"Live at the Factory" Chas and Dave will be making a welcome return to North Devon in September

Chas and Dave will be returning to North Devon after 7 years away at The Factory on Friday 25th September. It sees Chas and Dave return to their roots with a collection of early R&B, skiffle and rock n' roll classics alongside new takes on songs of their own.
Now Chas and Dave will mark their 50th year in music together. It represents their first new studio album for a generation - 27 years to be precise! Chas and Dave disbanded in 2009 following the retirement of Dave Peacock after his wife's death. However, in 2010 the boys announced their return to the live circuit due to huge public support.
Their debut album 'One Fing 'n' Anuvver' was released on the Retreat label in 1975 earning critical acclaim from the likes of John Peel among others. This self-produced offering was perhaps the first (definitely the strongest) example of cockney Rock 'n' Roll, with song titles such as 'Ponders End Allotments Club' giving a strong North London angle to the genre. Their proudly cockney vocals and exuberant good humour, blended with their love for genuine Rock'n'Roll, led them to title their 1978 EMI album 'Rockney' (later to become their label name) which featured some top quality songwriting and was championed, before their commercial success, by the influential DJ Charlie Gillett. They followed up with 'The Sideboard Song (Got my Beer in The Sideboard Here)' from their third album 'Don't Give A Monkey's' , and their two most successful singles, 1980's 'Rabbit' (from the same album) and the fine, more reflective ballad 'Ain't No Pleasing You' two years later. In between they recorded their first live album - 'Live At Abbey Road' - for EMI. The famous Studio One being converted into an East end pub for the occasion with friends and industry invited.
In 2005 Chas & Dave joined forces with EMI once more resulting in two top selling CD releases. The year also saw their long overdue debut at the Glastonbury Festival as they packed out the acoustic stage with over thirty thousand fans singing along.
In this new century, Chas & Dave's appeal has never been greater or more varied. The audiences are getting younger without the boys deliberately trying to appeal to the youth, and new bands are citing them as a major influence.

Advance tickets are £22.50 plus box office booking fee available from www.thefactoryvenue.co.uk . 

Physical tickets are available from Beatsworkin Queen Street Barnstaple, North Devon Theatres Box Offices and Petroc Brannams Campus Reception.

 Local support is to be announced. 

This is a standing only event. Under 16's must be accompanied by an adult.

ELECTRIC SWING CIRCUS THE FACTORY SATURDAY 28TH FEBRUARY – 8PM

Ladies and Gentlemen, hold onto your hats. The circus is coming to town!  The Electric Swing Circus is a 6-piece fusion of saucy 20′s swing and stomping electro beats. With an explosive sound that reverberates back through time, the ESC hotfoot their way through everything from breakbeat and house to reggae and dubstep, all with their own unique style of swing. A full time, touring band on the international circuit, the ESC’s live set includes electric double bass, vintage samples, gypsy-jazz guitar, keys, drums, synths and electro beats. Fronted by a sassy female double-act, the ESC delivers a consistently dazzling show. Their debut, self-titled album is available now on Ragtime Records. The ESC line-up features Laura Louise and Bridget Walsh (vocals), Chandra Walker (drums and keyboard), Tom Hyland (guitar), Rashad Gregory (samples, MPC & synths) and Patrick Wreford (bass & bass synth). The band first formed in June 2011, with their preview EP, Penniless Optimist, released in September 2011. Their eponymous debut album “Electric Swing Circus” was released in May 2013. After a big year of festivals and international touring in 2014, a new album is in the pipeline for 2015. Support comes from Don Johnston noted for tight, original DJ sets. Expect jazzy swinging bass music and a high energy playing style that always captivates audiences.

• Doors open at 8PM  - Advance tickets £8.00 
• Physical tickets available from: Beats Workin, Barnstaple 
• Online tickets available from: www.undergroundtickets.net (Ticket outlets subject to booking fee)

The Factory Petroc Brannams Campus, Oakwood Close, Roundswell Barnstaple, 

North Devon, EX31 3NJ  www.thefactoryvenue.co.uk

Album available on iTunes

 The Electric Swing Circus - The Electric Swing Circus

Artist The Electric Swing Circus 

TIPPA IRIE AND LIVE REGGAE BAND PLAYS THE FACTORY SATURDAY 13TH DECEMBER

Anthony Henry a.k.a. Tippa Irie, Grammy nominated recording artist and UK reggae veteran, hailing From the infamous Saxon Sound System, having a list of hits including Complain Neighbor on Green Sleeves Records and member of the UK all-stars. Tippa has been at the top of the UK Reggae scene for time.

Support comes from

Irie Bingo comprising of a duo of roots vibe bad boys. Blazenstein, operator and selector for the mighty Irie Bingo Soundsystem out of Devon. Playing music for the revolution and inspired by soundsystem tradition of bringing news to the people. Heavy conscious music to shake the chains of Babylon.

Shire Roots, conscious Reggae MC hailing from the Southwest, strong roots vibes from this man

Joe Joe Jdb Burn – this young man, straight out North Devon this is our very own musical prodigy fresh from his new release on Defcon records, Joe is representing hard for the North Devon family, bless up this yoot man flying the flag for us Southwest crew!

OneDrop Soundsystem crew with Irie Selecta and King David on the early tip and maybe the late one as well !

