Hertfordshire Gig Listing – Down At The Front

April 2023 Hertfordshire Gig Guide

Paul Hudson — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 01:01:02 +0000

Every Tuesday

Battle Of The Bands
The Horn, St Albans

Battle of the Bands continues throughout April at the Horn.

Thursday 6th

Pest / Ramona Marx
The Horns, Watford

Two decent local bands playing Watford’s The Horns

Thursday 6th

Corn on the Cob
Corn Exchange Hertford

An evening of blues and Americana at the Corn Exchange

Saturday 15th

Ten Tonnes
Corn Exchange Hertford

Hertford singer songwriter and brother of George Ezra, plays a sold-out homecoming show.

Sunday 16th

Snuff
The Horn, St Albans

Mid 80s punk band from Hendon

Sunday 16th

Lottery Winners
Corn Exchange Hertford

Manchester-based breezy indie pop band

Tuesday 18th

The Oozes
The Horn, St Albans

Queer punk four-piece with 2 minute long songs

Sunday 23rd

Pigs, Pigs, Pigs, Pigs, Pigs, Pigs, Pigs
Corn Exchange Hertford

Doom psych rockers bring their intense performances to Hertford on a Sunday night.

Thursday 27th

Fun Loving Criminals
Corn Exchange Hertford

They played the Horn last year and return to play the Corn Exchange.

Friday 28th

Bluetones (Acoustic)
Club 85, Hitchin

90s band continuing to play on.

Thursday 29th

Stereo MC’s
Club 85, Hitchin

80s popular dance act bring the party to Hitchin.

Sunday 30th

Concert for Ukraine
The Horn, St Albans

Day of music in support of the Ukraine featuring 11 local bands

March 2023 Hertfordshire Gig Guide

Paul Hudson — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 00:17:51 +0000

Every Tuesday

Battle of the Bands
The Horn, St Albans

The competition continues throughout March

Thursday 9th

Giant Party
The Horn, St Albans

Synth pop indie from the Basingstoke four piece.

Saturday 11th

BBC Introducing
The Horn, St Albans

A BBC Introducing session showcasing talent from Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire at the Horn.

Thursday 16th

The Shantlys
The Horn, St Albans

Hemel band with a touch of an Oasis influence.

Thursday 23rd

Deathcrash
The Horn, St Albans

Slow paced stoner rock music

Thursday 30th

Hue and Cry
Corn Exchange Hertford

80’s Scottish pop brothers, Hue and Cry, famous for their hit ‘Labours of Love’ play the Corn Exchange

Friday 31st

Sunbirds
Corn Exchange Hertford

New band from David Hemingway of the Beautiful South.

January & February 2023 Hertfordshire Gig Guide

Paul Hudson — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 00:39:09 +0000

January is always a quiet gigging month and 2023 is no different. It might be an opportunity to catch some local bands? The Horn’s Battle of the Bands starts this month, with heats every Tuesday from the 10th January. Things pick up in February with several Independent Venue Week gigs.

January 2023

Saturday 14th

BBC Introducing
The Horn, St Albans

A BBC Introducing session showcasing talent from Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire at the Horn.

Thursday 26th

Chantel McGregor
Corn Exchange Hertford

Talented Blues guitarist playing the Corn on the Cob monthly session at the Corn Exchange.

Sunday 28th

JazzUP presents Tom Syson Quintet
Club 85, Hitchin

Monthly Jazz evening at Club 85 presents trumpeter, Tom Syson.

Tuesday 31st

Skinny Living
The Horn, St Albans

February 2023

Wednesday 1st

Grant-Lee Philips
The Horn, St Albans

Thursday 2nd

Trampoline
The Horn, St Albans

Thursday 2nd

JW Francis
David’s Music, Letcworth

An instore for the release of JW Francis’s new ‘Dream House’ album

Friday 3rd

Pale Blue Eyes
The Horn, St Albans

Excellent shoegaze band from Devon

Sarpa Salpa x Low Girl
Club 85, Hitchin

An IVW gig at Club 85.

Saturday 4th

Coach Party
Corn Exchange Hertford

IVW gig. With support from Girl Scout. Both played the Horn in 2022.

