Ipswich’s creative arts scene is preparing for a big November, with a celebration of traditional Celtic music and a local alternative rock band launching its debut album.
Speaking on West Bremer Radio’s Get Your Arts In Gear podcast, performers from Ipswich Musical Theatre Company and local band Northern Lights shared details of their upcoming shows, the stories behind their music and the importance of supporting local artists.
From traditional Irish ballads and Scottish melodies to grunge-inspired original music, the two performances promise very different experiences for Ipswich audiences.
Ipswich Musical Theatre Company prepares for Celtic Journey
Ipswich Musical Theatre Company (IMTC) is bringing traditional Irish and Scottish music to the stage with its upcoming production, Celtic Journey.
The show will feature approximately 12 performers, live musicians and a selection of songs celebrating Celtic culture, history and storytelling.
Performer Stuart joined the podcast to discuss the production, which follows IMTC’s previous musical celebration, Songs That Won the War.
“IMTC has been doing a lot of this sort of stuff over the years,” Stuart said.
“Last year we did Songs That Won the War. This year we’re switching it up. We’re doing something a little bit different, but it’s still connected to culture, it’s still connected to history.”
The production will feature traditional Irish and Scottish songs, accompanied by live music, including a fiddler.
Cast members will also wear costumes reflecting the historical periods associated with the songs.
Stuart said the production offered audiences an opportunity to experience music that could be both entertaining and deeply moving.
Traditional ballads and stories brought to life
Among the songs Stuart will perform is The Black Velvet Band, a traditional Irish ballad that tells the story of a man who is falsely implicated in a theft and transported to Australia as a convict.
Stuart said the song was one of his favourites in the production.
“It’s sort of like a story told through song about someone who was betrayed by a woman,” he explained.
The production will also feature ensemble performances and other traditional Celtic favourites.
Stuart has become a familiar face in Ipswich musical theatre, having previously appeared in IMTC productions including Come From Away, Kinky Boots and Grease.
He revealed that Come From Away was his first major production in front of a large live theatre audience.
“That was my first production actually,” he said.
While he had previously been involved in performing arts, the experience marked the beginning of his involvement in major musical theatre productions.
Two performances at the Old Ipswich Courthouse
Celtic Journey, curated by Miriam Slattery, will be presented over two days at the Old Ipswich Courthouse.
| Date | Time | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, 14 November 2026 | 7pm | Evening performance with live music and an Irish pub-style atmosphere |
| Sunday, 15 November 2026 | 2pm | Afternoon performance featuring Devonshire tea |
The Saturday evening performance will offer a lively atmosphere, while Sunday’s matinee will provide a more relaxed afternoon experience.
Stuart said the show would be a celebration of Celtic culture through music, costume and storytelling.
Tickets can be booked through the Ipswich Musical Theatre Company website.
Northern Lights ready to launch debut album Growing Pains
Meanwhile, Ipswich alternative rock band Northern Lights is preparing to celebrate another major milestone with the launch of its debut album, Growing Pains.
Band members Dustin, Angie and Dane joined Get Your Arts In Gear to discuss the album, their musical influences and their upcoming launch show at Banshees Bar & Artspace.
The album explores the journey from adolescence into adulthood, drawing on personal experiences of grief, loss, adversity and resilience.
One of the band members explained that the album’s artwork carries particular emotional significance.
“The album cover is a picture of me and my mum, and I found that photo when I was putting together the memorial for her funeral,” they said.
The discovery helped shape the emotional direction of the album.
The band explained that Growing Pains reflects the challenges people face throughout life, including losing loved ones, experiencing floods and dealing with the impacts of addiction.
“It’s about that journey from adolescence to adulthood,” the band explained.
“All the ups and downs along the way, from floods to losing people, losing friends and family to addiction, all those things that you have to deal with in life.”
Despite the difficult experiences behind some of the songs, the album also carries a message of strength and perseverance.
A family affair with a 1990s grunge influence
Northern Lights is not a typical rock band.
