Scott Lavene brings Milk City Sweethearts to Reading Face Bar

The cult storyteller and songwriter Scott Lavene headlines The Face Bar on 4 December, with support from Baby Maker

If you’ve ever wanted a gig that feels like a night down the pub with the world’s funniest, strangest, and most heartbreakingly honest mate, this is it.

Scott Lavene returns to Reading on Thursday, December 4, bringing his sharp-tongued tales, gravel-voiced poetry, and off-kilter charisma to The Face Bar. Doors open at 8pm.

Often compared to Baxter Dury, Ian Dury, and Stiff Records-era outsiders, Lavene has a knack for turning the messy bits of life into sparkling, satirical songcraft. Expect tracks from his acclaimed albums Milk City Sweethearts and Broke – stories of addiction, love, loneliness, and worms writhing in the mud, told with searing honesty and sideways humour.

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Raised in Essex and seasoned by years of busking, band life, and battles with addiction, Lavene’s songs come from a hard-won place. There’s grit and grief, yes – but also warmth, wit, and a little weirdness. His gigs are known for making audiences both laugh and cry – sometimes in the same song.

As Louder Than War put it: “Poignant, funny and sad… great writing talents.” While Tom Robinson calls him: “A master storyteller.”

Support comes from Baby Maker, a one-man lo-fi machine armed with songs and beats, bringing a perfect prelude to Lavene’s singular style.

When can I see Scott Lavene at The Facebar?

Club Velocity is bringing Scott Lavene to Reading’s Facebar on Thursday, December 4, from 8pm.

Tickets cost £13.20. For more details, and to see the whole gig list, log on to: www.wegottickets.com/clubvelocity