The List

Colchester Arts Centre

The venue promotes a wide range of contemporary performing arts including comedy theatre and live music covering folk, world, pop and rock as well as children's workshops and farmers' markets. The centre has showcased several big names on their road to stardom including Eddie Izzard, Graham Norton, The Libertines and The Killers. There is no parking outside the venue in Church Street, except for performers/contractors loading in and out but parking is available on St Mary's Car Park on Balkerne Hill. The nearest railway station is Colchester Town.

What's On @ Colchester Arts Centre

Fleetwood Bac

Fleetwood Bac

27 Mar 2026 - 27 Feb 2027

Fleetwood Bac were the world's first Fleetwood Mac tribute show. The classic Mac sound, the look, the mystical atmosphere and that infamous on-stage chemistry are all portrayed with the passion and energy that got them the ultimate seal of approval from the real Fleetwood Mac members including Mick 'Big Daddy' Fleetwood and original Mac guitarist Peter Green!
Jessica Fostekew: Iconic Breath

Jessica Fostekew: Iconic Breath

26 Mar 2026 - 16 May 2026

A monster’s guide to tolerance and temperance. Jess can feel herself becoming an emotional wildebeest right when her world (and the whole world, thanks) demands cool, collected ultra detached saint-like kindness and understanding. St. She goes digging around in her DNA for answers and finds so many beautiful horrors. Witness her effort to become a brand new, mythical, mystical ‘coper.’ OR NOT. She gets cancelled, she gets touched and she gets a dolphin-based epiphany all in one show. The silliest of comedy for the scariest of days from Edinburgh Best Show Award Nominee. You’ve seen Jess on BBC’s QI, Live at the Apollo, Celebrity University Challenge and Richard Osman’s House of Games. From Travel Man on C4 and World’s Most Dangerous Roads on Dave. You know her from her two BBC R4 series of Sturdy Girl Club plus podcasts The Guilty Feminist and Hoovering. And, of course, from new mighty smash hit Gladiator’s fan-podcast Contender Ready which Jess co-hosts with Olympic weightlifting superstar, Emily Campbell.
Wishbone Ash

Wishbone Ash

23 Aug 2026 - 21 Oct 2026

Over 50 years of continual touring and recording It’s a remarkable milestone few bands have achieved… and always at the highest level. Discover for yourself why Wishbone Ash are one of the most enduring and popular bands in British Rock. With millions of albums sold, their iconic twin-guitar sound inspired bands from Thin Lizzy to Iron Maiden and produced such classics tracks as The King Will Come, Throw Down The Sword & Blowin’ Free. Wishbone Ash take their audience on a unique journey through their illustrious history by combining the old songs with the new, with a live show that remains as fresh and in demand as ever.
Steve White

Steve White

3 Apr 2026 - 2 May 2026

Legendary drum master Steve White of The Style Council, Paul Weller, Trio Valore and more announces tour dates with his new band launching his latest album 'Soul Drums' (Acid Jazz Records). Steve White came to fame as drummer with The Style Council appearing on the majority of the band's recordings throughout the 1980's and touring around the world including appearing at 'Live Aid' in 1985. When the Style Council broke up Steve White co-founded his own group with saxophonist Alan Barnes - The Jazz Renegades - who were one of the first bands from the 'Acid Jazz' movement. Steve went on to perform with Galliano, The Young Disciples, JTQ and more around that time. Steve White joined the Paul Weller Movement in 1991 and continued to record and perform with Paul Weller throughout the first few decades of his solo career. Steve White has recorded albums with Mick Talbot from the Style Council as Talbot/White and the Players group with Mick Talbot and Damon Minchella. 2008 saw Steve form the highly acclaimed Trio Valore with Damon Minchella and in 2015 Damon & Steve formed The Family Silver with ex-Mother Earth vocalist Matt Deighton. Steve White has also appeared live with Oasis, The Who, Ocean Colour Scene, Jon Lord, Ginger Baker, La Roux, Ian Dury and many more.
Glenn Tilbrook

