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UK based freelance drummer specialising in live performance, theatre, and recording.

Luke is a professional freelance drummer based in Suffolk, UK. He graduated in 2016 with a Degree in BMus (Hons) Professional Music Performance from the Academy of Contemporary Music and since then has performed in a wide variety of settings in genres from Folk to Rock and Electronic to Jazz.

Luke joined Electronic Nu-Gaze band Amethysts in 2023 and played with the duo during a run of performances to promote their new EP, New Moon. Within this time, Luke also joined up with UK Singer Songwriter Millie Kirkpatrick as a new creative asset towards her performances and recordings, with more gigs coming up this year.

Luke's regularly performs with the UK based function bands StereoJack and Instant Vibe, in addition to depping with other function bands at short notice. Luke has years of experience in theatre pits, playing for both in house and external company shows, most recently Enchanted Entertainment.

More information can be found via Luke's CV, or contact Luke directly to hire him for your future music projects.

Luke's CV

About

"Luke is a consummate professional. He is a pleasure to work with and is always happy to go the extra mile, and to do the preparation required to get the quality polished final result. Luke is an asset to any production and I wouldn't hesitate to work with him in the future."

Paul Schofield - (Three Pin Productions, Ruthie Henshall)

Media

Showreel - Live, recording, theatre

Happy Christmas Ipswich 5
On stage with Ruth Jones for Griff Rhys Jones's charity show 2024

Bloodline by Amethysts live music video

Amethysts live performance
at the Hunter Club BSE 2023

Last month I did my first non-panto musical for over a year and here are five pieces of equipment that really helped me get through it:

1) The Miller Machine - if you’re every going to play triangle. It removes any need for a stick change as it allows you to strike the triangle using any stick you’re holding. @themillermachine

2) IEMs and headphone amp - very handy as it reduces the need for another monitor in the pit and allows me to clearly hear my cues and protects my ears against noisy brass players. I’d recommend @cosmicears if you’re looking for a set.

3) Evans E-rings - I recently picked these up using the players points on d’addario and they’re get at getting rid of all overtones and making your drums a little more punchy. @evansdrumheads

4) forScore - a brilliant app that allows you to annotate your scores and charts in a way that suits you, you can also add and remove pages into the PDF and you don’t even have to rub anything out at the end of a show run!

5) percussion tray - it’s a tray that holds things. Useful. Convenient. *insert Death Star canteen reference here*

Let me know if these help you!

#showmusician #pitmusician #theatre #theatredrums #drummer #drums #cosmicears #millermachine #charlieandthechocolatefactory

I forgot to post this little clip showing off the new snare - this was how it came, tuning and heads
#gretsch #brooklyn #snaredrum #drums #drummer

I’ve had my eye on this pre-owned Gretsch Brooklyn 14”x6.5” maple/gum snare on the @grdrums website for a while and I finally caved and picked it up as I knew I’d be disappointed if I could get it. 100% worth the purchase, it sounds incredible 🙌🏼
If someone knows how to date the Brooklyn snares then let me know as I’d love to know more about it!
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#gretschbrooklyn #gretsch #snare #drums #musician #drummer #gear

I had a lot of fun playing this song during a run of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory last week, it was great to be playing something different as a lot of my current work is function band focused. The audio is direct from my monitor mix which I mainly had keys, bass, guitar and vocals in and the rest of the band was picked up through the overheads. I’ve got a couple more videos coming and I’ll post the full versions on YouTube at some point too!
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#theatredrums #drums #musical #pitband #pitdrums #charlieandthechocolatefactory

I love this job
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#live #musician #drums #performer #stereojackmusic

Sometimes you just can’t beat a gig that is walkable from your house, especially on a bank holiday Monday.
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Really enjoyed listening @tommyashbymusic @lydiaclowes and @jodiemariemusic at @frankies.studio_ yesterday, the harmonies and playing were incredible 🙌🏼
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#folk #village #live #music #sofasessions

I’ll never not like that 19” crash
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#drums #recording #gretschdrums #sabian #porkpie #groove

Still toying with recording, tuning, mixing, mics. It’s an endless process and I clearly need to buy new equipment to make me better, right?
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#gretschdrums #evansdrumheads #sabiancymbals #drumrecording #drums

Starting the Easter holidays with three days of gigs with @stereojackmusic
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#functionband #party #band #music #live #drums

Wedding + DnB
Audio taken straight from my monitor mix last weekend with @stereojackmusic
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#wedding #dnb #drums #live #musician #function #rolanddrums

Trying out a few different things in this video:

🥁 Experimenting with deadening my toms and kick more than usual and doing so whilst listening through the mic to get the recorded sound to something I want, definitely going to do more of this.
🎤 Being more aware of what my mics are picking up. Moving the kick drum mic (Beta 52a) to different places until I found the one that works.
🎛️ Simple but effective mixing to start with
📱 Using the iRig2 to get audio straight onto the video without needing to edit. I can’t wait to do this more at gigs this year!

