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SWG3, Glasgow
June 28the, 2023

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There’s a place in Glasgow’s Yorkhill down towards the Clyde where a railway bridge’s tunnels are being used to a remarkable extent for all kinds of things. Then in a corner you come to a venue called SWG3, this venue caters for a world of creative pasttime’s. I had been there a few times now and for the eve I was there to see an Australian originated band called simple ‘Ocean alley’ they were there to deliver a show tight and expectant with energy.

It’s a nice place with plenty of room and is well known to show crowds quite the performance. The support act called; ‘Seaside’ were given a very healthy almost hour, something nice about that, to get things going. This group looked great as the lights billowed in different colours, and great rocking and sultry music spilled into the room.

The large room filled more and more, waiting as obvious fans, for the headliners Ocean Alley to appear, and when they did believe it was loud. Very much enjoying the dynamics of the place their great presence was confirmed being a 6 piece act, electric and firing. Crowd appreciation was I say again evident as the mood rose into great heights, well known lyrics sung and couples revelled.   

The band formed in 2011 as an Australian band who concentrated on their local neighbourhoods and areas. They’ve got to be surfers because if they weren’t they wouldn’t have been able to form the sound and style of their musical delectations. This venue as I said caters in many guises from food to night club, so the evening felt like a night club venue with live music, another great space for a Glaswegian to go out and have a really good time. Since their formation they have recorded 4 studio albums, not counting EP’s, their attitude was as fresh as ever.

Long haired rock blended with a psychedelic, wave conferences came at us in the waves of a very distinctive vibe. Vocals rang out and grabbed the attentions of the room in a very smooth transition. I took it all in with glee, stepping back to absorb, there was something even operatic about it, perhaps in its volume and strength of stamina, after all Australia isn’t exactly next door. Their whole vibe is a good vibe, these adventurers who don their hats and long hair to crowds they know well how to entertain on instruments that packed the same way we did.

Great vibe, great t-shirt and merchandise stand, left me with an image of rock n’ roll and importantly of getting together. What better way of getting together than transporting yourself to a gig where you felt like you could be anywhere in the world. I’m very sure that their influences and tastes regarding what must be a whirlwind life vary and are many, but their modern and original music blasts the cobwebs away and strove out on its own. Great view, music, atmosphere, with a universal rock giving.   

Daniel Donnelly

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A group of painter-musician-poets from across the Central Belt have banded together this month for their debut exhibition

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What is a Continualist? Good question! The time has come to join Edinburgh’s Tam Treanor, Glasgow’s Daniel Donnelly, & Arran’s Damian Beeson Bullen as they organically draw out the definition of a movement that is evolving as its being born.

Major art movements in Scotland are of the rare kind, but do happen, such as in the 1880s & the 1980s when the Glasgow Boys & then the Glasgow New Boys strutted over their canvases with eager, distinctive & very talented brushes dipped in Modernism. Another half-century later, a new group of artists epicentr’d on Glasgow are ready to bare their own creative souls to the world.

The same idea of setting up an artists colony such as the one at Grez-sur-Loing, which serv’d the original Glasgow Boys a century & a half ago; or the fortnight spent in Tunis by Macke, Moilliet & Klee, is bouncing around their conversations right now – a polymathic place to make music, compose poety & of course, paint. But first things first, their debut exhibition is blasting into Glsgow.

Large scale conceptions & abstract details abound thro’ all their works, but the principle matier, which all three painters love to sink their teeth into, is the world of colours. Continualism appreciates the spatial values of colour, as demonstrated by Robert Delauney’s contraste simulante & his ‘chords of colours‘, who declar’d, ‘finding the space-shaping energies of colour, instead of contenting ourselves with a dead chiaroscuro, is our finest task.’ They all enjoy an abstract approach, but differ stylistically between flamboyance & restraint, while Daniel sometimes employs a more geometrically landscaped reflection of both natural & urban settings.

In addition to their love of painting, all three Continualists are talented musicians in their own right. Tam has been quite the nomad when it comes to musical styles – soundscape artist one moment, pianist in a ska-pop band another, sometimes he’s a singer-songwriter with a guitar & a full band, other times he’s a one-man electro dance-disco live show.

Tam’s current project has the name YEAH!, & involves playing keyboards & singing unique & well crafted songs with band member Joey, who made his cello-double bass-combo himself.

Damo & Daniel are currently working on their new band, which was originally call’d Asphalt Jungle after the1950 Marilyn Monroe film, but on discovering a Parisian punk band from the 70s were call’d Asphalt Jungle, they have renamed their band DIAMOND JUNGLE.

Starting with opening night, live music will be an important part of each Continualism exhibition. It is perhaps something of a ‘Neu Kunstlervereinigung’ group, altho where those artist from Munich reinforced their art with lectures & publications, the Continualists will support their art with bangin’ tunes in a state of mutual interpenetration.

Each of my painting’s tells a story from the soul but they are all informed as traditional landscape’s and as you will see the differences are there from me of seascape or cityscape so I feel there is an individuality to them and also feel that my love for brush and colour has become something intimate to share. The long running experience of botanical drawing, etching, oil paint on canvas, pencil drawing, oil pastel, gauche have all drawn into the experience that is now before me to be part of our ‘Continualist’ movement. Daniel Donnelly

Alongside Tam is the fourth member of the Continualist movement – his seven year old daughter, Freida Kaiser Treanor. They play music together, they cook together & now they paint together. She has irrepressible artistic talent, & must be one of the youngest Scottish artists to ever exhibit her work.

