🎶 A Musical History of Redhill, Reigate & Horley, Surrey
The Redhill, Reigate, and Horley area of Surrey has a rich and diverse musical heritage stretching from the swinging 1960s to the present day. This vibrant history of live music, notable local musicians, and iconic venues provides a solid foundation for reviving the scene today.
1960s: The Birth of a Live Music Hub
- Market Hall, Redhill was a legendary venue in the mid‑60s, hosting weekly gigs promoted by Fred Bannister. It attracted major touring acts such as The Who, The Hollies, Manfred Mann, Donovan, The Zombies, Them (Van Morrison), Herman’s Hermits, and Tom Jones & The Squires. The hall also hosted jazz nights featuring stars like Chris Barber, Acker Bilk, and Kenny Ball alongside local bands (reigatesociety.org.uk).
- A smaller jazz club in Redhill hosted the Back of Town Syncopators around 1962.
- In Horley, while fewer large venues existed, the town’s community halls and pubs supported local bands and emerging talent during the 60s and 70s, forming a grassroots live scene important for local music development.
1970s–80s: The Pub Rock and Art School Influence
- The Greyhound pub in Reigate was a hotspot for local music around 1969–72, popular with art school students and bands such as Khan (featuring Steve Hillage), Egg, and the local progressive rock group Bastard.
- Nearby, in Horley, pubs and smaller venues nurtured emerging punk and rock acts through the late 70s and 80s, reflecting the wider UK punk movement.
- Redhill and Reigate Grammar Schools produced notable musical talents like Norman Cook (later famous as Fatboy Slim) who grew up in Reigate.
- The Lawrence brothers from Reigate (Disclosure) began their music careers in this period, later becoming international EDM stars.
1990s–2000s: Festivals and Solo Artists
- Redfest, starting in 2007 at Robins Cook Farm near Nutfield (close to Redhill), became an annual festival showcasing indie, rock, and folk artists including Laura Marling, Newton Faulkner, The Ordinary Boys, and Peace.
- Newton Faulkner, born in Reigate, gained global recognition as an acoustic guitar virtuoso and singer-songwriter.
- Pete Wiggs, a Reigate native, has been influential as a core member of the band Saint Etienne since the 1990s.
- Horley’s community events increasingly included live music, helping nurture local youth bands and fostering grassroots connections.
Wider Surrey Connections
- This area sits within Surrey’s broader rich musical landscape, which gave rise to British blues legends like Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page.
- Surrey also produced icons like Paul Weller, Roger Waters, and punk bands such as Sham 69 and The Clash (who performed in nearby Guildford).
- These influences have filtered into Redhill, Reigate, and Horley’s music scenes over the decades.
Key Venues & Moments Across the Area
| Venue/Event | Location | Era | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Market Hall | Redhill | 1950s–60s | Jazz & pop gigs, major touring acts |
| Redhill Jazz Club | Redhill | Early 60s | Local & touring jazz acts |
| The Greyhound Pub | Reigate | 70s | Prog rock, art school scene |
| Redfest | Nutfield/Redhill | 2007–present | Youth-focused indie festival |
| Community Halls & Pubs | Horley | 60s–present | Grassroots music, punk, rock |
| Reigate Grammar School | Reigate | 80s–90s | Nurtured Norman Cook (Fatboy Slim), Newton Faulkner |