The Stables brochure: March - June 2015

Issue no 56 Mar - June 2015

world class music & entertainment box office:01908 280800

email:stables@stables.org

www.stables.org

MARCH - JUNE 2015

front cover

artists

contents

Jim Marshall Auditorium March April May June Stage 2 March - June Learn & Take Part

PG

3-9 10 - 16 17 - 24 24 - 30 32 - 45 46 - 52

The Shires

Mon 13 April see page 12

Also on sale 53 And not forgetting 54 Booking information 55 Diary 56

information key

Peggy Seeger Wed 10 June

Larry Carlton Thu 18 June

see page 26

see page 28

Roland Gift Sun 28 June

Raghu Dixit Tue 16 June

see page 30

see page 28

Founders may use their annual entitlement to free tickets, or receive a 10% discount should their allowance have been used; Friends are entitled to a 10% discount. Please notify Box Office when making your reservation.

New shows are open for public booking from Tuesday 10 February prior to which Stables Friends have priority.

Educational denotes an education event or a concert with an associated education event. Ask Box Office for details.

This event takes place in Stage 2.

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Treat someone special – gift vouchers are available from the Box Office

The Reflections

Renaissance

Like this? Try this: 14 April

The Simon and Garfunkel Story

Date: Thursday 5 March, 8pm Tickets: £18.50 Join us on a rip-roaring ride through the greatest television show ever made. LA actor Miles Allen smacks the senses with his super-charged, crazily accurate renditions of all the iconic characters, including Walter White, Jesse, Saul, Skyler, Hank, Walt Junior, Mike and Gus Fring. With more than one million hits on YouTube and sell-out runs at comedy festivals in Melbourne and Edinburgh, Allen’s incredible impersonations break all six seasons down into one, exhilarating, hilarious tour de force performance. (contains strong language and adult material; suitable for 16+) “Miles Allen’s high-energy, warp-speed romp… is bringing the house down every night” The Guardian T he Tiger Lillies

JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM

Five world-class musicians, singers and songwriters who, after years of touring and recording with some of the world’s most iconic bands, bring you a great new show highlighting the best British rock and pop music of a generation. This all-star band comprises drummer Gordy Marshall (The Moody Blues), keyboardist Paul Bliss (The Moody Blues, The Hollies), bassist Marcus Cliffe (The Manfreds), guitarist Huw Davies (The War of the Worlds) and current lead singer of 10cc Mick Wilson. Hits include Nights in White Satin, He Ain’t Heavy (He’s My Brother), We Don’t Talk Anymore, Forever Autumn, Do Wah Diddy and more! www.thereflectionsband.co.uk

One Man Breaking Bad: The Unofficial Parody tour

MARCH

Date: Sunday 1 March, 8pm Tickets: £20

Like this? Try this: 11 March

Ian McCulloch Date: Friday 6 March, 8pm Tickets: £19.50

Date: Tuesday 3 March, 8pm Tickets: £18.50 Direct from success in London’s West End, a sold-out UK tour and standing ovations at every performance, The Simon and Garfunkel Story is back on the road. Using huge projection photos and original film footage, this 50th anniversary celebration features a full live band performing all the hits, including Mrs Robinson, Cecilia, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Homeward Bound and many more. Get your tickets fast as this is an evening not to be missed!

“Fantastic” BBC Radio 2

www.thesimonandgarfunkelstory.com Nights on Broadway

Like this? Try this: 21 March

Formed in Liverpool in 1978, Echo & the Bunnymen grew to become one of the UK’s most popular indie rock bands, responsible for hit albums and singles including The Cutter, Seven Seas, Bring on the Dancing Horses and The Killing Moon. Legendary front man Ian McCulloch will be giving a rare solo performance, featuring stripped-down versions of classic Bunnymen tracks as well as songs from his solo catalogue. This is a one-off chance to experience the sounds of a true icon of British indie music.

M idge Ure

Like this? Try this: 1 May

Box Office: 01908 280800 email: stables@stables.org www.stables.org

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JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM

MARCH

Dr Feelgood Date: Saturday 7 March, 8pm Tickets: £18

Melvyn Tan Date: Sunday 8 March, 2.30pm Tickets: £13.50, £18.50, students £6

Formed in the early 1970s, Dr Feelgood remain one of the most popular and exciting live rhythm and blues acts in the world. They have enjoyed global success with a string of hit singles including Milk and Alcohol, Roxette, Back in the Night and Down at the Doctors, which gave the group their first gold record. The current line-up features the rhythm section of Kevin Morris on drums and Phil Mitchell on bass, both 29 years in the band, and Steve Walwyn on guitar who has been with the band for 23 years. Vocalist Robert Kane (formerly of The Animals) is the most recent addition, joining in 1999 after the tragic death of Lee Brilleaux.

The Blockheads

Like this? Try this: 12 April

Richard Digance Date: Sunday 8 March, 8pm Tickets: £16.50 Richard Digance has supported such stars as Steve Martin and Robin Williams, and played a guitar duet with Brian May of Queen. He is also a BAFTA-nominated entertainer and received the Gold Award from the British Academy of Composers and Songwriters in 2003. It’s on stage that Richard is most comfortable, performing two hours of original material with just a guitar, no support acts, no gimmicks – just one man with a treasure chest of stories collected over 40 years in the music and entertainment industry. www.richarddigance.com An Evening with Gervase Phinn Like this? Try this: 31 March

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J S BACH English Suite No.2 in A minor; JOHN FIELD Three Nocturnes: No.4 in A, No.9 in E flat, No.6 in F; CHOPIN Three Nocturnes Op.9; LISZT Three Concert Studies: Il Lamento, La Leggierezza, Un Sospiro; CHOPIN Scherzo in B flat minor Op.30 Melvyn Tan is acknowledged to be one of the world’s top pianists and a regular performer at London’s Wigmore Hall and Royal Festival Hall, New York’s Lincoln Center, Vienna’s Konzerthaus and Musikverein, Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw and festivals such as Salzburg and Edinburgh. Reviews unanimously praise his phenomenal technical skills and scintillating virtuosity. www.melvyntan.com K athleen Ferrier:

Like this? Try this: Whatalife! 6 May

ENJOY SUNDAY LUNCH AT THE STABLES Enjoy a pre-concert Sunday roast (vegetarian options available) in Café in2. Available from 12.15pm.

Book in advance on 01908 280232 to reserve your table.

Booking fees apply – please turn to page 55 for details.

Date: Tuesday 10 March, 8pm Tickets: £16.50

Hats off to Led Zeppelin

Like this? Try this: 22 August

presented by Aspire Media Productions Date: Thursday 12 March, 8pm Tickets: £27; meet and greet tickets £8 Mica Paris, one of the UK’s most successful soul artists, will perform some of her classic hits as well as songs from her newly released album. Mica has enjoyed huge success since bursting onto the music scene at 19 with her debut album, which later went platinum. There are 25 higher-priced tickets available (£35 includes show ticket) for a meet-and-greet opportunity for autographs, photos and a CD which you can have personally signed by Mica. www.micaparis.com T he Christians

Like this? Try this: 8 May

JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM

Although together for less than three years, Jack Bruce, Ginger Baker and Eric Clapton had a massive impact on the rock music scene. Jack’s son Malcolm and Will Johns, son of legendary producer Andy Johns, team up to pay tribute to the world’s greatest power trio, capturing the mood and energy of Cream and adding their own distinctive styles. Chris Page joins them on drums to deliver an explosive performance you’ll never forget!

Mica Paris

MARCH

Fresh Cream featuring Malcolm Bruce, Will Johns and Chris Page

The Tiger Lillies: The Very Worst of The Tiger Lillies Date: Wednesday 11 March, 8pm Tickets: £18 The Grammy-nominated godfathers of alternative cabaret are back on tour with a show celebrating 25 years of dark and deviant theatrics. With an international reputation for being the foremost avant-garde band in the world, Olivier award-winners The Tiger Lillies never cease to surprise, shock and entertain with their inimitable musical style, conjuring up the macabre magic of pre-war Berlin and fusing it with the savage edge of punk.

“They create a truly extraordinary atmosphere on stage, a sort of dark gypsy cabaret shimmering with menace. The music is also gorgeously beautiful, tender and delicate, although the sweetness is almost always followed by some outrageously funny or horrible twist” The Scotsman

www.tigerlillies.com One Man Breaking Bad

Like this? Try this: 5 March

Box Office: 01908 280800 email: stables@stables.org www.stables.org

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JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM

MARCH

The High Kings

Battle of the Bands

Date: Saturday 14 March, 8pm Tickets: £16.50

Finbarr Clancy, Brian Dunphy, Martin Furey and Darren Holden, all renowned vocalists and musicians, have come together to create the most exciting Irish ballad group to emerge since The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem electrified the worldwide folk revival of the 1960s. The High Kings have sold out hundreds of shows, made numerous TV appearances and achieved platinum status with both their albums. The band will showcase their incredible versatility and skills, playing 13 instruments between them and bringing a rousing acoustic flavour to brand new songs as well as some old favourites. www.thehighkings.com Nathan Carter

Like this? Try this: 19 March

Acknowledgements The Stables would like to give a special thanks to the following for their valuable support:

promoted by Music for Bedford Borough Date: Tuesday 17 March, 7.30pm Tickets: £10 (concessions £6)

The Battle of the Bands is a friendly, contemporary music competition, open to all secondary and upper school pupils who wish to gain live performance experience. An exciting professional guest band will act as judges and also perform. With sponsorship from Marshall Amplifiers, The Sound Garage and the Twinwood Festival, the event promises to excite you with various musical styles performed by the musicians of the future. A great mix of music and fun – be ready to rock!

Nathan Carter

with special guests The Hayley Sisters Date: Thursday 19 March, 8pm Tickets: £23

Arts Council of England, McCann Homes Ltd, Dame Cleo Laine, Foundation for Sport & The Arts, Jim Marshall, Sir John Dankworth, Mancini Institute, Milton Keynes Arts Association, The Wavendon Foundation.

Supported using public funding by

He is the hottest property on the Irish music scene, performing with his band to more than 400,000 people in 2014, and now Nathan Carter is about to embark on a mini tour taking in 10 dates across England. Bursting onto the scene in 2009, Nathan is now a household name, with fans of all ages flocking to see him and his superb six-piece band at dances and concerts. www.nathancartermusic.com T he High Kings

Like this? Try this: 14 March

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Buy any time – book your tickets online 24 hours a day

Duke Special

Date: Sunday 22 March, 8pm Tickets: £15

“Duke is in a world of his own” The Independent

“incapable of doing a bad show” The Scotsman

www.dukespecial.com

www.jocaulfield.com

Thea Gilmore Like this? Try this: 25 May

Nights on Broadway: Tribute to the Bee Gees Date: Saturday 21 March, 8pm Tickets: £19.50

Nights on Broadway present a tribute to the Bee Gees with this fantastic concert featuring the Gibb brothers’ incredible songs from the 1960s through to the 1990s.

The show is totally live, with a seven-piece band that prides itself on musical authenticity and, in particular, the accurate recreation of the Bee Gees’ vocal talents and harmonies. Costume changes complement the show to give a full Bee Gees experience. www.nightsonbroadway.net The Simon and Garfunkel Story

Like this? Try this: 3 March

K atherine Ryan

Like this? Try this: 27 June

JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM

Those who know Duke Special for the platinum album Songs From The Deep Forest and the hit song Freewheel may be surprised by the breadth of his work. His journey so far has seen him take on projects as diverse as writing the theme tune for the Irish Sesame Street to writing the music for, and appearing in, Deborah Warner’s critically acclaimed 2009 production of Bertolt Brecht’s Mother Courage and Her Children at London’s National Theatre. He is currently finishing his next studio album Look Out Machines, due for release this year.

Uninformed Opinions is pure stand-up comedy.

There are no gimmicks – simply Jo and her biting acerbic tongue. This is the show for anyone who has ever wanted to scream: “Please shut up – you don’t know what you are talking about!” Audiences can expect razor-sharp observations and scandalous one-liners as Jo shares her opinions on everything from women who always pick the wrong partner and men who continually quote gangster films, to families arguing on trains and the growth of passive-aggressive corporate friendliness. (May contain strong language and adult material, suitable for 16+)

Date: Friday 20 March, 8pm Tickets: £15

MARCH

with support from Paul Cook and the Chronicles

Jo Caulfield: Uninformed Opinions

The Korgis Go Live Date: Wednesday 25 March, 8pm Tickets: £18.50

The Korgis are best known for their worldwide hit singles Everybody’s Got To Learn Sometime and If I Had You, released in 1980. The original duo are singer/guitarist/ keyboard player Andy Davis and singer/bass player James Warren, both also members of the ever popular band Stackridge. Although they appeared on television in many countries during the time of their international chart success, they chose not to be a live act, until this year.

Now as a five-piece band The Korgis are playing live for the first time. www.thekorgis.com T he Christians

Like this? Try this: 8 May

Box Office: 01908 280800 email: stables@stables.org www.stables.org

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Cara Dillon Date: Thursday 26 March, 8pm Tickets: £21

Date: Monday 23 March, 8pm Tickets: £12.50, £15

JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM

MARCH

Radioland: Kraftwerk’s Radio-Activity 40 Years on

The extraordinary Irish singer makes music that transcends genres and crosses barriers. She has won every folk award going but confesses to being no purist, making music that reaches beyond the constraints and limitations of tradition.

A Thousand Hearts, Cara Dillon’s fifth solo album, is another small masterpiece of song and emotion, ethereal and radiant, beautifully honed and perfectly true. www.caradillon.co.uk K athryn Roberts

Like this? Try this: and Sean Lakeman 21 April

Karnataka Date: Friday 27 March, 8pm Tickets: £15 Marking the 40th anniversary of its release, keyboard virtuoso Matthew Bourne, Franck Vigroux on electronics and installation artist Antoine Schmitt explore Kraftwerk’s seminal 1975 album, Radio-Activity, as a live performance experience. Following their own paths through this incredible work, Bourne, Vigroux and Schmitt will turn Radio-Activity inside out, exploring this ground-breaking album in their own inimitable way. To intensify the experience, Schmitt creates striking live videos, transporting the audience into the stratosphere of Kraftwerk’s futuristic sound world.

Mariana Sadovska

Like this? Try this: 18 April

PIZZA/PASTA SPECIAL Get the pizza or pasta of your choice with salad from the buffet table and a glass of wine, bottled beer or draught soft drink for just £14 per person. Vegetarian options available. Served in Café in2. Slices of pizza and other snacks are also available across the bar. Call the box office to book a table.

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Karnataka make their much-anticipated return to The Stables performing brand new material from their forthcoming studio album, the follow up to 2010’s award-winning The Gathering Light. Gaining plaudits from BBC Radio 2’s Bob Harris and Rick Wakeman, Karnataka have performed in the UK, the US and Europe alongside prestigious artists including Robert Plant and Porcupine Tree. Featuring the beautiful vocals of award-winning singer Hayley Griffiths (Riverdance) and the stunning guitar work of Enrico Pinna, Karnataka embrace symphonic, progressive and Celtic influences. www.karnataka.org.uk P anic Room

Like this? Try this: 3 May

Treat someone special – gift vouchers are available from the Box Office

An Evening with Gervase Phinn

Date: Saturday 28 March, 8pm Tickets: £22

Date: Tuesday 31 March, 8pm Tickets: £18.50

Fresh Cream

Like this? Try this: 10 March

The Furrow Collective Date: Sunday 29 March, 8pm Tickets: £14.50

Gervase Phinn has been touring theatres across the country for more than 10 years as a hilarious raconteur. An Evening with Gervase Phinn will have you on the edge of your seat as he shares his hilarious and sometimes poignant tales of life as a schools inspector in the Yorkshire Dales. With his keen ear for the absurd and sharp eye for the ludicrous, Gervase has delighted audiences all over the UK with stories of his experiences as a school inspector.

“A worthy successor to James Herriot and every bit as endearing” Alan Titchmarsh

www.gervase-phinn.com R ichard Digance

Like this? Try this: 8 March

JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM

T.Rextasy are now accepted as the world’s only official live tribute band dedicated to Marc Bolan and T.Rex, and the only band endorsed and approved by Marc’s family, estate and original T.Rex members. The band has been described by many as ‘beyond the boundaries of tribute’. If you would like to know exactly what a Marc Bolan concert was like in the 1970s, this show is for you! www.trextasy.com

MARCH

T.Rextasy

Be in good company!

Featuring the combined talents of Rachel Newton, Lucy Farrell, Emily Portman and Alasdair Roberts, this new collective brings together four of the finest, award-winning musicians on the UK folk scene and delves into the obscure world of balladry at its darkest and quirkiest. Each singer airs lesser-known gems from their traditional repertoire with an eclectic backing of harp, guitar, viola, concertina, banjo, musical saw and rousing harmonies. With a bold, improvisatory approach, their common focus is to capture the raw edges and fleeting magic of ballads, with storytelling taking centre stage. “… a quietly triumphant set” **** The Guardian

www.thefurrowcollective.co.uk Lutes and Ukes

Like this? Try this: 31 May

When you need to make an impression, you can be sure The Stables will help you deliver the right one! Our dedicated Development Team will work closely with you to ensure your bespoke event runs as smoothly as possible.

Conferences, Events & Training – Our expertise is firmly rooted in event management enabling us to stage anything from a whole-day event for a senior level conference, staff seminars, and training forums to themed and entertaining events.

Corporate Hospitality – Live entertainment is still very much the heart and soul of The Stables.

Its unique nature has attracted audiences and performers back, time after time. The perfect setting to entertain clients and staff alike.

Sponsorship & Advertising – We offer Corporate Associate programmes, with a range of benefits for your company; Show Sponsorship and Corporate Branding opportunities.