Still lots of trial and error but it’s great to be able to have the whole kit up and mic’d and recorded.

#gretsch #recording #logic #sennheiser #shure #akg #sabian

Last night was something! Cory Wong, Couch, Dodie, and Sammy Rae 🙌🏼😮‍💨🔥

Highlights: Sammy Rae as a special guest and some of the Wongnotes standing right in front of us during Couch’s set.

Cory Wong 20/2/25 @ O2 Forum Kentish Town

Idk what to caption this with other than I’m current working on making my fills a bit more rhythmically interesting using @mikeslessons Blocks book (would recommend) and that I’d love to try some Istanbul cymbals 🤔

That is all.

#drums #fills #mikejohnston

After a busy couple of months with shows I’m enjoying some well earned down time away from the kit whilst our industry is quite quiet on gigs. However, I wanted to play today but couldn’t face the cold so I’ve stayed in the house and worked on some technique, which I definitely need to put the time into!

What practice pads are people using at the moment? I tend to switch between the Reflexx and the RealFeel pads depending on what I’m working on.
#reflexx #realfeel #masterstudies #vicfirth

Anyone else excited for the final Gavin and Stacey episode tomorrow?
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📷 On stage with Ruth Jones a few weeks ago for a Christmas charity concert. I promise I was in a happier mood than my face shows!
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#drums #theatre #ruthjones #christmas #concert #gretschdrums #sabian

We officially opened in Ipswich last night!
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A different setup and theatre this year but I’m looking forward to another panto season 🥁
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#theatredrums #roland #pantomime #pitband @ipswichregent

It’s been a busy year of teaching and gigs in 2024 and we’re still not done! Next week we have:
🥁House band for a charity concert at the Ipswich Regent for @griffrhysjones
🥁Final function band gig with @stereojackmusic on Thursday
🥁Back to the @ipswichregent on Friday for panto until the end of the year
Don’t get me wrong, there have definitely been quiet weeks and some big ups and downs, but this is gonna be a fun end to 2024!
#drums #drummer #freelancer #livemusic #theatre #functionband

Sometimes maybe good, sometimes maybe 💩 I need to spend more time behind the kit
#gretsch #drums #sabian #drummer #garagedrums

First bit of drumming in the space and oh boy does this room need treating! (It sounds great through ear plugs)
Thanks for all the messages about studio builds. If you’ve got any more tips then feel free to comment them below.
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#gretschdrums #sabian #drums #garagedrums

Me and my sight reading face #bigband #rehearsal #sightreading #jazz #drums

It was great to play my Gretsch again for the first time in a long time as I stepped in for @jackgrange37 at a big band rehearsal on Monday. It made for a nice change from the usual stuff I’ve been playing and certainly humbled my reading ability!
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#bigband #jazz #drums #gretsch

Two mic setup for this one. Beta 52a on the kick and a mono C214 overhead. Fingers crossed it won’t be too long until I can start recording videos back on the Gretsch kit again 🤞🏼 I’m miss these drums so much!

2020 throw back which I don’t think I ever posted, complete with lockdown hair.

#gretsch #drums #porkpie #sabian #funk #soul #blues

Something about that shaker whilst grooving that is just 👌🏼
@millieekirkpatrick #chappellroan #acoustic #shaker #drums #drummer

A little round up after a summer full of gigs with a great bunch of people!

I’ve got some dates free towards the end of this year, drop me a message if you’re in need of a drummer.

@stereojackmusic
@intothesun_uk

Looking forward to working through this and improving my creativity on the kit!

🥁📓

#mikejohnston #blocks

Out with the old, worn out gym bag and in with a new gig bag for my cables, modules, mixer and microphones. The first road test will be on Saturday but I’d already recommend this to any gigging musician.
💼 Trojan Pro Cable Gig Bag 50 from @studiospares

Audio straight from the V-Drums this time
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🎵Different People - Biffy Clyro (as requested by @aliceleveysinger on my last post)
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#biffyclyro #drums #rolanddrums

Really trying my hardest to get out of a rut at the moment and the @drumwithmikeandeddy podcast is definitely helping 👌🏼
The drumming is simple but very fun, the video/audio is slightly out of sync, the mix isn’t ideal, but I’m trying not to be held back by those things.
#biffyclyro #drumwithmikeandeddy #biblical #rock #drums

Midweek chart writing ahead of rehearsals this afternoon ☕️✏️ #forscore #stereojackband #functionband #alltimelow

I do miss playing shows - this is from Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief #musical #theatredrums #theatredrummer #sypt

I’ve not posted properly while despite being busy with gigs (I should be better!), so this is a post to fill a gap and to ensure I don’t forget how to play this very Instagram style drum fill from that happened earlier today whilst I was zoning out and ending my day of teaching on the kit 🥁

Lots to learn here, everything felt a little tense and I can see that especially in my left arm, but I’ve been working on some more linear style fills for a while so it was nice to see bits coming out naturally now.

