The Croupiers debut at Newhampton Arts with a night crammed full of Northern, Rare and Classic Soul Music for dancing like nobody's watching, performed live by a powerhouse 10 piece band, with plenty of new additions to the repertoire and much loved favourites of the genre! The band continue on their mission to spread the gospel of all things Northern Soul directly to you. Expect tracks you won't have heard played live before, and that you won't hear anywhere else! Hard-Hittin' Foot-Stompin Four-to-the Floor SOUL MUSIC - That's what we do! Not to be missed - see you 'out on the floor!'

A Head Full of Coldplay deliver a fantastic show - the anthems, the lasers and led wristbands, make for a superb immersive show. A true celebration of the music! Absolute classics like Yellow, Hymn For The Weekend, Magic, Paradise and The Scientist all feature. Even Coldplays latest single, Feels Like Im Falling In Love, makes the set list! Don't miss this unique microcosm of a stadium show for all fans of Coldplay. Brilliant musicians! Great Sound! Thank you so much. - Sara Shipp You guys were IMMENSE. Raptorneet Last night was a great success, band went down so well, and the crowd were really into it, Paul Dengel, Livestock Events The vibe was brilliant and from the back of the arena to see the whole crowd jumping along was amazing. Andy Trill, Festival Director

Hailing from Barnsley Rock City in t'North, The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican are on a mission! Determined to follow in their spiritual father’s immortal footsteps and keep his legacy alive, they have a talent for Bar-Stewardizing other famous people’s songs with new comedy lyrics, on acoustic geetar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, accordion, keyboard, keytar, and the world's first synthesiser ukulele! To complete their squeaky-clean image, brothers-from-other-mothers Scott, Björn and Alan have become instantly recognisable for their immaculate hair and their stylish choice of knitwear. A band that is both perpetually on the move and joyously independent, since forming in 2006, they have played over 1000 side-splitting shows to date, and have brought smiles and belly-laughs to audiences across the UK; from Barnsley to Barnstaple, from Glastonbury to Glasgow. They continue to wow audiences with their anarchic live shows and a fine selection of their greatest hits, including the likes of “Jump Ararnd”, “The Lady In Greggs”, "How Deep Is Your Glove?", "Paint 'em Back", "Walking In Manpiss" and “If I Could Punch A Face… It’d Be Justin Bieber’s”.

FRIDAY We are delighted to reveal that the amazing SLADE UK headline the opening night of the 2026 Slade Fans Convention. After a triumphant return in 2025 after six long years, they delivered a relentless set of Slade classics, album tracks and B-sides to a rapturous audience. When the fans were asked which bands should headline the 2026 Convention, the events team worked quickly to secure your headline acts at the earliest opportunity. Dont forget that, in addition to your Friday night entertainment, there will be an acoustic session on Saturday afternoon as well as SLADEST on Saturday evening, tickets for all three events are available via ticketsource.co.uk . SATURDAY Back by popular demand, the incredible SLADEST are your Saturday headliners at the 2026 Convention! This year will be the sixth time that SLADEST have graced the Convention stage, and continually deliver a high-impact set of Slade songs we all know and love, as well as rare cuts and deep grooves from the enormous back catalogue of the Black Country Fab Four. Dont forget that, in addition to your Saturday night entertainment, there will be an acoustic session on Saturday afternoon as well as SLADE UK on Friday evening, tickets for all three events are available via ticketsource.co.uk . SATURDAY (AFTERNOON)Back by popular demand we are delighted to welcome back Les Glover and Paul Cookson to the Cafe stage with their unique style of wit, songwriting and poetry.

“Sometimes our night time imaginings merely hint at the real horrors…” An expert at chilling the spine and curdling the blood, Edith Nesbit relates three of her best Gothic tales while recalling her own childhood terrors. In The Shadow, a repressed housekeeper encounters an abominable entity, while in The Pavilion the shadow of a long-dead necromancer envelops a social gathering. Finally, a deranged young woman harbours a deadly secret in a rediscovered story called A Strange Experience. Following the success of The Masks of Aphra Behn, Claire Louise Amias returns with this gripping insight into the darker side of Edith Nesbit, author of The Railway Children. Renowned horror expert Jonathan Rigby directs this chilling one-woman show.

The Sam Sweeney Trio brings together three of the UKs most compelling folk musicians to play music from across Sams discography: Sam Sweeney (violin), Ben Nicholls (double bass), and Louis Campbell (guitar). Known for his expressive playing and bold musical vision, Sweeney leads the trio through richly textured arrangements of traditional and original material. With Nicholls deep, resonant bass and Campbells innovative guitar work, the trio crafts a sound that is both grounded in English folk tradition and alive with contemporary energy. Britains Premier Fiddler - Songlines The fiddler with the Midas touch an English equivalent of the great Irish fiddle player Martin Hayes. - The Guardian One of the defining English fiddle players of his generation - Mark Radcliffe

The UK's biggest folk band, The Conservatoire Folk Ensemble return to Wolverhampton Arts Centre The band's touring line-up features a stage-challenging 50 members. Among them are 15 horns, four cellos, six percussionists, three electric guitarists, plus fiddles, flutes, clarinets, electric bass, melodicas, acoustic guitars, and an accordion. They sing too. Formed in 1997 at Birminghams prestigious Conservatoire by fiddle player and arranger Joe Broughton (The Urban Folk Quartet, The Albion Band, Joss Stone), the Conservatoire Folk Ensemble have established a reputation for creating energetic and powerful shows. Their increasingly popular live appearances - especially at such festivals as Green Man, Towersey, Shambala and Kendal Calling -have left audiences ecstatic and even (at Towersey) moved to tears. Still based at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, the personal influences of each member shapes the set-list, as traditional English and Celtic reels slide into full-on rock grooves, funk, jazz, hip-hop, ska and reggae. Eastern European and Asian flourishes can also be heard, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the group. This is very much 21st century folk. This is Power Folk

