What to do in Immingham

Between Monday, September 14, 2026 and Friday, November 13, 2026

100 local events, concerts, festivals and things to do in and around Immingham, United Kingdom.

Hounds of Love - The Kate Bush Celebration

Oct 15Step into the ethereal world of Hounds Of Love - The Kate Bush Celebration, a tribute that faithfully recreates the artistry, passion, and magic of one of music’s most iconic and enigmatic performers. This stunning production brings to life Kate Bush’s groundbreaking Tour of Life, the visionary 1979

Crafts: Lino Printing

Oct 3Craft: Lino Printing Workshop Leader: Rachel Jones Cost: £70 (8 places) 10am to 4pm In the Peter Harrison Room Tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided. Make a Lino print cushion. In the morning you will design and carve your own linocut. In the afternoon you will print your design onto a cotton/

Earth and Air and Rain (Autumn Festival)

Sep 24Evocative songs from around the British Isles, featuring national treasure Roderick Williams – hailed by the Daily Telegraph as “our greatest living baritone”. A formidable wordsmith, Roderick’s warm personality and “rich, burnished baritone” (New York Times) have captivated audiences around the wor

The Dualers - Wakefield

Oct 15The Dualers head to Wakefield for the very first time, prepare for a big night of ska and reggae!

Professor Brian Cox: Emergence World Tour

Take 2 Live @The Halfway House

Oct 4Come and join us for some Sunday afternoon entertainment.

Oct 15VIP includes: Exclusive access to soundcheck which will include a performance of 2 songs not featured in the show. - Stage / tech rundown with Francis? sound engineer - One of the best seats in the house for the main show - A limited-edition signed 7? single available only with the VIP ticket on tour & An exclusive VIP tour lanyard.

WK Championship - Round 7 & the Cock O’North

Oct 11Online registration & Membership is required to enter. Registration closes on Wednesday evening the week to prior to the event. Race Control opens at 8.30am, circuit goes live at 10am. Sessions depend on the number of classes & competitors signed on. All classes get 3 Heats & a Final,

North Notts College - Year 11 Parent and Carer Information Evening

Oct 6This evening is designed to provide you with the options available, and key information, that will help you in supporting your young person.

Westlife 25 - The Anniversary World Tour

Scott Bennett: Blood Sugar Baby

Oct 6One family, one condition, one hell of a hairy baby… Scott Bennett from Live at the Apollo, The Royal Variety Performance and The News Quiz tells the amazing true story of how his daughter fell ill with a rare genetic condition, congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI). Never heard of it? Neither had Scott and Jemma. ‘What’s so rare and satisfying is how all the jokes go hand in hand with the seriousness of the situation. It’s a wonderfully hopeful, often hilarious show from a properly funny man’ The Times ★★★★ ‘Fabulous turn of phrase, superb character creations ‘ Chortle ★★★★ ‘Stardom is surely just one punchline away‘ Evening Standard ★★★★ Yes, it’s a story about an ill baby, but it’s a very funny one with a happy ending, as new parents Scott and Jemma fight to get the right diagnosis for their daughter and are plunged into months of bewildering treatment, sleepless nights, celebrity encounters and bizarre side effects.

Rich Hall: Chin Music

Oct 6?Chin Music? has two meanings. One is idle talk. The other is a brushback throw in baseball or cricket to intimidate the batter. Both describe Rich Hall?s comedy. Idle but intimidating. Sharp, quick, splenetic, and sublimely improvisational. If you?ve never seen him, you need to hustle down to your local venue and grab a seat because he never disappoints. Ever.

Connect with Creatives - October 7th

Oct 7Join us October 7th to vibe, network, and spark fresh ideas with awesome creatives in person!

JSH SATURDAY SHOUTOUT

Oct 3��SATURDAY SHOUT OUT�� Please join this promotion of other businesses. We are all in it together and I love seeing other people doing well so all you have to do is…. Tag a company you think deserves the shout out or if you are a company just tag your business. Any trade welcome and on every Satu

Serena Terry: Therapy

Oct 7Doors: 18:00 Show: 19:00 Curfew: 22:30 Security - Bag Policy: Large bags including rucksacks are not allowed. There are no facilities to leave large bags or luggage. If you really have to bring a bag - and it's preferable you don't, please make sure it's small. Only one small bag per person is permitted and it must not be bigger than A4 size. Height: 28.7cm Width: 21cm Depth 15cm

Westlife: Venue Premium Tickets

Oct 7CLUB 91 SUPER SUITE PACKAGE Our Club 91 Super Suite Experience is £250pp and includes: Dedicated entrance to the venue This package includes 1 ticket All inclusive food and drinks Bar facilities STANDARD SUITES Enjoy the show from the comfort of your own private suite, our Hospitality Suite Experience is £1950 and includes: Private entrance to the venue Arrival Drink This package includes 12 tickets Option to pre-order additional food and beverage prior to the show (orders must be ordered and paid for 10 days prior) Hospitality host En-suite toilet facilities Bar facilities Reserved car parking space is available upon request. MIXER SUITES Enjoy the show from our MIXER suites, our Hospitality Suite Experience is £162.50 per person and includes: Private entrance to the venue Arrival Drink This package includes 1 ticket Hospitality host En-suite toilet facilities Bar facilities

Westlife 25 - The Anniversary World Tour

Oct 7Globally renowned pop group Westlife today unveil the UK and European leg of their 25th anniversary celebrations - Westlife 25: The Anniversary World Tour. The news follows two sold-out nights at London's iconic Royal Albert Hall next week, with additional dates already added in Dublin and Belfast at pre-sale due to overwhelming demand. Running from September 2026, the tour will see the band deliver a euphoric, hit-filled set spanning their extraordinary 25-year career from timeless ballads to global chart-toppers.

Joe Jackson - Venue Premium Tickets

T.Rextasy- The Greatest Hits Tour

Oct 24T.Rextasy are the only tribute band to have been authorised and endorsed by Marc Bolan’s catalogue management. The band are now officially recognised as the world’s No.1 group dedicated to the greatest glam rocker of them all, Marc Bolan of T.Rex. With their uncanny doppelganger lead singer and lea

Oct 4Don’t forget every Sunday from 8 is the Quiz Sticky 13 and meat raffle.

