In addition to the live music on offer there'll also be sets on the decks from Brandon Block, the rebel dread himself Don Lettsand the one and only DJ Format. Twisted Village also sees the welcome return of Portsmouth’s legendary HipshakerDJs to the festival circuit, if you want a taste of what they'll bring to the party check out their Express FM radio show (past episodes of which are available online). On the performing arts side of things the Circo Rum Ba Ba troupe will bring some joyful anarchy to proceedings and, if it all gets too much, there's always a relaxing game or two of Drag Queen Bingo to look forward to.
With more acts, including headliners, yet to be announced all is looking very good indeed for TwistedVillage. The festival takes place at Vicarage Farm, Woodmancott, from Friday 16th to Sunday18th August, Early Bird tickets may have sold out but Tier 2 tickets (priced at £105) are available now from the festival website.
The tiny hamlet of Woodmancott, nestled roughly midway between Winchester and Basingstoke, might seem an unlikely destination for a new festival to pitch up. Yet here, at Vicarage Farm, is where the Twisted Village Festival will pitch tents for its inaugural outing. Billed as a "festival of performing arts, music and curiosities" Twisted Village promises to be a compact and bijou affair, hosting 4999 souls on-site (a number which also includes both crew and artists), offering the seasoned festival-goer something more than big stages, huge crowds and annoyingly long queues for the amenities. If you didn't get Glastonburytickets, or find that walking a festival site the size of Coventry isn't your bag any more, then this might be just what you're looking for. Personally I'm a fan of a smaller festival; as much fun as a large sprawling site is to explore there is always something (or several) that gets missed. Limiting the number of attendees should hopefully make for a more comfortable stroll around the site, stumbling across promised curiosities, helping to create the "village vibe" that the organisers are striving for.
The organisers have set out their ethos on the website, which includes their vision for a festival that includes dance, spoken word performance, theatre and street theatre as well as, obviously , music. The festival also boasts excellent environmental credentials, effecting a no plastic policy on the main site, asking festival-goers to bring reusable bottles to enjoy free refills at various water stations. If that wasn't enough the festival will also employ solar power & biodiesel-powered generators to lessen its carbon emissions. So far so very right-on, but what's to see and enjoy at this shindig you may wonder. Well, the line-up announced so far includes Beans On Toast, LibraLibra, Yassassin, Alabama 3, Curl, Oh My God! It's The Church, Shoot The Duke, Megan Linford and the truly brilliant (and quite possibly worth the ticket price alone) joy that is The Lovely Eggs. With more acts TBA it's refreshing to note that the festival is also aiming to ensure female artists represent 50% of the final line-up (other, larger, festivals should take note). Twisted VillageFestival runs from Friday 16th to Sunday 18th August and Tier 1 (Early Bird) tickets are available now, priced at £90 for adults, via the festival website. Prices are scheduled to increase in Tier 2 (£105) and Tier 3 (£120), full pricing information and more can be found on the festival's FAQ page.
Good news everyone, the excellent Dials Festival will be returning to Southsea this October! Last year's shindig saw various venues along Albert Road play host to some excellent talent, including Fake Empire, Curxes, Thyla and the jaw-droppingly good LibraLibra, hopes are therefore high for Dials 2019 to again bring the very best local and national emerging artists to the city.
It's far too early to hazard a guess at who might be on the line-up but it's a reasonably safe bet that, on the day, there be a surfeit of good music for all to enjoy. If this wets your appetite I'd advise marking Saturday 5th October on your calendar and keeping eyes on the festival's social media for announcements.
The festival has once more partnered with Solent Mind, a local charity which supports people with mental health problem across the South, to again both raise funds and awareness of mental health issues.
For those eager to attend a limited number of Super Early Bird tickets go on sale this coming Friday, 1st February, available via the festival's website from 1000 prompt.
UPDATE: All £15Super Early Bird tickets sold out within 90 minutes, £18 Early Bird tickets now available.