Doors open 9pm - late

Advance tickets £12 [more on the door]

Physical tickets available from: Beats Workin, Barnstaple

Online tickets available from: www.undergroundtickets.net

(Ticket outlets subject to booking fee)

HOLD IT DOWN PRESENT CRAIG CHARLES FUNK & SOUL CLUB HALLOWEEN SPECIAL AT THE FACTORY, BARNSTAPLE

Hold it Down are thrilled to bring Craig Charles back to the South West for a Halloween special at The Factory in Barnstaple. The Craig Charles Funk and Soul show is the longest running show on BBC6 Music and has the highest audience share of any programme on the network. His club DJ shows bring you the same eclectic mix of songs covering Northern Soul, Funk, Soul and modern remixes

CRAIG CHARLES FUNK & SOUL CLUB HALLOWEEN SPECIAL
THE FACTORY FRIDAY 31ST OCTOBER

Support from

• The Blue Bottles (Live)
• Matt Anderson
• Fajita kunk 

Doors open at 8pm
Advance tickets: from £12.50 (subject to booking fee)
Physical tickets available from: Beats Workin, 6 Queens Street, Barnstaple.
Online tickets available from:

 www.thefactoryvenue.co.uk

Over 18s event

Reef will be playing The Factory, Barnstaple on Saturday 7th March as part of their 2015 UK tour

We can confirm the rumours bouncing around the North Devon area that Reef will be playing The Factory on Saturday 7th March as part of their 2015 UK tour with new guitarist Jesse Wood.  Even though all 4 members of REEF had West Country connections, it wasn't until each individual separately moved to London in 1993 that the band was born. Gary Stringer, Jack Bessant, Kenwyn House and Dominic Greensmith ended up living together on the outskirts of west London and using Gary's bedroom as their rehearsal room soon started touting for gigs. Within 6 months the band had attracted interest from many major record labels and soon recorded some demo's, which although financed by Sony offshoot S2, were released on 7 inch single using an independent mark during 1994. This single containing the songs 'good feeling' B/W 'choose to live' was picked up on by Paul Weller who offered the band a support slot on his 'wild wood' tour. REEF signed with Sony S2 later that year and were flown out to New York to record a TV advert for the then new technology of the Sony mini disc. 1995 saw REEF tour with Soundgarden and by invitation with The Rolling Stones as the band built up a reputation as electric live performers. 'good feeling' was released again, (this time through S2) and scored as the bands first of their 9 top 40 singles, preceding their gold selling debut album 'Replenish' which peaked at *9 in the UK charts.

In 1996 the band were able to show off their football skills as they entered and won the 2nd SOCCER SIX CUP, seeing off competition from Blur and Oasis, before beating Apollo 440 (the previous years winners) in the final. Work also started on the follow up to 'Replenish' in the form of the 1997 release 'Glow'. Produced by George Drakoulias, 'Glow' was recorded both at London's Abbey Road studios and Sound City in Los Angeles. On the week of it's release 'Glow' went straight to number 1 in the UK album charts and spawned the bands biggest hit 'place your hands' along with 3 other top 40 singles. The album also provided a platform for the band to tour all over the world as well as here at home, with REEF headlining the other stage at Glastonbury festival alongside appearances at Glasgow's T in the park and both V festivals. 

In early 1999 Reef released their third album 'Rides'. Recorded at Ocean Way Studios in Los Angeles (The Beach Boys 'Pet Sounds' and Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' were also recorded here) and working again with 'Glow' producer George Drakoulias, the band set about making a more expansive sounding record, swapping instruments on some songs and adding new sounds on others (David Campbell the father of the American artist Beck, for example added the string arrangements for this work). The album reached *3 in the uk and contained the top 20 single 'I've got something to say'. 

The autumn of the year 2000 saw REEF release their fourth studio album 'Getaway' under the stewardship of a new producer, Al Clay (Pixies/Stereophonics). Although critically well received, this album didn't have the same commercial success as earlier REEF records but still made *15 in the album charts and included the upbeat hit 'set the record straight'. After successfully working 'Getaway' around the world for over a year REEF stepped off the touring circuit and disappeared to the West Country to concentrate on writing songs for a new record. Progress was leisurely, as REEF enforced their own pace on proceedings at arms length from the record label in London. 

During the last months of 2002 and reunited with George Drakoulias in Ocean way studios, REEF recorded 5 of these songs to tape. Released in early 2003 alongside the previous 9 top 40 hits and a cover of the apt Kenny Roger's song 'just dropped in (to see what condition my condition was in) these recordings made up the final REEF album 'Together'. Each member of the band has pursued their own musical path in various guises since 2003, (STRINGERBESSANT/ BLACK SWAN EFFECT/ GOLDRAY/THEM IS ME amongst others) but after over 6 years without playing as REEF, 2010 saw the band reunite for a run of sell out shows throughout the UK as well as slots at Glastonbury and the isle of Wight festivals.

