Bumper season of top acts at Flowerpot

The landmark season celebrates 20 years of promoting live music at the popular city centre venue.

During that time, the venue has grown in stature and now has a reputation throughout the UK and beyond as one of the best mid-size venues in the country.

RAW Promotions booked the very first gig at the venue on October 14, 1995. It opened with Derby band The Rattlers and was the start of a diverse and fulfilling journey that is still on going to this day.

There have been many famous artistes and bands that have played the Flowerpot in the last 20 years. Notable highlights include John Martyn, Nils Lofgren, Al Stewart, Joe Bonamassa, Midge Ure, Fish, Michael Schenker, Simon & Oscar (Ocean Colour Scene) and Wilko Johnson to name but a few.

In the last few years, acts including Toyah, Jefferson Starship, Beth Hart have all enjoyed the unique and special intimate atmosphere the venue is able to generate.

These names are among many touring bands who now see The Flowerpot as an essential part of their tours across the UK and Europe. This includes many blues, rock and roots acts.

Over the years the best tribute bands have played the venue, giving people an insight as to what it would be like to see these bands in a smaller venue rather than the stadium-sized venues they would normally expect to see them at.

So the autumn season is a celebration and continuation of the live music scene that has evolved at the Flowerpot.

The RAW Promotions gigs start back on September 6. For a full list of gigs coming up, you can check the gig guide at www.rawpromo.co.uk

There is the usual mix of top quality tribute bands, along with high profile big names and blues bands. Here are some of the new names and highlights coming up

Mod aces Secret Affair will kick the season off on September 4, followed by a full band gig on September from popular performer Toyah Willcox.

Lil Jimmy Reed pops in on September 24, followed by the return of The Nimmo Brothers on October 17.

There’s a chance to see Duke Special on October 20, plus Dreadzone on October 23, and Wishbone Ash on October 27.

Eddie & The Hot Rods will deliver a storming set at the King Street-based venue on November 7, ska-pop veterans The Beat put in an appearance on November 14, and later in the year you can enjoy appearances by the likes of Pat Travers (November 21), Big Country (November 26), Martyn Joseph (December 3), China Crisis (December 4), Dr Feelgood (December 5) and Nine Below Zero (December 19).

Tickets for all of the gigs are now on sale at the Flowerpot and online at www.rawpromo.co.uk