Events
The Ropemakers is a popular local venue offering regular live music, open mic nights, a monthly chese club, a weekly quiz, a meat draw, and various events throughout the year.
The Ropemakers is a popular local venue offering regular live music, open mic nights, a monthly chese club, a weekly quiz, a meat draw, and various events throughout the year.
Get your glad rags out and get some ska incider
Pack your talent and leave the safety of the bedroom and come on down and strut your inner rock star so that all can enjoy. All types of musician and poet welcomed. Better come early to book yer space. Hosted by the talented Nick and Si from Behind Closed Doors.
Behind Closed Doors, (consisting of one Cajon player/vocalist - Si Dew and one guitarist/vocalist - Nick Randall) formed in 2014 and have been entertaining the locals of Bridport ever since. They perform up-tempo acoustic covers with a slight heavy metal undertone with, at times, a comical edge.
Brand new Bridport and featuring a host of your favorite musicians all playing some fine, fun ska.
Taking slide guitar out of the "Blues Ghetto" "Why, that's crazy talk!" you might say, but Garry’s self- appointed mission is to take slide guitar and it's associated open tunings out of the Mississippi Delta and into the wider world. So, using his own songs and instrumentals as well as carefully selected covers he’s taken himself on a journey and he’d like you to come with him.
Six superb cheeses all served with a selection of crackers and accompaniments. Tickets are available from the bar at £6.50 each. Get your tickets early for this popular night as we have limited spaces. Booking for this event is essential.
Mutter Slater was the front man and flute player for the 70’s cult band Stackridge (produced by George Martin, signed by Elton John): a group that established itself as a firm favourite on countless stages throughout the land and appeared regularly on BBC TV’s The Old Grey Whistle Test and John Peel’s radio programmes. After Stackridge Mutter returned to a life of quiet domesticity in the South West of England. The songwriting and performing bug eventually got the better of him, leading to the formation of his band and a return to the recording studios – Love & Hate 2006; Riding A Hurricane 2008 (produced by Billy Bragg) and 2014’s Absobloodylutely. American Blues, Soul and R’n’B His songs reflect his primary interest in 60’s American blues, soul and R’n’B as well as his persistent addiction to a ‘half decent tune’. The music is warm, harmonically panoramic and edgy. Lyrically it’s intriguing; telling of human strengths and frailties and illicit loves, bar room observations, train rides, bus rides, long walks and cosmic disintegration. Mutter’s voice has matured too over the years. It remains blue eyed soul at its finest, but the edges are softer and the range subtly extended imbuing it with more poignancy and meaning than had been heard before The Mutter Slater Band.
They are a band, a big noisy band. Theye like to hit things that ought not be hit. They like to blow on things that ought not be blown. They like to play silly songs in a serious way and serious songs in a silly way, but most of all they love a good kip in a chair. Quinns Quinney strum, sweat and sing. They deliver the ultimate rural disco. Expect fast-pumping skiffle, watering cans, dancing and plenty of suitcases. Imagine putting a mandolin, a double bass and an acoustic guitar inside a washing machine. Throw in a tambourine, a kazoo, a pint of cider and put it on a 90 minute hot-wash cycle. Hang the lot out to dry on a summer's evening in rural Dorset and you'll get a rough idea of how they sound.
Nature's Cage is an acoustic 4 piece inspired by Folk, Rock, Blues, Acoustic music formed in 2016. With both Skeg and Paul gigging regularly as individual artists they looked to form a band and without hesitation Skeg suggested Orla come join. After hanging out at several festivals together and trying some cover songs the connection was there and so the band was formed. After a few discussions a name that was industrial but meaningful was the aim and so Nature’s Cage was born. In 2018 after releasing “Uncaged” it was felt the band needed to expand more and so Nick Angus joined the band on bass and played his first gig on the 6th October 2018 at the We Shall Overcome Bridport event.
TWF's music is inspired by the grittier side of the alternative rock/ country movement and their mission is to write good songs to make people feel something. The lyrics are mostly dark and cynical social commentary (DC Smith isn't known for his cheer), the songs prove pedal steel can be a rock instrument (a distortion pedal helps) and they also include a healthy dose of fuzz. The band's eclectic musical influences make for a unique sound that's not so easy to describe ('Fuzzicana' and 'Crunge' are some top suggestions), and there's a lot of energy at their live shows (Janey's percussion enthusiasm would be hard to match).
