Republica

Republica play Thekla on Sunday 29 November, one date on a 20-date UK tour this autumn. The tour marks 30 years since their self-titled debut, and the set is built around it.

If the name rings a bell but the details are fuzzy, it's likely 'Ready To Go' that comes back first. That was the lead single from the 1996 debut, followed by 'Drop Dead Gorgeous' — both became radio and MTV staples. The album itself entered the UK charts at number three and went on to sell more than three million copies. It arrived alongside other female-fronted Britpop bands like Catatonia, Elastica, Sleeper and Skunk Anansie, and it helped define the sound of the era by blending guitars with electronic production and club culture.

At the front is Saffron, whose bright voice and fire-engine red hair made her one of the most magnetic frontwomen British music has produced. Since those early days, the band's music has landed in more than 500 film, TV and advertising syncs, including the Marvel blockbuster Captain Marvel and the series Yellowjackets and Ted Lasso. Saffron herself has performed as part of Alex James' Britpop Orchestra and played at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

To mark the anniversary, there's a double-vinyl special edition that pairs the original album with A Day At The Races, a rare live recording from 1997. Tickets for the Bristol date are £34.60 including booking fees.