Snooker legend Steve Davis cues up for Reading gig

Forget Snooker Loopy, the man with the golden cue is a big fan experimental psychedelic music. So much so that he’s formed The Utopia Strong – it was such a hit at Down At The Abbey last autumn that they’re coming back to the Ding. PHIL CREIGHTON finds out more

ABAND that performed at last year’s Down At The Abbey festival were so popular that they’ve earned themselves a return gig, and it’s coming up later this month.

The Utopia Strong is a three-piece that headlined the second stage at last year’s event, and well, among the lineup is none other than snooker legend Steve Davis.

The six-time world champion was the world number one for seven consecutive seasons, and one of the greatest players ever to pick up a cue.

But he’s swapped that the green baize of the snooker halls for the bright lights of South Street, thanks to the experimental psychedelic band, along with Kavus Torabi and Michael J York.

The trio have fused Modular Synthesisers with conventional and traditional instruments to create a weird and joyous celebration of left field psychedelic music. The band was born on the evening of January 2, 2018, after what can only be described as an experimental and revelatory improvised session together.

Kavus Torabi is an experimental/ psychedelic musician with a long history in the field as a member of both Knifeworld and Gong. He has been a member in various other bands including Guapo and most notably a guitarist in the final line up of Cardiacs.

Michael York is a multi instrumentalist and luthier, working mainly with modular/analogue synths and woodwinds, primarily focusing on bagpipes, reeds and flutes of Europe and the Near East.

His piping has seen him work not only in the realm of folk, with the likes of Shirley Collins and the seven-piece bagpipe choir Zephyrus.

The band released their second album International Treasure last week.

Steve says of the band: “I see myself as a strong midfielder, or a centre back. Kavus and Mike are like the Lionel Messi or Ronaldo of the equation, and

I’m setting situations up for them”.

Joining them for the gig on Thursday, June 29, are support bands $un $keletons Kinky Hands $upport Group + Neither to Launch nor Land.

Both support acts will be echoing the experimental sounds of The Utopia Strong with minimalist drone music influences accompanied with unconventional instruments such as a harp and a cello.

■ Heavy Pop presents The Utopia Strong will be at South Street Arts Centre on Wednesday, June 29, from 7.30pm. Tickets cost £18.50. For more details, or to book, call the box office on 0118 960 6060, or log on to: whatsonreading.com

BALLET Black, a company of black and Asian classically trained dancers presents two new works.

In an evening that celebrates the company’s 20 years of dancing, Ballet Black performs Black Sun and Say it Loud.

Black Sun was created by South African choreographer Gregory Maqoma, and Say It Loud was choreographed and directed by Ballet Black’s Founder and Artistic Director, Cassa Pancho.

The company is known for its technique, precision and grace in performances of specially-commissioned pieces.

Ballet Black perform at the Corn Exchange Auditorium, Newbury on Wednesday,

June 22.

The event begins at 7.45pm and tickets cost £23, Concessions £21, Schools £19.50.

■ For tickets and information visit: www. cornexchangenew.com or call the box office: 0845 521 8218.