The Autistix: The Band That’s Breaking Barriers 😊❤️🎭🎸🤘🏻

Hello world!

Welcome back to another blog. In this blog I will be talking about my visit to see The Autistix at the spiritual bar in Camden Town which took place on 24th July 2025. And what a night it was, quite possibly one of my favourite events I've been to this year!

Who are The Autistix?

The Autistix are a band formed in 2010 based in Camden London. This is a unique band not only for their unique sound and including two autistic members (Jack Bevan-Duggan on electric guitar and backing vocals, and Saul Zur-Szpiro on drums), but their aim is to make music more accessible for musicians with disabilities. I loved this motto, as music should be accessible to all, and I could see firsthand how the power of music can make a real difference. 

What is Spiritual Bar:

Spiritual Bar is a venue located in Camden Town, founded in 2011 by an awesome guy named Rafael Pesce. As stated on their website, this space is a dedicated host for artists and music lovers alike, then in 2015 their label spiritual records was born after the amount of talent stormed as a natural progression. With the help of Arts council England, their label developed the high quality studio further, producing and releasing music under the label. This was a small but beautiful venue, and it really gave off the chilled and laid back atmosphere, which for me is something to enjoy. And the staff were really lovely, and I could see they made sure the band were fully accommodated whilst doing both the sound check and the gig itself, something I think all live venues should consider for deaf, disabled and neurodivergent performers. Click the link below to their website on how you can support the pub going forward, as I’ll definitely be going there again in the future. I don’t know when, but it will definitely be soon! 

https://www.spiritualrecords.co.uk/

Interaction With The Members:

I’ll send a link to the official website at the end of this blog so you can see on more details the members of the band in more detail, but my interaction with the band was a unique experience. Meeting the drummer himself Saul was a fantastic experience, and through his drumming, he has transformed into a different person completely, with even that in itself showing why the power of music is so important. I also got to meet fellow guitarists John and Adam, who mentioned my short film, which I feel very honoured. I also met the lead singer and Jack's and Saul’s mentor Jim, who is a really nice guy and also has an amazing voice! I also got to meet Saul’s dad and mum Michael who played the harmonica and Susan who is the band’s manager. She was such a sweetheart who welcomed me into the band work open arms (not to literally play as unless they would teach me firsthand how to play an instrument, that would be a nightmare lol, but she made me feel like I can be my true authentic self without having to mask). I then met guitarist and John's son Jack Bevan-Duggan who told me his story into the band and some of his special interests. And of course there’s my brilliant fellow creative Leo Long, who played his bouzouki. I knew he would be good, but I didn’t think he’d be that good. Seeing him do what he loves just shows why music is so important to him, and seeing his mum alongside him (who’s like the sweetest person ever), made it all that special. 

Songs:

I won’t reveal all of them, but during the gig, the songs that were played were a good range of originals and covers. These included a Beatles cover, a Green Day cover, and their original “If you want that job”, which is my personal favourite as seen below, as I can’t get the chorus out of my head. But my favourite was “I Am as I Am”, as not only do I listen to it on every early shift at my day job outside of acting, but it also symbolises that we are who we are, and we shouldn’t let anyone tell us otherwise. 

My only downside was that I didn’t want it to end. I normally don’t go out out, but because I was surrounded by people who get what it’s like to live in a world not made for autistic people, you do get that deeper understanding. That and I was able to come in and out if I got abit hot. 

Reflection:

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to see the band live. Not only was it a chance to support amazing talent, but to also show that having autism is not a disability but an ability through the power of music really shone through. 

And that is it for my blog on my visits to see The Autistix. Click the link below to their website to see more on the members, gigs they have coming up and what you can do to support them!

https://www.theautistix.com/

Please also see a vlog on me sharing snippets of the day itself, along with what I got up to before and after the show.

https://youtu.be/v2nVGs8poLE

See you soon for another blog. Until next time…

This is The Autistic Actress signing off :)