Howard Jones Announces UK Tour

Howard Jones will embark on a nationwide UK tour on Wednesday 11th April at O2 Academy Bristol. This will be the first time that Howard will perform his first two studio albums Human’s Lib and Dream Into Action back to back, live in their entirety, on a full-scale nationwide UK tour.

Tickets for what promises to be an unforgettable tour of ground-breaking, classic electronic pop, will go on sale to the general public at 10am on Friday 2nd December by booking online from www.ticketweb.co.uk or from the 24 hour ticket hotline 0844 477 2000. Fans that can’t wait for the Friday December 2nd general ticket on-sale date, can take advantage of a special Ticket Pre-sale with Absolute 80’s radio at 10am on Wednesday 30th November via www.absolute80s.com and www.absoluteradio.co.uk/tickets.

HOWARD JONES APRIL 2012 UK TOUR:

O2 Academy Bristol - Wed April 11

O2 Academy Sheffield - Thurs April 12

O2 Academy Liverpool - Fri April 13

O2 Academy Birmingham - Sat April 14

O2 Academy Newcastle - Tues April 17

O2 ABC Glasgow - Wed April 18

O2 Academy Bournemouth - Fri April 20

O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, London - Sat April 21

To coincide with the tour, Howard will present a weekly four-part radio series “Electronic 80s with Howard Jones” on Absolute Radio 80's. The first show will air at 8pm on Sunday December 4th on DAB, Freesat, Virgin Media, Sky, via the Absolute 80s smartphone app available for iPhone, Android, Windows Phone 7 and Blackberry, plus streamed online at absolute80s.com.

Human's Lib was first released on March 17th 1984. The album peaked at number 1 in the UK charts and spent 57 weeks in the top 40. The album includes the hit singles What Is Love?, New Song, Pearl In The Shell and Hide & Seek (the song Howard performed at Live Aid). Howard’s second album, Dream Into Action followed, and featured the hit singles Like To Get To Know You Well, Things Can Only Get Better, Look Mama, Life In One Day and the US number 1 No One Is To Blame.

Camp Bestival Christmas Card & Last Chance For Early Bird 2012 Tickets

 

Camp Bestival last chance for early bird tickets 2012

YO HO HO - IT'S A CAMP BESTIVAL CHRISTMAS PROMOTION!
LAST CHANCE TO GET YOUR TICKETS AT 2011 RATE WITH AN EXCLUSIVE JOSIE DA BANK CHRISTMAS CARD FOR YOUR NEAREST AND DEAREST!

WITH OUR FIRST AMAZING ANNOUNCEMENT COMING IN THE NEW YEAR…
WATCH THIS SPACE!

December is upon us and the Christmas bells are ringing and let's face it the pressure's on to get your loved one an awesome gift - well delay no more as The Camp Bestival crew have got a stellar stocking filler for you! We’re getting into the seasonal swing of things with a very special gift promotion giving you one last chance to get your 2012 Camp Bestival tickets at 2011 prices and we’re adding some extra-festive joy, as everyone who orders their tickets between now and Christmas will receive an amazing and exclusive Josie da Bank artworked Christmas card!

Rob da Bank says: “I’m hoping Mrs da Bank has saved me one of these Christmas cards. I can’t think of a cooler Crimbo present than a festival ticket, so jump on board!”

We’re already absurdly excited about next year's Camp Bestival and we’ve already got some amazing treats lined up to announce in the new year which, as ever, will feature the very best festi-holiday antics with a stellar music line-up curated by the one and only Rob da Bank, and for 2012 we'll also have our very own Silly Olympics!  A sports spectacular, the like of which has never been seen before in festival land, the Camp Bestival Silly Olympics will put you at the centre of the action in an array of the craziest games around.

With arts, entertainment and everything you can imagine in between and hundreds of free things for kids to do at our festi-holiday paradise make sure you grab yourself your Camp Bestival Early Bird tickets whilst you still can and wonder at the beauty of our exclusive Josie da Bank Christmas Card!

And don’t forget that Camping Plus, our unique initiative designed for all you campers that want to guarantee yourselves a nice bit of reserved camping space has just gone on sale. Plots are limited so book as soon as you can!

For lots more information on what’s in store for 2012 and all the up to the minute news please check:
www.campbestival.net
www.facebook.com/campbestival
www.twitter.com/campbestival
www.campbestiblog.net/

Ticket Info:
Ticketline: www.ticketline.co.uk/camp-bestival // 0844 888 4410
Adult Weekend Ticket (inc. camping from Thursday) - £180
Adult Weekend Ticket (inc. camping from Friday) - £170
Adult Tickets are for anyone aged 18 or over on 29/07/2012

Age 15 to 17 Weekend Ticket (inc. camping from Thursday) - £105
Age 15 to 17 Weekend Ticket (inc. camping from Friday) - £100
Age 15 to 17 Weekend Tickets are for anyone aged 15 to 17 on 26/07/2012. These ticket holders must be accompanied by a Ticket holding parent or guardian over the age of 30 *

Age 11 to 14 Weekend Ticket (inc. camping from Thursday) - £90
Age 11 to 14 Weekend Ticket (inc. camping from Friday) - £85
Age 11 to 14 Weekend Tickets are for anyone aged 11 to 14 on 26/07/2012. These ticket holders must be accompanied by a Ticket holding parent or guardian over the age of 30 *

