The Brook, 466 Portswood Road, Portswood, Southampton SO17 3SD
Box Office Hours - 1.00pm - 7.00pm Mon - Sat (023) 8055 5366
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The future's bright - The future's ska

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The Smyths are a brilliantly accurate & thrilling live tribute

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The Smyths

Formed in 2003 and impressing audiences ever since, The Smyths are an authentic & loving tribute to the music of their heroes, The Smiths.

During their first 18 months, The Smyths built their reputation by playing to sell-out crowds in many venues across London, including regular appearances at "Quarry", the celebrated club night for Smiths & Morrissey music.

2005 saw The Smyths widen their horizons and play to passionate audiences across the UK & beyond, including a successful tour of the Netherlands. They were invited to headline the world's first "Smiths conference" which saw hundreds of Smiths fans from around the world flock to Manchester for a weekend of Smiths activities. 2006 has seen The Smyths joined on stage by 80's legend Frank Sidebottom and return to packed audiences in some of Europe's premier venues

With a repertoire of hits from over 20 years, the band's set ranges from the early Smiths singles such as "What Difference Does It Make?", "This Charming Man" & "How Soon Is Now" all the way up to hit songs from Morrissey's triumphant "Ringleader Of The Tormentors" album. A Smyths concert will feature all those hits as well as B-sides, album tracks and any other Smiths or Morrissey song the crowd request that night.

The Smyths are a brilliantly accurate & thrilling live tribute act.

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Larry Miller

As the youngest son of a highly artistic and musical family from Guildford, Larry picked up his first guitar at the age of 7. After studying violin at The County School of Music, Surrey for 7 years, he chose to concentrate solely on his guitar. Larry then spent some time with some seasoned pro's where he gained invaluable experience playing regularly all around the South of England, concentrating on Freddie King and Peter Green numbers. Before long he formed his own band, playing his own songs, his way. A plethora of nation-wide live work followed to great acclaim, including a 'barn storming' set at the Reading Festival. Playing alongside the likes of Thunder, Ian Gillan, Climax Blues Band, Peter Green and Walter Trout and meeting up with Eric Clapton, Gary Moore , Rory Gallagher and Alvin Lee along the way, Larry Miller is fast becoming the U.K.`s top new Blues Guitarist. Larry's hard working band features ace drummer Andy `machine gun` Aust and Mel Waters on bass guitar.

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`FANTASTIC, WORLD CLASS GUITARIST` Bluesrockers USA `HIGHLY IMPRESSIVE - A TOTAL VICTORY` Kerrang UK `NATURAL SUCCESSOR TO RORY GALLAGHER AND ALVIN LEE` International Encyclopaedia of Rock `HIS GUITAR PLAYING IS SIMPLY MESMERISING` Bluesmatters UK `THE BEST IN-YER-FACE ROCK BAND AROUND` The Guardian UK `A BLUES ROCK POWER HOUSE` The Guardian UK `THIS IS ENTERTAINMENT WITH A CAPITAL `E`` Blues in Britain UK

Guitarist and singer Barry Barnes is one of Europe's most active enthusiasts working to keep alive the music and memory of Rory Gallagher.

Since 1996 Barry has organized the annual Rory Gallagher tribute gig at Dukinfield Town Hall, near Ashton-Under-Lyne, Lancashire, making this the first, and the longest running Rory Tribute in the world. Currently established as one of the main events on the Rory calendar, and forced to re-locate to Sheffield, it continues to grow and now 'The Rory Gig' attracts audiences in excess of four hundred people from throughout the UK and abroad.

The same impetus to celebrate Rory's genius led Barry to form a tribute band with two like-minded musicians - bassist Dave Burns and drummer Steve Richardson. Both Dave and Steve are lifelong Rory fans, not just some rhythm section that Barry has cobbled together, and it shows! Together as Sinnerboy and driven by belief, enthusiasm and passion, it's the bands stated aim to be amongst the best Rory Gallagher tribute acts in the world. Sinnerboy are ever-presents at all the major Rory festivals throughout the world and were Donal Gallagher's choice of band for the first London festival at Hammersmith (Donal calls them his favourite 'boy' band!)

