by Grapevine Editor | Nov 19, 2025 | Comedy, Tours
The King Of Crumbs is coming to: Shrewsbury, Brighton, Portsmouth, Frome, Oxford, Cardiff, Exeter, Taunton, Plymouth, Bristol, Coventry, Glasgow, Belfast, Liverpool, Barnard Castle, Newcastle, Canterbury, Sheffield, Chelmsford, Birmingham, Maidstone, Norwich, Leeds, Manchester, London, Colchester, Cambridge, Swindon, Salisbury & Aldershot.
Alasdair Beckett-King is the crumbliest comedian in the game: he is a multi-award-winning stand-up comic, author, (occasionally) an internet sensation and star of Mock The Week and 8 Out Of 10 Cats. In 2026, he will embark on his third UK tour.
In King Of Crumbs, ABK blends his smart writing with his offbeat comic sensibility. Times are hard for a medieval whimsy pedlar. The milk of human kindness has curdled into the cheese of mistrust – hungrily devoured on the crackers of hatred. Which is bad news for everyone, especially the vegans.
With his distinctive comic voice, Alasdair is the only comedian daring enough to ask the real questions: Who watches the watchmen? Who milks the milkmen? How come ducks quack at the speed they walk?
These are the mysteries that plague the King Of Crumbs. As the pillars of civilisation crumble into the sea of chaos, Alasdair makes a rallying cry for uplifting nonsense. He steps down from the seat of the Elder Millennial High Council and asks…What Would Satan Do?
In his new show, Alasdair promises to:
- Raise people up, like an unqualified forklift operator.
- Solve the political and moral crises of our age and still have time for a funny story about biscuits.
- Escape the Millennial Nostalgia Trap before your very eyes. Were things better in the 90s? He says NO! Pop tarts were rubbish.
Alasdair is a legendary comedian and writer, in that there is little historical evidence that he exists. He has performed on C4’s 8 out of 10 Cats, BBC’s Mock the Week, Comedy Central Live, BBC Radio 4’s The News Quiz and at the Glastonbury Festival. Following several viral videos and sell-out runs at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Alasdair embarked upon his first UK tour in 2023. In the same year, Walker Books began publishing ABK’s Montgomery Bonbon series of children’s mystery novels. Alasdair is the co-host of Loremen, a podcast about historical oddities and local legends. With Eleanor Morton, he recently launched Eleanor & Alasdair Read That, a new podcast revisiting classic kids’ books.
“An absolute treasure trove” ★★★★★Chortle
“If that isn’t proof of a formidable comic talent combined with a warm, inviting personality I don’t know what is” ★★★★ Beyond The Joke
“A bold and fresh comedy voice”★★★★★ The Stage
Image Credit – Edward Moore
by Editor | Oct 28, 2025 | Music, Dance, Tours
Strictly Come Dancing favourites Amy Dowden MBE and Carlos Gu are back with their live tour REBORN, returning to theatres across the UK from May 2026, on the back of the packed houses earlier this year.
Amy made her highly anticipated return to the dancefloor last year after her cancer diagnosis, while Carlos embraced a new chapter of self-discovery since moving to the UK – together, they truly feel REBORN.
This uplifting and inspirational show celebrates the transformative power of dance, featuring a dazzling cast of world-class dancers and vocalists. Audiences can expect an emotional journey through powerful and show-stopping routines that capture the joy, energy and beauty of dance.
Amy Dowden and her partner Ben Jones were crowned British National Latin Dance Champions in 2016, becoming the first all-British pair to win the title in over 30 years. Their other accolades include British Dance Federation Champions, English Closed Champions, and Welsh Closed and Open Champions.
Since joining Strictly Come Dancing in 2017, Amy has become one of the show’s most loved professionals. Her highlight came in 2019, reaching the Final with Karim Zeroual, while she has also partnered with Tom Fletcher, Brian Conley and JJ Chalmers.