For more information, please call 01908 280815 or email development@stables.org

www.stables.org

Box Office: 01908 280800 email: stables@stables.org www.stables.org

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APRIL

Secret Love: A Sentimental Journey through the Life and Music of Doris Day

John Verity Band Date: Saturday 4 April, 8pm Tickets: £15

starring Claudia Morris

JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM

Date: Thursday 2 April, 8pm Tickets: £22.50 To celebrate the 90th birthday of Hollywood legend Doris Day, acclaimed jazz singer and West End actress Claudia Morris returns with this critically acclaimed show dedicated to her idol. Accompanied by a live band and actors portraying key characters in Day’s story, Claudia’s account is a unique and unmissable, heart-warming, toe-tapping show that sheds a fascinating new light on the true stories behind such evergreen hits as Que Sera Sera, Sentimental Journey, It’s Magic and Perhaps Perhaps, as well as some rare, poignant songs that reveal the many sides of this intriguing icon. “passion and clarity delivered with a velvet voice, Claudia lights any stage” BBC Radio

www.claudiamorris-music.com Clare Teal

Like this? Try this: 23 May

R obin Trower

Like this? Try this: 17 April

The Bootleg Sixties Date: Friday 3 April, 8pm Tickets: £21.50

Following two previous sold-out appearances at The Stables, this high-energy show returns for a special one-off performance before heading over to Europe for an extensive tour. Pop music’s greatest decade is brought back to life with the classic fashion, newsreel and iconic video footage of the period not to mention the music including hits made famous by the likes of The Kinks, The Doors, Simon & Garfunkel, The Beach Boys, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Animals and many more. www.thebootlegsixties.com Supersonic 70s Show

Like this? Try this: 6 June

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John Verity has enjoyed a varied and impressive career, that has included support dates with rock luminaries such as Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, The Who and John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers as well as recording with Ringo Starr, Keith Emerson, Gregg Lake, Tim Rose and The Zombies to name but a few. He is currently touring to promote his latest album, Tone Hound on the last train to Corona, a schedule that includes both unplugged and electric shows. Stunning vocalist Bianca Kinane will be joining him for this show. www.johnverity.com

Steve Howe Date: Tuesday 7 April, 8pm Tickets: £20 Multi-instrumentalist Steve Howe is probably best known as lead guitarist and backing vocalist in Yes, but over the years he has released and featured on countless albums as a band member, solo artist or special guest. Following a hugely successful tour last year, 2015 sees him return to the UK to support the release of his solo anthology on Rhino Records. Steve will play some of his more familiar music plus several new tunes including Solitaire from Yes’s Fly From Here album, The Golden Mean and others from Motif, as well as various arrangements of Yes songs and other numbers he’s picked up along the way. www.stevehowe.com Renaissance

Like this? Try this: 14 April

Booking Buy anyfees timeapply – book – please your tickets turn toonline page 24 55 hours for details. a day

Date: Friday 10 April, 8pm Tickets: £18

For decades Patti Russo has performed alongside some of the world’s finest artists including Queen, Jeff Beck and Cher. But her most recognisable role is that of the powerhouse female vocalist for legendary artist Meat Loaf.

For nearly 20 years she has been an integral part of both his touring and recording career, cementing her status as the perfect foil for Meat Loaf’s bombastic and over-the-top theatrical stage performances across the globe. Now she is embarking on a solo career… www.patti-rocks.com

Feast of Fiddles turn 21 years old in 2015 and this group of musical friends take to the road again to entertain their growing legion of fans with a show of huge dynamic range, passionate and joyful playing and a liberal dose of fun.

Fiddlers Peter Knight (Steeleye Span), Chris Leslie (Fairport Convention), Phil Beer (Show of Hands), Brian McNeill (Battlefield Band), Ian Cutler (Bully Wee), Tom Leary (Zeus) and Garry Blakeley (Band of Two) add a wide range of fiddle-playing styles to the rock back-line of guitars, keyboards, sax and accordion – all held together by legendary drummer Dave Mattacks.

Dana Fuchs

Like this? Try this: 20 May

JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM

Feast of Fiddles

Date: Wednesday 8 April, 8pm Tickets: £20

APRIL

Patti Russo

“The best fiddle players of a generation” fRoots

www.feastoffiddles.co.uk G igspanner

Aynsley Lister Date: Thursday 9 April, 8pm Tickets: £16.50 When explosive natural ability collides with fiery, emotionally charged compositions, the result is Aynsley Lister, an incredible guitarist whose brand of blues-based rock delivers contemporary song-writing fuelled with the kind of heart and soul that’s missing from so much modern music. With more than 100,000 albums sold, lashings of critical acclaim and years of high profile touring, Lister’s resumé speaks for itself and firmly secures his position as a leading light in the resurgence of British blues-infused music. www.aynsleylister.co.uk Ben Poole

Like this? Try this: 9 May – Stage 2

Like this? Try this: 3 June

Jimmy Webb Date: Saturday 11 April, 8pm Tickets: £22.50 Jimmy Webb has influenced generations of musicians worldwide from Billy Joel and John Mayer to Keith Urban and Rumer. He has topped the country, disco and pop music charts with a list of artists astounding in its diversity and he remains a trailblazer among songwriters 50 years after his first hit. Jimmy now brings his multi-platinum playlist on the road in an intimate evening of songs and stories not to be missed. www.jimmywebb.com T he Simon and Garfunkel Story

Like this? Try this: 3 March

Box Office: 01908 280800 email: stables@stables.org www.stables.org

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APRIL JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM

The Blockheads

Renaissance

Date: Sunday 12 April, 8pm Tickets: £21.50

Date: Tuesday 14 April, 8pm Tickets: £25, £27.50

Formed in 1977 to promote Ian Dury’s album New Boots and Panties, The Blockheads are fronted by Derek ‘The Draw’ Hussey, who was Ian’s best friend and is now the band’s vocalist and wordsmith. Chaz Jankel, Norman Watt-Roy, John Turnbull and Mick Gallagher from the original band still remain and the band is augmented by John Roberts on drums and a rolling line-up of saxophonists including Gilad Atzmon, Terry Edwards and Dave Lewis. These legendary Brit-funkers will be playing all the old favourites along with some new material. www.theblockheads.com Dr Feelgood

Like this? Try this: 7 March

Date: Monday 13 April, 8pm Tickets: £17.50

The duo of Ben Earle and Crissie Rhodes swiftly became one of the real buzz bands of 2014. Getting together as recently as May the year before, and with only a handful of live dates under their belt, The Shires secured the support of a host of industry tastemakers in no time and Decca won the hot contest for their signatures. They performed a sold-out gig at The Stables at the end of last year – be sure not to miss them this time around! www.theshiresmusic.com Like this? Try this: 7 May – Stage 2

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S teve Howe

Like this? Try this: 7 April

4 Parts Guitar

The Shires

The Kennedys

Progressive rock pioneers Renaissance rose from the ashes of seminal UK rock band The Yardbirds. Their career has spanned more than 40 years, spearheaded by the five-octave voice of Annie Haslam and the masterful songwriting skills of Michael Dunford, who died in 2012.

They were first acknowledged for uniquely blending progressive rock with classical influences and symphonic arrangements. In addition to Annie on lead vocals, the band’s current line-up includes Rave Tesar (keyboards), David J Keyes (bass guitar), Jason Hart (keyboards), Frank Pagano (drums) and Ryche Chlanda (acoustic guitars). www.renaissancetouring.com

featuring Giltrap, Etheridge, Carroll and Burley Date: Wednesday 15 April, 8pm Tickets: £17.50

Following on from 2014’s successful tour, 4 Parts Guitar are looking forward to another major tour this year. Gordon Giltrap, Ray Burley, John Etheridge and Clive Carroll, four of the UK’s most influential guitarists, will once again be delighting their audience with their magical playing. The music is spontaneous, exciting, and technically brilliant with all four musicians bringing their individual styles to the mix. They are preparing new material and a new album for this tour and tonight’s concert will feature a mix of solo, duo and quartet pieces.

J ohn Gomm

Like this? Try this: 19 March – Stage 2

Buy any time – book your tickets online 24 hours a day

Date: Thursday 16 April, 8pm Tickets: £19.50

Mariana Sadovska

APRIL

Michael Law’s Piccadilly Dance Orchestra: ‘V’ for Victory!

Date: Saturday 18 April, 8pm Tickets: £12.50, students £9.50

JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM

Michael and his world-famous orchestra proudly present their tribute to the 70th anniversary of the end of World War Two. ‘V’ for Victory! features the great songs and swing numbers which lifted the spirits of the world during the turbulent war years, including In The Mood, That Lovely Weekend, American Patrol, We’ll Meet Again and many more. The PDO is uniquely placed to recreate these sounds having played regularly for dances in London’s West End including four years at The Ritz, six at The Savoy and now undertaking their own series of dances at the legendary Café de Paris. www.pdo.org.uk Glenn and Friends

Like this? Try this: 2 May

Robin Trower

special guest support from Joanne Shaw Taylor Date: Friday 17 April, 8pm Tickets: £21 During the 40-odd years since his departure from Procol Harum, the unassuming Robin Trower has amassed an incredible body of work, from his commercial high-water mark with the epochal Bridge of Sighs in 1974 through to his most recent album The Playful Heart.

His music has never attempted to make concessions to commercial demands and his improvisational skills have consistently re-set the bar for blues-soaked inspiration and intensity. www.trowerpower.com Fresh Cream

Like this? Try this: 10 March

Singer, actress and composer Mariana Sadovska crosses all borders: archaic midsummer night invocations, wedding songs and migrant chants from remote villages of rural Ukraine all take a singular turn and transmute into contemporary sound that spans folk to avant-garde. For this tour she has teamed up with German percussionist and electronica specialist Christian Thomé, creating an ever-changing collage of ancient Ukrainian folk songs and contemporary electro-acoustic sounds. “protocol and tradition of whatever style she is working in just vanish; she replaces them with pure vitality” New York Times

www.marianasadovska.de R adioland

Like this? Try this: 23 March

MEAL DEAL: A TASTE OF EASTERN EUROPE For an additional £17 per head you can enjoy A Taste of Eastern Europe at The Stables (vegetarian options available) served in Café in2. Please go to stables.org for menu details. Book in advance on 01908 280832 to reserve your table.

Box Office: 01908 280800 email: stables@stables.org www.stables.org

13

APRIL JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM

An Evening with Hazel O’Connor

Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman

Date: Sunday 19 April, 8pm Tickets: £18.50

Date: Tuesday 21 April, 8pm Tickets: £14.50

with support from the Tensheds

Award-winning singer-songwriter Hazel O’Connor is back, teaming up here with Clare Hirst (Bellestars, Communards, David Bowie) on sax and Sarah Fisher (Eurythmics) on keyboards. The superb blend of their three voices and musicianship adds a sweet touch of class to their vibrant performance. Unforgettable songs from the iconic film Breaking Glass, including Eighth Day, Will You, Big Brother and If Only, seem even more relevant in our present times.

Expect a soulful introspective dip into Hazel’s stunning portfolio – the old, the new and stories from along the way. www.hazeloconnor.com Midge Ure Like this? Try this: 1 May

Other ways you can support our work The success of our music and education programme depends on the generous support of many individuals and organisations.

• Become a Friend of The Stables – benefits include priority booking and ticket discounts.

• Name A Seat – your chosen name on a seat in the auditorium.

• Leave a gift in your will to help nurture the next generation of musicians.

• Join our group of volunteers and become a Stablemate.

• Purchase Gift Vouchers which can be exchanged for tickets at The Stables.

For further information please call 01908 280800 or email development@stables.org

www.stables.org 14

with support from Hattie Briggs

Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman are proud to announce their album Tomorrow Will Follow Today, their boldest musical statement to date. After being voted Best Duo in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in 2013 and also nominated for Best Original Song (The Ballad of Andy Jacobs), they have added two rarely covered traditional songs to eight confidently written compositions to create a superb new album.

Kathryn’s sublime vocals merge seamlessly with Sean’s deft and inventive live guitar work on stage and his award-winning sonic skills in the studio.

“An absolute masterclass in how to do it right” Festivalsforall.com

www.kathrynrobertsandseanlakeman.com C ara Dillon

Like this? Try this: 26 March

Courtney Pine: Song (the ballad book) featuring Zoe Rahman

Date: Wednesday 22 April, 8pm Tickets: £25 Courtney’s latest project creates the most intimate shows of his long and celebrated career as he takes to the stage playing a collection of his favourite tunes on bass clarinet accompanied by fellow Mercury nominee and MOBO award-winning pianist Zoe Rahman. Described in The Observer as “a remarkable pianist by any standard”, Zoe has firmly established herself as one of the brightest stars on the contemporary jazz scene.

“Courtney Pine was once hailed as British jazz’s saviour… he still is” The Independent

www.courtneypine.co.uk T ommy Smith and Brian Kellock

Like this? Try this: 2 June

Treat someone special Buy any – gift timevouchers – book your are available tickets online from24 thehours Box Office a day

Date: Saturday 25 April, 8pm Tickets: £20

Noah Stewart, the dashing young Harlem tenor, is one of international opera’s most talked-about singers. His meteoric career has recently seen sensational debuts in Spain, Russia and Atlanta as well as returns to Lisbon, New York and London in repertoire including Faust, Rodolfo (La Bohème) and Pinkerton (Madama Butterfly). Noah toured the UK in 2012 to sell-out audiences and now returns to his ‘home from home’ with a sensational new show that includes some of opera’s best-loved arias as well as hand-picked West End and big screen favourites.

The Bon Jovi Experience is an outstanding tribute to Bon Jovi and the only Bon Jovi tribute band to have played and shared a stage with Jon Bon Jovi himself. Recreating Bon Jovi Live in Concert, The Bon Jovi Experience perform all the great hits: Livin’ On a Prayer, Keep the Faith, Bad Medicine, You Give Love a Bad Name and many more. www.jonbyjovi.com

“the rich clarity of his tone and dashing persona seem capable of conquering anyone through sheer charisma alone” The Guardian

www.noahstewart.com Only Men Aloud Like this? Try this: 3 June

T he Counterfeit Stones

Like this? Try this: 11 June

JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM

The Bon Jovi Experience

Date: Thursday 23 April, 8pm Tickets: £30

APRIL

Noah Stewart

Albert Hammond: Songbook Tour Date: Sunday 26 April, 8pm Tickets: £22.50

Joe McElderry: Live & Unplugged Date: Friday 24 April, 8pm Tickets: £21.50 Joe McElderry is hitting the road with a brand new show, Live and Unplugged, following the sell-out success of last year’s nationwide tour. His unmistakable voice, easy wit and warm rapport have endeared him to all ages from five to 95. Whether he’s singing a pop hit or stunning the audience into silence with opera, Joe has evolved from boy crooner to the master of his craft since winning The X-Factor in 2009. A limited

number of meet and greet tickets are available to include show ticket, glass of champagne/soft drink, photo opportunity and goodie bag – £75 bookable only by phone or in person. www.joemcelderryofficial.com Gareth Gates

Like this? Try this: 14 June

Albert Hammond has been writing hit songs for more than 40 years. His songs have been responsible for the sale of more than 360 million records worldwide including over 30 chart-topping hits. Now Albert has released his first-ever live album, Songbook 2013. Don’t miss this evening of all of his greatest hits including It Never Rains In Southern California, The Free Electric Band, The Air That I Breathe and Down By The River. www.alberthammond.net T he Manfreds

Like this? Try this: 5 June

Box Office: 01908 280800 email: stables@stables.org www.stables.org

15

APRIL JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM

Josh Rouse

Ruby Turner

Date: Monday 27 April, 8pm Tickets: £18.50

Date: Wednesday 29 April, 8pm Tickets: £22.50

The Nebraska-born Josh Rouse sings a brand of soft acoustic rock, extending from his youthful obsession with such bands as The Smiths and The Cure. From the release of his first album, Dressed Up For Nebraska 1998, his work has drawn rave reviews from a range of circles.

Since that time he has released many albums and acquired an international cult following. His most recent album, The Happiness Waltz, was released in March 2013. www.joshrouse.com

Ruby Turner is renowned for hits such as If You’re Ready (Come Go With Me), I’d Rather Go Blind and the number one single in the US rhythm and blues chart, It’s Gonna Be Alright. She has released eight albums and guested on releases for the likes of Brian Ferry, UB40, Steve Winwood and Jools Holland. This amazing singer-songwriter is blessed with a voice to die for whether performing jazz, soul or rhythm and blues. In addition to her solo singing career, Ruby is an accomplished actress on TV, film and the West End stage. www.rubyturner.com

Christina Martin Band

Like this? Try this: 29 April – Stage 2

The Fureys Date: Tuesday 28 April, 8pm Tickets: £20

Legends of Irish music and song The Fureys, renowned for hit songs including I Will Love You, Sweet 16, The Green Fields of France, The Old Man, Red Rose Café and Clare to Here, have been entertaining audiences worldwide for almost 40 years. Tonight, along with all their classic hits, they will perform songs from their new album The Times They Are A Changing. www.thefureys.com The High Kings

Like this? Try this: 14 March

16

M ica Paris

Like this? Try this: 12 March

Uriah Heep Date: Thursday 30 April, 8pm Tickets: £27.50

Considered one of the ‘Big Four’ pioneers of hard rock and heavy metal in the late 1960s and early 70s, along with Black Sabbath, Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin, Uriah Heep still enjoy legendary status. Their unique, progressive, hard sound has made them a mainstay of the rock circuit for four decades. Famed for their accomplished musical talents, diverse song-writing and powerful live performances, the band has released some of the most popular and defining music of their genre. www.uriah-heep.com V irgil and the Accelerators

Like this? Try this: 19 May

Booking Buy anyfees timeapply – book – please your tickets turn toonline page 24 55 hours for details. a day

Panic Room

Date: Friday 1 May, 8pm Tickets: £20

Date: Sunday 3 May, 8pm Tickets: £15

Blancmange

Like this? Try this: 14 May

Glenn and Friends Date: Saturday 2 May, 8pm Tickets: £22.50

Barisons Swing Band is back! After touring as the Great British Big Band with Darius Campbell, and with the History of the Big Bands with Andy Abraham, Barisons are excited to bring you their new Glenn Miller show to you.

