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The Betsey Trotwood

What's On @ The Betsey Trotwood

Vinny Peculiar + special guest Amanda Thorpe at Betsey Trotwood
Vinny Peculiar aka 'the Tony Hancock of pop UNCUT' plays a rare London show at East London's Betsey Trotwood Cellar Bar showcasing songs from the new album 'The Curse of You Know Who' alongside other favourites from his fabulously eclectic back catalogue. London based songstress, music therapist and Bushwick Bookclub pioneer Amanda Thorpe opens the evening. It's going to be special. Vinny Peculiar [aka Alan Wilkes] grew up in Worcestershire and trained as a nurse before signing to Manchester cult label Ugly Man records [former home to Elbow]. Hes since put out thirteen albums of literate autobiographical pop music over a twenty-year career and has regularly toured band, solo and duo shows. Variously described as an under sung national treasure [UNCUT] a warm-hearted Morrissey [Q Magazine] and the missing link between Jarvis Cocker and Roger McGough [Irish Times] previous work associations include Bill Drummond [KLF], Luke Haines [the Auteurs], Jah Wobble [PIL] and his various bands have included ex members of The Smiths, OASIS, Aztec Camera & The Fall. Hes also written and recorded as Parlour Flames, the band he formed in 2013 with ex OASIS rhythm guitarist Bonehead. Vinny Peculiar, often described as a poet laureate of the everyday, is a singer-songwriter known for his sharp wit, poignant storytelling, and a knack for capturing the quirks of modern life. With a career spanning decades, his music blends elements of indie, folk, and pop, creating a sound that is both nostalgic and refreshingly original. Press notes n quotes. The missing link between Jarvis Cocker and poet Roger McGough IRISH TIMES If Tony Hancock had made pop records, theyd have sounded like this UNCUT MAGAZINE 'Part Pulp, part Kinks, and very much part Peculiar, this is observational, punk-tinged songwriting at its best. HOT PRESS 'Wildly witty with abject sadness and pathos in swathes, like a warm-hearted Morrissey no less INDEPENDENT A strange brave captivating album, matched by fascination, dark humor and warmth DAILY MIRROR 'This fifteen-track album from the Salford based singer songwriter is frankly, unmissable. A real joy. AMERICANA- UK 'Crashing poppily through Vinnys world of nostalgia and insight every song stuffed to the gills with melody and eccentricity, clever, funny and wonderfully weird R2 MAGAZINE 'Wilkes is also one of those few songwriters that can wring genuine smiles and pathos out of ordinary memories IRISH TIMES
Radhika

Radhika

14 Jun 2026 - 14 Jun 2026

We are excited to welcome back Radhika to the Betsey. After her blinding set supporting wor_kspace and Gerard Love a couple of weeks ago, shell be back at the Betsey on 14th June 2026 to celebrate the release of her debut album. Support comes from her Glass Modern label mates Stone Anthem. Doors 7pm. £15adv/£17otd. Tickets on sale now. RADHIKA - Glass Modern is very proud to present the debut album by Scottish dream pop group Radhika, led by Radhika Meera Dade. Out 22nd May, CINE-POP is a collection of songs that flow gently and easily in and out of each other - a suite, a short film, everything an album should be. The album features appearances from a number of Radhika's family, friends and esteemed Glasgow musicians, including Mitch Mitchell (The Pastels), Gerard Love (Lightships/ ex-Teenage Fanclub), and Tracyanne Campbell (Camera Obscura). One of the loveliest voices Ive heard in a long time- Bilinda Butcher (My Bloody Valentine) I think there's something really special in what Radhika does. Influences and inspirations whirl around and are fine-tuned into really good songs.- Gideon Coe, BBC6 Music "Cine-Pop is a one-off, it's unrepeatable - there, gone, the world through the eyes of a dazzling young Indo-Scottish woman.- Stephen McRobbie (The Pastels) STONE ANTHEM is the alias of UK based multi-instrumentalist artist Archie Ingram and his psychedelic DIY Electronica.
Thrum

