Swindon Shuffle Programme 2023

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W

elcome to the 17th year of The Swindon Shuffle, Swindon’s biggest and best showcase of local musical talent.

The Shuffle was conceived by a group of independent music promoters back in 2007, and like all great stories, began in a pub, sketched out on the back of a fag packet. The idea was simple and was inspired by already established city centre music festivals like the Camden Crawl, The Great Escape and the Oxford Punt; the crowd was to “Shuffle” between a couple of music venues on one particular night to watch a variety of acts performing.

This quickly expanded before the first event had been run, to be a four-day event, with the audience “Shuffle” round venues giving the event its now familiar name. This inaugural festival was held 19th to 22nd July 2007 and made use of The Victoria, The Furnace, The Rolleston, 12 Bar, and The Beehive with an opening night held at Swindon Town’s Winners Lounge.

In the following years venues and organisers have come and gone, supported charities have changed and the music and musicians involved has been an ever-fluid story. What has remained constant however is the overall ethos and aim of the event; to bring together the community to showcase a thriving local music scene. Sixteen years later we still strive to highlight the wonderful original musical talent on our doorstep, and help nurture

the local scene and support local venues.

Over the years many artists have gone on from playing the Shuffle to make their mark on the wider national scene, including major acts like Stornoway as well as Swindon’s own success stories like Gaz Brookfield, Beatbullyz, and The Dead Lay Waiting.

More recent years have seen this tradition continue with bands like Stay Lunar and All Ears Avow gaining wider recognition.

The festival remains strongly

rooted in the Old Town community: this year you will find us at Shuffle stalwarts The Victoria, The Castle and The Tuppenny as well as The Hop and ever-present venue The Beehive.

We have expanded last year’s successful fringe even further by adding an event at Prospect Hospice’s shop on Commercial Road to events at The Eternal Optimist, Baristocats and Eastcott Community Centre to ensure there is something for everyone. Come on down and enjoy the music!

Ed Dyer

Programme produced by Swindon Link *Line up subject to change. Terms and conditions apply Please see website for full details Please check if venue is 18+ or not

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We’re Shufflin’ for Prospect Hospice

During the Swindon Shuffle this year we will be raising money for Prospect Hospice.

So if you see us shaking the bucket please give generously as it is such a worthy cause.

On Saturday 16 September, the Prospect Hospice Books and Media Shop on Commercial Road will also be hosting DJs throughout the day so pop along and have a dance.

Since 1980, Prospect Hospice has provided the only dedicated end-of-life care service for people living across north east Wiltshire including Swindon, Marlborough and Royal Wootton Bassett.

Jeremy Lune, chief executive at Prospect Hospice, said: “The Swindon Shuffle is a personal favourite of mine as it brings together everything I love about this community; its passion for local music and its supporting a local charity. I joined the hospice as chief executive earlier this year and I’m excited to see that the programme has also been able to expand into our books and media shop on Commercial Road with live DJs throughout the day on Saturday 16 September.

“Donations are crucial to the hospice being able to offer our specialist care to local people completely free of charge and it’s all thanks to events like The Swindon Shuffle and the people that come out to support it that we’re able to be here. I therefore want to thank all the organisers for

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the time and effort they’ve put into getting such a wonderful programme together. There’s something for everyone and I do hope all those that come along have a wonderful time while supporting the care of local people with a terminal illness.” www.prospect-hospice.net

PROSPECT SHOP DJ SETS 3pm - Matt Baila - Digging deep from the

bottomless crate of superb and subversive music, Matt Baila fires off salvos made up of the best music you have ever heard. From underground soul to funky breaks, from psychedelic cuts to hip-hop cult classics and from electro-pop to garage rock.

2pm - Colin the Funky Diabetic - It doesn’t matter if it is soul, rock, hip hop, jazz, beats, breaks, reggae, opera or even country; if it is funky, Colin is your man. Expect unbeatable tunes selected with care and consideration from his cool, not to mention extensive, record collection.

1pm - Captain Wormhole - From Jazz-Funk

to Post-Punk, Boogaloo to Blue Note, Bristol to Bogotá, Captain Wormhole spins records in such a way as to create whole sonic worlds.

12pm - Random Rules - Known for the “I’ll

Make You A Tape” DJ sets, the only thing to expect is the unexpected. That might include anything from Soul and Motown to Post-Punk and Country-funk.

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T H THE TUPPENNY E

The Tuppenny opened in late 2016 on Devizes Road and very quickly became one of the best independent bars in Swindon, with a large range of craft beer, craft spirits, cocktails and wine. It has a unique and cosy feel with its own quirky decor, up-cycled furniture and even a bar top made from two pence coins! With brilliant momos provided by Yak The Himalayn Kitchen across the road. The Tuppenny is also a big supporter of original music in Swindon, putting on stripped back bands and singer-songwriters.

