The Fly Wessex

2007-12-16T09:21:00.002+01:00

The regional content for THE FLY music mag has moved here: http://ourtribe.mobi/default.aspx?uid=1&pid=8&sid=11558&m=Site&

If you want to contact me regarding any of the material on this site, please do so at pourluh@googlemail.com

Myspace, innit

2005-10-24T23:56:00.000+01:00

My apologies to a) the author of this once-upon-a-time article and b) the reader who may well have stumbled here by searching for info on the phenomena we know as My Space.

It was a very well-written and well-balanced article which contained many reasons why a band should, at the very least, use My Space to compliment their existing website.

However...

Since being taken over by the same cunts who run everything else that was once good in this country, My Space, even as a concept, sucks cock.

A&R men and women, up and down the country, are laughing at your band - and that is best case scenario, since most of them aren't listening to you at all due to having one of THE MOST ARSE streaming setups of any online, music-playing website.

Keep it simple; keep your music on your own website. If you feel you need to branch out, go to google video or whoever the fuck just bought YouTube. Whatever, keep looking for the next techie breakthrough, keep searching and don't ever, NOT EVEN ONE TIME, think that whoring yourself to the online community isn't worth it. It is very worth it, but picking the right places to put the majority of your work is an art in its own right.

Bestival 2006

2006-09-25T17:34:00.000+01:00

by Matt Golding

Images by Paul Johnson

Despite the rash of fatally mundane brand named events that fill the summer seeming to prove otherwise, no one ever claimed organising a festival was easy. But why Sunday Best made the decision to open the festival gates at 10am on the Friday, only two hours before the music begins, will probably forever remain a mystery to everyone except the accountants. Still, the inevitable 3pm queue of oversleeping traffic jam victims that wind their way through the Alactrazian perimeter of bag searches and sniffer dogs maintain their good humour, despite the fact they are missing James Yorkston and watching the value of their tickets go the way of an ostrich burger in a portaloo.

Following the strong but predictable guitar dirges of iLiKETRAiNS and the kookily named but otherwise paper-thin pop rock of Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly., the Mystery Jets take the main stage. Their otherwise energetic and enjoyable (if oh so indie) set is marred however in a tragic sight that will be repeated at random over the course of the weekend – the amps and microphones being cut, bang on schedule, as the band attempt to continue their encore and before they have even said goodbye. What should have been a triumphant encore for a horde of hands ends in confused and frustrated silence.

Friday evening headliners Gogol Bordello’s bouncy, gonzo gypsy acousto-punk is in full heat. It’s gaudy plastic and shallower than a kid’s paddling pool, but the band have all the ammunition they need to celebrate the first night of what is for many the summer’s last knees up. With two hoary and prancing virtuosos fighting for the centre stage and an array of violins, guitars, accordions, tambourines and fire-bucket-cum-drum-kits at their disposal, the self styled New Yorkers nee Eastern Europeans show the crowd how to pogo Ukrainian style, and stake an enduring claim as memorable headline fare.

In settings resplendent with lefty broadsheets and WI sponge cake, Heather and Johnson’s funky folk eases the crowd into Saturday morning at the Bandstand in The Village, the da’ Bank’s answer to that hippy bit at Glastonbury. Sadly, despite a good show and the fact that a backbone of quality folk and dance is one of the Bestival’s great strengths, they fail to inspire too many to watch stadium folk lynchpin and festival veteran King Creosote on the main stage. It’s not his most passionate performance by any means, but Kenny’s soulful folkals and clean guitar sounds carry the band through melodic baselines, masterfully brandished Hammonds and one sunny tune after another.

Anyone who frequents commercial festivals will know that they are, essentially, the same collection of bands, arenas and stalls that tour the country every summer, so anything that sets one out from the pack can only be a good thing. Which is why the Bestival’s fancy dress parade is a masterstroke. Life is a lot more fun in costume, and following the cancellation of this year’s circus theme due to reports of rampant coulrophobia* amongst patrons, festival goers were encouraged to get wild and original with their costumes. Bizarrely, either due to a massive case of psychic leakage or more likely the popular sex appeal of a man named Depp, this resulted in a festival full of thousands and thousands of pirates. Yaar, lubbers… ye scurvy rat is wearing the same parrot as me. Pirate outfits have been ditched in the Blue Pavilion though, which despite being just a lavishly furnished tent, seems to give of an atmosphere of West End exclusivity that only stopped short of bouncers checking your shoes on the door. Such was the setting for the electro-house of Ulrich Schnauss and broken-Fisher-Priceness of Mum whose engaging clicks, loose beats and subverted sonic ‘scapes inexplicably clear the bop hungry crowd. Headliners Amorphous Androgynous, long time side project of the great Future Sound of London, do devastatingly little to prove that they were ever anything more than a self-indulgent hobby hiding behind regal livery. Their choice of set is predictable and unadventurous leftfield electro, flitting whispishly between styles and genres… acousticity, reggae, drum ‘n’ bass, click ‘n’ glitch, tribalism and even the odd smattering of Tibetan throat singing are present in what is essentially a ‘My First Picture Book’ of world music. The overall progress of every track is distinctly pedestrian, lacking any of the expansive imagination you’d come to expect from the brand or even the Androgynous themselves. Thank God then for The Black Dog, whose four hour DJ started in the small hours of Sunday morning and kept the dream alive until the sun was practically up.

Filling the Sunday afternoon hangover slot are Tunng, whose harmonic electro-folk sound is well poised and eminently suited to a sunny Sunday and the obliqueness of life. The Young Knives draw a large crowd and their aggressive, action packed sound is of exactly the type that will guarantee a band success for an album or two. But there’s really nothing new in there, save another adolescent take on the same formula.

Bat for Lashes are a band whose name is quickly becoming associated with the folktronica scene, and not without good reason. Despite spending over half their set time setting up an array of instruments, the few tunes they play give the band a sparse, well composed edge and an array of acoustic ethnicity that hovers around but stays just the right side of pretension. Natasha Khan, lead singer and creative force, is very much the centre of attention, at times rendering her cohorts redundant for entire tracks – to the point at which they seem bored – yet the engaging soundscapes are enough to keep the interest of her audience, if not the violinist.

And the summer is almost over, leaving just enough time for the excellent and amply bearded Deep South rootishness of Devandra Barnheart and Sunday night headliners the Scissor Sisters. Everyone is familiar by now with Jake and co.’s noughties disco pop and theatrical live shows – naturally, both these things are delivered with effortless professionalism and pzzang. The Scissor Sisters are an analogy of our tawdry times, marketable sleaze and permeated with a desire to be offensive whilst alienating no one… a high profile end to a decent festival, but summing up a doubt at the bottom of the heart of the weekend. The posture is perfect and the pillow talk romantic, but is there any soul underneath? Still, if the sex is good and the relationship only one weekend a year, who cares?

* It’s a mortal fear of clowns see, endured by unfortunate people whose first memory is of being mauled in their pram by a man called Bonzo.

Bestival Press Release

2006-08-03T17:51:00.000+01:00

- Gypsy Punks storm Bestival as Gogol Bordello (pictured above) headline Friday night on the Main Stage

- Plus Guillemots confirmed for Main Stage on Saturday

- Future Sound of London presents the Amorphous Androgynous confirmed for The Blue Pavilion

- Xbox Lost & Sound arena revealed

Well its hot out there and even hotter at Bestival HQ as we’re dancing for joy at our latest line upadditions. In true Rob da Bank style he’s picked the hottest act of the summer for the prestigious Friday night headline slot, the mighty, mischievous Gogol Bordello. Sitting pretty next to the Scissor Sisters and the Pet Shop Boys there is no doubt New York’s infamous Gypsy punks are set to rocket as Bestival goers experience their unique headline quality – not to be missed!

It doesn’t stop there. Guillemots, the most eccentric band of musicians you'll find this side of, well, Gogol Bordello, have just confirmed for the main stage on Saturday. Another of Rob’s top tips, Guillemots are fronted by the ace bearded showman Fyfe Dangerfield and with a stunning debut album Through The Windowpane whipping up a frenzy both sides of the Atlantic.

Completing the new acts to add, our 24 hour arena The Blue Pavilion Inspired by Rizla plays host to the Future Sound Of London presents the Amorphous Androgynous - a psychedelic/cosmic rock/ambient/progtronic supergroup fronted by Future Sound Of London's Gary Cobian and featuring Gary Lucas (Jeff Buckley co writer/Captain Beefheart). Expect sitars, drums, guitars, electronics, visuals and a monstrous psychedelic bubble exploding in your mind and eyes! Headlining The Blue Pavilion on Saturday.

Last but not least we’re pleased to announce another new addition to our arenas - the Xbox Lost & Sound stage in association with Vice magazine bringing you intimate live performances from some of the most exciting artists this summer, featuring live performances from some of the UKs most talked about bands, including Cazals, Whitey, Archie Bronson Outfit, Man Like Me, and Ladyfuzz, the Xbox Lost & Sound stage is set to rock in 2006.

Bestival takes place on 8-10 September at Robin Hill Country Park, Newport.

For tickets and a full line up, visit the festival website.

2005-12-01T23:56:00.000+01:00

Regional Stockists Of The Fly
Music Magazine

A section dedicated to those organisations, venues and retail outlets in either Hampshire, Dorset or on the Isle of Wight that stock the magazine.

We will deliver a minimum of a box (150 copies) - or more for larger outlets - free of charge. If you're interested in stocking or helping distribute the magazine, please contact us at southernfly@gmail.com

HAMPSHIRE:

Aldershot

West End Centre
Centre Queens Road
Aldershot
Hampshire
GU11 3JD
01252 408040
www.westendcentre.co.uk

Portsmouth

Dresscode Clothes Shop
1b Albert Road
Southsea
Hampshire
PO5 2SE
023 9273 1972
www.underyournose.co.uk
A massive thank you to Udy (see above link) for arranging this for TFW!

