SINGER songwriters Robb Johnson and Chris T-T are playing a free gig in Stroud this week, as part of the national We Shall Overcome event.

Robb, who has been called “one of the last genuinely political songwriters”, will be performing at the Crown and Sceptre on Sunday from 8pm.

In a last minute addition to the bill, Robb will be joined by radical, psychedelic folk artist,Chris T-T. Chris has been described as “a modern-day Blake” in the Sunday Times (who have twice placed him in their top five albums of the year).

Gig promoter Tim Lezard said: “We are really excited that he is going to be able to perform. It is going to be a terrific double bill for a terrific cause.”

We Shall Overcome (WSO) is a community effort led by musicians and music promoters who want to do something practical to help people who are being hit hard by homelessness and poverty.

As well as entertaining people, the aim of the WSO movement is to highlight the human cost of the politics of austerity and cuts to public services.

Several thousand musicians have performed across the UK as part of the project, with audiences encouraged to bring food for foodbanks or make donations to homelessness and other projects.

Tim added: “We Shall Overcome is part of an anti-austerity movement but it is also very much pro-community.

“We wanted to do our bit here in Stroud to show solidarity with others around the country.”

The gig is free, with punters being encouraged to donate at least £5 to Stroud Furniture Bank.

Will Mansell from Stroud Furniture Bank said: “Furniture Bank is all about local communities working together in solidarity to help people overcome the basic barriers to living well.

“Small, determined groups in the community have the potential to change lives and this is a great example of this.”

The gig is being supported by the union Unite.

Jo Golazka, of Unite, said: “We’re proud to support such an important cause.

“Highlighting injustices and campaigning against the ongoing struggles that our communities face daily as a result of the Tories’ austerity measures is central to our work as trade unionists.

“We will continue to fight on behalf our communities and working people.”

Visit weshallovercomeweekend.com for more details.