THURSDAY 29TH MARCH Astor Community Theatre Deal WINE TASTING: CHAPEL DOWN wines SHOW STARTS 7.30PM The Chambers Folkestone Estelle May Heading Up Chambers 2018 Easter Ale Festival Theatre Royal Margate THANET GANG SHOW 2018 29th-2nd April
Priory-Hotel Dover Normans Daughter Railway Bell Dover Gizmo Karaoke The Albion Ashford Old Town Souls The Chambers Folkestone Chambers Easter Ale Festival 2018 29 Mar-2 April Theatre Royal Margate 29 MAR - 2 APR THANET GANG SHOW 2018
FRIDAY 30TH MARCH Astor Community Theatre Deal DIRTY STOP OUTS-This bank holiday Friday; discover the best commercial club night!! Leas Cliff Hall Theatre Folkestone Money For Nothing-Dire Straits Margate Winter Gardens Theatre Thanet Beer Festival 30 MAR, 2018 - 31 MAR, 2018 MayFly Hawkinge Heroes Old Endeavour Dover Barry Goss 8.30pm
SATURDAY 31ST MARCH Astor Community Theatre Deal THE BARRETT BROTHERS Bull Inn Dover Gold Top Cheriton Oddfellows Folkestone New Tribute Nights 2018-Cliff Castle as Elvis Cheriton Oddfellows Folkestone Cliff Castle as Elvis Tribute Show Crown & Sceptre Dover Old Town Souls
Eagle Pub Dover Shameless
Railway Bell Dover Heroes Full Band LIVE!
Globe Hythe Live Band
The Chambers Folkestone Chambers Easter Ale Festival 2018 29 Mar-2 April
Locomotive Ashford Heroes Full Band Oddfellows Club Cheriton ELVIS Tribute with Cliff Castle Park Inn Hotel Folkestone User Friendly Band Prince Of Wales Hythe Little BAZ Disco Karaoke Priory-Hotel Dover Deep Blue Sea FREE Gig Railway Bell Dover A-TEES Easter Gig The Chambers Folkestone Chambers Easter Ale Festival 2018 29 Mar-2 April
SUNDAY 1ST APRIL Grand The Leas Folkestone Classic Live Jazz with Ian Shawcross Grand The Leas Folkestone Live Pianist Every Sunday 12-3pm Old Endeavour Dover Thom Cakebread 3-5pm plus Pilgrims Charity Auction from 6pm
Gillespies Folkestone Harbour 2am Disco Tickled Trout Wye The Normans
MONDAY 2ND APRIL Crown & Sceptre Dover User Friendly Band The Chambers Folkestone CHAMBERS Easter Ale Festival 2018 29 Mar-2 April
WEDNESDAY 4TH APRIL Astor Community Theatre Deal DEAL SAVOYARDS PRESENT THE SORCERER: A COMIC OPERA BY GILBERT & SULLIVAN
THURSDAY 5TH APRIL Butt Of Sherry Hythe High Street Jack Pound Open Stage Roadshow Leas Cliff Hall Theatre Folkestone You Win Again – Celebrating the Music of The Bee Gees
Priory-Hotel Dover Colin Hinds Open Mic Night
FRIDAY 6TH APRIL Chambers Folkestone F.U.S.S Sunday Service + Fajita Friday Special! Grand The Leas Folkestone Company Of 12 One Act Supper Theatre
SATURDAY 7TH APRIL Boars Head Dover Heroes Duo Bull Inn Dover Miami Vice 80’s New Band Formed Chambers Folkestone Strictly 80’s De La War Pavillion Bexhill “PHIL MCINTYRE ENTERTAINMENTS PRESENT Comedy- MILTON JONES IS OUT THERE”
Leas Cliff Hall Theatre Folkestone Comedy-Milton Jones is Out There
Eagle Pub Dover Resident Karaoke/Disco
Priory-Hotel Dover BRUISE
Globe Hythe Indigo Stone
Railway Bell Dover Gizmo Karaoke Every Friday
Grand The Leas Folkestone Company Of 12 One Act Supper Theatre