Boomhound Records
137 Albert Road
Southsea
Portsmouth
PO5 2SQ
023 9275 4413
www.boomhoundrecords.com

Wedgewood Rooms
122a Albert Road
Southsea
Portsmouth
PO4 0JS
023 9286 3911
www.wedgewood-rooms.co.uk

Southampton

Bar Coda
74 Canal Walk
Southampton
SO14 3BH
023 8033 9122
www.thenexusclub.com/bar.htm

The Joiners
141 St Mary Street
Southampton
Hampshire
SO14 1NS
023 8022 5612
www.joinerslive.co.uk

Lennons
27 -29 Onslow Road
Southampton
SO14 0JD
023 8039 3113
www.longliverockandroll.com

Winchester

The Railway Inn
3 St Pauls Hill
Winchester
SO22 5AE
01962 867795
www.liveattherailway.co.uk

DORSET

Bournemouth

Essential Music
26 Gervis Place
Bournemouth
BH1 2AL
01202 297442
No website

Knighton Heath Industrial Estate
Bournemouth
BH11 8NE
01202 582192
www.thecollege.co.uk

The Villa
140 Holdenhurst Road
Bournemouth
BH8 8AS
01202 551 802
www.villanightclub.com

Poole

Lighthouse
Kingsland Road
Poole
BH15 1UG
08700 668701
www.lighthousepoole.co.uk

Mr. Kyps
8a Parr Street
Ashley Cross
Poole
BH14 0JY
01202 748945
www.mrkyps.net

ISLE OF WIGHT

Newport

Isle of Wight College
Medina Way
Newport
Isle of Wight
PO30 5TA
01983 521707
www.iwightc.ac.uk

Platform One
48a Dodnor Lane
Newport
Isle of Wight
PO30 5XD
01983 537550
www.platformone.org

Ryde

Palmgroves Guitars
24 Victoria Arcade/Union St
Ryde
Isle of Wight
PO33 2LQ
01983 618880
No website

Strings Guitar Centre
106 Monkton St
Ryde
PO33 1JN
01983 562262
www.stringsguitarcentre.com

The Venue @ Ryde Theatre
Lind Street
Ryde
Isle of Wight
PO33 2NL
01983 568099
www.rydetheatre.co.uk

Sandown

Guitar Inn
11 St John's Road
Sandown
Isle of Wight
PO36 8ER
01983 400008
www.guitarinn.co.uk
A massive thank you to Cora Wade of Wightvibe for arranging IoW coverage for TFW!

Latest Issue

2006-04-29T23:14:00.000+01:00

May 2006
Next Wessex page out in July
For a list of stockists in our region click here!

Click the image to enlarge it

Sigur Rós

2006-07-13T18:04:00.000+01:00

Southampton Guildhall - July 2006
Words & image © 2006 DJ Webb

With a white curtain covering the front of the stage, Sigur Rós (pronounced ‘see orr rose’) open tonight’s show with the title track from their latest album ‘Takk’ and immediately a hushed silence comes across the audience. Sigur Rós don’t want you to dissect the music and decide what message they have put in to a song. They want you to listen, to watch and discover what the song means to you. The ethereal sweeping sound of a cello bow on a guitar is perfectly accompanied by the lights and video projected onto the stage. This is not just about the music, it's more than that. It's about taking you out of the now and letting your senses wander to another, more surreal place. The perfect review of a Sigur Rós show is to experience it for yourself. I for one struggle to put into words the show I watched tonight.

The Pipettes

2006-07-09T16:09:00.000+01:00

Southampton's Joiners - July 2006
Words & image © 2006 DJ Webb

Heading over to the Joiners on this sunny summer evening, two things keep coming to mind. Firstly, it's going to be very hot in the Joiners tonight and secondly this isn’t your normal Joiners crowd. Gone are the metallers and emo-kids, replaced by pretty girls in pretty dresses - and that’s not just the audience. The Pipettes are something else. Three gorgeous girls in polka dot dresses, backed by four preppy boys in matching tank tops. I feel like I’ve been whirled back in time to the high school dance in Back to the Future. The Pipettes bring doowop into the 21st century, with a seductive edge to their dresses and their onstage banter and quirky mini-pop songs about boys, bitches and booze. The Pipettes are the breath of fresh air the Joiners needed on such a hot summer night.

Reviews & Interviews

2005-11-12T21:45:00.000+01:00

All Reviews & Interviews

1-10 | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P| Q | R | S | T | THE | U | V | W | X | Y | Z |

Q

R

Rasputins (The) – Live
Rattlesnake – Demo
Rat:Daddy – June 2005
Rat:Daddy – Interview – June 2005
Rat:Daddy – Single 'Peter Says/Calling On Everything' – February 2006
Ratfinkel – MP3 Review
Rattlesnake – Demo – November 2005
Richard Ashcroft - Live - May 2006
Ridgeway (The) – Live – February 2006
Ro Shambo – Live - July 2005
Ro Shambo – Live - November 2005
Rodrigo y Gabriela - Live - June 2006
Rolling Dog - Live - April 2006
Rude_NHS – Live
Russell Edmonds – EP
Rusty Sheriff – Live

S

Sacred Flesh – Live - Basingstoke's Blazingsmoke
Scarlet Soho - Live - January 2005
Second Hand Thoughts - Live
Sell The Lexus Burn The Olive Tree – Live - Basingstoke's Blazingsmoke
Sepultura - March 2006
Serotonin – EP Review – “The Forcefedlies EP”
Set In Tears – Live
Set To Stun (charity youth event) - Bournemouth - April 2006
Seth Lakeman – Live – December 2005
Seven Days At Knifepoint - Live
Shadow-Spirit – EP Review – “Mind Games”
Sigur Ros - Live - July 2006
Silicon Sun – Live
Sine Start Project – Live
Six Foot Ditch – Live
SixNationState - Single Review – February 2006
SixNationState – Live - October 2005
SixNationState – Live - November 2005
Skin – Interview - November 2005
Skintight Jaguars (The) – Live - Basingstoke's Blazingsmoke
Skuds (The) – Live
Snow White - Live
So Fades The Glory – MP3 Review
Solid Air Presents... An Ivor Cutler Night - April 2006
SouthSCENE – Album Review – “The Coming of the Railways”
Spinouts (The) – Live
Splodgenessabounds – Live - Basingstoke's Blazingsmoke
Spontaneous Suggestion – Live
Stations (The) - Live
Stellastarr* – Live
Stem Project (The) – Live
Stiff Little Fingers – Live - March 2006
Still Remains (Kerrang! XXV Tour) – January 2006 - Live
Stop It You're Killing Me – 'Waiting For Love' - EP Review - February 2006
Strange Death of Liberal England (The) – Live
Strange Death of Liberal England (The) – Stop/go EP
Strapping Young Lad - June 2006
Streets (The) - May 2006
Strokes (The) – Live – February 2006
Subways (The) - Live
Sunshine Republic – Live
Sway - May 2006
Sway - Interview - May 2006
Sways (The) – Single on SouthSCENE Compliation – “Way I Say”
Sweetedge – Album Review – “Eucalyptus Sun”
Syndicate (The) – Live

T

Ten Percent Less – Live
Terra Deforma – Live
This Et Al – Live
Thomas Joseph - EP - 'Monitor Mixes' - March 2006
Thomas Tantrum - Demo Review - April 2006
Thomas Truax - Live - May 2006
Thousand Natural Shocks – Live
3 Day Benda
Timshel – Live - Basingstoke's Blazingsmoke
Tinnitus – Album Review – “Filth Fit or Thirteen”
Tinnitus – Live – October 2005
Tinnitus – Live – November 2005
Tiny Dancers - Club NME @ The The Consortium - February 2006
Tired Irie - Live - November 2005
To Every End – Live
Towers of London (The) – Live
Toupe – Live
Trend (The) – Live
Trevor Loveys - April 2006
True Swamp Neglect – Live

THE

The Answer - Live - May 2006
The Automatic – Live
The Automatic - Live - May 2006
The Aviators - Live
The Bays - April 2006
The Beat – Live
The Bravery – Live
The Bullycats – Interview – October 2005
The Cloud Room – Live
The Datsuns - Live - April 2006
The Dionysus – Album Review – “Take it or Leave it”
The Dynamics – Live
The Elements - Live - May 2006
The Fairies Band – Live
The Fratellis
The Glitterati – Live
The Johnsons – Live - Basingstoke's Blazingsmoke
The Kooks - Live - November 2006
The Kooks - Live - January 2006
The Lazys – Live
The Levellers – Live – December 2005
The Long Blondes - Live - May 2006
The Marlins – Live
The Media Lounge – Live
The Misnomer – Live - Basingstoke's Blazingsmoke
the NeverSayDies - Live
The Ordinary Boys – Live
The Organ - Live - April 2006
The Paddingtons – Live
The Perishers – Live
The Piltdown Hoax? - EP Review - May 2006
The Pipettes - Live - July 2006
The Plymouths – Live
The Rasputins – Live
The Ridgeway – Live – February 2006
The Skintight Jaguars – Live - Basingstoke's Blazingsmoke
The Skuds – Live
The Spinouts – Live
The Stations - Live
The Stem Project – Live
The Strange Death of Liberal England – Live
The Strange Death of Liberal England – Stop/go EP
The Streets - live - May 2006
The Strokes – Live – February 2006
The Subways - Live
The Sways – Single on SouthSCENE Compliation – “Way I Say”
The Syndicate – Live
The Thursday Thing – September 2005
The Thursday Thing – October 2005-11-05
The Towers of London – Live
The Trend – Live
The Warm – Live
The Waysters - Live - May 2006
The Young Knives – Live