Winchester's festival-in-a-day Winchestivalreturns for a third outing this June, descending once again on the city's North Walls for 12 hours of music, food and fun. The organisers have this week released details of the initial line-up and, it's safe to say, there's something here for everyone at this family friendly festival. The Gannon-Stoddard Family Singers (aka The Magic Numbers) headline the Main Stage, with Reading's Only The Poets, Southampton four-piece Submariner and the Isle of Wight's Lauran Hibberd also on the bill. Joining them are indie pop duo Decoand, opening proceedings, Osborne School's rock choir, Rubik's Cube, with further acts TBA. BBC Introducing Solent host the second stage this year, with a line-up featuring Southampton acts Bash! and Mystic Peach, south coast Beach Punks Remainders, the utterly mesmerising Bruch and, from Swanage, Galaxy Thief. For those who like to get their groove on there's a Disco Tent although, for my money, the Auntie Beeb's line-up looks the one to watch.
Winchestival 2019 takes place on Saturday 15th June, with advance tickets available now via EventBrite priced at £25 for adults, £13 for ages 5-17 and those under 5 getting in for FREE!
Albert Road will be alive with the sound of music this weekend; if Sunday's charity event at the Wedgewood Rooms is the feel-good coda, Saturday's Dials Festival is the magnum opus. Dials 2018 takes place across five venues on Southsea's favourite thoroughfare, all conveniently within ambling distance of each other, with a hand-picked selection of acts performing. The organisers' sterling efforts have produced a line-up that is fair full to the brim with aural delights and, after some poring over the event's Clashfinderthis week, I think I've just about worked what my pick of the pops are (one of whom, Yassassin, have unfortunately had to withdraw under doctor's orders), so without further ado here are the bands I'm looking forward to seeing at Dials 2018: Temples of Youth (The Wine Vaults, 1330-1355) Jo Carson and Paul Gummaare Temples of Youth, purveyors of moody yet delicate electronica that combines gorgeous vocals, synthesizers and guitar. They've received airplay locally via BBC Introducing and nationally on both BBC Radio 1 (Huw Stephens) and BBC 6 Music (Steve Lamacq). Did I mention that they're excellent? No? Oh, well they are so you should make sure you're at the Vaults in plenty of time to see them.
Dani Uziel (Bar Acapulco, 1400-1430) Portsmouth singer-songwriter Danihas played several of the city's smaller venues over the past year, garnering plaudits and gaining fans along the way. Lauran Hibberd (The Loft, 1445-1520) If, like me, you like a mix of snarky lyrics and fuzzed-up guitar, you should direct your feet to The Loft (above The Kings pub) for Lauran Hibberd's set. Whilst her earlier material had a more delicate, folky feel the newer material rocks out a treat (will there be moshing during Call Shotgun? Hopefully).
Curxes(The Loft, 1700-1730) At first listenCurxes' sophomore album, Gilded Cage, appears to be a mellower affair than 2015's Verxes. Yet, as the album unfolds, it soon becomes apparent that a dark and melancholic heart beats beneath the gorgeous synths and crisp production. A soundtrack waiting for an as-yet-unmade Netflix dystopian sci-fi fantasy? Definitely.
Krush Puppies (The Loft, 1900-1930) London's Krush Puppies have a line of grungy fuzzed-up rock that's hard not to like, catch them at Dials ahead of their set at The Great Escape's FirstFifty gig in Hoxton next month. Of course, one of the things about festival is the clash and, yes, Krush Puppies clash with... Horseflies (Bar Acapulco, 1900-1930) Take a pinch of Deluxe Flamingoes, add a soupçon of Attack! Vipers! and what do you have? Horseflies. Lovely lovely Horseflies. Bokito(The Wine Vaults, 1930-2000) Once the clashes start there's no stopping them; so it is then that Bokito, hirsute suppliers of memorably quirky indie pop, are on at the same time as another band I'm hoping to see. Will Bokito have the edge as they appear to be named after a somewhat anti-social gorilla? Possibly. Vinyl Staircase (Edge of The Wedge, 1930-2000) Is there much to do in Dorking after dark? I don't know. I do, however, know that a vinyl staircase sounds very much like the kind of interior design that I'd splurge on should I ever win the lottery. Therefore the sound of Vinyl Staircase, which has a roll to its rock, appeals to me.