The Albion Ashford Bitten By Monkeys Theatre Royal Margate ALICE IN WONDERLAND 6th & 7th April Valiant Sailor Capel Folkestone Brad Pittance and The Pirates
Leas Cliff Hall Theatre Folkestone The Magic of Motown Old Endeavour Dover Cuda Classic/Rock Park Inn Hotel Folkestone Copacetic Rock Band
Prince Of Wales Hythe Marty Russel Priory-Hotel Dover Absolute Faith Quarterhouse Folkestone Music-This is Psychedelia”Melting Vinyl” Railway Bell Dover Ozzie & The Ugglies Ratling Social Aylesham A-Tees Band Royal Cheriton The Latter The Albion Ashford Webbo’s Dusty Disco 70’s 80’s Three Cups Dover The Vegasettes
SUNDAY 8TH APRIL Astor Community Theatre Deal Sunday Classics 2.30pm Cin Cin Bar Deal Heroes Duo 3pm Grand The Leas Folkestone Live Pianist Every Sunday 12-3pm Margate Winter Gardens Theatre Public Service Broadcasting(standing Concert) Priory-Hotel Dover Tom Clarke Band Gillespies Folkestone Harbour Live band
MONDAY 9TH APRIL Marlowe Theatre Canterbury Fastlove - A Tribute to George Michael
TUESDAY 10TH APRIL Marlowe Theatre Canterbury The Sensational 60s Experience
Grand The Leas Folkestone Classic Live Jazz with Ian Shawcross Leas Cliff Hall Theatre Folkestone Comedy-Ed Byrne: Spoiler Alert Marlowe Theatre Canterbury Oklahoma! Marlowe Theatre Canterbury Tony Law-A unique brand of stand-up. Marlowe Theatre Canterbury Theatre-Oklahoma!12-14th
THURSDAY 12TH APRIL Astor Community Theatre Deal LDN Wrestling 6.30PM Chambers Folkestone Nick Lawrence
Priory-Hotel Dover Colin Hinds Open Mic Night
FRIDAY 13TH APRIL Astor Community Theatre Deal Jeff MCBride-Magic Show from Las Vegas! 13th-14th Priory-Hotel Dover Your Shout Railway Bell Dover Gizmo Karaoke Every Friday
The Albion Ashford Dave La
SATURDAY 14TH APRIL Astor Community Theatre Deal Kast Off Kinks 2018 Tour Bull Inn Dover Left Of The Dial
Chambers Folkestone Love Is The Message Josh Rhamen De La War Pavillion Bexhill Beth Hart In Concert -sold out! Eagle Pub Dover Blimey Coyote Globe Hythe Four Star Fire Margate Winter Gardens Theatre MARGATE COMIC ART FESTIVAL 14-15th
Chambers Folkestone Will Wisson Tour DON’T MISS This Gig! De La War Pavillion Bexhill ED BYRNE- SPOILER ALERT Leas Cliff Hall Theatre Folkestone “BETH HART In Concert “ Priory-Hotel Dover Paul Lamb & The Detroit Breakdown
FRIDAY 20TH APRIL
Oddfellows Club Cheriton Nick Bosworth 5 Decades of Popular music
Astor Community Theatre Deal Putting On The Ritz Tea Dance 2pm
Park Inn Hotel Folkestone Gridlock rock
Astor Community Theatre Deal Maggie Bell and Dave Kelly
Prince Of Wales Hythe Howlin Wolves
Chambers Folkestone Pumped Up Kicks
Priory-Hotel Dover User Friendly Band
Leas Cliff Hall Theatre Folkestone Bobby Socks & Blue Jeans
Railway Bell Dover Shameless Rock/Pop Covers Band
Priory-Hotel Dover The Grimms
The Albion Ashford The FIX
Railway Bell Dover Gizmo Karaoke Every Friday
Valiant Sailor Capel Folkestone Barrett Brothers LIVE! “Mexican Night”
The Albion Ashford Broken Rock The Albion!
