Live music at The Craufurd Arms this April

HotWax continue their road trek in support of the newly released debut album, Hot Shock by playing The Craufurd Arms (April 1).

The Hastings based trio introduced the music fraternity to their noise back in 2023 when they released two Eps. Well-received, those discs saw them go on to hit up stages at festivals including Reading, Leeds and Download (while still in their teens!) and they toured with Royal Blood and Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes.

Their fan base is doing swell too, with support from Elton John, Beck, Courtney Love and Pete Doherty. Imagine that lot at a party together… actually, don’t.

This is just the start for the band, singer Tallulah Sim-Savage, drummer Alfie Sayers and bassist Lola Sam, and they are becoming braver with every chord: “Touring and constantly living in the moment can be chaotic. But there’s also a feeling of knowing that the more life experience we gain, the more fearless we become,” says Lola.

Their visit here is on April Fool’s Day, but if you claim to love new music and don’t go check out this alt-rock trio, the joke will very much be on you.

Punkband (April 4) are out on their first ever co-headlining tour, which sees them pitted against London two-piece trash punkers Slobheads on the Pint N’ A Fight road trek.

Punkband, or to use their own words, ‘Hersham’s worst punk band’ were last at the Wolverton venue last summer, as part of the Crauf’s Multitude Fest.

This return will ignite, with the urgency of tracks like Born Broke Break Croak by the grime punk players ready to leave their mark. You can go find that on YouTube now. What are you waiting for?

DJ Yoda (April 5) is back with his 80s Mixtape Live session, following on from last year’s sold-out smash. This bash, celebrating the decade of decadence will doubtless be fully subscribed too, but if you get in pronto you can journey through the dancefloor fillers, and through film and TV, from the era.

Yoda will mix the visuals and the tunes, making for a right mega bash. Go release those shoulder pads from their hiding spot and wear them proudly!

A Record Fair and a pint is the perfect Sunday afternoon sport for us, and so we’re lucky that the chance to rummage amongst the wax is back (April 6).

Whether you seek that special nugget, or are led by an impressive sleeve, there is always something waiting to be discovered. Entry is free.

Solstice (April 18) are back on the local stage, and there’s plenty more about them – and their new album – over the page, so over you flip.
Hardworking Milly Manders & The Shutup are on their Choose The Bear tour just now, and as part of that trek they’ll spend the night in the Keynes too (April 23).

The band recently released the fourth, and last, single to be taken from their second album, Wake Up, Shut Up, Work, and the track, Me Too, which is lyrically suss (‘Our bodies still aren’t ours if one victim is still blamed’), and sadly resonates with too many.

Go online, tap up the official video for the song and look at the message, and the stats. It’s a perfect picture of the failure of authorities – and society – to deal with sexual abuse in this country.

Why not send the video link to your MP too? A little exercise in easy activism.
It’s not surprising to learn that Millie is raising money for sexual and domestic abuse charities on this tour, and they are also a great live band.

Slay Duggee are back for their fifth date at the Crauf (April 26), “Our favourite venue with the best selection of backstage dog snacks in the world,” the chief canine told Pulse Music, “We teach kids and parents how to enjoy a metal show. Circle pits. Pogoing. Stage invasions. Buying merch! And head banging.”

And what to expect on the day?
“Expect jokes, fun and some of the best hardcore beatdowns you’ll ever hear because dog music is better than human music!
“You don’t need to be a parent or have kids to come and enjoy the show, it’s open to everyone, just let the little uns mosh at the front – adult circle pits are mandatory at the back.”

Get your tickets: thecraufurdarms.com