In June 2012 REEF released an all-encompassing box set of the band's recorded work through Metropolis Music. In recent years the band have continued to play summer festivals and also added another successful UK tour at the end of 2013 along with recording what would be a last 2 songs with guitarist Kenwyn House at Distillery recording studios in Wiltshire. Approached by film director Heidi Greensmith to write new material for the forthcoming Vortex Pictures release "Winter", the band wrote the rock song 'Barking at trees' for the film and have backed it with the 2nd new song entitled "you got it". Both songs will be released on 7'' vinyl and cd single during November 2014. Deciding to concentrate solely on his band "GOLDRAY' Kenwyn House played his last show with REEF at Donington Park on April 20th 2014. Auditions were held in London and Somerset that same month and in May 2014 it was announced that Jesse Wood (the Ronnie Wood band/Faces/Red Racer) was to be the new guitarist for REEF. The band played their first show together on May 31st 2014 at Wychwood festival in Gloucestershire and have started work writing a new studio album.

Jack Bessant Dominic Greensmith Gary Stringer Jesse Wood 

REEF announce UK club tour for March 2015. 

www.reefband.com www.facebook.com/reefmusic twitter.com/reefband
Tickets: £16.50 + booking fee www.thefactoryvenue.co.uk 

Age recommendation: All ages - under 16s to be accompanied by an adult. Doors: Saturday 7th March 2015 - 8pm 

SQUEEZEBOX EVENTS PRESENTS COMSO JARVIS @ THE FACTORY SATURDAY 4TH OCTOBER

Cosmo Jarvis is an accomplished filmmaker, a brilliant composer and an exceptional live performer. Somewhere between perfect pop, deep funk and nonchalant virtuosity, Cosmo inhabits a ground that he is fast beginning to claim as his own as an utterly unique artist. Cosmo Jarvis does what he wants. In an age when musicians seem to be manufactured popstrels, the 23 year old from Devon is a breath of fresh air. Cosmo speaks his mind and, musically, go anywhere, regardless of ‘cool’, from hip hop to punk hoedown to gorgeous ensemble orchestration. His music and films have made him an online phenomenon. His YouTube shorts, usually observational comedy skits about small town life, have been viewed over two million times, his contagious shanty ‘Gay Pirates’, beloved of Stephen Fry, has almost a million Youtube hits. Cosmo’s last two albums, 2009’s ‘Humas you hitch/Son of a bitch’ and 2011’s ‘Is The World Strange Or Am I Strange?’, have seen him hightail between almost too many musical styles, but with his new album, ‘Think Bigger’, he decided to adhere to a singer-songwriter template tinged with alt-country sensibilities. This is Cosmo Jarvis, though, so it’s never straightforward or predictable, everything is imprinted with his personality and effusive imagination. 2012 saw Cosmo Jarvis embark on a 24-date tour with Mad Dog Mcrea.

http://www.cosmojarvis.com 
http://www.facebook.com/cosmojarvis 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eG-vPi1W_cs 
Tickets: 
Advance Tickets £8 (Standing Only) Door Tickets £10 (Standing Only)
Tickets available from: Beats Workin Barnstaple http://www.undergroundtickets.net Door open 7.30pm
Local support from: 
Sam Dowden https://www.facebook.com/samdowdenmusic 
The Tuesday Syndicate https://www.facebook.com/thetuesdaysyndicateofficial

 WHAT THE PAPERS SAY
“Cosmo Jarvis is a very interesting example to me of a new kind of person; a new kind of artist” – Brian Eno, BBC6 Music Nov 
“I believe him to be one of the most potentially important and fascinating new artists around at the moment.” – Angus Beatty, The Guardian 
“It’s the originality and daring of Cosmo’s lyrics that distance him from the identikit singer- songwriter hoards” – MOJO **** 
“Going large: third album from Devon’s answer to Beck” – Q **** 

BHANGRA PLAY THE FACTORY WITH SUPPORT FROM ZAMBA SATURDAY 17TH MAY 7:30PM

RSVP return to North Devon to remind Barnstaple how to really dance and party!. For those of you who have been lucky enough to see RSVP you will know what we are on about. This hypnotic Bhangra band will get everyone, and we mean everyone up dancing to the beat of the Dhol drum. Expect 110% audience participation, if you don’t think you can dance – nows the time to learn.

RSVP are spearheading the renaissance of live Bhangra in the UK and introducing Bhangra to mainstream audiences for the first time. Veterans at Glastonbury (5 years in a row) and festival favorites at Larmer Tree, Bath International, Port Eliot and many other festivals across the country they’re always guaranteed to get even the most reluctant on their feet and dancing fit to drop. More locally RSVP have appeared at LLAMA festival in Lynton and Lynmouth and Chulmleigh.

Every show comes with an introduction to Bhangra dance – everyone’s included with RSVP’s emphasis on partying Punjabi style. With musicians drawn from one family, wholly rooted in an authentic living tradition, yet unafraid to innovate, this is the ultimate celebratory Indian music.

RSVP will be bringing their Big Bhangra Beats and engaging, interactive vibe to Petroc’s Respect Festival this year.Support come from the ever energetic Zamba.

