Ramsgate based Mother Brain Bookings have announced three exciting shows coming up in May and June at the multi award winning Ramsgate Music Hall.
On 5 May Mother Brain welcome sensational space-gaze duo SKLOSS: surrounded by drums and guitars and the need to play loud, indulging in their heaviest and gentlest impulses all at once, the band blends elements of heavy psychedelia, post-metal drones, meditative drums, and distorted riffs performed with honesty and deliberation. The resulting, powerful atmospheric and dense wall of sound is unique only to SKLOSS.
LOUD WOMEN favourites ARXX play on 18 June. The alt pop duo released their album Good Boy late last year and have contributed songs to the new BBC Sally Wainright drama ‘Riot Women’.
Faetooth play on 19 June. The fantastic LA trio draw inspiration from doom metal, black metal, shoegaze, and sludge, the term ‘fairy-doom’ aptly characterises their distinctive fusion of sounds.
If you are local or fancy a bit of gig tourism by the sea, I recommend you get down there.
Tickets for all shows available here: Ramsgate Music Hall Tickets
We talked to the mother brain behind Mother Brain, Lucy Foster about her experiences booking and promoting gigs.
How did Mother Brain come about?
Mother Brain was born out of pure passion and, if I’m honest, a little bit of selfishness too. I threw myself into the local music scene at the young age of 14, playing in bands, hauling gear into venues, navigating the chaos of DIY shows.. but more so feeling the frustration of seeing incredible artists struggle for a decent gig. Eventually, I just thought: why should I keep trekking to London just to see the bands I love when I could bring them here to Ramsgate instead? So, I did. What started as a way to satisfy my own cravings quickly became something bigger. Mother Brain became a home for underground and alternative artists, a space where people don’t just attend gigs but became part of a community. Mother Brain isn’t just about putting on shows; it is about curating something special, where fans can 100% trust in the bands we book and know they will always walk into a night of incredible music. Mother Brain is about friendships, inclusivity, and building something real—no soulless spamming of random half arsed gigs, just a shared love for loud, boundary-pushing music. I’m not tied to doing a specific programme of events, some months we can do 3 gigs in one month, and then we might have 3 or 4 months without a show, I feel like this is the healthiest way to maintain relationships with our dedicated audience and people who appreciate what we do. We only book bands that we truly believe in and ones that we are excited to share with people.
How did your relationship with Ramsgate Music Hall come about and whats so special about the venue?
From the moment I first set foot in RMH back in 2014, I was hooked. I found myself there so often for gigs that I might as well have been paying rent! There was just something about the place—the energy, the setup, the way the whole room seemed to pulse with excitement every single time. I’ve always been the kind of person who notices the details: how things are run, how a space is used, how the crowd responds. And right away, I knew—this wasn’t just any venue. Before long, I wasn’t just a regular; I was part of the RMH family. I started pitching in wherever I could, helping with promo, doing photography and camera work, anything to contribute to the magic of the venue. What started as pure love for the space turned into something much deeper—I wasn’t just attending gigs any more; I was part of what made them special.
Why are Mother Brain shows mostly held at RMH?
Quite simply, it’s the best! We’ve put on incredible shows at other venues across Kent, but for me, RMH will always feel like home. That said, we’re definitely open to branching out and promoting gigs at other venues across the UK in the future. We’re not against the idea at all—it’s just that we’ve spent the last couple of years perfecting the ultimate gig experience at RMH, one that works seamlessly for both bands and audiences.
At RMH, it’s not just about having world-class sound, lighting, video recording, and AV projection—we’re all very much obsessed with production quality. We go the extra mile, putting in the effort to make every show feel special. But having the best gear means nothing without a solid team who knows how to use it. That’s where we stand out. We back up our top-tier equipment with real expertise, making sure everything runs flawlessly.
More than anything, though, it’s about attitude. Equipment and skills are only part of the equation—the real magic happens when you combine that with a deep commitment to the bands. We care. Really care. That means treating artists with respect, meeting their needs, and creating an environment where they can perform at their absolute best. And when a band is at their best, the audience gets an unforgettable experience.