Fröst(Edge of The Wedge, 2030-2100) Skipping gently past the three-way clash that is the scheduling of Lice, Breath Paneland Thyla(a clash which might require a roshambo to make a decision on) we arrive at Fröst. This Brighton-based duo have received national airplay on BBC 6 Music, with their glacial electronica finding favour with Guy Garvey, Gideon Coe and Lauren Laverne. So, I really don't to sell that one, do I?
Estrons(The Wedgewood Rooms, 2100-2130) I must confess that I'm somewhat on the fence when it comes to Estronswhich, given my appalling centre of gravity, makes for wild teetering between love and hate feelings towards them and their brand of indie. Whilst singer Tali is, frankly, devastatingly good in the vocal department I do wonder if, without her presence, the band would just be another indie outfit. Harsh? Possibly, though I'm still keenly looking forward to hearing the album.
Art School Girlfriend (The Wine Vaults, 2130-2200) The Margate-based Art School Girlfriend (known to her chums as Polly) is preparing for her headline set at the Vaults tomorrow by a sold out show at St Pancras Old Churchtonight. This is a set I'm very much looking forward to, a dark and atmospheric way to end my Dials experience (well, until I get a second-wind and head back to the Wedge for Tigercub).
And there we have it, a selection of bands that I'm really looking forward to see (and, in some cases, see again) at Dials 2018. That isn't to say that the rest of the acts on the packed line-up aren't to my taste, far from; I'm also hoping to see Mystic Peach, Fake Empire, Los Bitchos, Grace Savage... err, maybe I need to rework my recommendations? Oh dear. Regardless of who you or I see all of the artists on the bill are deserving of our support, as is the festival itself, and if I could splice myself into several clones I'd see all of the bands on all of the stages. Perhaps one day it might be possible, for now though I'll have to be that guy scuttling between the stages, Clashfinder clutched to sausage-fingered hand, trying not to miss any of the wonderful music. I can't wait.
The lovely folks behind Dialshave announced some additions to the bill of their multi-venue one-day festival. Rounding out an already packed line-up of new music are London bands Yassassin and Krush Puppies, Brighton synth-pop duo Fröst, singer/beatboxer Grace Savage and Portsmouth singer-songwriters Megan Linford and Dani Uziel. All this and more for the bargain price of just £16? You'd be silly not to really.
In keeping with my 'festival as a feast' metaphor, if Friday was the appetiser and Saturday the main course, Victorious' Sunday line-up is a large, heaped dessert trolley accompanied by an epic cheeseboard, full as it is with succulent musical treats and savoury moments. In fact, so large in number are the options available I've had to split my recommendations list in two. First up, covering the best things to see from gates open until seven o'clock, is the sweet selection.. Me & The Moon (Common Stage, 1215-1245) (Seaside Stage, 2130-2200) If you're feeling a wee bit jaded after yesterday's festival fun, suffering after one too many expensive pints of lager, the mellow indie-stylings of this Guildford duo are the very thing to start your Victorious Sunday (alternatively, if you're seeing them later in the day, they'll help calm your nerves after Keith Flint has scared you)
Fugitive Orchestra (Showcase Stage, 1230-1300) Fugitive Orchestra, the pseudonym of James Tattington, is not so much a one-man band as a beat-boxing, guitar-looping philharmonic.
Gomez (Common Stage, 1315-1400) In the 20 years since Gomez won the Mercury Prize(yes, it was really that long ago) the Southport posse have released another 6 studio albums, toured extensively and, in the process, added a large American contingent to their fan-base via the US college circuit. The band are celebrating the 20th birthday of Bring It On the band with an anniversary tour, on which their Victorious appearance is a stop.
Soul 45 (Beats & Swing Tent, 1415-1515) (Soul Circus Tent, 2020-2140) Southampton's premier vinyl only suppliers of funk, soul and dance music. Prepare to swing your pants..
