1. Friday
Ronan Keating
2018 sees Ronan Keating starting his 25th year in the music industry, as both lead singer of the legendary Boyzone and hugely successful solo artist. With combined worldwide album sales of over 62 million worldwide and 11 solo number one albums and 14 solo number one singles worldwide, so far, the Irish pop legend is still at the forefront of popular music and is also a hugely successful TV and radio personality.
Having performed live in over 50 countries worldwide, Ronan has a string of accolades and awards. With the BMI European Song Writing Award for Long Goodbye which was a No 1 country hit in the US Billboard chart for ‘Brooks & Dunn’ and a 1997 song writing Ivor Novello Award for Picture of You, in October 2007, Ronan was listed in the Guinness Book Of Records for being the only artist ever to have 30 consecutive top 10 singles in the UK chart, beating the likes of Elvis Presley.
With his family Ronan founded the Marie Keating Foundation. The charity, named in memory of his Mother, provides educational and support services across Ireland for all forms of cancer.
Ronan has raised over £6 Million in his role as an ambassador for Cancer Research UK. His annual Emerald & Ivy Ball is the biggest single night fund raising event in CRUK’s calendar. He has walked the length of Ireland twice, run the London Marathon twice, swam the Irish Sea and climbed Mount Kilimanjaro for charitable causes.
Ronan has performed duets on record and live with Elton John, Cat Stevens, Pavorotti, U2, Leann Rimes, Hayley Westenra, Burt Bacharach and the Bee Gees and performs to sell out crowds all over the World.
We’re delighted to welcome Ronan and his band to Kubix and this is a not to be missed opportunity, so expect to hear a string of classic tunes that you’ll know all the words to, as Ronan’s headline set rounds off Friday’s pop extravaganza in the best possible style.
1. Saturday
ADAM ANT
16th October 1980, and millions of living rooms across the UK, are set on fire by a blazing TV performance by Adam and the Ants. The phenomenon rapidly began and they would go on to dominate the charts with extraordinary success.
The Sex Pistols played their first ever gig in 1975, supporting Adam’s first band, Bazooka Joe, and the explosive punk band inspired Adam to start something new. He formed The Ants and performed live repeatedly as the band built a huge cult following, releasing their debut album, Dirk Wears White Søx in 1979, which topped the independent chart on release. In early 1980, the Ants left Adam, after an offer to work with the former Sex Pistols manager, Malcolm McLaren.
Adam immediately put his ideas for a new ‘warrior’ sound into practice and within months had put together a fresh band that included two drummers. The new band signed a major label deal and recorded the album Kings of the Wild Frontier. Released in November 1980 it became a worldwide hit, spending 12 weeks at number 1. The singles, Kings of the Wild Frontier and Antmusic both hit number 2 in the UK chart and Dog Eat Dog reached number 4. “Antmania” swept the nation and after winning the Brit Award for ‘Best British Album’, Adam Ant became one of the most publicised faces in Britain.
In May 1981, Stand and Deliver hit number 1 for 5 weeks, winning him the prestigious Ivor Novello Award For Songwriting. Follow up album and single Prince Charming went straight to number one and a further 12 singles went top 30. At one point, Adam had 8 singles in the top 40. . . in one week!
He became the first VJ (video jockey) on MTV and his first solo album, Friend or Foe continued his US success, delivering 3 top twenty hits on the Billboard Top 100. Goody Two Shoes was also a number 1 in both the UK and Australia and after being voted ‘Sexiest Man Alive’ by the viewers of MTV, he celebrated this success in the USA with a ‘Best New Artist’ Grammy nomination.
The second solo album Strip produced the top 5 UK hit Puss ‘n Boots but the follow-up single Strip and the sexy spectacular video was banned by the BBC. While recording his third solo album, Vive Le Rock, with legendary producer, Tony Visconti, Adam set out on an acting career. In 1985 Adam performed at Live Aid and spent the next few years concentrating solely on acting in a string of films. During the 1990’s, Adam again, split his time between acting and music
It would be 2007 before he would play live again, and in 2008, Adam was presented with the ‘Q Music Icon Award’. In 2011, Adam performed at the Hard Rock Calling in London’s Hyde Park and over the year continued playing live to over 250,000 people. After 2 successful tours in the USA, mainland Europe and Australia, Adam released his first album for 16 years.