V E THE HOP INN N U E S THE VICTORIA The Hop originally opened on Devizes Road in the early 2010s in a small building creating a unique small bar serving craft beer and lager. Thanks to its huge popularity The Hop moved in 2019 to a bigger premises a couple of doors down. The Hop now hosts music on a regular basis and is also known for its immensely popular comedy night. The venue offers a pretty huge selection of rotating craft beers and lagers, so everyone’s a winner!

A stalwart of the live music scene since the end of the 90s, It has also been involved in the Shuffle since its inception. The impressive roster of local, national, and international artists have played there (including Ed Sheeran!) The size of the Victoria Road venue, stage and PA system mean this is definitely a place to check out some of the bigger and louder acts playing at this year’s festival.

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T H E

THE BEEHIVE

As one of the oldest pubs in Swindon it has a unique character all of its own, with its twisting, four level layout. It is also the only venue to have been an ‘ever present’ on the Shuffle. The pub has always been a supporter of the arts whether that’s local, national, and international music acts to poetry nights, art exhibitions, and more. Tucked away behind Regents Circus in Prospect Place it could be one of Swindon’s best kept secrets.

THE CASTLE

This friendly community pub with a lovely courtyard garden has had a bit of a facelift this year making it an even friendlier and even lovelier pub. With a good drinks selection and a passion for regular live music this boozer found in Prospect Place is a must destination for any Shufflers out there. Expect mayhem on both Friday and Saturday evenings as this venue will definitely get you a’rockin’.

THE ETERNAL OPTIMIST BARISTOCATS This ultra trendy Old Town hideout can be found above Los Gatos on Devizes Road.

With fine spirits, craft beers, cocktails and wines, this is the perfect place to hang whilst rubbing shoulders with the hip of Old Town. Comfy sofas and good vibes are what it’s all about at The Optimist.

A paradise for cafe culture aficionados, this slice of coffee heaven found on Commercial Road, will be an essential must-go on the Saturday of The Shuffle with a host of acts performing there for your delectation. There will definitely be a buzz and not all from the exceedingly good coffee.

PROSPECT SHOP

EASTCOTT COMMUNITY CENTRE

Prospect Hospice’s Commercial Road shop specialises in Books, vinyl records, CDs, DVDs, musical instruments and audio equipment. The perfect place to catch some afternoon DJ sets on the Shuffle’s Super Saturday.

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V E N U E S

The Shuffle Community Ceileidh with Cowshed Ceileidh Collective will be taking place at the community venue from 7pm to 10pm on the Saturday. Found on Savernake Street, it can trace its heritage back to James ‘Raggy’ Powell, a rag and bone man and philanthropist, who donated the land in 1918 for a place that will always be at the heart of the community.

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The Shuffle Quiz at The Beehive

SEPT 13

Think you know the difference between Beyonce and Limp Bizkit? Then you are the right kind of person for the Shuffle Music Quiz, the official kick-off of The Shuffle since 2016.

This year’s take place on Wednesday 13 September at The Beehive as the traditional but chaotic entry point to festivities. Hosted as always by Shuffle organisers Ed and Paj you will be faced by big beards, questions that make you think, or groan, and an unhealthy dose of idiocy and tomfoolery.

Team registration is from 7.30pm, with the quizzing from 8pm. It costs £2 per person, with max team sizes of 6. All entry fees go to Prospect Hospice, so you can feel warm and fuzzy as you quiz!

To prove you can have too much of a good thing, the same nonsense takes place at The Tuppenny on the last Sunday of every month, so get that in your diaries and see why it has become a legendary Old Town cultural institution.

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W E D N E S D A Y

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SEPT 14

THE TUPPENNY

T H U R S 9pm - Jules Hill D A Y

9.45pm - Canute’s Plastic Army This seasoned, mainly acoustic duo brings together the soaring, passionate vocals of Anish Harrison and the intricate and dynamic guitar playing of Neil Mercer. Songs range from dark, almost gothic-tinged folk to more bluesy, pop-roots tunes, taking in sparsely picked guitars and looped effects, anthemic vocals and whispered voices. Since the release of their debut EP, Building Walls, in 2017, they have been commissioned to write for the Lost Words project and the Folklore podcast and remain stalwarts of the local scene.

Jules, a singer/songwriter and musician known for her soulful voice and lyrical depth, creates emotionally raw and sonically polished music. As a solo player, her music takes the form of delicate indie-folk, but the full band experience is a much more captivating and dynamic affair. It is a rich and rewarding sonic tapestry with additional guitars, pulsing basslines, and a blend of rhythms that takes in the organic sound of the Cajon and digital beats.

8.15pm - Jim Blair

Although he can be found in full flow leading the six-legged groove machine HipRoute, Jim Blair in solo mode is equally as fun. With a voice like he’s swallowed a packet of razor blades and a guitar style that sounds like sonic honey (or is that the other way around), Jim sings songs about the things important to him - friends, family, love and whiskey. Authentic blues for modern times, something summed up by the fact that he plays barefoot since he can’t afford shoes because he has 17 children. And they say that there is money to be made as a musician. Pah!

