A Cumbrian band who recently risked drone strikes, illness and frontline danger to perform for Ukrainian troops are bringing their acclaimed live show to The Royalty in Bowness-on-Windermere on Saturday 21 March 2026.
Hardwicke Circus, formed in Carlisle by brothers Jonny and Tom Foster, have earned a reputation as one of Britain’s most compelling live acts — not just for their rousing, classic rock sound, but for their belief that music should reach people wherever it is needed most.
That belief recently took the band into war-torn Ukraine, where they became the only British band to tour the country since the Russian invasion, performing concerts for civilians, hospital patients and military personnel — including shows just kilometres from the frontline.
“We didn’t go for publicity or money,” says Jonny Foster. “We just wanted to do our bit and thought people might enjoy hearing some rock ’n’ roll. Music is entertainment and art, and everyone should have access to it.”
The tour, undertaken in June and again later in the year, saw the band travel thousands of miles across Ukraine, often playing in underground venues due to air-raid warnings, finishing shows before midnight curfews and staying in buildings equipped with bomb shelters. Alongside performing, the band helped transport donated vehicles, medical supplies and pet food for animal shelters near the front line.
Managed by legendary music industry figure Dave Robinson — former road manager to Jimi Hendrix and co-founder of Stiff Records — Hardwicke Circus are no strangers to unconventional tours. Previous projects have included a tour of ten British prisons and performances in some of the most unlikely venues imaginable.
Despite their extraordinary experiences abroad, the band remain deeply rooted in Cumbria. Their music — often compared to Bruce Springsteen, Thin Lizzy, Dexys and The Waterboys — has earned critical acclaim and high-profile supporters, including Sir Paul McCartney, who personally recommended them for Glastonbury Festival, and Bob Dylan, who invited them to support him at Hyde Park.
Their Ukraine performances were captured on the live album One Hour Ahead of The Posse, recorded under intense and often dangerous conditions. Yet Foster says the experience only strengthened the band’s commitment to live performance.
“Seeing people smile, sing along and forget their situation for a moment — that’s what made it worthwhile,” he says.
Now, Hardwicke Circus are bringing that same passion and energy back home for what promises to be a powerful and unforgettable night in Bowness.
Hardwicke Circus – Live in Concert
📍 The Royalty, Bowness-on-Windermere
📅 Saturday 21 March 2026 | Doors 7pm
🎟 Tickets: https://www.theroyaltybowness.co.uk/product/hardwicke-circus-live-in-concert/
