GIG GUIDE: Absolute Bowie, plus bumper Christmas line-up

“If you put your sprouts on at Easter, they should just about be done...”

Sadly Noddy Holder’s first draft never made it past the editing stage and we’re left with the traditional version we all know and love.

Well, just about tolerate. Briefly… Okay, that’s enough now.

But Christmas is very much a time for traditions, exchanging presents, good will to all, meeting up with relatives and friends, and remembering those no longer with us.

Maybe there’s a gap in the tribute band market, for people to pretend to be a dearly loved close friend or relative, rather than a dearly loved star, to keep the memories alive.

But we are blessed with the return of the Thin White Duke, no doubt throwing darts in lover’s eyes, with Absolute Bowie at Weymouth Pavilion next Friday, December 29.

Well, it’s not the REAL Thin White Duke, obviously, but one of the most highly-rated Bowie tributes in Europe.

But don’t take my word for it, Bowie’s former drummer Woody Woodmansey is quite a fan too.

As Woody himself says: “Absolutely wicked. As one who was there, watching Absolute Bowie put me back there again.

“For anyone who missed it or fans who want to relive it I definitely recommend it. As close to the real thing that you’ll get. Enjoy.”

The band promise to take you through Bowie’s amazing catalogue from Absolute Beginners to Ziggy, stopping at various Station to Stations in between.

Tickets for the Pavilion show are £23.50 from the box office on 01305 793225.

As you can see from the extensive listings on this page, it’s a time to get and about and sample some fantastic live music over the festive period.

But as you enjoy the great pubs, clubs and venues this region has to offer, spare a thought for all the hard-working staff who make it all possible.

And remember, a pub is not just for Christmas, they are available all year round and need your custom. Use them or lose them, okay?

And finally, I’ll be co-hosting a rather special edition of Hijacked for Air FM 107.2 next Wednesday, December 27 from 8-10pm, where I’ll be joined by fellow Air presenters Iain Weetman out of The Mighty Fine and Jim White out of Restless.

We’ll be playing some of our favourite funk, soul, prog, folk and rock choones and just about everything else along with a choice selection of the worst Christmas cracker jokes known to mankind.

If Marconi was alive today, he’d be turning in his grave.

Next Friday’s gig guide will feature all the fabulous gigs for New Year’s Eve, so if you’d like your event included, ping me your shizzle to gigs@dorsetecho.co.uk.

Have a happy and peaceful Christmas. Now take your sprouts out.

Till next time…

GIG GUIDE

TONIGHT (22)

Paisley (Finns, Weymouth)

Drive By Jamming (Market House, Weymouth)

Dave Griff and the Trouser Band (Gloucester, Weymouth)

Speedway Snails (King’s Arms, Weymouth)

Tony H (Weymouth Working Mens Club)

Sheryl Lee (Park, Weymouth)

Martin Freed (Duke of Cornwall, Weymouth)

Chris Woodchuck (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Peanut Butter Jelly, The Katz (Belvedere, Weymouth)

Jess Upton, Robbie McIntosh, Steve Wilson (Old Town Hall, Weymouth)

Billy Solo (Wellington, Weymouth)

Skinful (Golden Lion, Weymouth)

The Leggomen, Danny Adams, Powelly (Ayya, Weymouth) From 4pm.

Karen (Duke of Albany, Weymouth)

Nina Garcia (Fat Badger, Weymouth)

Jolly Boys Outing (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth)

Freezer (Spice Ship, Weymouth)

Dakota (Lugger, Chickerell, Weymouth)

SATURDAY (23)

Wilson (Old Ship, Upwey, Weymouth)

The Mighty Fine (Finns, Weymouth)

Andy Grant Trio (Sailors Return, Weymouth)

Tripod (Tom Browns, Dorchester)

Average Wyke Band (Gloucester, Weymouth)

Stu Walker (Weymouth Working Mens Club)

The Dolmen Acoustic (Park, Weymouth)

Jon Storey (Duke of Cornwall, Weymouth)

Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Tom Clements (Boot, Weymouth) 3pm, followed by…

Southern Sinners (Boot, Weymouth)

The Sneakers (Wyke Regis Working Mens Club, Weymouth)

Cuba Libre (Boat That Rocks, Portland Marina)

Matt Black (Admiral Hardy, Weymouth)

Dale Fender Band (Centenary Club, Weymouth)

Lo Numbers (Golden Lion, Weymouth)

Billy Boy Miskimmin and Mercy Lounge (Star, Weymouth)

Identikit (Market House, Weymouth)

Guns of Navarone (Ropemakers, Bridport)

Sheryl Lee (Duke of Albany, Weymouth)

Nina Garcia (Royal Oak, Milborne St Andrew)

Nathan-Jon (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth)

CHRISTMAS EVE (24)

Tripod (Finns, Weymouth) 5-7pm.