Super-Deluxe Fiddle, Banjo, and Song Through twenty-five years and thousands of shows together in bands such as The Foggy Hogtown Boys and The Lonesome Ace Stringband, John Showman and Chris Coole have developed a deep and instinctual musical bond. Their music lurks in a truly unique space that is somewhere on the outskirts of old-time, bluegrass, and folk. The songs of John Hartford, Hank Williams, Dock Boggs, and The Band share space with the fiddle tunes of Eck Robertson and Ed Haley. The duos original songs and tunes take in all these vistas and paint something both personal and timely. They have performed across North America and Europe at festivals such as Merlefest, Rockygrass, Winnipeg Folk Festival, Mariposa, Wintergrass, Gooikroots, and The John Hartford Memorial Festival. In 2022, the duo released two albums; Afield a collection of old-time fiddle tunes, and Much Further Out than Inevitable A Tribute to Some Music of John Hartford. John Showman has made his mark as one of the very best and most influential fiddle players in Canada (Steve Pritchard, CIUT 89.5 FM). Renowned for his clawhammer banjo picking, Coole now establishes himself as a gripping songwriter.(Roddy Campbell, Penguin Eggs Magazine)

Edge Street Live presents Henry Normal & Jan Brierton Henry Normal and Dubliner Jan Brierton present an evening of poetry and laughs. Henry will be reading poems from his new book 'An Alphabet of Storms' whilst Jans' poems reflect on being a wife, mother, daughter, sister and retired raver. Expect a highly engaging evening.

Steve Buckley saxophones Chris Batchelor trumpet Rob Luft guitar Tom Herbert bass Gene Calderazzo drums National treasure Steve Buckley, alto - and pennywhistle - magician with iconoclastic big band Loose Tubes, furthers his telepathic musical relationship with all-embracing Tubes trumpeter Chris Batchelor in this red-hot supergroup. The frontline Buckley-Batchelor pairing one of the most extraordinary in jazz - has been a long and fruitful one, dating back to before Tubes, of which they were two of the founder members in late 1983. Their music has always been highly eclectic, reflecting their wide range of musical experiences, drawing on anything from Latin American to East European Folk, or from Congolese Soukous to free jazz. Previous projects include the internationally acclaimed and BBC award winning trans-Atlantic group Big Air (with Oren Marshall, Myra Melford and Jim Black), described by Chris May in All About Jazz as ...funky and unbuttoned as a chimp on acid. Zone B is their latest joyous and freewheeling project, presenting vibrant original music with an emphasis on groove and featuring a world-class rhythm section of guitar star Rob Luft (Django Bates, John Surman, Iain Ballamy), bassist Tom Herbert (Sons Of Kemet, Polar Bear, The Smile) and drummer Gene Calderazzo (Pharoah Sanders, Partisans, Randy Brecker). Steve said: My relationship with Chris is probably my most profound relationship in music. The reason why is kind of interesting in a way, because we met doing the same thing, when we were first playing, trying to get something together, so wed find ourselves in these little rehearsal bands or with Django Bates when he had his band at Johnny Edgecombes little venue next to the Thames when Chris went to Leeds College and I was doing my last year at the university there, we had this band the Chris Batchelor Septet/Sextet with John Harborne, and Peter Beckmann, he was playing guitar, and this guy Andy Pepper, who was a geologist, who was on the same course as me, he was playing drums. We started playing together and we come from similar backgrounds, so maybe theres something there we both came from working-class type of backgrounds in south-east London. Both our Dads were massively into music, massively into jazz. Its a kind of weird thing, because once we started doing gigs together, with African bands we were both really into African music, and we started doing Latin-American music, and we were both really into that sort of music, and really kind of related to it. Those sorts of musics are so much about simplicity and repetition, which me and Chris really seemed to enjoy. And when we started playing in Ashley Slaters Microgroove, it was the same thing. We both just loved doing that in a way that a lot of jazz players dont. Repetition gives it that power, its like an engine revving up on the motorway. Doing all the horn-line stuff meant that we really matched our sound, really matched our rhythmic concepts. If you were doing a horn line, the other would quickly just pick up on it, play it and harmonise it. We always seemed to know when it was time to stop repeating that particular thing. We had a sense of the way things were supposed to be, somehow. PRAISE FOR THE 1997 BUCKLEY-BATCHELOR ALBUM LIFE AS WE KNOW IT: A powerful, highly considered set of creative jazz pieces the blend of world beats, complex rhythms and rich textures provides a perfect setting for the two leaders array of horns - ★★★★ The Penguin Guide To Jazz Recordings ON THE 2009 RELEASE BIG AIR: The best British jazz record for 20 years Brian Morton, Jazz Journal The tunes are all terrific, and they're explored with a shifting variation of mood that's never off the boil. - ★★★★★ John Fordham, The Guardian a remarkable album, literally bursting with ideas. The sudden shifts in moods and styles dont make it the easiest of albums to write about, most of the tunes end up in a completely different place from where they started out. But that of course is half the fun, each track is something of an adventure and proof that at its best jazz can still be the sound of surprise. The free and written elements complement each other perfectly to create an adventurous brand of music that is still eminently listenable. - ★★★★ The Jazz Mann It's a terrific ensemble offering both oomph and sensitivity, as in the opener of Buckley's "The Wizard". Elsewhere, there's Balkan-sounding mournfulness, New Orleans funk The Independent There are loads of circus moments, jazz funk, folky bits and serene Far Eastern shadings. All the players are in fine form and its great to hear such strong personalities all at play in a happy kind of ordered chaos Peter Bacon, The Jazz Breakfast

