A local band is set to host a special fundraising gig next month to raise money for Fair Frome and launch their first-ever Christmas single in aid of the charity.
Sweet Machine, an electronic band with a nostalgic 80s sound, will perform on Saturday 7th December, at The Bennett Centre on Vicarage Street.
All proceeds from ticket sales and the Christmas single will be donated to Fair Frome, which provides crucial support services, including the town’s food bank, Furniture Bank, Food at Five, Community Pantry, Baby Basics Bank and the Financial Assistance Scheme, and also provides support to residents in need at Christmas.
“It’s going to be a bit of a party,” said band member Richard Churchyard. “We have a duo opening the evening, followed by an actor performing a 20-minute narration of a Christmas ghost story, and then we’ll take the stage for our set.”
On the night, the band will also launch their Christmas single, Come Inside for Christmas, which addresses themes of reducing loneliness and isolation. “One of my lifetime ambitions was to write and release a Christmas song,” explained Richard. “Our singer and I have created a track with a very good message; no one should feel alone at Christmas, and someone is always thinking of them. That’s why we’re donating all proceeds to Fair Frome because the charity does such fantastic work for people.”
Sweet Machine have been playing together for 35 years and met in London. This will not be their first gig in Frome, as they have headlined the Frome Festival and played in local venues, including the Cheese and Grain.
“We class ourselves as an 80s feel. We write all our own stuff and take inspiration from Erasure, Soft Cell and Pet Shop Boys. We have started adding some covers to the set, which have been going down well but we do write all our own music,” Richard added.
Doors for the event open at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £8 and can be purchased at the door or from Raves from the Grave, Richard’s record shop on King Street.