This time Barisons’ featured vocalists are the fabulous close harmony group The Three Belles, paying tribute to the much-loved Andrew Sisters. Included in the new show are timeless classics including American Patrol, Pennsylvania 6-5000, String of Pearl, In the Mood and many more.

Pete Long’s Echoes of Ellington

Like this? Try this: 21 June

K arnataka

Like this? Try this: 27 March

JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM

After the successful reformation of Ultravox in 2009, Midge feels it’s time to revisit his Celtic roots and will perform Breathe in its entirety for the first time in 2015.

He will also play a selection of his other hits including Vienna, Dancing with Tears in My Eyes, Fade to Grey and If I Was, as well as songs from his recently released album Fragile, which was Radio 2 playlisted. www.midgeure.co.uk

Panic Room bring their epic, award-winning music to The Stables flying high from the storming success of their latest album, Incarnate. Hailed as “a masterpiece” by the British music press, the album shot straight into the Top 10 of the Independent Album Charts and cemented their position as one of the hottest UK bands of the moment.

Panic Room’s music is full of power, grandeur, breathtaking beauty and devastating grooves. New for 2015, the band are proud to present an exciting ‘double-gig’ format – a stunning show which will feature a full electric set plus a rare and intimate acoustic set. www.panicroom.org.uk

MAY

Midge Ure

Stornoway Date: Monday 4 May, 8pm Tickets: £16

Stornoway is a British alternative indie folk band from Oxford. The band has recently been in the studio recording their as yet untitled third album. Scheduled for release in April, the album wields all the lyrical eloquence demonstrated on the band’s 2010 premiere Beachcomber’s Windowsill. The melodies and instrumental depth, which grew exponentially on album two Tales From Terra Firma, are also present, as is the experimental, inquisitiveness of the mini-album You Don’t Know Anything. www.stornoway.eu B lue Rose Code

Like this? Try this: 28 April – Stage 2

Box Office: 01908 280800 email: stables@stables.org www.stables.org

17

JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM

MAY

Jack Dee’s Help Desk Date: Tuesday 5 May, 8pm Tickets: £18.50 Got a problem? Need a sympathetic ear? Jack and his panel of experts – Romesh Ranganathan, Kerry Godliman, Sara Pascoe and a special guest – are here to help. Whether it’s relationships, career advice, personal worries or something as simple as how to tell your emotionally stunted in-laws you no longer want them in your life. Come along and share your troubles with Jack – and in no way have them ridiculed in front of a live audience. (may contain strong language and adult material; suitable for 16+) “Dispel all your problems in an hour of fun” The Guardian Jo Caulfield Like this? Try this: 22 March

Date: Thursday 7 May, 8pm Tickets: £16 With four sell-out national tours, three DVD releases and a special for Comedy Central under his belt, Andy Parsons is back on the road. Andy’s fifth live show will see the star of BBC TV’s Mock The Week and Live At The Apollo delivering more sharp comedy up and down the UK. Andy has enjoyed huge success as a writer and performer on television, radio and the live comedy stage. (May contain strong language and adult material, suitable for 16+) “Hysterical live show. Andy Parsons is on fire” The Mirror

www.andyparsons.co.uk J o Caulfield

Kathleen Ferrier: Whattalife!

Date: Wednesday 6 May, 8pm Tickets: £12, £14.50

Kathleen Ferrier was one of the 20th century’s most phenomenal women. Whattalife! tells her story from her debut as a singer in 1940 and her meteoric rise, to her tragic death in 1953. Professional actress and contralto Lucy Stevens has researched and created a unique and totally engaging performance. With a text taken straight from Kathleen’s letters and diaries and sung music from her repertoire interwoven throughout, Whattalife! is the first staged dramatisation of Ferrier’s life. Just like Kathleen, the show has a great sense of fun and talks straight from the heart.

Melvyn Tan

Like this? Try this: 8 March

18

Andy Parsons: Live & Unleashed – But Naturally Cautious

Like this? Try this: 22 March

The Christians Date: Friday 8 May, 8pm Tickets: £21

Celebrating 27 years since the release of their debut album, The Christians are back. Headed by lead-singer Garry Christian, who still deserves the Daily Mirror’s description as having “one of the finest voices in pop”, The Christians are in better form than ever, backed by superb harmonies from the band. Get ready for an evening of classic hits including Forgotten Town, Ideal World, Born Again, Harvest for the World and many more. www.thechristianslive.co.uk R oland Gift

Like this? Try this: 28 June

Buy any time – book your tickets online 24 hours a day

Date: Saturday 9 May, 8pm Tickets: £19.50

Kairos 4Tet Date: Sunday 10 May, 8pm Tickets: £12.50

“Elio Pace is a great musician, artist and friend.

He is a star!” Alfie Boe

www.eliopace.com The Simon and Garfunkel Story

Like this? Try this: 3 March

Gryphon Date: Wednesday 13 May, 8pm Tickets: £17.50

Fronted by saxophonist and composer Adam Waldmann, Kairos 4Tet are one of a kind – bridging the gap between classic and contemporary; the jazz idiom and the lineage of song; intelligent and delicate grooves, burning improvisations and melodies that linger long after the music stops. Their third album Everything We Hold takes Kairos in a new and unexpected direction.

In a bid to push the boundaries of his own creativity, Waldmann explores in great depth the art of song.

Social and political concerns remain a strong influence and with the addition of strings, harp, harmonium, bass clarinet, glockenspiel and French horn, their sonic landscape is deeper and richer than ever before.

JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM

Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to experience the Billy Joel Songbook in an electrifying concert performed by the dynamic singer-songwriter and piano-player Elio Pace and his magnificent six-piece band. The evening features the massive hits Uptown Girl, Just The Way You Are and My Life as well as fan favourites including Scenes From An Italian Restaurant, Goodnight Saigon and Piano Man.

MAY

Elio Pace plays the Billy Joel Songbook

“Bursting with dreamy, hummable melodic themes… this is easily Waldmann’s best to date… hangs together beautifully in the way albums were always meant to” Jazzwise **** (on Everything We Hold)

www.kairos4tet.com Gryphon was founded in 1973 by Richard Harvey and Brian Gulland, who shared a vision of blending traditional English folk, Baroque instrumentation and Renaissance music in a modern format. Miraculously, the band is still together – and they’ve learnt a trick or two since they last hit the road. Stand by for dazzling, unpredictable, goodhumoured performances, new songs and old favourites, and a unique brand of virtuoso musicianship that’s still as weird and wonderful as it was all those years ago.

Soft Machine

Like this? Try this: 9 June

C ourtney Pine

Like this? Try this: 22 April

PIZZA/PASTA SPECIAL Get the pizza or pasta of your choice with salad from the buffet table and a glass of wine, bottled beer or draught soft drink for just £14 per person. Vegetarian options available. Served in Café in2. Slices of pizza and other snacks are also available across the bar.

Call the box office to book a table.

Box Office: 01908 280800 email: stables@stables.org www.stables.org

19

MAY

Juan Martin: 2 Guitarras Malaguenas with Chaparro de Malaga

Blancmange Date: Thursday 14 May, 8pm Tickets: £19.50

JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM

Date: Tuesday 12 May, 8pm Tickets: £19

From their initial EP Irene & Mavis to their eventual chart busting forays, including Living On The Ceiling, Waves, Blind Vision and Don’t Tell Me, Blancmange developed their sound with their pioneering use of big fat analogue synths and a battery of wondrous Indian percussion from the equally wonderful Pandit Dinesh. Alongside their contemporaries the Human League, Magazine, Heaven 17 and OMD, Blancmange are now being recognized as true electro-pop trail blazing pioneers. www.blancmange.co.uk M idge Ure

Like this? Try this: 1 May

The Demon Barbers XL Date: Friday 15 May, 8pm Tickets: £18.50 Juan and Chaparro both come out of the Málaga tradition of flamenco and bring a pure, powerful and poetic art to their duo. Juan is regularly acclaimed as one of the world’s top flamenco guitarists while Chaparro is a prize-winning guitarist from Málaga who has toured widely accompanying many famous flamenco singers. Their programme will transport you to Málaga, Granada, Córdoba and Jerez on a journey through the diverse cultures of Andalucia, incorporating a range of styles from Moorish laments to more South American-influenced sounds. www.flamencovision.com Son Yambu

Like this? Try this: 12 June

MEAL DEAL: A TASTE OF SPAIN For an additional £17 per head you can enjoy A Taste of Spain at The Stables (vegetarian options available) served in Café in2. Please go to stables.org for menu details. Book in advance on 01908 280832 to reserve your table.

20

Renowned for their no-holds-barred approach to their live shows, The Demon Barbers return to the concert stage with a new repertoire, extra band members and a modern twist on their multi-award-winning Roadshow. The XL show features material from their latest album Disco At The Tavern. Combining solid traditional acoustic instruments and songs with the added oomph of a superbly tight rhythm section, they create a unique and captivating sound. www.thedemonbarbers.co.uk M awkin

Like this? Try this: 23 May – Stage 2

Treat someone special – gift vouchers are available from the Box Office

Ralph McTell

Date: Saturday 16 May, 8pm Tickets: £20

Date: Monday 18 May, 8pm Tickets: £22

The Counterfeit Stones

Like this? Try this: 11 June

Digby Fairweather’s Half Dozen: 20th Anniversary Tour

T om Paxton

Like this? Try this: 22 May

Virgil & the Accelerators supported by The River Chickens

JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM

Ultimate Bowie pays tribute to the work of the global superstar in a show that is visually stunning and vocally impressive. Ed Blaney takes the spotlight and leads an eight-piece band that takes you from David Bowie’s early years with hits including Starman, through his remarkable career to songs including Let’s Dance, China Girl and many more. The band is not called Ultimate Bowie for nothing – this show captures the essence and authenticity of David Bowie in concert. www.ultimatebowie.com

Ralph McTell celebrates 50 years as a professional musician and this quintessential singer-songwriterguitarist is back on tour. His shows feature beautifully crafted narrative songs, combined with dextrous finger-style guitar playing and evocative storytelling, and will of course include the Ivor Novello award-winning Streets of London. www.ralphmctell.co.uk

MAY

Ultimate Bowie

Date: Tuesday 19 May, 8pm Tickets: £13.50

Date: Sunday 17 May, 8pm Tickets: £17.50

To celebrate the start of their 20th anniversary tour, Digby Fairweather’s Half Dozen – fresh from Ronnie Scott’s – bring you their newest show, The Swing’s the Thing.

10-time winners for top small group in the prestigious British Jazz Awards, Digby and his band promise you an unforgettable evening of swinging sounds, favourite songs (sung by the ‘Four Fairweather Friends’), Latin jazz and gorgeous selections from the Great American and British Songbooks. www.digbyfairweather.com Clare Teal

Like this? Try this: 23 May

Having made a statement of intent with their stunning all-original debut album The Radium, followed by a series of high-profile shows with legends such as Michael Schenker, Uriah Heep, Johnny Winter and Wilko Johnson, Virgil and the Accelerators are now establishing themselves as one of the UK’s premier exponents of young high-energy blues rock. April 2013 saw the release of Live At Marshall, a spectacular DVD capture of their stunning sold-out show at the holy grail of sound, Marshall Amplification. Their live set is jaw-dropping and they are a must-see band. www.vataband.com R obin Trower

Like this? Try this: 17 April

Box Office: 01908 280800 email: stables@stables.org www.stables.org

21

MAY JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM

Dana Fuchs

Tom Paxton: 50 Years On

Date: Wednesday 20 May, 8pm Tickets: £16.50

Date: Friday 22 May, 8pm Tickets: £28.50

Dana Fuchs is a modern phenomenon, a singer whose incredible voice and undoubted stage presence has led critics to compare her to rock legends from Janis Joplin to Mick Jagger. Dana played Sadie in the highly acclaimed Beatles musical movie, Across The Universe, which exposed her huge talents to a far wider international audience. With the backing of her fellow band member Jon Diamond, Dana released Bliss Avenue in 2103 to widespread acclaim. www.danafuchs.com Patti Russo

Like this? Try this: 8 April

Doc Brown: The Weird Way Round Date: Thursday 21 May, 8pm Tickets: £14

50 years on from his first UK tour in 1965, US folk-music legend Tom Paxton returns to the UK. The five intervening decades have seen the recording of many enduring songs and thousands of live performances around the world, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award in 2009.

With timeless classics including The Last Thing On My Mind, Bottle Of Wine and Ramblin’ Boy, he portrays through his songs and his famously generous nature a true desire for justice and to bring people together. www.tompaxton.com P eggy Seeger

Like this? Try this: 10 June

Clare Teal Date: Saturday 23 May, 8pm Tickets: £25

Fresh from his sell-out UK tour Of Mic and Men, and a starring role in the hit show Law and Order, as well as singing with Ricky Gervais on the viral YouTube video Equality Street, Doc Brown is back with his unique take on life, love and lyricism. With other TV appearances already under his belt including Russell Howard’s Good News, The Inbetweeners, Rev and Derek, Doc is a must-see act.

(Suitable for 14+) “If Brown keeps mining this rich seam of hip-hop comedy, his fame should look after itself” The Guardian

www.docbrown.co.uk Gary Delaney

Like this? Try this: 17 May – Stage 2

22

In a new show, our very own Queen of Swing celebrates more of the music of her heroines, the leading lights of the jazz and big-band world, including Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Judy Garland and Doris Day. The multi-award-winning singer and BBC Radio 2 broadcaster also demonstrates the influence these characters have had on her own acclaimed catalogue of work. Clare tells outrageous anecdotes of these stars’ extraordinary lives and points to the future of diva-dom with a few relevant originals and more modern day covers. www.clareteal.co.uk S ecret Love

Like this? Try this: 2 April

Booking fees apply – please turn to page 55 for details.

Judie Tzuke: Songs and Stories

Vivian Stanshall’s Sir Henry At Rawlinson End

with Mike Livesley and the Brainwashing House Orchestra

MAY

Date: Sunday 24 May, 8pm Tickets: £27.50, £30

Date: Thursday 28 May, 8pm Tickets: £20

“Much of the audience has been in love with her since Stay With Me Till Dawn echoed around their bedrooms – the first time they got their hearts broken” The Independent

www.tzuke.com Thea Gilmore

Like this? Try this: 25 May

Thea Gilmore Date: Monday 25 May, 8pm Tickets: £21 Thea’s razor-sharp lyrics, melodic flair and honey-toned voice have been admired by wide-ranging contemporaries including Bruce Springsteen, Joan Baez and Richard Thompson. In 2012 Don’t Stop Singing, her new musical settings of the late Sandy Denny’s unfinished works, received great acclaim, and included the single London which was used extensively in the BBC TV coverage of the Olympic Games. Her latest album Regardless was released last summer.

“Gilmore is blazing her own path towards classic status as a songwriter” The Guardian

www.theagilmore.net Cara Dillon

Like this? Try this: 26 March

“Sir Henry’s bluster and his epic lack of drawing room manners are still winning fun. All very odd, all very Stanshall!” The Times

JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM

Judie Tzuke is one of the UK’s finest singer-songwriters and is known all over the world for her timeless song Stay With Me Till Dawn, along with many top 10 albums, including the revered classic, Welcome to the Cruise. She is back on the road for some special gigs this year – Songs and Stories will be an intimate evening of old favourites and some new songs along with tales from across her life and career.

Liverpool’s Mike Livesley and his cobwebbed musicians re-create legendary Bonzo Viv Stanshall’s manic, classic, surreal but fond masterpiece of upper-class twittery and silliness. Sir Henry’s world is brought to life for the entertainment, enchantment and elucidation of the rest of us, 20 years after Viv Stanshall’s untimely passing. www.sirhenrylives.com

L ittle Shop of Horrors

Like this? Try this: 17 June

G2 Definitive Genesis Dates: Friday 29 & Saturday 30 May, 8pm Tickets: £21 (£19 if both nights booked in same transaction)

G2 Definitive Genesis pay tribute to a vintage period in Genesis’ long and colourful history, the four-man Seconds Out era, and will again perform two completely different sets over the two nights. Ripples, Entangled, Los Endos, Blood On The Rooftops and Afterglow are mixed up with Gabriel-era classics Firth of Fifth, Cinema Show and Suppers Ready – this is vintage Genesis, performed by G2 to a level Genesis themselves would be proud of. www.g2online.co.uk S teve Howe

Like this? Try this: 7 April

Box Office: 01908 280800 email: stables@stables.org www.stables.org

23

MAY / JUN JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM

Lutes & Ukes: The Wolves of St. Elvis Play Shakespeare Date: Sunday 31 May, 8pm Tickets: £19.50

Tommy Smith and Brian Kellock Date: Tuesday 2 June, 8pm Tickets: £12.50

This is a string consort like no other and a musical first: four lutes, four ukuleles and a mission to convert fans of the baroque theorbo and the contemporary electric cigarbox ukulele to a shared cultural experience. The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain’s toe-tapping music and fun joins with the genre-crashing expertise of world-class virtuosi on baroque instruments, Professor Elisabeth Kenny’s Theatre of the Ayre. A stringed sensation welding musical themes from Wolf Heckel’s Lute Book of 1565 to La Bamba of 1958, the two sets of instruments blend into a harmonious one, stretching strings and credulity beyond belief.

Raghu Dixit

Like this? Try this: 16 June

Only Men Aloud: On the Road Tour Date: Wednesday 3 June, 8pm Tickets: £27.50

Since winning BBC TV’s Last Choir Standing in 2008, the Welsh eight-piece ensemble have thrilled audiences throughout the UK and the US with 10 tours, festival performances and appearances at prestigious events.

