Hi everyone

This January hasn't been a particularly busy time at the Rising Sun, and in fairness, we do have to admit that we have to slow down and put our feet up once in a while.  After all, there's a chance to have a steaming hot mug of cocoa, some nice biscuits and get round to having a read of Paul McKenna's latest book I Can Take Your Money (before I, your humble narrator, flog it on eBay.)

However we have a packed weekend to tell you about.  This weekend Club Velocity and the Rising Sun play host to INDEPENDENT VENUE WEEK!!

Independent Venue Week is a 7 day celebration of small music venues around the UK and a nod to the people that own, run and work in them, week in, week out. It’s supported using public funding by Arts Council England, bringing together great venues across the land along with breaking and established artists, promoters, labels, media, bloggers and tastemakers to create a nationwide series of gigs at the end of January.

The third successive year that Club Velocity and the Rising Sun have been involved, and we’re the only venue in Reading taking part – we’ve even got our own page on the IVW site!

http://www.independentvenueweek.com/portfolio/reading-rising-sun-arts-centre/

... and thanks to Sid and Club Velocity, we’ve got three fantastic gigs lined-up...

On Friday...

VIENNA DITTO
Reading Two piece. Boy/Girl pop greatness via the Kennet Delta Blues via Olympia via Brooklyn.Mighty fine music ear fodder for the masses. As heard on Radio 1, BBC 6 Music, Radio X and BBC Berkshire Introducing.

"Portishead doing a Tarantino soundtrack," so says Huw Stephens from Radio 1
 
THE AUGUST LIST
Oxford Two piece.Who deal in mighty country blues, with a rocknroll edge. Do not miss.

“It’s a rare West Country husband-and-wife duo that can pull off the knack of sounding simultaneously like a vintage Louisiana jug band and at the same time very much like themselves.” – Tom Robinson (BBC 6 Music)

HERE ARE THE YOUNG MEN AND UNCLE PEANUT
Reading Two piece.Boy/Boy deal in rants and a lot of roll.They sing about Hipsters, Mark E Smith and Modern Day Music

We'll be open at 8pm.  And it'll cost you £5 on the door to get in (£4 in advance from www.wegottickets.com).

On Saturday...

QUIET QUIET BAND
The fabulous forward five piece thinking-intelligent alt country punks.  One of the best live bands around.

"They're a mixed bag, yes-but a glorious multi-coloured bag.  They glide through wonderful soundscapes of alternative Country, Folk and good old Rock n Roll," Louder Than War

SAHARA DAM
Our fave two sisters/two chaps.  They should be your fave new band,too.  For fans of Sonic Youth/PJ Harvey/Kate Bush/Breeders/Sleater Kinney.Sharp and vital.  Their potential is huge.

WOLFS
Two piece from Oxford. Left of centre pop music for kids who know their punkrock.  Great new band, Exciting times!

We'll be open at 8pm.  And it'll cost you £5 on the door to get in (£4 in advance from www.wegottickets.com).

And on Sunday...

BEANS ON TOAST
Beans on Toast will be doing a week long tour across the South of the UK as part of this years Independent venue week. Beans' new song “The Drum Kit” taken from his new album “A Spanner in the Works” released on Xtra Mile Recordings on 1st December 2016 is all about the closing of UK venues; a matter very close to Beans' heart, so this whistle stop tour seemed like a very good shout indeed. 

MATT STOCKL
A firm Rising Sun fave.  Not only the best act in Windsor, but probably one of the best singer somgwriters in the UK. He deals in fab heart felt anti uplifting folk anthems.

"Incredibly elegant and creatively insightful lyrics...delievers something standout amongst the thousands of other acoustic guitar singer songwrites, " - BBC introducing

DEERFUL
Is a Reading born multi-instrumentalist singer.  She writes and performs story-led, electronic pop on miniature synthesisers about running away, staying, brokenness, recovery and taking up space in the world.

We'll be open at 7.30pm.  (Please note that this gig is now sold out...)

That’s everything for another week, just to remind you that we are, as always, at 30 Silver Street, Reading, RG1 2ST (If you pop it into your satnav or Google, we shall magically appear!)

Have a nice weekend!