Additional information

 

 

In 1977, The Ruts emerged from London with a sound unlike anybody else around them - the raw urgency of punk colliding with reggae, dub and rock, driven by formidable musicianship and a fierce sense of purpose.

 

With Malcolm Owen, Paul Fox, Dave Ruffy and Segs Jennings, The Ruts created a body of music whose power has endured far beyond its original moment.

 

 

 

The Singles: In A Rut. Babylon’s Burning. Something That I Said. Jah War. Staring At The Rude Boys. West One (Shine On Me).

 

The Album: The Crack:  One of the defining British punk albums of its era: urgent, inventive, politically aware and musically fearless. These songs became part of the fabric of British punk -- and a sound that refused to stay within punk’s boundaries.

 

After losing Malcolm Owen in 1980, the remaining members chose integrity over nostalgia by re-inventing themselves as Ruts DC, eventually losing the legend that was Paul Fox in 2007  

 

But the story does not end there.

 

Ruts DC remain a living, evolving band to this day. But the time has come to celebrate the whole story…

 

RUTS DC present: 50 YEARS OF RUTS MUSIC  - 1977-2027 

 

These shows are about taking the music that exploded out of a movement and bringing it onto a stage in 2027 with all its urgency and relevance intact. 

 

Music made across five decades — from The Crack and Grin & Bear It, through Animal Now, Rhythm Collision, Music Must Destroy, and Counterculture? 

 

 

 

“This ain’t no nostalgia trip, it’s a celebration”

 

 

 

The anniversary shows will embrace the entire history while putting Ruts music where it belongs: at the heart of it all.

 

The songs. The attitude. The energy. The Punk. Performed by the people that were there, ably abetted by Ruts DC guitarist of 14 years — Leigh Heggarty.

 

Honouring  the legacy — while doing what Ruts DC have always done: bringing it into the now.

 

 

 

Not a reunion.    Not a recreation.    Not a tribute band.

 

 

 

A celebration of fifty years of music, friendship, resilience and creative evolution — played in the present tense.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Venue information

The Sugarmill is one of Stoke-on-Trent’s most iconic live music venues, located in the heart of Hanley’s Cultural Quarter. Since opening in the mid-1990s, the venue has built a strong reputation for showcasing emerging talent alongside established acts, making it a cornerstone of the city’s live music scene.

Known for its intimate atmosphere and energetic crowds, The Sugarmill regularly hosts live gigs, DJ club nights and special events across a wide range of genres, including indie, rock, electronic, alternative and hip hop. Over the years, the venue has played an important role in the early careers of several internationally successful artists, cementing its status as a must-visit venue for music fans in Staffordshire and beyond.

The Sugarmill is centrally located in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, making it easy to reach from across the city and surrounding areas.

The venue is close to other popular nightlife spots and is within walking distance of bars, restaurants and late-night food venues, making it ideal for a full night out.

Venue Discovery: The Sugarmill

Venue accessibility information

Step-free access may be available for some areas; contact the venue in advance for specific accessibility requirements.

COVID 19 terms & conditions

WARNING - RISK OF COVID-19

Venue: [The Sugarmill] (“Venue”)

Venue provider: [Velico Ltd] (“Venue Provider”)

Covid–19, often referred to as coronavirus (“Covid-19”), is an infectious disease that can result in serious and potentially fatal illness. There is a risk of the transmission of Covid–19 in any environment where people come together. This risk increases in enclosed spaces and with increased numbers of people. The World Health Organisation has advised that the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions are more vulnerable.

Upon entering the Venue, you assume all risk associated with Covid-19 (unless in any way caused by the negligence of the Venue Provider). You also agree to:

• abide by all government guidance aimed at preventing the transmission of the virus (further details of which can be accessed via the following link: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus); and
• follow all directions provided by staff members and set out on the signage within the Venue.

You must not enter the Venue if you believe that you may have been infected with Covid-19.  By entering the Venue, you are confirming your agreement to the above terms and the following additional matters:

• you acknowledge:
  1. the contagious nature of Covid-19 and that Public Health England and many other public health authorities still recommend practising social distancing and you agree to do so at the Venue [and wear a mask if legally required by government guidelines at the time of the event]
  2. the Venue Provider has put in place preventative measures at the Venue to reduce the spread of Covid-19
  3. the Venue Provider cannot guarantee that you will not become infected with Covid-19 and you further understand that the risk of becoming exposed to and/or infected by Covid-19 may result from the actions, omissions, or negligence of yourself and others around you
  4. that you have voluntarily attended the Venue at your own risk and that you are increasing your risk of exposure to Covid-19
  5. that you must comply with all set procedures to reduce the spread while attending any event at the Venue
• you confirm that:
  1. you are not experiencing any symptom of illness such as cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, or new loss of taste or smell
  2. you have not travelled internationally within the last fourteen days
  3. no-one in your household or your support bubble (as defined here and if applicable to you) (“bubble”) (including you) has returned to the UK in the last fourteen days from a country which is on the government’s ‘red list travel ban countries’, details of which can be found here
  4. no-one in your household or your bubble (including you) has been in contact in the last fourteen days with colleagues, family or friends who have returned from one of those countries or have been in contact with anyone during that period who has been diagnosed with Covid-19
  5. you do not believe you have been exposed to someone with a suspected and/or confirmed case of Covid-19
  6. you have not been diagnosed with Covid-19 and are not awaiting the results of a test from a public health authority or private laboratory which might confirm you are infected
  7. you are following all government guidelines as much as possible and limiting your exposure to Covid-19
  8. you will not seek to bring a claim against the Venue Provider in the event that you contract Covid-19 unless you have reasonable grounds to believe the Venue Provider was responsible for its contraction through its own negligent act or omission
  9. If you are the lead booker for multiple tickets, you will pass this information on to the rest of your party

Failure to comply with the above measures or upon the Venue ascertaining that any of the above statements 2) (a)-(i) are untrue (as applicable) shall entitle the Venue to eject you from the event.

If you have any questions, please get in touch on [danni@thesugarmill.co.uk].

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