The Reformers of Peterloo consists of a group of experienced musicians working collectively to spread the word about the injustice and atrocity of the Peterloo Massacre in 1819 and the struggle for fairness that continues today. The message will be spread through a rock opera/musical.
The musical, written by Narrator Robert Carter and originally arranged with his cousin Steve Andrews is in three acts but a shortened version has been written for time constrained performances such as music festivals. As the music has developed all band members have contributed to the musical arrangements and John and Mary have contributed songs as well.
Act 1 covers the immediate aftermath of the atrocity and deals with the differing perspectives of the victims in Scenes 1 & 3 to those of the Magistrate and Home Secretary in Scene 2. Act 1 with an extended epilogue will be performed at music festivals.
Act 2 is also in 3 scenes and takes us through the various Reform Acts in the nineteenth century including those in 1832, 1867 and 1884 and the continuing struggle for universal suffrage.
Act 3 is modern day Britain where the struggles for fairness and against poverty continue because ‘Nothing’s Changed’.
The line up consists of Robert and Steve alongside; Mandolin and Acoustic Guitarist John Bradley; vocalist, acoustic guitarist and keyboard player Mary Moden; lead guitarist Julian Homer; Mat Horton on drums and percussion and Ste Critchley on keyboards. The Reformers of Peterloo have vast individual experience that is brought together to create a complementary dynamic group to create Peterloo In Rock.
Robert is a singer songwriter and the principal author of Peterloo. He has been in many bands in the UK and the USA and is currently the singer and acoustic guitarist in Tameside band Parkbridge who’s album Rivets for the Eiffel Tower was released last year to some acclaim. Previous ventures include Ally Can’t Sleep, Chapter One, Still Looking and Stacked Revolver as well as being a solo performer.
Steve Andrews is a musician, singer songwriter and actor. He has been on TV, radio, street theatre, film and theatre. Steve has played bass and keyboards in bands since 1971 (aged 16) across many different styles of music. His most successful project was with Devil’s Fire, a barn dance band in which he played bass for over twenty years. Steve was also the assistant tour manager for Pete Shelley of Buzzcocks fame, in the 1980s.
John is a singer/songwriter/guitarist/mandolin player who has been actively involved in music composition, recording and performance for almost 30 years. John has been in several bands and now in the Dollar Bombers, an acoustic duo performing their original material. John has played at many festivals and venues across the northwest and is a big supporter of ‘We Shall Overcome, music against homelessness and poverty’, regularly helping organiser Pauline Town and performing at her fundraising events.
Mary is a socio-political singer songwriter in the folk/punk tradition, with a strong dollop of humour thrown in for good measure. She has a knack for writing songs from the heart about injustice and is passionate about LGBTQ+ rights. Mary is also a massive supporter of We Shall Overcome and has played many gigs on this circuit over the last couple of years.
Julian is a musician based in Offerton, Stockport. He’s known for writing and performing songs about local places and experiences in Stockport, which has made him something of a local celebrity. His music often captures the essence of the area, with songs about the 192 bus, Offerton Fire Station, The Stockport Pyramid and Werneth Low. He performs regularly at local venues, including hosting the open mic nights at the Blossoms pub.
Mat has been a drummer in bands across many genres from Hardcore Punk to Dream Pop, including a stint as the original drummer in Stockport band R.B.H. In the early 1990’s he was in the punk/glam band Nobody’s Heroes, who’s inspired cover of Tom Jones’ It’s Not Unusual always brings a smile. Other bands he’s played with include Manchester based Manifest and Rebel Conspiracy and skate-punk band Spoon9 as well as the alternative/emo band Anderson. He is currently playing drums with Shelf, a cinematic audio-visual experience sonically akin to the highly atmospheric Cocteau Twins.
Ste Critchley plays keyboards and guitar and has played in many local (Lancashire and Manchester) bands over many years. He plays original classic style and progressive rock music and has been in bands including Horizons and Underfire. He’s also adapt at playing covers in bands such as Aziz, Remnant and The Rock Hoppers. Ste’s personal project Logos features original electronic music. He has also been involved with in a number of Multimedia installations using music, video, animation, still images and light including modern interpretations of some Shakespeare plays.