Jerry Williams(Castle Stage, 1500-1530) A few years ago, at The Great Escape, I left the dark depths of Sticky Mike's with Kassassin Street ringing joyfully in my ears, and stumbled across a talented singer-songwriter playing in a yard across the way. It was Jerry Williams and, liking what I heard, I ensured I caught her afternoon slot in a tent on the Old Steine later that day (where, to an audience that included her Mum, she played a jaw-dropping cover of Bump'n'Grind). Since then Jerry has plugged away, touring further and wider, refining her craft and growing her legion of fans with every gig. Fingers crossed she makes it back from her mini tour of Europe (!) in time...
Marika Hackman (Common Stage, 1520-1550) 2017's I'm Not Your Man was one of my favourite long players of last year, pitching exquisite vocals with wry lyrics and catchy melodies, so this is a set I'm very much looking forward to (although, as much as I hope to hear her Nirvana cover, I think I'll be disappointed).
Sink or Soar (Real Ale Stage, 1530-1600) Rising like from the ashes of the excellent (and much missed) B of The Bang, Sink or Soar feature Wit's unmistakeable vocals and playful lyrics.
Dani Uziel (Acoustic Stage, 1550-1620) Is it just me or, of late, is Portsmouth excelling itself at producing talented singer-songwriters?
The Orielles (Castle Stage, 1600-1630) Over the years the minster town of Halifax has given much to the world; John Noakes, Big Daddy, Sarah Blackwood, Quality Street, Ed Sheeran (yes, I know) and even one of the Thompson Twins. All from Halifax. The latest delight to come from that part of West Yorkshire are The Orielles. H'mm, there must be something in the water up North...
The Bluetones (Common Stage, 1620-1650) Purveyors of melodic indie tunes, Mark Morriss and chums have been resident on the alternative music landscape for a long time. If memory serves they're no longer recording/releasing new material, so expect an uplifting set of old favourites.
Gengahr (Castle Stage, 1700-1730) Apparently take their name from a poison Pokémon, really, this London four-piece produce a satisfying blend of pop and psychedelia. I like both of those, and I like Gengahr.
The Amazons (Common Stage, 1720-1805) Ignoring the leather and long hair clichés for a second, these Reading rockers have been feted by the likes of the NMEand BBC Radio 1. To be honest their a bit of a wildcard entry on mny list...
Tuba Libres (Beats & Swing Tent, 1730-1815) Trust me, you never realised it but there is a tuba-shaped hole in your life. A talented bunch of chaps from Southampton who will most definitely put a smile on your face.
That's it for part one of my Victorious Sunday preview, part two should (!) be appearing tomorrow so be sure to pop back. Now, go make a nice cup of tea and have a sit down, you need to be ready for the weekend.
If Friday night at Victoriousserves up an amuse-bouche for the festival experience, Saturday delivers more filling fare with the opening up of the rest of the stages, providing us punters with a wider selection of auditory morsels to be sampled.
There's something for just about everyone here, even to a somewhat jaded and cynical gig monkey such as myself. Therefore, with a larger menu to pick from and with distances between stages taken into consideration, I've tried to be slightly more selective with my recommendations. Are we sitting comfortably? Then I'll begin...
Happy Mondays (Common Stage, 1315-1400) The boisterous bunch of Madchestersurvivors have an early afternoon slot on the big stage and, whilst this might reduce the possibility of a shambolic performance, it does rather increase the chances of random incidents of Dad dancing amongst the crowd (and I have a sneaking suspicion that there will be at least one person present sporting some sort of melon-related paraphernalia).
Pins (Castle Stage, 1450-1520) Pins are rockers. They rock out. They hail from Manchester, they've featured on the soundtrack of Lucifer and some scenes of their recent their visual EP (below) were filmed in a public convenience. And yes, they're really rather good.
Sleeper (Common Stage, 1620-1650) Louise Wener and chums have dusted off their Britpopcredentials, acquired a new bass player, and hit the road. Having quite liked Sleeper back in the day, yet having heard indifferent reports of their live prowess from some of my chums who've seen them, I'm somewhat intrigued to see what they bring to the stage.
Coasts(Castle Stage, 1650-1720) If you've not seen Bristol's Coasts play live before then, sadly, their Victorious appearance will be one of your last chances to do so; after several years, a couple of albums and a soundtrack appearance on Made In Chelsea, this five-piece are calling it quits. If you are lucky enough to catch them on the Castle Stage, and like what you hear, tickets for their Farewell Tour in October are on sale now.