SUNDAY 15TH APRIL Old Endeavour Dover Chris Barwell 4-6pm Port Arms Deal Heroes Full Band 7pm Gillespies Folkestone Harbour Electric Beatles
WEDNESDAY 18TH APRIL Booking Hall Dover BAD MANNERS Live In Dover! £17
THURSDAY 19TH APRIL Astor Community Theatre Deal Astor PALM COURT ORCHESTRA 2pm Astor Community Theatre Deal Tom Stade-Comedy Get ready for another epic blast of Tom Stade! Butt Of Sherry Hythe High Street Jack Pound Open Stage Theme Time Thursdays
SATURDAY 21ST APRIL Astor Community Theatre Deal Colin Blunstone Bull Inn Dover Live Music Tbc Eagle Pub Dover Hey Rudi ska, reggae, and blue beat band from dover Globe Hythe Rocker GoldenArrow Sandgate Folkestone A-Tees Band Leas Cliff Hall Theatre Folkestone Live at the Leas - Rock Local Bands Black Orchid Empire, More Than Human - U.K., The Self-Titled and Malagodi. Margate Winter Gardens Theatre BILL BAILEY – LARKS IN TRANSIT Park Inn Hotel Folkestone Live’n’kickin Rock Band Prince Of Wales Hythe Debbies Disco Priory-Hotel Dover Jamie Williams & The Roots Collective
Railway Bell Dover User Friendly Band The Albion Ashford Howlin Wolves Valiant Sailor Capel Folkestone Karaoke
SUNDAY 22ND APRIL Astor Community Theatre Deal DEAL RECORD & CD FAIR 9.30am-3.30pm Gillespies Pub Folkestone Harbour Heroes Full Band 6pm Grand The Leas Folkestone Live Pianist Every Sunday 12-3pm Leas Cliff Hall Theatre Folkestone OPERA-Ellen Kent: Madama Butterfly Marlowe Theatre Canterbury Ed Byrne: Spoiler Alert Priory-Hotel Dover Defrenche Acoustic Duo Gillespies Pub Folkestone Harbour Heroes
MONDAY 23RD APRIL Old Endeavour Dover St Georges Day DRINK DEALS
TUESDAY 24TH APRIL Marlowe Theatre Canterbury Brian Conley: Still The Greatest Entertainer
WEDNESDAY 25TH APRIL Marlowe Theatre Canterbury DollyWould Priory-Hotel Dover RHINO’S REVENGE TOUR Tickets
THURSDAY 26TH APRIL Astor Community Theatre Deal WINE TASTING DELUXE WINES 7.30pm Chambers Folkestone Kris Dollimore Grand The Leas Folkestone Classic Live Jazz with Ian Shawcross Marlowe Theatre Canterbury Theatre-The Jungle Book 26-29th Priory-Hotel Dover Colin Hinds Open Mic Night
FRIDAY 27TH APRIL Astor Community Theatre Deal MADDY PRIOR IN CONCERT WITH HANNAH JAMES & GILES LEWIN Chambers Folkestone Singularities-Dave Dekker Margate Winter Gardens Theatre SWAN LAKE – VIENNA FESTIVAL BALLET Priory-Hotel Dover Normans Daughter Railway Bell Dover Gizmo Karaoke Every Friday
The Albion Ashford Delirious Since Sunrise 5 Piece Rock/ Pop Covers Band Theatre Royal Margate 27- 28 SILVER’S SPECTACULAR AN EVENING OF MUSIC, SONG AND DANCE
SATURDAY 28TH APRIL
Oddfellows Club Cheriton SO WHAT ?Band Old Endeavour Dover Old Town Souls Band “Kevin Iverson” 9pm Park Inn Hotel Folkestone Heroes Prince Of Wales Hythe Blimey Coyote
Astor Community Theatre Deal PRIVATE WIDDLE SOCIAL CLUB
Priory-Hotel Dover The Blue Bishops
Blue Martini Folkestone Floor Fillers “The 80s Reeboot” on 105.9 Academy FM
Railway Bell Dover Sin City Angels High Voltage Rock n Roll - Southern Rock, Classic
Bull Inn Dover Quizco
The Albion Ashford FourStarFire
Chambers Folkestone Super Fresco
