Legends at Artrix

Dire Straits founding member returns to Bromsgrove to perform this month.

Music enthusiasts have got a lot to look forward to at Artrix this October with top quality tribute acts, a classical Cellist and a Rock legend gracing the stage.

Audiences will be transported back to the psychedelic 60s with Led Hendrix, celebrating the music of Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix on Saturday 14th October and the retro rock continues on Friday 27th October with Think Floyd, the definitive Pink Floyd experience.

The Celtic folk band The Roving Crows on Friday 13th October. The folk music vibe continues with The Black Country Night Out on Wednesday 18th October, packed to the rim with music, mirth and merriment and transatlantic folk duo James Hickman and Dan Cassidy come to Artrix on Saturday 21st October, with their show inspired by musical the traditions of America and Britain.

Vocal duo Deborah Rose and Mari Randle present a charity concert in aid of Planting For Hope Uganda on Thursday 19th October, featuring vocal harmony, haunting melodies and guitars with a strong sense of story and magic.

Artrix has classical concerts covered this October beginning with The Orchestra of St. John on Saturday 14th October. This concert will feature UK première of Venetian Songsby the Worcester-based composer, Ian Venables, performed in the atmospheric setting of St. John’s Church, Kidderminster. Distinguished Austrian cellist Florian Kitt comes to Artrix on Friday 20th October. His performance will explore the variety of the cello’s range from the drama of Beethoven to the contemplative stillness of Takemitsu’s Orion, written especially for him.

Founder member and bass guitarist of Dire Straits, John Illsley will be performing at Artrix for one night only on Saturday 21st October. John is no stranger to Bromsgrove. He spent several years here as a student in the 1960s, honing his musical and artistic skills. John told us; “I was at Bromsgrove School from 1963-1967. I had a massive desire to join the school rock band, who said I had to play the Bass if I want to join, so I learnt how to play and it became my instrument of choice.”

The show at Artrix on 21st October will feature all of the well known songs from Dire Straits back catalogue including Sultans of Swing, Money for Nothing and Brothers in Arms plus songs from John’s latest album Long Shadows which was released in May this year. John also has five other solo albums to his credit and spoke of how the combination of the old and the new are received by audiences. He said; “The new songs fit very comfortably next to the Dire Straits classics, which I enjoy playing and it seems people love to hear.”

On returning to Bromsgrove since his time here as a school boy, John said; “Bromsgrove in the 60s was a little sleepy, so we used to illegally jump into Birmingham to find some fun and managed somehow not to get caught. I’m looking forward to revisiting part of my childhood and playing legally!”

For further information or tickets visit www.artrix.co.uk or call the box office on 01527 577330.