Sarah Gillespie and Chris Montague bring stripped-back duo tour to Sussex

The pair will perform at Mike’s Shop in St Leonards-on-Sea on Saturday 7 November before visiting Ropetackle Arts Centre in Shoreham-by-Sea on Thursday 26 November.

Montague’s current concert calendar also lists a further Sussex appearance at The Stables Theatre in Hastings on Sunday 21 February 2027, although local ticket details have not yet been published.

A new album recorded beside Loch Fyne

The concerts will introduce material from The Shieling, a new duo album recorded after Gillespie and Montague completed a series of intimate performances in California.

They travelled to a cottage on the shore of Loch Fyne in Scotland, where the music was recorded in a deliberately stripped-back form.

The setting allowed them to concentrate on the interplay between Gillespie’s voice and lyrics and Montague’s range of electric and acoustic guitars, pedal steel and mandolin.

The resulting project moves between folk, Americana, roots music, blues, jazz improvisation and Beat-influenced poetry.

Rather than recreating the fuller arrangements of Gillespie’s regular band, the duo format places greater emphasis on the stories within the songs and the musical conversation between the two performers.

No complete track list or album release date has yet been announced.

Who is Sarah Gillespie?

Sarah Gillespie is an Anglo-American singer-songwriter, poet and producer whose work combines folk, jazz, blues and Americana with politically alert and often sharply humorous lyrics.

She has released a series of albums during a career spanning more than 15 years, including Stalking Juliet, In the Current Climate, Glory Days, Wishbones and 2024’s Half Cut.

Her performances have taken her to venues and festivals in Britain, Europe and the United States, including Ronnie Scott’s in London, Blue Note Milano, New York’s former CBGB venue and the Purcell Room at London’s Southbank Centre.

She has also appeared on BBC Radio 4 programmes including Woman’s Hour, Loose Ends and Start the Week.

Alongside writing and performing, Gillespie runs songwriting and creative-development programmes through the Create Now Academy and is involved with She Writes Songs, an organisation supporting female songwriters.

Who is Chris Montague?

Chris Montague is a guitarist, composer and producer whose work crosses contemporary jazz, folk, rock and improvised music.

He is known as a founding member of jazz trio Troyka and has worked with musicians and ensembles including Squarepusher, Charlie Watts and BBC orchestras.

Montague teaches jazz guitar at the Royal Academy of Music and Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and was made an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music in 2013.

His partnership with Gillespie developed through her wider band, with Montague playing on recordings and co-writing several tracks before the pair began performing as a self-contained duo.

In the new project, his guitar work can move from restrained acoustic accompaniment to more angular and unpredictable improvisation.

Intimate St Leonards concert at Mike’s Shop

The first Sussex date takes place at Mike’s Shop on Norman Road in St Leonards.

The independent venue presents small-scale concerts in a close, informal setting and operates a bring-your-own-drinks policy.

Doors open at 7.30pm, with the performance beginning at 8pm. Tickets cost £25.

No finishing time, age guidance or detailed access information has been published for this performance. Anyone with a specific mobility, seating or access requirement should contact the promoter before booking.

Shoreham concert at Ropetackle Arts Centre

The duo will reach Ropetackle Arts Centre in Shoreham on Thursday 26 November.

The venue lists an 8pm start, £18 admission and a running time of approximately 120 minutes.

Seating is unallocated, although Ropetackle can reserve suitable places for customers with access requirements and for larger groups booked in a single transaction.

A £1 booking fee per ticket applies online and by telephone, capped at £5 per transaction. There is no booking fee when tickets are purchased in person from the Box Office.

The Box Office and foyer bar open an hour before the performance, with auditorium doors normally opening between 15 and 30 minutes before the music starts.

Getting to the Sussex concerts

Mike’s Shop, St Leonards

Mike’s Shop is at 74 Norman Road in central St Leonards.

On-street parking around Norman Road is controlled, so drivers should read the signs and allow time to find a legal space.

The venue has not published detailed accessibility information. Customers who use a wheelchair, cannot stand for extended periods or require a particular seat should contact Mike’s List before purchasing tickets.

Ropetackle Arts Centre, Shoreham

Ropetackle is beside the River Adur on Little High Street.

Shoreham-by-Sea railway station is approximately ten minutes away on foot, while buses stop on Shoreham High Street close to the venue.

Nearby parking options include:

• Adur Recreation Ground car park, which the venue lists as free and open 24 hours;
• parking bays on Little High Street, with a two-hour restriction until 6pm; and
• Ropetackle car park, where charges apply during the day and parking is free after 6pm.

The venue has two accessible parking bays close to its entrance.

The foyer and auditorium are step-free, a lift serves the mezzanine and there is an accessible toilet. Wheelchair spaces should be booked through the Box Office on 01273 464440 or by emailing [email protected].

Eligible visitors who need assistance can arrange a complimentary personal-assistant or carer ticket.

What is happening with 18th Holy Curse?

The press announcement describes 18th Holy Curse as the first single from the new album and gives a release date of 12 November 2026.

However, the song previously appeared on Sarah Gillespie’s album Half Cut, released in February 2024.

The supplied information does not explain whether the November release will be a newly recorded duo version, live performance or remaster.

A live video featuring Gillespie and Montague is already available, but the precise status of the planned November release should be confirmed before it is described as the song’s debut.

Sarah Gillespie and Chris Montague full tour dates

The dates below combine the supplied tour announcement with current artist and venue listings. Entries where the published sources disagree have been marked clearly.

Further Nashville and United States dates are planned for March 2027 but had not been confirmed when this article was prepared. Tour dates can change, so check the relevant venue or the artists’ websites before travelling.

Frequently asked questions

When are Sarah Gillespie and Chris Montague playing in Sussex?

The confirmed 2026 performances are at Mike’s Shop in St Leonards on Saturday 7 November and Ropetackle Arts Centre in Shoreham on Thursday 26 November.

Are they also playing in Hastings?

Chris Montague’s current live calendar lists The Stables Theatre in Hastings for Sunday 21 February 2027. The venue has not yet published local booking details, and the original press release instead named Wivenhoe, so the date should be confirmed before travel.

What is The Shieling?

The Shieling is the duo’s new stripped-back album, recorded in a cottage beside Loch Fyne in Scotland after Gillespie and Montague performed together in California.

When will the album be released?

No complete album release date has yet been published.

What kind of music do they play?

The duo combines folk, Americana, blues, jazz and Beat-influenced poetry, with voice, acoustic and electric guitar, pedal steel and mandolin.

How much are tickets in St Leonards?

Tickets for Mike’s Shop cost £25. Doors open at 7.30pm and the show begins at 8pm.

Can visitors take their own drinks to Mike’s Shop?

Yes. The event is advertised as bring your own drinks.

How much are Shoreham tickets?

Ropetackle lists admission at £18. A £1 per-ticket booking fee applies online and by telephone, capped at £5. There is no booking fee at the Box Office in person.

Is the Shoreham concert seated?

Yes, with unallocated seating. Customers with access requirements can arrange a suitable place through the Box Office.

Is the St Leonards venue accessible?

Detailed access information has not been published. Contact Mike’s List on 07908 370844 before booking where a wheelchair space, specific seat or other adjustment is required.

Where can the latest tour details be found?

Updates are available through Sarah Gillespie’s website and Chris Montague’s live calendar.

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