Valiant Sailor Capel Folkestone Sam Brothers
Eagle Pub Dover Resident Karaoke/Disco Globe Hythe Copacetic Leas Cliff Hall Theatre Folkestone Wannabe - The Spice Girls Show
SUNDAY 29TH APRIL Grand The Leas Folkestone Live Pianist Every Sunday 12-3pm Leas Cliff Hall Theatre Folkestone An Audience with Katie Price
Old Endeavour Dover Kevin Iverson from 4-6pm Port Arms Deal User Friendly Band Priory-Hotel Dover De Frenche Acoustic Duo Gillespies Folkestone Harbour Stoned
MONDAY 30TH APRIL Astor Community Theatre Deal THE LAST PICTURE CLUB PRESENTS VICTORIA & ABDUL(Judi Dench & Ali Fazal) Leas Cliff Hall Theatre Folkestone Sarah and Duck’s Big Top Birthday Marlowe Theatre Canterbury Theatre-Mozart: The Marriage Of Figaro
TUESDAY 1ST MAY Marlowe Theatre Canterbury Il tabarro & Gianni Schicchi-A stunning Puccini double bill.
WEDNESDAY 2ND MAY Leas Cliff Hall Theatre Folkestone Breaking Waves-hosted by Folkestone Academy Marlowe Theatre Canterbury Jools Holland And His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
THURSDAY 3RD MAY Butt Of Sherry Hythe High Street Jack Pound Open Stage Roadshow Chambers Folkestone Royal Monster - Royal Blood Tribute
FRIDAY 4TH MAY Astor Community Theatre Deal BULSARA & HIS QUEENIES De La War Pavillion Bexhill DON MCLEAN-legendary singer-songwriter Leas Cliff Hall Theatre Folkestone Grumpy Old Women-Starring Jenny Eclair, Dillie Keane & Lizzie Roper Priory-Hotel Dover Howlin Wolves Railway Bell Dover Gizmo Karaoke Every Friday The Albion Ashford The Grimms hard driving, high energy British R & B band
SATURDAY 5TH MAY Astor Community Theatre Deal PATTI BOULAYE Bull Inn Dover Your Shout Rock Band Chambers Folkestone Dolly Doowop Dance Club Eagle Pub Dover Cuda Classic/Rock Globe Hythe So What Locomotive Ashford Heroes Duo Marlowe Theatre Canterbury Rat Pack Live Park Inn Hotel Folkestone As Is Now PETCHFEST Charity Music Fest”Phoenix Club Dover” Heroes Duo 3pm plus other Local Bands Prince Of Wales Hythe JAYLE Singer Priory-Hotel Dover New Traders
Railway Bell Dover Total Recall Band LIVE! The Albion Ashford Webbo’s Dusty Disco 70’s 80’s
SUNDAY 6TH MAY Astor Community Theatre Deal STEVEFEST 2018 2.30pm Grand The Leas Folkestone Classic Live Jazz with Ian Shawcross Grand The Leas Folkestone Live Pianist Every Sunday 12-3pm Old Endeavour Dover Johnny B Railway Bell Dover User Friendly Band The Albion Ashford Gumboots Reggae Band Gillespies Folkestone Harbour EK1
MONDAY 7TH MAY Grand The Leas Folkestone Nostalgia Day
Marlowe Theatre Canterbury Comedy-Joel Dommett: Live 2017
THURSDAY 10TH MAY Astor Community Theatre Deal Live Theatre-MACBETH BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE DIRECTED BY RUFUS NORRIS Chambers Folkestone The Heart Collectors De La War Pavillion Bexhill MATANA ROBERTS(Saxophonist) AND KELLY JAYNE JONES(flautist)
FRIDAY 11TH MAY Astor Community Theatre Deal THE AMY WINEHOUSE EXPERIENCE, AKA LIONESS Chambers Folkestone Lee Edginton Cinque Ports New Romney Heroes Duo Margate Winter Gardens Theatre HEATHER SMALL – THE VOICE OF M PEOPLE Priory-Hotel Dover BARBED Rock’s The Priory!