Comedy: Scott Bennett – *SOLD OUT*

Oct 7*This show is now sold out* *This is a seated show with all seating unreserved* One family, one condition, one hell of a hairy baby… Scott Bennett from Live at the Apollo, The Royal Variety Performance and The News Quiz tells the amazing true story of how his daughter fell ill with a rare genetic

Scott Bennett: Blood Sugar Baby

Oct 7One family, one condition, one hell of a hairy baby… Scott Bennett from Live at the Apollo, The Royal Variety Performance and The News Quiz tells the amazing true story of how his daughter fell ill with a rare genetic condition, congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI). Never heard of it? Neither had Scott and Jemma. ‘What’s so rare and satisfying is how all the jokes go hand in hand with the seriousness of the situation. It’s a wonderfully hopeful, often hilarious show from a properly funny man’ The Times ★★★★ ‘Fabulous turn of phrase, superb character creations ‘ Chortle ★★★★ ‘Stardom is surely just one punchline away‘ Evening Standard ★★★★ Yes, it’s a story about an ill baby, but it’s a very funny one with a happy ending, as new parents Scott and Jemma fight to get the right diagnosis for their daughter and are plunged into months of bewildering treatment, sleepless nights, celebrity encounters and bizarre side effects.

Wetherby Networking Event - 8 October 2026 12 noon - 2.00 pm (FREE)

Oct 8Join us for our Wetherby Networking Event, bringing together local businesses, professionals and community members.

The Jersey Beats

Russell Howard - Don't Tell The Algorithm

Oct 8Doors: 19:00 Sale Dates and Times:

Mike Wozniak: The Bench

Oct 8Please note that all tickets will be on collection, at the venue, on the evening of the show.

BOYZLIFE feat. Keith Duffy & Brian McFadden

Oct 8Performing all the biggest hits from Boyzone and Westlife. Boyband supergroup Boyzlife, comprising Boyzone?s Keith Duffy and Westlife?s Brian McFadden, celebrate the iconic hits from both defining 90s/00s groups, who sold a combined 55 million records and have 21+ #1 singles between them.

Avatar: The Last Airbender in Concert - The 20th Anniversary Tour

Oct 8Our Gateway+ Premium Experience will transform how you watch live entertainment in York. Enjoy being a VIP for the night as we look after you so all you need to do is relax and enjoy the show. Skip the queues and enter the venue via a dedicated entrance and access to the newly renovated, exclusive Clifford's Lounge. Relax in style and enjoy a welcome drink* as well as a complimentary interval drink. At show time, take your seat in our new luxury seating located perfectly to give you fantastic views of the stage. Every seat has its own QR code so you can order drinks direct to your seat throughout the show. *25ml York Gin and mixer (other spirits available), Prosecco, 175ml wine, bottled beer, pint of beer or soft drink.

Fairport Convention Live at St Mary's Church, Beverley

Oct 8Legendary folk-rockers bring their incredible show to historic Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire.

Oct 8Please Please You & Brudenell Presents... It’s hard not to feel seen by Lemoncello, a band whose live performances and recordings shimmer with the tones of modern Ireland. Their upcoming release, Perfect Place, evolves from the band’s folk-soaked roots and confidently explores intricate new shapes. Marking a bold new chapter for singer-songwriter Laura Quirke & cellist-arranger Claire Kinsella, Perfect Place is imbued with assuredness, encompassing full band recordings that weave synths and electronic percussion into the band’s staple organic sound. Through an intimate and devastatingly personal style of storytelling, the new album reflects upon the the modern tension between togetherness and alienation & the chaos of human nature with radical acceptance and compassion. Perfect Place follows on from the band’s debut self-titled record, which received critical acclaim from BBC Radio 6 Music, Clash, The Line Of Best Fit. Described as “direct and refreshing”, “cathartic” by critics at Mojo and RNR, the duo speak to listeners in the way that an ex or an old friend might – cultivating a sense of consolation that leaves audiences forgetting there’s a world outside of the venue. Lemoncello’s body of work is equally familiar and confronting, driven by the palpable chemistry of a long-term friendship.

Jim Jones All Stars

Oct 8VF Presents... A bubbling swamp curse of unholy rhythm, Jim Jones All Stars is the latest project from garage godfather Jim Jones (, ). Formed during the pandemic, it features members Gavin Jay and Elliot Mortimer, drummer Chris Ellul form (), veteran punk guitarist Carlton Mounsher (The Swamps), and a full horn section. After a midnight offering at the real crossroads in Clarksdale, Mississippi, the band made the pilgrimage to Memphis, Tennessee to record with Memphis Magnetic founder Scott McEwen ( , , , ) in May of 2022. Produced by John Getze and mastered by Grammy Award winner Randy Merrill, the resulting LP “Ain’ No Peril” is a thick, greasy slab of Rama lama rhythm and blues that highlights some of Jones's most inspired songwriting ever and features guest appearances from vocal powerhouse Nikki Hill and ’s Eugene S. Robinson. “When you’re recording within spitting distance of the Mississippi River, there’s something about that heavy Memphis air that changes the way that you hear the groove and grind,” says Jim Jones. ‘Ain’t No Peril’ captures that feeling and bathes in that magic.”

Nottingham Beer & Cider Festival - 9th October

Oct 9Nottingham CAMRA's flagship event returns for a sixth year, with hundreds of beers and ciders available to sample across our historic home - including in our extensively refurbished Pavilion Long Room. Expect classic beers, new creations, live entertainment and a host of food options. Admission is

Royal Air Force Swing Wing

Oct 18The RAF Music Charitable Trust proudly presents an extraordinary evening featuring the world-class musicians of the Royal Air Force Swing Wing. Immerse yourself in the captivating sound of classic swing, featuring timeless masterpieces from Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Tommy Dorsey, and more. Don’t

Bonfire Night at Perlethorpe Social Club

Nov 6Come and enjoy a fantastic Bonfire Night at Perlethorpe Social Club! This exciting event promises an evening full of fun with fireworks, delicious food, and refreshing drinks. The gates will open at 5:30 PM, and the fireworks will start at 7:30 PM, lighting up the night sky with beautiful colours.

Oct 17The Rude Boyz are a band not to be missed back at Great Northern by popular demand

Bestwood Walk & Talk

Sep 17🌳 Bestwood Walk & Talk — we're walking! 🌳 Walk together. Talk together. Support your local veterans' community. We're proud to launch a friendly weekly community walk at Bestwood Country Park, organised by local friends in support of the Arnold & District Royal British Legion Branch. 📅 Every Thurs

Part Exchange & Assisted Move Event - Mapperley Meadows

Sep 26✨ Looking for a new home at Mapperley Meadows but still need to sell yours? Join us at our event and find out how we can help make your move easier. 📅 Saturday 26th September, 11am - 4pm 🏡 Take a tour of this evolving development and discover your new home 💌 Discover bespoke offers* to help you s

Mini Flowers workshop

Sep 18💫Mini Flowers on rods workshop💫 🌺If you fancy making a bunch of 7 mini flowers on rods, a choice of up to 3 glazes, all resources and firings included. Refreshments and cake 🍰 Then get in touch. To secure the booking I just need £10 per person deposit. 📅 Friday 18th September ⏰11am start, appr

LEGO BUILDERS EVENING (aka Lego Night)

Oct 7🚀LEGO BUILDERS EVENING🏠 The 1st Wednesday of the Month is our LEGO BUILDERS EVENING! A night where fellow Lego enthusiasts get to bring their sets to build or create something from the large amounts of Lego we already have, whilst having a nice beverage. There will also be a prize for BEST BUILD on

The Power of YOU Women's Wellbeing & Empowerment Workshop

Oct 3A gentle journalling workshop offering a supportive bridge back into community, helping women rebuild confidence and connection.