Sunday 5th

Sarpa Salpa x Low Girl
The Horn, St Albans

IVW gig.

Monday 13th

Panic Shack
The Horn, St Albans

Panic Shack return to the Horn

Wednesday 15th

Ellis.D
The Horn, St Albans

Psychy rock, with a touch of glam theatrics thrown in for good measure

Wednesday 22nd

Hundred Reasons
Corn Exchange Hertford

Friday 24th

Republica
Corn Exchange Hertford

Indie Pop band from the 90s bring their hits to Hertford

Saturday 25th

David Brewis (of Field Music)
David’s Music Letchworth

In-store for David’s debut solo album ‘The Soft Struggles’.

July 2022 Hertfordshire Gig Guide

Paul Hudson — Thu, 30 Jun 2022 23:30:37 +0000

Friday 1st & 2nd

Sign of the Times Festival
Church End, Near Little Hadham

Old timer festival featuring UB40, Shed Seven, Boomtown Rats, Echo and the Bunnymen, Therapy?. Pretty much all music before 1990.

Saturday 3rd

Craig David
Church End, Near Little Hadham

Boring popular musician

Friday 1st – Sunday 3rd

RED Fest
Red Lion, Stevenage

Weekend of local rock acts at the Red Lion in Stevenage

Saturday 2nd

Kimpton Folk Festival
Kimpton

Small folk festival.

Sunday 10th

Superlove
The Horn, St Albans

The National Lottery Revive Live tour bring Bristol band Superlove to the Horn.

Friday 15th

My Life Story
Corn Exchange Hertford, Hertford

Saturday 16th

Billy Sullivan
The Horn, St Albans

Former front person of The Spitfires brings his new solo songs to The Horn

Saturday 16th

Sad Boys Club
Corn Exchange Hertford, Hertford

Sunday 17th

Folk By The Oak
Hatfield House, Hatfield

Listen to The Proclaimers, Richard Thompson and The Unthanks under in the grounds of Hatfield House

Friday 21st – Sunday 24th

Standon Calling
Standon

A whole host of big names come to Hertfordshire for a weekend of fun in the sun (it usually rains). Madness, Anne-Marie, Boyle Carter and Primal Scream headline. The undercard is pretty strong featuring Ezra Furman, John Grant, Sleaford Mods, SIGRID, Craig David, Dry Cleaning, Yard Act.

Saturday 23rd

Michael Bublé
Hatfield House

Grammy winning global warbler plays Hatfield House

Sunday 24th

Tears For Fears
Hatfield House

80s band play Hatfield House

Tuesday 26th / Friday 29th

The Big Pink
The Horn / Corn Exchange Hertford

June 2022 Hertfordshire Gig Gide

Paul Hudson — Tue, 31 May 2022 18:04:35 +0000

A busier month featuring the first festivals of the season

Thursday 2nd

Corn on the Cob – Mark Sullivan
Corn Exchange Hertford

Monthly event supporting blues, bluegrass, country, Americana, folk. This moth’s headliner is Mark Sullivan, a guitarist from Stevenage

You Me at Six
Hatfield Park

Playing their ‘Sinners Never Sleep’ album in full.

Friday 3rd

ZRI: Adventures with Charlie Chaplin
Corn Exchange Hertford

ZRI provide a live score for Charlie Chaplin’s ‘The Adventure’.

Thursday 2nd – Saturday 4th

Stone Valley Festival South
Hillside Farm, Great Amwell, Ware

A who’s who of old timers. Featuring The Stranglers, Petter Hook, Big Country, Stiff Little Fingers

Friday 3rd – Saturday 4th

Liam Gallagher
Knebworth House

Chief knob of Oasis brings the parker boys to Stevenage. You either love him or think his brother is the talented Gallagher. Think you can guess what we think.

Saturday 4th

Slam Dunk Festival
Hatfield Park

Annual pop punk festival featuring Sum 41 and Dropkick Murphys

Tuesday 7th

Millie Manders and the Shutup
The Horn

Poppy punk.

Thursday 9th

Press Club
The Horn

Australian indie band visiting the Horn as part of their biggest UK and EU tour.

