Three of the best at Flowerpot this week

Fred Zeppelin bring their tribute to Led Zeppelin to Derby’s Flowerpot on Friday, April 24.

One of the most popular tribute bands to play at the Flowerpot, Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant has attended three of their gigs and John Bonham’s son Jason even jammed with them on stage. These are things the band are very proud of. It must surely also be the best recommendation any band could receive, and also assure any Led Zeppelin fans apprehensive about seeing The Fredz.

According to one of Kerrang’s readers polls, Fred Zeppelin are among the top ten best live bands to see. This is quite an achievement, as they were the only tribute band listed in any category.

In their 21st year, the band has a new line-up. Steven Gale is still on vocals and Blackie remains on drums, but founding member guitarist Keith Jenkins has decided to call it a day. The band are still great mates and wish him all the best. Elliot Gavin has taken over the role of guitarist and Mark Cresswell has been recruited on bass duties. They will continue with their tradition of honouring the music of Led Zeppelin.

Then, on Saturday, April 25, there’s more tribute fun at the King Street venue, courtesy of The Sex Pistols Experience.

With a worldwide reputation built from over 1,000 live shows made up from extensive tours of the U.K, USA, Europe and South America, the band have played all the top venues and appeared in film and TV. They’ve gained approval from the real Pistols themselves. Their show has perfected the look and sound down to every last detail. This is not pantomime punk. This is not another run-of-the-mill covers band. The band sweat out every ounce of energy to make sure each concert is as dynamic, explosive, and exciting as the ‘real deal’.

They have captured perfectly all the spirit and energy of the Sex Pistols at their blistering peak 1977 period, blended with the ability of the seasoned musicians of their later reformation tours. This is a rare chance to hear all the classics live, in tribute to one of the most influential bands of all time.

Finally, on Thursday, April 30, you can see the legendary English psychedelic rock band Pink Fairies.

Touring again after a 25-year hiatus, this legendary rock/psychedelic band were ahead of the game when it came to rock and roll anarchy. They are reforming for one last-throw-of-the dice and embarking on what has been referred to, with tongue perhaps not so firmly in cheek, as The Pension Credit Tour. Originals Russell Hunter and Duncan ‘Sandy’ Sanderson, along with guitarist supremo Andy Colquhoun from the ‘Kill ‘Em And Eat ‘Em’ line-up will spearhead the outing,

Doors open at 8pm. Admission is £8 for Fred Zeppelin, £10 for The Sex Pistols Experience and £15 for Pink Fairies. Advance tickets are available from The Flowerpot and RAW Promotions plus www.rawpromo.co.uk

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