This autumn, Barnoldswick Music & Arts Centre proudly welcomes one of Britain's finest singer-songwriters and one of the founding architects of one of the most important bands of the last fifty years, as Pete Williams, accompanied by the exceptional guitarist Andy Wellings, brings an intimate evening of songs, stories, laughter and soul to our unique 60-capacity listening room.
Long before Come On Eileen became a worldwide anthem, Pete Williams was helping shape the passionate musical vision that became Dexys Midnight Runners. From the band's earliest rehearsals through the release of the groundbreaking debut album Searching For The Young Soul Rebels and the No.1 single Geno, Pete was there as bassist, vocalist and songwriter, helping create a record that today is still regarded as one of the greatest debut albums in British music. Searching For The Young Soul Rebels remains a benchmark for blue-eyed soul, punk attitude and heartfelt storytelling, influencing generations of musicians that followed.
Born to Black Country parents and raised amidst the factories and foundries of England's industrial heartland, Pete's life has always informed his writing. From a teenage paper round and school clarinet to picking up a bass guitar at fourteen, his songs have always been rooted in ordinary lives lived with extraordinary heart.
Those early days soon led to Bernie Rhodes' Oddball label, support slots with The Specials on the legendary original 2 Tone Tour, and the beginning of one of British music's most remarkable careers.
Following the phenomenal success of Dexys, Pete formed The Bureau, whose sophisticated blend of soul, pop and sharp songwriting found success across Europe, Australia and North America. Touring alongside The Pretenders, the band enjoyed Top 10 singles overseas before eventually becoming one of Britain's great overlooked musical treasures.
Never content to stand still, Pete continued to reinvent himself through the wonderfully eccentric These Tender Virtues, before returning to the Dexys family in 2003. Reunited with Dexys and Kevin Rowland, Pete became co-vocalist during the acclaimed To Stop The Burning tour before helping create the celebrated 2012 comeback album One Day I'm Going To Soar. International touring followed, including a celebrated nine-night London theatre residency and a headline appearance on the Acoustic Stage at Glastonbury Festival.
Yet perhaps Pete's greatest work has emerged under his own name.
Albums including See, Roughnecks & Roustabouts and H.O.L.L.A.N.D. have established him as one of Britain's finest contemporary songwriters—creating music that blends soul, folk, rhythm & blues and working-class poetry into songs filled with honesty, compassion and hard-earned wisdom.
His debut solo album featured none other than Richard Hawley on guitar, beginning a creative friendship built upon mutual admiration.
Hawley himself perhaps says it best:
"For me, it's all about recognising in another brother or sister that same appreciation, understanding and knowledge... Pete smells good and is a damn fine man and musician."
Pete's songwriting has also earned glowing praise from some of the UK's most respected artists.
Iggy Pop simply declared:
"The songs are damn good."
Meanwhile Imelda May describes him as:
"I'm a fan of the great Pete Williams. He tells terrific stories set to beautiful melodies and sung with passion, charisma and heartfelt honesty. He draws me in every time."
And The Proclaimers, who personally invited Pete to support them across a 32-date UK tour, said:
"Pete is a storyteller in his songs, writing as a mature man who has lived and suffered and loved. The soulfulness that Pete brings to everything he does is inspiring. He has the passion of a young writer, and the philosophical overview of a wise man."
The live reviews have been equally enthusiastic.
Classic Rock Magazine observed:
"Like Elvis Costello and Paul McCartney, Williams has the ability to make magic of the mundane."
While MOJO Magazine and The Mirror both awarded his work four-star reviews, confirming what audiences have known for years—that Pete Williams has become one of Britain's finest songwriters quietly working outside the mainstream.
Sharing the stage throughout this special evening is the superb Andy Wellings.
Far more than an accompanist, Andy has become Pete's trusted musical partner, providing beautifully expressive guitar work that perfectly complements Pete's soulful voice and deeply personal songs. Together they have developed a remarkable chemistry, touring extensively throughout the UK as both headline artists and as special guests to Simon Fowler and Oscar Harrison of Ocean Colour Scene, performing fifteen sold-out dates that further cemented their reputation as one of the country's finest live acoustic pairings.
Their performances possess an effortless intimacy. Andy's tasteful, understated guitar playing creates space for every lyric, every story and every emotion to breathe, allowing Pete's songs to shine exactly as they were intended.
Expect an evening that moves effortlessly between laughter and reflection.
Stories from the birth of Dexys.
Songs spanning four decades of remarkable songwriting. Moments of humour. Moments of heartbreak.
Music played by two musicians who understand that sometimes the quietest performances leave the deepest impressions.
This is not a nostalgia show. It is the continuing story of an artist who has never stopped writing, never stopped believing in the power of great songs, and never compromised his artistic integrity.
In the intimate surroundings of Barnoldswick Music & Arts Centre—where every lyric can be heard and every note truly felt—this promises to be a rare opportunity to experience one of Britain's great musical storytellers exactly as he should be experienced.
Only 60 people will witness this extraordinary evening.
If you love Dexys, Richard Hawley, The Proclaimers, Ocean Colour Scene, great British songwriting or simply beautifully crafted songs performed with honesty, humour and soul...
Don't miss it.
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