Lost Map: Pictish Trail Daylight Music at Union Chapel
The Daylight Music sessions at Union Chapel in Islington are gentle, pay-what-you-like lunchtime concerts with tea and cake. There are around 30 sessions per year. This Saturday was the turn of artists on the Lost Map record label run from the remote Hebridean island of Eigg by Johnny Lynch, who performs as Pictish Trail. Lynch and…
Read MoreGill Landry and Ian Felice at The Borderline
Gill Landry and Ian Felice at The Borderline. The Borderline used to be an endearingly scruffy little venue, not out of place amongst the shabby streets around Soho. As development began in earnest, the basement venue became increasingly fragile looking so its smart overhaul in March this year is very welcome, especially the cosy seating…
Read MoreDeltiron festival in Cadiz
Things have been a bit quiet at Gourmet Gigs while I’ve been visiting southern Spain. But as chance would have it, we were invited to a local music festival called Deltirón in the breezy, friendly coastal city of Cádiz. I swapped a lifetime of damp festivals on home turf for one with palm trees, enviably…
Read MoreHere We Are Burberry photo exhibition
There is barely a moment, whether it be a fashion movement or a colourful cake, that doesn’t find itself Instagrammed to death these days. How different were those post-war decades as British society dusted itself down and embraced a changing world – buildings, furniture, tribes, fashion, music, food and holidays, so much was temptingly on…
Read MoreNo talking please, I’m listening to the band
I posted this in 2017 but its message sadly rings truer than ever. “This is a place for music lovers. If you want to talk to your friends when the bands are on, please use the other bar.” The above sign is plastered prominently on the venue door at The Trades in Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire, one of…
Read MoreGreen 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…
Read MoreReview: 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 Bluedot…
Read MoreReview 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.
Read MoreTrue 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…
Read MoreMusic 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…
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