IN ADVANCE
Buy ticket at the
Petri Dish
or
book your ticket
via email
(tickets@thepetridish.co.uk)
£10
ON THE DOOR
£12
Please bear in mind we are able to accept and confirm bookings till 6PM on the day.
After 6PM every tickets are on the door price.
We are thankful for your support and understanding!
Doors open at 8pm Show starts at approx. 8.30pm
Played this year in Glastonbury by Paul McCartney recommendation.
“Meet the five-piece band who are not only turning heads with the confident glide in their stride; they’re literally bulletproof” – Paul Sexton (Sunday Times)
Hardwicke Circus are fast building a reputation as the most exciting band to emerge from the UK in recent years. Having gained a large internet following, and fans all over the UK through playing countless live shows, this band has what it takes to go all the way.
Watching them live only enforces this belief. Their sound brings comparisons with the brio of the E Street Band and the dark passion of classic Doors, but with plenty of British authenticity and perhaps even a hint of Dexy’s in their high voltage attack.
Proudly based in the border town of Carlisle, Hardwicke Circus plays more and more gigs – supported Bob Dylan & Neil Young in Hyde Park, Madness, Alabama 3, Southside Johnny and The Asbury Jukes, Bob Geldof’s Boomtown Rats and The Blockheads. They have gigged at the legendary Isle of Wight Festival, Glastonbury, Reading & Leeds, headlined the Yam Riot Stage at Kendal Calling and gained airplay on BBC Introducing, Radio 1, Radio 2 & 6 Music. In March 2020 they play the legendary South by Southwest Festival in Austin Texas, USA.
The first local band to sell out their hometown venue “The Brickyard” four months in advance, Hardwicke Circus have added a second night – playing two sell out hometown gigs back-to-back.
With every new show, more and more fans get on board, because this is a group where there’s so much to watch as well as to listen to. The focal point of it all is lead singer and chief songwriter Jonny Foster, who draws the eye as he exudes all of the ‘Brown Sugar’- era swagger of Jagger. But on stage and on record, there’s also an echo of the energy of such modern-day heroes as Arcade Fire. “It’s a very visual thing, and I think people like to see the seven of us on stage,” avows Foster. “You don’t really find that in modern bands. I’ve always liked the big band and I always aspired to play in one, with cinematic songs. To have six people channel that same vision, I think we’re really lucky.”
“Imagine The Rolling Stones creating an album with The Doors jamming with Primal Scream…This is Hardwicke Circus. Transforming their influences into their own originality, this night was one to remember for some time to come.”
“One the best gigs I’ve ever seen; raw visceral rock music, before it all got too damn perfect and corporate”
“Every so often a band comes along that has something special. This is a young band with talent to burn and huge potential”
Their ever expanding army shows no sign of stopping.
Album Review – The Midlands Rocks 24/06/2022
Carlisle’s Hardwicke Circus (aka The Hardwickes) first came on my radar via their exciting debut album, Borderland. Since that album hit the streets, the band have undergone line-up changes which only served to galvanise the group and, as a baptism of fire, the band visited 12 prisons last autumn for a series of intimate gigs. At Her Majesty’s Pleasure captured the quintet at two of those shows and this “official bootleg” live album captures the band in all their unbridled glory.
There’s no prolonged introduction to set the scene, just the delicious riff that heralds the arrival of opening shot ‘Walking On Broken Glass’…and what a riff it is! Hardwicke Circus have a muscular, punchy sound and they soon start throwing their weight around with a sound that’s far bigger than their constituent parts. Jonny Foster’s authoritative vocals ring out, and they are nicely counterpointed by Andy Phillip’s sublime saxophone as drummer Tom Foster and bassist Joe Hurst combine to create a weighty rhythm section that anchors Lewis Bewley-Taylor’s ethereal keys. With Tom and Joe also providing backing vocals Hardwicke Circus are an intriguing tangle of melodic lines and haunting harmonies that intertwine in strange and unexpected ways.
Coldingley Prison
Yes, it was great. The best bit of Coldingley was;
A prisoner on E-Wing, a complex chap, recently on an ACCT, never socialises with others, introvert and finds it difficult to fit in. Appears to have little in the way of friends , was managed under the ‘complex case’ for a period of time. Mr X turned up for the Hardwick Circus event , which in itself surprised me but I had heard through recent meetings that he was into music and spent all his spare time writing music. He sat at the front and brought his own guitar (which I also observed, no one was allowed to touch ) he spoke to no one in the audience , sitting in silence but appeared to be enjoying the band immensely. The band lead asked if anyone would like to sing, Mr X immediately put his hand up, I saw others in the audience nudging each other and rolling their eyes. I did myself wonder how I would manage the situation if he got heckled off the stage. However, Mr X confidently got up on the stage , took prize position and took the lead vocals, to everyone’s amazement (including mine ) he was outstanding, he performed a rock song with the backing of Hardwick Circus. At the end of his solo performance, the entire audience got to their feet and gave him a standing ovation . Mr X’s face was full of pride and the audience members who I suspect on occasions had been negative to Mr X during his time held him in a different light . Mr X took his seat in silence once more but I could see he was pleased with himself and I was pleased for him.
It made a massive difference to someone who struggles with prison, giving him confidence and showing others you don’t have to look like a rock star to sound like one!
Jonny Foster
Lead vocals and guitar
Tom Foster
Drums and vocals
Joe Hurst
Bass and vocals
Lewis Bewley-Taylor
All Keyboards
Andy Sax
All Saxophones
SUMMARY
The night with Hardwicke Circus was outstanding! They are coming back soon! We will announce the new date.
Following photos made by Sharron Butler.
Thanks for all this brilliant night!