Double headliner with Hobo Jones and the Junkyard Dogs PLUS The Skimmity Hitchers!
Jim Reynolds is a guitarist and singer who writes and plays an eclectic mix of music. The individual pieces tap into blues, ragtime, rhythm and blues, music hall and folk traditions. Some are extremely sensitive songs about life, people and relationships, while others are tongue in cheek. His albums are also sprinkled with classics from the likes of J.J. Cale, Nick Drake, John Martyn, Roy Orbison, the Inkspots, Jelly Roll Morton and Jimmy Rogers. Having played abroad and in the U.K., especially in Bristol, the South West, Wales, the Midlands and recently the South East, at clubs, pubs and festivals, he has honed his singing and playing, creating a rich and cohesive sound. His finely crafted songs and guitar are a pleasure to listen to and live performances are always memorable. Despite the rarity of 'happy' tunes, the wry observations and descriptions of peoples' experience are somehow uplifting, delivering a sense of humanity and intimacy. Jim has chosen to play his own particular style of music producing albums appreciated and bought by listeners at live performances
The Sunset Cafe was a top night-spot on Chicago’s infamous South Side. Al Capone owned it, Louis Armstrong starred there. The Sunset Cafe Stompers do play the music of that period... great tunes from Scott Joplin, Irving Berlin, Jelly Roll Morton, Duke Ellington, Fats Waller... but the band’s wide repertoire also features songs made famous by artists as diverse as Patsy Cline, Marilyn Monroe, the Inkspots, Fats Domino... even Elvis. Beneath it all, one can sense the elusive, shifting, pulse which defines the sound of New Orleans. In that city, ever since the 1900s, bands have been hired to attract a crowd, or to add spirit and generate excitement for all kinds of occasion. Throughout the last twenty years we have followed in that tradition: playing jazz clubs, concerts for churches, arts centres, village dances, weddings, festivals, funerals, garden parties... from our Dorset/Somerset base, down to Cornwall and up to Cumbria.
Based in the South West of England, Banana High combine the energy of Ska with the power of Rock to create an original sound. Actively gigging and recording together for the last 3 years, Banana High are willing to travel anywhere to perform their music.
Set of talented local chaps who put their heart in good old country music
Classic rock played on classical guitar with a bit of Spanish, classical, jazz and flamenco references thrown in for good measure.
Dana Immanuel is a banjo-toting, whiskey-drinking, poker-playing singer-songwriter currently operating from a north London hideout from which emerges a sound more usually associated with the bayou, triple filtered through bourbon and distortion pedals, with a dusting of fiddle and a touch of alt-country eccentricity. With the five-piece, all-female Stolen Band, Dana has been getting feet stomping across the UK folk, blues, Americana and rock scenes since 2015, winning over crowds from Glastonbury to Boomtown, the Barfly to Union Chapel. The Stolen Band’s sound reflects its members’ eclectic influences, from Alice Cooper to Hank Williams, Led Zeppelin to Crosby, Stills & Nash, routed via the bluegrass turnpike around the oldtime township of alt-country. Whether in front of intimate club audiences or huge festival crowds, their high-energy genre-defying live show is not to be missed.
The Transitions are a band created by men old enough to know better but still young enough to care less. They make a bit of dosh mostly having fun covering great songs you had forgotten you liked, and playing them to poor unsuspecting folks in drinking establishments all over sunny Dorset, Hampshire and Somerset. They don't stick to any genres really so we do have a wide and varied arsenal which is perfect for entertaining varied audiences. When they don't have our primitive cave dweller Mr Listy tapping out beats on his ca’jon (a kind of drum), Karlos plays bass guitar and a bass drum whilst Fatt’s plays guitar and tambourine with his foot. As a result Karlos and Fatts will both need hip replacements in a few years time. Come and check them out and witness how a band with no real talent manages to trick drunk people into thinking like they do. Bare in mind in order to do this you will have to stay sober which may not be worth the prize. When you first hear The Transitions you will be amazed by the fact that there are actually only 2 members. They produce the sound of a 4 or 5 piece band. You will hear drums, bass, guitar, harmonica, melodica, keys, lead vocals and harmonies. All performed live by 2 guys standing right in front of you.
