January's big gig occurs on the last day of the month. Currently being championed in the NME, south coast quartet The Ordinary Boys arrive ahead of their single "Maybe Someday".
February, as is traditional at this stage of the year, and the annual BOTB competition is being held at regular intervals. However, a slot is made for the comeback of Lowgold (21st). A week later (28th), a band who are receiving plenty of support from Radio 1 appear here. They are The Vaults, who are in the middle of a very heavy schedule of gigs.
A Thursday in March (11th) sees a certain candidate for gig of the year. The £12 tickets are instantly snapped up as Blur legend Graham Coxon performs on level 2. With "Freakin' out" released a few days earlier and with his fifth solo album "Happiness in magazines" due in May, it's a night to remember. Even more so with the impressive unsigned Bloc Party in support. The record labels are, at present, in a real frenzy over this band.
Two famous faces arrive here in April. First Ricky Warwick, ex frontman of The Almighty and guitarist with New Model Army. Tonight is a showcase of his acoustic skills (3rd). No introduction was needed when The Seers played (24th). They are the new project of ex-Oasis guitarist Paul Arthurs aka Bonehead.
May opens with a duo both named Ben (1st). One plays guitar, while the other thumps the drums. Primal beats aplenty from Winnebago Deal. As metal Hammer say of them, "18 hours after the show and I still haven't recovered". In contrast, 'DIY' pop star Mark Joseph appears the following week (8th). A Bedford Metal gig is headlined by The Freaks Union (22nd).
Local bands to appear at Esquires in the past few months include Cerberus, Loveburger, Summerfall, The Kramers, Odd Man Out, Cut In Quarters, Doubting Thomas and Ten Year Prospect.
July features a headline gig for Goldrush (16th). The Glitterati headline a Bedford Metal show (24th). August had Battle OfThe Bands winners The Sunbirds (7th) and nothing else really of note.
Thankfully, September sees a return to some class acts. Canadian collective and Smiths wannabees The Dears start the month off (2nd). Memorable for frontman Murray Lightburn's use of a loud hailer and little else. Much better were The Rakes (24th). Fast and sharp and with their second single "Strasbourg" just released, it's a great show.
October (9th) sees the return of Ben Perrier and Ben Thomas, known as Winnebago Deal. Stadium rock support is courtesy of Tokyo Dragons. Sharing a love of post-punk brought together the London trio known as Neils Children. Scotch For Breakfast brought them to Bedford (15th). This month also saw the sudden death of John Peel, a true inspiration to every alternative music fan.
In November, Esquires hosts one of the strangest bands that we have ever seen here (20th). From Croydon, they are the nine piece Do Me Bad Things. They are here prior to a nationwide support tour to The Darkness and Ash which culminates at Wembley in mid December. Sheffield's Pink Grease also headline (13th).
December includes a magnificent Bedford Metal night (9th). Promoter Keith includes black metallers Newborn Nemesis. It is also a chance for their local website to welcome back it's founder 'Russian' Pete, who was playing with his new band. Not so friendly was Christmas Eve on level 2. Sick On The Bus headline and it had a messy finish! Local bands coming to the fore towards the end of the year are The Smoking Hearts, Alfie, Kincaid, Pandemonium and Revelation.