Un-Peeled started in 2011 when The Nightingales wanted to play Preston on John Peel Day. Robert Lloyd, singer of the 'Gales had famously done a ton of John Peel sessions and promoter Tuff Life Boogie had an idea for a show featuring some of his favourite Peel acts - which got a bit out of hand..
John Peel Day events began in 2005, the year after the legendary Radio 1 DJ died and left such a huge gap in the BBC radio schedules. A number of gigs were organised in John Peel's memory and this has continued each October since then. John Peel Day is actually 25th October, but you'll find John Peel Day shows happening up and down the country throughout October every year.
Un-Peeled shows are special in that every one features acts who either recorded sessions for John Peel or include members who did one. I hope they are a fitting tribute - the artists on Un-Peeled shows are all people that we know John Peel supported and would be interested in today. For the people who attend the shows, knowing all the artists did Peel sessions is also a guarantee of top quality!
In 2011 Un-Peeled was all-dayer at The Continental. In 2012 it was 3 genre-themed shows at The Continental and an all-dayer in Manchester over 2 stages at the Night and Day Cafe and Gullivers. Some of the acts that have played include Clinic, The Groundhogs, Martin Carthy, The Nightingales, The Lovely Eggs, The Cravats, Blue Orchids, Alasdair Roberts and Mugstar.
In 2013, Un-Peeled is going to be 7 (seven!) shows across 3 weeks in October in Preston, six at The Continental and one at The Ferret. Un-Peeled genres will be Psych Peel, Boogie Peel, Folk Peel, Garage Peel, Posh Peel, Twang Club Peel and Dark Peel!
