Cabaret Voltaire.

21/12/2024

Could there be a more perfect band to play on the bleak fringes of Bodmin Moor? On Wednesday, I opened the door and in came The Unthanks for my final gig of the year, a sell out. They slowed pieces of Winter music down and put in minor chords to make it sound more melancholy. The sisters’ harmonies mixed up with that, which was beautiful. There were 60 Christmas trees in the church, making it hard to set up all the tech stuff, but it was about the overall effect really: the visual jolliness contrasted with the fragile music. I was walking out after the concert ended when Rachel Unthank said she liked the homecooked dinner very much and asked if I wanted to go to the pub. I thought everyone was going but it was just 5 people; Becky, Adrian, Rachel, Dawn French, and her husband Mark. They all knew each other so I wondered if I should have gone because they were making eye contact with each other more than they were with me. After a few drinks, it was fine though. Dawn was funny talking about scones for ages. Just before we went, Becky lost an earring. It took ages to find it. We were relieved, partly as it was found and partly because we all wanted to go. The bar staff wiped surfaces that were already clean to show they did too. I drove off, feeling pleased with the concert, but also that I’d made Dawn French laugh at a couple of dumb jokes.

15/12/2024

Some of the UK’s finest jazz musicians were playing Joni Mitchell songs when I was in Lyme Regis recently. I was impressed. Hattie, the singer, really had it down and I learnt the sax player used to play with Amy Winehouse.

It was so good I’ve asked them to come and play in Bodmin, St Petroc’s and Bruton, St Mary’s. I hope you enjoy it.

Tickets are now on sale from cabaretvoltaireevents.com and in person from the Stripy Duck Bookshop for Bruton.

04/12/2024

★★★★ Mojo, Uncut, and The Irish Times. When Cerys Matthews said Oisin Leech’s debut was her album of the year on BBC 6Music, I got on my burner phone to Donegal. Now he’s coming to Totnes to play us those songs, exactly a week after the start of Spring. That’s a good time because they are about nature and weather at a time we think about those things a little bit more.

I hope you can come, tickets are now on sale from the website or in person from Narnia Totnes.

01/12/2024

Penguin Cafe returned for two sellout shows in Bruton and Totnes. The music was both moving and fun at the same time, so at the end everyone stood up for a long time shouting and clapping. Too much wine was drunk, Nikheel cooked us a lovely dinner, and everyone liked watching the bar staff dancing. Before the gig we hung out and chatted about ears, Neil Tennant, Liam Gallagher, Darren’s outfits and committed expressions, and people we’d lost. At the end Ben, Dave, Alex and me packed everything up. We were very tired, so I whistled ‘There’s no business like show business’ sarcastically as we lifted heavy loudspeakers in to the van.

Thanks to Penguin Cafe, Ben for tech, and Tamarind Tree for the band food.

14/11/2024

Due to high ticket demand this show has moved from the Barrel House down the road to the Civic Hall in Totnes. All existing tickets are automatically transferred.

I'm looking forward to welcoming Fionn to Totnes, aren't you?

10/11/2024

In Bruton and Bodmin over the weekend

04/11/2024

Her first tour, Nadia Kadek opened for Benjamin Francis Leftwich on Friday - thank you. She said how nice it was that everyone listened intently.

02/11/2024

Yesterday Benjamin Francis Leftwich played in Totnes - so much authenticity and emotion. More photos coming...

26/10/2024

Serene, dreamy, but groovy: last night in Totnes, Rozi Plain performed at St Mary’s.
Thank you for another memorable evening. Props to Yama Warashi for opening, Tamarind Tree for the yummy band food, and Ben and Andy for sound and lights.

16/10/2024

He’s been nominated for the Mercury Music Prize! His music was on Normal People! Cillian Murphy is in his music video!

There’s lots to shout about with Fionn Regan, and most all, he is coming to Totnes next year.
Tickets are on sale Friday.

30/09/2024

With a face like Honiton, Simon Armitage had a Gawain-like adventure to the South West’s finest chapels last week to read poetry and bird table with us.

08/09/2024

Penguin Cafe tickets have sold out in Totnes, but there’s still a few for Bruton. Not that many though, so go to the website or the Stripy Duck bookshop and buy one if you are planning on coming.

22/08/2024

Dear poet laureate Simon Armitage is coming to lovely Totnes and Bruton next month. Both events have sold out. Hurrah.

16/08/2024

31/07/2024

Guess what? Benjamin Francis Leftwich is coming to Totnes for a church concert this November. His performances have such passion and pathos, so you should come along.

Tickets now on sale from the website or Narnia Totnes.

17/07/2024

Did you know that Penguins swim South West at Winter? I love this band. In celebration of vinyl releases, hear all the original Penguin Cafe Orchestra tunes in beautiful church settings in Bruton and Totnes. Tickets on sale this Friday.

29/06/2024

Bernard Butler in Bodmin: warming up for Glastonbury, on the fringes of the moor.

21/06/2024

Bernard Butler in Bodmin: join us in Cornwall’s largest parish church ahead of the Glastonbury Acoustic Stage show. It’s going to be a special occasion with lots of new material. I’m chuffed that Annie Dressner is opening the show, her songs are clever and touching. Come along on Thursday 27 June with tickets from the Cabaret Voltaire website.