IT’S NEARLY time for Noddy Holder to hang his stocking on the wall. If you’re looking for a soundtrack to wrap presents, or just want to feel seasonal, why not keep it local?
This week is our very special festive playlist, featuring not 10, but 13 fabulous tracks, all from bands and artists with a connection to Reading and Wokingham.
It’s a different Spotify link to usual – https://bit.ly/RaWChristmas
There is also a Facebook page and group chat that bands and music fans can tap into. You can search for RaW Sounds Today and it will come up.
That Joe Payne – Greatest Gift of All
Joe visited the area in May when he played a great set with his band at Bracknell Pride. As well as releasing his new Bread & Circuses album this year, Joe has just released a red vinyl edition of his wonderful Christmas album Ding Dong.
This is a beautiful song from that album which certainly evokes the Christmas spirit.
Joe performs special Christmas shows every year which are wonderful seasonal experiences so, if you missed them, keep an eye out next year – https://www.thatjoepayne.com/
Peaness – Kiss Me Sweet Pea
This band from Chester were due to play in Reading in January as part of Independent Venue Week.
Unfortunately, they had to cancel but we liked this Christmas single of theirs so much we decided to still include it.
It’s bouncy indie pop that just makes you feel good which is just what you want at this time of year.
We wish the band well and hope to see them in the area later in the year – https://www.peanessband.com/
Eddie & The Hot Rods – It Feels Like Christmas
Reading’s Club Velocity have put on some excellent shows during 2023, with new artists and with legendary artists.
This is one of the latter with their uplifting Christmas anthem from a few years ago.
They played a great show in November and we look forward to more great Club Velocity shows in 2024. They certainly have some exciting ones planned – https://www.eddieandthehotrods.com/
Third Lung – The Christmas Song (Stranger to the Cold)
It’s the excellent Reading band with their Christmas single release from last year – http://www.thirdlungband.com/
Spriggan Mist – Green Santa
Spriggan magic and Christmas magic combine on the band’s single about a Santa who doesn’t wear red – https://www.sprigganmist.com/
Voodoo Radio – Christmas Eve
This exciting duo from Cumbria were at Club Velocity last year. This is their Christmas single, a brilliant party anthem – http://www.voodooradio.co.uk/
Spizzenergi – Christmas in Denmark Street
They played a great Club Velocity show and here’s their single about, probably not Wokingham’s, street – https://www.spizzenergi.com/
Rocket Kings – Christmas Without You
Have a Ukelele Christmas with Rocket Kings. Here’s their seasonal feel-good song – https://www.facebook.com/rocketkings
That Joe Payne – Gloria
Here’s another wonderful song from Joe’s Ding Dong that we featured last Christmas – https://www.thatjoepayne.com/
John Otway – Middle of Winter
John just performed his annual Club Velocity Christmas bash but, don’t worry if you missed it, he’s back on December 5, 2024 – http://www.johnotway.com/
Albion Christmas Band – Christmas Wreath
Folk legends that create seasonal music. They are at The Haymarket, Basingstoke on December 22 – https://www.albionchristmas.co.uk/
RyeWolf – When the Snows of Winter Fall
Local band, RyeWolf perform fun folk music plus softer songs too like this from their ‘Christmas Cheer’ single – https://www.ryewolf.co.uk/
Greg Lake – I Believe in Father Christmas
As last year, I end with one of my all-time favourite Christmas records. Happy Christmas Everyone – http://www.greglake.com/