Sunday 12th

Rock in the Park
King George V Recreation Ground, Stevenage

Family day in Stevenage

Bushey Acoustic Music Festival
Mary Forsdyke Gardens, Bushey

Free music festival featuring 80 local artists across 7 stages

Tuesday 14th

Roxanne De Bastion
The Horn

A much re-arranged show for Roxanne’s 2021 album tour

Wednesday 15th

Planet
Corn Exchange Hertford

Australian indie band with an early 90s Manchester sound

Thursday 16th

Black Doldrums
The Horn

Two-piece gothy, psych.

Saturday 18th

Bo Ningen
The Horn

The mighty Japanese/London band bring their heavy psych grooves to the Horn. One of the best live acts around. Bring ear plugs. They are loud.

Wednesday 29th

The Wild Things
Corn Exchange Hertford

The Wild Thing are fronts by Sydney Rae White, star of ‘Uncle’ and ‘American Assassin’.

April and May Hertfordshire Gig Guide

Paul Hudson — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 21:07:56 +0000

Sadly, cancellations are still happening and it seems many bands are delaying announcing their tours. This has had a knock-on effect, with schedules fairly light at venues across Hertfordshire. Hopefully things pic up soon.

APRIL

Friday 15th

Big Country
The Horn

Popular 80s band.

Saturday 16th

The Wedding Present
Club 85

Ever popular The Wedding Present play Hertfordshire twice in as many months. Their first visit is to the Corn Exchange Hertford

Wednesday 27th

EADES
The Horn

Another Yorkshire band coming out of the Leeds with tongue in cheek wry humour and catchy guitars.

Thursday 28th

James Gun and the Cold Gun
The Horn

90s sounding grungy band.

Friday 29th – 1st May

Redfest
The Red Lion, Stevenage

Weekend of live local rock music at the Red Lion in Stevenage. Expect it to be busy and loud

MAY

Wednesday 4th

Coach Party
The Horn

Rearranged from January. With 6 Music airplay and positive music press. This is bound to be a hot ticket

Thursday 5th

Blue Violet
The Horn

Vocal led indie music with laid back dreamy sounds

Saturday 7th

DREADZONE
Club 85

80s dub reggae band. Still packing out venues with their unique sound

Sunday 8th

The Wedding Present (SOLD OUT)
Club 85

Second helping from the Wedding Present

Monday 11th

Sheafs
The Horn

Lots of intense staring with angular post-punk guitars. If we were’t heading off to the Great Escape, they would be a must see.

Saturday 14th

Blyth Power
Club 85

Punk rock stalwarts come to Club 85 in May. Still rocking as hard as ever. Sure to be a noisy show

Saturday 21st

Adohan
The Half Moon

Australian singer songwriter signed to Communion Music and sits well with that folk indie sound of many of their label mates

Wednesday 25th

Fatherson

For fans of the Scottish indie sound of bands like Frightened Rabbit and Twin Atlantic.

March 2022 Hertfordshire Gig Guide

Paul Hudson — Sun, 13 Feb 2022 20:37:53 +0000

With so many cancellations in January and February, it didn’t seem worthwhile recommending gigs that weren’t going to happen. But there’s hope March might see things start to return to normal and you now have a new venue to catch bands at, with the opening of Corn Exchange Hertford. Here are some reasons to get you out of the house.

2nd – The Lounge Society, The Horn

Bit of a coup this one. It’s likely The Lounge Society are going to follow bands like Yard Act and hit the mainstream this year. Don’t be fooled by their Harry Potter lookalike singer. Once he starts performing, he means business and the band have something to say about Britain. Singed to Speedy Wunderground. They’re destined for a great 2022. Get down to the Horn. They won’t be playing venues as small as the Horn for very long.

9th – Sick Joy, The Horn

Grungy Brighton three piece with music following the Nirvana song book.

11th – ‘All Female Night’, Club 85

With the exception of Loud Women gigs who only put together great female led and non binary gigs. I’m never too keen on venues putting on an ‘all female night’. It is usually an indication their lineups on other nights are under representing the many excellent female or female led bands. This gig features JOANovARC, Sam Walker, Bianca, Cara Beard and Roxy Seale. I’m sure it will be a great evening. But there’s a clash of styles which maybe shows how artificial the line up is. Maybe Club 85 you could do a better job of featuring more female led bands and artists on other nights?