Grand The Leas Folkestone Classic Live Jazz with Ian Shawcross
Railway Bell Dover Gizmo Karaoke Every Friday
Leas Cliff Hall Theatre Folkestone Boot Led Zeppelin Tribute Show-To mark Led Zeppelin’s 50th anniversary
The Albion Ashford Dirty Channel Band
Priory-Hotel Dover Colin Hinds Open Mic Night
SATURDAY 12TH MAY Astor Community Theatre Deal THE BUDAPEST CAFE ORCHESTRA
Park Inn Hotel Folkestone Miami Vice 80’s Prince Of Wales Hythe Debbies Disco
Bull Inn Dover Karaoke Night
Priory-Hotel Dover Juicy Lucy Band
Chambers Folkestone Dave Grogan DJ
Quarterhouse Folkestone The Fish Police
Cricket Club Hawkinge Heroes Duo
Railway Bell Dover Lofty Harris Party Band
De La War Pavillion Bexhill BEXHILL CHORAL SOCIETY-BRAHMS’ REQUIEM
The Albion Ashford The Normans 4 piece party tunes cover band
Globe Hythe Spectrum
Valiant Sailor Capel Folkestone Gary Dean
Margate Winter Gardens Theatre MARGATE ROCK & BLUES 2018 Oddfellows Club Cheriton Mixed Emotions Duo
SUNDAY 13TH MAY Gillespies Folkestone Harbour Live band
TUESDAY 15TH MAY Grand The Leas Folkestone Live Pianist Every Sunday 12-3pm
WEDNESDAY 16TH MAY Quarterhouse Folkestone Beans On Toast
THURSDAY 17TH MAY Astor Community Theatre Deal Film-A CENTURY OF COAL 2018 Butt Of Sherry Hythe High Street Jack Pound Open Stage Theme Time
Astor Community Theatre Deal PEGGY LEE & FRIENDS Eagle Pub Dover The Ratzkins George Hotel Ashford Heroes Full Band Leas Cliff Hall Theatre Folkestone Jason Manford - Muddle Class Priory-Hotel Dover T-Project Railway Bell Dover Gizmo Karaoke Every Friday The Albion Ashford Hang Over Theatre Royal Margate CRIMES UNDER THE SUN
Thursdays De La War Pavillion Bexhill TALK-THE HAUNTED MOUSTACHE-BBC presenter David Bramwell Marlowe Theatre Canterbury Belshazzar’s Feast-One of the best-loved duos in folk music.