7.30pm - Drew Bryant

Drew is a popular artist on the local circuit for good reason. He may only be armed with an acoustic guitar, stomp box and voice, but his deft and poignant songs are full of perceptive lyricism and thoughtful yet often ambiguous phrases delivered with a sprinkle of humour and a lot of integrity. They explore everything from existentialism and spirituality to love and the impact of modern technologies. Deceptively simple music that reflects the complexities of the times we find ourselves in.

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THE HOP

SEPT 14

10.15pm - Subject A

You will love his latest project if you like what Erin Bardwell has done over the years, both via his great bands and his critically regarded Pop-A-Top record label. Joined by his fellow producer Dean Sartain and the great and good of the region’s players, Subject A takes their favourite music forms into the next chapter. It’s a cinematic post-2-Tone lifeform based around live reggae rhythms with hints of jazz, ambient soundscapes and smart experimentation.

Otherworldy music conjured from everyday life.

What’s not to like?

9.30pm - Will Lawton & The Alchemists This eclectic and euphoric band of musicians plays music that forms beautiful alchemical dreamscapes and paints ambient backdrops while occasionally slipping into idiosyncratic drum and bass, odd time signatures, classical grace and truly breathtaking anthemics. This is jazz; this is indie-folk; this bears hallmarks of classical, soul and psychedelia with psychological and astronomical themes to make Brian Cox’s toes curl.

8.45pm - Bone Chapel

Creating a sort of apocalyptic blues out of gritty percussion, abrasive, de-tuned guitars, melodic bass and vocals which sound like they come from beyond the grave, Bone Chapel are a band so wonderfully out of keeping with current fad and fashion that they feel like the result of an accident involving a stack of old 78’s, a Gretch guitar and a time machine. They are like nothing you have seen before; miss them at your peril!

7.15pm - Talking Cobra

8pm - Thort Crimes

Thort Crimes (not a spelling mistake, I checked) is an intriguing instrumental outfit, combining everything from Progressive Rock, Jazz, Funk and Pop styles all pulled together and danced over by spoken word snippets, sampled everywhere from classic literature to famous speeches to political rants. Expect cinematic, free-flowing sounds which have something to say. This rare outing for the band is one for the diary.

T H U R S D A Y

At least one of the members of Talking Cobra admits that the band was essentially a joke name that got out of hand. More recently, that was updated to a list of funny song titles still waiting for the music to be written. Hopefully, by the time you read this, they will have moved things on, but don’t count on it. But considering the band comprises two of the most adventurous and improvisational players around, it will probably still be one of your festival highlights, even if they make things up on the spot. Which they likely will.

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THE HOP INN SWINDON FOLK CLUB CURATED EVE SEPT 15

Doors 7.45 pm for 8pm start Event will include open floor spots and a raffle

F 10pm - Jol Rose and Rachael Birkin R I D A 8.55pm - Discovery Y Running the sonic gamut from silly singalongs to profound and meaningful ballads, Jol blends Americana, folk and blues to deliver songs which cover a lot of ground. But he is at his best when ploughing a musical furrow through the more thoughtful territory, often offering an English take on the same blue-collar lyricism and street-level mythologies that Petty and Springsteen made their own.

And when joined by Rachael Birkin’s busy bluegrass violin, switching between soaring crescendos and lulling lows, the music becomes even more raw and rootsy, cool and countryfied.

Imagine a duo so astute in their songwriting that they have even managed to put the poetry of William Blake to music. Imagine a sound deft enough to deliver beautiful harmonies and sensitive interpretations of traditional and modern folk songs while presenting them with accessibility, warmth and humour. Imagine music built from tasteful and restrained guitar, concertina, Appalachian dulcimer, and mandola playing. Imagine an act so good that they have played their music at folk clubs and festivals everywhere from Sussex to Ontario! The band that you are Imagining do exist, and they are called Discovery.

8pm - Will Bridge

Having cut his musical teeth way back when, playing on bills that included such iconic acts as John Martyn, Paul Simon, Al Stewart and Incredible String Band, Will eventually dropped out of music to live a more normal life. But since his return to the scene, he has wholeheartedly embraced the folk club circuit and the life of a wandering minstrel. His songs reflect his less-than-serious approach to life but still have plenty to say, whether discussing climate change or referencing the writings of Jake Thackery. Music to both move and amuse.

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THE VICTORIA 10.45pm - All Ears Avow

This popular four-piece blasts off salvos of alternative rock, which perfectly blends melody and muscle into an irresistible and infectious sound. As heavy and ornate as the music can get, it is apparent that both a pop spirit and a rock muse guide their hand. The result is a sound that is both lush and incendiary—music that sits between pop and a hard place. It is easy to see why they have gone down a storm at events such as the 2000 Trees Festival and Camden Rocks and why they have been championed by the likes of BBC Radio 1 and BBC Introducing.

SEPT 15

10pm - Viduals

Alt-rock with a pop heart? Maybe. Pop songs with plenty of muscle?

Perhaps. The soundtrack to a great night out?