*NB : All teens (aged 11 to 17) MUST camp in the same area as their families with a maximum of 2 teens per adult (over the age of 30)

Age 10 and Under Weekend Ticket (inc. camping) – FREE (but ticket still required)
Age 10 and Under Weekend Tickets are for anyone aged 10 and under on 26/07/2012. These ticket holders must be accompanied by a Ticket holding parent or guardian over the age of 21
Camping Plus - £100 per 5m X 7m plot
Advance Car Parking - £10 per car (or £15 cash on arrival)
Campervan Ticket - £80 per vehicle

Show and Tell by Never Enough Notes at London's Troubadour

Never Enough Notes' Show And Tell to curate show this Sunday 2nd December at London's Troubadour

Son Of Eagle, Felix Fables, Paper Aeroplanes and Pete Du Pon

Tickets £4 in advance: http://www.wegottickets.com/neverenoughnotes

E-zine Never Enough Notes is taking a journey into the real world with the introduction of another one of our live music nights to highlight the launch of our revamped Radar section, Show & Tell. The forward-thinking website will be showcasing the best and most interesting of the new music uncovered so far in the historic venue that is The Troubadour in Earls Court where many greats have played including Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix and Sammy Davis Jnr, making Show & Tell’s gig a perfect fit on the footstool to some amazing careers past, present and future.

At Sunday's event you can expect you a modern folk extravaganza with different takes on this revival genre that’s been re-energised by the likes of Mumford and Sons, Laura Marling and Stornaway. Catch Derby fivesome Son of Eagle as they perform tunes from their recently released debut album ‘From The Ground’ now available for purchase on iTunes.  Not forcing music upon themselves as a quintet with a purpose, Son Of Eagle are a collective in the truest sense. The band are signed to Expat Records and Bucks Music Group, the very same publisher that gave us The Rolling Stones and Simple Minds and continue to create beautiful yet very current folk. Featured already on BBC Introducing, we’re sure that great things are set for them in 2012.

We’ll also be welcoming the honey-sweet sounds of Paper Aeroplanes as they come back from their UK tour with tracks from their latest EP ‘A Comfortable Sleep’. With an already impressive following and support from many if you haven’t heard them yet, shame on you! Make sure you’re there!

Also bringing tracks from their self-released debut album ‘In This Town’ released only two weeks ago, are Guildford band Felix Fables whose ‘hard-hitting folk ‘n’ roll’ has been an evolution of their sound well worth the journey. And last but not least, joining NEN for the night is Gibson Guitar-sponsored artist Pete Du Pon, a formidable talent whose debut album ‘If We Only Had Time’ has already picked up accliam from many.

Acme Masterclass - Sound In Colour

Acme Masterclass - Sound In Colour in conjuction with Soundcity Liverpool

Brian Cannon and John Robb in Conversation

8th December 2011, 4-5.30pm, Leaf, Bold Street

The word iconic was invented for people like Brian Cannon. A graphic designer, art director, photographer, former manager of The Beta Band and music video director; Brian is the creative force behind some of the most famous British album covers in modern times. His design company Microdot is currently celebrating its 21st anniversary; a span of time that has seen him design for Ash, Suede, The Inspiral Carpets, Super Furry Animals and many more. However, it is his work with Oasis and The Verve that has perhaps most cemented his name in British design. A Storm In Heaven, A Northern Soul, Urban Hymns, (What’s The Story) Morning Glory? and of course Definitely Maybe are images that have adorned walls, album collections and ingrained themselves in a million minds. Brian will be interviewed by the one and only John Robb; journalist, author, artist, all round legend, and now head honcho of the rather brilliant music blog Louder Than War. For designers, visual artists, music buffs, photographers, video makers and everything in between! This event is free but registration is essential as places will be limited.

 

www.merseysideacme.com

Grand Central - EP 01 available soon

 

 

Grand Central is a band that emerged in early 2010 made up of some ex-members from french bands SMSCREW and Madame de Montespan, all with the same desire to play music in a hi-energy and powerful combination of hardcore, punk and wild Rock'n'Roll. On december 9th, the band will release its debut EP : "01", on Hellvice I Vicious Records (Aphrodite's Baby, Schwere Artillerie...).

 

Recorded @ "Le Studio", Limours (France) by Benjamin Feuillade & Valentin Payen and mastered @ West West Side Music Studio, NYC (USA) by Alan Douches (Converge, Kruger, Mastodon...), this debut EP is available right now for entire streaming on Bandcamp.

 

In other news, the official music video for the single "Hollow" is online on YouTube.