Elina Duni - Vocals & Keyboards Rob Luft Guitar Special Guest: Corrie Dick - Drum Kit We are delighted to host Elina Duni and Rob Luft, two of the hottest properties in modern music, as part of their UK launch tour for new ECM album Reaching For The Moon. In 2017, Elina and Rob's paths crossed at the legendary Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, marking the inception of a unique project. They have since toured the world and released two critically acclaimed albums on Manfred Eichers iconic label, in a quartet formation. Their 2026 album Reaching For The Moon, a stripped-back duo recording, revisits the essence of their initial meeting. Here we can witness the stark beauty of Elinas vocals blending with Rob's crystalline guitar lines in a mesmerising dance. Together, they weave a tapestry of songs that evoke the mystery and joy of the night, the moon, and the magic that lives within us all. This musical journey is a gentle caress, a soothing lullaby that offers hope in the darkness, reminding us of the solace of home. Born into an artistic family in Tirana, Albania, in 1981, Elina Duni made her first steps on the stage as a singer aged five, singing for Albanian National Radio and Television. In 1992, after the fall of the communist regime, she emigrated to Geneva, Switzerland, with her mother, where she started studying classical piano and thereafter discovered jazz. She went on to study on the jazz programme at the Hochschule der Knste in Bern. During this time, she formed the Elina Duni Quartet with Colin Vallon on piano, Patrice Moret on double bass and Norbert Pfammatter on drums. This represented a return to her musical roots, a combination of Balkan folksong and contemporary jazz. After two albums on Meta Records, the quartet went on to release for ECM Records in 2012, with a follow-up album in 2015, both of which were praised by European jazz media for their lightness as well as their subtle manner of exploring Albanian folklore. In 2017, she was the recipient of the Swiss Music Prize and simultaneously began working with young jazz star Rob Luft. In 2020, "Lost Ships" was released on ECM Records featuring Rob Luft, Fred Thomas and Matthieu Michel. This album was awarded Jazz Album Of The Year by Presto Music & was also nominated for Album Of The Year in the annual German Jazz Awards. A Unique Voice In Jazz - John Fordham, The Guardian As always with Elina Duni & Rob Luft, this is a thoughtful, beautifully articulated work of jazz poetry - Jazzwise Magazine Rob Luft, recently crowned Instrumentalist of the Year' at the 2025 Parliamentary Jazz Awards, is undeniably one of the most exciting jazz guitarists in Europe of his generation. Hailing from London, this award-winning virtuoso has garnered consistent comparisons to legends such as Bill Frisell, John McLaughlin and Pat Metheny. His debut album, "Riser," released in 2017 on Edition Records, made an enormous impact on the domestic and international jazz scenes, and was selected by Downbeat Magazine as one of the finest albums of the year. Winning the prestigious Kenny Wheeler Jazz Prize at The Royal Academy of Music had propelled Luft's career, and at just 23 years old, he presented a collection of originals showcasing a remarkable instrumental sound and compositional voice that reflected his individuality. His highly-anticipated follow up album, "Dahab Days," showcased continuous artistic growth and musical exploration. Released on Edition Records in October 2023, the album marked another significant milestone in his career. Around this time, Luft's selection as a BBC New Generation Artist culminated with him being commissioned to compose a guitar concerto for performance at the 2023 London Jazz Festival with the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Recent collaborations with John Surman, Manu Katch and Elina on the legendary German record label ECM Records have further solidified his reputation and expanded his reach throughout continental Europe. Other accolades include the Silver Prize in The 2016 Montreux Jazz Guitar Competition at Montreux Jazz Festival, adjudicated by guitar great John McLaughlin, as well as winning the Presto Music Jazz Recording of the Year 2024 for his trio album As Time Passes with legendary Norwegian bassist Arild Andersen. A singular talent, a fluent improviser and a composer of catchy, earthy, infectiously upbeat tunes. Lufts sound is joyously original, robust and in-your-face - Cormac Larkin, The Irish Times

The legendary edition is back! Expect Storytelling, poetry, music, laughter and a good old festive knees-up as we gather in the warmth of the caf and share snacks and camaraderie like only a Story Bazaar audience can. A great way to round off the year. (14 years and over)

