October 2023
Sunday 1st October
Katie Fitzgeralds presents
Sound of the Sirens
Sound of the Sirens are an acoustic singer-songwriting duo based in Exeter, Devon comprising of Abbe Martin & Hannah Wood. Honing their craft over the past decade, Martin & Wood have cemented themselves as firm favourites not only on the Westcountry scene, but nationally, and internationally too. Their status, and fast-growing fan-base is not only testament to the pair’s prowess as songwriters and musicians, but as people too.
a Stourbridge Folk Festival event

Reg Meuross
Wednesday 4th October
Katie Fitzgeralds presents
“If ever there was evidence that music can be used to speak truth to power, then this album will in time sit as testament to that fact. From a British man of colour, a personal thanks must go to Reg Meuross and his team for taking on this subject matter. It is clear that a great deal of thought and care has gone into this project and that should be applauded”
Reg Meuross presents his stunning song cycle Stolen From God, with the sparkling playing of kora master Suntou Susso and concertina wizard Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne.
a Stourbridge Folk Festival event

We are What we Overcome
Sunday 8th October
SOAAR presents
Something a little different coming up for Songs of Anger and Redemption at Katie Fitzgeralds in Stourbridge on Sunday 8th October at 5pm
As part of mental health week we will be hosting a performance of
WE ARE WHAT WE OVERCOME
- One man's journey to good mental health via a very bad idea.
By Matt McGuinness. Combining upbeat original acoustic music with thought provoking comedy and spoken word, We Are What We Overcome is the story of one man’s journey to good mental health via a very bad idea. There's no such thing as a straight line; from Liverpool and Antony Gormley's naked torso to a nightly, very public counselling session - a journey not strictly recommended by the NHS!
2018:
rather than see a psychiatrist, Matt, a musician, with no theatrical experience, chose to perform an unwritten show at the single greatest arts festival on the planet, the Edinburgh Fringe.
Now:
weaving tales of how he got to and came back from the brink of suicide, this is thepath one man took from breakdown to talking publicly.
Matt delivers personal, difficult, and eclectic stories interjected with original songs performed with vocals and guitar. Nothing is left to implication or to whispers, he talks directly to the audience conjuring an atmosphere of openness and understanding. Split into two halves, the show moves fluidly between spoken word, comedy and music - a mix of heartfelt stories, self-deprecating humour and original songs. And, there's always time for achat post-show.
"If you 're going to create a space where you allow people to open up, be prepared for honesty, hurt, empathy and overwhelming emotions."
www.mattmcguinness.co.uk/we-are-what-we-overcome
Tickets on sale now from
www.wegottickets.com/event/573737we are what we overcome
Thursday 12th October
SOAAR presents
Wildwood Buoys +
Paul Henshaw
As part of Roktoberfest 2023 SoAaR are delighted to welcome the brilliant WILSWOOD BUOYS with very special guest, Katie's Favourite; HENSHAW.
Wilswood buoys Josh and Joe are an acoustic duo from Mersea Island who formed in summer 2017, starting out as just a couple of mates having a jam things quickly turned into writing music.
Both of the 'buoys' had a completely different upbringing in terms of musical styles. This led them down a path of intertwining many genres into one, to form a raw and fresh alt / folk island sound, with catchy riffs and big choruses.
HENSHAW has spent a good deal of the last few years knocking lumps out of his guitar and singing passionately about life and his own experiences. He tours relentlessly across the UK, Europe and has played as far afield as the USA, Canada, China and Taiwan.
Blackballed +
Bleeding Hearts
SOAAR presents
Friday 13th October
Roktoberfest 2023
As part of Roktoberfest '23, SoAaR are delighted to welcome BLACKBALLED back to Katie Fitzgerald's in Stourbridge for an evening of Guinness fueled "Groover Rock.
BLACKBALLED will be supported by BLEEDING HEARTS who are now down to a 3 piece but rock more than ever.
Inca Babies +
Turning Black Like Lizards
Saturday 14th October
SOAAR presents
Roktoberfest 2023
We are delighted to welcome back Manchester's post punk heroes INCA BABIES to Katie Fitzgeralds in Stourbridge
Once again they will be joined by their friends from the Black Country: TURNING BLACK LIKE LIZARDS.
Brian Stone +
the masters of none
SOAAR presents
Friday 20th October
Brian Stone is a high energy, original singer songwriter known for engaging, entertaining performances of modern, high-energy folk music. Fun and lively, with masses of crowd participation. His catchy, original songs strike a chord with audiences of all ages and have gained him a rapidly growing fan base. Add percussionist Maty Tustian and Ewan P Stevens and his multiple strung instruments and you have Brian Stone & Masters of None