Most definitely. Viduals tale the power and poignancy of alternative rock and then bend those threads into more pop-aware forms. The result is the best of both worlds, accessible and infectious songs built with authenticity and integrity, rock music without the additional baggage and cliche.

Why has no one thought of this before?

F R 9.15pm - Chasing Dolls I D A Y If you think that guitars are out of fashion, that rock music has had its day, or that no cool young bands are coming through on the scene, you must check out Chasing Dolls.

Alternative rock for a new generation made by that new generation. Expect big riffs, songs that demand you sing along or mosh the night away and a live show so incendiary that it will restore your faith in rock music.

8.30pm - Trippy Kicks

They are a truly genre-blending band whose influences range from The Smashing Pumpkins to Pantera to Fontaines DC...which is a lot of ground to cover. But they do. Brilliantly. It’s rock, its alternative, its metal. It’s underground. It’s catchy and commercial whilst being cultish and cool; it’s like all the music you love but not quite like anything you have heard.

7.45pm - I See Orange

With one foot in the grunge era, another in modern musical times, another in the realms of classic rock and yet another in more popaware, college rock territory, it is no wonder that I See Orange make such a deft and ornate sound. The music may be heavy, but it always retains sight of the fact that the best songs should balance groove with grind, grit with grace, and power with poise.

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THE CASTLE 10.15pm -Splat The Rat SEPT 15

Traditional folk polished, tinkered with and reimagined for the contemporary audience. Blending guitars, violin, mandolin, bass and percussion and complemented by great vocal harmonies, the Rats make a sound which reminds you of the past, gets you dancing in the present, and makes you feel confident about the future of live music. With a set comprising old songs, new songs, original songs and many familiar crowd-pleasers, all played with euphoric energy, humour and passion; everyone goes away happy. Guaranteed!

F R 9.30pm - Copper Creek 8.45pm - The Wheel 2!

I D A Y 8pm - The Leon Daye Band Copper Creek offers a foot-stomping blend of frantic folk, Celtic spirit and anthemic Americana sounds. They’re based in Wiltshire but are inspired by the great songwriting traditions of British, Irish and American roots music. This 5-piece multi-instrument band offers sublime vocal harmonies, spiralling guitar riffs, mandolin and banjo lilts, bass, fiddle, kick drum, whistles and more Celtic folk with an American heart, or vice versa.

If the names Diagonal People and Illustrations ring any bells, and by god, they should, then this is a band you need to make a beeline for. Although still in its infancy, the seven players who make up the band have a wealth of musical experience, especially in making music outside the musical box.

Expect experimental playing, alt-pop vibes, exquisite and imaginative music and an undignified battle for stage space.

There was a time when Leon Daye was a chilled folk singer. Those days have gone. Now he fronts a band that delivers epic, widescreen rock and roll in the vein of Feeder and The Manic Street Preachers. Blues, rock, indie and even a sliver of punk all find their way into the mix, and the result is sensational. Good time, uplifting music, big riffs, air-punching anthems and a reminder that the experience of a great rock band firing on all cylinders is hard to beat. The Leon Daye band is just such a band.

SHUFFLE FRINGE 7.15pm - Non-Aplomb Eternal Optimist 7.15pm til late

Acts all evening - See our Fringe rundown on Page 24

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Non-Aplomb were Si & Matt Hall, but now they’re Non-Aplomb. They play catchy melodic tunes which sit somewhere between acoustic fitness and electric drive, between pop accessibility and a more muscular sound.

Blue-collar tales of life, love and loss that will resonate with everyone, delivered via slick guitar playing, anthemic vibes and heart-onsleeve vocals. It’s what they do.

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Your local window and door specialist

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THE MAP Commercial Road

Baristocats

Prospect Shop

Eastcott Community Centre

Bath Road

O To

The

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THE MAP

Regents Circus The Beehive

Drove Road

The Castle

Old Town

The Victoria Victoria Road

The Tuppenny

Eternal Optimist

Devizes Road

The Hop Inn

image courtesy of Google

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THE TUPPENNY

6.30pm - Richard Wileman & Amy Fry

SEPT 16

Richard Wileman is a prolific Swindon composer/songwriter and the man behind the copious and brilliant Karda Estra albums. Here he is joined by his regular musical sparring partner, Amy Fry, on vocals, clarinet & saxophone, to continue his exploration, albeit in a form that now fits on a reasonable-sized stage, through the sonic realism of gothic, cosmic, prog, folk, lounge songs, and instrumentals.

5.45pm - Fast Trains

S A T 5pm - Harmony Asia U R 4.15pm - David Lynch D A Y

If the name Fast Trains is new to you, it may be down to Tom Wells’ approach to promotion.

Fiercely independent, all Fast Trains music has been kept off the usual streaming platforms, instead delivering to fans directly via the official website, YouTube channel and Bandcamp.

This has resulted in a passionate live following, where Wells shifts the gig experience from intimate solo to energetic, full-band shows. Referencing classic bands such as Squeeze, Tears For Fears and XTC through his intriguing alt-pop creations, Fast Trains is the definition of the phrase, let the music do the talking.