A year and a half on from their dramatic sell-out gig here, we are delighted to welcome back Pete Roth Trio featuring drum legend Bill Bruford. This newly road-tested power trio Pete Roth (guitar) and Mike Pratt (bass) plus the freshly out-of-retirement Bruford will offer some explosive, electric jazz reimaginings as the former King Crimson and Yes sticksman continues his remarkable comeback. Were very privileged that this supergroup, who made Wolverhampton their first outing from their south-east base last year, kick-starting 12 months of globetrotting, requested to return to our venue, having had such a great time on their last visit. Revered prog-rocker Bill, who also had a short stint with Genesis, has long been fascinated by and involved in jazz. He followed his own jazz-fusion outfit Bruford (which included Allan Holdsworth) with the hugely successful Bill Brufords Earthworks that involved, at various times, collaborations with heroes of the genre such as Django Bates, Iain Ballamy, Tim Garland and Gwilym Simcock. He then retired in 2009, and seemingly settled for a life outside of gigging, before being bitten by the bug once again. PRT strives for an intimate, relatively unscripted music that thrives in small places and dark corners. Jazz, funk, contemporary classical, Dvok. Nothing is sacred. Its not retro. Its not comfortable. Its just brilliantly unruly. The deeply interactive music unfolds as a conversation between players and audience, where every performance becomes a unique exploration of sound, texture, and connection. Roths original compositions, such as Dancing With Grace, the Trios collaborative works like Part Of The Charm and Looking Forward To Looking Back, or their reinterpretation of masterworks such as Dvoks Largo from Symphony No. 9, have offered just a few gateways into the creative world of PRT, a world that will likely reshape your perspective on what the guitar trio format can achieve. A post on the bands Facebook page in December 2025, signed by Pete, Mike and Bill, indicated a compulsion to push forwards. It read: In the past 12 months we have taken the stage nearly 60 times in 12 countries and performed to the most welcoming, warm crowds, who treated us with nothing but great vibes and made each performance feel like a mini party. We are deeply grateful for the open minds and love for music we encountered everywhere we went. Some of you who came to more than one gig may have noticed a shift about halfway through the year. We found ourselves pushing the music a little further and ended up playing an almost entirely original set, aside from our heavily reworked versions of How Insensitive and Summertime. That felt like an important moment for the band, and one that only made sense because audiences were willing to come along with us. Guitar: Pete Roth Pete Roth, a versatile artist and accomplished session guitarist, born in Germany, where his musical journey began in the heart of a family deeply rooted in music. At the tender age of 11, he picked up the guitar, setting the stage for a lifelong dedication to his craft. In his formative years, Roth found inspiration in the raw emotion of blues and the electrifying energy of rock. However, his musical horizons expanded when he ventured to England to study jazz. There, he delved into the rich complexities of the genre, drawing influence from luminaries such as Joe Pass, John Scofield, and Julian Lage. Equipped with a diverse array of influences and a passion for innovation, Roth embarked on a solo career as a leader, culminating in the recording of two albums under the banner of MGP Records. Yet, his artistic journey continues to evolve, as he now stands on the cusp of a new endeavour. With his sights set on exploring fresh musical territories, Roth is poised to embark on his first trio adventure. He is set to weave intricate melodies and rhythms, crafting imaginative jazz compositions that resonate with a new generation of music enthusiasts. Bass: Mike Pratt Mike is a double bass and bass guitar player, composer and producer based in London. Early in his career, Mike was drawn to funk, acid-jazz and fusion, discovering the music of Weather Report, Mahavishnu Orchestra and Return to Forever, then Steps Ahead, John Scofield, Charles Mingus and Duke Ellington.Mike performed fortnightly at Ronnie Scotts for several years in the ensemble Shorter Than Miles. Mike plays and writes for the jazz fusion project KGQ with Kieron Garret featuring Dave O'Higgins and Duncan Eagles on saxophone, with two albums on 33 Jazz Records. He has performed with Acantha Lang and Liane Carroll, and at the Cape Town Jazz Festival, the Jazz Cafe and The Royal Albert Hall as well as many jazz venues in London, across the UK and abroad. Mike has taught bass and composition at Kingston University. He has recently written and performed with Laura Evans, Oliver Tompsett and Curiosity Killed the Cat, composed music for Ford and the FIA, and recorded basses for the documentary Stewart. He is musical director for the live theatre rockumentary Seven Decades. The Pete Roth Trio offers Mike an all-too-rare opportunity to depart from the traditional role of bass to become an equal partner in the melodic, rhythmic and harmonic interplay of the trio. Mike combines his love for groove with a composer's ear for innovative sounds and textures, and a creative approach to improvised music. Drums: Bill Bruford Internationally known as a rock musician, drummer Bill Bruford also has impeccable jazz credentials, having recorded, performed with or written music for Al Di Meola, the Buddy Rich Orchestra, David Torn, Allan Holdsworth, Tim Garland, Django Bates, Iain Ballamy and Chris Botti among others. Early success propelled Bill, by nature a restless innovator uncomfortable with the well-worn path, into a 40-year career as a bandleader and writer. His groups such as Bruford and Earthworks led the way with advanced harmony in rock in the 70s and 80s; samples, electronics, and odd metres in electric jazz in the 90s; and stylistic innovation in his 21st-century acoustic jazz. Bills taste for the unpredictable in live performance has led him to collaborations with dozens of the worlds top rock and jazz musicians in an endless search for the innovative, the unusual, and the unlikely. He was voted into Modern Drummer magazines Hall of Fame (1990), named by Rolling Stone magazine as #16 Greatest Drummer of All Time (2016) and inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Yes (2017). Straddling both jazz and rock, Bills work as a musician is well documented on CD and DVD at Summerfold and Winterfold Records, on his YouTube Channel, and at www.billbruford.com. He lives in the Surrey Hills, UK, with his wife, Carolyn. In an interview with website thestrangebrew.co.uk, Bill explained his return: Finding my way back after a long time in academia, was explosive, unexpected, and very sudden. I remember passing someone elses kit one day, sitting down, and feeling exhilarated all over: urgently and violently keen to start all over again. Of playing with Pete, his drum tech in Earthworks more than 20 years ago, he told the website: Its a privilege to support and mentor a much younger player, and I get to play whatever I want on the tubs. We prefer smaller places where we can see the whites of your eyes, hear your breathing in the quiet bits and have a musical relationship with you, of the sort that is not possible in the big places. Believe me, Ive tried em both. Great to be back! For more details, visit peterothband.co.uk

