Soundwave Sessions live gigs come to St Luke’s at the former Toys ‘R’ Us store this January.

16th January 2023

Barbican Theatre, Plymouth is excited to announce the first of their Soundwave Sessions gigs for 2023 will be held at the ultra unique venue of the St Luke’s store (former Toys ‘R’ Us) on Western Approach on Thursday 26 January.

This year is launched with an incredible lineup of home grown talent:

Andy Quick Duo

Andy is an eclectic songwriter and laid back storyteller who has played countless festivals nationally and internationally with his projects Land Of The Giants (mashed up ska/rock/reggae) and The Andy Quick Band (retro alt funk/blues)

As a solo performer Andy hits the stage with a soaring voice, shimmering guitar, a thumping foot stomper and a lively bunch of anthems hand picked from 13 years of inspired songwriting with his festival bands.

For the Soundwave Sessions show Andy will be joined by long term collaborator Josie Boucharde on guitar.

Grace Lightman

Grace Lightman writes, produces and performs unique songs inspired by indie disco from the noughties and 70s glam pop and punk. Her most recent body of work 'Deliver Me From Even Caring' takes the listener on a journey through Grace's early twenties as she says goodbye to them.

If Debbie Harry collaborated with the Strokes and Karen Carpenter was on the drums and Bowie at the production helm you might get something that sounds like Grace Lightman.

Aston Icely aka Archane

Plymouth based rapper, singer & beatboxer Aston Icely, aka Archane, performs his own original songs, combining melodic vocals with a mix of Rap, Hip-Hop, & Blues. He has performed across the city and a number of festivals and shows including Respect Festival 2022.

Inside St Luke’s in the former Toys R Us store. Image credit: St Luke’s

Soundwave Sessions are epic gigs at epic venues in the Plymouth area on the last Thursday of the month. The locations of these venues will often not be those traditionally associated with hosting live music (St Luke’s at Toys ‘R’ Us being a prime example) The first Soundwaves gig was held in September 2022 at the beautiful Stoke Damerel Church and the Barbican Theatre have just confirmed the February gig will take place on the 23rd in front of the stunning large, main tank at National Marine Aquarium on Plymouth’s waterfront!

Laura Kriefman, CEO and Artistic Director at Barbican Theatre said

“The St Luke’s store is exactly the sort of venue we hoped to hold one of our Soundwave Sessions in. We want to hold gigs in unique and unusual spaces and a large ex-toy store filled with an abundance of sofas, furniture and other one-of-a-kind items ticks all the boxes. Our production team has some brilliant ideas to make this a gig to remember and we’re also really pleased to have a licensed bar on site for the night as well. The lineup is amazing and with tickets only £10 it won’t break the bank either. We can’t wait for everyone to join us for this epic gig.”

Nina Wearne, Partnerships Manager at St Luke’s, said: “We are excited to be hosting the first of the year Barbican Theatre's Soundwave Sessions at our Western Approach store (former Toys ‘R’ Us). We are looking forward to a unique evening filled with fantastic music. Attendees will also have the opportunity to make any purchases from the shop floor during the interval if anything catches your eye. By coming along to the gig, you will be making a difference to local families, helping our clinical teams to continue to look after people with terminal illness so they can make the most of every day and create precious memories with the people who matter most to them.”

Early bird tickets are on sale now for £10 at barbicantheatre.co.uk (available until 19 January then tickets will be £13) Soundwave Sessions gigs are for ages 16+. As there is alcohol on sale, Challenge 25 will be in place, with photo ID required.

Tickets go on sale for the Thursday 23 February Soundwave Sessions gig at National Marine Aquarium on Thursday 19 January.

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