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XTC English Settlement with Hugh Padgham in conversation with Ben Wardle (Talk + Album Playback) 

6.00pm Lansdown Hall. £6.00 

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There is nothing more NeoAncient than Swindon art rock quartet XTC’s 1982 album English Settlement. From its distinctive artwork, to its songs of contemporary and ancient Britain, it is the defining record of Britain’s greatest undiscovered band, and the moment where 12-string guitars make room for Prophet 5 synthesizer. It also contains XTC’s biggest hit: ‘Senses Working Overtime’. Grammy-Award winning producer Hugh Padgham will be talking about the album’s Oxfordshire creation, and how it led to him to accidentally defining 1980s pop with his subsequent productions for The Police, Phil Collins and Genesis, before letting you sit back to enjoy an in-the-dark playback of English Settlement highlights.  

“The use of the Uffington White Horse would mark the beginning of XTC’s fascination with the old weird England – stuffing later albums with songs about harvest festivals, maypoles, the myth of the Green Man, sacrificial bonfires and ritual child murder.” - Pitchfork