A British Punjabi Storyteller and a British Trinidadian Storyteller from two different generations, sharing some of their favourite traditional tales from their cultures and further beyond in the heart of Wolverhampton. ( 14 years and over) Laura Sampson is a British-Trinidadian storyteller & writer based in London. She loves to tell stories of big emotions, surreal situations, & misunderstood old ladies, from all over the world. For adults, Laura has worked with leading UK story organisations the Crick Crack Club & StoryJam, alongside hosting a regular storytelling open mic night in London. Recent shows include Yamanba (or, She'll Be Coming Round the Mountain), HIDE (VAULT Festival), & a new retelling of Old English epic Beowulf. For families, Laura has worked with V&A, Young V&A, Discover Children's Story Centre, Sagapo Teatro, Polka Theatre, Secret City Arts, Conductive Music, Pkiki Theatre, & National Trust. She is an ISTA associate artist, & author of two collections, Enchanted Tales (2023) & Mythical Tales (Sept 2025) published by Templar Books. Lauras storytelling style often incorporates rhythm, song - & elements of noh, a 700-year-old Japanese theatre form she has practised since 2011. She recently completed a Japanese Studies MA (SOAS).www.laurasampson.co.uk [//www.laurasampson.co.uk] Peter Chand is one of Europes foremost storytellers and is constantly in demand for his Indian tales of love, wisdom and the supernatural. 2026 marks his twentieth year as a full-time Storyteller, Trainer and advocate for diverse voices in the arts and society in general. www.peterchand.com [//www.peterchand.com]

To celebrate his twentieth year as a professional storyteller, Peter shares his parents migration story from the Punjab to Wolverhampton exploring Empire, Caste, Resilience and the ever-changing nature of culture, resulting in a heady mixture of reminiscence and traditional folktales. (14 years and over) Peter is an Indian storyteller, born and bred in the Black Country, whose parents migrated from the Punjab region of India in the 1950s. Mangoes on The Beach is Peters tribute to that generation of people who made the journey to Britain, the trials and tribulations they faced in India, and their lives once they reached these shores. Peter has created a piece that beautifully weaves true family experiences with traditional folk tales, covering the tyranny of the caste system, impossible challenges, and beautiful husbands who hide terrible secrets... Mangoes on the Beach has been shared across Britain and at many International festivals as far afield as Norway, Greece, Holland, and Vienna. Its theme of migration and integration is a story of our times. ( originally commissioned by Festival at the Edge Storytelling Festival) Dont let anybody tell you that storytelling is boring, dont ever let anybody tell you it isnt relevant. Peter Chands hour-long narrative seamlessly flows between his personal story and traditional Punjabi Folk tales Genevieve Tudor BBC Radio Shropshire.

Following the success of his first two productions, which have captivated over 100,000 audience members across the UK, Ireland, and Germany in only the last two years, the award-winning Daniel Martinez returns with a new show that places flamenco dance at the forefront. Art of Andalucia shifts the focus entirely to the art of flamenco dance, offering audiences an immersive experience where the dancers take centre stage, bringing the passion and energy of Andalucia to life. If that werent enough, Daniel will also perform new pieces from his highly anticipated third album. One of the stars of this production is the world-renowned dancer Angel Reyes, a key member of Manuel Linans company and the second dancer in Jesus Carmonas company for many years. Angels impeccable technique, skill, and fiery passion will captivate and mesmerise, elevating the performance to an unmissable cultural experience. His powerful presence and artistry bring an electric energy to the stage. Joining Angel is Gabriela Pouso, the principal dancer of the Daniel Martinez Flamenco Company. Gabriela has played an instrumental role in the companys success, performing on some of the UKs most prestigious stages. Her performances are filled with elegance, grace, skill, and intensity, showcasing her remarkable technique, and drawing audiences in with every movement. The dancers will perform to original compositions by Daniel Martinez, created specifically for this show. The performance is further enriched by the incredible vocals of Inma Montero and Danielo Olivera, and the rhythmic pulse of percussionist Julian Ticotico. Together, they create an unforgettable night of flamenco, where music and dance are perfectly intertwined. ART OF ANDALUCIA is a celebration of flamenco dance, a vibrant journey into the heart of Andalucia, where the tradition and passion of flamenco are brought to life through stunning choreography and powerful performances.

Off the back of a sold-out London run and critical acclaim at the Edinburgh Fringe, Sami Abu Wardehs hit show blends resistance, identity, and 'defiantly goofy' comedy ( The Guardian). You can run from resistance, but it will always catch up with you - as Sami Abu Wardeh finds out in his critically acclaimed show, fresh from winning a Bestie Award and Mervyn Stutters Spirit of the Fringe at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. This is comedy where silliness collides with survival. Expect an open call for mass civil disobedience, equitable distribution of hand puppets, and some of the silliest faces youll ever see. As a Palestinian born in exile, only to be displaced from his country of birth by yet another war, Sami digs deep into his ties to resistance and Palestinian identity. What emerges is bold, playful and utterly original: a show that asks whether resistance can be funny, and answers with laughter. Presented by Salam & Holohan in association with Palestine Comedy Club

A mixture of folk, blues and country from the politically charged Massachusetts-based singer/songwriter Willy Mason. He explores honesty and deception, anonymity in the digital age, good intentions with unexpected consequences, freedom, colonialism, love, god, and purpose.