Fantastic, authentic 8 piece, tribute to Bob Marley & The Wailers

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LEGEND

(The ultimate tribute to Bob Marley & The Wailers)

LEGEND are eight great musicians and singers dedicated to the life and music of the late, great Bob Marley. This dynamic band led by the charismatic Micheal Anton Phillips has a pedigree second to none, whose members have worked with such reggae greats as;

The Mighty Diamonds, Dennis Brown, Rankin Roger, The Beat, Burning Spear, Apache Indian, Errol Dunkley, George and Desmond Decker.

This two hour show covers many of Marley's timeless classics; Is This Love, No Woman No Cry, Waiting in Vain, Exodus, I shot The Sheriff, Jamming, Could You Be Loved are just a few of his million selling hits brought to you in this fantastic two hour tribute to the master of reggae.

The Marley "LEGEND" Lives on

Catch the exciting performer in action at The Brook

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"We're feeling very relaxed tonight" said Wilko as he came on stage. Maybe it was the brandy Wilko (allegedly) consumed in the dressing room before the show, but the man from Canvey Island was in high spirits, likewise his band, as they played a storming set before a near capacity audience. Wilko may not be able to jump as high as he did in his Feelgood days and his stage persona is less edgy and menacing-he actually smiles occasionally now-but the dynamic energy and unique guitar sound make him a compulsive performer. Wilko bassist Norman Watt Roy and young drummer Steve Monti were really up for this one and so were a keen crowd as the band ripped through favourites like Roxette, Don't Let Your Daddy Know, and Paradise. By the time Back In The Night came round the venue was throbbing and the crowd singing along. Encores Jonny Be Good and Route 66 crowned a superb display of rock and blues and a very special and memorable evening at Southampton's friendliest music venue.

Review by Peter Ashton

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Deft Leppard was formed in 2005 when musicians from 3 successful bands decided to join forces and form not only the UK's, but Europe's only Def Leppard tribute band.
Featuring a dazzling array of musical talent and stage experience, Deft Leppard can comfortably claim to be the closest you will ever get to the real thing.

Featuring 2 top class front-men in Arron (Viv) and Ashley (Joe) as well as boasting 4 other session-standard musicians, Deft Leppard is a must see act brimming with enthusiasm, experience, talent and energy.

Play Brian Ferry's Roxy Music

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ROXY MAGIC are a band of experienced musicians who combine to reproduce the diverse music and imagery of the hugely influential ROXY MUSIC and pop icon BRYAN FERRY. All the hits are performed with skill and enthusiasm in an exciting tribute to the highly regarded ROXY MUSIC with Kevin Hackett performing lead vocals in the unique style and look that is BRYAN FERRY.

ROXY MAGIC perform their set of best remembered ROXY MUSIC hits totally live, believing it to be more dynamic than playing with the aid of backing tracks. Their show is a celebration of the sounds of ROXY MUSIC and BRYAN FERRY and comes fully contained with stage lighting and sound rig. Because of the unique range of ROXY MUSIC and BRYAN FERRY's music, from art rock to disco; 30's ballads to rock & roll and ultimately to the smooth sophistication of 'Avalon', the set has a great deal to offer to a wide audience.

The ROXY MAGIC show always produces a stunning performance not to be missed!

The band produce a stunning tribute to the music and imagery of the influential pop icon Bryan Ferry and the incredible sounds of Roxy Music - listen out for hits such as Virginia Plain, Avalon, Jealous Guy, Dance Away and Love is a Drug alongside a host of other album favourites, such as Re-make/Re-model and Ladytron.

A recent review states "Kevin Hackett as Ferry is indescribably superb. Not only does he sound the part, but credit where credit is certainly due - the guy has seriously done his homework on the facial expressions & body language to bring the persona 'alive' No mean feat in itself. And I really cannot help but feel that even Mr. Ferry himself would be genuinely hard pressed not to be even a tad flattered and appreciative at the dedicated effort that Kevin has so obviously put in".

It takes a certain air to pull that reverse-rebellious streak off - Bryan did it with aplomb and these days Kevin Hackett is treading the same path.