19th – Trash Boat, Corn Exchange

Noisy St Albans hardcore quintet Trash Boat have a dedicated loyal following. This is certain to be a popular gig at new venue the Corn Exchange, Hertford.

24th – The Woodentops, The Horn

Reformed 80s stripped back pop group hit the Horn

25th – Buzzcocks, Corn Exchange

Punk royalty. The Buzzocks are the seminal British punk band. Sadly minus Pete Shelley who died in 2018. This is sure to be a popular gig.

25th – GONG, Club 85

GONG keep on rocking. Current line up head to Club 85 for their rescheduled gig

31st – Enter Shikari, Club 85 (Sold Out)

St Albans band play Club 85 as part of the National Lottery’s #ReviveLive Tour

December 2021 Hertfordshire Gig Guide

Paul Hudson — Thu, 02 Dec 2021 23:12:24 +0000

1st December – Emily Capell, The Horn

Have to admit, I wasn’t sold on her last time she played the Horn. But her interpretation of doo-wop has an appeal.

3rd December – Big Country, Eric Morecambe Centre

Popular 80s band with its latest lineup.

5th December – Black Foxxes, The Horn

Rescheduled gig. Sound interesting with a heavy grungy sound. They’re touring to support their new album released mid September. I’m going to have to give them a longer listen. I’m liking what I’m hearing. Support from the Cure influenced Vaulted Skies

7th December – Beans on Toast, The Horn

Popular folk singer returns to the Horn

9th December – My Life Story, The Horn

14th December – Spector, The Horn

They never quite seem to have broken through to the mainstream. But they’re a great live band. Worth catching

18th December – Lock-in, The Horn at the Half Moon

November 2021 Hertfordshire Gig Guide

Paul Hudson — Sat, 06 Nov 2021 00:38:27 +0000

Slightly late this month but like with last month and there’s already been a cancellation, Chubby and the Gang called their gig at the Horn. This seems to be something venues and promoters are having to get used to.

9th November – Declan Welsh and the Decadent West. The Horn

11th November – October Drift, The Horn

16th November – Daytime TV. The Horn

17th November – Wishbone Ash, Eric Morecambe Centre

18th November – Ren Harvieu, The Horn

18th November – Blancmange, Eric Morecambe Centre

23rd November – Hayseed Dixie, The Horn

25th November – Bugeye, The Half Moon

27th November – Jazz Up!, Club 85

Featuring jazz clarinettist, Adrian Cox and jazz drummer Jack Cotterill

28th November – Haunt The Woods, The Horn

October 2021 Hertfordshire Gig Guide

Paul Hudson — Sat, 02 Oct 2021 20:47:32 +0000

September didn’t pan out the way I expected. I seriously damaged my arm which meant I couldn’t drive for three weeks. Plus at the beginning of September I heard stories of inflections at some smaller venues where there was a mix of young and old. London venues tend to have an older crowd. But it’s pretty much the mix of my local venues which also suffer from having no fresh air mixed air conditioning. I had planned to go to several of the Horn gigs and two at Club 85. Some were actually cancelled in the end. But I decided to give the rest a miss.

5th October – Roddy Woomble, The Horn

Lead singer of Idlewild playing his solos material.

7th October – King Nun, The Horn

12th October – October Drift, The Horn (Postponed)

I’m not too fused about October Drift musically. But they do put on a good show.

14th October – Avalanche Party, The Horn

A much underrated band. Excellent live. I think I will mask up, and chance this gig

19th October – Haunt the Woods, The Horn

Playing indie folk wth haunting melodies. I’m not use if their music will translate to live. But worth giving them a try. I think this is a rescheduled gig from last year.I’m sure I planned to see this band at the Horn before lockdown.

20th October – Coach Party (Postponed) , The Horn

Infectious indie pop band that have been on several one to watch’ lists. Their recent ‘After Party’ EP was great.

26th October – Gender Roles, The Horn

Jangly indie punk

27th October – Moon Panda, The Horn

Dreamy indie pop from Denmark and California

30th October – Jazz UP!, Club 85

Presents saxophonist Emma Rawicz