U

Underdown – Live

V

V-Hero - Demo Review - 'Stay Back! I'm Radioactive'
Vectis 23 – EP Review – 'Social Clubs and Overdubs'
Volume – Interview – September 2005
Volume – Live – February 2006

W

Warm (The) – Live
Waysters (The) - Live - May 2006
We Are Scientists – Live - October 2005
We Are Scientists - NME Awards Tour - February 2006
Whirlwind Heat - Live - May 2006
Wiservice – Live – October 2005
Wiservice – Live – November 2005

X

Xavier Floyd Firebird – Live

Y

You Me And The Atom Bomb – Live
You Me And The Atom Bomb – Demo - November 2005
You Me And The Atom Bomb – Interview - February 2006
Young Knives (The) – Live

Z

Zero Point Field – Single Review – “Something New”
Zero Point Field – Live

Back To The Top

Live

1-10 | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P| Q | R | S | T | THE | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | Live | Albums | Demos, EPs & MP3s | Singles | Interviews | Who & How We Review

1-10

One Life Left - Live - April 2006
2 Tonic – Live
3 Day Benda
Fivemiledrive - Single Review - May 2006
9 Months Waiting - Live
16Bronsons - Live - January 2006
65daysofstatic – Live

A

A – Live
A World Asleep – Live
Aiden (Kerrang! XXV Tour) – January 2006 - Live
Alaskan Pipeline – Live - September 2005
Alaskan Pipeline – Live - November 2005
Amethyst – Live
Amusement Parks On Fire - Live - May 2006
Apnia - Live
Answer (The) - Live - May 2006
AR Pussy – Live - Basingstoke's Blazingsmoke
Arctic Monkeys - Live - April 2006
Arrowshy - Live - January 2006
Art Brut – Live
Ashcroft (Richard) - Live - May 2006
Athlete – Live
Aural Sex
Automatic (The) – Live
Automatic (The) - Live - May 2006
Autons – Live
Autumn In New York - Live
Aviators (The) - Live

B

Bail Out – Live
Battle - Live
Bays (The) - April 2006
Be Your Own Pet - Live - April 2006
Beat (The) – Live
Bedouin Soundclash – Live
Benny Woo – Live
Betika – Live
Birdpen - Live - November 2005
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – Live
Blackwire - Live - May 2006
Boy Kill Boy - Live - May 2006
Bravery (The) – Live
Breed77 – Live - April 2006
Brenda – Live
Broken Social Scene - Live - February 2006
16Bronsons - Live - January 2006
Brown (Ian) – Live
Bullet - Live - May 2006
Bullet For My Valentine (Kerrang! XXV Tour) – January 2006 - Live

C

Chaser – Live
Chillerton – Live - October 2005
Chillerton - Live - November 2005
Clark – Live
Clearlake - Live - March 2006
Cloud Room (The) – Live
Conspiro - Live
Cult of Luna - Live - April 2006
Cymbiotic – Live

D

Dali's Cat – Live
Datsuns (The) - Live - April 2006
Davros – Live
Dead!Dead!Dead!– Live - November 2005
Dead Jack - Live
Decker Gives Chase - Live - March 2006
Die So Fluid – Live
Dios Malos - Live - April 2006
Dolium - Live
Dragon Eye Morrison – Live
Dreadzone - Live - March 2006
Duke Special - Live - May 2006
Duri – Live
Dutch Husband – Live

E

Ed Hicks – Live
Editors – Live
Ejector Seat's All Dayer - May 2006 – Live
El Presidente – Live
Elbow – Live
Elements (The) - Live - May 2006
Enochian Theory - Live - January 2006
Envelopes - Club NME @ The The Consortium - February 2006
Every Move A Picture - Live - May 2006

F

Facelift Wired - Live
Faetal - Live - March 2006
Fairies Band (The) – Live
Fireapple Red – Live
Fivemiledrive - Single Review - May 2006
Fleeing New York – Live – July 2005
Fleeing New York – Live – October 2005
Fleeing New York – Live - November 2005
¡Forward, Russia! – Live
¡Forward, Russia! - Live - May 2006
Fratellis (The)
Full Fat – Live
Funeral For A Friend - Live - May 2006
Funk Ya Mum – Live – September 2005 – Showcase 05 Playoffs
Funk Ya Mum – Live – September 2005 – Showcase 05 Finals

G

Glitchcentre feat. Craig – Live
Glitterati (Live) – Live
Goffman - Live – August 2005
Grasp – Live
G.U. Medicine – Live

H

Hard-Fi – Live
Hawthorne Heights (Kerrang! XXV Tour) – January 2006 - Live
Hellcyon – Live - July 2005
Hellcyone - Live - November 2005
Herve - April 2006
HI:FI Festival 2006
Hip Hop Farmers – Live
Hot Sauce – Live
Hundred Reasons - Live - April 2006
Hunting Lodge – Live - November 2005

I

Ian Brown – Live
In Flames - March 2006
Infadels – Live
Instill – Live - Basingstoke's Blazingsmoke
Isle of Wight 2006

J

Jayetal – Live
Johnsons (The) – Live - Basingstoke's Blazingsmoke

K

Kid Idiot - Live - April 2006
Kooks (The) - Live - November 2005
Kooks (The) - Live - January 2006

L

Labour In Vain – Live
Lakeman (Seth) – Live – December 2005
Larrikin Love – Live
Laura Lost – Live
Lazys (The) – Live
Leaves' Eyes - Live - May 2006
Leisure - Live - November 2005
Levellers (The) – Live – December 2005
Liam Frost & The Slowdown Band - Live - May 2006
Little London – Live – July 2005
Little London - Live - April 2006
Little London – Live – October 2005
Long Blondes (The) - Live - May 2006
Long Live Rock & Roll's 2nd Anniversary - live - January 2006
Loveys (Trevor)- April 2006

M

Mach Schau – Live - July 2005
Mach Schau – Live - March 2006
Make Good Your Escape – Live
Manic - Live - May 2006
Mariah – Live - Basingstoke's Blazingsmoke
Marlins (The) – Live
Martin Grech – Live
Maximo Park - NME Awards Tour - February 2006
Media Lounge (The) – Live
Melt-Banana – Live - November 2005
Mew – Live
Mirrorball - Live - March 2006
Misnomer (The) – Live - Basingstoke's Blazingsmoke
Miss Pain – Live
Mister Doom – Live – July 2005
Mister Doom – Live – August 2005 – Showcase 05 Heats
Mista Mushroom – Live – August 2005 – Showcase 05 Heats
Mista Mushroom – Live – August 2005 – Showcase 05 Finals
Mista Mushroom – Live – January 2006
Mogwai - Live - March 2006
Moral Low Ground - Live
My Mantra – Live
My Ruin – Live

N

Neon Vice – Live
New Age Process – Live
NeverSayDies (the) - Live
9 Months Waiting - Live
Ninebar – Live
Nural – Live

O

Oceansize – Live - September 2005
Oceansize - Live - March 2006
Officer Roseland – Live
OK Go! - Live - April 2006
Olmec Diagram – Live
One Life Left - Live - April 2006
Ordinary Boys (The) – Live
Organ (The) - Live - April 2006

P

Paddingtons (The) – Live
Perishers (The) – Live
Piltdown Hoax? (The) - EP Review - May 2006
Pipettes (The) - Live - July 2006
Pirate Ship Quintet - Live - April 2006
Plastik – Live
Plastic Toys – Live
Play With Fire – Live
Plymouths (The) – Live
Protokoll - Live - May 2006
Psyattica – Live
Psyattica – Live - April 2006

Q

R

Rasputins (The) – Live
Rat:Daddy – June 2005
Richard Ashcroft - Live - May 2006
Ridgeway (The) – Live – February 2006
Ro Shambo – Live - July 2005
Ro Shambo – Live - November 2005
Rodrigo y Gabriela - Live - June 2006
Rolling Dog - Live - April 2006
Rude_NHS – Live
Rusty Sheriff – Live

S

Sacred Flesh – Live - Basingstoke's Blazingsmoke
Scarlet Soho - Live - January 2005
Second Hand Thoughts - Live
Sell The Lexus Burn The Olive Tree – Live - Basingstoke's Blazingsmoke
Sepultura - March 2006
Set In Tears – Live
Set To Stun (charity youth event) - Bournemouth - April 2006
Seth Lakeman – Live – December 2005
Seven Days At Knifepoint - Live
Sigur Ros - Live - July 2006
Silicon Sun – Live
Sine Start Project – Live
Six Foot Ditch – Live
SixNationState – Live - October 2005
SixNationState – Live - November 2005
Skintight Jaguars (The) – Live - Basingstoke's Blazingsmoke
Skuds (The) – Live
Snow White - Live
Solid Air Presents... An Ivor Cutler Night - April 2006
Spinouts (The) – Live
Splodgenessabounds – Live - Basingstoke's Blazingsmoke
Spontaneous Suggestion – Live
SSM - Live - April 2006
Stations (The) - Live
Stellastarr* – Live
Stem Project (The) – Live
Stiff Little Fingers – Live - March 2006
Still Remains (Kerrang! XXV Tour) – January 2006 - Live
Strange Death of Liberal England (The) – Live
Strapping Young Lad - June 2006 - Live
Streets (The) - May 2006
Strokes (The) – Live – February 2006
Subways (The) - Live
Sunshine Republic – Live
Sway - Live - May 2006
Syndicate (The) – Live

T

Ten Percent Less – Live
Terra Deforma – Live
This Et Al – Live
Thomas Truax - Live - May 2006
Thousand Natural Shocks – Live
3 Day Benda
Timshel – Live - Basingstoke's Blazingsmoke
Tinnitus – Live – October 2005
Tinnitus – Live – November 2005
Tiny Dancers - Club NME @ The The Consortium - February 2006
Tired Irie - Live - November 2005
To Every End – Live
Towers of London (The) – Live
Trend (The) – Live
Trevor Loveys - April 2006
Toupe – Live
True Swamp Neglect – Live