More than just a girl with a guitar, Harmony Asia uses music to communicate her deepest feelings and most powerful ideas directly to the audience. Open, honest and authentic, her lyrics are more like an intimate conversation with a good friend than a public performance. For all their personal and heartfelt nature, the ideas she presents us with are thoroughly relatable. Musically, her music sits between chilled acoustica, indie folk and understated soul, and it is a blend of wit and wisdom, charm and insightfulness that belies her young age.

David Lynch has paid his musical dues and then some.

In the nineties, he played with local favourites Jacksauce before returning from a hiatus with The Labradors. An injury suggested his guitar-playing days may have been over, but he has beaten the odds to return to the musical fray. His songs blend folk honesty and indie anthemics; his set is always full of humour and heart, leaving you entertained and inspired. Check him out. You’ll be glad you did.

2pm - Tildy

Tildy is the youngest player on the bill this year; already an accomplished pianist, she will be offering up a set of her own songs and a selection from her favourite artists. If the Swindon Shuffle stands for anything, it is for showcasing the local talent and giving new acts a place to start building their audience. So catch her set, help usher in, and support the next wave of young artists.

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3.30pm - English Weather This Bath-based duo take the full and fluid folk sound of the sixties coffee house scene and blends it with a more modern musical aesthetic. The result is a sound which boasts rich and infectious melodies, beautiful dual harmonies and a full, rich sound, but one that is also shot through with the quippy and occasionally quirky nature of the modern age. Folk for a more adventurous time.

2.45pm - Sienna Wileman

Not many artists can say that they have been making music since they were ten years old. Even fewer can say that they released their debut song at fourteen. Sienna Wileman can. A singer/songwriter who blends indie accessibility with meaningful lyrics and pop vibes with a more intricate rock sound, missing her Shuffle gig is not an option. Sorry, that’s just how it is; I don’t make the rules.

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THE VICTORIA 10.45pm - Modern Evils

SEPT 16

S A T 10pm - Phantom Droid 9.15pm - Life in Mono U R D A 8.30pm - Seraphine Y Blending modern alt-rock with the timeless sleaze of garage rock, Modern Evils remind us that the form never changes too much, but doing so just enough to customise that sound for a new generation is all it takes. It is not only what Modern Evils do well but what they do better than most.

With a weave of rumbling bass and battering beats, spiralling and seismic guitars and vocals that take your head clean off, Modern Evils blend rock and roll past with alt-rock present to make tomorrow’s music.

Making a sound that combines trippy psychedelic rhythms, sludgy grooves, euphoric highs and crushing, claustrophobic lows, Phantom Droid offer a new take on the metal scene. After years of experience on stages around the country, they have honed a unique sound which matches trippy, acid vibes with industrialstrength riffs and have built up a strong and loyal following because of it.

Life In Mono is a raw beautiful musical powerhouse moulding grunge and punk and metal tones around the vocal prowess of Sarah Clayton.

Life In Mono’s power lies in its ability to captivate its live audience, connect at a profound level, and invoke an immediate emotional response.

Throw into the mix industrial strength riffs, searing guitars, and tsunami back beats and bass, and you have one heck of a live experience.

In a world where rock music is often about being the loudest, most bombastic, fastest and most furious, it is nice to stumble across one that revels in a heady blend of dexterous playing, solid drives and melodic songcraft. Such bands are rare beasts indeed.

Creating an impact isn’t just about turning up the volume; it is subtler and more nuanced than that, but Seraphine have mastered that art. Rock music which is accessible yet doesn’t compromise, a band that swerves cliche and delivers. In short, a band that truly kicks arse and cuts the mustard!

7.45pm - Hatchets

Hatchets are bringing back old-school rock music. They understand you don’t have to fuse genres or lace your songs with gimmicks and sonic gizmos. They understand that rock music isn’t dead. They also know it just needed a bit of polish, and it would be good to go. To sum them up in one word...fist-in-the-air-foot-on-the-monitorheads-down-no-nonsense-good-time-mindless-thrash-boogie.

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THE BEEHIVE 10.15pm - Concrete Prairie SEPT 16

Take a dash of folk fun, a soupçon of indie integrity and a lot of alt-country and Americana vibes, and you have a veritable soundtrack for the glamour and grit of modern living, courtesy of Concrete Prairie. While their songs tackle themes such as mental well-being, loss and hardships, they are also shot through with silver linings, as reflected by a spirited and rousing sound forged of twanging guitars, frantic fiddle and yearning prose.

S A 9.30pm - Atari Pilot T U R D 8pm - Liddington Hill A Y

Drawing inspiration from as diverse acts as Springsteen, Oasis and Daft Punk, Atari Pilot forged a unique and anthemic sound from equal parts rock weight, indie cool and dance energy. And alongside the powerful music, you find equally poignant lyrics that contemplate the nature of our true selves, who we are to each other, and how to navigate life and love in these challenging times. Music that both makes you dance and forces you to think.