FRIDAY 18TH MAY
SATURDAY 19TH MAY Bull Inn Dover Mazz Rhodes Globe Hythe Valentino Tabasco Leas Cliff Hall Theatre Folkestone The SHIRES-The biggest selling UK country act of all time! Margate Winter Gardens Theatre
JASON MANFORD – MUDDLE CLASS
The Albion Ashford Howlin Wolves
Park Inn Hotel Folkestone AKA
Valiant Sailor Capel Folkestone 70’s 80’s Disco
Priory-Hotel Dover Your Shout Rock Band Railway Bell Dover Bad Penny Band
SUNDAY 20TH MAY Gillespies Pub Folkestone Harbour A-Tees Band FROM 6pm
Grand The Leas Folkestone Live Pianist Every Sunday 12-3pm
Priory-Hotel Dover The Warlords
Gillespies Folkestone Harbour Live band
Queens Head Pub Ashford Heroes Full Band
TUESDAY 22ND MAY Leas Cliff Hall Theatre Folkestone Cilla & The Shades of the 60s
THURSDAY 24TH MAY Chambers Folkestone Ivan’s AllStars Leas Cliff Hall Theatre Folkestone The Story of Guitar Heroes-Ultimate Guitar Show Priory-Hotel Dover Colin Hinds Open Mic Night
FRIDAY 25TH MAY
Railway Bell Dover Gizmo Karaoke Every Friday The Albion Ashford Old Town Souls Band “Kevin Iverson” 9pm
SATURDAY 26TH MAY Astor Community Theatre Deal Live Theatre- WHERE IS MRS CHRISTIE? STARRING LIZ GRAND Blue Martini Folkestone Floor Fillers “The 80s Reboot” on 105.9 Academy FM Bull Inn Dover Happy Daze Chambers Folkestone Strictly 80’s
Astor Community Theatre Deal COLDPLACE-Tribute Show
Crown & Sceptre Dover Old Town Souls
Chambers Folkestone Vinyl Frontier DJs
Eagle Pub Dover Where’s My Thing Awesome Rock/ Covers Band
De La War Pavillion Bexhill MARK THOMAS & FRIENDS-BENEFIT GIG(Line-up TBA) For local Charity Hastings Furniture Service.
Globe Hythe Guest Band
Littlebourne Social Club Heroes Duo Margate Winter Gardens Theatre CENTRAL BAND OF THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION
Leas Cliff Hall Theatre Folkestone The Chicago Blues Brothers - Back in Black Old Endeavour Dover Johnny B
Oddfellows Club Cheriton Chicory Tip Chart Topping 60’s Band
Plough Brabourne Lees Heroes Full Band 7pm
Park Inn Hotel Folkestone Funk Mutha
Priory-Hotel Dover Live Band 9pm
Prince Of Wales Hythe Barrys Karaoke
Railway Bell Dover Tom Clarke Band Rock/Blues/Funk/ Pop
Priory-Hotel Dover Jimmy-C Railway Bell Dover User Friendly Band The Albion Ashford Weekend Play Theatre Royal Margate DAD’S ARMY RADIO HOUR Valiant Sailor Capel Folkestone The Latter Acoustic Duo
SUNDAY 27TH MAY Grand The Leas Folkestone Live Pianist Every Sunday 12-3pm
The Albion Ashford Talking Book Valiant Sailor Capel Folkestone Thom Cakebread Gillespies Folkestone Harbour Live band
MONDAY 28TH MAY Astor Community Theatre Deal Film-CALL ME BY YOUR NAME Marlowe Theatre Canterbury Ben Folds And A Piano
quarterhouse.co.uk
Saturday 7 April
This is Psychedelia 2018 Death & Vanilla / Flamingods / Cobalt Chapel Dreamweaver / Snapped Ankles
A spectrum of creative artists from the sonic worlds of psychedelia. Saturday 12 May Normal? Festival of the Brain
The Fish Police
Four piece London band creating catchy uplifting pop. Playing as part of Normal? Festival of the Brain. Wednesday 16 May
Beans on Toast
Folk music’s hero returns with his songs of honest wit and observations of modern society. Tickets – Hot Salvation, Seetickets.com and Folkestone Quarterhouse on 01303 760 750
meltingvinyl.co.uk
WEDNESDAY 30TH MAY Marlowe Theatre Canterbury The Selfish Giant-Oscar Wilde’s classic tale re-imagined.
