What’s Floating Alessi’s Ark?
Hello Fly readers, has the summer treated you well? Have you discovered anything great of late? Gone fishing?
Here are a few of the festivals which I would very much recommend for next summer. They are all very family friendly and cater for music appreciating grown-ups too. I was lucky to have played at quite a few this year, but these 3 were my favourites for sure:-
It’s a lovely, small folk/rock festival held in a working farm in Canterbury. No shortage of shade or good food – come rain or shine, you’re covered.
This might be the perfect festival. The site is a manageable size, whereby you can walk to either end without feeling too exhausted but also not feel cooped up. All kinds of musical grounds were covered this year; Bon Iver, Phoenix, Laura Marling and PJ Harvey to name a few and taking place elsewhere there was burlesque cabaret, a knitting tent, an animal farm, a silent disco and for little ones, the English National Ballet presented highlights from Angelina Ballerina’s new show. A lot of thought is put into this festival and being there felt like being on a family holiday.
This pretty, little festival couldn’t be held back by any amount of rain or mud, and of both there was a surplus. Although every vehicle moving in or out of the site had to be towed through mud by a tractor, once people arrived they obviously gave in and set up camp. In it’s 3rd year, Nozstock had special details in nooks and crannies, down to a T. The curator/owner of the farm, Pete Noz enthusiastically books just about anything and everything he likes. As well as music from The Buzzcocks, there was a time machine, handmade jewelry for sale, a Scotch Egg tent and Dutch wooden toy building.
Onwards and upwards, I’ve been enjoying a few records too. Forest Fire’s ‘Survival’ is the most recent find and online listens Valley Lodge and Miniature Tigers have been on repeat. I’ve been revisiting too, The Whispertown 2000′s debut album, ‘Livin’ in a Dream’ which has been helping to pass warm evenings nicely. It’s a little different and more stripped back than their latest work on ‘Swim’ – both of which I highly recommend!
More locally, and it doesn’t get more local than Acton, I present you Treetop Flyers. Their music is rich with harmonies, ‘Crazy Horse’-esque guitars and soul from a time we don’t live in. BUT, fortunately we CAN live in and soon! Their debut E.P will set sail from September 29th with their launch at The Lexington. Come on down!
I am the fly! You are the Fly! Fly in the ointment! Wire’s song will be the encore at this year’s Festival at Queen Elizabeth Hall. On September 4th, Robyn Hitchcock will be curating an evening of insect-centric music performed by himself, Graham Coxon, John Hegley, Mike Heron, Max Eastley and I. The Southbank Centre will be hosting insect-inspired comedy, music, ID walks, talks, workshops, experiments, fashion and a termite inspired architectural structure. It should be lots of fun!
I feel I’ve been rambling and rabbiting on for far too long and I promise more musical recommendations next time!
In the meantime, other finds and thoughts will be taken note of here: www.alessiark.com
Be well and fill your golden ears!
Alessi xo
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