Its been a busy period for Leon and mostly The Dirt… loads of gigs solo and music. All have been memorable and great experiences. Love this journey.
The Dirt have one gig this month. Leon a few more.. The Dirt also have demos for album 2 to sort. The background is always as busy as front of house…
Thank you to all who have come watched us /me at gigs and festivals. who have bought merchandise. Books… CD… T shirts.. bobble hats!!.. It all adds to the pot that makes this journey continue to roll on and help make more art!!..
Thanks to all that have booked us and given us a platform too.. The feedback has been mega..
So. Where are we heading. As leon.. lots in september before The Dirt take over for the rest of the year.. i will pop up solo here and there…
The Dirt this month is RDF support in Barrow on fri 13th Sep
Leon has a few more
Work with company of makers on line poetry club
20.09 Gaza gig at Fuel Withington
26.09 Chatter and Verse – at Industry in Stalybridge
27.09 – Burning planet compere at The Globe Glossop
28.09 – Revolution Headsticks gathering in Stoke. Compere
So come say hello..
Heres some posters for September
October info coming soon.. As will our 2025 conjuring festival…
Last week end i put on with a pal a music festival. An event in a cumbrian wood called The Conjuring (northern lights).
It sold out. We gathered top folk of mates.. bands and punters and we now start plotting 2025. Mega experience!!..
On top of that.. ive been organising spoken word/acoustic nights in Accrington – crafty lyrics.. and now stalybridge – chatter and verse.
Also working with Dorothy pax venue in sheffield around an event called Corrosion bringing northern bands together..
Its alll go and fun!!.. with a sprinkling of problem solving and frustration!!.. thats life.
On our gig front.. its busy.. The Dirt continue to demo and write album 2.. and gig in some mega places… recent highlights been Koz fest and 3s a crowd fest in manchester. Not forgetting our Conjurig slot which raised our bar!..
Leon is still popping up and spoken word events when asked and compering mudic events. Theres even been more recent vocal collaborations with a great band – intelligence of plants…
In a few weeks i start charity workshops again with veterans and continue to pursue mental well being.
So.. heres a few pics and gig posters of where we will be over the next few weeks…
Its been a while since i gave a website and social word update. Japan trip.. family health.. departed cat and rehearsals for gigs and album demos made me forget. And other things just get in the way…
Anyway its important to reflect and move forward. So heres the first waffle in a while.
We have had 6 weeks off gigging. 4 weeks of it in japan. But we get busy again this weekend as The Dirt. As leon i did a gig in manchester on Monday. A great night called WAP. It was Wit and poetry. A comedy / spoken word mash up.. loved it.
So heres a project and activity update to get things up and running again..
Gigs. We have lots.
The Dirt. Kick off this saturday in manchester for “threes a crowd” fest at peerhat 20.07.
We then head south to play the amazing Kozfest in Devon.. mega
In Agust we have 3 gigs
10.08 – salty dog northwich… 17.08 – conjuring festival (lakes).. 31.08 – space chase 7 in cannock.
A busy time.. come see what the fuzz is about. Ticket links on socials…
Leon has a few too. – this friday compere at the Globe Glossop residency #burning planet. Great bands on..
Then in Aug i have a couple
04.08 compere at Riot fest in Ashton and 08.08 my crafty lyrics gig at crafty fox in Accrington. Sadly the gig with Martin Atkin of PiL etc has been postponed.
Music. The Dirt put on socials two new music projects. A charity CD for our recently departed cat Billy. A re issue of our firt physical offering – psycherbilly.. all profits to cat rescue.. And we put our demo album of Agitator on line… 7 tracks called Ultraseven great projects.
Last week i got back on the wild horse of spoken word. Loved it. Its not happened much this year. The Dirt has took over.. and rightly so. Its a juggernaut of noise and verse. Heading to places Leon cant!.
Last week was special not only as it a top venue in Mash guru in Macclesfield but i got to co feature with Pal Culain Wood. A mega wordsmith. We started at similar times… 5 years ago. Met early on in our journeys. Write about similar subject matter. Paths regularly cross but this felt mega..
Aside from shouting down the mic ove had two workshop groups running. In Oldham with Hack and on line with ex vets at company of makers. Both conclude this week. Timely as the Dirt take a breather and head to japan soon.
The dirt have also had some mega gigs recently. We loved a trip to Derby to play dubrek studios!!.
Before we breather theres 3 mega Dirt gigs left. Lancaster at kanteena (23.05) party in pews in Macclesfield (26.05) and psych mabfest (08.06)… leon will also do a pro palestine med relief fund gig on 02.06 in manchester.
