With Craig Charles and The Blockheads the first concerts confirmed!
A new, 800 standing capacity venue, The Box, is launching within Portsmouth Guildhall with the first concerts set to take place in the new space confirmed as Craig Charles – Funk & Soul Club and The Blockheads!
Following the closure of a live music venue within The Pyramids in 2020, the city has been missing a medium-sized performance space for standing gigs which Portsmouth Guildhall is now able to fill with the creation of The Box.
By essentially creating a box within the Guildhall’s larger auditorium, a smaller and more intimate performance space will be created which has a very different look and feel for customers and the artists performing.
The first concert to take place in The Box on 20th November will be one of the most loved bands of the 70s, The Blockheads, who will perform a large selection of their classic songs spanning over five decades including ‘What a Waste’, ‘Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll’, ‘Hit Me with Your Rhythm Stick’ and ‘Reasons to be Cheerful, Part 3’.
Formed in 1977 and originally fronted by lead singer Ian Dury, the band has continued to perform since Ian’s death in 2000. The band still boasts original members Chaz Jankel (guitar and keyboards), Mick Gallagher (keyboards and piano) and John Turnbull (vocals and guitar) along with an impressive band including John Roberts and Nathan King with a rolling line-up of saxophonists and their new lead vocalist to be announced.
Following on 31st March 2023 will be Craig Charles – Funk & Soul Club. From Red Dwarf to Robot Wars to Radio 6 and Radio 2 via the cobbles of Coronation Street, Charles’ career has seen him transform from respected actor to musical icon with seventeen years of broadcasting under his belt!
Craig’s pioneering BBC 6 Music Funk and Soul Show was born in 2002 and has since broadcast live every Saturday night with an assortment of emerging talents and classic gems, earning him global support and recognition as one of the UK’s foremost funk and soul tastemakers, DJs and promoters of new music.
Chief Executive Officer of The Guildhall Trust and The Box, Andy Grays said “We are delighted to be launching The Box within Portsmouth Guildhall. I have had several conversations with promoters over the past year who were taking some fantastic artists elsewhere because there wasn’t a space within the city with the right capacity to suit their needs. With The Box we hope to have solved that problem for them whilst also creating a clear route of progression for emerging talent who are building their following in Portsmouth which is great news for the city’s music scene!”
With interest in the new facility from several regional and national promoters, further concerts are set to be announced soon. People are urged to keep an eye on the website and the Guildhall’s social media for updates as they happen.
Tickets for Craig Charles – Funk & Soul Club and The Blockheads are on sale now!