THE

The Answer - Live - May 2006
The Automatic – Live
The Automatic - Live - May 2006
The Aviators - Live
The Bays - April 2006
The Beat – Live
The Bravery – Live
The Cloud Room – Live
The Datsuns - Live - April 2006
The Dynamics – Live
The Elements - Live - May 2006
The Fairies Band – Live
The Fratellis
The Glitterati – Live
The Johnsons – Live - Basingstoke's Blazingsmoke
The Kooks - Live - November 2005
The Kooks - Live - January 2006
The Lazys – Live
The Levellers – Live – December 2005
The Long Blondes - Live - May 2006
The Marlins – Live
The Media Lounge – Live
The Misnomer – Live - Basingstoke's Blazingsmoke
The NeverSayDies - Live
The Ordinary Boys – Live
The Organ - Live - April 2006
The Paddingtons – Live
The Perishers – Live
The Piltdown Hoax? - EP Review - May 2006
The Pipettes - Live - July 2006
The Plymouths – Live
The Rasputins – Live
The Ridgeway – Live – February 2006
The Skintight Jaguars – Live - Basingstoke's Blazingsmoke
The Skuds – Live
The Spinouts – Live
The Stations - Live
The Stem Project – Live
The Strange Death of Liberal England – Live
The Streets - Live - May 2006
The Strokes – Live – February 2006
The Subways - Live
The Syndicate – Live
The Thursday Thing – September 2005
The Thursday Thing – October 2005-11-05
The Towers of London – Live
The Trend – Live
The Warm – Live
The Waysters - Live - May 2006
The Young Knives – Live

U

Underdown – Live

V

Volume – Live – February 2006

W

Warm (The) – Live
The Waysters - Live - May 2006
We Are Scientists – Live - October 2005
Whirlwind Heat - Live - May 2006
Wiservice – Live – October 2005
Wiservice – Live – November 2005

X

Xavier Floyd Firebird – Live

Y

You Me And The Atom Bomb – Live
Young Knives (The) – Live

Z

Zero Point Field – Live

Back To The Top

Albums

1-10 | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P| Q | R | S | T | THE | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | Live | Albums | Demos, EPs & MP3s | Singles | Interviews | Who & How We Review

1-10

A

A+E Line – Train Wrecks Album Review - January 2006

B

C

Cracking Amy - “Loved to Death”

D

Dionysus (The) – “Take it or Leave it”
Dragon Eye Morrison – “The Official Pace Car of The Apocalypse”

E

F

G

Goffman - 'Grow Up Cooter' – Album Review

H

I

J

Jinder – “Willow Park”

K

L

Lake Aurora – “Snow Globe”
LoHz - 'Jellybass' - Album Review - May 2006
Loopy – 'Scuffed' – Album Review

M

Mista Mushroom - Album Review - "Class As On A School Night"

N

O

P

Q

R

S

SouthSCENE’s “The Coming of the Railways” Compilation
Sweetedge – “Eucalyptus Sun”

T

Tinnitus – “Filth Fit or Thirteen”

THE

The Dionysus – “Take it or Leave it”

U

V

W

X

Y

Z

Back To The Top

Demos, EPs & MP3s

1-10 | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P| Q | R | S | T | THE | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | Live | Albums | Demos, EPs & MP3s | Singles | Interviews | Who & How We Review

1-10

A

Air Pressure – MP3 Review
Amethyst – EP Review – “Dying Embrace”
Arrowshy – “The Orders of Mariel”

B

Birdpen – EP Review – “Fake Kid” - September 2005
Birdpen - EP - 'Be Yourself' - March 2006
Brenda - EP Review - May 2006

C

Closest Thing To Closure - 'Skylines and Horizons' - Debut EP Review

D

Donovan (Luke) – MP3 Review
Driving South – Demo Review

E

Edmonds (Russell) – EP
Eve's Only Son – October EP

F

G

H

Harpoon Larsen – Demo
Hijera – EP Review – “The Seedy EP”

I

J

Joseph (Thomas) - EP - 'Monitor Mixes' - March 2006

K

L

Lostaura – MP3 Review
Luke Donovan – MP3 Review

M

Mach Schau – EP Review – “Demonstration One”
Munroe Effect - Demo

N

Naomi Hates Humans – MP3 Review

O

One Life Left - Demo Review - 'Machine'

P

Pirate Ship Quintet – MP3 Review

Q

R

Ratfinkel – MP3 Review
Rattlesnake – Demo – November 2005
Russell Edmonds – EP

S

Serotonin – EP Review – “The Forcefedlies EP”
Shadow-Spirit – EP Review – “Mind Games”
So Fades The Glory – MP3 Review
Stop It You're Killing Me – 'Waiting For Love' - EP Review - February 2006
Strange Death of Liberal England (The) – Stop/go EP

T

Thomas Joseph - EP - 'Monitor Mixes' - March 2006
Thomas Tantrum - Demo Review - April 2006

THE

The Strange Death of Liberal England – Stop/go EP

U

V

V-Hero - 'Stay Back! I'm Radioactive'
Vectis 23 – 'Social Clubs and Overdubs'

W

X

Y

You Me And The Atom Bomb – Demo - November 2005

Z

Back To The Top

Singles

1-10 | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P| Q | R | S | T | THE | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | Live | Albums | Demos, EPs & MP3s | Singles | Interviews | Who & How We Review

1-10

A

B

Birdpen – SouthSCENE Compliation – “A Round of Applause For a Great Disaster”
Bluesky Research - Single Review - May 2006

C

D

Dead!Dead!Dead! – SouthSCENE Compliation – “Monocle Fallout”
Dead!Dead!Dead! - Debut Single - March 2006

E

F

Fleeing New York - SouthSCENE Compliation – “Oh My God”
Freezerburn - Debut Single - April 2006

G

H

Hunting Lodge - SouthSCENE Compliation – “My Friend Paul’s Mother’s Miscarriage”

I

J

K

L

M

My Mantra – SouthSCENE Compliation – “Bleeds The Same”

N

O

P

Q

R

Rat:Daddy – Single 'Peter Says/Calling On Everything' – February 2006

S

SixNationState - Single Review – February 2006
Sways (The) – SouthSCENE Compliation – “Way I Say”

T

THE

The Sways – SouthSCENE Compliation – “Way I Say”

U

V

W

X

Y

Z

Back To The Top

Interviews

1-10 | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P| Q | R | S | T | THE | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | Live | Albums | Demos, EPs & MP3s | Singles | Interviews | Who & How We Review

1-10

A

Argos, Eddie (Art Brut) – Interview - November 2005
Athlete – Interview – August 2005

B

Bullycats (The) – Interview – October 2005

C

Cherubs – Interview – June 2005

D

Dead!Dead!Dead! - Interview - November 2005

E

Eddie Argos (Art Brut) – Interview - November 2005

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

Ladytron’s Mira – Interview – June 2005

M

Mira from Ladytron – Interview – June 2005

N

O

Oceansize - Interview - March 2006

P

Q

R

Rat:Daddy – Interview – June 2005

S

Skin – Interview - November 2005
Sway - Interview - May 2006

T

THE

The Bullycats – Interview – October 2005

U

V

Volume – Interview – September 2005

W

X

Y

You Me And The Atom Bomb – Interview - February 2006

Z

Back To The Top

Who & How We Review

Who We Review:

We are approached by PR companies, band managers, record labels and bands themselves, who request a review. This can be in the form of a live review, a CD or demo and sometimes an MP3 review. We aim to cover everything that is asked of us but, largely due to writers' geographical location and/or other commitments, this is often an unrealistic aim. If you have requested a review and one is not on the site, don't give up. Keep on at us until we get it sorted. Priority will always be given to bands who are based in Hampshire, Dorset or on the Isle of Wight. Next in the priority chain are those bands who play the venues also based in these areas. If you fall into either category we will do our level best to provide a write-up. We regret that we cannot review you, in the same manner (i.e. 'live') more than once in any 6-month period.

How We Review:

Regular contributors to the site are chosen for their broad knowledge of music. Some are band members, some are experienced music journalists and others are avid listeners and gig-goers. These writers will offer readers their opinion. And that is the only guarantee we can give you. We are not beholden to any PR organisations, venues, booking agents, bands or to any advertisers. This means that whatever else is written in a review, you can be safe in the knowledge that it was not influenced by commercial, industry organisations.

Occasionally a band will request a review, the result of which may appear contentious to some. We edit articles, we do not censor them so if you disagree with a review, please say so in the comments section above each article. This site lays itself as open to criticism as those requesting reviews. We welcome any criticism and understand that without it, we cannot improve the site's functionality for readers. We are as reliant on your honesty as you are on ours.

Note: We cannot cover gigs outside of our region.

Should you wish to request a review from a particular writer, please do so. You can look here to find articles from each of them. To request a review in the usual way, please click here for more information.

Back To The Top

DJ

2006-04-05T13:20:00.000+01:00

About DJ

David (DJ as he signs himself, or Deej! as Paula has christened him) has been fiddling with cameras since he first stole his Dad’s trusty Nikon SLR way back before the Internet was invented. After a lengthy hiatus, photography was rediscovered as was rock and roll, and with a trusty 2MP Fujifilm digital camera by his side, DJ and the two became intimately intertwined. After a number of years shooting bands from the crowd with a finger over the flash (if your camera's got no manual controls, improvise) the time came to get a real camera and make something out of this crazy love. In recent months DJ has shot everyone from local scene favourites like Dead! Dead! Dead! to gypsy punk allstars Gogol Bordello - with as many bands in between as you could feasibly see without going deaf. Check out www.photography-of-rock.com to see some more of his work and find out how to book him for your next gig, or check out the images used on this site from the links below.

