What’s On

Keeping up traditions of years gone by The Ouse Valley Singles Club return to the Portland Arms Cambridge on Friday 18th April.

If you are not familiar with The Ouse Valley Singles Club or have yet to catch their live show then you are in for a treat. They are one of, if not the, most original outfits currently playing the live circuit.

Fully self-promoted with the aid of their online videos and huge social media presence, the Ouse Valley Singles Club are one of the hardest working bands around, having gigged almost every weekend over the last 10 years honing their craft and building a massive following of loyal Fans as they go.

Influenced by the long forgotten sounds & traditions of 1950’s Skiffle (Google it) they combine this sound with the energy of Punk and the swing of Rock and Roll, whilst occasionally dropping some Reggae flavour into the mix. Then layering this with hilarious Folk-like story-telling, often crossing the parameters of what is deemed to be politically correct but keeping it very tongue in cheek. In doing this, they have created a truly original & highly entertaining sound that has been dubbed “New Wave Skiffle” and they have been described as ‘George Formby meets The Clash’ where Vaudeville music Hall meets Working Men’s club.

The scourge of the Metropolitan Liberal Elite’ The OVSC put on a show that gives a hysterical observational account of everyday tales of woe with a razor-sharp observational narrative whilst rocking the crowds with their infectious ear-worms.

Having packed out the main arena’s to capacity, they have headlined Peterborough Beer Festival and opened to several thousand revellers on the main stage at Bedford’s River Festival (second largest free festival in the UK) as well as being a regular feature at events such as Cambridge’s Strawberry Fair, The OVSC are no strangers to the Festival Circuit. Festivals they have performed at are; Boomtown, Bestival, Rhythmtree, Nozstock, Mosley Folk and Lunar Festival, Truckfest, Rhythms of The World festival, Lodestar, Henry’s Little Big Gig, Harlequin Festival, Maui Waui, Green Meadows and Glastonbudget among many others.

Highlights of their musical journey came when they supported luminaries Chas and Dave on their 2014 tour, warmed up for Sir Bob Geldolf and The Boomtown Rats in the main arena at the Great British Alternative Music Weekender at Butlin’s Skegness as well as providing warm up for the likes of Pete Docherty, The Wonderstuff and the poetical musical comedy genius KATG. Clearly illustrating their flexibility and appeal to audiences of all ages and musical backgrounds going down a storm and building their following at every gig they play.

‘You can’t scoff at a Prophet Of Doom’

Versatile barsman Vitamin G and prolific producer Mr Slipz unite on future classic ‘Prophet Of Doom’; an ambitious and expertly crafted collaborative LP across 18-tracks.

Meticulously engineered by Slipz and absolutely bodied by Vitamin G across wave-after-wave of flows and schemes, ‘Prophet Of Doom’ has all the hallmarks of a golden-era record; Slipz’ signature style and cuts courtesy of Ram One backed by movie samples and skits; pitch perfect foundations for Vitz’ unique deliverables.

£1 from every ticket will be donated to Cam Skate, who run Cambridge’s only indoor skatepark, run entirely by volunteers.

BIG|BRAVE’s music has been described as massive minimalism. Their fusillades of textural distortion and feedback emphasize their music’s frayed edges as much as its all-encompassing weight. The potency of the trio’s work is their singular artistry combining elements of traditional folk techniques and a modern deconstruction of guitar music. Gain, feedback, and amplitude are essential.

BIG|BRAVE achieve their colossal sound through minimalist approaches, a deft understanding of dynamics and an inventive employment of percussion and distortion. The trio reconceptualize what it is to be heavy or minimal, challenging perceptions with their illumination of painfully overlooked perspectives. BIG|BRAVE’s sound has blossomed, harnessing potent emotions with their unparalleled arrangements and intricate economies of space.

In benefit of Strawberry Fair.
Bands TBA

Tickets on sale from Friday 7th Feb at 10am

For their hometown show on their 3rd UK headline tour, Strawberry Lace will be returning to The Portland Arms along with some special guests for a massive live show.

Strawberry Lace are an alt-rock powerhouse that deliver a dynamic punch of sound with their live performance. The four-piece break boundaries between genres, expertly mixing alt-rock edge with infectious funk rock flair, anthemic lyrics, blistering guitar solos and explosive drums to create their own unique style. With specials guests on the night TBA, this will be a huge night of live music not to be missed.

