SoP Live – Promoters of the best in grassroots live music

OK, yes, kinda dropped a bollock or two this week. We are three gigs into the five we had on the slate. Yes FIVE! No wonder we are a bit late with this update. Oh well.

So,for completists, gig 1 was folkie Alison Hustwitt at The Donkey. Ask Dave how that one was as I (Ed) wasn’t able to be there. Gig 2 was the much hyped first show at Baila, featuring the brilliant Grant Sharkey, Canute’s Plastic Army and Steve Cox of Mr Love & Justice, and it was brilliant! Seriously good. The Loft at Baila is a great venue for intimate shows. Be expecting more excellent music there very soon! Gig 3 is going on right now as I write this (Dad duties forgoing my attendance) and features the brilliant Swindon-Americana of The Shudders and a brand new band from the talent Mr Shed Judd – Fake Walnut Dash. With a certain Mrs Brookfield in the line-up they promise much.

Saturday 30th April – Borrowed Time, 50 Shades of Punk + Jim Gee & the Revolution @ The Locomotive. 

Tomorrow we go Punk with a capital P. A capital U N and K too in fact. Headliners Borrowed Time may be punk circuit stalwarts but there is nothing stale or formulaic about what they do, drawing in bits of ska, a bit of classic metal, some heavy rock and even one or two almost pop-punk-ish melodic and bouncy moments, all knitted together with some classic gruff punk.

In support is 50 Shades of Punk’s raucous and roaring brit punk, combining a tsunami of street sounds you thought was long gone with one of the most energetic performances on the circuit of some all time classic tunes. Opening proceedings are the progressive stylings of Jim Gee & The Revolution.

Sunday 1st May – Vienna Ditto + Grasslands @ Baila Coffee & Vinyl.

Our second show at Baila, this time downstairs in the main coffee, booze and vinyl emporium the following Sunday 1st May, is a very different proposition to the first, marking a very welcome return for Vienna Ditto, one of all-time our favourite acts. Theirs is a pot-pourri of sounds, mixing rockabilly riffs with creative electronica and beats and soulful vocals. One of the most unique, original and exciting bands we have had before. In support, the creative and intelligent songwriting and electronica of Grasslands.