Whilst relentlessly peddling their peculiar brand of Lyric-Driven Dirt-Swing (an incomparable rendering of jive-smitten cabaret blues), The Bedlam Six have captured the imaginations of every species of listenership – both at home and overseas.
Outstanding!
—Drowned In Sound
Unbef**kinglievably brilliant!
—Tom Robinson, BBC 6 Music
Currently making waves in the North [Louis Barabbas & The Bedlam Six] reflect the fresh and vibrant sound coming from the centre of the creative hub that is Manchester.
—Music Week
Since forming in late 2006, their music has infiltrated almost every creative niche, being adapted into animated short films, burlesque routines, musical theatre, fringe festival revues and film soundtracks.
Over the years they have won praise and support from the likes of Supergrass, The Blockheads, Sue Perkins, The Mighty Boosh, Har Mar Superstar, UB40, Mark Steel, The Hell’s Angels, BBC Radio and even the Beat Poet biographer Barry Miles – both for their furious onstage energy and Louis’ manic lyrical gymnastics.
Their infamous live shows – incorporating rock, jazz, folk and theatre influences – have proved time and time again that the group is at home on any line-up, even sharing the bill with such disparate acts as Motorhead, Sun Ra’s Arkestra, I Am Kloot, Eliza Carthy, Emmanuel Jal and The Buzzcocks, inspiring stage invasions, dancing in the aisles and a confused mixture of exhaustion and bonhomie wherever they go.
The Bedlam Six disbanded (amicably) in 2016.