Milky’s Music Matters

from BedsLife Magazine May 2022

by BedsLife Magazine

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MILKYS MUSIC MATTERS MATTERS

FOCUS ON UPCOMING BEDFORD GIGS

CEREMONY #2 ONE-DAYER Sat 21st May | Esquires

Bedford Esquires is delighted to announce that on Saturday the 21st of May 2022, Pip Blom will be headlining the second edition of ‘Ceremony’, a multi-room, gender balanced music festival that aims to highlight new and exciting music. The joyful Dutch four piece, who released their second album ‘Welcome Break’ in 2021, are amongst the fi rst wave of confi rmed acts that also includes the horn-fuelled sleaze of Opus Kink, the angular pop of Keg, the eclecticism of New York’s Babi Ali and the soaring post-punk of Damefrisor. With many more acts to be announced shortly, tickets are £27.50 in advance. The all-day event will also feature the very best in authentic street food, catering for vegans, vegetarians and all other persuasions. Last year was a massive success with punters treated to over 20 bands in an event headlined by Billy NoMates, this year’s event promises to be even better.

PERSONAL TRAINER + BULLET GIRL Wed 11th May | Esquires

Personal Trainer is a collaboration between Willem Smit, who records and writes most of the music at home, and producer Casper van der Lans (responsible for the production of some of The Netherlands’ greatest releases of the last couple of years. Personal Trainer balances between a spontaneous and fun interaction between musicians being thrown together on a stage without having rehearsed too much and playing well composed catchy and noisy pop songs with a rock attitude. They were described as “a manic indie rock orchestra that taps into the wayward spirits of Car Seat Headrest, Silver Jews, The Fall and LCD Soundsystem, with Smit playing the role of everyman poet and ringmaster” and “Perfectly organized chaos.” Support comes from Irish noisepunks Bullet Girl.

THE ALLERGIES + THE MILLER COLLECTIVE Thur 19th May | Esquires

Allergies have made a name for themselves with their take on sample-led beats and breaks. Over the course of two funk-fuelled albums on Jalapeno Records the dynamic duo of DJ Moneyshot & Rackabeat have stacked up accolades and topped charts along the way. Their album, Push On, was a melting pot of vintage licks and modern production and featured heavily on many end of year roundups in 2017 and took the Album of the Year gong on BBC 6 Music, thanks to Craig Charles’ constant championing. On record their infectious fusion of hip-hop and rare grooves has won them fans worldwide. From ram jam stages at Glastonbury festival to rocking the legendary Space in Ibiza, they have one mission – to rock the spot. “The Allergies are neck deep in the world of scratchy samples…This is truly funk and soul for the 21st century!” – Craig Charles, BBC 6 Music. Note this is a live performance not a DJ set. Support set from Miller Collective spinning funk and soul cuts

SUPPORT THE BEDFORD LIVE SCENE – UPCOMING GIGS FOR YOUR DIARY

ESQUIRES

Fri 6th May Coach Party Fri 13th May The Dirt Road Band Sat 14th May Balaam & the Angel + Daw After Dark Thur 19th May The Allergies (live) + The Miller Collective Fri 20th May Delilah Bon + Attitude: Extravaganza Cabaret Sat 21st May CEREMONY #2 all-dayer Thur 26th May FEET + Opus Kink + Bull Thur 2nd June The Royston Club Fri 3rd June The Specials – Bedford Park Sat 4th June Tom Grennan – Bedford Park Tue 7th June The Courettes

+ many more, check listings at bedfordesquires.com for details or facebook.com/bedfordesquires Tickets available from Esquires, Slide Record Shop and online at seetickets.com

FEET + OPUS KINK + BULL Thur 26th May | Esquires

Cracking three band line-up and a welcome return for FEET after their festival stealing performance at Ceremony last year. They’ve got a name for their new direction, Crease Pop, but even that has some logic to it. “It’s taking the pop music formula – hooky choruses, nothing too self-indulgent – but it’s still got a bit of edge,” says George. “Playing in big arenas is everyone’s dirty dream, and we can literally see Alexandra Palace from our window so it can’t not be, but we’re not willing to sell our souls to get there,” Harry says. “For me there’s something about being comfortable among our peers, making music that can stand next to other people and be proud,” George nods, as Callum summarises the journey of the last 18 months: “We wanna be on the inside looking out rather than on the outside bursting in.” Support comes from the incredible 6-piece, brass infused Opus Kink (trust me, they’re amazing live) and Bull who offer a big sonic hug, think Pavement meets Teenage Fanclub.

COMING UP, COMING UP

Bands who will go onto bigger things (do not miss your chance to see them before they play much bigger venues) – All those great bands @ ceremony Funky time – The Allergies Big names – Balaam & the Angel Cabaret – Delilah Bon Ska – The Specials Indie – Coach Party, FEET Phil Spector meets garage rock – The Courettes