Get grove-y at family day out on Portland

I doubt if the Ocean Rooms have ever shaken as much but it’s a relief the building is still in place as there are a series of gigs on Saturday nights throughout the summer.

Next Saturday, July 9, it’s The Computers, Not Advised and Mallory Knox at The Crow’s Nest bar at the Pavilion complex, with tickets at £6 available from the Pavilion box office or online at www.ticketweb.co.uk At last, there are some name bands being attracted to Weymouth and, as Wednesday’s Sepultura gig proved, there is certainly the demand for it.

Now, on to things more laid back and what started out as a school fete has now turned into one of the more pleasant festivals in the region.

Next weekend, on Saturday, July 9, it’s the Big Grove Festival at The Oval, the former YOI sports ground, on Portland and again promises a great day out for all the family with some cracking live music.

Topping the bill on the main stage are the Stomping Goats, with the Mad Ox Bros, Paisley, Freak Circus, Tom Caulfield, Steve Wilson Band, Skint Imperials, Shebeen and Amy Brown playing throughout the day.

Tickets are £5 for adults, £2.50 for OAPs and £1 for children aged from five to 16 and are available online from www.grovefestival. co.uk or 01305 820563.

Meanwhile, the pubs along Weymouth’s legendary Park Street shuffle have been pulling in the punters with live music for a long time now.

And things can only get even better (See what I did there?) as the Queen’s, following its recent overhaul, is hosting D:Ream, the 90s pop/dance famed for not only giving New Labour its theme tune, but also having one Professor Brian Cox on keyboards.

Sadly Prof Cox will be touring in a different part of the universe but Pete, Al, Mark and TJ will be playing on Saturday, August 13. Tickets are available from Monday, July 4, from the Queen’s (01305 770381) priced at £11 in advance or £11.50 on the night.

There’ll be more about the D:Ream gig nearer the time.