Coming to The Musician in February 2020

20th Anniversary Event
In association with Magic Teapot
50% of ticket money goes to Homeless charities

TV Smith was founder member, singer and songwriter for the Adverts, who formed in late 1976, and became one of the leading bands in the 1st wave of British punk rock. In early 1977, they performed regularly at the newly-opened Roxy Club in London, and gained cult success with the Stiff Records single "One Chord Wonders." Their next release, "Gary Gilmore's Eyes" became a hit record, leading to many radio and TV appearances and extensive media interest. A further single, “No Time To Be 21,” also entered the charts, and the band spent the rest of the year playing live, including major tours with The Damned and Iggy Pop. The album that followed in early 1978, "Crossing the Red Sea with the Adverts," is still considered a genuine classic of the era and is often cited as one of the twenty best punk albums ever released.

“Punk's most thoughtful lyricist and an electrifying live performer” Tom Robinson, musician & broadcaster. “Probably the single most underrated songwriter of the last 50 years” Neil Gaiman, author

Supports TBC

Kingsize play foot-stompin', house rocking Kingsized arrangements of the finest original Jamaican ska sounds. Their style draws heavily on the classic Studio One song catalogue and traditional big band sounds of '60s ska.

Sam Huber
“The first time you experience Helsinki-born Sam Huber’s music, you hear nostalgic references to legends like Bowie and Prince mixed with the contemporary beats of hip-hop, soul and funk—it’s a modern urban hybrid that refuses to fit neatly into any box.”
— VENTS MAGAZINE

Back for another birthday bash for Dawson, The Dissenters welcome back Howard Smith (The Razors/Blues Move) to his old job on lead and slide guitar duties. Following last years epic birthday bash in December, Dawson had a break from playing live that lasted until August this year when the band were invited to play at The National Blues Festival at Colne in Lancashire.

Howard signed up and a few warm up gigs were arranged which were packed and rocking and the band went down a storm at Colne. During his lay off Dawson made another blues pilgrimage to America and finally got his mojo back in Memphis where he was invited to sing with top Memphis band Feeworld at the legedary Blues Cafe on Beale Street, that did the trick!

The awesome Andy Wales brings his superb Blues Band to open the show.

As one-third of award-winning roots-rock trio, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings (with Tom Wilson and Colin Linden), Stephen Fearing has collaborated with many artists including: Emmy Lou Harris, Nick Lowe, Jason Isbell and Lucinda Williams. Like the guests on his albums, the many awards and nominations that have come his way over the years speak to the respect he has earned among his peers, presenters, and critics. His abiding love for his craft and ability to delight audiences are further reflected in multiple JUNO and Canadian Folk Music Awards nominations and awards and an ever-expanding touring circuit throughout North America, the UK, and Europe. For his album ‘Every Soul’s a Sailor’ he was awarded the 2017 Worldwide Album of the Year by Blues & Roots Radio and named 2017 Contemporary Singer of the Year at the Canadian Folk Music Awards. Through a life of many relocations and countless months on the road performing, Fearing has become a gifted storyteller and true musical nomad with the ability to enthral audiences.

Leicester Jazz House Preseents:-
Internationally recognized saxophonist and composer Iain
Ballamy first gained recognition as a member of the iconic
1980's big band Loose Tubes. In a career spanning many
decades as a leader and a sideman he has performed in a
wide range of contexts- from Bill Bruford's Earthworks to
the BBC Concert Orchestra. Tonight he fronts a world class
quartet.
Lineup
Mark Whitlam Drums
Iain Bellamy Saxophone
Huw Warren Piano
Percy Pursglove Bass

The Razors were a mainstay on the blues circuit back in the 1990s and early 2000s, fronted by guitarist and singer, Howard Smith. Always an exciting proposition live, the band’s strongest line up featured bass player Craig Rhind and drummer Chas Chaplin, both formerly of the DTs, one of the country’s best loved rhythm and blues acts of the eighties.

With Chas now on long term gardening leave, Craig and Howard have teamed up with Ted Duggan, a stalwart of the Coventry music scene, who brings a wealth of experience from his time playing drums with Badfinger, Banco De Gaia, The Beat, Dirt Road Blues Band and Desmond Dekker, to name but a few.

