Music

The Beautiful South’s co-founder Dave Hemingway’s new band SUNBIRDS play HERTFORD – Corn Exchange on Friday 31st March / MILTON KEYNES – MK11 on Saturday 6th May & ST ALBANS – The Horn on Sunday 7th May 2023. The man who once told us he loved us from the bottom of his pencil case, founder Beautiful South member Dave Hemingway returns with his new band SUNBIRDS announcing their dates for 2023.

There are hundreds of would-be Sinatras and Bowies roaming the UK and earning a very good living but tribute acts playing the music of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are a little thin on the ground. Even rarer is a group of musicians who are perfectionists and go to great lengths to recreate the impressive, tuneful rock music created by the singer-songwriter-musician from Gainesville in Florida. Petty died one year ago at the relatively young age of 66 but his music will live on for future generations.

Jackson Live in Concert, presented by Sweeney Entertainments, brings the hugely talented ‘CJ’ to theatres across the UK, recreating the Michael Jackson experience with his stunning rendition of all his favourite songs. Michael Jackson is not only remembered as one of the most influential artists of all time, but many of today’s artists have been inspired by his iconic style. His career spanned nearly five decades of music, and he was continually at the forefront of popular music.

The Cornish legend of comedy is back and hitting theatres across the UK on his massive 2014 UK tour. He is appearing at the Radlett Centre on the 20th June and the Watford Colosseum on the 31st November 2014. The tour, which opened to a sell out crowd at the Bristol Hippodrome in January, is running throughout the year taking in cities and towns from Edinburgh to Truro, Cornwall.

The top UK tribute to Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers is coming to the EMC Harpenden 18th November 2022 (moved from The Alban Arena). The band are based locally, in St. Albans and have been performing since 2018. During a 2+ hours show they perform the greatest songs of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers. The performance will include early songs that brought Tom Petty to the attention of the world, such as American Girl, Breakdown & Refugee, through the ‘80s and early ‘90s with classics like Don’t Do Me Like That, Freefallin’, Runnin’ Down A Dream, I Won’t Back Down & Learning To Fly. Also highlights from the seminal album “Wildflowers” and his later albums. The show will also include the best songs from his time with The Traveling Wilburys, such as Handle With Care and End Of The Line, and duets with Stevie Nicks, such as Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around

On the Saturday 8th March 2014 Think Floyd will be coming to The Radlett Centre, show starting 8pm. Tickets are £20.00 and £18.00 and you can book on 01923 859291. I interviewed Lewis Hall of the band about the show, why a Pink Floyd tribute and and lots more. You can hear the interview below.

Following the recent success enjoyed by Becky O’Brien in Britain’s Got Talent, when she made the papers for making Simon Cowell cry with her touching rendition of “Over The Rainbow”, she now joins Britain’s original and longest running Rat Pack show in a brand new production – THE RAT PACK AND JUDY which is coming to The Radlett Centre on Sunday 19th June at 7.30pm.

On the Friday 21st March 2014 FLASH - a Tribute to Queen Live in Concert will be coming to The Radlett Centre, show starting 8pm. Tickets are £18.50 and £17.50 and you can book on 01923 859291. I interviewed Scott Maley, who plays Freddie Mercury, about the show, why a Queen tribute and and lots more. You can hear the interview below.

On the Sunday 16th February 2014 the Johnny Cash Roadshow will be coming to The Radlett Centre, show starting 8pm. Tickets are £18.50 and £17.50 and you can book on 01923 859291. I spoke to Clive John who performs as Johnny Cash in the show and asked him, various questions, such as - Why Johnny Cash? What is it about him or his music that appeals to you?

The Christmas Pantomime and Show Season in St Albans is about to start and the first snow has arrived this morning! How very timely! There are wonderful events lined up in the city this year so if you haven't already booked a ticket, read the list below and see what might appeal to your family.