Description

Stipe recreate the alt-rock awesomeness of R.E.M. As regular visitors to the festival scene, leading venues and with gigs into Europe, Stipe earned the praise of “Awesome” from R.E.M.’s own lead singer Michael Stipe.

This is the definitive tribute to one of the biggest bands in rock music. They have performed the songs of R.E.M. to thousands of people worldwide. R.E.M. built a towering back catalogue that reached from the addictive highs of Shiny Happy People down to the reflective darkness of Everybody Hurts, covering all else in between.

Any music fan will try to convert you to their music. An early R.E.M. album loaned to Stipe’s lead vocalist, Richard Southern, worked its magic and convinced him to make a first visit to see R.E.M. in concert.

‘That was the best live performance, ever,’ says Richard. ‘The music of R.E.M. left such an impression on myself that it will always be a part of my life.’

Richard went on to form Stipe in 1996 whilst fronting a second R.E.M. tribute ‘Monster’ during the same period.
Platinum Al had this high praise for the band in January 2015:

“Where this band succeeds is in the accuracy of the sound ... the lead singer looks the part, his voice is a fairly uncanny likeness of Michael Stipe’s …the other musicians also create a brilliant rendition of the songs, fully convincing and delivered with confidence.” - Platinum Al

Stipe do what they do as a team; five musicians who rehearse hard to recreate the R.E.M. sound that music fans deserve. They visit the hits and the gems taking every opportunity to perfect the songs. In performance Stipe make R.E.M.’s charismatic music their own.

R.E.M. was one of the first alternative rock bands. Their signature was a changing and reactive sound, from a guitar driven, unforced and intuitive beginning, through the game changing Losing My Religion and then onwards. They called it a day after some 15 albums but not before Michael Stipe, on hearing Stipe perform live, declared, ‘These guys are awesome.’

Description

As a city style venue in the heart of a South Wales town, we offer you something that’s both special and memorable.

We’ve always had a huge and lucrative audience for live music. (Wales isn’t called ‘the land of song’ for nothing.)
However, touring musicians have been caught in a kind of limbo. There have been few places that can bridge the gap between a large theatre and the back of a pub. Jac’s aims to fill that gap: it’s a mid-sized custom music venue with affordable prices and a great atmosphere.

It’s a fully accessible building in the centre of Aberdare, within easy reach of the M4 and M5, and a few minutes’ walk from the town’s rail and bus stations. It’s based in the former home of a doctor, which served for many years as the United Services Club (known locally as ‘the Shot and Shell’).
Since then, it’s been transformed into a venue suitable for audiences of up to 300, with an integrated bar, plenty of seating and a large dance floor. You can chill out in the bar, and there’s ample car parking a short walk away.

Our function room can cater for private parties, and we’ll be offering meals and Sunday lunches. We’ve established a reputation for an eclectic mix of live music every Friday and Saturday, our occasional ‘theme’ nights and weekends, and our Pleasant Valley Sundays showcasing the best in acoustic music. We’re proud to host the Blowout indie/alternative nights in Aberdare, and we hope to build a reputation as the ‘go to’ place for musicians and fans alike. Our 8.5 kW PA and 24-channel mixing desk allow us to tailor your sound, while our state-of-the-art lighting rig will show you off at your best. Our Blackstar cabs and drumkit are available as standard – of course, if you’d rather use your own gear, that’s fine
Our extensive network means that we can arrange suitable support acts and provide a DJ to fill in between sets. Our team covers all bases, from hospitality and catering, promotion and networking, social media and online marketing, and (of course) technical support.

Jac’s is the one-stop shop for touring musicians in Wales. Further down the line we’ll be able to offer accommodation and something to soak up the previous night’s beer. The days of living out of the van are long gone (fortunately). We hope you’ll take advantage of the free time to explore our historic town and enjoy the spectacular scenery at the southern edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park.

Bryngolwg House, Wind Street,

Aberdare,

Rhondda Cynon Taff,

Wales,

CF44 7LL.

01685 882 198