Head to The Forum
The Tunbridge Wells Forum always delivers the very best in cultural music from local to across the globe and the brilliant Britpop darlings Echobelly perform a special acoustic set on December 4. The following night Love Island headline and they’ll have support from Dead Ceremony. Ladybird take to the stage on December 19 and The Anti Nowhere League will be rocking out on both December 20 and 21. Get your tickets while you still can as they are flying out! If you fancy a night out just before New Year’s Eve then The Modern Strangers headline on December 28. For more information visit www.twforum.co.uk
Folk royalty at the St Edith
Folk enthusiasts can catch none other than Seth Lakeman at St Edith Folk Club in Kemsing on December 6 and Tonbridge Folk Club host Alan Richardson on December 16. Blues fans should definitely catch Jimmy C and The Blues Dragons at The Anchor Inn, Sevenoaks.
The Beau Nash tavern is top
This popular pub has a very busy programme during December with a host of fantastic local bands to enjoy, who will have you singing along in no time! Look out for Kharma & The Devil on December 7, Rooster Tail on the 14, J.E.M on December 21 and Acoustic Atlas on December 28.
Pop along to Penshurst
On December 8 the Penshurst Choral Society present a festive concert by candlelight with an array of carols old and new and some seasonal readings at St John The Baptist Church. For more details go to www.penshurstchoralsociety.co.uk/concerts. If you fancy some more carol singing then soak up the Christmas atmosphere in front of the stunning Scotney Castle on December 15.
We dig Delaney’s
Delaney’s on Camden Road are now regularly putting on live music and have two festive nights in store on December 6 when they’ll be welcoming Mike Wilton with Paul Crisp performing on the 20. Expect some uplifting acoustic vibes with plenty of Christmas singalong favourites, fabulous food and beverages to quench your thirst.
For Local & Live lovers
For fans of Local & Live, look out for local songstresses Hannah Richards and Sorrel Nation who are performing at The Grey Lady on December 8, and 18 respectively. On December 17, The Tunbridge Wells Forum hosts a rocking night of Local & Live with local rockers Cyrano headlining and support comes from The Charlie Rivers Band and Storm Engine. All three bands are very popular in their own right and have wowed audiences all over the local area and beyond, including the Local & Live Festival at Calverley Grounds this summer. Expect a lively mix of pop and rock with some funky vibes thrown in for good measure. Other Local & Live shows to look out for are Plato and Common Buzzards on December 23 and the Alternative Local & Live Christmas Party on December 27 featuring All The Above, Black Gabanza and Night Without Sleep.
Groove on down at The Grey Lady
This Pantiles premises hosts a full month of live music during December but my pick of the month for the shows that haven’t already sold out is the superb Lipstick & Beatniks on December 21.
Trinity by candlelight
The internationally acclaimed guitar virtuoso Richard Durrant returns to Trinity Theatre for his annual candlelit Christmas Concert on December 19. Durrant’s guitar skills are simply breathtaking and to see him perform in the stunning setting of Trinity Theatre is quite something!
Best of the rest
The Sussex Arms Basement have a belter of a show on December 20 with The Orange Circus and popular local band The Patinas will be at The Bedford Pub on December 7.
Party like it’s 2019
New Year’s Eve is always a tough one with so much going on across the borough but the annual Hug-Many event on The Pantiles is a fantastic spectacle with lots of fabulous live music and fireworks to see in the New Year. The atmosphere is wonderful and it helps raise money for a great cause. Visit www.hug-many.co.uk for more information.
And finally I just want to say thanks for all your support in 2019. It has been a great year for the local music scene, which continues to flourish and develop. See you in 2020!
Follow Paul @PaulDuntonmusic
