Are Strangers Now? presents... THICK RICHARD

0	MANCHESTER: The Castle Hotel
P	Monday 6th September, 2021
N	7:30pm

MANCHESTER: The Castle Hotel

Monday 6th September, 2021

7:30pm

Event information

Are We Strangers Now? celebrates our post-lockdown return with a headline set from one of our favourite potty-mouthed poets and a diverse range of musical support acts in tow.

THICK RICHARD:
https://thickrichard.wordpress.com

Thick Richard (real name Clever Dick) has been stubbornly pursuing this ridiculous career path for much longer than you would believe.

He has presented BBC Radio 6 Music's Beat of the Day, performed on BBC Radio 4, and gigged with Kae Tempest, John Hegley, Arthur Smith, The Fall, Jerry Sadowitz and (sort of) Dr John Cooper Clarke. He has also recently completed a UK tour with The Lovely Eggs.

He co-hosted spoken word franchise Bang Said the Gun's Manchester events during its run at The Dancehouse Theatre and his recent one-man show, Swear School (a crash course in everything you wanted to know about bad language - with puppets), toured nationally.

His flamboyant use of profanity once saw the official Edinburgh Fringe radio station temporarily closed down and he has been kidnapped on two separate and unconnected occasions.

BEIJA FLO:
https://iambeijaflo.bandcamp.com

Impossible to pin down, Beija Flo’s sound is one that encompasses everything from open hearted balladry to acerbic punk. Tackling everything from love and relationships through to mental and sexual health, she is truly an artist for our times, juxtaposing her darkest moments against those of enduring hope. To witness Beija Flo live is an unforgettable experience. Songs, performance and costumes aside she provokes a conversation that many would shy away from. Beija Flo’s reality is weaved through music, poetry and the narrative she shares with an ever growing audience.

An Essex-native, Beija Flo now calls Liverpool her home. Involved in lots of happenings in the burgeoning arts scene, she is a regular life-model, part of the Eggy Records fold of exciting bands and artists, and a member of performing arts collective The Secret Circus. Spontaneous and with an undying lust for creative output, it’s impossible to say what she’ll turn her hand to next. 2019 release ‘Nudes' was accompanied by an exhibition featuring self-portrait photography, along with illustration and video. She boxed off this special fortnight with an evening of live entertainment that featured the solo Beija we have seen before, followed by main support Beija on piano; and then headline Beija with the first outing of her full band. All three acts compelling and personal.

She has made a name for herself at independent music venues throughout the UK by rocking up with her laptop and leotard and demonstrating her deep ability to captivate audiences with this simple set up. Beija Flo’s live set has now evolved into a full band experience. Sometimes she is found on the piano, sometimes just her poems, but she is always the centre of attention.

Her attention is currently placed on finishing work on a trio of singles to be released as soon as she is ready. There’s a world to be built around them, that’s for sure.

All of Beija Flo’s music, along with a selection of poetry, merch and artwork, is available on her Bandcamp, with all the proceeds funding the next releases: https://iambeijaflo.bandcamp.com/

Sign up to Beija Flo’s new newsletter: http://eepurl.com/hBLXdX

OORYA:
https://www.facebook.com/OORYAMUSIC
https://www.instagram.com/oorya.oorya

OORYA //. WHO R YA? A queer punk neurodivergent sonic excavation.
Guitar, Synth, Beats, Bass, James The Emotional Support Giraffe & a massive red pipe

JACK DEAN:
https://soundcloud.com/jackdeanmusic

Jack Dean is a songwriter and musician originally from Leicester now based in Madrid where he is currently recording his first album.

In 2019 he resurrected his work as a solo performer after some time away and began touring Europe whilst putting together the songs that are due to make up his first record.

During the first lockdown he collaborated with Flora Hibberd and Viq Tar on their confinement album ’Shine A Signal’ and composed 40 songs in as many days for his own ‘Lockdown Demonstrations’.

He has previously toured and recorded with American singer/songwriter Jake Shane as well as having a brief stint as lead singer and songwriter in post-punk trio ‘Deep Song’.

His songs are driven by dark humour, lyricism and apocalyptic story-telling and are influenced musically by classic singer/songwriters in both the rock and folk traditions.