Date/Time: Sat 13 Sep 2025 7:30PM
Tickets: €30 + BF
Ben Howard – A Creative Rebirth Through Adversity
Ben Howard’s latest album, Is It?, stands as a testament to the power of transformation sparked by life’s most unpredictable moments. After experiencing two mini-strokes, or transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs), while working on new music in the studio, Howard was forced to pause and reassess not only his health but also his musical journey. The 35-year-old singer-songwriter faced extreme hypersensitivity and temporary speech loss, which compelled him to dive into the fragility and absurdity of life.
The result of this personal upheaval is a record that blends glitchy beats, hazy synths, and elusive hooks, capturing the rawness of Howard’s emotional and physical turmoil. Critics have praised Is It? as a triumph of artistic perseverance, reflecting Howard’s constant evolution as an artist. It’s a record that, while born from a moment of crisis, also marks another unexpected but characteristic shift in Howard’s music. Since his early rise with ’70s folk-infused melodies, Howard has made a name for himself as a restless innovator, constantly challenging expectations. His two platinum albums, Every Kingdom and I Forget Where We Were, earned him Brit Awards and Mercury Prize nominations, but the pressure of comparisons and the desire for creative freedom pushed him further into experimental territory.
Is It? is simply another step in Howard’s unique path—one that embraces unpredictability and refuses to follow a formula, solidifying his reputation as an artist who’s always evolving.
This Is The Kit – Melodic Folk with a Contemporary Twist
Fronted by the Ivor Novello-nominated Kate Stables, This Is The Kit continues to deliver their signature sound: a rich blend of swirling melodies, brass accents, and soft, airy vocals that weave deeply personal and emotional narratives. The band’s distinctive folk sound evolves with every album, and 2023’s Careful of Your Keepers is no exception. Produced by Gruff Rhys (Super Furry Animals), the album captures both the band’s introspective and propulsive energy, with the lead single “Inside Outside” showcasing Stables’ magnetic presence alongside her trusted bandmates: Rozi Plain (bass/vocals), Neil Smith (guitar), and Jamie Whitby-Coles (drums). The track also features a lush horn quartet arrangement by Jesse Vernon, adding another layer of complexity to the band’s already diverse sound.
With Careful of Your Keepers, This Is The Kit continues to break boundaries, delivering one of the most unique brands of modern folk music today. Critics have lauded Stables’ outside-the-box approach, with The Independent calling her one of the most original and gifted artists of today, while Paste praises her distinctive style, which still sounds unlike anything else.