The UK’s BEST Stone Roses Tribute return to the stage to celebrate the 35th Anniversary of the eponymous Stone Roses gig at SPIKE ISLAND! If you love I Am The Resurrection, Made Of Stone, Fools Gold, Waterfall, She Bangs The Drums and many more then do not miss this exclusive opportunity to hear your favourite Stone Roses anthems performed live by the UK’s finest tribute!

CHINA SHOP BULL – The punk hip-hop apocalypse that is China Shop Bull has gained the hearts and respect of people around the world on the back of years of consistent touring on the festival, punk and party scenes, and through the success of multiple album releases.

Fusing the worlds of electronic and live music, spanning countless styles and genres – drum & bass, hip-hop, ska and dub – all mixed up and spat out with an intense energy, punk ethos and attitude, China Shop Bull are bringing their hard hitting party vibe back to Cambridge!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqtz2UBzW_I

FIDGET AND THE TWITCHERS – Brass-fuelled Bristol based skapunkery! A hot sauce mix of punchy beats, a pinch of irony, and a whole squeeze of social absurdities!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrAa_g3bKS4

LAST GANG DJs – Punk and beyond…
http://www.facebook.com/LastGangInTownUK

Cillirion – A Tribute to Fish-Era Marillion

Stephen Perse young perfomers.

This is a multi-genre gig consisting of around 10 acts of large bands and solo artists.

Bands TBC

TBC

Spring 2025 sees the UK’s Amplifier release their 8th studio album GARGANTUAN and a return to playing live shows following a hiatus since 2019. This tour – Amplifier’s first ever as a two-piece – proves that their passion for the core activity of making music is clearly undiminished.

“Our main value is just do what you love for the love of it. If you do that, then anything that comes along with it is just a bonus.”
You can expect to climb aboard the good spaceship Amplifier and ride the titanic waves and grooves of triumph.

https://youtu.be/NOc7j5-7sSo?si=GUzIVIIz6O0TtoOR

https://open.spotify.com/artist/1lCspmd05bYpPS814xw5nl?si=7qe3M8abSE-AK-MtR5LT8Q

“He’s in league with the devil” WILL SERGEANT | ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN

“Fantastic; it takes some courage to do what he does” BADLY DRAWN BOY

“Taking on a crowd that is only here for the music is something to see in itself; the bravery to contend with the rowdy punters and win them over single-sleight-of handedly takes nerve but when you’re good, and you know you are, it’s just another night” JOEL GION | THE BRAIN JONESTOWN MASSACRE

“I am an unashamed fan of the skill of a good magician, not dissimilar to that of a good musician, and The Magic Mod is up there with the very best and always doing it in style” STEVE WHITE | THE STYLE COUNCIL

THE MAGIC MOD – aka Ben Taylor – is a card magician and entertainer of huge esteem who can proudly count himself as a member of the exclusive Magic Circle fraternity. Born in Crawley in South London, he now lives in Belfast and has previously supported The Libertines, Paul Weller and The Brian Jonestown Massacre on tour, all people he can call friends alongside the likes of Liam Gallagher, Shaun Ryder and Rick Witter.

Ben has appeared on Sky Sports Soccer AM, considers journalist and broadcaster Eamonn Holmes as a friend and fan (“I’ve met David Blaine and Dynamo but, for me, what he did was the best I’ve ever seen”) as well as former Fulham and West Ham United footballer Tony Gayle (He’s good, the boy’s good, but can he head a ball?) and makes a cameo appearance on the Paul Weller album On Sunset.

His act astonishes, perplexes and entertains all those who witness it and is a performance wrapped in warmth and humour. Which is why people endlessly return to see him perform and why his audiences are growing with every tour, as evidenced by his sold-out run throughout the UK late last year.

Reflecting on his journey into performing magic, Ben says:

“I first got into the art of magic at the age of six when my Mum and Dad bought me a Paul Daniels magic set and I tried to learn at least one new trick every day. I became a professional magician when I turned 20 and was doing card tricks that I never knew I would be capable of. I practice up to four or five hours a day, sometimes more if I’m really in a rush to learn a new trick.”

Expect to see a modern take on the magic tricks of Tommy Cooper and Paul Daniels performed by a fella who really wouldn’t look out of place in the best rock n roll band in the world.

Vraell (real name Alessio Scozzaro) is a classically trained London-based musician who has been releasing music under the ‘Vraell’ moniker since early 2019, rapidly building up an online audience for his ethereal sounds. His songs such as “Between” have recently become viral sensations as well as being used by BBC Earth.