Hazy blue lights, Make A Difference and a chilled disposition, it’s the return of Serve Chilled, though this time under the moniker of Grid City Events. The outlay is pretty similar though, a bunch of local acoustic acts ranging from people playing their first gigs down to the more cemented names like Chris Dobbs, Daniela Bove and Final Clearance. Along with the night for a spot of creativity are the Trashion crew too, a bunch of Hendrix/Cobain shirts go down just as nicely.
Nov.07.09
“PULP” is currently one of those words that’s cropping up in the local scene, but it isn’t a band or a venue, but a venture into the world of clothing with some local muso people at the helm along with the store pretty much just opening opposite HMV. The launch night is over at the Sno! Bar, a venue we haven’t covered in too long a space of time, so this joint gig from the Beatdown and Pulp guys was a good chance to dive back into the place.
Aug.08.09
It feels a bit weird now as I’ve realised that a year of AMPjam really has come full-circle, Live!zone was one of the first “proper” articles I covered and I find myself back at the event once more. Last year cut it close, but this time I was ready for a long day with an actual battery pack and plenty of money for some mochas or any other source of the caffiene I needed. When I finally get myself sorted and waiting for the day to start, there’s not much to do but have a laugh at Oz and the crew going through soundcheck like a band about to play at Wembley, good times.
Jul.25.09
The local festival season is most of the way through now, next stop Station Square for another round of Musik 4U with the Make a Difference crew. Usually I like to chill around a bit, but today’s start was different with me meeting a hazy Craig Hudson in Bletchely as the band gathered to get our “convoy” of cars, music gear and amicable musicians on the road to the festival. Pulling up, I see some familiar faces with our Alice and also Nick, a friend I haven’t seen in a good long while. A clear sky, friendly crew and a café around the corner? This might sound too good to be true…
Jul.18.09
I was quite priveleged at Parklife this year, I wasn’t just doing photos and writing but was also invited by Ryan Pink to be a member of the festival team, mainly doing work relating to the website though being quite overwhelmed by how many people and how much work was involved in getting it together. I was also worried on the night before too, the rain hammered it down like no tomorrow, but it left us with some amazing sunshine for the festival, which already has some people sat down waiting for some bands, luckily for them it’s not exactly a long wait for most of them…
Jul.05.09
I find it amazing how history can repeat itself, just like last year Saturday was a good one for the weather, then just like last year, the clouds look a bit menacing for the Sunday. Weather aside, today is looking as equally busy as the Saturday was and the bands are looking like another good mix of rock, metal, experimental and soul acts. Yesterday was a bit of a blast, so it’s time to see if today can follow suit despite the dreary weather and a bit of a hangover from last night’s barbecue…
Jul.04.09
That weather is continuing nicely, and when there’s hot weather there’s usually music too. In this case we’re back around to MK4U down in Campbell Park. This year seems a lot more on the ball already with a cosy tea-tent, a film tent, a massive piece of art and not forgetting the main stage and all the other things going on from inflatables to “Tricking” (said displays were amazing, more on that later), so here’s a dive into MK4U ’09…
Jun.27.09
So, where was I? Oh yes, the Chill Out Marquee, a place where kids run around, people jam around and the odd demonstration sets up. Most importantly, it’s the place where most of us will end up after the festival has finished as we drag along our instruments and play into the night as we enjoy the last hours of the festival spirit. But for now, the area is going to be a bit of a performance space for local beat-boxer Grant Reeves, aka, “The Big G”…
Jun.27.09
As far as camping goes, it’s been the best night’s sleep I’ve ever had in a tent and was thankful for a bit of a lie-in before the gates open, though the lack of a hangover and a few cans being left untouched suggested I could have been a bit merrier last night. Still, the sun is out with a complete vengeance as it blazes down on the camp and the festival site at Bradwell Abbey, but I decide to risk the UV rays for a bacon buttie and make my way to the gates once more to see the festival out.
Jun.26.09
Togfest Time! I’m going to straight-out admit it right now, Togfest was one of my absolute highlights last year, good bands, good weather, good camping, good post-festival jam. It’s a bit different this year though, on one hand you have the expectations of last year, and the lineup only features a couple of local bands which isn’t a bad thing in itself, with acts appearing from Leeds, Kent and neighbouring Northampton, giving us a glimpse outside the local scene. Before long the tent is pitched, camera ready and gates open for us to check what Togfest 2009 has to offer.
