The penultimate gig guide before Christmas

But, as anyone who ventures out on the roads over the next few days will know, he’s not the only one.

And among those heading this way are a bunch of talented students who will showing what they’ve been learning at Brighton’s BIMM, (British and Irish Modern Music) Institute as well as bringing home a term’s worth of washing for their loving parentals to sort.

The gig on Monday, December 17 at Dorchester’s Corn Exchange is branded as The Homecoming and features musicians with very strong local roots.

Leading the way is Dorchester-born singer-songwriter Alfie Neale, who played his debut gig just a year ago and has already played across the country and is headlining the 350-seat Haunt venue in Brighton.

His six-piece band promise soulful and jazzy songs with in-built earworms that will stick in your head for days, including his new single Tongue Tied which is out in January.

Also on the bill are Belles who feature Weymouth lads George Clark and Alex Mold in their line-up.

They’ve got a punchy indie sound and have been very busy on the gig circuit, including a headline slot at the Prince Albert which, I was pleasantly surprised to learn, is also a pub in Brighton.

Bringing up the rear, matron, are MOTH whose debut single came out last month and their reggae and hip-hop influenced material has earned them several festival slots for 2019.

The whole shebang has been put together by Slice Music Promotions and tickets are £5 from the box office on 01305 266926, with all proceeds being donated to MIND, the mental health charity.

So not only can you catch some of the brighter music stars of tomorrow you can help a good cause and get that warm and fuzzy feeling inside.

And talking of good causes, let’s hear it for the organisers, musicians, DJs, punters and everyone who made last Saturday’s Gimme Shelter all-dayer at the Wyke Smugglers in Weymouth such a resounding smash.

The event raised an amazing £1,705 which brings the total amount raised over the four festivals to very nearly £10,000, all of which goes to local organisations to help the homeless and vulnerable.

Hats off, high fives and a huge WOOP to everyone involved.

Next Friday will be the last gig guide before Christmas, so if you want your festive or New Year event featured, don’t forget to warp up your details and send them to echogigguide@outlook.com

Till next time…

NICK HORTON

TODAY (14)

Jess Upton, Robbie McIntosh, Steve Wilson (Upwey village Hall)

Komakino (Finns, Weymouth)

The Katz (The Lugger, Chickerell, Weymouth)

Andy Grant Trio (Royal Portland Arms, Portland)

The Rat Pack (Golden Lion, Weymouth)

The Silhouettes (Admiral Hardy, Weymouth)

Rob Davis (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth)

Emma C (Weymouth Working Mens Club)

Darren H (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Total Madness (Gloucester, Weymouth)

BEMIS (Ropemakers, Bridport)

Billy Solo (Wellington, Weymouth)

Matt Black (Park, Weymouth)

Nina Garcia (Ship Inn, Wool)

Jack Daniels Solo Ho Ho (Fat Badger, Weymouth)

Kelly Lorraine (Duke of Cornwall, Weymouth)

Johnny Mac (Duke of Albany, Weymouth)

Strings and Reeds (Black Dog, Weymouth)

SATURDAY (15)

Blind Harvest (Finns, Weymouth)

Fluke (Sailors Return, Weymouth)

The Flying Camels (Lazy Lizard, Weymouth)

The Katz (Wyke Regis Working Mens Club, Weymouth)

Graham Morris (Conservative Club, Weymouth)

Bad Intention (Golden Lion, Weymouth)

The Shakespearos (Duke of Cornwall, Weymouth)

The Silhouettes (RBL Club, Marnhull)

Slipstream (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth)

Nite Lite (Weymouth Working Mens Club)

Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

The Strereoironics (Gloucester, Weymouth)

The Surfing Birds (Ropemakers, Bridport)

Ironed Maiden (Park, Weymouth)

Rapport (Drax Arms, Bere Regis)

Jack Daniels Solo Ho Ho (Dorchester Rugby Club) 6-8pm.

Jack Daniels Band (Cattistock village hall) Tickets from Cattistock Tea Rooms.

Vanilla Radio (Market House, Weymouth)

The Chain (Royal Oak, Weymouth)

State of Undress (Hardy’s, Dorchester)

Karen (Duke of Albany, Weymouth)

Georgie Broad (Black Dog, Weymouth)

SUNDAY (16)

Acoustic Night (Old Town Hall, Weymouth) From 7.30pm

Kathy (Royal Portland Arms, Portland)

Replay (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth)

Rob Davis (West Bay Hotel, West Bay) 5pm.

Tim Andrews (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth) 3pm and 830pm.

Lo Numbers (Park, Weymouth) 4pm.

Ricky Solo (Sailor’s Return, Weymouth) From 3pm.

Jack Daniels Solo Ho Ho (Blue Vinny, Puddletown) 6pm.

Vanilla Radio (Piddle Inn, Piddletrenthide) 3.30pm

Darren H (Duke of Cornwall, Weymouth)

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

Johnny Mac (Black Dog, Weymouth)

Gut and Steel (Britannia, Portland ) 4pm.

MONDAY (17)

The Homecoming: Alfie Neale, Belles, Moth (Corn Exchange, Dorchester)

Tim Andrews (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Acoustic session (Belvedere, Weymouth)

TUESDAY (18)

Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Martin Freed’s Open Mic Night (Duke of Cornwall, Weymouth)

WEDNESDAY (19)

Tim Andrews (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Rob Davis (Nook, Weymouth)

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

Open Mic Night (Rock, Weymouth)

THURSDAY (20)

Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Roger’s Singalong (Gloucester, Weymouth)

Open Mic Night (Ship Inn, Wool)

Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Traditional Tune Session (Cove House Inn, ChiswelI, Portland)

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

FRIDAY (21)

Hot Bacon (Finns, Weymouth)

Glass Spiders (Wyke Regis Working Mens Club, Weymouth)

Mercy Lounge with Billy Boy Miskimmin (Royal Portland Arms, Portland)

Speedway Snails (Golden Lion, Weymouth)

The Silhouettes (Lugger, Chickerell, Weymouth)

Vanilla Radio (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth)

Retro (Weymouth Working Mens Club)

Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Mad Hatters (Gloucester, Weymouth)

SnakeSnakeSnake (Ropemakers, Bridport)

Rob Davis (Market House, Weymouth)

Jolly Boys Outing (Punchbowl, Portland)

Billy Solo (Wellington, Weymouth)