Candy Opera

'Candy Opera' were formed in 1982 on the notorious Phythian Estate, Kensington, Liverpool. The band was heavily influenced by 'Love's ' seminal 'Forever Changes' album, 'The Beach Boys', 'Aztec Camera' and local neighbours, 'The Pale Fountains'.

They played their first gig later that year but despite several high-profile live gigs with 'The Pogues', 'The Go-Betweens' and 'The Redskins', an appearance on Granada TV's Exchange Flags – plus reviews in NME, Sounds and Jamming magazines, the original quartet went their separate ways in 1985.

Paul Malone continued the band under the management of Neil Mather and had several high-profile support slots and interest from a number of major labels, amongst them EMI and Go! Discs. However, when no deal materialised and mainstream success remained elusive, the band ceased to exist in 1993. That was until 'Candy Opera' were rediscovered online in 2017 by Uwe Weigmann, lable Berlin-based Firestation label, purveyors of indie obscurities.

Having heard some of their songs online, the label made it its business to track them down and put together the album, '45 Revolutions Per Minute'. The album resulted from the collection of demos and recordings that span their entire history. Following its release, the album sold out straight away and due to overwhelming demand, they took to the stage  August 2018 for a sold out homecoming show at Liverpool’s Parr Street, Studio 2. Since then, the band have played live consistently, most notably being asked to perform at the Shiiine On festival on three occasions and being chosen as the support for the ill-fated Hipsway comeback tour.

Two more albums have been released, 'Rarities' in 2019 and their latest 2020 release of all new material, 'Patron Saint of Heartache', which demonstrates a musical prowess of great depth and breadth. Personnel changes followed and the new band formation of John O'Neil on guitar and vocals,Sonny McGuigan on drums, Frank Mahon on bass, Paul Malone on vocals/guitar and Ken Moss on guitar, will see the release of a fourth album in 2023/24. Listen to '45 Revolutions per minute' and 'Patron Saint of Heartache' at candyopera.bandcamp.com

Nathon Jones

Singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Nathon Jones is founder of Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival and the brains behind The Vault Arts Centre so, as you’ve probably gathered, he’s passionate about music and live performance.  His influences range from traditional Irish & Scottish folk music through to bluegrass/Americana, and everything in between.