A promising young Carlisle band, Hardwicke Circus, are performing three times on three consecutive nights to raise money for a tour bus.

Right now, on the highways and byways of this United Kingdom, the members of Hardwicke Circus may well be speeding to their next gig location in their current transportation, an early 90’s customised police riot van. It may be cramped but this band’s mode of transport is as distinctive as their exciting sound, and yes, it’s bulletproof.

Proudly based in the historic city of Carlisle in Cumbria, the motoring theme continues with the band’s name, inspired by a famous roundabout in the heart of the town. “There’s feeling of art and performance about the name Hardwicke Circus and it emphasises our proud ties to our home town” explain the band.

Hardwicke Circus are fast building a reputation as one of the most vibrant young bands to emerge from the UK in recent years. Their big, bohemian sound with brass invites comparisons to the E Street Band and Southside Johnny mixed with the dark passion of classic Doors, but with plenty of British authenticity and a touch of Dexy’s Midnight Runners at their horn-laden best.

With every new show, more and more fans get on board, because this is a group where there’s so much to watch as well as to listen to. The focal point of it all being lead singer and songwriter Jonny Foster, who draws the eye as he exudes all the ‘Brown Sugar’-era Jagger strut. But on stage and on record there’s also echoes from the boys of the energy of such modern-day heroes as Arcade Fire and The Killers. “Our aim is to be able to play and record everywhere in Britain & Ireland, but the only way we will be able to do it with this economy is with new transport in the shape of a bus, set up with live in bunks, a recording studio and outside stage attached, everything we need to succeed” says drummer Tom Foster.

However, bringing this dream to fruition will not be easy. “We need to raise £10K to buy the bus and a further £8K to fit it out” says guitar player Zack McDade, “our first step is to play 3 nights at our home base, The Source Collective, on August bank holiday weekend (24th, 25th & 26th)to raise as much of the basic purchase price as possible. From there we take every possible gig in the Autumn to fund the refit, which will be done by ourselves, our friends, and our great New Zealand sound guy Jason. We hope to have it all ready for the new year 2019 to take off up the road.” says keyboard wizard Lewis Bewley-Taylor.

“We’ve always had this unbridled ambition to write and perform music on a big scale, not to do anything by halves,” says bass player Ben Wilde. “There’s something to be said about a group of mates, seven in our case, with this vision that through our music we can do something special, and people can relate to it.” “Come help us get this show on the road!” from sax player Andy Phillips.

Tickets for all three shows are available at: https://www.fatsoma.com/hardwicke-circus/t0a8unvl/hardwicke-circus-tour-bus-fundraiser