The Hope and Anchor in Islington, London has been a home to live music for over 30 years but, like so many of our historic music venues, it’s future is not guaranteed. At the moment we are lucky enough to have the lovely Duncan Armstrong as manager and guardian of this gem of Britains music history but if that changed for any reason who’s to say the next manager would be prepared to fight as hard for the Hopes survival.

Well rather than worrying about it we decided to do something about it and have organised a fantastic charity event with guest appearances by some of the amazing artists who have played there over the years and who still hold the lovely old Hope and Anchor close to their hearts

We hope this festival will raise the profile of the venue enough to ensure its safety for several years to come.

The festival also commemorates 30 years since the legendary Front Row Festival in 1977, so called because wherever you stand in the Hope and Anchor basement to watch a gig you are effectively in the ‘Front Row’

The Peafish Hope and Anchor festival takes place over the Easter Bank Holidayweekend of 7/8/9th April 2007 and features many of the original artists from the Front Row Festival of 1977 as well as several of the rising acts of the current gigging scene.

We also have a fantastic ‘house band’ who are providing support to guest artists to enable them to perform at the festival. The house band consists of the Blockheads Lee Harris on guitar, Mark Snowling on Bass and Rowland Rivron on drums.

All profits from the festival will be going to Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy who are the UKs leading independent provider of music therapy services. Each year they provide over 30,000 music therapy sessions to children and adults in need across the UK

All the artists have agreed to play for free because of there love of the Hope and Anchor.

We have new acts joining all the time and we are waiting to get final confirmation from Hugh Cornwall, Shakin Stevens, Pauline Black and The Pirates all of whom have expressed an interest in being involved.

At the moment the line up for the weekend stands like this

SATURDAY 7TH APRIL
Jacksons Warehouse - are five honest lads originating from Basildon, Essex. Although humble in their conviction that they are just ordinary people, their integrity and potential dictates that they write far from ordinary songs.
The Suspects – Described as the best band in Southern England, The Suspects play pure Indie Rock and Roll. A real band with some cracking tunes!'
Guitar Club - GuitarClub's inspired, mature and original tunes have a strong backbone of indie rock and elements of country, folk, americana and punk. On stage, each individual song stands alone - no bland fillers waste your time.
ope and acnchorHhhhh
The Muvs - a bold and intelligent, modern jazz/blues blend with subtly warped pop undertones. Featuring the lovely Barney Harwood from Smile TV.
John Otway - is a self-confessed unsuccessful singer-songwriter, who built a large cult audience through unrelenting touring, a surreal sense of humour and a winning underdog personality.
Kitty Hudson - Where do we start?? Bad ass motherfucking rock 'n' roll band... 27-date tour of China... Off to L.A. & the whiskey.. East Coast of the USA 10 date tour... Arrested, Deported, Banned for life, FBI Records... Played Download Festival with Guns 'n' Roses / Metallica... Bigged up by Billy Joe Armstrong & Lars Fredericksen... That'll do for a start.
Foxy’s Ruts – “Foxy’s Ruts support live music in London and the preservation of thr Hope & Anchor is a genuine concern to us” Mark Wyeth Bass Player
Plus more TBC

SUNDAY 8TH APRIL
Betty woz Ere - Betty's extravaganza can cure all ills, there'll be no need for libation or pills. The lurgy, the flu, the palsy, the ague, Betty's extravaganza will make them better for you.
Mark Cottrell - lives for music and creativity. And loves to inspire and be inspired. Fantastic singer, songwriter and producer
Trad Arr featuring the Rabbi - More poppycock than a cock full of pop. Featuring ex-Wolfhound memebers
The Dirty Feel - Their sound is a raw, visceral, feel-good punk funk which sounds like the Red Hot Chilli Peppers being flung down a spiral staircase by a Motown lynch mob.
Vulnerable Things - This band takes on the blues from a different angle whilst injecting a level of soul and feeling rarely achieved by contemporary artists attempting to work within this genre.
Rhino Edwards from Status Quo and Dexys Midnight runners performing his solo work with his sons Freddie and Max and their band Woodedz
Wilko Johnson – The Wilko Johnson band was formed after Wilko's stint in Ian Dury's band The Blockheads. Ian's bassist Norman Watt-Roy joined Wilko and drummer Salvatore Ramundo.Salvatore has been replaced by Curve/Jesus and Mary Chain drummer Monti also another former Blockhead. Prior to that, Wilko founded Solid Senders but is, of course, most famous for founding legendary Canvey Island RnB band Dr Feelgood with Lee Brilleaux in the early 70s.
Chris spedding - Guitarist/Singer/Songwriter Chris Spedding has been a mainstay of the British session scene since the late 60s, playing with just about everyone
Ian Dury Tribute featuring members of the Blockheads. What can I say?!?!?

MONDAY 9TH APRIL
The Ryes - With a noise that could already fill stadiums and songs bursting with more ideas than most musicians hope for in a lifetime, The Ryes sound like a band already at the top of their game!
Projekt Mayhem ­- Fronted by Vocalist diva Josephine who after flirting with fame, fortune and 70'000 fans at reading festival with TERRORVISION as keyboard player, percussionist and backing vocalist has been achieving success in the last couple of years with Projekt Mayhem.
The Talks - Already clocking up support slots to The Maccabees, Reverend and the Makers, The Tender Box, and Neville Staple!!! A fabulous reggae, ska band.
Splodgeness Abounds – fabulous punk band from back in the day
Ranking Roger from The Beat will be making a guest appearance
Neville Staples from the specials will be making a guest appearance with the Talks
Plus more TBC


More info :
www.myspace.com/peafish
www.myspace.com/thepeafishhopeandanchorfestival2007