The John Otway Band

Safe As Milk Promotions and New Cross Live present

The John Otway Band
Rock veteran John Otway dubbed himself “rock’n’roll’s greatest failure” after many unsuccessful attempts to produce a second hit single to follow his 1977 classic '(Cor Baby, That’s) Really Free' with Wild Willy Barrett.

However, a mere quarter century later, he was back on Top of The Pops with the wonderful disco pastiche, ‘Bunsen Burner’ and back in the charts as a birthday present from his adoring and patient fans.

And, more recently, his 'Beware Of The Flowers Cause I’m Sure They’re Going To Get You Yeah' voted the seventh greatest lyric of all time in a BBC poll.

But that, of course, was not enough.

A couple of years ago John realised that live footage from the many concerts over the years, plus many TV appearances - and a failed world tour attempt - would make an entertaining documentary film. So he made one. Initially expecting a couple of humble screenings for fans, the film premiered at the Odeon, Leicester Square, was shown at Cannes - and at prestigious UK film festivals including Cambridge during it's national tour.

2016 saw a remarkably successful Kickstarter appeal which raised over £40,000 for John Otway and the Big Band to record their first new album in many years on the island of Monserrat, whose famous studios hosted bands such as the Rolling Stones before being devastated by forces of nature, being a preferable option to Harlow. In 2022, he marked his 5000th show with a sold-out performance at the Shepherd's Bush Empire.

Expect madcap mayhem and some scintillating stunts from a man old enough to know better…..and also to be surprised at just what a showman and musician really lies underneath the tomfoolery.

‘He’s a cabaret act masquerading as a rock act. He is gleeful, anecdotal, funny and life-enhancing.’ Canterbury Fayre Review
http://www.johnotway.com/

+ support

Sunday 15th March 2026
New Cross Inn
Doors 6pm
Tickets £16 ADV STBF        

From the age of 9, John Otway knew he wanted to be a pop star. But even at that young age, having listened to his sister's Beatles and Stones records, he knew he would never be able to do what they do. However, when his sister got the latest Bob Dylan album, he knew there was a place for him and he set about learning how to play guitar.

Otway had to wait until 1977 and the rise of punk before his dream of fame and fortune would finally become a reality. Having caught the eye of the producers of the BBC's Old Grey Whistle Test, Otway's performance on that show would grab the attention of the watching audience. Otway, ever the showman, decided to jump on to the amplifier of his colleague during a performance of Bob Lind's Cheryl's Going Home. (Un)fortunately for Otway, he misjudged his leap and sent Wild Willy Barrett's amplifier tumbling as he crashed down straddling the box under the amp.