Alice Armstrong and Friends and The Witching Hour

The Witching Hour at The Harlington – A Spellbinding Night with Alice Armstrong & Friends

Review And Images By Ken Jackson

There are Sunday nights that fade into memory, and then there are those that etch themselves deep into your bones. Last night’s Witching Hour at The Harlington in Fleet was very much the latter, a night alive with music, mischief, and just the right touch of dark magic. From the moment I stepped into the venue, I knew something otherworldly was afoot. The stage itself was transformed, draped in gothic finery, pumpkins, and just enough eerie detail to make you wonder if the instruments might start playing themselves.

The hard-working team behind this Spooktacular event truly conjured a space that blurred the line between theatre and ritual. Of course, we came dressed for the event, as did many others. Witches, vampires, mischievous spirits, and creatures of the night filled the room, each more creative than the last. It was impossible not to smile seeing the Harlington transformed into a haunted hall of melody and mischief, knowing that those dressed to kill were friends I could barely recognise.

Then came the music. Oh, the music. When Alice Armstrong took the stage, her voice rose like an incantation, pulling the audience under her spell. One by one, some of my absolute favourite musicians joined her, weaving their own enchantments: Tom Julian-Jones with his electrifying energy on guitar, harmonica and vocals; the mesmerising Alessandro Cinelli taking turns with Kev Hickman on drums; whilst Marco Cinelli duetted, played keys, sang and played the perfect foil and partner for Alice.

The soulful Amba Tremain, the spellbinding Connor Selby, Kev Hickman’s thunderous drumming, Joshua Rigal’s deep rhythmic magic on bass, the luminous and charismatic Elles Bailey who was magnificent, and the fabulous Olly Knight-Smith on guitar – together they summoned a sound that shook the rafters. Behind the scenes, the unseen sorcerers made the magic possible

Richard Dunning for his organisational skills, management and intro; Rosalind Dunning-Earp for much of the unseen magic that often goes unseen; Moe Hickman for lending her magic touch to the proceedings and stage decorations; Alex (the manager of the Harlington) for working tirelessly to bring this and so many other Harlington gigs to life; and the sound and lighting teams for crafting atmosphere with light and shadow. Even the bar staff seemed to be caught in the spirit of the night, serving potions (and pints) with a grin.

I confess, I took far too many photos. But how could I not? Each moment begged to be captured: a flicker of crimson light across Alice’s face, a spectral haze curling around a guitar solo, a crowd lost in the spell of the music. Scroll through them and you’ll feel the pulse of that night, part celebration, part séance.

By the time the final notes drifted into the darkness, it was clear we had witnessed something special. The Witching Hour wasn’t just a concert; it was a gathering of spirits, a communion of music and magic that left us all a little bewitched. I have no doubt this will become a recurring ritual in the Harlington’s calendar and one we’ll all eagerly return to, year after haunting year.

So here’s to Alice, to the musicians, to everyone behind the scenes — and to the ghosts of melodies that still echo long after the amps have gone quiet. # Witching Hour