They began their father and daughter collaboration on canvas in Edinburgh 2020 in response to the covid 19 lockdown and distancing restrictions. It was not easy to find activities with other children when people were restricted to their house, so Tam and Frieda went into their imaginations and creative escape.

They found some used canvases, some paint they had left over from renovating their home and began exploring what they could create together. Their mood and the environment in which they paint often informs how and what emerges in their work. They seldom use paint brushes, preferring to use twigs, leaves, plastic bags or other objects from the place in which they are painting. In this way they try to capture the moment in their paintings.

The fifth Continualist is the movement’s official photographer, Zewen Lai, from China, & currently a photography student in Glasgow. Together, all five Continualists are hoping to provide Glasgow with a splash of summer colour in the hottest & sunniest month of the year. Most of the artwork is available for sale, while prints are available for all the pieces – enquire at the gallery or call (0141 221 3704).

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CONTINUALISM: Exhibition Number One

July 8th – August 2nd, 2023

Pentagon Business Centre, Glasgow

www.sixfootgallery.co.uk

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Dalkeith Country Park
June 24th, 2023

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Playing host to Lets Rock Scotland was the historical Dalkeith House and Country Park, situated in Midlothian just south of Edinburgh. A place that has seen many a battle and conflict, such as the Battle of Pinkie in 1547, now brings a skirmish of a different kind – the Battle of the Retro Bands.

Using only music as their weapons, musical legends compete for an audience of 2,000 colourful New Romantic and Pop enthusiasts looking to indulge in more memorable moments with their favorite bands.

The sun was out, the heat was on, and the temperature was rising, and as the day progressed the joy among the revellers was clear to see. Burgers, beers, cocktails and smiles were in seen in large quantities and shared among all present. Taking to the stage throughout the day and into early evening, a cluster of 80s icons such as The Beat, with their ska-skanking numbers like ‘Mirror in the Bathroom,’ ‘Too Nice To Talk Too’ and the unforgettable ‘Cant Get Used To Losing You’ soon had the rude boys stomping the green grass dance floor.

Spandau Ballet’s Tony Hadley and Fine Young Cannibal’s Roland Gift delivered a run of classic hits such as ‘Gold’ and ‘True’ and with Roland dropping ‘Johnny Come Home’ and ‘Suspicious Minds’, the mood was set.

As the day turned to evening, the sea of bright lush colours could have done with a sprinkle of rain as many a burnt scalp and shoulders were visible among the now geared-up crowd, but thankfully they had an appointment with Doctor and the Medics, when ‘Spirit in the Sky’ came too their rescue.

Blancmange were ‘Living on the Ceiling’ as there was no more room down there, but according to the crowd there was enough room down here for everyone, who tried in vein to get Blancmange to join in with a fantastic sing along.

Betty Boo, Hue and Cry, and the Stray Cats wielded a combination of chart-topping hits that went down as well as the beer was doing. An influx of people started to fill the front of the arena as Ultravox / Midge Ure took to the stage.

Beginning with ‘If I Was’, within no time Midge Ure had the crowd eating out of the palm of his hand, and the reward was ‘Vienna.’ A classic timeless masterpiece that had the entire audience singing like opera singers. Followed by ‘All Stood Still,’ ‘Loves Great Adventure’ and ‘Dancing with Tears in My Eyes,’ I could see around me genuine tears in the eyes of many an individual.

Music is like a time capsule, it propels you to another time and place that brings forth the memories of past times. Good or bad, those memories will always be relived through the undeniable power of music.

It was warm and humid so by late evening when the sun dipped, the stage lights were present in all their glory which meant The Human League were about to headline Rock Scotland. The screen show, the lights, and the simple but intriguing stage production drew us in like an autumn evening awaiting the days closure. The Human League did not fail.

The sound was spot on and with Phil Oakey’s distinctive voice they unleashed a barrage of hits. Lebanon, Being Boiled, Seconds, Fascination, Mirror Man,, Sound of the Crowd and the timeless classic Dont you want me Baby were all featured and received with great appreciation from thousands of punters past and present.

Hats off to Lets Rock Scotland, not for just putting on a wonderful retro festival but for all the charity work it does behind the scenes helping those in need. Until next time…

Words & Images: Raymond Speedie

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Raehills Meadows
Dumfries & Galloway
June 8-11, 2023

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Eden Festival !!!! Well where do you start?? – & in scorchio sun as well! I don’t think there’s anything better actually, & when the weather brought out the sunshine in the Eden goers, what a cracking vibe would ensue! As soon as you put on that wristband you have the freedom of the place, a playground for all ages, as attested by the family love energy which penetrated every smiling kid or pensioner, & all the other ages in between.

The Mumble’s Eden began with its most formidable crack press team – myself & James – who can handle their bevvy & love to boogie. After we each headed to Harthill from East & West, & after a few spins round the roundabout trying to figure out which was the M74 road, we were soon whizzing down to Galloway.