2014 saw Adam return to his roots to perform the Dirk Wears White Søx album at a sell-out show at Hammersmith Apollo, along with other sell-out performances. Due to public demand Adam toured the Dirk album early in 2015 at a series of intimate concerts around the country to much critical acclaim with several of the venues selling out within minutes. Adam then embarked on the Kings of the Wild Frontier Live 2016 tour throughout the UK with the sold out tour playing to over 30,000 people
2017 then saw Adam launching the now critically acclaimed ANTHEMS tour showcasing his wide range of worldwide hit singles along with associated B-Sides. The set was lovingly collated and arranged, providing gloriously uplifting and celebratory shows which included a packed evening at London’s Royal Albert Hall. The year culminated in a return sell out visit to the Roundhouse in Camden, a thank you to the fans with a rousing performance which beautifully highlighted the love of Antmusic.
We are delighted to welcome the legendary Adam Ant and his band to the North East to headline Saturday’s music marathon. It’s gonna be awesome…..
2. Friday
B*Witched
The Irish girl group consisting of twin sisters Edele and Keavy Lynch, Lindsay Armaou and Sinead O’Carroll enjoyed huge success in both Europe, Asia, Australasia and North America between 1998 and 2000, releasing two albums and eight singles, all of which made the UK Top 20. Their first four singles, ‘C’est La Vie’, ‘Rollercoaster’, ‘To You I Belong’ and ‘Weatherman’, all reached number one in the UK Singles Chart.
In May 2013, B*Witched unveiled a new song called ‘Love and Money’. 2016 saw the release of the bands C’est La Vie – The Collection, Delux CD, and as the band travel all over the world touring playing live, B*Witched prove that they are a band who have sustained and will be around for many years to come. Bring your dancing feet along!
2. Saturday
Boomtown Rats
As fresh, powerful and exciting now as when they left a shocked Ireland in the late 70's and took on, and then conquered the World, with classic hit after hit, this year The Boomtown Rats will be releasing their new studio album. 2018 also celebrates 40 years since the release of one of their biggest selling albums, ‘A Tonic for the Troops’ and when their multimillion selling hit record, ‘Rat Trap’ hit the number 1 slot all over the World.
The Boomtown Rats legendary ORIGINAL line-up still boasts Bob Geldof on vocals, Garry Roberts on guitar, Pete Briquette on bass and Simon Crowe on drums. You know all the classic songs and it’s a Saturday, not a Monday (!), so come along to Kubix and travel back to Boomtown!!
3. Friday
Peter Andre
Peter Andre is an accomplished global media star known for his successful music and television career. Peter hit a peak in his music career during the 1990’s when he became the sixth highest selling artist in the UK. He had numerous number one hit singles, two number one albums and toured all over the world collecting a multitude of national and international awards along the way. His chart success led to major tours throughout the UK, Europe, Asia and Australia.
Now, we’re delighted to welcome the much-loved superstar behind ‘Mysterious Girl’, ‘Flava’, ‘I Feel You’, ‘Insania’, and a host of other iconic hits, to Kubix Festival. Performing with his brilliant band this is going to be a show you will not want to miss. The ultimate pop party!
3. Saturday
Fun Lovin’ Criminals
Est. 1993, NYC, the Fun Lovin’ Criminals are, still, the world’s finest and only purveyors of cinematic hip hop, rock ‘n’ roll, blues-jazz, latino soul vibes. The planet’s best-loved “cousins from New York”, who, through the mid-late 90s, chronicled life in their native city while bending the global ear to the sonic possibilities of exuberant hip-hop gangster-rock merged with lounge music, funk, mariachi trumpets and 'Bass-o-matic' Barry White.
Like The Killers and Kings of Leon today, the UK loved them first, the most; whip-smart story-tellers in smarter Saville Row suits, who told vibrant, satirical, comically tall tales of living large in the neon metropolis via music, drugs, crime and existential ennui.
