DANNY and the Champions of the World are playing at the Swindon Vic tonight.

The band released their new album Brilliant Light last summer, the seventh album for the London-based band, following on from Stay True (2013) and What Kind Of Love (2015).

The band is described as a heartland rock and soul band. It was formed in 2007 by Danny George Wilson, after becoming a leading figure in the UK Americana scene with the band Grand Drive. They took the name from the famous novel by Roald Dahl.

Danny (vocals and guitar) is joined by fellow band members Chris Clarke, Paul Lush,Steve Brookes, Henry Senior Jr, Andy Fairclough and Geoff Widdowson. They count among their musical influences Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Joe Strummer, Hank Williams, Sam Cooke and Smokey Robinson.

Last year’s album was recorded in Reservoir Studios with contributions from all band members. It is a substantial body of work, comprising 18 tracks over a double-CD, crossing musical genres and variously drawing on country, folk, rock and soul.

Folk Radio says of Brilliant Light: “This is assuredly their masterpiece, an aural aurora borealis that will illuminate your musical life”; while On:Yorkshire Magazine says it offers “a seamless fusion that is very much their own.”

In February 2016, Danny and the Champions of the World dominated the inaugural UK Americana Awards, winning UK Artist of the Year, UK Album of the Year for What Kind of Love and UK Song of the Year for Clear Water.

Tickets for the concert, which begins at 8.30pm, are £12. To book, visit thevicswindon.com.