Next at The Met # 3
The Ross Ainslie Duo
A new star of Celtic music and a Met regular, piper Ross Ainslie is making a real name for himself on the folk scene playing with bands such as Salsa Celtica and Treacherous Orchestra. Ross plays a fine mix of original and traditional tunes.
Ross is joined at The Met by guitarist Ali Hutton.
A Big Whistle Festival event.
Treacherous Orchestra
Treacherous Orchestra are a turbo-charged thirteen-piece supergroup comprising some of Scotland's finest young instrumentalists.
The band features past and present members of Salsa Celtica, the Peatbog Faeries, Old Blind Dogs, Session A9 and Box Club (to name but a few).
Their astounding musicianship combines with ferocious energy and sophisticated musical arrangements with explosive results, earning them a fearsome reputation as an incendiary live act.
A Big Whistle Festival event.
The Games
Spike Theatre Company
An 'undiscovered' Aristophanes comedy, The Games tells the story of three Greek nobodies caught up in a celestial bet between Zeus, Hera and Hercules. Our unwitting heroes: Stanzas (a terrible poet), Darius (the runt of the litter) and Hermaphrodite (born a girl) travel to compete in the ancient Olympics and take on the heroes of the sporting world with epic results for mankind.
The Games incorporates clown, original music, song, shadow puppetry and original music.
Karnataka
The New Light Tour 2012
Karnataka rose to the forefront of new, Celtic inspired rock bands, following the release of five critically acclaimed albums. The band's latest release, The Gathering Light, recently won Best International Album at the World Web Awards in Italy.
Winning plaudits from Radio 2's Bob Harris and Rick Wakeman, Karnataka have performed in the UK, USA and Europe alongside prestigious artists such as Robert Plant and Porcupine Tree.
In 2011 Karnataka took another major leap forward with the announcement that Hayley Griffiths, lead vocalist with Riverdance and Michael Flatley's Lord Of The Dance, would be joining the band. Hayley's beautiful vocals have already brought her major success winning Best Classical Crossover Artist in 2010.
The band make a much anticipated return to the stage in 2012 with the announcement of their UK tour.
"symphonic and epic"
- Empire
"A genuinely potent force... virtuoso"
- Classic Rock Presents Prog
"A sublime level of accomplishment... epic proportions... magnificent... dreamy and ethereal... grandiose and bold"
- Fireworks Magazine
From powerful to ethereal, breathtaking to haunting, Karnataka's music takes you on a never to be forgotten journey.
Midnight Train
With influences from Bonnie Raitt to Little Feat, Etta James to Bill Withers, Steely Dan, James Brown and Keb Mo, Midnight Train is a mix of Funk, Soul, Blues and R & B creating an uplifting and dynamic set, which appeals to a wide range of audiences.
Accompanying Debbie Giles' smooth rich vocals are Steve Oakman a vibrant, creative keyboard player, on guitar the sensitive touch of Pete Emery and on steady funky bass Chris Belshaw.
Jacqui Dankworth
One of the biggest names and finest voices in British Jazz, delivering a spot on performance every time.
Sarah Dixon and Friends
With Becky Tate, plus guest appearances from 1000 Watt label mates Jupitar Sands, Fort Worth and Inora
In a world of pre-packaged, disposable Pop; Sarah Dixon is a breath of fresh air. The Manchester based singer/songwriter combines insightful lyrics, graceful guitar and a voice that cannot fail to wow. Currently one of Manchester's best kept secrets, her songs have a depth and emotion beyond her years. The music she makes is euphoric, yet bittersweet. Often intimate, always engaging, she is truly a star in the making.
Mick Ralphs
Supported by Virgil and The Accelerators
Mick Ralphs, a founder of two iconic rock bands and still touring with both, takes time out to explore his blues, rock, soul and funk roots. The Bad Company and Mott The Hoople guitarist is joined by some of the best-known names on the current blues scene to play blues and R'n'B favourites - from B.B. King and Otis Rush to Robert Johnson and Sonny Boy Williamson - alongside fresh interpretations of some of Mick's own classic songs.
Mick Ralphs will be supported by Virgil and The Accelerators
Way Out West
The Future is Unwritten
Two men walk into a pub - and then it stops being normal.
Pints are drunk; conversation spans the creation of the universe, the meaning of happiness, the chemical construction of pork scratchings - and how they seem to know more about each other than complete strangers could, or should. And they both seem to recollect dreams in which they met Laurel and Hardy, and each other.
As the alcohol kicks in Simon and Peter find themselves lurching towards an unnerving philosophical and spiritual world, where it becomes a distinct possibility that they are Laurel and Hardy reincarnated... but that's simply laughable, absurd and beyond comprehension - isn't it?
This funny, tender, melancholic and puzzling play comes from the company who created recent hit shows Meeting Joe Strummer and Don't Shoot The Clowns.
Ramsbottom Festival Comedy Club
In support of Ramsbottom Festival 2012
A hilarious evening featuring the cream of comedy talent live in Ramsbottom. With;
Paul Tonkinson - as seen on Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow and much, much more...
Gerry K - Back by demand!
Rising star Jamie Kilday
with compere Ian Fox.
A First Thursday Comedy Club event.
A Ramsbottom Festival Fundraiser event.