- Festival Reviews
Good morning Austin. Despite a late night, we were able to go for a run and than have breakfast this morning and that prepared us for a long day ahead
- Festival Reviews
Well...here we are again. Months of planning, and a lot of debate has got us here.
With the current relationship between the US & Canada imploding and getting worse every day, it's hard to truly describe the level of discomfort we had going to Austin. With that being said, we had young Joseph & Francesca to meet up with and Austin is a reasonably safe Democratic bubble in a Republican state so off we went.
Flight done, bag dropped at hotel, wristband acquired, we are off to enjoy some music!
- Festival Reviews
This early January festival at Butlins, Bognor Regis has always delivered great value for money and this, our fifth visit, was no exception. A change in the staging this year saw the larger ‘Studio 36’ arena coming into play which certainly suited some of the larger headline names like Spiritualised and Leftfield.
- Festival Reviews
Our second visit to this fantastic micro festival held in the grounds of The Lake District’s Muncaster Castle, and curated by Sea Power. With only 1500 people in attendance the event has a wonderfully intimate feel throughout and seems to punch above its weight in term of bands on the line up, which includes Sea Power playing two full sets as well as a session of Jonathan Richman covers through their side-line ‘The Modern Ovens’.
- Festival Reviews
When I opened my tent on 2 September I saw little more than fog. I could barely make out the toilet and shower blocks at the end of the sloping field in which I was camping. It was as if the weather was saying, "The festival season is over".
Many artists preforming over the weekend made a point of mentioning that the End Of The Road is their favourite festival and how grateful they were to be there. I felt it really made me end my summer on a high note, and I went home with new music, new discoveries, new ideas.
- Festival Reviews
The 2024 festival season is in full swing and times are changing. Some festivals are struggling while others (Glastonbury, Green Man, Beautiful Days) are still selling out. Towersey and Underneath The Stars have announced that this will be their last year. Larger sections of festival sites are now set apart for glamping. For some festival-goers the rising cost of everything means that they have to choose which festival to attend.
- Festival Reviews
"My 21st Glastonbury was a great one. Glastonbury is different from other festivals. Even now, with connectivity at all times, it feels like you are in a different world there; a nicer world. “This is where all the cool shit is!” said Beans On Toast, who loves the festival as much as I do.
- Festival Reviews
The Great Escape never seems to fall kindly for me in the calendar and this year was no exception. A day visit (from Southampton) ought to be achievable but with the last direct train home at 8.30, even a day-ticket needs to be considered carefully. So this year I opted for a Thursday visit but decided to do it on the cheap and take advantage of the multiple free events on offer under the banner of The Alternative Escape. Proved to be an excellent strategy.
- Festival Reviews
We’ve waited a long time for our home town of Southampton to host a ‘one-dayer’ festival, so there was excited expectation for this event. Across three venues: the legendary Joiners, the slightly smaller Heartbreakers and larger 1865.
- Festival Reviews
Our second consecutive year at this excellent one-dayer featuring upcoming indie talent. Five stages across four venues, each one a minute walk apart. For the most part every band has a 30 minute slot and with timetable arranged so that the acts dovetail one another there was plenty of opportunity to take in a large number of acts and squeeze excellent value from the £26 ticket.
- Festival Reviews
Well...last night was a late one so today I am moving a little slow. Sleep in late, take our time and head out at noon to Cheer Up Charlie's to see Meagre Martin. Berlin based trio are a psychedelic folk rock band. They sound good and it's a comfortable little set of "Faux Country" (what the band considers themselves). It's a nice start to the day
- Festival Reviews
After a bit of a rest, and with clear weather expected, I made the decision that we should head to what is considered one of the big shows of the night. Noise Co is a record label/management/independent co-op that American rock/indie artist Ben Kweller started in 2007. This night features a selection of their artists, as it turns out, last year, just before Ben's son Dorian was to appear at SXSW 2023, he was involved in a tragic freak car crash and sadly passed away.