Tag: kirklees

Maisy Brown to play Dewsbury Community Christmas

About the event

On Saturday 6 November, Dewsbury town centre will be filled with family-friendly festivities – the perfect recipe for a fun day out, with a fantastic selection of entertainment for all ages!

Christmas in Dewsbury will stem from the brand new public space out front of the town hall and across to the Prince of Wales precinct, including a traditional Christmas market, a community music stage, and even a fun Santa’s grotto.

Best of all, everything’s completely free.

Say hello to Santa
To make this event as fabulous as possible, we’re working with the Arcade Group – the community organisation set to manage the Dewsbury Arcade when it reopens next year. On the day of the event, the Arcade Group have even agreed to loan out their pop-up shop to Santa for his grotto, and have teamed up with more local businesses to hide some sneaky Christmas elves around the town centre… Do you think you can find them all?

Live performances
Our music stage will host loads of local acts throughout the day – including our very own Maisy Brown, bhangra artist Hardeep Sahota, singer Mitchy, the Yorkshire Folk Choir and the Musica Combined Children’s Choir.

Local children’s theatre company Tell Tale Hearts will be performing their much-loved Trunk Tales – through which children can hear stories and adventures from all across the globe – with a special winter theme, along with Topsy Turvy Theatre who, in conjunction with Creative Scene, will be performing their special festive production Christopher’s Christmas.

There’ll be more walkabout performances around the town centre throughout the day, including Christmas elves ‘Ebor n Gum’, Huddersfield Samba, and a beautiful giant barn owl called Thingumajig.

Get creative and crafty
There’ll also be lots of opportunities to get crafty at Christmas in Dewsbury! ‘Make and take’ activities through WOVEN will include the chance to make your own festive rag wreath, using recycled textiles, and take it away on the day. The Creative Scene ‘Pow Space’ will provide an open space for art and creativity. And local artist Ruth Dyer is creating a giant interactive colouring wall especially for the event – come along and make your mark.

Location: Dewsbury Town Centre, Dewsbury, WF13 1DQ

MachineAfro-Funk Meets Soul: Ibibio Sound Machine with Kirklees Most Wanted’s Hannah Rowe at The Parish!

Get ready for an explosive night of music as London’s sensational electronic afro-funk collective, Ibibio Sound Machine, prepare to tear the roof off The Parish in Huddersfield on Friday, November 7, 2025. Adding a massive dose of local pride to the bill, they will be supported by Kirklees’ own rising star, Hannah Rowe. Having cultivated a powerful, soulful, and jazz-infused sound with her seven-piece band, Hannah is no stranger to the local scene—she’s a successful participant in the Kirklees Most Wanted project and recently thrilled crowds at the KMW Showcase and the WRXL After party at amped. Don’t miss this chance to see one of the region’s most exciting talents open for a global powerhouse!

The Headliners: Ibibio Sound Machine 💥
Ibibio Sound Machine is led by the magnetic Nigerian vocalist Eno Williams, whose lyrics are often drawn from her mother’s folk tales and told in the Ibibio language of Nigeria. Their sound is an irresistible mash-up: a clash of electronic elements with the golden era of West African funk and disco.

The eight-piece band has garnered international acclaim for their exhilarating live shows, building a reputation across major festivals like Glastonbury and WOMAD. Their latest material, following the success of albums like Electricity, promises a blend of raw energy and powerful synth-funk grooves that will transform The Parish into a sweat-soaked, all-night dance club. Prepare for an infectious performance that is as rhythmically complex as it is joyously danceable.

The Support: Hannah Rowe (Kirklees Most Wanted) 🎤
Opening the evening is the sensational Hannah Rowe, a local vocalist from the Leeds/Huddersfield area who has quickly become a standout on the UK’s independent music scene. Backed by her trio rather than her usual mighty 7-piece band, this is your change to catch Hannah delivering a more stripped down set of a sophisticated blend of R&B, Soul, and Jazz, drawing comparisons to artists like Raye and Cleo Sol.

Her recent appearances, including a knockout set at the Kirklees Most Wanted Showcase and the high-energy WRXL After party at amped, have firmly cemented her status as one-to-watch. Her voice is described as “timeless,” and her band’s captivating passion is palpable. This performance at The Parish is a fantastic opportunity to see a truly homegrown talent step up to a major support slot and showcase the powerful, authentic music she has been refining right here in Kirklees.

Event Details
What: Ibibio Sound Machine with special guest Hannah Rowe
Where: The Parish, Huddersfield
When: Friday, 7 November 2025
Time: Doors at 20:00

Tickets: General admission tickets are available for £27.50 (plus booking fee). Check The Parish website or major ticketing agents like See Tickets to secure your spot! (Note: This event is 14+ with an adult companion required for 14-17 year olds).

https://parishevents.seetickets.com/whitelabels/event/ibibio-sound-machine/parish/DF-3437755

Good Good Blood

His music is the product of trusting his ear and his creative vision alike, telling stories in his own interesting way. This is an attribute I am always drawn to in an artist, especially in a genre such as folk. The intimacy of each tale sat alongside his experimental recording techniques make for a unique listening experience, reminiscent of autumn in the countryside.