Fresh from his appearance at this year’s prestigious South by South West music conference, one of our brightest young music talents is putting on a gig at the Colchester Arts Centre.

Ever since he burst on to the local scene back in 2016, Sam Eagle has been spreading his wings further afield with support from BBC 6 Music’s Tom Robinson, which included a ‘surreal’ live session for him at the 6 Music studios at Broadcasting House.

Back in March Sam went over to Austin Texas where he and his band played six shows in five days, one of which was a high profile industry showcase.

Sam says: “All of the shows were in really cool places. Austin is a city probably the size of somewhere like Bristol or Norwich and the people there really love their music. The audiences were incredible, especially at one place we played called Valhalla, which was a proper dive bar with a sound guy called Diamond Joe. It doesn’t much cooler than that.”

But as well as playing to the locals, South By South West also offers the opportunity to perform in front of some of the most important people in the music industry.

“The aim was to play the showcase,” he adds, “and all the labels we wanted to turn up did.

“We’re currently negotiating a deal at the moment but that’s all I can say at this time.”

Based in Great Holland, after going to Ipswich School, Sam took his A-levels at Colchester Sixth Form College, where he met the members of his band, Ben Butler on drums, Eddie Jowers on bass, and Will Heaton on trombone, synth and percussion.

Also performing at the arts centre gig will be Inigo Chancellor on guitar.

Sam says: “We all love the place so it’s been our bucket list for a while and hopefully by the time it comes around I’ll have something to celebrate.”

With support from Ralph TV, Ikoko and Chicken Picnic, Sam Eagle and his band play the arts centre this Friday, July 12.

For tickets, priced £8 in advance, call 01206 500900, or they’re £10 on the doors.