£8.00 advance + box office booking fee
£5.00 NUS + box office booking fee
Standing only

Physical tickets available from: Beats Workin, Barnstaple, and North Devon Theatres
Online tickets available from: www.undergroundtickets.net and www.northdevontheatres.org.uk

**MINIMUM AGE RECOMMENDATION: - All ages. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult

BHANGRA PLAY THE FACTORY WITH SUPPORT FROM ZAMBA
SATURDAY 17TH MAY 7:30PM

DUB MAFIA (formerly BLACKOUT) PLAY THE FACTORY WITH SUPPORT FROM THE LIQUIDATORS AKA

A few members from that much loved North Devon band BLACKOUT from a few years back now will be returning to North Devon under the Monika of Dub Mafia. Since forming 4 years ago, Bristol-based Dub Mafia have become one of the most popular dance acts in the UK, Europe and beyond. The seven-piece band – who blend drum and bass, dub, dubstep, bashment, breakbeat and world music into their own unique sound (with a strict policy of ‘no backing tracks’ – ever) receive rave reviews wherever they play – from sweaty clubs to packed festivals: “Dub Mafia are ones to watch and we think they are heading for big things" www.vuguide.co.uk “Playing their third show in the past 24 hours, the drum and bass mob are destroying the tent with their dirty bass and dubstep rhythms … Wychwood is left shaken from the wobble bass and filthy drops … the band quickly amass the biggest crowd of the day at the BBC Introducing stage – the chairs and tables have even been pushed back to accommodate all the dubsteppers” www.theregoesthefear.com. ”The party was truly kicked off by Dub Mafia, who stirred up the first dance pit of the day with their rude boy (and girl) dub rock.” www.virtualfestivals.com Fronted by singer Eva Lazarus, the band have won over hundreds of thousands of fans over the last year, including show-stealing performances on the main stage at Outlook in Croatia (Europe’s biggest drum and bass music festival), the Matscher Au Reloaded festival in Northern Italy and a special guest slot in Romania supporting the legendary LTJ Bukem. 2010 was just as busy, as they toured tirelessly through the UK, Germany, Holland, Denmark, Finland, Poland and Croatia. Videos for four of their most popular tracks – Breakneck, Danger, Dub Specialists and Under The Radar – have racked up more than 800,000 views on Youtube. Support comes from local favourite’s The Liquidators AKA. 

Doors open at 8pm

Advance tickets £7.00 (subject to booking fee)

Physical tickets available from: Beats Workin, Barnstaple, and North Devon Theatres

Online tickets available from: www.undergroundtickets.net and www.northdevontheatres.org.uk

DUB MAFIA (formerly BLACKOUT) PLAY THE FACTORY WITH SUPPORT FROM THE LIQUIDATORS AKA -SATURDAY 10TH MAY 8pm

Seminal Motown artist, Martha Reeves & the Vandellas come to Barnstaple this April.

South West Promoters Hold It Down are proud to bring one of the original and best loved soul artists of all time to Barnstaple next April. Martha Reeves and the Vandellas were among the most successful groups of the Motown roster during the period 1963-1967. In contrast to other Motown groups such as The Supremes and The Marvelettes, Martha and the Vandellas were known for a harder, R&B sound, typified by "(Love Is Like a) Heat Wave", "Nowhere to Run", "Jimmy Mack" and, their signature song, "Dancing in the Street". During their nine-year run on the charts from 1963 to 1972, Martha and the Vandellas charted over twenty-six hits and recorded in the styles of doo-wop, R&B, pop, blues, rock and soul. Ten Vandellas songs reached the top ten of the Billboard R&B singles chart, including two R&B number ones. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked Martha and the Vandellas amongst the 100 greatest artists of all time.

Sun 13^th April, The Factory Petroc, Oakwood Close, Roundswell Ind Estate, Barnstaple, Devon EX31 3NJ

For more info go to www.holditdown.org

TICKETS £17.50 plus booking fee

ON SALE NOW FROM:

www.undergroundtickets.net

www.seetickets.com – 0845 2200261

North Devon Theatres Box Office 01271 324242

Beats Workin’ 01271 321111

Legendary reggae artist, Lee Scratch Perry comes to Barnstaple this March.

South West Promoters Hold It Down are proud to bring one of the original and most influential artists of all time to Devon for three shows this March. Bob Marley’s former producer, Lee Scratch Perry is the godfather of dub, the high priest of reggae and a truly original music innovator. From 1970s Jamaica to the present day his music has been groundbreaking and his influence consistently enormous. In addition to his trailblazing music, LSP has been a guiding force in the development of reggae music. He has produced hits for many bands including the Wailers, Gregory Isaacs, Junior Byles and The Clash. Always active, always innovating, LSP’s public profile rose in 1997 with the release of the brilliant Arkology – a three-disc anthology containing nearly four hours of astounding music. Yet it merely scratches the surface of the sonic universe created by this legendarily eccentric, yet super-prolific, dub-reggae producer. For more info go to www.holditdown.org

TICKETS £17.50 plus booking fee

ON SALE NOW FROM:

www.undergroundtickets.net

www.seetickets.com – 0845 2200261

North Devon Theatres Box Office 01271 324242 - Beats Workin’ 01271 321111

Legendary reggae artist, Lee Scratch Perry, Tues 25th March, The Factory Petroc, Oakwood Close, Roundswell Ind Estate, Barnstaple, Devon EX31 3NJ -  

Photo copyright Hold It Down all rights reserved.

