Music

To celebrate their 10th year anniversary and 30 years since The Beautiful South released ‘Song For Whoever’, The South are back this Spring, with a March 2019 - UK Tour playing shows up and down the whole of the UK. The South are an impressive 9 piece band who feature former members of The Beautiful South including singer Alison Wheeler and lifelong sax player Gaz Birtles.  Since Dave Hemingway, the original singer, left the group at the end of 2016, Gaz has moved across to front the band with Alison and taken on vocal duties. They play the songs made famous by The Beautiful South and bring back the full flavour and arrangements with this exciting live band.

Following a fantastic opening year in 2015, Waterloo - The Best of Abba Tribute Show returns in 2018 delighting audiences and bringing the “Abba Party” to venues up and down the country. This truly phenomenal tribute show is presented by Sweeney Entertainments and Produced & Directed by James Baker. In 1974 the little known Swedish pop group ABBA swept to superstardom with their Eurovision winning Waterloo, and four decades later the song and the band remain as popular as ever. Waterloo looks back at the sensational rise to stardom of Agnetha, Bjorn, Benny and Anni-Frid and gives fans the opportunity to experience the thrill of a live ABBA show!

The Gig Cartel presents Hugh Cornwell Electric The Monster Tour. Coming to Harpenden Public Halls on Thursday 21st November 2019. 'Golden Brown, Strange Little Girl, Always The Sun, Peaches, No More Heroes, Nice & Sleazy.....sound familiar? All big hits, all great songs, all written and sung by Hugh Cornwell, the songwriter behind The Stranglers.   He is the hitman and he’s back with a new album ‘Monster’ this Autumn on Sony Music. Expect an opening set of prime solo songs, including picks from ‘Monster’, followed by a storming set of those iconic hits, sung and played by the man himself and his band.

Jackson Live in Concert has to be the most accurate and exciting tribute to the King of Pop to have ever toured UK theatres. Presented by Sweeney Entertainments, this concert show is in its eight year of touring and sees long-time fan and hugely talented Ben recreate the Michael Jackson experience with his stunning rendition of all his favourite songs.

Petty Criminals, the UK’s top Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers tribute band, are currently performing ‘THE TOM AND STEVIE SHOW’ a joint TOM PETTY and STEVIE NICKS greatest hits show, with slideshow and animations.

The New Year is almost upon us! If you have eaten too much pud and want to get out and about experiencing St Albans life, consider these events;

Appearing at Kimpton Memorial Hall on Saturday Feb 11th 2023 is the only show in the UK dedicated to performing the great songs of American classic rock, from late 1960s through to the 1990s. From The Eagles to The Doors, Fleetwood Mac to Tom Petty, Lynyrd Skynyrd to ZZ Top, Bruce Springsteen, Lou Reed, Bob Dylan, The Byrds and Neil Young and many points in between. American music is defined by rich harmonies and classic song-writing that evokes long open roads and small town life. During a 2+ hours show you will hear the best of American music.

Introducing Waterloo - The Best of Abba Tribute show presented by Sweeney Entertainments and Produced and Directed by James Baker. This brand new show celebrates the music of one of the best-selling music artists of all time - Abba. In 1974 the little known Swedish pop group Abba swept to superstardom with their Eurovision winning ‘Waterloo’, and four decades later the song and the band remain as popular as ever.

I was pleasantly surprised to find out that a local group was to perform 'Spamalot'. St. Albans Musical Theatre (previously known as St Albans Operatic Society) have been producing high-quality productions for some years now and I must say expectations were high. St. Albans is blessed with many high-quality amateur and professional performers (being located close to London being one of the main reasons), as well as directors and choreographers.

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.