Images:

Oceansize Interview - March 2006
Oceansize Live - The Wedge - March 2006

Images & Words:

Breed77 - Live - April 2006
Cult of Luna + The Pirate Ship Quintet - Live - April 2006
Liam Frost & The Slowdown Band - Live - May 2006
Protokoll - Live - May 2006
Rodrigo y Gabriela - Live - June 2006
Sigur Ros - Live - July 2006
The Pipettes - Live - July 2006

Strapping Young Lad

2006-06-15T15:18:00.000+01:00

Wedgewood Rooms - June 2006
Images: © 2006 www.seventhframe.com
Words by Armchair Anarchist

There are many challenges that music journalists face - describing Strapping Young Lad is just one of them. Imagine a trio of beefy yet fairly regular-looking middle-aged metallers. Imagine them churning out thick walls of extremely heavy music, all huge guitar lines and hectic drumming. Now equip them with a frontman who resembles a Klingon without the armour and forehead lumps. Endow this frontman with a strangely humorous and manic stage presence, plus the ability to howl like a banshee and growl like Beelzebub. Make him gurn and goof and mock himself, his band, the audience and the very genre he works in. Make it funny. Make it clever. Make it shake your bowels around with bassy savagery. Got that in your head? You’re still nowhere near it. Like them or loathe them, this band are unique in bringing humour and intelligence to one of the most po-faced scenes there is. Nothing else compares.

Armchair Anarchist

2005-11-12T15:38:00.003+01:00

About Armchair Anarchist:

The Armchair Anarchist has dwelled in the Velcro City (or Portsmouth, as the maps
would have it) for twelve odd years and despite whinging about it all the time, shows no immediate signs of going anywhere else. Much of that time has been spent on music in one way or another; as a DJ, bedroom musician, lyric writer, club promoter, employee at the
Wedgewood Rooms and general scene-hanger-on to whatever local movements have taken his fancy - including a long stint as the UXB DIY movement’s ‘psychedelic guru’. He is interested
in all forms of music, as long as it has some spark and/or originality but tends to lean towards the guitar stuff when he’s at home.
Recent favourites include ‘Amplifier’ and ‘Oceansize’. Having recently realised that a career on stage is not something he was born for after all, he is settling in to pursue a career in writing.
In addition to writing for this esteemed and unique website, he writes poems that
receive lovely rejection slips and is still trying to get a short story finished to his satisfaction.
He also reviews SF novels for Interzone, the UK’s foremost science fiction writers' magazine.
As none of these tasks are paying yet, he earns a crust by toiling in the city library where he gets to lurk among his other obsession, namely books.
Journalist-groupies please note, he drinks Mexican beer by preference, but if you’re short of money, a tequila will do; no salt, no lemon. Read his personal blog here: www.velcro-city.co.uk/blog

Armchair Anarchist's Articles:

Reviews:

Amethyst - Dying Embrace EP
Amusement Parks On Fire - Live - May 2006
Arrowshy - The Orders of Mariel - October 2005
Autumn In New York + 9 Months Waiting + Chillerton + Hellcyon - November 2005
Battle - Live - Wedge - February 2006
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Wedge - Oct 2005
Devil's Roadshow - Wedge - November 2005
Devil's Roadshow - Wedge - January 2006
Editors - Live, October 2005
Facelift Wired + Apnia - Devil's Roadshow - February 2006
Fivemiledrive - Single Review - May 2006
Frog On The Front - To Every End + Olmec Diagram + Tinnitus - November 2005
Hundred Reasons - Wedgewood Rooms - April 2006
Ian Brown - Portsmouth Guildhall - November 2005
Kerrang! XXV Tour - Bullet For My Valentine + Support - January 2006
Leaves' Eyes - Live - May 2006
Melt-Banana + Hunting Lodge - The Joiners - November 2005
Messclean Presents... 16Bronsons + Arrowshy + Enochian Theory - January 2006
Messclean Presents...The Elements + Bullet + The Waysters - May 2006
My Ruin + G.U. Medicine - Live - The Wedge - January 2006
NME Awards Tour - We Are Scientists + Maximo Park - February 2006
NME New Music Awards Tour - May 2006
Oceansize - Live - September 2005
Oceansize - Live - March 2006
Psyattica - Live - April 2006
Stay True Presents... Bail Out + Ninebar + Six Foot Ditch - January 2006
Strapping Young Lad - The Wedge - June 2006
The Aviators + The Stations - The Wedge - March 2006
The Cloud Room + We Are Scientists - October 2005
The Datsuns + SSM + Little London - Live - April 2006

The Levellers + Seth Lakeman - Portsmouth Guildhall - December 2005
The Skuds - Farewell Gig - Joiners - October 2005
The Strange Death of Liberal England - EP
The Subways + The Kooks - November 2005
The Thursday Thing - Chillerton + Labour In Vain + Tinnitus + Little London - Sept 05
The Thursday Thing - Aural Sex + 3 Day Benda + Wiservice - October 05
Wiservice - The Wedge - October 2005
You Me And The Atom Bomb - Demo - November 2005

Interviews:

You Me And The Atom Bomb - February 2006

Profiles:

Jo McCafferty
Little London
Rusty Sheriff

Features:

The Library - A Musician's Resource

Protokoll

2006-05-23T09:40:00.000+01:00

Southampton's Joiners - May 2006
Images: © 2006 DJ Webb
Written by DJ Webb

Since I began writing reviews for TFW I’ve kinda made it my mission to go out and see bands I wouldn’t necessarily see if I was the one paying for the ticket. Tonight was no different. Billed as 'NME Approved Electro-Pop' I went in with open ears and open mind. Well whoever decided Protokoll were electro-pop has different ideas about 'pop' to me. This Boston four-piece could be described as a lot of things, but pop? With their fast paced, drum-driven tracks coated with a film of effects-laden guitar and Jose De Lara’s superb lyrics, each new track gives you another layer to peel back and explore. If your not bouncing along to this, something's wrong; and it's not the synth-driven, post punk of Protokoll.

PH

2005-11-12T16:24:00.000+01:00

About PH:

With as broad a range of musical taste as you'll find, PH enjoys music in pretty much all its forms. As a reviewer, he prefers to describe what bands sound like, not who they sound like and isn't afraid to tell you what he really thinks. If you want a review but don't want honesty, don't ask.

PH is also the site's Deputy Editor and is responsible for commissioning and editing all features, interviews and profiles. If you want to contact him please click here or drop him a line at fweditorial@googlemail.com

PH's Articles:

Reviews:

Isle of Wight 2006
Air Pressure - MP3
Deadbeat Promotions Present... Laura Lost + Dead!Dead!Dead! + Fleeing New York
Dead!Dead!Dead! - Debut Single - March 2006
Duke Special + Thomas Truax - Live - May 2006
Ejector Seat Presents... Hot Sauce + Rusty Sheriff + The Syndicate + Hip Hop Farmers
Eve's Only Son - October EP
Fleeing New York - Live
Jinder- Album
Leisure + Birdpen + Tired Irie - Lennons - November 2005
Lennons Live - A World Asleep + Sunshine Republic + Brenda
Long Live Rock & Roll's 2nd Anniversary - live - January 2006
Loopy - 'Scuffed' - Album
MACH SCHAU EP - 'Demonstration One'
One Life Left - Live - April 2006
Ratfinkel - MP3
Shadow Spirit - MP3
SouthSCENE CD - The Coming Of The Railways
The Kooks - Live - Joiners - January 2006
The Ordinary Boys + Bedouin Soundclash + The Automatic - October 2005
The Towers of London + Fleeing New York - Southampton Uni - October 2005

Interviews:

Dead!Dead!Dead! - November 2005

Isle of Wight 2006

2006-06-26T15:58:00.000+01:00

by PH
Images courtesy of isleofwightfesitval.com

I arrive at the festival site late on Friday night (thank you Red Funnel), just in time to catch most of The Prodigy. The crowd is friendly as I move through it and there is a strong sense of that unique ‘festival vibe’ - people dancing randomly on their own, the smell of beer and strong weed fills the air and faces are adorned with smiles fuelled by the narcotics I can smell, but also by the prospect of another two days of festival in the sun. The Prodigy rock as well, which helps. With their crowd pleasers pumping out one after the other, they give me a very good first impression of the Isle of Wight Festival.

Saturday starts lazily, barred as we are from the ‘main arena’ until 11am. I must congratulate Carling, however, who manage to make the time pass enjoyably thanks to their ‘Beer Amnesty’. They swap warm cans of beer for ice cold ones, you see, so there’s no need to drink tent-warmed beer all weekend. Anyone who’s been to a festival, or just had to drink warm lager on a hot day, will appreciate the enormity of the effect of this service. Speaking of services, Virgin Radio, the nation's pop and rock radio station, broadcast live from the festival all weekend, providing listeners with exclusive coverage of the big names, as well as backstage interviews. You can check it all out on their website.

Anyway – back to the festival and I make my way down to the stage to catch The On Offs, who have the dubious honour of being first on. Despite as favourable a reaction from the crowd as you would expect this early in the (drinking) day, the three piece lacked the personality and presence required to back up their bitty sound. Uninspired, I wander away from the main stage to see what else is on offer for the discerning festival goer and music lover. In amongst the usual food and clothing stalls are two other live music outlets – the Nokia ‘Rock up and Play’ tent, which allows up and coming bands to, you guessed it, turn up and play, and ‘The Bandstand’, a…err…bandstand. As with all ‘up and coming’ bands, it’s a bit hit and miss, but there are a few acts who hold my attention long enough to persuade me to sit on the grass in the sunshine, drinking cold beer, and listen for a while. The other big discovery for me was an act performing at The Pussy Parlure, a Victorian style pub/club. The Crazy Circus Cabaret is a collective of circus performers and acrobats who put on a variety show of considerable skill. A refreshing break from the norm if you like that sort of thing, which I do.