This is a solo set by an ex-member of Phat Bollard and currently playing in the Devil’s Doorbells singing a soulful set of gentle thoughtfully provoking folk songs.
Pack your talent and leave the safety of the bedroom and come on down and strut your inner rock star so that all can enjoy. All types of musician and poet welcomed. Better come early to book yer space. Hosted by the talented Nick and Si from Behind Closed Doors
Classic Ska with touches of Northern Soul. You won’t be able keep your feet still.
Tonetastic new line up for the skanking best. Come and shake your backside to the bombastic horn fuelled ska reggae rock dance explosion that is BRA!
When Andy released the first ever naked Christmas music video it hit the national headlines, leading The Mirror newspaper to ask “Is this the best Christmas music video ever?” With the topics of his songs ranging from chickens to Luxembourg via Pot Noodle, Andy Twyman blends blues with humour and rock and roll to titillate your ears, mind and toes. Having already performed at Glastonbury Festival, on BBC Three and on Channel 4, Andy’s reputation is growing as a highly original emerging artist.
Six superb cheeses all served with a selection of crackers and accompaniments. Tickets are available from the bar at £6.50 each. Get your tickets early for this popular night as we have limited spaces. Booking for this event is essential.
Playing songs from throughout the ages on their Ukuleles, the Mother Ukers are a three piece Ukulele band based in Bournemouth, England. The Band take on modern day classics with their ukuleles and forge them into timeless wonders of a bygone era with the power of ‘Ukular Fusion’ Warping time and Space… The Mother Ukers are ‘The Ukulele Band’
Emerging from the darkest depths of Dorset, Vanilla Radio burst onto the funk rock scene in 2013 delivering their soulful funky grooves to crowds all over the south coast. At its core Jamie Parker, Jack Ansell and Rick Veall have been playing in various line-ups for the last 10 years with the later addition of Will Sear on keys adding another dimension to their sound. Vanilla Radio’s live set is a funk rock explosion taking influence from jazz, funk, soul and motown and mixing all out furious guitar and keys, exploding bass lines and outrageous drum breaks to create a sound that will get you grooving.
The Sunset Cafe was a top night-spot on Chicago’s infamous South Side. Al Capone owned it, Louis Armstrong starred there. The Sunset Cafe Stompers do play the music of that period... great tunes from Scott Joplin, Irving Berlin, Jelly Roll Morton, Duke Ellington, Fats Waller... but the band’s wide repertoire also features songs made famous by artists as diverse as Patsy Cline, Marilyn Monroe, the Inkspots, Fats Domino... even Elvis. Beneath it all, one can sense the elusive, shifting, pulse which defines the sound of New Orleans. In that city, ever since the 1900s, bands have been hired to attract a crowd, or to add spirit and generate excitement for all kinds of occasion. Throughout the last twenty years we have followed in that tradition: playing jazz clubs, concerts for churches, arts centres, village dances, weddings, festivals, funerals, garden parties... from our Dorset/Somerset base, down to Cornwall and up to Cumbria
You all know what to expect – A brilliant fun night with the local chaps ripping their shirts off in support of this popular local duo.
Arcadia Roots are a Worcestershire based band that deliver an exciting hypnotic blend of Trance, Dance, Reggae and Roots music. The bands vibe has been described as ‘earthy’, ‘psychedelic’ and ‘infectious’. This 4 piece dance band combine world, reggae and rock music to create a very unique & captivating sound. The lyrical content of the music reflects the band’s extensive travels. Themes cover some current political and environmental concern’s (fracking, trophy hunting, and religious indoctrination) to time-honoured topics such as love, lust and the search for meaning. These words are placed in between swirling delay and reverbed guitar melodies grounded with a pounding rhythmic backbone.
Chris Webb is a solo acoustic performer of original contemporary folk songs with whimsical narrative and upbeat fingerstyle guitar playing. Guitarist for ‘Gaz Brookfield and the Company of Thieves’ and Lonely Tourist. Guitarist and co-writer with Plume Of Feathers