A new childrens show for 4-11 year olds. Percy is a young puffin who is too afraid to fly. Hed rather keep to his burrow, thank you very much. When his parents migrate south for the winter, Percy finds he is all alone and in grave danger! Along comes a fearless field-mouse called Shrimp and the two of them set off on an unexpected adventure: can they survive the perils on the journey ahead, and will Percy ever find his way back to his flock? Featuring live music and puppetry, Puffling Percy is an uplifting tale about overcoming fear and finding true friendship. I went to see Puffling Percy in Sheringham today, with my 4 and 9 year old boys. The show was exquisite. - Sarah Elder A co-production with Norwich Puppet Theatre and fully funded by the Arts Council.

After 15 years of unfinished business, Bridge 55 are back in Wolverhampton and this is big news for the music scene. One of the Midlands most exciting live bands, Bridge 55 built a reputation for joyful, electrifying songs and unforgettable performances, regularly selling out venues across Wolverhampton and beyond. They shared stages with some excellent acts, caught the attention of Island Records, and proved time and again that they were a band truly made for the live stage. On the 3rd October 2026, the band reunites for a rare homecoming performance at Wolverhampton Arts Centre. This isnt just a gig its a celebration for lovers of live music. Expect the original catalogue brought roaring back to life, a couple of brand-new songs, and carefully chosen covers that shaped their sound. Above all, expect the same infectious energy, musicianship and connection with the crowd that made Bridge 55 stand out all those years ago. Opportunities like this dont come around often. Whether you were there the first time or youre discovering them anew, this is now your chance to see Bridge 55 live, reunited, and sounding better than ever. The band will be donating 1.00 per ticket sold to the Wolves Foundation. If that wasnt enough to encourage you to dance until it hurts at Wolverhampton Arts Centre, the band have also sourced funding from Tettenhall Round Table- so every ticket sold will now be worth 2.00 to the Wolves Foundation. We cannot wait for this one!

Gavin Fairhall Lever are a stunning explosion of colour in the wild and unruly garden of the folk scene. A tangle of roots from Northern Ireland, Cornwall and Norfolk gives exuberant life to a truly contemporary folk music, full of thorns and flowers. The trio bring together the exhilarating, joyful tumble of Celtic trad, a melodic warmth, vibrant rhythmic invention, and the subtle expressivity of jazz harmony. Tunes unfold like stories, with dynamic and textured arrangements keeping the pages turning, from chapters of luminous stillness into passages of unstoppable drive. All performed with a compelling combination of fire, precision and mongrel bite. The trio have become renowned for their captivating live performances, including at Caceres Irish Fleadh (Spain), Zilleghem Folk (Belgium), Broadstairs Folk Festival, and Celtic Connections Glasgow. Following on from the success of their debut record, their second album was recorded live to tape at Analogue Catalogue Studios in Northern Ireland with Julie McLarnon (Lankum, Alasdair Roberts, Brian Eno), and was released in February 2025. Known for his consistently strong collaborative work at the forefront of London’s thriving folk scene, with TEYR, Paddi Benson and Grace Lemon, The Rad Orchestra, and Jez Hellard, multi-instrumentalist and composer James Patrick Gavin creates music that dances a line between tradition and irreverence. This trio showcases Gavin’s mastery of the full expressive range of the violin. Adrian Lever’s clear tenor voice delivers the songs of the trio, while his seasoned and steady guitarist’s hand forms the rhythmic heart, complete with characteristic Balkan and flamenco stylings. He has played on stages from Lewes Guitar Festival to the Barbican. Past collaborations include Horses Brawl, with experimental early music composer/performer Laura Cannell; and Alma, with leading English folk fiddlers John Dipper and Emily Askew. Tim Fairhall contributes a distinctive style, coming from a background in contemporary jazz, improv and post-classical electronica. He has performed on stages as diverse as Cologne Philharmonic and Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, and with musicians ranging from Sephardic singer Yasmin Levy to the piano/laptop-led trio Piano Interrupted; he brings an improvisational alertness and sensitivity, jazz musicianship and an adventurous spirit to the trio.

A workshop for songwriters to share work and receive feedback from each other and Jonny Amos, professional songwriter, producer and lecturer.

The 30th edition of National Rural Touring Forum's flagship Conference comes to the heart of the country this summer. The rural touring community across the UK will descend on Wolverhampton to champion rural and small-scale touring. To add to the celebrations the Rural Touring Awards will take place on the evening of Wednesday 10 June, recognising innovation, dedication and quality within the Rural Touring sector. Attending the three day conference will allow you to experience keynote presentations, panels and discussion groups, as well as showcases and ballyhoos which represent the diverse rural touring work available for programming. There will also be a celebration of the Rural Touring Dance Initiative as it draws to a close in its current format. Expect three days of sharing, questions and networking alongside a celebration of three decades of the NRTF. Join us in June to share the hopes and challenges facing our brilliant sector in 2026 and beyond.Our full programme will be available in the coming months, if you have any access requirements in advance of booking please contact Sarah on [email protected]. There are flexible ticket options allowing you to attend for all or part of the conference, with or without accommodation. If you choose to include accommodation we will be staying at Redwings Lodge, which is a 5 minute walk from the conference venue. If you require a companion ticket for a Personal Assistant please email [email protected] when you book your ticket and we will add this to your booking manually. We cant wait to see you in Wolverhampton, 9 - 11 June 2026.

