Culture on Preston’s Riverside
We’re renowned for our quality music and arts events here at The Continental - in our dedicated event space: THE BOATYARD.
Some are ticketed, while others are free to enter. Take a look at the listings and follow the links to buy tickets.
Upcoming events.
ANOTHER GREAT FREE ENTRY SHOW IN THE SNUG - LAST OF THE SEASON
Greenhorses, a 5-piece Americana Folk band from the North West. Sunshine Americana and road-worn roots. Influenced by the Laurel Canyon scene of the 60s and modern Americana of Wilco, REM and Drive by Truckers, with a side order of sea shanty vibes.
SKA FACE is a 10 piece Ska band playing all the best 2-Tone classics from Madness, The Specials, The Selecter, The Beat, Bad Manners and many more….
Ska Face keep it real and enjoy every minute with an infectious stage show of power, energy and damn good tunes that you just have to dance to. There is no better remedy to a stressful week than a few cheeky beers and dancing like a loon… and that’s just the band!
THIS SHOW ALWAYS SELLS OUT, SO DON’T HANG ABOUT!
Martin McAloon was the bass player and a founding member of Prefab Sprout.
Martin will be performing a 2-hour show featuring a large selection of Prefab Sprout songs from their 40 years in the music industry, stripped back to the bare necessities, the raw elements of how they were first performed when originally written by his brother Paddy - before the bells, whistles and budget were added.
Expect all the hits; Cars and Girls, When Love Breaks Down & The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll and much, much more!
Award winning The Laughienda Comedy Club brings another quality night of comedy to Preston, headlined by the BRILLIANT Brennan Reece! 😂
Back from an exhilarating and triumphant tour of UK festivals, Mobius Loop are heading out to the UK’s best grassroots music venues on the second leg of their UK tour to bring their mesmerising festival vibrations indoors, launching their newest album DANCE WHILE YOU CAN!
Expect ecstatic dancing, majestic melodies, epic beats and vibrant voices all woven together in this celebration of life and death.
Plus special guests SPIRAL SCOUTS
“Absolutely brilliant chaps!” David Coverdale
The UK's ultimate tribute to Whitesnake, featuring some of the UK's finest musicians.
With numerous festival appearances & sold out shows at venues including O2 Academy's Newcastle, Sheffield & Islington, The Globe Cardiff, Chepstow Castell Roc Festival, Wannasee Festival, Rock The Park Festival Wrexham, Tribfest, amongst many others as well as hosting the annual & extremely successful Deep Purple Family Tree Show.
“Absolutely loved them. Really good tribute band....and I don''t like many” Steve Bebee (Kerrang! / Planet Rock)
Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? is the Coen Brothers film set against the backdrop of the 1930s Mississippi Delta and the soundtrack features re-interpretations of popular Old Timey, Blues and Folk Music that was popular at that time.
The Hellfire Preachers present their ‘Oh Brother’ themed show.
Folk music and ballads from the Appalachian Mountains through the coal mines of Kentucky to the Devil at The Crossroads deep in the Mississippi Delta. All performed using authentic acoustic instruments…
“Love that Jethro Tull sound that Cold Flame capture ever so well" Dan James, Radio Wales
Five piece band COLD FLAME perform a two hour plus set list that covers many of the classic Tull songs as well as some rarely performed Tull material from albums such as Aqualung, Thick as a Brick, Stand Up, Benefit, Songs from the Wood and Rock Island.
Joel Knight sees performing as an extension of his songwriting. It’s a heart-to-heart endeavour. There is no towering judgment, or desire to correct. Only to relate. A prolific mix of intent observation and heart.
February 2024 saw the release of Joel's sophomore single. The track has already received over 11,000 streams, and multiple placements on BBC Radio Lancashire. With a debut album in the works, Joel is setting up for a big year.
BACK AGAIN BY POPULAR DEMAND!
