SIDETRACKS & DETOURS. 19th April 2026 Rochdale Rising with news sounds in a new place featuring artists such as Elysse Mason, The Tails, 25th Hour, Coyote and DJ Adam Statham + Ceramecist ´Cicci´ leaves a legacy

ROCHDALE RISING

The sound of the Dale has a new home.

review by Steve Cooke

The first ever Rochdale Rising promised a high-energy live music showcase curated by Common Ground, a collective of the town’s next generation of producers.

The event took over the impressively refurbished Heywood Civic to platform the incredible diversity and raw talent of the Rochdale music scene.

From soulful alt-pop to indie-rock and floor-filling DJ sets, this was far more than just a gig – rather it was a celebration some wonderful local talent

Ellysse Mason captured the nostalgic sounds of the 80s and 90s with crunchy guitars and a bittersweet rock-pop edge and her music was personal and unapologetic. With support from BBC Radio 1, BBC 6 Music and BBC Introducing, she arrived at the Civic fresh from iconic venues like Band On The Wall and Manchester Academy 3.

The Tails are an upcoming band from Heywood, swiftly finding their community and passion. Bringing raw local energy and infectious indie-rock spirit, they are the definition of home-grown talent.

25th Hour delivered groove-driven indie sounds shaped by movement and connection and forged in high-energy live shows. Formed across Greater Manchester and Rochdale, their sound is designed to get the crowd moving.

Formed in Leeds by Rochdale’s own Rohan Young, Coyote is an indie-rock four-piece that grew out of a university collaboration in 2020. After years of gigging and writing, they are well underway to releasing their first major body of music in 2026.

DJ Adam Statham, brought a musician’s soul to the decks. The Atlas frontman and Factory International regular spun a curated mix of rare tracks and groovy house records. From 80s gems to modern-day floor-fillers, Adam created a seamless energy all night long.

As a Common Ground event, the organisers were committed to making the night accessible for all. Heywood Civic is a fully accessible venue. Anyone with specific access requirements is encouraged to contact the box office.

For this 16 + event, tickets were free or pay what you can. Audience selected the option that worked best for them at checkout.

The show was supported by Your Trust, Heywood Civic, Brighter Sound, Cartwheel Arts and Rochdale Creates.

It was funded by the Rochdale Town Board, Arts Council England, Rochdale Borough Council and Rochdale Development Agency.

Curtain Theatre Rochdale & WAMDS present

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOUR DREAMCOAT

Preview by Steve Cooke

Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s beloved musical theatre classic that tells the biblical story of Joseph, his colourful coat, and his rise from slavery to power in Egypt. Packed with catchy songs and humour, it’s a dazzling tale of dreams, hope, and forgiveness.

“Two societies…One iconic musical…And a whole lot of colour…”

Expect all the colours, dreams, and belting harmonies as The Curtain Theatre and WAMDS [Whitworth Amateur Dramatic Society] join forces to stage one of the most beloved musicals of all time.

The show runs from Saturday 25 April 2026 – Sunday 3 May 2026 at The Curtain Theatre Rochdale, OL11 1EB

To book visit: www.ticketsource.co.uk

Saturday 25 April 2026 – Sunday 3 May 2026

Sidetracks & Detours, based here on Lanzarote,  recently shared news from the all across the arts that The Curtain Theatre has unveiled  plans for improvements to the exterior of the building. The historic 180 seat theatre that has just celebrated its centenary,  and will soon benefit from a re-painted facade inspired by the theatre’s signature red, along with new signage and exterior lighting to improve  the venue´s appearance and visibility as part of wider investment in the area delivered by Rochdale Development Agency. As well as giving the theatre, which was established in 1925, a more prominent and theatrical appearance, the investment aims to encourage new audiences and improve the appearance of the surrounding Milkstone Road area.  

WAMDS (Whitworth Amateur Dramatic Society) was formed in 1963 to bring the magic of live theatre to the area. They are a very warm and welcoming group of performers, creatives and theatre lovers who currently produce two musicals and a pantomime every year. On average over 50 volunteers take part in each production and attract around 3,000 audience members per year.

Ceramicist Joaquín Reyes Betancort Dies

CHICHI LEAVES A LEGACY

by Norman Warwick

Lancelot Digitas, an excellent  news service in print and on tv, spoke recently of  how Lanzarote mourned the loss of one of its leading figures in traditional crafts. Ceramicist Joaquín Reyes Betancort (right), closely associated with the municipality of Haría, has passed away, leaving behind a long and distinguished career dedicated to the preservation and revival of the island’s pottery tradition. The northern craftsman leaves a legacy tightly linked to the pottery tradition of Haría and the cultural identity of Lanzarote.