Formed in New York in 1993 by nightclub-working colleagues Huey and Fast, FLC gate-crashed the euphoric Brit-pop party in 1996 and brought along some unexpectedly unique swag, the generational classic album ‘Come Find Yourself’ which gave us the cackling refrain “stick ‘em up punk, it's the Fun Lovin' Criminal” and the Pulp Fiction–sampling ‘Scooby Snacks’, the Valium assisted stick-up stunner with its immortal refrain, “Runnin’ around, robbin’ banks, all whacked on the Scooby Snacks”. You do not want to miss the opportunity to catch one of THE best live bands out there.
4. Friday
Right Said Fred
Right Said Fred are one of the UK’s most enduring pop exports. Despite being known for their 90s hit ‘I’m Too Sexy’, Bob Dylan, David Bowie, and Jay Z have a connection to the band as well. Formed in 1989 by brothers Fred and Richard Fairbrass, the pair have achieved over 22 million sales globally, have reached number one in 30 countries, and were the first band to achieve a number one in the US with a debut single.
The multi-platinum brothers went on to win two Ivor Novello Awards for their hits ‘I’m Too Sexy’ and ‘Deeply Dippy’, release nine albums, and share stages with big names all over the world, with global success, reaching fans all over the UK, Europe, the US, and beyond and it all started in a basement studio in Acton, London. This is a rare chance to catch their exhilarating live show.
4. Saturday
Peter Hook and The Light
Peter Hook and The Light formed in May 2010 by the former Joy Division and New Order bassist, Peter Hook. Performing the classic Joy Division and New Order albums live they have a deserved reputation as one of THE must-see live bands.
We’re delighted to welcome them to Kubix, playing classic songs that helped define a generation and influenced a host of bands since, that followed their ground-breaking lead. These songs HAVE to be heard live and we can’t think of any better way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Not to be missed!
5. Friday
East 17
One of the 90s biggest boy bands, East 17 are responsible for a host of memorable pop classics including the iconic Christmas smash (remember the white parkas?!) ‘Stay Another Day’. 18 top 20 hits is testament to their huge success and they were a major part of the 90s pop music scene.
The current line up, including original members John Hendy and Terry Coldwell plus fabulous new vocalist Robbie Craig will open up Friday’s pop party in style.
5. Saturday
Buzzcocks
The iconic punk band fronted by the legendary singer, songwriter and guitarist Pete Shelley are coming to Kubix Festival and we couldn’t be more excited. Formed in 1976, they achieved commercial success with singles that fused pop craftsmanship with rapid-fire punk energy.
Expect to hear classics, that still sound as fresh and current now, as they did all those years ago, including ‘What Do I Get?’, ‘I Don't Mind’, and the iconic ‘Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've)’.
6. Saturday
The Undertones
The Undertones emerged from Derry in 1976, the result of five friends learning how to play basic rock and roll. Practicing in their bedrooms eventually led to the band recording John O Neill’s ‘Teenage Kicks’ in 1978. The legendary DJ John Peel received a copy and liked it so much he played it twice in a row on his radio show, resulting in the band's first appearance on Top Of The Pops.
Over the next five years, John O Neill, crafted further pop gems such as ‘Here Comes The Summer’, ‘Jimmy Jimmy’, ‘You’ve Got My Number (Why Don’t You Use It)’ and ‘Wednesday Week’, whilst Damian O’Neill & Michael Bradley contributed ‘My Perfect Cousin’. In 1983 Feargal Sharkey left and the remaining members decided to call it a day, remaining silent for the next sixteen years. In 1999 The Undertones reconvened, with fellow Derryman Paul McLoone on vocals and his vocal prowess and electric onstage presence convinced any doubters that he was more than capable of doing the job.
Live reviews have been glowing and many critics and fans say the band are playing as well as or better than ever before. In 2018 the band will celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the release of their most influential and famous classic, Teenage Kicks. We are very excited to welcome them to Kubix Festival, to help celebrate.
7. Saturday
The Blockheads
Without doubt, The Blockheads are one of the finest bands touring, and still have four of the original founding members from the classic 1977 line up. Keeping alive the wonderful music of the late, great, Ian Dury, The Blockheads are now fronted by one of Ian's best friends, Derek 'The Draw', the band's vocalist and wordsmith.
These legendary Brit-Funkers will be playing all the classics and some new material. Who can forget anthems including ‘Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll’, ‘Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick’, ‘Reasons to be Cheerful Pt. 3’, ‘Billericay Dickie’ – the list goes on. What a way to get Saturday’s music marathon started.
