Rupert Wates plus The Early Risers at Stage 33 Live

Stage 33 Live welcomes the return of Rupert Wates on Sunday, October 18, 2026 at 7:00 PM. The Early Risers will open. Tickets are $20 in advance through stage33live.com or at the door as available; advance tickets guarantee entry. Only 40 tickets will be sold.

Though British by birth, Wates has been hailed as “a prime figure in American music.” Since 2006, the London-born, Oxford-educated, award-winning songwriter has made his home between New York City and Colorado, performing throughout North America and Europe. He has released 12 acclaimed solo albums earning international airplay, and has received more than 50 songwriting awards. Dozens of recording artists have covered his songs on their albums.

While the doors to large venues and big festivals are open to him, he has a great fondness for intimate listening rooms where the focus is on connection and storytelling. He captivates audiences with his haunting, eclectic blend of acoustic, melodic art/folk infused with elements of jazz and cabaret.

The recognition that regular people are what make the world extraordinary is reflected in his vivid, sophisticated songwriting that by turns is vulnerable and bold, featuring intricate lyrics and memorable melodies, exceptional guitar skills, and his smooth, expressive voice.

Ashley Storrow and Putnam Smith joined forces as The Early Risers in 2015 and have since toured across the country, from Maine to Texas to California to Vancouver, BC at notable venues such as Club Passim, Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, and the High Plains Public Radio concert series. Rootsy and lyric-driven, The Early Risers feature close vocal harmonies and arrangements on an array of instruments. Their debut album “Making Life Sweet” went to #1 on the national Folk DJ Charts.

Stage 33 Live is a casual and intimate industrial-rustic listening room in a former factory hosting local, regional, and national performances and presentations of original material. No bar or kitchen, the stage is the mission; coffee / soda / juice / water and weird snacks available by donation. More information about the nonprofit, all-volunteer project, and this and other upcoming events, online at stage33live.com

Stage 33 Live gratefully acknowledges the help of so many individuals without whom none of this would be able to happen, and institutional support this season from The Island Corporation, WOOL-FM, Guilford Sound, and the Rockingham Arts & Museum Project to help fund improvements and maintenance, and generally smooth out a lot of the rough edges. Stage 33 Live is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, and all donations are deductible to the fullest extent. Volunteers run the thing from stem to stern.