This way to the…. BIG SPECIAL – 11 bands across 2 stages

THIS WAY TO THE…. BIG SPECIAL

On Easter Sunday (20th April 2025), Big Special would like to invite you to a rather spectacular performance alongside some of their favourite bands across the two stages of Bedford’s Esquires venue.

If you need an introduction to Big Special, welcome! How was it under that rock? Britain may have been hit with some rather adverse weather conditions of late, but this does not compare to the tempest created by the black country boys. Crashing through 2024 with muscular zeal and laser enthusiasm on a mission to play all corners of the country/continent/planet they’ve made a habit of owning ears and blowing minds. Big Special are a band with something important to say, sculpting songs that highlight the unfairness of life with brutal social commentary alongside an element of dry, dark humour. Their music is so visceral yet so dainty as highlighted on debut album ‘Post Industrial Hometown Blues’, a mighty leviathan of a long-playing piece of wax. Just remember, sometimes it really can be BIG and SPECIAL. Guinness all round.

So… how to curate an event that transcends all others? Simple… get the best people who are in the best bands who play the best tunes. The main stage awaits the gravelly spike-pop of Bristol based punksters Grandmas House, post-punk trio Alien Chicks who serve up tunes seemingly formed of equal parts flick-knife and sherbet. Sounds Mint return to Bedford to bring their punk rap infused medley mélange with choruses so big they reach past Godzilla’s armpit and Derby poetry-punks Kez have the honour of kicking proceedings off in the big room.

The second stage plays host to some of the buzziest of buzz bands around, headlined by Isle-of-Wight pop-punk duo The Pill who revel in “raw unfiltered chaos” – YES! Another duo, Gans create a groove-laden cacophony that performs weird alchemy on your feet, you will shimmy, you will sway. Coventry’s Shortstraw. weaponise their rap-poetry-rock fusion with mighty hooks and bouncy rhythms and The Battery Farm bring their feral powerhouse dark-rock to the party with a performance that is guaranteed to be right up in your face. Garagey rock 3-piece Tarmac open room2 and are a safe bet to make sure the day starts with a sonic blast. The appropriate way to close a festival is to bring Enjoyable Listens in for their slinky anthemic “lounge” set. So we have. And… you’re welcome.

Tickets on sale at seetickets.com for £22.50. That’s £2 a band with 50p for a tip. Very generous of you. This way to the… Big Special.