Next gig

 

December 17th @ Barfly, Camden (London, UK)

 

 

  Bandcamp | MySpace | Facebook  

Website / Facebook / Twitter

Jack and Max release debut E.P. Ampersand

Hot on the heels of their latest single release ‘Angels With Filthy Souls’, UK hip hop duo Jack & Max drop their eagerly anticipated, ravishingly dark debut EP ‘Ampersand’.
Born and raised in South London, the brothers both had relatively successful careers as solo artists whilst working with the likes of Krept & Konan (Play Dirty), XO Man, Jade Dragon (The Bang Bang / Bump) and Snakeyman (4321, Adulthood), before coming together under the moniker of ‘Tha Tag Team’ in 2008. With little to no promotion, their debut single 'Show Me Something' managed to receive air play on Choice FM, Kiss 100, 1Xtra, MTV Base & Channel AKA, demonstrating the immense talent these rappers / producers / songwriters possess.
Jack & Max have since released several solo mix-tapes & videos online, counting over 80,000 YouTube views in the process. The pair also recently filmed with Channel 4 as part of their Random Acts segment, showcasing 260 diverse, specially commissioned three-minute films chosen for their bold and original expressions of creativity.
Skip to winter 2011, and Jack & Max are in the process of stunning the industry with some of their most accomplished work to date. With the first single from the EP (‘Angels With Filthy Souls’) still ringing fresh in many-a-bloggers ears, the duo deliver another quality release, this time in the form of seven self-produced, hip hop-electronic-grime-soul fused tracks. With a variety of sounds, genres, techniques and subject matter at play, the Ampersand EP is more of an experience than a collection of music. Fans of original hip hop will appreciate the sample based musings of ‘Angels With Filthy Souls’ and ‘Tattoos and Tongue Rings’, whilst fans of electronic based music (notably grime heads) will find solace in the synth laden sounds of ‘Beg Friend’, ‘Don’t Worry About Me’ and ‘Spaced Out’ (which is produced by Ripper aka Jargon VA, who has previously lent his talents to collaborations with Tinie Tempah, Cherri V and Ice Kid). Jack & Max’s final outing on the EP, a simple yet effective track which samples a vocal line from Frank Ocean, offers something completely different for listeners, rounding off the EP in superb fashion and completing the audio journey which Ampersand represents.
The Ampersand EP is available as a free download now via Splash World Music Group (a business enterprise which collectively manages a weekly radio show, promotes & hosts events and brings together a roster of artists from different backgrounds, for those that don't know).

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE EP

CLICK TO STREAM THE EP ON SOUNDCLOUD // MYSPACE


For more information on Jack & Max visit:
http://www.jackandmax.co.uk
http://www.twitter.com/JackAndMax 

http://www.facebook.com/JackAndMaxMusic
http://www.youtube.com/JackAndMaxTV

 http://www.myspace.com/JackAndMax
http://www.soundcloud.com/JackAndMax

 http://www.JackAndMax.bandcamp.com

Loven releases video Breath

Loven releases video for single Breath

Loven isn’t your average run-of-the-mill MC. A lyricist skilled in storytelling to the beat by merging metaphors and melodies, Loven has spent the last year fine-tuning his production skills to bring to you an eclectic mash-up of razor-sharp rhymes over electronic, grime and dirty dubstep beats that promise to leave your speakers blown in 2011.
‘Breathe’, the first track off Loven’s forthcoming album, fuses bass-heavy dubstep with an Asian sound to give an electrifying fusion which is being described as ‘absolutely sick’ by Bobby Friction (BBC Introducing), whilst sitting at Number 1 on the BBC Bobby Friction Show chart for 3 weeks and garnering incredible mainstream support with airplay on BBC Radio 1.
The track itself tells the familiar tale of confinement and not being able to ‘breathe’, something everyone can relate to on some level. In Loven’s case, it tells of the struggle of underground artists to crossover to the mainstream – “underground can’t drown me now so let me out I’ll breathe myself”. As a production collaboration with esteemed music producer Charles Bosco, the single has already picked up plaudits from a host of tastemakers, namely for its unique fusion of Tamil cultural melancholy and heavy dubstep production.
Loven may seem to have exploded onto the music scene in 2011, but he is by no means a stranger to the music scene. Spitting rhymes over grime beats since the age of 15, he soon picked up a residency at Strawberry Moons in London’s Piccadilly Circus. He became a regular on the London club scene, showcasing his skills at venues such as Equinox, Sound Republic, Eros, Ministry of Sound and Hippodrome, where he soon caught the attention of those in the industry. He then went on to perform at some of London’s most exclusive venues, wowing the crowds at the Regent Street Festival, taking the main stage at the London Mela and swaying a 20,000 strong crowd with his lyrical prowess at the Etnosur Festival 2006 in Malaga, Spain. ‘Teardrops’, a track written by Loven about the suffering of orphans in the aftermath of the 2004 boxing day Tsunami, became an instant hit with people on both sides of the Atlantic and won a whole host of accolades including Veena V’s Top Dog (Club Asia) and Mentor My Demo (BBC Asian Network). Since then, Loven has taken some time out to develop himself as an artist and to learn how to produce and his sound has evolved from 2-step and grime to sublow, dubstep and electronic.
‘Breathe’ is the beginning of a new era for Loven, and comes at a time where underground producers are bringing urban, electro and bassline music to the mainstream. Producing such infectious beats and writing his own tracks, there’s no denying that Loven - in a sea of manufactured bands and auto-tuned popstrels - is definitely one to be watched. Keep your eyes peeled; it’s time for him to Breathe…

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE ‘BREATHE’ VIDEO

For more information check out:
https://twitter.com/lovenmusic
 https://www.facebook.com/likeloven
http://www.youtube.com/user/Lovenmusic

Interview with the Liverpool band Space

Iinterview with the Liverpool band membTommy Scott and Allan Jones

Space are back! With a reunion gig in Liverpool's O2 Academy in Liverpool in December, a new album in 2012 and a possible world tour, the band are very busy at the moment. Luckily for us Tommy Scott and new drummer Allan Jones took time out of their schedule to give us a few answers to our questions.