Gentleman’s Dub Club play at The Factory, Barnstaple, Saturday 1st March 2014

The Factory Petroc and Boom Artists Agency are proud to present...Gentleman's Dub Club with support from Shire Roots & Blazenstein, KSH and the Going Goods, JDotBurn and Danzie. Celebrating the release of their brand new LP, FourtyFour, Reggae Dub heavyweights GDC bring the fire to The Factory. Gentleman’s Dub Club is a nine-piece band that formed in Leeds in early 2006. With a style based in dub, ska and roots reggae. GDC have burst onto the UK circuit rocking gigs and festivals up and down the country with their super high energy show. Combining tight grooves and a heavyweight, sound Gentleman’s Dub Club bring the party to crowds of all ages hungry for a dance floor workout, with their gigs often ending in a frenzied mosh pit reminiscent of a mid-80’s ska night! Live effects and mixing make for a crystal clear sound, and the band’s larger than life stage presence makes for a mesmerizing experience. Shire Roots & Blazenstein (Irie Bingo) Home-grown sound system vibes outta Devon playing everything from tuff digital dancehall to new heavyweight roots & culture. Irie Bingo hold firm to the roots of reggae music as a rebel music and so come to spread a conscious vibe and uplifting messages and unity each and every time. Their shows usually include original material from producer Blazenstein with Shire Roots chatting reggae and hip hop lyrics in a positive fashion, Irie Bingo are privileged to have worked alongside some of the UK's leading reggae artists including YT, Solo Banton, Deadly Hunta and Mungo's Hifi. JDotBurn (Defcon) comes hard with conscious bars, double time flows and an all-round wickedman styleee on some classic and some new hip-hop riddims. Expect to hear exclusive tracks from forthcoming EP ‘Spark it Up’ due for release Defcon records spring/summer this year. JDotBurn has been working alongside the likes of Deadly Hunta, Shireroots and Skitz. He is set to play a few festivals this year such as Sunrise. According to KSH and the Going Goods the world of hip hop is a desolate one… With gangsters, players, pimps and g-thangs dominating the scene, the beauty of the genre is being lost. Expect an alternative acoustic band from across the country, coming straight out of the “ghettos” of Cheltenham with some Devon roots mixed in. KSH and the Going Goods is a five man troupe consisting of string-men Jack Carroll and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, vocalists Mikey Doherty and Kishi Allebone, rounded off with a unique drum machine, Beatboxer Kush Cushion. Danzie (Selecta Vibe) the real believer in playing strictly vinyl will be selecting some classic dancehall and roots reggae!

Gentleman’s Dub Club play at The Factory Saturday 1st March 2014
£15.00 advance £13.00 NUS Standing only | Doors 8pm 
MINIMUM AGE RECOMMENDATION: All ages. Under 16’s must be accompanied by an adult.

The Factory goes Boom

The Factory venue has teamed up with Boom Artists-a spin-off from the UK's fastest growing festival Boomtown Fair, and they have been busy programming a season of cutting edge music events that are set to change the face of live music for the local area. This first series of events is called Saturday Night Live and they run from October through to December. You are invited to experience quality live Ska, Reggae, Dub, Funk and Hip Hop through The Factory's state of the art sound and lighting rigs. Make way for headliners Babyhead, The Skints and Dr Meaker, plus legendary DJ Ed Solo is coming to play out the season's finale. Featuring alongside these established artists are handpicked rising stars from across the South West, all bringing their unique sounds and styles to The Factory. Please check out Skata Tones, The Dead Betas, Jamie Mead, Shire Roots and Blazenstein, Cut Capers, The ASBO Disco and DJ Wonka. The Factory will also be running competitions for acts who want to join some of these line-ups and news of these will be appearing on 'The Factory Petroc' Facebook page.

99% Proof makes its public debut in September at The Theatre, Petroc Brannams Campus.

99% Proof - The peoples' musical, is a story of love, betrayal and redemption. Through a simple act of compassion, a jobless hoodie, brings an evil boss to his knees and their salvation. The hero, we badly need today! 99% Proof is a musical about the unexpected, and what can be more so than a homeless, boy in the gutter whose sacrifice redeems an older evil man who gets is wrong. A love story, a socio political commentary and modern rags to riches tale. It is timely against what people are struggling. It's about a young man and an older man and our assumptions. It's about bad and good, and oppression and failure and humour and drunken women. It's about life as we know it now, today, here.

‘So I was writing a kind of socio political documentary, which turned into a play, and then I wrote a song, which a friend of mine said was one of the most beautiful songs he'd heard. 'Write it as a musical', so I did. 18 songs and 22 pieces of intercession later, I had to translate the melody into orchestral score’ Jenny Wilkin Shaw.
People today are struggling again, losing, facing austerity and can't pay the bills, payday loans, bank charges. You name it we struggle with it. Quiet and noisy protests are going on led by the people through Occupy. In every city, there is unrest and no more so than in London, where our story begins. It's a story about hope, and doing what is right, for without those two things we are nothing.
‘I looked all over the place for someone with the instinct and talent and of course the discipline and time to work out arrangement and harmony, and I found the Jedi Knight of all these things, Alan. J. Welch. When he sees a key board, his fingers and his soul find it. It's like an extension of him. Week in, week out for months I went through at least two seasons to Alan's and over coffee the melodies were translated’ Jenny Wilkin Shaw

