At the 02 Islington, Bowie’s long-standing guitarist Earl Slick and his assembled cast of musicians performed their fourth night of what so far has been a hugely successful run of his mini tour of Station to Station. The band included Steve Norman from Spandau Ballet on guitar, saxophone and percussion (I saw Steve with Holy Holy in 2014). Also on guitar was Luis…
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TICKETS NOW SOLD OUT After months of planning, Ray Davies is to appear at the Hornsey Town Hall June 26th 2016. Putting The Kinks’ frontman back in his old stamping ground has been the wish of many residents, visitors and music lovers for years. And with Hornsey Town Hall left abandoned by Haringey Council for many years, that wish for Ray…
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Outside Piccadilly Records, the crowds are setting up camp for the night to nab their Record Store Day prize vinyl
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The Besnard Lakes closed the UK leg of their tour with a triumphant, beautiful and emotional performance at The Assembly Hall, Islington. The space was perfect for The Besnard Lakes. It’s a medium-sized venue with a grand feel, and that Besnard sound swirled around and filled the space, the mirrorball on the ceiling looking like an escapee from their last album cover,…
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1 It’s the perfect festival season opener three (and a bit) days of music with a choice of stages and two new ones for 2016, plus the infamous dance tent. And there’s plenty more going on besides. Tickets are only just over £100 and Bearded Theory festival is, as usual, on the way to selling out, so don’t wait too long. 2 Magical…
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In order to eat at the former site of Pitt Cue restaurant just off Carnaby Street, diners had to queue in the street, sometimes for hours. The reward was a coveted place downstairs in the 5‑table poky cellar space, or perched at the cosy bar upstairs. The reason people were prepared to wait was due…
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If you’re a festival fan, by now you’re dreaming of a green field, banners waving in the breeze, the sound of a band on the main stage… yes, festival season is nearly upon us again, and here is my Ultimate Festival Guide. Most have been personally tried and tested, some on a yearly basis – plus there’s…
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One Haçienda devotee and DJ loved the place so much, he bought a bit of the dancefloor. And a flat exactly where the famous Manchester club’s DJ booth was situated. The film Do You Own the Dançefloor? went on release in June 2015. It’s an affectionate, sometimes hilarious, and decidedly good-natured account of the sell-off…
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Field Music have stayed somewhat under the radar despite several commendable albums, but they are about to head out on tour and they appeared at the Radio 6 music festival in Bristol. There are a few festival dates lined up too so the band are getting lots of exposure. Here’s my review of their gig in January. Here’s The…
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A wave of devastation has encompassed everyone this morning at the news that David Bowie has died. I have to agree with Lauren Laverne on BBC6 radio who stated that “for those who feel they shouldn’t be feeling so personally full of grief, actually, it’s OK for us to feel this way.” Bowie is part of us,…
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