2014 has been an awesome year for music in Barnsley. The current scene is triving, despite only having few music venues and promoters. The solo artists and bands we have now, comprise a scene so varied and full of talent that it’s never been better. This year also saw some international acts play in town, such as Frank Turner, Richard Thompson and even the Puppini Sisters!
2015 will see just a much talent again hitting the pubs, clubs and fields. I caught up with some of the local promoters and venues to find out some of the highlights for the first couple of months of 2015.
FAKE THACKRAY @ BARNSLEY FOLK CLUB, THE TRADES CLUB
12th JANUARY – donations taken mid-set
John Watterson has been playing the songs of Jake Thackray in clubs, arts centres, festivals and after dinner venues and – most specially – to members of Jake’s family. Jake Thackray was an English singer-songwriter, poet and journalist. Best known in the late 1960s and early 1970s for his topical comedy songs performed on British television, his work ranged from satirical to bawdy to sentimental to pastoral, with a strong emphasis on storytelling, making him difficult to pigeonhole.
http://www.fakethackray.com
www.jakethackray.com
CLAY GARDEN @ BARNSLEY ROCK & BLUES VENUES (FORMERLY THE POLISH CLUB)
16th JANUARY – £3 on the door
With support from YELLOW ELEVATORS, THIS CONDITION and PUSHER (ACOUSTIC)
Alternative Barnsley puts on their first event of 2015 with four acts from Barnsley’s thriving psychedelic rock scene, headlined by the formidable Clay Garden in their first headline gig at The Polish. One of the most talked about Barnsley bands right now, Pusher, play an exclusive acoustic set.
www.facebook.com/events/691979380883990/
SPY EYE E.P. LAUNCH @ THE UNDERGROUND
23rd JAN – free entry
Local alt-rock band Spy Eye launch their debut EP, ‘Constants and Variables’. Support comes form THE AMALGAMATIONS, who play their first gig.
SLIPKNOWT @ BARNSLEY ROCK & BLUES VENUES (FORMERLY THE POLISH CLUB)
6th FEBRUARY / £5 on the door
Slipknowt are the UKs newest and fastest rising tribute to Slipknot. Based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Slipknowt are 9 seasoned musicians from other Tribute and original bands brought together by a love of Slipknot. Expect everything you’d get from a real Slipknot show – Masks, uniforms, pyros and of course beer kegs.
https://www.facebook.com/events/295972640579144/
BURN DOWN THE DISCO PRESENTS…
DESERT MOTEL CLUB, RAOUL DUKES and BEAR CHEST @ OPIUM NO.10
7th FEBRUARY
BDTD’s first gig of the year sees two popular acts return and support from new local Motorcycle Rockers, Bear Chest.
ALERNATIVE BARNSLEY PRESENTS…
THE VERALS, BUL IN THE WHISKY SHOP, 10 FLAWS DOWN and OUTSIDER
13th FEBRUARY
A showcase of four of the best new and young alternative rock bands from the around the region.
SLEAFORD MODS @ THE UNDERGROUND
28th FEBRUARY – tickets £11 advance
With support from THE HURRIERS, CLAY GARDEN and VELCRO TEDDY BEARS
One of the bands of the year, Sleaford Mods play Barnsley on their UK tour. The Guardian named their album Divide & Exit the 10th best of 2014 and Mojo Magazine named it the 3rd best. See three of Barnsley best support them. Tickets available here > http://www.seetickets.com/event/sleaford-mods/the-londoner/819836/
TURN IT UP @ BARNSLEY ROCK & BLUES VENUE (FORMERLY THE POLISH CLUB)
28th FEB / £4 advance
A stellar line-up featuring the best of local and regional alternative rock in aid of Yorkshire Air Ambulance, featuring CAVORTS, MR SHIRAZ, VITA SOUNDS PROJECT, THE LOCK & KEYS, ANTESAINT, DROP DEAD ANGUS, KEIFER and for one night only, the return of COCEAN. One more band to be announced shortly. www.facebook.com/events/781726191878506/
DODWORTH ROCKS FOR LEE NOBLE
28th / free entry – donations for charity
12 hours of live music and fundraising in aid of local boxer Lee Noble, help him fight his battle with Leukaemia. The event is spread out over two venues, Dodworth Central Social Club and The Station Inn. Live performances from; MAD DOGS & ENGLISHMEN, SOULPRINT, THE HEARTS, INVISIBLE GREASE, PEER PRESSURE, VELCRO TEDDY BEARS, JAKE WOODHAMS, ROUTE 118, SUBJECT, UNDER THE INFLUENCE, FERAL INDIE, NOWHERE NEAR LONDON, ALAN ALFIE BOWER, KAI TAYLOR, SONNET, DANNY SMART and the Foo Fighters tribute, IN YOUR HONOUR.
ALTERNATIVE BARNSLEY PRESENTS…
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY WEEKEND @ THE POLISH CLUB
7th MARCH – £3 on the door
To mark International Women’s Day on the March 8th, we will be showcasing some of the town’s finest female solo artists and female fronted bands, including AZTEC DOLL, LAUREN TATE, ANTESAINT, LAURA KELLY, HARRIET ROSE GRANT and more to be announced.
BOB FOX: AN EVENING WITH THE WARHORSE SONGMAN @ BARNSLEY CIVIC
7th MARCH – Tickets: £12 / £10 (full price/concessions)
Bob Fox has been one of the UK’s most influencial fox musicians of the last 40 years. He has played the role of songman in WarHorse for the past three years, both in the West End and currently in the UK/Ireland and South Africa touring production.
Join him as he performs the songs from the multi award winning smash hit WarHorse, with additional material from his own personal repertoire – a number of stories and songs built up from his forty year career in the music industry. This event is a great opportunity to see one of the finest exponents of storytelling through song. www.bobfoxmusic.com
JAKE SHARPE BAND @ BARNSLEY ROCK & BLUES VENUES (FORMERLY THE POLISH CLUB)
14th MARCH
Short-listed for both best solo act and best band (!) at the 2014 Barnsley Music Awards, Jake Sharpe and his band plays his first headline set at The Polish Club. Support to be announced soon.
KATHRYN ROBERTS AND SEAN LAKEMAN: TOMORROW WILL FOLLOW TODAY @ BARNSLEY CIVIC
10th APRIL – Tickets: £14.50 (no concessions)
Barnsley born Kathryn, originally performed as a duo with Kate Rusby and later as part of the group Equation with Rusby and the Lakeman brothers. With Sean Lakeman, they became two of the British folk scene’s most accomplished performers, releasing two albums together before twin daughters forced them into hiatus.
They returned in 2012 with the highly acclaimed album, ‘Hidden People’ and in 2013, they were crowned Best Duo at 2013 BBC Folk Awards. They return to The Civic for the second year running to performs songs from their forthcoming fourth studio album. www.kathrynrobertsandseanlakeman.com
CASH @ BARNSLEY ROCK & BLUES VENUES (FORMERLY THE POLISH CLUB)
25th APRIL
London based Johnny Cash tribute CASH make a whistle-stop appearance in Barnsley. Front-man Ben, is originally from Yorkshire. cashbandlondon.co.uk
To keep up to date with all of the venues and promoters listed above, do so via the following links:
www.barnsleycivic.co.uk
www.facebook.com/burndownthediscouk
www.facebook.com/undergroundbarnsley
www.barnsleyfolk.org.uk
www.barnsleyrockandblues.moonfruit.com (The Polish Club)
Alternative Barnsley 