Kimberley-Anne Simmons

Ceremony 4.5 @ Bedford Esquires

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A sold out Ceremony 4.5 was back at Bedford Esquires on Saturday 1st February. It was part of the Independent Venue Week. The all dayer is curated by promotors who regularly put on shows throughout the year at the venue.

The all dayer is spread across two rooms so you have bands on constantly. Appearing throughout the day are some.of the best acts around including Divorce, Heartworms, Congratulations, Cucamaras, Kynsy, Y, Nightbus, Vanity Fairy, Wonderbug and Mynk.

Outside the venue was Fold Me Close Pizza who were cooking up some extra tasty pizzas.

Remember that Ceremony 5 is being hosted on June 7th with the full lineup to still be announced. Tickets are available on the link below.

https://www.seetickets.com/event/ceremony-5/bedford-esquires/3284799?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3cAvnoO0bIR3iMDwx-yDBNoY1G6kX1CB8C1q-WRVGqNuLo_ZNSFlfexHI_aem_5UlyVzZ05vM7as96h-Jm9A

All photos by Kane Howie Photography

The Horrors @ Bedford Esquires 27/11/2024

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Goth rockers The Horrors recently announced a small intimate UK tour. Their first show was at the legendary Bedford Esquires where 100s of bands have performed over the years. The show was a sell out which was not surprising. Unfortunately the support act PC World had technical difficulties so could not play.

The whole room was very dark and dingy with just a few lights barely flooding the stage. The Horrors frontman Faris Badwan stands tall and slim on stage with Rhys Webb on bass, Josh Hayward on guitar and new members Amelia Kidd on keys and Jordan Cook on drums. It was great to see these guys play in such a small intimate venue as I have seen them a few more times but at big festival stages so this was something special. Faris was still a great frontman who kept holding onto the lighting rails above and leaning into the crowd. They played a variety of songs from their new and upcoming sixth studio album called ‘Night Life’ and previous records. So far the new songs sound more like their earlier music. Their previous album ‘V’ was a more industrial sound. Unfortunately they did not play any songs from their debut album ‘Strange House’.

The crowd seemed to love their set and its great they have made more of a comeback after being quiet for a few years. Hopefully we will see more of the band next year after the release of the new album due out next year.

Set List

Whiplash

Three Decades

Mirrors Image

Machine

Trial By Fire

The Silence That Remains

Ghost

Scarlet Fields

Sea Within A Sea

Still Life

More Than Life

Who Can Say

ENCORE

Endless Blue

Something To Remember Me By

TRUCK FESTIVAL 2025 LINEUP

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Truck Festival have just announced their mega lineup for their 2025 July weekend at Hill Farm.

KASABIAN, COURTEENERS, 
NOTHING BUT THIEVES (UK FESTIVAL EXCLUSIVE)
+ BLOC PARTY ANNOUNCED AS 2025 HEADLINERS

THE LAST DINNER PARTY, BLOSSOMS, FRANZ FERDINAND
WUNDERHORSE, REYTONS, HARD LIFE, CMAT, SPORTS TEAM,
THE BIG MOON, FAT DOG, MAXIMO PARK, CORELLA
ALFIE TEMPLEMAN, LAMBRINI GIRLS, LIME GARDEN
ONLY THE POETS, LUVCAT, CHLOE SLATER, DAYDREAMERS 
CARDINALS, MOONCHILD SANELLY, ESME EMERSON, POLLY MONEY 
SEB LOWE, HOME COUNTIES, THE GUEST LIST
AND SPECIAL GUEST: NATASHA BEDINGFIELD
AMONGST NAMES REVEALED TODAY

SCOUTING FOR GIRLS, BARRIOKE (FEAT SHAUN WILLIAMSON)
THE OXFORD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, MR MOTIVATOR
BRING THE UNDENIABLE TRUCK SPIRIT FOR A WEEKEND LIKE NO OTHER

YOUR FAVOURITE ARTISTS’ FAVOURITE FESTIVAL
AN ATMOSPHERE LIKE NO OTHER: COMING TOGETHER FOR A WEEKEND OF INCREDIBLE LIVE MUSIC, LAUGH OUT LOUD FUN AND COUNTLESS NEW MEMORIES

24TH-27TH JULY 2025
HILL FARM, OXFORDSHIRE

THE BEST VALUE FESTIVAL WEEKEND IN THE UK!
PRE-SALE TICKETS ON-SALE FROM
6PM ON THURSDAY 28TH NOVEMBER

GENERAL SALE TICKETS ON-SALE FROM
10AM ON FRIDAY 29TH NOVEMBER

https://truckfestival.com/

TRUCK FESTIVAL 2024

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Nothing beats visiting Hill Farm in Oxfordshire for the amazing Truck Festival every July. This years line up is cracking! Idles headliner the Thursday night, Jamie T on the Friday, Wet Leg on Saturday and The Streets close the weekend on the Sunday.

