November 2024
Friday 1st November
7.00 pm
Black Country radio is an award winning Radio Station that depends on community support to deliver the wide range of community based programmes through Black Country Xtra. Come along for a great evening of music to raise valuable funds to maintain that high quality of programme delivery and continue to highlight the amazing work of ordinary people across the region alongside local music , art and entertainment.
Saturday 2nd November
Blue Banana Tuesdays presents
We know that most of us were still at school when this was first talked about so we are extremely excited to announce that on Saturday 2nd November Matt Johnson & the Reprobates shall be descending upon Katie Fitzgerald's for their 'Life Won't Wait' album launch show. Support on the night will be in the form of Not Quite Dead Yet.
Turns out laughter isn’t always the best medicine.
Comedic powerhouse Freddy Quinne is set to embark on his debut nationwide tour! Well…that’s if he doesn’t end up in intensive care again.
In his new no-holes barred standup show, Freddy fearlessly confronts his own mortality with his trademark wit and often brutal punchlines, covering everything from topical news to universal truths.
He might now be eating like a vegan, but rest assured he doesn’t tell jokes like one.
As seen on Have a Word, ITV, and his acclaimed hit podcast Dead Men Talking.
“Mind-blowing comedy” - Daily Mirror
“Hilarious” - The Independent
“A force of nature” - Daily Express
Friday 8th November
7.00 pm
Saturday 9th November
Joe Solo
Jess Silk
Boss Caine
Mary Moden
Steve White & the Protest Family
Matt Hill
Shotgun Marmalade
Matt Johnson
Joe Zux
Sunday 10th November
3.00. pm
Alistair Barrie brings his solo show to Stourbridge!
Alistair Barrie is one of the most in-demand headliners on the international comedy circuit.
'A no frills master of his craft' according to The Scotsman, his 2023 Edinburgh show, 'Woke in Progress' was described as 'utterly, utterly hilarious' by The Student Paper who gave it a coveted ️️️️️ review.
Scotland on Sunday called it 'a beautifully crafted hour' and gave it ️️️️, as did Three Weeks, Chortle, The Scotsman and One4Review (well, they gave it four and a half but there's no half star emoji.)
Come and see Alistair bring an updated version of this hit show with plenty of new, topical musings to the Fitz, before he heads back up to Edinburgh and out on another tour. Don't expect him to say anything particularly nice about Rishi Sunak, do expect him to be worried about Donald Trump and don't be surprised if he's also quite rude about his kids.
"No one does righteous indignation with the same brio as Barrie, an inheritor of the splenetic mantle of the great 80s alternative comedians' The Guardian
"High energy political satire mixed with brilliant observational comedy from a master storyteller" Fringe Review
"One of the UK's sharpest comedians" The Herald
Sunday 10th November
7.00. pm
The Noise Next Door: Freewheeling
Buckle up… you’re in for a hell of a ride! The quickest wits in comedy are here to take you on a totally improvised tour around YOUR weirdest and wildest ideas.
The Noise Next Door are going hell for leather in this brand new show as they race through a priceless parade of off-the-cuff gags, scenes and songs, all based on your suggestions.
The Noise Next Door are twelve-time sell-out veterans of The Edinburgh Fringe and have appeared on ‘The One Show’ (BBC One), ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ (ITV1), and ‘Roast Battle’ (Comedy Central). They have also appeared alongside the likes of Michael McIntyre, Katherine Ryan, Romesh Ranganathan and Harry Hill.
Thursday 14th November
SOAAR presents
ATILLA THE STOCKBROKER
Radical-force-of-nature performance poet/musician Attila the Stockbroker has now spent 40 years touring the world as a self-sustaining DIY one man cottage industry, performing well over 3000 gigs in 24 countries and releasing 40 LPs/EPs/CDs and 7 books of poetry, and celebrated the 35th anniversary of his first gig with his autobiography 'Arguments Yard' in September 2015.Launched into public consciousness by legendary Radio One DJ John Peel in 1982/83, he toured East Germany 4 times before the Wall came down and twice more immediately afterwards He once stood in for Donny Osmond at a gig. He was targeted by fascists during the early Eighties and argued with Nazi band Skrewdriver singer Ian Stuart at the 100 Club in London's Oxford Street.
Support from
Maria T. De Stefano
Bradley Taylor
Compere Willis the Poet
Friday 15th November
SOAAR presents
Abdoujaparov
Formed on October 19th 1998 by ex-Carter USM guitarist Les Carter (aka Fruitbat).
Abdoujaparov's musical foundations are the joyous and shambolic influences of 1977 punk rock. The music is raucous, fast and sometimes a bit country. The lyrics are rude, tender, funny and frequently a little unwell.
http://www.abdou.co.uk
“Abdoujaparov bring the fun, spirit, singalong lines and , of course, the lead singer of 90s legends Carter USM – Les ‘Fruitbat’ Carter. He’s the man having most fun by miles and is endearing, funny and a good old fashioned frontman.”