➡️Swipe to see it slowed down, there’s no double bass pedal so get that kick drum foot moving!

#drummer #fills #instadrums

Found some cheap, very thin, unbranded hi-hats in a cupboard at work and it brought back some 2007 Rhianna vibes ☂️ why do they sound so bad but so good?!
#cheap #cymbals #drums #umbrella

Trying to be creative whilst full of cold 👌🏼 fun times #sick #songwriting #downbutnotout

Cambridge was fun! @weareamethysts #amethysts #band #livemusic #drums

They’re back! After suffering a slightly broken cable 5-minutes before a show I sent my IEMs back to Cosmic Ears to get them fixed and serviced. They’ve not been serviced in the five years that I’ve had them and thankfully they didn’t need much doing to them 👌🏼
Huge thanks to Nicole for fixing them and Lauren for the great customer service, I’m glad they’re based in the UK and I didn’t have to ship them to the US!
Looking forward to using these again on Thursday with @weareamethysts
Thanks again @cosmicears 🙌🏼💜
#drummer #cosmicears #inearmonitors #iems

I’ve clearly been watching too many of those landscaping and pressure washing videos with this post!
I spent yesterday afternoon setting up a house kit at @hunterclubbse and thought I’d record what I did. I checked all the hardware, replaced some felts, tuned the @nataldrumsofficial ash toms and kick and then played some questionable grooves and fills to try out the sound!
Everything was tuned quite high so I brought it all down to a lower pitch and tried to stamp out some resonance without it sounding too flat. I usually don’t tune my drums to a Rock sound but felt this was a bit more appropriate for the venue.
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If anyone or music venue wants/needs their drums set up, tuned, serviced then drop me a message!
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Snare: 15x5 Gretsch 1970s chrome over brass
Cymbals @sabiancymbals : 14” groove hats, 16” X-treme crash, 20” medium complex ride
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#tuning #drumkit #musicvenue #sabiancymbals

“Was it a productive practice?”
Absolutely not.

Another Boxing Day back in panto land 🎁🥁
I didn’t take a pantomime this year for multiple reasons, but, whilst I have enjoyed a Christmas away from a show, it’s been lovely being back the at the @theatreroyalbse to cover for @joelmulley #theatredrums #pantomime

No gig this eve, just taking photos of @jamesmorganmusic support @blackbeardstp at the @johnpeelcentre

Tonight’s gig - Playing with the Suffolk Sinfonia at the Ipswich Regent for a Christmas Concert supporting @eachhospices - a very rogue gig and full of incredible people🤵🏻‍♂️🥁🎻 #orchestra #comedy #drums

The Blue Nightingale Revue - Night 1 of 2 with @rhcastuk at the @guildhall_burystedmunds, this is such a nice venue for a little Jazz show 🥁🎹🎻🎸 #theatre #show #band #jazz

I enjoyed this simple Jazz setup for todays band call, lots of brushes and rods which was a welcomed change of pace 👌🏼 Looking forward to more calls and shows for the @rhcastuk performance in BSE this week! #show #theatre #jazz #drums #showtunes #rhcast

Tech rehearsals with @weareamethysts today 🥁🎚️ #amethysts #band #rehearsal

Some scruffy drumming from the other day 🥁

Another gig with @weareamethysts tonight at the @thefinsbury in London! We love a gig in the capital 👌🏼 #amethysts #livemusic #gig #drummer #drums

There’s a band in here somewhere 🟣 @weareamethysts #band #amethysts #rehearsalrooms #livemusic

Second gig of the weekend with @intothesun_uk
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#functionband #wedding #drummer #intothesun

I’ve spent most of today tidying this utter mess, I even found a cat!

Back from a very relaxed week away at Lake Bled, Slovenia 🇸🇰🌲 I think I’m now ready to tackle the second half of this year 🎵
#lakebled #airbnb #relaxed

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Contact

If you require a professional drummer for your live performances, theatre pit bands, house bands or recording studio sessions then please get in touch.

lukepettitdrums@gmail.com

07883 992495

Luke Pettit

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Drummer

Showreel - Live, recording, theatre

Happy Christmas Ipswich 5
On stage with Ruth Jones for Griff Rhys Jones's charity show 2024

Bloodline by Amethysts live music video

Amethysts live performance
at the Hunter Club BSE 2023

Contact

Showreel - Live, recording, theatre

Happy Christmas Ipswich 5 On stage with Ruth Jones for Griff Rhys Jones's charity show 2024

Bloodline by Amethysts live music video

Amethysts live performance at the Hunter Club BSE 2023

​

Contact

Happy Christmas Ipswich 5
On stage with Ruth Jones for Griff Rhys Jones's charity show 2024

Amethysts live performance
at the Hunter Club BSE 2023