After attending Truck for over ten years its mad to see how much its grown and the huge array of bands there is to offer. Like always getting into the festival is straight forward, there was barely any queueing to get in. The site layout has been similar for the last few years so it is always easy to navigate on where you need to be. The site is filled with several stages, fairground rides, food and drink stalls, shops and more.

One thing that I have always liked about the festival is the feelgood tent which is all run by locals supplying the hungry festival goers with comforting food in which all proceeds are raised for charity. Alongside this is various other food and drink vendors which serves something for everyone to enjoy.

Over the weekend I got to watch bands that I had seen before and also I got to discover new bands as well. Some of my highlights were Wet Leg, Fat Dog, Mandrake Handshake, English Teacher and Heartworms. Below are some photos of the whole weekend. Truck caters for all ages and is one not to miss. Early bird tickets for 2025 are available to purchase on the Truck site.

Truck Festival 2024 Preview

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It is finally that time again in just over a month when Truck Festival returns to Hill Farm in Oxfordshire.

Truck offer a huge amount or amazing bands, activities, food/drink and more for all ages.

This year’s headliners are IDLES, Jamie T, Wet Leg and The Streets.

Across the weekend over 100 bands will play on several stages. Here at Summer Festival Guide we have picked out some bands for you to check out.

Lexie Carroll – Market Stage -Friday-14.45

Orchards- The Nest- Friday-17.45

NewDad- Truck Stage- Friday-16.15

86TVs-Market Stage- Saturday-16.45

SOFY- Truck Stage- Saturday- 15.15

Office For Personal Development- V&V Saturday-18.15

Coach Party- Truck Stage- Sunday-14.15

Dog Race- Market Stage- Sunday-12.45

Heartworms-The Nest- Sunday- 17.45

We hope you have a great time at Truck Festival 2024. It’s an unforgettable festival that we visit year after year.

For all stage times etc download the official Truck Festival App where you can create your own schedule and more.

Bombay Bicycle Club @ Cambridge Junction 10/02/2024

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Back in 2008 at The Roundhouse in Camden on a Saturday afternoon at Artrocker’s all ages club was the first time that I witnessed the amazing indie rock band Bombay Bicycle Club. I always remember it being a great show and have seen the band grow over the years with becoming more successful in the music industry. They were also the first band that I got to photograph for Artrocker Magazine so they have a special place in my life.

As part of their UK tour they stopped off at Cambridge Corn Exchange on a Saturday night for a sold out show. When attending the show it was great to find refuge from the rain and to see everyone eagerly awaiting for the music. Throughout the night was DJ Chux playing music to entertain the crowd between bands.

Supporting act was Lime Garden who are an indie rock band from Brighton, consisting of members Chloe Howard, Leila Deeley, Tippi Morgan and Annabel Whittle. The band were stood across the front of the stage and performed a selection of songs. Their debut album ‘One More Thing’ is out on the 24th February across all platforms. They are also doing a UK tour in February/March.

The stage was decorated with colourful streamers (like the old ones you hang in doors to stop the flies coming in), balloons and big 3D lights saying ‘MY BIG DAY’.

When Bombay Bicycle Club hit the stage the members entered the stage and frontman Jack came out holding two confetti cannons which he shot out over the audience. First up was ‘Just a Little More Time’ which really got the crowd going. The four members were joined with other musicians playing saxophone, trumpets etc. They were also joined by Olive Jones who was vocalist for songs such as ‘Tekken 2’ and a cover of Selena Gomez’s ‘Lose You To Love You’.

Throughout the evening the band played songs from the new album and back catalogue and also ‘Fantasneeze’ which is a song from their upcoming EP.

Later in the performance the band disappeared leaving Jack to do a solo acoustic version of ‘Dust On The Ground’. The band finish with ‘Shuffle’ which is a fan favourite. Then there is an encore which they come back on stage to finish with two more songs including their most loved song ‘Always Like This’.

Its clear to see that the band love playing music and have really nailed their live sets. It will be great to hopefully see the band again in the near future and look forward to hearing their new EP.