Thrum

7 Jul 2026 - 13 Jul 2026

The return of 90s indie rock, alt country band Thrum, their first tour in 30 years, in support of their Debut album Rifferama which is being reissued on Fire Records on 26th June.
The Last of the Lovely Days @ the Betsey Trotwood
Swings & Roundabouts Promotions Presents The Last Of The Lovely Days with support from Lovejoy Sunday 28 June 2026 at 3:00pm The Betsey Trotwood, 56 Farringdon Road, London, EC1R 3BL £9.00 advance + booking fee: WeGotTickets £12.00 on the door THE LAST OF THE LOVELY DAYS After a run of well received and sold out shows in Brighton, indie-poppers The Last of the Lovely Days are set to make their London headline debut, returning to The Betsey Trotwood on Sunday 28th June 2026 for a matinee show in the main bar. Still riding high after the release of their highly regarded debut album No Public House Talk (John Clarkson at PENNYBLACKS album Of the year 2025) The Last of the Lovely Days, will be playing songs from the album, some new material and as ever some choice covers. Joining them on the bill will be the highly rated Lovejoy (more details below). A wonderful sonic cocktail for a summer Sunday afternoon in the city, this show is not to be missed but dont just take our word for it. Praise for No Public House Talk The Last of the Lovely Days have released one of the indie pop albums of the year with No Public House Talk. PENNYBLACK "What might have happened if Kirsty MacColl had collaborated with choice players in the 80s-to-90s guitar-led underground crowd. Replete with resourceful angles and arrangements, as well as thoughtful songcraft." FREQ "A lovely jangly guitar pop beast of an album wrapped lovingly with charming melodies and hooks that will linger and help your day be a much more enjoyable experience." MONOLITH COCKTAIL "Spiky indie pop, this release feels like a first in spirit; lyrically sharp and musically spry." SHINDIG! The melodic confidence of The Smiths or maybe the Yardbirds, filtered through a 21st century lens, the album picks carefully from the indie pop spectrum to create a satisfyingly complete listen." RnR (★★★★) LOVEJOY Releasing a string of well received albums and singles during the late 90s and early 00's, Lovejoy made a surprise return in 2024 with their acclaimed new album And It's Love! This was followed swiftly by a reissue of their debut album and a collaboration with Creation Records Alan McGee on their 2025 single Let There Be Love. With a new album and further reissues in the pipeline, this is a rare London solo performance by the little known but highly rated Lovejoy frontman Dick Preece. Email: [email protected] Web: https://www.facebook.com/SwingsandRoundaboutsPromotions
Jester Jesters Monday Nights

Jester Jesters Monday Nights

8 Jun 2026 - 28 Sept 2026

Pay-what-you-want weekly comedy. Take a look behind-the-scenes of the U.K. circuit, as comics hone their newest material. This live comedy event takes place upstairs at The Betsey Trotwood. It's pay-what-you-want with a minimum of £3 per person. Different line-up every Monday. M.C. Jonathan Hearn
Peter Holsapple - From Us Jangle/ Power Pop Legends the Db's, Continental Drifters & Rem
Clerkenville East-West and Decor are stoked to present a rare London gig by Peter Holsapple - an iconic figure in 80s US alternative rock and power pop. This will be a matinee with live music starting at 2pm and ending around 5pm. Peter Holsapple achieved international fame as co-founder of the The dB's, a band that became an influential force in power pop and college rock in the 1980s. After the band broke up in 1988, Peter became part of R.E.M.'s touring and recording band, where he left his signature guitar and keyboard sound (a role he continues with Hootie & the Blowfish). He is also a member of long-running indie/roots 'supergroup' Continental Drifters, featuring members of Dream Syndicate, The Cowsills and The Bangles. Peter continued to record and play live with fellow dB's legend Chris Stamey and, after reconvening in 2005 for a series of rapturously received reunion shows, The dB's would go on to record a new album and tour again . During this special show, Peter will present his new album, The Face of 68: a personal and layered work in which he reflects on his life, music, and the years that shaped him. He'll be accompanied by James Hallawell, - keyboard player of The Waterboys & Graham Parker band - and percussionist Pat Thomas, counter culture historian and a renowned figure on the US indie underground himself with his bands Absolute Grey & Mushroom. As well as songs from his current album, expect tracks from throughout Peter's rich and varied career and other unexpected treats!
Railcard + the Corner Laughers