• A new Musical in 2 Acts - Written by Jennifer Wilkin Shaw
• Book, lyrics, melody Jennifer Wilkin Shaw
• Arrangements, orchestral score by Alan Welch

99% Proof makes its public debut in September at The Theatre, Petroc Brannams Campus. 
Tickets: Price - £10 Ticket on sale now from: www.undergroundtickets.net - North Devon Theatres box offices
Shows: Friday 13th September 19:30 /Saturday 14th September 14:00/Saturday 14th September 19:30

 

Synopsis: London, 2012; against a backdrop of unrest, austerity measures, homelessness and gathering protest, Judin Job is propelled onto our stage. He has lost his family, has no job, no friends and life is desolate. Turning to the Social Services for help, Guard and Go Bells make it worse. Through oppression and taunts, his life begins to spiral out of control. He is told that his only prospects are ‘Murder’ and he is tormented because of his religion, ‘the only star you’ll ever win is stuck to your chest with a jagged pin’, in the form of a yellow star of David. Bills are unpaid and he ends up on the streets under a tarpaulin with his steady but hapless roommate C.J. But, life has a habit of reversing fortune, and just when he is literally singing for his supper, he begins to fall in love, finds unlikely friends and his beautiful voice is spotted by a scout. He rises. On the other side of the city, another fortune reverses. As Guard enters a bar, he gets into a fight and one misplaced action gets him caught up in a fight which leads to him to striking a man and being sent down for murder. Who will help Guard in his moment of desolation? Everyone he knows turns away.  In an act of grace and mercy, which will leave you reeling, it is Judin, the Jewish boy from the gutter, wearing the Star of David of oppression with the jagged pin, who helps. ‘How can it be?’

Cast: 

• Alex Rushton and Angela Elswood, known as 'Rushwood', play the two leads, Judin and Astro.
•  Jack Ince and Elizabeth Daleigh Hayton, who are exciting and natural on the stage play the baddies, Guard and Bells. 
• Boo Hart, who has real emotional presence on the stage plays Capability 
• Nathan Maynard plays C.J, the hapless room mate
• Alex Martin, is born to her humerous part of Ms Wackovski 
• Alicia Fotheringham and Louella Gaskell play Mother and Dr Boot with a sweet tenderness and skill. 
• Jorden Shevells, came late to the cast and his great voice is underused, but he adds a strong male presence to many scenes and has some gripping solos. 
• Ilana Wilson and Zack Hazell are the chorus and gives a reality and beauty to the piece.

99% Proof - The peoples' musical, is a story of love, betrayal and redemption. The Theatre, Petroc Brannams Campus, Barnstaple Friday 13th September – Saturday 14th September 2013

Get yourself together!! Alabama 3 live at The Factory, Barnstaple

Alabama 3 will be performing as a full live band at The Factory, Barnstaple on Thursday 13th December as part of their UNDAground 4 Life tour. Best known internationally for supplying the theme to the American TV series ‘The Sopranos’ with their song ‘Woke Up This Morning’, Alabama 3 have carved a unique niche for themselves which transcends considerations of chart success and runs far deeper than the transitory fame of modern celebrity culture. They are undoubtedly the greatest American act the UK ever did produce, and their heady combination of techno and C&W, alongside a proclivity for rock ‘n’ roll decadence and an acute social conscience means that they are effectively a unique entity in modern music

.

They are Alabama 3, from Brixton and beyond…The band’s nucleus of Rob Spragg and Jake Black met towards the end of the 1980s at a South London house party. Still together, and still resident in the heart of their beloved London SW9 postcode, with a fluid and ever changing membership, Alabama 3 are more a way of life than a rock'n'roll band. After major label deals with Sony and Geffen, and an enduring relationship with the indie label One Little Indian, Alabama 3 continued to cut their own groove by starting their own Hostage label. Their headquarters in the Jamm building in Brixton incorporates a recording studio, a club venue where A3 put on their own Outlaw nights in between many other events, and an administrative centre where various managers, promoters and other support staff keep the whole operation ticking over. Working in this grubby mansion, over looking London's most vibrant, music-savvy, multi-cultural quarter, there are DJs, artists, recording engineers and assorted admin and creative types who wander in and out of a warren of rooms with a purposeful air. “We're very proud to be independent,” Rob says. “It's a cottage industry that's been empowered by a form of narcotic Marxism.” And also, it should be said, by a history of brilliant music-making. 2013 finds Alabama 3 in a sombre and reflective mood as they announced their next UK tour in December 2013, the week after James Gandolfini has died.  “Woke Up This Morning” is inseparable from The Sopranos as it grew into the nation’s consciousness and hearts along with the series. As Bob Lefetz observes: “I was immediately struck by "Woke Up This Morning." And when I heard it at the beginning of "The Sopranos"... It's the one intro I never fast-forwarded through, it was a prelude to my Sunday night ritual.” Never standing still the ALABAMA 3 will take new and old material and their “let’s have a party” and celebration spirit to their fans with their annual UK tour.