Glenn Tilbrook

10 May 2026 - 22 May 2026

“I'm not reinventing the wheel, I just like the way it makes me feel,” says Glenn Tilbrook of his recent recordings. When the wheel in question is the perfect three-and-a-half minute pop song, Tilbrook is a certified patent holder and member of that elite group that includes such tunesmiths as Lennon & McCartney, Ray Davies and Elvis Costello. As one half of the song-writing ampersand behind the beloved band Squeeze and now a successful solo artist, Tilbrook has perfected a signature style marked by brilliant melodic invention, cheeky humor and slice-of-life pathos, all wrapped up with unshakable hooks and his golden boy tenor. From chestnuts like ‘Up the Junction’ and ‘Pulling Mussels (From the Shell)’ through stunning new tracks ‘Untouchable’ and ‘Ray and Me,’ he has amassed a veritable Sears Catalogue of memorable songs.
The Rezillos

The Rezillos

7 May 2026 - 16 Jan 2027

The Rezillos burst forth upon the rock scene in 1976, having gathered together at Edinburgh College of Art. Through a shared love of Sixties Garage Rock and the Spectoresque Girl Group glam of The Ronettes and The Shangri-Las, The Rezillosfound themselves inadvertently caught up in the Punk or New Wave movement. Their debut single, I Can't Stand My Baby, shot them to underground fame initially via airings on John Peel's radio show. Their classic singles My Baby Does Good Sculptures, Top of the Pops and Destination Venus signalled critically acclaimed milestones for the band. Their landmark album of 1978 Can't Stand the Rezillos reached the top 10 in the UK album chart. They appeared twice on the legendary Old Grey Whistle Test and hit the Top Twenty with their hit single Top of the Pops, a satirical swipe at the UK pop music show of the same name. Once the band had achieved chart success it was inevitable that they should appear on the same show! They followed up that same year with a live recording, Mission Accomplished... But the Beat Goes On, and promptly broke up to the anguish of fans and music critics alike.
The Specials Ltd.

The Specials Ltd.

26 Mar 2026 - 5 Feb 2027

The Specials Ltd are the UK's most authentic and original tribute to 2-Tone Legends, The Specials. When the original line up of The Specials split in 1981 they left behind a legacy which has been unrivaled by a single band since. The group were integral to promoting an anti-racial ethos, created a unique image and combined punk, ska and reggae music while lyrically commentating on the state of Britain in the late 70's and early 80's. They formed their own 2-Tone record label which launched the recording careers of Madness, The Beat and The Selecter. The Specials Ltd recreate the passion and enthusiasm of The Specials, bringing back memories of those who were there first time around and showing younger fans what they missed. The Specials Ltd are a 9 piece band full of energy, excitement and accuracy, performing Specials favourites such as Gangsters, Too Much Too Young, Do The Dog, Message To You Rudy, Stereotype, Rat Race, Do Nothing, Monkey Man, and Ghost Town.
Mark Chadwick

Mark Chadwick

1 May 2026 - 20 Sept 2026

Mark Chadwick is an English singer, songwriter and musician, best known as the co-founding frontman and lyricist of the British band Levellers, who were once considered the most popular Indie band in Britain. The band saw their popularity culminate in their record breaking headlining act at Glastonbury Festival in 1994 when they played to a crowd of over 300,000. Besides his work with Levellers, Chadwick has also enjoyed a successful solo career.
A Siege in Colchester Outdoor Exploration Game
Step into the shoes of a young Colchestrian trapped within the city walls during the longest siege in British history. Guided by a mobile app, you'll navigate the streets to solve puzzles, uncover clues, and experience the English Civil War through a local lens. This self-guided adventure blends history with competition. Get your tickets for A Siege in Colchester Outdoor Exploration Game in Colchester now!
The 9075 + Fontaines Cd Live @ Colchester Arts Centre
The 9075, formed in August 2019 from a jamming session, are the world's first tribute dedicated to celebrating the music and essence of The 1975. With a 2-hour show, The 9075 brings the spirit of the original band to life, creating unforgettable nights filled with nostalgia and excitement. Support comes from Fontaines C.D, a tribute to the acclaimed Dublin band Fontaines D.C. with an intense and immersive live experience. Known for their raw energy, hypnotic rhythms, and poetic edge, Fontaines CD recreate the sound and spirit that have made Fontaines D.C. one of the most exciting rock bands of the decade.
John Otway

John Otway

9 May 2026 - 20 Dec 2026

John Otway and his hard hitting band attack his favourite set list with gusto, leaving plenty of room for anarchy, fun and acrobatics that are his trademark. The Big Band are Richard Holgarth (lead guitar), Seymour (bass guitar), Murray Torkildsen (guitar, songwriter), Adam Batterbee (drums).

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