Their fifth studio album Only Men Aloud: On the Road is due for release this summer. With songs including Mr Blue Sky, Here Comes the Sun, Ticket to Ride and many more given the special OMA twist, their latest show promises to showcase the versatility of this unique group. www.onlymenaloud.com Gareth Gates

Like this? Try this: 14 June

24

Two of Scotland’s greatest jazz artists, saxophonist Tommy Smith and pianist Brian Kellock, team up to bring you a beautiful and imaginative concert performance featuring tracks from their three acclaimed albums – Bezique, Symbiosis and Whispering of the Stars – featuring music from the Great American and European Songbooks. Smith’s career includes playing with Gary Burton, recording for Blue Note and leading his own bands on world tours with Arild Andersen’s state-of-the-art jazz trio, while Kellock is renowned as the master musician’s chosen accompanist and an award-winning piano trio leader. www.tommy-smith.co.uk C ourtney Pine

Like this? Try this: 22 April

PIZZA/PASTA SPECIAL Get the pizza or pasta of your choice with salad from the buffet table and a glass of wine, bottled beer or draught soft drink for just £14 per person. Vegetarian options available. Served in Café in2. Slices of pizza and other snacks are also available across the bar. Call the box office to book a table.

Buy any time – book your tickets online 24 hours a day

Supersonic 70s Show

Date: Thursday 4 June, 8pm Tickets: £22.50

Date: Saturday 6 June, 8pm Tickets: £17.50

Ian McCulloch

Like this? Try this: 6 March

The Manfreds: Hits, Jazz and Blues Date: Friday 5 June, 8pm Tickets: £24

It’s the hottest ticket in town – an incredible live show so jam-packed with classic 70s hits, it’s no wonder it’s been described as the best 70s show in theatre land. Led by the Catsuit Wondergirl Janey Bombshell, Supersonic 70s takes you back to when pop was at its peak. From the towering majesty of Queen, ELO and The Carpenters, and the pin-up pop of The Osmonds, David Essex and David Cassidy, to the foot-stomping Glam Rock of Sweet and T.Rex, this show has them all. Add the classic sounds of Saturday Night Fever and Grease and you have a show so mouth-watering, even a Curly Wurly cannot out-chew it!

JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM

From The Jam, featuring former Jam bassist Bruce Foxton and Russell Hastings, bring their acoustic tour to The Stables. Bruce and Russell will be performing a selection of songs from The Jam’s extensive back catalogue, tracks from Bruce’s new album, Back In The Room, as well as handing over the microphone to the audience for a question and answer session. With a catalogue that includes 18 UK Top 40 singles, The Jam were the sound of British youth in the late 1970s. This intimate show is a rare opportunity to hear those songs in a stripped-down setting.

JUNE

From the Jam Acoustic

B ootleg Sixties

Like this? Try this: 3 April

Albert Lee and Hogan’s Heroes Date: Sunday 7 June, 8pm Tickets: £25

1960s group Manfred Mann is considered one of the finest and most respected bands from that era. Their numerous pop hits were rhythm and blues-based with an undercurrent of jazz – an unusual but winning combination of playing style and substance. Paul Jones, with his unique harmonica sound, will be joined by Mike Hugg on keyboards, Tom McGuinness on lead guitar, Rob Townsend on drums, Marcus Cliffe on bass guitar and Simon Currie on saxophone/flute – all excellent musicians who will provide a full evening’s entertainment with a few ‘surprise’ renditions of their work. www.themanfreds.com The Searchers

Like this? Try this: 19 June

Albert Lee is by common consent one of the world’s finest guitar players and has worked with some of the world’s top artists, from Emmylou Harris to the Everly Brothers, and Dolly Parton to Eric Clapton. Hogan’s Heroes were formed by their namesake Gerry Hogan more than 20 years ago, specifically to back Albert. Their first gig took place in 1987 at Gerry’s annual festival for pedal-steel guitar and since then they have played together on a regular basis, becoming one of the tightest units in music. www.albertleeandhogansheroes.com T he Manfreds

Like this? Try this: 5 June

Box Office: 01908 280800 email: stables@stables.org www.stables.org

25

JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM

JUNE

Soft Machine Date: Tuesday 9 June, 8pm Tickets: £17.50

Soft Machine were one of the greatest UK avant/jazz-rock bands of all time and their work continues to be name-checked by today’s hip experimentalists.

Former band members John Etheridge (guitars), Roy Babbington (bass), John Marshall (drums) are joined by Theo Travis (saxophone/flute).

Gryphon

Like this? Try this: 13 May

Peggy Seeger with Callum MacColl and Neill MacColl Date: Wednesday 10 June, 8pm Tickets: £18.50

The Counterfeit Stones: Grass Me Up Date: Thursday 11 June, 8pm Tickets: £23.50

Have you seen the others, baby? A question The Rolling Stones have frequently been asked by journalists keen to know what they think about The Counterfeit Stones.

Sir Mick Jagger actually referred to them as “the most famous Stones band in England”. Each show takes you on a hilarious trip through five decades of outrageous fashion and fantastic hit songs. With colourful costumes and perfectly recreated sounds, faithfully matching the original records, Grass Me Up promises to be the ultimate live ‘mockumentary’ of one of the UK’s greatest music legends. www.thecounterfeitstones.net U ltimate Bowie

Like this? Try this: 16 May

The Northern Soul Tour Date: Saturday 13 June, 8pm Tickets: £22

In her 80th year, Peggy Seeger – folk queen, feminist icon, political activist, eco-warrior, muse – released her 22nd and probably finest solo album. Everything Changes is a perfect example of what a singer-songwriter album should be: songs with truths to tell, told sparely but with a great chorus, delivered passionately with intelligence and humour and never outstaying its welcome.

“One of the seminal figures of the British folk revival and widely regarded as something of a firebrand” Daily Telegraph

www.peggyseeger.com Tom Paxton

Like this? Try this: 22 May

26

The late, great Edwin Starr’s band The Team and special guest Northern Soul legend Lorraine Silver perform soul and Motown hits including Agent 00 Soul, 25 Miles, Stop Her On Sight, Landslide, War, Eye To Eye Contact and many more. Angelo Starr has taken over lead vocals, performing all the fantastic Edwin Starr classics and some great Northern Soul covers. Lorraine recorded Lost Summer Love which is still a massive favourite on the Northern Soul and Scooter scene.

R uby Turner

Like this? Try this: 29 April

Treat someone special – gift vouchers are available from the Box Office

Son Yambu

Date: Sunday 14 June, 8pm Tickets: £21.50

JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM

Gareth Gates has released three albums, had four UK number one singles and became the youngest ever male solo artist to go to number one. Changing musical direction in 2008, Gareth then went on to pursue a career in musical theatre, taking on roles in the likes of Joseph And His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Les Miserables, Loserville and Legally Blonde. This concert will see Gareth perform hits, fan favourites and also showcase new material following the release of his latest album The Very Best of Gareth Gates. www.garethgates.com

JUNE

Date: Friday 12 June, 8pm Tickets: £15

Gareth Gates with Jai McDowall

J oe McElderry

Like this? Try this: 24 April Son Yambu play authentic Cuban son – the essential Afro-Cuban music that originated in the streets of eastern Cuba. Son is a fusion of Spanish and African rhythms and is the root of all salsa music. Formed in 2011, Son Yambu feature a new generation of mainly Cuban musicians who are all passionate about maintaining the traditions of the genre, continuing the Buena Vista legacy that put Cuban music back on the map in 1997. Son Yambu have recently released their debut CD, La Maravilla. Come and enjoy a great evening of music and/or try out your own salsa moves on our specially created dance floor.

“If you don’t start to move to this there is no hope for you. Extraordinary music” BBC Radio 3

www.sonyambu.com Raghu Dixit

Like this? Try this: 16 June

MEAL DEAL: A TASTE OF CUBA For an additional £17 per head you can enjoy A Taste of Cuba at The Stables (vegetarian options available) served in Café in2. Please go to stables.org for menu details. Book in advance on 01908 280832 to reserve your table.

Live Live Cinema: Little Shop of Horrors

created and composed by Leon Radojkovic, directed by Oliver Driver Date: Wednesday 17 June, 8pm Tickets: £21, £22.50 Roger Corman’s cult 1960 film is screened whilst the live soundtrack is created by four performers, forced to work at break-neck pace to re-voice multiple characters while playing a new, original musical score and creating live Foley (sound effects). Our Audrey, Seymour, Mushnik and Dentist along with all the other characters will be leaping from piano to guitar, from bass to door bell and that thing that makes the sound of footsteps. It’s a wild ride, where you gonna look? www.jumpboard.co.nz S ir Henry at Rawlinson End

Like this? Try this: 28 May

Box Office: 01908 280800 email: stables@stables.org www.stables.org

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Date: Tuesday 16 June, 8pm Tickets: £17.50

JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM

JUNE

Raghu Dixit

Larry Carlton Quartet Date: Thursday 18 June, 8pm Tickets: £27.50, £29.50

Combining his roots in blues and jazz with a crossover pop rock sensibility, Larry Carlton’s unmistakable sound is marked by his signature warm tone, bright melodies and soulful guitar solos. Four-time Grammy winner, Titan of Tone award recipient and legendary guitar great, he is one of the most influential, prolific and original guitarists in the industry. “ …the work of his hands speaks grace, passion and timeless knowledge. Listen, learn and be profoundly moved” Sting

www.larrycarlton.com P eter White

Like this? Try this: 10 November

The Searchers Often hailed as India’s biggest cultural and musical export, Raghu Dixit’s unique brand of infectious, happy music transcends age, genre and even language.

His music is strongly rooted in Indian traditions and culture and is presented with a very contemporary global sound. Raghu returns to the UK for the 2015 summer festival and venue circuit on the back of the UK launch of his second studio album Jag Changa, which was Songlines magazine’s Top of the World album choice for December 2014.

“Blessed with a versatile, earthy and soulful voice” Viji Alles, UK Asian

www.raghudixit.com Son Yambu

Like this? Try this: 12 June

MEAL DEAL: A TASTE OF SOUTHERN INDIA For an additional £17 per head you can enjoy A Taste of Southern India at The Stables (vegetarian options available) served in Café in2. Please go to stables.org for menu details. Book in advance on 01908 280832 to reserve your table.

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Date: Friday 19 June, 8pm Tickets: £24

The Searchers’ remarkable career continues. With classic hits including Sweets For My Sweet, Needles and Pins, Don’t Throw Your Love Away and When You Walk In The Room, they have contributed enormously in establishing the UK as the music industry’s leading nation. Their ‘solo’ concert is a highly entertaining show that has been enthusiastically and warmly received around the world.

Along with anecdotes and reminiscences, the evening includes all their famous hits, plus many album recordings, B-sides and a selection of other well-known favourites. www.the-searchers.co.uk T he Manfreds

Like this? Try this: 5 June

Booking fees apply – please turn to page 55 for details.

presented by Aspire Media Productions Date: Saturday 20 June, 8pm

Tickets: £30; meet and greet tickets £8

Jean Christophe Novelli

Like this? Try this: and Nigel Brown

Date: Tuesday 23 June, 8pm Tickets: £18

Virtuosos in their own right, Martin Simpson, Andy Cutting and Nancy Kerr have come together for the joy of playing and exploring the possibilities of music together. Nancy is a multi-instrumentalist of rare and astonishing talent as well as a beautiful and joyful singer. A master of the diatonic accordion and most other squeezeboxes, Andy is a superbly sensitive accompanist, a writer of beautiful and thrilling tunes, a highly in-demand band member and a sublime solo performer. Martin is a multi-award-winning musician, singer and songwriter who has worked with Bonnie Raitt, Richard Hawley, Richard Thompson and many more.

T he Furrow Collective

Like this? Try this: 29 March

JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM

Strictly Come Dancing favourites Ian and Natalie perform a dance showcase spectacular designed to dazzle and wow you.

Best known for his performances on the hit BBC show as well as It Takes Two, Ian will be dancing a mix of Latin and ballroom with Natalie, who performed with fine arts and antiques expert Tim Wonnacott on the latest run of the show. Accompanying them will be Richard Still and Morgan Hemphill, 10-times UK Ten dance champions. In addition to the performance there are 25 higher-priced tickets (£38) for a pre-show meet and greet opportunity with Ian and Natalie for autographs and photos. www.ian-waite.com

Martin Simpson, Andy Cutting and Nancy Kerr

JUNE

An Audience with Ian Waite and Natalie Lowe

10 July

Pete Long’s Echoes of Ellington Date: Sunday 21 June, 8pm Tickets: £19.50, £21.50

1990s big band fans will remember the Echoes of Ellington as one of the great powerhouse jazz orchestras, balancing historical accuracy with virtuoso playing and an incredibly high performance energy. After a 15-year hiatus, the Echoes of Ellington are back, with an even stronger line-up than before. Taking advantage of the huge amount of research carried out on Ellington in the intervening period, and with some incredibly able new soloists, you can expect bluer indigos, higher high spots and more exotic moods than ever before!

Michael Law’s Piccadilly

Like this? Try this: Dance Orchestra 16 April

become a friend From just £20

a year…

Get some great benefits including priority booking, discounted tickets and the What’s On Brochure 4 times a year!

Becoming a Friend also plays a vital role in the funding of The Stables’ live music, entertainment and education activities.

Join online at www.stables.org/support_us/Friends or call 01908 280800 for further information.

Box Office: 01908 280800 email: stables@stables.org www.stables.org

29

JUNE

Big Night In for Macmillan

featuring Amber Falconer, KJ Lonsdale Perkins and Leah Vassel with a guest appearance from local Britain’s Got Talent star Bailey McConnell

Roland Gift Date: Sunday 28 June, 8pm Tickets: £22.50, £25

JIM MARSHALL AUDITORIUM

Date: Friday 26 June, 8pm Tickets: £20

Denbigh School pupil Amber Falconer and invited talented young artists will sing popular covers (old and new) plus original material. Sit back, relax and enjoy being entertained whilst raising vital funds for Macmillan Cancer Support. All proceeds will go to this worthwhile cause and ticket-holders will automatically be included in a raffle, with an additional raffle to be run on the night.

Tom Korni

Like this? Try this: 4 April – Stage 2

Katherine Ryan: Glam Role Model Date: Saturday 27 June, 8pm Tickets: £14.50

Back by popular demand! A dude who is fast becoming a recognisable face on British TV with appearances on BBC One’s Live At The Apollo and Let’s Dance for Comic Relief, BBC Two’s Mock The Week, QI and Never Mind The Buzzcocks, Channel 4’s 8 Out of 10 Cats and more, Katherine Ryan embarks on her second UK stand-up tour.

The fresh, often dangerously fierce pop culture-obsessed Canadian was unaffected by publicised death threats and survived the world’s first crack-smoking mayor.

(May contain strong language and adult material, suitable for 16+) www.katherineryan.co.uk Jo Caulfield

Like this? Try this: 22 March

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Once picked by People Magazine as one of their 50 most beautiful people, Roland Gift first came to public attention with the release of the first Fine Young Cannibals album.

His high, soaring voice was immediately recognizable, his style being influenced by both classic soul singers and more modern techniques. It was with the second FYC album four years later, however, that the band began to break internationally with the single She Drives Me Crazy being heard everywhere, in movies, on television and on the radio.

T he Christians

Like this? Try this: 8 May

Gift Ideas

Footpath of Fame – your chosen name or

text engraved onto a brick and placed amongst many celebrities in our exclusive Footpath Name a Seat – a seat in the auditorium with your chosen name on it Gift Vouchers – treat someone to a great night of entertainment Your support helps us to continue providing music and music-making opportunities for children and adults alike.

For more information contact the Box Office on 01908 280815 or email development@stables.org

www.stables.org

Buy any time – book your tickets online 24 hours a day

Your Perfect Conference Venue!

The Stables offers an inspirational setting for a wide range of meetings, conferences and business-focussed events.

Our dedicated event team and experienced technical crew will provide you with everything you need to deliver your perfect event.

Our facilities include: • the Jim Marshall Auditorium, a 398-seat flexible venue with moveable staging and seating • Stage 2, a smaller venue accommodating between 40 and 120 people

• a large foyer area suitable for receptions and product launches for 250 • a hospitality/meeting room for 15-30 people to accommodate networking, break-out sessions or smaller hospitality events • o utside areas suitable for a marquee to create further space for dining/hospitality • f ree car parking for up to 250 cars and easy access to major highways • state of the art sound and AV facilities • in-house catering team

For further details please contact the Development Office on 01908 280815 or development@stables.org Box Office: 01908 280800 email: stables@stables.org www.stables.org

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2 STAGE

2

Stage

Stage 2 is The Stables’ second performance space – intimate, relaxed and informal. The ideal place to catch a star of tomorrow on their way up, or see the stars of today experiment with new material. So come and hear the latest new music and comedy, relax and enjoy a drink with friends! You’ll always find something to delight and intrigue you in Stage 2, whatever your tastes.

pg 32-45 Stage 2 is also available to hire for meetings and seminars. For further information please call the Development team on 01908 280815

2

...and check out our café-bar Café in If you are looking for a restaurant for a pre-show meal, then look no further. Café in2 has a reputation for top quality food and tasty dishes at a reasonable price.

What’s more, it has friendly, helpful staff and the perfect atmosphere, making it ideal for a pre-concert meal. Café in2 is open from 6pm on concert nights.

Such has been the success of Café in2 that it is very often fully booked, so to be sure of a table we recommend that you make your reservation well in advance.

For more information and the current menu visit www.stables.org and click on the link to Café in2.

