What’s On

Singles & B-Sides Tour

So you know 10 Years Asleep, Really Scrape the Sky, Lucy’s Down and Eat Yourself Whole right? Maybe Armchair Anarchist and Two Headed Yellow Bellied Hole Digger?

But how about Celebrated Working Man? And what about those B-sides?

Over five years in the early 90s Hull’s finest indie rockers produced almost 30 tracks that never made it on to albums; the likes of Everything’s Changed Since You’ve Been To London, Kissing Under Anaesthetic, I’m In Love and Another Bad Dose of Home Truths.

For the first time ever the band will play a set including all their A- sides and a selection of their favourite back up tracks.

Approximate times:
19:00 doors open
19:30 support
20:15 Kingmaker

Hailing from the Welsh town of Carmarthen, Adwaith grew up surrounded by a rich tradition of Welsh-language indie-rock, and a tight-knit scene of experimental, artistically-minded bands that frequented their beloved local venue The Parrot. Inspired by the lineage of boldly experimental bands that emerged out of Wales in the ‘80s – Datblygu, TraddodiadOfnus and Fflaps to name three groups spearheading new wave Welsh rock music at the time – Adwaith knew that they wanted to be similarly uncompromising in their own vision. When Hollie Singer, Gwenllian Anthony and Heledd Owen first went about founding their own band in 2015, they were also equally influenced by newer acts they’d seen playing at local indie venues and Welsh-Language music festivals, where they bore witness to another new wave of musicians wielding Welsh as an exciting musical instrument.

Now, the dynamic Welsh trio Adwaith proudly announce the release of their highly anticipated third album, Solas. Meaning “light of being” or “enlightenment” in Celtic, Solas marks a significant milestone in the band’s journey. Recorded across diverse locations—including the Outer Hebrides in Scotland, Lisbon in Portugal, and multiple studios in Wales—Solas reflects Adwaith’s growth and evolution as artists. Overflowing with romance and magic, this 23-track double album completes a coming-of-age trilogy chronicling their transformation from teenagers into empowered women, exploring themes of self-discovery, escape, and resilience.

While WH Lung’s name might suggest a nod to the likes of WH Auden and similarly austere literary figures, it actually comes from a Chinese supermarket in their native Manchester. This deliberate blurring of high and low culture is part of the appeal of the enigmatic three-piece (Joseph E on vocals/synths, Tom S on guitar and Tom P on bass), their songs juxtaposing simplicity with free-ranging experimentation. But even more key is their ability to seamlessly meld genres – krautrock, post-punk and synthpop, most prominently – to create songs that are fresh and exciting yet familiar-sounding and accessible.

South London’s Honeyglaze occupy the same sort of space as indie rock explorers such as Black Country, New Road and English Teacher, but stretch and shape their own particular furrow.

Details TBA

Gengahr’s critically acclaimed debut album turns 10 next year and to celebrate the band are hitting the road to play their breakthrough album in full.

They will be visiting a few of the very same venues that first welcomed the band back in 2015 as well as a selection of other small venues across the country, paying homage to these vital spaces where bands develop both their sound and audience.

October Drift have gained a strong word-of-mouth following since exploding onto the music scene.

Despite the early success of their incendiary debut singles – receiving support from Steve Lamacq, John Kennedy and Q magazine to name but a few – and a string of sold-out gigs, this band still remain something of an enigma.

October Drift’s music is similarly ambiguous, characterised by their signature wall of sound guitars, soaring, ponderous vocals and driving, urgent drums.

The band have gained a reputation for delivering blistering, high-energy live shows, and we can’t wait to welcome them back.

Price includes a 50p venue levy

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.

Wigan band, the Stanleys arrive at The Portland Arms, fresh from supporting Richard Ashcroft, Cast and Shed Seven across the UK – and their recent headline show at the 950 capacity Manchester Academy 2, which sold out in minutes!

Having also been on the road with the likes of The Libertines, The Lathums, The Sherlocks, Jamie Webster, The View and Inspiral Carpets, it’s only a matter of time before the Stanleys are as well-known across the UK, as they are across Manchester and the North-West.

“Well thought out musicianship” and “well on the way to making
something special” – BBC Radio Manchester

Support comes from two bands destined for a big future, Afterdrive and The Portland.

Afterdrive
In just a short time, Ipswich band, Afterdrive have already become admired for their perfect blend of pop and indie music and receive regular airplay on prestigious national platforms like BBC Radio 1 and Radio X.

The Portland
The Portland are definitely one to keep an eye on. With influences as diverse at The Pixies and Bill Callahan, The Portland are going places.

Their recent single, “Stages”, featured Peaky Blinders’ Cillian Murphy doing a voiceover on the track; with The Franks & Walters you never know what to expect next, but you know it will be a bit quirky and great fun. Formed in Cork, Ireland they have been spreading joy and happiness with their indie-pop music for over 30 years.

“The Franks” became famous in the 90’s Indie scene and have a catalogue of hundreds of songs from seven studio albums. They still play sold out gigs all over Europe.

Green Mind presents… acts TBA

EP release celebration show.