Concerts-Performances
Events
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An Dannsa Dub – future dub from Ancient Scotland
We are pleased to welcome An Dannsa Dub for their first major performance in Cumbria. Music is one big conversation. And few bands live at the heart of it like...
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Me And My Friends
“A sublime fusion that combines pastoral dreaminess with the heat of highlife and Afrobeat sounds” Songlines “Such interesting influences… beautiful” Cerys Matthews Me and My Friends play soulful, poignant music...
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Ahmed Dickinson & Eduardo Martin
Eduardo Martin, the Grammy nominated and multiple life-time achievement award-winning Cuban guitarist and composer, joins forces with fellow award-winning, London based Cuban musician, Ahmed Dickinson - a guitarist described as...
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Philip Clouts Quartet – Melodic Jazz with inspirations from around the world
The South African roots of Cape Town born pianist/composer Philip Clouts have inspired a voyage of discovery that has lead him to soaking up the joyful passion of Caribbean calypso,...
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Tamsin Elliott (Solana) & Tarek Elazhary
Come an enjoy a first time exclusive performance as Tamsin Elliott brings her new music project to Cumbria. "There is a rich thread of collaboration throughout, one which both celebrates...
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Antique Fair
We have a series of three Antique Fairs over a three month period. 26th September & 31st October. Whether your taste is jewellery, ceramics, glass, fine art, toys, militaria or...
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The Brothers Gillespie
Described by Folk Radio UK as ‘weaving an especially compelling magic’, and 'showing British acoustic music in its best possible light’, Northumbrian duo The Brothers Gillespie make music that is...
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Dub N Grub Ft Mungo’s Hi Fi
FeaturedVery special guests Mungo's Hi Fi DJ set. Long time friends of North Fire Sound. Now a well known name in reggae & dubwise music across the globe. Mungo's have...
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Hedera (Quintet)
FeaturedHedera is a new Bristol-based quintet of instrumentalists brought together by a desire to lean into the slower and more delicate side of European folk traditions. Their growing repertoire draws...
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Dub N Grub – North Fire Sound meets Mighty Oak Sound System
For the first time we are inviting a guest sound system and crew. Mighty Oak Sound System have been friends with the North Fire crew for many years and it...
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Olivia Fern – Spring Tour – support from Anne Marie Sanderson plus free Women’s singing workshop
Based in amongst the wild natural beauty of the Lake District Olivia’s music is deeply rooted in her connection to the living earth. With a quality of the liminal to...
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Dub N Grub presents Iration Steppas
FeaturedIration Steppas have played all over the world from Mexico to New York, Yorkshire to Barcelona. What an pleasure to bring one of the most respected sound man and music...
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The Mystery of the Blue Moon Saloon
SHOW CANCELLED DUE TO ILLNESS AND WITHDRAWAL OF A CAST MEMBER. Show performed by Cumbrian theatre company "Ragged Edge Productions. Devised and Performed by Stefan Escreet, Peter Macqueen and Claire...
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Rory McLeod
It is a real pleasure to bring Rory McLeod back to Upfront Arts Venue as he was the first person to ever perform in the newly built arts venue many...
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Tony McManus & Julia Toaspern
This concert has moved to the new date of 30th June as Upfront totally flooded, due to the extreme weather conditions on 22nd May. We have been working non stop...
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Mishra (World Folk Music)
Mishra are a global folk band from the UK gathering international recognition, who draw together roots in UK traditional music with continent-spanning musical textures into a breathtaking 5 piece performance....
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An Evening Of Music & Food With The Upfront Kitchen & Paddy Rogan (Live)
FeaturedA brand new free event for Upfront Arts Venue We welcome you to enjoy an evening in the gallery barn with a full menu provided by the Upfront Kitchen. Enjoy...
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Dub N Grub presents Omega Nebula (Live)
FeaturedUsual activity at Dub N Grub - food served from 6:30pm Music played on the North Fire Sound - Reggae sound system for the full audio experience This time we...
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The Madalitso Band (Malawi)
'Madalitso band are a two man musical army from Malawi. Described as 'Uplifting and Vibrant' by the BBC, they get crowds beaming with wonder and on their feet dancing every...
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Dub N Grub presents Solo Banton
FeaturedDub N Grub is proud to welcome one of the UK's top mic men, vocalist & host to a special intimate session at Upfront all played on the full North...