1. Friday
Ronan Keating
2018 sees Ronan Keating starting his 25th year in the music industry, as both lead singer of the legendary Boyzone and hugely successful solo artist. With combined worldwide album sales of over 62 million worldwide and 11 solo number one albums and 14 solo number one singles worldwide, so far, the Irish pop legend is still at the forefront of popular music and is also a hugely successful TV and radio personality.
Having performed live in over 50 countries worldwide, Ronan has a string of accolades and awards. With the BMI European Song Writing Award for Long Goodbye which was a No 1 country hit in the US Billboard chart for ‘Brooks & Dunn’ and a 1997 song writing Ivor Novello Award for Picture of You, in October 2007, Ronan was listed in the Guinness Book Of Records for being the only artist ever to have 30 consecutive top 10 singles in the UK chart, beating the likes of Elvis Presley.
With his family Ronan founded the Marie Keating Foundation. The charity, named in memory of his Mother, provides educational and support services across Ireland for all forms of cancer.
Ronan has raised over £6 Million in his role as an ambassador for Cancer Research UK. His annual Emerald & Ivy Ball is the biggest single night fund raising event in CRUK’s calendar. He has walked the length of Ireland twice, run the London Marathon twice, swam the Irish Sea and climbed Mount Kilimanjaro for charitable causes.
Ronan has performed duets on record and live with Elton John, Cat Stevens, Pavorotti, U2, Leann Rimes, Hayley Westenra, Burt Bacharach and the Bee Gees and performs to sell out crowds all over the World.
We’re delighted to welcome Ronan and his band to Kubix and this is a not to be missed opportunity, so expect to hear a string of classic tunes that you’ll know all the words to, as Ronan’s headline set rounds off Friday’s pop extravaganza in the best possible style.
2. Friday
B*Witched
The Irish girl group consisting of twin sisters Edele and Keavy Lynch, Lindsay Armaou and Sinead O’Carroll enjoyed huge success in both Europe, Asia, Australasia and North America between 1998 and 2000, releasing two albums and eight singles, all of which made the UK Top 20. Their first four singles, ‘C’est La Vie’, ‘Rollercoaster’, ‘To You I Belong’ and ‘Weatherman’, all reached number one in the UK Singles Chart.
In May 2013, B*Witched unveiled a new song called ‘Love and Money’. 2016 saw the release of the bands C’est La Vie – The Collection, Delux CD, and as the band travel all over the world touring playing live, B*Witched prove that they are a band who have sustained and will be around for many years to come. Bring your dancing feet along!
3. Friday
Peter Andre
Peter Andre is an accomplished global media star known for his successful music and television career. Peter hit a peak in his music career during the 1990’s when he became the sixth highest selling artist in the UK. He had numerous number one hit singles, two number one albums and toured all over the world collecting a multitude of national and international awards along the way. His chart success led to major tours throughout the UK, Europe, Asia and Australia.
Now, we’re delighted to welcome the much-loved superstar behind ‘Mysterious Girl’, ‘Flava’, ‘I Feel You’, ‘Insania’, and a host of other iconic hits, to Kubix Festival. Performing with his brilliant band this is going to be a show you will not want to miss. The ultimate pop party!
4. Friday
Right Said Fred
Right Said Fred are one of the UK’s most enduring pop exports. Despite being known for their 90s hit ‘I’m Too Sexy’, Bob Dylan, David Bowie, and Jay Z have a connection to the band as well. Formed in 1989 by brothers Fred and Richard Fairbrass, the pair have achieved over 22 million sales globally, have reached number one in 30 countries, and were the first band to achieve a number one in the US with a debut single.
The multi-platinum brothers went on to win two Ivor Novello Awards for their hits ‘I’m Too Sexy’ and ‘Deeply Dippy’, release nine albums, and share stages with big names all over the world, with global success, reaching fans all over the UK, Europe, the US, and beyond and it all started in a basement studio in Acton, London. This is a rare chance to catch their exhilarating live show.
5. Friday
East 17
One of the 90s biggest boy bands, East 17 are responsible for a host of memorable pop classics including the iconic Christmas smash (remember the white parkas?!) ‘Stay Another Day’. 18 top 20 hits is testament to their huge success and they were a major part of the 90s pop music scene.
