A soul, disco and funk band with so much flair

Maxwell Hammer and Smith, a three-piece rock covers band, will be performing at The Old Oak in Arlesey on Saturday (June 11).

The outfit’s three members have all been in professional bands in the past, and cover songs from the likes of Queen, The Eagles, Boston and Steely Dan.

The three are known to attempt difficult tracks as a three-piece that many others would not go near, and have drawn praise from various quarters including from Mac MacLaren, editor of respected gig guide website Lemonrock.

The Engineer’s Arms in Henlow, meanwhile, will be the venue for a night of music from Grapevine Blues on Friday (June 10).

This five-piece blues rock group performs up to six times a week, either as a full band or as a duo.

Their sound combines blues with a jazz influence with some rock and roll to get punters dancing.

Soul, funk and disco will be on the menu at Potton and District Club on Saturday, meanwhile, when five-piece outfit Huggy Flares arrive in town.

Fronted by an impressive and vivacious female vocalist backed by a talented team of musicians, punters can be assured of sparkly shirts, a packed dancefloor and fun for all.

Over time the band have become established as one of the area’s funkiest soul and disco acts.

Audiences can expect to hear anything from soul and Motown classics from the 1960s to 1970s funk and disco favourites, with the occasional more recent track thrown into the mix.

Over in Bedford, indie rockers Dynaphone Records launch their Debut EP Live at Lost Boys with a launch party at Esquires on Saturday.

This is the first time that the Bedford supergroup will take to the mainstage at the music venue.

With a sound that has been described as being between Villagers and Arctic Monkeys, the create a raw and exciting platform for deeply honest lyrics and nostalgic melody.

Recorded in a single live session at Lost Boys Studio by Ru Cook the album is a must hear for all fans of Bedford music.

To view the promo video and to get to know the band visit www.dynaphonerecords.com

Tickets cost £5 in advance from Danny’s Bar and www.seetickets.com or £6 on the door.

With ticket sales breaking all previous records, Rhythm Festival 2011 has announced more acts on their already star studded line-up.

Headliners Toots & The Maytals, Imelda May, Nick Lowe and the Buzzcocks will be joined on the packed line-up by Pretty Things, St Jude and the Tracie Hunter Band.

Back in the early 1960s three bands were at the forefront of the British R and B scene, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and The Pretty Things.

The Pretty Things were always one step ahead of the opposition in their creativity and were considered by the media as the true bad boys of rock.

This, coupled with and uncompromising attitude with regards to mainstream success, meant that the Pretty Things never hit the level of stadium heroes, which is our gain.

Still featuring original members Phil May and founding Rolling Stone Dick May, the Pretty Things today are a revelation and cannot be missed.

The Rhythm Festival will take place on Friday 26 to Sunday 28 August, at The Mansion House, Old Warden Park.

Weekend tickets: £99 (rising to £110 on July 1st) for an adult (17 years and older) camping tickets start at £30 per tent and £45 per campervan/ caravan.

To find out more and to buy tickets visit www.rhythmfestival.com or call 01767 626262.