Saturday 15 April 2017

The New Avalon Ballroom Weekender, Day 3, Saturday 15th April 2017

The New Avalon Ballroom Weekender, Day 3; the wonderfully anarchic Architypes, one of the finest groups around at the moment, the most fantastic Cary Grace Band, and the final photo is of the super talented Graham Clarke, who performed with nearly every band and surely deserves the title 'legend'.

Friday 14 April 2017

The New Avalon Ballroom Weekender, Day 2, Friday 14th April 2017

The New Avalon Ballroom Weekender, Day 2; festy styled ambient wizards Music of the Andys, smiley techo combo Zub Zub, and the legendary, and I mean 'legendary', Here and Now Band (of course including the Music of the Andys pair).

Thursday 13 April 2017

The New Avalon Ballroom Weekender, Day 1, Thursday 13th April 2017

The New Avalon Ballroom Weekender, day 1; the fabulous Magic Bus, and scene stalwarts and multi talented musical ensemble Kangaroo Moon.

Monday 3 April 2017

The Moonlandingz @ The Wedgewood Rooms 3.4.2017



Goat Girl @ The Wedgewood Rooms, 3.4.2017

I read good headlines about Goat Girl, but only the headlines, I made a point of not reading on, nor listening to any of their music. There's something exciting about seeing an unheard band for the first time, the possibilities. I wasn't to be disappointed, Goat Girl were fecking great! Blisteringly paced, short punchy numbers all delivered with energy and gusto, in an indie, garage style; a four piece from the smoke, with a good tight sound.  I heard they were all still teenagers, which is mental, and bodes well for their future, as if they're this good already (and they really were) we can look forward to some proper good shit to come. Each band member was proficient in their art and all had their own unique style and delivery, which made them as much fun to watch as to listen to.  The lead guitarist/vocals had a cool laid back and quirky style of delivery which drew both eye and ear, the drummer was intense, leaning into her kit, giving it a proper thrashing and pulling some top faces, again great for eye and ear, the bassist was solid and already had that air of stoic cool seen in seasoned bassists, I couldn't properly see the other guitarist (too far over) though she sounded good too. I really enjoyed their set, as did the rest of the audience. A nice surprise and certainly a band to keep an eye on.

Sunday 2 April 2017

Bindon Hill to Flowers Barrow

Not a long walk at 9 miles, though a punishing walk as it was virtually all hills. Park in Lulworth, up the steep side Bindon Hill and along it's hogs back ridge with its prehistoric banks and ditches, followed by a descent in to the small bay of Arish Mell where the waste water pipe from Dorset’s atomic energy establishment site at Winfrith, then directly the citadel heights of Flowers Barrow Iron Age Hillfort rose before us, an arduous climb later the payback was glorious views along the Jurassic coast. That was the out route. After a short rest and time to absorb the beauty before us, it was the return route.  Over ancient ramparts and back down to Arish Mell, past the rusting hulks of cobbled together mutant tanks used for target practice, then up the really punishing rise to Bindon. We then turned towards the sea and down the slippery grass slope with its loose tracks to the rocky bay of Mupe.  With it's rock stack, buckled geology and secret smuggler cave (a proper one!), Mupe Bay is straight out of an adventure story.  It's hard going, the coast here is jumbled rocks, some stable, some not. Once up from the bay it's along the coast to Lulworth Cove, with a quick detour to the fossil forest, described as "one of the most complete fossilized forest of any age", now closed to the public due to access problems, still do-able though. Finally Lulworth Cove and back to the car. Lulworth Cove's great, though a tedious walk (as pebbles always are), especially at the end of a walk, and a notorious honey pot, especially on good days. A great walk, taxing, though well worth the inevitable aching to come. 

Saturday 1 April 2017

April clouds

I really dig clouds.