8.45pm - The Lonely Road Band

Bluesy rock ‘n’ roll right on your doorstep! A powerhouse quartet that combines the soulful essence of blues with the raw energy of rock and roll, delivering an unforgettable experience filled with tasteful guitar licks and infectious lyrics reminiscent of many of the bands that made the seventies a golden age of rock music. It swings. It swaggers. It has attitude but is more fixated on having fun. It is music for girls AND boys. The Stones had it; the Quo had it; the Black Crowes had it. And The Lonely Road Band have it. And then some!

Described as Celtic Rock for the new age, as recently as the start of this sentence, Liddington Hill delivers a mercurial blend of sounds and styles. Using a platform of abrasive, fuzzy bass lines and grungey guitars to tether their music, they embrace the spirit of folk-punk past by creating a sound reminiscent of the likes of New Model Army picking a fight with Metalica using violins and vocals to draw blood.

That’s got to be worth checking out, right?

7.15pm - Deadlight Dance

Old friends Nick Fletcher and Tim Emery have always had a dark musical streak running through their collective souls, so the only real question is, why did it take them so long to form a band like Deadlight Dance? Gothic songs on folk instruments? Maudlin mandolins? Angsty acoustica? A shared love of classic goth pushed through a folky filter; it’s more fun than it might sound. A lot more.

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THE CASTLE 10.15pm - Stay Lunar Matching the infectious sound of nostalgic synth-pop with more cutting-edge indie tones, Stay Lunar has become a fastrising and popular band on the national circuit. The songs are addictive to the point of euphoria, and as a live show, they promise a great time. It might be pop, but it is pop with poise, pop with presence, pop with a PhD.

SEPT 16

S A 9.30pm - MOON 8.45pm - MirroredFaces T U R D 8pm - Sebastian & Me A Y MOON is a band that has been evolving, intensifying and honing down their sound for some time now in various guises and has blossomed into a heady and heavenly sound.

Part modern indie-pop, part Laurel Canyon fey folk, theirs is a music full of pastoral sounds and wistful lyrics, light and accessible yet deep and meaningful. The renaissance of pop music may be imminent and within walking distance of your house. Who’d have thought it?

This three-piece alternative pop band uses their songs to look at the intimacy and vulnerability of being human and tear preconceived notions of who we are and who society expects us to be. Subtle and spacious guitars, melodic bass lines and busy and beatific beats all combine to take pop music a mighty step forward into a bright new future.

It is easy to forget that the 90’s, Brit-pop and the birth of the indie sound were all a long time ago now, and a whole generation of bands have grown up with that sound as just one of the many sonic building blocks at their disposal. Sebastian & Me is just such a band. Expect a new take on the old indie sound. Expect a unique sound for a whole new audience. Expect things to be different but occasionally the same. Expect the perfect sonic collision of the fresh and the familiar. But more than anything else, expect to have a damned good time.

7.15pm - Riviera Arcade

This three-piece has captivated audiences with powerful rhythms, infectious melodies and heartfelt lyrics. As such, their music is openly infused with the sounds of their record collections, from Idles to Arctic Monkeys, Radiohead to The Smiths. With a debut album, Gone By Ten, described as “a raw indie album that improves with each listen,” live, they are even more rewarding. Catch them locally whilst you still can.

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SHUFFLE FRINGE All Day Saturday

Baristocats, Prospect Shop & Eastcott Community Centre Acts and DJs all day - See our Fringe rundown on Page 25

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THE TUPPENNY 3.15pm - Fly Yeti Fly Sept 17

With their brilliantly unique flavour of delicatebut-distinctive folk, Fly Yeti Fly is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Blending rich vocal harmonies with intricate guitar arrangements, mandolin and harmonica, and with a warmth of spirit that radiates from the stage, the Wiltshire-based duo weave songs and stories about connection, community and the seasons with a sound that is reminiscent of the late-’60s folk scene.

S U 2.30pm - Shedric N D A 1.45pm - Adam Woodhouse Y

Shedric has been a familiar face on the scene for longer than he might wish to admit, either playing in bands or wielding a guitar in solo mode. Drawing on folk forms and bluesy salvos, he makes effortlessly connective music, which gets into the system via osmosis, bypassing the head, perhaps even the heart and heading straight for the soul. Always entertaining, always exemplary, it’s blues and folk music for people who didn’t even realise they liked blues and folk music.

Adam’s songs clearly show his deep passion for blues, country and folk, but this is no mere pastiche of what has gone before. Instead, he takes those tried and tested building blocks and turns them into new sonic architecture, something both wonderfully fresh yet comfortingly familiar. By adding generous helpings of pop, attitude and humour, he creates an infectious take on roots music that is perfect for the modern audience.

1pm - MEG

Taking inspiration from the likes of Florence Welch, AURORA and Dodie, at a mere 16 years of age, MEG is breaking hearts and gaining hearts with her deft blend of finessed folk and powerful pop. Her first releases are yet to come, so the only way to experience this rising star is live. And I would if I were you, especially if you are one of those people who likes to say things that start with “Of course, I remember here way before she became famous...”