The Kooks

I return to the main arena for Saturday’s big hitters. The Kooks’ reaction from the crowd is immense and deservedly so. I wouldn’t be surprised if they are headlining festivals this time next year. Dirty Pretty Things and The Editors follow with largely forgettable sets, leaving Primal Scream to really get the evening going. My first big surprise of the weekend comes from the Foo Fighters. Despite being treated to some Dave Grohl drumming, their sound lacked the energy and punch that I expected. It was entertaining – Monkey Wrench still goes down well – just not as intense as you might expect a Foo’s festival set to be. I’m standing about level with the sound desk and the bass isn’t shaking my insides – something’s wrong there.

Foo Fighters

Determined not to get distracted by the Pussy Parlure again on Sunday, I settle in front of the main stage to watch The Delays, who benefit from being reasonably local… and popular. Their sound and presence suits the big stage and they keep the crowd's attention well. To be honest, they’re not really my bag – it’s a bit limp-indie-pop for my liking – but there are enough people enjoying it, and singing along, to make my opinion irrelevant on the day.

The Delays

Veterans Procol Harum follow, turning my head with the one song that I recognised but inspiring little more response. Kubb play a similar trick, their set as non-descript as it was unrecognisable, except for their one song that everyone recognises – whatever that’s called. Maximo Park catch my attention with a more energetic and interesting sound. In contrast to the Foo Fighters, their sound engineers seem to have got it just about right. Lou Reed sets things up for the evening, playing to a largely nostalgic audience, and is followed by this year’s big career revival, Richard Ashcroft. Predictably, his set mixed old classics with select tracks from his new album, but it was entertaining enough and there are worse songs to be listening to in a field on a summers evening than ‘The Drugs Don't Work’ and ‘Bittersweet Symphony’.

Richard Ashcroft

The second big surprise of the weekend is that I actually quite enjoy Coldplay. I think they’ve made some decent music in their time but the last time I saw them – at the V Festival – I gave up after ten minutes because they were really rather boring. They fit the mood and situation perfectly this time, however, and I sing along with 50,000 other people enjoying a chilled out Sunday evening - in a field, on the Isle of Wight.

Coldplay

All Artist's Websites

2005-11-02T22:22:00.000+01:00

Wanna get your band's website listed here? Email the url to southernfly@gmail.com

1-10 | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P| Q | R | S | T | THE | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

OR search by the county the act is based in by clicking on the map

1-10

2 Tonic

SixNationState

9 Months Waiting

Ten Percent Less

Ten To Never

A

A World Asleep

Adam Boucher

Air Traffic

Alaskan Pipeline

Alldred (Doug)

Alphino

Amethyst

Anon

Arrowshy

Arcane Defiance

Aunt Steller

Autons

Aviators (The)

Awkward Silence

B

Baker Brothers (The)

Bazuzu

Bees (The)

Betika

Beyond The Shadow

Biff Tannen

Big Joan

Birdpen

Bosh

Boucher (Adam)

Brenda

Broken Boneless

Bullycats (The)

C

Cancer Project (The)

Capital X

Capo Regime

Captain Snake Eyes

Cathode-Ray Mission

Charlie Parkers (The)

Chillerton

Circa

CircusAct

Closest Thing To Closure

Coldearth

Conspiro

Cracking Amy

Creation

Customchild

D

Daily

Dais Corporation

Dali's Cat

David Miatt

Davros

Day Of The Fight

Dead! Dead! Dead!

Dead Jack

Delays (The)

Dionysus (The)

Dlugokecki

Donovan (Luke)

Doug Alldred

Dragon Eye Morrison

Drifting Through Illusion

Driving South

Durt

Dutch Husband

Dynamics (The)

E

Edmonds (Russell)

Effigy

Electrolyte

Enchanted Mood

Enochian Theory

Eve's Only Son

F

Faetal

Fallen Not Flying

Fantastic A + E Line (The)

Final Word (The)

Fleeing New York

Four Man Riot

Frayed Ends Of Sanity

G

Game (The)

Geko

Get Amped

Getaway Plan (The)

Goffman

Gojira

Guerilla Tapestry

H

Ha! Ha! Party People

Harpoon Larsen

Hateball

Heist (The)

Hidden Agenda (The)

Hights (The)

Hellcyon

Help She Can't Swim

Heterodox

Hijera

Hipstar

Hoffman Sloth

Humungus douglas

Hunting Lodge

I

In This Defiance

Indian Summer

Inside Information

J

Jackson Analogue (The)

Jets Vs Sharks

Johnsons (The)

Joseph (Thomas)

Jimmy’s Big Fish

Jinder

JuJu Men (The)

K

Kid Idiot (formally My Retro Console)

Kody

Kumiss

Kyoto

L

Labour In Vain

Lady Winwood's Maggot

Leisure

Life O'Riley (The)

Little Green

Little London

Lo*chine

Loopy

Lorus J. Milne Quartet (The)

Lostaura

Luke Donovan

Lyons (Peter)

M

Mach Schau

Madisuns (The)

Maheno

Maine Street

ManVersusNature

Masters (The)

Megan Thomas

Messiah

Miatt (David)

Midnight Skull Assembly

Mirrorball

Missing Citizen

Mista Mushroom

Mister Doom

Modern Fighting Vehicles (The)

Monos (The)

Munroe Effect

Muted Faith

My Mantra

N

Naomi Hates Humans

Nefarious

Neon Vice

NerfT

New Age Process

Nitrate

O

Ollspin

Olmec Diagram

One Life Left

P

Parker

Paul White

Pellumair

Perico

Peter Lyons

Plague

Plastic Toys

Plastik

Play With Fire

Preacher Joe

Pronghorn

Psyattica

Puzzle Muteson

Q

R

Rainstar

Rat:Daddy

Rather

Rattlesnake

Reason (The)

Rebel Ching (The)

Red Letter Day

Red Peal

Rekalix

Rest At Nothing

Ricky

Ridgeway (The)

Rival Joustas

ROADs

Rolling Dog

Ro Shambo

Russell Edmonds

Rusty Sheriff

S

Saddest Day (The)

Safety Of Routine (The)

Sarah Jane Smith

Scarlet Soho

Schoolboy Error

Set In Tears

Serotonin

Serpica

Sickbay Parade

Silicon Sun

Sine Star Project

Sion

Skylar

Skyline Heroes

SixNationState

Shrouds (The)

Skoria

So Fades The Glory

Solitude

SomaHigh

Spider Jerusalem

SpinOuts (The)

Spontaneous Suggestion

Stations (The)

Stop It You're Killing Me

Stup!d

Subgiant

Summa

Sways (The)

Sweetedge

T

Tannen(Biff)

Ten Percent Less

Ten To Never

Thomas Joseph

Thomas (Megan)

Tinnitus

Tomboy

Tri-City President

THE

The Aviators

The Baker Brothers

The Bees

The Bullycats

The Cancer Project

The Charlie Parkers

The Delays

The Dionysus

The Dynamics

The Fantastic A + E Line

The Final Word

The Game

The Getaway Plan

The Heist

The Hidden Agenda

The Hights

The Jackson Analogue

The Johnsons

The JuJu Men

The Life O'Riley

The Lorus J. Milne Quartet

The Madisuns

The Masters

The Modern Fighting Vehicles

The Monos

The Reason

The Rebel Ching

The Ridgeway

The Saddest Day

The Safety Of Routine

The Shrouds

The SpinOuts

The Stations

The Sways

The Viff

The Warm

The Waves

U

V

V-Hero

Vauderville

Viff (The)

W

Waiting For Superman (WFS)

Warm (The)

Waves (The)

White(Paul)

Wiservice

X

Xavier Floyd Firebird

Y

You Me And The Atom Bomb

You've Been Lied To

Young Lust

Z

Back To The Top

Dorset Bands

1-10 | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P| Q | R | S | T | THE | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

1-10

A

Adam Boucher

Alphino

B

Baker Brothers (The)

Bazuzu

Betika

Beyond The Shadow

Bosh

Brenda

C

Captain Snake Eyes

Circa

Coldearth

D

Dutch Husband

E

F

Fallen Not Flying

Fantastic A + E Line (The)

G

Get Amped

H

Hateball

Hidden Agenda (The)

Hoffman Sloth

I

Indian Summer

J

Jinder

K

L

Lady Winwood's Maggot

Lorus J. Milne Quartet (The)

Lostaura

M

Maheno

Maine Street

Mirrorball

N

Naomi Hates Humans

Nefarious

O

Olmec Diagram

P

Parker

Paul White

Perico

Plague

Pronghorn

Q

R

Red Peal

Rolling Dog

ROADs

S

Sickbay Parade

Shrouds (The)

Skoria

Spider Jerusalem

SpinOuts (The)

Spontaneous Suggestion

Stations (The)

Stop It You're Killing Me

Summa

T

Ten To Never

THE

The Baker Brothers

The Fantastic A + E Line

The Hidden Agenda

The JuJu Men

The Lorus J. Milne Quartet

The Shrouds

The Viff

U

V

Viff (The)

W

White(Paul)

X

Y

You've Been Lied To

Z

Back To The Top

Hampshire Bands

1-10 | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P| Q | R | S | T | THE | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

1-10

2 Tonic

SixNationState

9 Months Waiting

A

A World Asleep

Air Traffic

Alaskan Pipeline

Amethyst

Anon

Arcane Defiance

Arrowshy

Aviators (The)

Aunt Steller

Autons

B

Big Joan

Birdpen

Bullycats (The)

C

Cancer Project (The)

Capital X

Cathode-Ray Mission

Charlie Parkers (The)

Chillerton

CircusAct

Conspiro

Cracking Amy

Creation

D

Daily

Dais Corporation

Dali's Cat

David Miatt

Davros

Dead! Dead! Dead!