For us, every gig is more than just another stop on a tour—it’s a chance to create something unique and memorable for everyone involved. That’s what drives us, and that’s why we do what we do.
What’s the local scene like in Ramsgate, and what does the future of live music there look like?
There doesn’t seem to be a huge deal of new original bands coming through in the past few years. We have an amazing local youth centre resource called Pie Factory who nurture the lot of the younger artists and musicians and help them find their feet in the industry – however that is currently under threat of closure which is incredibly concerning and hugely sad! We love seeing new young bands and we are always very open to put them on as supports to bigger headlines and give them whatever platform we can to help them, but I would say that it is currently far from a thriving local scene. Ramsgate’s local music scene might not be the biggest or the busiest, but what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in heart. The bands that do come out of Thanet pour absolutely everything into their music, dedicating countless hours to rehearsals, gigs, and keeping the spirit of live music alive. And while we don’t have the luxury of a booming industry on our doorstep, what we do have is a tight-knit, fiercely supportive community which we are very proud of.”
What do you think needs to happen to support it going forward?
If we want Ramsgate’s music scene to survive—let alone thrive—we need to give young people the space, time, and support to express themselves through music. Too often, the next generation of musicians gets overlooked, left without the resources or encouragement to pick up an instrument, form a band, or step onto a stage. But without fresh talent coming through, the scene risks fading into silence. Music isn’t just a pastime; it’s a lifeline, a way for young people to find their voice, connect with others, and build something real. A thriving music scene isn’t just about who’s playing now; it’s about who’s inspired to play next.
How do you go about booking the bands?
Its a see-saw of bands reaching out to us and also putting in endless hours of research to track down the right artists. Some bands come straight to us, eager to play, which is always great—but there is also the real grind when we’re chasing down specific acts. This means spending hours digging into booking agents, checking tour schedules, finding the right contacts, and crafting email after email, message after message hoping for a response.. it’s not just a few messages here and there—I’m talking about sending out hundreds of messages, following up, negotiating, and sometimes never even hearing back. It’s a relentless process, but it’s the only way to get the right bands to play. I wish it was as simple as picking my dream lineup and making a few calls, but in reality, it’s a mix of patience, persistence, and a whole lot of graft. Every gig that finally comes together is the result of weeks, sometimes months, of behind-the-scenes effort. But when the show happens, all that hard work feels worth it.
How much work do you put into finding the right bands for you to put on?
A huge part of my life is spent diving deep into the endless rabbit hole that is Bandcamp, searching for new and exciting music that deserves to be heard. There’s something addictive about the process—sifting through obscure tags, scrolling past countless albums, and stumbling across hidden gems that most people haven’t even heard of yet. I love the thrill of discovering a band with raw talent, fresh energy, and something truly special, knowing that they could be the next act to blow people away at one of my shows. It’s not just about booking bands that already have a following; it’s about bringing fresh, unheard-of artists to new audiences too. It’s that feeling of connection—between artist and audience that keeps me digging, keeps me searching, and keeps me excited about live music. I am always on the hunt! It is also completely impossible not to get excited about the rare chance to work with international bands coming to the UK for the first time. Whether it’s a rising act like when we had Lorelle Meets The Obsolete and El Shirota from Mexico, or legends like noise rock pioneers Cherubs from US—who, after 30 years as a band, played their first-ever UK show with Mother Brain—it’s those once-in-a-lifetime moments that make all the hard work worthwhile. Watching bands step onto our stage in front of a crowd that has no idea who they are, and then seeing them walk away with a room full of brand-new die-hard fans. There’s nothing better than witnessing that kind of connection unfold in real-time. One of the best feelings is knowing that people trust my taste in music and the bands we book. It’s amazing to have built something where, when people see it’s a Mother Brain show, they don’t even need to check the lineup—they just know it’s going to be a killer gig. That kind of trust means everything because it shows that the effort we put into finding and booking incredible bands is paying off.
What advice would you give to anyone wanting to start promoting?