Chesterfield Comedy Club

Oct 8Amuzin Comedy takes over the MONTHLY home of Chesterfield Comedy right in the beating heart of town, at the incredible REAL TIME LIVE!

Brandon Flowers in City of Nottingham

Oct 18🎶 Get Ready for Brandon Flowers Live at Rock City on Sunday, October 18, 2026! 🎶 This is not just a concert—it's a moment you'll talk about for years. Brandon Flowers is set to light up Rock City with their unforgettable sound on Sunday, October 18, 2026. With fan-favorite hits like Crossfire, On

Calm & Create: Aromatherapy Reed Diffuser

Oct 10Join me in my Beverley studio for a relaxing, creative session where you will blend oils to create your own Aromatherapy Reed diffuser

Understanding Yourself Through the Inner Journey Workshop [Congeries of sound, Kirkby in Ashfield].

Oct 10Understanding Yourself Through the Inner Journey This immersive workshop is an invitation to turn inward and reconnect with the truth of who you are. Understanding Yourself Through the Inner Journey is a gentle yet profound exploration of self-awareness, healing, and conscious living. Through guide

Jazz Emu: The Pleasure Is All Yours

Sep 2614+ only. Under 16's must be accompanied by an adult. No refunds will be given for incorrectly booked tickets. Musical meteor Jazz Emu was born to please you. Total and Utter Audience Satisfaction is his middle name – finally, after a long and financially ruinous Deed Poll process. But he’s feeling uneasy. A review described his last show as ‘a bit much’. What? Was his seventeenth stage-dive too tastefully executed? Not this time. This time, he’s living up to his middle-namesake. Following a tour of the US, a triumphant Edinburgh Fringe run and sell-out runs in London, Jazz Emu is back on tour with a brand new musical odyssey. Jazz Emu rose to prominence online – with his videos and songs receiving 100s of millions of views/streams – before bringing his special brand of comedy mastery to the real world. He has since featured on 8 Out of 10 Cats does Countdown, won a host of awards and been listed as the 26th Funniest Comedian of the 21st Century by the Telegraph. His latest show was among the Best Reviewed Shows at Edinburgh Fringe 2025 (British Comedy Guide) and was listed as one of The Guardian’s Golden Shows to See at Edinburgh Fringe 2025.

Lionel - A Tribute To Lionel Richie @ Newark Palace Theatre

Sep 17Get ready for an unforgettable night celebrating the music of Lionel Richie! Join the incredible full live band, fronted by the outstanding Jack Brindle, as they perform all the timeless hits you know and love, including Hello, Easy, Dancing on the Ceiling, All Night Long and many more. Whether you'

Valuation Roadshow with TV expert Adam Schoon at The Auction Room, Hansons Newark

Sep 16EXCITING NEWS AND DATE FOR YOUR DIARY... 💎 Free Valuation Day with Adam Schoon – Newark 💎 Have you ever wondered what your antiques or jewellery might be worth today? Here’s your opportunity. Join well-known television antiques expert Adam Schoon at The Auction Room | Hansons Newark for a special

Just Wicks @ Manvers Christmas Artisan Market

Nov 1Enjoy a day of supporting local businesses, with a great selection of bakers, makers and so much more. A great variety of our products will be available to purchase on the day.

Sep 22Dominic Sessa, Antonio Banderas and Leo Woodall star in this biographical drama about Anthony Bourdain. Nineteen-year-old Anthony Bourdain stumbles into the chaotic world of a restaurant kitchen, setting off a summer that shapes the course of his life. Duration: 1 hour 46 minutes

Amberaid 30 and Petit Raid trail run

Oct 17A 31-mile ultra trail run over undulating countryside paths and trails in the Amber Valley, Derbyshire, close to the eastern edge of the Peak District. Don’t fancy an ultra? There's also the option of the Petit Raid - the Northern Loop of the Amberaid, which offers 20 miles of quality trails, hills,

Lipstick on Your Collar

Live @ The Diamond

Sep 27Join us for what is going to be another awesome afternoon @ The Legendary Diamond, in Sutton in Ashfield! Doors Open at 2pm! Ticket Information: TBC Scotty & The Flowing Locks are an established 4-piece live band. Performing a live variety of great music from the likes of Queen, Prince, The

Chris Ramsey: Here, Man!

Oct 3Following a rapid and complete sell-out Spring tour, Chris has added a limited run of extra dates this autumn. Despite initially (and repeatedly) vowing not to add any extra dates, the opportunity to continue touring 'Here Man' and tell audiences all about all the stuff that he CAN'T SAY on his hit

80s Night - 3 course dinner and live music!

Oct 10A fantastic 80s themed night with a 3 course meal and live music from Lincolnshire’s premier 80’s cover band - playing all those hits from the 80’s you can’t resist singing along with and dancing to! Please note tables are set for 10 people, if you are booking for fewer than this you will be allocat

Little Grimley Comedies

Oct 2Showcasing a brand new comedy from the guru of amateur theatre plays, David Tristram, paired with a long-standing audience favourite. Meet pathologically optimistic Littl;e Grimley chairman Gordon; aided and abetted by cynical Bernard, diva Margaret and loveable ,but dim-witted Joyce. The quartet

Wath Town Hall Ghost Hunt £35

Sep 18An evening with the team where we take you through a number of techniques to try and communicate with the hidden past of Wath Town Hall, on land which holds alot of history. FEAR us not and join us for an incredible evening.

