FIRST STOP FESTIVAL - NOVA TWINS + EDEN ROYALS TO HEADLINE Get set for The First Stop Festival - 26th March. This has got to be one of the greatest line ups seen yet in the Thurrock scene. Head liners Nova Twins are making the dĂŠbut performance at The Traitors Gate having made waves in the London scene of late - leading to their short-listing for Glastonbury festival this summer! Described by Alex baker (Kerrang) as creating a whole new genre - 'Urban Punk' these girls are not to be missed - their dĂŠbut single - 'BassLine Bitch' has been a internet hit & has been filling venues through out London - hard hitting & edgy with a grimy edge Nova twins are guaranteed to get you bouncing! Second head liners are none other than local favourites Eden Royals - many of you will remember there energetic Indie/Dance style from their previous floor filling performances in the last few months.
Recently signed to Cutmore records Eden Royals have been hard at work both in the studio & out gigging gaining legions of new fans. Their latest single 'Closer to The Sun' is available now on I Tunes & has been gaining rave reviews from industry insiders - one to watch for 2016. Also playing are: Tall tree tales - Chelmsford based super folk group will be hitting the stage with their upbeat acoustic styling's which will have you cheering for more! Muertos - Alternative Southend based band who take influences from the darker end of the freak-beat & garage psych genres. Different People - Another Thurrock based band destined for great things, recently signed to Backwater Channels & currently gigging there way through South Essex. Wax Colour - Essex new comers who played there very first gig at The Traitors Gate in only January. Luke Sanders - Thurrock based singer/songwriter Luke has been busy writing new material recently check his Facebook Page to keep up to date.
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: INDIGO, TRAITORS ROCKS!, DIFFERENT PEOPLE FIGURES, GIG LISTINGS, DRUMMING LESSONS, TALL DARK FRIEND & MORE!!
INDIGO – SCENE NAME CHANGERS Thurrock rockers 'Indigo' will be gigging under the name of Courtesan as of this month (March). Having been recently confused with local indie band INDIGO - the local rockers felt it was necessary to undergo a re-branding. Check them out Thursday 17th Headlining ALT - Alternative Live Thursdays - Gimly says be there!
TRAITORS ROCKS AGAIN! Traitors Rocks! returned last Friday night showcasing some of the area's leading emerging talent. The original line up under went a slight change after 'Just Say Nay' dropped out at the 11th hour! luckily local rockers Indigo (soon to be courtesan!) were on hand to save the day! First up were the superb Southend based Minerva Falls - who as ever stole the show. Energetic front-man Ross delivering track after track of utter perfection! Next to hit the stage were Finding Miranda - veterans of the local scene smashing through their back catalogue of tracks including my personal favourite 'Karaoke Singers'. Its clear they have been in the practice studio recently as this was their tightest performance ive seen of them to date. Finally the before mentioned Indigo hit the stage - in what could have been their final performance under that alias!
ROSS, BEN, KAZ, IAN & JACK @ TRAITORS ROCKS!
IS IAN AUDITIONING FOR THE LATEST INSTALLEMENT OF ZOOLANDER?? BEN STILLER TAKE NOTE!
DIFFERENT PEOPLE SIGN FOR BACKWATER CHANNELS After much practice & a huge run of gigs in the local area recently local favourites 'Different People' have been signed by Essex based record label - Backwater Channels. Backwater Channels is the brain child of local industry veteran Barry Banks, Who has long been associated with the local music industry by offering his wide variety of skills including Recording, Photography & Music production. It seems like a natural move for Barry to start up his own indie label & we see big things coming his way. We will keep you posted of any new signings and movements within the label - check out Different Peoples latest gigs via their Facebook page.
LOCAL FAVOURITES – FIGURES – TAKE OVER THE O2 Local scene makers Figures rocked the 02 academy in Islington this month (4th March) in there latest move into world domination! Having been firm favourites in the local scene last year, Figures made the big step into the London scene after there phenomenal EP release show at SAKS last year. But fear not rumours are circulating George, Jack & Jake are planning a one off show in the area very soon – its going to be a night to remember – keep your eyes & ears peeled for official dates.
