ALTHOUGH the venue is probably more associated with out of town troupes and touring acts, there are two shows coming to Swindon’s Arts Centre next week which brilliantly highlights the extent of the talent this town has launched out into the wider world and which is now coming back for special hometown shows.

On Saturday, November 25, urban jazz singer Ruby Confue treads the boards with her full band show. Having burst on to the scene rapping Shakespeare over sunshine pop vibes and blue-eyed soul grooves, she has built up a loyal following around the south of the country over the last couple of years and delivers a show packed with charm, fun and exciting and original music. Support comes from Wilding, the new band line up from the titular George and his poetic narratives and underdog tales.

On January 13 2018, Buswell gathers his musical troops to launch the long awaited and tongue tyingly titled Stitched Shoes and An Irish Wrist Watch album. And in keeping with the challenges he is renowned for setting himself for this show 20 musicians will between them be playing every instrument on the album, a total of 144 individual parts.

Support comes from Sun & The Rain Men, an indie folk band from Gothenburg featuring his long suffering partner in crime Erik Nyberg and a rare outing for the breathtaking songs of Charlie Bath. - Dave Franklin