An evening of haunted sounds and visuals from The Black Country, marking May Eve. Tonight we dive into the hauntological uncanny with Hidden Britain, The Balloonist, SWLLWS and Timothy Parkes. Haunted Light with Wayside & Woodland Recordings and Hidden Britain present an evening of haunted sounds and visuals from The Black Country. Tonight we take a mesmerising dive into local hauntological themes through audiovisual performance, in the marking of May Eve; in folk tradition, the time of year exactly opposite Halloween, when the veil between worlds is said to once again become thin. May Eve (also known as Witches Night) takes place on the last dark night of winter, before the 1st of May (May Day/Beltane), when we welcome in the Summer and the lighter half of the year. Hailing from the wyrd hinterland of the Black Country, double headline solo artists Hidden Britain and The Balloonist are tonight billed alongside longtime friends SWLLWS and Timothy Parkes, and will be live soundtracking their own films and visuals, blurring the lines between seasons and worlds. Timothy Parkes Opening for the night we have the wonderful Timothy Parkes. Tim is an artist and composer who started out in 1999 as a solo singer songwriter. The first ten years of his musical career was spent supporting artists such as Miles Hunt, Gary Lucas, Wayne Hussey, Hazel OConnor and more. Having played three nights at the legendary Knitting Factory in NYC, he has since gone on to perform shows all over the UK at various venues and festivals. After a forced hiatus in the cultural wilderness of the last ten years, Tim currently expresses his feelings about everything through his uniquely emotive sound. With an auditory palate influenced by the likes of Jeff & Tim Buckley and Pentangle, Tims music evokes rich, golden brown tones and shimmering rhythms which invite you to at once lose yourself and be held, in this eerily atmospheric whirlwind of song. SWLLWS SWLLWS (pronounced Swallows) is the longterm music project of artist and musician Sian Macfarlane. SWLLWS first came to life with lo-fi synths, found instruments and field recordings, layered with heavily-processed ghostlike vocals; recalling early 4AD and the English esoterica of Coil. Having supported artists such as Grouper and Josephine Foster, Sian left music to one side for a time before returning to it once again, during lockdown. Through open tunings on a charity shop guitar, latent folk forms emerge from layered, repetitive, finger-picked guitars influenced by artists such as Sibylle Baier and Karen Beth. Through her music, SWLLWS recurrent obsessions come to the surface - the colour blue, and the mirrored surfaces of water - washed with early 90s slowcore and dream pop tendencies. Confessional lyrics mix with the underworld, where a secret world is described in a language of birds, trees and vampires. Set to her own visuals, SWLLWS immerses us in the unsettlingly beguiling liminal space of her creation. The Balloonist The Balloonist is the solo project of Ben Holton (epic45, My Autumn Empire, Birds In The Brickwork, Wayside & Woodland Recordings). Hazy, half-remembered childhood memory fragments, faded TV incidental music, schools programmes, quiet suburban afternoons of the 70s, 80s and early 90s, Ceefax and Teletext, old shopping centres, film grain, VHS quality loss and tape hiss inspire and combine live and in flux to form a melodic, experimental audiovisual dreamscape. Expect to hear shades of The Caretaker and William Basinski with ghostly echoes of Prefab Sprout and other smudged 80s/early 90s sounds. Performed alongside hypnotic, colour saturated, reimagined vintage visuals, The Balloonist layers his music with these to form eerie, blissed out atmospherics. Hidden Britain performs Wrens Nest Wren's Nest' by Hidden Britain is an experimental ghost story which combines an immersive, live soundtrack with cinematic storytelling. The performance draws on the British supernatural and social realist work of film-makers such as Lawrence Gordon Clark, John Smith and Alan Clarke to explore the grief, loss and denial which haunts a family over three generations. Performed by musician and visual artist Rob Glover (epic45, The Toy Library, Wayside & Woodland Recordings), 'Wren's Nest' will incorporate an enveloping mix of visuals, tape loops, abstract electronics and noise, around a spoken word narrative. 'Wren's Nest' takes its name from the ancient site on the western edge-lands of the Black Country, where it was filmed and produced. We invite you to take your seats at little tables tonight to immerse yourselves in this uncannily captivating evening of audiovisual performance.

We are delighted to welcome "The Bootleg Shadows' portraying "The Shadows Story" on their first visit to the Wolverhampton Arts Centre. The Bootleg Shadows' perform a unique concert that encompasses the Shadows amazing career from 1960 up until the early 80s. Concert audiences are invited to relive fantastic hits such as Apache, Foot Tapper, Riders in The Sky, Atlantis, Wonderful Land, Kon Tiki, Cavatina, FBI, plus some hit songs of "Cliff" and a few "wild cards" for good measure. For anyone who loves the sounds of the 60s, and enjoys a few laughs on the way - The Bootleg Shadows' perform a unique tribute that has audiences humming the tunes and doing the Shadows famous walk long after they have left the Theatre.

Saviour Records Presents: Noise Communion I, a new gig series filled with some of the best upcoming acts from the West Midlands.

Central Youth Theatres Acting Up group presents: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Get ready to step into a world of pure imagination as the incredible members of Acting Up take over the stage! This is a celebration of talent, creativity, and the golden ticket potential of our amazing young people. From the edible meadows of the Chocolate Room to the dizzying heights of the Great Glass Elevator, join Charlie Bucket and the eccentric Willy Wonka for a journey youll never forget. Acting Up is an inclusive drama group where every young person can shine, and is part of, Central Youth Theatre, Wolverhampton's longest running youth theatre. Directed by Ellie Dobie and Darcy Biddulph-Smith. Assisted by Emily Williams and Isaac Deans.