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Fresh from his triumphant run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this summer where he was awarded comedy's highest accolade, The If.comedy award (formerly the Perrier Award), Brendon Burns is taking to the road. He starts a national tour on September 7th at Windsor Arts Centre and tours through the Autumn until Saturday 15th December in Bristol at the Comedy Box. Please see over for full tour dates.

For the last sixteen years, Brendon Burns has stormed audiences the world over. His stage presence is electric, his material provocative and his insight surprisingly subtle. He uses his confrontational and up-front style of comedy to capture his audience with a proverbial slap in the face. He is neither politically correct nor incorrect making him a rare socio-political comic willing to oppose all schools of thought. With this in mind, it's no surprise that Burns has been compared to such legends as: Lenny Bruce, George Carlin, Sam Kinison and Bill Hicks.

Brendon has courted controversy wherever he's been. He once got banned from BBC television for snogging a goat live on air, he handed out enough mushrooms at the Glastonbury festival to get a thousand people high because Bill Hicks and John Lennon talked about it but didn't, he wrote a trilogy that sent him clinically mad and was committed to a mental institution, he walked off the set of "Help I'm a celebrity get me out of here NOW" live on air after just three days, and now Britain's most controversial comedian embarks on his second UK national tour.

"You have only ever really toked on pure socio-political comedy. With Brendon you are mainlining, and the hit is a feeling I will never, ever forget, the smartest thing I have ever seen in the comedy section " ***** (Kate Copstick, The Scotsman)

"Damn funny, Will leave you gasping and awestruck... Go see" ***** (Steve Bennet, Chortle)

"The must see show from the Edinburgh fringe"***** (Dominic Maxwell, The Times)

"He's honestly the best thing I've seen in a long long time" ***** (The Guardian)

"talk of the fest genius" **** (Bruce Dessau, Evening Standard)

"It is a tremedous thrill to see a comedian who has been excelling at his craft for years reach a new peak, a fascinating show, extremely funny and very moving **** (The Stage)

Will heal your heart and tickle your funny bone, The stand out comic of the festival *****(Mickey Noonan, The Metro)

Overwhelming - comedy reimagined as mass therapy (The Fest)

Remains undiminished at his blasphemous best ***** The Herald

An exceptionally funny performer … an ode to the healing power of human spirit **** (Edinburgh Evening News)

You can't miss … buy a ticket and watch a real master at work ***** (One4review.com)

Just occasionally a comedy show is so good it is like falling in love. You run out, punching the air, felling full to the brim with lust for life and joy. I ran out of mobile phone juice calling my friends and telling them to buy tickets, Loud brash, rude in your face and fantastically, laugh-out loud funny. This is really something special, a show that makes you howl with laugher, which takes you right up to the emotional edges and which draws its strength from something very deep and pure. Long live Brendon Burns. ***** (The Scotsman)

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Since appearing on the comedy scene, Luton's lapsed choirboy Junior Simpson quickly established himself as a true "tour de force" as a live performer as well as a highly sought after and regular face on television having performed all over the world, including Australia, the Far East, Canada and Europe.

PRESS

"My highlight was Junior Simpson. A vigorous raconteur and vibrant mimic with lots to say. Watch that Man!" (The Guardian)

"The new Lenny Henry"  (The Times) 

"His material is excellent"  (Daily Mail)

FILM

Love Actually (Role: DJ) (Director. Richard Curtis)

High Heels and Low Lifes (Role: "Micky") (Dir. Mel Smith)

