Get your tickets here. Or here.

Only 100 tickets are going to be available for this. Far more than half of those have already gone. And now we can confirm that Dunstan Bruce, formerly of Chumbawamba and now of Interrobang?!, will be bringing his existential angst to The Islington, backed by musical improvisation. If anything could make this gig even more unmissable it’s that. But the main event is Jon Langford and his Men of Gwent. This is Jon’s only London show on this trip over (the North West will be treated to some Three Johns dates). It will be very very special. Tickets are a tenner. Get yours right now.

Get your tickets here.

There are only 100 tickets available for this gig, and as of 4 o’clock today half of those are already sold. It’s going to be very special, and tomorrow we will announce a very exciting opening act for the evening. So book your tickets right now, because you may not get the chance later.

As many of you know, Billy Brentford is having his body rebuilt by the NHS at the moment, and all Factional activity is on hold until December. But he has pledged to take the stage at this gig whatever shape he’s in. Because it’s Gracemas in London on 9th December! At Nambucca. Best gig of the year. And we’re playing with the frankly astonishing Dream Nails: none more militant; none more punk. And Grace has got the full band out. And they’ll be in Xmas sweaters. It’s all going to be tremendous. We did this gig last year when it was just us and Grace and it sold out. Chuck Dream Nails into the mix and it’s a certain sell-out. Buy your tickets right now.

Not heard any of these bands? Check ’em out below. Particularly Dream Nails. Buy Dream Nails.

Our next gig is with our staunch comrade John Robb and The Membranes, at the Lexington on June 3rd. It’ll sell out very soon, so get your tickets right now.

This Sunday we march and rally in Bristol. Onstage 16.00

Along with millions upon millions of working people Bristol workers will be raising the Red Flag, on Sunday 1st May 2016, in honour of the international working class day that is the spirit of determination, solidarity and resistance.

With May Day falling on Sunday this year Bristol Trades Union Council urges maximum turn out by unions. Mobilise your members to join a major day for workers. Make sure your Trade Union and labour movement banners are at this major event.

to be addressed by Marvin Rees (Labour’s Candidate for Mayor of Bristol 2016), Andy Robertson from Bristol Trades Union Council and a speaker from the Co-operative Party.

• JOIN THE FIGHT AGAINST THE TU BILL/ANTI-UNION LAWS
• FIGHT AUSTERITY AND THE CUTS
• CELEBRATE THOSE WHO KEEP BRITAIN WORKING
• MAKE MAY 1ST A PUBLIC HOLIDAY

An evening of song, comedy and spoken word to raise funds for London2Calais

(guest post by Phil Buyum Jackson)

This event at The Beehive in Tottenham on 28th April is not a charity event; it is a solidarity event. The gig itself (tickets here) is an eclectic mix of music, politics and resistance blending everything from Iranian Tombak playing to feminist punk/ska crossover thrash from The Tuts, from ultra cool self described “Gypsy Jazz” by Franco Roma singer Florence Joelle and band – to the blaring horns and guitars of Socialist R&B icons Thee Faction. Sameena Zehra whose one woman show “Tea with Terrorists” was a hit at the Edinburgh and Melbourne festivals – will compere the evening.

London2Calais have been at the forefront of doing what our own government has not done – providing on the ground practical material support to refugees and migrants in the Calais district. This initiative, one of the first direct solidarity groups set up to support people living in the camps in Calais and beyond, is purely volunteer led and has worked tirelessly and in coordination with volunteers and french agencies on the ground. Most importantly the organisation has worked directly with migrants themselves, organising convoys and delivering practical solidarity to those fleeing poverty, violence and war. Included in the membership and volunteers are migrants and refugees themselves and a network of translators who can speak directly with people on the ground.

Increasingly the group is looking at providing support beyond France and has an increased focus on supporting and assisting refugees and migrants who make it to London an the south. You need to help out. Buying a ticket will offer material support. Turning up and supporting the evening will show solidarity. Performers, organisers and venue are offering their services for nothing. Come along and make it the night it deserves to be.

Get your tickets here

Featuring:

Us, obviously. And…

The Tuts – All woman punk/crossover dynamos, fresh from Glastonbury Left Field, two national tours to packed out venues across the UK with The Selecter, one national tour with the legendary Undertones. The Tuts are a must see powerhouse of left feminist power. Smart, musically really tight and great politics.

Florence Joelle and Band – Franco/Roma jazz inflected uber-cool lefty with shed loads of style “Florence is a rare jewel and this second album captures her captivating style. She boasts deliciously suave vocal phrasing framed by a hot and agile band. Her savvy originals and jumping jazz standards are an unaffected joy. Blooming lovely.” The Daily Mirror****

Sameena Zehra – Comedian, Storyteller, Blues Singer, all around excellent and very funny person. Past Shows “Tea with Terrorists” and “Homicidal Pacifist” have sold out Edinburgh Fringe; just back from Melbourne International Comedy Festival and carrying her Best in Fringe nomination from New Zealand Fringe, Sameena is a brilliantly funny lefty and accomplished performer. ‘the wittiest, most intelligent, comedy I’ve seen in the whole Wellington Fringe Festival 2016… tackles the hard topics with ease, wit and charm…comedy that made you laugh and made you think.’ Art Murmurs, NZ ‘Fluency, intensity and vivacity…’* * * * The Age, Melbourne

Daphna Baram
Daphna Baram – Jerusalem born, East London based Immigrational comedian ” * * * * * Marsterful (Bunbury Magazine); “An Illuminating and poignant take on tough subjects…Fresh and enlightening” The List
“Savvy, ballsy, wonderfully witty….. Staggering, heart rending and blackly comic”,The Girl With The Edinburgh Tattoo (Sonia Nemec’s review blog).

Mike ‘Dr Blue’
Brighton based Blues and Roots singer/songwriter
‘The bastard son of Tom Waits & Howlin’ Wolf’Rob Clarke, Blues Impressario, Arch 1
‘Authentic Blues…Mesmerising…would do B B King or any of the other Blues Legends proud’ **** Broadway Baby

Somaye with Stephano D’Silva
“Nina Simone meets Bertolt Brecht”
Somaye is a poet, percussionist and singer from London of Iranian origin.
She has been enchanting audiences with her voice and her unique blend of jazz and Middle Eastern music, punctuated with socially conscious poetry and lyrics.
Somaye believes in reappropriating jazz and taking it back to its roots as a music of the oppressed and does so with style.
She will be performing alongside Stephano D’Silva on guitar.

April 25th, 100 Club, London

Get your tickets here

Next Thee Faction show in London is Scroogeonomics at Rich Mix. (£10 – get your ticket in advance. It will sell out)

Scroogeonomics is a Seasonal Night Out Against Austerity mixing comedy, live music, poetry, ideas and photography to rewrite Dickens’ story of Scrooge for the twenty first century.

Bridget Christie headlines the evening with her riotously funny comedy and an exclusive in-conversation with Guardian columnist Zoe Wiliams.