To reserve a table please call the Café in2 booking line on 01908 280832 or email stables@stables.org

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Buy any time – book your tickets online 24 hours a day

The Portraits and Minnie Birch

Date: Tuesday 3 March, 8.45pm Tickets: £10 in advance, £12 on the door

Date: Sunday 8 March, 8.45pm Tickets: £10 in advance, £12 on the door

www.aj-brown.co.uk Kairos 4Tet

Like this? Try this: 10 May

2

“new melodic storylines using jazz, tango, township-jive and understated funk. It’s an attractive chemistry that simmers in an engaging way at the outset” The Guardian

STAGE

Brought together by composer and acclaimed bassist Jenni Molloy in 2007, the Bach Reloaded trio also features Stuart MacDonald on saxophone and Chris Sykes on drums. They take the music of Bach on an inspired and eclectic journey through the myriad worlds of jazz. Using themes, quotes and snatches of music from Bach’s partitas, suites and sonatas, the trio whisk them up with other classic reference points, from Miles Davis and Wayne Shorter to music from North and South Africa. The result is dynamic, vibrant and exciting new compositions that can be dramatic, funky, sensuous, poignant and full of swing.

The Portraits are husband and wife alternative-folk duo Jeremy and Lorraine Millington. Their last album Life In Sepia was released in 2013 and one song, Malala, a tribute to the Pakistani schoolgirl, was given airplay on BBC 6 Music

by Tom Robinson. Their sound is a warm fusion of folk, music-theatre, jazz and classical styles with beautiful harmonies. Minnie Birch makes ‘sad music that will leave you happy’. She’s racked up some impressive moments in her musical career: supporting Joan Armatrading, recording with legendary producer George Shilling and receiving national radio play on BBC Radio 1 and 2.

MARCH

Bach Reloaded

“can be summed up in one word… epic” Folk London (on The Portaits)

www.theportraitmusic.com M egan Henwood

Like this? Try this: 10 April – Stage 2

The Carrivick Sisters and Cardboard Fox Date: Tuesday 10 March, 8.45pm Tickets: £10 in advance, £12 on the door

Kit Holmes Date: Friday 6 March, 8.45pm Tickets: £10 in advance, £12 on the door Kit’s trademark sultry vocals and virtuoso guitar playing have wowed audiences across the UK through extensive touring with guitar hero John Etheridge. Her recent gigs include Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts, a performance for Bill Bryson and Andy Kershaw and a headline at the International Guitar Festival of Great Britain. Expect an enthralling and energetic live performance of blues-driven roots with a soul sensibility from Kit and guitarist Allan Greenwood, who will join her for tonight’s performance. “full of warmth… an absolute delight” Observer

www.kitholmes.co.uk 4 Parts Guitar

Like this? Try this: 15 April

An exciting double bill of original bluegrass and folk.

Twin sisters Laura and Charlotte Carrivick are widely known throughout the UK folk scene. Their years of experience performing all over the UK and abroad have earned them a strong reputation for engaging live performances, multi-instrumental dexterity (fiddle, banjo, mandolin, guitar and dobro), tight sibling harmonies and finely crafted original songs. Cardboard Fox is a new collaboration between the Carrivick Sisters (fiddle and guitar), virtuoso young mandolin player Joe Tozer and double-bassist John Breese. The sound they create as a band is new and exciting, with a focus on intricate instrumental arrangements and pop songwriting sensibilities. www.thecarrivicksisters.co.uk www.cardboardfox.co.uk P ete Brown’s New Grasscutters

Like this? Try this: 30 May – Stage 2

Box Office: 01908 280800 email: stables@stables.org www.stables.org

33

Screaming Blue Murder

Date: Wednesday 11 March, 8.45pm Tickets: £10 in advance, £12 on the door

Date: Wednesday 18 March, 8.45pm Tickets: £10 in advance, £12 on the door Presenting the comedy stars of tomorrow today!

Compere Andrew Bird introduces rising star Iszi Lawrence; headliner is Howard Read. Line-up may be subject to change. (May contain strong language and adult material; suitable for 16+)

STAGE

2

MARCH

Eleanor McEvoy

Eleanor McEvoy is one of Ireland’s most accomplished contemporary singer-songwriters. She composed the song Only A Woman’s Heart, title track of A Woman’s Heart, the best-selling Irish album in Irish history. Her critically acclaimed canon of work spans 11 albums, 40 singles and appearances on numerous compilation album and she is widely recognised as Ireland’s most successful female singer-songwriter.

“The intimacy is almost embarrassing, so personal the delivery. You hear the breath leave her mouth, fingers on frets – musicians will delight in identifying each make of instrument. Oh! I think I’m in love” Hi-Fi News

Café in2 is open until 8pm with any orders taken after 7.30pm being served in the foyer. After 8pm light snacks will be available from the bar.

Doc

Like this? Try this: Brown

21 May

Jon Gomm Date: Thursday 19 March, 8.45pm Tickets: £15

www.eleanormcevoy.com Cara Dillon

Like this? Try this: 26 March

Yvonne Lyon Date: Friday 13 March, 8.45pm Tickets: £12 Singer-songwriter Yvonne Lyon is among the best and brightest talent currently emerging from Scotland. Her 2009 album Ashes & Gold achieved five-star reviews and combined poignant lyrics with strong, creative melodies, demonstrating a voice that can be both fragile and intense. She has consistently drawn and stirred crowds across the UK with her emotive performances. Yvonne has had played two live sessions on Bob Harris’ show on BBC Radio 2 and has also enjoyed several television appearances on BBC One and BBC Alba. “just stunning music” Bob Harris, BBC Radio 2

www.yvonnelyonmusic.com Blue Rose Code

Like this? Try this: 28 April – Stage 2

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Based in Leeds, Jon Gomm is an acoustic singer-songwriter with a revolutionary virtuoso guitar style, using one acoustic guitar to create drum sounds, bass lines and twisting melodies all at the same time. The emphasis is still on soulful vocals and songwriting, and his original material is influenced by everyone from Robert Johnson to Radiohead. His live shows combine deeply personal performances and a natural wit, with a once-seen never-forgotten two-handed guitar style, both physical and complex, producing sounds people can barely believe are coming from a humble acoustic guitar. www.jongomm.com B en Smith and Gareth Pearson

Like this? Try this: 24 April

Buy any time – book your tickets online 24 hours a day

The Hut People

Date: Saturday 21 March, 8.45pm Tickets: £10 in advance, £12 on the door

www.thehutpeople.co.uk Blair Dunlop

Like this? Try this: 29 May – Stage 2

Lotte Mullan and Jazz Morley Date: Tuesday 24 March, 8.45pm Tickets: £10 in advance, £12 on the door Lotte Mullan will be embarking on a solo acoustic UK tour this spring, joined by fellow songstress Jazz Morley as special guest. She’ll be playing intimate versions of songs from her forthcoming album Love’s Bonfire, recorded in Nashville with Band of Horses. Dubbed the female Bob Dylan, Lotte has built a dedicated following with her personal story-telling songs that chronicle everyday life with heartbreaking honesty. The British music press raved about her self-released debut album Plain Jane, christening her indie-country sound ‘Anglicana’ and crowning her ‘Suffolk’s Joni Mitchell’.

“Sublime, haunting and beautiful” BBC 6 Music

www.lottemullan.com www.jazzmorley.com Any Wadge and Pete Riley

Like this? Try this: 16 May – Stage 2

Hat Fitz is a veteran wild man of Australia’s blues scene.

He has performed 18 straight appearances at Byron’s East Coast Blues and Roots Festival, a record that is not likely to be broken, and one that bears testimony to his amazing live performances and popularity with festival-goers. Cara draws on her soul background, having toured Europe and the United States with singers such as Jamiroquai and the hugely popular Corrine Bailey-Rae. Although blessed with a sensational voice she was not content to be labelled as ‘just a singer’, and has taken to drumming duties as well as washboards, flute and tin whistle, sometimes all at once.

2

“… an enormous ebullience, an absolutely hyper off-the-scale level of sweaty hi-energy, and total commitment… what an impression they made” NETRHYTHMS

Date: Friday 27 March, 8.45pm Tickets: £10 in advance, £12 on the door

STAGE

Taking the audience on a musical journey around the world, English instrumental duo The Hut People are proving to be one of the most entertaining and best-loved acts on the UK folk scene today. Mixing global rhythms with folk tunes from Quebec to Spain, Scandinavia to Sussex and everywhere in between, this is a quirky celebration of our rich musical heritage. The show is like nothing you’ve ever seen before – expect feel-good dancing tunes, audience participation, step-dancing, Quebecois foot-percussion (while playing the accordion!) and humour aplenty.

Hat Fitz and Cara MARCH

supported by Kelly Oliver

“Here’s a class act and together they sure mean business. The special brand of roots music they purvey is a steaming, cooking brew” Fatea

www.hatfitzandcara.com B en Smith and Gareth Pearson

Like this? Try this: 24 April – Stage 2

The Bedford and Milton Keynes Jazz Festival 2015 presents

The Kit Downes Trio and Tricko Date: Saturday 28 March, 8.45pm Tickets: £17 (under-18s £10) Kit Downes (Mercury Music Award Nominee 2010, BBC Jazz Award Winner 2009, Troyka) is a London-based composer, pianist and organist. His trio is a new look Kit Downes Trio, featuring James Maddren, the trio’s long-term drummer, and Sam Lassersson on double bass. Tricko is a relatively new group with Kit being joined by cellist Lucy Railton. They will be performing music from their first EP and forthcoming album Tricko-Tareco.

A ndrew McCormack Trio

Like this? Try this: 7 April – Stage 2

Box Office: 01908 280800 email: stables@stables.org www.stables.org

35

APRIL

Megan Henwood

Date: Saturday 4 April, 8.45pm Tickets: £10 in advance, £12 on the door

Date: Friday 10 April, 8.45pm Tickets: £10 in advance, £12 on the door

STAGE

2

Tom Korni: The One Boy Band

He plays guitar and bass, and sings while playing the drums with his feet (all at the same time). No backing tracks, no loop pedals, no rhythm machine, no auto tune... just pure live music. 16-year-old Tom Korni was the winner of both Cambridge Has Talent 2013 and the Cambridge Buskers and Street Entertainers Festival 2014. His performances have taken him from his local High Street to the stage at Silverstone F1. Influenced by legendary bands such as The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Oasis and other classics, Tom’s music and his Stables debut are not to be missed. www.tomkorni.com

BBC Radio 2 Young Folk award-winner Megan Henwood will play a set featuring songs from her debut album Making Waves, released in 2011 to critical acclaim, as well as songs from her new record Head Heart Hand. Her music is clearly rooted in folk but has seen her put her own dark yet youthful slant on a medium which has found a place on the mainstream map through the nu-folk revival.

“She has the voice and the songwriting craft to take her into the mainstream” Classic Rock magazine

www.meganhenwood.com Thea Gilmore

Like this? Try this: 25 May

Big Night in for Macmillan

Like this? Try this: 26 June

Andrew McCormack Trio Date: Tuesday 7 April, 8.45pm Tickets: £10 in advance, £12 on the door Since bursting onto the scene in 2007 with his debut album Telescope, Andrew McCormack has been a driving force the groups of A-list jazz artists Kyle Eastwood, Eric Alexander, Denys Baptiste and Jean Toussaint as well as a host of home-grown talent. Having developed and honed a skilfully original approach to writing and performance in the jazz tradition, he is able to captivate audiences with his emotional and expressive style. Andrew has been performing extensively around the world and selected the UK as the starting point for his critically acclaimed latest album, First Light. “his own themes are delightful, his touch is fresh and light, and he swings by understatement as well as full-on drive” The Guardian **** (on First Light)

www.mccormackmusic.com Kairos 4Tet

Like this? Try this: 10 May – Stage 2

36

Jazz Matters at The Stables Enjoy a relaxing Sunday morning (11.30am start) at The Stables in the company of a host of great names from the world of jazz.

For full programme details, please visit www.stables.org

Live Jazz Matters 15 March: Marlene VerPlanck with John Pearce (piano), Paul Morgan (bass) and Bobby Worth (drums) 26 April: Rossano Sportiello with Steve Brown (drums) and Dave Green (bass) Tickets: £10 in advance, £12 on the door

Jazz Matters 29 March: Steve Brown in conversation with Brian Peerless 12 April: Arnie Somogyi Tickets £6

Buy any time – book your tickets online 24 hours a day

Date: Saturday 11 April, 8.45pm Tickets: £15

www.andrewlawrencecomedy.co.uk Gary Delaney

Like this? Try this: 17 May – Stage 2

Other ways you can support our work The success of our music and education programme depends on the generous support of many individuals and organisations.

• Become a Friend of The Stables – benefits include priority booking and ticket discounts.

• Name A Seat – your chosen name on a seat in the auditorium.

• Leave a gift in your will to help nurture the next generation of musicians.

• Join our group of volunteers and become a Stablemate.

• Purchase Gift Vouchers which can be exchanged for tickets at The Stables.

For further information please call 01908 280800 or email development@stables.org

www.stables.org

After nearly a decade as vocalist and cellist with award-winning folk band Malinky, Fiona Hunter is stepping out as a solo artist and gaining a deserved reputation as one of the finest young singers on the Scottish folk music scene, with her fresh interpretations of songs from her native Glasgow and beyond. She was nominated Scots Singer of the Year at the 2013 Scots Trad Music Awards and her debut solo album has received much attention, described by Mike Harding as “absolutely superb”.

Fiona will be joined by Malinky bandmate and 2012 Composer of the Year Mike Vass.

2

“Stand-up’s leading exponent of misanthropy and misery” The Independent

Date: Tuesday 14 April, 8.45pm Tickets: £10 in advance, £12 on the door

STAGE

Dark and uncompromising with a fantastic instinct for a killer punchline, gloriously funny rants, lightning-witted audience interaction and inspired social commentary, Andrew Lawrence has a formidable range and is well known and respected among comics for his extraordinarily prolific output. With a quietly industrious approach, he has well and truly paid his dues and earned the place he now holds at the top table of stand-up comedy in the UK. No easy breaks, just honest talent and hard work. (May contain strong language and adult material, suitable for 16+)

Fiona Hunter APRIL

Andrew Lawrence: Reasons to Kill Yourself

“time has only continued to improve and enrich her singing... delicately steeped in regret while emotively raw-edged, her voice at once firmly settled, or weighted, and dynamically fluid” The Scotsman

www.fionahunter.co.uk Emily Smith

Like this? Try this: 19 May – Stage 2

Screaming Blue Murder Date: Wednesday 15 April, 8.45pm Tickets: £10 in advance, £12 on the door Presenting the comedy stars of tomorrow today!

Compere Andrew Bird introduces rising star Juliet Myers; headliner is Ben Norris. Line-up may be subject to change. (May contain strong language and adult material; suitable for 16+) Café in2 is open until 8pm with any orders taken after 7.30pm being served in the foyer. After 8pm light snacks will be available from the bar.

A ndrew

Like this? Try this: Lawrence

11 April – Stage 2

Box Office: 01908 280800 email: stables@stables.org www.stables.org

37

STAGE

2

APRIL

Tia McGraff Date: Friday 17 April, 8.45pm Tickets: £10 in advance, £12 on the door Described as having ‘a voice stolen from angels’, Tia McGraff first stepped into the international spotlight on a CBC TV special with Johnny Cash and June Carter.

Johnny was so impressed that he invited her into June’s dressing room to introduce the two. Soon, heavyweights inlcuding Randy Bachman (Bachman Turner Overdrive), Dan Hill (Celine Dion), Andrew Gold and Mark Slaughter were inviting Tia to write and record with them. www.tiamcgraff.com Christina Martin Band

Like this? Try this: 29 April – Stage 2

Gift Ideas

Jonny and the Baptists: Rock The Vote Date: Tuesday 21 April, 8.45pm Tickets: £10 in advance, £12 on the door

Following their acclaimed, news-making Stop UKIP tour, the UK’s hottest musical comedians Jonny and the Baptists once again bring their blend of songs, satire and silliness to the nation. Tackling the big issues ahead of the May 2015 general election, Rock The Vote is their most ambitious show yet. And with politicians now officially ranked below estate agents in the public’s trust, it’s a desperate bid to find at least one good reason to vote.

All brought to you by the stars of Radio 4’s The Now Show and The Infinite Monkey Cage. (May contain strong language and adult material; suitable for 16+) “Politically energised... raucously silly... triumphant piss-taking” The Guardian

www.jonnyandthebaptists.co.uk A ndy Parsons

Like this? Try this: 7 May

Tinderbox Date: Thursday 23 April, 8.45pm Tickets: £10 in advance, £12 on the door Footpath of Fame – your chosen name or

text engraved onto a brick and placed amongst many celebrities in our exclusive Footpath Name a Seat – a seat in the auditorium with your chosen name on it Gift Vouchers – treat someone to a great night of entertainment Your support helps us to continue providing music and music-making opportunities for children and adults alike.

For more information contact the Box Office on 01908 280815 or email development@stables.org

www.stables.org 38

Tinderbox are an award-winning acoustic duo featuring Dublin-born Monique Houraghan, who possesses a distinctive ‘honey-like’ vocal, and Dan Tucker, blessed with an intricate finger-style guitar technique. The duo has recently been accompanied on tour by talented singer-songwriter and session musician Bob Burke. Their latest album Live! At The Cottage was released in November last year.

“Lovely, hooky, mellow” Acoustic magazine

www.tinderboxacoustic.com A my Wadge and Pete Riley

Like this? Try this: 16 May – Stage 2

Treat someone special – gift vouchers are available from the Box Office

The Monfi Cats and Tinlin

Date: Friday 24 April, 8.45pm Tickets: £10 in advance, £12 on the door

Date: Sunday 26 April, 8.45pm Tickets: £10 in advance, £12 on the door

Acknowledgements The Stables would like to give a special thanks to the following for their valuable support: Arts Council of England, McCann Homes Ltd, Dame Cleo Laine, Foundation for Sport & The Arts, Jim Marshall, Sir John Dankworth, Mancini Institute, Milton Keynes Arts Association, The Wavendon Foundation.