Railcard + the Corner Laughers

9 Aug 2026 - 9 Aug 2026

Railcard play a summer matinee show upstairs at The Betsey Trotwood, with special US guests The Corner Laughers. Railcard formed in early 2025 when Rachel Love (Dolly Mixture) and Ian Button (Papernut Cambridge, The Penrose Web & more) began writing songs together. Along with Peter Momtchiloff (Heavenly, Would-be-goods) on bass and Allison Thomson (Oldfield Youth Club, Heist, Trashcan Sinatras) on trumpet, the band have recorded a stack of material in a very short time. Their trio of eponymous EPs were released as a compilation by Skep Wax and Slumberland in January 2026, and in September there follows another album Two Steps At A Time, with twelve more songs, plus a run of UK gigs. Railcard's individual indie/pop DNA is easy to trace in the music - Love and Button's songs mix up ingredients from their earlier projects, and Momtchiloff's own songs bear his hallmark style. There are shared lead vocals, jangling guitars, sweet strings, organ and cool trumpet lines, plus a drive and punch from the rhythm section that steers into Motown, bubblegum pop/garage and more. https://railcardband.bandcamp.com/ This is perhaps what Stereolab would sound like if, accompanied by a TV show orchestra, they had to cover a "K-Tel's Greatest Unknown Hits of the 1960s and 1970s" compilation. - Pause-Record-Play The foursome shimmy seamlessly between hyper-melodic vintage King's Road psychedelia..featherlight lushness..pop-exotica..sublimely rubber-grooved glitterball-kosmisch.and 70s kitsch curiosity. - Freq Longtime San Francisco Bay Area indie-pop and folk-pop outfit The Corner Laughers weave a tapestry of enchanting, "ridiculously catchy melodies" (Word Magazine) and thoughtful lyricism. Their newest record, the just-released Concerns of Wasp and Willow, is already earning critical acclaim and airplay at home and abroad. For their August performances in England, singer/songwriter/ukulele player and multi-instrumentalist Khoi Huynh will play as an acoustic duo. Check out https://bigstirrecords.com/the-corner-laughers for more information. "The Corner Laughers are a Californian band who come across like a West Coast Belle and Sebastian. Their indie pop is sassy and smart, intelligent and intricate, twee with bite." - The Guardian The Corner Laughers craft a brand of pop that's sophisticated, clever, erudite and memorable one that follows in the proud tradition of great songwriting artists like Carole King and Paul McCartney. SF Weekly
Jon Hess & R. A. Phillips

Jon Hess & R. A. Phillips

13 Jun 2026 - 13 Jun 2026

Jon Hess and R. A. Phillips will be once again sharing the stage to perform. Join them for a special night to celebrate new releases! Singer songwriter, record producer, Jon Hess takes Americana, Blues and Folk to create his own unique style. Currently self recording a highly anticipated brand new album. R. A. Phillips is a musician from London. He works principally in two styles of music, performing as a singer songwriter playing his own self written compositions and as an instrumentalist, composing imaginative and experimental music based around a concept.
Deadedz and Bonnie Dobson

