He’s a solo artist who describes his music as “drunk folk” and named himself after a snack.

Beans on Toast – whose real name is Jay McAllister – has chosen the Kent coast as one of a handful of areas to play during Independent Venue Week (IVW).

He heads to the Lighthouse in Walmer playing material from his eighth studio album, A Spanner in the Works, which was released last month.

While the new recordings still have Beans’ trademark three chord folk songs at their heart, he’s included beats, loops and samples this time.

“It might not be the cheeriest Beans on Toast song ever, but sadly it’s been that kind of year,” he said, reflecting on 2016.

In Deal, he will be performing the Drum Kit, a song about the closing of venues across the country, which is pertinent during IVW.

He said: “I’m playing a show every night that week. It will be a whistle-stop tour to celebrate IVW, playing with new local acts in each town, which will be fun. Apart from that the plan is as usual. Some drinks, some songs and some good times.”

And which is his gigs is the best yet? “Probably my last one, but really it’ll be my next one....” he says.

Catch him on Thursday, January 26. Tickets are £10 in advance. Doors open at 7pm with live music starting at 8.30pm. To book go here.

INDEPENDENT VENUE WEEK

Independent Venue Week started back in 2014 as a seven-day celebration of small music venues around the country and as a nod to the people that own, run and work in them.

It highlights the need for grass roots independent venues, many of which are closing down at an alarming rate.

They often give artists their first experience of playing live in front of an audience and are the backbone of the live music scene in this country.

It is funded by the Arts Council England. For details go to independentvenueweek.co.uk