Grassroots gigs crop up in Croydon Music City

Live music is making a come-back in Croydon as a brand new Croydon Music City initiative links up artists with new audiences throughout the town centre.

From this weekend (Saturday 16 November) Croydon Calling will see venues from coffee shops to cocktail bars working with Croydon Council’s music city team, and promoters Big South, to host a rich mix of gigs throughout November and early December.

The pilot scheme aims to boost the borough’s live music renaissance, championing smaller, ‘grassroots’ gigs to complement new festivals such as Cro Cro Land, Croydon Rocks and The Ends, and the programme at the newly-refurbished Fairfield Halls, which are already transforming Croydon’s cultural scene.

Participating venues – some of which have not previously hosted live music nights – can receive support to host initial their gigs, with the idea that the revenue this generates will enable them to run more in future.

As part of Croydon Calling, there will be two free-entry live gigs at Mr Fox on Surrey Street – the funk-filled horn sounds of Brassroots on Saturday 16 November and local Hip Hop artist Tubbyboy on Saturday 23 November.

Two ticketed events will be held at the Front Room on St George’s Walk, starting on Friday 29 November with Croydon born singer-songwriter and rapidly rising star Rachel Chinouriri bringing her unique blend of London and Africa to the stage.  Meanwhile, the soulful vibes of Gilles Peterson Worldwide Award Winner Andrew Ashong can be experienced live and direct on Friday 6 December.

Coffee Shotter on Croydon High Street will host an intimate evening showcase with Bass B and Friends on 28 November, featuring live performances from Jade Dragon, Troy Glasgow, Double Cup Kase and Gypzee. DJ JDEN will be providing support behind the turntables.

For full event details and to find out more visit www.bigsouth.london/croydoncalling

“Croydon’s music scene is rapidly expanding, with two fantastic new festivals launched this year, the Ends and Cro Cro Land, and an exciting programme at the newly-refurbished Fairfield Halls.

“As the birthplace of genres like punk, dubstep and drill, we have a rich history with live music in Croydon, and already smaller venues like our legendary Oval Tavern are renowned for their gig nights.

“I hope Croydon Calling will encourage more venues to provide local music lovers with the chance to discover even more great gigs, while providing opportunities for both emerging local artists and recognised headliners to shine.”

Councillor Oliver Lewis, cabinet member for culture, leisure and sport

Croydon is developing as a music city – a place where music and music production is at the heart of the local economy, that encourages and nurtures emerging talent.

2019-11-15T13:41:38+00:00 November 15th, 2019|Recent news|