The Carpenters Experience, one of the premier tribute bands in the UK, are looking forward to performing at Lydney Town Hall on 26th May.

The band have been together for only two years and are coming to Lydney off the back of several sold-out performances. The cover group plays all the songs made famous by Karen and Richard Carpenter in the 1970s and early ‘80s, including classics like ‘(They Long To Be) Close To You’, ‘Superstar’, ‘Yesterday Once More’, ‘We’ve Only Just Begun’, plus many more.

Band manager Mick Mason, who also plays bass guitar in the 8-piece supporting orchestra, says things are going better than expected for the recently formed cover band. He said: “We’ve been blown away with the feedback and reactions from our recent performances. Music brings back a lot of memories for people, we’ve seen audience members in tears at some of our recent gigs. Performing in front of sold-out venues gives you a huge buzz, we’re all eager to get back on stage and are looking forward to the concert in the Forest of Dean.”

The Carpenters Experience is fronted by Maggie Nestor, a lifelong fan of the band who has had a 20- year career in the music business. Added Mick: “Maggie is an exceptional performer. Her vocals are incredible, and her mannerisms are exactly like Karen’s. When people talk about the greatest female vocalists of all time Karen Carpenter’s name is always mentioned, so it’s no easy task trying to replicate her.

“The best tribute bands really put the effort in to create an experience that is as close to the original band as possible. We spent the best part of six months really immersing ourselves in the Carpenters’ performances. The more you watch the more you understand their mannerisms and ways they carry themselves.”

Along with Maggie the show comes with a superb backing band that have also toured the U.K, Europe and Asia. Later this summer the band will be performing In Cyprus, after impressing a promotor at a recent concert. “The day after a show I received a call from a promoter who asked us if we’d be interested in performing in Cyprus. It will be five consecutive nights at a really big venue, we were all very keen to confirm. It shows how far we’ve come in such a short space of time. They’ve booked us for next year as well which is amazing,” said Mick.

The band are already planning ahead, with a 150-date tour across some of the biggest theatres in the UK planned for 2019. “We’re so excited for what the future holds. The messages we’ve received from people at our gigs, and on social media, have really overwhelmed us. It’s great to be a part of a band that is ambitious and keen to put on a show,” added Mick.