This new line up will be playing lots of familiar songs from their back catalogue but there will be some new material too. A band never afraid to borrow from a wide range of musical influences, the Razors energetic,high wire act is back and corporate blues this isn’t!

One Step Behind is the UK's Premier and longest surviving MADNESS tribute band. Formed in spring 1993, the band achieved widespread recognition in an unusually short time, playing venues the length and breadth of Britain including the Marquee Club in London & the Venue in New Cross. Jaunts into Europe and beyond are also common place. Members of Madness have joined the One Step boys on stage on a number of occasions. Sax player Lee Thompson has played a few times commenting the band were “Tight as a ducks arse” and “Brilliant”. Lee is also quoted as saying that OSB were “single handily keeping the good ship Madness afloat”. Drummer Dan “Woody” Woodgate joined the band on stage for “One Step Beyond” and told the boys he thought they were amazing.

A group of seasoned, professional musicians from some of the UK's best and most popular tribute bands, performing the work of Genesis, Yes, King Crimson,
Van Der Graaf Generator, Camel, Jethro Tull, Caravan, Gentle Giant, ELP and more...
essentially, the Fathers of British Prog!

All delivered with precise musicianship and attention to detail!

A true Americian country blues great.

Kent Duchaine's musical nomadic life started over thirty years ago in Minnesota where he played with Kim Wilson before Wilson moved to Texas to form the Fabulous Thunderbirds.
Kent honed his guitar skills playing with Lazy Bill Lucas, Boogie Woogie Red, Luther Tucker, Big Walter Horton, Hubert Sumlin, Eddie Burns and Margie Evans.

In the early 1990's he spent three years traveling and playing with the legendary bluesman Johnny Shines. Duchaine's guitar playing is rooted in the styles of Robert Johnson, Lightning Hopkins, T-Bone Walker, Muddy Waters, Bukka White and Elmore James. He has a ferociously wild slide technique that exudes a frenzied power and he can switch gears in the wink of an eye to play some beautiful acoustic melodies.

Showcasing the talents of Leicester College Students

First set 8.30pm

Dizzy Lizzy are a fantastic live tribute act, dedicated to the legendary Phil Lynott and Thin Lizzy. Established in 1994, their sound and set-list faithfully recreate that trademark Lizzy sound. Philomena Lynott once stated that Dizzy Lizzy are “the closest to playing my son’s music'”. The band do indeed have an amazing sound and resemblance to the classic 70s and 80s rock band, taking you back in time to relive that magical musical era with a superb blend of classic foot stomping rock anthems and emotive ballads.

One of the country's most dynamic tribute acts, they are the only act to have headlined both the ‘Vibe for Philo’ in Dublin & ‘Remember Phil & Gary’ event in Holland. They have also performed and toured with original Thin Lizzy guitarist Eric Bell whose reaction on first seeing the band was telling. “I could only watch three numbers owing to the emotions. The resemblance to Phil and the mannerisms and playing, it was spooky – it made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck…”

The Bootleg Boss is the real deal. A Springsteen fan for 25 years, he has lived and breathed the spirit of the New Jersey landscape and developed an amazing way of delivering the classic hits of the Boss.

From the early days of Greetings at Asbury Park, through Born to Run, The River, Born in the USA and later albums, The Bootleg Boss gives 100% commitment in a three hour show with his own East Street Band of seasoned musicians, creating an authentic sound and live experience.

Sweet Crisis is a contemporary Blues rock band in which the roots and the music run deep.
Singer Leo Robarts and guitarist Piers Mortimer first met when they were kids in the early 2000s, and as Leo says, “This band is all about soulful, rock n’ roll.”
Sweet Crisis were formed in Cambridge in 2015, and after a number of line-ups an album was recorded in 2018 but then discarded. “It was very frustrating,” Leo recalls. “We spent a year making that album, and then realized we didn’t like any of it. So we ditched it.” As Piers explains: “We knew we could do better. We needed to be true to our roots and play the kind of music we grew up on”

The starting point was re-visiting albums they had ‘borrowed’ from their dad’s record collections: Free, Humble Pie, Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac, Zep and The Stones. Piers offers “We want to capture the vibe and spirit of the classic British rock bands we grew up on and still love so much. Killer riffs, soulful emotive vocals and great drum grooves. We’ve always enjoyed playing epic guitar riffs and Leo’s voice really inspires our songwriting.”
Leo says “We’ve been guilty of overthinking things in the past, so we wanted to loosen up, capture a vibe and record ‘old school’. We needed to go out, play gigs and grab some studio time.
Supports comes from Little Triggers and The Comms.Both have the twin guitar format, the latter recently formed In Northampton.

