The Forum Basement

Irish Music at The Sussex Arms – Free Entry

The Sussex Arms are bringing the true Irish spirit to the Pantiles! Join us for an afternoon of live traditional Irish, Cornish, Folk, and old-time tunes with some of the county’s finest session players. If you’re a fan of the Pogues, the Dubliners, or new folk legends like Lankum, this is for you. Our handpicked Celtic Session band is here to bring ‘Trad’ back to where it belongs – in the heart of the pub.

So grab a pint of Guinness and watch the best ‘Trad’ this side of Dublin. Sláinte!

Dan Sumner

Singer-songwriter Dan Sumner returns to where it all began, in Tunbridge Wells, where he played his first concert at the age of 14 at The Forum.

Dan has recently released his fourth album ‘Old Haunts Revisited’, a blend of folk, blues and alt rock, layered with guitars, harmoniums, concertinas, strings and field recordings taken from Portugal and Spain, that will appeal to fans of PJ Harvey, John Francis Flynn, Big Thief, Richard Thompson, John Martyn and Lisa O’Neill

Dan is accompanied by longstanding collaborators John and Joe Sam on drums and bass, as well as Alexa Warnes on cello and harmonium, and Pedro Enrique Medina on guitar.

• “Blends the genres of rock, folk, and blues to create a sound that is entirely his own”

The Vinyl District

• “Like the best music of (the very great) John Martyn, (Dan) touches sublime thoughts and then makes them intensely human…conjures the magic of the singer-songwriters of the 70’s”

Folking

Praise for new album ‘Old Haunts Revisited’

• “Folk and singer-songwriter elements passed through an indie rock filter…a compelling collection, well worth seeking out” ****

RnR Magazine

• “Old Haunts is built on sparse, hand-picked acoustics that echo the more fragile retreats of Richard Thompson…reminiscent of the salty seaside sting delivered by British Sea Power” Wow Kent magazine *

The Breretons

Described as noir folk draped in hard rock sentiments, an acoustic lamb, with a glimmer of Americana (XYZ magazine). Brereton’s debut album ‘keep you safe’ (SUGERBUSH RECORDS) exhibits dark undertones drawing from long days and nights growing up in the Kent sticks, drawing comparisons from cowboy junkies , the walkabouts, Yo La Tengo.

They are currently working on their second album ‘ Demeter’, which is planned to drop late 2026.

Join our house band for a free afternoon of creating and connecting with like-minded musicians. All singers and musicians welcomed!

Under 18’s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Originally formed as a four piece in Blackburn, Lancashire, Sky Valley Mistress had just signed to their record label, New Heavy Sounds before releasing their debut album, Faithless Rituals that was recorded with Dave Catching at Rancho de la Luna ( QOTSA, Arctic Monkeys, Iggy Pop ), the weekend lockdown was announced in March 2020.

With the promise of their first ever European tour falling through their fingertips and no UK tour to support their release due to the pandemic, they still managed to gain radio plays from 6 Music , Radio X and BBC Introducing . This gutteral blow haulting their momentum meant that their guitarist and bassist stepped aside from the band and Max, who was the current drummer and Kayley, the vocalist were left to decide whether to let it all go or build it back up again.

Not wanting to disrespect their former members and pull in new people to fill the gaps but still devoted to their songs and their name, the band decided to refuel the fire and create a live show that has never been seen before. Creating what they call a “Duel-Drumming Duo”, Kayley “Hell Kitten” Davies takes the sticks and one half of a drum kit whilst Max “Leather Messiah” Newsome battles the electric guitar with the kick drum under his foot. No samples. No backing tracks. No click tracks. No one is playing rock and roll the ways these two do.

From touring in their hearse nicknamed “THUNDERTAKER” after one of their songs, to printing their own free gig tickets to give out at every show they play and even creating a mausoleum model that fans can build inside every record of their upcoming album, Max and Kayley are doing everything in their ability to live a life fueled by fuzz guitars. With their most recent success of supporting The Hives , Sky Valley Mistress are within touching distance of living out their dreams once more and this time nothing will stop them from letting go

Gramma Vedetta

Like a jam between Monster Magnet, Black Sabbath and Rush, the band’s trademark sound is characterised by lo-tuned big riffs over rumbling grooves, topped by viral melodies.

They shared the stage with bands like Nightstalker, Fatso Jetson, and Psychlona. They are part of the London-based collective Civil War; their songs have been aired on genre-specific radios like Hard Rock Hell, Gimme Radio, Heavy Fuzz and Planet Rock. The band that goes beyond the music, they released their EP A.C.I.D Compliant alongside a retrofuturistic browser game. Their last album The Hum of the Machine, top 25 on Doom Charts in May 2022, it’s accompanied by short stories and evocative illustrations.

Their fans love the universe that Gramma Vedetta has created over the years, the high energy of their live shows, and their witty humour, making the band a full-blown rock’n’roll machine.

‘Indie folk rock duo, The Kahunas bring emotive violin riffs, melodic harmonies and vocals, original lyrical content & digeridoo loops. The pair have been writing, recording and performing together for nearly 5 years. Their musical pendulum swings between upbeat dance folk rock and heart felt love songs. The Kahunas sound has been likened to bands such as Fleetwood Mac, Fotheringay and The Levellers. ‘

The duo are now flying high on the festival circuit, playing at the likes of Boomtown, Beautiful Days and Sidmouth Folk Festival to name a few, last Autumn also embarking on their first UK headline Tour as well as having featured on BBC Introducing and playing live on BBC Radio.

“Indie Folk duo, The Kahunas blew me away”- Efestival Magazine (written for Beautiful Days Festival).

“Man that’s so good” – BBC Introducing, Tom Williams.

“Four to the Floor Euphoria”-Fiercely Bristol.

“Barnstorming, Wild-Roving, Folk Rock” – Fresh on the Net.

“Took the audience on an adventure to pastures new” – Jen Taylor, Ragged Bear Festival.

Will Whisson is a British singer-songwriter and musician renowned for his emotive storytelling and genre-blending sound that traverses folk, rock, and indie-pop. Emerging as a solo artist in 2016, he quit his job and moved out of London to live out of a camper van, busking across Europe. This nomadic lifestyle led to extensive touring, including over 200 gigs across 10 countries, and the release of two EPs and a debut album, Out of the Woods (2019), recorded in Ireland with producer Martin Quinn.

In 2022, Whisson released his sophomore album, Different Sides, produced by Pete Miles. The album features orchestral arrangements and introspective lyrics, with tracks like “These Days Are Dead” receiving critical acclaim and support from platforms such as Record of the Day and folk-punk troubadour Frank Turner.

Recently, Whisson has formed a new trio and is working on his third album in a self-built studio in South London. The studio serves as a creative hub for writing, rehearsing, and recording. To support this endeavour, he initiated a crowdfunding campaign aiming to raise funds for essential equipment and materials.

Known for his DIY ethos and grassroots approach, Whisson continues to cultivate a dedicated following through Patreon, live performances, online engagement, and community support.

2026 brings regular new music releases supported by nationwide touring once again.