How does it feel, after all this time, to be back together as a band. How does the recording feel and the reunion as a whole?
Tommy: It feels dead good to all be back together again doing solo things for so long.
We’d lost touch with each other but starting talking again after Andy’s funeral.
The band is the exact same line up apart from Andy and a sax player Andy’s replacement AlLan would make Andy proud. He’s fitted in really well.

Was it an easy decision to reform?
Tommy:It wasn’t an easy decision to reform and took years for me to decide. It’s been hard for us all to do solo stuff, even Ian McUlloch found it difficult. I also felt guilty about performing Space songs in my solo sets and it didn’t feel right to be performing them without the rest of the guys. The new solo songs went down amazing at Chester Rocks and Mathew Street lapped up both new and old Space songs even enduring the rain to have a dance.

3.The new album, do you have any idea on the name as yet?
Tommy:New album’s called, “Attack of the Mutant 50ft Kebab”.We’re still singing about serial
killers, somethings will never change
Allan: I’m so excited about it all, I was never a big Space fan growing up so had to learn
everything from scratch but I’m really excited now for the coming things, especially the
new stuff.
Tommy: There will No backing tracks either, one thing I insisted on was everything was played by us. Obviously my solo material bleeds through at times but the rockabilly songs have a "Spacey" sound to them as Fran has put bleepy noises over it to give it a 50’space sound.


What was the response to you gig at this years Chester Rocks?
Tommy: The resonse was immense. A lot of good feedback from it and people really enjoyed my solo material and throwing a few Space songs in, although I felt guilty about it, felt right.

Will the gig at the O2 in December feature any of the new material?
Tommy: It will be an even balance I think. Something for everyone. I don't really like nostalgia but I think that any reunion has am aspect of that so we hope to please everyone, old and new alike.

What are you looking forward to most at the Liverpool reunion gig?
Tommy: We are looking forward to the O2 gig, it will have a balanced mix of old and new stuff but the new songs are good enough to get the people going. Hates nostalgia so doesn’t want it
from the O2 gig. That might change though as I know the fans will be nostalgic about it. There will No backing tracks either, one thing I insisted on was everything was played by us.

So how are you dealing with the media attention again and what are your plans for the near future?
Tommy: We are hoping for a full UK tour next year as long as we don’t fall out this time.(laughs) We’re all still in the honeymoon period again then in 2013 there will be a global tour including Thailand but for 2012 we’re concentrating on the UK.

The Wicked Whispers recruit Captain Beefhearts ‘Magic Band’ Liverpool 3 Dec

The Wicked Whispers recruit Captain Beefhearts Magic Band for the Butterfly ball Liverpool

The Butterfly’s Ball and the Grasshoppers Feast!

Saturday 3 December 2011

Liverpool The Kazimier

Tickets are £17.50 plus booking fee www.ticketline.com and www.probe-re

Liverpool’s ‘The Wicked Whispers’ have pulled a lot of the bag inside their first year. Besides doing 2 UK tours, releasing their debut EP on limited 10” vinyl (now goldust!), playing a series of festivals and building a loyal following leading up to their Liverpool and London EP launch shows this summer the bandalso put on their own club night last November called ‘The Butterfly’s Ball and the Grasshopper’s Feast’ at the Static Gallery in their hometown of Liverpool.

The night was their first official show and drew a large amount of attention. ‘The Crazy World of Arthur Brown’ was the special guest alongside The Wicked Whispers. A hand picked selection of local talent in the from of El Toro and Eve Petersen (Ex - The Little Flames) kicked off the evening. Will Sergeant (Echo and The Bunnymen) was on DJ duties whilst visual delights were provided by Howard Be Thy Name (artist, performer and projectionist). The evening was compared by BBC introducing’s Dave Monks topping off a sell out success and offering something a little different to Liverpool’s gig goers.

Almost 12 months on, the band are planning another event and have put together something really special indeed in recruiting Captain Beefheart’s ‘TheMagic Band’ following the death of the good Captain (Don Van Vliet) last year.

‘He’s always been a huge inspiration to me and to Liverpool’ Michael Murphy explains. ‘We were all saddened by his death last year. I couldn’t think of a better special guest than The Magic Band for this years show, so we went and got them.’