THURSDAY 31ST MAY Grand The Leas Folkestone Classic Live Jazz with Ian Shawcross
FRIDAY 1ST JUNE Astor Community Theatre Deal Music-WILD WILLY BARRETT’S FRENCH CONNECTION Eagle Pub Dover Kevin Iverson
Railway Bell Dover Electric Tortoise The Albion Ashford Webbo’s Dusty Disco 70’s 80’s Theatre Royal Margate LEGACY – THE STORY OF MARTIN LUTHER Tickled Trout Wye BEER Festival Heroes Duo-5pm Valiant Sailor Capel Folkestone More Than Echoes Alternative/Pop/ Acoustic Duo White Horse Pub Hawkinge A-Tees Band
SUNDAY 3RD JUNE
Leas Cliff Hall Theatre Folkestone Material Girl - The Madonna Story
Bull Inn Dover Left Of The Dial
Priory-Hotel Dover Lead Belly
Grand The Leas Folkestone Classic Live Jazz with Ian Shawcross
The Albion Ashford Live Band TBC
Old Endeavour Dover Chris Barwell 4-6pm Priory-Hotel Dover Live Band TBC 9pm
SATURDAY 2ND JUNE Bull Inn Dover Imperfect Strangers 9pm De La War Pavillion Bexhill STUFF X SPACE X TIME-FOR AGES 16+ Globe Hythe Wireless Leas Cliff Hall Theatre Folkestone ABBA Mania-The world’s No1 touring ABBA tribute production. Park Inn Hotel Folkestone Hotsy Totsy Return! Prince Of Wales Hythe Debbies Disco Priory-Hotel Dover Dead Man’s Corner(Bolt’z Band)
W3 Contact 01303 863050 facebook/w3 gigs
Five years since they were discovered playing a gig in a Bedfordshire pub, Ben Earle and Crissie Rhodes are now raising the bar in Nashville. Indeed, thanks to their two gold-certified record-breaking albums, Brave and My Universe, The Shires have become one of the most talked about acts in the home of country music. And now to the delight of their legions of fans on both sides of the Atlantic, they’re releasing their eagerly-anticipated third album Accidentally on Purpose, recorded in Nashville, which is set to win over a whole new mainstream audience with its fusion with pop. The duo are most excited by track Guilty, which they feel best sums of their new sound. “We both like to socialise, we’re both young and enjoy having a good time and going out with our friends,” explains Crissie. “We wanted to reflect that in our music so Guilty is definitely a sign of a change for us. It’s the kind of song I’d play before going out.” Perhaps the best illustration of why The Shires have become huge players in music, and not just country, is how some of the world’s top writers want to work with them – and they don’t come much bigger than Ed Sheeran. The global superstar provided his song ‘Stay The Night’ for their third album after seeking out Ben and Crissie at his Nashville concert last October, where he also got to see the latter’s drinking ability first hand. “Crissie and I went along to an after-party Ed was hosting after his concert at the Bridgestone Arena but she wasn’t feeling great,” explains Ben. “He told us he was familiar with our music and we were like ‘whoa, that’s incredible’. A few hours later I was about to leave and I saw Ed and his mates playing a drinking game with a girl who was downing beer out of a keg while doing a handstand, everyone was cheering – it was pretty mental. Then I did a double take and it was Crissie! Afterwards we said it would be great if we could work together in the future and a few days later he sent us his track Stay The Night.” Crissie added: “So basically my drinking ability got us an Ed Sheeran song!” Working with Ed shows just how far The Shires have come since Ben’s 2013 Facebook plea for a female singer with a mutual love of country to work with him. A year later they signed to Decca records and have gone on to play Glastonbury, tour with Irish chart-toppers The Corrs, presented awards at the C2C awards and become a staple of BBC Radio 2. The Shires also became the first UK act ever to win a prestigious CMA Award, the Jeff Walker Global Artist Award, which recognises achievements from artists outside of the US. “That was a huge honour,” said Crissie. “Definitely the highlight of the past two years, it’s such an amazing awards ceremony that celebrates achievements in country music.