For years, Chris Payn has been a familiar face on stages across Dorset and beyond, building a reputation as a passionate performer, songwriter and frontman. Now, as American radio stations begin playing his music and inviting him for interviews, the Dorset musician finds himself entering an exciting new chapter. While juggling solo performances, appearances with Chris Payn & The Parade, a new collaborative duo project and a recently formed rock supergroup, Payn remains focuse

The early 2000s indie revival is alive and well, and it is heading straight for Bournemouth this summer. The Strokes tribute act Is This Strokes are bringing a full-throttle celebration of one of indie rock’s most influential albums to Bear Cave on 6 June 2026, marking 25 years since the release of Is This It. For fans of sharp guitar riffs, sweaty club nights and era-defining indie anthems, this could be one of Bournemouth’s most nostalgic gigs of the summer. “We have all gr

Good Vibes Rollercoaster are bringing positivity-fuelled rock ‘n’ roll back to the South West with huge singalong anthems, nostalgic influences and a rapidly growing global audience. We explore the story behind the project, their Dorset recording roots and the comeback journey powering one of the region’s most exciting new music collectives.

South West indie rock band RatTrap are bringing chaos, sweat and serious energy to the live music scene with growing crowds, upcoming Dorset gigs and a debut EP now in the works.

Dorset venues including Electric Palace Bridport are joining Music Venue Trust’s nationwide Everywhere At Once initiative, celebrating grassroots live music, local artists and independent music culture across the county.

There’s something instantly relatable about Kitty Crocker. No gimmicks, no overproduction, just honest songwriting rooted in real emotion. At just 20, the Cornwall-based artist is already building a catalogue that feels deeply personal, while continuing to grow in both confidence and sound. If you’re drawn to music that says something real, Kitty Crocker is one to have on your radar. Writing From the Heart For Kitty, music has never been a question of if, but when. She’s been

Most artists spend months sitting on songs. Madeleine decided to stop waiting. At the start of 2025, she set herself a simple rule: release one song every month. No endless tweaking, no second guessing, just finish it and put it out. It worked. Since then, she’s released over 15 tracks, all written and recorded from her bedroom, with another on the way. But this isn’t just about consistency. It’s about building a sound that stands out. Turning Procrastination Into Momentum Fo

Legendary British band Squeeze are heading back out on the road this year, with a huge UK tour that includes a stop in Dorset. LtoR Stephen Large, Danica Dora, Simon Hanson, Glenn Tilbrook, Steve Smith, Owen Biddle, Chris Difford, Melvin Duffy (credit Dean Chalkley) The band will play the Bournemouth International Centre on Friday 4 December 2026 , bringing their unmistakable mix of sharp songwriting and classic pop to the south coast. New Album Trixies Out Now The tour fo

Bournemouth artist Nory-J has officially released his latest single ‘Weekend With Benny’ , continuing his rise as one of the South Coast’s most exciting emerging voices in alt-pop. Blending indie influences with polished pop production, the track adds another layer to an already diverse and fast-growing catalogue. A Sound Gaining Serious Momentum Over the past few years, Nory-J has been steadily carving out his place in the UK indie scene. His music has landed on Apple Music

Something special is brewing in Bridport this year. Rising Dorset band Leonian Dream have announced a three-show residency at the Bridport Arts Centre , bringing a carefully curated mix of local talent and genre-blending live music to the venue across 2026. The full lineup drops at midday on Thursday 19 March , with each show offering a completely different sound and atmosphere, all hosted by Leonian Dream themselves. Three Nights, Three Sounds Rather than repeating the same

(Credit MUNACHI OSEGBU) One of pop music’s most inventive and enduring acts is heading to the south coast this summer. Sparks will perform at the Bournemouth International Centre on Wednesday 17 June 2026 as part of a run of UK dates. Tickets go on general sale at 10am on Friday 30 January , and fans can expect a career-spanning show packed with the band’s trademark theatrical flair, sharp songwriting, and genre-defying pop. Formed by brothers Ron Mael and Russell Mael, Sp

Welsh indie alt-pop artist Tathan is keeping the momentum firmly rolling in 2026, unveiling his latest single All The Time as part of the ongoing rollout for his upcoming debut EP, released via Dorset’s own Burton Chapel Records . Having already released two singles from the project this year, Tathan’s newest track marks another step towards a debut EP that blends emotional vulnerability with instinct-led songwriting. While proudly representing Wales, this latest release car

Get ready, Bournemouth — one of the UK’s most talked-about alt-indie bands is coming to town. Bristol-based four-piece Adult Leisure are bringing their debut album tour to Bear Cave on Thursday 6th November 2025 , presented by South Coast tastemakers We Broke Free . Fresh from the release of their debut album The Things You Don’t Know Yet , Adult Leisure are riding high on praise from the likes of Wonderland Magazine — who called them “one of the most exciting alt-indie ba

Some bands are born out of ambition, others from pure friendship. For Bournemouth four-piece Still Life, it started with mates teaching...

What happens when one of the UK’s most respected independent music agencies decides to host gigs in a church? You get In the Nave — a...

Meet Jack, the creative force behind Nory-J, a genre-blurring alternative pop project born in the garden during lockdown and now finding...

Meet Riley Jayne, a Cornwall and Dorset-based singer songwriter who has finally decided to give her music the spotlight it deserves....

Ironhide are not just another local covers band. They are a full force, high energy juggernaut from Weymouth that thrives on chaos, crowd...

South Dorset’s very own high-energy rock trio In Solis have just dropped their second single “Mess” and it is a track that embraces...

Most record labels start with investors, business plans and years of plotting. Burton Chapel Records started with a conversation between...