Strange to think about how much it moved forward in 2014, and where it will go next too. I hope to be able to talk about that soon enough.
Back in 2013 when it was the first SoundLab at BOC
Category: Events
Things are going on all the time!, This category is about things I’ve been to or sometimes would have liked to have been to. Also, it’s about events I’m a part of or have had some hand in running.
Moog Soundlab residency: Iain Forsyth & Jane Pollard Performance
After being at one of these performance I’d booked to go again, expecting, not unreasonably, for it to be of a similar format to the previous Moog Soundlab event at the Ace Hotel in Shoreditch. I was wrong. At least, I was for the most part wrong. It was similar in the sense that there was the same enormous (or at least enormous by my standards) Moog modular rig being used. However, I was different in more or less every other aspect.
To illustrate I took a photograph of the letter that every received (on their chair as they arrived) and were asked to read.
I think you’ll agree that this is really quite unusual. As were the two glasses of gin that did arrive and were, at least to my taste, nothing like the gin I’m used to.
In fact, as an event it was more like something I might see at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, rather than in London, so from that perspective, I loved it.
Moog Soundlab residency: Dave Colohan
This was a lovely little event, and when I say little I really do mean it. The audience was tiny in a tiny little basement bar at the Ace hotel in Shoreditch. It’s a nice venue though. The performance lasted a hour and was very interesting and used a lot but not all the equipment.
I find it interesting to watch a modular performance like this to see how the music is actually generated and sustained. It isn’t like normal performances at all of course. Quite different indeed.
The arrangements were lovely, with people’s names on their booked seats.
And on each seat was a thing called a “dream machine”, which was a strange light contraption sitting on a turntable. It made an interesting effect though.
So it was an enjoyable evening, good fun, interesting to watch and different environment too.
GBBF 2015
After a break since 2012 I went back to the GBBF. It’s still in Olympia, but as the weather was somewhat overcast it didn’t get too hot in there during the day. But it was a good festival. I’m so glad I went this year. There were some cracking ales there and some very nice food too.
A couple of ales that stood out for me were:
This was quite a light ale, very fruity and citrus flavoured. I really enjoyed it, although I know it isn’t to everyone’s tastes.
Also …
I liked this mild for a number of reasons. Firstly, it was a nice mild, and I don’t tend to drink mild much these days. It had a lovely burnt flavour that wasn’t too overpowering at all. Secondly, I liked the name, which reminded me of The Boards of Canada, The Campfire Headphase, and thirdly, I really liked the design. So I think I may need to locate some of these in the not too distant future.
This year was also unique as I actually managed to get my glass home with me! The last few times I’d been to the GBBF I’d not bothered as normally I’d either mislay it on the way home, or it would get broken. This year it lasted all the way home!
Less than a month to BOC!
Yes, it’ll be that time again soon. In a month it’ll be the Beautiful Octopus Club back at the Royal Festival Hall, and I intend to be there again. I’m not entirely sure what I’ll be doing on the day, but I’m sure it’ll be fun.
Open House London is coming up fast
I haven’t been to any of these events for a while, but the last time I did it was just fantastic, so I’m looking forward to checking out what’s available this year as part of Open House London. If you don’t know about it, you should certainly find out about it.
Seeing Melle Mel at the Jazz Cafe
I love going to the Jazz Cafe, it’s a great venue and very convenient too, except when there’s a tube strike and I have to walk there from Borough Market, which took a lot longer than normal simply due to the crowds in London. Anyway, that’s my rant over with for now anyway.
I went to this gig with a couple of mates who were, to be fair, more interested in it than I was. However, I do tend to go along because it’s always good to see friends, and you never know if you’ll see something amazing or not. Luckily for me, this was the later.
It was a great gig. Lots of tracks I remember in the set, and a huge amount of energy in the performance. The audience loved it and it was a great evening. So I’m really glad I went.
WOMAD memories 3: The Portico Quartet
The first time I saw The Portico Quartet was at WOMAD a few years ago. They were amazing and made a really big impression. Of course, now they’re no longer the Portico Quartet, and they’re just Portico, which is fine. Their music is quite different now, but I still like it. However, for me I think it lacks the impact of the first time I saw them live at WOMAD. That was amazing.
Aswad at the Jazz Cafe
Whilst I wasn’t a massive fan of theirs in their day I still liked a few of their tracks, so when the opportunity to see Aswad came up I thought, why not? I’m sure it might be a pleasant evening out. Well, it was much more than that in the end. In fact, it was an excellent evening out all in all.
The sound in the Jazz Cafe in Camden was excellent and Aswad were on brilliant form. They put on a great show and kept the crowd moving throughout the performance. I’m so glad I went now. I had a fantastic time, and I think I’d see them again given the chance.
Rail Ale 2015
It’s been a couple of years since I was on the Rail Ale train. It’s a lovely evening on the bluebell railway in Sussex and well worth trying out if you’ve never been. The format is simple. Steam train + Real Ale + Sausage and Mash supper + Jazz band. Easy.
The atmosphere is lovely, especially if you have a really nice sunny evening to enjoy as well. The crowd is all there to have a good time and enjoy the beers, of which there were many, and all good in terms of those I managed to sample.
It isn’t the cheapest evening out, but as an occasional outing it’s well worth the money, and of course, as the Bluebell railway is a charity I don’t begrudge them the cash.
My favourite ale of the evening was called “Piston Broke”, which seemed apt in some ways for a pleasant evening of beer and music.
A great night out all in all.
I am Ashley Elsdon 