Lead singer of 1980's rock band New Model Army, Justin Sullivan, is going solo for an intimate, festival warm-up gig.

The Victoria on Victoria Road, Old Town, Swindon, plays host to Justin and support act, Jake Martin, on Thursday, August 16, before he rejoins his band at the Beautiful Days Festival, the following evening.

New Model Army was formed by Justin in 1980, with drummer Robert Heaton and bass player Stuart Morrow, but since then the band has had a revolving door on musicians joining its ranks. The rock band have notched up 14 studio albums including Vengeance, No Rest For The Wicked, Between The Dog and Wolf and the last album Winter was released in 2016. Justin has four live albums under the New Model Army name, has appeared in various compilations and contributed to various other albums under the moniker of Joolz, Jason Sullivan & Friends and he is also known as Slade the Leveller, taking the name from the historical reference to the Levellers. His parents are Quakers.

Despite having a huge cult following New Model Army have never had a number one hit but Justin is not phased by that as he says it means he does not have to continually sing that one song at every gig.

The Swindon gig is being presented by Sheer Music and The Colour of Vinyl who have brought such names as Frank Turner and Ginger Wildheart to Swindon.

Kieran Moore from Sheer Music said: "Justin will draw from his back catalogue, perhaps including some of his solo work as well as drawing from his many other side projects during his 37-year career, and the classic New Model Army material.''

Tickets for the Swindon gig are £15 from 01793 535713 or visit https://thevicswindon.com/ - Flicky Harrison