“Town Hall is a venue that holds many great memories for us individually and collectively having experienced some amazing gigs there over the years,” says Jono Wright, singer and guitarist for WLDFLWRS. “For us to be playing where many of our heroes have played before is surreal.” WLDFLWRS will be performing at Town Hall on 27 November with A Celebration of The Last Waltz alongside special guests Nigel Clark (Dodgy), Chris Helme (Seahorses), Neil Ivison (Ginger Wildheart and the Sinners), The Lost Notes, PP Arnold and many more.

WLDFLWRS are Katherine Abbott, Jack Blackman, Wes Finch, Chris Quirk, and Jono Wright. Despite emerging from rural Warwickshire, you could be mistaken for thinking they come from '70s Laurel Canyon with their sun-drenched harmonies and alt-country stylings. Whilst respectfully acknowledging the direction of their forebears, they offer their own distinctive and compelling new sound. The core band will be expanded for the occasion with James Maguire on saxophone and acoustic guitar, Elliot Rooney on keyboards and Rob Spalton on trumpet.

“We were all part of a songwriting charity based in Stratford Upon Avon. The Street Arts Project was an incredible organisation working with the homeless, social isolated and vulnerable. It was set up by the incredible Jackie Lines and Doug Armstrong to provide hope and creativity for those who really needed it,” Jono says. “The group would meet every week and work to together to write songs and build friendships. We were there to aid the songwriting process and turn their ideas into music.”

That was how they met Nigel Clark (Dodgy) who was a friend of Doug’s and another integral part of the success of Street Arts. “Many of the songs were then recorded and albums were released. It was a truly amazing project, and our Mentor Doug was the reason really that WLDFLWRS all got together,” Jono adds. “It almost felt like he manipulated the whole thing, knowing of our similar interests and personalities. Through writing together in these sessions, we decided we would try and form a band, so we did! Chris was added on the drums, bringing his youthful good looks and high harmony vocal into the mix. Sadly, Doug passed away last December but he is the reason WLDFLWRS exists and being a huge fan of Bob Dylan and The Band, we dedicate our Last Waltz show to him. He was an amazing man.”

“‘The Last Waltz’ was the iconic concert and subsequent movie that would mark the final performance of The Band in their original form,” says Jono. “The concert was a celebration of all of their incredible music with some very special guests along for the ride. We’ve tried to recreate the essence of this famous night and celebrate the incredible music that The Band were part of. In keeping with the original concert, we’ve invited some friends and very special guests along to join us.”

One of those very special guests include ex pat American frontman, singer and music director and vice chair of the Upton Blues Festival, Stephen Steinhaus. “I love being a part of this as a fan/punter/listener as much as a performer,” says Stephen.

He adds: “It’s going to be a special performance as it’ll be Thanksgiving and as an American who has lived over here for 25+ years, it’s always a day where I celebrate and remember the best things about my homeland. I’d say a lot of these tunes qualify as that! Now, The Band were of course originally from Canada, except for Levon, but songs like ‘Mannish Boy’ are so much part of the American canon.”

This band and their lineup of guests do such a phenomenal job of bringing each of these tunes to life. It’s a joy to experience, listen to and be a part of. I mean, what better way to celebrate, eh? I’m thankful to be involved.

The legendary ‘The Last Waltz’ concert on 25 November 1976 was recorded by Martin Scorsese and hailed as one of the greatest documentary concert films ever made. “The combined influence, power and artistry contained in the set list for the show, the guest list of the show, the back catalogue of The Band and the guests are equal parts a snapshot in time for western popular music, a seminal cross section of the core DNA of American music and veritable cornucopia of Americana,” says Stephen. “Despite and because of all that, it really rocks! The Band straddled the crossroads of rhythm and blues and rock and roll becoming “rock”, so the gig was a significant end to a significant era.”

Nigel Clark from Dodgy will also join WLDFLWRS on 27 November at Town Hall. He recalls the first time he watched the film and its subsequent influence on their music. “Back in 1995 I was holidaying in Ireland with my then young family. Once the kids had gone to bed ‘The Last Waltz’ appeared on the TV. I watched the whole film and by the end of the film I was convinced that they were one of the greatest bands ever. On my return back to England I met up with Dodgy and told them I wanted to learn ‘The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down’ to play on our world tour. On our next gig in Toronto, we played the song. To my amazement, the crowd knew the words and sang along. We went down a treat and that night still stands out as one of my favourite shows.”

Jono adds: “The Band are a huge inspiration on all of us in WLDFLWRS and are one of the most underrated musical outfits in history. The song writing style, the recording techniques they developed, their use of instrumentation and their vocal harmonies have had a huge impact on all styles of music over the years. A few years ago, Rolling Stone magazine did a ‘Top 100 singers in music history’ and individually the members of The Band were all in the Top 20. This goes to show how influential they were. The songs of the Band are like beautifully crafted stories and the only thing better than listening to them is being able to play them.”

“I hope that any audience members who are big fans of The Band will feel that we honour the songs and the musicians in the best possible way,” Jono adds. “I also hope that The Band, WLDFLWRS and all the artists find their way on to the stereos and playlists of anyone who wasn’t a fan before the gig.”

WLDFLWRS and special guests will bring the Winterland Ballroom to Town Hall celebrating the music of The Last Waltz and the songs of The Band on 27 November. Don’t miss this incredible night of music!