The current line up, including original members John Hendy and Terry Coldwell plus fabulous new vocalist Robbie Craig will open up Friday’s pop party in style.
1. Saturday
ADAM ANT
16th October 1980, and millions of living rooms across the UK, are set on fire by a blazing TV performance by Adam and the Ants. The phenomenon rapidly began and they would go on to dominate the charts with extraordinary success.
The Sex Pistols played their first ever gig in 1975, supporting Adam’s first band, Bazooka Joe, and the explosive punk band inspired Adam to start something new. He formed The Ants and performed live repeatedly as the band built a huge cult following, releasing their debut album, Dirk Wears White Søx in 1979, which topped the independent chart on release. In early 1980, the Ants left Adam, after an offer to work with the former Sex Pistols manager, Malcolm McLaren.
Adam immediately put his ideas for a new ‘warrior’ sound into practice and within months had put together a fresh band that included two drummers. The new band signed a major label deal and recorded the album Kings of the Wild Frontier. Released in November 1980 it became a worldwide hit, spending 12 weeks at number 1. The singles, Kings of the Wild Frontier and Antmusic both hit number 2 in the UK chart and Dog Eat Dog reached number 4. “Antmania” swept the nation and after winning the Brit Award for ‘Best British Album’, Adam Ant became one of the most publicised faces in Britain.
In May 1981, Stand and Deliver hit number 1 for 5 weeks, winning him the prestigious Ivor Novello Award For Songwriting. Follow up album and single Prince Charming went straight to number one and a further 12 singles went top 30. At one point, Adam had 8 singles in the top 40. . . in one week!
He became the first VJ (video jockey) on MTV and his first solo album, Friend or Foe continued his US success, delivering 3 top twenty hits on the Billboard Top 100. Goody Two Shoes was also a number 1 in both the UK and Australia and after being voted ‘Sexiest Man Alive’ by the viewers of MTV, he celebrated this success in the USA with a ‘Best New Artist’ Grammy nomination.
The second solo album Strip produced the top 5 UK hit Puss ‘n Boots but the follow-up single Strip and the sexy spectacular video was banned by the BBC. While recording his third solo album, Vive Le Rock, with legendary producer, Tony Visconti, Adam set out on an acting career. In 1985 Adam performed at Live Aid and spent the next few years concentrating solely on acting in a string of films. During the 1990’s, Adam again, split his time between acting and music
It would be 2007 before he would play live again, and in 2008, Adam was presented with the ‘Q Music Icon Award’. In 2011, Adam performed at the Hard Rock Calling in London’s Hyde Park and over the year continued playing live to over 250,000 people. After 2 successful tours in the USA, mainland Europe and Australia, Adam released his first album for 16 years.
2014 saw Adam return to his roots to perform the Dirk Wears White Søx album at a sell-out show at Hammersmith Apollo, along with other sell-out performances. Due to public demand Adam toured the Dirk album early in 2015 at a series of intimate concerts around the country to much critical acclaim with several of the venues selling out within minutes. Adam then embarked on the Kings of the Wild Frontier Live 2016 tour throughout the UK with the sold out tour playing to over 30,000 people
2017 then saw Adam launching the now critically acclaimed ANTHEMS tour showcasing his wide range of worldwide hit singles along with associated B-Sides. The set was lovingly collated and arranged, providing gloriously uplifting and celebratory shows which included a packed evening at London’s Royal Albert Hall. The year culminated in a return sell out visit to the Roundhouse in Camden, a thank you to the fans with a rousing performance which beautifully highlighted the love of Antmusic.
We are delighted to welcome the legendary Adam Ant and his band to the North East to headline Saturday’s music marathon. It’s gonna be awesome…..
2. Saturday
Boomtown Rats
As fresh, powerful and exciting now as when they left a shocked Ireland in the late 70's and took on, and then conquered the World, with classic hit after hit, this year The Boomtown Rats will be releasing their new studio album. 2018 also celebrates 40 years since the release of one of their biggest selling albums, ‘A Tonic for the Troops’ and when their multimillion selling hit record, ‘Rat Trap’ hit the number 1 slot all over the World.
The Boomtown Rats legendary ORIGINAL line-up still boasts Bob Geldof on vocals, Garry Roberts on guitar, Pete Briquette on bass and Simon Crowe on drums. You know all the classic songs and it’s a Saturday, not a Monday (!), so come along to Kubix and travel back to Boomtown!!