Dead Jack

Dionysus (The)

Dlugokecki

Donovan (Luke)

Dragon Eye Morrison

Drifting Through Illusion

Dynamics (The)

E

Edmonds (Russell)

Effigy

Electrolyte

Enchanted Mood

Enochian Theory

Eve's Only Son

F

Faetal

Fleeing New York

Frayed Ends Of Sanity

G

Getaway Plan (The)

Geko

Goffman

Gojira

Guerilla Tapestry

H

Ha! Ha! Party People

Harpoon Larsen

Hights (The)

Hellcyon

Help She Can't Swim

Hijera

Hipstar

Humungus douglas

Hunting Lodge

I

In This Defiance

Inside Information

J

Jets Vs Sharks

Johnsons (The)

Joseph (Thomas)

K

Kid Idiot (formally My Retro Console)

Kumiss

Kyoto

L

Labour In Vain

Leisure

Life O'Riley (The)

Little Green

Little London

Lo*chine

Loopy

Luke Donovan

Lyons (Peter)

M

Mach Schau

Madisuns (The)

ManVersusNature

Megan Thomas

Messiah

Miatt (David)

Midnight Skull Assembly

Missing Citizen

Mister Doom

Modern Fighting Vehicles (The)

Monos (The)

Munroe Effect

Muted Faith

My Mantra

N

Neon Vice

NerfT

New Age Process

Nitrate

O

Ollspin

One Life Left

P

Pellumair

Peter Lyons

Plastic Toys

Plastik

Play With Fire

Psyattica

Q

R

Rainstar

Rat:Daddy

Rather

Reason (The)

Rebel Ching (The)

Red Letter Day

Rekalix

Rest At Nothing

Ricky

Ridgeway (The)

Rival Joustas

Ro Shambo

Russell Edmonds

Rusty Sheriff

S

Saddest Day (The)

Sarah Jane Smith

Scarlet Soho

Schoolboy Error

Serotonin

Serpica

Set In Tears

Silicon Sun

Sine Star Project

Sion

SixNationState

Skylar

Solitude

SomaHigh

SpinOuts (The)

Spontaneous Suggestion

Stations (The)

Subgiant

Surfless

Sways (The)

Sweetedge

T

Tinnitus

Thomas Joseph

Megan Thomas

Tomboy

Tri-City President

THE

The Aviators

The Bullycats

The Cancer Project

The Charlie Parkers

The Delays

The Dionysus

The Dynamics

The Getaway Plan

The Hights

The Johnsons

The Lazys

The Life O'Riley

The Madisuns

The Masters

The Modern Fighting Vehicles

The Monos

The Reason

The Rebel Ching

The Ridgeway

The Saddest Day

The Shrouds

The SpinOuts

The Stations

The Sways

The Warm

The Waves

U

V

V-Hero

Vauderville

W

Waiting For Superman (WFS)

Warm (The)

Waves (The)

Wiservice

X

Xavier Floyd Firebird

Y

You Me And The Atom Bomb
Young Lust

Z

Back To The Top

Isle Of Wight Bands

1-10 | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P| Q | R | S | T | THE | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

1-10

A

Alldred (Doug)

Awkward Silence

B

Bees (The)

Biff Tannen

Broken Boneless

C

Capo Regime

Closest Thing To Closure

Customchild

D

Day Of The Fight

Doug Alldred

Driving South

Durt

E

F

Final Word (The)

Four Man Riot

G

H

Heist (The)

I

J

Jackson Analogue (The)

Jimmy’s Big Fish

K

Kody

L

M

Mista Mushroom

N

NerfT

O

P

Preacher Joe

Puzzle Muteson

Q

R

Rattlesnake

S

Safety Of Routine (The)

Skyline Heroes

So Fades The Glory

T

Ten Percent Less

THE

The Bees

The Crash Site

The Final Word

The Heist

The Jackson Analogue

The Safety Of Routine

U

V

W

X

Y

Z

Back To The Top

To get yourselves added to the list of bands click here to send your link. To report a broken link or any updates please click here to email us.

Rodrigo y Gabriela

2006-06-07T01:24:00.000+01:00

The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - June 2006
Image & Words: © 2006 DJ Webb

One of the greatest things about this job is getting to see bands you love, the other is getting to see bands you’d never heard of before. Tonight's sold out show falls firmly into that first category. Rodrigo y Gabriela’s style of music has evolved from their days in Mexican death metal bands. Now, with just two acoustic guitars, Rodrigo y Gabriela deliver an unrivalled musical experience. Filled with a drive and passion you rarely see today, Rodrigo y Gabriela take you on a rollercoaster ride. From the simple beginnings of ‘Satori’, to the epic cover of Metallica’s ‘Orion’, the intensity with which they play never lets up. The only singing tonight is that of the crowd to the cover of Pink Floyd's ‘Wish you Were Here’. Otherwise it isn't missed, or needed, it would only distract you from the music. And the music is, after all, what Rodrigo y Gabriela are all about.

Larrikin Love

2006-06-07T01:12:00.000+01:00

West End Centre, Aldershot - June 2006
Image: © 2006 www.larrikinlove.co.uk
By Michael Evans

Recently, I’ve seen an awful lot of bands that have been guilty of one of two crimes. Either cramming too many tunes into one song or, frankly, not having enough tunes in their entire set to make even one song. Happily, Larrikin Love fall into neither category, managing to make their various styles into a consummate whole. And whilst on record Larrikin Love come across as slightly dull, playing live they are the most arresting band I’ve seen in a long time. Describing themselves as “Bluegrass, Punk, Reggae” it’s hard to disagree as song after song leaps its way madly, from nimble fingered country pickin’ to rocking like a bastard - all via some laid back reggae and crazy skanking. With a charismatic frontman and a whistle toting bass player to boot, what more can you ask? Well worthy of your seven quid.

Ejector Seat's All-dayer

2006-06-07T01:37:00.000+01:00

Southampton's Joiners - May 2006
Image: © 2006 www.rivaljoustas.co.uk
By Chris Thorp

Upon arrival to the bustling venue I manage to catch the start of MoneyTree’s set, which is a good place to start for the evening’s music. Fronted by an extremely cheerful character, their quirky brand of jazzed-up rock proves to be somewhat hit and miss. Coming across as a mix between early Incubus and Biffy Clyro, their ambitious stop-start style can be both impressive and frustrating – although they have no problem in keeping the audience entertained. Rival Joustas, although initially having technical issues, obliterate the stage with their frantic performance, culminating with an invasion from the hyperactive crowd. Their songs are powerful and memorable, and the energy with which they play is easily transferred to the listener. I’m sure many people are concerned with the mental stability of the lanky vocalist (with much of his time spent dribbling or lying on the stage with his feet in the air), but for the most part this lack of stability seems to be the highlight of the evening. Having to catch the last train back means I can only watch half of Jeniferever’s performance. Witnessing their songs is like being sucked into a whirlpool – the louder the music gets, the more you get drawn in until there’s no chance of escape. The cover of their album, ‘Choose a bright morning’, perfectly illustrates their take on post-rock. It conjures up images of lush landscapes and forces of nature in the mind’s eye. After leaving, I can hear the thunderous noise continuing inside, regretting that I can’t experience where it would have taken me next.

Chris Thorp

2005-11-19T19:10:00.000+01:00

About Chris:

Chris hadn’t written a single review before joining The Fly Wessex, but since joining has found himself enjoying his new status as ‘music-journalist’ (it sounds more impressive than his chosen occupation in the exciting field of insurance). Being a lover of music since before he can remember, he has wanted to become part of the local scene and has achieved this firstly by playing guitar in the band ‘Arrowshy’, and secondly by joining The Fly Wessex team. He tries to keep as open-minded as possible when listening to music, whatever the genre, and aspires to having a more obscure record collection than anyone else. Some of his favourite artists include ‘The Mars Volta’, ‘Amon Tobin’ and ‘Fantomas’ but he's on a constant search for new and unique music that will change his life – and of course he’ll let you know when this happens!

Chris's Articles:

Live:

Broken Social Scene - The Wedge - February 2006
Ejector Seat's All Dayer - May 2006
Make Good Your Escape - The Wedge - November 2005
Mogwai - Southampton Uni - March 2006

CD Reviews:

A+E Line - Train Wrecks Album Review - January 2006
Brenda - EP Review - May 2006
Driving South - 'Moist' Demo Review - January 2006
One Life Left - Demo Review - March 2006
Stop It You're Killing Me - 'Waiting For Love' - EP Review - February 2006

Profiles:

Fivemiledrive

Links

2005-11-18T00:06:00.000+01:00

www.pompeymusic.co.uk

www.underyournose.co.uk

www.shakermakeruk.com

www.bbc.co.uk/hampshire/entertainment/music

www.purplepurge.co.uk

www.myspace.com/soundsofadisco

www.bbc.co.uk/dorset/entertainment/music

www.livewirelistings.co.uk

www.wherer.com

www.wightstock.cjb.net

www.wightvibe.com

www.musicobesity.com

www.skynet365.com

www.outofthevoid.co.uk

www.the-mag.me.uk

www.southscene.net

www.southwestgigguide.com

www.ejectorseat.co.uk

www.longliverockandroll.com

www.pmsradio.co.uk

www.rhythmonline.co.uk

Stuart Leech - Music Photos

2005-11-01T14:47:00.000+01:00

About Stuart:

Stuart Leech is Picture Editor for The Fly Wessex website. Based in Portsmouth, where he is studying a BA in photography at Portsmouth University, he has a passion for music and is keen to build both his own portfolio and his reputation. Not only does Stuart provide the site with exclusive, live images of bands all shapes and sizes, he also helps unsigned bands build up a collection of professional promo images for marketing purposes. His next project will be to branch out into CD imagery and cover work.