This years line-up includes:

THE MAGIC BAND

THE WICKED WHISPERS

THE LUCID DREAM

VISUAL LIGHTSHOW : TOWYN ROBERTS (THE GRATEFUL DEAD/SHACK/THE CORAL)

DJ : PYSCHEDELIC SOUNDS FROM EDGAR ‘SUMMERTYME’ JONES (THE STAIRS/THE JONES’S/FREE PEACE

COMPARE : DAVE MONKS (BBC INTRODUCING)

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Butterflys-Ball-and-The-Grasshoppers-Feast/118840408205907

www.electonerecords.co.uk

www.thewickedwhispers.co.uk

Northern Soul night coming to Erics Liverpool

Big City Soul starts on Friday 9th December 2011 from 8 til 2 @ Eric's

£5 on door  will become a monthly event in 2012

Liverpool has a deep affiliation with soul music and the team at the newly refurbished Eric’s, on Matthew Street, have recognised this and got together with promoters “Soul’d Out”, to bring a new night to the City Centre – “Big City Soul”.

The Soul’d Out crew run a successful Soul night in Ormskirk, playing a blend of up-tempo Tamla Motown, Club/60’s and Classic Northern Soul, attracting soul fans from across the region and from as far as Halifax and Hull. The idea to bring this to the City Centre came after a chance encounter between Eric’s music director, Ethan Allen and Soul’d Out promoter and DJ, Sarge.

Sarge – “it all came about after I saw a post on a social media site that Ethan wanted to talk Northern Soul with someone.  I’ve known Ethan for years and had his number in my phone so I text him to see what he wanted to talk about and ended up meeting with him in April this year to bat a few ideas about.  Things went quiet for a while as the Eric’s team where getting the club refurbished and ready for launch; then we caught up again and started planning again in September.”

“Ethan and I talked in great lengths about the idea of a soul night in the city centre and we both felt that the time was right to launch a night of this type, as soul music is ubiquitous with the city, with the famous Mersey Beat sound having its roots firmly planted in the early R&B and Tamla Motown scenes.”

“We want to create a something special with these nights and are looking to attract a wide ranging crowd, as the music is as far reaching as the genres it encompasses and appeals to many age and social groups, all bound together by the feeling that soul music brings.”

For the opening night on 9th December “Big City Soul” are honoured to have a very special guest DJ to grace the decks; Soul Maestro – Brian Rae. Brian has been a leading name on the Northern Soul scene from the very beginning and is a true original and innovator.  He began DJ’ing in the 1960’s on the early mod scene and grew into Northern Soul as the scene developed, with residencies at legendary venues such as The Twisted Wheel and Wigan Casino.

Brian has dedicated his life to soul music and with his knowledge and persistence, over the years, has built up a record collection that can only be called World Class, with many rarities and well sought after tracks from soul legends such as Ramsey Lewis, Junior Walker, The Vibrations, Major Lance, Jimmy Cliff and many many more.

Big City Soul are delighted to announce a DJ of such esteem for the opening night and hope that you’ll join us at the beginning of what we feel will be something very special in Liverpool City Centre.

Debut single Brother by Kites released on 28th November

The London based indie-electro foursome, Kites, are self releasing their debut single Brother next Monday (28^th November) and it will be available to download on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, Napster, Rhapsody and all major online digital music outlets and mobile networks.

The band have garnered a strong fan base and have received a lot of press support already this year. They have been tipped as ones to watch by the Sunday Mirror and have also been compared to Patrick Wolf and Depeche Mode.

The official music video for their new single Brother is now available for everyone to see on YouTube here: http://youtu.be/uj_8SX_9Zxk

The video is directed by George Harvey (who is the main film producer at I-D magazine).

The B-side to the single Art Tastes Better Blind is much more upbeat and has been described as “decadent disco”. Listen here: http://snd.sc/r32W99

A-Side ‘Brother’ - http://snd.sc/r32W99

Video - http://youtu.be/uj_8SX_9Zxk

B-Side ‘Art Tastes Better Blind ’- http://snd.sc/n2vJ7I

Camden Crawl Christmas Party 2012

Camden Crawl Christmas Party 2012 at Variety London

4TH – 6TH MAY BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND
MUSIC * FILM * COMEDY * VISUAL ARTS * INTERACTIVE
3 DAYS * 50 VENUES * 1 TICKET * CAMDEN TOWN

www.thecamdencrawl.com
@thecamdencrawl / #camdencrawl / #variety / facebook.com/thecamdencrawl

CAMDEN CRAWL CHRISTMAS PARTY &
FINAL FREE ENTRY 'VARIETY' GIG OF 2011

The 4th and final 2011 edition of Camden Crawl’s VARIETY series doubles as the Camden Crawl CHRISTMAS PARTY! Back for a bumper edition, be prepared to have the night of your life on Wednesday 7th December. With the first three events showing North London that the Crawl team know how to show us a good time, the Christmas edition will not disappoint.

Hats off to the ever brilliant Sniff The Glove DJS for creating mayhem with their ultimate classic rock dance fillers following an entertainingly ghoulish night of live music from the brilliant Fearless Vampire Killers and Acoda, comedy from genius prankster Ross Lee and an absurd pop quiz from Pet Supplies.

For the festive celebrations, our quiz partners in crime, the legendary Moshi Moshi Pop Quiz, open the night with preposterous journey of questions and tomfoolery immediately followed by the comedic talent of Tiernan Douieb & and supreme surrealist Dan Antopolski. Reading’s Engine Earz Experiment bring their amazing live show to the stage for a very special performance before the evening with wound up Camden Crawl veteran DJs Rattus Rattus & Klose One of Urban Nerds.

