Community 2023

Community 2023

Community 2023 – After a successful first event last year, ‘Community’ returns to the New Horizons stage for another celebration of the West Midlands music scene.

PLEASE CHOOSE JUST ONE PERFORMER TO SUPPORT WHEN BOOKING. EACH TICKET ALLOWS ACCESS TO THE WHOLE DAY

With all profits donated to Wolverhampton Samaritans, this is a day for coming together and being proud of where you’re from whilst also helping to support those who don’t feel they have anyone to turn to.
Community 2023 features:
Marquis Drive
Fitzroy Holt
Methods
World Speed Record
Smokin Eskimo
Giant & The Georges
The Proctors
Ollie Cook
Stay Loose Records (DJ)
Ladyland – All Girls Sounds (DJ)

Click on Performer name to hear music and learn more

MARQUIS DRIVE
MD are seven lads from Cannock with big, anthemic and uplifting tunes.  Signed to Alan McGee’s Creation23 label, their debut single ‘Proud’ reached number 2 in the UK official vinyl charts – selling out on pre-sales alone. Dubbed a “great band with big hits”, they’ve been featured on all of the Premiership Football club ‘big boys’ match day playlists and have racked up nearly a million streams to date. New EP and album “Flash Twice To Listen“ is due out in 2023, so there are exciting times ahead for the Drive lads.

FITZROY HOLT
One of the region’s fastest rising stars is Wolverhampton’s own Fitzroy Holt, who has built around him an ever-revolving supergroup of local musicians to create a unique, soulful take on neo-psych rock. Fresh off the back of a plethora of festival appearances including Isle of Wight and The Great Escape – which is the UK’s equivalent of SXSW and a music industry showcase known for breaking the next big thing – as well as some huge support slots and sold out headline shows, this is a band not to be missed. Clash magazine wrote: “Fitzroy Holt melds together indie, psych and a whole lot more.  With counter culture leanings and a rebellious stance, this is the work of a true original and someone busy walking his own path”

METHODS
Methods are melancholic synth-rockers who burst onto the scene in 2015 with seriously impressive keyboard-heavy pop rock that sits somewhere in-between Interpol, White Lies and Joy Division. Their trademark, inimitable sound has won over fans all over the UK, across which they’ve toured heavily, whilst building a strong fanbase at home.  They’ve previously been nominated for a Birmingham Music Award and a Black Country Music Award. Expect euphoric electronics, arena-sized choruses, versatile song writing and downright likeability from start to finish as they take you on a real musical journey of raw storytelling from five musicians who clearly love what they do.

WORLD SPEED RECORD
Also from Cannock, World Speed Record have been called a crowd pleaser from the start, with catchy songs reminiscent of “Is This It” era Strokes. Formed by brothers Ben and Tom Phillips, the addition of close friend Alex Jones on bass and renowned local drummer Jack Ensor and a combined love of classic bands like The Beatles and Led Zeppelin led to debut single Lost In Between followed by last year’s Heavy Weather ep.

SMOKIN ESKIMO
Smokin Eskimo make a  return to Community having gained a lot of new fans last year and in Manchester in January, when they went north with Alex Ohm to represent the West Midlands in a Community ‘Away Leg’. Heavily influenced by 60s psychedelic rock and blues, 90s Britpop and a smattering of jazz and funk, they’ve been described as one of the most entertaining bands you’ll ever see as there is always something happening on stage They’ve also been described as what Oasis would have sounded like if Jimi Hendrix had been a member! You certainly can’t pigeonhole Smokin Eskimo, a statement you’ll testify to if you saw them on the New Horizons stage last year!

GIANT & THE GEORGES
A four piece featuring two brothers (the Georges) and a relatively tall man ( the giant!), they’ve become known for their zingy hooks, tangy riffs and vocal harmonies sweeter than honey! Dynamic performers, they blend shimmering indie-rock with frantic lyricism and combine their eclectic range of influences to captivate any audience (terms and conditions apply).

THE PROCTORS
The Proctors melodious 12-string jangle and winsome boy/girl harmonies has won them a cult following across the world with them being as big in Japan as over here. They have released records on some extremely well respected labels over the years, not least Sunday Records (Chicago), Shelflife (San Francisco) and Cloudberry Records (New York).  The House Of Love’s guitarist, Terry Bickers, has also featured on the occasional recording. Most people will know front man and songwriter Gavin Priest from his time as a DJ at Wolverhampton’s much loved club night Blast Off, as well his own Supersonic nights at the Dog & Doublet.  His true pedigree lies in being a musician himself.

OLLIE COOK
Ollie is another West Midlands musician with strong heritage running through the family but he is now making his own mark, having released a wonderful album at the tail end of last year ‘The Boy With Pearls For Eyes’. Having built a band around him to embrace and enhance the acoustic feel of his initial releases, Ollie has added a new type of sound to his music, rich with concept and emotion.  Certainly a star in ascendancy.

DJs
Ian Davies (Stay Loose Records) and Becci Bradley (Ladyland All Girls Sounds) will be ensuring there are no quiet spots throughout the day as they treat us to their choice cuts between bands.

Community 2023 Poster