Friends Of The Project
Music has never been a solo endeavour.
The Ben Poore Project exists because of the musicians, venues, promoters, sound engineers, photographers, listeners and friends who give their time, talent and support to keep live music thriving.
This section is dedicated to some of the people and places that have helped shape our journey so far. From local venues that give original artists a stage, to fellow musicians whose work inspires us, these are the people we're proud to share the road with.
If you enjoy what we do, we encourage you to check them out, support local music, and become part of the community that makes it all possible.
The Railway Inn
Winchester
If The Ben Poore Project has a spiritual home, it's The Railway Inn.
Long before there were gigs, recordings or plans for albums, there were Monday nights at Roots Open Mic. It's where songs were tested, friendships were formed, confidence was built and the foundations of the project were laid.
The Railway has always been more than just a venue. It's a place where musicians are encouraged, original music is celebrated, and newcomers are welcomed into a community that genuinely wants to see them succeed.
Even now, no matter where the journey takes us, we still find ourselves back there on a Monday night. It's where it all started, and it remains one of our favourite places to play, listen, learn and connect with other musicians.
Some venues give artists a stage. The Railway gave us a home.
The Bandwagon
Covers Band
Before there was The Ben Poore Project, there was The Bandwagon.
It was where we discovered the joy of connecting with an audience, learned how to read a room, and gained the confidence that still shapes our approach to performing today.
But The Bandwagon is far more than a chapter in our story. For years they've been entertaining audiences across the South Coast with a mix of classic singalongs, crowd favourites and the kind of energy that keeps dance floors busy and venues coming back for more.
Today, Ben and Dan no longer play with The Bandwagon. Matt and Ryan continue to carry that tradition forward, bringing the same passion, musicianship and good humour that made the band such an important part of our musical journey.
If you're looking for a band that knows how to get a room singing, dancing and having a great time, The Bandwagon are well worth checking out. We're proud to call them friends, former bandmates and a big part of the story behind The Ben Poore Project.
Some of our earliest memories of live music happened on stage with The Bandwagon, and we'll always be grateful for the lessons learned, the miles travelled and the friendships that remain.
The Long Shorts
Acoustic Duo
While many people know Dan through The Ben Poore Project or as a host of Root's Open Mic, he's also one half of another brilliant musical partnership: The Long Shorts.
Alongside longtime friend and collaborator Chris, The Long Shorts have spent years writing and performing original acoustic songs built around strong melodies, honest storytelling and a shared love of Rock, Pop and Indie music. Their songs draw on life, family, friendship and the strange mixture of optimism and hindsight that comes with getting a little older and a little wiser.
Their stripped-back acoustic sound is full of warmth, humour and energy, with the kind of foot-stomping singalongs that stay with you long after the final chorus. Whether they're playing intimate house concerts, local venues, or sharing stages with fellow original artists, The Long Shorts bring the same passion for songwriting and live performance that we value so highly ourselves.
We're incredibly proud to see Dan continuing to create and perform with The Long Shorts, and we'd wholeheartedly recommend giving them a listen. If you enjoy thoughtful songwriting, acoustic guitars, memorable choruses and songs written from real life experience, there's a good chance you'll find something to love.
They're long on friendship, short on time, and well worth checking out.
Rob Clamp
From Roots Open Mic to Stages Across Europe
We first met Rob through Roots Open Mic at The Railway Inn, and like a lot of great musical friendships, it started with standing in the same room week after week listening to songs, swapping stories and supporting one another's journeys.
Even back then it was obvious that Rob was something special. His songwriting, work ethic and commitment to constantly improving his craft stood out, and over the years it's been incredible to watch him grow into one of the South Coast's most exciting original artists. From sold-out headline shows and festival appearances to touring across Europe, Rob has built his reputation the old-fashioned way: through great songs, relentless hard work and unforgettable live performances.
Blending powerful vocals, acoustic guitar, foot percussion and deeply personal storytelling, Rob's music sits somewhere between contemporary folk, roots and heartland rock, drawing influence from artists like Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty and Ben Howard while sounding entirely like himself.
What we admire most, though, is that despite everything he's achieved, Rob remains one of the genuinely supportive and encouraging people who make grassroots music communities like Roots so special. He's a reminder of what can happen when talent, determination and kindness all pull in the same direction.
If you haven't discovered Rob Clamp yet, do yourself a favour and give him a listen. We're proud to call him a friend, a fellow Roots regular, and one of the finest songwriters to come out of our local music scene.
Simon Maggs and People Like Us
Another Friendship Forged at Roots Open Mic
Like many of the friendships that have shaped The Ben Poore Project, our connection with Simon started at Roots Open Mic at The Railway Inn.
Roots has always been a place where great songs seem to find one another, and Simon's songwriting stood out from the moment we heard it. Thoughtful, literate and full of sharp observations about everyday life, his music blends indie-folk, storytelling and a touch of northern kitchen-sink realism into something that feels both deeply personal and instantly relatable.
Alongside People Like Us, Simon has built a catalogue of beautifully crafted songs filled with humour, heart, social commentary and memorable melodies. Whether he's writing about relationships, nostalgia, modern life or the strange paths people take through it, there's always an honesty and humanity running through the music that we greatly admire.
Over the years it's been a pleasure to watch Simon and the band continue to release fantastic original music and bringing their songs to audiences across the South Coast and beyond. They're a brilliant example of everything we love about grassroots music: great songwriting, genuine people and a commitment to creating something meaningful on their own terms.
We're proud to call Simon a friend, a fellow Roots regular and one of the songwriters who continues to inspire us. If you enjoy thoughtful lyrics, jangly guitars, folk influences and songs that have something real to say, we'd strongly recommend giving Simon Maggs & People Like Us a listen.