Bungaroosh Album Launch

On 19th April we launched Bungaroosh out into the world with a gig at the glorious Hailsham Pavilion. Ticket sales were slow to start with but with a big push on social media, press releases, what’s On sites, radio plugs and emails, they picked up well and we had a good sized audience in the theatre – and they were vocal and enthusiastic which makes such a massive difference when you are performing.

We were delighted that three of the musicians who featured on the album were able to join us on stage – John Fowler (also the master behind the album itself) on percussion, Bruce Knapp on mandolin, electric guitar and dobro, and Phil Jones on double bass. Everyone was so busy that we didn’t have time for a single rehearsal together so everyone practiced on their own and it all worked beautifully on the night! It was brilliant fun for us and we had lots of wonderful feedback from the audience and the lovely volunteer staff at the Pavilion.

The evening was promoted by HP@HP who put on live music event for Hailsham Pavilion. Sadly, Clive Hale who had liaised with us about booking the three acts for this, the first of the Folk at the pavilion nights, was unable to make it on the night but he did a great job organising the green room refreshments for us all! Bruce Pont did an admirable job on sound and Chris Giles, also of HP@HP, was a great host for the night, also introducing the other two acts who shared the bill with us on the night, Daria Kulesh and The Kimberleys. We know both acts very well and knew they would charm the audience. Daria’s is a powerful and emotive performance including songs in different languages, songs of her home in Ingushetia, guitar, bouzouki, bodhrun and shruti box playing. There was literally not a dry eye in the house when she introduced the lullaby with a plea for there to be just one night when all of the babies and children in the world could sleep safe in their beds from the threat of war. Jim and Isobel Kimberley totally blew the audience away with their takes on traditional folk songs with accomplished playing and wonderful harmonies. These two acts were hard to follow but we got up there and did it.

In addition to the lovely comments we had on the night about the songs from the album, we have had a lot of radio play and some blush-inducing reviews. The tour started with a gig at Runnymede Folk Club and continues throughout 2025 and into 2026 taking us to Cornwall, Dorset, Scotland, Liverpool, Oxfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Kent, Northumberland, Newcastle and London. If you’d like to know when we’re playing in your area, join our mailing list and we’ll let you know or sign up to Bands in Town.

Huge thanks to Cline and Chris of HP@HP, Hailsham Pavilion staff and volunteers, Bruce Pont, John Fowler, Bruce Knapp, Phil Jones, Daria Kulesh and The Kimberleys. Also thank you to Alex Thomas for yet another great set of photos.