Name: Simon Stanley Ward & the Shadows of Doubt + support Phil Hooley
Start: 2026-03-06T19:00:00+00:00
Location: 216-220 High Street, SM1 1NU Sutton, United Kingdom

Simon Stanley Ward & the Shadows of Doubt + support Phil Hooley

It's a warm welcome back to two artists who've won loads of fans with their previous visits to the Sound Lounge.
Over the last decade, Simon Stanley Ward has been playing his original music with his band The Shadows of Doubt in pubs, music venues, theatres and festivals in London, across the UK and in northern Spain. Described as a country singer at heart with a streak of the surreal running through him, Simon's live show is engaging, energetic and constantly evolving. His performances can be gut-wretchingly moving and moments later silly, self-deprecating and hilarious. His influences come from far a wide and include Elvis, Bob Dylan and John Prine. The Shadows of Doubt include inimitable lead guitarist Paul Lush (also much loved as a member of Danny and the Champions of the World), bassist Dave Burn (also a solo performer who opened at the Sound Lounge for Diesel Park West last year) and drummer Neil Marsh, who has also toured with county/folk group Ahab and roots singer Jason McNiff.
Scarborough-based singer-songwriter Phil Hooley, founder of the alt-country band The Woolgatherers, is also a much-admired presence on the roots circuit as a solo performer. Phil's songs are lyrically driven and always thought provoking. Describing himself as “late to the party” having worked the pubs and clubs for many years, and with an easy stage presence, he has received many plaudits for his live shows, and is a favourite on the festival circuit. He has released two acclaimed albums to date, 'Songs From The Back Room' in 2022 and 'Provenance' in 2023. The ten songs that make up the latter album reflect both the maturity and growing confidence of Hooley's songwriting. Like its predecessor, it was produced by Justin Johnson, who drew on the services of some top session players, including Nashville bluegrass fiddle player Jim Van Cleve.