The official home of the West Country folk band Magenta

Magenta were a popular folk band operating out of the west country from 1975 until 1985. They played a variety of original and traditional music and released 3 albums which are now available in cd format.

Magenta have reformed for short periods in 1996, 2009 and 2011 and in 2016 they are back together playing again for a series of concerts. These will include songs from their fourth album "Wrecking Man" originally recorded in 2011 and remixed and re-issued in 2016.

This site brings together all their various musical endeavours and includes the history of the band, and an update on their individual careers since 1985. The site also includes histories, profiles, details and links to various other acts who have been connected with the various members of Magenta over the years. Some of these acts have also produced cds or other material, which may be of interest. View the albums available from Magenta Music below and the links to alternative acts at the footer of the page.

Most people will remember Magenta's music as a mix of original and traditional songs and tunes using various acoustic instruments and four voices. Initially, the instrumentation was limited to guitars, mandolin, whistle, dulcimer and glockenspiel but later featured keyboards and fiddle. Much of the original material was written by Arthur Brown with substantial contributions from Pete Thompson and Jan Macauley.

The songs covered various 'folky' topics with old folk tales being given a modern treatment, plus songs and stories on a wide variety of other subjects.Their most ambitious work was the Battle of Sedgemoor, which runs for over 14 minutes and recounts the story of the battle from the participants' points of view. It can be heard in its entirety on the 'Recollections' album.

Magenta's appeal as a 'live' act was music and variety. The spread and style of the music was quite broad, as was the instrumentation and harmony singing employed to deliver it. There was also a generous sprinkling of humour in some of the songs and from front man Mervyn Brown, which kept audiences engaged.

Magenta operated for over 10 years in the seventies and eighties. Brother and sister team Arthur and Janet Brown started to play local folk clubs as a duo in 1975 under the name Magenta. Their first paid booking (they didn't call them 'gigs' then!) was at the Oak & Horn Folk Club in Hanham, Bristol, for the princely fee of £7.50.

Magenta were residents at the Bell Folk Club in Banwell from 1977 to its closure in 1985.

WW1 100 Years | The Poppies Lie Buried, written by Arthur Brown and Pete Thompson

Band Profiles

Available to order...

If you would like to purchase any of the albums listed above, please fill in the form below with any comments and your choice of albums.

Latest News

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  TWO AUTUMN MAGENTA CONCERTS...

  Posted: 20th October 2024

  Magenta are playing two Autumn concerts on 8th November at Backwell W.I. Hall and 9th November at Axbridge Town Hall. Details are on the posters attached: Backwell (8th November) | Axbridge Town Hall (9th November)
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  MAGENTA SUMMER CONCERTS

  Posted: 30th May 2024

  Magenta are playing two summer concerts this year. The first is at St. Mary's Church, Berrow, near Burnham on Sea on Saturday 6th July, where the church acoustics create a perfect atmosphere for Magenta's music. Proceeds will go to the fabric fund.

  The second concert is at Hutton Village Hall, near Weston-Super-Mare on Friday 19th July, when the proceeds will go to the Village Hall funds.

  All are welcome at both events. Tickets are £10 for both events - Click the links for more detail: Berrow event (6th July) | Hutton event (19th July)
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  AUTUMN CONCERTS 2023

  Posted: 25th September 2023

  Upcoming concerts for Autumn of 2023 taking place at Weare Memorial Hall and Portishead Methodist Church...

  Weare Memorial Hall - Friday 27th October

  Tickets £10 - Mervyn 07970 100252 or email tickets@magentamusic.co.uk.

  Portishead Methodist Church:

  A multi-instrumental band adding vocal harmony to many of their original and cover songs. The show is peppered with humour and anecdotes from front man Mervyn. You will not be disappointed.

  Tickets: £12 - Box office: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/gordanobreakfastrotaryclub or call John on 07976280149
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  MAGENTA CONCERT AT BERROW - 2ND JUNE 2023

  Posted: 15th May 2023

  Following a successful appearance at Winscombe Folk Club's Coronation event on May 5th, Pete, Arthur and Mervyn are playing a concert at Berrow Church near Burnham on Sea on Friday 2nd June 2023. The acoustics in Berrow Church lend themselves to Magenta's acoustic style of music and previous concerts there have been very well received.

  It's hoped that Janet will be joining the boys for the concert and among various songs old and new, they will be playing their 1981 composition the Battle of Sedgemoor, a 15-minute piece telling the story of the battle from three different perspectives.