Saturday 16th November
SOAAR presents
"9/10. A stomping musical cocktail of alchemic proportions" OUTLINE MAGAZINE
"Sounds like The Men They Couldn't Hang at their height meet The Clash - it's a belter" FOLKING.COM
"Think The Pogues in overdrive with the breath of the Dropkick Murphys down their necks" TURN UP THE VOLUME
"Superior Stuff" CRACK MAGAZINE
Sunday 17th November
Katie Fitzgeralds presents
Doors 4.00.pm
All proceeds to Mary Stevens Hospice
A 79-year-old singer songwriter has got the perfect present for his 80th - new found fame for his life's work.
Pete Boddis has been gigging throughout the Black Country since the 1960s and after a new film about his life was released has clinched his first record deal.
The Black Country Cowboy, directed by Ryan Davis, has won accolades across the world at film festivals. The raw honesty of Pete's determination to sing again after having cancer has touched the hearts of viewers across the world, as well as his love for his wife. Poster Records has released the Best Of Pete Boddis includes songs he self released from 1979 and is now available on platforms including Spotify and his beloved vinyl."I try and play every week, since Covid closed everything down and the Cancer, I really appreciate being back up on stage again.” Pete got a new audience during lockdown when he began playing his songs and covering country and western classics on a weekly Facebook Live show.
Inspired by seeing early rock n roll heroes including Eddie Cochran and Chuck Berry, Pete picked up a guitar as a teenager and never looked back.
He said: "I started playing rock n roll, then changed to country and western, and then I have changed direction and perform folk music now."
Though stardom eluded Pete throughout his musical career he has earned the respect of local musicians who refer to him as "The Guvnor".
For 30 years Pete worked in journalism and then began selling musical instruments and antiques in his shop in Stourbridge.
He said: "I had over 90 guitars at one stage, but I have sold most of them now. I love finding antiques and instruments, they are beautiful.”Pete Bodiss
Ryan Davis, director of Black Country Cowboy, first saw Pete playing at Claptrap, Stourbridge High Street three years ago.
He said: "Pete is just amazing and it is brilliant the world is finally waking up to his incredible talent.
"His songwriting is so moving and when he performs he can bring tears to the eyes. The film has helped create an interest in Pete and his story which has helped him release his Best Of.”
He added: "The film's most poignant moment is Pete's battle with cancer, and his brave decision to pick his guitar up, it works because it is so human."
Saturday 23rd November
HAL CRUTTENDEN
One of the top stand up comedians working in the UK today, as well as being a highly accomplished writer and actor.
He has made several appearances on Live at the Apollo, Have I Got News For You and The Royal Variety Performance as well as regular appearances on shows such as Mock the Week.
"Reminded me of how much I love stand up" The Times
DANNY MCLOUGHLIN
With an amiable, confident stage presence and sharp material Danny has rapidly risen to become a regular performer at some of the best and most respected clubs in the country.
He’s also in demand as tour support for some of the biggest names in UK comedy including Paul Smith, Micky Flanagan and Sarah Millican.
"He can recite an advertising jingle or tuck into a snack, and still get plenty of laughs" Chortle
LOUISE YOUNG
Hailing from Newcastle, Louise has quickly become one of the brightest new names on the comedy circuit.
She has supported the likes of Jason Manford and Alan Carr on tour and is currently warming up for Tom Allen.
In 2020, she was nominated for Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year, and the following year was nominated for Leicester Comedy Festival’s Best Festival Appearance. Louise was also a finalist in the Funny Women Awards in 2018.
HOSTED BY RESIDENT MC WAYNE BEESE
Sunday 24th November
Funny Beeseness presents
3.00.pm
Single, child free and from working class stock Maureen reflects on life (her own) romance (or rather lack of it) and ageing (lie about it) and why it's never a good idea to underestimate a middle aged woman.
Often described as opinionated, always seen as uniquely herself and never seen as a walk over.
An hour in her company and you too will want to BE MORE Maureen.
Sunday 24th November
7.00.pm
Andrew Mensah brings his debut solo show to Stourbridge!
Comic, presenter and actor who took over from "Statto" in the 2022 reboot of cult TV classic Fantasy Football League.
His relatable style and ability to speak on his life experience in an unapologetic manner has established him as one of the most exciting emerging comedians on the circuit today.
Friday 29th November
SOAAR presents
With their quirky and original approach to music, and their passion, intensity, and sheer joy of life, 3 Daft Monkeys have gained themselves a large and loyal cult following. Their music is hard to pigeonhole, mixing and crossing many musical genres from Celtic, Klezmer, Gypsy, Balkan, Latin, Ska, Dub Reggae, Indie, Rock, and even a hint of Shostakovich. 3 Daft Monkeys have always maintained an independent and cottage-industry approach to their musical career, and have gained a huge following whilst plowing their own furrow through the music business, gaining momentum through their live performances and intensive European touring schedule.