John Otway Band + The Very Grimm Brothers
The Cube, Malvern
Saturday 22nd November 2025 | Doors 7.30pm
Versatile Arts and Mu Mu Audio present the irrepressible John Otway, joined by his band, for an evening of offbeat charm and musical mayhem at Malvern Cube.
Otway, the self-styled “Rock ’n’ Roll’s Greatest Failure,” has spent decades cultivating a devoted following through relentless touring, surreal humour and a gloriously self-deprecating persona. Described as unpredictable, ingenious, emotionally unguarded and completely unafraid of public foolishness, Otway remains one of Britain’s most endearing musical eccentrics.
His big break came in 1977, when a performance on the BBC’s Old Grey Whistle Test — and soon after, Top of the Pops — launched his half-spoken anthem “Really Free” into the UK Singles Chart, reaching No. 27. Introduced by Elton John and buoyed by his partnership with Wild Willy Barrett, Otway briefly found himself a bona fide pop star.
Though mainstream fame proved fleeting, Otway’s cult status only grew. Over the next two decades, he turned his hand to acting, penned the brilliantly titled autobiography Cor Baby That’s Really Me: Rock and Roll’s Greatest Failure, and sold out venues including London’s Astoria and the Royal Albert Hall. He became a festival favourite at Glastonbury and Edinburgh, and even saw one of his lyrics voted the seventh greatest of all time, beating the likes of Bob Dylan and Paul Simon.
In 2002, Otway achieved his dream of a second hit, thanks to an inspired fan campaign that propelled the disco pastiche “Bunsen Burner” to No. 9 and earned him a triumphant return to Top of the Pops.
Expect a night of humour, nostalgia and full-throttle fun. Support comes from local legends The Very Grimm Brothers, promising an extra dose of Malvern mischief.
Advance tickets are recommended and can be bought via the Versatile Arts website.