Let's face it, we all love a Bank Holiday weekend, and an Easter Bank Holiday is even better; a long weekend that offers both extra opportunity for alcoholic excess and a bonus Monday to spend recovering with Netflix and Deliveroo's assistance. However, if you're going to spend a slow day improving your sofa's butt groove whilst Mads Mikkelsen goes a bit John Wick, it's good for your karma to have done something worthwhile over the extended break.
Rather than prop up a fancy bar in Gunwharf (well, some people do) why not make for Elm Grove on Saturday 20th April and help do something good for the environment, and maybe enjoy some loud rock and a hefty slice of local metal too. Yes, you guessed it, it's The Deco's first charity all-dayer of 2019!
The line-up for this year's inaugural shindig boasts some heavy rock from Tirana, metal courtesy of Earthborn Kings and Stray Bullets plus some fast punk from Bitterman. Joining the fray are West Country stoner rock outfit Cybernetic Witch Cult who you can get of a taster of via the embed below:
Topping the bill are Seething Akira who, as well as releasing their debut LP Sleepy Skeletor last year, were recently voted Portsmouth's Best Band in the annual Guide awards. The band signed to Armalyte Industries in November, with The Islander their first release for the label:
This feast of live music is in aid of the Freshwater Life Project, an NGO that aims to make real changes to support, protect and preserve aquatic habitats across the globe. Founded by a small team of independent researchers the Freshwater Life Project seeks to effect change, conserving wetlands, lakes and rivers to secure a future of all the types of biodiversity which rely on these aquatic habitats.
The live music starts from 1400, with bands playing through until 2200 (with DJ Matt Random keeping the engine running until midnight). Advance tickets are not available, rather entrance is via donation, paid at the door on the day. It bodes to be a large and hefty day of music and, if you sample The Deco's Asgardian cocktail menu too heavily, you may need to spend the Sunday on the sofa too.
Portsmouth club night Beats & Swing has this week released details of some Easter treats which, I know, seems a wee bit early given we're not out of January yet (I blame Cadbury's, my local corner shop had Creme Eggs in stock whilst I still had my Christmas tree up). However, given the line-up thus far announced, you'd be advised to get your tickets early before they up and disappear.
Traditionally Maundy Thursday is when HM The Queen dispenses alms to deserving citizens (and civil servants across the land spend an afternoon in the pub), this year though it also sees Madame Electrifie, the alter-ego of Techno DJ Little Jo, take control of the ones-and-twos at Southsea's premier bijou art space, the Coastguard Studio. Little Jo has played some of the UK’s leading venues in the near 15 years she's been behind the decks, including legendary clubs Turnmills and Ministry. Support on the night comes from Wesley Brown and The Feel Good.
After such an entertaining opener it's lucky that Good Friday provides ample opportunity for a recovery lay-in (and/or a restorative beverage or two) before the doors of the Coastguard open wide again. The second night of the Easter Weekender is headlined by chap-hop originator, the wax moustachioed MC straight out of Cheam, the one and only Mr B The Gentleman Rhymer. If you've not encountered chap-hop before any explanation I could give would pale in comparison to hearing it the first time. Trust me, you're in for a treat. Support on the night comes from Bass-playing troubadour Grant Sharkey and Portsmouth singer-songwriter Dani Uziel.
Tickets go on sale at 10am prompt tomorrow morning, Friday 25th January, via Book.Events. A Weekender pass is available, providing access to both nights, priced at a very reasonable £18 or, alternatively, tickets for either night can be purchased separately for £10 each. And yes, I think this will sell out well ahead of time.