Review and Photos by Kane Howie

Circa Waves @ Bedford Esquires 31/01/2024

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After a reschedule of an October 2023 tour Circa Waves finally kicked off their Underplay UK tour where they played at intimate venues across the country. One of the nights was at legendary Bedford Esquires which is host to hundreds of bands each year showcasing some of the hottest upcoming bands. Circa Waves were supported by rock band Cusp. For each show on the tour the band included a foodbank in which you could donate items too. The show was sold out and was a great night.

Truck Festival announce their huge 2024 lineup!!

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JAMIE T, WET LEG, THE STREETS AND IDLES 
ANNOUNCED AS HEADLINERS OF TRUCK FESTIVAL 2024

THE KOOKS, DECLAN MCKENNA, YARD ACT, HOLLY HUMBERSTONE
SEA GIRLS, BLACK HONEY, PEACE, THE SNUTS, SOFT PLAY
THE MYSTERINES, SUNDARA KARMA, ENGLISH TEACHER, 
THE MAGIC GANG, WILLIE J HEALEY, BOB VYLAN, FAT DOG, 
LIME GARDEN, KATY B, NEWDAD, NIEVE ELLA, ANTONY SZMIEREK,
FOLLY GROUP, DIVORCE, THE WYTCHES, THE ROYSTON CLUB
BEEN STELLAR, COACH PARTY, THE PIGEON DETECTIVES
AND MORE ANNOUNCED IN FIRST WAVE OF NAMES

A FESTIVAL WEEKEND BURSTING WITH CHARACTER:
BARIOKE, THE OXFORD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, MR MOTIVATOR
AND MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED

YOUR FAVOURITE ARTISTS’ FAVOURITE FESTIVAL
AN ATMOSPHERE LIKE NO OTHER: COMING TOGETHER FOR A WEEKEND OF INCREDIBLE LIVE MUSIC, LAUGH OUT LOUD FUN AND COUNTLESS NEW MEMORIES

25TH-28TH JULY 2024
HILL FARM, OXFORDSHIRE

PRE-SALE TICKETS ON-SALE FROM 6PM ON THURSDAY 25TH JANUARY
GENERAL SALE TICKETS ON-SALE FROM 10AM ON FRIDAY 26TH JANUARY
WEEKEND TICKETS STARTING FROM JUST £140
https://truckfestival.com/tickets/

86TVs @ The Six Six Bar, Cambridge 17/09/2023

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The last time I saw Hugo and Felix White was when they were in The Maccabees. Since splitting back in 2017 they have created a new band called 86TV’s with their brother Will who was in indie rock band Talk Taxis and made a few years appearance with The Maccabees and Jamie Morrison who is Stereophonics drummer. With years of musical experience this new band is sure to bring something amazing to the scene. On their first tour aspartof the Music Venue Trust they stopped off at the rock venue The Six Six bar in Cambridge. Its a small music venue with a capacity of 160. The venue is decorated with old NME covers ,a huge Beavertown mural at the back of the stage and a Motorhead shrine. There is a great selection of drinks and a vegan eatery called The Vegan Witch.

The show was completely sold out which was not surprising have these musical icons visiting. Supporting them was singer songwriter Blair Davie who is from Scotland writes slot of songs about bisexuality, loss and heartbreak but also about the beauty that life can offer. With just a guitar and their voice the audience are wowed. The sound was incredible and their voice was so passionate with every word that they sung. Blair is one who everyone should experience.

After Blairs set everyone was eagerly awaiting for 86TVs to come on stage. The room was getting very hot and sweaty. The room was filled with cheers as the band entered. Felix mentioned to the audience that they were really happy for be performing and that the best thing about playing songs that no one knows is that if they mess up no one will notice. The main vocals were shared between Will and Hugo. Sweat was pouring off the band and all they had to wipe down was a tea towel which Felix joked saying he’s used his 5th of the towel and that the others cant use that section. The whole band were thrilled and so happy to be playing to people after working so hard on their music. They played a total of nine songs with their last song being the single ‘Worn Out Buildings’ which everyone was clapping along too.

After the show the band stood chatting to the audience members and selling merchandise. Hugo said its nice to be starting at the bottom again and working their way up in the music scene again. Their debut album should hopefully be dropping next year which we are all eager to hear. These guys are going to explode onto the music scene and it was great to be part of one of their first shows.

Review and photos by Kane Howie