Deadedz and Bonnie Dobson

12 Aug 2026 - 12 Aug 2026

Deadedz and Bonnie Dobson 12 Aug 2026 With an unwavering passion for the music, Deadedz deliver an authentic and electrifying performance that will transport you back to the golden era of "The Great American Band". This talented ensemble is comprised of fluent and accomplished musicians who share a deep love for The Grateful Dead's legendary catalogue. Based in Wales, fronting the band are three incredible vocalists, hailing from California, Cornwall and Wales, who capture the essence and spirit of Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Donna Godcheaux and the various other members that were part of the Dead's signature vocal blend over their 30 years of success, with stunning accuracy. Each member of Deadedz is a seasoned artist, bringing a wealth of experience and a fantastic sense of musicality to every show. At deadedz pride themselves on their ability to recreate the intricate harmonies, dynamic rhythms, and timeless melodies that define The Grateful Dead. From the haunting beauty of Ripple to the infectious groove of the MTV smash hit Touch of Grey. All the classics brought to life with precision and flair. Deadedz performances are not just about the music; they are a full-scale appreciation of the magic and mystique of one of the greatest bands in rock history. With passion and commitment, deadedz conjure a show that is as close to the real thing as possible. Whether youre a lifelong 'head or discovering the music for the first time, Deadedz promises an unforgettable experience that will leave you wanting more. Bonnie Dobson's name should be familiar to all Deadheads and folk music fans. Bonnie was born in Toronto to a trade union organiser father and Her father was a union organizer and opera lover and, as a teenager, became part of the local folk-revival scene, performing in local coffee houses and at folk festivals. She subsequently moved to the United States where she performed and recorded several albums, including 1962's Bonnie Dobson at Folk City, which contained her song "Morning Dew". After returning to Toronto in 1965 she continued to perform in coffee houses as well programs on Canadian TV. She married and in 1969 moved to London, England, where she took up university studies and later became head of the Faculty of Arts at Birkbeck College, part of the University of London. After retiring in the 1980s, Dobson returned to performance in 2007 in London with Jarvis Cocker. She released a new album in 2013 and has subsequently returned to the stage for irregular but much anticipated performances. Bonnie plays occasionally in London and has recently recorded an album and toured with psych-folk-rock band The Hanging Stars. Bonnie and Morning Dew were inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2018 and her biography will Be published in Autumn. She makes excellent jam. For this gig Bonnie is joined by regular collaborator Ben Phillipson, formerly of 18th Day of May and now with The Trimdon Grange Explosion.
Barry ‘the Fish’ Melton With the Psych Unit
Barry "The Fish" Melton, the founder member, lead guitarist and vocalist of Country Joe & The Fish is flying over from San Francisco for his Farewell U.K tour. It's 60 years since the release of the band's debut album "Electric Music For The Mind & Body", widely acclaimed as the best psychedelic album of all time. It's also 58 years since Country Joe & The Fish played the legendary Woodstock Festival before an estimated half a million people. On his farewell tour Barry will be fronting his superb long time U.K based band The Psych Unit. Don't miss your last chance EVER to see Barry "The Fish" Melton in the U.K . The icing on the cake will be an opening set from top Jerry Garcia tribute Under The Stars, featuring two members of Barry's Paris based band Jamasutra, including his long time sideman Stephane Missri. They're joined by two members of the now disbanded Grateful Dead tribute The Cosmic Charlies. This will be a night to remember!
Laptop

Laptop

25 Jun 2026 - 25 Jun 2026

A rare London show from Laptop. First emerging from NYC in the late '90s, the project built a cult following through lo-fi electronics and sharp, literate songwriting with early support from John Peel, later signing to Island Records, releasing three albums to critical acclaim in the UK from The Guardian, Melody Maker, NME, Dazed, Uncut, Evening Standard, The Independent amongst others. The track End Credits has recently been revisited by Depeche Mode/Erasure synth overlord Vince Clarke, bringing renewed attention to the project. To celebrate the recent release of the End Credits EP, Laptop will be doing this one off show revisiting material from the 97 - 2003. This show marks a return to a small, intimate room 23 years after Laptop played this very venue. A rare chance to see Laptop up close. tickets extremely limited. Support comes from Oliver Marson and Heart and Mouth. One night only.
Max Décharné

