Solstice

Solstice play The Stables on Saturday 31 October, with support from Ocular and Leoni Jane Kennedy. The main set is in the Jim Marshall Auditorium, and the whole thing kicks off at 8:00pm.

If you're not familiar with them, Solstice are a UK progressive rock band formed in 1980 by Andy Glass. Their story goes back to the early eighties Neo-prog scene at London's Marquee Club on Wardour Street, and they've been going since. They're fronted by vocalist Jess Holland and have released eight studio albums and four live records over the years. Their latest, Clann, completes a trilogy that started with 2020's Sia and continued with 2023's Light Up.

They've toured the UK and Europe, playing festivals like Glastonbury, Cropredy, Maastricht and Milan, and once drew 20,000 people to Cropredy. They were voted Best Band at the latest annual Prog Awards, and have been championed by Steven Wilson, who called their sound "a life-affirming, joyous sound", as well as by Gregory Spawton of Big Big Train. Their work also crosses paths with Marvel artist Barry Kitson.

It's a full bill, so you'll get Ocular and Leoni Jane Kennedy warming up before Solstice take the stage. The venue is The Stables, Stockwell Lane, Wavendon, in Milton Keynes. The music starts at 8:00pm on Saturday 31 October.