market – and so she thinks

Visions Festival

admin — Wed, 17 Sep 2014 15:05:01 +0000

In the year when the successful Camden Crawl folded, the outlook for Visions was mixed. Was the RIP of CC a sign that we are over wristband festivals, or was it just that new blood is needed. After a successful debut last year, the Hackney one-dayer, with 28 bands playing across four venues, complete with a Record Fair, Comic Book convention, Tattoo art exhibition and Netil Food truck market, wasn’t so grand in scale, but succeeded in inspiration, intimacy and diversity.

In the craft beer hub Brewhouse sophisticated electropop from New Zealand quartet Yumi Zouma has elements of rolling melodies, whilst jangle pop was there in all glory at arts studio Oval Space, with guaranteed good time Veronica Falls and Mollie Rankin’s from Toronto’s Alvvays connective clamour.

Eleanor Friedberger persevered through a chatty crowd in the New Empowering Church, and playing with warm heart and soul endeared the crowd, as the delicate vocals of Swedish sweetheart Alice Boman had earlier.

The Laundry is certainly the heavy house, with the Cheetahs early set leaning to loud grunge rather than melodic shoegaze. It gets heavier for Leeds’ Eagulls, and shocktastic for Perfume Pussy. Andrew WK’s audience are there to party hard. Violent dancing, destroyed amplifiers, stage invasions and crowdsurfing, only ending as W.K’s microphone and piano were unplugged. Crazed carnage.

As frustrating as it us, when nearly all day major band clashes are on, it’s a sign of a stellar line-up is a good one. Whilst Perfume Genius played what I heard to be a deep, atmospheric and beautiful set Policia were haunting and slick as usual, there was the feeling that they may have been a bit weary after their string of festival performances.

Visions – I see a good future ahead.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgeLb4QAC6M

It's All Happening festival – the video is here!

admin — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 19:37:40 +0000

Here it is. Evidence that not only did the It’s All Happening festival did, er, happen, but that it was a damn good day to boot. Check out performances from Alessi’s Ark, Soulmates Never Die, The Ruby Kid, Silent Devices, and Fallingham Fair, and many others, marvel at the ambient surroundings of The Gallery Cafe, appreciate the delightful adornments and decoration, courtesy of Bronwyn Opland and the girls.
Again we would like to thank all the artists, be you of the music, art, spoken word, poetry or craft type, for your time, talent, and entertainment, The Gallery Cafe and St Margaret’s Settlement – good space and great staff, Rob Taylor & Aidan for making sound happen, Bronwyn & the girls for beautifying things, Lara for preserving the memories, The To Do List and everyone who helped spread the word, and all those who came down to enjoy the day.
Of course, the beauty of the visual art form is that you don’t have to read lengthy written musings – you can let the images do the talking. Here you are then:
[vimeo 45900953 w=500 h=281]

It's All Happening! festival – Alessi's Ark!

admin — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 21:19:11 +0000

The very first It’s All Happening festival! A day of folk music, acoustic indie, original art, craft, spoken word, performance poetry and film – in short our favourite things. Taking place at the Gallery Cafe in Bethnal Green, on June 23rd, from 1pm til late, tickets are available now!
We’re thrilled that the lovely Alessi’s Ark will be headlining – the first of a run of festival performances for the charming folk singer.
Alongside the mix of solo artists strumming in the garden, bands captivating the cafe throughout the day and evening, and entertaining and enrapturing spoken word in the chapel, will be a craft market, delicious array of food and drink, a photography and art exhibition, and tunes to get you in the mood to dance til dawn. (Although not with It’s All Happening necessarily – cafe curfew!).
Anja McCloskey, Soulmates Never Die, Fallingham Fair and The Cooling Pearls will all be playing, alongside The Ruby Kid and Joshua Seigal, and acoustic artists Thom Byles and Larissa.
For any more information, please get in touch.