Tag: keyboards

  • I will be appearing at Cologne Pride in Germany with Smalltown Boy, the leading tribute to the iconic Jimmy Somerville (Bronski Beat, The Communards).

    I’ve been working with Smalltown Boy over the last couple of months playing piano and keys, and I love doing this joyful, fun, high-energy show for audiences around the UK… now I can’t wait to take it to Germany too.

    Featuring huge hits including You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real), Never Can Say Goodbye, Don’t Leave Me This Way, Why?, Read My Lips (Enough Is Enough) and, of course, the global smash Smalltown Boy, audiences can expect an unforgettable journey through some of the most iconic anthems of the 1980s.

    We will be in Cologne on Saturday 4th July. And as always, check the calendar page for all upcoming gigs dates.Calendar

  • Already a Prog Magazine ‘Limelight’ band in 2024, 2025 has already started strong for Candacraig, being voted among the top five Best New Artists by readers of Prog Magazine in a nationwide readers’ poll.

    Following the success of the Brave tour and livestream, I am deilghted that I’ll be linking up with Candacraig again later this year to play the Kingfisher Stage at Nene Valley Rock Festival at Grimsthorpe Castle in south Lincolnshire.

    Candacraig will appear on Sunday 7th September, presenting ‘their unique blend of neo prog, art rock and dark folk’ with their full five-piece line-up, including me on keyboards. Early bird tickets are available now from the NVRF website.

  • Candacraig ‘Brave’ Livestream

    One last chance to watch the full retelling of Marillion’s seminal prog concept album ‘Brave’ performed by Candacraig with a five-piece band… from the comfort of your own home!

    Click here to buy tickets for the livestream performance which you can watch online live on 30th December, or view the recording at a later date. I can’t wait to play this iconic material one more time with the Candacraig guys and their brilliant band.

  • I am very excited to announce I’ll be touring with Uncle Acid and The Deadbeats at the start of the new year, as they perform their critically-acclaimed album Nell’ Ora Blu in full.

    Described as ‘breathtakingly impressive’ by Distorted Sound magazine, and ‘the most original and thematic album of the year (9.5/10)’ by Metal Injection, Nell’ Ora Blu is a gritty, doom metal concept album inspired by classic Italian cinema, with a storyline which encompasses corrupt politicians, vigilante justice, and inevitably, murder.

    I will be joining the band on keys to perform the album in full at venues across Europe, the UK, the US and Canada. Catch me with Uncle Acid and The Deadbeats at the following gig dates throughout January and February (full details and links to ticket sales are on the Calendar page, or on the Uncle Acid and The Deabeats website).

    • 16th January 2025 – Alhambra, Paris, France
    • 18th January 2025 – Palco 19, Asti, Italy
    • 21st January 2025 – Sala Petrassi, Rome, Italy
    • 24th January 2025 – Heimathafen, Berlin, Germany
    • 25th January 2025 – Heimathafen, Berlin, Germany
    • 26th January 2025 – Muziekgebouw, Eindhoven, Netherlands
    • 29th January 2025 – Vooruit, Theater Zaal, Ghent, Belgium
    • 31st January 2025 – Alexandra Palace Theatre, London, UK
    • 5th February 2025 – The Fillmore, Silver Springs, Maryland, USA
    • 6th February 2025 – The Town Hall, New York City, New York, USA
    • 7th February 2025 – Somerville Theater, Somerville, Massachusetts, USA
    • 8th February 2025 – Mtelus, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
    • 9th February 2025 – Danforth Music Hall, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    • 11th February 2025 – Masonic Cathedral, Detroit, Michigan, USA
    • 12th February 2025 – Thalia Hall, Chicago, Illinois, USA
    • 13th February 2025 – Fitzgerald Theater, St.
  • Candacraig Presents ‘Brave’

    Candacraig Presents ‘Brave’

    I will be joining up with Lincolnshire-based prog outfit Candacraig next month to play keys on three very special shows, retelling influential prog giants Marillion’s seminal concept album ‘Brave’, thirty years after its original release.

    To celebrate this incredible piece of work, Candacraig will be devoting the entire second half of these shows to a retelling of the story from the perspective of the girl on the bridge, 30 years later.

    Using projection and a full five piece band, Sharon and Martin will play a selection of their own songs in the first half, and then devote all of the second half of the show to Brave.

    The ‘Brave’ shows will be at 45 Live in Kidderminster on 10th October, at Southside in Lincoln on 17th October, and then at Manchester Academy 3 on 24th October. I shall look forward to seeing lots of prog fans there to celebrate ‘Brave’ with us!

  • Band Theft Audio

    Band Theft Audio

    Band Theft Audio

    I’m delighted to be joining the UK’s hottest event band Band Theft Audio as a keyboard player this year!

    Filling the gap between band and DJ, BTA provide the ultimate musical entertainment experience for your event. Musically focused on keeping heads nodding and feet moving, the BTA repertoire moves from dance, RnB, and hip-hop seamlessly to rock, funk, and pop to cater for all audiences.

    It’s the perfect opportunity to flex my synth and programming muscles whilst getting stuck into an immersive live performance guaranteed to leave audiences wanting more.

    I’ll be playing with BTA on a number of festivals and other events throughout the year, so keep an eye on the Calendar page and don’t miss the chance to come and check us out.

  • Why Does A Keys Player Need A Pedalboard?

    This is something I get asked about from time-to-time… I know you don’t commonly see keyboard players using boards of effects pedals, like guitarists often do, but I have put a lot of thought into the setup I’m using on my gigs and I feel like this rig fits my workflow and my approach to my playing well.

    I enjoy using tactile pedals to add or remove layers of sound ‘in the moment’, shaping the tone of my playing to fit the contours of the song; I have tried to build something which allows me to achieve a wide range of sounds on the fly, whilst keeping load-in and setup easy and convenient.

    Check out the video for a full ‘rig rundown’ of the setup I’m using on my gigs at the moment.

    Click here for a full break-down on my custom rotary speaker speed-switcher pedal, as mentioned in the video.

  • The UK’s most prestigious Rod Stewart Tribute starring Rob Wright as Sir Rod Stewart, backed by his sensational live band.
    Maggie May, The Rod Stewart Years

    Covering a catalogue of Sir Rod’s chart-topping hits spanning a jaw-dropping 5 decades, including titles such as Handbags & Gladrags; Maggie May; You Wear It Well; I Don’t Want to Talk About It; This Old Heart of Mine; Sailing

    This is a show like no other, dedicated to not only the music of Sir Rod but celebrating the life and story behind the man. A fantastic tribute to a living legend, Maggie May, The Rod Stewart Years is guaranteed to have you singing along and dancing in the aisles.

    I’m very proud that I will be playing keys on this exciting new production dedicated to the songs of Sir Rod Stewart, opening at Bath Forum on 6th September.

    Check the Calendar page for the full tour dates.

  • Candacraig At The Portland Arms

    Candacraig At The Portland Arms

    I’m very excited that I’ll be playing keys with Lincolnshire’s alt-folk duo Candacraig at The Portland Arms in Cambridge next weekend, on Sunday 26th February, showcasing songs from their debut album Thunder of Whispers.

    Doors are at seven o’clock with Candacraig going onstage at eight o’clock. Hope to see you there!

  • 90s Jam At EGO Perth

    90s Jam At EGO Perth

    Photos from the recent 90s Jam show at EGO nightclub in Perth, by Cristian Shearer-Felipe.

Kit Marsden // Musician