Neneh Cherry [DJ set] (World Music Stage, 1700-1800) It's Neneh Cherry. Spinning tunes. Honestly, I shouldn't really need to sell it to you.
Gaz Coombes (Common Stage, 1720-1805) The former Supergrass frontman has released consistently interesting material since going solo; Matadorwas an excellent long player and this year's follow up, World's Strongest Man, has received critical praise. Plus he sports a natty pair of sideburns, and that's a thumbs up in my book.
Trampolene (Seaside Stage, 1800-1830) Once upon a Southsea Fest I found myself, standing in a packed Fat Fox, watching a three-piece blow minds and unhinge the projector screen. They were Trampolene. And they still are, mostly.
Shoot The Duke (Beats & Swing Tent, 1815-1900) Portsmouth's very own alt-skiffle band, Shoot The Duke have been entertaining punters at various venues and events across the city for a few years now; expect an infectious blend of roots, rhythm and blues. Which is nice.
ChaosDJs (Soul Circus, 1915-2020) Chaos was/is a Pompey institution, a regular indie-alternative night that took over one of the bars (and occasionally both) on South Parade Pier, providing their target demographic with loud music (see below), a bouncy dance floor and (for those on a budget) access to some suspect looking (but reasonably priced) Sangria. Ahh, memories...
Barry Hyde (Acoustic Stage, 1945-2015) Formerly of the sadly defunct and much missed Futureheads, since going it alone Barry Hyde has released an EP of Ivor Cutler covers and an LP that features a suite of songs reflecting his own experiences with mental illness. Whilst some might be hoping for an airing of the 'heads' Kate Bush cover I'd rather hear some of his solo material (OK, and maybe his Prince cover too).
Everything Everything (Castle Stage, 2020-2110) You know, that band that aren't Alt-J or Django Django. Yes, I have been known to get the three of them mixed up too. No, it's nothing to be ashamed of. Honest.
China Bears (Real Ale Stage, 2045-2115) Direct from Somerset, via Guildford, indie rockers China Bears have won praise from Steve Lamacq and Frank Turner, information which, depending on your viewpoint, has already informed your decision on whether you'll like them or not. It's a festival, there's beer adjacent, go check them out.
Paul Weller (Common Stage, 2120-2250) The Modfather himself. If you're expecting him to dredge some Jam classics out of his considerable back catalogue then you may be disappointed. Or not, he's mercurial like that.
And if that wasn't enough to keep you entertained then Simon & Dave ofHipshaker will be at the Common Stage all day, spinning some righteous tunes between the acts playing there. Well my lovelies, that's my selection for Saturday, tune in next time for my Sundayrecommendations.
Austerity. Welfare reform. Cuts to public spending and services. These are, as Lee Hazlewood sang, cold hard times. Every day more people find themselves in the situation where feeding themselves and their families is a struggle. There is a continuing rise in food poverty across the country and Portsmouth is no exception. Organisations such as The Trussel Trust and the Portsmouth Food Bank provide a sterling service to our community but unfortunately their resources are limited.
This one-day, two-site mini festival features an impressive line-up of left-field sounds, featuring Portsmouth's own psych merchants Melt Dunes, psych quintet Number 9, the freaky pop of Pregoblin, psych from Sad Palace, garage pop/rock from Skinny Milk, Mystic Peach and The Scrubs, the heavy psychedelic sounds of Black Helium, shoegaze from Superdroneand Dad Hair's post punk. Both venues will feature a kaleidoscopic light show courtesy of Velvet Candy, plus there'll be an exhibition of work from local graphic artists (and, if the music gets you feeling peckish, there will also be a vegetarian BBQ with all profits going to the Portsmouth Food Bank)
The festival returned, in a smaller form, in 2016 asDials Days(where
the photo above was taken) before it again disappeared into the shadows
much like Homer Simpson stepping backwards into a hedge.