3. Saturday
Fun Lovin’ Criminals
Est. 1993, NYC, the Fun Lovin’ Criminals are, still, the world’s finest and only purveyors of cinematic hip hop, rock ‘n’ roll, blues-jazz, latino soul vibes. The planet’s best-loved “cousins from New York”, who, through the mid-late 90s, chronicled life in their native city while bending the global ear to the sonic possibilities of exuberant hip-hop gangster-rock merged with lounge music, funk, mariachi trumpets and 'Bass-o-matic' Barry White.
Like The Killers and Kings of Leon today, the UK loved them first, the most; whip-smart story-tellers in smarter Saville Row suits, who told vibrant, satirical, comically tall tales of living large in the neon metropolis via music, drugs, crime and existential ennui.
Formed in New York in 1993 by nightclub-working colleagues Huey and Fast, FLC gate-crashed the euphoric Brit-pop party in 1996 and brought along some unexpectedly unique swag, the generational classic album ‘Come Find Yourself’ which gave us the cackling refrain “stick ‘em up punk, it's the Fun Lovin' Criminal” and the Pulp Fiction–sampling ‘Scooby Snacks’, the Valium assisted stick-up stunner with its immortal refrain, “Runnin’ around, robbin’ banks, all whacked on the Scooby Snacks”. You do not want to miss the opportunity to catch one of THE best live bands out there.
4. Saturday
Peter Hook and The Light
Peter Hook and The Light formed in May 2010 by the former Joy Division and New Order bassist, Peter Hook. Performing the classic Joy Division and New Order albums live they have a deserved reputation as one of THE must-see live bands.
We’re delighted to welcome them to Kubix, playing classic songs that helped define a generation and influenced a host of bands since, that followed their ground-breaking lead. These songs HAVE to be heard live and we can’t think of any better way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Not to be missed!
5. Saturday
Buzzcocks
The iconic punk band fronted by the legendary singer, songwriter and guitarist Pete Shelley are coming to Kubix Festival and we couldn’t be more excited. Formed in 1976, they achieved commercial success with singles that fused pop craftsmanship with rapid-fire punk energy.
Expect to hear classics, that still sound as fresh and current now, as they did all those years ago, including ‘What Do I Get?’, ‘I Don't Mind’, and the iconic ‘Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've)’.
6. Saturday
The Undertones
The Undertones emerged from Derry in 1976, the result of five friends learning how to play basic rock and roll. Practicing in their bedrooms eventually led to the band recording John O Neill’s ‘Teenage Kicks’ in 1978. The legendary DJ John Peel received a copy and liked it so much he played it twice in a row on his radio show, resulting in the band's first appearance on Top Of The Pops.
Over the next five years, John O Neill, crafted further pop gems such as ‘Here Comes The Summer’, ‘Jimmy Jimmy’, ‘You’ve Got My Number (Why Don’t You Use It)’ and ‘Wednesday Week’, whilst Damian O’Neill & Michael Bradley contributed ‘My Perfect Cousin’. In 1983 Feargal Sharkey left and the remaining members decided to call it a day, remaining silent for the next sixteen years. In 1999 The Undertones reconvened, with fellow Derryman Paul McLoone on vocals and his vocal prowess and electric onstage presence convinced any doubters that he was more than capable of doing the job.
Live reviews have been glowing and many critics and fans say the band are playing as well as or better than ever before. In 2018 the band will celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the release of their most influential and famous classic, Teenage Kicks. We are very excited to welcome them to Kubix Festival, to help celebrate.
7. Saturday
The Blockheads
Without doubt, The Blockheads are one of the finest bands touring, and still have four of the original founding members from the classic 1977 line up. Keeping alive the wonderful music of the late, great, Ian Dury, The Blockheads are now fronted by one of Ian's best friends, Derek 'The Draw', the band's vocalist and wordsmith.
These legendary Brit-Funkers will be playing all the classics and some new material. Who can forget anthems including ‘Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll’, ‘Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick’, ‘Reasons to be Cheerful Pt. 3’, ‘Billericay Dickie’ – the list goes on. What a way to get Saturday’s music marathon started.