The group has strong family connections, with four of its five members living together.
The band includes family members across generations, while drummer Logan is a close family friend.
The musicians rehearse in a dedicated band room at home and also use a family recording space.
Their sound draws heavily on alternative rock and grunge music from the 1990s.
Among their major influences are Nirvana, Soundgarden, Smashing Pumpkins and Australian rock band Silverchair.
“It’s very sort of ’90s-influenced bands like Nirvana and Soundgarden and Smashing Pumpkins, and Silverchair for sure,” the band said.
While the group also enjoys artists ranging from The Beatles and Bob Dylan to heavier contemporary music, its core sound remains firmly connected to the alternative rock movement.
“The ’90s is really the core of it, trying to take that and modernise it,” they explained.
The band described its style as alternative rock and grunge, combining familiar influences with its own original songwriting.
Band calls for more rehearsal spaces in Ipswich
During the interview, Northern Lights also raised concerns about the lack of dedicated rehearsal facilities for local musicians.
The band currently practises at home but said noise complaints could make rehearsals difficult.
One member revealed they had recently received another notification relating to a noise complaint.
The discussion highlighted the challenges faced by emerging musicians trying to develop their sound without access to suitable rehearsal venues.
The band suggested there was an opportunity for Ipswich to provide more dedicated spaces where musicians could practise and collaborate.
The podcast hosts agreed that additional rehearsal facilities could benefit the city’s growing music community.
Northern Lights builds momentum with major live performances
The upcoming album launch follows a significant year for Northern Lights, which has been building its reputation through live performances.
The band recently supported British rock group Ash at The Tivoli, marking one of its biggest shows to date.
Just two days later, the group performed at the Rock Beats Depression Festival at the Mansfield Tavern.
“We played our first big gig this year, a big support act for Ash at The Tivoli,” the band said.
“Then two days later, we’re playing a festival at Mansfield Tavern, two biggest shows back to back. It was awesome.”
The experience helped build momentum ahead of the release of Growing Pains.
The band said the album represented not only personal experiences but also its development as a group.
Growing Pains album launch at Banshees
Northern Lights will officially launch Growing Pains at Banshees Bar & Artspace on Saturday, 7 November 2026.
The event will feature a lineup of local alternative acts, including Mizzy Max and Razor Nun.
The band said the launch would give supporters an opportunity to purchase a physical copy of the album before its wider release.
“It’s kind of what makes it special for our fans. They get to hear it first,” the band explained.
Doors are expected to open at 7pm, with the first band performing at approximately 8pm.
Northern Lights expects to take the stage around 10pm.
Tickets will be available at the door, although the band encouraged fans to purchase presale tickets through Banshees to save money.
The group also hopes to have physical CDs available for fans to purchase at the event.
A big month for Ipswich’s creative community
The two upcoming performances highlight the diversity of Ipswich’s local arts scene.
While Celtic Journey will celebrate traditional music, storytelling and cultural heritage, Northern Lights will showcase the city’s emerging original music talent.
Both groups emphasised the importance of local audiences supporting community performances and independent artists.
For Ipswich music lovers, November offers an opportunity to experience everything from centuries-old Celtic ballads to contemporary grunge-inspired rock.
Event details
Northern Lights – Growing Pains Album Launch
- Saturday, 7 November 2026
- Banshees Bar & Artspace, Ipswich
- Doors from 7pm
- Featuring Northern Lights, Mizzy Max and Razor Nun
- Presale tickets available through Banshees
Ipswich Musical Theatre Company – Celtic Journey
- Saturday, 14 November 2026, at 7pm
- Sunday, 15 November 2026, at 2pm
- Old Ipswich Courthouse, Ginn Street, Ipswich
- Tickets available through Ipswich Musical Theatre Company
Both interviews featured on West Bremer Radio’s Get Your Arts In Gear podcast, which showcases the artists, performers and creative organisations contributing to Ipswich’s cultural community.
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