Welcome to Plum Promotions Official Website. Our aim with these pages is to provide an information resource for music fans, artists, and people in the music business alike. From here you can find out more about us, and what we're up to. If you're a music fan you can find out about the latest events, where to buy tickets, get directions and read reviews and previews of recommended shows. If you're in a band yourself you can have a look round the venue, find out where to send a demo and get online feedback, as well as getting help with press and promotion if you've already booked a show. Music industry types can check out our rig specifications, and see which bands we are recommending to A&R scouts this month. All that plus our continuously updated news section for those obsessives that really want to know about what we're up to on a day to day basis.
LATEST NEWS
UPDATE 15th August
BETSEY TROTWOOD LAUNCH SHOW IN AID OF 'OFF THE STREETS AND INTO WORK'
Our new venue, The Betsey Trotwood, is launching on Tuesday 2nd September with a stellar line up, all in aid of the 'Off the Street and into Work' charity (www.osw.org.uk). Exclusive performances in the cellar venue on the night will be from -
JIMBOB (CARTER USM) + JAKE SHILLINGFORD (MY LIFE STORY, EXILEINSIDE) + LOUIS ELLIOT (RIALTO) + SATELLITE.
PLUS Special Guest DJs in the upstairs lounge.
Tickets are £10 (all proceeds to charity) and can be bought from Way Ahead (020) 7403 3331, Stargreen (020) 7734 8932 and www.ticketweb.co.uk.
Click here to read the full listings for The Betsey Trotwood.
UPDATE 7th August
Last nights' gig with Sophia, Malcolm Middleton and Kristofer Astrom was a delight. A packed Water Rats enjoyed the gloriously melancholy musings of Astrom, the witty, internal monologue tunes of Middleton and the energetic, edgy songs of Robin Proper-Shepherd in Sophia.
UPDATE 25th July
Plum Promotions are opening a new venue called The Betsey Trotwood in Farringdon. To read all about it click here.
UPDATE 23rd July
Both Wannadies shows (18/19 July) were sold out and brilliant. Read our review here.
UPDATE 16th July
The NMU event last night (15th July) was a rip roaring success. The demo Workshop worked a treat, with everyone agreeing what a great idea it is. If you didn't make it down the next New Music Underground will be on Monday 19th August, where there will be another Demo Workshop.
UPDATE 10th July
Demo Workshop announced for next NMU event
The full line up for the next New Music Underground event on Monday 15 July is as follows:
Emma B - one of Radio 1's most talented and versatile presenters and first choice to stand in for Steve Lamacq, Chris Moyles and Mark and Lard. Just as comfortable on Radio 1 daytime as she is fronting specialist music programmes in the evening, her music credentials include working at both Island and Creation Records.
Stuart Epps - a seasoned industry professional, Stuart has worked as a producer, mix Engineer, Artist Manager and A&R assistant over the last 35 years, including A&R for Rocket Records, being personal manager to Kiki Dee, assistant to Elton John's Manager, John Reid, A & R Assistant & producer at DJM Records, and engineering records for Jimmy Page, Chris Rea, Robbie Williams, Oasis, Bill Wyman, Elton John, Led Zeppelin, Bad Company and The Rhythm Kings, and producing many albums for Atlantic Records, for a variety of hugely successful rock acts including Twisted Sister.
Peter Jenner - founder and MD of Sincere Management, and Chairman of AURA (Association of United Recording Artists), Manager of Billy Bragg & Eddi Reader.
Would you like to get a song out now? THE DEMO WORKSHOP (5 - 7 PM) is a key A&R panel who will listen to your demo tapes and explain why they work or why they don't. The best songs will be released on CD. The panel will be Tony Murphy (A&R Scout, Reverb Music and XL Talent), Katy Samwell (Dance A&R, WSM Warner Music), Matt Fernand (Web Producer, BBC Radio 1, OneMusic) and Joel De'ath (A&R assistant and Scout for the Mushroom Group.)
UPDATE 3rd July
Emma B, Radio 1 DJ, has been confirmed as one of the speakers at the next New Music Underground night on Monday 15 July. Also, the event will be FREE!
The Playlouder.com Singles Club on Wednesday 10 July has a confirmed line up as follows - Crack Village + The Darkness + Xan.
UPDATE 2nd July
The Wannadies gigs on 18th and 19th July have completely SOLD OUT!!
Puressence are playing The Water Rats on Wednesday 31st July. Tickets will be £9. Please visit www.gigsandtours.com for advance ticket information.
UPDATE 21st June
July is shaping up to be hot for the Water Rats with gigs coming up for the Wannadies. They are playing on 18th and 19th July. Tickets will cost £9 will go on sale soon. Check out www.gigsandtours.com for details.
