Amadou Diagne has centuries of West African music at his fingertips. Cory Seznec is a musical wanderer and uncertified ethnomusicologist. A chance encounter while busking in Bath planted the seeds of a collaboration that’s been fermenting now for over a decade. Those seedlings are shooting up into the light with a prestigious Arts Council of England grant and the release of their sophomore album, Plastic Man, recorded at the legendary Real World Studios.

Touki means “journey” in Wolof, Diagne’s mother tongue. Plastic Man focuses on climate change, environmental activism and spiritual matters—drawing together West African fables, personal stories and the social, economic and political challenges facing both developing countries and western ones. This is music that asks ecological, spiritual, and political questions.

Born into a griot family of percussionists and praise singers in Dakar, Diagne is not your ordinary griot. Though he draws heavily on Coastal African sounds and rhythms, he has forged his own identity as a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. A self-taught kora player (he was prohibited from studying in Senegal because he did not descend from a lineage of kora players) and guitarist (he developed a signature style to accompany his powerhouse voice), he has developed a unique and intricate style to accompany his powerful, rich, high-pitched voice, drawing on his skills as a percussionist. His music has been featured in Songlines, BBC 3 Late Junction and fRoots.

A French-American in Paris, Seznec’s fingerstyle guitar-playing is syncopated, polyrhythmic, cross-pollinated and idiosyncratic. He also plays banjo and wades in the deep river of American song. Busking misadventures with Malian musicians in the Paris metro led him to Songhai songsters in Timbuktu and ancient omutibo guitarists in Western Kenya. Feverish touring with the world roots trio Groanbox gave him his sea legs. But a three-year stint in Ethiopia is what cracked everything open. These experiences shaped Seznec into an artist who traces the through-line across musical cultures and whose songs let the past reverberate in the present.

As they sail through the crosscurrents our complex world, Touki understands that the

musical voyage itself is the destination.

“A scintillating sequel to Ali Farka Touré & Ry Cooder’s Talking Timbuktu.” —ROLLING STONE

“A subtle and fresh fusion that is further boosted by Seznec’s voice, a dextrous, resonant drawl that brings out the color of his songs.” —SONGLINES

Tickets

General Admission / Standing - £17 Tickets

Suitable For Ages

All Ages

Arcadio!

A new and upcoming alternative bluesy rock band from Surrey.

Comprising of the founder members of the popular "The What If Generation" rock band. Front man Lee Adaway and drummer Jamie Burgess are now joined by Sinclair Muir on lead guitar and Darren Laken on the bass.

Their collaboration of musical styles and influences gives them a refreshing but memorable style. Soulful lyrics and vocals. Driving precession and mind bending solos make this a true "Soundscape" experience.

Find out more on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/sFseNoJyJMTgq6JZ/

With support from Escaped Roots and more TBC

West London outfit Escaped Roots pride themselves on delivering an ear-catching show with solid riffs, catchy hooks and memorable tunes.

Fusing rock, blues, folk and soul into their sound, the fourpiece hit the stage with melody and storytelling at the core of their songs.

Tickets

General Admission / Standing - £12 Tickets

Suitable For Ages

All Ages

Award-winning band with Top 20 album and international airplay

The band was the brainchild of Bob Cranham, a guitarist/songwriter/producer with almost 50 years’ experience in the music business. Starting out as a duo with fellow guitarist, Ben Keen, it rapidly became the 4-piece band we have today when Barry Cook joined on drums and Dave Williamson on bass. Once the line-up was in place Bob started writing songs for the band quickly followed by Ben & Dave making their contributions to a set list that mixes original material with some of the classic blues “standards” that we all know and love.

The BBC’s debut album, HIGH HORSE, available now on CD and all major digital platforms, reached No. 14 on the Roots Music Report UK Chart and No.21 on the worldwide blues broadcast chart compiled by the IBBA. Two singles followed, Footsteps of the Poor & Right Place Wrong Time. All 12 tracks on the album and both singles have received extensive airplay across the UK, Europe and the USA.

Check out YouTube for various videos of the band.

TICKETS

General Admission / Standing - £16

The Outcast Band

The Outcast Band are a high-energy roots-rock band originally from the Hampshire/Surrey borders. They have played over 500 shows to date with audiences from London to Berlin at festivals including Glastonbury, Guilfest, Wychwood, Trowbridge, Acoustic Festival of Britain and Heineken Big Tops. The band has distinctive vocals, raw folk instrumentals and fresh, poetic lyrics. Every gig is an unforgettable experience.

Billy Liberator & The Orbiteers

The Orbiteers high-energy, guitar-driven anthems and occasional flirtations with pop, country and the blues have won them a devoted following across Surrey and Hampshire in recent years.  

Stone Dog

Local lads, who write and memorable rock-pop songs that bring together influences from the Beatles to Royal Blood.

