete Morton’.

 

His own tunes do not move far from the folk tradition and he often borrows from folk song to sit with remarkable ease amid his very present day unruly mix of social comment, humour, politics, love and personal insight. “Is there no end to Pete’s energy? Top-drawer songwriting shot through with integrity” is how his work was described for his powerful 2011 album ‘Economy’.

 

With his latest release he refuses to mellow, driven with a wild vocation to make the world a better place ‘he is one of the best’.

   

Fri 29

Dr Feelgood

£15adv £18otd

plus The Mentulls

drfeelgood.org
thementulls.com

Formed on Canvey Island in Essex in the early 1970s Dr Feelgood remains one of the most popular and exciting live rhythm and blues acts in the world. The raw and uncompromising style of their performance resulted in the album Stupidity that immediately went to the number one position in the UK charts.

Dr Feelgood have also enjoyed global success with a string of hit singles including Roxette, Back in the Night, Milk and Alcohol, Down at the Doctors, She Does it Right, Going Back Home and See You Later Alligator - which gave the group their first gold record.

The last album to feature Lee Brilleaux - Down at the Doctors, was recorded live at the Dr. Feelgood Music Bar on Canvey Island, (now the site of the Oysterfleet Hotel) just two months before he died. The current line up features the rhythm section Kevin Morris on drums and Phil Mitchell on bass, approaching 27 years in the band and Steve Walwyn on guitar who has been with the band for 20 years. Vocalist Robert Kane (formerly of the Animals) is the most recent addition - joining in 1999.


   

Sat 30

VJT Promotions presents...

SPOTLIGHT presents

£5

feat. The Hardy Band, Aztec Temples, Stating The Obvious, Indra's Net & GrayStarr
Show starts 8:15pm

facebook.com/thehardyband

facebook.com/aztectemples

facebook.com/statingtobvious

facebook.com/thenewofficialband

facebook.com/graystarr

SPOTLIGHT, a new night showcasing some of the best new bands on The Musician Stage. We are very pleased to welcome our first five selections.in what promises to be a quality evenings live music!

   

Sun 31

Eddie Argos (Art Brut): The Spoken Word Tour

£6adv £7otd

plus Adrian Manning and Peter Ingram (Echolocation)

lofipunkrockmotherfucker.co.uk

Pop music, as we all know, can be an uncertain business. Whilst a chosen few achieve their dreams of riches, world travel and mass adoration for many a spot at their local battle of the bands is the limit of their fame.

 

Enter Eddie Argos, world-renowned lead singer and songwriter with Art Brut, the London band that have spent the last decade redefining the meaning of stardom. For the first time Eddie is stepping into the limelight to tell stories that happened along the way while Art Brut became the world beating pop behemoth they are today.

 

Eddie Argos grew up fantasising about being the singer in a band that would tour the world, despite the fact he can’t really sing. Somehow he managed it and now he is going to tell you how. Heartwarming story or cautionary tale?  You be the judge.

 

”A John Cooper Clarke for the Barfly generation” - NME

   
 


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