Location:   
VARIETY at The Star Of Kings
126 York Way, London N1
www.facebook.com/thecamdencrawl
www.starofkings.co.uk / www.facebook.com/starofkings

Date:       
Wednesday 7th December 2011

Entry:       
FREE ENTRY  
6:00pm / 12:00am curfew.  Happy Hour drink specials and table service 6-8pm during the quiz & comedy

Line up:   
MOSHI MOSHI POP QUIZ –  Independent label favourites Moshi Moshi Records return to host a special edition of their legendary pop quiz. Gape with awe at the odd bearded and incoherent compere and grimace at the shockingly stale prizes. www.moshimoshi.co.uk

TIERNAN DOUIEB – Back at Variety after a spectacular night compering at our launch event, Tiernan is described as a “professional comedian, qualified small person, honorary beard wearer, beverage heretic and action calligrapher!” Douieb’s friendly manner and fast paced gags have made him a highly sought after compere and act on the circuit.  www.tiernandouieb.co.uk

DAN ANTOPOLSKI - Dan Antopolski's surreal won him the BBC New Comedy Award in 1998 as well as Perrier Award nomination in 2001. Dan has performed at the usual comedy clubs as well as international comedy festivals, with appearances at Montreal, Melbourne and New York. As an actor, Dan has starred in the BBC Two sci-fi spoof Hyperdrive as technical officer Jeffers and appeared in the Da Vinci Code movie as Jesus www.danantopolski.com

ENGINE EARZ EXPERIMENT - Best described as 'Massive Attack for the dubstep generation;' Engine Earz Experiment are winning an assorted army of fans from Rusko and Nitin Sawhney right through to Adam F and Liam Howlett. Prash's varied musical passions; smashing what he sees as 'glass divides between genres and ideologies'; fusing indigenous music from around the world with dubstep and elements of drum'n'bass, electronica and alternative rock. Prepare to be blown away. www.engine-earz.com

URBAN NERDS DJS – Known for hosting the best warehouse raves, house parties and underground nights, heavy London party starters Urban Nerds will be in charge of the decks for the night, spinning the best in dubstep, grime, electro, hip-hop, drum & bass, reggae and beyond. www.urban-nerds.com

The 2012 Camden Crawl takes place 4th – 6th May 2012 and its programme will feature more than 250 of next year’s brightest music talents from the UK and abroad across Camden Town’s two mile stretch of historic pubs and venues. The event kicks off with an opening night party featuring 6 live acts and a special edition of Club NME on Friday 4th May from 5pm at KOKO and full programme runs from midday on Saturday 5th May until the early hours of the following bank holiday Monday. In addition to the Crawl’s renowned live music schedule in the evening, its extensive daytime arts festival showcases cutting-edge independent talent across a variety of disciplines.

Line ups are announced from January 2012 and, as always, venue schedules and surprise guest appearances remain under raps until the event.

CAMDEN CRAWL 2012 PRACTICAL INFORMATION

DATES:         Opening Night Party at KOKO: Friday 4th May 2012 5pm – 4am
Camden Crawl Weekend: Saturday 5th & Sunday 6th May 2012 (May Bank Holiday Weekend) 12pm – 4am both days

TICKETS:     Early Bird Weekend Tickets £57.50 (£10 off standard ticket for limited period)
Early Bird Weekend Tickets + Opening Night Party £62.50
Opening Night Tickets @ KOKO £20.00
** TICKETS ON SALE NOW **

Tickets available from the following outlets: 24 Hr CC Hotline 0871 2200 260 / See Tickets 020 7403 3331 OR buy online: www.thecamdencrawl.com

Tickets are to be exchanged for wristbands which allow unlimited entry to each of the participating venues as individual capacities permit. Ticket price includes lanyard programme guide, festival magazine and 2012 compilation album

Fakata releases new video Reppin

Birmingham based recording artist Fakta releases his brand new promotional video titled 'Reppin

Renowned for his clinical lyrical ability and unique style from an early age, Fakta has spent many years honing his abilities within the UK underground, with key releases including 'Lokd Behind Bars' and the critically acclaimed 'I Need Management 2' mixtape. These notable releases received support from the likes of BBC 1xtra, UK Overstood, Channel AKA and Media Massacre, a trend which looks set to continue with Fakta's forthcoming releases. Additionally, the Midlands MC has performed extensively both in the UK and abroad, where he performed at Short Circuit (the largest beach party in Jamaica), and has also supported international superstars Vybez Kartel, Bobby Valentino and Rick Ross.

 

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO

Announcing Sound City in New York

Sound City announce new festival in New York

 Sound City go global in 2012, raising the bar for urban, multi-venue festivals and music conventions.   

Continuing their mission to globalise discourse about the entertainment industry and identify opportunities for international partnerships, Sound City announce their inaugural New York show.  Having already paved the way for global collaborations through boutique events in Dubai, Texas, Norway and their home base of Liverpool, New York is the next step in a series of exciting new initiatives to be announced by Sound City in 2012.

New York and Liverpool share a historic cultural identity and have given birth to some of the most exciting musical sounds in history.  As part of this cross cultural exercise Liverpool will be presenting some of their most innovative acts of the past 25 years and up and coming acts that are the future of this cities proud musical heritage.  New York will be presenting the best emerging artists the city has to offer.

