With Boardmasters fast approaching I’ve put together a list with videos of must sees!

.

rudi

Its just over two weeks until Boardmasters 2012 kickstarts for some summer madness in Newquay when thousands descend into the town to join the fun.

This year the festival is offering something for everyone, making this festival one of the most diverse. Headlining the Friday mainstage is non-other than man of the moment Ed Sheeran, who is geared up to get the crowd singing along to his cleverly written hooky tunes, whilst Saturday night sees bedroom rapper Dizzee Rascal taking to the stage who will certainly be spreading his summer-fill-good tunes. Also appearing will be Maximo Park, Maverick Sabre and Rudimental, who are cooking up a storm with their feel-good summer anthem ‘Feel The Love’, here’s hoping they bring a full band! Other notable names include Zane Lowe, The Big Pink, Pulled Apart By Horses and Delilah.  

Friday’s Dance Stage is headlined by dance sensation DJ Fresh with his incredible show Fresh/Live. He’s constantly pushing the boundaries with his dubstep and drum and base crossover sound. His highly skilful unit will delight the crowds with their expertise and create an atmosphere unlike any club experience.

Boardmasters is certainly the place to be!

What a perfect weekend for a festival that had panoramic views of Dartmoor. There is something beautiful about poking your head out of the tent and seeing the sun rise over the hills, with Haytor glissoning for all to see, both very refreshing and calming. Chagstock, a perfect place to escape to for a weekend away providing good energy and entertainment without getting too commercial that’s profit goes to charities such as the Devon Air Ambulance. Headlining this year was KT Tunstall, the Brit award winning artists who’s shot to stardom with her singles ‘Suddenly I See’ and ‘Other Side of The World’.

The Scots-Chinese-Irish 36 year old clearly fancies herself, instead of just being some kooky warbler who had a couple of decent hits and got lucky on Jools Holland. She introduces herself by sprouting ‘Who’s ready for a one women show?’ whilst rubbing her leg, it was enough to create a sour face as many shone away, whilst many lips opened adoring her courage. Throughout the show her personality led to many shocking moments, there were many cringe worthy moments that led to people exciting from all directions, proving herself to be a real rural xenophobe by stereotyping the whole audience and shouting ‘Who’s here with a lover? Who’s here with a lover that isn’t their brother or sister?’ Did she get the memo that this was a family event? From this moment on it was obvious that although people were enjoying the music her personality left a little to be desired.  

However, this isn’t a character assassination. Musically, most of the gig was actually pretty good.

Tunstall appears alone on stage with a series of acoustic guitars, a keyboard and a loop pedal. She employs the latter to impressive effect, conjuring up beats and backing vocals, finger-clicks and handclaps. She even attempts to get the audience to become a human drum machine by creating sneer sounds and beats. Tunstall performed tracks a number of tracks taken from her forth-coming album that played with the idea of her being a ‘natural techno’ artist becoming a human-sax. She also performed her classics, ‘Other Side of the World’ and ‘Suddenly I See’, showing that her personality isn’t all that bad as at least she isn’t one of these artists who refuse to play songs people want to hear.

On a technical level, Tunstall’s solo adventure is a success, but with the set having lasted less than an hour and full of chit-chat, it’s hard to shake the feeling that you were somewhat robbed. 

Vinyl Jacket are very happy to announce that their third single ‘Red Light’ will be released via The Calico Print on 5 March 2012.

Blue Ivy Carter is only 3 days old yet she has already been featured on her proud father’s latest record, ‘Glory’. Jay-Z and Beyonce have introduced their little buddle of through the art of song.

It features the tales of how his ‘greatest creation’ was conceived, the moment she was born and how Beyonce had suffered a miscarriage, rapping “Last time the miscarriage was so tragic/We was afraid you’d disappear/But nah baby, you’re magic.”

He goes on to creatively reference his wife with such lyrics as “You’re the child of destiny/You’re the child of my destiny/You’re my child with the child from Destiny’s Child/That’s a helluva recipe.”

He ends by saying that “the most beautiful thing in this world is daddy’s little girl” and “life is a gift, open it up.”

Well, with a daddy like this, it sounds like baby Blue Ivy Carter is off to great start in life.

One of the truly original English Synth pop acts and a major influence on everyone from Hot Chip to Metronomy, Blancmange take to the road for a Christmas shakedown.

After plying their big electronica sounds across Europe this summer including a triumphant Bestival appearance, Neil Arthur, Graham Henderson and Pandit Dinesh hit the road with their catalogue of leftfield pop classics. Equipped with trademark fat analogue synth sounds and a bag of classical Indian percussion, Blancmange will be performing tracks from their latest album ‘blanc burn’ alongside timeless new wave classics like ‘Living On The Ceiling’, ‘Waves’ and ‘Don’t Tell Me’. They may even dust down their infectious cover of Abba’s ‘The Day Before You Came’.

Available only at the Live dates will be a 180 gm vinyl pressing of the LP “blanc burn”. For more info http://www.blancmange.co.uk

Monday 28^th November Thekla, Bristol

Tuesday 29^th November Komedia, Brighton

Wednesday 30^th November Bush Hall, London