I have fingers in other pies i am announcing soon. An art exhibition.. promotion in another city.. more gigs leon and The Dirt.
This creative journey keeps me going.. i love it.. For anyone who thinks they have no creative bones.. dont kid ya self.. its out there..
So heres a few pics posters and bits coming up before we take 6 weeks off and as soon as we get back!!..
Well leon is hiding in the shadows of The Dirt.. hes still jumping out now and then.. but mostly.. letting the filthy sonic sounds take to a stage!!..
The Dirt are busy doing doing gigs all over and in between creating demos for album two..
We have 7 tracks written.. 4 of which have been played live at some point!.. lyrics written for the other two pieces.. we have a title and cover artwork ideas.
So we are ahead of schedule for a december studio date.. The album is planned for 2025 release. More on that later.
Festivals are taking up the summer as is a trip to japan!.. a busy autumn is planned and we have 7 gigs booked into 2025 too. So if a promoter is reading this.. and if ive pestered you for a gig.. May 2025 is where we are at.. yes booked a year in advance.
Or come chat to me about been part of a DIY tour we hope to plot for sep/oct next year!.. ill be getting onto that later this year.. haha.
We have our own fest with pal Richie this year. The conjuring takes its first steps into the woods 16-18 Aug.
I am co plotting a gig in manchester with Abbattoir blues in manchester in july.
And i will soon announce a sheffield residency with pals at Dorothy pax. Taking the sonic psych punk garage and heavy to a sheff venue!!. Look out for “corrosion”…
As for leon.. i did a fest 10 days ago with after all. Did my regular night in Accy.. Ive got more fest compere stuff and a couple of solo gigs. But like i say. Its the Dirts time..
As such ive attached a few gig pisters to show where you can grab us.
We did a steam punk fest at weekend and a cracking manchester gig before it..
So.. on that note. Check posters.. see where we are.. and come along.
Its been a long time since i dragged my arse onto wordpress. Too long.. i try at least every two weeks.. not leave it 2 months..
MID TOUR.. Sorting cancelled gigs..replitting gigs.. on the road tour part 2 .. Damaged music batch.. designing hats.. getting the rest of the year in some order gig wise.
Its ace.. i love the DIY. But neglected a blog.. updates creative natter. Whsts on and whats gone…
On that note. EMF tour was mega.. we went on holiday in the sun.. updated- uploaded and upheaved sachiko visa apllication for next 30 months!!.. (i may rant on that soon!)…
Weve done a few gigs.. two with italian giants JuJu in sheff and Hull. Then we joined mates Amon acid and others at Bradfords 1in12 club.. iconic!..
Next up is manchester in 5 days on Tue 09.04.. at The Rose and Monkey..
Leon is quiet – er. The Dirt train is chugging so i need rehearsal down time and creative space for this.. But im still popping up at various events.. so dont forget me.. im still mouthing off.
Anyway.. this is hello.. im back rambling and more to come soon.. until then heres recents pics and a few gig posters for stuff coming up before we go back to japan in june!
First five dates were mega.. it can consume you. Venue to venue.. yravel time.. load ins.. sound checks.. stage times.. finding parking.. time to eat.. never to relax.
Then… set time.. 30-40 mins of raw energy.. An explosion of all thats been tetained.. rehearsed .. reflected .. reviewed.. then released.
I love it… and we go again..
After a 12 day breather.. ish… we are back on it for 6 gigs in 10 days.. Liverpool- Glasgow – newcastle – Portsmouth – Norwich – wolverhampton.
I say breather as i gave actually kept going behibd the scenes. Ive dealt with CD issues.. merch creation.. Leon solo gigs. Book production delays.. cancelled gigs.. rebookings..
The life of a DIY artist.. again… love it.. it all .. well nearly all comes good in the End!!..
I even found time to write new verse. And the dirt once back in rehearsals this werk spat out the foundations of two new tracks.. “End game”.. and “chaos”..
You can see where the next album is heading!!… post apocalyptic cyber psych punk… put that on ya genre defining record shop labels!!..
Anyway.. music is been created.. as are solo words.. The Dirt are politely having to decline a few gigs due to a heavy schedule up to December all ready.. its a nice place to be.. we hope we can accommodate more into 2025..
When album 2 will be plotted incubated and ready to spawn!..
At the moment im sat in the calm before the storm.. camomile tea.. some fuzz club belters on the turntable. Ready to unleash the Dirt beast tomorrow.
Voice rested.. lungs relaxed.. legs elevated
Now time to bounce!!!!.
Heres what gone on so far.. and where we are heading .