Scarborough Jazz Festival 2026 Sunday Day

Great British Showmen Tribute - Kings, Gainsborough

Oct 3A tribute to two of the greatest British showmen of all time 🇬🇧 One. The frontman of one of the biggest bands the world has ever seen. A once-in-a-generation talent whose voice, presence and songwriting helped define modern music. The man behind some of the most iconic songs ever written with Queen

Sh!t-faced Shakespeare: Romeo & Juliet

Michael Ball in City of Nottingham

Sep 19🎶 Don't Miss this Out! Michael Ball is Live at Royal Concert Hall Nottingham on Saturday, September 19, 2026! 🎶 This is your moment. Michael Ball is hitting Royal Concert Hall Nottingham on Saturday, September 19, 2026, and with chart-topping hits like Empty Chairs At Empty Tables, Somewhere - Fr

Trinity Arts Centre, Gainsborough - Thursday 15th October 2026

Oct 15Step into the ethereal world of Hounds Of Love - The Kate Bush Celebration, a tribute that faithfully recreates the artistry, passion, and magic of one of music’s most iconic and enigmatic performers. This stunning production brings to life Kate Bush’s groundbreaking Tour of Life, the visionary 1979

Ultra 90s v 2000s & DJ Will Peel – 10 Year Party – Sat 3rd October – 6.45pm until 11.30pm

Oct 3Get ready for an evening packed with the biggest dance floor fillers from the 90s and the noughties! WHO: Ultra 90s v 2000’s LIVE! Expect incredible light shows, lasers, and non-stop energy. Not forgetting, DJ Will Peel keeping the anthems coming before, inbetween and after the show. WHAT: House,

Afternoon Tea - Wonderland - Down the rabbit hole

Sep 18For a few weeks each year we transform the tea room, to take you on a magical wonderland adventure - down the rabbit hole. Join us at the uniquely quirky Twisted Teapot, be transported into a world of wonder, while you enjoy an afternoon tea inspired by Alice and her adventures. ❤️🌟 Afternoon Tea

Troy Hawke: Never Stop, Never Change!

Oct 2Please note that all tickets will be on collection, at the venue, on the evening of the show.

Holy Days (12A)

Oct 11Synopsis Three elderly nuns and a grieving young boy embark on a road trip in order to save the local convent from property developers in this comedy drama. Cast & Crew Director: Nat Boltt Writer: Nat Boltt Cast: Jacki Weaver, Miriam Margolyes, Judy Davis, Craig Hall, John Bach Screening Informatio

Ward Thomas - Celebrating 10 years of Cartwheels

Tom Rosenthal - Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I Am

The Story of Guitar Heroes

Bootleg Blondie

Sep 18Established in 2001 this band is the only tribute to have performed with two original founder members of Blondie, legendary drummer Clem Burke who is sadly no longer with us, and songwriter, bass player and prolific author Gary Valentine. BB had the honour to be thanked on Blondie's 11* album 'Pollinator' in 2017 and played the world famous CBGB in New York City 2006. In 2019, to celebrate 40 years since the release of Blondie's iconic album "Parallel Lines" Bootleg Blondie played two UK tours with Clem Burke under the band name CBBB (Clem Burke & Bootleg Blondie). Both tours were a whirlwind of sell out shows, radio, press interviews and fab reviews, driving nearly 5,000 miles and performing to over 7,000 people, also releasing an original single 'Enigma Soho Au Go Go' to coincide with the tours which is available through AppleMusic, Spotify, Deezer, and itunes. Clem Burke and Bootleg Blondie have written a rock 'n' roll opera about London with original music called 'Clem Burke's Big Smoke'. Tim Rice said 'It is instantly catchy and intriguing, the lyrics are fun and witty' Check out Clem's youtube L.A. interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lwj07Sd-MU Bootleg Blondie can be seen at all the major venues and festivals around the UK and Europe, having played the Isle of Wight Festival, the 100 Club, Shepherd's Bush Empire, the Hammersmith Palais, the Electric Ballroom London, Eric's Liverpool, Dingwall's London. 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, wearing dustbin liners, thigh length boots and t.shirts with more holes than t.shirt! She appeared in The Mail On Sunday Magazine and performed on two TV shows for BBC1 picked out of 15,000 applicants to represent Debbie Harry on 'Even Better Than The Real Thing' hosted by Paddy McGuinness which attracted an audience of 10 million viewers! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VzuJqMp5cQ

Sep 19Please Please You & Brudenell Presents... Gong in 2026 features the longest-running line-up of this legendary international psychedelic band. The universe of Gong was created in 1969 by Daevid Allen, following a profound psychedelic vision. A founder member of Soft Machine, Allen wove his spiritual and metaphysical leanings into an evolving collective, more a mythology than a band in the conventional sense. Gong established itself as one of the most unique, innovative and experimental rock groups of the Seventies, with an experimental mix of rock, jazz, psychedelia and elements of mysticism and surrealism, all laced with a far-out sense of humour. The current incarnation, who were put together by Daevid for his swansong album with Gong, ‘I See You’, continue to honour his final intent: to take the band “into new unknown heights and depths far beyond anything I could ever imagine myself”. They have composed, recorded and toured together for eleven years since Allen's passing and they continue to espouse the ethics, attitude and lifestyle that was always at the heart of the band. This dynamic, powerful and explosive live band continue to tour internationally, including visits to China, USA, Europe, Brazil and Japan. They have released the albums 'Rejoice! I’m Dead!’ (2016), ‘The Universe Also Collapses’ (2019), ‘Pulsing Signals’ (2021),‘Unending Ascending’ (2023), and now 'Bright Spirit' (2026), all on Kscope. Line-up: Ian East – saxophones and woodwinds Fabio Golfetti – guitar and singing Cheb Nettles – drums and singing Dave Sturt – bass and singing Kavus Torabi – singing and guitar

Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club - York

Sep 26Laugh Out Loud Comedy Clubs – Treat Yourself to a Laugh! Come and see the best in live stand-up with comedians from such hit TV shows as BBC1’s Michael McIntyre’s Big Show, BBC1’s Would I Lie to You?, BBC2’s Live at the Apollo, Channel 4’s 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, Channel 4’s Taskmaster – and many more. Plus the best of the rest from across the UK and around the world — always live, always unforgettable.Each show features three professional comedians and a brilliant host MC. You’ll see different performers every month — no repeats and a fresh night out every time. Over the years, we’ve proudly booked the likes of John Bishop, Sarah Millican, Chris Ramsey, James Acaster, Russell Howard, and Jason Manford — all before they became household names. 🎤 So come and catch the next big thing — before they’re selling out their own national tours! Why you’ll love it: 🎉 Three top professional comedians every show 🔁 Brand-new line-up every month – never the same twice 🍻 Full bar service + two interval breaks 🥳 Perfect for birthdays, date nights, or just a great night out 😂 Big laughs, great crowds, and real feel-good moments – every single time What audiences say: “I liked it so much I booked for 28 people – they all loved it!” – Will Sherret “Ace night” – Julie Lovatt “Fantastic night yet again” – Fleur Spafford “Great night, everyone must try going – very funny!” – Lee Evans (not that Lee Evans!) 🎟️ These are all real reviews from real people – so if you fancy a laugh, get booking now. 🔒 Key Info: Ages 18+ Doors: 7:30pm Show Start + Last Entry: 8:00pm Finish: 10:30pm

