It’s always a delight to check out a band at the Roundhouse in Chalk Farm. The Grade II former railway shed, now a listed building, re-opened as a performing arts venue in 1964 and its popularity and reputation as one of London’s premier venues has grown ever since.
Tonight’s entertainment comes in the form of two guitar-led bands that I’ve been following for a while – Stone and Jake Bugg. I first came across Stone in their previous incarnation (The Bohos) and have been keeping tabs on them ever since. Their sound is uncompromising and eclectic, very much personified in the figure of front man Fin Power. A whirlwind of punk, grunge, hip hop and noughties indie, washed down with fiery determination in the vocalist’s forthright delivery.
They hit the stage and deliver a strong set winning over the crowd as they play their way through various tracks from the brilliant ‘punkadonk 2’ EP and debut album, ‘Fear Life For A Lifetime’. Having watched Stone before, there’s no second place to seeing them as headliners when everything from the acoustics, lighting and volume is primed for their specific performance. That’s Stone at their best and you should catch them headlining in an intimate venue quick, before it’s too late!
It’s hard to believe that Jake Bugg is still only just 30 years of age. Since bursting onto the scene at Glastonbury in 2011 and the release of his debut album in 2012, Jake has built up a deserved reputation as one of the country’s top singer songwriters.
He plays to a sell-out crowd tonight on the back of the recent release of his sixth studio album, ‘A Modern Day Distraction’ which has received great critical acclaim.
Opening up with ‘Zombieland’ and ‘Breakout’ it’s clear why as he rolls back the years with both tracks harking back to his early upbeat, exciting raw material. Another track from the new album, ‘Never Said Goodbye’ brings the Roundhouse to an emotional standstill and serves as a timely reminder of his singer songwriter talent for incredible storytelling and unique vocals.
Jake delivers a 24 strong set with a mix of old and new tracks and continues to rock it up with his classics, ‘Two Fingers’ and ‘Lightning Bolt’ to the delight of the devoted singalong crowd.
Whilst being a fan of the old, I enjoyed the new tracks more and it very much felt like a triumphant return to his early explosion on the scene with the added maturity of someone who has been there and done it.
A Triumphant Return: The Restored Organ of St Peter and St Paul
On 1 March 2025, the Chapel of St Peter and St Paul at the Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich, marked a major milestone—the first performance on its 235-year-old organ since its comprehensive restoration. Silent since 2020, this remarkable instrument—famously played by Sir Elton John in Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017)—has now been fully revived, bringing its powerful voice back to the chapel’s historic setting.
The Old Royal Naval College Trinity Laban Choir, led by Dr Ralph Allwood MBE, delivered a superb performance alongside organists Jonathan Eyre and Alexander Knight. Introducing the show, Allwood reflected on choral music as a powerful act of collaboration, essential to human success—a fitting message for an evening that honoured both history and renewal.
The programme balanced organ solos and choral works, making full use of the chapel’s acoustics. Parry’s 'I Was Glad' and Widor’s 'Messe à deux choeurs et deux orgues' were highlights, while the organ’s placement at the rear allowed for moments of reflection as the audience faced Benjamin West’s towering 25-foot tall 'Preservation of St Paul after a Shipwreck at Malta'.
The evening also marked a transition, bidding farewell to Jonathan Eyre and welcoming Alexander Knight as the new organist. With its historic organ restored to full splendour, the chapel remains an outstanding venue for worship and music—well worth a visit.