GREAT FREE ENTRY SHOW IN THE SNUG
Djangobop take their audience on a journey to a simpler time, a time of hedonistic café life on the streets of Paris where Jazz could be heard in its rawest form until the early hours.
For the first ever time at The Continental, take a trip into the contagious beat-laden world of BOLLYWOOD with DJ ANAVI for an unforgettable experience that transcends borders and cultures.
A night of Bollywood fun with banging tunes, lights, visuals, and dressing up absolutely encouraged!
The God of Hellfire is coming to Preston!
Arthur Brown is best Known for his flamboyant theatrical performances and his powerful wide-ranging operatic voice.
Considered a pioneer of shock rock and progressive rock and influential on heavy metal music.
One Eighty Two are the most authentic representation of the pop-punk legends blink-182. Bringing decades of experience and smashing out more than 30 years of material.
One Eighty Two will take you to California and back with an explosion of pop-punk anthems. With the iconic styles of Mark, Tom, and Travis replicated to a tee, from the much-loved stage banter to the most up-to-date image and sound, no stone is left unturned in the quest for Pop Punk Glory.
Polish Music Night with Kate S (+ special guest: her mum) …performing Polish covers of songs by such popular Polish artists as Lady Pank, Perfect, Dżem, Budka Suflera, Bajm, Maanam, Varius Manx, Myslovitz, Kombii, Doda, Szymon Wydra, T.Love, Enej, Feel, Lemon, O.N.A., IRA, Łzy, Urszula, Czerwone Gitary, 2+1, Maryla Rodowicz, Anna Jantar, Irena Jarocka, Irena Santor, Halina Frąckowiak and more. This over three hour show includes some tracks performed acoustically, others with backing tracks, some in a duo with her mum who is also a musician. Aimed mostly at the Polish community, but anyone interested in discovering Polish music is more than welcome to attend!
Kate S zaprasza na koncert specjalny "Polska Noc Muzyczna z Kate S (gościnnie w duecie z mamą)", na którym zaprezentuje przeboje polskiej muzyki rozrywkowej (wersje akustyczne i z podkładami muzycznymi), niektóre z nich w duecie ze swoją mamą. W planie utwory następujących artystów: Lady Pank, Perfect, Dżem, Budka Suflera, Bajm, Maanam, Varius Manx, Myslovitz, Kombii, Doda, Szymon Wydra, T.Love, Enej, Feel, Lemon, O.N.A., IRA, Łzy, Urszula, Czerwone Gitary, 2+1, Maryla Rodowicz, Anna Jantar, Irena Jarocka, Irena Santor, Halina Frąckowiak i innych. Przewidziane ponad 3 godziny muzyki na żywo. Katarzyna Stec pochodzi z Lublina, mieszka w Preston od 14 lat. Występuje zazwyczaj z repertuarem anglojęzycznym w lokalnych pubach, klubach itp., czasem z repertuarem polskim dla polskiej społeczności. Jej mama mieszka w Polsce, jest muzykiem, nauczyła córkę grać na gitarze. Wielokrotnie występowały jako duet wokalno-gitarowy.
Plus special guests SLANDER
Formed in 1978, TYGERS OF PAN TANG were one of the most notable bands of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) movement. The late 70s / early 80s saw them release a flurry of very successful LPs, including 'Wild Cat', 'Spellbound' and 'The Cage' and today sees them still releasing albums, still touring the world and, most importantly, still ROCKING!
Back after last year’s sold out show!
“Ken Nicol is a consummate musician. A guitarist of broad scope, a sensitive singer and an intelligent writer of songs with stirring melodies. A musical paragon.” Maddy Prior
Playing with Ken in LOCKSTEP are: Paul Burgess (10CC) - drums, Norm Helm - bass, Wendy Ross - violin (Magna Carta)
The UK’s #1 Tribute to BLACK SABBATH!
SABBOTAGE arrived on the scene in November 2014. Formed from the ashes of the already established Sabbath Tribute SNOWBLIND. Immediately, it was obvious that this band would become the most authentic and by far the best Black Sabbath tribute in the UK.