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

Officially founded in 2004 in Buenos Aires by Emilio Souto, SKILTRON is the leading Folk Metal Band from South America.

Most of the early gigs took place in Argentina, featuring shows with GRAVE DIGGER, IN EXTREMO and KORPIKLAANI, with whom the band shared a South American tour in 2010, promoting then the album ”THE HIGHLAND WAY”

In 2012 SKILTRON made their European live debut playing a UK tour with MARTIN WALKYIER (ex SABBAT & SKYCLAD) as a guest singer.

After the release of ”INTO THE BATTLEGROUND” in 2013 the band started to tour Europe regullary, also playing festivals like WACKEN, BLOODSTOCK, HORNERFEST, HEADBANGERS, DONG, etc. sharing stages with bands such as JUDAS PRIEST, SLAYER, IN FLAMES, KING DIAMOND and AVANTASIA among many others.

The latest album ”LEGACY OF BLOOD” was released in 2016 by TROLLZORN RECORDS and was followed by a massive European tour, playing 50 shows in 2 months in 20 countries.

In early 2017 SKILTRON played for the first time in JAPAN, sharing 3 shows together with EQUILIBRIUM and SUIDAKRA.

Throughout the last 13 years, SKILTRON have constantly earned recognition within the Folk and Metal scene, projecting themselves as one of the references of the style.

Damnably + Magic Teapot presents

"YAMETATTA" means "Quit job" in Kansai slang and this tour sees the band quit their full time jobs to pursue their dreams of being a professional touring rock band.

Otoboke Beaver are a punk-rock-garage quartet from Kyoto, Japan. The band’s name is taken from a local ‘Love Hotel’ and they describe themselves as: “Japanese girls ‘knock out or pound cake’ band”.

The band consists of Accorinrin (Lead Vocal & Guitar), Yoyoyoshie (Guitar & Vocals), Hirochan (Bass & Vocals) and Kahokiss (Drums & Vocals).

Most recently after kicking things off at this year’s SXSW music opening party and a run of wild showcases, the band released new album "ITEKOMA HITS" in April on Damnably, receiving widespread praise from the likes of Pitchfork, Stereogum, NYLON, BrooklynVegan and many more. They made their European debut at Lowlands Festival in The Netherlands, appeared as part of the line up at Koyabu Sonic Festival in Japan.

Recent converts include Krist Novoselic, Tom Morello, Anthony Fantano & Superchunk.

Recent Press

“sheer calamity and deliriously fun… recalls a lineage of patriarchy-scorching girl-gang shrieks” Pitchfork

“Their Riot Grrrl attitudes and passion for noise-rock make them stand out as true renegades in the underground scene.” i-D

“Punk is rarely this charmingly vicious.” NPR Music

“a rhythm-twisting, no-nonsense, Japanese girl gang more than worthy of an invitation into the riot grrrl scene” Stereogum

Drinking Boys and Girls Choir

Formed in 2013 when two drummers MJ and Meena shared a rehearsal space anddecided to form a band, Meena switched to Bass and guitarist Bondu (who had just finished his military service) answered their ad. They bonded over a shared love of drinking, skating and punk. Inspired by Daegu's 90s-00s hardcore punk/indie-rock scene before it moved to Seoul, a topic band are very passionate about. They won’t move to the capital, preferring to nurture a sustainable local scene. in 2017, MJ suffered a serious motorbike accident, so the band took a hiatus while awaiting her recovery. When she was fit again, they DIY produced their 18 track debut album“Keep Drinking” on Damnably/Electric Muse in 2019, followed by SXSW, TGE, LSC, Indie Rocks (CA) appearances and their debut UK tour supporting labelmates Otoboke Beaver & Say Sue Me. Bondu retired from the band following their UK tour, with Myorori Kang taking up the mantle of guitarist for the band.

