As we launch into February of 2024, I’m here to shine a light on an incredible venue in Dartington (near Totnes) called THINGS HAPPEN HERE and showcase a few of the gigs that they are hosting.
If you’ve never been to the venue, you’re in for a treat, they stock an immense range of craft ales, ciders and many other drinks to suit all tastes, there’s a pizza place onsite (Pizzalogica) and in the summer, you can sit and soak up the rays whilst bands and DJ’s entertain you from the outside stage, heaven!
I’ve been lucky enough to catch a few shows at the venue in the past (The Wedding Present, Colour TV, Mike Joyce (yes, him from The Smiths) and many more) but it’s what is to come this year that really excited me. I have detailed just a few of them below to whet your appetite and make you buy tickets, if you don’t, you’ll be sorry and only have yourself to blame so get them ordered, head down, get a drink and let the venue put its arms around you and give you a nice TQ9 cuddle!
RHODA DAKAR - Friday February 24th - Support from Ska Au Go Go
First up, a killer DJ set courtesy of the one and only RHODA DAKAR who was a key member of THE BODYSNATCHERS (a seven piece all female ska British SKA band) whose first single was a double A-side "Let's Do Rock Steady" backed with "Ruder Than You". It reached # 22 in the UK Singles Chart .The band were invited to appear on Top of the Pops, to tour with The Selecter and to record a session for BBC Radio 1 disc jockey John Peel. Their second single "Easy Life" coupled with their version of Bob Andy's "Too Experienced" reached number 50.
Dakar also collaborated with The Specials. Her duet with Terry Hall, "I Can't Stand It", appeared on the album More Specials. She also sang backing vocals on Pearl's Cafe on the album. After The Specials announced their break up in 1981, Jerry Dammers formed The Special AKA, along with Dakar and John Bradbury. Their first single release, "The Boiler", reached # 35 in the UK Singles Chart in 1982.
Dakar performed on The Special AKA album In the Studio, which featured the UK Top 10 single "Free Nelson Mandela". The album reached # 34 in the UK Albums Chart.
Her first solo album, Cleaning in Another Woman's Kitchen, was released in November 2007 on Moon Ska World. It featured acoustic versions of songs from the Bodysnatchers as well as material co-written with Nick Welsh, who attended the same comprehensive school as Buster Bloodvessel, and who recorded as King Hammond in the early 1990s. Dakar and Welsh released a garage rock album Back to the Garage on N1 Records in April 2009.
In 2009, she was the featured guest vocalist on the song "On the Town" on the Madness album The Liberty of Norton Folgate. She performed the track at their Madstock show in Victoria Park, London in July 2009.
In 2015, she returned to the studio to re-record The Bodysnatchers tracks for the album Rhoda Dakar Sings the Bodysnatchers. The line up for the recording included Lynval Golding and Horace Panter from The Specials, plus members of Pama International and Intensified.
In 2022, Rhoda had a guest appearance on the song "As We Live" on the album "In the Wild" by The Interrupters.
SNUFF (ACOUSTIC) - Saturday March 2nd - Support from Mike Only and Julia Seizure (DJ Set)
Next up we have the lovable punk rockers SNUFF who will be gracing Devon with their presence for one night only as they perform a full ACOUSTIC set.
I have seen SNUFF play a lot over the past 20 years and their show NEVER disappoints but I will admit that I have not seen them perform acoustically and I am very excited to see their music played in this way.
You may remember SNUFF as the band that did a cover of ‘I Think We’re Alone Now’, written and composed by Ritchie Cordell and was first recorded by Tommy James and the Shondells before many artists including Tiffany Darwish (better known as US pop star Tiffany) bought the song to a younger demographic in 1987 after her tour of many USA shopping malls (as seen in her video to her version of the track).
With 11 albums and 6 EPs in the bag, the setlist is sure to be varied and I for one will be there on the night to see how it all goes down, there may be a few less crowd surfers and stage divers than at their usual ‘full on’ live shows but the feeling will be there nonetheless and I wouldn’t miss that for all the tea in China!
CHEWY SHE - Friday March 8th - Support to be announced
Following SNUFF is the theatrical and immersive disco world of CHEWY SHE, an Electro-disco band that have been making waves mixing fat electro bass, the grooviness of disco and spontaneity of punk.
Their live shows feature exuberant costumes, supreme musicianship and the initiation of all present into the darkly ironic, theatrical and immersive universe of CHEWY SHE.
More than a gig, this is a theatrical and immersive experience not to be missed!
Cerys Matthews of BBC Radio 6 is a big fan….“I am a huge fan of their playing and musicality. There is definitely a correlation between CHEWY SHE and David Bowie By being an artist that keeps pushing herself, exploring, testing, and learning different forms of art.”
This gig is part of TQ9s women led Totnes X Festival. Totnes X is an initiative which shines a light on the value of equal gender participation and representation across a broad spectrum of arts in our town.
SUBHUMANS - Saturday April 6th - Support from Plymouth Cabaret Punks Bus Station Loonies and DJ Ali Up
Since 1980, Subhumans have been delivering their punk energy round the planet, with a series of great albums and over 1200 gigs to date.
Their unique style of punk and socially conscious songs remain as relevant and energised as they were 40 years ago.
Support comes in the form of cabaret punks Bus Station Loonies and DJ Ali Up.
AWEN ENSEMBLE - Saturday 20th April - Support from Georgie Buchanan
The Jazz Syndicate presents Awen Ensemble, a seven piece Leeds based alternative jazz collective who are making waves on the contemporary jazz scene with festival appearances at the like of Green Man, regular radio play on BBC 6 Music (Giles Paterson being a particular fan) and after a string of well received singles, a much anticipated debut album ‘Cadair Idris’ due out in April.
Playing both vocal led and instrumental music that takes inspiration from the modal tradition, spiritual jazz, and folk music found across the globe, Awen Ensemble create compositions that are melodically focused and groove driven.
Featuring spoken word, shimmering instrumentation and a Celtic mystique, Awen Ensemble bring a unique offering to the jazz table that will appeal to both jazz fans and alternative music lovers.
“Beautiful, beautiful composition.” – Jamz Supernova, BBC Radio 6
“an expansive folk-jazz workout.” – CLASH Magazine
“Brilliant… a really great band.” – Gilles Peterson, BBC Radio 6
“The Folk-Jazz Revival is most definitely on.” – UNCUT Magazine
Support is from outstanding Leeds based contemporary folk singer and harpist Georgie Buchanan whos debut album ‘Wise as a Fool’ draws on influences such as tales of ancient Celtic Goddesses and great folk singers from Peggy Seeger to Joni Mitchell.
So there you have it, five incredible shows happening at THINGS HAPPEN HERE in the heart of Dartington, just outside of Totnes. For more information about the venue, and to see which other events they are hosting, click HERE