- Inaugural Sound City announced for March 2012

The inaugural New York Sound City (NYSC) will take place on Monday 12th March 2012 as a one day and night music event and will feature key public and media partners from both the UK and the US.

By day there will be sessions from the very best transatlantic innovators, forward thinkers and new creative’s, with the primary aim being to build working and creative relationships between the music communities in both these great port cities - as well as inspiring and educating in equal measure.

The daytime sessions will feature one-to-one networking opportunities, roundtable sessions and high-quality keynote addresses.

And by night, after a VIP reception for business and media, Sound City will present ‘Six of the Best’: featuring three of the best emerging acts coming out of the UK together with three of their NYC contemporaries.  This will be open to the general public as well as NYSC delegates and will feature The La’s playing their first NYC gig in over 20 years, with full line-up TBC.

Access to the conference, networking events, lunch, cocktail parties and the live show at night will cost £75 ($120). Tickets for the live show that evening will be priced at $30.

Places are strictly limited on a first come, first served basis and capped at 100 delegates.

So to book, please go to www.newyorksoundcity.com

Sound City Liverpool runs 17th – 19th May 2012
www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk

The Christians at Eric’s Liverpool

The Christians to play Eics in Liverpool

Saturday November 26

Tickets £14.50 adv www.ticketweb.co.uk / Box office 0151 236 9994

As the prime movers in the soul scene that emerged out of Merseyside at the end of the 1980s, The Christians were originally formed by three brothers; Garry, Russell and Roger Christian. The band was simply their surname with no religious connection. Along with other iconic bands, they brought a slicker, more sophisticated soul sound to the charts at the end of that heady decade.

Renowned for an a capella sound they were to become the UK’s most popular soul act. The band’s frontman and lead singer Garry Christian became the group’s unique selling point with his distinctive look and velvet-smooth soulful tones.

Now Garry Christian is back on the road, still sporting the Ray-Bans, the incredibly rich voice and the string of songs that magically made a million couples fall in love.

They play Eric’s on Mathew Street on November 26. “Being from Liverpool it never stops being a total pleasure to play in front of a home crowd,” Garry explains. “This band set up is tighter than ever and we’ve added a twist to some of the old songs.

Expect the hits including: Harvest For The World, Words, Hooverville, Forgotten Town and, of course, the massive Ideal World. 

Their set list also includes the recent single Where do the Children Play with the best endorsement ever by Cat Stevens (Yusuf) saying it was ‘better than his own version’.

http://www.thechristianslive.co.uk/

Liverpool Pride announces 2012 festival date and fundraising campaign

Liverpool Pride announces 2012 festival

LIVERPOOL PRIDE RETURNS FOR 2012

FESTIVAL’S FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN BEGINS IN EARNEST EARLIER THAN EVER BEFORE

Liverpool Pride is to return on Saturday 4 August 2012.

Organisers have announced that the main festival site will remain at the Pier Head. However, a presence will definitely be maintained in the Gay Quarter thanks to a close working partnership between Liverpool Pride and the Liverpool Gay Business Association, the collective that organised Stanley Street Pride in 2011.

Liverpool Pride is one of the biggest FREE LGBT Pride festivals in the country, with over 40,000 people attending the event in 2011, double the 2010 figure of 20,000. A study completed by Liverpool Pride showed that 2011’s festival generated a total spend of over £2.6 million* for the local economy as people spent money on hotels, travel, clothes, food and drink. The study also showed that a large number of Pride Goers booked their trips to Liverpool Pride more than two months in advance.

Faced with Liverpool City Council’s proposal to cut all funding to festivals, organisers have taken the decision to start fundraising for the festival much earlier than ever before and have devised an all year round fundraising campaign will begin from 2012 onwards.  The Liverpool Pride Board of Trustees is adamant that it will continue its core work of combating homophobia and transphobia in the city, whilst maintaining a free festival to ensure that everyone feels welcome. 

The fundraising campaign will launch with the Camp as Christmas event, produced by Hope Street based Orb Events who have previously worked with Liverpool Pride on their 2010 & 2011 festivals. The event, which promises to be Liverpool’s ultimate LGBT Christmas night out,  will take place at newly opened venue The Dome, Renshaw Street, on Saturday 17 December, starring X-Factor duo Diva Fever, actor, writer and comedian Rikki Beadle Blair and a whole host of local talent including Caz & Brit, Barbieshop, Emma Dears and Liverpool’s finest drag queens. 

There are also Liverpool Pride runners in the city’s Santa Dash and a series of smaller fundraising events, to be held throughout 2012. Liverpool Pride will also bid for funds through applications to trusts and large public sector organisations as well as through corporate sponsorship from the private sector on both a local and national level.

To date, Liverpool Pride has already received funding from Merseyside Police Authority for its 2012 soccer project and from the Big Lottery Fund. The money from which has been used to recruit a Volunteer Manager as well as funding the Liverpool Pride 365 Cultural Visions project, which will work with LGBT people to produce art, photography and theatre, celebrating gay culture in Liverpool.

