Modfather Christmas Party Time

A Christmas-themed night in London's Fitzrovia with Steve Craddock, The Beat featuring Ranking Jr and several other acts, presented by Modfather and AGMP Concerts. Its mod, ska and indie line-up runs from solo acoustic songs to two-tone and punk-influenced guitar music.

Steve Craddock, the Ocean Colour Scene guitarist who also plays with Paul Weller, presents Travellers Tunes, a solo acoustic show that revisits Ocean Colour Scene songs and tracks from his own solo work, with spoken stories from more than thirty years in British rock. The Beat featuring Ranking Jr is a UK ska and two-tone group led by Matthew Murphy, son of the late Ranking Roger. Formed in Birmingham in 1978 as the original band, its legacy continues through songs such as "Mirror in the Bathroom", "Hands Off She's Mine", "Too Nice to Talk To" and "Tears of a Clown".

The Sha La La's, a London four-piece rooted in Mod and soul, and The Velvet Hands, made up of Toby Mitchell, Dan Able, Louis Mitchell and John Logan, complete the live bill. The Velvet Hands combine slacker storytelling and driving guitar riffs reminiscent of The Strokes, The Vaccines and Parquet Courts, with punk choruses that recall The Clash.

DJ sets come from Donna Driscoll, Two Fat Mods and Dave Dave & Avery Wad. The evening is staged at 229, a concert venue on Great Portland Street in central London.