For those that missed Sabbath in their first incarnation this is definitely the closest you are ever likely to get to the real thing.
This time we have TWO Big Bands for the price of one!
THE RIBBLE VALLEY JAZZ BIG BAND and THE BAY BIG BAND. Both bands come to us fresh from taking part in The Great Northern Big Band Festival.
"Absolutely brought the house down" - Lincolnshire World
"'Carry On Moby Dick'" - North West End
Herman Melville's classic tale of revenge and retribution is retold in this inventive, comic retelling on the high seas from the company behind ‘Just Like That! The Tommy Cooper Show’ and ‘Dracula! One Bloody Fang After Another’.
All plot will be lampooned. All jokes will be harpooned.
There ain't no party like a Soul Feds party and you are invited!
Classic Soul, Northern Soul, Blues Brothers and more
THE SOUL FEDERATION
An award-winning ten-piece band playing classic Soul as it should be played – with a real horn section and harmony vocals!
The most authentic tribute to the music of The STONE ROSES. Reni's beats, Mani's grooves, John's riffs & Ian's monkey business.
Each member of ULTIMATE STONE ROSES is a die-hard fan of the original band who has dedicated themselves to mastering the music of their heroes.
Hailing from Los Angeles, USA, THE ROCKETZ perform revved up rockabilly with mild punk and celtic influences.
This is rock and roll at its best! The Rocketz are sustained by a live performance that their studio recordings cannot capture. Their on stage magic is personal and intimate and sometimes, tastefully desperate, it’s wild rock n roll!
PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS TBC
Bass Ritual and Them There present
Dean McPhee
Powders
Steve Barker aka DJ Old Rat (lǎoshǔ)
“Alien presences, spaced-out minimalism and celestial English guitar…an album tied together by the haunted and the alien, and rich with a welcoming abstraction – 8/10″ Uncut Magazine
The Authentic Sound of THE DOORS
The Doors Rising are a UK based Doors Tribute band capturing the sound, feel and experience of the psychedelic 60s.
Step back in time and re-live the music of The Doors recreated with stunning accuracy, using authentic instruments by true fans with an ear for the details.
THE VIOLET HOURS is a newly-formed blues-infused Americana duo and band. Helen May (vocals, guitar, percussion) is well-known for her work with The Helen May Band. She is also a featured vocalist with the Mel Outsider Reformation with recent appearances at iconic venues such as 100 club in London. Chris Preston (lead guitar) has long been known on the UK blues scene for his lead and slide guitar work with legendary Slack Alice with numerous main stage festival appearances and albums produced by, amongst others, country guitar virtuoso Jerry Donahue.
PLUS SPECIAL GUESTS TBC
THE MARLEY EXPERIENCE is an eight piece BOB MARLEY tribute band with a difference, with lead vocalist Lionart & his undeniable vocal resemblance to the late great King of Reggae himself. Backing band The Hailers consist of drum and bass, guitars keyboards and female backing singers to complete the line up.
Expect all the famous hits and classics!
BACK FOR 2024!
Live Traditional Cuban Buena Vista style band CUBA SALSA
PRE SHOW CUBAN DANCE CLASS
THE FINEST CUBAN SALSA & TIMBA with your host DJ IRMITA, as heard on OSSR
From DON’T GO INTO THE CELLAR! Theatre Company
Award-winning actor Jonathan Goodwin returns as super sleuth Sherlock Holmes.
Be puzzled by the mysterious Red-Headed League, then join Holmes as he matches wits with the nefarious Professor Moriarty and Colonel Moran!
DANNY RAMPLING was one of the first superstar DJ luminaries in the electronic music scene, remains a true pioneer, and a visionary in the global dance arena.
Through his legendary Acid House club Shoom in the 1980s, radio shows at Kiss FM, and his Saturday night residency for his Love Groove Dance Party at BBC Radio 1, Danny Rampling was a major catalyst that helped shaped the UK dance scene from the early days in the late 80s, and is widely recognised as a founding father of the UK dance scene.