THURSDAY 12TH DECEMBER - TICKETS: £18.00 in advance
TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM: North Devon Theatres box office
ONLINE TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM:

• www.northdevontheatres.org.uk
• www.undergroundtickets.net
• www.musicglue.com/alabama3

THE BAND
Larry Love – Vocals
Rev. D Wayne Love – Vocals
Aurora Dawn – Vocals
Segs - Bass
Rock Freebase – Guitar
The Spirit of Love – Keyboards
Steve Finnerty – Guitar
Owen If - Drums
DISCOGRAPHY
Exile On Coldharbour Lane 1997
La Peste 2000
Power In The Blood 2002
Last Train To Mashville 2003
Outlaw 2005
M.O.R 2007
Hits and Exit Wounds 2008
Revolver Soul 2010
There Will Be Peace In The Valley… When We Get The Keys To The Mansion On The Hill 2011
Shoplifting 4 Jesus 2011
Shoplifting 4 Jesus [Limited Edition Vinyl] 2012
WHO SAID WHAT
"The best live band in the country" The Guardian
"This is the first band I could ever dance to in the daytime hours without chemical assistance...and that says a lot" Irvine Welsh - Author of Trainspotting and Filth

FEATURECAST – GHETTO FUNK DJ AND PRODUCER PLAYS THE PETROC FACTORY

Described as 'Nufunk's very own Mr Midas', Featurecast has proved himself a leader in his field. From DJing to Producing, he's had an incredible few years, churning out some of the biggest party tracks and bootlegs on labels like Good Groove, Bomb Strikes, Jalapeno, Catskills & Funk Weapons. Receiving praise from a host of major players such as Krafty Kuts, Norman Jay, DJ Yoda, Z-Trip, & A.Skillz describing him as ‘One to Watch’, Featurecast has crafted his own unique sound combining amazing pinpoint scratching whilst effortlessly cutting between Funk, Hip-Hop, Breaks, Dubstep and Drum & Bass. He's dazzled the crowds of some of the biggest festivals and venues around the globe from Canada’s Shambhala, Germany’s Fusion, Serbia’s 3p Festival as well as touring the USA, Australia and playing all over Europe. With an Artist Album in the works and lashings of party bangers on their way, it's time to make some noise for Featurecast! Warm up and support comes from local up and coming Ghetto Funk DJ Richy J. Richy J has previously supported Featurecast so knows just how to set the perfect party vibe . Richy J was involved in choosing other local supports from a huge selection of local DJs after they submitted their demo mixes. The lucky bunch to grab a support slot are – Bear La Soul, Funky George and Wamjam.

FEATURECAST – GHETTO FUNK DJ AND PRODUCER PLAYS THE FACTORY 

SATURDAY 25TH MAY

Doors open at 8pm – 1am £6 entry in advance [more on the door] Advance tickets: Beats Workin Barnstaple, North Devon Theatres & Petroc Brannams Campus. Online tickets available from: www.undergroundtickets.net/event/408

LIVE AT THE FACTORY: ELECTROSWING WITH CABARET VOLTAIRE MR. PUCKEY AND DONJOHNSTON

Poets, Earls, bounders and cads, Cabaret Voltaire requests the pleasure of your company at one of its celebrated ElectroSwing nights. Leave your troubles at the door and return to the decadence of the 1920's! ElectroSwing is the decadent new old music that is sweeping the country like swine flu didn't. The house and hip-hop beats inspired by jazz swing, played by the excellent disc jockeys Mr Puckey and DonJohnston will set you straight on your feet and dancing the night away! Catch DonJohnston before he is whisked off to play at Boomtown Festival. If that's not enough, we commence the entertainment with free swing dancing lessons and circus performances from Exeter Circus Society. Please come in 1920's fancy dress; we want you darlings to look expensive! And step into our 1920's Photo Booth for a free snap of yourself and friends looking fabulous. Our friends at Very Vintage Hire will have a splendid selection of candy floss to keep you sweet.

Tickets: Advance tickets £5 with more on the door Tickets available from: Beats Workin Barnsaple, Petroc Brannams Campus Reception, and North Devon Theatres Online tickets available from: www.undergroundtickets.net/event/386<http://www.undergroundtickets.net/event/386> Listen to them on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/#donjohnston

ELECTROSWING WITH CABARET VOLTAIRE MR. PUCKEY AND DONJOHNSTON LIVE AT THE FACTORY - FRIDAY 27TH APRIL 8PM

YES SIR BOSS PLAY THE FACTORY BARNSTAPLE MAY 3rd

Stoned Records’ first signing ‘Yes Sir Boss’ will be performing at The Factory on Friday May 3rd. Yes Sir Boss have cultivated a truly original, distinct and indefinable sound that has elements of everything from a brooding Balkan blues band to a horn injected indie rock outfit… In the end, though, it’s the ecstatic meeting of all their diverse sounds that makes YSB’s funky, rootsy, uplifting tunes so beguilingly unique. Their heavy blend of horn led hooks, offbeat rhythms and epic riffs provide the perfect backing for the memorable and catchy lyrics brought to life by the seductively expressive and husky vocals of front man Matt Sellors. Appealing to wide audiences and captivating them with energetic soul, this Bristol based rabble of six, perform their live shows with a thrilling charm that has seen them complete a 40 date summer tour playing numerous headline slots at many of the UK’s best festivals and appearing on various radio shows, including live sessions for BBC Radio Lone and Rob Da Banks Radio 1 show. Their unique sound has been brewing up a store on the live circuit in the Uk and, more recently, in Europe and Ireland. Following a string of dates in supporting Joss Stone on her European ‘Soul Sessions 2 Tour’. Yes Sir Boss have recently released their debut album ‘Desperation State’ and more recently (15th April) released their single Mrs#1 Ft. Joss Stone.
Yes Sir Boss will be performing live at The Factory, Barnstaple on Friday May 3rd local support from The Yum Yums and Hoinville. Doors open at 8pm Advance tickets £10
Tickets available from: Beats Workin, Barnstaple, Petroc Brannams Campus Reception and North Devon Theatres - Online tickets available from: undergroundtickets.net and www.northdevontheatres.org.uk