As part of the Liverpool Pride 2012 fundraising campaign, the organisation is also asking local businesses and individuals to run fundraising events such as bring and buy sales, cake bake offs and sponsored drag days, walks, runs and any other ways in which they would like to raise money. Businesses and individuals who are interested in supporting Liverpool Pride 2012 in any way are invited to contact James Davies, Liverpool Pride Trustee on 0151 709 5069 or james.davies@liverpoolpride.co.uk.

More information on the Camp as Christmas event can be found at www.thedomegrandcentral.com.

James Davies of Liverpool Pride said: We’re delighted to be able to announce Liverpool Pride 2012 and can’t wait to start on the road to creating something that is truly special once more. Although we face some funding cuts due to wider cuts in public spending, we’re determined to make Liverpool Pride 2012 even bigger and better than ever before and can only do that with the help of Liverpool, as a council, as a community and as a business collective. We’re grateful to the City Council and to the likes of the European Regional Development Fund as well as our sponsors for all of their support thus far and hope that, despite budget cuts, we can continue to work with them in the coming years.

We believe that this festival is one hundred percent worthwhile and that it is truly helpful for raising awareness of LGBT issues, specifically reducing homophobia in the city in addition to being good value for money for funders as the festival brings a relatively large amount of money into the city’s economy over the course of the Pride weekend.

We made the festival into a massive success in 2011 even though we faced a 60% cut in our funding from the City Council and we’re determined to do it again even if further cuts should occur. We will continue the work of Liverpool Pride and have set out on a mammoth fundraising campaign to ensure that the 2012 festival is free, safe and enjoyable for everyone and we would ask you to support the forthcoming fundraising events such as the wonderful Camp as Christmas show produced by Orb Events as well as getting involved on an individual and a corporate level to join with us and ensure that Liverpool Pride 2012 is an event that is worthy of Liverpool’s gay community.”

Spectacular Polar comes to Birmingham Symphony Hall

Spectacular Movie Polar comes to Birmingham Symphony Hall

Birmingham set for big freeze this December as snow-tastic classical spectacular drifts into city.

World Class Service Ltd and Town Hall & Symphony Hall Birmingham are delighted to announce two special performances of the super-cool classical spectacular Polar, at Birmingham Symphony Hall at 2.30pm and 7.30pm on Wed 21 December.

A stunning portrait of the world’s frozen kingdoms, Polar combines stunning HD footage from the world’s best natural history film makers with a unique live score arranged by renowned conducer and orchestrator John Harle, which will be performed by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.

This truly mesmerising concert experience takes the audience on a magical journey to the Arctic and Antarctic regions of our planet,  featuring previously unseen footage, shown on an immense 32 feet wide, HD screen raised above the orchestra and a score specially arranged and conducted by John Harle. The music includes original work from Harle as well as special arrangements of some of the most well known pieces of the world’s most famous composers including Mozart, Stravinsky, Rautavaara, Purcell, Tchaikovsky and Sibelius.

Conductor John Harle said: "Words like epic, poetic and dramatic spring to mind when imagining the vastness of the Polar Regions. In this journey through the landscapes and animal life of Arctica and Antarctica we've married music of equal scale and descriptive power to these great wonders of our world. With the lyrical music of Mozart and Tchaikovsky marrying rhythm, melody and harmony to unforgettable and never-before-seen footage of polar bears, penguins, beluga whales, and Sibelius's symphonic power matching the colossal scale of these icy, remote landscapes. Polar is an ode to these mysterious and monumental regions of the world that will move you with its stunning imagery and music".

Those fortunate enough to catch Polar will watch the mighty polar bears, the haunting beluga and beautiful humpback whales, see the white blizzards, dazzling blue oceans and vast wilderness of the poles come alive on the huge screen raised above the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.

Andrew Glester, Producer and Director of Polar said: ‘’Polar is the perfect pre-Christmas treat that the whole family can come along and enjoy. The films used in Polar capture the dazzling beauty of these remote and fragile places and you can’t fail to be mesmerised as you take in this epic experience. We’re delighted to be working with John Harle and the mighty City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra to bring you this wonderful production, which is already attracting international interest.”

Film Maker Doug Allan said: “The audience will be excited, touched and inspired by the images on a big screen, and the music with no commentary will reach into their emotions at a personal level, leaving them with a heightened awareness of the beauty yet fragility of the Polar Regions. I’d like to think that the connection that we all have to the natural world – the one which however is so easily subsumed in our “normal” lives - will be reaffirmed and reawakened. Let’s all touch the planet more sensitively and responsibly”.

Take a look at some of Doug Allan’s enchanting Polar footage set to the beautiful music of Sibelius by clicking http://bit.ly/oEC980

This ultimate winter time family treat is the perfect event with which to start your festive celebrations this December. Celebrating and inspiring a love for these increasingly fragile and stunning places.

PERFORMANCE DETAILS

Polar

Symphony Hall, Birmingham

Date: Wed 21 December

Times: 2.30pm & 7.30pm

Tickets: Matinee £9.50-£32.50 and Evening £12.50 - £39.50

How to book: In person at Symphony Hall Box Office, Broad Street, Birmingham, B1 2EA, alternatively, call 0121 780 3333 or click www.thsh.co.uk