Last weekend I went to my first proper festival and now I think I get it. OK, we didn’t camp, but we did get arse-deep in mud, bounced around to some amazing bands, got acquainted with the festival portaloo experience (the only chance to sit down in 12 hours) and discovered the joys of a tech-free weekend*. (more…)
I watched Gus Berger’s excellent documentary, Duke Vin and the Birth of Ska down at Rootikal on Friday night. A 45-minute history lesson on the origins of ska, it has fantastic footage of the early blues and ska parties in the UK plus sound bites from Duke Vin, Don Letts and Jerry Dammers. Recommended…
I’m so glad I went to see Bruce Weber Shorts yesterday, a lovely hour of cinematic gorgeousness and perfect for a Saturday afternoon. Alas, I had to dash off moments before the end to catch a train to Leeds for a last minute BBC debate on the evils of teen magazines (I had to defend them). Before I left, tripping over my wheelie Globetrotter in a rather non-elegant fashion, I managed to catch the gem that was Teddy Boys of The Edwardian Drape Society, a three-minute movie showing a selection of old timer teddy boys (and girls) still dressing up, quiffing up and generally tearing up the dancefloor. These characters are passionate about their scene as can be witnessed in this old interview with Ritchie Gee who runs the Edwardian Drape Society. What a character!
[Images: Teds Corner]
