GETTING older does come with a whole set of disadvantages; that involuntary groan as you get up out of a chair, the increasing tinges of silver in the hair, the fact that the birthday candles cost more than the cake and that your back goes out more often than you do.

 

On the upside, you are able to do a neat line in wistful nostalgia. A couple of weeks ago the fact that Alan Reed was in town allowed me to get misty eyed over half-forgotten, mid-80s prog rock gigs at The Marquee, today I can push things back a bit further.

In 1983 I went to my first big music festival, the iconic Reading Festival, and caught the closing live chapter of the legendary Thin Lizzy. The night before I watched Dealer, stars of the NWOBHM scene and definitely a band on the way up. Well, tonight, they are back doing what they do best, “respecting the chug” delivering a wave of classic riffs and generally reminding people of the golden age of British rock. Catch them tonight at The Victoria with fellow hard rockers Serafine.

Tim Manning’s brilliant roots night is back at The Beehive. Ags Connolly takes a very traditionally inspired country route, music that rushes right past your senses and aims straight for the soul and Lucky Strikes front man M G Boulter brings a bag of Thames Delta blues and majestic folk narratives. As always your host will open the night in his guise as Blind River Scare.

If you think that the cover band idea is a bit over done, needs shaking up, some outside the box thinking, then head to The Groves Company Inn for The Emiglios.

A trio of over-excited Italians playing all your rock and pop favourites but with a set list of the audiences choosing and the option to jump up and front the band…this is where karaoke and a live gig really meet head on.

Friday brings a myriad of musical options. Fans of the Southern Rock sound will be heading for The Queens Tap for Sons of Liberty’s tribute to the boogie-rock grooves of the deep south whilst at The Groves Company Inn, Syntronix will be doing similar justice to the synth-pop corner of 80’s new wave… everything from the classic to the cultish, from Duran Duran to Talk Talk. How great great!

The Hamsters From Hell bring their usual tsunami of raw and raucous bar room blues, sweary humour, weird insights, personal insults and booze fuelled mayhem to The Rolleston. Make sure you are up with your vaccination shots before arrival.

And back on that nostalgia trip I was talking about. Remember Roundabout? In the late 90s they were a regular site on the local circuit and released a couple of cracking albums with 208 records.

Well, in the natural family tree style evolution that bands move through, two of the offspring of that band are out and about.

The Sitting Tenants will be treating The Beehive to music inspired by 60s power-pop, mod, psych and R’n’B and at The Victoria, Peloton play a set of classic songs drawn from a similar canon.

And if you like the sound of either of those, save some of your disposable income for Stags at Level III on Saturday; slow burning, psychedelic blues with a distinctly old school taste but modern aspirations, the perfect blend.

King Solomon are at The Victoria, heavyweight roots reggae with a vintage twist delivered by a 10 piece line up and not to be missed whilst at The Queens Tap, The Bulltown Boys lay out a musical stall of rockabilly covers and originals. Set quiffs to stun and break out the brothel creepers.

It’s good to see The Chaos Brothers back on the circuit after a tough year so why not welcome them back to The Rolleston with booze, cheers, heckles and laughter as they majestically slaughter punk and rock classics. Yes, it has all been done before, and better but never with so much fun and tongues so firmly set in cheeks.

Sunday sees Lazy Sunday Afternoon at Savernake Street Hall, this time featuring Light Falls Forward, a deft blend of folk and chamber pop and Rick Foot, who makes wonderful double bass driven music built on reflective narratives and heartstring plucking emotions. Your hosts, Mr Love and Justice, as always open the show.

And finally, also on Sunday, The Beehive celebrate Hammerman Day, a tribute to local author and poet Alfred Williams with his words and songs performed by local artists.