Also, check out the previews page for details of a series of gigs throughout August by Exile Inside, a new band put together by former My Life Story main man Jake Shillingford.
UPDATE 19th June
Last night's Mclusky gig was a corker. Spotted in the crowd was Never Mind the Buzzcocks Sean Hughes. The word is he's planning on having them on his BBC radio show for a session. Judging by last night's performance that will be one to listen out for. A review of the gig will be on this site very soon.
UPDATE 14th June
All in a good cause, plus Chesney Hawkes!
Last night saw the first Camdengirl.com event, in aid of Warchild, take place at its new venue of The Water Rats. The the event itself, which is soon to become a monthly thing from september, is an invite only affair, so check out Camdengirl.com for more details. Last night was a blast. The evening kicked off with Warchild patrons Neil Morrissey (Men Behaving Badly, Bob the Builder) and Hugo Speer (The Full Monty), with aid worker Johnnie McGlade, speaking passionately about the work of the charity in countries all around the world. Then, get this, none other than the LEGEND that is CHESNEY HAWKES played a blinding (no, honestly, I mean it , that lad can rock) set to a room full of ecstatic, cheering women. Fantastic! Oh, yes, and he did play I Am The One And Only, and I do believe I was singing along, with the rest of the room might I add. Superb!
UPDATE 11th June
Exclusive Alanis gig review.
Our very own Allan North has only gone a written a review of the Alanis Morissette gig. Click here to read about one the most highly anticipated and exciting gigs at The Water Rats so far this year.
UPDATE 28th May
Exclusive Alanis review and photographs coming soon.
The Alanis Morissette gig at The Water Rats was a resounding success. A review of the gig, plus exclusive photographs will be posted on this site very soon.
New Music Underground and Allan on the BBC!
The newly launched BBC OneMusic project is now a supporter of The Water Rats hosted New Music Underground events. So much so infact that they came along to our last event and interviewed a number of the gathered crowd, including our very own commander-in-chief Allan North! (There's a lovely picture of him too!) Click here to read the result on BBCi.
UPDATE 23rd May
ALANIS MORISSETTE TICKETS ARE SOLD OUT!!
UPDATE 22nd May
ALANIS MORISSETTE IS PLAYING THE WATER RATS ON FRIDAY 24 MAY. Tickets will go on sale from the venue (The Water Rats, 328 Grays Inn Rd, King Cross, WC1) on Wednesday 22 May at 6.30pm - 11pm. They will also be on sale from the venue on Thursday 23 May at 4.30pm-11pm.
THERE ARE NO TELEPHONE SALES. YOU CAN ONLY PURCHASE TICKETS IN PERSON FROM THE VENUE.
UPDATE 20th May
The playlouder.com live event set to take place at The Water Rats is called Singles Club, and will feature the very best new bands. Click here for more info.
UPDATE 17th May
More great news for the Water Rats and Plum Promotions. We are very pleased to announce a playlouder.com live event to take place at the venue on Wednesday 5th June. The line up, which will be bloomin' fantastic by the way, to be announced very soon!
UPDATE 15th May
The review of the Leaves + Phantom Planet gig is now available. Click on on the Listings, Previews and Reviews section.
A very special event is due to take place at The Water Rats on 13th June in aid of Warchild. Organised by camdengirl.com it will involve special celebrity guests. Check out their website for more to find out more. More details will be posted on this site very soon.
UPDATE 8th May
The Breeders Pictures
Exclusive photographs of The Breeders gig at The Water Rats are now online, with their review and interview. Check these out in the Listings, Previews and Reviews section.
New Music Underground (20 May) line up
The next New Music Underground event will feature the following top speakers:
Adrian Boss - MD of Adrian Boss Promotions. One of the UK's most experienced artist managers, over the last 14 years managing artists with dozens of entries into the top 40, including Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine, Basti, Katie Puckrick and The Senseless Things, Drugstore, My Life Story, Jim's Super Stereoworld, Kinesis with Rick Lennox (Skunk Anansie) and Satellite, as well as helping out with Chumbawamba and co-managing Glitterbox with Scott Booker (Flaming Lips).
Mike O'Keefe - Head of Video, BMG since 1999. Prior to that, Head of Video, Sony from 96-99, and Video Commissioner for Sony from 1994-196, and Video producer late 80's early 90's with Oil Factory. Mike has worked with Manics, Finley Quaye, Jamiroquai, Reef, Lightning Seeds, Leftfield, George Michael, Spiritualised, Death In Vegas, Westlife, and Five to name but a few.
Mark Wood - partner is Modernwood Management, managing the Dum Dums, Frou Frou (on Island Records, first single out in 6 weeks), Michael Clarke (on Wildstar Records), Fahan Hassan (Columbia), and Nick Kershaw (on Zomba).
