What’s on

Fri 3 Jun • 8pm • Full £17.50 • Music

RMT Music Live present as part of Bath Fringe Festival

Phantastes inhabits an ethereal realm and explores the parallels of the seminal C19th fantasy novel of the same name by George MacDonald and the beginnings of Nick’s own love story from 1982.

The album was recorded, and is performed live on solo electric guitar, simultaneously triggering percussive electronic soundscapes. This is the dream-like backdrop to a coming-of-age story set on the edge of an ancient magical forest and a year-long journey that culminates in a kiss.

Divorced from 2020 in many ways, the album and the live show have been enthusiastically supported by fans seeking a temporary refuge from the here and now.

“Harper has so much musicianship in him it just leaks out all over the place.” The Times 
“He deserves to become a major figure in his own right.” The Guardian
“Dylan for the iPod generation… Betjemen with a guitar.” Guitarist

Thu 2 Jun • 8pm • Full £17.50 • Music

Presented by RMT Music Live as part of Bath Fringe Festival

Influenced by jazz pioneer Ornette Coleman and his free-spirited albums of the late 1950s and early 1960s, Get The Blessing will have you on the edge of your seat with their uncategorizable and thrilling world of post-jazz.

Grounded by a rhythm section who take to the world’s biggest stages with Portishead & Radiohead, and led by two of the most distinct horn players in the South West’s jazz scene, lauded for their captivating live performances and heralded in national press for their self-recorded and self-produced six album output, it is an honour to be hosting Get The Blessing in the intimate setting of the Rondo Theatre as part of Bath Fringe Festival.

Clive Deamer – Drums
Jim Barr – Bass
Jake McMurchie – Saxophone
Pete Judge – Trumpet

“at last, a noisy, thrashy post-jazz combo that sounds like a proper band” The Independent
“mixes scorching rock with Ornette Coleman-like sax and much more besides to thrilling effect” The Guardian
“excellent… unmissable” Jazz Journal

Wed 25 May • 8pm • Full £15 Concs £12 • Music

Who would have guessed that a chance encounter between buskers in the streets of Bath, England over a decade ago would lead to a new musical adventure in 2021? Amadou Diagne from Senegal and French-American Cory Seznec hit it off that Spring day, planting the seeds of a future collaboration in their minds.

Life embarked them on different touki (journey in Wolof), but in 2020 Amadou and Cory joined forces to release their debut album Right of Passage, which Rolling Stone France calls “scintillating…the sequel to Ali Farka Touré & Ry Cooder’s Talking Timbuktu, revisited and enriched with unique kora-banjo-acoustic guitar combinations of a rare elegance.”

Opening for them will be Bath-native Lawrie Duckworth. In another age, Duckworth would have been a troubadour, a flaneur, a mariachi… going from town to town playing his songs in return for a flagon of wine and a meat pie. In this age… Well, what kind of pies you got? He is a showman, a gunslinger, a lover and a storyteller.

Sat 18 Jun • 8pm • Full £14 Concs £12 • Music

Kit Holmes: Vocals, Guitar & Fiddle with Al Greenwood: Guitar

A fun, entertaining evening to get your music taste buds tingling! Enjoy Brubeck’s classic ‘Take 5’ A drop of Folk Fiddle: a touch of Blues, a splash of Flamenco, a dash of Rockabilly… add Kit’s sultry vocals and it’s a recipe for a great night!

Kit’s trademark sultry vocals and virtuoso guitar playing have wowed audiences across the UK through extensive touring with the guitar hero John Etheridge. The Observer described her music as “Macy Gray meets Nick Drake”, and both Bob Harris and Andy Kershaw have featured her on their BBC shows. Recent gigs include: Paul McCartney’s LIPA; the Anne Frank Awards at the BBC; a performance for Bill Bryson and Andy Kershaw and a headline show at the International Guitar Festival of Great Britain.

Kit’s third album, Driving into the Blue, which features the legendary double bass player Danny Thompson, was met with high critical acclaim. Expect an enthralling and energetic live performance of “blues-driven roots with a soul sensibility”.

‘Impressive…a new British guitar heroine’ The Guardian
‘Full of warmth… an absolute delight’ The Observer
‘She’s a world-­class player’ All Music Guide

Th 16 Jun • 7:30pm • Full £15 Concs £12 • Music

Justin Curran is an indie-britpop-mod from Belfast, who currently lives in the French Alps where he has built his own home recording studio. Curran started his musical career in the 90s playing bass in a band with school mates. The band was heavily influenced by the Modfather Paul Weller, Ocean Colour Scene, The Manic Street Preachers. After performing his first pub gig at 14 years of age, he soon realised that being on stage was everything to him. He later performed as a bassist for The Plus 4 – a funk, acid jazz, ska instrumental band. They recorded an album of songs together in Hackney and played a host of gigs across the UK and Europe.

In 2012 Curran wrote, recorded and produced his album The Lonely Stroll, which he toured across the Channel Islands, the UK, and Ireland. Following the success of the album, Curran appeared regularly on BBC Introducing, and returned to the studio in 2018 to record a load of songs which were mostly written when the record button went on. Curran suffered a bit of a breakdown in 2018 and started re-finding himself with music. The resulting album, The Light Shines Through The Darkness, express the idea that we have to find our right path in life. The songs tell the story of a battle from within, and focus on the loving of life and leaving the sh*t behind.

Fri 1 Jul • 8pm • Full £14 Concs £12 • Music

Described at BBC Radio 2 as ‘quirky’ and an artist who ‘makes you think afresh’, Mark Harrison is a totally original songwriter, a stunning guitarist, and a master storyteller. He is widely considered one of the most original and interesting artists currently operating in the UK.

Mark is a songster, and his songs cover all manner of non-standard subjects. With catchy tunes, lyrics that intrigue and engage, and striking rhythms, they make you smile, think and move. He takes elements of roots music, including folk, blues and gospel, to create something new that is very much his own genre.

His band features Charles Benfield on double bass and Ben Welburn on drums/percussion, who form a unique and acclaimed rhythm section.

Thu 15 Sep • 8pm • Full £16.50 Concs £14.50 • Music

Martin Stephenson is one of Britain’s best-loved musicians. As a solo artist and with his band, The Daintees, he has produced over 40 albums
and played thousands of concerts.

Stephenson’s live performances are an exuberant tour-de-force, combining heart-in-your-mouth intimacy with playful humour and warm self-deprecation. He is a unique, engaging, spontaneous, and talented performer.

During lockdown,  a close-knit online family community  blossomed in response to his heartfelt, spontaneous, informal, and supportive gigs from home. Friendships were forged that continue to this day.

Martin’s albums (and other merch)  are available via: www.daintees.bandcamp.com
Further info can be found on the website: www.daintees.co.uk

Singer/songwriter Carolyn McGoldrick hails from Cumbernauld, Glasgow. Carolyn has travelled extensively honing her craft, performing and recording with various bands (including TRAVIS) and producers as well as writing for other artists in genres which include soul, pop, country, blues and rock. Her influences are many, but most importantly Carole King, Michael Franti, and of course Martin Stephenson. Carolyn will be bringing a refreshing and raw take on her original tunes with just vocals and guitar. A powerful and sweet, soulful singer.