Thompson Twins' Tom Bailey - Venue Premium Tickets

Paul Merton and Suki Webster's Improv Show

Magic Mike's Halloween Special: The Not So Spooky Halloween Show

Oct 9PorkPie The Crescent, York Friday 9th October, 7.30pm Tickets are £24 (+ b/f) in advance and available from See Tickets. *This is a standing show* PorkPie stand proudly at the heart of the UK’s modern ska revival, blending the fire of classic 2-Tone with their own unmistakable energy. Over the last three years the band have stepped firmly into their stride, releasing two full-length albums and an EP that have cemented their reputation as one of the most dynamic ska outfits on the circuit. Their self-titled EP ‘Skandemic’ marked a turning point for Porkpie, showcasing sharp songwriting, powerful brass arrangements, and the band’s signature ability to fuse social bite with irresistible rhythm. Building on that momentum, 2025 saw the release of their acclaimed second album ‘9 On the Tiles’, a record that broadened their sound while staying true to the ska roots that first inspired them. The album’s standout single ‘Bones’ became a breakout success and was picked up as a favourite by Craig Charles on BBC Radio 6 Music, earning the band new listeners across the UK and beyond. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXu45Xvzxq8 Known for their electric stage presence, polished musicianship, and a commitment to making every gig feel like a celebration, PorkPie continue to rise through the ska scene with confidence and flair. In April 2026, they’ll bring their unmistakable stomp to the London International Ska Festival, appearing alongside reggae and roots luminaries Misty in Roots and The Cimarons a milestone that marks just how far the band have come. With momentum on their side and a loyal, ever-growing fanbase, PorkPie are skanking forward with purpose—ready to bring their brass, bounce, and big-hearted spirit to audiences everywhere. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm3UWxSblpc

An Evening with Kristin Hersh

Oct 17Please Please You & Brudenell Presents... Over the last three decades, Kristin Hersh’s prolific career has seen her heralded queen of the alternative release. Returning with a new solo record ‘Clear Pond Road’ released in September 2023, the album is a cinematic road trip; a series of personal vignettes from a fiercely independent auteur, plush with layers of atonal, edgy-dreamy strings and mellotron. It’s a watershed moment in a career overflowing with creative firsts and inspirational thinking, an elegant piece of personal reportage. It’s a sensuous, life-affirming statement, a very personal memoir; it’s the a blossoming of a true icon of independence. In 2018 Hersh announced a new partnership with Fire Records that made possible the release of her acclaimed tenth studio album, ‘Possible Dust Clouds’. Since then there’s been new releases from Throwing Muses (‘Sun Racket’, 2020) and 50Foot Wave (‘Black Pearl’, 2022) along with new book ‘Seeing Sideways’ (2022). “One of indie rock’s most fascinating figures” (The Guardian) Hersh has released over 20 solo records, with Throwing Muses and 50FOOTWAVE to date. She is the author of an acclaimed memoir — based on her teenage diary — about a particularly eventful year, titled “Rat Girl” (‘Paradoxical Undressing’ in the UK), which was named #8 on Rolling Stone’s “25 Greatest Rock Memoirs of all time.” She later released her albums ‘Crooked’ (2010), ‘Wyatt at the Coyote Palace’ (2016) and Throwing Muses’ ‘Purgatory/Paradise’ (2013) as groundbreaking books of music, artwork, essays and lyrics. NPR Books said of Hersh’s latest work, ‘Don’t Suck, Don’t Die’ about her friendship with the late Vic Chesnutt, “Not only one of the best books of the year, it’s one of the most beautiful rock memoirs ever written.”  Previously, the juxtaposition of light and dark has been essential to the drama of Throwing Muses and 50 Foot Wave, but this new record is something of a departure: more inward looking. Produced and performed by Hersh, ‘Clear Pond Road’ is quieter yet more outspoken, its inventive musical logic underpinned by the ambience of field recordings. “Passion sounds less angry here, more grateful, I think,” Kristin says, “sweeter, sadder, and somehow no less alive. Honestly? It’s a love story and its erratic heart rate reflects this. As textured and raunchy as real life songs like these can get, the sonic vocabulary is delicate, so I had to respect that and keep it grounded with car engines and rain in New England, then whistling ducks and wind chimes in New Orleans. Which sounds wistful, like a blurry photograph.” Currently in the studio working on the next offering from Throwing Muses, Kristin Hersh is also preparing for a three month solo tour to celebrate across the UK and Ireland before heading to Australia and New Zealand.

Imperial Classical Ballet® Presents Swan Lake

The Mouse Outfit

Oct 15The Mouse Outfit Thursday 15th October, 7.30pm Tickets are £18 (+ b/f) in advance and available from See Tickets. *This is a standing show* The Mouse Outfit are a Hip Hop production team and live band from Manchester. They are back on tour in 2026 performing DJ sets/Soundsystem gigs with MCs and shows with their full 8 piece live band. They will be fronted by MCs Koj and Ayite with special guests at selected locations. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdNDHOOByDQ The Mouse Outfit released their third album ‘Jagged Tooth Crook’ in May 2018. Part hip hop production team / part live band / part ever growing collective of musicians and vocalists based in Manchester, UK – The Mouse Outfit continue to bring their brand of jazz influenced boom bap to the masses. In the past decade, The Mouse Outfit have worked with over 85 musicians, producers and vocalists in the studio and on the stage under The Mouse Outfit banner. To this day, they have remained independent and retained their DIY hip hop sensibilities, self releasing three studio albums and an album of remixes over the last five years. A prolific music video production team – The Mouse Outfit has garnered over 15 million views on their Youtube channel and helped win the band a slew of hardcore fans world wide. The Mouse Outfit’s debut album Escape Music (2013) was the catalyst that shot the band to national prominence. Working with lesser known young local artists alongside more established vocalists, the crew crafted an organic hip hop album giving an insight into the grass roots Manchester scene and expose it to a wider audience. Chini and Pitch 92 (High Focus Records) produced all the music with Defty making most of the videos. A domestic success, winning UK hip hop album of the year from Wordplay Magazine, the album established the group as a highly respected fixture on the festival circuit – performing at events such as Glastonbury, Boomtown, Outlook (Croatia), Soundwave (Croatia), Hip Hop Kemp (Czech Republic), Fusion (Germany) and VH1 (India). For the next five years the group toured relentlessly as a live band, usually headed up by high octane performances from Sparkz and Dr Syntax (the two most significant lyrical contributors to the debut album), performing in thirteen countries across Europe and Asia. The group’s 2015 sophomore album ‘Step Steadier’ garnered high praise internationally, including a number 9 spot in ABC News’ top albums of the year. A 12 track album of remixes followed in 2016 with contributions from Dub Phizix, Tall Black Guy, Mungo’s Hifi, Sivey, Flofilz and DJ Vadim. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWJrJnBnnKw The Mouse Outfit released their 3rd album ‘Jagged Tooth Crook’ in 2018, with Metrodome and Deese joining the production team. Featuring standout contributions from rising star IAMDDB alongside a host of Manchester talent, the album was released on vinyl release by HHV Records (Germany). Chini + Metrodome produced 14 of the 17 tracks together demonstrating their collaborative skills in the studio. The Mouse Outfit are back on tour with a new show showcasing some of the vocal talent they have been collaborating with for their next project. The live band will be fronted by Koj & Ayite, with various special guests joining the line-up at selected locations. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ui4tgq0_Gqo