2

John Gomm

Like this? Try this: 19 March – Stage 2

Tonight’s concert will feature a mix of original music from the much-acclaimed album Monficat, featuring two world-class musicians from the band. Milly Riquelme (piano and vocals) was born in Santiago de Cuba, and after studying in Havana, toured throughout Cuba and internationally. Having played with members of the prestigious Buena Vista Social Club, she now tours with Tom Toomey as pianist with The Monficats. Tom is guitarist with The Zombies and The Colin Blunstone band and tours worldwide. The Tinlin brothers equate to a song writing partnership whose emphasis lies firmly in the production of original and honest, yet well-crafted music. With material born of an eclectic mix of both classical and contemporary musical influences, Tinlin incorporate a unique instrumentation of acoustic guitar, mandolin and percussion intertwined with bold vocal harmonies. www.tomtoomey.com/monficats.php www.tinlinmusic.com

STAGE

Ben and Gareth met while playing at the Llyn Acoustic Festival in Wales last year. Ben has been playing guitar for more than 25 years and is making a name for himself as a talented guitarist, singer and songwriter. Having developed an early interest in blues music, Ben’s repertoire has extended to include folk, funk and country, and his influences include BB King, The Grateful Dead and Jerry Reed. Known as the Welsh Tornado, Gareth is one of the UK’s most pre-eminent guitarists, and has impressed fans and musicians alike with his incredible finger picking style, energetic original compositions and quirky arrangements. His love of renowned pickers such as Chet Atkins and Merle Travis comes across in both his style and enthusiasm. www.bensmithguitar.com www.garethpearson.com

APRIL

Ben Smith and Gareth Pearson

J uan Martin

Like this? Try this: 12 May

Blue Rose Code Date: Tuesday 28 April, 8.45pm Tickets: £10 in advance, £12 on the door 2014 was some year for Blue Rose Code. Ross Wilson, who performs under that name, made his TV debut on the BBC while lead single, One Day At A Time, was playlisted on BBC Radio Scotland.

Ross describes his music as ‘audibly Scottish, Caledonian soul’. The latest album, The Ballads Of Peckham Rye, features a remarkable roll call of musicians from the folk side of the fence, including Karine Polwart, Lau’s Aidan O’Rourke and Kathryn Williams.

“Blue Rose Code is a very important emerging singer/songwriter” Bob Harris, BBC Radio 2

www.bluerosecode.com Supported using public funding by

Y vonne Lyon

Like this? Try this: 13 March – Stage 2

Box Office: 01908 280800 email: stables@stables.org www.stables.org

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APR / MAY

2 STAGE

Christina Martin Band

Paolo Morena

Date: Wednesday 29 April, 8.45pm Tickets: £10 in advance, £12 on the door

Date: Saturday 2 May, 8.45pm Tickets: £10 in advance, £12 on the door

Christina Martin is a Canadian singer-songwriter, musician and performer.

Her music achieves an effortless union of alt-country and rock with pop sensibility.

Experimentation is the lifeblood of any artist, but occasionally they experience moments when everything comes into focus and suddenly they have opened a door to a limitless creative future. Christina has reached that point on her fifth album, It’ll Be Alright, a 10-song collection that finds her attaining what her music has always suggested, a place where the ghosts of her musical heroes freely mingle with pop-rock’s modern architects.

“Martin’s voice is lovely; powerful and emotive and bang on the note… she has a way with a chorus and a hugely believable way of singing them” Maverick magazine

www.christinamartin.net Tia McGraff

Like this? Try this: 17 April – Stage 2

Other ways you can support our work

lf you thought you’d seen and heard it all, you’d better prepare for Paolo Morena – his live-looping approach to performance, combined with an astonishing talent for turning out catchy, beautiful, perfectly crafted songs, is something to behold. Hovering somewhere between gigging and performance art, Paolo’s shows are a masterclass in holding an audience spellbound. The live-looping technique requires him to record and play back his own performance as he goes along, so a one-man band can be transformed into anything, from a quartet to a symphony orchestra. www.paulmorena.com P aul Liddell

Like this? Try this: 12 June – Stage 2

CoCo and the Butterfields Date: Sunday 3 May, 8.45pm Tickets: £10 in advance, £12 on the door

The success of our music and education programme depends on the generous support of many individuals and organisations.

• Become a Friend of The Stables – benefits include priority booking and ticket discounts.

• Name A Seat – your chosen name on a seat in the auditorium.

• Leave a gift in your will to help nurture the next generation of musicians.

• Join our group of volunteers and become a Stablemate.

• Purchase Gift Vouchers which can be exchanged for tickets at The Stables.

For further information please call 01908 280800 or email development@stables.org

www.stables.org 40

CoCo and the Butterfields sprang to life in September 2011 as a humble folk trio. Nowadays they’re more accurately described as a five-strong major force on the South East music scene – a truly colourful, energetic and crowdstamping act to be reckoned with, featuring beatboxer EupheX and performing their own unique fusion of folk, pop and hip hop, or Fip Fok to their fans. CATB’s inimitable sound and raw energy on stage have rapidly gained them a large and loyal following, making them one of the UK’s top new bands to watch out for. www.cocoandthebutterfields.com T he Demon Barbers XL

Like this? Try this: 15 May

Booking fees apply – please turn to page 55 for details.

Ben Poole (standing gig)

Date: Tuesday 5 May, 8.45pm Tickets: £10 in advance, £12 on the door

Date: Saturday 9 May, 8.45pm Tickets: £10 in advance, £12 on the door

The Kennedys Date: Thursday 7 May, 8.45pm Tickets: £10 in advance, £12 on the door

Over the past two decades, The Kennedys have released a string of albums to critical acclaim in the US. They have traversed a broad musical landscape, surveying power pop, acoustic songwriting, organic, and a Byrds-inspired jangle that drew the attention of Roger McGuinn, Steve Earle and, most notably, Nanci Griffith. Closer Than You Know marks the eleventh release for the duo. This is pop for grown-ups, sweetness without froth, and you may find your spirits lifted, even as the texture shifts from sunlit to a rich darkness. www.kennedysmusic.com The Shires Like this? Try this: 13 April

2

Andrew McCormack Trio Like this? Try this: 7 April – Stage 2

STAGE

Jazz pianist/composer Kate Williams is a recipient of the John Dankworth Award for Talent Deserving Wider Recognition, and has gained a distinctive reputation as both a writer and performer. Her latest CD Atlas And Vulcana is a further reflection of her colourful originality.

With pieces for trio, quartet and septet, this is an album of contrasts which features some of the finest musicians on the UK jazz scene. www.kate-williams-quartet.com

Inspired by the blues, infused with a hard hitting, ‘in-yer-face’ rock approach and topped-off by virtuoso musicianship, Ben Poole is being talked of as the UK’s new up-and-coming blues guitarist; and one of the finest to have emerged in Europe for years. Having already played with, and received critical acclaim from legendary blues artists including Jeff Beck, Gary Moore and John Mayall, at just 22 years of age it appears that there is no stopping this young and incredibly gifted musician.

MAY

Kate Williams Quartet

“a really great player!” Gary Moore

www.benpooleband.com A ynsley Lister

Like this? Try this: 9 April

Hannah Scott Date: Tuesday 12 May, 8.45pm Tickets: £10 in advance, £12 on the door From Suffolk via Italy, Hannah Scott performs with a goose-bumpinducing voice that has wowed audiences and critics across the UK over the past few years.

Hannah’s latest collection of songs, The Space In Between, was produced by her long-standing collaborator and multi-instrumentalist Stefano Della Casa and features world-class musicians such as David Clayton (Simply Red, Take That). Her arresting live performances have earned her support slots for the likes of 10cc and Seth Lakeman.

“Sooner or later Hannah’s combination of talent, charm and determination is certain to gain her the breakthrough she’s seeking – and as far as I’m concerned it can’t happen soon enough” Tom Robinson, BBC 6Music

www.hannahscott.co.uk J udie Tzuke

Like this? Try this: 24 May

Box Office: 01908 280800 email: stables@stables.org www.stables.org

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MAY

Emily Smith

Date: Saturday 16 May, 8.45pm Tickets: £12.50

Date: Tuesday 19 May, 8.45pm Tickets: £14.50

STAGE

2

Amy Wadge and Pete Riley

Amy Wadge and Pete Riley first got together four years ago to do some writing. They immediately clicked and after many years as solo artists or as members of various bands, they decided to collaborate and have been touring, writing and recording as a duo ever since. Together they penned an album’s worth of material and released Rivers Apart, which has since been followed by their second album Afterglow. www.amywadge.com Kit Holmes

Like this? Try this: 6 March – Stage 2

Gary Delaney: Purist Date: Sunday 17 May, 8.45pm Tickets: £11 Gary thinks that most shows don’t contain enough jokes and is trying single-handedly to redress the balance.

Expect jokes. Don’t expect narrative, themes or a voyage of self-discovery. Not suitable for bairns or sensitive souls. As seen and heard on BBC Two’s Mock the Week, BBC Three’s Edinburgh Comedy Fest Live and BBC Radio 5 Live’s 7 Day Saturday. (May contain strong language and adult material, suitable for 16+) “I laughed and I laughed and I laughed… A master craftsman” The Times

www.garydelaney.com Doc Brown

Like this? Try this: 21 April

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Multi-award-winning singer Emily Smith is a leading figure on the Scottish folk scene. Her UK Spring tour sees her showcase songs from her highly acclaimed 2014 album Echoes. Unshakeably Scottish but with further, wider horizons, Emily’s material sees time-worn texts weave beautifully alongside contemporary covers, blurring the borders of old and new. Featuring special guests Jerry Douglas, Aoife O’Donovan and Kris Drever, Echoes has been hailed as her finest album yet.

“Bursting with joy and talent” The Telegraph ****

www.emilysmith.org F iona Hunter

Like this? Try this: 14 April

Screaming Blue Murder Date: Wednesday 20 May, 8.45pm Tickets: £10 in advance, £12 on the door Presenting the comedy stars of tomorrow today!

Compere Andrew Bird introduces rising star Larry Dean; headliner is Andrew Watts. Line-up may be subject to change. (May contain strong language and adult material; suitable for 16+) Café in2 is open until 8pm with any orders taken after 7.30pm being served in the foyer. After 8pm light snacks will be available from the bar.

J onny

Like this? Try this: and the

Baptists 21 April – Stage 2

Buy any time – book your tickets online 24 hours a day

One of British folk’s rising stars, Maz O’Connor is a gifted singer with a rare talent for fusing traditional and contemporary folk sounds. Performing a mixture of traditional songs and her own compositions, Maz accompanies her uniquely pure voice with guitar, piano, shruti box and harmonium. Alongside her BBC fellowship, and singing Laura Marling’s music in the RSC’s As You Like It, she found time to team up with the highly acclaimed producer and award-winning folk artist Jim Moray to record This Willowed Light, her extraordinary second album.

Blair Dunlop’s achingly beautiful Blight & Blossom may be one of the most memorable and melodic debut albums of recent years, but what has really marked him out from his peers is his ability to craft meaningful songs that connect with everyone who claps ears on them on a deeply emotional level. Still only 22, he scooped the prestigious Horizon Award at the 2013 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. His second album House of Jacks was released in May last year.

“Maz’s plaintive vocals create moments of haunting beauty” Acoustic Magazine

www.mazoconnor.com

Martin Simpson,

Like this? Try this: Andy Cutting, Nancy Kerr 23 June

Mawkin Date: Saturday 23 May, 8.45pm Tickets: £10 in advance, £12 on the door Since their formation in 2002, three-times BBC Folk Award-nominees Mawkin have grown into one of Britfolk’s brightest new guns: a blistering five-piece band fusing folk, blues and rock. They are no strangers to the cutting edge of the contemporary music scene while still retaining the verve and mystique of ancient folk music traditions from across the globe. Expect to hear rousing songs of rebellion from David Delarre (Eliza Carthy, Tred) underpinned by the frenetic fiddling fingers of James Delarre (Saul Rose and James Delarre, Topette) and virtuosic bellowing of Nick Cooke’s melodeon (Kate Rusby, Jim Moray), held together by a solid rhythm section with Danny Crump on bass and Lee Richardson on drums.

“Invigorating, highly inventive” Q Magazine ****

www.mawkin.co.uk Demon Barbers XL Like this? Try this: 15 May

2

Date: Friday 29 May, 8.45pm Tickets: £10 in advance, £12 on the door

STAGE

Blair Dunlop

Date: Thursday 21 May, 8.45pm Tickets: £10 in advance, £12 on the door

MAY

Maz O’Connor Trio

“The British folk scene has produced a series of impressive dynasties, and this looks like the start of yet another” The Guardian

www.blairdunlop.com M awkin

Like this? Try this: 23 May

Pete Brown and the Newgrass Cutters Date: Saturday 30 May, 8.45pm Tickets: £16.50

Pete Brown, son of rock’n’roll veteran Joe, has formed a new and wonderfully talented bluegrass band featuring the same superb musicians who tour with his father, including the incredible Nashville recording artist and banjo/ mandolin virtuoso Richard Collins, Mike Nichols on bass, legendary drummer and singer Phil Capaldi, plus top producer Pete Brown on guitar, lap steel and mandolin.

All share a love of blue-grass music and the Newgrass Cutters’ shows are very special events, guaranteed to have you grinning and singing along.

T he Carrivick

Like this? Try this: Sisters/Cardboard Fox 10 March – Stage 2

Box Office: 01908 280800 email: stables@stables.org www.stables.org

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JUNE

2 STAGE

Gigspanner

Absolution

Date: Wednesday 3 June, 8.45pm Tickets: £14

Date: Saturday 6 June, 8.45pm Tickets: £10 in advance, £12 on the door

Peter Knight’s Gigspanner has been hailed by Songlines magazine as “another milestone in folk’s rebirth of cool”, although to classify these three virtuoso performers purely as folk musicians is to undersell them by a long chalk. Their third album has been a long time in the making and is a departure from the global influences that marked the highly acclaimed Lipreading the Poet. The trio’s latest offering is full of atmospheric interpretations of traditional British ballads and tunes.

A British blues-rock power trio, Absolution create a modern, dynamic, unique sound, with elements of early Free and Joe Bonamassa thrown in for good measure!

Having already shared stage with blues legends Dr Feelgood, Danny Bryant, Larry Miller, King King, the band have also performed two gigs at London’s exclusive Embassy Club and the iconic 100 Club.

The band took home two awards at the 2013 WRC Awards – ‘Ones To Watch’ and ‘Best Guitar Solo’.

“Peter Knight has put together a tight trio with which to let his playing fly… Gigspanner produce music of intelligently crafted brilliance” Songlines magazine

“A Blues band for the 21st century! Blues Rock as it used to be; high octane, with a real kick!”

FATEA Magazine

www.gigspanner.com

www.absolutionband.co.uk

Feast of Fiddles Like this? Try this: 10 April

Mark Grist and MC Mixy: Dead Poets’ Death Match Date: Friday 5 June, 8.45pm Tickets: £12.50

Mark Grist and MC Mixy came here to battle. Their backup?

An assortment of famous (and very dead) poets. It’s fast, it’s frantic and they have no idea who will win. Fancy seeing Sylvia Plath take on Ted Hughes? How about Rabbie Burns up against Byron? In the Dead Poets’ Death Match you’ll choose the competitors and you’ll be the ones who’ll crown the winner. Let the wordy bloodbath begin! (May contain strong language and adult material; suitable for 16+) “Makes Mike Skinner from The Streets look decidedly average” The Scotsman **** Professor Elemental

Like this? Try this: 13 June – Stage2

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B en Poole

Like this? Try this: 9 May – Stage 2

Anne Janelle with special guest James Hill

Date: Sunday 7 June, 8.45pm Tickets: £10 in advance, £12 on the door Anne Janelle is a cellist turned songwriter. The elegance of her classical training meets fearless curiosity as she creates songs steeped in the rich traditions of folk, pop and blues. While “Anne plays her cello like Paul McCartney picks his Hoffner” (Roots Music Canada), her “gorgeous syrupy voice” (Acoustic magazine) shares evocative and vulnerable lyrics. Anne’s album output includes True Love Don’t Weep (winner of the Canadian Folk Music Award for Traditional Album of the Year), Beauty Remains (her song-writing debut) and So Long at the Fair (“inventive, entertaining, beautifully written and brilliantly performed” R2). She has toured nationally and internationally and has been a full-time performer since 2012.

“Anne knows how to capture the soul of a song” Folk World

www.annejanelle.com www.jameshillmusic.com T ricko

Like this? Try this: 28 March – Stage 2

Treat someone special – gift vouchers are available from the Box Office

Harry and Edna’s present Professor Elemental

Date: Tuesday 9 June, 8.45pm Tickets: £15.50

Date: Saturday 13 June, 8.45pm Tickets: £16.95 until 30 April; £18.95 1 May to 12 June; £20 on the door

JUNE

The Saw Doctors Duo: Leo Moran and Anto Thistlethwaite

STAGE

2

Saw Doctor Leo Moran and Waterboy Anthony Thistlethwaite have put together an intimate two-hour acoustic show featuring stripped-down, unplugged versions of Saw Doctors hits including Red Cortina, Clare Island and Same Oul’ Town. www.leoandanto.com The Fureys

Like this? Try this: 28 April

Paul Liddell

Calling all chaps, dandies, steam punks and larpers.

Harry and Edna invite you to The Stables Steam Punk for a refined evening of entertainment with Professor Elemental who offers to take us on a night of invention, chapism and sartorial offerings. www.professorelemental.com D ead Poets’ Death Match

Like this? Try this: 5 June – Stage 2

Da Capo Duo Date: Friday 19 June, 8.45pm Tickets: £10 in advance, £12 on the door

Date: Friday 12 June, 8.45pm Tickets: £10 in advance, £12 on the door Paul Liddell is a musician singer-songwriterrecording artist based in Sunderland. With an unstoppable work ethic, clocking up on average 20 gigs a month both solo and with his band Delphians, his unique voice and unpretentious delivery combine with the use of live sampling, guitar percussion and layered vocal harmonies to provide a great platform for his wonderful songs to shine.

