If you like to hear a local-band success story, details of Gravesend rockers Allegro’s rising star will be music to your ears. Formed last year in a Gravesend pub, Allegro are releasing a three-track record in June, which they hope will become a success after a series of live gigs and appearance on Kent FM.
Consisting of Austin Edwards on lead vocals, Ian Lockyer on drums, Nick Mayhew on bass, Dan Lowe on keyboards and Nick Richmond on lead guitar, these rockers perform all over London on a regular basis.
Austin describes their sound as a mixture of punk with a pop influence, which the band hope appeals to a wide range of music lovers.
The 25-year-old said: “We’re really passionate about music and with so many late nights discussing it after DJing sessions we just had to get a band together to show what we could do.”
Sticking to their roots, Allegro are supporting the local music scene and will be performing at the Kent Music Festival in Victoria Park, Ashford, on July 26.
The band are pleased to see north Kent producing plenty of home-grown artists and recommend bands such as Letters from London and Jimmy Etheridge and the Lanes from that music circuit.
Austin said: “There are some great bands on the local scene. Kent seems to produce some real talent. We all support each other and see everyone on the circuit.”
Allegro count guys, girls, punks and poets in their following. The group’s followers have dubbed themselves the Allegro Army.
Austin said: “Our fans are brilliant. They’re so supportive and we love the eclectic group which follows our gigs. We want our music to appeal to loads of different people.”
Allegro are also in the running to open Chelmsford’s V Festival in August. To see them on stage this summer, go to the Road to V website at roadtov.com and get voting.
When asked about their hopes for the next few months, Austin said: “We love what we do and we just want people to hear our songs and enjoy them.”
With this sort of passion, the future definitely looks bright for the group.
Allegro play Bar 59, Gravesend, 9pm on May 22. Free.
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