Time moves on and, as Southsea Fest has also stepped back into the shrubbery, the sight of this tweet piqued my interest. Is Dials returning? Is there a new(ish) festival to fill the SSF hole in my gig calendar? Apparently so as, according to this tweet, we should keep Saturday 6th October free. Woo, and furthermore, hoo. Here's looking forward to the first announcement of acts playing, and cue happy dance...
Southsea Fest again takes over a variety of venues along Albert Road this Saturday, filling them with all manner of musical entertainments for your aural and visual pleasure. This year's line-up is a veritable feast of music, so much so that my highlighter pen has gone into hiding rather than take on the task of helping me mark out my copy of the Clashfinder. Given the choice on offer it might seem a daunting prospect to know where to begin, to that end I've picked five acts that I'm looking forward to seeing to get you started (to be honest I could have set down a long list of bands that I think you ought to take in, but one of the many joys of Southsea Fest is stumbling across your new favourite band when 10 minutes before you'd not heard of them). Are we sitting comfortably? Then I'll begin... The Computers - Edge of The Wedge [2115-2145] Exeter's finest, a rum bunch of slick rockers who should make the walls of the Edge run with sweat. Fronted by a lead singer who finds it hard to stay on the stage if he can help it, and will take his microphone stand with him when he descends into the the crowd, chances are you'll most likely end up with him next to you even if you stand at the back.
Dead Rabbits - Little Johnny Russell's [1830-1900] Shoegazey darkness from Southampton, flavoured with feedback and a sprinkling of psychedelia. Very nice.
Curxes - Southsea Social Club [1835-1905] Describing themselves as a decorative set of bones, this Southsea/Brighton duo will mesmerise with their 80's flavoured electro pop. Imagine a Depeche Mode-powered freight train thundering towards you, with a winged valkyrie on the footplate crying out to the engine driver to fuel the firebox with his bass shovel.. there you go. Enjoy.
Drenge - The Fat Fox [2220-2300] From Derbyshire comes two brothers who make a lot of noise and make a lot of eye contact with each other. There will be moshing, oh yes, there will be moshing.
The B of The Bang - The Wine Vaults [1815-1845] Southsea's own purveyors of alt pop rock, expect a selection of old and new material (their sophomore release having been released earlier this year on Pie & Vinyl's label).
So there you go, five of the best to see you on your way. To be honest it was very nearly a different list, as the likes of MMX and Misty Miller, Death At Sea or Eagulls could have made an appearance . If you ever owned a Commodore 64 then perhaps Anamanaguchi would be more your thing. Come to think of it I should've mentioned As Elephants Are and Splashh, or Titan, AK/DK, Veronica Falls, Battery Hens, Future Of The Left, Thumpers, Tripwires, Mugstar, The Family Rain or.. umm.. well, you get the idea. If you're still stuck then you could either give the SSF2013 Spotify playlist a listen or just toddle along to Albert Road and see what tickles your fancy.
Just when you think the festival season is over another one pops up to extend it. Sort of. Fake Fest is Southsea's own tribute act festival; a celebration of some of the world's best bands by some of the UK's best fakers, which takes place this Saturday, 1st October.
Castle Field will come alive to the classic tunes of Queen, The Rolling Stones and the Foo Fighters courtesy of Chichester's Rhapsody, Kent's Fool Fighters and Bath's Rolling Zones. In addition there'll be support from "the best local cover bands and the coolest DJ on the decks" (I'm quoting the ad in the paper, no support details have been released that I can find).
As much as I like tribute bands (they're often the only way to experience a live performance of certain band's songs) and as much as I think this sounds like a great idea I must admit to feeling a slight bristle upon seeing the ticket price. Advanced tickets are £19.99 (or £25 on the day), children ages 16 and under can go free with a paying adult (one child per adult).
Admittedly this is considerably less than you'd pay to experience just one of the real versions of the bands represented (I'm not going to work out the developmental costs of building a time machine to see Queenat Wembleyin1986, I'd figure there'd be a lot of zeroes involved though). However I saw more original music for less at Southsea Fest last week (come to think of it I saw more fake music for considerably less in Gosport a couple of months ago).