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THE BEEHIVE

8.15pm - Matt Owens and the Delusional Vanity Project First coming to prominence with indie-folksters Noah and the Whale, Matt has since been a much sought-after writer and session player. But since the release of his debut solo album, Whiskey and Orchids, he has been concentrating on a solo path. These days erring more towards a folky-Americana sound, his latest release Beer For The Horses, saw him gather around him an all-star sevenpiece band, brilliantly called The Delusional Vanity Project and embrace a slightly more upbeat, rock-infused sound. It is easy to see why none other than Whispering Bob Harris himself is a big fan.

SEPT 17

7.30pm - THUD

Blues for the modern age. THUD brings together some of the finest musicians around to create the next chapter of blues-infused music.

Throw in some folk and funk, a fun and furious stage show, plenty of wit and a dash of wisdom, scintillating solos and infectious rhythms, and you might have the best gig experience of your life. Actually, that’s guaranteed, or you get your money back!

6.45pm - Somerset Velvet

It’s folk, but not as you know it. Mixing elements of groovesome funk and psychedelic euphoria into the mix, this west country band blends trippy beats with spiralling guitar solos, melodic and funky bass lines, and gorgeous vocals. With influences as wide-ranging as Jefferson Airplane to Florence + The Machine, the music is a head blend of then and now, what was and what might be. Party like it’s 1969 - it’s ciderdelic...man!

6pm - Black Sheep Apprentice

Dark Americana delivered with punk swagger; Black Sheep Apprentice is what might have happened if Johnny Cash had found himself fronting The Clash. A perfect blend of New World musicality and Old World attitudes, their music echoes with acts of love and longing, loss and redemption, an incendiary band whose live show proves that they mean every word they say and every note and beat they wrestle out of their instruments—the absolute definition of the real deal.

5.15pm - Jol Rose

Running the sonic gamut from silly singalongs to profound and meaningful ballads, Jol blends Americana, folk and blues to deliver songs which cover a lot of ground. But he is at his best when ploughing a musical furrow through the more thoughtful territory, often offering an English take on the same bluecollar lyricism and street-level mythologies that Petty and Springsteen made their own.

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S U N D A Y

4.30pm - Sayers

You have to admire a band that declares that they aim to create thought-provoking, ecologicallyconscious music using every tool they have. But it is exactly what the world needs, music with a head and a heart but, more importantly, a soul. Thunderous 8-string guitar riffs give way to classical piano etudes; funky grooves sit below silky harmonies, and it all comes together as a vehicle for a social change singalong.

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Sept 15

SHUFFLE FRINGE THE ETERNAL OPTIMIST

F R I D 8.45pm - t.e.d A Y

9.30pm - Ellis Evason

If you are looking for cool, intimate hip-hop for the contemporary world, look no further than Ellis Evason.

Blending everything from old-school soul to jazz to smart lyricism, Evason is nothing if not adventurous and songs such as Lipstick, his collaboration with Ezra Bell, even venture into the realms of folk and blues, albeit with a modern twist. Music should be a constant evolution, that’s the only way it stays interesting, and Ellis Evason is one of the most constantly evolving and undeniably interesting acts around.

South African-born Tan Sholto-Douglas, known musically as t.e.d, is a guitarist, pianist and songwriter with an impressive online following. Hers is an acoustic-led, lo-fi, indie sound forged from threads of alt-pop, R&B and old-school troubadour deliveries, ethereal vocals and synth washes.

Her laid-back style is captivating in its delivery whilst being vulnerable in its nature; this is music that is all about seduction and sophistication, poise and purpose.

8pm - Chloe Hepburn

Although fairly new to the local circuit, there is a reason why Chloe is lined up to make her third consecutive Shuffle appearance. Delivering cutting-edge slices of synth-pop infused with liquid drum ‘n’ bass beats, garage grooves and EDM infectiousness, she is a perfect marker of where modern music is at, especially if you like music which is both commercially accessible and yet cool and cultish enough to appeal to the dancefloor denizens of the pop-underground.

7.15pm - Act To Be Confirmed

Please keep an eye on the website www.swindonshuffle.org.uk for the latest line-up announcements

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SHUFFLE FRINGE 8.30pm @ The Tuppenny - Random Rules Vs YLITDY It’s Frisco Disco vs I’ll Make You A Tape as Little Hop resident DJ YLITDY crosses the road with a box of Funk, Soul, 80’s and beyond records to battle Tuppenny resident Random Rules and his record box full of Soul, Motown, Post-Punk, Country Funk, Tropicalia and Indie-Pop. May the best DJ win.

SEPT 16

7pm to 10pm @ Eastcott Community Centre

The Shuffle Community Ceileidh with Cowshed Ceileidh Collective

BARISTOCATS

6.30pm to 8pm - Jazztastic - How do you get the sound of a full-on jazz band into the compact and bijou space that is Barristocats? You book JazzTastic, that’s how. A six-piece sensation, a mini big bar, a horn-led tsunami that delivers the whole jazz band experience. Big enough to take the roof off, compact enough to share a moderately sized taxi on the way home.

