Boston Original Bands Initiative is a not-for-profit organisation with initial funding from Boston Town Area Committee and further funding from BTAC in the second year along with Arts Council funding. It aims to re-invigorate the grassroots music scene in Boston by promoting gigs for bands that play their own original music.

From 30 March 2024 the first fifteen of regular monthly gigs were held in the Queen of Spades pub in Boston with a one-off Metal Showcase being held in May of 2025 in the Revue Bar of Blackfriars Theatre & Arts Centre. At each gig four acts play their original music live. With the closing of the Queen of Spades in July Blackfriars agreed to become the main host. However, with such short notice, and a busy pantomime season, the October and November gigs were moved to Ellenders Bar in Boston United's Jakemans Stadium. Entry is to £7 (£6 online) with each act being guaranteed £25 plus 10% of the door takings. There's also a unique BOBI fanzine (Penny Dreadful), much like an event program, featuring articles about the bands and other unmissable stuff. Edited by the emperor of zines, Marv Gadgie, this is a souvenir worth purchasing.

Tickets for all gigs can be purchased here.

Check out the GIGS page to see what's coming up - and what you might already have missed! It has become a permanent fixture in Boston's events. If you are a band interested in playing your original music (no covers) or would like more information please use the contact form or use this email.

The BOBI team are all volunteers, currently made up of: Marv Jolly who edits the BOBI fanzine, Penny Dreadful (available at each gig) as well as his own fanzine Gadgie, and has been a promoter of (mainly) punk gigs in the past; Simon Barnabas of Tiny Forehead who was the mastermind behind BOBI and currently books the bands; the Hedgehog Reality duo of Liz Martin and Terry Martin, who is also co-founder of the Uncovered network, responsible for coding the websites and also DJs at the gigs and looks after the sound. We do this because we have a passion for original music and want to give original musicians another venue where they can play (and receive some recompense for their creativity) and somewhere where discerning audiences can watch something new in a friendly and safe environment. Thank you for supporting us. Without you we cannot make BOBI a success. Please spread the word about what we are doing.