What’s on

Fri 29 Oct • 8pm • Full £12 Concs £10 • Music

By Brian Madigan

Presented by A Band Named Brian

Brian is on a two-wheeled mission. His aim: “to save the planet – one gig at a time”. But before he peddles off into the sunset, he’s bringing an exclusive, special preview to the Rondo. Can we amend our ways in time to avert catastrophe? Is technology a help or a hindrance? And who is it that keeps interrupting?  
Challenging the norms of music and theatrical performance, Brian’s blend of songs, spoken word and surprises are guaranteed to confound, amuse and – above all – entertain.

‘Genuinely like nothing else out there… pushing the boundaries of what ‘performance’ means’  – Theatre Bath

Sat 4 Dec • 8pm • Full £20 • Music

This will be one of the first performances of The Korgis’ recently released concept album Kartoon World in its entirety!

They will of course be playing all the favourites as well, including ‘Everybody’s Got to Learn Sometime’, ‘If I Had You’, ‘Something About the Beatles’… and the new hits ‘Bringing Back the Spirit of Love’, ‘The Best Thing You Can Do is to Love Someone’.

As well as musical excellence, The Korgis’ live shows exude enthusiasm and joy, and Lord knows we need as much of that as we can get these days!

Fri 12 Nov • 8pm • Full £15 Concs £12 • Music

The Virtual Orchestra is a brand-new musical touring performance from brilliant South-West band The People’s String Foundation (violinist Ben Sutcliffe and co-founder and composer Zaid Al-Rikabi).

This Autumn, the virtuoso duo are packing a 32-piece Gypsy Orchestra into a suitcase and taking it on tour to perform their newest album release to audiences nationwide. Using music, puppetry, art, cinematography and animation, this unique show combines many art forms to create one immersive piece – sure to set your heart racing, get your toes tapping and warm the soul.

The People’s String Foundation are fast becoming the musical heavyweight of the South-West and wider folk circles, bringing to life all the dynamism, rhythm and vitality of the true Gypsy spirit in spellbinding performances. Led by Ben Sutcliffe (musical director for Rogue, Kneehigh and Bish Bash Bosh theatre companies) whose dazzling violin style has seen him playing with the likes of The Levellers, The Stranglers and The Yardbirds.

★★★★★ The Times 

‘Surely these musicians and this piece are worthy of consideration for this year’s Mercury prize.’ – Ralph McTell 

Fri 13 May • 8pm • Full £16 Concs £14 • Music

Presented by Event Horizon Live

With their critically acclaimed album Mesmeranto (Esoteric Antenna, 2019) entering the official rock charts at number 18 and being voted number 4 in Top 10 Albums of the year by New York’s Big Takeover Magazine, award-winning electronic folk pioneers The Blackheart Orchestra took their music to a new, unexplored dimension with their lockdown all-instrumental album Mute (May 2021), which reworked tracks from their back catalogue.
Described by the Progressive Aspect as “simply stunning”, KCWLondon remarked, “Who would have thought fifty years ago that Psychedelic Folk Rock’s future would be in such safe hands?”.

Vocalist Chrissy Mostyn and multi-instrumentalist Rick Pilkington combine their classical influences with vintage synthesizers and ultra-contemporary electronica to create highly emotional music that has been described as a modern day Pink Floyd, a more accessible Portishead and with many comparisons to the creativity of Kate Bush.

Live, the band tours relentlessly building up a dedicated and loyal fanbase and pre-lockdown opened for Hawkwind on their UK tour including a sold-out show at London’s Royal Albert Hall. The Blackheart Orchestra are two voices and thirteen instruments that create a unique musical experience. A new album will be released to coincide with the tour.

“Genuinely profound and evocative. A life-enhancing listening event” Louder Than War