It’s a bargain to see best bands at Milton Rooms, Malton

On April 12 headline act The Nightcreatures bring the old blues and Mardi Gras beats of New Orleans to the venue, supported by the rootsy musicianship of Jenni Wren and Her Borrowed Wings.

More great music is on offer on April 28 when independent singer songwriter Joe Martin brings his Empty Passenger Seat to the Milton Rooms. Artists such as Garth Brooks, Faith Hill and Taylor Swift have had career-defining moments at Nashville’s Bluebird Café and Joe wowed critics when he appeared there.

Other April highlights include The Moondogs on April 6, the American Four Tops Motown Show on the 26th and The Sounds of Simon on the April 27.

Looking ahead to next month, don’t miss The Killerz, back by popular demand on May 18...

The Milton Rooms is run by volunteers, so why not join the friendly team? There are interesting roles to suit everyone and if you work front of house or behind the bar, you can also enjoy the events while helping out. Email info@themiltonrooms.com for more information.

New events are being added to the programme all the time, so head over to www.themiltonrooms.com to see what’s coming up through the whole year and to book tickets.

April

Saturday, April 6: The Moondogs are regarded as one of the UK’s leading 1960s tribute bands and perform all over the country and Europe. Their raw, high-energy performances have often been described by audiences as being as close to replicating what shows were really like back in those magical days of the late 1950s and swinging 60s. Prepare to be transported back as The Moondogs perform iconic hits from The Beatles, The Who, The Kinks, The Rolling Stones, The Searchers, The Swinging Blue Jeans, The Hollies, Chuck Berry, The Everly Brothers, Cliff Richard and many more. 8pm. Tickets £12.

Friday, April 12: The Nightcreatures - Farewell to Storyville, Songs and Stories from New Orleans supported by Jenny Wren and Her Borrowed Wings. The Nightcreatures duo, Henry Botham (piano) and Tom Davies (guitar and vocals) go on a journey to old New Orleans, singing songs and telling the stories behind them. Old blues, Mardi Gras songs and classic New Orleans material are explored, drawing on the musical heritage of Dr John, James Booker, Professor Longhair and all the great Louisiana bluesmen. Jenny Wren and Her Borrowed Wings are an interesting and inventive rhythm and blues trio, who deliver a jazzed-up bombardment of rootsy musicianship. 8pm. Tickets £15.

Sunday, April 14: Lazy Sunday – Featuring Phil Hooley and Abbey Follansbee. Informal music sessions held in the Studio Bar on Sundays 3pm–6pm. Admission free (donations welcome!).

Friday, April 19: Hilarity Bites – Alfie Joey, Patrick Draper and host Tony Jameson. For over two decades, Alfie Joey has been in demand as a host, comic and speaker in the corporate, entertainment and charity sectors. Since Patrick Draper first ambled on to the stage in October 2011, he has cemented his place on the UK comedy circuit with a mixed bag of deadpan jokes, visual gags and songs. Since starting in September 2008, Tony Jameson has established himself firmly as one of the brightest prospects in the North East comedy scene and takes audiences on a tour of the inner workings of his mind and the strange things that happen in his life. 8pm. Tickets £10.

Thursday, April 25: Ryedale Blues Club – Redfish Blues Band. Redfish make a welcome return to Ryedale Blues Club. UK Blues Award nominees, they have not only developed a distinctive and defining style of their own, featuring the vocal and guitar talents of Christian Sharpe and the swirling Hammond organ of Steve McGuckin, they have collaborated with the very best in the blues community as featured artists on the superb Cinelli Brothers-produced album No Country For Bluesmen. 8pm. Tickets £10.

Friday, April 26: Soul Satisfaction – American Four Tops Motown Show. Direct from the USA, Soul Satisfaction bring all the sweet soul music and the Motown magic with powerful vocals, splendid harmonies and the high-stepping dance routines. You will be taken on a journey through all the hits of the Four Tops, including Reach Out, Baby I Need Your Loving, Walk Away Renee and Same Old Song plus other classic hits from this golden era including songs from the Temptations, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Marvin Gaye and Ben E King. 8pm. Tickets £20.

Saturday, April 27: The Sounds of Simon. Back by popular demand following their sold out show in 2022, The Sounds of Simon are the UK’s leading tribute to the music of Simon & Garfunkel. They explore the friendship that led to songs such as Mrs Robinson, The Sound of Silence and Bridge Over Troubled Water. The full band also run through the pair’s solo careers, with songs such as You Can Call Me Al, Graceland and Art’s smash hit, Bright Eyes. 8pm. Tickets £14.

Sunday, April 28: Joe Martin – Empty Passenger Seat. Joe Martin is an independent singer-songwriter and modern day troubadour who, as a youngster listening to a wide range of genres from the 60s pop of the Beatles and Beach Boys to American folk artists like Simon and Garfunkel and Bob Dylan, knew he wanted to recreate that magic feeling of a captivating story through songwriting. His descriptive lyrics capture the stories of people and encounters picked up on the road. Tales of friends and strangers blend seamlessly with Joe’s own experiences into songs that paint a picture with every verse. 8pm. Tickets £15.

May

Friday, May 17: Divorced, Beheaded, Died – An Evening with King Henry VIII. The year is 1544 and King Henry, the eighth of that name, is engaged upon Royal Progress about his Realm; and has halted in Malton to afford his loyal subjects the opportunity to have ‘audience’ with their Sovereign Lord and King. This one-man, two-act show, from the Select Society Theatre Company, has toured extensively including to the USA. Henry will recount the events of his life and long reign, telling of his wives and of his children. The second Act concludes with a Q&A in which the audience is invited to pose questions on any related topic – a lively session is assured! 7.30pm. Not suitable for under-12s.Tickets £12.50.

Saturday, May 18: The Killerz. Back by popular demand, The Killerz are one of the original tribute acts to The Killers. Described as being as exciting as the real thing by many fans, The Killerz continue to please followers with a set list of new and old chart hits that includes The Man, Caution, Human and, of course, Mr Brightside. Visual backdrops, lighting effects and a blast of Killer confetti add to the magic. 8pm. Tickets £20.

Thursday, May 30: Ryedale Blues Club – Dirty Ruby. A five-piece contemporary but eclectic sharp-edged blues band hailing from the East Midlands, Dirty Ruby have been compared to 1970s rock bands Stone the Crows and Vinegar Joe, with their energetic style of Blues Rock featuring Hammond organ, beautiful bluesy guitar, a tight rhythm section and soulful, well-delivered lead vocals. 8pm. Tickets £10.