Swindon Bowl Concerts

Swindon Bowl Concerts are a series of concerts which take place every summer at the Old Town Bowl in Swindon. This picturesque outdoor venue has the capacity to hold 1000 audience members.

AbOUT the Bowl

Designed by Alfred Ridout, and built in 1936 by Swindon Borough Council, The Bowl has played host to many of the town's top MusicAL events of the last 65 years, and still exists as a completely unique venue for its excellent atmosphere and acoustics. The stage stands in an 'ampthitheatre' created by quarry workings in the eighteenth century. Nowadays, with grassed banks and mature trees surrounding the 'auditorium', it really is A Wonderful setting to sit and enjoy any kind of music on a Summer's evening.

During its time, The Bowl has reverberated to the classical afternoon concerts of the 40's and 50's, right through to the swinging 60's, rock of the 70's and a major Rhythm 'n' Blues concert in front of 1800 people in 1987. And since its refurbishment in the early 1990's, the bowl has proved the ideal location for thousands of avid music fans to enjoy music from near and far. Highlights have included the Bournemouth Sinfonietta concert in 1995 and none other than the great Jazz impresario George Melly strutting his stuff in 1997. Swindon's very own highly-rated Beatles tribute band The Ludwig Beatles performed in front of a sell-out audience in July 2000. It was the perfect venue, stirring memories of the real Beatles' famous concerts at the Hollywood Bowl in 1964 and 1965.

2007

  • Dervish - Saturday 16 June
  • Nucleus Roots - Saturday 30 June
  • City of London Sinfonia - Saturday 7 July
  • Baka Beyond featuring Baka Gbine - Saturday 14 July
  • Lembher Hussainpuri - Saturday 28 July
  • Alex Wilson Salsa Orchestra - Saturday 11 August

2008

  • Chumbawamba
  • Albert Nyathi
  • Merengada
  • Trans-Global Underground

2009

  • Soothsayers - Saturday 14 June
  • Groupo Lokito - Saturday 4 July
  • Sukshinda Shinda - Saturday 25 July
  • King Pleasure and the Biscuit Boys - Saturday 8 August

2010

This year saw the normal line up of concerts change direction with World Music which had heavily featured in the past taking a break to make way for a more commercial line up. The Family Concert was voted best local family event of 2010 by readers of the Swindon Advertiser

  • Acoustic Concert- Saturday 22 May starred Sandi Thom
  • Silent Disco - Friday 4 June
  • Family Concert - The Ex-Factor - Saturday 3 July. Starred Rachael Adedeji and Same Difference
  • 80's Night at the Bowl -Saturday 7 August. Featuring A Night of Dirty Dancing (Live stage show) and Bucks Fizz.

2011

  • The Family Concert - Saturday 21 May. Starring S Club Reuinion, 5ive, Stacey Solomon, Scooch and The Scarletz.
  • 80's Night at the Bowl - Saturday 4 June. Starring Sonia Evans, Hazell Dean and Limahl.
  • 10CC - Saturday 16 July with original member Graham Gouldman
  • The Singer Songwritter Concert - Saturday 21 August. ex Mike and the Mechanics front man Paul Carrack with support from Sarah Gillespie Trio, Ben Montague Band and Theo Altieri.
  • The Classical Concert (Saturday 27 August) see the Wiltshire & Swindon Youth Orchestrea team up with rising classical star Camilla Kerslake.