Skip to main contentEnter
Ipswich.co.uk Logomark in a circle

Ipswich's only independent news website

We publish the stories that matter and champion everything that's good about our town – without the ads, popups or tracking

Oliver Rouane-Williams speaking with an elderly couple in the town centre

We can't do this without you!

If you value strong, free, independent local media that fights tirelessly for our town, please consider contributing just £24 per year

AJ Tracey to perform at The Baths in Ipswich this May

News
Ipswich.co.uk Logomark in a circle

Ipswich's only independent news website

We publish the stories that matter and champion everything that's good about our town – without the ads, popups or tracking

The UK rapper brings his 'Not Even A Tour' to Ipswich on Monday, 19 May, with tickets going on sale next Friday and expected to sell out fast.

Why it matters: This marks AJ Tracey's return to the music scene after a three-year hiatus, during which he created his latest album, "Don't Die Before You're Dead".

The performance at The Baths will run from 19:30 to 23:00, and tickets are £20 plus a booking fee.

The performance is restricted to ages 14 and above, with those under 18 required to be accompanied by an adult.

AJ Tracey in new single Crush
AJ Tracey in new single Crush

What they're saying: "I want to showcase growth and hammer home that the UK is a melting pot of cultures. I'm proud to be British—no matter what people try to tell you," says AJ Tracey about his new material.

He describes the album as "a love letter to the UK," explaining that "I wanted to show this isn't just another braggadocious record."

For context: The new album explores themes of trauma, mental health, faith, and love, with tracks like "Friday Prayer" exploring the artist's journey with Islam and "3rd Time Lucky" addressing his mother's battle with cancer.

Despite the personal nature of some tracks, others like "Second Nature" and "Out of Sight" showcase what the artist calls his "signature swagger".

AJ Tracey poster
AJ Tracey is performing at The Baths in Ipswich on 19 MayBrighten the Corners

What's next: Tickets go on sale Friday, 4 April at 12pm via DICE and Ticketmaster. They're expected to sell fast, so be quick. You can find all the information you need at https://www.brightenthecorners.co.uk/events/aj-tracey.

The bottom line: AJ Tracey's Ipswich performance offers fans a rare chance to experience what he describes as "an unapologetically British statement of maturity, authenticity, and self-acceptance" on their doorstep.

Brighten the Corners

Brighten the Corners runs a diverse live music programme, training and education opportunities across three venues, and an annual multi-venue festival in Ipswich, Suffolk.

A gig at St Stephen's Church
Oliver Rouane-Williams speaking with an elderly couple in the town centre

We can't do this without you!

If you value strong, free, independent local media that fights tirelessly for our town, please consider contributing just £24 per year

Oliver Rouane-Williams speaking with an elderly couple in the town centre

Ipswich's only free and independent news publication

Support our journalism

We can't do this without you! Unlike the Ipswich Star and East Anglian Daily Times, Ipswich.co.uk has no banner advertising and no wealthy US corporate owners.

So, if you value strong, free, independent local media that fights tirelessly for a better Ipswich, please consider contributing just £24 per year.

Every penny matters and allows us to keep producing good quality local journalism that respects your time, attention and privacy.

Become a supporter

Albanian drug dealer jailed after hiding cocaine in underwear

News
Ipswich.co.uk Logomark in a circle

Ipswich's only independent news website

We publish the stories that matter and champion everything that's good about our town – without the ads, popups or tracking

An Albanian man who concealed cocaine in his underwear and presented a fake driving licence to police has been jailed for 38 months.

Why it matters: The arrest led to the discovery of more than £20,000 worth of uncut cocaine at an Ipswich address. Regi Salillari, 28, from Albania, was stopped by officers from the West Area Sentinel team on 29 January while driving in Thorney Way, Stowmarket.

Albanian drug dealer Regi Salillari
Albanian drug dealer Regi SalillariSuffolk Constabulary

The details: When approached by police, Salillari attempted to deceive officers by producing a counterfeit Italian driving licence.

Officers searched him and found:

  • Four bags of cocaine hidden in his underwear

  • More than £500 in cash

Following his arrest, a search of an address in Ipswich uncovered:

  • More than £20,000 worth of uncut cocaine

  • Over £1,000 in cash

Cash and cocaine was seized by police
Cash and cocaine was seized by policeSuffolk Constabulary

In court: Salillari appeared at Ipswich Crown Court on 26 March, where he pleaded guilty to:

  • Possession with intent to supply cocaine

  • Driving with no insurance

  • Possessing a fraudulent document with intent to deceive

What they're saying: PC Harry Tully from the West Sentinel team said: "Salillari came to Stowmarket with the sole intention of supplying Class A drugs in the town. When intercepted by officers he attempted to deceive them by proving false details and producing fake documents which he had clearly gone to some lengths to obtain."

"Fortunately, the tenacious officers quickly saw past this elaborate ruse and he was arrested. We will continue to proactively target those involved in organised crime wherever they might be in our county."

The bottom line: Salillari now begins a 38-month prison term, as Suffolk authorities maintain their stance of significant custodial sentences for Class A drug dealers operating in the county.

Oliver Rouane-Williams speaking with an elderly couple in the town centre

We can't do this without you!

If you value strong, free, independent local media that fights tirelessly for our town, please consider contributing just £24 per year

Load next article