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Raz & Afla
FeaturedRaz Olsher & Afla Sackey: a bond that fuels a dynamic and effortless musical relationship. Their music represents a harmonious union of African influences with electronic music, full of soul,...
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Christmas Wreath Making Workshop
Work with the amazing Bloomhead from the North East. Bloomhead is an independent Eco Floral Designer, Wedding Florist, and creator of Seasonal Wreaths & Bouquets. This is a great opportunity...
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Kris Drever & Chris Stout
FeaturedKris Drever and Chris Stout are icons of the Scottish roots culture and two of the most powerful contemporary voices to sing out of it in the last quarter century....
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Dub N Grub presents North Fire Sound meets Sinai Sound System
FeaturedDub N Grub is back for 2025 with the first event happening at the end of this month. This is another first time event for Cumbria as we welcome internationally...
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An evening of music & food with Upfront Kitchen Ft Heather Cartwright
FeaturedBio:Guitarist and singer, Heather Cartwright, resides in Glasgow after the completion of her degree in Traditional Music at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland; "Talent and years of dedication have created...
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Guy Davis
Featured‘Ambassador of the Blues’ Guy Davis is a two time, back-to-back Grammy nominee, a recipient of the Blues Foundation's, "Keeping the Blues Alive Award" in Theatre, has over two dozen...
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Dub N Grub presents Messenger Sound System Ft Ista Lion & Afrikan Simba
FeaturedWe kick off the Dub N Grub after summer season. Inviting guest sound system Messenger all the way from Edinburgh Scotland. Stevie Messenger has been promoting and playing roots sound...
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An Evening of Music & Food with Upfront Kitchen Ft Blanty
FeaturedBlantys enthusiasm for music & life is contagious, his songs are very catchy, his music is distinctly individual in a wonderful way. The dynamics of Blantys guitar playing & songs...
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Nancy’s Orange + The Butterfly Collector
IN THIS UNIQUE double-bill, two actor-writers—GRACE KIRKBY & PETER MACQUEEN perform their own one-person shows, each directed by the other. Grace Kirby as a put-upon but compassionate NHS delivery driver, carrying...
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Dub N Grub presents Aba Shanti i & North Fire Sound
We are pleased to welcome back Aba Shanti i The last time he performed at Upfront he blew the roof off the place. He will be playing a set on...
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Kris Drever (solo) support from Polly Paulusma
Kris Drever is among Scotland’s most acclaimed and distinctive contemporary musicians, celebrated for his warm voice, virtuosically expressive guitar playing and imaginative and evocative songwriting. Raised in the Orkney Islands,...
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The Breath
FeaturedThe Breath is Manchester-based guitarist Stuart McCallum and singer/flautist Ríoghnach Connolly. They met on the city’s gig circuit in the late noughties. An unlikely pairing though it was, he an...
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Kathryn Tickell & Amy Thatcher
FeaturedThe intuitive musical interplay between Kathryn and Amy is born out of a long-standing creative friendship. Kathryn's pipes marry beautifully with Amy's exquisite accordion playing. A cascade of jigs, reels,...
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Dub N Grub presents Soothsayers & North Fire Sound
FeaturedThe secret of Soothsayers’ longevity is down to the band’s evolution,keeping them relevant in changing times .The band have produced 11 top quality studio albums showcasing song writing that exudes...
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Oxford Concert Party
FeaturedTake 300 years of music from around the world, turn it upside down, infuse it with humour, energy, passion and pathos - and you have the recipe with which the...
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Steel Foxes, Uncle Carbunkle & North Fire Sound (DJ)
FeaturedSteel Foxes are an 8 piece band from Cumbria that have made a solid impression on new audiences across the festival scene last summer. As they get ready for another...
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Ahmed Dickinson Cárdenas and Eduardo Martín (Classical Guitar Concert)
FeaturedThis April, The Bridge returns to the beautiful Upfront Gallery with a powerful new chapter in their story. After their electrifying debut, Ahmed Dickinson Cárdenas and Eduardo Martín reunite to...
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Dub N Grub presents Channel One Ft Ras Sherby plus North Fire Sound & Friends
FeaturedAs Dub N Grub slowly works its way through some of the UK's top ranking sound system DJs & mic men. After trying to make this happen for many year...
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Jack Broadbent
FeaturedIn 2026, Jack Broadbent hits the road in support of Orchids, a deeply personal new album recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studios. The record, which earned early acclaim and led...