Voz, another well-read news outlet here on the island, described him as ´a resident of Haría known as Chichi´, passed away this past Friday in Lanzarote. The traditional potter from Haría was a well-known artisan on the island who dedicated his life to preserving the Canarian cultural heritage

His name was closely linked to the north of Lanzarote, where he developed much of his artisan activity. The town of Haria boasts a traditional artisan area with intriguing workshops and art-forms, a Saturday market, and woodlands adorning the village set in the town-centre valley. High on the hills that surround the valley, beautiful wildflowers have sprung up recently as a result of the . that after exceptionally heavy rainfall over these last few weeks, became a beautiful tapestry stitching together areas of vivid colours that seemed somehow to celebrate the life of Joaquin.

A ceramist and craftsman, Joaquín Reyes was a much-loved figure in the municipality. His work was always linked to traditional Canarian pottery, based on handcrafting, using clay from Lanzarote and a wood-fired kiln

This town and Joaquin Reyes Betancort himself will remain a reference for new generations interested in his craft.

The death of the ceramist represents a significant loss for the cultural heritage of Lanzarote, especially in an area such as traditional crafts, which finds in figures like his a fundamental pillar for its continuity.

The Haría governing group has expressed its condolences to his loved ones and family. “With his passing, a role model is gone, but his contribution to popular culture will live on generation after generation,” the political party Compromiso por Haría stated on its social media.

The wake took place on Saturday, April 4, between 10:00 and 18:00, at the Mémora facilities, and at 18:30, the burial was held in the Municipal Cemetery of Haría.

SEREN BEBE sends music news from Denmark

to Norman Warwick, Sidetracks & Detours

HI Norman

please share this newsletter with your readers.

Last week was one of the more special and eventful ones. We recorded no less than two new albums with the trio.

Thursday/Friday we recorded a new studio album at The V-Recording Copenhagen, a place we’ve been so many times before. And on Saturday we set up for a concert in the same studio and had a fantastic evening, filming and recording a two-set performance in front of an incredibly attentive and deeply listening audience.

It was truly a special night – and it became even more special when I realized afterwards that people had traveled from as far as Italy, France, Romania, Germany, and Sweden just to hear that concert and experience the music in the very studio where it was recorded. It was quite overwhelming, and I feel deeply, deeply grateful for that kind of support and attention.

Now the music needs to be listened through carefully, and hopefully something new will be released sometime next year.

In the meantime, I’ve decided to release three of the nine bonus tracks from the Gratitude Deluxe CD as singles leading up to this summer. These are three pieces that mean a lot to me, and I’ll share more about them as they come out.

The first one will be Kasper and my duo version of Jimmy Webb’s “The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress” a song I’ve loved ever since I first heard it performed by the Norwegian singer Radka Toneff on her beautiful duo album Fairytales with pianist Steve Dobrogosz. It will be released on streaming platforms on May 8 – but since you’re following along here in the newsletter, you get an exclusive link to listen to the track in 24/96 resolution on my website from today here: https://sorenbebe.com/the-moon-is-a-harsh-mistress/

The download version will be available for purchase when the single is released, and otherwise it’s only available as part of the Deluxe CD here: https://sorenbebe.com/product/gratitude-deluxe-cd/

The artwork photo is by Norwegian photographer Sverre Aurstad. I love his works and you can see some more of them here: https://atelie.art/studio/sverre-aurstad

As a final note: if you – or someone you know – are coming to the Copenhagen Jazz Festival this year, I’ve just been given the opportunity to use the beautiful Garnisons Church for a trio concert. Tickets went on sale today and you can find them here: https://billetto.dk/e/soren-bebe-trio-koncert-i-garnisonskirken-billetter-1903046

Thank you so much again for following along and for listening.
All the best,
Søren

PS. The photos above are from photos from the concert. More photos + video will follow….Just need some more hours in the day to do it all

.  

UPCOMING EVENTS featuring Wynton Marsalis

DublinJazz.ie are thrilled to be able to declare that the 1^st concert with Jazz at Lincoln Center with Wynton Marsalis scheduled for August 13^th in The National Concert Hall, Dublin has “SOLD OUT”. 

However, sidetracks & detours  are even more excited to be able to announce that an extra date with JLCO so that Wynton Marsalis on Saturday 15^th August, again in the National Concert Hall, Dublin.

Look out for a special edition on Wynton Marsalisin sidetracks and detours on Sunday 6th July.

SIDETRACKS AND DETOURS

Sunday April 26th

Gorillaz In The Missed Opportunity

*****

3rd May

A Bowl Full Of Strawbs

*****

10th May

What Do You Do When You´re Lonesome?: A Memory Of Justin Townes Earle

*****

17th May

Coming And Going:

featurng

Sophie Rose

Chip Taylor

*****

24th May

Poets and Rhymers Of Rochdale

*****

31st May

Choosin´Texas, Country Or Americana

featuring

Ella Langley

*****

/June 7th

A Town With A Feel Good Factor

*****

June 14th

Music In Portsmouth

featuring

Alexandra Peel, violionist

*****

June 21st

Town Of Culture Excedes All Expectations

*****

June 28th

In Search Of Where Truth Lies

featuring

Gillian Welch and her Revival album with Dave Rawlings