GROUNDBREAKERS

Original music on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Local musicians performing in a warm and welcoming environment. Come along and enjoy this creative and friendly social event. Great music, licensed bar, cool vibes..... And support a worthwhile and valuable community asset.

A Refugee Week gala concert featuring East Sussex’s foremost avant-garde big band AND its timeless custodians of traditional music!
Statue of Liberty is an all-star big band devised for XMTR and Sono-Electro 2025 by Ed Baxter, BASCA-award winning sound artist, co-founder of Resonance FM. Statue of Liberty is a monumental piece of conceptual art, designed to welcome people crossing the Channel at a time of encroaching fascism, small-mindedness and intolerance.
Proceeds from this performance will be donated to the Refugee Buddy Project in Hastings.

If you’ve been in Hastings for any length you’ll know the names on this billing.
Blair is a BRIT Award-winning, card carrying hit songwriter… one of the best most natural performers I’ve ever encountered.
Liane has so many British Jazz Awards, she had to remove her name from contention a few years back… not being over the top when I say that she’s absolutely the most gifted musician I’ve ever seen in the flesh. I’ll be sharing the stage with them all night and trying to keep up.
If that weren’t enough, this is all for a good cause. The musicians are waiving their fees and we hope to raise a substantial sum for our friends and Hastings legends, Glenn & Kath. For decades, these two have invited us into their garden, organised incredible cultural events, and, behind the scenes, they’ve quietly helped families in Hastings with myriad challenges – my family in particular.
They’ve recently been confronted with some challenges and we’re hoping a packed show in The Hall could provide a bit of support in their time of need. Please join us!

Dv8 Sussex is a specialist college offering young people aged 16-24 personalised, industry-led training in the most vibrant & exciting creative sectors. Through practical project based learning our students gain real life experience to develop skills in a supportive and ambitious environment, where there are continual opportunities to work and think differently.
This end of year show for friends relatives and fellow students will highlight the work of the college.

llustrious neo-folk troupe return to the fray, Ish & The Meantime give the songs of Otti Albietz a bass boost, Borough Council man plays solo
The Memory Band is a London based folk ensemble formed in 2003 and led by producer Stephen Cracknell. They perform traditional arrangements, cover versions and original compositions with a cast of collaborators drawn from across the musical spectrum. For the first show previewing a brand new live set The Memory Band will consist of Cracknell, singer Hannah Caughlin and double bassist OIie Brice.
Olie has a busy night in prospect as he’ll also be playing double bass on the beautiful songs of Otti Albietz as one half of Ish & The Meantime. Their AA-sided debut single on Either Ore Records was recently played on BBC 6 Music’s Riley & Coe Show and SoHo Radio’s Morning Glory.
Kicking off the show will be Borough Council’s Haydn Ackerley in solo formation with Folk Acid silverback Ade Peachment presiding on the wheels of steel in between times.

Pianist Joe Webb has emerged as a leading force on the global jazz scene today, captivating audiences with his exceptional talent and rockstar-like persona.
Joe Webb is an extraordinarily gifted pianist and improviser who, taking inspiration from the flavour of 90’s Brit-pop and adding references to his Welsh cultural roots, seamlessly blends traditional jazz with contemporary flair.
His innovative approach breathes new life into classic jazz idioms, creating a sound that is both familiar and refreshingly original.
The Joe Webb Trio’s ability to amalgamate the old and the new has garnered them a deserved reputation for pushing the boundaries of jazz while respecting its rich heritage.

Nadia Reid, one of New Zealand’s most distinctive singer-songwriters, has arrived, do not miss out on this one. Nadia embraces a full-bodied sound halfway between Haim’s sophisticated pop sparkle and Sharon Van Etten’s full-throated song-craft. . An artist, so well established, ripping up the rulebook with this much verve is a rare and welcome thing.

We’re plotting and planning ((XMTR)) Audio Arts Festival 2026.
This year is set to be even more ambitious, spanning multiple unique and wonderful venues in and around St Leonards-on-Sea, E. Sussex, UK.
Deep diving into the craft of creative audio and sonic storytelling - from powerful and provocative performances, to focused listening and immersive experiences.
Above all XMTR Festival is a gathering space for the international creative audio community to inspire, connect and collaborate.

After the overwhelming success of last year's festival - it's back. More info soon.

Internationally acclaimed clarinetist Adrian Cox is a leading authority on New Orleans music, bringing an authentic and electrifying voice to the idiom.
As a celebrated exponent of the style, Cox has dedicated his career to preserving and pushing the boundaries of early jazz, earning praise for his masterful technique, deep historical knowledge, and infectious energy on stage.
His unrivalled feel and virtuosity for the music he plays have led to concerts with the biggest names in jazz including two concerts with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra both in London and New York.
Adrian is currently touring with his exceptional Trio featuring the New Zealand born guitarist Honey Boulton and Parisian bassist Alex Gilson, a true world class power house that leaves audiences spellbound.