His prices will be dependent on your circumstances and often the only costs you may incur will be that of his petrol and/or a pair of tickets to a show. But he won't be this cheap forever!

To see examples of Stuart's photography feel free to have a look around the site or go to www.music.stuartleechphotos.co.uk to see a wider selection.

Stuart's Work Onsite:

Images Only

Battle - Live - Wedge - February 2006
Broken Social Scene - The Wedge - February 2006
Editors - The Wedge - October 2005
Hundred Reasons - Wedgewood Rooms - April 2006
Kerrang! XXV Tour - Bullet For My Valentine + Support - January 2006
Psyattica - Live - 2005
The Kooks - Portsmouth Pyramids - November 2005

The Levellers + Seth Lakeman - Portsmouth Guildhall - December 2005
The Strokes + The Ridgeway - January 2006
The Subways - Portsmouth Pyramids - November 2005
We Are Scientists + Envelopes - NME Awards Tour - February 2005

Image & Live Review

Be Your Own Pet - Live - April 2006
El Presidente - The Wedge - October 2005
Elbow - Portsmouth Pyramids - November 2005

Hard-Fi - Live - December 2005
Hi:Fi Festival - 2006
Richard Ashcroft - Live - May 2006
The Bravery + The Paddingtons - Southampton Guildhall - November 2005

Stu's Hi:Fi 2006

2006-06-05T15:09:00.000+01:00

Director

As the rain sets in at the Matterley bowl, I’m turning my attention to the Live Arena. Early on are sets from Director and Kharma 45. With no introductions on the stage and no real idea of who the hell these people are, all you can do is watch and listen. All of these early bands are only playing to a handful of people but still put on an admirable show. Director have just signed to Atlantic records and you can hear why. They have a geeky look and a mature sound. There are memorable songs and decent hooks; it's very easy to relate to their music. Kharma 45 put on a competent set - but are just so easily forgettable.

The Go! Team

Up next are The Go! Team, who are now playing somewhere near full capacity in the Live Arena. They always have tons of energy and Hi:Fi is no exception. They play through most of their debut album including the hit Ladyflash. The band are good and Ninja can really sing/skit/rap over anything - but they leave you wanting much more.

Mylo’s DJ set is up next and unfortunately my indie sensibilities can’t cope with a man in a silly hat, playing some vinyl (Although I’m sure the Ed will disagree!) Mylo fucking rocked, people, don't listen to the man - Ed.

Hard-Fi

I reviewed Hard-Fi back in December and, apart from a couple of new tracks, the set seems to be exactly the same. Nothing special occurs for the band’s first festival headline slot, which is a shame. They still have some great tunes and, to me, their tracks always sound and feel better played live. They have obviously acquired more fans after their recent sell-out tour and their recent Brixton Academy residency, but they desperately need some new material.

The Bees

Day 2

A bright, sunny Sunday - a complete change to yesterday. Today I’m starting with Isle of Wight's The Bees, and what a great way to start. The 60s psychedelic rock really captures the summer mood. They have a great sound and the band are fascinating to watch as they chop and change instruments. Drummers turn into bassists, keyboard players turn into guitarists and so on. Following this cracking start, on come Brakes. Made up of half The Electric Soft Parade and half of British Sea Power, the songs couldn’t be further from either. It's acoustic-country-punky-rock and includes a rendition of Johnny Cash’s Jacksonville. Enjoyable and weird in equal measures. After basking in the sun for an hour or so, Kosheenare on and kick off their set with hit 'Hide You'. They continue through some other well known tracks and some more recent material but, unfortunately, Kosheen have been appearing early on festival stages for years - and I think that's where they're destined to stay.

Ian Brown is tonight’s headliner - clearly unable to stay away from us for too long. The set starts with 'I wanna Be Adored' and I doubt there's a better way to get an entire crowd on your side. Playing a combo of solo hits, such as 'F.E.A.R', and various Stone Roses' tracks, this really is a Greatest Hits set. Not being old enough to remember The Stone Roses at their height, I have no idea if Ian Brown could ever sing - but he definitely can’t now. Despite that, I could listen to these classic tracks all night long.

Ian Brown

Udy & Kat's Hi:Fi 2006

2006-06-05T15:08:00.000+01:00

Car parked... tent up... wristbands obtained. We’ve arrived well before the festival gates are open and we're looking forward to a top weekend of music. The idea of a camping festival, with the emphasis on dance music, excites us and although a lot of it veers toward 'cheese', there are plenty of names we're well up for seeing. Once we're in it’s time to make contact with the guys at the Punch Funk stage.

Punchfunk Stage

Hailing from Portsmouth, Punch Funk have been given this unique opportunity to showcase local talent all weekend and for their most prolific face, Chris Vaux, it's a dream come true. He is clearly ready to go all out - and his grin is even wider than usual. “I think we are really doing something different here with today being all about the DJs and tomorrow showcasing four of Pompey’s top bands,” he tells me, before running off to schmooze with more proud locals. A quick flick through the programme leads us over to the Breaks Arena, hosted on Saturday by the Air label. Adam Freeland is playing and is entertaining the crowd with a mixture of party beats and his own classic cut up remixes of rock tunes, pretty much as expected but enjoyable nevertheless.

One half of Tiefschwarz plays a groovy set in the Electric Arena. The only reason we know it's happening at all is by advance email; sadly, the line-up for this tent has been omitted from the weekend's programme. As a result, the crowd for Dave Clarke is pathetic and he's clearly angry. Despite this, he plays an absolutely awesome techno set, the best we've seen so far.

We pop our heads into the Live Arena and check out a few tunes by Super Furry Animals, all of which please and amuse. They're a great band and have a massive audience completely enthralled with their 'surf's-up' harmonies. There's a point where the necks of three guitars are raised in the air together, in an almost surreal Ghostbusters moment. The night is rounded up with Geushky’s overlord Ian Void, smashing out a set with Vortechtral at the Punch Funk stage. Afterwards Ian tells me, “the sound was good, the vibe was ace... we could have continued for ages.”

“It doesn’t seem to have sunk in that we are playing (at Hi:Fi) yet”. We're up early to catch the band's arrival from Portsmouth and George, bassist with The Exits, is in high spirits. To my right the Wiservice lot are playing football and members of The Aviators and Rolling Dog are milling around. Once everything kicks off we are blessed with enough sunshine to see the bands through.

Wiservice

Wiservice open the day with enough energy to considerably raise the mood and The Aviators have a few sing-a-longs under their belts. Rolling Dog display the jolting craziness we’ve come to expect and The Exits are, simply, spot on and completely right for this festival.

The Exits

From this point onwards the highlight has to be Layo & Bushwacka, in the utterly amazing Radio Soulwax tent. From breaks and house, to funky techno, these guys are veteran masters - and it shows.

Soulwax Stage

It’s not long before we realise that 'King Monkey' is about to take to the Live Arena, so it’s an exit, stage left, for a drink. Ian Brown comes on stage to the Stone Roses' classic “I Wanna Be Adored” And he doesn’t really need to ask. The crowd absolutely love him and even though the geezer simply cannot sing, it doesn’t matter. His tunes are amazing and the band are even better. Moving onwards and, before we know it, we're faced with the best set of the weekend. Soulwax waste no time in living up to the fact that this dance tent is their own. Four men, three synths, one bass guitar and one drum kit have never sounded so unbelievably fat. Mainly sticking to tracks from their most recent album, we're thrashing around like rockers addicted to techno, just the way they want us to.

Soulwax are followed by the great Erol Alkan who continues the madness, before two members of the band return to the stage in their Too Many DJs guise.

And, so, Hi:Fi ends perhaps the way it intended to: a tent rammed to the gills with electro-rock, riffs crunching over electro, hip-hop and techno beats complimented with a smattering of Madonna, Bloc Party and of course... Michael Jackson. The weekend is complete.

Hi:Fi 2006

2006-05-31T16:52:00.000+01:00

From Creamfields to Homelands, and We Love Homelands to Hi:Fi, Matterley Bowl near Winchester is now well-renowned for hosting a constantly evolving music festival every May. Dance music is one of the fastest moving, widest reaching genres of music out there and Angel music (Godskitchen/Global Gathering) reckon they know the next move on the festival map - integration. Hi:Fi's aim was to appeal to the "iPod generation" and fuse indie rock with dance, during two massive events - one in the North of England, one in the South.

Many of the artists played both festivals, with the likes of cheery media-lover Ian Brown being flown from one end of the country to the other. Festival promoter, James Algate, said: “It was an ambitious undertaking to launch a new two day rock n’ dance weekender with camping to replace the old Homelands format so it is highly rewarding to have been given the thumbs up by the crowds. To reach 75% capacity in year one is a great result and we are already looking to build on everything positive for next year’s event.”.

The organisers proudly announced they had raised a total of £15,000 for charity, in the South alone. The money raised is to be split equally between Upper Itchen Valley Society and Naomi House.

So. You've heard the background, you've seen it bigged up by their own promotion team (because they're never biased, are they?) and we know they raise money for good causes - but what's gonna make you get off your arse and buy a ticket in 2007? Did Hi:Fi cut it as a music festival? Did the integration work? Well, while Hi:Fi North's journos were all busy holding down tents and trying to stop stages blowing away, Wizard of Oz styley, TFW's guys were finding out what Hi:Fi South really had on offer.

As much as we wanted to be everywhere all at the same time, it was impossible. So Udy & Kat, dance scene lovies and organisers of Portsmouth's Under Your Nose events, covered one end of the festival site, while Stu, upcoming rock photographer and all-round indie kid, covered the other. When they met in the middle they both agreed that Ian Brown couldn't sing. Now what were the chances of that happening?

Read Udy & Kat's account of the dance arenas here, or click here to read Stu's version of more rock-orientated events.