It's official release day for our debut album Silent Dance the 2025 Remaster! The album is now available as a digital download from Bandcamp and as a six panel digisleeve CD or 180g gatefold coloured vinyl from our website. As I've said before, it's been quite a revelation for me to finally appreciate this record and I hope you will too.  

Thanks so much to everyone who’s already supported the release!

‍

Gigs

I’ve been busy booking dates for next year and you'll find the full list below. I don't anticipate adding any more for next year barring any irresistible offers 😁

Many of these shows are already live with info and ticket links here https://solsticeprog.uk/gigs/upcoming-gigs

Just added... Water Rats - London and the Brewery Arts, Kendal show will go live today.

Leoni Jane Kennedy will open many of the non-festival shows, some with her full band!.. and the extraordinary Square Wild will support us at Band On The Wall, Manchester and Brewery Arts, Kendal.

The rest will be live soon so please do keep an eye on our gig list. We’d love to see you at a show and, as always, it's hugely helpful if you're able to book in advance.

I should mention that our 'Acoustic Solstice' support slot with Big Big Train on March 1st (so excited!!) and our Streathem House Concert warm up on Feb 8th are both completely sold out. But... as you'll see below, there's plenty of other options so please do join us if you can. 🙏

‍

New Live album 'Clann:The Stables Gathering'

After many weeks of labour from myself, Gebs and Shaun Blake, we’ve finally completed work on the audio and film footage from our sell out Stables MK show on August 30th. It was an incredibly special evening for us thanks to our wonderful audience and the contributions from no less than five extra musicians!

The set features most of the Clann album plus guest appearances from the wonderful Theo Travis and the 'Glass Brass' section (as named by a member of the audience😁). There were less welcome guests in the form of tech gremlins but talking to others post show it appears to have only added to the entertainment 😁

The album art once again features some of Howard Rankin's fabulous photography and the 135 minute film (!) includes Shaun's 'behind the scenes' set up & soundcheck mini-documetary along with after-show interviews with some of the lovely folk who turned up on the night. As Gebs pointed out... it really was a Clann affair!

The album will release on a six panel digisleeve CD, 180g double coulored vinyl and as a digital download. Each format will include a QR code link to view or download the film. 

I'm thinking it might be nice to make the official release date February 18th and celebrate with a launch party at the Craufurd. What do you reckon? Either way, pre-orders will open soon so an update will follow shortly. 

‍‍

Press

We're continuing to receive much appreciated press coverage and for the first time, we had a two page feature in Classic Rock Magazine! Also, if you're a Prog Mag reader, I think there may be something at the back of the next issue 😁

‍

And here we are in unlikely company reviewed y Chris Sutton in Power Play mag🤘

 Wrongle

A regular and embarrasing occurance at our shows is my forgetting to change guitars after playing Wongle No9, thus finding myself in the wrong tuning... painful! Jeez, it seems to happen nearly everytime 😱 Thankfully Ayush Newatia is usually on hand to warn me before it all goes horribly wrong... thank you Ayush!

After witnessing yet another brain fail one of our amazing Guardians, Ash Huxley, offered a possible solution. I've got a feeling I'll still need Ayush but at least I'll know which guitar is which. Thank you Ash!! 

‍

Ok, well I think that's about it for now. Thank you so much for your support and we very much hope to see you at a show soon.

Love and thanks from us all!

Andy

  

We had a wonderful time on the Clann Tour this April and really wanted to capture at least one show on audio and film. We tried and failed in Sheffield but it all came together at the beautiful Colchester Arts Centre. So here we are with 'Clann Live:The Colchester Gathering' as a Digital Download Album and Full Concert Film.

"from new tracks to classics, the performances are charged with the band's live energy!!"

Geoff Bailie - The Prog report

Solstice @ Midsummer Progfestival 2025 – A glorious summer revival full of groove and vocal alchemy.

Story and all photography Jaak Geebelen 

At the 2025 Midsummer Prog Festival, Solstice delivered a captivating and dynamic performance that underscored the band's remarkable renaissance. The set focused primarily on material from the Jess Holland era (2020–2025), a period marked by creative renewal and musical momentum. The concert radiated synergy, joy and vibrant summer energy.

They opened with the lively “Firefly,” a swinging opener packed with rhythmic drive, swirling keyboards  and Jess Holland’s soulful vocals. Andy Glass unleashed sharp guitar riffs, while Jenny Newman’s violin gracefully wove melodic lines throughout the piece. The jazzy backing vocals added a polished shimmer to the sound.

The epic “Shout” followed and proved to be one of the evening's highlights. This twelve-minute composition showcased the band’s full dynamic range: bouncy basslines, cinematic violin passages, tranquil interludes with captivating solos and a powerful finale.

“Life” introduced a sultry, jazz-infused atmosphere with Brazilian influences. Glass built the track in rich layers leading to a sweeping climax where his distinctive guitar work shone once again.

Next came the energetic “Wongle No.9,” a feel-good track from the Light Up album, where retro organ lines, catchy vocal hooks, animated violin and smooth grooves shifted rapidly and playfully.

“Mount Ephraim” revealed another powerful facet of the band with robust guitar tones from Glass giving the track an extra backbone.

With the summery sparkle of “A New Day,” the band revisited their Sia era, which has come to define their contemporary sound. They closed with the iconic “Morning Light”  that was originally released on the ‘First Light’ cassette in 1982, a perfect reminder of just how far Solstice has come in 43 years.

What made the performance particularly memorable was the band’s vibrant stage presence. Jess Holland and her backing vocalists Ebony Buckle (also supporting on keys) and Leoni Jane Kennedy ( she was standing in for Dyane Crutcher for this show)  stood still. Their movement, expressions and harmonies were utterly infectious.  Leoni even engaged in a guitar duel with Glass—a thrilling moment. The three voices blended into a magical vocal tapestry that floated effortlessly above the band’s sound.

Alongside guitarist Andy Glass and violinist Jenny Newman, the rock-solid rhythm section featured Robin Phillips (bass), Pete Hemsley (drums) and Steven McDaniel (keyboards). Their experience and mutual understanding created a seamless musical flow. At times, the performance evoked the spirit of Santana: a constant river of music, rich with spontaneous interplay and connection.

With this performance Solstice proved that progressive rock in 2025 is anything but outdated. On the contrary with their fresh sound, tight interplay and undeniable joy in playing they delivered one of the most memorable sets of the entire festival.