York Guildhall Orchestra - Venue Premium Tickets

Oct 11Start Time: 15:00

More Secret Histories of Ancient Rome with Mary Beard - Venue Premium

BBC Radio 2 DANCE Sounds of the 90s with Vernon Kay

Katherine Jenkins - 25 Year Anniversary Tour

The Magic of Motown - Venue Premium Tickets

My New Band Believe

Oct 22Please Please You & Brudenell presents... *This is a standing show* My New Band Believe’s debut album began as a fever dream. Delirious in a Chinese hotel room, Cameron Picton was battling through the worst of a sudden illness when he was overcome by flashes of weird imagery and loose ribbons of scrambled text. The musician would later salvage and shape some of these fragments into songs, but the one that lodged most clearly in his mind was the odd phrase, “My New Band Believe.” When it came time to christen his solo project there was no decision to be made; this unwieldy assemblage of words had to be his signature. Picton would be the first to admit that he sometimes cringes over the name, sometimes finding it cheesy and earnest, questionably self-aware, not even fully grammatically correct. But in other respects, he’s never doubted its odd brilliance. My New Band Believe works as a reintroduction and a fresh start, both hyping up its author while acknowledging the collective effort that went into its making. It also serves as an open invitation, a subtle nod that if a listener is willing to meet the music on its own terms, they’ll be rewarded for taking a flying leap into the dark. As the bassist and sometime frontman of black midi, Picton and his bandmates practiced an explosive form of musical world-building, weaving complex story-telling through thrilling passages of controlled chaos. When the group called it quits in 2023, the artist didn’t immediately feel like making a solo record or jumping back into another band. Loose plans to be a rotating collaborator with various London groups à la Jim O’Rourke, including caroline were discussed, even rehearsed, but never fully materialised. It was from this position of a not-quite team player, not-quite bandleader that Picton entered the studio and the seeds of My New Band Believe gradually began to emerge. The group’s debut is a massive and hallucinatory record. It is a collection of music that swerves through wildly different emotional and thematic registers, all the while unraveling an endlessly compelling thread of dream logic. Picton is an unreliable but charismatic narrator, and together with a cast of all-star players including Kiran Leonard, Caius Williams, Steve Noble, Andrew Cheetham, and indeed, members of caroline, he guides the listener through a rapidly unfolding multi-verse of their own making. With My New Band Believe, he not only comes into his own as a leader but arranges conflicting, fragmentary, and hysterical ideas until they form a brilliant kind of sense. My New Band Believe is as epic and ritzy as Picton’s previous work in black midi but its sound is fleet-footed rather than scorching. The record is almost entirely acoustic, using the barest amount of reverb and electronic effects possible. It would be a mistake however to assume these light touches mean that their music is any less maximal. The crispness of the sound only helps to emphasize its dynamism. Taking flight off the back of a string quartet layered over themselves countless times, Picton leads his band so that each track forms, scatters and re-groups, so that the uplift of one song crashes head-long into the rush of another. Inspired by Bert Jansch’s hypnotic, hard-driving guitar-playing and Judee Sill’s panoramic pop, My New Band Believe is both all-encompassing and constantly in flux. The build-up of these songs is essential to dramatizing their frenzied emotions. A song like “Actress” weighs a friend’s capacity to self-destruct against the vastness of their dreams, which Picton accompanies with music that lies low until it suddenly soars. “Opposite Teacher” rages against the fate of becoming just like your parents but as the track progressively rises to a fever pitch, it ultimately can’t resist falling back to its cyclical (and familiar) guitar line. Although the band’s sound is thrillingly self-assured, Picton’s songwriting thrives off of a deep ambiguity. The musician adopts a constantly shifting perspective, giving shape to his narrators’ vivid inner lives. Picton’s characters are searchers who urgently pursue the object of their desire through the twisting alleys and overgrown mazes of his music. “Target Practice” finds him face to face with his mark. The track flips bloody-minded vigilantism into a sing-along anthem, less a murder ballad than Luigi Mangione at the cabaret. It’s a hollow revenge fantasy, where in holding another more powerful person’s life in the cross hairs, his character can feel as if he’s taken back agency of his own.Even when the path is murky and the object that Picton is trailing is more shadowy, Picton bravely pushes forward. The influence of figures like Jansch and John Renbourn are most apparent on “Heart of Darkness” which channels a history of transatlantic interpretation and experimentation to situate his protagonist’s quest in a musical time warp.“One Night” is beautifully, almost painfully open: a Dennis Cooper novel in miniature, where Picton puts his body on the line for connection, hungry for a kind of intimacy he can’t fully articulate. “You are not the man I took you for” he sings with a suppressed sigh, cycling through violent hook-ups and transient moments of sweetness, holding out for a flicker of intimacy and recognition. Picton has a talent for capturing ambient anxiety and a rare gift for distilling it into pop. There’s tremendous truth to the way he paints with overwhelming, mixed emotions. “Love Story” is one of the album’s stand-out tracks. The song captures Picton in his element: staying in, cooking a meal, feeling sexy for his partner, until in a flash it’s suddenly gone. In a moment the song’s uncomplicated sweetness is suddenly thrown into relief by the specter of loss. It would be one thing if My New Band Believe stalled out on present-day terror, but across their debut Picton proves how capable he is at capturing its flipside; people breaking past their fear into something bigger than themselves. With this record, Picton offers a project that you can believe in.