Central Youth Theatre's Young Leaders group and ForeFront Theatre Company presents: Rubble Two families, six children, five thousand miles, one war. As the world they know collapses around them, the lives of six children collide together in unimaginable ways. One set of siblings, living in an underinvested and crumbling city, fail to find hope for their own futures. They spend their time angry and apathetic, until their oldest sister gets deployed to the Middle East. The other set of siblings, living through an ongoing war, struggle to contain their hope for their futures. They spend their time learning and helping, until their oldest sister moves to the UK. Performed by Central Youth Theatre's, Wolverhampton's longest running youth theatre, Young Leaders Group, a group of teenagers who are dedicated and committed to making the best theatre they can. The Young Leaders have collaborated with ForeFront Theatre Company, a company of young emerging artists, to create and perform this show. The show will travel to Italy in May, to perform as part of the Sapperlot Youth Theatre Festival. Directed by Mathilde Petford. Written by Arzhang Pezhman. On Sunday 26th, ForeFront Theatre Company will also perform their brand new international show, 20 Hours. This show was created and performed as part of an emerging artist exchange with a theatre company in Bangkok, Thailand. The show, a clowning comedy, was created in the time it took the group to travel to Thailand, just twenty hours. It has only ever been performed in Thailand, and is here in the UK for one night only.

Level 42s Mike Lindup Announces Headline Trio Tour Performing alongside Yolanda Charles MBE on bass and John Sam on drums. Hailed by Gilles Peterson as one of his all-time favourite vocalists, Mike Lindup is a cornerstone of Brit funk and jazz. As the founding member, vocalist, keyboard player, and principal songwriter of Level 42, Mike helped shape some of the most enduring hits in pop music, including Lessons in Love and Something About You. With six Top 10 singles and seven Top 10 albums, his influence spans decades. Alongside his work with Level 42, Mike has released four acclaimed solo albums and collaborated with artists such as Eric Clapton, Dominic Miller, and Da Lata, firmly establishing his reputation as a world-class musician. Following standout full-band performances at Londons Jazz Caf and Union Chapel, Mike launched the Mike Lindup Trio, a focused live project rooted in the classic jazz trio format of keys, bass, and drums. The trio brings together three exceptional musicians: Mike Lindup on keys and vocals, Yolanda Charles MBE on bass - internationally recognised for her work with Hans Zimmer, Paul Weller, and B.B. King - and John Sam on drums, whose dynamic playing provides the trios rhythmic foundation. The Mike Lindup Trio made its live debut in December 2025, performing headline shows in Paris, London, Newcastle, and Milton Keynes. A recent appearance on Gilles Petersons Rhodes Trilogy programme further showcased the trios sound and confirmed the project as a compelling new live offering.

TALES FROM THE WEDDING PRESENT VOLUME THREE What Have I Said Now? The third instalment of David Gedges memoir: Out, via Scopitones Books, on 7 August 2026 Featuring An opening 30-minute acoustic solo set by Darren Hayman A 30-minute interview where David, Terry & Lee are cross-examined by Darren An audience Q&A A 50-minute, stripped-back semi-acoustic set featuring David, Terry on bass andWedding Presentguitarist Rachael Wood After the show David, Terry & Lee will be happy to sign copies of the book

Napalm Death's Shane Embury reflects on 40 years of noise terrorism in a special night of conversation. Shane is the longest-serving member of Napalm Death, godfathers of grindcore and inventors of a genre that took punk/metal to new extremes. Initially a fan of the band, Shane joined in 1987 and is now a veteran of around 3000 gigs and 15 studio albums. Shane will be sharing stories from his unique life in and out of the band, reflecting on the community that has grown up around them, the political values that are central to their music - and the hair-raising stories and personal challenges that come with life on the road. Shane will be in conversation with journalist (and biographer of Metallica) Joel McIver - and will be signing copies of his illustrated memoir 'Life? And Napalm Death', published by Rocket 88 after the show. There will be a chance to ask your own questions.

Following its biggest show to date last year, Community gets even bigger as it returns on what would normally be Glastonbury weekend to bring you another 8 hours of music from across the West Midlands. Having moved indoors again last year to avoid the unpredictable British weather, the main theatre now becomes its permanent home with new timings of 3pm til 11. As if that wasnt enough, this year also sees the introduction of a second stage in the caf area sponsored by Cellar Rooms Rehearsal Studios. With the full line-up set to be announced over Easter weekend, this is your chance to bag cheaper tickets for what will be a huge day of music featuring 14 of the best up and coming bands and solo artists. Community isnt just about having a good time though, its also about looking out for each other. This year, all profits will be donated to Black Country Mental Health a charity that aims to improve, promote and enhance a better quality of life for people living across the Black Country affected by poor mental health. So, get ready to put on your dancing shoes. Therell be no muddy boots after this one

Get ready for an unforgettable night of music, energy and pure nostalgia as The Amy G School proudly presents Top of the Pops Showcase a celebration of four decades of the biggest hits in music history. Our talented students have been working tirelessly behind the scenes, perfecting every note, move and moment to bring you an electrifying live experience. Timeless classics and iconic chart-toppers come together in a journey through the sounds that defined generations. Dont miss your chance to support rising stars and relive the magic of the music you love. Its more than a show its a celebration of talent, dedication and unforgettable hits. Secure your tickets now!