Booking gigs isn’t just about throwing a show together—it’s about curating an experience that feels right. It all starts with finding a venue that matches the energy of the bands you’re bringing in. The vibe has to fit. And if you’re just starting out, don’t rush into booking massive venues or expensive acts. Build from the ground up—work with local bands, find spaces that support new promoters, and grow from there. Money matters too, so budget smartly. Venue hire, band fees, sound engineers, security, promo—it all adds up, and hidden costs will creep in if you’re not careful. Set ticket prices that make sense, cover your costs, and ensure the artists get paid. Always pay the artists. Exposure doesn’t put food on the table. Be upfront about fees, expenses, and what you can offer—transparency is key.
The crowd matters just as much as the bands. Gigs should run on time—people have trains to catch, and nobody wants a late-night disaster. Create a space where people feel welcome, where they want to come back. If you can, offer earplugs—little things like that make a difference. And here’s the truth: not every show will go smoothly. Sometimes things will flop, but that’s part of it. Learn, adjust, and keep pushing forward. The real magic happens when you’re not just putting on shows but building something bigger—a community. Support other promoters, work with local venues, and don’t treat everyone like competition. Go to gigs, be present, and help the scene grow.
At the end of the day, it all comes down to passion. If you don’t love this, it’ll wear you down fast. But if you do—if you thrive on the energy of live music, the rush of discovering a band that blows you away, and the joy of seeing a crowd lose themselves in a set—then it’s all worth it. Keep going. Keep pushing. And most importantly, have fun with it.
What are some of the biggest challenges Mother Brain and the live music scene faces?
Money is obviously one of the biggest hurdles when it comes to challenges, and it’s a battle on all sides. Bands need cash to cover travel, accommodation, gear upkeep—just getting to the venue can be a financial strain. Then there’s the cost of putting on the show itself: security, sound engineers, venue hire, promo. It all adds up fast.
Another frustrating thing about running Mother Brain is knowing just how many incredible UK and semi-local bands are out there—and only being able to book so many of them. We put a lot of thought into pairing the right support acts for every show, making sure the line-ups feel cohesive and exciting, but there are always more bands we’d love to fit in. That’s why we’ve done events like ‘January Dread’ and ‘Chaos Tank’—less about a single headliner and more about creating a space where multiple UK and local bands can come together and thrive. Hopefully, we’ll get to do more of that in the future. We also get a lot of messages from bands after gigs, and I genuinely, hand-on-heart, listen to every single one. Every track, every demo—I take it all in and add them to a growing database we keep for upcoming shows. It’s not just about booking bands; it’s about building something sustainable, where artists feel heard, and fans trust that every gig will be something special.
How do you set your ticket prices?
It’s not on a whim; it’s based on the reality of paying bands fairly, covering travel, sound, security, venue costs, and everything else that goes into making a proper gig happen. we’re just trying to make sure the music scene stays alive, the bands keep coming back, and the shows actually happen. Because if gigs don’t make enough to sustain themselves, they disappear. And then what?
With most festivals attempting to fix the gender balance in their line ups, do you think there has been a change in appetite for women led bands?
I feel like the appetite for women-led bands in the UK has definitely grown, but there’s still a very long way to go. While some festivals and promoters are genuinely striving to address the gender disparity in their lineups, many continue to lean on the same male-dominated selections, overlooking the incredible talent available to them. That said, bands like Lime Garden, ARXX, HotWax, Lambrini Girls are not only making their mark but also demonstrating that audiences are hugely eager for more varied lineups. Real change isn’t just about ticking boxes or filling quotas. It’s about real investment—putting money, media attention, and opportunities into grassroots scenes where these artists are thriving. The demand is there, the talent is absolutely undeniable—now it’s time for the industry to step up and make sure these voices are heard.
Who are your top tips this year?
Faetooth, SKLOSS, CHROMA, Peach, YINYANG, Alsoworthy and Debdepan.
And finally who would be your dream bookings?
Emma Ruth Rundle, Boris and Gouge Away
Follow and contact Mother Brain here: instagram | linktree | email | ramsgatemusichall