Hastings

Scene Updates, News, Reviews, and Deep Thoughts w/ Willis

It’s HERE! Hastings Jazz Festival timetable

Day Passes and Advance Concert Tickets available now!
Thirty Days to Downbeat!

Hey y’all! The first ever Hastings Jazz Festival is just one month away! The horn arrangements are being written, the singers are on vocal rest, the rhythm section is finding their groove and the word is getting out. Across 12+ hours of music in three America Ground venues, the lineup features headline sets from AfroRock Funk legends Osibisa, rising UK jazz…
The Book of Gratitude

My friend Jim James is a world-class songwriter. His songs evoke a life well and truly lived – rich with adventure, twists and turns, observations, and above all his immutable gracious spirit. I’ve known Jim a few years now, and we’ve been talking about making a record since the beginning – before I even had…
“Buzzing” with Benoit!

A “Fly on the Wall” Review w/ Patsy Solanki It was Saturday night at the stunning (and very much packed!) Henry Ward Hall in Hastings. The air buzzing with anticipation. Some local and some had travelled a fair distance to see Benoit Viellefon and his sensational Hot Club Orchestra. I spotted co-respondent shoes and seamed…
Vintage Jazz, Southern Charm, and a fella called Tim Hoyte! Spotlight – Hastings, UK (May 27–June 2)

Each week, The 411 brings you a handpicked selection of Hastings’ most exciting gigs and cultural happenings. benoit is Back! Saturday, May 31 — Benoît Viellefon & The Hot Club at Henry Ward Hall After smashing it in 2024 with sold out shows at Ronnies included an extensive tour across Asia, this is rare chance…
Ch.. Ch.. Changes!!

17 August 2024 “If it ain’t broke…. Break it!” – Willie Nelson Actually I can’t prove Willie said that, but I like to think he did. There’s some changes afoot in my work in the Hastings Scene! The Shop is back! After some necessary upgrades to the building, Mike’s – St. Leonard’s is back in…
Happy 4th Y’all!

4 July 2024 I’ve always loved the 4th of July. Growing up in the Bible Belt of the USA, there was always a strong patriotic showing. Parades, picnics and tailgating in the town center, some sort of live music performance, then at long last the local amateur orchestra would play a suite of American War…
The Gardener is never done.

1 July 2024 My enigmatic friend is a one-off – at once a provocateur, an impresario, a blue collar craftsman, a local celebrity, a friend to anyone in need, a folk filmmaker, and a free-spirited mover and shaker. He’s all these things and more, but above all he’s a tireless Gardener. His garden and its…
The America Ground Musical – First Take

26 June 2024 As an American living in Hastings, I’m often told half-remembered versions of the story of The America Ground. I sort of know the story, but I’m fuzzy on the details. So when Bob Tipler, landlord at The Albion and now budding-playwright and songwriter, invited me to the final dress rehearsal for his…
Look what you’ve done!

8 June 2024 Hi Folks! Its been an incredible few years indeed! With your help, together we have established Mike’s – St. Leonards as an under-the-radar spot to listen to live music in a uniquely intimate environment, we have revived Henry Ward Hall (formerly Opus Theatre) and laid a solid foundation for it’s future, and…