The Stage Door pub kicks off 2026 with an explosive evening of live music and spoken word that'll shake off the winter chill.About this Event
February's calling, and The Stage Door pub is answering with an explosive evening of live music and spoken word that'll shake off the winter chill. On Thursday, February 5, join us for a night where post-punk poetry collides with formidable spoken word, seasoned songcraft meets soulful intimacy, and Kent's creative community ignites once again.
Headlining the night is New Age of Decay, the post-punk poetry collaboration between musician The Slow Blade and writer NotAnotherPoet. The duo brings their signature blend of cutting spoken verses, cold electronic beats, and chainsaw guitars—a sonic commentary for Britain's strange days. Catch them at The Stage Door before they head off on tour to London and Margate in support of their new single ‘Crisis’, making this a pivotal stop on their journey.
Next up Ceri James makes his Stage Door debut—a milestone moment for this established singer-songwriter with 25+ years on the circuit, from London to West Hollywood. With 9 studio albums, 3 EPs, and 17 singles under his belt (and album number 10 dropping in early 2026), Ceri brings his blues/alt country and folk/rock influences to life with strong vocals and rare charisma. His disarmingly well-crafted paeans have earned him BBC Radio Wales, BBC 6 Music airplay, and support slots with Glenn Tilbrook, Art Brut, and Tom Hingley.
Rounding out the evening, Emilia & Woodstock return by popular demand. This acoustic duo delivers soulful, blues- and jazz-influenced originals where heartfelt storytelling takes center stage. Their intimate sound—warm vocals meeting expressive guitar—creates a relaxed, reflective atmosphere that invites you to lose yourself in the music, the lyrics, and the moment.
In between sets, Too Much storms in from the Midlands with her verbal assault of politically charged, darkly humorous spoken word. This formidable female lyricist and self-described "spoken word nightmare" breaks open the darkness, unpacks it, plays with it, and leaves it scattered on the floor. Fresh from a dance with death, T.M/O delivers poetry that fills the void with ten times the meaning. Be warned: you're about to be verbally pummeled to the ground.
As always, doors open at 7:30pm, admission is free, and all you need to bring is yourself. Grab a pint, claim your spot, and get ready for a February evening that mixes post-punk fury, poetic intensity, and melodic soul in true Stage Door style.
See you on the 5th.
New Age of Decay
New Age of Decay is a post-punk poetry collaboration between musician The Slow Blade and writer NotAnotherPoet. The project was born in Beijing, China during the depths of Covid-19 lockdowns and quarantines when the two Britons were thrown together through connections in Beijing’s literary scene to blend dry and cutting spoken verses with cold, electronic beats and chainsaw guitars. The project was then exported back to the duo’s native land split between Yorkshire and Kent to make a soundtrack and commentary for Britain in the strange days of the early 21st century.
https://www.instagram.com/newageofdecay/
Ceri James
Ceri James was born in London but was raised in SW Wales and he's a fluent Welsh speaker. He's featured on the London circuit and beyond to as far as West Hollywood for more than 25 years. Starting out in bands such as Atomic Central, Zen and Tuesday Heartbreak he's now an established singer/songwriter who's released 9 studio albums 3 EPs and 17 singles. His 10th studio album will be released in early 2026. In the past he's supported artists/bands such as Glenn Tilbrook, Art Brut, Songdog, Rattlesnake Annie and Tom Hingley (Inspirals) to name a few. Ceri's primary influences are blues/alt country and folk/rock these days. He's received radio play on Frank Hennessy's Celtic Heartbeat BBC Radio Wales, Recordiau Rhys Mwyn BBC Radio Cymru, BBC 6 Music and Blues & Roots Radio plus many more to boot.
"His music always feels laced with an honest sincerity, and Another Chance sucks you in and keeps you enthralled throughout. With additional vocals by Clare Portman, this is a must for fans, and a great introduction if you've not come across James before." Adam Jenkins FATEA 2020
https://www.facebook.com/cerijamessongs
Emilia Cain-Heritage & Woodstock
Emilia & Woodstock are an acoustic duo crafting soulful, blues- and jazz-influenced originals with heartfelt storytelling at their core. Their intimate sound blends warm vocals and expressive guitar, creating a relaxed, reflective atmosphere where the focus is on the music, the lyrics, and the moment.
Too Much
poet. painter. nightmare. objectively iconic. Fresh from a dance with death. Formidable female lyricist and spoken word nightmare T.M/O is about to verbally pummel you to the ground, be careful. In a time where everything seems to be void of meaning, her voice could fill that space ten times over.
T believes that poetry has always been political, she believes in leaning into contradictions and she sees the humour in tragedy. Celebrating the spirit of enquiry, T’s work does not shy from the dark, but breaks it open, unpacks it, plays with it and then leaves it on the floor.
“MOVING. PROVOCATIVE. POLITICALLY CHARGED IN THE BEST KIND OF WAY. FUCK YOU BUT THANKYOU ENERGY” - JAZZI SIRIUS
Poster artwork by Martin Crawford
Organised by Daftpop Sounds
Daftpop Sounds is a Kent based music and events label founded in Beijing, China which focuses on bringing sounds and experiences off the beaten track to new audiences. As a label Daftpop shares exciting new music from around the world through digital releases, CDs, vinyl, cassette tapes, and events, and also offers small batch tape duplication and lathe cut vinyl to other labels and artists, with clients spanning everything from folk and indie pop to black metal. In terms of events the Unicat Attack! live electronic music/DJ parties is the brand's flagship event, while previous productions include China's edition of International Cassette Store Day and the multimedia immersive event series Shining Dimensions.
https://www.instagram.com/daftpopculture/?hl=en
Event Venue
Stage Door, 37 Hythe Street, Dartford, United Kingdom
USD 0.00
