Fat Tuesday - Hastings' own Mardis Gras Is here

Fat Tuesday is finally here and Hastings' streets are about to burst alive with hundreds of musicians performing in our favourite bars and venues.
Venues around townVenues around town
Venues around town

On Friday 24th Marie White kicks off proceedings as featured artist performing at The Albion (7pm) If you haven't seen Marie before she is an incredible vocal talent somewhere between Tracy Chapman and Macy Gray. On Saturday artists unplug their amps and tour the old town with an eclectic mix of unplugged music from classical piano to acoustic rock, Irish folk, a-capella, blues, brass, shanties and world music. If an act impresses you and 15 minutes just isn't enough then follow them to the next venue. Alternatively, eat, drink and be merry as the musicians come to you (best to book at participating restaurants if you plan to eat).

Sunday then follows on with Off Axis, music from the best unsigned bands across the country performing at Flairz, Brass Monkey, Union Bar and The Carlisle. At 12.00 mid-day, people can muster at the Stade with their decorated umbrellas and be led through the streets by the wonderful 2nd line band taking them all the way down to The Palace ready for more celebrating. All you need to enter the parade is an umbrella! Sunday Sonics, a one day celebration of all things avant garde will be starting proceedings in the basement floor of the Borough Wines Building from mid-day to 4pm with video art performance and spoken word then on to Wow and Flutter followed by a full programme of sonic entertainmenhat at The Printworks.

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On Monday Fat Tuesday have a free music convention providing a unique opportunity for bands to learn how to get ahead in the music business and all about new music initiatives.

Fat Tuesday at last!!! Mardis Gras day, when the streets will be filled with music fans, dressed in fancy dress, fabulous feathers, beads masks and make up. Twelve venues host 'The Fat Tuesday Tour' where 24 bands play 20 minute sets in 3 venues.

The full list of performers is: Cushty, Foxe, Cocktail Safari, Din, Helen Sharpe, Nova Twins, Captain Clagnut , Bosco Rogers, Matilda's Scoundrels, Marie White, Dr Savage, DODGY, Dorey The Wise, Kid Kapichi, Bless, Wonk Unit, Ben Jordan, Barbarella's Bang Bang, Sam Wills, Jamie Smart, Hobo Jones, Soul Express, We Are Baz, Earl Grey and headlinig the after show party will be WE-ARE-Z.

As you head around town be sure to catch performances by ;

DODGY (20.30 - 20.50 London Trader, 21.30 - 21.50 The Albion, 23.00 - 23.30 Carlisle,Dodgy are the Fat Tuesday headliners this year and will be performing songs from their triple platinum selling album "Free Peace Sweet" and their latest album "What Are We Fighting For" plus lots from their other albums. Dodgy were only together for seven years but in that time they sold over a million records worldwide, released three albums and enjoyed 12 Top 40 singles, including 'Staying Out For The Summer', 'In A Room', 'If You’re Thinking Of Me' and the Top 5 hit 'Good Enough' - still a staple of the radio playlists. Expect good vibes and wonderful songs....

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BLESS (20.30 - 20.50 Old Market, 21.30 - 21.50 Jenny Lind, 22.30 - 23.00 Royal Standard) Sounding like a fight between Dr Feelgood and Dexy's Midnight Runners that might have happened on acid one night in a circus, BLESS. are here to screw up your understanding of punctuation as well as to entertain. Add a pinch of The Specials and then let it bake in a time machine that takes you back to the present day via the summer of 1967 and you'll wonder why you're still reading this... COME. AND. WATCH.

Wonk Unit (20.40 - 21.00 The Carlisle, 21.30 - 21.50 The Nelson, 22.30 - 23.00 London Trader,Regarded as one of the most exciting live and unique bands in modern punk rock. Five full studio albums down the line, the band continue to confuse and negate classification. Mixing musical genres but always retaining that raw edge and DIY values that drive the underground scene. The band have been described by Louder Than War as “The future of punk rock”, whilst Vive Le Rock said that Wonk Unit have, “found their own sound. It’s punk son, but not as we know it.”

Sam Wills (20.00 - 20.20 The Dolphin, 21.00 - 21.20 The Anchor, 22.00-22.20 The Filo)Hailing from Hastings, the talents of Sam Wills have been in the making for the past decade. Now 24 years old, a professionally trained vocalist and pianist, Sam Wills’ music is awash with classic soul and hip-hop influences from Michael Jackson to John Legend, whilst the modern UK electronic scene delivers undertones of Jamie Woon, Snakehips, Disclosure and more. Sam’s resulting defiantly fresh, UK sound is now beginning to see the light. Having released his debut 'So Bright EP' in 2016, he spent the Summer and Autumn playing it live with his band to sold out venues around the UK, touring with Jordan Rakei and Tom Misch, and supporting acts including Jamie Cullum and Brandy. Fat Tuesday can expect funk-filled spontaneous jams around well known songs and some original material.

Barbarella's Bang Bang (20.00 - 20.20 Porters, 21.00 - 21.20 The Dolphin, 22.00 - 22.20 The Anchor)A combination of European gypsy folk and theatrical pop with roots in eastern and roman Europe, Barbarella's Bang Bang provide a soundtrack of ecstasy for all occasions. Fronted by the stunning Barbarella the Bang Bang will take you on a ride from the eyes of a puppet in a world of lost lovers to Bohemia

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Bosco Rogers (20.10 - 20.30 The Carlisle, 21.00 - 21.20 The Nelson, 22.00 - 22.20 London Trader)Flower punk ruffians hailing from the South of England consisting of Barth (Rouen) and Del (Hastings), joined on stage by a bunch of wastrels, cranks, waifs and strays. Taking inspiration from bands like The Monks, The B-52's and Guided By Voices, careering forward between 60's psychedelic rock, new wave and proto-punk.

Ben Jordan (20.00 - 20.20 The Filo, 21.00 - 21.20 Porters, 22.00 - 22.20 The Dolphin)Ben Jordan is an American independent musician from Denver, Colorado. Ben's songs range from intimate ballad to high energy foot stomper and everywhere in between. His solo shows are part comedy, part travelogue and always a hairs breadth from careening off the road. His communication and rapport with the audience is a rare and often hilarious thing to see. Never one to shy away from a road story or a joke before breaking your heart or making you want to get up and dance, Ben is both new & old in the same breath. With ever changing set lists, and a prolific output of songs, definitely a live experience worth having more than once.

The final event of the festival is the now infamous After Show Party at The Brass Monkey. WE-ARE-Z will be performing live and top DJ's will be playing the tunes. WE-ARE-Z are a four-part French, one-part Anglo-Italian avant-garde rock - a carefully coordinated chaos They are as inspired by James Brown as they are Talking Heads and Devo. Vivid, combustible and thrillingly illicit. We-Are-Z have just released their brand new single, 'Goldigaz', - off the wall and straight onto the ceiling, this song and accompanying video are undeniably unique. I challenge anyone to find a band as unafraid to make a statement as these guys! Gigwise

All there's left to say is enjoy yourselves, have fun and let your hair down....

For a full line-up go to hastingsfattuesday.co.uk

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