The Wave Pictures

Oct 21Please Please You & Brudenell Presents... It’s over twenty years since The Wave Pictures formed in Wymeswold, Leicestershire as teenagers. The trio of Jonny Helm (drums), Dave Tattersall (guitar & vocals) and Franic Rozycki (bass) have gone on to be one of the UK’s most prolific and beloved bands. Fond of classic rock, jazz and blues, they are also one of the most accomplished, with Tattersall’s guitar solos becoming the stuff of legend. They have collaborated with varying bright stars of the musical firmament, from their ongoing partnership with ex-Herman Dune member Stanley Brinks, or the very close partnership with Billy Childish for 2015’s ‘Great Big Flamingo Burning Moon’. The band have released 11 albums and played some of the most treasured festival stages around including Primavera Sound, Green Man and End of the Road. The new album, Gained Lost: Classic songwriting, virtuosic musicianship and dream logic lyrics. The Wave Pictures return with Gained Lost, a record that brings together 60s garage rock, 70s classic rock and 90s American indie with a DIY spirit that has guided the band for nearly three decades. Across the album, David Tattersall (guitar and lead vocals), Franic Rozycki (bass), and Jonny Helm (drums) capture the joy of playing together—a chemistry that has cemented their status as one of Britain’s most enduring cult bands. Tattersall’s lyrics arrive like postcards from the space where memories fragment and dreams fill the cracks—reflecting the self as a child, as an elder, and as an observer from a neighbour’s window. Lyrics float over the guitars and drums like figures in the sky in a Chagall painting. The Wave Pictures always give the mundane its magical due. The front cover, created by Tattersall, is a tribute to Robert Frank’s front cover for Exile On Main Street. Images of childhood combine with recent photos of the band and many other figures, from old horror movie posters to former footballers. Everything in their world gets funneled into The Wave Pictures music. The album opens with the Burroughs-inspired dreamscape of “Alice.” ‘’Sure and Steady’’ is like Lou Reed if he’d grown up in the East Midlands. ‘’Past The House Painted Blue’’ is like a painting by Matisse. ‘’You’re My Patient Now,’’ a mixture of Raymond Chandler and Link Wray. The songs themselves—full of poetry and joy—are the album’s defining strength. Like its predecessor, Gained Lost was recorded by Jim Riley at Rochester’s Ranscombe Studios over seven days in early 2024. Riley, who has worked with the band on multiple projects including Great Big Flamingo Burning Moon and Bamboo Diner in the Rain, captures the Wave Pictures live and unfiltered—the way they prefer to record. Throughout the album, David Tattersall’s guitar playing is inventive, melodic, emotional and virtuosic. His playing at times is as lyrical as Jerry Garcia, at others spikey and spindley like Tom Verlaine, but always emotional and on point for the song. No wonder Marc Riley describes David Tattersall as ‘’The greatest guitarist of his generation.’’ Gained Lost sets a new standard: a distillation of spirit, craft, and joy. It is available now on vinyl, CD, and digital formats.

Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club - York

Oct 24Laugh Out Loud Comedy Clubs – Treat Yourself to a Laugh! Come and see the best in live stand-up with comedians from such hit TV shows as BBC1’s Michael McIntyre’s Big Show, BBC1’s Would I Lie to You?, BBC2’s Live at the Apollo, Channel 4’s 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, Channel 4’s Taskmaster – and many more. Plus the best of the rest from across the UK and around the world — always live, always unforgettable.Each show features three professional comedians and a brilliant host MC. You’ll see different performers every month — no repeats and a fresh night out every time. Over the years, we’ve proudly booked the likes of John Bishop, Sarah Millican, Chris Ramsey, James Acaster, Russell Howard, and Jason Manford — all before they became household names. 🎤 So come and catch the next big thing — before they’re selling out their own national tours! Why you’ll love it: 🎉 Three top professional comedians every show 🔁 Brand-new line-up every month – never the same twice 🍻 Full bar service + two interval breaks 🥳 Perfect for birthdays, date nights, or just a great night out 😂 Big laughs, great crowds, and real feel-good moments – every single time What audiences say: “I liked it so much I booked for 28 people – they all loved it!” – Will Sherret “Ace night” – Julie Lovatt “Fantastic night yet again” – Fleur Spafford “Great night, everyone must try going – very funny!” – Lee Evans (not that Lee Evans!) 🎟️ These are all real reviews from real people – so if you fancy a laugh, get booking now. 🔒 Key Info: Ages 18+ Doors: 7:30pm Show Start + Last Entry: 8:00pm Finish: 10:30pm

Mark Thomas: 40 in Stand-Up Years

Oct 26What?! Mark Thomas has been ‘standing up’ for 40 years? Impossible!! But how old does that make you…? Alas it is true; one of our oldest surviving alternative comics celebrates 40 years at the mic. So, here’s what he has done so far in numbers; performed comedy for 40 years, won 8 awards for performing, 4 for human rights work and 1 he invented for himself, made 6 series of the Mark Thomas Comedy Product (Channel 4), written 6 books and 5 play scripts, made 5 series of the Manifesto for Radio 4, made 3 Dispatches for Channel 4, sued the police (and won) 3 times, curated and authored 2 art exhibitions with artist Tracey Moberly and had 1 Guinness World Record for holding 20 protests in 24 hours. If that’s not enough, he’s also walked 724km around the length of the Israel Wall in the West Bank, been credited with changing the law on tax avoidance, started a comedy club in Palestine with Dr Sam Beale and campaigned successfully for things like trade union recognition for cinema workers and getting multinationals to change their practices. You’re right, there’s more, but your attention is running out and we’re running out of space. So let’s just say he’s generally mucked about trying to have fun and upset the right people…which he is really, really good at. So basically expect a taster menu of government and personal mayhem, jokes, rants and a personal state of the nation broadcast as he tries to turn 'what the f*ck is going on' into a cogent hour of stand-up. ★★★★★ “Once again shooting laughter-laden political bullets from the lip” THE RECS ★★★★★ “Mark Thomas is a firebrand of a clown. The energy he brings to the room is infectious…very, very funny” CLOWNSTER ★★★★ “The strong ratio of hard-hitting matter to gag-rich mirth is a feat that makes other stand-up look idling and irrelevant” THE TELEGRAPH

Troy Hawke: Never Stop, Never Change!