Amy’s achievements extend beyond the dancefloor. She won the Raising Awareness Award at the Hello! Magazine Star Women Awards in 2019, received a Points of Light Award from the Prime Minister in 2023, and was awarded an MBEin the King’s Birthday Honours 2024 for her charity work with Crohn’s & Colitis UK. Her BBC documentary Strictly Amy: Crohn’s & Me won a BAFTA Cymru, and following her breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, she continues her advocacy through her work with both My Breast Friend and CoppaFeel! A new BBC One documentary following her cancer journey aired last year.
Carlos Gu is a three-time Chinese National Champion, multiple World semi-finalist, and has achieved success as a German Open finalist and runner-up in the Amateur Rising Star Latin at the 2017 UK Championships.
Joining Strictly Come Dancing in 2022, Carlos reached the Final in his debut season with Molly Rainford, and in 2023 partnered Angela Scanlon, captivating audiences with their stunning Argentine Tango at Blackpool.
Beyond Strictly, Carlos has performed on live tours and led professional productions showcasing his artistry. His charisma and openness have also shone through television appearances on The One Show, This Morning, Lorraine, It Takes Two, The Hit List and CBeebies Bedtime Stories, where he has shared how dance and his move to the UK have transformed his life.
As Carlos continues to inspire audiences, his story – like Amy’s – is one of passion, resilience and renewal. Together, they promise an unforgettable experience with REBORN.
Credits:
Creative Director: Elizabeth Honan
Image : Gaby Jerrard PR
by Grapevine Editor | Dec 20, 2024 | Music, Tours
Globally revered Irish artist Imelda May has today announced her new “Raised on Songs & Stories” tour across the UK, with a unique series of intimate evenings featuring new stripped back versions of her wide discography and favourite songs, integrated with her famed poetry & storytelling.
Imelda May says: “I’m coming to you soon! Ten nights of UK Spring tour. It’ll be an evening of songs, poems, stories, joy and beauty. This idea evolved naturally over the last couple of years. You see, when I write, produce and release an album I get so excited to perform the songs live that I fizz up and plan and rehearse gigs with such enthusiasm that I’m like a little thrilled whirlwind but too often I leave room for little else. I work out which songs will flow best into another to create the vibe desired that I sometimes don’t leave much space for the unknown which is where a different magic lies. This space is the place where I exist most and write and create. So it feels right to stay there a while. To have a gig where someone might ask for a song I haven’t visited in a while and I think ‘yeah let’s give it a go’, or where I can tell you the stories behind the songs and how I ended up working with some of the people I’ve worked with so far. Not a ‘show’ this will be a shared night of what music, art, connection and creativity means to me, with you.”
Born and raised in The Liberties area of Dublin, Imelda May has become one of the UK & Ireland’s most celebrated female artists as a singer, songwriter, actor, producer, poet, presenter and storyteller. Imelda’s breakthrough album Love Tattoo (2008) remains the best-selling album of all time by a homegrown female artist in Ireland, whilst most recent album 11 Past the Hour (2021) marks her 4th No. 1 album in Ireland and 4th Top 10 in the UK. Her debut poetry book A Lick & A Promise (2022) is already on its third re-print, with the Irish government using one of her poems on billboards across the country for their “ReThink Ireland” campaign as well as included in the school curriculum.
A dynamic live performer with her unique blend of rockabilly, jazz, rock and blues she has toured across the world and performed with legends such as Jeff Beck, Lou Reed, Bono, Noel Gallagher, Jeff Goldblum & Ronnie Wood. This year she joined Jools Holland on a string of summer shows as well as performing with Sharon Shannon’s Big Band on shows celebrating the repertoire of her dear friend Shane McGowan.
Imelda’s recent turn to the silver screen saw her glowing debut in Top 5 UK film Fisherman’s Friends: One and All, a stunning portrayal of ‘villain’ Eve in psychological thriller ‘The People Before’ which screened across film festivals this summer, with her next film role as Pierce Brosnan’s wife in Four Letters of Love, out in 2025.
Imelda’s first foray into theatre, a one woman show ‘Mother of All The Behans’ by director Peter Sheridan received all 4 & 5 star reviews resulting in its return for a second summer at the Olympia, Dublin with more shows in 2025 across Belfast, Cork, Waterford and Dublin.