5.30pm - Thort Crimes

Thort Crimes is an intriguing instrumental outfit, combining everything from Progressive Rock, Jazz, Funk and Pop styles all pulled together and danced over by spoken word snippets.

4.30pm - Shades of Silver

A gang of serious and seasoned jazz musicians, although not that serious between songs, delivering a collection of favourites from across eras and ages.

Their set takes in deep jazz grooves and blue note flavours, familiar sounds and underground choices.

3.45pm - Big Daddy Mortgage

A one-off, improvised and off-the-wall set from the Turner-Moss school of expecting the unexpected. I could try to describe the sort of thing you should expect, but it probably wouldn’t make much sense. Best to head along and prepare to be baffled, beguiled, bemused, entertained and enthused in equal measure. Whatever you end up experiencing, you are not likely to forget it.

2.45pm - Grasslands

A heady fusion of alternative rock, electronica, found sounds and folk pollinated with information about meadows, grasses and the environment, Grasslands has been a regular and weirder part of the Swindon gig circuit since 2016. Forged from gentle folktronica blends, ambient soundscapes, experimental improvisation, and wildlife-themed between song lectures and raves featuring toy animals and fluffy wolf hats, unpredictability is a key part of the Grasslands performance. .

S A T U R D A Y

2pm - Emma Doupé 1.15pm Stic Basin in Dub

Emma Doupé is an American-born You’ll know him from bands such as Restaurant For Dogs, songwriter who has been making music Shriekback, and, of course, XTC, so you will be pleased to for the past eight years. The hallmark of hear that Barry Andrews returns to Barristocats with his Stic her sets is her powerhouse vocals and her Basin project and, this time, a dub-infused take on his usual multi-instrumentalist creations which see her genre-hopping eclectics. wander between keyboard, auto-harp and looper. Having studied everything from classical opera to metal, country to rock, Commercial Rd - Saturday afternoon you’ll hear many genres, eras, sounds, and Noon to 4pm - See page 5 for line-up styles.

PROSPECT HOSPICE SHOP,

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Old Town Residents Association

O.T.R.A

A group to facilitate discussion and representation on the Old Town hill for over 50 years

Come and join us on Facebook or at our monthly meetings facebook.com/groups/oldtownresidents

Proud to support Swindon Shuffle

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CLASH FI Thursday 14 September The Hop

The Tuppenny

Friday 15 September The Victoria

The Hop

The Castle

The T

13:00

1 T

14:00

1 Sienna

15:00

1 Englis

16:00

1 Dav

1 Harm

17:00

1 Fa

18:00 19:00 20:00

19:15 Talking Cobra 20:00 Thort Crimes 20:45 Bone Chapel

21:00 22:00

21:30 Will Lawton & The Alchemists 22:15 Subject A

23:00

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19:30 Drew Bryant 20:15 Jim Blair 21:00 Jules Hill 21:45 Canute’s Plastic Army

19:45 I See Orange 20:30 Trippy Kicks 21:15 Chasing Dolls 22:00 Viduals 22:45 All Ears Avow

Swindon Folk Club Stage Doors 7.45 pm for 8pm start event will include open floor spots and a raffle

1 Richard A 19:15 Non-Aplomb

20:00 Will Bridge

20:00 The Leon Daye Band

20:55 Discovery

20:45 The Wheel 2!

22:00 Jol Rose & Rachael Birkin

21:30 Cooper Creek 22:15 Splat The Rat

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SH FINDER

astle

15 lomb

00 Daye d

Saturday 16 September The Tuppenny

The Beehive

The Castle

The Tuppenny The Beehive 13:00 Meg

14:00 Tildy

13:45 Adam Woodhouse

14:45 Sienna Wileman

14:30 Shedric

15:30 English Weather

15:15 Fly Yeti Fly

16:15 David Lynch

18:00 Black Sheep Apprentice

17:45 Fast Trains 18:30 Richard Wileman & Amy Fry

16:30 Sayers 17:15 Jol Rose

17:00 Harmony Asia

18:45 Somerset Velvet 19:15 Deadlight Dance 20:00 Liddington Hill 20:45 Lonely Road

45 eel 2!

21:30 Atari Pilot

30 Creek

5 e Rat

The Vic

Sunday 17 September

22:15 Concrete Prairie

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19:45 Hatchets 20:30 Serafine 21:15 Life in Mono 22:00 Phantom Droid

22:45 Modern Faces

19:15 Riviera Arcade 20:00 Sebastian & Me 20:45 MirroredFaces 21:30 Moon

22:15 Stay Lunar

19:30 THUD 20:15 Matt Owens & The Delusional Vanity Project

Fringe and DJ Sets A full rundown of all the fringe and DJ events taking place across the town during the weekend can be found on page 24

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