THERE have been plenty of shows at Basingstoke's The Anvil and The Haymarket over the past year keeping audiences entertained.
From comedians, singers and theatre shows, residents have had a whole host of performances to enjoy throughout 2023.
There has been plenty for the Gazette to report on too, here we have taken a look back at some of the famous faces who have taken to the stage in Basingstoke.
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BRIT and Ivor Novello Award-winning singer Tom Odell
The singer chose The Anvil to play his only UK headline date of 2023 on Wednesday, May 24.
Starting his music career in 2012, he signed with In the Name Of having been discovered by Lily Allen and went on to release his debut EP, Songs From Another Love that same year.
He was nominated for the BBC Sound of 2013 and picked up a BRIT’s Critics Choice Award.
His debut LP Long Way Down hit shelves in 2013, topping the UK's Official Albums Chart, and he was named Songwriter of the Year at the 2014 Ivor Novello Awards. He has since dropped a further four albums, the latest being 2022's Best Day Of My Life.
British actor, musician and producer Damian Lewis
Damian Lewis is best known for portraying US Army Major Richard Winters in the Steven Spielberg HBO miniseries Band of Brothers.
Damian has also played notable roles in the TV shows Billions and Homeland, and portrayed actor Steve McQueen in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood by Quentin Tarantino.
He released his debut album, Mission Creep, on June 16, with influences of rock and 'jazz-tinged songs’.
He playing at The Haymarket on Wednesday, November 1, as part of his first ever concert tour.
Comedian start Michael McIntyre
Michael McIntyre announced a new stand-up show, Macnificient. The stand-up comedian and television presenter toured his new material across the UK and Ireland.
The comedy superstar came The Anvil on Friday, March 17 bringing in the laughs.
In 2012, he was the highest-grossing stand-up comedian in the world. As of 2023, he presents his own Saturday night series, Michael McIntyre's Big Show, and the game show, The Wheel, on BBC One
Great British Bake Off's Prue Leith
Baking guru Dame Prue Leith, who is a judge on the world’s biggest baking TV show The Great British Bake Off visited the town on Thursday, March 23.
Nothing is off the menu in this frank, revealing, and very funny performance by Prue, who is embarking on her first-ever live tour which comes to The Anvil on Thursday, March 23.
In her first-ever live show, Prue takes you through the ups and downs of being a successful restaurateur, novelist, businesswoman, and Great British Bake Off judge, feeding the rich and famous, cooking for royalty, and even poisoning her clients.
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English pianist, bandleader, singer, composer and television presenter Jools Holland
Jools Holland and His Rhythm and Blues Orchestra performed at The Anvil on Thursday, July 6 for an evening packed full of great boogie-woogie.
After building his reputation as part of Squeeze with such hits as Up The Junction and Cool For Cats, in 1987, Jools became renowned for his musicianship around the world and formed The Jools Holland Big Band, which gradually metamorphosed into the current 19-piece orchestra.
Actor and comedian Jack Whitehall
He came to The Anvil on Tuesday, June 6, as part of his highly anticipated new live show.
Following three complete sell-out arena tours Jack was eager to get back on the road doing what he does best - delighting audiences.
He is known for starring as JP in the comedy drama series Fresh Meat and as Alfie Wickers in the sitcom Bad Education and its spin-off film The Bad Education Movie
The Office and After Life star Ricky Gervais
He came to Basingstoke on Monday, February 27 to perform at The Anvil with the full version of his previous sell-out Work in Progress show, Armageddon.
Considered one of the most influential British comedians since Charlie Chaplin, Ricky Gervais returned to the stage with SuperNature in 2021, following the global success of his recent Netflix stand-up special Humanity, which was his first in seven years.
The creator and star of The Office, Extras, Derek, and the hit Netflix show After Life, Ricky Gervais has won countless awards. Having enjoyed huge critical success for the outstanding After Life, his hit series The Office is also the most successful British comedy of all time, shown in more than 90 countries with seven remakes.
Multi-award-winning comedian Sara Pascoe
Sara Pascoe is a highly acclaimed comedian, writer, and actor. She wrote and starred in her recent BBC2 sitcom Out Of Her Mind and is the celebrated host of BBC2’s The Great British Sewing Bee, BBC’s Last Woman On Earth, Dave’s Comedians Giving Lectures and Comedy Central’s Guessable.
She performed in Basingstoke on on Saturday, April 22.
Broadcaster and adventurer Ben Fogle
Best known from hit shows including Animal Park, Lost Worlds and New Lives In The Wild, the popular presenter brought new live tour to 22 towns and cities across the UK in Spring 2023 including Basingstoke on Friday, May 12 at The Anvil.
Classical stars
Classical music stars should not be forgotten, with a concert by the Philharmonia Orchestra featuring Nicola Benedetti, Sheku Kanneh-Mason and Benjamin Grosvenor, plus the Sinfonia of London and John Wilson celebrating MGM musicals.
The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra brought a new version of The Rite of Spring with the Seeta Patel Dance Company, and the visually and acoustically stunning Terje Isungset Ice Quartet played instruments made from ice.
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