A Wells music duo who reached number two in the iTunes chart with a charity cover of 'Together In Electric Dreams' in memory of all the lives lost during the pandemic are to curate a Christmas-themed live music night featuring local musicians at the Portway Annexe in Wells.

The Portraits' cover of the 80s pop classic featured a host of choral and orchestral musicians from the Wells area and received widespread media and celebrity support at the end of 2020, with Stephen Fry, Midge Ure and Matt Lucas heaping praise on the song on Twitter, and ITV's This Morning and Channel 5's Jeremy Vine Show inviting the duo onto their programmes. The song raised essential funding for mental health and bereavement charities working with those affected by the pandemic.

Now, The Portraits, a.k.a. married singer-songwriters Lorraine and Jeremy Millington, have asked many of the musicians who joined them on their single to participate in a Fundraising concert for the new Wells Contemporary Music Centre based at the Portway Annexe. Featured will be Indie band Urban Creatures, singers Ciara Mill and Rob Bray and duo The Knott Brothers. The evening will culminate in a performance by The Portraits, accompanied by some special guests.

The new Wells venue aims to provide a much-needed hub of musical activity aimed at local people, with music practice rooms, recording facilities and a concert space. The Portraits' pianist and producer, Jeremy, explains why supporting this new venture is so important.

"Covid has had a detrimental effect on so many people. Quite apart from the huge personal toll, the music industry has taken a real hit from the impact of the lockdowns. The UK is highly respected for its music output, and our part of the country is a trailblazer. But audience numbers are down, funding for music-making and education have taken a significant hit, and the next generation of Adele's, Ed Sheeran's and Stormzy's - the grassroots talents that have to start from nothing and work their way up - are at risk of losing that key road to success if we don't do something."

The concert will be held at the Portway Annexe's Chamberlain Hall, Portway Ave, Wells, BA5 2QF on December 2nd from 6pm. Tickets will be £10, and include a glass of mulled wine or juice and a mince pie, and all proceeds will go towards the centre. Advanced booking is highly recommended.

Ticket link.