The annual Christmas concert at the Smokehouse in Ipswich this weekend is raising cash for St Elizabeth Hospice and the Rock for Toni campaign.

Ipswich Star: DarkSeed members at rehearsal, from left to right: Russell Swallow (vocals), Mark Pritchard (bass), James Kindred (guitar), Jonathan Keen (guitar/keyboards) and Rob Fink (drums). James Quinton and Matt White are also in the band. Picture: MARK PRITCHARDDarkSeed members at rehearsal, from left to right: Russell Swallow (vocals), Mark Pritchard (bass), James Kindred (guitar), Jonathan Keen (guitar/keyboards) and Rob Fink (drums). James Quinton and Matt White are also in the band. Picture: MARK PRITCHARD (Image: Archant)

From 7.30pm on Saturday, the Smokehouse in South Street will host cowboy singer/songwriter Jack Rundell, Southend alternative act Hillmisters, Ipswich’s Radio Orwell and Bury St Edmunds psych-pop outfit Sun Scream.

Tickets are £5, including a free drink, with all proceeds going to the Rock for Toni concert – a gig also taking place on Saturday at Venue 77 to raise cash for St Elizabeth Hospice in honour of headliner DarkSeed’s bassist Mark Pritchard, who is battling cancer, and guitarist James Kindred’s sister-in-law Toni Wright, who died from pancreatic cancer in May.

Ipswich Star: Toni just before her wedding to John Wright in March. Picture: ALWYN NASHToni just before her wedding to John Wright in March. Picture: ALWYN NASH (Image: Archant)

The band has used the Smokehouse’s studio arm, Punch Studios, for rehearsals.

Owner Joe Bailey said it was “ a good idea for some Ipswich musical cohesion”, and tops off a year of more than 120 gigs at the venue.

Tickets are available on the door.

To buy a ticket for the DarkSeed show or pledge a donation for those who cannot attend, visit the fundraising page here.