Guitar Virtuoso Viral Sensation JON GOMM live at The Factory, Barnstaple

Leeds based singer songwriter, guitar virtuoso and Youtube viral sensation Jon Gomm is today pleased to announce a mammoth twenty nine date solo headline UK tour for September and October 2013. Following a meteoric rise to fame last year after receiving support from a certain Mr Stephen Fry on Twitter, Jon Gomm's story is the modern embodiment of a musical, metaphorical, rags-to-riches tale that has captivated the imagination of millions of listeners. After touring the world on the back of the success of his Passionflower Video which now stands at just over 4,249,000 views and counting, Jon is pleased to be able to return to the UK to give something back to the fans that gave his very unique take on acoustic music a voice right from the start, as well as showcase brand new material from his forthcoming album Secrets Nobody Keeps (release date TBC) that will be fan funded via a PledgeMusic campaign. His eclectic musical style is drawn, magpie-like, from influences including Michael Hedges, The Beatles, Radiohead, Steve Vai, John Coltrane, Jimi Hendrix and a whole host more, all lovingly appreciated and expertly crafted into Gomm's signature sound. An ambassador for the appreciation and enjoyment of all forms of music, as well as embodying the true spirit of the 21st century independent musician, things haven't always been this good for Jon. "It's surreal; it's really hard to cope with" Jon explains of his newfound notoriety "I've spent my life gigging, and the last 10 years doing my take on the solo singer-songwriter acoustic thing. I never cared about being in the shadows, and I fully expect to return to them one day." For a man who's finally clawed his way to success after a long and rocky road of sleeping on sofas and playing in car parks in Barnsley, Gomm is still ever the rationalist and is at pains to stay connected to his roots and his fanbase at every possible opportunity, even if now his celebrity endorsements and TV appearances occasionally get in the way of doing what he still loves more than anything, which is sharing his music with the people who made this all possible; his fans. "It's been a crazy and amazing 12 months for me" says Jon of the upcoming tour, humble as ever "and that's thanks to my fans here in the UK that started the snowball rolling by sharing my music far and wide, and also for supporting me at tiny gigs all over the country for the past decade. But since I got all popular all of a sudden, it seems I've been playing everywhere else on the planet, and I haven't actually had time for a solo UK tour. So it's about time all my fellow Brits got to see me play the youtube classics, and I've got some new stuff I really want them to hear as well, if that's OK."

 
Jon Gomm plays the following dates on the Secrets Nobody Keeps UK Tour:
30-Aug-13 Newport - 200 Club
31-Aug-13 Swansea - The Garage
01-Sep-13 Sittingbourne - Avenue Theatre
03-Sep-13 London - Surya
04-Sep-13 London - Surya
05-Sep-13 Bristol - Thekla
06-Sep-13 Devon - The Factory 
07-Sep-13 Cardiff - The Moon Club
09-Sep-13 Guilford - The Boileroom
10-Sep-13 Worcester - Marrs Barr
11-Sep-13 Birmingham - Hare & Hounds
12-Sep-13 Liverpool - Leaf Cafe
13-Sep-13 Leeds - Brudenell
14-Sep-13 Manchester - Sound Control
16-Sep-13 Nottingham - Bodega
17-Sep-13 York - Fibbers
19-Sep-13 Belfast - The Black Box
22-Sep-13 Lincolnshire - Alchemy Festival
23-Sep-13 Hull - The Backroom, Cottingham
24-Sep-13 Wavendon - The Stables
25-Sep-13 Bury St Edmonds - Apex
27-Sep-13 Eurocentral - Berits & Brown
28-Sep-13 Troon - The New Troon Folk Club
29-Sep-13 Edinburgh - The Voodoo Rooms
02-Oct-13 Preston - The Continental
03-Oct-13 Newcastle - Cluny 2
04-Oct-13 Macclesfield - Cabin 5150
05-Oct-13 Huddersfield - Bar 1:20
06-Oct-13 Penrith - Penrith Playhouse
Tickets via http://www.ticketwerk.co.uk and http://www.jongomm.com 
Jon Gomm's new album 'Secrets Nobody Keeps' is released on Performing Chimp Records later this year (date TBC).
Tickets on sale currently at http://www.undergroundtickets.net and North Devon Theatres  http://www.facebook.com/jongommofficial | http://www.jongomm.com | http://www.twitter.com/jongomm

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT JON GOMM
 "One of the world's most successful, gifted and inspirational guitar players" - Acoustic Magazine
 "Wonderful to watch. Genius." - Stephen Fry
"Hands down the most amazing guitarist I have ever seen!" - Tommy Lee (Motley Crue)