A true creative, Imelda immerses herself in art across many forms, and these special U.K. evenings will showcase her unique ability to evoke the purest of emotion using her voice as her sole instrument.
IMELDA MAY – RAISED ON SONGS & STORIES – APRIL 2025
- Mon 07 LEMON TREE – ABERDEEN, UK
- Tue 08 ST. LUKES – GLASGOW, UK
- Wed 09 QUEENS HALL – EDINBURGH, UK
- Fri 11 THE FIRE STATION – SUNDERLAND, UK
- Sat 12 SAGE 2 – GATESHEAD, UK
- Mon 14 – SALFORD LOWRY QUAYS THEATRE – SALFORD, UK
- Tue 15 BIRMINGHAM TOWN HALL – BIRMINGHAM, UK
- Thu 17 CARDIFF NEW THEATRE – CARDIFF, UK
- Fri 18 CADOGAN HALL – LONDON, UK
- Sat 19 ST GEORGES CHURCH – BRIGHTON, UK
by Grapevine Editor | Dec 9, 2024 | Music, Featured, Tours
Stanleys have today announced a new headline tour for 2025, including a headline show at The Portland Arms, Cambridge on Thursday 15th May. The news follows a barnstorming, sold-out homecoming show this past weekend at The Monaco in Wigan. Tickets for the new show went on sale on Wednesday 4th December at 9am, available here.
The announcement continues momentum into the New Year for the band after a stellar 2024, where all headline shows sold out, including their largest hometown headliner to date. The band rocked the festival circuit, performing at several major events including Isle of Wight, Truck and Y Not? as well as sharing the stage with Shed Seven, The Libertines, Cast, Inspiral Carpets, The Blinders, The View and their hometown hero, Richard Ashcroft.
Emerging from Wigan, Stanleys are the next in a long line of illustrious musicians to emerge from the North Western town. Bands and artists ranging from George Formby Senior and Junior to The Verve, Starsailor to The Lathums are proud to call Wigan home, eventually taking their poignant song writing across the rest of the country and Stanleys are set to follow in their footsteps.
Perhaps there’s something about hearing a regional accent singing in full flow that’s endearing, or their jangly riffs and subtle drum beats reminiscent of other great North West bands such as The Smiths or The La’s. Some would argue the recognisable relatable stories told by front man Tom Concannon is the focal point of the band, with Jake Dorsman (guitar), Harry Ivory (bass) and Rob Hilton (drums and backing vocals) completing the line up. But ultimately, it is a combination of all these things that have seen Stanleys make their mark on the North West scene so quickly.
Performing on the road with the likes of Richard Ashcroft, The Libertines, Inspiral Carpets, The Lathums, Jamie Webster, Cast, Shed Seven and The View to name but a few; all on top of selling out back to back headline tours, Stanleys have a strong-hold on the North West scene. And it’s now only a matter of time before the rest of the country are hanging onto every word.
Stanleys 2025 Tour Dates
- Saturday 12th April – SWG3 Poetry Club, Glasgow
- Saturday 26th April – Arts Club Loft, Liverpool
- Saturday 3rd May – Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham
- Saturday 10th May – The Key Club, Leeds
- Thursday 15th May – Portland Arms, Cambridge
- Friday 16th May – Met Lounge, Peterborough
- Saturday 17th May – The Waterfront Studios, Norwich
- Friday 23rd May – The Lower Third, London
- Saturday 24th May – Heartbreakers, Cambridge
by Grapevine Editor | Dec 8, 2024 | Music, Tours
Celebrated Swedish rock band H.E.A.T are pleased to announce their January 2025 UK Tour. Tickets for all shows are available from www.myticket.co.uk/artists/h-e-a-t The tour precedes the band’s highly anticipated new studio album due to be released in 2025.
“We are excited to return to the UK for another tour,” says H.E.A.T’s lead singer Kenny Leckremo. “UK audiences are the best and we can’t wait to rock the house in January 2025. The tour is going to be an unforgettable experience. We look forward to seeing our UK fans on the road in January.”
