WELSH BANDS HEAD TO LONDON FOR TACT CHARITY GIG
Welsh indie-rockers The Last Republic are headlining a charity gig at Camden’s Proud Galleries tonight to help raise money for The Adolescent and Childrens’ Trust (TACT), which has an office in Bristol. The one-off gig will also be the first outing for Newjack, whose members include Swansea drummer/guitarist/singer/songwriter Steve Gray and fellow Welsh musician Steffan Hughes. They are also joined by Dorset neo-jazz singer Louise Golbey and Van Susans. The party will carry on into the early hours with top tunes spun by DJ Alli Cat, from Punk/100 Club/Purple Turtle.
Fresh from an appearance at SXSW in Texas, The Last Republic are being tipped as the next big band to emerge from Wales. Currently touring with rock giants, The Alarm, The Road to V winners’ call-to-arms manifesto and anthems for a generation have already landed them a support slot at London’s O2 Arena, numerous UK festivals & tour dates. Newjack’s music is said to be Anthemic Grunge with smooth bass lines, solid drums, loud guitars and melodic vocals. They will be showcasing brand new material at this their debut Proud gig. No strangers to the stage, the band members’ previous performances with former bands ensure a solid, high energy rock show. Having recently headlined at Kensington Roof Gardens for Jazz FM, it’s easy to see why Louise Golbey has become a firm favourite of Trevor Nelson on his Radio 1xtra show and Ras Kwame. A regular performer at Ronnie Scotts, Louise has a unique voice that displays contemporary soul with a jazz twist. Van Susans released their debut EP ‘We Could Be Scenery’ on May 23rd 2011. With a passion for harmonic melodies and a gift for love tales, Van Susans are creating ear smiling tunes that are sure to raise your spirit.
Organiser Karis Rae, originally from Dorset, hopes to raise thousands of pounds for TACT by reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro and this gig is part of that bid. TACT is the UK’s largest charitable provider of fostering and adoption services and works with some of the most vulnerable children in the UK to provide a better childhood and future for them. The majority of looked after children come into care due to abuse or neglect. The trauma the children experience at an early age has an enduring affect; they are more likely to leave school without qualifications, suffer from mental health problems and suffer homelessness.
The 29-year-old said: “I feel privileged to work for TACT and see first hand the difference good care can make. I’m so passionate that I agreed to climb the world’s tallest free standing mountain, Kilimanjaro, to raise money and awareness for the charity. As important as the charity aspect is, as a gig-goer and music lover, it’s essential that the fundraising gig is about awesome music and entertainment. Having seen all these bands first hand, I know that the night is going to be fantastic” Karis Rae, Campaigns officer for TACT and fundraiser.
Doors open 7.30pm, Entry £6adv from Proud Galleries or £8otd.