Singalong with Roger Mac (Gloucester, Weymouth)

The Riffs (King’s Arms, Weymouth)

Retro (Weymouth Working Mens Club)

Strings and Reeds (Park, Weymouth)

The Rat Pack (Duke of Cornwall, Weymouth)

Tim Andrews (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth) 3pm, followed by..

Tim Andrews (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Minor Fret Christmas Singalong (Boot, Weymouth) 2pm, followed by..

Matt Black (Boot, Weymouth)

The Mad Hatters (Belvedere, Weymouth)

The Shakespearos (Bull’s Head, Fordington, Dorchester) 4pm.

Stress (Three Compasses, Charminster)

The Leggomen (Nook, Weymouth) 4-6pm, followed by..

The Leggomen (Royal Standard, Upwey, Weymouth) 8-10pm, followed by..

The Leggomen (Aura, Weymouth) 12-2am.

Danny Adams (Ship, Weymouth) 8pm.

The Crack with added Santa Claus (New Vic, Weymouth) 3pm.

Scots Dan Open Mic (Duke of Albany, Weymouth) 6pm.

Nina Garcia (Victoria, Dorchester) 6pm.

Chill (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth)

Ricky Solo (Sailors Return, Weymouth) From 8pm.

JD Acoustic (Britannia, Portland) 4pm.

CHRISTMAS DAY (25)

The Rat Pack (King’s Arms, Weymouth) From 11am.

The Leggomen (Weymouth Harbourside) For the swim.

BOXING DAY (26)

Mighty Fine, Shooter (Old Spa, Weymouth) From 5pm.

The Katz (RBL Club, Portland)

The Riffs (Duke of Cornwall, Weymouth)

Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth) From 4pm.

Du Kane (Boot, Weymouth)

Precinct of Sound (Belvedere, Weymouth)

Rock Apes (Kimberlin Club, Portland) 2.30pm.

Shooter, Streoironics (Spice Ship, Weymouth) From 4pm.

Ricky Solo (Edinburgh HoS, Weymouth)

The Chase, The Leggomen (Lazy Lizard, Weymouth) From 6pm.

The Leggomen (Brewhouse & Kitchen, Dorchester) 9-11pm.

D&D (Duke of Albany, Weymouth)

Nina Garcia (Greyhound, Sydling St Nicholas) 4pm.

Gut and Steel (Britannia, Portland) 3pm.

JD Acoustic (Lugger, Weymouth) 8pm-11pm.

WEDNESDAY (27)

The Jon Storey Band (Finns, Weymouth)

Kathy (Duke of Cornwall, Weymouth)

Tim Andrews (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Wessex Folk Night (Sailors Return, Weymouth) Acoustic folk, here every Wednesday.

Open Mic Night (Royal Exchange, Portland)

THURSDAY (28)

Replay (Weymouth Pavilion Ocean Room)

Arron and Karina (Duke of Cornwall, Weymouth)

Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Soapbox (Belvedere, Weymouth)

The Jon Storey Band (Three Compasses, Charminster)

Leggomen (George, Weymouth)

Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Traditional Tune Session (Cove House Inn, Portland)

Ukulele Sessions (Sailors Return, Weymouth) Strum on down from 8pm.

Roger’s Singalong (Gloucester, Weymouth)

Nina Garcia (Royal Oak, Charmouth)

FRIDAY (29)

Absolute Bowie (Weymouth Pavilion)

Southern Sinners (Finns, Weymouth)

Helena Mace (Weymouth Working Mens Club)

Sheryl Lee (Duke of Cornwall, Weymouth)

Darren H (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Toxic Fish (Belvedere, Weymouth)

Dougie Cooper’s Jazz Party (Star, Weymouth)

The Shakespearos (King’s Arms, Weymouth)

Billy Solo (Wellington, Weymouth)

Stacey Lou (Gloucester, Weymouth)

Brucefest (Lazy Lizard, Weymouth)

JoJo (Duke of Albany, Weymouth)

Nina Garcia (Royal Oak, Drimpton)

Hardcore Troubadours (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth)