In what is sure to be our fastest sell-out yet, London punk-blues band the Noisettes will be coming to the Forum for a special gig on 20 March 2010.

The band formed in 2003 when guitarist Smith and singer Shoniwa of the band Sonarfly began playing and writing together, along with drummer Morrison. The three had previously attended the BRIT School for Performing Arts & Technology in Croydon together. They quickly formed a reputation for being one of the rowdiest live acts in London.

Early feedback about the band was largely positive. Entertainment Weekly placed the band on its November 2005 list of "Six Indie Brit Bands on the Cusp," and said the band "sound[s] like high-drama, heavily syncopated swagger-and-sway rock, spearheaded by incandescent frontwoman Shingai Shoniwa." In a March 2006 article on UK bands, USA Today said, "The incendiary Shingai Shoniwa leads this London blues-punk band, known for its feral and explosive live show."

They were part of the NME/Transgressive party at the Wave venue on 13 March 2008. The set included their hit songs Scratch Your Name and Sister Rosetta, with three new songs: Beat Of My Heart, IWE, and Atticus. Noisettes performed at two day music festival Camden Crawl on 18 April 2008. In January 2009 the song Don't Upset The Rhythm appeared on the advert for the Mazda 2. The song was the second single from their second album Wild Young Hearts, which was released in April 2009.

For tickets, visit our What's On page.

London-based indie pop trio Scouting For Girls are set to bring their hook-filled hits to the Forum in February.

The triple Brit Award nominees, behind catchy chart-climbers including She's So Lovely, Elvis Ain't Dead, Heartbeat and I Wish I Was James Bond, will perform with support on February 6^th.

Their set is bound to be packed full of hits from their number one self titled debut album but also a chance for fans to get a preview of the upcoming sequel Everybody Wants to Be On TV.

With a live set recently described as “cleverly executed, fast-moving and a lot of fun” by The Times their show is not one to miss so get your tickets early to avoid disappointment.

Buy from Seetickets

Buy from UHSU (students only)

MOBO award winning hip-hop trio N-Dubz will showcase their long-awaited second album at the Forum on December 14 with a full set supported by four up and coming rappers and singers.
Dappy, Tulisa and Fazer will perform hits from their platinum-certified debut Uncle B and its eagerly anticipated follow up Against All Odds.
What is sure to be a stellar show at Hertfordshire University's new venue will be a fitting conclusion to a tour and a year of successes including a featured spot on Tinchy Stryder's smash hit Number 1.
To guarantee an entertainment-packed evening N-Dubz will be joined by Justin Timberlake-scouted YouTube sensation Esmee Denters, British rapper Master Shortie, fresh from a series of London dates with Lil Wayne, Nigerian rap prodigy Tinie Tempah and recent Universal signing Jaya.
Tickets are available from Seetickets.com and the Forum box office.

An internationally acclaimed multi-instrumentalist, whose fans and friends include Eric Clapton, Robert Plant and Mick Fleetwood, will bring his award winning blend of rhythm and blues to the Forum on December 3rd.

Guitarist, singer and pianist Mike Sanchez, winner of Blues in Britain magazine's UK Keyboard Player of the Year for four consecutive years, arrives at the Attic with a star-studded six piece band.

From founding rockabilly trio The Rockets in his teens, Mike has played and recorded with other legendary musicians including Jeff Beck, Grammy Award winner Albert Lee and Amen Corner's Andy Fairweather-Low in bands including the Royal Albert Hall-gracing Big Town Playboys.

His powerful boogie-woogie has gained him fans across the globe during annual world tours and high profile festival performances.

Mike's main aim has always been to make every live show his best yet as he continuously enjoys growing acclaim and admiration for his electrifying stage performances from new and old fans of all age groups across the world.

Tickets are £5 for students and £10 for non students.  Buy tickets.

The Attic is set to become the home of blues in Hertfordshire, hosting gigs including:

Thursday, 11 February 2010
Sherman Robertson Band
"One of the giants of the 21st Century blues world" - Keith Fitton, Rock Wheel
Buy tickets.

Thursday, 11 March 2010
Hamilton Loomis
“If blues, soul, and rock can be said to form a triangle, you’ll find Hamilton Loomis right in the center of it” - Guitar Player Magazine
Tickets coming soon!

Thursday, 6 May 2010
Ana Popovic
Winner of the prestigious jazz award 'Jazz A Juan revelation In Juan Le Pins'
Buy tickets.

Thursday, 5 August 2010
Stanton Moore Trio
"The voice of jazz" - Billboard
Buy tickets.

The Forum, the University of Hertfordshire’s newly developed, state of the art £38 million live gig/club venue, is launching its series of live entertainments on 9 October. 

