Gig - Baby Charles

“Hand on heart, I’ve never played a gig where by the end most of the audience haven’t ended up covered in sweat and nearly dead with exhaustion from all the dancing they’ve been doing” says Dionne Charles, whose 10-piece funk band Baby Charles are hitting the All Saints this weekend to put Lewes’ dance-floor enthusiasts through the mill. “We’re a big, ever-evolving band, who all share a love for soul and funk music, especially that of the late 60’s and early 70’s” she continues. “There’s a drum, bass, guitar, trombone, flute, two saxes, percussion and vocals. I write the songs and sing the words. I guess you could say I have a soulful, strong voice. With all the backing, it’s a big, full sound”.

“We do about half covers, and half our own material,” she elaborates. “I want to keep a couple of surprises up my sleeve, and a number of the covers are quite obscure, but expect a number or two from the likes of James Brown and Marvel Whitney, and one from DJ Shadow which we’re bringing out as the B-side of our new single”. The Brighton-based band have a busy schedule this summer, including a tour of Italy and a French festival; this is the first time in their ten-year history they’ve played Lewes. Expect the unexpected, not least from the audience. “We’ve seen all sorts of different dances in the crowd from break-dances to people having dry sex in front of the stage,” says Dionne, reputed to be no mean boogier herself. DL