COVERS BANDS GIGS @ TRAITORS GATE 18TH March – Filthy Gorgeous – traitors gate 9pm 25th March – Andy Robinson Band – traitors gate 9pm 1st April – All The Mods Conned – traitors gate 9pm
COVERS BANDS @ THE SHIP
18TH March – Roy Mette – The ship 9pm
THURROCK DRUMMING LESSONS Local drummer of Finding Miranda fame tony Buckley is starting his own drumming school, if your interested in getting involved contact Tony on -07951 728398. The lessons will take place @ the creative music studios in Horndon. Excellent rates plus discounts on block bookings. So if your band is suffering from the shortage of local drummers take the pro-active approach & learn some new skills!
TALL DARK FRIEND AKA JORDAN GRAY RETURNS TO THE VOICE Jordan Gray has made a shock return to the voice after her initial disappointment, when none of the judges turned their chairs ,during her first appearance on the show. To Jordan's delight she was called back and has now joined team Paloma on the hit BBC TV show. Jordan has been gigging in and around Thurrock and Essex under her stage name Tall Dark friend for the last decade. Many Thurrock residents will have seen her numerous appearances at Lakeside bar/restaurant Las iguanas as well as a host of other Music Venues , Pubs & clubs. Well known for her energetic and lively performances we fully expect her to be the star of the show. Book makers are currently touting Jordan at between 6-1 & 8-1 making her 5th favourite to win the show ahead of Romford based Lydia Lucy. However Jordan still has time on her side and with the full power of the press’s publicity machine behind her can still go on to win the competition – if fact at 8-1 we think its well worth a punt!
Jordan's next local show is this Thursday at Las Iguanas in Lakeside shopping centre where she will be taking to the stage with other BBC The Voice contestant Theo Llewellyn. The show starts at 9pm and is strictly 18+. For more details check out Jordan’s fan page – Tall Dark Friend on Facebook.
Fortify – Back in The Studio Local Alternative Rockers Fortify have been back in the studio recording new material this month. The five piece band based in Thurrock have been putting together an ever more impressive catalogue of material since forming last year. We are hoping they get out in the local scene soon! You can catch Guitarist Kieran at the KC Music Unplugged night at The Wharf pub along side local promoter Beth Saturday 19th March. Other acts expected to perform on the night are singer songwriter Ren Stedman & The pretty visitors . The night kicks off at 8:30pm.
In a Band? Contact Our Facebook Page Thurrock Scene & Send Over Any News or Up & Coming Local Gigs To Be Mentioned in Next Months Issue
REN STEDMAN – UNDISCOVERED FINALIST Thurrock based Singer/Songwriter Ren Stedman mad it all the way to this years Undiscovered finals at Chinnerys in Southend. Unfortunately he did not take the crown on the night. Ren said of the gig: “Gutted that i lost the finals of Undiscovered competition, but so happy that i finally got to play at Chinnerys! I'm not usually fond of music competitions as there always looking for typical X Factor style artists, but Undiscovered really welcomed originality and
Songwriters, so i feel really privileged to have made it all the way to the finals.” On the night it was Otoko that walked away with this years crown beating Ren, Katie Forkings and Shavargo. Theres always next year and with a plethora of talent coming through from our own little corner of Essex maybe next year a Thurrock act will take the title!
MARCH GIGS AT THE TRAITORS GATE - GRAYS
THURSDAY MARCH 17TH – ALT – COURTESANS & BAD FLOWERS FRIDAY MARCH 18TH – FILTHY GORGEOUS SATURDAY MARCH 19TH – ACOUSTIC SINGER/SONGWRITER NIGHT – DANE GLASBY, EMY LEE PARSONS & SARAH REEVES FRIDAY MARCH 25TH – ANDY ROBINSON BAND – COVERS SATURDAY MARCH 26TH – FIRST STOP FESTIVAL SUNDAY MARCH 27TH – AMY MOTRAM – SINGER - COVERS