H.E.A.T, are one of the biggest Swedish rock bands who are bringing 80s-inspired hard rock back to the forefront. They continue to build on their momentum in 2025. Known for their electrifying sound that blends classic melodic rock with modern energy, the band remains at the top of their game, releasing new music and touring internationally.
Their 2022 album, Force Majeure, marked a major milestone as it saw the return of original frontman Kenny Leckremo after a decade-long hiatus. This seventh studio album, released via earMUSIC, perfectly captures the essence of H.E.A.T’s sound, merging the youthful exuberance of their early work with the harder-edged sound developed during Erik Grönwall’s tenure. Force Majeure received widespread acclaim, showcasing 11 tracks that exemplify the pure joy of melodic hard rock. Leckremo’s powerful vocals were praised as a triumphant return, and the album’s tight production signaled H.E.A.T’s laser-focused direction.
Following the departure of Erik Grönwall, who led the band through four albums after winning Swedish Idol, H.E.A.T made it clear that Leckremo was the only choice to take back the mic. The band’s fan base remains fiercely loyal, and the release of Extra Force in 2023 only deepened their connection. This limited-edition collection, released in both CD Digipak and 1LP Black Vinyl formats, features new studio tracks, unreleased live performances, and re-recorded H.E.A.T classics originally sung by Grönwall, now given new life with Leckremo on vocals. Extra Force was a celebration of the band’s history and a testament to their continued evolution, becoming an essential collector’s item for fans.
Looking ahead to 2024 and beyond, H.E.A.T shows no signs of slowing down. The band is currently working on their next album, slated for release in 2025, which promises to build on the success of Force Majeure while continuing to push their sound forward. Fans can expect a series of high-energy singles throughout the year, as well as major live performances across Europe and South America. With their unparalleled stage presence and commitment to delivering melodic rock at its finest, H.E.A.T remains one of the genre’s most exciting and vital bands heading into the new year.
As the group gears up for more touring, H.E.A.T’s global presence continues to grow, supported by their strengthened partnership with earMUSIC. With Leckremo back at the helm and their sound more refined than ever, H.E.A.T is poised to continue their journey of revitalizing and modernizing 80s-influenced hard rock for a new generation of fans.
H.E.A.T Tour dates
BRISTOL, FLEECE
TUESDAY 28th JANUARY 2025
2 St Thomas St, Redcliffe, Bristol, BS1 6JJ
https://thefleece.co.uk
NOTTINGHAM, RESCUE ROOMS
WEDNESDAY 29th JANUARY 2025
Rescue Rooms, Masonic Place, Goldsmith St,
Nottingham, NG1 5LB
www.rescuerooms.com
MANCHESTER, CLUB ACADEMY
THURSDAY 30th JANUARY 2025
Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PR
www.manchesteracademy.net
LONDON, ISLINGTON ASSEMBLY HALL
FRIDAY 31st JANUARY 2025
Upper St, Islington, London, N1 2UD
https://islingtonassemblyhall.co.uk
WOLVERHAMPTON, KK’s STEEL MILL
SATURDAY 1st FEBRUARY 2025
Starworks Warehouse, Frederick Street, WV2 4DU
www.kkssteelmill.co.uk
SPECIAL GUESTS – ART NATION & CHEZ KANE
TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM WWW.MYTICKET.CO.UK/ARTISTS/H-E-A-T
by Grapevine Editor | Dec 7, 2024 | Music, Tours
GRAMMY Award-winning rock duo The Black Keys announce a mix of large-scale outdoor headline shows and festival dates for their upcoming UK & European tour. Kicking off in Denmark on June 26, the tour will run through July, with stops in major cities including Berlin, Zurich, Manchester, London, Rome and more. Tickets are available for purchase HERE. Artist presale will be on December 4 at 9 AM GMT and general sale will be on December 6 at 9 AM GMT. These shows will follow the previously announced Latin American tour dates. UK dates feature support from Miles Kane. See full tour routing below. The band also debuts a music video for the latest track from the album, “Sin City,” today. The video features a live performance interwoven with sultry, vintage Vegas-themed visuals.
