Katie Spencer

Sun 1 NovDoors 15:00

The Dirt Road Band

Black Frog Presents at the Hot Box · Chelmsford

The Dirt Road Band are Steve Walwyn, guitar and vocals, Horace Panter, bass, and Ted Duggan, drums. They play hard, punchy blues-rock music that makes your heart beat faster. Let’s dig deeper… Walwyn has played guitar for a living for the past 45 years, 32 of those as a member of Dr Feelgood. Panter was a founding member of The Specials. He’s been doing this a while too, as has Duggan who has enjoyed spells with Banco de Gaia and more recently, Badfinger. Three highly proficient and time-served players doing what they do best. DRB started as a side project some 5 years ago and has now taken centre stage. Their critically acclaimed debut album ‘Righteous’ was released in July 2024. The creative process coming naturally with these players feeding off one another. You can see it in their live performance too. “Seasoned professionals with the energy of teenagers” as one contemporary musician observed.

Gigs

Sat 7 NovDoors 13:00

The Vagaband

Black Frog Presents at the Hot Box · Chelmsford

Over the last decade, The Vagaband have taken their brand of roots rock across the UK & Europe. As regulars on the festival scene, they have performed at Glastonbury, Secret Garden Party, Wilderness, Bestival, Red Rooster & Maverick. Based across the East of England, the six-piece band incorporate elements of Americana, folk, prog, psych and 70s funk. They have released four studio albums, have collaborated with US cult band Ween on a remix, recorded award-winning film and T.V. soundtracks and picked up a music award in 2018. 'Stunning' - Q Magazine 'Album of the Year' - Dirty Rock Magazine ‘Masterly’ - Americana UK 'Could have emerged from Muscle Shoals ...real feeling.' **** - R2

Gigs

Wed 11 NovDoors 19:00

Track Dogs

Black Frog Presents at the Hot Box · Chelmsford

Track Dogs are an international band formed in 2006 in Madrid with a name deriving from the dark subterranean world of the New York subway system. They are an eclectic line up of acoustic guitar, electric base, trumpet, cajon and stunning four-part vocal harmonies. “A rare combination of four great players who also have superb voices creating stunning individual vocal performances and the almost inevitable perfect harmonies. The playing is outstanding, the harmonies superb, and it is joyful throughout, just give it a listen" Music Riot UK Their sound is best described as “sunshine-y songs thriving on dark themes behind irresistible rhythms”. Those familiar with the band will know that Track Dogs have always dabbled in different styles from Americana and bluegrass to folk and even blues. With over 11 albums and performances from Glastonbury to the Royal Albert Hall, Track Dogs continue make a name for themselves. “Genre busting acoustic music built around folk, Americana and bluegrass”. RnR Magazine Sometimes deadly serious, sometimes showing a finely tuned sense of humour – they will always get you tapping your feet and before you know it you will be up and dancing! “...

Gigs

Mon 16 NovDoors 19:00

MORA & the Fabulous Wonderfuls with George Borowski

Black Frog Presents at the Hot Box · Chelmsford

This is a first for us and a not-to-be-missed show with George Borowski on guitar, who the line "Check Out Guitar George he knows all the Chords" in Dire Straits Money for Nothing was written about.and having played with Meat Loaf and Teenage Fan Club among many others.

Gigs

Sun 22 NovDoors 12:00

Sunday Jazz Lunch | Frank Sinatra

Boisdale of Canary Wharf · London

“Stephen Triffitt is the best. The greatest. Because he captures the soul of my Father.” — Frank Sinatra Jr. Some performers study Sinatra. Stephen Triffitt inhabits him. Direct from Las Vegas, he brings a show built on timing, phrasing and the quiet confidence that defined Sinatra at his peak. From "My Way" and "New York, New York" to "I’ve Got You Under My Skin" and "That’s Life", the set moves through songs that were written to be lived in, not just sung. Backed by a superb live band, Triffitt delivers them with control and ease, letting the arrangements breathe while keeping that unmistakable swing intact. His credentials are not decorative. Triffitt starred as Sinatra in the original West End production of The Rat Pack Live and has sold out the London Palladium, building a reputation as one of the most respected interpreters of this music anywhere. This is Sinatra as it works best, up close, well played and without excess. Alongside the performance, guests can enjoy Boisdale’s two-course Sunday lunch, including the 18-hour slow-roasted dry-aged rib of Scottish beef, goose fat roast potatoes and classic sides, with vegetarian options also available. BOISDALE OF CANA...

Gigs

Sun 22 NovDoors 13:00

THE GIFT and THE ROUND WINDOW

The Camden Club · London

THE GIFT are regarded by some as ‘the best kept secret’ in progressive and art rock. Back in the early noughties their first album ‘Awake & Dreaming’ impressed those in the know with its heady mixture of ‘70s style and contemporary soundscapes. Then there was silence...until the band reformed and released 2014’s “Land of Shadows”, an ambitious song suite packed with strong melodies and multi-layered instrumental workouts. In 2016 The Gift released their 3rd album, ‘Why The Sea Is Salt’, which Prog magazine described as a ‘masterpiece’. It fused symphonic, long form suites with tasteful shorter songs, and featured luminaries Steve Hackett and Anthony Phillips as guest musicians. In 2019 The Gift released their 4th album ‘Antenna’, which was even harder hitting than before whilst still retaining their signature sound. Then the pandemic brought silence, as well as lineup changes. But it didn’t stop the songs. For the last few years The Gift has been busy creating and recording their 5th album ‘Seven Seasons’. Inspired by Shakespeare’s ode to our mortal experience, it explores the stages of life from birth until the end of days. Like the human condit...

Gigs

Sun 22 NovDoors 13:00

The Dan Collective play the music of Steely Dan

The International · Leicester

GigsSoulFunk & R&B

Sun 22 NovDoors 13:30

Healthy Junkies

Dublin Castle · London

Healthy Junkies - they’ve been around a few years now but these thermonuclear powered grunge punk alterno dynamos just go from strength to strength. Always a totally committed performance that leaves your ears throbbing, your head spinning and your mind fully saturated with punk rock joy. Excellent band. Neovenator - the best band named after a dinosaur since Bolan boogied, these guys seem to be a semblance of The Who in conflagration with The Stranglers, playing Blur like songs in the style of The Subhumans. Ok nothing like that. Very good tho. Gripper Lee - post punk and Goff flavours with a powerhouse delivery. Named of course after the blind one from Peters and Lee who was also the only sightless wrestler to kick Big Daddy’s ass on World of Sport back in the day. Tony Buggerbear supplied the hot nuggets in between sets.

Gigs