UPDATE 3rd May
The Breeders review and interview are now online in our Listings, Previews and Reviews section. Coming soon will be interviews with Leaves and Phantom Planet, plus reviews.
UPDATE 2nd May
M.A.S.S. on Monday 29 April were well worth a look. The singer, Justine, must be the coolest, most unflustered women in rock - coping admirably while Andy Miller struggled with dodgy (no pun intended) leads and straps! And what a voice she has...wow! I am sure they will grace the 'Rats stage again soon.
UPDATE 25th April
The Breeders rock up a treat!
So, were you there for The Breeders last night at The Water Rats? What a great night. Hot, sweaty, noisy...ACE! A review of the gig, including a little interview with the band, will be posted on the site very soon.
UPDATE 24th April
2nd NMU Event a SUCCESS!
Last night the second of the Water Rats hosted New Music Underground events took place, and a rousing success it was too. All speakers were informative and friendly, giving the eager audience of budding musicians and industry hopefuls a chance to ask many questions and receive honest answers. Thanks to all involved for a great night, and see you at the next one, Monday 20 May.
UPDATE 19th April
Breeders Tickets Competition Closed
Thank you for all the entries in our Breeders tickets competition. We will not accept any more entries. The winner will be notified very soon!
UPDATE 18th April
The Hottest Tickets in Town
Wow, what a response to The Breeders gig! Apparently 4AD sold out of their allocation of tickets in 7 minutes. Phew. You can still enter our little competition to win a pair of tickets. See below for details. And here's another little tip for you - Xfm will be running a competition in the coming days to win more tickets for The Breeders gig, so keep you ears open!
New Entry to Plum Playlist
We have just received a cd by The Amazing Pilots. It's so good it gone straight into the Plum Playlist. Look out for the band in May (tbc) at The Water Rats.
UPDATE 16th April
The Breeders to play at The Water Rats
Plum Promotions are proud to announce that THE BREEDERS are playing at The Water Rats on Wednesday 24 April. Tickets are available on www.4ad.com, and from the venue (5-11pm). Cost £5.
We also have two tickets to give away for this show. Simply email us with the reason why you should win these tickets, and we'll pick out the best answer in at the end of the week (19/04).
2nd New Music Underground Event
After the success of the last New Music Underground event, The Water Rats and Plum Promotions will host the next event on Tuesday 23 April. Go to previews page for details.
Exhibitionist in our midst
The Water Rats house photographer, Marcus O'Higgins, is currently exhibiting some of his photographs (including a photo of nu-metal renegades 'Miocene' ) at the Fotoskwot Gallery group exhibition at 33 Monmouth Street in Covent Garden until May 11th. The gallery is open from Thursday - Sunday, 12:00-19:00.
UPDATE 11th April
Leaves, who are soon to be seen supporting Doves on their nationwide tour, are playing the Water Rats on Tues 2nd May. Supporting them will be Alaska (tbc). Tickets £6.50.
UPDATE 10th April
Now then pop fans. Here's what's been happening at our beloved Water Rats. Did you see Shelby (2 April)? No? Shame on you. They were bloomin' fab. Hopefully they'll be over here from their native New York again soon, so make sure you come and see them then.
Byrne (3 April) were an absolute joy. Beautiful songs, wonderfully performed. It was also their manager's birthday party that night in the venue, and their manager is none other than Mathew Priest, former drummer with Dodgy, and now the drummer with Satellite. Spotted at the party was Tjinder from Cornershop and the singer from Rialto, plus various other people I'm sure I recognized, but couldn't think where from. Great night all round. You never know who's going to be boozing / partying / schmoozing in there next!
New gig confirmed is M.A.S.S. (featuring Andy Miller from Dodgy) on 29 April. Previews of this and other upcoming gigs will be posted on the site very, very soon.
UPDATE 5th April
HAMFATTER have cancelled on 12th April, replaced by The Jealous Lovers. We have also confirmed BRUDNELL GROOVE + HAUEN + OMNI for Tuesday 30th April.
Confirmed an exciting new band called 'The Hot Puppies' for Tuesday 7th May. Fans of Velocity Girl or Belle & Sebastian should definitely check out this boy/girl combo.
The PLUM PLAYLIST
Currently spinning on the office ghettoblaster, and playing at The Water Rats...
- Tigershark (demo)
- Thee More Shallows A History of Sport Fishing (Monotreme Records)
- Luxor (demo)
- Dan Glendining (demo)
- The Gasolineros (Demo)
- Templeton Peck (demo)
- Misty's Big Adventure I Am Cool With a Capital C (Awkward Records)
- Sophia Fixed Water (Flower Shop Recordings)
- Girlinky Hai Wakarmashita
- ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead Relative Ways ( Interscope Records)