Entering the fields, full of June lushness & absolutely heavenly in the sun, from the moment we arrived we were welcomed by the most friendliest of staff. After getting our wrist bands we were personally escorted to our camping pitch by a reyt sound guy on a bike to the Live In camping area. That turned out to be the perfect spot as we found ourselves park’d between some reyt up for it lads from the locality (Annan & Moffat) & a lovely couple up from Sheffield – Linda & Jason, who are normally Shamballa goers down Englandshire, but have made the trek north to check out Eden for the first time, & have already booked early birds to come back next year.

Friday night is always ‘I’m reyt excited to be here, let’s get stuck in, like, night,’ which generally passes in a rainbow blur full of chit-chat, bobbing about & loads of booze. We did catch a few funky folky tunes from Mad Ferret & Have Mercy Las Vegas in Rabbies Tavern, including the now eternal classic Wagon Wheel.

After a wee donder about we headed over to the Great Mountain Stage. First up was Pongo who put on an awesome set. Then for Friday’s headliners, General Levy!! Drum and bass of the highest level. Had the massive crowd in the palm of their hands. I don’t think we had danced that much in so long.

Then off to the afterhours entertainment. We went to the Lost Disco, which is hidden away in the corner of the site, and danced our funky pants off until 3.am. There were other options available but I was more than happy there. What a first night to say the least.

Once the music finishes it’s just getting midsummer light, & we poing’d off back to our camp-site for a good few hour’s kip. James has these amazing silicone earplugs which keeps all the noise out. Proper pleasant zzzzs ensued. James also goes to Glasto every year, so Eden is a good place to test out his camping gear. Fortunately, or unfortunately, his posh mattress kept deflating – he knows that now for the coming 7 nights camp at Glasto, but it wasn’t ideal for Eden.

The Saturday morning sun rose & began sending x-ray heat into the tents, so better off up & out then, innit. And on it we got. I mean, its beautiful weather, everyone’s had a great first night, with the promise of a lot more japes & hijinks to come. Why potter about having a cup of tea & a butty, let’s get that sambuca out – I can eat when I get ‘ome.

We headed into the arena about lunchtime. The amount of entertainment for the kids was brilliant. There was wooden spoon carving & also stone carving, ran by our mate from last year, who doesn’t do it for the money, but for the joy in letting kids hammer with a chisel. What a sound bloke. Other stuff included a treasure hunt parade & a wild green space in the middle of the site were the kids could get in touch with nature.

At 1PM, kicking off the Wee Timorous Stage at the back of Rabbie’s Tavern, I was delighted to witness for my first time the ethereal & uplifting fairy shamanics of Motopia, fronted by an acoustic guitar strumming kneeling lady call’d Mairead Feighan & occasionally join’d by a guitarist & percussionist. It really was an enchanting affair, with lyrics that really mean something – like a give-a-fuck-about-humanity-with-a-hard-dose-of-truth kinda something.

Eden to me is like a hippy festival without that many hippies. I mean, it’s pure freedom & a thoroughly green affair, & stepping into the cycle-power’d Boardwalk area, ran by mi mates from Leeds, it’s proper like Alice in Wonderland. So it’s like a fluffy hippy party without the hippies – yeah, that’ll do for this year’s definition. Also at the Boardwalk was the viewing point, which doesn’t have that much of a view – too many trees, but it’s a good place to chill & watch the party ebb & flow, & it’s where we met Betty the Pooch, a stuff’d toy that seem’d to be having a better time than everyone.

There was also some great acts on at the Boardwalk – I kept going to my mates from Leeds, ‘they’re bangin’ them,’ especially Solar Love Society, they were buzzin’ & bangin’ – James got a free CD & has started telling his mates how good they are, which is high praise indeed, cos he knows his tunes does our James.

Chloe Hopes perspective of Eden 2023

This time of year brings me so deeply into the undercurrent of my soul. Eden urges me to unravel each year more and more and this year she felt like home. The crisp chill of the river in my bones, awakening the wild woman, the fearless voice inside. I felt so open and raw and willing to connect this year as if the little hermit inside me dissolved along with time to help my senses easily step into each new experience. 🌊✨

Eden kept me in a state of warmth and that wasn’t just because of the sun, it was because of the beautiful things and souls around me.

Conversations with neighbours that are now friends, being off grid for awhile, laying lazily under the sun, stacking stones, silent acts of kindness, spiders🕷️, singing with the belly, all the hugs, believing one another, peaceful silences, saying I love you on the first day, listening to the birds, genuine laughter, toothy grins of remembrance, sharing music, sharing energy, soul rememberance, holding hands whilst falling asleep, naked river fairies, soul family, feeling safe and loved unconditionally.🫂💕

In these moments you are opening yourself to be altered, allowing yourself to feel all these beautiful moments of unconditional love and kindness, allowing for every timeline to take place at once. My heart is feeling so wide open and i am unable to blind myself from the multitude of miracles that have taken place. My trust was tested but as I fell i found that i am indeed unconditionally held, that my soul is needed and despite the test i was still provided with a soft place to land🍄✨

I’m so excited and grateful for the opportunity to simply “be” here and now. Eden has reminded me that loving anything at all, expands you. That anywhere you are feeling is the entry point.

