Dear friends...

Blimey! Already nearly two weeks on from our final gig of the year at HRH Prog12 where, despite some concerns, we had a wonderful experience playing to a packed venue with many people seeing us for the first time.

It was a great way to round up 2023 but boy, did we miss Ebony! She's doing really well but was still convalescing from a recent operation so had to miss this one. Dyane did a brilliant job but gigging without Ebony really brought it home just how integral her amazing singing and energy has become to the band. You can catch her live this Friday at Danfest and next Saturday at Prog The Forest

Here's a few Bryan Taylor shots from the HRH show.

Website

First thing to share is that we have a gorgeous new website! We are so, so grateful to Chris Elliott who's freely given his very considerable expertise to create this for us. Like many others in this amazing community, Chris has been incredibly generous with his time and energy... as he says, "I love making something good happen" and he's certainly done that! Thank you Chris!

This is phase one and offers hugely improved look, layout and navigation as well as bringing all our digital offerings together in one place. Chris is working with our very own Tim Smith on the next step which is to realise Tim's vision of making the site a community hub, integrating our various online platforms into a single space and removing our current reliance on Meta among others. 

I will of course, keep you updated but please do have a look around the site and keep an eye on it for news, updates and developments both with the band and the site itself.

PROG Magazine Reader's Poll

Being a massive Jess fan, last year I asked you to consider voting for her in the PROG Reader's Poll. I really believed she had a chance but didn't think for a moment that, thanks to your vote, she come in at No4!!

Not only that but I ended up at No5 in the guitarist list and Solstice at No8 in best band. We were absolutely stunned and, of course, totally delighted. 

Well, I don't know if there's going to be a 2023 Readers Poll and, in any case, I can't imagine a repeat of last year but, if it happens we'd be so grateful if you'd consider voting for us in any of the categories listed. Thank you!!

Tour Dates

We're already looking forward to a busy 2024 with some fab shows confirmed and more to be announced. There's a full list below and links to tickets and Info on our new site HERE.

Tickets for The Stables are selling exceptionally well, even though it's not until next September!! So please do grab a seat while there's still some choice. Thanks so much to everyone who's already gone for it!! The other show we really hope to make a success of is our first headline at the iconic 100 Club on June 1st. Please do support this one if you can along with our annual fundraiser for Willen Hospice at MK11 on April 20th.

Grand Chapel Studios Final Video

Here's the last in the our series of 'Light Up' videos filmed at the Grand Chapel Studios. Huge thanks again to director, Mark Jepson, cameramen Harry Holt and Jonathan Clay for their outstanding work and to the lovely Anneliese Shaw for making us so welcome.

Norway

Wow! The Pulterkammer Festival was wonderful!! MEER are a phenomenal band and beautiful people. They made us feel so welcome at their home venue in Hamar run by the family themselves along with a group of highly motivated artists, actors and musicians. If you ever get a chance to visit the Hamar theatre, go for it. It's s a venue with the friendliest atmosphere set in a stunning building overlooking the lake. What a time we had. Thank you MEER and we very much hope to return the favour one of these days.

Photos: Bryan Taylor

Christmas 'Thank You' Gift

As has become customary, we would like to express our gratitude to you for your support with a Yuletide gift. This year it will be the live album and video from our sell out show at The Stables on September 2nd. We'll be making the album and film available completely FREE or 'pay what you want' in December. The album will be available to download  as Flacs, Wavs or mp3 with the usual metadata and artwork and the film will be available on youtube or to download as a DVD disc image. Watch this space.

Finally, once again, a huge thank you to all and especially to our Guardians, who make everything we do possible. If you're interested in becoming a Guardian you can find out more here