So this year is the year of the Dragon in Japan.. so its time for The Dirt to breath fire and fly!
Something has to give, so Leon will get out there … but less.. The Dirt are ready and its time to roar!!…
New art project with a very limited edition release.. lots of gigs / Festivals and an 11 date tour with EMF that kicks off this Friday.. we are Buzzin.
We then intend to head into the studio for album two at the end of the year… Label or stay DIY… its a question we get asked!
So the dates.. we have lots.. and dare i say, currently have no intention on seeking more for this year… we are rewriting our press info for 2025 now!.. wow!.. few chats to nail down and we will announce the others.. but so far this year we are here…
Hope everyone had a top xmas and new year.. now the dust has settled on the festive period and theres evidence of trees in wheely bins its time to crack on at the business end. Technically behind the scenes its not stopped!!
2024 is a year for The Dirt to breath and grow and Leon to step back. We hope!!.. less spiken word and a bit more preplanned bouncing stage affairs!
Last year closed with a leon gig at my new monthy compere residency at The Globe in Glossop. And this year kicks off with a leon gig at the Spiritual home thats the Peerhat in Manchester. A rock for Gaza benefit gig by the amazing ‘gig economy’ with some top bands too.
After that its The Dirt … the Dirt … the Dirt.. In 2 weeks we commence an 11 date EMF suppourt tour coveringb4 weekends… yep.. #unbelievable.. its been quoted in responses alot. We start with a weekend in Bristl thekla (19th) and london Islington Garage (20th)…
Many more places that are on the poster atrached… even a local.gig at Holmfirth picturedrome .. buzzin..
Behind the scenes ive been plotting a carefully curated summer of love and activities.. A few leon featured slots are to announce and a full on festival season spilling into Autumn.
Socials have the full list. But ive attached a few posters of places we can be found!.
And we have even found time to write half of the next album.. four tracks are in the pipeline.. two of which have already been aired live!.. time to go fishing.. for a label??…
So.. busy year planned and weve even squeezed in a month trip back to japan (no leon tour this time!).
Thanks to all who have supported us so far.. lets go again this year! Heres a few posters
As the Dirt and Leon projects shut down for an xmas breather we reflect… on what has been a mega year.
The Dirt- An album release -Agitator.. That has shifted all its limited 100 press vinyl copies. As CDs continue to sell with downloads. Listed in the top 100 albums by Louder than war. And top 25 by Emerging Rock Radio. Gigs nationally on a pure DIY system. And now, announced 11 date tour with 90s icons EMF. Yep its unvelievable!
For a band that loves the DIY ethos and thrives in a battle of respect for the alternative, unsigned and underground this journey has been mega.
Two years live now.. learning the craft, meeting great new folk and bouncing with the old. Whats not to love. New tracks in a set that is evolving into something we call ‘an event!’…
If youve not been, come along sometime!
As for Leon.. well i dont stop.. project ideas come.. go.. get seized.. loose pace.. thrive and die.. thats Art…
Big achievements were firstly getting book 3 out there – An iridescent dream. Thanks to Kitty Aurora for the artwork.. and especially steve Reilly who has a brilliant digitals skill of making what goes on in my head a reality and a tangible product!!..
Leon also filled a massive studio at shiine on fest. Poetry at a music fest on sunday morning to a packed space.. Mega!!.. loved it.. As I did introducing EMF to several 1000 at Bearded theory. This journey is crackers. It takes me to the most crazy places.
Ive loved the close up cosey business end too, featuring at out of town poetry events, compering festivals, activism events. Also collaborations with musicians facilitating talks and workshops.
Everything i do makes me pinch myself. This year astounded me.. oh and i did a week tour of Japan with Matt McManamon of Dead 60s in september too!. Haha..
So where fo we go next?
The Dirt have a full year of gigs ahead of them. New tracks written so at some point studio beckons for a 2025 release. Lots of events, festivals and gigs to announce. LETS EMBRACE EMF FIRST!!
Leon has a few things bubbling. Featured word slots. A regular compere gig night in Glossop at the Globe. And a festival to organise.. yep.. it never stops!!.. love it.
On that note im signing off to reboot, refuel regroup and repair.. Ready for a mega year ahead.
Come say hello somewhere.. maybe buy a book.. a CD.. a T shirt.. join the pig pen party!!..
Thank you to all that have supoorted this incredible journey so far.. its mega from this side of the mic.. we hope you have a top time on the other.. lets meet in the middle and have a bounce!!.
Take care.. have a top festive period.. be nice.. and happy new year!! Heres some stuff to look at!
Leon The Pig Farmer - Website by Steve Reilly 