Feeling it all✨

I love you all so much❤️

Then it was time to stock up on some booze, it was hot & I was well thirsty. On the way back to the campsite I got chatting to some sound lassies who were chilling outside a van, with a guy in the shadows inside it. After listening to me rattle on for ages, he said the words Asphalt Jungle – which just happens to be the name of my new band. Turns out it was Alan Govan, who’d actually booked us for Mugstock, this coming August. He then kindly leant me his guitar to bang out a couple of numbers, in a vague attempt to justify my place on the bill, & luckily that is where the band still remain. He even had a jam with me on drums, & I said do you wanna join my band for Mugstock, & I can get you a plus one as well, completely forgetting he was the organiser.

Another highlight of Saturday afternoon’s romping about was meeting the two coolest girls in Whitby. I was like, you two are well cute, & they were like, yeah we know, & I’m like that’s well cool. On the Sunday I gave them two of my blue wagon wheels to show my appreciation as to how fucking cool they actually were.

Around about this point I realised that the normally tucked away chill-out haven that is the Vishnu Lounge was a bit too mainstreamy on the main drag, a bit open to the public which discouraged me going in & chilling out – it was better tucked away like it was in the past, I think.

So we trickl’d back to the campsite for a bit, which this year seems really well organised on all fronts – there’s glamping & there’s an excellent fenc’d walkway which guides you from the site, which came in especially handy in the dark. On Saturday afternoon, however, in our slice of the camp site, I decided to do some comedy busking, making 2 x 50ps from James as he tried to pretend I was good on guitar & entice other passing members of the public into coughing up. Then, just as I was giving up the ghost, some nice folk from Carlisle offer’d to pay me if I busk’d at their tent – so I did Pump Up the Jam & they gave me £7 – proper barry.

It was time to hit the festival once more, & the main stage. We stumbl’d into Kitti – I said it was mellow acid jazz, but James said it was jazz fusion. Whatever it was it was absolutely bangin,’ & I was pulling off these floating hobby horse moves in the sun, in a reyt good mood. To say we were blown away is an understatement. The singer’s voice was so powerful and soothing at the same time. Also the bass player was probably the funkiest we have ever seen. Not to take anything away from the rest of the band, who were for James the highlight of the weekend.

Not long after it was Sister Sledge, who didn’t disappoint, putting on a classic disco set of all the hits, pure bouncing vibes from a trio of funkmeister ladies, some of whom seem’d younger than they should have been if they were the real 70’s Sister Sledge. Whoever, or whatever, they were, it was also absolutely bangin’, & the roar at the end saw the universal voice of the party tribe singing proudly thro’ it’s Galloway section. We Are Family!

Just as a wee digression, I generally only use the words pants or bangin’ to describe live music these days, altho’ on very rare occasions I might use the word buzzin.’

Alas, at this point the legend that is James went to bed with his silicone earplugs, in order to drive back early doors Sunday – bless him. For me, of course, it was back to the Lost Disco – that place really does sort my soul out, like, setting me up for the summer ahead & finally shaking off 8 months of fucking sideways rain on Arran. I think I danced for 5 hours non-stop, using numerous combinations of my normal 7 moves, with a brand new 8th thrown in as well, with the final phase being from Shakti Mama Disco Diva’s bassy techno disco, a pure Eden legend who I fist-pump’d when she started & continued to dance to in a reyt giddy fashion for ages. I love me disco me.

Again, the music stopp’d at 3 – but this time I went to the Ghilli Du tent next door for final hour’s bopping. Just over 24 hours later I’m back in my bed at home & my ankle reyt hurts, but it was worth it. I got here by setting off about mid-day on the Sunday… didn’t want to leave really, I fancied checking out the cosmic troubadours that are Henge in the evening, but it wasn’t to be, & a car ride, train ride, another train ride & boat later, this year’s Eden, this spectacularly enjoyable Eden, was over bar the memories, & James & I cannot wait to be back in the garden next year!!

Words: Damo Beeson Bullen
Photos (& some words): James Wallace

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THE DIVINE EDEN

Jim picked me up at about 10am and we headed to Rae Hills Meadows with the intention of firing (Forgive the pun ) on all cylinders this coming weekend. It was a cool and overcast morning in Niddrie, So I had jeans and a black biker jacket, Its got loads of pockets, so it’s really useful, especially in wet conditions. History has taught me that the Scottish Monsoon season generally happens around Eden time. It’s not been unknown for two months worth of rain to fall over The Eden weekend. It was one such year that DJ Divine became the fire master. When I rescued the fire in the above-said Monsoon Eden. I love fire, my Sun is in Aries and my Moon is in Leo.. Its a natural attraction. I loved and learned how important it is, how central and important a good hearty fire is at a festival, especially if its wet.

So even though all weather reports were geared up for a hot Eden, I still packed for a wet one. Especially after been caught out last year by the inclement conditions. So made sure I was double waterproofed on everything. The Hottest and driest Eden to date I was not expecting. Rae Hills Meadows is really lush as soon as we got to the venue. I had forgotten just how lush. My heart softened immediately and it was getting warmer and warmer. By the time myself and Jim had set up camp, I was sweating buckets. Taps aff. jeans off and shorts on. Ross soon arrived and as he was setting up camp, I headed to see the new Camp Fire placing in the Woodland I was delighted and excited for what greeted me. Such a lovely space and perfect for grounding the healing Angels. The birdsong was profound and the trees were breathtakingly majestic and for the first time The Fire was at the highest point of the festival. I was excited for Ross to see it. Things really couldnae have been any more perfect ❤

I sat with the Bird Song and the glorious evening Sun, The lighting people were creating their magik rushing to have the colours in place for nightfall. I couldnae stop myself from smiling, my heart was full of radiant joy, Jim and Ross arrived and we prepped the wood for the first Eden Fire in the lovely new Fire Place.