The Black Keys’ European dates come just a year after their last overseas shows, which Mojo praised as an “electrifying testament to the power of rock’n’roll,” and the Daily Telegraph described as “a thrilling clash of the indie rock titans.”This is the band’s first visit to Europe since the release of their GRAMMY-nominated Ohio Players earlier this year.
Last month, The Black Keys released Ohio Players (Trophy Edition), an expanded version of that album, which earned GRAMMY nominations for Best Rock Performance and Best Rock Song for “Beautiful People (Stay High)”—bringing their career total to an impressive eighteen nominations.
As previously announced, The Black Keys will also take the stage at Innings Festival Arizona on February 22, joining acts such as Fall Out Boy, The Killers, Beck, and more. The Black Keys then head to Latin America in the spring of 2025, bringing their International Players Tour to Lima, Peru; Estereo Picnic festival in Bogota, Colombia; and Mexico City. Additionally, the band has just added a new date to their Latin American International Players Tour and will perform on April 5 at the Tecate Pa’l Norte Music Festival in Monterrey, Mexico. Their full tour schedule is below; tickets and additional information can be found here.
The Black Keys Tour Dates 2025
**March 27 – Lima, Peru – Arena 1
*March 29 – Bogota, Colombia – Estereo Picnic Festival
**April 2 – Mexico City, Mexico – Pepsi Center
*April 5 – Monterrey, Mexico – Tecate Pa’l Norte
*June 26 – Odense, Denmark – Tinderbox
**June 29 – Luxembourg, Luxembourg – Rockhall
**July 1 – Berlin, Germany – Zitadelle Spandau
**July 2 – Zurich, Switzerland – The Hall
*July 4 – Marmande, France – Garorock
*July 5 – Herouville Saint Clair, France – Beauregard Festival
*July 6 – Nort Sur Erdre, France – La Nuit De L’Erdre
**July 8 – Leeds, England – Millennium Square ^
**July 9 – Manchester, England – Castlefield Bowl ^
**July 11 – London, England – Alexandra Palace Park ^
*July 12 – Bruges, Belgium – Cactus Festival
*July 13 – Bospop, Netherlands – Bospop Festival
**July 15 – Vicenza, Italy – AMA Music Festival
**July 16 – Rome, Italy – Rock In Roma, Ippodromo delle Capannelle
*July 19 – Benicassim, Spain – FIB Benicassim
* Indicates a festival appearance
** Indicates a headlining show
^ UK dates featuring support from Miles Kane
Upon release in April 2024, The Black Keys secured the #1 Current Rock Album and #1 Current Alternative Album in US sales with their twelfth studio album Ohio Players. The album soared to the #5 debut of the week on both Billboard’s Top Rock Albums Chart and Top Alternative Albums Chart and secured the #4 spot on Overall Current Album Sales. Ohio Players earned The Black Keys their sixth consecutive top 20 album in the UK, and also made it into the top 20 in other international markets such as Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, Switzerland, and more. The album track “Beautiful People (Stay High”) was recently nominated for Best Rock Performance and Best Rock Song Grammy Awards.
hio Players, which was inspired by band members Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney’s ongoing “record hang” parties, garnered praise from Rolling Stone, which stated, “Whether they set their retro-rock wayback machine to Memphis in the Sixties, the Midwest in the Seventies, or Manchester, England, and L.A. in the Nineties, it all flows together like a beautifully paced DJ set,” calling the album “arguably the sharpest collection of songs the Keys have come up with.” Ohio Players marked an exciting departure from The Black Keys’ prior releases, as the album brings in new and fresh influences while also still containing the widely loved sound that the duo is most known for. With an emphasis on collaboration, the album features contributions from friends and colleagues, including Beck, Noel Gallagher, Dan “The Automator” Nakamura, Greg Kurstin, Juicy J, Lil Noid, and others.
