Based in Bedford, The Pad Presents has been running national tours and regional shows for over 20 years.

As well as taking over Esquires in 2016, one of the best-loved grassroots music venues in the UK. The promotion team of Kevin Bailey and Gareth Barber have over 50 years of industry experience between them. The company is focused on bringing through emerging artists, as well as working with some of the most established names on the circuit.

Unlike many promoters around the UK, we aim to try to keep the real gig experience alive with decent stage times and fair pay for support bands, no early curfews, hosting free after-show parties for select events, and trying to involve the community by selling tickets through local outlets and supporting local publications through regional advertising.

Previous bookings include:

George Ezra, The Specials, The Pharcyde, IDLES, Declan McKenna, Alt J, Dizzee Rascal, Wolf Alice, Example, Mike Skinner (The Streets), Pete Doherty, Tom Grennan, The Vaccines, Sleaford Mods, Blossoms, Royal Blood, James Bay, Don Broco, Ash, Frank Turner, Pendulum, Jamie T, English Teacher, Alfie Templeman, Declan McKenna, The Vaccines, Wheatus, Example, Adam Ant, Art Brut, Marc Almond, Laura Marling.

As well as programming Bedford Esquires we have also routed dates into the following venues:

• The Craufurd Arms – Milton Keynes
• Electric Ballroom – London
• Club 85 – Hitchin
• Junction – Cambridge
• Portland Arms – Cambridge
• Roadmender – Northampton
• The Picturedrome – Northampton
• The Hat Factory – Luton
• The Bullingdon – Oxford
• Castle and Falcon – Birmingham

Recent full-length tours across the UK have included THE BLUETONES, ELECTRIC SIX, JAMES TAYLOR QUARTET