I opened the new Healing vortex and set the intention for everyone to receive the healing that they needed.

Jim and Ross arrived and we lit the first fire It was just perfect everything was conducive to Good Time Grace ❤

With the Sacred Fire being at the highest point of the festival the sound clash from the different stages wasnae as annoying when everything is going off at once. The closest amplified stage was The Boardwalk Edens bicycle-powered Dub Reggae Stage. Oh yes, Baby.

I really was in the groove. Everyone was having an amazingly Good Time ❤ We kept the flame contained and safe with thought to how dry everything was. The first night was brilliant and everyone loved it. I took leave of the fire at around 4am and headed to my tent, completely knackered but fulfilled.

Friday 9th June

My little two-man tent and sleeping bag welcomed me, it was already light as I lay down and I was out like a light, only for a couple of hours though, the hot morning Sun making things too sticky to sleep. and my back was really nipping, I wasnae moving fast today and TBH it was too hot to move fast. So make-up first and crimped my hair in the Crew Kitchen. We kept a low burn on the fire, It was getting Hotter and Hotter, so was quite content to conserve energy, meditate and fire tend.

It was nae till after lunch that the Firemen arrived with their thermal imaging cameras, there was a lot of chin stroking, humming and arrring. It was quite a tense moment. Were we gonna have to abandon the fire ???????? But then the Firemen left and the flame was intact. I completely understood though. I was prepping in my head my DJ Set at midnight, had made sure my absence at the fire was covered. It was a busy night.

The night sky was clear as a result the temperature dropped quite dramatically as nighttime fell. I was still wearing shorts. Just as I played my first tune, I gets a text from HQ saying put no more wood on the fire and let it die oot. Multi-tasking DJ??? So I got the message out to Ross and Jim, I was looking forward to a roaring fire, but understood why that wasnae going to happen. It was a cold night and a dwindling flame with a massive woodpile was going to be a hard thing to manage. Ross and Jim did a brilliant job. Again I headed to my tent at 4am to alleviate exhaustion. I knew that the Fire Place had to be cordoned off and clear signage put in place.

Saturday 10th June

The instruction I had received was to let the fire die out and not put any more wood on the flame. So was a little surprised to find a volunteer had turned the sacred fireplace into his living room, had a fire going and was doing his clothes washing, heating the water with the fire by using empty tin cans. He told me he was tripping on Mushrooms?????? While looking after a fire that was supposed to be out. Its been a while since I had met such a rude arrogant arsehole. He said that security had ok’d the fire. So I went for breakfast and then headed to get my high viz because I didn’t trust this person. He was most perturbed that I had joined him for my shift. I rolled a fag put my baccy down, turned my back and he knicked my baccy. There were only two of us in the fire place so it couldn’t have been anyone else. Then he started being more aggressive towards me and started on a rant about his hatred of trans people. I just kept quiet until The Firemen arrived and put his fire out. He was not happy about that.

Then security arrived and walked him off-site. I explained to The Fireman that we needed to cordon off the fire place and have clear signs saying nae fire. I stayed with fire place until it had been cordoned off and signs put in place. I headed down to crew kitchen and did a lunch shift after doing my makeup and I really enjoyed it. Serving a grateful hungry Crew. It was an ace job. The sun was hot though, nudging 30″, Jim had Sunstroke and my head was stopping working, overtiredness and heat exhaustion I think. For the first time I was actually glad that there wouldn’t be a fire on Saturday night. Because come 9pm I was in my sleeping bag and I slept for 9 hours straight

The only complete performance I witnessed was Minerva Wakes, AKA Jo D’Ark of The Twistetetts on The Meladrome Stage. The sound production was amazing and trip-hop, goth and poetry presentation was incredibly well received. I think I was suffering a bit of heat stroke by Saturday evening too.

Sunday 11th June

Sleep was definitely what I needed. Because come Sunday Morning I was bright and buzzing and ready for what the day would bring. Rumours abound that we might get the go-ahead for a fire on Sunday, However that ok didnae come until 7pm. Jim had gone home. So Ross and myself had to rebuild the fireplace, remove all trip hazards and fill in the holes.

We laid triple layers of rock to build the fire upon so that there wouldn’t be an underburn. Ross headed to see Henge perform on the Mountain Stage (Lucky Bugger) I still havenae seen them. But they did come up to the fire in the early hours of Monday Morning. So that was nice. It really was a beautiful fire on Sunday night and with a good nights sleep the night before I was able to be extra caring and attentive to the flame. Eden finished at 4am that Monday Morning and everyone came up to the Fire for one last party.