“ After five years of hard work, Ben and Crissie are now enjoying the fruits of their success - in and out of the studio. “The hotels and the tour buses have definitely increased in standard,” Ben jokes. “Crissie used to ferry her music gear around in this huge car – I used to call her ‘Soccer mum’. But now we’re fortunate to enjoy a bit of luxury on the road with our band.” However, neither of them can ever be accused of over indulgence now the royalty cheques have come in. Ben, 30, said: “Genuinely the last thing I spent a bit of money on was filters for my water purifier! I appreciate that’s pretty pathetic.” “It is,” Crissie adds. Given how much they’re appreciated in the US city, it’s easy to see why they both want to eventually lay down roots in Nashville. “We love it here,” beams Crissie, 29. “Hanging out and socialising in the bars. There’s such a good vibe out here right now and is the obvious place to be if you want to make it in the US. But the UK is our home and still very important to us.” It certainly is as The Shires will be playing a 23-date UK tour this year which includes a gig at the Royal Albert Hall on May 18. Fans will get a glimpse of their new material which features on Accidentally on Purpose, which comes out on April 20. The title track is a song Crissie wrote about a holiday romance after a relationship which broke down over the past year. The Bedfordshire-born singer, who is currently single, is very open about her relationships with Ben as they have inspired songs featured on their three albums, including debut Brave which became the first UK country album to make the Top Ten in 2015. “In the writing sessions I can’t exactly hide anything,” she reveals. “We wrote Accidentally on Purpose on our last day in Nashville when I was deliberating whether to stay in town longer to spend time with a guy I’d met. Ben and I used all my thoughts in that situation and put them into the song – so you can see how Ben ends up knowing everything about my love life!” “It’s true,” Ben adds. “Everything always comes out in the writing process!” Being a male and female duo inevitably leads to speculation the duo are romantically involved. But as Ben, who has a young son called River with his long-term girlfriend and another baby on the way, explains, it’s never been on the cards. He said: “We’ve never seen each other like that, eww, no. We’re more like brother and sister.” Whatever the formula, it certainly works. See them at the Leas Cliff Hall on the 19th May ‘Accidentally on Purpose’ is due for release on 20th April 2018 through Decca Records.
There’s a star-studded line up this year at Kent’s biggest Sci-Fi event, Sci-fi By The Sea
As well as meeting guests from the world of sci-fi movies, TV and comics, ticket holders will be able to take in all sorts of other futuristic events
A star studded line-up for this year’s Sci-fi By The Sea has been announced by organisers. The BayPromoTeam have released details of their first guest announcements for the event which attracts around 10,000 people to Herne Bay each year. Eastenders actor Samantha Womack who also appeared in the Kingsman films, joins Torchwood actor Gareth David-Llloyd and the voice behind K-9 from the Dr Who series, John Leeson will all appear at the event, now in its sixth year. As well as meeting guests from the world of Sci-Fi movies, TV and comics, ticket holders will be able to take in all sorts of other events, including meeting Titan the Robot, Jurassic Loo, seeing sci-fi props and vehicles in the flesh, enjoying live music, meeting super heroes. The last of the V8 Interceptors is coming to Sci-Fi by the Sea, Herne Bay! Based on Max’s iconic interceptor from Mad Max 2, this car, “The Duck’s Guts”, will be on hand to disband any wannabe marauders that may be lurking amongst the crowds, but don’t worry he will be approachable on the day by all friendly wastelanders, just in case you fancy having a cheeky photo or two. The Robots Live Arena Event will also make up part of the day. Robot Wars series eight champion Apollo and longest Robot Wars competitor Behemoth will be scrapping in the arena, going metal on metal,along with other well equipped robots, ready for a fight to the death. “The quirkiness of the event also allows us to bring things in such things as replica vehicles from ‘The Fast & Furious’ and ‘Mad Max’ it’s a great value fun family day out for people of all ages as always. “There’ll also be further exciting guest announcements in the run up to the event.” Tickets are on sale now for our massive Sci-Fi day out, featuring, celebs, props, vehicles, stalls, music, Robot Wars fighting, dinosaurs, Titan the Robot and much more at www.ticketsource.co.uk/ baypromoteam and cost £10 for adults and £7 for children, with family tickets available too. Visit www.scifibythesea.co.uk for more info.