Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Rosalita, Cheeky Cheeky and the Nosebleeds, James Severy at the Circus Circus and Vanilla Kick will perform at the grade 2 listed building in the heart of Suffolk's county town.

The gig will be a celebration of the local musical talent that has featured on the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Introducing section of this website and on Stephen Foster's Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio Suffolk show.

"This is a very strong bill," said Rosalita's keyboard player Ben Groom. "Both us and the Cheekys are off on national tours in October, which speaks well of the area."

The medieval church which became the St Nicholas Centre has a colourful history and apparently hosted the baptism of Cardinal Wolsey, Henry VIII's right hand man.

But younger generations have different memories of the church which is shadowed by Sir Norman Foster's iconic Willis building.

"We used to see loads of people hang around here when we were younger but it looks really nice now," said Cheeky Cheeky and the Nosebleeds singer Charlie Dobney.

Fellow singer Rory Cottam welcomed the news that the former church is to be used as a live music venue: "It's brilliant for Ipswich to have a venue this size and we're really looking forward to playing it.

"The pillars bow inwards so don't worry if you come in and think the ceiling is going to collapse.

"Yeah, we've done a full architectural survey and structurally it's as sound as a pound," added Charlie.

Three piece Vanilla Kick, who are all under 18, hail from Eye and their emotive and experimental rock will be at home in the atmospheric building.

"It's nice to play such a suited venue," said drummer Harry Hall. "It looks really good and I'm really looking forward to the night.

"We've always struggled to find a quality venue in Ipswich that suits our style of music, so this is going to be great."

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Introducing

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Suffolk Introducing's link up with our colleagues at Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio One has helped secure some prestigious exposure for three of the bands on the bill.

Cheeky Cheeky and the Nosebleeds were nominated to play at the Glastonbury Festival, whilst Rosalita and James Severy at the Circus Circus were invited to record sessions at Maida Vale.

"It's one of those days you will never forget," said James Severy. "There's history dripping from the walls so you can't fail to be impressed,Μύoverawed even.

"You get sucked into the light and if you're lucky you'll be spat back out with a session you're proud to share with the world."

The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Suffolk Introducing gig will be the first time James, who has been hard at work on an album commissioned for a label in Japan, will be playing with his full band.

"I'm bringing a vicious band of Londonites to join me on the platform. We won't be playing many gigs this year so this will be a rare chance to witness our travelling circus."

As for Rosalita, they're used to playing in a variety of venues, touring endlessly up and down the UK.

But the last gig they hosted in Ipswich was in front of 500 people at a sold out show in the Ipswich Caribbean Association, so it's going to be a lucky few who get to witness their slot in October.

"We spent much of the first year of Rosalita building a following in Ipswich so now these shows are amongst the most special," Ben said.

"We've been doing a lot of writing in preparation for our next EP so hopefully there will be some new songs in our set which we're excited about playing."

Ticket details

All of the tickets for the gig have now been sold and none will be available on the door.

Doors open at 7pm.