That was one challenging Eden ❤
All The Eden Crew Worked Hard To Create a Beautiful Party.
Have read nothing but positive feed back from lots of Edenites.
Eden 2023 was a special one. ❤

Mark ‘Divine’ Calvert

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The Meadows
Edinburgh
2-3 June, 2023

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It’s not a full review because I only caught a few of the acts that were performing. However I was glued to the main stage for the afternoon’s entertainment,The Weather was beautiful too, I got a glorious tan ❤ I was a bit late, coz iI am still recovering from Thursday nights Leftfield excursion. I got to the main stage of the Meadows Festival just as the Devils In Skirts, were taking to the stage. A local band of Punx that were having a jolly old time entertaining the gathered Meadows Festival massive, The Sun was out and my dancing feet were tapping. Norman Lamont And the Heaven Sent followed to stir up the groove with a set of 70’s classic covers. that people really wanted to dance to.

The line up looked interesting and when I found out that the next band, was a band called “The Band That Fell To Earth” Of course this had my full intrigue and attention. I’m always really sceptical about Bowie Tributes. Having seen the Grand Master perform 9 Times. Only the real thing will do. The band that fell To Earth were sensationally good. With perfect renditions of Sufragate City, Let’s Dance (The recent live reworking) Version. (Bravo).

There were guest musicians and singers from The Totaly Sound musical youth project. Based at Tonegarden Studios in Edinburghs Summerhall. At first to deliver Starman and the first Meadows Sing A Long of the weekend. There was one young lassie called Ami that sang Ashes To Ashes perfectly. Just about all of the Meadows were dancing, Then we had Changes, Rebel Rebel Space Oddity Heroes. and Gene Jeanie. To be honest it couldn’t have been more perfect. The winning rendition for me was Stay, It was delivered in a perfect really funky way. Being a Bowie fan this really made my day. The Band that fell To Earth were absolutely superb. It was a bit like Bowie School (The Musical) Oh aye Divine approves Five stars ❤

Maz And The Phantoms closed the main stage with a goth-tinged, Placebo esque set of original compositions A band from the creative hubris that is Glasgow, Closing the first day of Rock N Roll Good Times at The Meadows Festival ❤ That was a brilliant day.

I danced so much on the Saturday of The Meadows Festival, Come Sunday I had nae energy to repeat the dance, So had a look round the stalls and popped into see a friend for a cuppa. It was on the way back, I found an ace suitcase with wheels sitting by a bin. Thankyou Angels, just what I was needing for my festival adventures to Eden and Glastonbury. So I headed back to the Tonegarden Mainstage of the Meadows to catch the closing act.

Called Passing Sages, a young band from Fife, who are funky disco incarnate. Delivering an infectious groove, So much so. the entire Meadows was getting on down. Another great closing performance of The Meadows festival 2023.

Next year is the 50th Anniversary of The Meadows Festival so I will be there in full review capacity for the Next one. That was a brilliant party ❤

Mark ‘Divine’ Calvert

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Glasgow
Barrowland Ballroom
01.06.2023

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Yeeeeha, Divine and Raymond Speedie are going to be there in full review capacity. What an honour this is going to be. Good time Divine ❤

This was the Gig that had to be rescheduled from SWG3 last December. Am so pleased they upgraded to The Barrowland Ballroom because it is by far my fave venue, Leftfield and Sprung dancefloors go hand in hand. It’s completely sold out of course. I bought the brilliant new long player “This Is What We Do” on its release. So its had a good six months to work its way into my subconscious. Leftfield are one of the bands that DJ Divine collects, remixes and stuff. I remained a leftfield Virgin till 2015. Where I experienced them perform at Glastonbury that year. Alas I was disappointed, not with Leftfield but with the sound production and how messy this vast auditorium was, Mind I had been working all day.

Fast forward a few months and Leftfield announced that they would be performing at what is now the 02 in Edinburgh in October. Of course I snapped up a ticket, I knew this was going to be the hymen-breaking Leftfield Concert. that I had been waiting for, for decades Indeed, I had been performing Alternative Lightsource in my DJ sets that year, I was very techno focused at the time, In general leftfield always make the mix.

Leftism and Rythm And Stealth, two of the greatest Elelctronic Genre defining works of musical art. Who’s live shows were legendary.. Leftfields reputation superceded them and my anticipation was huge for this one. It was fucking amazing and by far the best dance of the year and the only Gig that has ever left me deaf for 48 hours ❤.

This time around, I will get to see them at the Barrowland Ballroom first and then at Glastonbury Festival. My knickers are soaking for this one ❤

What makes Leftfield So Fucking Ace ❤
Leftfield are a British electronic music group formed in 1989, a duo of Neil Barnes and Paul Daley (the latter formerly of the Rivals and A Man Called Adam). The duo was influential in the evolution of electronic music in the 1990s, with Mixmag describing them as “the single most influential production team working in British dance music”. As with many of their contemporaries, such as the Chemical Brothers and Fatboy Slim, Leftfield are notable for their use of guest vocalists in their works. Among them are Toni Halliday on “Original”, Johnny Rotten on “Open Up”, Djum Djum on “Afro-Left”, Earl 16 and Cheshire Cat on “Release the Pressure”, and Grian Chatten of Fontaines D.C. on Full Way Round. The term progressive house was coined to define their style, a fusion of house with dub and reggae.