  All are welcome. Tickets are £8 or £15 for two, available from Arthur 07970 525826 or on the door.
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  Magenta 2022 - Autumn Dates

  Posted: 20th August 2022

  Following the release of Magenta's sixth album 'What Didn't Get Done' and two sold-out concerts in May, Magenta are playing two further dates this Autumn. The first is at Weare Memorial Hall on Friday 14th October. The following night, Saturday 15th October is a concert at Portishead. (details for both events are available from Mervyn (07970 100252) or Arthur (07970 525826).
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  MAGENTA | In concert, Weare Memorial Hall

  Posted: 20th August 2022

  Magenta will play a night at the Weare Memorial Hall on Friday 14th October.

  Tickets are £10 and available from Mervyn (07970 100252)

  View the poster here.
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  Gordano Breakfast Rotary presents MAGENTA | In concert, Portishead Methodist Church

  Posted: 20th August 2022

  An evening of original acoustic music including songs from Magenta's latest Album: 'What Didn't Get Done' on 15th October 2022

  Tickets are £12 | Box Office: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/gordanobreakfastrotaryclub Or Call John on 07976 280149

  View the poster here.
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  MAGENTA | In concert, Weare Memorial Hall

  Posted: 10th April 2022

  Magenta will play two nights at the Weare Memorial Hall on Friday 20th May 7.45pm and Saturday 21st May 7.45pm.

  Tickets are £10 and available from Mervyn on 07970 100252.

  View the poster here.

• MAGENTA UPDATE | NEW ALBUM AND NEW BOOKS!

  Posted: 20 Feb 2022

  Things have been quiet for Magenta since the successful concert at Shipham in June 2019. The pandemic slowed things down of course and the band has contracted a little since 2019 as Jan has had to withdraw from live performance and Allen is still based in Cornwall

  However, Arthur has written a number of songs during the downtime, which will form the basis of a new album which Arthur, Mervyn and Pete have been recording, with a little help from Jan. It is hoped this will be finished and available by early summer 2022. It is also hoped that there will be a couple of live performances to mark the launch of the new album around that time.

  Arthur has also been busy going through the archives during the last couple of years and has produced four paperback books based on his own personal recollections of his time in Magenta, Bulldog and Tex Braithwaite & The Biryani Brothers.

  There is also the story of The Bell Folk Club in Banwell which ran from 1975 to 1984. These books are all available through the Website or direct from Arthur on brownarthur861@gmail.com.

  Download the book list here.
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  2019 Summer Concert

  Posted: 28 May 2019

  Magenta are playing a summer concert at Shipham Village Hall near Cheddar on Saturday 29th June (7.30pm).

  This may be the only live concert this year and if last year’s summer event is anything to go by, it could well be another sell-out. ickets for the evening are £10 each, available from Mervyn (07970 100252) or Arthur (07970 525826).

  Download the poster here.
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  Magenta 'live' in 2018

  Posted: 01 June 2018

  Magenta will return to an old stomping ground on 30th June with a concert at Banwell Village Hall.

  They were residents at the Bell Folk Club just down the road from 1978 to 1985, and the club occasionally used the hall for larger concerts. The return this year promises a bit of nostalgia from the days of the Bell. Some of the old poster boards will be on display, having been found in a garage(!) and it is rumoured that an old style Bell Folk Club raffle will be held on the night (there may even be a Johnny Mathis record!). Proceeds from the raffle will go to the Strawberry Line charity. Tickets are £10 from 07970 525826 or 07970 100252.

  Download the poster here.
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  Magenta 'live' in 2018

  Posted: 04 Apr 2018

  Magenta will be playing some more gigs this summer, starting with a concert at the Riverside Hall in Bampton, Devon on Saturday April 7th.

  Following a show at Stourton in Somerset on Friday June 29th, the band return to one of their old stomping grounds on Saturday 30th June, with a concert at Banwell Village Hall, near Weston Super Mare.

  Banwell was the home of the Bell Folk Club from 1969 to 1985 and Magenta were residents there for the last seven years of its existence. Tickets are available for the Banwell concert at £10 each on 07970 100252 or 07970 525826. There are plans for more live dates later in the year - details to be confirmed.
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  New album released...

  Posted: 20 Nov 2017

  Magenta’s new album 'Let it Fall' is now available on CD following a great launch concert at Cheddar, Somerset on 11th November.

  The album includes 12 tracks running for nearly an hour, with 7 new original songs. CDs can be ordered from Magenta Music priced at £10. Price includes P&P in UK.
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  More Magenta 2017 dates

  Posted: 4 Oct 2017

  Magenta will be playing a special concert at Cheddar on Saturday 11th November to launch a new CD.

  The new album, which includes seven new original songs, has been recorded over the last few months at Shane Arkwright's Recording Emporium and is entitled 'Let it Fall'.