Regardless of my idle kvetching I hope the event is successful, Castle Field is a great space for something like this and Portsmouth has been missing a suitably chunky musical event of this ilk since the Heineken Big Top was packed away many years ago. The
event strap-line is "a full experience of a festival without the price
tag!", whether this means Glastonburystyle toilets or Bestivalstyle
fancy dress will be in effect is your guess as much as mine. Tickets can be purchased via The News' website (select Event Tickets from the list of items on the left of the page) or by phone on 01243 534125/534126
Tomorrow I'll be bidding the old homestead adieu for a couple of days, slinging my well-packed rucksack over my shoulder, and heading over to the Isle of Wight for Bestival 2011. It'll be my first jaunt to Rob Da Bank's annual shindig, the last big UK festival of the year and one that has a reputation for good music and fun. The line-up for this year is a suitably eclectic mix and, as more artists have been announced over the past few months, my excited has been building. Now it pretty much goes without saying that I'm looking forward to enjoying the spectacle of Björk's live set, Brian Wilson's (supposedly) final festival appearance, the shoe-gazing awesomeness of The Cure and the chance of seeing The La's on stage, but here are a few other bands on the bill that I'm proposing are worth checking out... Magnetic Man I'll confess that I couldn't tell you what's hot or what's not in the world of dub step but I know what I like and this lot I like very much. The combined talents of Messrs Skream, Benga and Artwork have produced a fine collection of electronic sounds (one of which, Getting Nowhere, tests the speakers in my local fleapit before every film) which should get a packed tent jumping.
John Grant With Queen of Denmark the ex-Czars front-man produced, to my mind, one of the stand-out best albums of last year. A stirring collection of beautiful songs that ache to be played over and over. I could continue waxing lyrical about how great John Grant is but superlatives can only go so far. Suffice to say that he's very good, so very very good indeed.
Junip You remember José González right? Had a big hit a few years back with his mellow acoustic cover of The Knife's Heartbeats? Well, before he went solo he was in Junip producing similar, if slightly quirkier, acoustic goodness (if you search the web you should be able to locate most of their 2005Black Refuge EP, featuring the excellent Turn To The Assassin and a tasty cover of Bruce Springsteen's Ghost of Tom Joad). Juniphave reformed and are touring with new material (a sample of which can be found on RCRD LBL). Mellow.
Asian Dub Foundation Being a complete gig-whore I tend to get asked, on a fairly regular basis, what my favourite gig is/was. After much umm-ing, ahh-ing and general bluster my answer is invariably that time I saw Asian Dub Foundation at The Wedgewood Rooms. It was a hot, sweaty, bouncing, gripping, pounding evening of musical power; if their set at Bestival is even a tenth of that, I'll be happy.
Treefight for Sunlight Good music seems to fall out of Denmark all the time; from Mew to The Kissaway Trail, excellent sounds have poured forth from Northern climes over the past few years. The latest to hit our shores is Copenhagen's Treefight For Sunlight, an indie pop four-piece producing joyfully upbeat and infectious tunes.
The Bad Shepherds The idea of taking a known song from one genre and reworking it in another isn't new, but the results don't often produce such mellifluous offerings as the combined talents of Troy Donockley, Andy Dinan and Adrian Edmondson (yes, THAT Ade Edmondson). The chaps rework punk and new wave classics, sprinkled liberally with beer and stringed instruments, to produce a foot-tapping folk sound (yes, folk) that introduces old favourites as if hearing them for the first time. So, grab yourself a beer, hunt out The Bad Shepherds wherever stage their playing, and have fun. Phew, I managed to get through that without mentioning Vyvyan. Oh, arse.
Son of Dave AKA Benjamin Darvill, late of the Crash Test Dummies, who blends the Blues, beat-boxing and his virtuoso harmonica playing with eye-popping results. A strange, breathless hybrid of Blues and techno, and the 'between song' banter is usually pretty good too.
I could go on (I invariably do) but that'll do for now; no doubt I'll probably not get to see any of the above and, instead, will stumble across one of the many fine artists on the bill that I've not heard of, enjoy what I'm hearing, and lose all sense of time. And, honestly, isn't that what festivals are all about?