Recent Press
"WOW! that was good, right?!" Iggy Pop, BBC 6Music

“If 2018 was the year K-pop finally breached the gates of the U.S. mainstream, the South Korean power trio Drinking Boys and Girls Choir are helping light a similar fire for K-punk this year.” MTV

“...between all the shouting, soaring guitars, and drum smashing, there’s no way that your body won’t feel recharged after having such an angsty song on blast.” Highsnobiety

“The instrumental prowess is just absolutely insane...” Stereogum

2018 BBC Young Jazz Musician of the year Xhosa Cole brings an all-star quartet embodying the spirit of the Bebop and Hard bop greats. Presenting classic arrangements, contemporary takes on standards as well as original works, this band lights up the stage with all the charisma, passion, edge, chemistry and spontaneity reminiscent of this great era.

Lineup:
Jim Bashford - Drums
Xhosa Cole - Saxophone
Jay Phelps - Trumpet
James Owston - Bass

Ben Poole is an award winning blues, rock and soul guitarist, singer and songwriter hailing from the United Kingdom. Nominated as one of the best blues guitarists in the world just prior to the 2 year pandemic hiatus alongside names such as Eric Clapton, John Mayer, Buddy Guy, Robert Cray, Joe Bonamassa & many more by the USA’s ‘Guitar World Magazine’ Ben Poole is very much at the forefront of the talent rich blues/rock scene on a worldwide scale.

A now internationally recognised touring and recording artist, Ben has also received critical acclaim from some of the most renowned blues and rock musicians in the world such as Jeff Beck, Gary Moore, John Mayall, Beth Hart, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Walter Trout, Richie Kotzen, Philip Sayce and many more. He has graced the covers of, as well as receiving awards and accolades from, some of the most respected publications and organisations, including being voted in the top 15 best blues guitar players in the world a few years ago by the biggest selling guitar magazine in Europe (Total Guitar Magazine/
Music Radar).

“Truly astonishing” – Classic Rock Magazine

“F***ing amazing!” – Jeff Beck

“Killer!” – Kenny Wayne Shepherd

“Exudes class & prowess” – Guitar Techniques Magazine

Matt Long and the Revenant Ones,led by award winning guitarist and vocalist Matt Long are starting to make waves on the rock circuit.

25 year old Matt has carved himself a reputation as the stellar front man of award-winning British Blues band Catfish and is now also on the road with his own band playing new riff-influenced rock material. They have played at venues across the UK this year and confirmation has recently come through of their first European tour - they will be heading to Spain in January 2020.

With Catfish, Matt was awarded Blues Act of the Year in England with both of their albums reaching no 1 in the IBBA Blues Airplay Charts. During the past year, Catfish has already completed successful tours of Europe and the UK, with a very busy touring schedule during 2019 including major European and UK festivals.

Matt can now flex his songwriting muscles with a new project focused on rockier riffs and showcasing his impeccable guitar wizardry. The band consists of Catfish band-mate Adam Pyke on bass and critically acclaimed ex-RavenEye drummer Kev Hickman on drums who is no stranger to the world stage. Kev has performed regularly across three continents and supported acts such as Slash, Deep Purple, Joe Satriani and The Darkness.

A new Dame has moved into town!
She is sensual, feminine, and smooth… that is, until the guitars start roaring.
The Dame will take you back to the romantic era of the roaring twenties. Hidden back room bars, smokey night clubs, liquor in coffee mugs… when gentlemen were stylish, and ladies were sexy chic.
We like to describe our music as the sexy version of progressive rock.
Our debut album “Losing Sight of What You Want is out and available at www.thedameband.com.
Time to drink champagne and dance on the table!
The Far Meadow is a five-piece symphonic progressive rock band from London.

With the recent addition of Marguerita Alexandrou's distinctive vocals, the band forges an impressive array of musical textures provided by Eliot Minn's omnipresent keyboards and Denis Warren's virtuosic guitar work, underpinned by Paul Bringloe's inventive drumming and Keith Buckman's melodic bass.