Tickets

General Admission / Standing - £12 Tickets

Suitable For Ages

All Ages

Write Out Loud Woking is a poetry and spoken word open-mic event on the last Thursday of each month, compered by Rodney Wood and Sharron Green.

It takes place in the cafe area of the new Fiery Bird venue from 7-9pm. Sign up on the door from 6.45pm for a five-minute open-mic slot. Entry £5. Everyone is welcome to share their poetry or sit back and listen. The cafe is open for refreshments.

The Fiery Bird is a live music venue and community-focused arts and cultural centre for all to participate in and enjoy at 32 Goldsworth Road, Woking GU21 6JT, and run by the Phoenix Cultural Centre CIC, the venue hosts live music gigs, workshops, mentoring, training, arts events, as well as many other projects and events to benefit the community.

This is the last event of 2024. Back in January!

Tickets

General Admission - £5 (on the day)

Contact

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Ross Harding

Ross Harding is an acclaimed Blues Rock Musician from Johannesburg, South Africa, currently based in the UK.

As a songwriter and performing artist, he personifies rich, powerful vocal abilities with mesmerizing guitar skills, gaining international industry recognition for his commanding blend of blues and rock music, reminiscent of the classic rock, grunge & blues artists of the past.

A prolific performing artist, his versatile stage performances range from a deeply soulful solo acoustic artist, to a high energy blues rocker, whose experience is that of an artist much older than he. A seasoned touring musician, he has played hundreds of shows in clubs, festivals, and notable venues in his decade-long professional career. Ross Harding continues to push boundaries in his redefining approach to the blues rock genre.

Tickets

Standing /General Admission - £10

Suitable For Ages

All Ages

Fraser Morgan; a rapidly up-and-coming Acoustic-Folk-Punk artist and avid gigger who brings to the stage high levels of passion, energy, and showmanship.

Whether he's playing Solo, or with his band “Fraser Morgan and the Great Catastrophes”, Fraser keeps the crowd on their toes and captivated, delivering a performance that is often compared to the likes of Frank Turner, Billy Bragg and The Levellers.

Fraser has already played over 850 gigs to-date, and this experience shows when he's putting on a beautifully chaotic, yet passionate and enjoyable show. Throughout his live shows, Fraser keeps the crowd laughing with his humorous one-liners between songs whilst also delivering important messages of mental health within the songs themselves.

Having previously shared the bill with artists such as Luke Concannon (Nizlopi), The Hunna, Rats, Red Rum Club, and has already built up a large and dedicated following, it's glaringly obvious that Fraser is a fan-favourite and has a long and exciting career ahead of him.

Tickets

Standing / General Admission - £10

Suitable For Ages

All Ages

PolSky, return to the Fiery Bird to showcase new songs, as well as favourites from their debut LP “Executive Functions”. 

PolSky was formed by Kris Warren, a songwriter and music producer whose career began under the wing of Cocteau Twins' Robin Guthrie. Paying close attention to production and writing techniques from the likes of Echo and the Bunnymen, Terry Hall, Nick Lowe and others, Kris began to formulate his own unique offering and during the noughties joined agit-pop group BiB on guitar, refining his stage craft on the London live circuit, culminating in a UK tour with The XX Teens, and an NME single of the week.

The remainder of 2024 will see the release of a thunderous new single “Product E” mixed by mercurial producer Christopher Bangs , and then a new album slated for release late 2025. Kris and the band are very excited to be previewing this new material exclusively at the Fiery Bird show.

Press and reviews

“bit of an anthem actually” – Deb Grant BBC6music (100 Million Ways to Die)

“wonderfully sophisticated indie" – soundspheremag.com

"fast-paced, exciting and eccentric" – musicforthemisfits.com

“they could easily be the next big dance-rock band to break out of the UK” – It’s All Indie

“absolutely compelling, with every element needed to make this a dance floor hit." – Send Me Your Ears

“Far from any traditional musical landscape, PolSky has a strong eclecticism in its sound – The Other Side Reviews

Tickets

Standing / General Admission £13

Suitable For Ages

All Ages.

Upbeat dub-reggae music with catchy lyrics and maximum feel good vibes. 

Hailed as London's high-octane reggae band with deep roots in Jamaican music and led by Barrington Delevante, Spoken Word , Dub Poet and Lead Vocalist, hailing from the vibrant borough of Richmond Upon Thames London United Kingdom.

This musical powerhouse has been turning heads and capturing hearts with it's soulful , at times jazz-tinged musicality, creating quite a stir on the music scene , performing their original self penned mix of pulsating debating and entertaining music.

Crafting a genre-defying mix of thought- provoking and entertaining modern roots rock reggae and dub, they stands out in the music scene.

