A HOMETOWN gig at the Artrix will be the perfect early Christmas present for Bromsgrove singer-songwriter Jack Goodall.

The 26-year-old has come a long way from his student days, where he performed in the music department of North Bromsgrove School with friends.

After a spell with Bromsgrove band Our Mutual Friend, Jack has now started to find his own path with the release of solo material, playing alongside friend Thom Hollick.

His music has already received radioplay and praise from the likes of Elbow frontman Guy Garvey and bluesmen Aynsley Lister and Ian Siegal.

And now he’s back in the town to play at the Artrix just two days before Christmas, on Saturday, December 23.

He said: “I'm so excited to be putting on a show at the Artrix.

“The band and I mainly play in Birmingham and London but it was in Bromsgrove that I started out and I went to North Bromsgrove School, just over the road from where we'll be performing.

“The music department was brilliant and so encouraging there and we always used to put on shows.

“I'm 26 now but our Christmas show at the Artrix is to an extent looking back to my childhood, collaborating with old friends on new music.

“When Thom and I first made music together in Our Mutual Friend it was very much indebted to David Bowie and, in Thom's case, Radiohead.

“But we're certainly more our own people now. We're hoping for a big lively crowd on the 23rd as the music is designed to dance to."

The singer-songwriter, whose style mixes a fusion of blues and funk, released his second album The Whole Thing is Moving earlier this year.

He will be joined in his band by percussionist David Rees-Jones, drummer Jack Smith, Thom Hollick on bass guitar and synth, and Kate Wilkins on piano and synth.

Kate is also due to perform a solo set, with additional support from Carl Doonican and Whit Gutler And The Djinns.

The show begins at 7.30pm on Saturday, December 23, costing £10 and £8 for the over 60s, students, and under 16s. For tickets, visit artrix.co.uk/whats-on/all-shows/goodall.