Neil Barnes’ music career started off as a DJ at The Wag Club while simultaneously playing percussion on a session basis. In 1986, he joined the London School of Samba and played the Bateria in the 1986 Notting Hill Carnivall Around 1989, inspired by Afrika Bambaataa Barnes decided to try his hand at electronic music production, the results of which were the tracks “Not Forgotten” and “More Than I Know”, released on the Rhythm King label For the remixes of these tracks, Barnes called upon Paul Daley percussion player with A Man Called Adam and formerly a session musician for the Brand New Heavies and Primal Scream, appearing on their Dixie-Narco EP. Barnes and Daley had previously worked together as percussionists at The Sandals first club, Violets.

Described by Barnes as the sound of 15 years of frustration coming out in one record”, the piece was termed “Progressive House” by Mixmag and held significant prominence in nightclubs from 1991 onwards As their mutual interest in electronic music became clear the pair decided that they would work instead upon Leftfield, once Barnes had extricated himself from his now troublesome contract with Rhythm King subsidiary, Outer Rhythm.

The name Leftfield was originally used by Barnes for his first single, with editing/arranging and additional production undertaken by Daley. However, after this, Daley was subsequently involved in remixing “Not Forgotten” and thereafter in the creation of all of Leftfield’s work until the band split up in 2002.

During this period, in which the band could not release their own music owing to the legal dispute with Rhythm King, the pair undertook remix work for React 2 Rhythm, I.C.P. (Ice Cool Productions), Supereal, Inner City, Sunscreem, Ultra Naté and provided two remixes to David Bowie’s single “Jump They Say”. Finally, once the problems with their former label had been sorted out, Leftfield were able to unveil their single “Release the Pressure”.

Leftism
Leftfield’s first major career break came with the single “Open Up”, a collaboration with John Lydon (of Sex Pistols fame) Indeed, it was this track that bridged the divide between the tribes of Post Punk and Rave culture. I guess I had a Punk Rock snobbery back then. Open Up bridged that divide and it all made sense.

The debut album, Leftism soon followed in 1995, blending dub, breakbeat, and house. It was shortlisted for the 1995 Mercury Music Prize In a 1998 Q magazine poll, readers voted it the eightieth greatest album of all time, while in 2000 Q placed it at number 34 in its list of the 100 Greatest British Albums Ever. The album was re-released in 2000 with a bonus disc of remixes, and again in 2017 as a remastered version with eleven completely new remixes. Have always wondered what a band does when their first album is one of the best and most loved debuts of all time. A groundbreaking work of innovation and art. Leftism is the God of Techno in perfection.

Rhythm and Stealth
Their second album, Rhythm and Stealth (1999) maintained a similar style, and featured Roots Manuva, Afrika Bambaataa and MC Cheshire Cat from Birmingham. Indeed there was great anticipation for the release of Rythm And Stealth, following the phenomenal success of Leftism. It couldn’t have been easy creating a follow-up to that one. Most of us were kinda hoping for a Leftism Part two. What we got was a genre-defining education in hard-edged Techno a pounding rhythms electronic beauty, that took everyone by surprise. 28 years on it still holds it charms.

But then Leftfield were gone and wouldn’t release another album until 2015. 16 years a long time to wait for Alternative Light Source,

On 25 March 2015, the new single, “Universal Everything”, was premiered on Annie Mac’s BBC Radio 1 show. Shortly afterwards the new album was announced via the Leftfield website and social networks, along with UK tour dates for June 2015. Alternative Light Source, Leftfield’s first album in 16 years, was released on 8 June 2015 on Infectious Records. “Head and Shoulders” features Sleaford Mods on vocals, and its stop-motion and animation hybrid video debuted on Pitchfork on 6 August 2015.

This Is What We Do
A fourth album was declared finished by Barnes via Twitter on 4 February 2022, later revealed to be titled This Is What We Do. It was released on 2 December 2022.

So on June the 1st, Leftfield are bringing the party juggernaut to Glasgow, to begin the next chapter of seeing one of my favourite electronic acts of all time. Ladies and Gentlemen. Leftfield are coming to town ❤
Full Report Coming Soon. ❤
See ya on the Dancefloor baby ❤

The Leftfield Live Band
Neil Barnes
Adam Wren
Bid (Drummer)
Vocalists that appeared are noted on each track.

Tonight’s setlist
Pulse
Making a Difference (feat Cheshire Cat)
Rapture 16 (feat Earl Daley)
Release the Pressure (feat Earl Daley and Cheshire Cat)
Afrika Shox
This Is What We Do
Power of Listening

Melt
Song of Life
Phat Planet

The Gig ❤
Divine set off for this Rock N Roll Spectacular on the 5.30pm stagecoach to Glasgow for what was gearing up to be the best party of the year so far. I got to The Barrowland Ballroom at about 7.30pm, picked up my review pass, put my jacket in the cloakroom and headed for the sprung lushness that my dancing feet were crying out for. As James Brown quoted, “Dance solves most problems!” The warm-up DJs did a brilliant job getting everyone into the groove – the boogie was on. As I said earlier this was a completely sold-out gig and the Ballroom was soon packed to capacity with middle-aged ravers that were completely up for it. Dry ice filled the Ballroom and Leftfield took to the stage. and everyone went mental as Techno Heaven emanated from The Leftfield Soundsystem The opening number Pulse, a piece of music drawn from the new long player “This Is What We Do,” lit the touchpaper and the capacity audience exploded with delight on a 90 minute journey of electronic perfection.