T.V

Big Brother's Big Mouth (C4), Casualty (BBC), The Comic Side of Seven Days (BBC), AbbaMania (ITV), ElvisMania (ITV), Keen Eddie (Fox), First Cut (Carlton), Holby City (BBC), Oliver's Twist  (Food Network), Maximum Exposure (Bravo), Blankety Blank (LWT), The Heaven And Earth Show (BBC), The Live Floor Show (BBC Scotland), They Think Its All Over (BBC), Night Fever (CH5), Never Mind the Buzzcocks  - Series 5 (BBC), People Do The Craziest Things (Carlton TV), Question Of TV (BBC), The Harry Enfield Show (Sky One), In The Dark With Junior Simpson (CH5), Jim Davidson Presents… (BBC), Surfer's Paradise (Carlton TV), The Stand Up Show - Series 5 (BBC1), The Comedy Store Series Two (C5, 1997/8), The 11 O'Clock show (CH4), Mission Improbable (CH5), The Stand Up Show (BBC1, 1998), Nights Out At The Empire Series 2 (C4, April, 1998), Bring Me The Head Of Light Entertainment (C5), The Comedy Network series 2 (CH5, 1997/8), Is That It (Anglia, 1997), Nights out at the Empire (C4, 1997), Live at Jongleurs 3 (U.K Gold, 1997), Live at Jongleurs 2 (U.K Gold, 1997), The Comedy Network (CH5, Paramount Channel 1997), Good Stuff Comedy (Carlton, 1997), Club Class (CH5, Paramount Channel 1997), The Comedy Store (CH5, Paramount Comedy Channel 1997), Live at Jongleurs 1 (UK, Gold) August 1996, Saturday Live (LWT, June 1996), The Real McCoy (BBC2, August 1994)

(Fleetwood Mac Tribute)

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FLEETWOOD BAC are the world's first and best Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band, endorsed by Mick Fleetwood himself, and raved about by Peter Green's biographer, the only Mac tribute band to authentically replicate the classic Stevie/Lindsey/Christine/John/Mick 'Rumours' line-up.

The band returned in 2001 with their best line-up yet, and in the last 2 years the response has been amazing. Rave reviews in 'The Stage', The Fireflies and Go Your Own Way (the U.K.s leading Fleetwood Mac fansites); an endorsement from The Nicks Fix (the official Stevie Nicks website); and ecstatic audiences wherever the band played, including wowing an audience of 10,000 at the H.O.G. festival in St. Tropez, and very successful recent shows in the Cayman Islands. The band has also recently been rated by The Times as one of the U.K.'s leading tributes, alongside The Bootleg Beatles, Bjorn Again and the Counterfeit Stones.

The sound, the look, the mystical atmosphere and on-stage chemistry are all portrayed with the passion and energy that got the seal of approval from 'Big Daddy' Mick, and built up an excellent reputation amongst Mac fans through numerous tours, festival appearances, corporate events and TV and radio slots all over the U.K. and Europe.

Fans include original Mac bassist and biographer Bob Brunning, who has joined the band several times on stage for great versions of 'Need Your Love So Bad', and Peter Green's official biographer Martin Celmins.

The Fleetwood Bac show focuses on the Stevie Nicks/ Lindsey Buckingham/ Christine McVie 'Rumours' era of the band (still the 5th biggest-selling album of all time). It also features several songs from the Peter Green days, plus some of Stevie's biggest solo hits, in a theatrical two-hour show, including costume-changes and an acoustic section.

Songs featured include: Dreams, Don't Stop, Go Your Own Way, You Make Loving Fun, Tusk, Gypsy, Everywhere, Oh Well, Rhiannon, Little Lies, Black Magic Woman, Seven Wonders, Say You Love Me, Big Love, Oh Diane, Stop Draggin' My Heart Around, Albatross, Sara, Man Of The World, Hold Me, Green Manalishi and Need Your Love So Bad.

Fleetwood Mac fans are also raving about seeing and hearing favourites like: Gold Dust Woman, The Chain, 2nd Hand News, Silver Springs, I'm So Afraid, Songbird, Sisters Of The Moon, Isn't It Midnight, Leather And Lace, Oh Daddy, Monday Morning, Landslide, I Don't Want To Know, Beautiful Child, Over My Head, Never Going Back Again, World Turning, Blue Letter, Has Anyone Ever Written Anything For You, Eyes Of The World etc.

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The thought of a band that covers early-1980s new wave and post-punk music like Joy Division's Love Will Tear Us Apart in a Bossa Nova style might make you a little queasy, but fortunately Paris-based Nouvelle Vague apply lashings of the noirish cool - The Guardian

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