Free Live Music to lift the winter blues

A programme of live music performances is helping to boost the spirits of shoppers and visitors to The Crossing in Swindon Town Centre. On Saturday afternoons (3pm – 5pm) throughout the winter months a different act is taking to the stage every week in a free live music event.

Kicking off the line up a few weeks ago was Grammy nominee Matt Cook, who was spotted by a member of Lynyrd Skynyrd.  Matt was particularly moved by a youngster who told him that she’d heard him singing from some distance away and decided to investigate.  She’d been having a terrible time but seeing Matt had really brightened up her day.

The following week was the turn of local acoustic duo 'Brother from Another' aka Benji Clements and Adam Frost who have a laid back vibe fusing soul, funk and reggae and this was followed last Saturday by Yorkshire man Steve Lowis who’s been a very active part of the local music scene for 16 years.

Next up on stage, on Saturday 25 January, is Reading-based Steve Morano who performs extensively across the UK and in Nashville. Predominantly a blues man if you close your eyes you could be at a Rod Stewart gig!  The week after, on Saturday 1 February, it’s the turn of local acoustic duo Burbank who have performed over 500 gigs since they formed in 2016 and are often likened to The Beatles and Simon & Garfunkel for their song writing skills. As well as their original material they have an extensive set list of popular covers from almost every genre.

Saturday 8 Feb will see Marlborough’s George Wilding take to the stage.  George is known his eclectic covers and powerful original songs.  He’s followed, on Saturday 15 February, by Crooner Tom Carpenter from Bristol.  Perfect for Valentine’s weekend Tom’s much loved for his Rat Pack and Buble style performances across the UK. 

Saturday 22 Feb is the turn of Devizes-based Ben Borrill.  If you're a fan of Coldplay then Ben’s vocals are for you.  And rounding off the winter sessions on 29 February is Wiltshire man Robert Bowden who will perform as your favourite covers.

Lewis Fagence from The Brunel explains more about the live music programme.  Lewis said: “visitors to The Crossing tell us they really enjoy it when we put on live music and last year’s Sunday sessions were well-received.  We thought this year we’d try out a winter programme of regular acts on a Saturday.  It’s going well so far and we’ve had some good feedback about the quality of the acts.  We’d be delighted if it was possible for this to continue and become a regular feature at The Crossing.  We’ve got acts booked in until the end of February but if anyone would like the opportunity to play this 3-5pm Saturday session at The Crossing in the future they should contact me so we can discuss it further.”

Lewis Fagence can be contacted by email: [email protected]

There’s no charge to listen to the live music performances.  All acts perform on the stage at The Crossing which is on the upper floor of The Brunel Shopping Centre, outside Indy’s Vegan Kitchen, Soul Shack and Franklins.