Max Décharné

26 Jun 2026 - 26 Jun 2026

Max Décharné (Gallon Drunk/Flaming Stars) playing songs from his albums Veronica's Lake and Night Darkens The Streets, accompanied by Calina De La Mare (Tindersticks/3Head) 'Like pitches for a particularly rueful Jim Jarmusch film about memory, love and loss' - Allan Jones, Uncut The overriding feeling echoing through these lo-fi epics is one of gratitude for the redeeming power of love, Jim Wirth, MOJO Cartes postales dun pays aussi étrange que fascinant [postcards from a country as strange as it is fascinating], Rock & Folk, France Gleefully crafted cool, Kris Needs, Record Collector
Chris Murphy

Chris Murphy

14 Jul 2026 - 14 Jul 2026

Black Cat Music and Evans Above are proud to present...... Chris Murphy at the Betsey Trotwood To mark the release of his new album, , produced by the legendary Seth Lakeman, Chris makes a welcome retiurn to the Betsey Trotwood
Hurry + U.S. Highball + Music City

Hurry + U.S. Highball + Music City

9 Aug 2026 - 9 Aug 2026

Hurry Hurry is an indie rock band from Philadelphia led by songwriter Matt Scottoline, known for their jangly, melodic take on power pop. The band has released a steady run of records on Lame-O Records - with their new album "Zoned Out" being released on July 15th of this year - each sharpening their mix of fuzzy Teenage Fanclub-esque guitars, hooky melodies, and introspective lyrics rooted in classic alternative and college rock. The new album features a guest vocal from Gerard Love (ex-TFC) and they have shared stages with the likes of Nada Surf, Tigers Jaw & Cloud Nothings. U.S. Highball U.S. Highball is a Glasgow based two-piece jangle-pop band, signed to Lame-O Records. They have released four albums, with their fifth - "God Save the Kelvin Wheelies" - out May 15th. They have performed at Glas-Goes Pop, Madrid Popfest, in Paris for Paris Popfest and shared stages with the likes of Jeffry Lewis, Slaughter Beach Dog, The Orchids, Chime School & Trace Mountains. Music City Irish born-London based Music City are the brainchild of Conor Lumsden, the drummer, singer and songwriter in Dublin favourites The Number Ones, and Welcome to Music City is a debut record that's been quite sometime in the making, after the lead single Pretty Feelings first saw the light of day back in 2018. It was recorded largely in Dublin at Sonic Studios with Daniel Fox on the desk, with bits also done in London and New York, and it's a record that doesnt sound like that it has tied itself to any one location. Live-wise, theyve already played alongside the likes of Parquet Courts and The Lemon Twigs, which will give you a general idea of where they are coming from on the big pop sound scale.
Helen Mccookerybook

Helen Mccookerybook

11 Oct 2026 - 11 Oct 2026

Helen McCookerybook Helen McCookerybook's songs cover everything from the social impact of new technology to wry observations about relationships. Now a solo guitarist/vocalist influenced by Linda Lewis, Nick Drake and Jake Thackray, her musical journey started as a bass player in a Brighton punk band in the late 1970s. Her previous bands The Chefs and Helen and the Horns were regulars on BBC Radio 1's John Peel show; nowadays Radio London's Gary Crowley and BBC6's Marc Riley and Gideon Coe and play her new music. She has collaborated with Gina Birch, Vic Godard, Lester Square, Robert Rotifer and many more. Her album Showtunes from the Shadows, was released in 2025 on vinyl, CD and download formats on the Tiny Global label: https://helenmcc.bandcamp.com/album/showtunes-from-the-shadows At this show, she will be playing new songs from her forthcoming album, The Darkside Truth, due to be released on Tiny Global later in 2026. Robert Rotifer's Radical Friendship Theory This will be the London live launch of Radical Friendship Theory, a one-off album released on Spinout Nuggets, featuring, amongst others, Robert Rotifer, Helen McCookerybook, Kenji and Ian Button. Radical Friendship Theory is not a band, it's a set of songs in a wide range of styles, from baroque pop, to psych, from country rock to bookish indie, sung by a circle of friends between Glasgow, Kent, London and southern Spain a celebration of actual human friendship as a life-saving alternative to a world of fake digital engagement, captive consumption and artificially sown division.

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