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Acapela Studio
tel: 029 2089 0862
info@acapela.co.uk
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Chris Helme

Rising to fame in the 1990s as frontman of indie band The Seahorses singer-songwriter Chris Helme is now producing acclaimed folk-infused tracks as a solo artist, including with a new album readying for release in Spring 2024.

His enviable back catalogue includes Britpop classics such as ‘Love is the Law’ and ‘Blinded by the Sun’ from his time with John Squires’ post-Stone Roses band, The Seahorses. But beyond these well-loved indie hits Helme has matured into a songwriter of regard for noir-tinged folk gems blistering with emotion.

Previous album, 2012’s The Rookery – produced by Sam Forrest (Nine Black Alps, Sewage Farm) – drew critical praise on release with Uncut describing it as, “echoing the fragility of Gram Parsons, while flirting with the rustic side of Neil Young” and his latest work is set for a similar reception.

His long-awaited forthcoming album builds on this tone, with a number of ‘70s folk and song writing touch points across his works – Tim Buckley, Van Morrison, and Jackson Browne – it is the melody and imagination as much as the intricate guitar interplay and orchestration, which leads to lush, blossoming climaxes to hold audiences spellbound. Lyrically Helme has a knack for mixing light and dark and for poetic description which remains relatable to resonate deeply, his matured vocal uncovering new feeling in whichever track he turns his attention to.

From rousing sing-a-longs of Britpop classics to underrated indie-folk gems Chris Helme is among the finest singer-songwriters on the circuit today and the release of long-awaited new material should only confirm his reputation and give audiences fresh favourites to enjoy alongside his indie classics.

“Echoing the fragility of Gram Parsons, while flirting with the rustic side of Neil Young” Uncut

“Dreamy but driven indie folk. Enhanced by lavishly layered production and a deftly deployed string quartet.” Q Magazine

“A memorable collection of songs that should establish Helme in his own right and give him the recognition he deserves.” Mojo

Book a table for pre-concert dining

Acapela Studio provides pre-concert dining between 6.00pm and 7.30pm from our pizza oven. To view the current menu visit here.

Please purchase your concert tickets first before booking a table. We will not accept any table bookings that do not have a corresponding ticket purchase.

Then return to the event page to book your table, by selecting the date of your event, number of diners and time you require table. The times shown are the only vacancies left.  Please complete your email and phone number as this is required to ensure your table is allocated. You will receive confirmation of your booking by email and text.

If on the date you have chosen no tables are available - no times will be shown and the booking system will revert you back to todays date - PLEASE ENSURE YOU BOOK THE CORRECT DATE!

PLEASE NOTE THE VENUE RELIES ON THE INCOME FROM DINING TO ENSURE WE CAN BOOK ALL THE GREAT ACTS PERFORMING.

Income from the provision of pizzas is very important to the venue and if you have booked a table it is a requirement that all people sat at tables order food - a salad alternative is available to pizzas. Please do ensure that all individuals will be ordering on your table - if  this is not the case please cancel your table so others who are looking to dine can do so. Our apologies to raise this but recently we have had many tables (some very large) where less than 50% of those sat at tables have ordered food. Financially this is a real problem to the sustainability of the venue. 

  • All seating at tables must purchase a pizza - so please do not book a table if everyone is not eating.
  • Please ensure that you arrive 10 minutes before the time slot allocated to order your pizzas prior to your booking time.
  • Tables not seated within 15 minutes of the allocated time may be lost and allocated to other audience members wishing to order pizzas.
  • If you wish to book a table for 6 or more please email info@acapela.co.uk

Please note that all of our pizzas are made fresh to order and cooked in an authentic wood-fired oven. It may take up to 45 minutes to be served during busy periods.

IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO BOOK A TABLE YOU CAN STILL ORDER PIZZAS ON THE NIGHT (USUALLY ON BUSY NIGHTS NO LATER THAN  7.15PM) AND WE WILL SERVE THEM TO YOU WHEREVER YOU ARE SAT IN THE VENUE - IN A PIZZA BOX.  

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