A rockin’ good double-header featuring the music of THIN LIZZY and MOTÖRHEAD!
TWIN LIZZY faithfully recreate the energy and power of arguably one of the greatest rock bands of all time and has been described as the closest sounding tributes to the music of Thin Lizzy.
MÖTORPACE is the most authentic Motörhead tribute band in the UK chosen to carry on the incredible legacy performed by the Lemmy Legend!
Past Events.
Damson Poets is in The Boatyard on March 27th. This month is a purely open mic night. There is always a mixture of new and more experienced readers so it’s an evening that belongs to everyone.
As always, free entry.
RECENT RELEASES OLD FAVOURITES
CULT CLASSICS HIDDEN GEMS
EVERY OTHER TUESDAY!
If like us you miss the big screen experience, the escapism it allows and the delight in discovering new cinema then worry no longer, as The Continental presents Cinema at The Continental, our fortnightly film club.
The legendary sound, spirit and attitude of the mighty AC/DC is alive and kicking… and back at The Conti in March!
THE AC/DC EXPERIENCE – arguably Britain’s best AC/DC tribute band, having rocked some of the biggest tribute festivals in the UK and also have six UK tours under their belts – are heading out on an eagerly-awaited sixth nationwide tour.
Their last three shows here sold out, so don’t hang about!
TOTAL JAM is the UK's leading tribute to THE JAM, performing all the hits and album tracks of one of the most successful British bands. The band replicates the sound of Weller, Foxton and Buckler, using the same instruments to try and get as close as they can to that unique sound...
The Boys are Back! Presenting the Greatest Hits of Thin Lizzy
Now in their 3rd decade, LIMEHOUSE LIZZY continue to keep the spirit of Celtic rock icon Philip Lynott and his band Thin Lizzy alive, still-relevant and dominating stages worldwide.
“The greatest thing to come out of Barnsley since the A61 to Sheffield" Jarvis Cocker
“Always enjoy the boys from The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican. Great fun." Jason Manford
Founded in Barnsley Rock City in 2006 by their outspoken and energetic ringleader, Scott Doonican, The Bar-Steward Sons of Val Doonican are on a mission!
“Sweet Leaf of The North, my favourite song of the last decade” Iggy Pop
"Best live band I have seen all summer” Gideon Coe
Mik Artistik's Ego Trip are genuinely delightful, funny, frightening, and indefinable. Northern rock and roll stand-up comes close. Mik fixes the audience with his compelling stare, hypnotising and charming them with stories, songs, and poems. Every show is unique as Mik finds a new train of thought to ride.
Great FREE ENTRY show in the Snug.
Lancashire based singer songwriter Ian M Bailey has been a part of the North West music scene for many years.
Performing material from his back catalogue up to current day, here’s a chance to hear these songs stripped back to just acoustic guitar and voice.
“This intimate collection is brimming with moments of sublime beauty that frequently take your breath away." (Shindig Magazine)
Extensively and accurately researched, this highly acclaimed production - LADY IN RED - combines superb dialogue, a compelling plot, inspired performance and evocative colours to create an unforgettable experience - a journey through one woman's attempts to leave an abusive relationship.
Power and control, physical, emotional and psychological abuse, fear of the unknown and "Why doesn't she leave?" are just some of the issues raised in this contemporary look at domestic violence.
Entry is free but pre-booking is essential. Not suitable for children.
Rob Heron & The Tea Pad Orchestra don’t care what genre you choose to put them in – Western Swing, Blues, Country, Rock & Roll or whatever else– as long as you understand that they’re 100% sincere and 100% immersed in this stuff.
This is no lazy pastiche, no dressing up box. They live and breathe this music and want you to get immersed with them. The Tea Pad are eight years into a remarkable story that began with four friends studying at Newcastle University and now sees them playing venues and festivals across the UK and mainland Europe.