Willkommen Collective Explained

The Willkommen Collective is a Brighton, England-based community of musicians, promoters and artists. The collective includes the bands Sons of Noel and Adrian, the Leisure Society, the Climbers, the Miserable Rich, and Shoreline.^{[1] [2] [3]} They also run a record label,^[2] Willkommen Records, and put on monthly gigs in Brighton, England. The bands share many members and often work collectively.^{[1] [2]}

History

In June, July and August 2009 the collective ran a series of shows dubbed the "Willkommen takeover..." series including an event at the Union Chapel, Islington,^{[2] [4]} Stanmer House^{[4] [5]} (an annual festival known as Foxtrot)^[6] and De La Warr Pavilion.^{[4] [5]}

In February 2010 the Collective performed en masse as "The Willkommen Orchestra" at King's Place, London and Brighton Unitarian Church. The set included selections from the repertoire of the Miserable Rich, Shoreline, Sons of Noel and Adrian and the new 'studio supergroup' the Climbers. In the past they have performed showcases at End Of The Road Festival, The Big Chill, Brighton Festival^[3] and The Great Escape Festival. In 2010 the Collective took five bands to Positivus festival in Latvia and seven bands to The Big Chill in the UK.

Willkommen Records

The collective's associated record label has released music by The Leisure Society and Brian Eno, Damo Suzuki backed by members of The Comet Is Coming and Sons of Noel and Adrian, James Holden collaborating with Led Bib drummer Mark Holub and Marcus Hamblett, and David Thomas Broughton accompanied by Alabaster DePlume.

Members of the Collective

The Collective is a sprawling group of individuals with no fixed membership, but these are some key members and some of the Willkommen Collective bands they have performed with, live and on record:

• Will Calderbank^{[1] [7]} – cello and piano with the Miserable Rich, the Leisure Society, Sons of Noel and Adrian, Shoreline, and the Climbers. Calderbank also records under the name Atlas Crease.^[3]
• Catherine Cardin – vocals and percussion with Sons of Noel and Adrian, Laish and the Climbers
• Tom Cowan^{[1] [4]} – guitar with Shoreline, and Sons of Noel and Adrian
• Emma Gatrill – clarinet, bass clarinet, harp, accordion and vocals with Sons of Noel and Adrian
• Daniel Green – drums and vocals with Sons of Noel and Adrian, guitar and vocals with Laish, has also played live with Shoreline and Curly Hair
• Marcus Hamblett^[2] – played various instruments live and/or on record with Sons of Noel and Adrian,^[2] and Eyes & No Eyes
• Nick Hemming^[1] – vocals, guitar, banjo, ukulele and mandolin with the Leisure Society, the Climbers, Shoreline, and Sons of Noel and Adrian
• Jacob Richardson^[1] – guitar and vocals with Sons of Noel and Adrian, Shoreline and the Climbers
• Mike Siddell – violin with the Miserable Rich, the Leisure Society, Sons of Noel and Adrian, Shoreline, and the Climbers
• Alistair Strachan – trumpet, cornet, flugelhorn and piano with Sons of Noel and Adrian, and Shoreline.
• Helen Whitaker – flute and vocals with the Leisure Society and Sons of Noel and Adrian

Notes and References

1. Web site: Ned. Beauman. 2019-08-10. Shoreline's Debut Washes Up on the Beach. 3 October 2008. Dazed.
2. Web site: 2019-08-10. The Willkommen Collective, Union Chapel, London. 25 June 2009. The Independent.
3. Web site: 2019-08-10. Willkommen Collective: Sons Of Noel And Adrian, Kopek and Birdengine, Pavilion Theatre, Brighton, May 2. The Argus.
4. Web site: 2019-08-10. Union Chapel to host Willkommen Collective's coming-out party. 5 June 2009. The Independent.
5. Web site: 2019-08-10. Willkommen Take Over Stanmer House, Stanmer House, Brighton, July 5. The Argus.
6. Web site: 2010-09-10 . Melting Vinyl and Willkommen Collective: Foxtrot, Stanmer House, Stanmer Park, Brighton, Sep 12 . 2023-10-26 . The Argus . en.
7. News: Today Bexhill - tomorrow Glastonbury!. 30 June 2013 . Bexhill Observer.