- 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.
- Festival Reviews
Friday has us up early again to catch Lo Moon at the ACL radio show at Hotel Van Zandt. Just a couple of songs and a great little interview with the band (including them playing a new Song off the upcoming album) it's been worth the early morning visit to Rainey St in Austin.
- Festival Reviews
Today, after a fairly good sleep, we are on the move. Our first two nights in Austin we were staying a little out of the city centre. Today we were moving into our usual hotel, a lot closer to the showcases. We move our gear into our new room and then off to ACL Radio shows at the Hotel Van Zandt. ACL Radio (to benefit make a wish foundation) have artists perform for a large group of fans in an auditorium and they broadcast the performances and discussions on their station
- Festival Reviews
Starting off today I went to the Paste Magazine showcase. Three days of shows...4 stages, well set up where you could see alot in a very short period of time.
- Festival Reviews
- Festival Reviews
I would have to consider this year's SXSW a success. Despite early set backs and odd little mishaps..we got to see some absolutely spectacular shows.
- Festival Reviews
I shall make no apology for extolling the virtues of this festival in similar terms to previous years. Simply a great music weekend featuring many bands appearing on the radar for the first time, alongside a number of established names.