Festivals through autumn and beyond
Aug 24
Review: Suede and British Sea Power play Kenwood House
Suede and British Sea Power playing in the grounds of Hampstead’s Kenwood House is an irresistible opportunity, especially as complaints from nearby residents mean concerts here are few and far between. As Suede’s set draws to a close, Brett Anderson remarks how pleased he is to be back in Hampstead, an area he loves. As headliners, Suede are indeed…
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Jul 30
Review: Lounge on the Farm festival, Sunday 2013
Lounge on the Farm in Kent has big acts for the headliners, and local Kent bands entertain the crowds during the afternoon. I can only assume that everyone was suffering from massive hangovers and too much partying to Jessie Ware, as on arriving at Lounge on the Farm at noon Sunday, it all seemed suspiciously…
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Jul 24
Review: Ealing Blues Festival is now a sunny weekender
Imagine a festival that only costs £5 entrance, has a choice of stages, several food outlets, the obligatory clothes and jewellery stalls plus a clairvoyant or two, a decent-ish bar, spotless portaloos with no queues… ok no camping, but then you can’t have everything. This is what’s on offer each year at Ealing Blues Festival,…
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Jul 16
Night moves with The Bedroom Hour at The Finsbury
The Bedroom Hour. It was the promisingly sultry name that initially enticed me to check this band out when they popped up on Twitter. First hearing and they’ve got me hooked. There’s an intensity to this five-piece West London band, an immersive quality, a moodiness which draws you in. Their songs have that ability to…
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Jul 6
Simone Felice is spellbinding at St Giles-in-the-Fields church
It’s the fourth of July, we’re at St Giles-in-the-Fields Church, and Simone Felice is obviously enthralled and inspired by the atmosphere of the church and its grand beauty. So much so that towards the end of the set, he bounds off the stage to dance down the aisle, encouraging us to join in with the…
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Jun 26
The life and Northern Soul of the party: interview with Nigel Flood, DJ and Northern Soul devotee
Nigel Flood is a lifelong Northern Soul and reggae devotee. I spoke to him about the burgeoning soul scene in the north. For 20 years he has joined in to DJ at all-dayers and all-nighters, and has Dj’d for Paul Weller. Northern pride. Love of soul. The movement named by Dave Godin, owner of a…
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Jun 10
Review: Green Note in Camden, folk music Monday and organic beer
Organic lager, a super-friendly vibe and a Madchester moment for folk music: these are the memories of my evening at the Green Note in Camden. Find this bijou music bar/restaurant by heading up Parkway, away from the clamour of Camden Market, just at the point where the verdant sanity of Regent’s Park can be…
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May 22
Review: Letting our hair down at Bearded Theory 2013
Bearded Theory festival 2013: it’s the festival of Beards, Bands and DJs, and that just about sums it up. Now in its sixth year, Bearded Theory is set in picturesque Kedleston Hall, Derbyshire. With something like around 8,000 revellers it’s a nice size, and manages to feel like one big party. Bearded Theory’s line-up leans towards…
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Apr 29
Cool tracks: Orlando Seale and the Swell at St Pancras
Of all the train stations in London to find yourself in with time to spare, St Pancras is the most pleasant. A few shops, wine bars, artisan type food outlets, and occasional announcements in French – and I discovered Orlando Seale and the Swell were entertaining the crowds. There’s even more going on at the…
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Apr 26
Phildel: The Disappearance of the Girl at St Pancras Old Church
Phildel used her surroundings of St Pancras Old Church to create a mixed media experience, instead of simply performing her songs – this was an inspired move. This tiny church has a rich history and amongst those buried in its churchyard are a vampire writer, a composer and a sculptor. It clings to the edge of the glitzy…
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