As part of the ongoing programme at the Anvil Theatre, Basingstoke Festival is proud to welcome the Basingstoke Symphony Orchestra to Basingstoke Festival 2018. The Orchestra was formed in 1930 by local musicians for the enjoyment of making music through rehearsals and concerts. For over 60 years we were the only symphony orchestra to perform regularly in Basingstoke. The Anvil has transformed the musical scene in Basingstoke and we are now one of the many symphony orchestras who enjoy the Anvil’s wonderful acoustics – likened by one expert to ‘an Italian courtyard in summer’. The high standard of presentation achieved by the BSO, coupled with the Anvil’s acoustics and facilities means that we have been able to attract many top name soloists to perform with the orchestra over the past few years.

On the occasion of the orchestra’s debut in The Anvil in June 1995, all 1400 seats were filled to hear the orchestra with Lesley Garrett and James Lisney – the evening was a real triumph. Lesley Garrett is now a patron of the Anvil and returned to perform with us in 1997 when she reiterated her admiration for the orchestra’s high standard and ability to play with comfort such wide variety of musical styles.

Basingstoke Festival 2018 is delighted to introduce DJ Miss Tyson, a highly decorated and widely recognised champion on the decks, the Hastings born DJ specialises in working with young people with behaviour, social issues and at risk of exclusion from school. Miss Tyson’s work has led to her working with over 10,000 young people. The former Funkt resident has the highest DJ Bronze Arts Award pass rate in the UK. She has been recognised for her work with disaffected young people and has been a guest speaker in education for behaviour management using music and the arts. Over the last few years she has met many clubbers from back in the 90’s that have encouraged her to start gigging again. She is now ready to hit the decks keeping it vinyl all the way with a box of 90’s club classics.

Miss Tyson started Djing in 1992 around Hastings in East Sussex playing alongside Danny Howells. She got her first break with ‘Club UK’ – London where she became resident for ‘Girls Behaving Badly’ shortly followed by the ‘Leisure lounge’ and ‘The Gardening Club’ in London. In 1998 she became the ‘UK Redemption DJ of The Year’ which was run by ‘DJ Mag’ which led to gigs abroad. In 1999 she was ‘The Nivea Female DJ of The Year’ and played ‘T in the Park’ and ‘Glastonbury festival’. Tyson was very popular in Southern Ireland and was a regular at ‘The Temple Theatre’ Dublin, headlining their Millennium night. She was resident at ‘Funkt’ Brixton – London and also ran her own night ‘House Work’ at the ‘Dog Star’ in Brixton for 5 years. She had her own radio show on ‘Shakedown FM’ for 5 years and also was a guest on ‘Kiss FM’ London and Ireland.