“Absolutely superb – stunning musicians. If you get a chance to see them, take it. Very highly recommended.” – Bruce MacGregor, BBC Radio Scotland
For 22 years, The Hot Seats, have gained and burnished the reputation as the carriers of an important and overlooked tradition of American and international folk music – social commentator, satirist, and entertainer. The Skillet Lickers, The Hoosier Hot Shots, Woodie Guthrie, Gus Cannon, Uncle Dave Macon, Frank Zappa – these are pools in which The Hot Seats swim.
Formed in 2002 by a group of like-minded friends for a weekly bar gig, the band’s live shows quickly became well known for on stage antics, one-act plays, and Dada-esque humor, underpinned by a foundation in hard-driving bluegrass, old time, ragtime, jug blues, and early country music.
Between 2005-2018, The Hot Seats toured extensively in the US and UK, performing in nearly the full spectrum of venue size and situation: living room to dive bar; square dance to theater). Some of their festival highlights include: Tønder Festival, The Richmond Folk Festival, Red Wing Roots, Celtic Connections, The Shetland Folk Festival, The Orkney Folk Festival, South By Southwest, Floyd Fest, Bristol Rhythm and Roots Festival, The Watermelon Park Festival, The Northeast Kingdom Music Festival, Didmarton Bluegrass Festival, Maverick Festival, HebCeltFest, Speyfest, Leicester Summer Sundae and multiple occasions Edinburgh Festival Fringe (including winning a Herald Angel Award in 2006).
Since 2020, the band’s original core of Ben Belcher (banjo, bass, fiddle), Josh Bearman (mandolin, banjo, guitar) and Jake Sellers (percussion bass) have been joined by Rudy Bee (fiddle, tuba, accordion, piano), JM Nobile (mandolin, guitar), and Charles Arthur (banjo, fiddle, resophonic guitar).
“If you don’t have a good time when the Hot Seats play, check your pulse. You might be dead.”– Chris Bopst (Richmond Times Dispatch)
Tickets £18
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Most of our shows use ‘cabaret-style’ seating. This means that your seats will be unreserved, which allows you to decide where to sit when you arrive.
The stalls (downstairs) are set up informally, with chairs around small tables, for a sociable, relaxed atmosphere, and somewhere to put your drink. Cabaret seating also allows space for dancing, which is highly encouraged at Victoria Hall!
For those who prefer a more ‘traditional’ theatre experience, the balcony seats are laid out in rows and raked, ensuring all seats have an excellent view.
For parties of six or more, tables in the stalls can be reserved- contact us to reserve a table. If you have reserved a table, we ask that at least one of your party turn up at least 30 minutes before the performance start time, in order to secure your table.
We can always reserve seating or wheelchair spaces in the stalls for those unable to use the stairs- just let us know when you book your tickets.
Please note, online bookings are subject to a booking fee. Tickets can also be bought by phone on 01729 825718, or in person at our box office. Opening hours are 10am-2pm, Monday-Friday.
Show end times given are an estimate only. Doors open 45 minutes before show start times.
Settle Victoria Hall reserves the right to turn away any customers not adhering to social-distancing laws, government guidelines, and/ or venue safeguarding policies.
Tickets are non-refundable, except in the case that the event or date has been changed by Settle Victoria Hall.