Oct 24Hey hey mama said the way you move, gonna make you sweat, gonna make you groove! ”I walked in, I saw me” – Robert Plant on the Letz Zep gig he attended in London. Jimmy Page has also attended a Letz Zep show and invited them to join him after the gig, ‘’You pulled it off”, he said, “And captured the spirit of Led Zeppelin concerts, you really are very, very good”. And then personally invited the band to perform at the ‘Mothership’ and ‘Celebration Day’ releases. The band also headlined the John Bonham Celebration concert. Rated by Ticketmaster as ‘Most Popular’ and ‘Most Highly Rated’ tribute to Led Zeppelin today. Even the real Zeppelin’s label, Warner, named them as ‘Europe’s Best Tribute to Led Zeppelin’. Yup, Letz Zep are the best tribute to the best rock band ever… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHNYRQMwtIg

The Witcher - Venue Premium Tickets

The Witcher in Concert

⚠️ 20% OFF ALL TICKETS & 20% OFF FOOTASYLUM APP 💸📲 Nottingham Freshers Welcome Week 2026 🎓 - Presented by FOOTASYLUM - UK Largest Freshers Events - Sold Out 10 Years Running 🏆

Sep 19The Ultimate Nottingham Freshers Experience - Presented by FOOTASYLUM 5 HUGE Events. 1 Unmissable Wristband. One Incredible Week. SOLD OUT EVERY YEAR SINCE 2012! Over the last 16 years Freshers Welcome Week & The Big Freshers Icebreaker has provided a right of passage between ordinary life and

F*CK ME It's Freshers | Nottingham Freshers 2026

Sep 24F*CK ME It's Freshers | Nottingham Freshers 2026 📍 THE PALAIS Nottingham Freshers - Are you ready for the CRAZIEST night of your life?! 🔥 This is without a doubt, the BIGGEST, MESSIEST & WILDEST event you'll attend all year...NO COMPETITION 💦. Originating at the 3000 capacity Coronet in London

Dearne Valley College - Year 11 Parent and Carer Information Evening

Oct 8This evening is designed to provide you with the options available, and key information, that will help you in supporting your young person.

Ted Key + ViPs perform London 0 Hull 40

Oct 10Original founding member of The Housemartins, returns to the stage with his band The VIPs to perform music inspired by the era that produced London 0 Hull 4 One of the most important debut albums of the UK indie movement. THE HOUSEMARTINS ORIGINAL MEMBER TED KEYS & his band THE VIPS Releas

El Pony Pisador

Nov 8The Crescent & The Black Swan Folk Club presents... El Pony Pisador is a lively and unique band from Barcelona, known for an eclectic blend of musical styles and humorous, adventurous spirit. Their mix of folk sounds from all over the world results in a fun and energetic sound that’s unpredictable and full of personality. From their native Catalan songs and dances to Celtic and Mediterranean tunes, yodelling, Tuvan throat singing, to even Georgian polyphony or Balkan polyrhythms. El Pony Pisador is well-regarded for their ability to engage audiences with their high-energy performances, witty lyrics, and a mix of both traditional and modern influences. Their live shows have been shaped by the experience of playing at festes majors (Catalan patronal festivities), which are not just a concert, but a cultural celebration where the whole town participates. This gives their concerts a festive and inclusive atmosphere, making them a great fit for festivals and international events for all ages. As they bring the spirit of their cultural heritage abroad, El Pony Pisador offer spontaneity and make the crowd participation a central part of the show, making the audience feel more than just spectators. They have released three albums, with the latest one featuring The Longest Johns, a Sea Shanties group from England. Currently, El Pony Pisador has just published its fourth album, “Ocells” in early 2024. This work consists of 11 songs that capture the diversity of traditional Catalan music, blending it with new sounds and exploring themes ranging from medieval stories to humorous narratives and children's tales. Additionally, the album features collaborations with Jonatan Penalba and Tarta Relena. So far, they ‘ve accumulated over 6 million streams in their catalogue, and their fan base continues to grow. El Pony Pisador has performed all over Europe, including notable appearances at Eurofolk in Germany, Appingedam Folk in the Netherlands, and the North Sea Folk & Shanties Festival in Belgium, Severn Seas Festival in UK among others. They have also showcased their talents in Canada at La Fete des Chants Marins and in the USA at Bay City Maritime Festival. In addition, the band has ventured across continents, completing a successful Australian tour this year with six shows in the South-West of the island, including the Albany International Folk and Shanty Festival. This tour was highly successful, with every show sold out.

Nov 4Please Please You & Brudenell Presents... C.O.L.A. is sort of a self-titled album. It’s an acronym for Cost of Living Adjustment, a fitting conceptual framework for the band’s third record. Why? Because C.O.L.A. considers, among other things, socialism vs. hell. It considers: rolling the dice of life. The eerie and sweet pangs that nostalgia can provoke. This is not new territory for band members Tim Darcy, Evan Cartwright, and Ben Stidworthy. It is, in Cartwright’s words “a deepening of what we’ve been doing.” C.O.L.A. is an intricate, beautiful, and sometimes strange record. It is the band’s most refined offering. A perfection of carefully honed aesthetic impulses. Cola, as a band, says Darcy is defined by its “tasteful minimalism.” A deep appreciation for making music that is romantic, subtle, and deceptively intense. C.O.L.A., however, is the band’s most maximalist work to date. This is a little tongue and cheek (“We were so worried,” says Cartwright, “About all the songs on this record being too different”). In practice, this maximalism means that a song like “Hedgesitting,” has both live drums and a sample drum loop. “Hedgesitting,” is a gorgeous, lush song. It’s like a deconstructed, chopped & screwed b-side from the Cure’s Disintegration. It’s also a little indebted to Sarah Records. “When you were young,” Darcy sings at the song’s start, “you came to make it.” C.O.L.A., like everything written by the band, is inherently collaborative. The band writes everything separately, then comes together and works in the studio. Look again to “Hedgesetting,” to see this in action, which started out with chords that Darcy had sent, then the band expanded it together, with Stidworthy remixing it right before heading to the studio. This division of labor works intuitively. It is a part of the band’s DNA to say, take an arrangement Stidworthy wrote, and then have Darcy and Cartwright build upon it. Take “Favoured Over the Ride,” as an example. “I wanted to create a dusky, melancholy palette for Tim to write lyrics for,” says Stidworthy. The song starts with a lonely, dreamy guitar riff. Then there’s a crisp line of bass and it all comes into focus: “What’s on the ceiling that’s caught your gaze?” sings Darcy. It’s a moment of clarity on a record that is interested abstraction. C.O.L.A. is full of these clarifying moments: where a whole swirl of feelings become so clear that it almost hurts a little bit. One of the goals with C.O.L.A. was to have the melody guide the lyrics. This is a distinct shift from the sprechgesang that has been an anchor for many of Darcy’s earlier records. Here, the vocal melodies are on the same level as all of the other melodies on the record. But the lyrics are no less poetic, no less precise than anything Darcy has written before (“It’s not,” he jokes, “like we’re making a Cocteau Twins song.”) The result is a record that is ruthlessly aware of all of its parts, and treats them all as equally important. C.O.L.A. is a record that speaks to itself: where all of its parts are in direct conversation with each other. Sounds do not blur, even when they are expansive. It is abstract, oblique, sometimes strange, whatever you want to call it. But it is also beautiful, in the classic sense. Beautiful like a painting can be beautiful. Really, really gorgeous. Almost chiseled in the way it plays so deliberately with experimentation. On “Skywriter’s Sigh,” for example, things sizzle and flicker. It touches on the sublime. It is Cola, the band, at their very best.

Russell Howard - Don't Tell The Algorithm