Local music venture returns to raise money for Samaritans

‘Community’, which also supports mental health charities in the region, is rolling back the years with its 2025 line-ups.

This coming Saturday, 7 June, the first of these is an annual all ages all-day event in aid of Samaritans that sees the return of much loved noughties band The Priory whilst a second almost sold out show in August sees the unexpected return of iconic 80s / early 90s Wolverhampton band Sandkings.

Electro pop-rock rebels from the Black Country, The Priory are back after nearly two decades off the stage and hungrier than ever. Born out of a chaotic fusion of punk attitude, dancefloor energy and an electronic pulse, they emerged from the sweat-soaked indie atmosphere of the late 90’s and early 2000s as part of a huge Wolverhampton scene based around the much loved Varsity pub and Civic Hall bar.

The band are also now set to finally release their much lauded album produced by Wolverhampton’s very own multi-platinum producer Gavin Monaghan of Magic Garden Studios.

Having sold in excess of 20 million records and produced multiple UK number one albums and singles, Monaghan has worked with the likes of Midlands icons Robert Plant, Editors, Ocean Colour Scene and The Twang amongst many others and his Magic Garden Studio commands massive respect worldwide. He will also be taking part in the event as MAMA - a new project featuring acclaimed Italian-Australian writer Antonella Gambotto-Burke on vocals. Described as “The female Iggy Pop”, Antonella’s delivery and lyrics have been likened to the work of Charles Bukowski, Patti Smith, and Lou Reed. 

The show, which runs from 1:30pm until 9:30 in the evening, takes place in the New Horizons tent at the Arts Centre and will be headlined by another much loved local band Smokin Eskimo - who draw their influences from both 90’s Britpop and 1960s psychedelia. Completing the line-up are Birmingham’s best kept secret Stride, 80’s rock revivalists The Straze, teenage ‘Stour-pop’ sensations Supersonic Fuzz Gun, rock ‘n’ rollers Nova Fives and the hotly tipped Gornal band Omertá. Opening the show will be Jack Bodhi with a short set ahead of a performance at Glastonbury Festival later this month and Vinyl DJs will also be spinning tunes in-between.

Tickets are priced at just £12 (£6 for aged 11 and under) and are available now from the Wolverhampton Arts Centre website. Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult. Community has so far raised in excess of £1,700 for Samaritans, a unique charity that provides support to people who are struggling to cope, as it looks to increase that amount following this latest event.