The band has built on the legacy of Minn and Bringloe's former incarnation, Blind Panic, including songs such as 'Mud' and the epic 'Travelogue' in their current repertoire, harkening back to the mid nineties, and TFM's first release Where Joys Abound (2012), which featured the performing and writing talents of Nok on vocals, Paul Mallatratt on bass and Jon Barry on guitar.

TFM are currently developing new material which will be introduced during the coming months prior to the next recording project.

https://thefarmeadow.bandcamp.com

Essentially Wille and the Bandits are a classic blues rock three-piece much in the vein of Cream or The Jimi Hendrix Experience. But similarly to how these bands pushed the genre in their time, Wille and the Bandits try to take their sound beyond what is expected of such a traditional line-up. Having toured with artists such as Deep Purple through to the John Butler Trio and played major festivals across Europe, the band seem to leave an equally astounding impression on audiences of all ages and musical backgrounds with their energetic and soulful performances.

It’s rare to find a band as dynamic as Wille and the Bandits, one that is just as comfortable and as impressive at both ends of the sonic spectrum. In the modern age of disposable music it is refreshing to hear a band that still value the art of creating albums and who continue to bring new instruments and ideas into their songwriting rather than settling for a tried and tested formula. Ten seconds of Youtube will not scratch the surface of the band’s sound and message; this is a band that is very much about discovery and one best experienced LIVE!.

“These boys can groove and sing like whiskey angels and it doesn’t take long to realise why they belong on the festival circuit.” - Glastonbury Festival

Three parts English, one part Orkney, Looma play acoustic roots and folk music from the swamps of Louisiana to the Swedish midnight sun, and everywhere in between. Bringing together folk, blues, cajun, bluegrass and country traditions, as well as original songs, Looma mix driving energy with strong vocals and foot-tapping tunes.

Liz Logie (piano/ accordion/percussion) is an Orcadian who has played the accordion since she was ten, being inspired by her father who was a well-known Orkney accordion player.

Mark Theobald (harmonica/ukelele/vocals) was a National Harmonica League 'Player of the Year' in 2013 and 2014, playing Irish and blues music.

Bob Gilmour-Evans (guitar/vocals) has been performing and writing songs since he was a teenager, recording his own album and guesting on many others.

Tim Garland (cittern/fiddle/vocals) has been performing traditional and self penned material for over thirty years, both as a founder member of radical folk group Fieldwork and with Kasutima Ceilidh band, playing nationally at clubs and festivals. He has also performed regularly as a solo artist and in a duo with Indian percussionist Nitin Odedra.

Alderney born Robert J. Hunter is taking the blues scene by storm with his gruff, powerful voice and the wild thud of overdriven foot stomping blues guitar. The Robert J. Hunter Band’s unique sound echoes Rory Gallagher, The Faces, Gary Clarke Jr, Free, The Black Crowes.
The band are turning heads across the UK and Europe with their constant touring, perfecting their truly original blend of blues and rock n’ roll. This is a road worn, dirty blues band that have been honed to super tight perfection by sheer hard work and volume of shows.
Previous releases, ‘Hurricane’, ‘Suitcase Blues’ and ‘Good People’ have received rave reviews worldwide. The band have achieved success reaching number one in the iTunes Blues Chart on several occasions and have earned national radio play on BBC Radio 2, BBC Introducing, Planet Rock and global independent radio play.
The Robert J Hunter Band have supported the likes of Wilko Johnson, The Animals, the Kris Barras Band and Sari Schorr to name a few. They have recently been finalists in the UK Blues Challenge and The International Songwriting Competition (ISC).
“An incredibly exciting act on the blues scene, you’re going to really love them” - Whispering Bob Harris, Radio 2
“Incredible strength in the diversity of his song writing coupled with sheer hard work and volume of shows make The Robert J Hunter band one to watch – miss them at your peril.'' - Blues in Britain

Bootleg Blondie are Europe’s official Deborah Harry & Blondie tribute band and are the only Blondie tribute to play at the legendary CBGBs in New York City, the Holy Grail of American Punk and New Wave, where the real Blondie first kicked off their career.

Debbie Harris, lead vocalist of Bootleg Blondie, has the looks, the voice and the attitude of the original Blondie Bombshell and like her heroine is typically outrageous on stage. She has been known to wear dustbin liners, thigh length boots and t-shirts with more holes than actual t-shirt!