  The concert will be held at Cheddar Village Hall, Church Street, Cheddar at 7.30pm, tickets are priced at £10 each and are available from Arthur Brown on 07970 525826 or email agb@ncs.u-net.com
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  Magenta 2017 dates

  Posted: 8 May 2017

  Magenta will be playing two live dates in June.

  The first is on Saturday June 3rd at Weare Village Hall (7.30pm). Tickets are available on 07970 100252. The second concert is a return visit to Berrow Church, near Burnham on Sea on Friday 16th June (7.30pm), where the unique acoustics provide a special atmosphere for the band’s music.(tickets available on 07841 614597).

  Magenta have been working on songs for a new album, some of which will be featured at the concerts. There are plans for more live dates later in the year to coincide with the release of the album.
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  Magenta 2016 LIVE Dates

  Posted: 10 January 2016

  In addition to the Weston Super Mare dates at the Blakehay on March 4th and 5th Magenta are playing another live concert at St Mary's Church Berrow, near Burnham on Sea, Somerset on Friday February 5th at 7.30pm. The show is open to all and is a chance to hear Magenta's sound in a very different acoustic environment with proceeds going to the restoration fund. Tickets are available on the door or in advance from jann.mac@talktalk.net or call 07970 525826.
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  Magenta 2016 Concert Dates

  Posted: 21 December 2015

  After a 5 year break, the 5 members of Magenta have got together again and will play some dates in 2016. Following the success of the Blakehay and Playhouse concerts in Weston Super Mare in 2009 and 2011, Magenta will return to the Blakehay Theatre, Wadham Street, Weston, for 2 nights on Friday 4th and Saturday 5th March 2016 (7.30pm start). Tickets are available from the Blakehay box office Tel. 01934 645493 - www.blakehaytheatre.co.uk.
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  Magenta New album 'Wrecking Man' now available

  Posted: 13 March 2011

  Magenta's new album entiitled 'Wrecking Man' is now available through Magenta Music.
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  Magenta new album showcased at Playhouse Theatre

  Posted: 10 March 2011

  The Grand Charity Concert at Weston Playhouse on Saturday 12th March was a great success with well over 400 enjoying the mix of folk and jazz. Magenta headlined the evening with a selection of songs old and new and including a number of songs off their new album 'Wrecking Man' (now available from Magenta Music). There were also great performances by some great young musicians in the North Somerset Jazz Orchestra and the North Somerset Swing band.
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  Magenta Playhouse show 12th March 2011

  Posted: 09 February 2011

  Tickets for the Chairman's Grand Charity Concert in Weston's Playhouse Theatre on Saturday 12th March are selling well. The evening is being promoted by Ann Harley, the Chairman of North Somerset Council and is in aid of three charities - Weston HospiceCare, the Strawberry Line and North Somerset Young Carers. Tickets are available from the Playhouse Box Office and Agents.

  Magenta are headlining the evening and there will be appearances by some of the area's finest young musicians in the North Somerset Jazz Orchestra and the North Somerset Swing Band.

  Magenta will have their fourth album available for the very first time at the concert. It includes several new songs, reworking of a couple of older numbers and some songs they did not get round to recording first time around. The new CD will be available via the website from 12th March 2011.
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  Playhouse Concert Saturday March 12th

  Posted: 07 January 2011

  Magenta will headline a Grand Charity Concert at the Playhouse, Weston Super Mare, on Saturday 12th March at 7.30pm. The concert is the last in a series of reunion concerts that started with 2 sell-out nights at Weston's Blakehay Theatre in October 2009. Magenta have also been working on a fourth album, which it is hoped will be available for the first time at the show. Tickets are available from the Playhouse Box Office & Agents or contact Chris Ballard (01934 842584).
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  Blakehay concerts a great success

  Posted: 06 November 2009

  Magenta's '25 Years On' Reunion weekend was a huge success with both nights selling out and a tremendous response from 2 great audiences.
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  Wot's Next Then now available on CD

  Posted: 06 September 2009

  Magenta's third album 'Wot's Next Then' originally released in 1983 is now available in CD format from MagentaMusic (see Shop above).

  The price is £10.00 incl P&P
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  Magenta '25 years on' reunion concerts

  Posted: 17 August 2009

  Tickets for the first reunion concert at the Blakehay Theatre, Weston on Saturday 31st October are virtually sold out. However tickets for the Sunday evening (1st November) are still available from 07970 525826 or 01934 733505. Tickets are £10.

Contact Us

Use the form to contact us about anything you've seen on this site or if you have any queries about Magenta Music. Alternatively you can phone 07970525826 or email us.