Of course Leftfield appeal to an older audience, they are a band who’s music has been an important part of a certain generation’s whole evolution, spiritually and musically. One could see that in the audience tonight a sea of memories all around me. Being taken back to Good Times. ❤ As each song performed tonight was greeted with an ecstatic hero’s welcome. Like welcoming an old friend that has brought one untold joy. Everyone was dancing with passion. With a selection of songs drawn from Leftfield’s 4-album back catalogue of electronic perfection brought to life. It was after the opening number that everyone was instructed to switch off their mobile phones and be in the moment. Because each moment really did count. The light show was phenomenal and the sound was reassuringly loud. With Cheshire Cat and Earl Daley the original vocalists that sang the original parts on “Making A Difference, Rapture 16 and Release The Pressure, everyone in the ballroom found a Love That Lasts All Time tonight, and that love is a love of Leftfield.

The encore was just as spectacular. Melt, Song For Life, and the closing number, Phat Planet, brought one of the best concerts I have ever attended, to a climax. As a sea of fulfilled happy faces flooded into Glasgow each one knowing that they had just been part of something special. James Brown was right. That was fucking awesome.

Words: Mark ‘Divine’ Calvert
Photography: Raymond Speedie

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The Voodoo Rooms
Tues 30th May, 2023

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Every now and then, Damo, The Mumble editor, drops into my inbox a tasty opportunity to investigate tantalising musicianship, such as Nicole Atkins & Jim Sclavunos, a combination of talents that instantly excited me. Two artists that have duly earned their Rock N Roll stripes.

Starting out in NY’s infamous No Wave scene playing bass with Teenage Jesus & The Jerks in 1978, Jim Sclavunos carved out a distinctive reputation for himself as a drummer. Recording with Sonic Youth and The Cramps before joining Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds in 1994, he also co-founded Grinderman and his own solo project The Vanity Set. An in-demand producer (The Horrors, Gogol Bordello, Fat White Family, Dublonde, Polly Scattergood) and remixer (Depeche Mode, Grinderman, Phillip Glass), he also hosts a monthly show on Soho Radio.

Fresh off her opening slot for Stevie Nicks, Nicole will join Jim in the UK for a series of live dates kicking off in Edinburgh on 30th May. Audiences can expect an intimate evening of songs from Nicole’s latest LP ‘Italian Ice’, along with well-loved favourites, plus the debut of new songs from Nicole and Jim’s upcoming duets album.

A study in contrasts, Nicole Atkins and Jim Sclavunos make music that is a perfect synthesis of their eclectic tastes and backgrounds. With uptempo krautrock grooves sitting alongside deconstructed sambas, space-rock confessionals and wistful ballads, the pair’s songs evoke thumbnail intimacies in vast empty spaces.

The Band
Nicole Atkins: vocals, guitar, percussion
Jim Sclavunos: vocals, drums
Davey Horne: keyboards
Tom Sansbury: bass guitar
Jabo Jablonka: guitar

Davey Horne opened proceedings of tonight’s hotly anticipated Gig at the Voodoo Rooms in Edinburgh, a handsome musician from Fife with a blistering set of pipes treated us with a short set of torch songs, sung with a voice not far removed from that of Bowie and with a keyboard playing style that was reminiscent of Mike Garson, Davey also doubles as the keyboard player for tonight’s headliners Jim Sclavunos and Nicole Atkins. Warming up the excited audience perfectly for this first night of a British tour to celebrate the release of the duo’s new single “Strange Weather” A taster of the duo’s forthcoming new album which at this stage is still a work in progress. Indeed this tour is a testing ground for the new songs to breathe and come to life some of which were airing for the first time to a live audience.

Both Nicole and Jim have a striking presence as they take to the stage, it’s not every day that one gets the chance to take in the playing style of a Bad Seed up close, Jim is accustomed to performing with Nick Cave in massive arenas globally, this is one of the reasons that tonight’s performance in a glamorous and intimate Voodoo Rooms was such a scoop. Nicole Atkins originates from her native New Jersey and has been working with Jim to create musical magik since 2014’s brilliant long player “Slow Phaser,” along with 2020’s much heralded by the music press “Italian Ice” which gained 5-star reviews. However, promoting this live was thwarted by the Plandemic. So the second scoop of tonight’s performance is that some of the songs performed gained their first airing in a British venue. Indeed these are just a few reasons why tonight’s gig was so special. Nicole has an amazing voice, reminiscent of classic 60’s soul, born of struggle and overcoming addiction, sober since 2006. (Bravo). A Torch songstress whose flame burns brighter with her excellent choice of supporting musicians. As this tour progresses so will the band. The collective chemistry is nothing less than spellbinding. As you can guess both myself and Raymond were both in awe of how brilliant this was.

The Set List
Neptune City.
AM Gold,
Brokedown Luck,
Never Going Home,
Captain, Walking,
Feign,
Take Aim & Shoot,
Goodnight Rhonda Lee,
War Torn,
Maybe Tonight,
Domino,
Mind Eraser,
Serious Drinking,
Man Like Me,
Statue,
Memories Come And Go,
A Little Crazy,
Strange Weather.

Words: Mark ‘Divine’ Calvert
Photography: Raymond Speedie

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