“An artist in the bloom of their creativity” Folking.com

www.paulliddell.com Paolo Morena

Like this? Try this: 2 May – Stage 2

Bernardo Claus (guitar and harmonica) and Rachael Hunt (vocals) do not keep to any particular style – if they like it, they play it. Included in their wide-ranging repertoire is anything from the classic French songs of Trenet, Gainsbourg, Aznavour, Brassens and Piaf to 1960s, 70s and 80s pop, rock and folk (Dylan/The Doors/Blondie/The Beatles/ Santana/Leonard Cohen), not to mention bossa nova, Latin-jazz, flamenco and the trad-jazz classics of Gershwin (Rachael’s speciality) and much, much more besides. www.da-capo-duo.com T he Monfi Cats/Tinlin

Like this? Try this: 26 April – Stage 2

Box Office: 01908 280800 email: stables@stables.org www.stables.org

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LEARN AND TAKE PART

The Stables and Create present:

Creative: Space

A music event for disabled children and their families

Date: Sunday 22 March, 11.45am-1pm or 2.45-4pm Tickets: Adult £6, children £4 or family ticket £15 (two adults and two children)

MKC Short Break Vouchers accepted – book in person or by post (reserve by phone and post

vouchers for confirmation – ticket reservations held for three days)

creative:space events are unique, interactive music concerts designed for disabled children and their families and are particularly suitable for children with communication, learning or sensory integration difficulties. Each 75-minute event gives families the opportunity to hear and play live music, dance and create masks in a relaxed and friendly environment. Concerts are informal with seating around tables with colouring activities.

The music will be performed by talented pianist Derek Paravicini (who is blind and has severe learning difficulties) with a superb group of professional musicians. Create’s workshop leader will be there to encourage everyone to get involved through singing, dancing and movement.

There is lots of space for movement, and percussion instruments are handed out during the event so that families can join in the music-making and have fun!

If you would like to know more about this event or find out if it is suitable for your family, contact The Stables’ Education Department at education@stables.org Supported by BBC Children in Need and The Stables

Harmonica Workshop – Beginners Part 1

Introduction to Live Sound Engineering

Date: Saturday 11 April, 10am-3pm Workshop fee: £32

Date: Saturday 11 April, 10am-4pm Workshop fee: £38

Have you ever thought about taking up the harmonica?

Tutor Joff Watkins returns to The Stables for another session of this popular one-day workshop. Covering the basics of tune-playing, chord-playing and blues improvisation, it is suitable for all. No prior experience is necessary but you will need to bring a 10-hole harmonica in C. Tea/coffee provided. Snack bar open at lunchtime.

Are you an aspiring sound engineer or a musician who wants to understand how to use PA and get a better sound at your gigs? This workshop offers a basic introduction to the world of live sound engineering and will cover types of microphone and placement, basic parts of a PA, how to use a mixing desk and how to use basic EQ. It is suitable for complete beginners and for anyone who has gaps in their understanding of live sound. Tea/coffee provided. Snack bar open at lunchtime.

Adult/15+ Workshop

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Adult/age 15+ Workshop

Booking fees apply – please turn to page 55 for details.

Blues Guitar Workshop – Beginners Part 1

Dates: Saturday 18 April, 10am-3pm Workshop fee: £34

Date: Sunday 19 April, 10am-3pm Workshop fee: £34

Adult/Age 15+ Workshop

Come and take part in the ukulele revival!

This fun and accessible instrument is making a comeback for serious musicians as well as in education. Learn the basics of playing, ukulele techniques and how to accompany songs. No prior experience is necessary but you will need to bring a soprano or concert-sized ukulele. Tutor Sara Spade is an experienced performer, songwriter and teacher. As well as a busy performing career she regularly teaches guitar, ukulele and songwriting to all ages. Tea/coffee provided.

Snack bar open at lunchtime.

Intro to Music Recording and Production – Part 1 Adult/15+ Workshop

Date: Saturday 18 April, 10am-4pm Workshop fee: £45

Join us in The Stables’ rehearsal and control rooms for this music technology and recording workshop and hands-on studio session. Our popular one-day introduction is ideal for beginners or those who want a refresher. Admission includes a resource pack and CD. If you play an instrument, please bring it along for the afternoon recording session.

Tea/coffee provided. Snack bar open at lunchtime.

Adult/15+ Workshop

LEARN AND TAKE PART

Ukulele Workshop – Beginners Part 1

If you can play E7, A7 and B7, you are ready to learn the blues! In this practical workshop, Joff Watkins demystifies V-IV-Is, turnarounds, shuffles and basic basslines and introduces fundamental blues techniques including finger picking, hammer-ons and pull-offs, using examples from classic blues recordings. You will need to bring a six-string acoustic guitar. Joff is an accomplished blues player who combines performing and teaching, and leads the highly popular blues harmonica workshops at The Stables. Tea/ coffee provided. Please bring a packed lunch.

Bodhran Workshop – Beginners Adult/Age15+ Workshop

Date: Sunday 19 April, 1-4pm Workshop fee: £22 The bodhran (pronounced bow-ran), or Irish frame drum, has grown from its use in traditional Irish music to become a popular instrument used across many forms of Celtic, folk and contemporary roots music. This beginner’s level workshop introduces aspiring players to the bodhran and will include all basic drum techniques, traditional and contemporary rhythms and drum care advice.

Instruments will be provided.

Aimée Leanoard has been a teacher and performer for more than 20 years. She has performed and recorded with the group Anam, appeared at many festivals around the world, and teaches all levels from beginner to advanced. She is also a singing teacher, choir leader, musical director and comes from a family of bodhran makers.

Box Office: 01908 280800 email: stables@stables.org www.stables.org

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LEARN AND TAKE PART

Basic Principles of Music

Funky Folk Rhythm Guitar

Date: Saturday 25 April, 10am-4pm Workshop fee: £32

Date: Saturday 9 May, 1-4pm Workshop fee: £22

Whether you are a beginner looking for a way into understanding music, or an intermediate or experienced musician looking for a refresher or to fill gaps in your knowledge, this information-packed day aims to help you de-mystify music theory. Starting with the most basic terminology and theory, the workshop covers the nature of sound, how music started, what the key of a song is and how to find it and what some of the more complicated ideas mean. The day will be particularly helpful to those taking their first steps in learning to play, whatever the instrument. This is a fast-paced workshop day, but supporting notes will be supplied.

Course leader Pete Normanton is a highly experienced musician and guitar teacher, specialising in making music accessible to the non-musician. Tea/coffee provided.

Snack bar open at lunchtime.

Ever wondered how to spice up your strumming and get more variety in your rhythm guitar playing – especially when accompanying other instruments or singers?

This workshop will explore right hand techniques and patterns to make your playing more funky and exciting, with a focus on learning and adapting different rhythmic styles to accompany traditional tunes. The day is suitable for guitar players who can already play a few different chord sequences and strumming patterns.

Please bring a steel-strung acoustic guitar.

Tutor Andy Glass has a wealth of experience as performer, guitar teacher and workshop leader. His playing across different musical styles ranges from soul/funk as guitarist for Bill Withers and Geno Washington, through progressive rock with his own band Solstice to folk with acclaimed ceilidh band 3sticks.

Adult/15+ Workshop

Saxophone from Scratch Adult/15+ Workshop

Date: Saturday 2 May, 10am-4pm Workshop fee: £42 Have you ever wanted to try the saxophone but didn’t know where to start? Do you want to try it for the first time or have a go before buying one? Led by saxophone player and teacher Ian Hill, this workshop takes you on a on a gradual step-by-step approach to making your first sounds, breathing tips, exercises, learning fingerings and scale patterns and playing simple melodies from those scales, first individually and then as part of the group. You’ll be in a small group of beginners and in a friendly and supportive learning environment. Instruments are provided for use in the workshop, but if you have your own you are welcome to bring it along for advice and comparison, especially if it is one you may be practicing on after the workshop.

Ian studied music at the Birmingham Conservatoire and Guildhall School of Music and has more than 15 years’ experience teaching and facilitating individuals and groups of young and adult learners.

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Adult/15 + Workshop

Conga Drumming for Improvers Course Adult/Age15+ Course

Dates: Sundays 10 May, 7 June and 5 July, 2-5pm Workshop fee: £50 This course is for those with some conga drumming experience who are looking to develop their skills and knowledge of Latin percussion. Drawing on traditional and popular Cuban and Brazilian styles, this course will help to increase your confidence in playing congas. We’ll explore one and two-drum patterns, work on exercises to develop coordination and independence as well as rhythms for a small ensemble.

Please bring a pair of congas if you have them, or contact education@stables.org if you need to borrow them (limited numbers available). Please contact us in advance if you are unsure about your previous playing experience and suitability for the course.

Buy any time – book your tickets online 24 hours a day

Adult/15+ Workshop

Date: Sunday 10 May, 10.30am-1.30pm Workshop fee: £22 The Cajon (wooden box) is the smallest drum kit in the world and the perfect powerful accompaniment instrument to any kind of band, be it blues, hip hop, boogie, rock, pop, folk or latin – providing a full snare and rich bass sound. Cajones come in various shapes, sizes and styles and during this one-day workshop you’ll get hands-on experience to fully discover the range of possibilities this versatile instrument can provide.

Covering tones, exercises and rhythms, this workshop is suitable for kit drummers and hand drummers alike.

Please bring a cajon (with snare) if you have one, or contact education@stables.org if you need to borrow one (limited numbers available). Ravin ‘Raz’ Jayasuriya is a professional percussionist and award-winning tutor with more than 20 years’ experience specialising in Cuban and Brazilian music.

Paths into Songwriting Adult/15+ Workshop

Date: Saturday 16 May, 10am-4pm Workshop fee: £40 Lead by singer/songwriter Dan Whitehouse, this beginner’s workshop is an introduction to songwriting, suitable for anyone with basic music or lyrical skills and a passion for songwriting. This will also be a creative session designed to get you to ‘have a go’ and encourage collaboration with other songwriters. A number of techniques and methods will be explored and Dan will discuss The Immersion Method – designed to unblock writer’s block. There will also be the opportunity to perform any songs created and get feedback on their writing. You don’t have to be able to play an instrument to do this workshop, but you will get the most out of it if you already have a passion for songwriting and possess some basic music skills, such as guitar/piano/vocal or if you write lyrics. Although this workshop is mainly intended for first-time attenders, previous attenders are also welcome as the course will use different material for stimulating ideas and different songs will be created as part of the process and a group that is unique to each workshop.

Harmonica Workshop – Beginners Part 2 Adult/Age15+ Workshop

Date: Saturday 23 May, 10am-3pm Workshop fee: £32

LEARN AND TAKE PART

Cajon Workshop – Beginners

Joff Watkins returns for one of our popular one-day harmonica workshops. Beginners Part 2 will consolidate the work you have already done on improvisation, tune playing and chugging at the first workshop and move on to the fundamental blues technique of note bending. You will need a 10-hole harmonica in C and prior attendance on Beginners Part 1 is recommended. Tea/coffee provided.

Snack bar open at lunchtime.

Ukulele Workshop – Beginners Part 2 Adult/Age15+ Workshop

Date: Saturday 23 May, 10am-3pm Workshop fee: £34 Tutor Sara Spade returns with a chance for ukulele players to improve their skills.

Building on Beginners Part 1 this workshop will help you to develop your rhythm and melody playing skills, add new chords and combine different strokes for rhythmic effects. Using a mix of contemporary and vintage material, you’ll also get the chance to practice as a ukulele band and try out playing the melody, accompanying and adding colour to the musical arrangements. Previous attendance at Ukulele Beginners Part 1 is recommended and you will need to bring a soprano or concert-sized ukulele. Tea/coffee provided. Snack bar open at lunchtime.

Box Office: 01908 280800 email: stables@stables.org www.stables.org

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LEARN AND TAKE PART

Over 2U

Gypsy Jazz Guitar

Date: Thursday 4 June, 8.45pm - Stage 2 Workshop fee: £5 to non-performers, £2 to performers

Date: Saturday 6 June, 10am-4pm Workshop fee: £34

An exciting opportunity to show off those new or hidden talents. Have you ever attended one of The Stables’ Education events? Maybe you’ve been to ukulele, harmonica or song-writing workshops, or worked hard for six weeks on the Ceilidh or Rock Experience courses. Well, now is the time to use those talents and get the Over 2U experience, The Stables’ very own open mic’ night. If you have sat at home thinking “I can do that”, or felt disappointed when all your hard work at the workshop you attended ends up being used to entertain your cat, then this is the night for you!

Over 2U provides a safe environment for a line-up of people with similar talents and experience, supporting each other through what might be their first stage appearance.

You will not have a better opportunity to take that first step! If you are interested in performing please contact education@stables.org before booking.

Adult/15+ workshop

Gypsy jazz guitar is the swing style of jazz guitar often associated with its most famous player Django Reinhardt. This workshop will introduce some of the fundamentals of this unique and enjoyable style of guitar and will focus on technique of rhythm playing, known as ‘La Pompe’, and particularly the right hand technique based around the use of a very heavy pick. It is suitable for beginner /intermediate players, who can play basic bar, triad and dominant chords and are comfortable understanding basic chord progression and theory. Learning will be by ear and there is no need to read music, though notes will be given to take away after the workshop. You will need to bring a steel strung acoustic guitar and heavy/hard pick (some picks will be available to buy at the workshop).Tutor Will Ballard has been performing and playing guitar for 40 years, and in recent years has been playing and studying in Europe with Fapy Lafertin who teaches in the ‘manouche’ gypsy jazz guitar tradition.

June/July 2013

The Rock Experience

Adult/15+ Course

Dates: Sundays 7, 14, 21, 28 June, 5 July, 10am-1pm; The Rock Experience is the perfect course for all Newly-formed bands are also welcome, but please July, 1-11pm (including aspiring rockSunday and pop musicians 12 who would like contact the Stables Learning and Participation public performance) the chance to play in a band, meet other musicians Department for further advice before booking – and learnfee: from experienced Whatever your education@stables.org Course £85tutors.(£65 students) instrument, whether you are a bedroom-guitarist, a budding vocalist or interested in forming

Venue: The Stables, Wavendon, Milton Keynes

The Rock Experience for aspiring rock and pop a band of your own, The Rock is Experience is a great opportunity to take the first steps. musicians who would like the chance to play in a band, You’ll be supported and coachedand by our tutors meet other musicians learn from experienced in rehearsal and performance skills, finishing on tutors.theWhatever instrument and whether you are a final Sunday with ayour gig on The Stables stage.

You need to have some experience of playing your back-bedroom guitarist, budding vocalist or interested instrument and to be confident enough to have book a place, call the a go playing no in forming aalongside bandother ofpeople, yourbutown, theTocourse is a great previous band experience is necessary. box office on 01908 280800 opportunity to take the first steps. You’ll be supported and coached by our tutors in rehearsal and performance

Dates: Sundays 9, 16, 23, 30 June & 7, 14 July Times: Times: 10am-1pm ( 14 July from 3pm onwards) Final performance: Sunday 14 July, 7.30pm Cost: £80 (concessions £55)

Suitable for everyone aged 15 and above

50

skills, finishing on the final Sunday with a gig on stage at the Stables in front of an audience.

You need to have some experience of playing your instrument and be confident enough to have a go playing alongside other people, but no previous band experience is necessary. If you are in an existing or newly-formed band and would like to take part, please contact education@stables.org

Treat someone special – gift vouchers are available from the Box Office

Melodeon Workshop – Beginners Part 1

Date: Sunday 7 June, 1.30-3.30pm Workshop fee: £18

Date: Sunday 13 June, 10am-3pm Workshop fee: £36

You’ve got the ukulele basics under control, so what’s next?

How about jazz, blues and Latin styles in a fun, hands-on workshop with one of the world’s leading ukulele players and educators? Let James Hill show you an often-overlooked “ukulele loophole” that lets you quickly and easily vault into new realms of music!

Hailing from Canada, James is an award-winning ukulele player and songwriter, an educator and virtuoso instrumentalist. He is acclaimed as an uncompromising artist who “gives the ukulele its dignity back without ever taking himself too seriously” (Songlines). *Intermediate Level Workshop – players can hold a steady rhythm, are competent with a variety of basic chords (e.g. A, Am, B7, C, C7, D, Dm, E, Em, G, and G7), understand simple chord progressions (e.g I, IV, V chords), can sing and strum at the same time and learns chords to simple tunes fairly quickly.

Expert melodeon player Simon Care is back with another chance to try the small but mighty squeezebox, with instruments provided so beginners can have their first go. Drawing on traditional English dance tunes, the workshop will introduce basic technique, how to play with rhythm and feel and how to play with other musicians. The days is for anyone with an interest in English folk music and dance or who just wants to try a squeezebox for the first time. You do not need to be able to read music notation and no previous squeezebox or folk music experience is required, but a basic knowledge of music (e.g. scales, chords, time signatures) will help.

Notes will be provided. Tea/coffee provided.

Snack bar open at lunchtime.

Adult/Age15+ Workshop

Blues Guitar Workshop – Beginners Part 2 Adult/Age15+ Workshop

Adult/Age15+ Workshop

LEARN AND TAKE PART

Ukulele Workshop with James Hill: Intermediate Level*

Gift Ideas

Date: Saturday 13 June, 10am-3pm Workshop fee: £34

Footpath of Fame – your chosen name or Joff Watkins returns with another workshop to help you move on with the blues guitar. By looking at tunes by Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Jimmy Reed and John Lee Hooker, you’ll learn about 12-bar progressions, the blues scale and shuffle rhythms in more depth. You will need to bring a sixstring acoustic guitar and prior attendance on Beginners Part 1 is recommended.

Joff is an accomplished blues player who combines a performing and teaching career in both harmonica and guitar, including leading the highly popular blues harmonica workshops at The Stables. Tea/coffee provided.

