Beats & Swing Easter Weekender

Portsmouth club night Beats & Swing has this week released details of some Easter treats which, I know, seems a wee bit early given we're not out of January yet (I blame Cadbury's, my local corner shop had Creme Eggs in stock whilst I still had my Christmas tree up). However, given the line-up thus far announced, you'd be advised to get your tickets early before they up and disappear.

Traditionally Maundy Thursday is when HM The Queen dispenses alms to deserving citizens (and civil servants across the land spend an afternoon in the pub), this year though it also sees Madame Electrifie, the alter-ego of Techno DJ Little Jo, take control of the ones-and-twos at Southsea's premier bijou art space, the Coastguard Studio. Little Jo has played some of the UK’s leading venues in the near 15 years she's been behind the decks, including legendary clubs Turnmills and Ministry. Support on the night comes from Wesley Brown and The Feel Good.

After such an entertaining opener it's lucky that Good Friday provides ample opportunity for a recovery lay-in (and/or a restorative beverage or two) before the doors of the Coastguard open wide again. The second night of the Easter Weekender is headlined by chap-hop originator, the wax moustachioed MC straight out of Cheam, the one and only Mr B The Gentleman Rhymer. If you've not encountered chap-hop before any explanation I could give would pale in comparison to hearing it the first time. Trust me, you're in for a treat. Support on the night comes from Bass-playing troubadour Grant Sharkey and Portsmouth singer-songwriter Dani Uziel.

Tickets go on sale at 10am prompt tomorrow morning, Friday 25th January, via Book.Events. A Weekender pass is available, providing access to both nights, priced at a very reasonable £18 or, alternatively, tickets for either night can be purchased separately for £10 each. And yes, I think this will sell out well ahead of time.