Delivering – by bicycle – songs of protest, love and hope, a Band named Brian takes to the road again, teaming up with DJ Mumma Quiche for a Fringe special…
Hard-Hitting Yet Relatable
Singer songwriter Brian Madigan (AKA a Band named Brian) is on a two wheeled mission to save the planet. Accompanied by violinist/bassist Rob Whale, they cycle from venue to venue, raising environmental awareness – and spirits – through the medium of song. Two parts Billy Bragg to one Part Levellers, with a touch of Johnny Cash and a side order of Beans on Toast: you’ll laugh, you’ll cry… you may even dance!
Brian’s songs and the stories behind them are crammed full of passion, wit and wisdom. His influences are wide-ranging, but his voice is very much his own. Combining social comment with humour, the songs are hard-hitting yet relatable. His shows are at once intimate, challenging and great fun.
Roman Around
We start, once again, with the season’s first festival, ‘Shindig’. Which – this year – is on the former WOMAD site in Malmesbury, Wiltshire. To get there, we’ll be following the old ‘Fosse Way’ Roman Road. The great thing about the Roman’s was they built straight roads. The downside is these ignore the surrounding contours, ploughing straight over hills and plummeting into intervening valleys. So, it will be a short but strenuous ride to get things started. Stu Shaw (Rhiannon Paige, Andy Burden Band, Made By Martians, et al) will be joining on bass/guitar. Though he may not be cycling with us (he has a very heavy amp!).
Love & Hope in The Love Lounge
Our Bath Fringe festival offering this year will be a one-off show at the legendary Bell Inn on Walcot Street. Here, we join forces with soul DJ Mumma Quiche in an impromptu musical dialogue. Miche will spin a disc in response to each song. To which, we will respond with our next, and so on. It will be an uplifting night of song and dance. And – as ever – the audience (you – we hope) is central to the whole experience. This being a ‘Band named Brian’ Fringe show, there may also be the odd surprise and special guest along the way!
Local Proclamation
Then, we take a short hop over the river to Bathford and the wonderful institution that is The Crown. Here, local legend, guitarist Zac Ware (of The Proclaimers fame), has agreed to share an evening with us. And promises to join for our set too! Once again, we hope to have the ever-hard-working Stu Shaw on additional bass/guitar/BVs. As well as one or two other local luminaries (I’m looking at you, Martin Craddick!).
Go West
The lovely people of West Pennard stepped in after a planned gig in Shepton Mallet fell through. And we’re very grateful. We’re looking forward to performing in the shadow of Glastonbury Tor and maybe see if we can pick up some ley-line energy while we’re there. Come along, if you’re in the area, and add your own good vibes to this vibrant community hub.
Gone For Ashburton
We’ll be calling in at the wonderful Ashburton Arts Centre. The folk that run this champion grass-roots arts of all kinds. They have created a socially-minded and inclusive space. So, we know we’ll fit there really well and will post details of how to get tickets shortly.
Atlantic View
We then head South West, to play a ‘sun-downer’ gig at Treyarnon Bay in Cornwall. Brian has been there twice before, as drummer for Rivers of England, and it’s a stunning spot. Weather permitting, we’ll be performing on the terrace, looking out over the Atlantic (and – of course – hordes of fans!). To get there, we’ll be cycling some 150+ miles and climbing a staggering 9,000+ feet, each way! Our lovely hosts in Treyaron have said we can stay a few nights, so we may just take a little R&R while we’re down there.
Glastonbury Calling
Now confirmed – once again – for Glastonbury, Brian will be performing in ‘Sunny’s’ in the Theatre & Circus area. Accompanied by Stu Shaw (bass/guitar) for this one, they’ll no-doubt pick up one or two other gigs whilst there. Brian will be playing the same venue with Andy Burden and also Rivers of England, on cajon and flute.
Looking to The Future
Beyond these, we hope to do some touring based in the North of England. We’ll be starting from Rob’s home in the Peak District, near Holmfirth in Yorkshire. And discussions are underway with contacts in Germany. There, Brian has family in the South and connections in the North (made whilst touring with Rivers of England).
We’re open to suggestions and invitations. So, please do get in touch if you’d like us to come and visit a venue near you. Or, indeed, perform a ‘living-room gig’ in your own home (yes – that’s a thing).
Upcoming Dates
| May 22 – 25 | Shindig Festival – Tickets | Malmesbury |
| May 28 | The Bell Inn – Tickets | Bath |
| May 29 | The Crown – FREE | Bathford |
| May 30 | West Pennard Village Hall – Tickets | West Pennard |
| Jun 03 | Ashburton Arts Centre – Tickets | Ashburton |
| Jun 06 | YHA Treyanron Bay | Padstow |
| Jun 25 – 29 | Glastonbury Festival | Pilton |
Bath Fringe Show Tickets
Where & When
The Bell Inn ‘Love Lounge’, 103 Walcot Street, Bath BA1 5BW
Wed 28th May 2025 – 8:00pm
‘Love & Hope’ The Bell Inn, Bath event tickets from TicketSource