Tickets

General Admission / Standing - £10

Suitable For Ages

For 13+ years old and over

After his nationwide critical-smash tour ‘Bafflingly Optimistic’ in 2023/24, Andy is back with a brand new work in progress show. 

Time Out Comedy Award Winner / New Zealand International Comedy Award Winner / Montreal Just For Laughs Comedy Festival Award Winner / Winner Silver Dolphin Cannes / Winner Best Film EVCOM

“For those who worry that we are going to **** in a handcart, Parsons will at least make you enjoy the ride” The i

 “Hysterical” The Mirror

“Very funny” The Times

“Punchline King” The Guardian

“Laugh Out Loud Funny” Sunday Telegraph

 “Surprisingly ripped” Rob Beckett

As seen on Netflix, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer, Live At The Apollo & Mock The Week.

Tickets

Unreserved Seating - £14.50

Suitable For Ages

Over 13+

Our regular Lovely Music Nights return!

This month we continue to bring together excellent local original writing talent to share their new work with you. Four acts for £10!

The Lovely Music Nights entry fee supports the volunteer run venue costs/utilities and the artists that play them.

Line Up: Mooshwa Pooshwa, The Whiskey Knights and more TBA!

Mooshwa Pooshwa

Mooshwa Pooshwa is a band playing an eclectic mix of musical styles - Latin, Gypsy-folk and Klezmer with a punky twist. Lyrical themes include love, regret, murder, mystery, madness and diabolical temptation – but they carry their darkness lightly.

The Whiskey Knights

The Whiskey Knights are an English rock band hailing from Camberley, Surrey. Bringing high-energy performances and genre-blending sound, the band fuses the raw intensity of hard rock and punk with the melodic hooks of indie and pop rock. They have released two studio albums, one EP, one single, a live album and a demo since their formation in 2013.

Tickets

Standing / General Admission - £10

Suitable For Ages

All Ages

Our regular Lovely Music Nights return!

This month we continue to bring together excellent local original writing talent to share their new work with you. Four acts for £10!

The Lovely Music Nights entry fee supports the volunteer run venue costs/utilities and the artists that play them.

Tickets

Standing /General Admission - £10

Suitable For Ages

All Ages

In answer to overwhelming support, former members of John Coghlan's Quo, Mick Hughes, Rick Chase, Pete Mace and Russ Chadd have reformed under the name of Quo Connection. JCQ had been in existence for twenty-five years in various forms, and their final gig with John Coghlan on the 24th September 2022 was quite aptly played at Butlin's in Minehead where the Status Quo story first began. Playing many of Quo's hits plus some incredible album tracks, Quo Connection are eager to bring their high-octane show to Woking!

“Close to the real thing. A must see!”

John Coghlan (Original Status Quo drummer)
 

"The band that really know their Quo, and continue to wave the mighty Q flag!”

Bob Young (The fifth Status Quo member)

“Quo Connection are the best there is!”

Alan G Parker (Director of ‘Hello Quo’)
 

“The best Quo tribute out there!”

Jackie Lynton (John Coghlan’s Diesel)
​

“Close your eyes and you'll think, you're listening to the real Quo!”

Don Powell (Slade & The Don Powell Band)

Tickets

Advanced Standing / General Admission - £14

Suitable For Ages

Over 13+

AGMP Concerts and MVT Cohorts presents Laurence Jones 

Laurence Jones, the multi-award-winning guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter born in Liverpool released his 8th studio album ‘Bad Luck & The Blues’ which charted #1 in The Official Jazz & Blues Charts in The UK. Hailed "The future of the blues" as Classic Rock Magazine aptly puts it! Don't miss a chance to book Laurence Jones to perform live on tour. With his impressive prize cabinet of awards and a place in the British Blues Hall Of Fame, he's one of the UK's greatest guitarists.

"AGMP are delighted to be working with the Music Venues Trust in bringing the 2025 Tour of the incredible guitarist Laurence Jones to some of the finest grass-roots, independent music venues across the UK. It is part of AGMP's DNA to work with venues that have been the "birthplace" of some of the biggest music stars in the world and it's brilliant to be able to join forces with our industry champion, the MVT" 

Music Radar voted the young Laurence one of the world's top 10 blues-rock guitarists. He's shared stages with legends like Sir Van Morrison, Sir Ringo Starr, Buddy Guy, Jeff Beck, Status Quo and many more. 

Buddy Guy personally invited the young guitar sensation onstage in front of 15,000 people at the Holland International Blues Festival.  

With many awards and over 50,000 album sales. Jones has also appeared at some of the world’s most prestigious venues, including the Royal Albert Hall in London and New York’s Carnegie Hall. 

“The British Blues Rock guitar sensation rocks the riffs on his new album” - RollingStone Magazine 

Tickets

Standing | General Admission

Suitable For Ages

For Ages 14 years + (with adult supervision)