Following on from a sold out performance on our opening weekend by 2009 Britain’s Got Talent winners, Diversity, The Forum is thrilled to announce Manchester rock trio Doves as our opening live act on 9 October.  Fresh from performances at Glastonbury and the Latitude Festival, and about to perform at the BBC Electric Proms, Doves released their fourth album, Kingdom of Rust, in early 2009, at which time it was declared by NME to be “one of the most important albums of 2009.”

Twice nominated for the prestigious Mercury Music Prize, Doves entered the album charts with Kingdom of Rust at Number Two – missing the Number One spot by a mere four copies against Lady Gaga’s debut album.

Marketing and PR Manager for the University of Hertfordshire Students’ Union, Rebecca Hobbs, said “The Forum is ecstatic to welcome Doves to open our series of live gigs and we are anticipating a sell-out performance.”

Other acts performing at the Forum in September/October include:

Hadouken! - 29 September – special live preview night!
Hadouken! is a London-based quintet influenced by acts such as Nine Inch Nails, Prodigy and Pendulum.  Their distinct sound combines a futuristic collision of Japanese techno and computerised FX. 

FORUM LIVE GIG LAUNCH:
Doves – 9 October
Special Live Gig Launch Night! 

The Maccabees – 12 October
Having stormed the summer festival circuit and having just sold out Brixton Academy within days, Radio 1 faves The Maccabees are joining us on 12 October to perform songs from their albums Colour It In and Wall of Arms. 

Funeral for a Friend – 15 October
Quintet Funeral for a Friend visit Hertfordshire as part of their multi-city UK tour in support of the September 2009 release of their new best-of album, Your History Is Mine: 2002-2009

Kid British – 18 October
Manchester four-piece Kid British released their debut single ‘Our House is Dadless’, which earned them the distinction of Single of the Week on both Radio 1 and XFM, in 2009.

Chase and Status – 19 October
Chase & Status are a drum and bass/electronic/dubstep production duo from London consisting of Saul Milton and Will Kennard. They have had three number ones on the UK Dance Chart.

Bonk – featuring N-Dubz – 21 October
MOBO award winners N-Dubz perform at the Forum before they embark on their UK tour.

##ENDS##

Notes to Editor/s

Contact
Rebecca Hobbs
Marketing and PR Manager, University of Hertfordshire Students’ Union
r.hobbs2@herts.ac.uk, +44 (0)1707 285002

About the Forum
The highly anticipated Forum, located at the University of Hertfordshire’s College Lane campus, Hatfield, will offer some of the best live entertainment facilities in the county.  It is a sophisticated venue with restaurants, cafes and bars – all featuring the latest equipment and contemporary interior design. The 8,000 square metre building is a joint venture between the University of Hertfordshire and the UH Students’ Union and aims to provide entertainment and facilities for students and the wider community.  See www.forumhertfordshire.co.uk for further information.

About University of Hertfordshire Students’ Union
Representing a student population of over 24,000, The University of Hertfordshire Students’ Union (UHSU) exists to represent and support all University of Hertfordshire students at all levels by promoting and defending their rights and providing services, activities and an environment responsive to their needs.  UHSU is jointly governed by a team of five democratically elected Sabbatical Officers, an elected Student Council of more than 30 students, and a Trustee Board comprised of the five Sabbaticals, three elected Student Trustees and three Independent Trustees.  Services to students include: an advice and support centre, a student job centre and lettings office, free skills training, retail shops and a series of live music events, club nights and other entertainments.  See www.uhsu.co.uk for further information.

Thousands of people descended on Hertfordshire yesterday as Britain's Got Talent winners Diversity launched the University's new entertainment venue alongside a wealth of local talent.

Before stunning a roomful of screaming spectators with their Transformers routine, the dancers took time to sign autographs and greet fans in the building's newly opened restaurant.

Their performance in the Auditorium was followed by talent show sets from ten of the county's greatest up and coming acts, handpicked by judges from the University of Hertfordshire, its Students' Union and event sponsor the Welwyn and Hatfield Times.

After tense deliberation the judges announced the three winners, giving third prize and £250 to hip hop group Pure Flowz, £500 to young singer Cristina and £1,000 to comedy-fuelled dancing twins, and UH students Double Trouble.

Come and help us celebrate the launch of our new entertainment venue, the Forum! We will be hosting an Open Day for the whole community with various activities going on. The day will give you the chance to be one of the first to experience our exciting new venue!

When?

Date: Sunday 13 September
Time: 12:00pm to 15:00pm.

Where?

The Forum, University of Hertfordshire

What’s happening?

A variety of workshops, street entertainers, competitions and games, for all ages! Britain's Got Talent winners, Diversity, will also make a guest appearance. Competitions include a treasure hunt with prizes such as winning use of the Attic to host an event or party. Come and buy tickets for the final of The Forum's Got Talent which starts at 15:00.

How much?

The Forum Fun Day is free to all members of the community. Tickets for the talent contest will be on sale on Sunday 13 September from 12:00pm at The Forum box office.