Please bring a packed lunch.

text engraved onto a brick and placed amongst many celebrities in our exclusive Footpath Name a Seat – a seat in the auditorium with your chosen name on it Gift Vouchers – treat someone to a great night of entertainment Your support helps us to continue providing music and music-making opportunities for children and adults alike.

For more information contact the Box Office on 01908 280815 or email development@stables.org

www.stables.org

Box Office: 01908 280800 email: stables@stables.org www.stables.org

51

LEARN AND TAKE PART

How To Make Up Chord Sequences Adult/Age15+ Workshop

Date: Saturday 20 June, 10am-4pm Workshop fee: £32 This fast-paced workshop is designed to de-mystify the process of making up the chords to a song and help you learn how chords are made up and put together in a sequence. You will look at examples of popular songs in different styles in both major and minor keys, starting with simple chord sequences and then progressing to more advanced ones, exploring how these can add extra colour and depth to your music-making. Suitable for guitarists, keyboard players and anyone else wanting to make up chords to songs, the workshop includes a hands-on opportunity to try out the techniques you need to make up your own chord progressions. Full notes will be supplied to take away. You should already have some understanding of scales and chords (e.g. from our Basic Principles of Music workshop). If you are a guitar player, please bring an acoustic guitar and capo (the workshop will also look at how to use a capo to simplify awkward chords by changing key). Some keyboards are available for keyboard players (please advise at time of booking if needed). Tutor Pete Normanton is an experienced musician and guitar teacher who also presents the popular Basic Principles of Music workshop at The Stables.

Make and Play Your Own Cigar Box Guitar Adult/15+ workshop

Date: Saturday 27 June, 10am-4pm Workshop Fee: £70, includes all materials This fascinating three-string instrument is becoming a popular way of exploring DIY music making and the roots of popular music. Think blues, jazz, hobos, Seasick Steve…

Chickenbone John will guide you from absolute novice to getting your foot on the ladder of making and playing instruments. The workshop includes all tools and a kit of parts which can be assembled with a minimum of woodworking and practical skills. Participants take away a finished guitar and also learn the basics of playing.

You’ll be taught some woodworking and assembly skills, how to install and solder a pickup and finish the session learning how to play a simple three-chord song.

No previous playing or musical knowledge is needed but a basic level of manual dexterity is required to use simple hands tools.

Chickenbone John is one of the UK’s leading lights on the cigar box guitar scene, as a performer, teacher and instrument maker.

National Youth Music Camps July/August 2015

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Each summer young people aged 8 to 17 from throughout the UK and abroad come together to take part in an inspiring week-long musical experience. From orchestral playing to jazz improvisation, from harmonica sessions to steel pan performance, from music theatre production to recorder and rock bands, the National Youth Music Camps has it all.

For further information on how to apply and to download an application form go to www.stables.org/Learning/music_camps

The camps are suitable for all young people interested in music, regardless of playing standard and there is no minimum grade of entry. Young people take part because they love music.

Sunday 9 - Saturday 15 August Fees including all tuition, food and camping facilities: Teenage Camps £305, Junior Camp £285

Teenage Camps (13-17 years) Sunday 26 July - Saturday 1 August or Sunday 2 - Saturday 8 August

Junior Camp (8-12 years)

Booking fees apply – please turn to page 55 for details.

Also On Sale Now

Hats off to Led Zeppelin 22 August July Wed 1 Stacey Kent Thu 2 Alex Horne: Monsieur Butterfly Sat 4 Waterloo: Tribute to Abba Fri 10 An Audience with Jean Christophe Novelli & Nigel Brown August

Charlie Landsborough 17 October Sat 19 Les McKeown’s Bay City Rollers Fri 25 Tenors Unlimited: The Rat Pack of Opera Sat 26 No Jacket Required: Tribute to Phil Collins October Thu 1 Jenny Éclair Fri 2

Theo Jackson Band

Sat 3

Fleetwood Bac

Fri 21 Blake

Fri 16 Viva Santana

Sat 22 Hats Off to Led Zeppelin

Sat 17 Charlie Landsborough

September Sat 5

Shakatak

Sat 12 JUMP with Katie Buckhaven Tue 15 Juliet Kelly Fri 18 The Real Thing

Wed 21 Screaming Blue Murder Fri 23 Mugenkyo

Elkie Brooks 28 November Sat 31 The Unthanks November Tue 10 Peter White Sat 14 RANT Wed 18 Screaming Blue Murder Sat 21 Jim Boyes & Belinda O’Hooley: Sensations of a Wound Sat 14 Nearly Dan Sat 28 Elkie Brooks Sun 29 The Barron Knights December Mon 7 Big Country

Sat 24 Sinatra: The Centennial Concert

Sun 13 Go West

Hedna’s Vintage Nightclub

Wed 16 Screaming Blue Murder

New shows are open for public booking from Tuesday 10 February prior to which Stables Friends have priority.

Event takes place in Stage 2

Call the box office on 01908 280800

www.stables.org

Box Office: 01908 280800 email: stables@stables.org www.stables.org

53

And not forgetting...

Tickets are still available for the following shows in February: February Sun 1

Gerald Albright

Tue 3

John Coghlan’s Quo

Tom Green Septet

Wed 4

Eduardo Niebla Experience

Thu 5

Limehouse Lizzy

Fri 6

Clem Curtis

Sat 7

Jaywalkers

Sun 8

Kast off Kinks

Leddra Chapman Tuesday 24

Jazz Matters: Duncan Lamont in conversation with Brian Peerless Tue 10

Benyounes Quartet

Wed 11

John Shuttleworth

Troyka Fri 13

Toploader

Patsy Reid and Friends

James Taylor Quartet Thursday 26

Sat 14 West My Friend Sun 15

Kathryn Tickell and the Side

Wed 18

Screaming Blue Murder Comedy Club

Thu 19

Mark Thomas

Jo Harman

Fri 20

The Mods Band

Sat 21

Serious Blues

Sun 22

Live Jazz Matters: Tommy Whittle Tribute

An Evening with Julian Lloyd Webber

Tue 24

Leddra Chapman

Thu 26

James Taylor Quartet

Garland Jeffreys

Fri 27

Trio Da Kali

Sat 28

Three Wise Monkeys

Soul Urban Poet

Trio Da Kali Friday 27

Three Wise Monkeys Saturday 28

For full details visit www.stables.org 54

Buy any time – book your tickets online 24 hours a day

BOX OFFICE: 01908 280800 Textphone users please call 18001 01908 280800. Core Box Office hours: Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm (open later on show nights).

Sunday 5pm-8pm show nights only.

DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this diary is correct at the time of printing. However, The Stables reserves the right to make alterations if necessary. Some of our programming has STAGE the PROSCENIUM benefit of supporting artists and we may not always be able to bill them.

ONLINE BOOKING: www.stables.org Booking available 24 hours a day

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EMAIL: boxoffice@stables.org FAX: 01908 280825 HANDLING CHARGES: All bookings (in person, by phone or via internet) will be subject to a handling charge of £2.80, including postage. Internet bookings will also be subject to a booking fee of £1.80 per ticket.

Directions

The Stables is situated in a beautiful rural setting in the south east of Milton Keynes in the village of Wavendon, only a short drive from the Centre:MK. 0 J14 9

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Bletchley Wavendon

From M1 Junction 14 • Head towards Milton Keynes • At the first roundabout turn left onto the A5130 • At the Kingston roundabout take the second exit • Take the first right into Stockwell Lane and The Stables is on the right

Woburn

From M1 Junction 13 • Head towards Milton Keynes on A421 • At the Kingston roundabout take the first exit • Take the first right into Stockwell Lane and The Stables is on the right

LEFT DOOR

ENTRANCES

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CJ Balcony FACILITIES: On concert nights, Café CK in2 opens at 6pm and the main bar is open CL from 7pm.

Sound Desk Smoking is not permitted in the building. A large free car park is situated beside our auditorium.

LEFT DOOR ENTRANCES RIGHT DOOR

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DATA PROTECTION: From time to time we may contact you with information about our events and events at other arts venues. Please let Box Office know if you do not wish to receive such information.

M1

ACCESS: The Stables welcomes people with THRUST STAGE disabilities. The Jim Marshall auditorium and Stage 2 both benefit from audio induction loop systems.

To take advantage of this facility in the Jim Marshall auditorium audience members should activate their hearing aid’s T-setting. The signal is stronger is certain areas of the auditorium – please ask a member of our CA CB box office team when booking your tickets for further CC CD information. Stage 2 customers will CE need to use a hearing necklace, CF CG available from the box office.

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POST: The Stables, Stockwell Lane, Wavendon, Milton Keynes, MK17 8LU

CONCESSIONS: Concessions available.

Call Box Office for details on 01908 280800

INFORMATION

Booking information

RIGHT DOOR

Shaded areas represent seating levels not prices. Each show is indivually priced.

KEY:

LEVEL SEAT TIERED SEAT

BOX WHEELCHAIR

For large print brochures, please call our Box Office on 01908 280800

Tickets are sold by The Stables Theatre Ltd subject to the following terms and conditions: 1) Tickets are sold on behalf of The Stables Theatre Ltd for itself or as agent for other promoters. 2) Tickets cannot be refunded except on the cancellation or substantial alteration of the performance. The Stables may be able to resell tickets when shows are sold out – a charge of £2.80 will apply (charge waived for Stables Founders and Friends only where The Stables Theatre Ltd is the promoter. 3) The Promoter reserves the right to refuse admission to any venue if it reasonably considers such refusal to be necessary for the safety and convenience of other customers or for the proper running of the venues and events.

4) Latecomers cannot be admitted until a suitable break or interval in the performance. 5) Smoking is not permitted in any part of a venue unless designated as a smoking area. 6) Every effort is made to present shows at suitable sound levels, however levels may vary according to artists’ requirements, over which the Promoter has no control and concerts may be loud. Refunds will not be given on a matter of personal taste or noise level experienced. 7) The Promoter presents a range of seated and standing events and cannot always guarantee uninterrupted views as the stage setup, as determined by the artist, may vary and some people may stand around you. 8) Some performances may have a support artist before the main act and the Promoter may not know this in advance. 9) Some artists may use strong language. The Promoter has no control over this. 10) Internet ticket sales are subject to booking fees and transaction charges which are levied to cover the cost of third party web/financial service providers and as such cannot be refunded. 11) By purchasing and/or using a ticket you consent for yourself and for any person using a ticket purchased by you to being photographed, filmed or recorded as an audience member when official photography, filming or audio recording is taking place. If you have difficulties with this please contact the Box Office on 01908 280800 before purchasing tickets. Please note that all other unauthorised photography, filming or audio recording is not permitted and the Promoter reserves the right to confiscate equipment used/material gained in this way and/or remove offending individuals from the show. 12) Tickets sold or offered for sale by any person or persons other than The Stables, the Promoter or their authorised agents will not be honoured. 13) Please note some shows may contain flashing lights or smoke effects. The Promoter cannot always provide / specific warnings of these in advance to customers. 14) The Stables means The Stables Theatre Ltd (company no. 3224226). Please check www.stables.org or contact the box office for full current terms and conditions of ticket purchase as they may vary.

The Promoter means The Stables or the promoter of the event for which the ticket is sold, in which case The Stables acts as the agent of that promoter. The Stables is owned by Wavendon Allmusic Plan Ltd (Charity No 261645) which aims to engage the widest range of people with music in all its diversity. As a non profit making charitable organisation, any surplus made through the programme is re-invested in its artistic and educational projects.

Box Office: 01908 280800 email: stables@stables.org www.stables.org

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diary - at a glance

APRIL Thu 2 Secret Love Fri 3 The Bootleg Sixties Sat 4 John Verity Band Sat 4 Tom Korni Tue 7 Steve Howe Tue 7 Andrew McCormack Trio Wed 8 Patti Russo

Quick Key:

Public booking

Thu 9 Aynsley Lister Fri 10 Feast of Fiddles Fri 10 Megan Henwood Sat 11 Jimmy Webb Sat 11 Andrew Lawrence Sun 12 The Blockheads Sun 12 Jazz Matters: Arnie Somogyi Mon 13 The Shires Tue 14 Renaissance Tue 14 Fiona Hunter Wed 15 4 Parts Guitar Wed 15 Screaming Blue Murder Comedy Club Thu 16 Michael Law’s Piccadilly Dance Orchestra Fri 17 Robin Trower Fri 17 Tia McGraff Sat 18 Mariana Sadovska Sun 19 Hazel O’Connor Tue 21 Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman Tue 21 Jonny & the Baptists Wed 22 Courtney Pine Thu 23 Noah Stewart Thu 23 Tinderbox Fri 24 Joe McElderry Fri 24 Ben Smith & Gareth Pearson Sat 25 The Bon Jovi Experience Sun 26 Albert Hammond Sun 26 The Monfi Cats/Tinlin Sun 26 Live Jazz Matters: Rossano Sportiello Mon 27 Josh Rouse Tue 28 The Fureys Tue 28 Blue Rose Code Wed 29 Ruby Turner Wed 29 Christina Martin Band Thu 30 Uriah Heep

MAY Fri 1 Midge Ure Sat 2 Glenn and Friends Sat 2 Paolo Morena Sun 3 Panic Room Sun 3 Coco & the Butterfields Mon 4 Stornoway Tue 5 Kate Williams Quartet Tue 5 Jack Dee Wed 6 Kathleen Ferrier: Whattalife!

Thu 7 Andy Parsons Thu 7 The Kennedys Fri 8 The Christians Fri 8 Paul Foot SOLD OUT Sat 9 Elio Pace plays the Billy Joel Songbook Sat 9 Ben Poole Sun 10 Kairos 4Tet Tue 12 Juan Martin Tue 12 Hannah Scott Wed 13 Gryphon Thu 14 Blancmange

Founders

Educational

Fri 15 The Demon Barbers XL Sat 16 Ultimate Bowie Sat 16 Amy Wadge & Pete Riley Sun 17 Digby Fairweather’s Half Dozen Sun 17 Gary Delaney Mon 18 Ralph McTell Tue 19 Virgil and the Accelerators Tue 19 Emily Smith Wed 20 Dana Fuchs Wed 20 Screaming Blue Murder Comedy Club Thu 21 Doc Brown Thu 21 Maz O’Connor Trio Fri 22 Tom Paxton Sat 23 Clare Teal Sat 23 Mawkin Sun 24 Judi Tzuke Mon 25 Thea Gilmore Thu 28 Sir Henry At Rawlinson End Fri 29 G2 Genesis Fri 29 Blair Dunlop Sat 30 G2 Genesis Sat 30 Pete Brown and the Newgrass Cutters Sun 31 Lutes and Ukes

JUNE Tue 2 Tommy Smith & Brian Kellock Wed 3 Only Men Aloud Wed 3 Gigspanner Thu 4 From The Jam Acoustic Fri 5 The Manfreds Fri 5 Dead Poets’ Death Match Sat 6 Supersonic 70s Show Sat 6 Absolution Sun 7 Albert Lee & Hogan’s Heroes Sun 7 Anne Janelle Tue 9 Soft Machine Tue 9 The Saw Doctors Duo: Leo Moran and Anto Thistlethwaite Wed 10 Peggy Seeger Thu 11 Counterfeit Stones Fri 12 Son Yambu Fri 12 Paul Liddell Sat 13 The Northern Soul Tour Sat 13 Professor Elemental Sun 14 Gareth Gates Tue 16 Raghu Dixit Wed 17 Little Shop of Horrors Thu 18 Larry Carlton Quartet Fri 19 The Searchers Fri 19 Da Capo Duo Sat 20 An Audience with Ian Waite & Natalie Lowe Sun 21 Pete Long’s Echoes of Ellington Tue 23 Martin Simpson, Andy Cutting & Nancy Kerr Fri 26 Big Night in for Macmillan Sat 27 Katherine Ryan Sun 28 Roland Gift

Stage 2

For more information see page 2

box office:01908 280800

email:stables@stables.org

* Fundraising concerts in aid of Wavendon Allmusic Plan Ltd

www.stables.org

reachmarketing.co.uk 23242 01/15

MARCH Sun 1 The Reflections Sun 1 Lee Nelson SOLD OUT Tue 3 The Simon & Garfunkel Story Tue 3 Bach Reloaded Wed 4 Fascinating Aida SOLD OUT Thu 5 One Man Breaking Bad Fri 6 Ian McCulloch Fri 6 Kit Holmes Sat 7 Dr Feelgood Sat 7 Lee Nelson SOLD OUT Sun 8 Melvyn Tan Sun 8 Richard Digance Sun 8 The Portraits /Minnie Birch Tue 10 Fresh Cream Tue 10 The Carrivick Sisters/Cardboard Fox Wed 11 The Tiger Lillies Wed 11 Eleanor McEvoy Thu 12 Mica Paris Fri 13 Roy Orbison and the Traveling Wilburys Tribute Show SOLD OUT Fri 13 Yvonne Lyon Sat 14 The High Kings Sat 14 Hedna’s Vintage Nightclub

SOLD OUT Sun 15 Live Jazz Matters: Marlene VerPlanck Tue 17 Battle of the Bands Wed 18 Gretchen Peters SOLD OUT Wed 18 Screaming Blue Murder Comedy Club Thu 19 Nathan Carter Thu 19 John Gomm Fri 20 Duke Special Sat 21 Nights on Broadway Sat 21 The Hut People Sun 22 Jo Caulfield Mon 23 Radioland Tue 24 Simon Amstell SOLD OUT Tue 24 Lotte Mullan & Jazz Morley Wed 25 The Korgis Thu 26 Cara Dillon Fri 27 Karnataka Fri 27 Hat Fitz & Cara Sat 28 T-Rextasy Sat 28 Bedford & MK Jazz Festival Sun 29 The Furrow Collective Sun 29 Jazz Matters: Steve Brown Tue 31 An Evening with Gervase Phinn

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