A SUNDAY IN SEPTEMBER 2026

Event information

A SUNDAY IN SEPTEMBER 2026 is the sixth annual all-day boutique festival of eclectic, progressive and alternative music, held in a delightful and comfortable (mostly seated) venue in Balham, South London. As always, the day comprises an afternoon set followed by an interval to allow for a meal before the commencement of the evening set.

SOLSTICE have been riding a wave an exuberant wave of positivity in the latest chapter of a story that began in the early eighties Neo-prog scene at London’s Marquee club. Experience the stunning energy, captivating melodies, and epic musicianship of a band at the height of their powers - voted Best Band in Prog magazine’s latest annual Prog Awards. Featuring the mesmerizing vocals of Jess Holland and a lineup praised by PROG Magazine as “riding a wave of inspiration,” this is a show that will lift your spirits and leave you in awe.
Don’t miss this chance to witness a band loved by luminaries like Steven Wilson and Greg Spawton of Big Big Train, delivering a performance that truly embodies the spirit of progressive rock.
“I loved them then and I love them now... it’s a life affirming, joyous sound – Steven Wilson (solo, Porcupine Tree)

ABRASIVE TREES take their name from a Buddhist description of a hallucination-like nightmare realm. Led by Matthew Rochford (Silver Moth/Rothko), with Jay Newton (Quiet Quiet Band/Talitha Rise), Will Tyler (Talitha Rise), Georgia Swallow (The Bridge) and visual artist Jess Wooller they display a willingness to experiment alongside a sound that sits loosely within an experimental rock, or post-rock aesthetic. Exploring themes of loss, turmoil, and spiritual realisation, they use a combination of distorted and reverb-drenched guitars, intricate melodies and driving drumbeats to create a sense of atmosphere and intensity. When they use lyrics they’re often cryptic and evocative, painting vivid pictures of complex emotional landscapes.

FLINT MOORE are an award-winning band who mix influences from 90s Grunge, Post-Rock, Prog, and orchestral music. Explosive in their sound and stage presence, they hold a unique voice, one that's steeped in the complexities of human emotion and the inevitabilities of life. Their sound is an exploration of hopeful despair, a contradiction that resonates through their music. They navigate the dualities of existence - pain and death, yet also openness and infinite possibility.
Drawing inspiration from 90s and 00s icons like Tool, Radiohead, and Pearl Jam, they've carved a voice for themselves that respects their revolutionary sounds while pushing their own boundaries.
The last 18 months has seen the release of their debut album, The Aches and The End, and its three successful headline UK tours.
“’The Aches and the End’ has all the makings of a classic already and could well be one of the most important albums of the twenty-first century. Seriously, it’s that good. Absolutely jaw dropping, a sublime work of art –“ Paul Monkhouse, Metal Planet Music

DOMINIC SANDERSON places his foot firmly in the 70s prog-rock camp! With influences ranging from King Crimson, Van der Graaf Generator and Steven Wilson, through to Canterbury Scene giants Caravan and Soft Machine, Sanderson and his band bring a raw, untamed and aggressive sound! After taking his first steps into the world of progressive rock with the “Discarded Memories” EP (2020) and his debut album, “Impermanence” (2023), Sanderson and his band recorded Blazing Revelations, which made its way into many 2025 end-of-year best-of lists. This album showcases an eclectic array of styles, from the symphonic approaches of “From the Weeping Cradle” and “Lullaby for a Broken Dream” to the Canterbury flavours of “Faithless Folly” and the acid folk of “A Rite of Wrongs”. Sanderson and his band are a force to be reckoned with in the live arena, as exemplified by Sanderson’s newest release, “Live Revelations”, a live album recorded at the Birmingham Symphony Hall.

WISE WOMAN blend ancient folk traditions with a bold contemporary flair (Tradfolk), Wise Woman bring a heady collision of lush folk harmonies, cinematic strings and 90s girl power to any stage they set foot on.
The group’s “startling and shimmering” (Folk Wales) songwriting blend of folk, jazz, and musical theatre sounds, has seen them enchant audiences far and wide, from guesting on Radio 3’ In Tune, to opening for Radio 2 Folk Award Winners The Young 'Uns, to festivals including Secret Garden Party, FolkEast and Celtic Connections.
With a repertoire that spans traditional ballads to original compositions on subjects as diverse as fenland witches to drag artists, their powerful music and captivating storytelling transports audiences through a unique and transformative musical experience. Their 2025 EP, Hold the Wonder, is a celebration of a cappella singing which forms a central core of the band's live show.
"YOU GUYS ABSOLUTELY ROCK,"- Radio 3
"RIDICULOUSLY PERFECT HARMONIES" - BBC Leeds

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‘The Bedford’ is a delightful live venue/pub/restaurant/hotel in Balham, just a few minutes' walk from the Northern Line tube station. The beautiful live music room is set up with tables and chairs 'cabaret style', with standing at the back and sides, plus further seating in the balcony area. Good food and drink is available all day; additionally there are many other food options in the streets nearby.
The event aims to be responsive to needs of attendees with disability issues; if you require a reserved seat, please let the organisers know. Children of 14+ are allowed, provided they are accompanied by an adult.