What’s On

Dawn Landes is a North Carolina based singer-songwriter who has penned original songs for TV, film, and musical theatre (ROW on Audible). Landes has toured internationally and supported Nick Lowe, Mary Chapin Carpenter and many more. Her newest album “The Liberated Woman’s Songbook” was produced by Josh Kaufman (Bonny Light Horseman) and highlights women’s activism throughout history.

Hip Hop pioneer and 90’s icon Betty Boo is a platinum-selling, Brit,and Ivor Novello Award-winning singer-songwriter and rapper. She is best known for her hits “Hey DJ – I Can’t Dance To That Music You’re Playing,” “Doin’ The Do” and “Where Are You Baby?” which propelled her into the spotlight in 1990. In 2022 after a 30 year hiatus, Betty Boo made an unexpected return with the critically acclaimed, radio smash filled album “Boomerang.” She followed this with her 2024 UK Top 40 album, “Rip Up The Rulebook,” which has been universally described as her best album to date.

35 years later, Betty Boo’s hits remain deeply loved, and she is celebrating this monumental milestone with special edition re-releases of her two classic 90s albums: Boomania and GRRR! It’s Betty Boo.

Good Honest Folk – an evening of Celtic Folk with Robin Jones (The Trials of Cato), Seán Courtney and Toby Mills.

Prepare yourself for a night of unforgettable live music as The CB5, a young Cambridge band on the rise, team up with the explosive Quack Attack for a high-energy gig that promises to shake the walls and light up the crowd. Known for their bold, unapologetic 80s rock sound, The CB5 deliver ripping guitar solos, powerful vocals, and a stage presence that keeps the audience locked in from the first note to the final encore. Every show is a mix of timeless anthems and original tracks that blend nostalgic grit with fresh, youthful fire. This one’s set to be our biggest yet.

Sharing the stage are Quack Attack, bringing their own unique energy and fearless performance style. With their chaotic charm and fearless stage presence they always bring something unpredictable and unforgettable. Together showcasing two rising bands who are pouring everything into their craft. Expect soaring melodies, head-banging rhythms, and the kind of atmosphere that only comes from two passionate bands giving it their all. Whether you’re a long-time fan of live rock or just looking for something real, raw, and loud, this is your invitation to be part of something special. Come for the music, stay for the energy and leave knowing you witnessed the future of local rock. You’re in for a treat

With Brill Building wit, and a Midwestern sense of melancholy Josh Rouse has built a career that spans almost 25 years, reaching back to his acclaimed 1998 debut “Dressed Up Like Nebraska” and continuing to his breakthrough albums “1972” and “Nashville”. His well-crafted and hook-laden tracks are coupled with closely-detailed, well-observed vignettes in his lyrics.

Now passing 50, Josh faces the next phase of his life. “I remember seeing Tom Waits on the cover of a magazine with the headline ‘Tom Waits at 50’.” Josh recalls “I was in my twenties and that seemed so far off… but he made a great record (“Mule Variations”) and I hope I have too.”

The Junction presents: The Dangerous Summer.

The Dangerous Summer signed their first record deal as high school seniors and quickly established themselves among the alt-rock world’s elite. Passionate delivery, confessional authenticity, and deeply resonant musical storytelling define their sound.
The band writes hooks that serve as soundtracks for important life moments for a diverse group of listeners spread across the globe. The audience is more family than a fanbase. The community feeling is apparent at every gig, from Slam Dunk to Riot Fest, from touring with State Champs to headlining shows. Reach for the Sun is the record that “shot them into the pop-punk pantheon” (Kerrang!). Powered by unshakeable, enduring alt-rock anthems, the Ellicott City, Maryland band’s debut album made them heroes of the Warped Tour world, all while they carved their own unique path.

2011’s War Paint was a sophomore-slump-smashing follow-up. Grantland likened the “tall and wide” riffs of 2013’s Golden Record to The Hold Steady and U2. (“Catholic Girls” even earned The Danger Summer praise from the famously discerning Pitchfork.) Alternative Press saluted The Dangerous Summer as a group that stayed true to their sound, praising the songs on their 2018 self-titled comeback album as equal parts charismatic and addictive. 2019’s Mother Nature conjured an emotional storm, with an uplifting bent. Underoath’s Aaron Gillespie appeared on the 2020 EP, All That Is Left Of The Blue Sky. Produced by Will Beasley (Turnstile, Asking Alexandria), 2022’s Coming Home ushers in a new era for TDS. The Dangerous Summer never sacrificed their unique, diverse sonic identity, one that appeals to fans of everything from Kings Of Leon and Coldplay to Jimmy Eat World and Bright Eyes.

Coming Home is a triumphant summary of what The Dangerous Summer is all about, past, present, and future.

TBA

Featuring Cambridge’s premium mixed covers band The Archive! We’ll be playing a couple of sets of classic covers from the likes of The Darkness, Spin Doctors, Oasis, Blur, Eminem, Foo Fighters, Thin Lizzy, Wheatus, The Killers, and many more.
Hitting the stage a 6.30pm.

Pay what you want (we’ll be taking donations on the night)

Join us all week for our Summer Beer Festival!

• 40+ cask ales, craft beers & ciders
• Great pizza
• Quiz hosted by Bruno
• Live music
• Games and fun throughout the week to raise money for our house charities

EVENTS DURING THE FESTIVAL TBC

Science comedy night with the Variables

The last time drummer Brendan Canty and bassist Joe Lally were in a band together, they were the rhythmic architects for Fugazi, an organization whose decade and a half of disciplined progressivism provided a necessary bridge between the zenith of late-punk expression and everything alternative in rock that followed. In 2016, the two were enlisted by guitarist Anthony Pirog in a conspiracy to subvert and reimagine the power trio, bringing fully into the 21st Century a form that may have reached near perfection with Hendrix’s Band of Gypsys on the very first day of the 1970s.

40th Anniversary of Back To The Future pub quiz!

Join us on Wednesday 10th July for a night of trivia based on Steve’s favourite film franchise, right here at The Portland! Hosted by our resident quizmaster, Bruno. Expect questions on the movies, the actors, the soundtracks, plus much more.

Quiz starts at 7:30pm in our main bar, £2 per entry, with half the money going to our nominated charity BREAK.

Cash & prizes to be won!