Aug 23

Green Man festival 2017 review

This year was the 15th anniversary of Green Man, the bucolic festival set in the Brecon Beacons. It is – since the demise of Big Chill – my favourite festival venue, with its lush mountainous setting and main stage framed dramatically by the Black Mountains. For those short of stature (like myself), you’ll always have…

Aug 10

Olivia

Late season festival news

If you’re feeling a tad underfestivalled, there are even more events to head off to late in the season. Nothing like prolonging summer with a weekend of wall-to-wall music. Or if you’re pushed for time, or had enough of damp tents, non camping festivals are springing up in abundance. Sea Change, Devon 25th to…

Jul 12

Olivia

Review: Leftfield at Bluedot festival

Review of Leftfield ‘Leftism’ at Bluedot festival, by Nicholas Mai “Come on Tom, let’s go and see some proper music”. And so the uncertain eight-year(ish) old boy dutifully follows his father into the tent where Leftfield are warming up the crowd nicely as the first of the big name opening Friday acts at this year’s…

Jul 12

Olivia

Review of Bluedot festival 2017

Bluedot festival at Jodrell Bank is a perfect mix of music (spacey electronica mostly) with science, space and techie workshops and talks.

Jun 28

Olivia

True Faith: Manchester Art Gallery

Joy Division and New Order have had a profound effect on the creative arts, inspiring not only musicians but artists, writers, illustrators and film makers. Their visual legacy is now being documented in a new exhibition opening in Manchester as part of the Manchester International Festival (MIF17). Taking place at Manchester Art Gallery from 30th…

Jun 10

Olivia

Music Day at Crouch End Festival

I am thrilled to announce a whole day of music on two stages – Crouch End Festival’s very own Music Day on the 11th June.Head for the green outside Hornsey Town Hall. And there’s an extra Music Night on Thursday 15th in the Supper Room in Hornsey Town Hall. I have had a hand in…

Jun 6

Olivia

Festival season updates

Here’s some more festival news with new and returning events to see you through to September. Bluedot Festival 7th – 9th July The stellar BlueDot festival, nestled under the Lovell telescope at Jodrell Bank, has day tickets at £59 per day. Daily lineups are on the site too. Leftfield performing Leftism on Friday, Hot Chip frontman Joe Goddard…

Jun 5

Olivia

Space 36: the Brexit issue

Waiting to Exhale: a creative exploration in response to Brexit A suburban house turned into an experimental and beautiful space for the creation of project-based art, this is the essence of Space 36, in Finsbury Park, north London. In 2016, the owners of the house, Ahmed Farooqui and Alan Swann, held an exhibition which they chose…

Jun 1

Olivia

Bearded Theory photos 2017

Photos taken around the festival site, including some lovely festival goers I encountered, Magical Sounds dance tent and The Woodland Stage area. Plus artists Skunk Anansie (Skin), The Alarm, Cast, Alabama 3, African Head Charge, Drum Machine, The Selecter, 3 Daft Monkeys, Glasvegas, Vintage Trouble. For Bearded Theory review, click here Bearded Theory, Catton Hall, Derbyshire….

Jun 1

Olivia

Bearded Theory festival big birthday bash

Bearded Theory Spring Gathering or “festival” as it is usually called, has reached an important milestone – its tenth birthday. The hairy-faced contributor to the festival world has grown and blossomed, from bum fluff through designer stubble to full beard. The celebrations opened on a perfect sunny Thursday afternoon with a surprisingly large crowd, perhaps due to the lineup being stuffed…