Cardiff Times

PAMA Int’l Perform the Trojan Records Songbook
2025-02-08 | The Globe, 125 Albany Rd, CF24 3NS
Pama International’s deep-rooted connection to Trojan Records goes back to 2006 when they became the first new band to sign to the iconic record label in 30 years! The, critically acclaimed, resulting album ‘Trojan Sessions’ featured original songs penned by band writer/producer/keyboardist – Sean Flowerdew for reggae royalty; Derrick Morgan, Dawn Penn, Dave & Ansel Collins, AJ Frankin (Chosen Few), Dennis Alcapone and Winston Francis. In 2016 Pama International launched the official Trojan Records club night in London. And in 2018 they performed a highly popular two month ‘Trojan Records songbook’ UK tour.
We are now delighted to announce that Pama International return with The Trojan Songbook part 2 tour in spring 2025! A brand new show that not only stars unique interpretations of Trojan Records’ iconic back catalogue, but also original material from the bands first reggae album in eight years – Return of the Unity Rockers.
Whats more, every customer attending the show will receive an exclusive and free collectors Trojan songbook (only available at the shows)!

Formed in 2001 Pama int’l are “one of the best reggae & soul bands in the country” (Chris Hawkins – BBC6). They have recorded 18 critically acclaimed albums and 6 BBC sessions at Maida Vale and Abbey Road, been playlist on BBC 6 and championed by the likes of the BBC’s David Rodigan, Don Letts, Janice Long, Chris Hawkins, Huey Morgan, Steve Lamacq, Robert Elms, Craig Charles and xfm’s John Kennedy. In 2016 they became the first new band to sign to Trojan Records in 30 years! The collective nature and pedigree of the band has seen them collaborate with Ken Boothe, Derrick Morgan, Dave & Ansel Collins, Rico Rodriguez, Dawn Penn, Billy Bragg, AJ Franklin (The Chosen Few), Wrongtom, Mad Professor, Nick Manasseh, Snowboy and members of The Specials, Madness, The Selecter, Style Council, Steel Pulse, The Upsetters, Galliano and more!

Live they have played festivals galore including; Glastonbury, Womad, Kendal Calling, Beautiful Days, Big Chill, Bestival, Vintage, Guilfest, Bearded Theory, The London Int’l Ska Festival, Boomtown and Wickerman festivals as well as legendary venues; Alexandra Palace, The Astoria, Electric Ballroom, 100 Club, and The Jazz Cafe, as well as touring with The Specials, Madness, Toots & The Maytals, Jimmy Cliff, Georgie Fame, Prince Buster, Lee Perry, The Beat, The Skatalites and many others.

We hope you will join us for what is promised to be a great night of ska, rocksteady, reggae and soul!

Pama Int’l perform the Trojan Records songbook
Free songbook with every ticket sold
2025
31.01 Derby Hairy Dog
01.02 Manchester Band on the Wall
02.02 Harlow Burnt Oak Social Club
07.02 Reading Sub89
08.02 Cardiff The Globe
09.02 Bristol The Fleece
15.02 Brighton Komedia
21.02 Bridport Electric Palace
22.02 Wells Studio 24
28.02 Newcastle The Cluny w/ The Beat ft. Ranking Jnr
01.03 Edinburgh Voodoo Rooms
02.03 Luton The Hat Factory
19.04 London Electric Ballroom w/ The Chosen Few, Marcia Aitken, Roy & Yvonne & more
26.04 Cambridge Junction w/ The Beat ft. Ranking Jnr

Bilk share slick new video for 'Tommy' - to perform at Cardiff on the 6th of Feb
2025-02-06
Bilk have been building a cult-like grassroots following for a while now, but 2025 will be the year they break into far bigger things with the January 24th release of their second album ‘Essex, Drugs and Rock and Roll’. Their recent singles – ‘Summer Days’ and ‘On It’ – have shown that their ambition, accomplishment and versatility has hit the next level, without losing the chaotic streak and larger-than-life personality that sets them apart from the pack. With recent support including Radio X, Clash and Dork, that statement is reiterated as they now share the album’s latest single ‘Tommy’.
‘Tommy’ is the sound of a band playing for maximal impact, with bouncy hip-hop-meets-indie-rock verses setting the tone before unleashing the raw punk rush of the hook – with a killer elastic bassline and a searing hard rock solo thrown in for good measure. Vocalist/guitarist Sol Abrahams delivers every line with venom, with the song’s story – a young woman whose life is wanted by falling in love with a waster – inspired by their local Essex heartlands, but instantly recognisable everywhere across the UK.
Sol says, “‘Tommy’ is the story of an aspiring actress who gets involved with this guy who’s a bit of a wrong ‘un and he takes her down the wrong path. I wrote it quickly and the solo is enough to melt your face clean off.”
‘Tommy’ was written by Sol, and recorded with his bandmates Luke Hare (bass) and Harry Gray (drums) at sessions split between Edge Studios and Silkmill Studios, with production from Andy Gannon (AIKO, The HARA).
From debuting in 2018 to releasing their self-titled debut album in 2023, Bilk’s ethos has always been about delivering gritty, authentic rock ‘n’ roll that lives in the moment and provides an escape from the mundanity of daily life. It’s a stance that instigates unrestrained energy and drama at lives, with memorable London headline gigs at Omeara, The 100 Club and The Garage as well as an infamous Rough Trade in-store which resulted in them being banned from the shop, plus big festival moments at Reading, Leeds, SXSW, Truck, The Great Escape and Louis Tomlinson’s Away From Home.
Bilk end 2024 by headlining a special fundraising show at Guildford’s Boileroom to benefit the mental health charity CALM. 2025 then gets underway with their most expansive headline tour to date, which includes their biggest London show at the Electric Ballroom and then continues across Europe. The band’s dates are below, remaining tickets are available HERE.

FEBRUARY
5th – Bristol, Thekla
6th – Cardiff, The Globe
7th – London, Electric Ballroom
13th – Manchester, Academy 2
14th – Leeds, Brudenell Social Club
15th – Newcastle, Northumbria Students Union
16th – Glasgow, SWG3 Warehouse
19th – Nottingham, Rescue Rooms
20th – Norwich, Arts Centre
21st – Birmingham, O2 Academy 2
22nd – Southampton, Engine Shed

MARCH
3rd – Paris, La Boule Noire
4th – Antwerp, Kavka Oudaan
5th – Rotterdam, Rotown
7th – Copenhagen, Ideal Bar @ Vega
8th – Hamburg, Hebebuhne
9th – Berlin, Privatclub
11th – Warsaw, Klub Hydrozagadka
12th – Krakow, Klub Gwarek
13th – Prague, Café V lese
14th – Vienna, Chelsea
15th – Munich, Milla
16th – Milan, Circolo Magnolia
26th – Cork, Winthrop Avenue
27th – Galway, Roisin Dubh
28th – Belfast, Oh Yeah Music Centre
29th – Dublin, The Workman’s Club
